....Need I say more? ; )

Preview the book at www.RoastingQuestions.com

The front cover of my new book.

A delightful book of children’s poems & illustrations Roasting Questions by Barbie Dockstader Angell is available now for pre-sale with the goal of publishing before the holiday season. Roasting Questions is highly recommended for kids, you, your friends and for anyone with an imagination! The Book is available to preview at RoastingQuestions.com. Please check it out & consider buying–& sponsoring (which will get you some great goodies!)

Angell’s goal is to raise $5000 total to ensure the book will be published in time for the holidays. On Monday, October 15th, Roasting Questions received a $500 donation with two stipulations. One, that the donor remain anonymous, and two, that the book receive another $500 in pre-sales and sponsorships by Monday, October 22nd.

Angell, an Asheville favorite, was named in the top three for 2011 and 2012′s Mountain Xpress “Best of WNC poets.” This is her first book.

Barbie Angell is not just a prominent poet, but also a gifted illustrator. Roasting Questions, her first book, features original illustrations as well as child-friendly poems for all ages.

At the launch party for Roasting Questions. Photo by Erin Scholze of Dreamspider Publicity.

“My goal has always been to reach people who don’t know they like poetry, and convince them that they do,” Angell says.

A self-described “writer who rhymes,” Angell’s affinity for rhyme grew naturally from a youth spent devouring the works of Shel Silverstein and Lewis Carroll. In fact, Roasting Questions features several nods to the Where The Sidewalk Ends author. Rosanne Cash, who knew Silverstein, says, “Barbie’s poems are reminiscent of Shel Silverstein, but totally unique to her sensibility. They are infused with a bright spirit, a heart that seeks and explores, and a gentle insight.”

Angell brings her witty humor to ice-cream shops, schools, libraries, parties, and also performs her unique “bar poetry” in more adult settings. Asheville’s Mountain Xpress writes, “Local poet Barbie Angell is known for her mischievous sense of humor (in case you missed it a year-and-a-half ago, go here for Angell’s Rapture Survival tips), her fanciful, elfin-inspired fashion, and (most importantly) her poetry.”

Roasting Questions is published through Grateful Steps Publishing, a nonprofit publishing house based in Asheville, NC. The book can be previewed and pre-ordered at www.RoastingQuestions.com, and will be released officially around Thanksgiving 2012. A portion of the proceeds from the book will be donated to Mooseheart Child City, where Angell lived for four years.

Here’s what folks are saying about Roasting Questions:

“Her ‘anthropomorphizing’ of feelings (‘irony tastes like fudge’) is quirky and engaging. I imagine children and adults both will revel in her work– both her poetry and her wonderful drawings.”  –Rosanne Cash

“Art is about oblique angles — seeing things in ways we’ve never seen them before. Barbie has a gift for that, and this book is a generous invitation to the rest of us to climb inside her quirky head for a delightful ride.”  –David LaMotte

“In her poetry Angell opens up her soul for all to see. She discusses her shortcomings, her views on life, lessons learned and a host of other topics.You can definitely read strength in what she is saying and like all good writers she speaks not only for herself but of life in general and of the status quo.”  –Rapid River Magazine

For more information about Barbie Angell or Roasting Questions, visit www.barbieangell.com, facebook.com/barbieangell or follow @barbieangell on Twitter.

UPDATE

The website for my book has been launched.  Since my publisher is a non-profit organization, Roasting Questions will be sent to press once pre-sales have raised enough money to cover the printing costs.  So, if you’re planning to get a copy of the book, now would be the time.  The extras which are on the “sponsorship” page will only be available until the book is released.

If you would like to read through the book or order one, please visit www.RoastingQuestions.com

thanks for playing….barbie.

An excerpt from Roasting Questions.

