"B is for Beer" Spread the Word, Build the Buzz and Bottoms Up!

From the very begiinning, Tom Robbins's books have been promoted by readers' word of mouth and passed from hand to hand, even as mainstream literary pundits sniffed and snipped. Readers recognized treasure when they saw it. I recieved my own first dog-eared copy of his first book, Another Roadside Attraction from a bearded and bandana'd stranger in Seattle's Blue Moon Tavern over 35 years ago. My life has never been the same since that reading, and I know I'm not alone. His books are published, read and loved around the world. Tom will be 73 years old in July. This could be his last book-- though one never knows with Tom...he's never one to sit still. When author Kurt Vonnegut died, there was a run on his books and an outpouring of love; a member of his family said it was too bad he wasn't there to see it. May Tom Robbins live forever, but in the meantime, he should know and never doubt that he and his books are treasured and loved, and that we're grateful for what he's given us over the past decades of his life.

This is an opportunity for readers to put into action our gratitude for the delicious delight and profound crazy wisdom Tom Robbins has given us over the years. Tom will be 73 years old in July. This could be his last book-- though one never knows with Tom...he's never one to sit still. When beloved author Kurt Vonnegut died, there was a run on his books and an outpouring of love; a member of his family said it was too bad he wasn't there to see it. May Tom Robbins live forever, but in the meantime, he should never doubt that his books are treasured and loved. I will be plastering every nook and cranny of my city, blogging and spreading the word, in an effort to pay tribute to this most esteemed author. If you'd like to join in this grassroots joyride, contact Ecco publishing (who also published Charles Bukowski and Leonard Cohen—a rich tradition) at ecco@harpercollins.com for stickers, greeting cards and coasters to help spread the word, Tom Robbins style. ~MW

Fish Wars on Cars: Tom Robbins on the Religious Right

Fish Wars on Cars: Tom Robbins on the Religious Right

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #658

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #658, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

A classic Adam Koford comic!

"Playing for Change"--A Tribute to Buskers

Grammy award winning filmmaker Mark Johnson brought over 100 street musicians (buskers) from around the world together for a collaboration documentary called "Playing for Change". It is a tribute long overdue, and the project wants to get more people involved. For information: http://www.playingforchange.com/

It is gratifying to see others appreciate the importance of the talent buskers share every day with all who pass by. It's even better to see the golden light of appreciation shined upon the street musicians who, though they may be passed unseen, provide the soundtracks to our daily lives.

Sadie Died

Sadie Died, originally uploaded by MaryWit.

It's been nearly three weeks since Sadie died, and I still can't bring myself to write about her or see her picture. I am lost without her. No mere dog, she permeated every facet of my life, went everywhere with me, was my constant companion, family and friend. She cracked me up every day and was the one to get me through life's truely hard times. We had each other's back.

Her photos can be seen here: http://flickr.com/photos/marywit/sets/72157603329460230/

Rest In Peace, Sadie.

Alice Chasing Rabbit-Shoes

Street Shoes 12a, originally uploaded by MaryWit.

I came unexptectedly upon the most extrordinairy sight yesterday. A long stretch of Old Ballard Ave. telephone poles with shoes with snippets of poetry written on them screwed to the poles. I was enchanted and followed the poles nearly to the Ballard Bridge nearly a mile away. Mesmerized, I took snapshots of the the shoes. It turns out that it is a public art/poetry installation by local poet A.K. "Mimi" Allin. Here's how she explained it in a blog entry on My Ballard.com:

"50 pairs of poetry shoes (with dahlias), nailed to telephone poles on the north side of Old Ballard Ave. 100 spoons installed on the east side. This was a 2nd incarnation for these shoes. They were originally installed in Tieton Town Square, for LitFuse 2008, as a public art project called “Spoon River.” The installation is based on the classic American book of poems, Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters. Fellow artist, Frank Junk, suggested showing them off at Art Walk, so together he, Sage and I pushed a shopping cart full of shoes up the Ave, drilling them into poles and talking to passersby as we went. Each shoe represents a deceased character from the fictional town of Spoon River. Character’s names appear on the back heels of the shoes. Read together, Masters’ 244 poems depict life in small town America at the turn of the century. Few people are familiar with the book nowadays, but it saw 70 printings after being published in 1915! I found a copy at Abraxus Books. I hope you enjoyed them. "

I did indeed enjoy them--the mystery, the playfulness, the joy and delight. The world needs more public poetry and art. Buskers and street artists (not taggers), poetry scrawled on back alley walls express a fundamental howl --laughter or tears-- of the human soul. It's success is not dollar driven (though tips and donations are gratefully accepted) nor does it depend on corporate marketing schemes. A gift to all who take the time to notice. I am profoundly grateful to the artists, poets, performers and musicians who take the time to share their gifts.

You can see the rest of the poetry shoe snapshots I took here: http://flickr.com/photos/marywit/sets/72157609398131248/

Kitteh and Pip meet the Talking Heads

I have the proud honor of having the original drawing of this Adam Koford cartoon (#972) in my home. Check out Adam's blog at hobotopia.com and his Laugh-Out-Loud Cats flickr set at http://flickr.com/photos/apelad/sets/72157600296941365/ for the origins and further adventures of these two hobo cats, Kitteh and Pip.

You can see Adam's complete set of lolcats drawings here: http://flickr.com/photos/apelad/sets/72157600296941365/