Thank you, Cyn!

Riverside Art Museum introduced me to CA Artist Bernard HOYES. Thru the lens of his Afro Caribbean roots, his Rag Series highlights the roles and power of women, focuses on race, the evils of poverty & prejudice, etc. You look at these pieces and think about struggles for freedom— how can you not?

I am fine, thanks. That's the main thing. Now to wrestle with hotel cancellations, and the like. But I feel for all of you wonderful folk who work ceaselessly to plan for this event. I hope you're able to recover once you have a minute to breathe. Hoping for better next year!

Just jetted cross country round-trip. Flew to Charlotte to change planes on my way to the Chappaqua Children's Book Festival. After landing, got a text: The festival was cancelled! Returned home & arrived safely (thank you Jesus!) after 20 hours of travel. Feel badly for the festival planners. Sigh.

A gift of beautiful blooms! Now the YPPL appointment celebrations can begin!

I don't want to be rich, I just want someone to clean my house, wash my car, do my hair, handle the laundry, pick up my mail, prepare my meals, keep my garden weeded, do my filing, and a few other small tasks. That way, I can have more time to WRITE. I don't think that's asking too much, is it?

Not a bad day. The announcement went out this afternoon: The Poetry Foundation chose moi as the next Young People's Poet Laureate! That's reason enough to smile, don't you think?

In Ghana, some artists are commissioned to design and create unusual coffins for individuals who wish to be buried in coffins that speak to who they were/what they loved to do in life. Santa Fe's Museum Hill has an exhibition of such coffins. Would you order such a thing? What do you think?

March 2nd. That's how long I've been sitting on something. Doing the final countdown. It's less than two weeks away. Can hardly contain myself! It's good, ya'll.

Philly. There's so much about this city that I like, especially the public art. Philly truly has its own vibe.

I've got banned books, health issues, an old house that keeps its hands in my pocket, & am still reeling from the loss of a friend. But I'm giddy! 7 of my books (these four included) are in the Obama Presidential Center Library!Thanks Edith Campbell for giving me the heads up. Grinning like crazy!