My Good News and Humbug Tummy

I am joining the many people who are experiencing transition, life-change, movement into closer alignment with their highest goals.

My good news: I've been accepted into the Low-Residency MFA (Master of Fine Arts) program at Pacific Lutheran University: The Rainer Writers Workshop! This was the only program I'd applied to thus far and, for various reasons, it was my top choice. So I can be done with the applications process and move on to the celebration, and to the acceptance and acknowledgment that I'm being invited to do exactly what I'd been wishing for: to take myself seriously as a poet and to put much of my energy into it.

I didn't finish my Phd dissertation (although I am writing that book) because I didn't think I wanted to become a professor of Classical Literature as my life path: I was too concerned with practical environmental issues, nutritional research, and the distillation of beauty and hideousness into words. (Yes, it's possible for some people to be both and do both, but I turn out not to have that level of energy that is necessary and that I used to think I had.) But getting my book of poetry ably critiqued, joining a milieu of current writers, writing more books of poems...this is my dream come true! Lots of work to be done, and for most of it I can stay right here and continue doing my thing. And then every summer for three years, a residency: melting pot of wonderful writers, both faculty and students, all coming together to inspire and be inspired, in Tacoma, WA! It will also be an opportunity to explore Seattle and Tacoma, which I haven't yet, and maybe do some more hiking around Mt Rainier, which I have.

I'm going to be a poet! Or, I am already. And now to find a way to build something of beauty and utility on my writing practice, my nutrition research, cheffing flair, and concern and care for environmental issues. Watch this space.

So, much to celebrate and also an injunction from my ND to break my food rules on a regular basis, and a regular chocolate factory in my kitchen, and my tummy is saying 'bah humbug!'

Even this gorgeous fudge isn't appealing to me

...nor the hazelnut-amaretto-cherry cups I made

...they whet everyone else's appetite. Do they whet yours?

(More pictures to come soon from the chocolate factory ;) )

So, I guess I need to head out into the spectacular light we have here and find other ways to enjoy and celebrate my wonderful news, since my tummy's saying 'humbug...'

much love