Category: Literature

Creative Notes

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On the weekends, I enjoy BookTV on C-SPAN2. “Television for Serious Readers.” Sometimes I listen to a panel discussion, an interview with an author, and every so often there is live coverage of a book festival. The discussion may well be about a subject or topic that is not part of my daily life. I like hearing the vocabulary and learning something new. Many voices, from many places. And I am interested in the creative process and how much we have in common.

I know when I write here, that Lake Michigan is a Great Lake unique to our region. Yet the earth, water, and sky are universal. My mother taught English literature and spoke of “the human condition.” We watched many programs. Through blogs, I know more about seasons and gardens in other places near and far, in terms of geography.

Libraries are wonderful places. I always feel at home at a library, and they do so much good for communities. More good books than I can read, and BookTV helps me learn a little more. Blogs as well – all the wonderful posts.

Great Lakes, courtesy of wpclipart.

Ellen Grace Olinger

Books

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I look at my shelves and think, “I love my books.” They are not perfectly organized, rather I make different arrangements here and there. I bought more used books at Goodwill in Sheboygan this week. And we have bought used books at the libraries in Sheboygan, Oostburg, and Cedar Grove. I enjoy reading and learning from different generations and styles of writing. Not necessary to always finish – not taking a test or teaching a class about the content. When my formal education years were complete, I had to learn how to read again, in a simple way.

When I search for used books on Amazon, I often look for books that had been in a library somewhere. I like seeing where the books have been.

And on a general note, how wonderful to have interests that can span a lifetime. I am not a math or science person, though cannot remember learning how to read. During my mother’s last illness, we kept books, newspapers, and magazines in her world. Just their physical presence was a comfort. And I read to her.

Books and blogs – gardens and flowers – so many blessings every day! Vintage art too.

Floral Card is courtesy of Free Vintage Art.

Ellen Grace Olinger

lovingkindness

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Yesterday, as I was reading The Psalms, I especially noted the word lovingkindness. This morning I looked up a few examples of verses.

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God!
therefore the children of men put their trust
under the shadow of thy wings.

Psalm 36: 7 (KJV)

Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord:
let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

Psalm 40: 11 (KJV)

Yet the Lord will command
his lovingkindness in the daytime,
and in the night his song shall be with me,
and my prayer unto the God of my life.

Psalm 42: 8 (KJV)

Orange and Pink Roses are by Ida Waugh, and courtesy of Reusable Art.

books

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there was a time
when the book
did not exist

perhaps in the
writer’s heart and
mind

yet still the process
to create for others
to read in some form

there was a time
when the reader
did not know

the book exists
yet once found
is read and reread

treasured forever
among many books

Ellen Grace Olinger

Images: AntiqueClipart.com

tinywords 19.1

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tinywords 19.1 began yesterday.

I am honored that one of my poems, “Wisconsin winter,” was selected as a writing prompt winner by Editors Kathe L. Palka and Peter Newton.

Please see WELCOME TO TINYWORDS 19.1 for the information. You can also read Carole MacRury’s winning poem.

Ellen Grace Olinger