LITERARY SHOULDERS

Hello friends! What an exciting week it’s gonne be! There are some fine literary and cinematic events happening around town. I hope to see you out and about!

Poetry at the Manor

Poetry at the Manor is in its 11th season! The event takes place at Willistead Manor *THIS WEDNESDAY*. No need to get any tickets, but do arrive well before the start so you can get seat…standing-room only is the real deal at this event! Books will be for sale post-poetry and refreshments are free and abundant!

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Book Lovers’ Luncheon

On Sunday, October 29, I’ll be sharing the literary stage with Kim Conklin and Heidi LM Jacobs for the May Court Club’s annual Book Lovers’ Luncheon. We’ll feast and celebrate our love of books. There’ll be loads of books on display and for sale and auction. This is a fundraising event for the May Court Club.

What will I be reading, you wonder…Well, ahem, me too! I’m not sure what I’m reading yet, but I may read bits from two new writing projects…and perhaps some oldies from past poetry books too! See you there!

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WIFF – Depraved Mind Premiere

I’m sooo excited that WIFF has arrived! With nearly 200 films to choose from to watch, this year’s festival is a stunner! Suede Productions’ film ‘Depraved Mind’ is premiering on Friday, October 27th at 8pm at the Chrysler St. Clair Centre! Do come and watch it – support local filmmakers…and well, me and the fam! It was a family affair making this film with all of us on set to help make movie magic!

*Content Warning* Depraved Mind is a thriller. It has violence and harsh subject matter, so do watch the trailer first! And if it’s not your type of film – no worries! There are loads of other films at the festival to choose from!

DEPRAVED MIND TRAILER & TICKET INFO HERE!

WIFF FILMS HERE!

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Art Kitchen – New Episode

We’ve got a new episode of Art Kitchen ready for your listening ears! In this podcast, we have a passionate conversation with artisan Louise Warner-MacDougall. She is a crafter whose gifts for ‘making’ are outstanding. She shares her creative journey with us!

LISTEN HERE! OR ON YOUR FAVOURITE PODCAST PLAYER!

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Writers’ Assembly

Our first Writers’ Assembly gathering was last Sunday in Essex at Balanced Life Wellness Centre.

We had a great turnout, and as a group, we decided to write together for the full three hours! It was incredible! We also zoomed in a writer from Peterborough (Thanks Chantel!)! I brought loads of writing prompts for us to do – from writing about wild stickers, to writing about a random place on a paper map to one-word prompts, we wrote and shared and wrote and shared!

Our next gathering is in November! Please register ahead by sending an email to let me know you’re coming. Our special guest writer leading the 1 hour workshop is Sarah Morris. Workshop – 1pm – 2pm, share 2pm-3pm, free-independent write 3pm – 4pm. Snacks and warm drinks available! $20 or love-offering. Pay in cash or e-tranfser.

Thank you to Michelle at the wellness centre for sharing your amazing space -and sharing your lovely words!

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TWO BOOKS

To shoulder the weight of your creativity – Rick Rubin’s book ‘The Creative Act: A Way of Being’ is enlightening, hopeful, guiding and inspiring. This book was gifted to me and it is a phenomenal gift to give anyone you love! (Thank you again, Barry!)

I started reading this heart-growing book last night and it continues to cling to me today. Anam Cara translated from Gaelic means ‘soul friend’. This book is a soul friend! It is a collection of Celtic wisdom that offers a deep and ancient path to friendship and love. I can’t wait to keep reading! It too was gifted to me (Thank you, Kim!). It is another extraordinary book to give! It is written by poet and philosopher John O’Donohue. Sigh, his books are incredible!

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Firefly Morning Writes

This morning I did a morning coffee write with the Firefly family. Firefly Creative Writing offers half-hour morning writing prompts Monday to Friday. It is a peaceful, inspiring, heart-centric writing exercise created by writers from the Firefly family. At the end of each session, a poem is offered.

Here is today’s poem – I feel on my shoulder and in my heart.

Shoulders
Naomi Shihab Nye

A man crosses the street in rain,
stepping gently, looking two times north and south,
because his son is asleep on his shoulder.

No car must splash him.
No car drive too near to his shadow.

This man carries the world’s most sensitive cargo
but he’s not marked.
Nowhere does his jacket say FRAGILE,
HANDLE WITH CARE.

His ear fills up with breathing.
He hears the hum of a boy’s dream
deep inside him.

We’re not going to be able
to live in this world
if we’re not willing to do what he’s doing
with one another.

The road will only be wide.
The rain will never stop falling.

Naomi Shihab Nye, “Shoulders” from Red Suitcase. Copyright © 1994 by Naomi Shihab Nye. Reprinted with the permission of The Permissions Company, Inc., on behalf of BOA Editions, Ltd., www.boaeditions.org.

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Samhain (Halloween & All Saints Day) is coming!

Samhain (pronounced sow-an) is October 31st and All Saints Day is November 1st. Many of us will be celebrating in some way to welcome the fall and lay summer to rest. There is much to reflect on this time of year. Will you be doing anything to welcome this seasonal shift? Dressing up? Dancing and singing around a fire? Do tell!

Talk soon!