Today, annogrampeeks above ground and declares six more weeks of winter! Fine. Bring on the hot chocolate and fat novels. February also heralds news of upcoming publications for me—from the anthology, First Encounters with One’s Own Femininity, to poems in digital journals Zoomorphic and Amp.
Kevin Pilkington at Writers Center
Award-winning poet Kevin Pilkington will read this Friday, February 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hudson Valley Writers Center. Kevin is the author of many books including his latest Where You Want to Be: New and Selected Poems (Black Lawrence, 2015). Learn more about Kevin in this blog interview.
Low: The Power of BassDiscover the integral role of bass at the Museum of Music Making, now through July 31. This exhibition introduces aspects of the low register—bass—experience. Open your eyes, ears and imagination to this sonic realm! We appreciate MoMM’s Mike Hendrickson for letting us know about this fabulous exhibit.
Love Poems for San Antonio
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| Linda Simone |
Ruth Handel at Scarsdale Library
Poet Ruth Handel will read at the Scarsdale Library Thursday, February 4, at 7:30 p.m. Ruth’s latest book is No Border is Perennial (Dos Madres Press, 2015). Also reading will be novelists Asif Ishmael and Barbara Solomon Josselsohn, and poet Deborah Skolnik.
The Bridge at Trinity Wall Street
Thanks to poet J. Chester Johnson for alerting us to The Bridge, an art exhibition showcasing 47 contemporary artists from 15 countries. The Bridge focuses on what they hold in common through their Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures. Now through February 28 at St. Paul’s Chapel in Trinity Wall Street.
Poetry readings
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| Rachel Eliza Griffiths |
Thursday, February 11, 7 p.m., Tribute to Ruth Stone (1915-2011), Thirteenth Street Repertory Theatre
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| Rosmarie Waldrop, photo by Anneli Dufva |
Saturday, March 19, 4:30 p.m., Dawn Lundy Martin, Rosmarie Waldrop, Zinc Bar
Skillet-Sizzled Buttermilk Cornbread
Skillet-Sizzled Buttermilk Cornbread
The recipe from The Lost Road Project: A Walk-in Book of Arkansas (University of Arkansas Press, 1994) by the late poet C.D. Wright (1949-2016), is a tribute to her most delicious poetry. I made this mouth-watering cornbread recently and can attest to its near sacred, buttery crumb. For southerners, this may be akin to taking the Eucharist.
Vegetable oil cooking spray1 cup unbleached white flour
1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal
1 tablespoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1¼ cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
¼ cup mild vegetable oil
2 tablespoons butter, or mild vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 10-inch cast-iron skillet with oil and set aside.Sift together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt into medium bowl. In smaller bowl, stir baking soda into buttermilk. Whisk in sugar, egg, and ¼ cup oil.Put prepared skillet over medium heat, add butter, and heat until butter just starts to sizzle. Tilt pan to coat sides and bottom.Pour wet ingredients into dry and combine quickly, using as few strokes as possible. Scrape batter into prepared pan and bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool a few moments, and slice into 8 wedges to serve.
’Round the Net
Thanks and/or congratulations to the following:
Poet Peter Chelnik on his upcoming poetry book, Hey Girl
Poet Eric Greinkeon Forge Journalinterview, and Adastra Press broadside, “Trout,” $20 through Gary Metras (16 Reservation Rd., Easthampton, MA 01027)
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| Cindy Hochman |
Editor Pamela Laskin on the publication of It’s All About Shoes:A Collection of Essays, Poems and Stories About Women and Their Unusual Relationship to Shoes(Plain View Press, 2015)
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| Dagmar Stansova (left) |
Westchester Amateur Astronomers for passing along this NASA video on the size of the universe
Happy Groundhog’s Day! Remember, whenever you see your shadow, it’s time to make some art.
Until next time,