Annual review time

I am taking a brain break from semester prep and editorial work to prepare for my annual review tomorrow. And while I am looking at awards and invited contributions (keynote, workshops etc) there is no space to share real life stuff! I am leaving most of the health issues out as I have been whinging about this way too much lately.

So this year, I had many firsts!
I read some of my poems during open mic night, my first ever official reading of poetry, during an event at the local library. Finally, figuring out how to print my first chapbook properly, the print outs are in my office for now, and published my second chapbook. And currently having two of my paintings at a local exhibition.

I had a funky encounter with four ravens during a camping trip, who came right up to the open tent. The encounter led to this short poem:

Four Ravens

Hoodlums with a limping hop
Busy bodies along the shoreline
Excavating shrimp from tidal sand
Powerful beaks covered in sediment
The gang leader locks eyes with me
Chattering without a break–
I think they are recruiting.

Watching falcon chicks fledge at my parents, and the wildfire burn down the whole of the national park. My heart is still bleeding from that one. The park was home to wolves.

Spending hot summer days with good friends, and family, crickets’ stridulation the soundtrack of lazy days, ice cream sundaes, playing with my nieces, and foraging for plums. Being able to mountain bike, kayak, and hike again after a disc injury saw me disabled for three months.

Seeing an otter and an eagle on my birthday and fighting off midges in Glencoe.

Walking amongst bluebells with lovely colleagues, the blessing that is having strong women in my life for joy an sanity …

learning a new crochet stitch, spending a girls’ weekend with a barrel sauna.

And of course loads of adventures with the OH.