THE ANAM CARA CASCADE
Issue 3

Hello again,

It’s hard to believe that so much time has passed since last I produced a newsletter from Anam Cara; if I have an explanation (not an excuse!), it is that I’ve been so enjoying my role as “midwife” to the projects of the “creators in residence” that I’ve procrastinated my own writing, including this newsletter. 

Because Anam Cara has been blessed over the past 10 years with amazingly prolific, creative people, it’s not hard at all to believe how many wonderful works they have produced.  And that’s what this issue of the newsletter will concentrate on – a small sampling of that incredible list of successes.  Their books fill 4 ½ shelves in the gallery library and a sampling of their works of art hang throughout the retreat and make a significant contribution to the web site.

I’ve tucked in a few updates and a recipe at the end, and I would very much appreciate your sending along your suggestions, comments, and/or submissions to The Anam Cara Cascade to anamcararetreat@eircom.net.

I will be including more residents’ works and announcements in future newsletters. Please let me know if you have something that you would like to have appear.  I promise that it won’t be so long between issues this time!

June 1999

Maeve O’Sullivan’s (Dublin, Ireland) poem, “Form,” a villanelle and inspired by Tai Chi practice, won the Listowel Writers' Week Poetry Competition (for a Single Poem) judged by Eavan Boland and was published in their Winners '99 book.  Maeve will be co-leading, with Kim Richardson (with whom she published Double Rainbow,” their much-acclaimed haiku collection in 2005), her third workshop at Anam Cara, 12-18 July 2008 (see Workshop Schedule for 2008 on the web site).

September 1999

Anne Lister (Cardiff, Wales) released her latest CD Singing on the Wind, included several songs while in residence at Anam Cara. As a singer/songwriter, she “sings the land awake.”  The title song (track 4) “came as I was walking down from a stone circle on a high ridge, the sky changing with every gust of wind.”  Track 5, “The Hag of Beara,” was written as a result of a visit to the “rock, said to be the petrified remains of the goddess of the land, who is looking out to see waiting for her husband, Manannan mac Lir, to return to her.  People these days put coins on the rock.  I didn’t, but still had this song yelled at me by the wind and the sea.”

June 2000

Margaret K. Brady’s (Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A.) memoir, Mormon Healer & Folk Poet:   Mary Susannah Fowler’s Life of “Unselfish Usefulness,” was published by Utah State University Press.  In this Women’s History book, Meg – a folklorist – reconstructs the little-known life of Mary Susannah Fowler (1862-1920) by examining “her manuscript diary, folk poetry, and essays.  A woman emerges who was at once a polygamous wife and mother, an active member of the communal settlement of Orderville, Utah…and a sought-after healer. “

February 2000

Shawn Lockhart’s (Union Bridge, Maryland, U.S.A.) latest book, Birdsongs, is a collection of writings with reproductions of the artist’s original bird-related prints. The cover is marbleized with a handprinted woodcut, “Triad, “ and the endpapers are decorated with stamps designed by the artist. 

July 2001

Jennifer Hill-Kaucher's (Kingston, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.) first book of poetry, Questioning Walls Open, was published by FootHills Publishing in July 2001. Her second collection, Nightcrown, a crown of sonnets in collaboration with photographer Michael Downend, was published as a limited edition lotus book in 2003. Her play, The Hem of the Garment was chosen for the 2002 Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Alaska with Edward Albee. A Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Roster poet, Jennifer conducts poetry residencies and workshops throughout the state and in Ireland with Jack McGuigan, another Pennsylvania poet.

"Jennifer Hill-Kaucher's Book of Days is local and present. Much of it feels diary-like, a life being recorded in a book of hours by a woman at night. The imagery in these pages is sensual, lush with dahlias, marigolds and peonies. And also honest.  As a poem ironically titled ‘Omission’ ends, you can almost feel the gloves sliding off."
Lola Haskins
Desire Lines (BOA Editions)

September 2001

 Cauvery Madhavan’s (Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland), first novel, Paddy Indian, was published by BlackAmber Books (U.K.).  The novel is the story of a young Indian doctor who comes to Ireland to do his Fellowship exam where recreates the kind of lifestyle he is accustomed to in Madras and gets himself into deep waters with he falls in love with the Professor’s daughter.

“Sparkling cross-cultural social comedy combined with a touching love story… A compulsively readable new voice… A love affair infused with a robust sense of humour…”                                                      Alannah Hopkins, Irish Examiner

Her second novel, The Uncoupling, was published by BlackAmber Books (U.K.) in 2003 and is a dark and comic account of the disintegration of a marriage that, like a piece of knitting unravels just one stitch at a time.