“Barbie’s poems are reminiscent of Shel Silverstein, but totally unique to her sensibility. They are infused with a bright spirit, a heart that seeks and explores, and a gentle insight. Even though the poems are about the gamut of human emotions and the subtle twists of perspective that happen with repeated experience, her words are never proselytizing or lofty. Her ‘anthropomorphizing’ of feelings (‘irony tastes like fudge’) is quirky and engaging. I imagine children and adults both will revel in her work– both her poetry and her wonderful drawings.” –Rosanne Cash

“Art is about oblique angles — seeing things in ways we’ve never seen them before. Barbie has a gift for that, and this book is a generous invitation to the rest of us to climb inside her quirky head for a delightful ride.” –David LaMotte

“In her poetry Angell opens up her soul for all to see. She discusses her shortcomings, her views on life, lessons learned and a host of other topics.You can definitely read strength in what she is saying and like all good writers she speaks not only for herself but of life in general and of the status quo. –Rapid River Magazine

Photo by Jude Lally, hatmaker ~ http://celticsoulcraft.com/

Roasting Questions, a new book of children’s poetry, will launch its pre-sales website on Sunday, September 30th. Angell is an Asheville favorite, named in the top three for both 2011’s Mountain Xpress “Best of WNC poets.” This is her first book.

Barbie Angell is not just a prominent poet, but also a gifted illustrator. Her book Roasting Questions features original illustrations as well as child-friendly poems for all ages.

“My goal has always been to reach people who don’t know they like poetry, and convince them that they do,” Angell says.

the tentative front cover of my book.

A self-described “writer who rhymes,” Angell’s affinity for rhyme grew naturally from a youth spent devouring the works of Shel Silverstein and Lewis Carroll. In fact, Roasting Questions features several nods to the Where The Sidewalk Ends author. Rosanne Cash, who knew Silverstein, says, “Barbie’s poems are reminiscent of Shel Silverstein, but totally unique to her sensibility.”

Roasting Questions is published through Grateful Steps Publishing, a nonprofit publishing house based in Asheville, NC. The book can be preordered on and after September 30th at www.RoastingQuestions.com, and will be released officially around Thanksgiving 2012. A portion of the proceeds from the book will be donated to Mooseheart Child City, where Angell lived for four years.

For more information about Barbie Angell or Roasting Questions, visit www.barbieangell.com, facebook.com/barbieangell or follow @barbieangell on Twitter.

AT A GLANCE

What: Roasting Questions by Barbie Angell pre-sales website launch

When: Sunday, September 30, 2012

Where: www.RoastingQuestions.com

Press Contact: Grateful Steps Publishing, 828-277-0998, info@gratefulsteps.org

Summary: Roasting Questions, a new book of children’s poetry, will launch its pre-sales website on Sunday, September
30th. Angell is an Asheville favorite, named in the top three for both 2011 and 2012’s Mountain Xpress “Best
of WNC poets.” This is her first book.

To read through Roasting Questions, as it currently looks, click below.

my original costume. photo by Wendy Lou.

When Bombs Away Cabaret asked me to be a guest act for their latest show, I thought, “Sure, this will be like a bar show.” I was quite mistaken. A cabaret is vastly different from a bar. I had to reach much further into my college acting skills than I normally do. Typically, when I perform, my goal is to make the audience believe that I feel what I’m saying. In a cabaret, the performer needs to do that while also bringing quite a bit of sex appeal. Since I’m not what I would consider attractive, let alone sexy, this was a great deal more difficult. I am happy to report, however, that I did accomplish my mission by the last of my 8 shows and I can now add “cabaret poetry” to my portfolio.

the lovely Claudette Cleavage, also known as Sarah Benoit. photo by Gary Charles.

My love and thanks to the men and women of Bombs Away Cabaret for their support and friendship. I’d also like to thank those of you who came to see us perform….”I can’t say that I’ve loved you all, but I’ve loved as many of you as I could.”*

And so, I leave you with the poems I performed the last two weekends and the video of my third show, recorded by Gary Charles of GSocialMedia.

*cabaret curtsy*

rehearsal for Bombs Away Cabaret. photo by Joseph Barcia.

One Question.

