Grateful for my job

It's definitely January to me. That time of year when I need to remind myself of things each day to be grateful for. Today, it is my job. Working at the library (for a second time around) allows me the luxury of working with two things I love: Great people and books. Talking about the library also gives me an excuse to post a "library" poem:) Here you go...

In the Library
by Charles Simic

for Octavio

There's a book called
"A Dictionary of Angels."
No one has opened it in fifty years,
I know, because when I did,
the covers creaked, the pages
crumbled. There I discovered

the angels were once as plentiful
as species of flies.
The sky at dusk
used to be thick with them.
You had to wave both arms
just to keep them away.

Now the sun is shining
through the tall windows.
The library is a quiet place.
Angels and gods huddled
in the dark unopened books.
The great secret lies
on some shelf Miss Jones
passes every day on her rounds.

She's very tall, so she keeps
her head tipped as if listening.
The books are whispering.
I hear nothing, but she does.

New Year

It's a New Year now. I am looking forward to it. My good friend (Katie) told me that according to one of her favorite books "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy," your 42nd year is the year that you find the answers to life, love, and the universe. Guess what year it is for me? You got it. So, if I am unavailable for any amount of time, don't worry, just know that I am actively engaged in seeking the answers to all things:)

Looking back at 2009

You knew there would be poems...

"The Spirit lurks within the flesh,
Like Tides within the Sea,
That make the Water live,
estranged
What would the Either be?"

Emily Dickinson

Happy Birthday to my sweet Micah!

Micah is seven years old today. Time does fly. Micah is truly a gift to all of us, with his contagious smile and cute personality. No one can be sad when he is around. Love you, Micah!

A Dream Come True

"I have always known I would take this path.
Yesterday, however, I did not know it would be today."
-Anonymous


"I was notified on Oct. 30th that a collection of my poems have won the "2009 Tiger's Eye Chapbook Contest." My book will be published next year.
There are so many emotions rolling around in my head the past few days. The almost constant wish that my parents could be here on this earth to celebrate with me. The changes that this is sure to bring to my writing career. The years of working so hard to get to this point. Most of all, though, my sincere gratitude for my friends and family, who support me in all of it.

Homemade school costumes

At our school, costumes have to be themed to a subject they are studying. It makes things so much more interesting for me:)