Reading Aloud?

Reading Aloud?

When our kids were young, Sam read to them, multiple times, the Harry Potter series including special voices for each character. Yes. Really. He is extremely good at it and loves doing it, so lucky us!

Now that the kids are grown, it’s just lucky me, but really lucky me! Returning from our critique group, we started wondering how many books we’ve “read together” and started a list. More than 50 books! We can’t remember how many years we’ve been doing it, but it’s been a significant part of our bedtime routine for quite a while. 

Have you been the recipient of such a generous gift? Or been the one reading? Maybe you and your partner switch roles? 

Sam is significantly better at it than I am, and the only time we switch is if we have a long drive and he’s driving (and it’s a book we’re really loving).

I was surprised that we were able to list more than 50 rather easily – with a little help from Sam’s phone and a peek around our library. 

You might be surprised to learn that we rarely read poetry this way. We have quite a stack of poetry on Sam’s bedside table, but I find it too exciting right before going to sleep. Often, listening to others’ poetry will give me ideas for things I want to write. So it would lead to losing a lot of sleep. Poetry requires much more of a listener than other genres like fiction, biography, history – things we often read. Maybe I feel that way because I’m a poet? I do feel a kind of addiction to story. We like to watch good mysteries and movies too – other flavors of stories. I feel like we’re surrounded by stories. I don’t think we humans could count the number of stories we participate in, hear or read about in a single day. One could argue that everything we do in a day, actions we take or decide against, are stories in themselves. But let’s not quibble.

Reading aloud to children is widely accepted and recommended, but don’t stop there. If you share your bed with someone, try reading aloud to them or ask them to read to you. Take turns selecting the book. Beyond the pleasure of story accompanying you to sleep, it’s a wonderful way to experience books together. Books should be shared experiences as evidenced by the multitude of book clubs and discussions available to join. Which is great, I’m very pro-book club, but this is an even more intimate way of sharing books.

A few of our favorites, beyond Harry Potter, include Educated by Tara Westover; What Storm, What Thunder by Miriam Chancy; Maryjane by Jessica Anya Blau; Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver AND David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. We read Copperhead first, but you do you. 

Happy Reading!

Ginny

Please Let There Not Be a Spider in My Pants

More than a week ago, while taking a shower, I saw a small black spider on the wall. Maybe about the size of a dime. I wasn’t happy to see it, but I decided to leave it alone as long as it left me alone. Today I saw it (or a close relative) again, let’s just say, not on the shower wall. I don’t think I can say more without freaking myself, or maybe you, out. But I do love the title it inspired. Yes, I want to keep it for future use.

Aside from some highlights we’ve shared here, it’s been a tough spring for me. I’ve had to take some leave from my job because of the anxiety I experienced doing it. It also inspired some writing I hope to tell you more about soon. 

Sam has an event coming up in September at the University of South Carolina at Aiken, and we’ve just scheduled a reading in Gaithersburg, MD in December. If that’s too far away in time or space, you can see me Saturday, at Patterson Park in Baltimore’s No Kings protest rally. 

Above are two photos from readings we managed to attend last weekend at the Ivy with authors we don’t get to see nearly enough, Jessica Anya Blau, and Reggie Harriss.

More soon –

Ginny

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Reading at Growing Minds Book Store

Yesterday Sam and I had the pleasure of reading with Linda Rabbin at The Growing Minds Bookstore in Catonsville. If you have not been, GO! I felt ridiculous having worked down the street for a few years and driven past this little jewel so many times! It has so many awesome things inside: new books, used books, FREE BOOKS, free puzzles, a kitchen play area, Lego play area, stuffies to play with, comfy big-people chairs, a cozy area to give readings… and still lots more stuff! Jen, the owner, was happy to help us set up, and we were glad to read a few child-friendly poems then share our story “Cindergator.” It went over very well! (People laughed in the right places!) It’s always a relief, even if you feel something is good, to have that first positive audience reaction. So we will restart looking for an agent for it. At least a few of you on this list should know some… After the bookstore, check out the antiques shop next door and Charlsie’s Bakehouse around the corner for more heavenly delights.   

Sam has had to return to the office every day now which means he loses at least 7 hours he might be doing other things to driving. He’s working on a post about the fun we had last weekend. (I have no room to talk; there’s a book review I must complete.)

Thanks to those of you who are following us on Patreon! 