Do you like me?
‘Cause, you know, for the life of me,
I couldn’t guess.
So do you?
Like in the way a boy likes a girl?
The nervous flutter of thoughts
and unrequited emotions
bubbling in your stomach
kind of like me?
The comfort in wrap of arms
and holding of hands
and twining of legs
and finishing of sentences
and listening of stories
and wanting to know
how I take my coffee in the morning
and how I take my love making in the afternoon
and how I take a shower
or a break
or regret
or a compliment
or how I’d take you if you told me that you liked me
kind of like me?
I’m sorry.
That was way too much all at once.
I’ll simplify.
Just one question….
Can I kiss you?

photo by Wendy Lou.

That Barbie Poem

My name is Barbie
But I’m not a doll
It doesn’t say Mattel
Upon my heel.
I’m not the babe
Who sits on the shelf
I can think and speak and feel.
My hair requires no gels or sprays,
My cheeks aren’t a blushing pink.
My legs are shapely….
My chest is not,
If you press my back, my eye won’t wink.
I don’t have matching accessories
But I come complete with a brain.
I don’t have a dream house
Or a pink car,
And I wasn’t made to entertain.
So don’t tell me you undressed a Barbie once,
And that you’d like to do it again.
Because I am not a Barbie Doll
And you sure as hell aren’t Ken.

photo by Wendy Lou.

Bitter Much?

Don’t say, “Hi” to me.
Why bother?
See, you’ll say, “Hi” and I’ll say, “Hi”
and then we’ll start talking.
Small stuff at first, music, the weather, however eventually we’ll move onto bigger and better topics. We’ll talk into the nite and watch the sun rise outside Denny’s discussing just exactly why we didn’t stay with that last person we talked all nite with and how different everything will be this time. Pretty soon those late nites at Denny’s will turn into after work dates. And the next thing you know we’ll be at the crucial point in all relationships….when you meet my dog and i meet your friends.
I know, right now it all sounds like a fairy tale, and I see you nodding your head and saying, “Yeah, that’s precisely what I want in life….late nites drinking coffee with your dog.”
But just wait.
This unadulterated bliss won’t last long.
Because I’ve been there before.
See, this is the part where you sit me down to have that all important conversation about how I’m the “right girl at the wrong time”….but it’ll all be okay, because you want us to
be friends…..
However, that’s all bullshit because soon you’ll be going out with some vapid little slut who only cares about how trendy she looks and how popular she is and who’s main concern is how to get me out of the picture but you won’t notice any of this because all you care about is how to be the kind of guy she really wants, which could easily be obtained with a lobotomy and a cool new GQ wardrobe and you won’t notice all of her painstaking plotting of the demise of our friendship because you’ll have your head so far up her ass that you’ll have
the optimal view of her spleen and I guess all of this is okay with me since by that time I’ll be so heavily medicated with reuptake inhibitors and Wild Turkey that I will no longer care
where you go or who you screw with your new lying, cheating, self-centered, stuck-up, conceited, brain-dead, whore.
So please, don’t bother to say, “Hi”….
let’s just say, “Good-bye” now and let’s skip all of the bullshit in between.

photo by Wendy Lou.

Time stands still,
how still it stands.
The hours stall.
The statued hands.
Your voice is breath.
I strain to hear.
Your lips are soft,
behind my ear.
No nervous looks
nor awkward strain.
You have my heart,
you wear its stain.
Our bodies close,
not close enough.
I cannot taste,
I want too much.
Passion poised,
your calming eyes,
halfway hidden
by my thighs.
If time should stop,
should cease to be,
my one small wish,
is you in me.

the cast of Bombs Away Cabaret. photo by Gary Charles.

Asheville, NC is known for providing a seemingly endless supply of options for having a good time. Whether it’s an evening of sampling local beers or listening to the brilliant and innovative music that is born in these mountains, there are two things which an avid Asheville nightlifer needs to prepare for and recover from such an adventure; a wicked awesome breakfast to begin their day and a wicked awesome breakfast for the morning after. Asheville’s Rise N Shine Cafe is ideal for both.

As any of my regular bartenders can tell you, I have my own drink. Yep, they see me and know exactly what I want and that I will tip well for it. I can throw back about 3 to 4 of these an hour and not even act the slightest bit tipsy. You guessed it, I’m the skinny girl at the bar with the large glass of water. Still, staying out late, hydrated as I may be, requires the benefit of a scrumptious breakfast while I tell the tales of the phenomenal band I heard the night before.

