Escapee-Artist and Poetry-Packed Times

I am gearing up for my trip to Dublin and Donegal. I leave tomorrow evening and get into Dublin at the ungodly hour of 1 am or so. I am doing a heap of last minute things from getting my hair cut (long overdue) to helping Vladi erect a higher fence to stop the mad, tearaway Dicko from making getaways – truth to tell though, we have noticed that Dicko does not try to escape his enormous play area unless his buddies – other escapee dogs, come calling. There is a tiny female dog that used to be an ‘ex-partner’ of Dick’s who frequently makes it through a teeny gap in her fencing to come calling – she pokes her nose right into the fence and makes a scandalous noise to lure Dick out. Another shaggy-haired dog, this time, male, also comes calling – he does like-wise (pokes nose in and make a scandalous noise)…the funny thing is that he always has his timing just right as he never really comes while we are at home but we often meet him strolling down the pathway when we are en route to the car to go to work…we try to shoo him back but ‘nada’ – he has that determined look which means ‘nope, it’s me and Dicko- time so stick-it!’

I am having an action-poetry-packed weekend. On Friday and Sunday it will be the
Poetry Now Festival and on Saturday I’ve got the Introductions Workshop from 10 am till 4 pm. I have not had a minute to decide which poems to read there so will bring a heap of poems and decide on the plane. I am really looking forward to meeting the other poets.

I am taking my new and very snazzy camera so hope to spend quite a bit of time taking photos while strolling and wandering and being footloose in Dublin. I lived there for about 10 years so know it pretty well and can’t wait to go exploring again. I’ve only ever had one-day or two day trips to Dublin since leaving so actually having 4 days there will be something to savour, I hope!

I am also half-thinking of going to the ‘Bodies’ exhibition... (or maybe it is a bit too grusome...?)and the Project Arts Centre …has anyone been to either, if so, how was it for you? : )

I won't really have Internet access until the 9th of April when I return...Happy Easter everyone...: )

I Won a Book!

A nice start to the week-end has been winning a signed copy of Nuala Ní Chonchúir’s poetry book -
Tatoo-Tatú, pictured in the image.

Nuala had a draw in celebration of World Book Day and my name went into the hat and …voilá! Thanks, Nuala. I love the cover and am looking forward to reading it. A poem from Tatoo – Tatú is up in Jane Holland’s blog this week and can be read here.

And Tatoo – Tatú can be bought from Nuala's website.

Let’s see if good news really does come in threes...finger tapping for 2 more, I am... ; )