Thursday, July 13, 2017

Porkbelly Press 07.11.17





Porkbelly Press has just published a new chapbook, MEXICAMERICANA, (poetry) by Eloisa Amezcua, and I'm super excited to say my work is on the cover! The incomparable and very industrious Nicci Mechler runs Porkbelly Press, a small independent chapbook press in Cincinnati, Ohio. Besides her jobs as editor, designer, and artist for the chapbook, she does about a thousand other things, all while continously producing a steady stream of gorgeous etchings and other artworks. Her blog bio starts off like this:

"Nicci is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University (BFA Studio Art, Masters in English). Between research, novel revisions, poetic alchemy, reading, retreats, and caring for roomies, rescue dogs, and rescue kitties, she makes art, edits the literary magazine Sugared Water, and runs Porkbelly Press (a micro press in Cincinnati, OH). She is also the editor and maker of several zines, including the body image zine LMLMB.

I was very honored when she asked if she could use my work on the cover, and it really does look wonderful. I have no idea how she manages to get all this stuff done. Here, you can read an excerpt from Eloisa Amezcua's beautiful poetry; you can buy a copy of this handbound chapbook, MEXICAMERICANA, here.



Tuesday, July 11, 2017

In My Garden




This is why they call it butterfly weed...








The yellow hostas have a strange pale flower that I like very much.








Coreopsis verticillata blooms all summer, if you deadhead it... I need to do that about a week ago...




Bee balm, also known as monarda and bergamot, is what gives Earl Grey tea its distinctive flavor.




 I love all these perennials...




Hostas, coleus, and ferns in my shade garden.




The echinachea seems especially vibrant this year...




The bees seem to think so, too.




One of the orange turk's cap lilies is dying, but has produced these humongous seeds, unlike the lily's usual seeds. Anyone know why?



Here you can see the regular seeds that appear on the stem.




I chased this tiger swallowtail butterfly around for probably half an hour,




trying to get a decent shot...




                                                                It was pretty camera-shy...




...but I finally managed to get a few good ones.



I hope you enjoyed my little garden stroll. Have a great week, everyone!