I know, I should've been a hand model.

My favorite breakfast offering at Asheville’s Rise N Shine Cafe is their amazing eggs benedict. “2 free range eggs poached and perched atop an English muffin smothered in homemade hollandaise sauce.” And ohmywow, it is every bit as delicious as they describe it. I don’t know if it’s the free range eggs, the homemade hollandaise or the extra bit of love they add in the form of bacon. Whatever their genius, they have an admirer in me. In fact, although I rarely finish a meal, I almost always finish this delectable breakfast.

Yes, I use sugar and cream....don't judge.

Rise N Shine also wins my heart for having incredible coffee: because what is breakfast without coffee? Their description of it is, “Asheville Coffee Roasters supply a shade-raised and fair-trade pure bean organic Nicaraguan coffee.” However, I feel sure that’s only because they can’t say, “raised, roasted & brewed in a utopian alternate universe.” It’s probably some sort of trademark infringement.

Aside from the local, organic, and homemade food and drink, Asheville’s Rise N Shine offers something special that is also necessary to a thoroughly enjoyable meal; quick, accurate service with a staff that is so amiable they even responded favorably to my weird humor.

I’m predominantly a breakfast girl, but fortunately for the rest of you, Rise N Shine also serves lunch. In fact, as an extra benefit, they’re located next to my favorite ice cream shop in Asheville, Hop Ice Cream Cafe. I think that’s what people in the business world call a “win-win” situation.

So, whether you’re visiting Asheville, NC or you live here, put Rise N Shine cafe on your itinerary…and prepare for it to become your favorite Asheville breakfast place.

Go Local

oh the carnage

Rise N Shine is on Facebook here, on Twitter here, on their website here, and at 640 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC in the real world.  They also have a phone, because they’re cool like that….828-254-4122

Keep it Local kids, and keep your breakfast awesome.
For more info on “going local,” please visit www.ashevillegrown.com & if you’re a Twitterer or Facebook user, follow & friend them too.

For more reviews of Rise N Shine Cafe, please check out April Fox’s thoughts at Girl vs. World.
Jacob McDonald’s views at ~ Ask Asheville, Guest Post.
and Gary Charles’ words at ~ Ask Asheville.

And for all your food news and reviews, go to ~ Asheville Foodie News.

….thanks for playing. : )

If you’re visiting this site, you probably follow my antics on Twitter or Facebook, otherwise how would you know that my site even existed?  I’d love to discuss that, but now isn’t the time to determine the answer to the philosophical question, “If Barbie has a website which no one visits and it crashes….will anyone hear it or care?”  Nope, now is the time to discuss the ku klux klan, the Coup Clutz Clowns & what happens when hatred meets humor.

This past week, while I was catching up on Facebook & Twitter, I was horrified to discover that some people find the anti-Obama, “n-word” bumper stickers to be funny.  I was even more bothered by the fact that the rest of the posts were people shaking their head, but not completely outraged.  Have we as a nation become so complacent about racism that we no longer feel compelled to act against it?  Does it take the shooting of an unarmed boy to give us cause to raise our voices?  Do we have to encounter such extremes to become involved?  I think not.  I think we just don’t know what we can do….but I believe David’s book provides an answer and that is one reason I am so fully in support of it.

White Flour illustration by Jenn Hales.

White Flour tells the true story of a whimsical and effective response by counter-protesters to a white supremacists’ march in Knoxville, Tennessee in 2007.  The Coup Clutz Clowns, a group of local anti-racism activists, used humor and non-violence to reveal the silliness of the march, vanquishing hatred with laughter.

