2 weddings on 2 weekends, or Where Have You Been, EK?

[ellenkushner]

My relative silence is because I've been away - did I forget to tell you about it? March 14 we went to Boston for the wedding of a young woman I've known since she was a teen; we "met" when she sent a letter to my public radio show, with a photo of the quilt she was making while she listened every week in Richmond, VA. We've been corresponding ever since, and have visited a few times, including the riotous Land of Green Ginger reading here 2 yrs ago. We also saw many old friends, and Coriolanus, which is apparently getting very good reviews. It's the first time since we moved (in June '06) that we've really been back to spend time and see people. I guess we just weren't ready before. (I love NYC, but I still miss my house in Porter Square, with the porch & garden...) I finally got to visit the bright, sunny offices of Charlesbridge Publishing in Watertown, and meet some of the folks who helped produce The Golden Dreydl there, including the gifted art director, who said she couldn't believe they let her make such a pretty book! I agree. I also got to visit with the book's editor, Judy O'Malley, who was in a coma when the book came out. No, really. It was horrible; she'd had a stroke of some kind, and it was months before she was back on her feet. She's still a bit shaky, but very much her old self, full of wit and insight; such a pleasure!

The following weekend found us in Norfolk, Virginia, for my brother David's wedding to Lucy Rebecca Diener. Of which more later. Delia's done a lovely writeup/meditation on them both - but I'll give you the down and dirty (and maybe some pics!).

While in Boston, I also got to see Laurie Marks & the rest of the "Genrettes," Delia's writing group, at a lovely lunch hosted by Didi Stewart. Then, when they met on Rosemary Kirstein's ms., I made myself scarce by running over to the rehab center to see Laurie's partner, Deb Mensinger, who broke both feet last month, and is slowly getting back on them again. Here she is, enjoying the cards that you've been sending her!

She's got them up on her locker across from her bed iwhere she can see them! She's finally got a foot boot and crutches so she's a bit more mobile, but does spend a lot of time n bed, still, enjoying what she can see from there.

No word on when she'll be outta there, so if you want the full details, please see my fuller post over at the Wiscon Community, and keep those cards & phone calls coming!

Comments

[kathmuse.livejournal.com]

Hey, I'm fairly certain that you have no good answer for this, but how does one find a writing group in the Boston area? I moved here (Somerville) in September and my writing has basically stopped any and all forms of writing. I've never been in a group before, but I think it would help.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

~kath

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

Hmm...I haven't lived there for a few years, so what little knowledge I had is probably outdated. You should definitely go to READERCON in July, and put up a sign saying you're looking for a group, or just talk to people you like there. Meanwhile, my sympathies - my move also stopped me writing for awhile. It's tough.

I miss Somerville. Delia always went to the Diesel Cafe in Davis Square to write, and it did her a world of good; maybe you can invoke her spirit.

[kathmuse.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I should have just asked Delia herself.

My husband's office is in Davis Square, so I'm at Diesel all the time. The owner just got a Pug; so cute! The ReaderCon idea is a good one, too. Thanks.