Hello, family!

I'm almost half way through January and I'm still enjoying the illusion that something is going to change this year.  I think one novel thing I could do would be to read a book.  I don't think I've read a book from cover to cover in years.  Books of poetry - yes.  Children's books in Spanish - of course. Linda gave me a book for Thanksgiving called Three Cups of Tea -- an excellent biographical true story. What are your favourite novels, biographies, or journalistic books?  I read one book about three years ago called Reefer Madness by Eric Schlosser, which explored three of my favourite topics:  Marijuana, Illegal immigration, and porn --  An excellent set of investigations and commentary.

I think I'm going to be doing more with poetry and song writing this year.  I also need to work as much as I can so I can go to Mexico this summer and also do the family thing.  Will we be going to Conference Point again, or shall we try some other spot?  I've been doing quite a bit of work for my friends Linda and Phoebe, but I need to look for other avenues as well. I work about 32 hours a week at the hardware store and I'm grateful for that.  

I'm looking for new housemates.  Will and Caitlin left pretty much on schedule and I told Elizabeth she could stay until February.  Here is a selection from Chinese Poems, a book I've read before and have been reviewing again:

On The Way To Hangchow:  Anchored On the River At Night

Little sleeping and much grieving -- the traveller
Rises at midnight and looks back towards home.
the sands are bright with moonlight that joins the shores;
The sail is white with dew that has covered the boat.
Nearing the sea, the river grows broader and broader.
Approaching autumn -- the nights longer and longer.
Thirty times we have slept amid mists and waves,
And still we have not reached Hangchow.

-- Po Chu I, a prolific writer who lived in the early 800s.