…my fingers that the winter retreat at Muenster goes a little smoother than this one!

…and because winter seems to be here early, I’m going to spend my spare hours soaking in a hot bath with a book in hand (quite frankly, still the best place to read). Today after coffee with friends I found some new poetry in the big-box bookstore, by a few familiar names. I found Letters I Didn’t Write by John MacKenzie (the great PEI poet), which I’ve already read halfway through without the lap, lap of water on my legs, and Notebook of Roses and Civilization by Nicole Brossard. I had the pleasure of working with Nicole at Sage Hill awhile back, so I’m looking forward to reading this long, lean, and french-flapped book. And because of the GG controversy, I picked up A. F. Moritz’s The Sentinel, though I’m disappointed I wasn’t able to get anyone else that was on the poetry list. And because 3 books would only hold me for so long (the water stays warm for at least an hour, unless I get it too hot, in which case I can’t take it, and vacate the tub after only 5 or so poems), I found a copy of The Best American Poetry 2008 at the university bookstore this afternoon. Ah, I can hear the water running already.  (I should be good for a week or so.)

…I’m going to do this in the form of a poll, for all you poll hating people.

And if that little poll doesn’t work for you, here’s something about poetry and money. Both of these nouns (though I wish money was more of an active verb) have been smashing against the grey, somewhat inactive brain matter the past few days as I contemplate life in the future, or mostly the fact that, in the next six months or so, my scholarship will run out, the thesis will hopefully be done, and in the spirit of the economy, or the fact that I like to spend money, I may have to understand, or at least consider, that I may very well have to get a real job. Hello? Are you still there?

…Clean up on aisle nine!

I could write an aphorism a day.

But I won’t.

…was a hit with everyone that attended. Saskatoon author, shortlisted for three book awards this year, Pam Bustin and previous year’s winner for fiction Bernice Friesen arrived with coon tails, snakes, and rifles ready for a banging good time.

After four hours of decorating the Exchange began to look like an old west venue. People began piling in the door well before the appointed time, while our wandering crooner, Adam serenaded the crowd. The silent auction of a few inspiriational objects provided some more entertainment as people entered into a few bidding duels on some great items.

The readings were fantastic. All of the readers were shortlisted for the Saskatchewan Book Awards and are Regina authors. Alison Lohans started us out with a reading from This Land We Call Home, then Dan MacDonald read from MacGregor’s Hard Ice Cream and Gas, then Jeanne Pelletier’s daughter read from The Story of the Rabbit Dance, as well as teaching a few of us how to do the dance, and lastly Gerald Hill read (and sang) from his shortlisted poetry collection My Human Comedy.

Of course, the mc Jill and I tried to raise more money by offering pictures with ourselves for only $.25. A steal of a deal, really.

…feels a bit like my week!

Dave Dudley

…Thanks to John Steffler, Parliamentary Poet Laureate of Canada, a wonderful poet and terrific person, I can say I have some.