“And some go both ways” to quote the scarecrow. 
August 20, 2006
Author Archives: sara holbrook
August 13, 2006
Word needed
If an anti-semite is one who hates, disrespects, discriminates against Jews, what’s the word for one who hates Muslims? We need a word for that, a shaming, Mel Gibson condemning, horrifying word.
As Michael and I were traveling from Austin to Tucson, we had an ugly encounter with a Continental ticket agent named Russ (we think) in Austin. We were chuckling with him about the new security procedures when he said, “You know what everyone is saying, this could all be eliminated if we did one thing.”
I’m thinking, what — give grandmothers and poets a free pass? We both asked him “what” at the same time.
“Eliminate a religion,” was his shocking reply. He was smug. Efficient. Snapping staplers and drawing out adhesive luggage strips.
Michael and I looked at each other, knowing that this bigot stood between us and our destination. I opted to not say anything to him, but go over his head and write to Continental (which I’m doing next with a link to this post.) I hope they find a way to eliminate his job. Not him, just him in that position of authority.
We need to find a way to live in this world without the need to eliminate anyone. What’s word for that? I think it is Peace.
August 10, 2006
National Poetry Slam
I entered the world of Slam poetry after some motivator told me that I couldn’t, that it simply was not something that “middle-aged white women from the suburbs” did. I ran right out and signed up after that. Now, 11 years later, I went back to the National Poetry Slam in Austin, TX. This is the same location where Michael and I were on the finals stage in 1998. It was a hoot and a holler, as Austin always is. Instead of being competitors, Michael worked behind the scenes (a lot) as did I (a little). However we were both featured in a “Legends” showcase.
Legend?
Sheesh.
It was great to see old friends and hear some amazing new voices. Also really enjoyed hearing Whammo’s band, the Asylum Street Spankers and their parody of “Tie a Yellow Ribbon ’round the old Oak Tree” only it is “Put Magentic Stickers on your SUV.” I downloaded it from their website, it was my first musical download.
Okay, I’m a bit behind the technology on cybertunes. But, hey, I’m a legend, whadayaexpect?
July 24, 2006
Walloon
Four days of learning and fun in rural Wisconsin. No cheesy jokes about WI needed, it was just plain fun. Did some workshops, danced my feet off and sang (badly). Was introduced to two new books that are exciting:
From Disability to Possibility by Patrick Swartz. He is a dynamite speaker and specialist in special education and the inspirtation for my (still unsold) picture book about “My Cousin Nick Zay.” (note to self, get that back in the mail).
Teaching Reading to Black Adolescent Males by Alfred Tatum. Also a great speaker and full of no-nonsense advice for hooking reluctant readers by understanding and meeting their cultural needs.
Thanks to Smokey Daniels and all the Heinemann crew who work so hard to make this work every year. More info at http://www.walloon.com/.
July 23, 2006
Hamline University
THIS is why I am always on a diet. People treat me too well. Who knew that Minneapolis has such good Italian food? Who could say no? Not me.
Teacher after teacher came up to me at the literacy conference at Hamline and told me that this is a conference that they look forward to every year and as a speaker I could feel the responsiveness of the audience as they flowed into the theater. Most of the participants were from the Minnesota area and I got a first hand sampling of “Minnesota nice.” Everyone was friendly, even when the projector and overhead decided they wanted to talk over one another during my break out session. I loved everything about this conference, a genuine learning place.
Did I mention the food?
July 19, 2006
the heat
The heat is everywhere this week. In the sock drawer, the cabinet in the bathroom, seeping out from under the fridge and toasting my toes. It’s straining at the windows and blaring through the skylight. Cleveland does heat in a very wet way, hair adhering to the neck, shoes stuck on the feet, sweat running downstream along ever appendage. Tomorrow I go to Minneapolis, maybe it will be cooler. Rain is predicted. Ah, cool mist in the face.
I haven’t had to bring out the suitcases for two whole weeks. It’s almost okay, but still . . . After next week in Wisconsin, I will be basically off duty until October. I have a couple of projects going, now all I have to do is clean my office so I have a clear surface to work. Looking in my office door at a clear surface would feel like a cool mist in the face. Writing is my business, clutter is a side job and (sadly) I’m good at it. Amassing that is, not managing. Sigh.
July 16, 2006
How does your garden grow?
It’s almost trite for a poet to have a garden, the seed being the original metaphor and all. I don’t grow anything practical. I used to grow tomatoes until I battled with a fungus of some kind and lost three years in a row. I grow flowers. Two, now three beds of perennials. It is 8:30 and now is the best time to put in new plants, when the sun is still stretching and the temperature is low. I don’t like sweating in the high heat hours, but I have to confess that I like the feeling of the warm dirt on my knees. It is more comforting than flannel sheets, as soothing as a backrub.
Kelly started a blog last night. I read it and it made me cry and served as a reminder of how important it is to jot down memories before they go the way of the morning dew.
July 14, 2006
Tshirts say: We put the fun back in Dysfunctional
July 14, 2006
holes in my blog
The problem with letting a blog go into a holding pattern for a while is that life doesn’t have a hold button and so many astonishing things happen, it’s hard to know where to start to catch up.
Summer has been incredible. Vacation to Oak Island, NC with the whole family, I mean the entire lot. Pictured here is my partner Michael, his two sons, Max and Frank, Max’s girlfriend Adelle, my daughters Katie,husband Doug, kids Stephie and Scotty, Kelly and Brian, Ben, Danny, Thomas and my ex-husband Tom, his wife Ro and her daughter Darcy, husband Doug and son Nick. Is it any wonder that Tom had T shirts made for us all that said “We put the fun back in dysfunctional?” Katie and Doug wore their T shirts to the market one day and people kept stopping them to say, “my family needs those shirts.”
I have had a few weeks at home and am enjoying it so much that last week the telephone was on the fritz and I didn’t even call the repairman. Michael was out of town for almost a week and I went into full recluse mode. Ahhhhh.
June 18, 2006
Dodge Learning at the Fairgrounds
Perry, Georgia is about a 1.5 hour drive south from Atlanta. I’ve been to Perry before to visit schools and love the quaint downtown area. But this conference wasn’t downtown — it was at the fairgrounds. I know what county fairgrounds are about — this is where the prize winning apple pies and pumpkins meet the 4H club fattened cattle. A place for a literacy conference? I was skeptical.
But the high ceilinged rooms and covered walkways were free from hay and pre-service hot dogs and a perfect place to gather for lit talk. And listen to who was talking — Steph Harvey, Tim Rasinski, Georgia Heard, JoAnne Portelupi, Jim Burke, Jack Gantos and I can’t remember who all. It was fabulous.
Many thanks to Al and Iris Dodge for including me. It was a book and reading extravaganza.