The clowns slightly altered the supremacists’ chants to make them a bit… better.  As the hooded marchers shouted “white power!” the clowns joined right in, shouting “white flour!” and pulling out bags of the stuff they had brought from home for a flour fight.  They walked a bit farther and decided they had heard wrong, and that the klansmen must be shouting “white flowers!” so they shouted that, and passed flowers out to the crowd …and it gets better from there (the full text of the poem is below).  The point is that rather than shouting down the shouters, meeting rage with rage, they simply refused to take such foolishness seriously.  Fight and flight are not our only two options, and humor, it turns out, beats hatred.  At least it did on that day. ~ David LaMotte

Do I propose we all dress up as clowns and take a stand if the klan comes to our town?   No.  But I do suggest that we teach our children the values that are so cheerfully and eloquently brought to light in White Flour.   Teaching our children that bigotry is wrong is only the beginning, but what an important beginning it is.   I’ve tried to explain it to my six year-old son, and it is a completely foreign concept.  He kind of understands that some people don’t like the little girl he has a crush on.  Since she is an African-American he knows they can easily see the difference in her skin color, but he doesn’t comprehend how that can be bad.  Explaining to him, however, that some people don’t like me because I’m a Jew, is altogether lost on him.  I don’t look any different than other white people, but I’m hated by some just the same.  As for explaining his Godfather, who is gay, or any of my gay, lesbian or transgendered friends (whom he adores), well, to him that’s just an ungraspable idea.   The fact that they love shouldn’t be a bad thing, no matter who that love is given to.

The other incredibly important lesson in David LaMotte’s poem, White Flour, is that the clowns are not reaching for violence to counter hatred.  They are reaching into their bag of tricks for humor, praise and peace.   David best explains this in an email discussion we had earlier today.

White Flour illustration by Jenn Hales.

Someone sent me an indie press article about the event and I was knocked out by several things: one, that the mainstream press had missed this.  Two, that it’s such a good example of creative nonviolence— finding a third way beyond fight and flight.  Three, that it was so effective. And four, that it’s so creative and funny.  I find it to be an accessible story for lots of audiences, but also extremely instructive, so I wanted to share it.

“Breaking the script” is a fundamental tenet of creative nonviolence.  Responding in ways that are completely unexpected breaks us out of our patterns and opens a conflict situation up to new possible outcomes.  I love what these folks did, and it’s been fun to track them down and have some conversations about it.  The original organizers are really excited about the book.

There are plenty of other examples of this in my own life and in conflict situations I’ve been around, but this is the most entertaining story I know to illustrate that point.

The first time I heard David perform White Flour, I asked him if I could get an audio version of it to send to my family and friends for Christmas.  Being such a wonderful friend and wanting to spread this story far and wide, he agreed without hesitation.  When I learned that this, my favorite poem of all time, was going to be turned into a children’s book, I was completely thrilled.  A few weeks ago, when he launched the Kickstarter project, I felt certain that it would be successful as long as people were aware of it.  This story is so important, especially for children.   It isn’t preachy or condescending, on the contrary, it’s fun and accessible.   It is, in my opinion, the perfect way to educate our children on bigotry and nonviolence.  Most importantly, it’s true.  It’s a piece of history that should be remembered.   Should be celebrated.  Should become a part of our national conversation about putting an end to racism.

When the White Flour project surpassed its goal of $18,500 in 12 days, I was amazed.  People really embraced this story.  They fell in love with the idea and wanted to share it with their friends, both in real life and online.  There were so many folks out there just like me who believe in something so fiercely that they literally have to tell everyone about it.

You may think that the story ends here, but it doesn’t.  David has gained some pretty impressive attention with this real-life story, turned into a poem, turned into a children’s book.  There is now talk of this book becoming a part of the 5th grade curriculum in schools in Texas.   He is in also in contact with a national publicist and has learned that several well-known artists in the music industry are planning to give testimonials about his book.

White Flour illustration by Jenn Hales.

Given all this inspiring news, White Flour is no longer going to be a little project that inches its way up a tiny hill.   No, that plan just isn’t what this book wants to do.   This is now the Little Book That Could and, with the help of 401 backers so far, this book fully intends to climb a mountain.   I truly believe that it can.   The original goal of $18,500 to print 2,500 copies of White Flour is a distant memory.  The top of this mountain is now $39,000 for an initial printing of 10,000 copies and a national publicity campaign.  This means that we need to continue to spread the word.   If this money is brought in strictly through pre-orders, at $25 each, we only need 680 more to reach this goal.