Linda Rabinn, Jen (Store Owner), Virginia Crawford, Sam Schmidt
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Thank You and Thank You to Jenny & Chris

A few nights ago Sam and I attended an ultimately uplifting gathering of musicians, poets, sculptors and visual artists hosted by Jenny Keith and Chris Ciatti. I say “ultimately” because, yes, most, if not all, of us there are having trouble sleeping, believing our eyes and ears, and generally getting on with things. (There’s even a lot of self-censoring going on as I try to write this.) We heard of the difficulty of waking from “Benadryl Dreams,” of the on-going and disorientating decomposition of our country. We sang an Italian song which was sung from balconies during lockdown. Visual artists shared recent projects like “The Existential Dread Catcher,” similar to the Native American dreamcatcher, which you can get in multiple sizes and forms – why not get one for every room of the house just to be safe? Yes, please. 

But it’s the fact of coming together, of singing and reading to and for each other. We listened to and appreciated each others’ efforts and creations. How revolutionary that feels right now. Jesus.

We saw several friends we haven’t seen in years. Jenny and Chris, as always, were the best hosts. THAT cake was there, I think, made by Jenny herself. It really did come out very well! I will remember it fondly in the dark times when my home contains no chocolate. But seriously, I had started this thinking it was a simple, Thank You. 

You guys ROCK. Keep rocking. And baking.

Thank you and thank you again. xxo 

We were so engrossed, we forgot to take pictures!

Travelogue to PTSD

Travelogue to PTSD

Last week we had a wonderful time as featured readers at the Goggle Works Art Center. The building is an old manufacturing warehouse which has been remade into artists studios, gallery spaces, retail area, offices, but mostly art-making spaces. There were gorgeous old wood floors, high ceilings, LOTS of windows. I just love this kind of reclaimed space. My imagination immediately starts placing the kitchen here, bedroom here, living room… Our Host Susan Peña was delightful, and the attendees numbered more than 40. An open mic followed our reading and included readers spanning a wide range of ages and styles of poetry. At least two read in public for the first time and were well rewarded with applause. Others announced that they have first books coming out this spring. The series has been running for several decades and is going strong! It’s well worth the journey if you’re looking to expand your literary circle.

Then we zoomed down to the Eastern Shore of Maryland where we participated in the annual Bay to Ocean Conference. After a day full of learning and inspiration, including keynote speaker Brian Turner, veteran and author of Here, Bullet and other books, Sam and I hosted the closing event–an open mic. The Queen Anne’s County Art Center provided their excellent gallery space as well as food and wine. We were happy to have a little time to talk with friends, old and new (and, yes, eat cookies). 

Sunday morning was actually the final final event – a critique session with Brian Turner and 10 conference participants. Sam and I had taken a look at Here, Bullet a few weeks ago. Sam loves to read aloud, but I had to ask him to stop because the subject matter was so intense. So often writers are advised to focus, get to the heart of the matter, and Brian’s book does it so well with his experiences as a soldier in Iraq, I was overwhelmed. Occasionally I have been glad to hear listeners share that one of my poems touched them. For example, “The White Shirt” is about the fear of school shootings and how they change the way we experience and imagine school and parenthood.

It’s impossible to identify a single causal event other than “trauma,” my own, that of the children I teach, what I’ve seen on the news and in movies, but another participant’s poem about being beaten by his father pushed my mind over some invisible edge. I managed to read my poem about an 11-year-old who had previously been a student at my current school and was murdered recently by her mother. But my brain just stopped. I wasn’t able to comment on others’ poems or even listen to them properly. Writing this now, I’m thinking, Oh, PTSD. Yeah, PTSD. And anxiety. Lots of anxiety. And do I want to keep writing poems that do this to others? Should I write them but not share them? Is that too self-censoring? How do you know what is too self-censoring? What’s the point of being any kind of artist if you don’t make work about what’s important to you?   

– Virginia

PS

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The Almost Invisible Web

The Almost Invisible Web

It’s complicated, right? I’m trying to avoid my natural inclination toward negativity… but it’s really tough. We could hear at any moment that Sam no longer has a job. My students are terrified that they or their families will be sent away to places they’ve never been or don’t remember. And the most powerful country in the world is being run by an immature overgrown toddler with significant issues. What’s not to worry about? I could go on, but let’s not.

Last weekend we enjoyed our visit to Reston Used Books in VA where we were featured readers along with Eric Goodman, another Baltiomre-based writer and friend. As soon as I walked in, I was reminded of Powell’s Books in Portland, OR. Shelves were jam-packed and labeled with genre. While nowhere near the size of Powell’s, the density of books was very similar. 

I find it very comforting to be surrounded by used books. Each is a view from a neighbor’s window with something to show and teach us. Each book has at least been handled, if not read, by someone else. Yet the books connect you through an almost invisible web. This fragile but unfailing web includes everyone who has ever made an effort to read. 

