Birthday thoughts...

My favorite cake is coconut cake. Recipes for both this advanced cake and a simple one are in my poetry cookbook I Eat My Words.

Today is my birthday. I’m going to spend it with my family on a day trip to the Oregon Coast. I haven’t been to the coast since we moved back to Oregon in October 2021. It’s a special day because we’re going to see the ocean, but mostly because I get to spend time with my family.

This has been quite a year. First I’ve had a lot of illnesses this past year, taken a boatload of antibiotics, etc.; and second because I had some terrific experiences related to my writing. I received the Alice B. Award, which is given annually to living writers who have careers distinguished by consistently well-written works about lesbians. The award is given only once in appreciation of lifetime career achievement. In addition to the medal, each recipient is given a monetary honorarium. Emma Donoghue also received the Alice B. award this year, along with Sandra Butler and Catherine Lundoff.

I also produced my one-man play “A Window into Tennessee,” about Tennessee Williams as part of the Fertile Ground New Works Festival. Michael J. Teufel plays TW, and did such a great job that audience members felt as if they were in the presence of TW himself. That play has another performance coming up in March at Holladay Park Plaza.

I wrote poems, I worked on a play in progress. I performed in two concerts with Portland Sage Singers, and I’m proud to be a founding member this choir.

I sewed a few things. I read books. I did my household chores, almost every day, even when I was too sick to go out.

I submitted a memoir for possible publication. If this publisher decides against it, I will publish it myself this year.

I spent time with friends and family -- probably the best thing I did for myself this year.

In 2026, I hope to publish another book of poetry (or at least get it to the publisher), and write another play. I’m participating in the year-long Stafford challenge to write a poem a day.

I also wrote this weekly newsletter. I think I missed one week. Today’s missive is number 144, a number I consider lucky because I was born in the first month of 1944.

I look forward to your comments and/or questions.

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