Looks like it’s been almost 6 months since I last blogged. Yikes! Where has the time gone and what have I been up to?
Of my public appearances this summer, my favorite was the Juneteenth celebration at Sky Stage in Frederick, MD. I read “Suburban Lies” and “Defining Whiteness.” It was such an honor to be invited to read.
Here’s a reel from that day, which was HOT but fun! It’s the first time I met in-person Kiki Wilson, a Frederick poet (we couldn’t believe our paths hadn’t crossed sooner). We were all privileged to share the stage with my friend Elayne Bond Hyman, who closed the event with a powerful reading from her book and a reminder that every single person there was born free and entitled. I appreciate any time I am invited to be immersed in Black Joy–joy that I hope my reel captures!
Maryland Writers’ Association recently started a podcast, “A Book Finds You!,” hosted by Rob Jolles. It just dropped in October and I was the first interviewee! Rob focused on how the Flash Series found me, but we talked a little bit about my transition into poetry and spoken word, as well.
https://a-book-finds-you.simplecast.com/episodes/kari-martindale
My writing recognition since I last blogged includes an honorable mention from Writer’s Digest in their annual writing competition, for my poem “The Beaches of Normandie,” in the non-rhyming poetry category.
“The Beaches of Normandie” is a poignant piece honoring the WWII experience of my grandfather, Angelo Yerace, a survivor of D-Day. He passed away this past January, just a few months before the poem received honorable mention, at the ripe old age of 98. Here’s an old blog post I wrote after his 90th birthday.
Considering the recognition “The List” has also received, it seems my war poetry hits people in the feels, so I’m now working on a collection. In June, I posted to Youtube an attendee’s video of me performing “The List” at the White House, if you haven’t checked that out yet…
I also recently received a Best of the Net nomination for my spoken word piece “Defining Whiteness” from the online journal 45 Magazine.
More poetry was published in Pen in Hand in July (two poems written during my residency in France, including an ekphrastic poem that pairs with the cover of the issue); as well as an anthology of Poets of Manor Mill, where I featured last year. That poem is an uncharacteristic cheeky roadtrip poem.
The July Pen in Hand issue was the last for which I served as Co-Editor, as I’ve resigned to focus on other areas of supporting Maryland Writers’ Association. I took the Frederick Chapter back over in July and continue to serve on the Conference Committee. The annual conference is coming up next weekend! I’m looking forward to presenting “Prose to Poetry” on Saturday, and hosting the open mic Saturday evening; as well as to seeing many of my fellow MWA members, and getting my professional development on.
In September, I enjoyed teaching “Ekphrasis” at the Delaplaine Arts Center with Armed Services Arts Partnership. One poet, Anne, had me photograph her with the quilted artwork she wrote ekphrastic poetry to. Her poem incorporated the physical space surrounding her, which comes through in the photo–you just have to have read it to know! I hope to see the poem published one day.
I also gave a two-day workshop in Roadtrip Planning at a 55+ community in Urbana over the summer.
I did some school visits in September about Literary Arts careers, at Frederick Middle School and Thomas Johnson Middle School. The craziest part of one session was when a girl approached me afterward and asked if I’d read at the Curmudgeon last year. I recalled a girl, brother, and father in the audience and asked, “Was that you?!?” It was! We were both tickled pink by the mutual recognition.
I haven’t been able to spend much time with my fellow EC Poetry & Prose poets in a while, but I enjoyed infusing my middle school visits with many slides that included our work together.
I’ve had more articles in the Frederick News Post, including
Dinosaur Kingdom: A must-see roadtrip destination
I REALLY enjoyed writing that one because I focused on the artist behind the attraction, Mark Cline, who repairs our highway giants such as Muffler Men. I love his work!
Along with articles like Laila’s Legacy battles breed bias at Frederick pit bull adoption events; Playfulness and Wordplay in the Work of Corey Frey; and How to plan a European roadtrip.
I featured for First Fridays in September.
And…I’ve been traveling a lot, as usual. Some highlights:
The biggest trip was a European roadtrip. Unfortunately, I injured my ankle on a cog rail in the Alps. Still, it was a great working trip, during which I was researching a work in progress, as well as a fun girls’ trip with Sequoia and her friend, who had never been out of the US before. Imagine your first European trip being one of my seven-country zigzaggy roadtrips!!
There was a trip out to Montana in June, for Sequoia’s college orientation at Montana State. Sequoia stayed in the dorms while I wandered around the city of Bozeman. We visited Yellowstone overnight after orientation was over. I loved Mammoth Hot Springs, and we saw some awesome wildlife, including bear.
Not gonna lie, though, the most exciting event on that Montana trip might have been meeting legendary improv genius Ryan Stiles, as the Whose Live Anyway? cast, made up of some of the Whose Line is it Anyway comedians, was staying at our hotel. (Ryan is TALL.)
There was also a loop from Maryland to Montana and back, taking Sequoia to college. Paul and I also spent a few days in Yellowstone after we left. We, too, saw several bears doing their thing, each day!
Paul and I recently took a cruise on the Pacific side of Mexico to spend time with my stepdaughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters. I became very ill on the trip and my ankle was in a boot, though, so it wasn’t as active a trip as it might have been. I flew out to visit Sequoia in Montana myself for a night en route to the Mexican cruise. Weirdly, in what is becoming a pattern of meeting celebrities while traveling in Montana, that time, I sat next to Kevin Zegers in first class.
And I’m actually writing this post from Montana right now, during yet another visit, this time for parents’ weekend. Check out the mountain views from our hotel room at the Element!
That’s about it, guys…keep checking the calendar for what’s coming up. There’s more news, but I’m waiting to share it. For now, I’ll leave you with my latest t-shirt, which accurately describes me as a spoken word artist!
