Events & News (07/01/23)
Reading's good for the soul
The Saturday Spark
Tell us: What are you reading these days?
A huge thank-you to all “Book Bashers”!
We had 212 people who registered for last Tuesday’s “Book Bash” celebrating Poetry of Presence II! If you were one of them, thank you! Along with our nine amazing poets, you helped to create a memorable evening. What a rich presentation of poetry, followed by inspiring conversation about the importance of poetry to a healthy society!
Remember, the name of our final door-prize winner is hidden in the “goody packet” I emailed all registrants after the event. Have you checked to see if it’s you?
Got yours?
After our memorable “Book Bash” last Tuesday, how can I not feature Poetry of Presence II: More Mindfulness Poems?
This follow-up volume to the immensely popular Poetry of Presence: An Anthology of Mindfulness Poems contains nearly 140 poems, most by contemporary or recent poets. Many of the poems delve into relational or social mindfulness, helping you explore “the tough stuff” of living among others with presence.
Let these poems prepare you to act with clarity amidst confusion, with lovingkindness amidst cruelty. Let them also provide a refuge, where you can recharge when you’re worn down, where you can just be.
Also get your companion guide by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer and use the anthology to deepen your writing practice.
Sorry, no Rafter discount on this title, which is sold in a different website store from my own.
Participate in July’s “Show & Share”!
Starting today, The Raft will host its first “Show & Share,” a fun online gallery of creative projects (finished or in progress) done by you and your fellow Rafters.
Define “creative” any way you’d like: poetry, gardening, quilting, photography, crocheting, cooking, music, journaling, painting, reinventing your life . . .
The “Show & Share” will run July 1-31.
Add your original creative work to this chat thread (text, pictures, links).
Comment on the creative efforts of other Rafters in the thread.
By posting your own work, you’ll be entered in a random drawing for a free gift from my store at the end of July. (Each Rafter can win once per year.)
This is a group effort! At least 20 Rafters must post in July in order for the drawing to be held. Let’s create together!
Next week on The Raft . . .
Creatives’ Coffee (Zoom, Wednesday, 4:00-5:30PM Central). A casual conversation group for Rafters who like to “make stuff,” whether for fun or as a profession. Need companionship and support? Creative inspiration? Cross-fertilization of ideas? You’ll find oodles of all this and more at the Coffee. Hop on the Zoom at this link. Can’t make it? Watch for the video replay in this newsletter.
Poetry Pick-Me-Up (Zoom, Thursday, 12-1PM Central). A casual weekly gathering for poetry-sharing, celebration, and discussion. Hop on the Zoom at this link. Bring a poem you like to read to the group. Or, just come to listen to poems offered by other Rafters and to participate in informal but wholehearted conversation. Can’t make it? Watch for the video replay in this newsletter!
Grateful, grateful!
My heartfelt thanks to these folks for their recent gifts in support of The Raft: Gloria Heffernan, Julie Roehm, Linda Wilson, and sierra42. And a special shout-out to Donna Hilbert, who is donating the proceeds from our July poetry workshop to The Raft.
Whew! That's all for now. Stay well. Stay witty. Stay tuned into your true spot and create from your radiant, beautiful self.
🧡 Thanks for reading! As part of The Raft, this newsletter is kept afloat by beautiful readers like you. If you like my work, please support it by becoming a paid subscriber, buying my books, or inviting me to speak. And remember to add your 2¢ by leaving comments!
It wasn't called that, but he said that octopuses in general have a neural system in each tentacle that does problem solving and planning independently of the other neural systems. Additionally, it does have a central brain as well. I read that they are very difficult to study because they are experts at escaping captivity and even turning off lights in their enclosures. (And dumping gallons of water down the backs of workers they don't like!) But that is just one of the creatures he discusses. He goes into primates, dolphins, plant life, corporation (intelligence) and even AI. I find it fascinating. I will look into the coconut octopus. Lots of interesting stuff out there. Thanks for the question.
"Ways of Being" by James Brittle. It is a book about non-human intelligence. I just finished a section on octopuses and their abilities are amazing. It rocks my world as far as my concept of what intelligence is - or more accurately, what intelligence does.