Reflections in my coffee

Hi everyone,

I’m feeling grateful this morning. A growing number of people have been listening to my interview with JOE PIZZO and leaving thoughts and comments. The link for Part One is https://www.youtube.com/@josephpizzo2357 Part Two could go up as soon as next week. I’ll let you know.

This Life, my autobiography, continues to find readers while the folks at Ozark Studies Institute (the publisher) continue to search for a distributor that can make it available online and in book stores nationwide. There, too, the responses from readers give me much to make me thankful. Here’s the link for anyone interested in book. https://ozarksstudies.missouristate.edu/book-series.htm My thanks again to RANDY BACON for allowing us to use his photograph from the Ozarks Literacy Council exhibition, “Words and Pictures,” for the cover of my book.

I’ll soon be able to direct you to access the new recordings of nine of my poems that have been set to music by my good friend, CHIRS CRAIG and performed by Chris, GALE CLITHERO, and me. Other projects are in the works.

So this morning, I’m drinking my coffee and thinking what a lucky man I am.

Tonight at the library

Hi everyone,

Tonight is a big night for me. For the first time since it came out, I’m introducing my autobiography, THIS LIFE, to the public. At 7:00 my editor, RACHEL KERSEY, and I will sit before an audience gathered at The Library Center in Springfield and talk about the book.

Rachel will come prepared with questions and I, hopefully, will come with answers. I may read a bit now and then to help provide further insight about how I chose the events in my life that I think eventually influenced me as a writer and poet.

The cover for THIS LIFE was taken by RANDY BACON when he was shooting Words and Pictures, the marvelous exhibit that has been on display at numerous locations around the area. I’m very grateful to Randy for allowing me to use the picture of me on the cover.

I’ve given many programs at The Library Center over the years. Most have been well attended by audiences that included numerous children. But tonight’s event is different. There won’t be many or any children there. This time the subject is for adults — writers, readers, teachers, librarians, parents… I don’t know what to expect and can only hope for a nice turnout. Wish me luck. Come if you can.

Listen in today at 4:00 CST on KICK Radio

Hi everyone,

This afternoon at 4:00 CST time I’ll visit on KICK Radio with JOHN SELLARS, Executive Director Emeritus of the History Museum on the Square in Springfield. I don’t know what all we’ll talk about but at least some of it will focus on my autobiography. The initial printing of THIS LIFE will be out very soon and advance orders can be ordered at https://ozarksstudies.missouristate.edu/book-series.htm The book is at the printers and should be ready for shipping before Christmas.

The cover photo is by RANDY BACON. I hope you can tune into the interview this afternoon.

Adding more pictures

Hi everyone,

Thank you, Nathan Papes, Springfield-News Leader, for the swell picture

I spent several hours last night going through files to add more pictures to This Life. We are down to the wire. The first copies will be out when I go to Kansas City twenty-five days from now. I haven’t gotten anything else done, but it is a weekend after all. I’m eager to show you the cover. It’s 99.99% approved. Designer AMANDA BENTLEY has done a great job with RANDY BACON’S portrait photograph. I hope to have all the information soon. I keep saying that, and keeping meaning it.

Words and Pictures Exhibition moves to Meyer Library

Hi everyone,

I’m pleased to pass along the news, announced by both Ozark Literacy Council and MSU, that the RANDY BACON exhibition, created in partnership with OLC, will soon be on display in the Duane G. Meyer Library on the MSU campus. Here are a few portraits from the collection.

Join the MSU Libraries for an opening reception of the exhibit, "Words and Pictures – The Power of Literacy through Portraits and Stories,” presented by Ozarks Literacy Council and Arvest Bank.

"Words and Pictures"
Opening Reception and Exhibit
4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11
Room 107, Duane G. Meyer Library

This portrait art exhibition features 21 beautiful, large-scale black and white portraits by Randy Bacon with corresponding heartfelt stories of the power of literacy to inspire, entertain and motivate. The exhibit will be displayed on the first and second floors of Meyer Library through Dec. 16

Amy Jo Jardell MA

Executive Director