In the last few days, I have read in Gig Harbor, Langley, and Bellingham, and I’ve given a talk on community, creativity, and the self on Samish Island.  In other words:  art and the ocean have been integral to my time spent with so many talented people.  I am grateful to Doug and Kari Murphy of Gig Harbor for putting on such a great series and to the hospitality of the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (and Elizabeth Austen!) for hosting me (and reading with me).

Here are some images from Edison Open Studio Day, the final reading for Noisy Water:  Poetry from Whatcom County (editors Luther Allen and Judy Kleinberg), and the sunsets they get in Fairhaven. So many people to thank in that scenic and artsy city–Dobbie Reese Norris, Luther and Judy, Harvey and Connie Schwarz, Jim Bertolini, Anita Boyle, Beth Joffrion, Sylvia Tag, Katie Vulic, and so others.  What a vibrant and supportive community with so many fine writers and artists.  I was especially pleased at the chance to meet some WWU students who were at work making anthologies (Nancy Pagh seems like a great teacher); I understand their labors!  And Poetry Night in Bellingham is another great example of creative people coming together to make art happen in our state.