Back from Palm Desert. Saturday. Just musin’ about, a lil of this, a lil of that. Our podcast is back up on iTunes, thanks to our podcast guru Rob Roy. Here’s the link. You can go there and subscribe–or re-subscribe, and when we upload a new show, you’ll receive it in your iTunes podcast library.
This is what summer looks like in our teensy yard.
Billy Collins reading “The Lanyard”
The Tranquility Pool….no one under 18 allowed here. Travis worried about breaking the rules. He’ll be 18 before we know it.
It’s the calm they’re after, I said. They don’t want kids cannonballing off the side of the pool, I said.
So you want me to break the rules? he said.
Travis has never liked breaking the rules. Which I like, actually….like that he respects rules.
You act 18, I said. You’ve acted 18 since you were born. Older, actually.
Our last day here.
Rituals figure highly in my life, it seems. Put on a certain CD before I start writing, or change the atmosphere somehow, is the first active ritual that comes to mind.
Our annual trip to the desert is another. It’s become a family ritual. Every year for so many years–perhaps even since Travis was in first grade–the first week after school is out, we’re desert bound. (Don’t worry: Nigel and Rosie have company at the house and are being cared for.)
Where we stay has changed, though. Used to be the Korakia (where Brian and I honeymooned), or The Willows, in Palm Springs, but as Travis got older, we started staying at resorts–mostly for the pool (for him).
The last few years we’ve come to Rancho Las Palmas. It has everything we need: the pool, a Lazy River, a good view from the room, which is what you see here, and an attentive staff, esp. the undisputed champ of guest services, Connie Orsak. She always makes our time here special. Rancho is also across the street from The River, which has restaurants, movies, and a bookstore. Always need a bookstore nearby… Last night after dinner, we walked over to Borders and I bought the New Yorker “The Talk of the Town: Special Issue.”
I also tried to talk to an employee about what I read, that Borders was closing stores and were they closing? But he walked away from me, looking sort of angry, saying it wasn’t true. A very strange interaction. Travis was watching, shaking his head. We agreed that he was so defensive, it must be true. This morning I Googled it and yes, Borders across the street at The River is slated (tragically!) to close. I hope another bookstore goes in that space. It just won’t be the same, The River without a bookstore! We’ll have to drive down the street and dine near Barnes & Noble!
I’ll be moderating a memoir panel at the New West Hollywood Book Fair on Sunday, Oct. 2. I hope I see you there.
Any poets out there? Read on….
Submissions sought for $100,000 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award
Office of University Communications
For Immediate Release
Contact Rod Leveque, Assistant Director, Media Relations (909) 621-8396
June 20, 2011
Submissions sought for $100,000 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award
CLAREMONT, California — Claremont Graduate University (CGU) is accepting submissions for the 2012 Tufts Poetry Awards. The awards — now in their 20th year — are among the richest and most highly anticipated in the world of poetry.
The winner of the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award will receive a $100,000 prize. The award is given annually for a book by an emerging poet who has not reached the pinnacle of his or her career.
CGU is also accepting submissions for the Kate Tufts Discovery Award, which carries a prize of $10,000. That award is presented annually for a first book by a poet of genuine promise.
The awards were established in 1992 by Kate Tufts to honor her late husband, poet and writer Kingsley Tufts. Past Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award winners include Robert Wrigley, Tom Sleigh, Linda Gregerson, Matthea Harvey and Yusef Komunyakaa.
Submissions must include eight copies of an eligible book of poetry, a list of previously published work, and a completed entry form. Only books published between Sept. 1, 2010 and Aug. 31, 2011 are eligible.
Entries must be postmarked by Sept. 15, 2011. Winners will be announced in February. The awards will be presented in April.
Send Submissions To:
Kingsley & Kate Tufts Poetry Awards
Claremont Graduate University
160 E. Tenth Street, Harper East B7
Claremont, California 91711-6165
Entry forms and additional information are available at www.cgu.edu/tufts.
About Claremont Graduate University
Founded in 1925, Claremont Graduate University is one of the top graduate schools in the United States. Our nine academic schools conduct leading-edge research and award masters and doctoral degrees in 24 disciplines. Because the world’s problems are not simple nor easily defined, diverse faculty and students research and study across the traditional discipline boundaries to create new and practical solutions for the major problems plaguing our world. A Southern California based graduate school devoted entirely to graduate research and study, CGU boasts a low student-to-faculty ratio.
If you would rather not receive future communications from Claremont Graduate University, let us know by clicking here.
Claremont Graduate University, 150 E. 10th St., Claremont, CA 91711 United States
Palm Springs Noir, an anthology published by Akashic Books, edited by Barbara, also features her short story “The Water Holds You Still.” Order anywhere you buy books.
Amazon
Bookshop.org
Keep up to date on Barbara's many activities and postings by subscribing to her mailing list.
Get in the flow with typewriter music by Travis Barrett.
Support Indie bookshops and this site by purchasing books through my BookShop