“My book of the year!                                                Maggie Gee, New Statesman

July 2002

 David Gardiner’s (Walthamstow, England) story, “Letting Go,” won second prize, a week’s stay at Anam Cara (first awarded in 1999), in the annual Fish Short Story Prize contest.

“I found that being at Anam Cara released a great flood of creativity, and by the end of my stay I had two more stories that I thought might be worthy of inclusion. More importantly, I had identified the common threads that ran through everything I had written and came up with a linking story…that turned a random basket of stories into a collection.”

The book was published by Bluechrome/Boho (Bristol) as The Rainbow Man and Other Stories.

October 2002

Billy Collins’ (Somers, New York, U.S.A.) new book of poems, Nine Horses, was released by Random House, one year after his highly acclaimed collection, Sailing Alone Around the Room.

“There are brainy, observant, spit-shined moments on almost every page…. You finish feeling pleased that such a sensible and gifted man is America’s Poet Laureate—young writers have plenty to learn from his clarity and apparent ease.”
                                                            The New York Times Book Review

February 2003

 Una Brankin’s (Dublin, Ireland), Half Moon Lake, was published by Pocket/Townhouse Books.  A journalist and media consultant, Una’s first novel tells the story of a woman who grew up in the shadow of her widowed mother and her superstitious, overbearing neighbours in the remote town of Preacher’s Bay, Northern Ireland.  One summer evening, a stranger knocks on their door, desperately seeking refuge…. Now, two decades later, Grace thinks back to her childhood and that steamy summer of 1976.  And finally, we learn the truth behind her lifelong reclusivenss, her relationship with her mother and her first and only love.

August 2003

Gordon Grant’s (Savannah, Georgia, U.S.A., R.I.P.) second novel, The Golden Mask, was published by PublishAmerica.  As a result of his keen interest and extensive research in archaeology, the book tells the story of Dan Brennan, an archaeologist, is asked by the local sheriff to assist in a murder investigation.  The victim, a wealthy collector of ancient Greek artifacts, was found shot to death in his Hilton Head Home during an apparent robbery.  A launch for Gordon’s book was held at the library in Castletownbere.

August 2004

Leanne O’Sullivan’s (Eyeries, Co. Cork, Ireland) first collection, Waiting for My Clothes was published by BloodAxe Books (U.K.)

“What is remarkable about Leanne O’Sullivan is not that she is s young – how many of us reach 20 without attempting a poem? – but that she dares to write about exactly what it is to be young.  A teenage Virgil, she guides us down some of the more hellish corridors of adolescence with a voice that is strong and true.  For that alone, she deserves our full attention.”                Billy Collins, U.S. Poet Laureate, 2001-2003

Leanne’s second collection, to again be published by BloodAxe, is due for release in early 2009.

October-November 2004

 Laura Cloud (Haxlett, Michigan, U.S.A) was part of well-received exhibition entitled, Poetic Dialogue, a collaborative exhibition of work in response to poetry at the University of Wisconsin Waukesha Fine Arts Gallery and Library.  The poets included were Jan Beatty, Robin Behn, Marilyn Chin, Lois Roma-Deeley, Margaret Rozga, Judith Vollmer, and the artists were Melanie Adcock, Granite Amit, Kina Bagovska, Laura Cloud, Kathleen Dugan, Iris Goldstein, Kristina Gosh, Carolyne King, Kelly Lemoi, Arlene Levey, Lynnette O. Mohill, Patricia Otto, Charlotte Segal, Beth Shadur, Michele Stutts, Deva Suckerman, Mirjana Ugrinov, Ralitza Vladimirov, Kelly Weime, Amy Zucker

April 2005

Kate O’Riordan’s (London, England) fifth novel, Loving Him, was published by Pocket Books (U.K.).  This novel tells the story of what happens when the love your life bumps into the love of his life .... the one before you, the one he never really got over.  Kate is also the author of The Memory Stones, The Angel in the House, The Boy in the Moon, and Involved as well as numerous television plays.

“Beautifully written … confirms her as a faithful observer of the silent, everyday truths that bind families together.”                                     Irish Times

June 2005

Alex Barclay’s (Dublin, Ireland) debut novel, Darkhouse, was published by HarperCollins Publishers (U.K.) and quickly rose to the Top Ten Bestselling Lists in Ireland, the U.K. and Europe. 

“Darkhouse is a terrific debut by an exciting new writer.  Check it out!”
                                                                                    Independent on Sunday

Her second serial killer thriller, TheCaller, published by HarperCollins Publishers (U.K) became a Number One Bestseller in Ireland, the U.K. and Europe.  She is currently working on her third novel.