That $25 on the Kickstarter page not only orders the book and includes the shipping, but because of the way Kickstarter works you also get whatever was included prior to that level.  In this case, it would include:

$1 – SMILE! I will look up from my computer and grin and be thankful for your kind support. Then I will celebrate that there are people in the world who are happy to trade a dollar for a smile, and to help with an effort to tell an inspiring story with no tangible reward to themselves. You rock.

$5 – LAUGH! Loads of gratitude, plus a digitally (i.e. magically) transported scan of some book art to use as wallpaper on your computer screen.

$15 – CLAP! We’ll send gratitude, digital wallpaper and an e-book version of White Flour.

And, of course,

$25 – STAND UP! We’ll send the physical book and pay the postage (please add $5 if overseas) and we’ll send you the wallpaper image.

There are many other levels for this book, including autographed copies of the book, David’s award winning album, S.S. Bathtub, VIP tickets to one of his release parties and even the opportunity to have him perform for you.

I’ve gone on long enough about this book….and so I leave you with David LaMotte performing White Flour.  This book will go far, mark my words, The Little Book That Could will climb unimaginable mountains and become an essential tool to help keep bigotry out of the hearts of our children.

as always, thanks for playing. : )  you can find additional information about White Flour at www.whiteflourbook.com

You can find David LaMotte at www.DavidLaMotte.com
on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DavidLaMotte
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DavidLaMotte
and if you’re really lucky….at a venue near you.

If you are unfamiliar with this Asheville publishing house, please visit their site. They are amazing, phenomenal, wonderful….did I mention that they are also publishing my book? If I didn’t, then I really should have.

My book of children’s poetry and illustrations is due to be released in the spring. If you’d like to see the progress we’ve made, please keep watching my “Issuu” site. Pre-sales will also be available soon on a products page that will be added to barbieangell.com. In fact, there will be several new additions to my website soon, thanks to the amazing and talented people at TopFloorStudio.

A great many of these changes are happening because as of March 14th, I will be a full-time writer. This new title is merely coinciding with my successful show and forthcoming book, not a result of these things. It is entirely possible that I will be serving fries at a fast food restaurant in the next few months….and I’m okay with that too. However, since I have found myself in this situation, I’m going to do the best I can to achieve my goals.

And so I leave you with a video from my recent gig. These two pieces were dedicated to Steve Martin.
The first is called “Thank You” and the second is titled “I love you like a leading lady loves Steve Martin.”

….thanks for playing.

I’d like to tell you how I feel,
but It’s Complicated.
I know I’m quite The Jerk
for all I’ve overstated.

stitching up dreams.

If you knew the girl I am,
if you knew All of Me,
but like a Man With Two Brains
you’re too smart to see.

If I had Three Amigos
you’d be my favorite friend.
If you were a Spanish Prisoner
I’d break you out and then,
we’d have ourselves a Big Year
and name our dog Roxanne.
We’d live an L.A. Story
when you aren’t with the band.

I’ve heard, “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid.”
Who knows if that’s true.
But you are not a Lonely Guy….
my heart belongs to you.

A Valentine

left my heart behind.

September leaves….
August moon….
July heat….
Weddings in June….
May flowers….
April’s ducks….
March winds blow….
February sucks….






copyright 2012. all rights reserved.

"poet barbie."

The book is still untitled, so I’m currently calling it “The White Album” in reference to The Beatles’ LP.  There are some revamped older pieces included and many new ones.  There are also quite a few new illustrations.  As I don’t really consider myself much of an artist, that has been the most difficult aspect of this collection.  I’ve been pleasantly surprised to discover that my artwork has been well-received so far by those who have seen it.

Please feel free to comment on the Issuu site.  So many of you have expressed an interest in my book and I would like to involve my online community as much as possible with many aspects of this book.

Thank you for your interest and, as always….thanks for playing. : )

barbie.

