not having much to say but talking anyway

That's how I felt too after the holidays and spending almost three weeks at my parent- in- law's house. I'm still amazed that I survived. Eliot is just now getting back on schedule and back to some semblance of normalcy. Though for a toddler, there's a sliding scale there. . .

This was the first week of classes, which went pretty well and smoothly. I'm teaching a poetry workshop of only 15 students, so nothing to complain about- I've taught this class enough times to be able to relax. It's interesting to be simultaneously reading all of this pedagogy theory about creative writing, much of it very thought provoking. I didn't expect to be this excited about my pedagogy reading list, but it has turned out to be one of my favorite lists. My advisor on this list, Professor Ann Feldman, is so supportive as well. She's interested in the way I'm synthesizing the things I'm reading and integrating them into my own practice. This seems to me to be the epotome of a great pedagogical model- theory and practice equally balanced. It's been great so far.

I've been pleasantly surprised by some acceptances in the pase several weeks, one to Alligator Juniper in Arizona and one to the Briar Cliff Review in Iowa. I also recieved two separate letters, one form Fourteen Hills (a great, great magazine) and Folio out of American U in DC, personalized to me. These letters both say that the editors like my poems very much but that they just didn't fit in that issue. I was very excited by these letters, which both invite me to re-submit for the next issue. I had never recieved letters like these (nor had I ever really written anything exactly like them when I was an editor) and I was very touched by them, almost more than an acceptance in some ways. The effort is above-and-beyond, which I totally appreciate. I will DEFINITELY resubmit.

Well, off to read Whitman and figure out exactly how he fits into my Urban Poetics list. If anyone (Mary??? Simone??? or anyone else??? PLEASE?) has any insight on this, please let me know. And if I figure anything out, perhaps I'll post later about my findings.