August 2005

Marianne Jansen (Groningen, The Netherlands) was invited to exhibit her work in the Biennial in Florence, Italy, as part of the effort of this programme to create an opportunity for people who come from diverse cultures and traditions to know each other better whether they live on opposite sides of the world or on the same street.  Marianne has conducted several painting workshops at Anam Cara and will do so again in August 2008. (See Workshop Schedule for 2008 on the web site)

October 2005

 Linda Hoffman Kimball’s (Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A.) children’s book, Come with Me on Halloween (illustrated by Mike Reed) was published by Albert Whitman and Company.  Linda has written and illustrated books for adults and have several articles and poems for children published.

“Linda Hoffman Kimball’s spooky rhyme and Mike Reed’s colorful monsters are the perfect company for a father-son Halloween adventure.”

November 2005

Lincoln Hartford’s (New Lisbon, Wisconsin, U.S.A) first collection of poetry, Choose Peaches, was published by Boatlanding Press.  The book is divided into three sections:  I. Seasons, II. Where I Belong, and III. About You, with an Epilogue.  It consists mostly of poems having to do with Jan [his wife, an Alzheimer patient] and appropriate photos and has been written in tribute to her.

May 2006

Sue Guiney’s (London, England) Dreams of May, a play with poetry, was published by Bluechrome (U.K.).  The work has been performed as a one-woman show in a number of London venues.  Sue is instrumental in the forming of CurvingRoad (www.curvingroad.com), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting emerging creators and their projects by  providing them with the funds to mount an exhibition, produce a play, publish a book and so forth.  (If you’d like to help, you can contact Sue at: sue@curvingroad.)  Sue’s first novel, Tangled Roots, will be published by Bluechrome in May 2008.

July 2006

Jennifer Pepper (Cazenvoia, New York, U.S.A) exhibited her installation, “Field Notes,” and gave a gallery talk to open the exhibition at USC Sumter Art Gallery in the Anderson Library in Sumter, South Carolina.

March 2007

Karen Blomain’s and Michael Downend’s (Uniondale, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. and Vallarta, Mexico) play, An American Wife, opened at The Northeast Theatre, the resident Equity theatre in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to rave reviews.  Since then, it has premiered with a New York Equity production, to SRO houses, of which one critic said, "An American Wife is a gift we've waited too long to open."  There will be another production of the play in Michigan in the fall, and other possible productions are in the works.  This married couple is currently working on a new play, Rattlesnake Roundup, and Michael is finishing his novel, Worldly Goods, begun when they first came to Anam Cara. The title derives from the 13th-century painting, St. Francis Renouncing His Worldly Goods, by Giotto de Bondone and is loosely based on the stories of Robert Calvi, God's Banker, and the Apalachin mafia meeting in the 1950s.  Karen and Michael will conduct the workshop, “Writing in Ireland,” 12-18 October. (See Workshop Schedule for 2008 on the web site.)

April 2007

Jan Goldstein’s (Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.) latest book, The Prince of Nantucket, debuted at #10 on the LA Times Bestseller list.  The novel is a richly layered, tender story of a man who is primed to go far in life but first must find his way home.

“The Prince of Nantucket has the depth of understanding and feeling in all the right places.  It’s the kind of book I love to curl up with and pray for rain!”
                                                                                    Maureen O’Sullivan

Summer 2007

Ann Tracy (Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.) participated in several group exhibits over the summer.  They were at: Davis Dominguez Gallery, “15th Annual Small Works Invitation,” in Tucson, Arizona; Art Dialogue Gallery, “National Collage Society Small Format Show,” in Buffalo,  New York;  Dinnerware, "Salon des Refuses," in Tucson, Arizona: Raices Taller 222 Gallery, "Mujeres, Mujeres, Mujeres," Tucson, Arizona; and Davis Dominguez Gallery, "Secrets,"

Brid ni Mhorain (Camp, Co. Kerry, Ireland), a poet in Irish, gave readings in Dublin’s Franco-Irish Festival, in Graigue na Managh and with the Scottish poets on tour as well as reading at Féile na Bealtaine in Dingle.

June 2007

Krista Tippett’s (St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A) Speaking of Faith was published by Viking (a member of Penguin Group U.S.A.) Inc.  Creator and host of Public Radio’s Speaking of Faith, Krista addresses the question, “Is God dead?” drawing from “her own experience and her conversations across the world’s traditions with theologians, scientists, ethicists, and activists as creator and host of public radio’s enormously popular show of the same name.”

“Speaking of Faith,” is of monumental importance and a source of light in a day and age when the darkness of intolerance, ignorance, and hate blinds humanity from itself.”                      Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl, Professor of Law, UCLA
                        Author of, The Great Theft:  Wrestling Islam from the Extremists

August 2007

Susan Debow’s (Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A.) first novel, Cleaning Closets, was published by “Dialogue” Publishing, Inc.  She is currently working on the sequel as well as her poetry and much-published magazine and newspaper columns.

