If you have always wanted to write that novel this is National Novel Writing Month and there is a bit of a writing frenzy going on out there.  The challenge website is here and the tweets about it can be found on a search of the tag #NaNoWriMo.  The tweets are generally about word count totals, so I don't recommend it, but I suppose some folks find some help in the friendly competition. As the website says, they are "Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over painstaking craft..."

For some it might be the structure they need to get the thing written.  And the end result?  Their website says it best..."Once your novel has been verified by our web-based team of robotic word counters, the partying begins."  'nuf said

ELECTION DAY

If I should need to name, O Western World, your powerfulest scene and show,'Twould not be you, Niagara

nor you, ye limitless prairies

nor your huge rifts of canyons, Colorado,

Nor you, Yosemite

nor Yellowstone, with all its spasmic geyserloops ascending to the skies, appearing and disappearing,

Nor Oregon's white cones

nor Huron's belt of mighty lakes

nor Mississippi's stream:

Here is a reading at the 150th anniversary of Harpers Magazine, another reading about "fun" vacations, and a longer_interview with Charlie Rose (second interview that takes the last 35 minutes or so.)

Poets_and_Writers Sept/Oct 2008, "The triumphant return of a major American Novelist after a thirty-year silence."

image from the Isthmus

The_Isthmus 9/12/08, "Driftless (Milkweed Editions) -- a terrific novel that coalesces around the unexpected connections among people in the fictional community of Words, Wis."

Congratulations to David, our neighbor up in Wonewoc, who is riding a wave of good reviews and lots of attention for his new book Driftless. His publisher, Milkweed editions, is also re-releasing one of his earlier books, Rock Island Line. I would offer my own review, but I still have to get it off Amazon. Of course we will love it!

Wisconsin Books to Prisoners is appealing to you as readers, book lovers and champions of the self-education of all people, to call Governor Jim Doyle (608-266-1212) and John Bett, the DOC administrator (608-240-5104) to express your concern and objection to this ban. Wisconsin is the only state in the U.S. banning books to prisoners.

Essentially, this appeal is about protecting the First Amendment rights of prisoners; freedom to speak includes the right to read (and not just tattered books by Louis L'Amour.)

Thanks so much,

Wisconsin Book to Prisoners
contact: 608-455-2712 or 608-262-9036

image from WI_Humanities_Council

Geri has 18 years experience in management of public land and water, working with citizens to define a river or stream in their community as a cultural landscape steeped in shared history and value.  Her written cultural histories of Midwestern rivers have been a catalyst for citizen stewardship initiatives.  "The river is just being itself, we have to decide how to interact with it."  Ms. Weinstein-Breunig will share her perceptions on people & rivers on

Thursday, July 10th , 7pm at the Soldiers Grove Library.

Things are beginning to settle back a bit after our recent bout with flooding, and thankfully, the library here in Soldiers Grove has remained safe & dry once again.

Dedicated crews of volunteers have been helping Maura at the library in Gays Mills,which took in water soaking the carpet and seeping up the walls.  She hopes to be open by mid-July, with fresh paint & a brave smile.

Meantime, the Summer Reading program has begun here and the theme is:

"Catch the Reading Bug" featuring story hour Tuesdays at 10am. Ongoing weekly t-shirt drawings are open to all those who wish to keep track of time spent reading this summer and also to the "independent readers" who are working on the library's "challenge checklist" of creative activities.  The t-shirts, once again, have been designed by Pat Gilbert and hand-painted by a group of library friends.

Sparkling and beautiful, these little incentives continue to be earned & worn proudly year after year; thank you Pat & crew!

We'll conclude our story hour series on July 8th with a visit from Josh Peters, an astounding escape artist & sideshow performer.  Josh will join us outside in the courtyard behind the library for a picnic & fun, starting at 10am.

Also in July we'll have two evening programs related to water...!  Details in the full story...

The book is called FRAMESHIFTING; A PATH TO WHOLENESS, by our local networker David Banner.  The web site for the book and other things is here. You can order the book from the site if you wish, or you can buy it on the 29th at a discount ($15) over the retail price of $19.95. Dean Saner of SANER WORLD will provide the music and there will be snacks.