Addymac's Blog

What I’m Reading (this week)

addymac — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 23:53:58 +0000

In my previous post, I mentioned Main Street Rag, a North Carolina publisher. Currently I’m reading two books from that line: Richard Allen Taylor’s Punching Through the Egg of Space and Maureen A. Sherbondy’s After the Fairy Tale. I’m very fortunate to know both of these very fine poets!

Speaking of fairy tales, I’m also reading My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me, a collection of modern fairy tales edited by Kate Bernheimer. Each of the stories is a take on an older fairy tale. The sources from which the authors borrow include the Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, Hans Christian Anderson, and Italo Calvino. VERY cool read.

North Carolina Poets

addymac — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:55:06 +0000

North Carolina has a stunning array of fabulous poets. I know this, but was reminded of it yet again when I visited the website for Main Street Rag, a publishing company in Charlotte, NC. Main Street Rag publishes a wide variety of North Carolina writers, especially poets. Prices vary, but are affordable, with many chapbooks available for less than $10. Visit www.mainstreetrag.com and support North Carolina writers!

Homeowners’ Manuals

addymac — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:59:04 +0000

I think that when you buy a house, a homeowner’s manual should come with it. It should list common electrical, plumbing, and other problems and provide a timetable for having certain things inspected, etc. For example, we’ve got a water heater that’s about 13 years old. Our plumber says it’s only guaranteed for 6 or 7 years, and told me how to know when to replace it before it bursts. He told me this while replacing washer lines, one of which had already burst and caused about $11,000 in damage to our home. What I’ve learned so far during the restoration/repair phase: 1) know how to turn your water off at the street, and turn it off before you leave the house for vacation or a weekend trip; 2) replace your washer lines with braided coil. They cost $20-$25 and about $100 to install; 3) Consumer Reports rates the Behr Premium Plus paint at Home Depot higher than any other paint for a number of items including low VOCs. 4) Home Depot can mix said paint to match any sample you bring in.

Any advice for me? Please leave a comment!

Addy

Welcome!

addymac — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:58:26 +0000

Welcome to my new-ish blog. After a year off, I’ve decided to try this again, mostly to try to get some comments/feedback on poems I’m stuck on. Totally selfish – I admit that up front. But I also thought it would be nice to let folks know when I run across cool stuff, like the book trailer for Midge Raymond’s book FORGETTING ENGLISH (follow her on twitter @midgeraymond): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFki2O8-28s

On the lit magazine scene, REDHEADED STEPCHILD’s fall issue is out (http://www.redheadedmag.com), and REFERENTIAL MAGAZINE (www.referentialmagazine.com) has a new poem this month that refers to a word in my poem “Sheets,” which appeared in REFERENTIAL in Sept. and which refers to a poem by my poet friend, Richard Allen Taylor.

Tired of paying a fortune for bath salts? You can order salts in bulk from www.seasalt.com and blend them with your favorite essential oils. I recommend the very fine epsom salts. Bonus – the company is offering free shipping through the end of the month.

Finally, to get you in the holiday spirit, here’s one of my favorite muppet videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysIzPF3BfpQ

Take care and be well,

Addy Robinson McCulloch