April's adventures

Many Grassroots regulars are wondering about April's recent adventures. You can read all about her visit to Taiwan at http://aprilandhoneychild.blogspot.com/

Lucille Clifton, Rest in Peace

The great poet Lucille Clifton has died at age 73. The NYT has an obituary.

Olympic-Sized Inspiration

Friday night I was sitting in front of the TV watching the opening ceremonies with my honey when I was overcome by a slight sensation of panic: I was supposed to be casting on a new knitting project for the Ravelympics! You know you're in a deep state of dork-dom when things like that make you panic. In a flurry I grabbed a pair of size 15 needles and a skein of orange creamsicle-colored yarn. Phew—disaster was averted as I started my much-longed-for "Beaver Believer" scarf.

If it were an occasion where the pressure was less, I would take the time to peruse our own selection of crafting titles at Grass Roots for something a little more creative and challenging. Recently we received a copy of Melanie Falick's Weekend Knitting. It's full of creative ideas for projects to wear, and projects to admire around the home. There are some slippers and some mittens I find particularly intriguing…



For something a little racier, there's The Joy of Sox by Linda Kopp. I'm not much of a sock knitter myself, having completed exactly one wonky sock some time ago, but the pictures in here are so adorable, and the "knitty bits" so intriguing, I may be tempted again.







Finally, to get back to my sewing machine roots, to expand my crochet skills, and to brighten my home with soft-hearted friends, I want to embrace More Softies Only a Mother Could Love by Jess Redman and Meg Leder. Little dolls, little animals, and little unnamable creatures fill this book.

Maybe if I start planning now, I'll be ready for the 2012 Summer Games…

See you in the bookshop!
Pamela.

Meet local author Dave Metz Monday night at Grass Roots

Local author Dave Metz will join us to read from and sign his new adventure biography, Crossing the Gates of Alaska. Monday, February 15th, 7:00pm Grass Roots Books and Music This is the story of Dave Metz's death-defying, breathtaking, and passionate journey through the Arctic outback. Driven by his lifetime reverence for the outdoors, Dave, with the help of his two beloved Airedale terrier dogs, embarks on a three-month epic of survival and astonishing determination that rivals the most daring world-class explorations. Skiing up frozen rivers, enduring bitter nights at twenty below zero, and staggering across vast reaches of barren tundra and scrub woodlands, Metz's unprecedented 600-mile trek took him to the remotest regions of the untamed North. In frightening and stunning detail, he shows us an unwavering spirit and a compelling sense of adventure that can only be satisfied when truly free. Dave Metz has been to Alaska over a dozen times in the last twenty years. He's kayaked across Alaska twice, once with his beloved dog Jonny riding in the bow, and lived there for two years in remote locations. He's also kayaked and trekked in Peru, Brazil, Canada, and Borneo, and has hiked across most of Oregon and Washington. Despite his forays away from home, he managed to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Portland State University, where he also did course work in zoology. He currently works for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as a seasonal fish biologist. In addition to studying mammals and the preservation of indigenous cultures in rain forest regions, he continues zealously to embark on wilderness survival and exploration adventures, cycling, and hiking trips. He lives Philomath, Oregon.

Dante's Inferno: The Game

So, Dante's masterpiece is now a videogame. You may have seen the fiery, action-packed ad for it during the Super Bowl. I wonder what other classics will be mined for videogame inspiration... They've made movies of 'em all, so why not games?

Faulkner's Ghost is Surely Smiling

Because his birthplace, New Albany, Mississippi, has ended its ban on beer after more than 50 years of prohibition. Teetotalers campaigned for the beer to be, at the very least, sold warm, but to no avail.

WS Merwin will be in Eugene tomorrow

For those of you not into the Super Bowl, the great poet WS Merwin will be reading in Eugene tomorrow. The reading is at the Eugene public library at 2:00 and it's free. He's wonderful to hear in person... Highly recommended.

Mutual Appreciation

Patti Smith, on tour for her new memoir Just Kids, likes our bookish NW cities! And we like her book! And the sun is out, and it's Friday. What a nice combo.

Give us a smile, Don Delillo!

Well, I knew he was a serious guy, but-

“I only smile when I’m alone,” he said recently, not smiling.

I can't tell if this is really funny-a little deadpan needling of the interviewer-or just the disheartening truth. Maybe I'll just go with funny: no harm there.

Salinger and roast beef dinners

Apparently, quiet ol' JD wasn't as big a recluse as everyone thought. He just went by Jerry, and the townfolks didn't blow his cover, perhaps because he tipped at the monthly Congregational Church roast beef dinners. Of course, he did have a tunnel to his garage for privacy. But can you really begrudge a man his tunnel?