Open publication – Free publishing – More children

]]> http://www.barbieangell.com/?feed=rss2&p=756 2 http://www.barbieangell.com/?p=721 http://www.barbieangell.com/?p=721#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:57:49 +0000 Barbie Angell http://www.barbieangell.com/?p=721 Since I can’t write each of you a poem for Christmas, I thought I’d share some of the pieces I’ve written for other people this year….I hope it’s not too cheap a gift, but I am a struggling writer after all.  : )

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, or have ever met me in real life, then you know how much I adore Greg & Ashley Garrison, the owners of Hop Ice Cream & The Hop West in Asheville, NC.   When I started drawing illustrations for my upcoming children’s book, I was inspired to do something for them as well.  If this doesn’t entice you to go visit Hop Ice Cream for yourself, then I haven’t done them justice.

Let’s Go To The Hop.

Photo by Tracie Acreman and Christmas editing by Wendy Lou.

Enter a world of delight,
where vegetables taste like treats.
Waffle cone-scented happiness.
The atmosphere drizzled in sweets.

A place where caramel is salted
and spinach can be an ice cream.
Sorbet, almond milk or chocolate,
every scoop is a bite of a dream.

The flavors are always homemade.
Each cake has a filling of love.
A family-friendly community,
that should be covered in fudge.

Free music rebounds off the walls.
Magic and poetry breathe.
All that is whimsical calls….
Just one nibble and you will believe.

My vision of Hop Ice Cream.

*** Hop Ice Cream & The Hop West are active on Twitter & Facebook.  Follow and “Like” them for event info & all their phenomenal ice cream flavors.***

My friend Wendy Lou was given another poem this year.   I wrote one for her about a year ago, which was quintessentially her.  However, I thought it might be fun to use her name in one of my children’s pieces.  About 3 hours after I had that thought, the poem was done.  I sent it over to my friend Catherine Wells & she gave it a quick & ingenious edit.  It was so perfect that I had to keep her changes.  Anytime this piece is published, she will be credited for her assistance.  While this was intended to merely use Wendy Lou’s name, I do believe it carries the essence of her as well.

Wendy Lou.

Wendy Lou will stitch your Dreams,
a dollar at a time.
Make sure you get there early,
there’s always quite a line.

For 50 cents she’ll make repairs,
or you can start from scratch.
She barters if you need to
but of course there is a catch.

You have to bring your Wishes.
You must trade in your Fears.
Strong Dreams are made with Kisses,
she’ll even take your tears.

So make a Dream for you
or to give to someone else.
Just take your Hopes to Wendy Lou….
‘Cause Dreams can’t make themselves.

Speaking of the lovely Catherine Wells, she also received a poem from me this year.  Catherine’s former Twitter name was “verybadcat13″….hence the “very bad” line in this piece.  She is a wonderful friend & an incomparable writer.  But don’t take my word for it, I’m certain that after reading anything on her website, you’ll be an admirer of her work as well.

Catherine Wells.

I hate to topple your tables,
but “Very Bad” is a relative term.
Her wit will slice through your cables,
her Faith must always be earned.
A Grace of unenhanced Beauty.
A Voice quite alive in her Pen.
Her shoulder is always on duty,
to care for the Hearts of her friends.

This last piece was written for a very wonderful man I met through Wendy Lou.  His name is Tres & when we met he was in the back seat of her car.  I was in the front seat & could barely hear him over the radio & open windows.  From our first misunderstood sentence of “That’s so Amish” I knew he was someone worth knowing.  Our friendship has flourished on Twitter & Facebook and he is one of the first people I showed my new artwork to.  Such a sweet & genuine person….I am fortunate to know him.

that’s so amish….

Tres.

a witty voice i strained to hear.
odd circumstance which brought you near.
talk of amish & silly jokes.
worth the effort for words you spoke.
now i must “like” the things you say.
since we speak in keyboards every day.
i offer up hugs in the digital world
for you rarely see this poet girl.
and so i write these words for you
and hope you find a piece of truth.
sometime soon we’ll meet again….
and be far more than facebook friends.

That’s all for now.   Have a happy holiday and, as always, thanks for playing.

: )  barbie.

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