The dandiest of today's findings

...in no particular order:

• riddlehoard, a new blog by Cassidy McFadzean. I've been preoccupied with a brilliant observation and question she posed at Talking Fresh. I imagine this thinking will find its way into my work.
• Gerald Hill's post honouring his teachers. Gerry was my mentor in the SWG mentorship program and thanks to him two of the teachers he mentions have directly influenced me as well. I worked with Fred Wah in a poetry colloquium at the Sage Hill Writing Experience and with Tom Wayman in a workshop at the first Talking Fresh.
• Zach Wells on the poetry and poetics of description. Both his talk and the discussion that follows are well worth the time.

It's spring, so I freshened up

...a blog. Brenda Schmidt...in progress now has a new look and new author photos. I think the sunny day influenced my choices.

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Bird news:

• Crows are back. March 27.
• Bald Eagles reported by a fisherman ice-fishing on March 19. 
• 13 Willow Ptarmigan on March 24.

Sign of a poem (3)

The descriptions in this little book

...called Birds are delightful. Here's a bit from the introductory section "About Our Birds."

Alas, my "here" sounds like "ear." That's what happens when I don't bother to set up a tripod. Now I know I can't hold a camera in one hand, a book in the other and read clearly at the same time.

Thanks to Ariel for the book. It's a wonderful addition to our collection.

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Bird news:

• I saw seven Willow Ptarmigan this morning. They no longer look pure white against fresh snow.
• The Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch was last seen on March 12.
• Evening Grosbeak numbers rose to 40 on March 16. No Pine Grosbeaks today.
• A mix of Common and Hoary Redpolls continues, mainly Hoary, up to 20 at a time.
• Twenty Willow Ptarmigan in Creighton on March 8. Ptarmigan observed as far south as the La Ronge junction on the Hanson Lake Road on March 2.

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Yesterday I read "Walking" by Henry David Thoreau. I spent time with it again today. Perfect March reading.

When is a poem

...finished? This was a question put to the panel at Talking Fresh 9. Our responses and a video can be viewed in this great post over at Latitude Drifts.

A response to the Talking Fresh panel discussion

...is posted over on Blue Duets, and an insightful response it is. Thanks to Kathleen Wall both for the feedback and the opportunity to further consider her thoughts on what for her are the "two qualities of the Saskatchewan landscape that are almost synonymous with poetry," thoughts which are beautifully put and most inspiring.

Talking Fresh 9: Saskatchewan Poetry Summit

...featuring Karen Solie, Michael Trussler, Daniel Scott Tysdal and me, happened on the weekend at Luther College in Regina. It was immensely satisfying and stimulating in every respect. Thank you to Gerry Hill and Tracy Hamon for organizing a perfectly smooth and classy event. Perfect right down to the single daffodil that graced each white-clothed table. Katherine Lawrence did an amazing job of moderating the panel as did all those who delivered introductions and kept things moving on time. The readings were fantastic. My session was first on Saturday. Then the audience was treated to mind-blowing presentations by Michael, Karen and Dan. And the audience, with their questions and comments, played a great part in making the event a success. It was great to talk with students, new writers and established writers, some of whose work is examined in essays that I had studied in preparation for this event.

Talking Fresh wrapped up with a lovely happy hour launch of Quiver by Holly Luhning and Girlwood by Jennifer Still. Books were flying off the book table after their fabulous readings. I bought one of each. I also bought The Mourner's Book of Albums, Daniel Scott Tysdal's new book. Now I own a copy of every book published by every one of the presenters.

There's a group photo and links over on Latitude Drifts. And more flowers.

More photos and comments over on Poet Shoes.

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After the panel on Friday, Tracy led me to the library at Luther College where I visited the Margaret Belcher Reading Room.

The late Margaret Belcher, a university professor, author and ornithologist, is a well-known name in Saskatchewan natural history circles. I had no idea, however, that she wrote a book titled Bird Imagery in the Lyric Poetry of Tristan L’Hermite (1987). I must track it down.