January 2008

Carolyn Cohagan (Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.) short feature, Million Dollar Xanadu, ran at the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is now on Youtube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEgU6HWJOaY

February 2008

Deborah Barlow’s (Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.) new paintings will be on exhibit in the Gallery at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, California, U.S.A.  Deborah left a graphic example of her artistry and influence in Eyeries when, as a result of a painting session she conducted for the local National School students at Anam Cara, the students painted individual, outside murals at the front of both the Urhan and Eyeries National Schools depicting why they felt they belonged in Beara.

March 2008

Vanessa Gebbie’s (Brighton, England) first short story collection, Words from a Glass Bubble, is being published by Salt Publishing (Cambridge, England) and launched at the Foundling Museum in London on the 11th. The title story (the 2007 Fish Publishing 2nd Prize winner) was written after two visits to Anam Cara and was inspired by events on both isits. Her second collection of short fiction has been accepted and will be published in 2009. In 2007, Vanessa was also awarded First in The Daily Telegraph Novel Competition, First in The Paddon Award (Exeter University) Competition, Second in the Bridport Prize Competition, and Second in the Flashquake Less is More Flash Fiction Competition

Spring 2008

Patti M. Marxsen’s (Hunibach, Switzerland, www.pattimarxsen.net) first book, Island Journeys: Exploring the Legacy of France, explores seven islands with connections to French History and Culture.  To be published by Alondra Press, the essays included are “The Island at the Center of the Notes on Migration from the Isle of Death (Grosse Ile, Québec),” “Haiti’s Heavenly Waters,” “In Search of Lambaréné,” “Lost in a Dream with Gauguin (Tahiti),” “Rousseau’s Refuge (Ile Saint Pierre, Switzerland),” and “Epilogue for an Emperor (Ile de Sainte-Hélène).”

Matthew Brennan’s (Terre Haute, Indiana) The Sea-Crossing of St. Brendan is scheduled for publication by Birch Brook Press, which does antique letter press editions with wood cuts (Delhi, New York).  A classic of Irish literature, Matthew’s has written a sparkling new verse version of this great sea adventure, which originally appeared in Latin prose. The tale centers on St. Brendan the Navigator's seven-year search for the isle known as the "Land of Saints," and in the course of which a giant fish lifts his ship on its back.

"Brennan's rendering uses an adaptation of alliterative meter tempered by some effects of more familiar verse forms. This achieves a swift-moving and eminently readable text full of concrete details and direct action that should strongly appeal both to students and to more general readers."                     W.D. Snodgrass, poet

Updates

In August 2006, a wire-haired Jack Russell terrier walked into the conservatory to the delight of the artists who were in workshop there.  Barbara Babcock, a TV and movie actor, was a writer-in-residence and, when it appeared that the dog was going to stay, named him, appropriately, Jack.  He has taken his place here as alpha dog, artist’s model and editor/critic.  He sometimes joins us during an evening’s discussion/exchange, and we’ve come to know that his leaving is his editorial comment!

A labyrinth has been cut in the grasses of the Meditation Meadow to the west of the retreat.  Kim Richardson set the initial markers for its creation, and Mary Lynn Jamison drew the guidelines for the mower.  The labyrinth sits on a slight rise, and the view of Coulagh Bay really enhances time spent in meditative walk.

Another kind of meditation is provided by the hot tub that now sits on the deck behind the retreat, also overlooking Coulagh Bay.  There is nothing quite like relaxing in it under a full moon listening to poets recite their own poetry.  Recitations such as the ones by Patience Agbabi (London, England) and Bernard O’Donohue (Oxford, England) are the fulfillment of a dream I didn’t know I had!  Bernard also christened the hot tub, Tuber Búí (The Well of the Hag [of Beara, of course!]).

Recipe

Anam Cara Hot Rolls

3 T shortening
3 T sugar
1 t salt
½ C scalded milk, cooled

(1/2 C lukewarm water
1 t sugar
1 pkg. dry yeast or 1 T dry yeast
Let stand 5 minutes until bubbly)

Combine, and put a little flour in and stir.  Add 1 beaten egg.  Add enough flour to make a soft dough.  Cover and let rise 45-60 minutes.  Knead about 12-15 times on lightly floured board with enough flour to be not sticky.

Roll out between ¼” and ½”.  Place in buttered pans.  Not Pyrex but good aluminum pans.  Butter tops and let rise for 1 hour.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

Barbara Taylor, Provo, Utah, USA

ANAMCARAFIED:  a state of total relaxation after having spent a fortnight on creative retreat on the Beara Peninsula in southwest Ireland.
Diane Porter, San Diego, California, U.S.A.