I love this web but also need to be reminded of it often. You?

…

We’re really looking forward to our next event in Reading, PA, Thursday, March 6, 6 pm-8 pm @ Berks Bards at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington Street, Reading PA 19601. Followed by an open mic.

And then the Eastern Shore Writers Association Conference where we will co-host the open mic event. We hope to see you there!

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Thanks for reading!

Virginia

One Benefit of Marrying a Poet and Next Appearances

One benefit of being married to another poet is our shared understanding of the complexity of writing. While our processes are not entirely the same, we both know the yearning of wrangling a particular impulse into words and the deep pleasure when the words flow. We each also know the frustration of not getting it right or not having the opportunity to get it down at all. We might have married people who were creative in different ways or not married at all. But our shared understanding and desire for excellence in our art is deeply unifying. 

Our next appearance will be Sun., Feb. 23, in Reston, VA, 5:30-6:30pm.  Our friend, fellow writer, Eric Goodman will also be reading. Hosted by Nathan Leslie @ Reston Used Book Shop, 1623 Washington Plaza North, Reston, VA 20190. Followed by an open mic.

After that, we’re back to PA on Thursday, March 6, 6 pm-8 pm. We will feature @ Berks Bards at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington Street, Reading PA 19601. Followed by an open mic.

Then we dash down to Maryland’s Eastern Shore for the Bay to Ocean Conference on March 8 where we will host the evening’s open-mic event. For more information: https://www.easternshorewriters.org/event-5975520

In May we’ll be reading at the Lit and Art series in Baltimore. Stay tuned for details.

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February – Poetry Month?

Right, National Poetry Month is April, but check out our schedule. Sam and I will be appearing:

  • Thursday, Feb 6, 6:30-8 pm. Snug Books, 4717 Harford Road, Baltimore. We will read poems of love and marriage for Valentine’s Day. Followed by an open mic.
  • Friday, Feb 7, 7 pm. Poetry First Friday at the Ragged Edge Coffee House, 110 Chambersburg St, Gettysburg PA 17325. We will read from recent work. Followed by an open mic.
  • Sunday, Feb 23, 5:30 – 6:30 PM. We will feature, with fellow Baltimore Poet Eric Goodman, at the Reston Reading series, hosted by Nathan Leslie. Reston Used Book Shop, 1623 Washington Plaza North, Reston VA 20190. Followed by an open mic.
  • Thursday, March 6, 6 pm-8 pm. We will feature at Berks Bards at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington Street, Reading PA 19601. Followed by an open mic.
  • May, Lit & Art, Baltimore 

Being part of the audience can be magical too. Speaking of, we recently attended events with Naomi Shihab Nye and Marion Winick. It was so reassuring to feel that unifying human connection when the opposite seems to take up more and more of our public spaces, etc. (See my photo on FB. It’s refusing to appear here.)

I also met Jennifer A. Browne, a fellow poet, who teaches at Frostburg in Western Maryland. Here we are with Naomi in the middle:  

May your spring be filled with poetry, friends and connection!

Feel free to share these events. Also, we are interested in appearing in other events–in the Mid-Atlantic and further afield–in 2025. Contact us.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Holidays!

We recently had the pleasure of interviewing with Grace Cavalieri on her long-running program, The Poet and The Poem. Grace is one of those amazing people who can make you feel like she’s your best friend after only a few moments’ conversation. Both a visual artist and much-published poet, she’s a jewel of a human and beloved across Maryland for her service as Poet Laureate. 

Enjoy! Click here for Virginia Crawford Sam Schmidt podcast.mp3

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Holidays!

We recently had the pleasure of interviewing with Grace Cavalieri on her long-running program, The Poet and The Poem. Grace is one of those amazing people who can make you feel like she’s your best friend after only a few moments’ conversation. Both a visual artist and much-published poet, she’s a jewel of a human and beloved across Maryland for her service as Poet Laureate. 

Enjoy! Click here for Virginia Crawford Sam Schmidt podcast.mp3

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Teachers are known to make tons of that stuff, right? Yeah, that’s why we have second jobs and try to earn more doing all kinds of things. Like selling lessons on Teachers Pay Teachers. So, I’ve “opened” a store there – Let’s Write! This means I’m also learning how to sell things there. And why I’m sharing this here. It’s my first experiment, if you can call it that. Come take a look! Let me know if it works. Thanks!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Share-and-Support-an-Opinion-12658099?utm_source=virginiacrawford.com%3B%20Facebook&utm_campaign=First%20Attempt