Yea! Pat Graney won an Arts Innovator award. I’m so glad! Pat is one of my ongoing inspirers. She has followed her vision, wherever it’s taken her, for decades. When I start to second-guess everything I’m writing, I remind myself to “be more Pat Graney.” Now we get to see what she comes up with next!

I’m thankful for this weekend’s bookfest. I wasn’t able to make it–but I hope it was a blast and well-attended. I’m thankful for all the people who continue to work to bring a book festival to this region (this region of readers!).

I’m thankful for NFL Pink. Today, I noticed pink gloves, pink arm bands, pink shoe covers. I thought, “Hmm… it’s October.” I looked it up–and sure enough! Technically, the NFL calls it “A Crucial Catch.” But here’s what they say on their website:

The NFL, its clubs, players and the NFL Players Association are proud to support the fight against breast cancer. Our campaign, “A Crucial Catch”, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, is focused on the importance of annual screenings, especially for women who are 40 and older. Throughout October, NFL games will feature players, coaches and referees wearing pink game apparel, on-field pink ribbon stencils, special game balls and pink coins – all to help raise awareness for this important campaign. All apparel worn at games by players and coaches, along with special game balls and pink coins will be auctioned off at NFL Auction (www.NFL.com/auction), with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society and team charities. This is an issue that has directly touched the lives of so many in the NFL family, and we are committed to helping make a difference in breast cancer prevention.

Props to them!

I’m thankful that, during football today, I found some time to work on my manuscript.

I’m thankful that, as part of an unsuccessful quest for paint chips, I was able to stop at the nursery for the second installation of my Italian garden. Out with the basil and in with the kale. I blended up the little basil I had left with some olive oil (and just a twist of salt) and made little snack baggies to freeze for winter. For kale, I couldn’t find any starts, so I’ve planted seeds. An experiment, for sure. If anything even germinates, I’ll be tickled. If I get a few leaves for supper, I’ll be ecstatic.

I’m thankful for one more (teeny) tomato from the garden.

I’m thankful for The Bell Jar. My book club is reading it–and, WOW! I first read it when I was about 20, and it was scary. Reading it now, I’m jaw-dropped and stricken with the writing, the languages, the images. It’s still scary, and it feels more real. Next, I’ve started some of Plath’s short stories and some of her late-1950s poems. Reading my way toward the 1960s poems…

I’m thankful that Senator Patty Murray sent out a request for ideas about how to solve the deficit. I forgot to copy my answer before I sent it (and my answer was really what questions I think our leaders need to be asking, the lens through which I’d like them to look when making their decisions). But maybe tonight I won’t lie awake thinking of what I’d like to ask someone–someone who might listen and answer.

I’m thankful for this quote, posted on The Writer’s Almanac:

“Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade, just as painting does, or music. If you are born knowing them, fine. If not, learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself.” –Truman Capote

Finally, I’m thankful (again) for the opportunity to be interviewed for Jillian Mukavetz’s “womens quarterly conversation, profiles in poetics” project.

Open the door. Open my heart.

…plus more gratitude: the video that Premium T. posted.