Amanda Thru the Looking Glass

Image description: Zesty Garlic chicken with bulgur, baby spinach, tahini ranch dressing and tomato on a blue plate with a fork. This week there were numerous yummy meals. One that stands out is the zesty garlic chicken. We used chicken breasts; although it is equally good with thighs. The tahini ranch dressing is the star of the show. We use mayonnaise, tahini, a clove or two of garlic, green onions and a few teaspoons of lemon juice.

Image description: a chapbook open on a table, its silver cover open: back: le Temps des cerises, an AngelHousePress imprint. front: Cleo & the salamander/Amanda Earl; surrounded by a maroon and gold cloth given by publisher . i promised paid subscribers i would give them two more free pdfs this year. So far they have received a copy of Purple and the small of july along with excerpts from Naked in Ten Photos and a few other goodies.

Image description: crotchet flower with pink petals and a yellow flower hanging on a tree. You think artists—writers write for that old cliché reason that people give? The intellectual likes to say that writers write to put order in the universe, but we know that the stories we read tear the universe apart and ask all kinds of questions, make people feel sad and fucked up. Andre Dubus, as quoted by : Jeannine Ouellette’s brilliant Substack, Writing in the Dark.

Image description: blurry accidental photograph close up of a tree: brown bark, blurry gold leaved. Green blurred trees in background. Taken in Dundonald Park on Halloween in the morning of a warm day. The bedroom window is open. The wind is howling. It is just after 7 am. The curtain is closed but it is still darkish out. I love November. I think it is the problem child of the year and that is one of the reasons why I love it. November needs love.

Image description: an assortment of jack o’ lanterns on the stoops and staircases of centretown, ottawa. I set the alarm for 6 am. We have breakfast: mine is oats and quinoa with strawberries, a splash of milk, unsweetened shredded coconut, walnuts, strawberries, an egg, ceylon cinnamon, ground coriander and ground ginger. In other words, my favourite breakfast. I drink 3 large glasses of water. At 6:45am, I put on my clothes.

Image description: I am wearing a pink crochet poncho with fringes . My arms are spread out like wings. Chairs are beside and behind me. I am outside. It is night. Light comes from a streetlight not pictured, to the left. Today I had the pleasure of the first TWUC mentorship meeting with a poet who applied to have me mentor her. It was a delight. I have wanted to do this program for years, but nobody ever took me up on it. This year 3 writers asked. I am super grateful that it's happening.

Image description: I am wearing a red hoodie and looking up to a a sculpture of the moon made by Luke Jerram at the glass windowed tower of the Canadian Museum of Nature. Photo by Charles Earl on October 17, 2024, which we visited for the Rewilding Exhibition.

The Poetry Cabaret takes place at 8pm tonight at the Ottawa International Writers Festival at Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street. Here’s an excerpt from David’s letter: I want you to go. Manahil Bandukwala is hosting, and, after reading, will be delving into the work of 4 outstanding poets; Local hero and people's champion Ellen Chang Richardson is featured alongside Can't Lit Legend Dina Del Bucchia.

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Image description: a roast turkey on a cutting board. knife and salt blurred in background. Thanksgiving here means turkey. We love turkey, but unless it is xmas or t-giving, it’s usually not available. We found the best price for a whole turkey at the Loblaws on Rideau. It was $24.85 for 5.8 kgs. This is 11 servings of turkey for us. We always try to get a small turkey, but that costs more. Obviously there are a lot of ways to use up turkey.