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Here's a lovely poem for today - mysterious, slightly melancholy, perfect for what I don't know to say.

Find more of poet David McKelvie's work at his blog stars sliding. Thanks to green ink for pointing him out!!

Lunar Self-Portrait

The Moon drew herself
in charcoal -- soft now,
smudged horizons,
took care to shade
her darkside, her lightside
shone in paper, thin,
removed from printer
and rippable by wind
and breeze and breath
alone -- quite believable
as cheap, as tattered.

The Moon drew herself,
revealed in portrait
her craters, mountains,
canyons present
in impressionistic
implications and swirls
of black and smear
on white and dirtied.

The Moon drew herself --
her audience halved
to those who laughed
a biting snigger
and those who looked
one second longer.

So Busy!

I have to apologize for not giving you more material here. I got swamped under a deluge of grantwork, all on tight deadlines and I have to spend my computer time actually getting things done instead of just rambling to my cyber-friends.

I promise I'll get back to reading all of your wonderful blogs as soon as I can - I miss you!!! And I'm hoping things are well with you and your families.

Yesterday I heard "How Soon is Now?" on the radio. I love that song! Remember the Smiths?? If I can, I'll post the video soon so we can all reminisce.

In light of all the wonderful political process and outcomes this week (Historic! Groundbreaking! Astonishing! Inspiring!), maybe NOW is Now!

Catching Up

I was talking about this blog with some friends yesterday when I realized that I was referring to posts that I'd written on my first blog.

So - because I feel a bit guilty about not getting around to posting this weekend and leaving my small but growing readership in the lurch - below you'll find some transplanted posts for your enjoyment.

Namaste

The Future of Newspapers

Clearly, I'm a regular LA Times reader. Lots of the content for my posts is sparked by my daily habit of cruising through those crinkly pages to find out about our world.

For a while, I've been wanting to post about the changes newspapers are undergoing. That's why something on television struck a chord with me.

I was watching The Daily Show with Jon Stewart last week. (See Wednesday, Sept. 24th episode here.) As he joked about how the various media approach Sarah Palin, he pretended to forget what newspapers are.

Ouch.

Stewart jibed, “You know, those things that smudge your hands. You know, you wrap old fish in them.” Aah, the bitter satire.

Unfortunately, it’s so true. The sea change that is swamping our country’s papers is sweeping them away. The Los Angeles Times I hold in my hands today is a pale, pared down version of what I read just three months ago.

Round after round of leadership change and staff cuts has reduced the scope, breadth and depth of what comes into my home each day in plain ole black and white. The push is towards the Tribune’s website and growing list of blogs. And that’s great. Maybe a change is inevitable; maybe it’s just what is called for.

Frankly, I’m surprised by the quality writing that the paper is maintaining despite the battering by economic and social forces it’s endured during the last few years.

If this interests you, Columnist Steve Lopez said it best this summer. See if his plea brings a misty tear to your eye.