In honor of Thanksgiving, Paper Fort is re-running this posting from 2008.
This post originally ran in November, 2008. Happy Thanksgiving!
Paper Fort asked some Oregon authors, what are you thankful for? Here's how they responded:
Edwin Battistella: I'm back in the classroom after a long tour in administration. So I'm thankful to be working with students, to be reading new books and rereading old ones.
Brian Doyle: In no order, kestrels, swiss cheese, scissors, Avery E-Glide Rollerball pens (Series 497xx, medium 0.7), the ocean of friends, hands, any decent white wine, islands, lust, sand, kids giggling, church pews, butter, and the late Doctor James Naismith, who invented basketball. Can you imagine inventing a whole sport? Cool.
Sid Miller: I am thankful for my best friend, my thirteen year old dog, her watchful vigilance as the turkey get plucked.
Paulann Petersen: For OBA, Poets-in-Town, Bus-Poems, Writers in the Schools, and writing fellowships, I give thanks. To every member of the staff, boards, and volunteer crews, I offer gratitude. You’re one of Oregon’s stellar blessings.
Elizabeth Rusch: Family, stories, words. My solid wood desk and bright office windows. Curiosity. Inspiration. The wildwood trail, Oregon coast, and Mount Hood wilderness. Portland’s community of writers. My community of writers. Literary Arts.
Sara Ryan: A few things I'm thankful for, in no particular order: Readers with open minds. Family in all of its meanings. Community. Cheap restaurants. Thrift stores. Street art. Laurie Colwin's gingerbread recipe. The Oregon coast.
Penelope Schott: I am thankful for the fog tracing the line of the Coast Range and thankful for my window and my eyes and my friends who can stand here and see it with me.
Peter Sears: I am thankful for the fact that the lower and middle class whites of American voted for Obama. I was so afraid it wouldn't happen. I am thankful that Obama is such an outstanding person that he could reach them.
Judith Barrington sent us part of a poem:
Give Thanks for Portland's Dog Parks
Yofi is hiding behind the giant cedar—
his whiskers quiver as he plans an ambush.
Clouds stroll north with no rain in their bellies;
a speck of a hawk hangs on its upcurrent.
Crows shout their insults: Nitwits! Nitwits!
Who do you think will be here forever?
Paper Fort is thankful for Oregon's writers! (ed's note: Paper Fort would also like to add that Paper Fort as an entity has no preference for who wins the Civil War game on Saturday. Opinions expressed by the editor about the outcome of the game are the sole opinions of the editor, and not the viewpoint of Paper Fort or Literary Arts. Literary Arts likes all Oregon football teams equally).Labels: Oregon authors
