Animal Farm revisited pt. 1
I’ve been reading Animal Farm recently, which isn’t something I’d done since I was a teenager. I’ve never taught the book, which is surprising, because as many of my students will tell you I’m a little too enamored by horrifying reads. (Students: Laura, don’t you like any stories that aren’t creepy? Me: Of course, I love . . . Um . . . Well, there’s, nope, actually that is also creepy.)
The mullein thrives
I have let the wild mullein grow, and grow it has. Some of the plants around this place, which we affectionately call the Shire, have grown tall and wide, larger than a young elementary school student, more the height of your average middle schooler. We also planted some mullein we bought from a local nursery. I had never thought to buy mullein.
Reading, July 12, 7:30
Join Meg Kearney, AC Gaughen, me, and the rest of our Solstice crew for a reading on July 12th in Auburndale, MA
Define plish
Essentially, what we’re calling reading tests, if we mean phonics and decoding, and what we’re discussing as a failure in reading ability, ignores that we’re also testing background knowledge and comprehension.
“Broken” at Clarkesworld
I guess it tells you how busy I’ve been that I haven’t had a chance to update this site and the blog until now with a publication I’m entirely thrilled about. I published my dystopian SF story “Broken” at Clarkesworld. The story was a challenge to write because, from the start, the chronology, as one […]
Reading July 19
Reading, July 19, 7:30 pm
Flooded in Vermont
As all in Vermont know, and many across the country also know, Vermont ended up suffering a catastrophic flood on the 10th and 11th of July.
Exploring the MFA at Solstice
That’s the way residencies work. You’re surrounded for a brief time, and you’re lifted into places you didn’t expect.
Reading in the World
It’s been a while since I was at a residency in person, and teaching at Solstice MFA reminded me what I love about these residencies when they’re irl. They’re more than classes. They’re more than readings. They’re more than workshop. So much happens in the interstices.
Howling and Unbecoming
She pulled the suitcase slowly over the litter of ice chunks and grit. She held it steady so it wouldn’t tip. As she stopped under the bus stop sign, she carefully set it from two to four wheels, as if it was full even though it was almost empty. Lina didn’t know how she had lost all her things.