LONG TIME NELSON TRADITION—A WINTER READING IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY

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Last night's reading in Nelson by nine local writers raised both the spirits of those present and lots of cash for the Nelson Food Cupboard. It was one of those "we need more chairs!" events. Even the beautiful paintings in the background have a literary connection. They're by Argenta artist, Deb Borsos and they're all inspired by books that she loves. 

A little pre-reading schmoozing

This year's reading was a fundraiser for the Nelson Food Cupboard, a food bank that supports up to 1,000 people every month. That's Tim and Kim, from the Food Cupboard, and Samara who was selling books on behalf of Otter Books.

More schmoozing

Of course there was food (I brought the cheese crackers and a couple of people who were in the audience)

The place was packed

Jane Byers who has a first collection of poetry coming out in the spring! She has a website in the works.

Ernest Hekkanen, everyone's favourite reluctant author

Cyndi Sand-Eveland read a beautiful CNF piece

Here's Rita Moir, one of the readers, and Susan Andrews Grace

Of course there were door prizes. Susan Andrews Grace won one of them.

Danielle Corbin played piano during the breaks and stepped up as the mic-adjust person. Here, she's making it work for Mark Nykanen

Moimême

Jennifer Craig  had us in stitches reading an excerpt from her novel-in-progress about a waitress who loses her job and decides to start a grow-op in her basement to make ends meet

Tom Wayman, 2013 winner of the Acorn-Plantos Award for Dirty Snow

Tom read from his latest collection of poetry from Oolichan Books, Winter's Skin

Rudolf...er, Anne DeGrace, organizer and MC 

L-R Linda Crosfield, Rita Moir, Anne DeGrace, Cyndi Sand-Eveland, Ernest Hekkanen 

And because I first heard the term at this reading (thanks, Bill Metcalfe), here's my shelfie!

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OF BOOKS AND HOMES AND MANUSCRIPTS

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December is upon us, and in a mere month I'll be heading south in search of warmth again, but meanwhile back at the blog...

I finished those books I was making for my good friend, Jan de Bruyn. Have a look—

 I went to a reading at Oxygen Art Centre last month and finally found one of my Art Walk poems! If I ever get back there during daylight I'll try for a better picture, but here it is:

My son and his family moved into a house of their very own, a cause of much excitement. 

Those huge things towering over everything are walnut trees  

Kyran's room has a fabulous view, looking south down the Kootenay River

Happy

And what am I doing right now? I'm putting a poetry manuscript together. It's a daunting task, and more than a little scary. Wish me luck.

Here's wishing all of you much merriment and happiness in whatever form you wish to take it, both now and in the New Year! 

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