http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2009/11/for-those-who-read-this-blog-for.html

Amanda, Ian Ford (in the pale top, also a gift from my publishers) and.. my publishers, SF World -- who will be publishing the mainland Chinese edition of The Graveyard Book very soon, and are very excited.

My maternal grandfather died a couple of years ago.

We were very fond of each other – he took me to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (a full day and a half drive) from 7th grade through my high school graduation, a gift of immeasurable impact.  He was a bright, curious, caring, and endlessly enthusiastic man. He reacted with genuine joy whenever his didactic little granddaughter held forth on erudite topics.  I still remember his delight upon hearing me tear apart the production of Romeo and Juliet that was one of the first productions we saw together at OSF.

I didn’t ask for anything of his after he passed away; my mother knowingly brought me a few things that meant a lot, but all in all my memories were the most vivid token of our relationship.  Recently, however, his last wife sent my mother a number of his old files.  Including one entire manila folder full of every letter and picture and document I had ever sent him, or that my parents had sent him relating to me.

So I’ve rediscovered verything from short stories I wrote in second grade to novellas I wrote in middle school to graduation notices and e-mails and silly cards.  I haven’t quite had the strength to go through all of it yet, but one thing I did find:  the poem below.  I remember this odd, apocalyptic little poem quite well but had no record of it myself, so knowing that he had it all along is very touching.

And, now that he’s gone, the poem – being as its topic is a girl with a fondness for the departed – takes on a sweet poignance.

Anyway. Here it is.

Annie stayed.

Annie McSalva stood that day
but no one was there to enjoy her stay
only the ghosts had not gone away

Annie remained for the ghosts.

Annie McSalva walked down the streets
her feet tapping sidewalk to various beats
She looked in the theatres, all empty seats

Annie played Hamlet for ghosts.

Annie McSalva read all the books
out loud, in the library, and none gave sharp looks
the ghosts listened well in their crannies and nooks

Annie read on for the ghosts.

Annie McSalva swam in the pond
that led to the gutters and sewers beyond
but nobody stayed to drink that which was fond

to Annie, who swam with the ghosts.

Annie McSalva lay in the sun
and thought that the world had only begun
but the ghosts whispered back that it almost was done

Annie survived with the ghosts.

photo by Nocturnal Bob

Today Caitlin and I hopped into the Cookie Monster for its inaugural jaunt out of town. We headed out to Snoqualmie — not the pass or the casino or the subdivision acres, but to the tiny frontier town with its adorable old train station, museum, and “downtown” strip.

(I don’t use the quotes to mock Snoqualmie’s downtown. The quotes indicate that this strip is pretty much one street. But it’s a lovely street, and I rather like the place. I’ve been there half a dozen times now, just to hang out and poke around.)

Anyway. The main official purpose for the trip was to acquire some new author photos for yours truly. Caitlin has an awesome camera, and she does a most excellent job of photography … and she works for peanuts. Or for lunch and a ride, and a cup of tea — as the case may be.

I’m going to place the results of our pictorial excursion behind a jump, because I’m just not quite narcissistic enough to want to see several big pictures of myself every time I load the page. I know, I know. I must be getting old or something. Anyway, click the link immediately below this paragraph to take a peek at them (or merely scroll down, if you’re reading this via a feed or direct link.)

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skyscape, originally uploaded by hep.

yesterday was the 20th annv of my brother's death. i am doing a lot of reflecting and missing over the next few days (not like i don't always miss him, i still think about him every day, just always around the annv i do a lot of thinking about the person he would have become and how our lives would have been had he stayed living.) so please don't mind if there is radio silence.

"...In the year since the last election the president has made concession after concession to drug and insurance companies, to private health care providers and their lobbyists. The White House, establishment Democrats and their echo chambers in the corporate media and even on the internet have worked hard to suppress voices advocating the simple, practical and elegant solution of single payer Medicare For All, which is still favored in polls by a substantial majority of Americans..." -- Bruce A. Dixon at Black Agenda Report, 11/4/09

Superbad Anti-Whaling Stealth Boat