Solace in a Book

Phrases, lyrics, lullabies, and prayers

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It’s Fat Tuesday.  Let the good times roll! There’s a succinct phrase for you. I've been considering people's words lately. I watched the Academy Awards ceremony Sunday. I didn’t have any favorites and wasn’t qualified to judge, as the only movie in contention that I saw was 20  Feet from Stardom. This is an entertaining documentary about backup singers, which I recommend (and it won the Oscar). I found it to be a testament to the written word that the memoir of … [Read more...]

Glimpse of Solace: Kathy Buckland

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I couldn't finish the winter without posting these terrific photos by Kathleen Buckland. Next week I might need to post something more springlike but for today I just want to focus on these fantastic shots. As you can see, Kathy has been visiting the Lake Michigan shoreline. This winter she braved the low temps and snow to visit Lake Forest Beach as well as Tower Beach. I think the rocks in the second picture look almost like sea lions. Kathleen Buckland is a Glenview … [Read more...]

Poetry news: celebrities, critics, and “Chicago” by Carl Sandburg

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Celebrities have been making news in the poetry world. The actress Kristen Stewart (who played Bella Swan in The Twilight movies) shared one of her poems (“My Heart Is A Wiffle Ball/Freedom Pole”) with readers of Marie Claire. Critics, especially entertainment writers, pounced on it. Jenn Selby writing in The Independent called it “the worst poem of all time.”  Facebook and Twitter blew up with snark.  I did see one positive use for the poem; Chicago writer Kathleen Rooney … [Read more...]