Friday, September 30, 2011

My time as writer-in-residence

...at the Mackie Lake House flew by. It was an unbelievable experience. Thanks again to the Mackie Lake House Foundation and The Kalamalka Institute for Working Writers for this amazing opportunity. Thanks to those who attended my reading/talk at Gallery Vertigo, those who listened and asked questions during my class visit at Okanagan College in Vernon, and to everyone for their help and hospitality. It was great to engage with the community.

Of course I came back from the Okanagan with a pile of books.


From railing to right:  

Unfurled: Collected Poetry from Northern BC Women edited by Debbie Keahey.  

Winging Home: A Palette of Birds by Harold Rhenisch.  

Shelter by Frances Greenslade.  

Rhapsodomancy by Kevin McPherson Eckhoff.  

Easy Peasy by Kevin McPherson Eckhoff.  

Notes on Leaving by Laisha Rosnau.  

Lousy Explorers by Laisha Rosnau.  

Badlands by Robert Kroetsch.

While I was writing, H was photographing bugs found on the grounds of the Mackie Lake House. He launched a blog called Bugs of Mackie at the closing reception. I imagine some bugs and toads and quail and owls and who knows what else will find a way into my work. We'll see what happens in the coming months. I look forward to returning to the Okanagan next fall to launch the book.

8 comments:

Gerald Hill said...

I imagine some bugs and toads too and wish you well keeping the Mackie vibe going.

Brenda Schmidt said...

Thanks, Gerry! The Mackie vibe. I like that!

Bernadette said...

Oh, Brenda! What a great looking bunch of books, there! I'm feeling rather covetous now...

Brenda Schmidt said...

Yes, I can't wait to read them!

Ariel Gordon said...

Yay B! I'm glad you and H enjoyed yourselves...

Brenda Schmidt said...

Thanks, A! And I forgot to mention the weather, the perfect weather.

carin said...

Your H's blog is wonderful! (How does he get the bugs to step up to the camera like that?)

Brenda Schmidt said...

Good question! It's really something to watch him work. His patience and steadiness amaze me. That lens is heavy.