Ted Kooser. Photo credit: UNL Publications and Photography. There's nothing that can't be a good subject for a poem. The hard part is to capture something in such a way that it becomes engaging and meaningful.
Here's a poem from the Summer 2018 issue of Rattle, by Peg Duthie of Tennessee, in which two very different experiences are pushed up side by side. Her most recent book of poetry is “Measured Extravagance” (Upper Rubber Boot, 2012).
Decorating a Cake While Listening to Tennis
The commentator's rabbiting on and on about how it's so easy for Roger, resentment thick as butter still in a box. Yet word from those who've done their homework is how the man loves to train––how much he relishes putting in the hours just as magicians shuffle card after card, countless to mere humans but carefully all accounted for. At hearing "luck" again, I stop until my hands relax their clutch on the cone from which a dozen more peonies are to materialize. I make it look easy to grow a garden on top of a sheet of fondant, and that's how it should appear: as natural and as meant-to-be as the spin of a ball from the sweetest spot of a racquet whisked through the air like a wand.
Role reversal is often a thing at the movies, and the Tom Hanks movie “Big” readily comes to mind when a 13-year-old boy magically wakes up the next morning in an adult’s body while retaining his adolescent mindset.
Switch the age, race and gender and the result is “Little” and a 38-year-old black woman becomes a middle-schooler who maintains the attitude and mentality of her adult self.
Regina Hall’s Jordan Sanders, who had suffered the indignities of bullying and ostracism in middle school, vowed to become a mean girl success as an adult in the highly competitive business world.
Jordan’s desires became reality as the founder and boss of a thriving software company whose enormous ego is inflated by blow-ups of magazine covers featuring her grand achievements adorning the office walls.
Having achieved the trappings of success with a swank apartment, exotic car and closets full of glamorous clothes, Jordan exercises tyrannical power by verbal abusing her browbeaten assistant April (Issa Rae) and all others in her employ.
When a young girl doesn’t take kindly to Jordan’s harsh arrogance, she uses her amateur magician standing to wave a wand wishing that the devilish Jordan would be brought down in size as just punishment.
The hex is realized when Jordan wakes up the next day inside the body of her teenage self and is soon reported to child protective services as a truant minor who has to be enrolled in the same middle school where she had suffered humiliation some twenty-five years earlier.
Suddenly, the younger version of Jordan (Marsai Martin) has to rely on the beleaguered April to manage the tech company and to make some big adjustments to boost employee morale and to try to keep a vital client from defecting to another firm.
There’s expected humor in the predicament now faced by the younger Jordan who still doesn’t fit in at school and is quickly relegated to only being welcome at the nerds’ table during lunch breaks.
Meanwhile, April thoroughly enjoys the role reversal, taking expensive clothes from Jordan’s closet to impress coworkers. Awkwardness sets in when young Jordan starts flirting with the handsome teacher (Justin Hartley) she insists on calling by his first name.
“Little,” plodding along at times with a simplistic romanticism, casts a spell on both Jordan and April, offering them a bumpy road paved with cheerful humor as second chances are realized in desirable life lessons.
‘BLESS THIS MESS’ ON ABC NETWORK
The premise of the new comedy series “Bless This Mess” on the ABC network is deceptively simple. A yuppie newlywed couple leaves the hustle and bustle of New York City to take over a farm in rural Nebraska.
If this sounds like the “Green Acres” series, cast member Ed Begley Jr. informed critics during the winter press tour that “Bless This Mess” was “similar in plotline” but different in that it is “very edgy.”
Lake Bell, also co-creator of the show, and Dax Shepard star respectively as Rio, eager to give up her therapy practice, and music journalist Mike. On a whim, they decide it’s a wonderful idea to move to the Midwest when he inherits a farm from his great aunt.
Before packing for the road trip, the couple must first contend with the cynical skepticism of Rio’s mother (Susie Essman). Then faster than ordering a latte at Starbucks, Rio and Dax arrive at a farmhouse that should have been deemed uninhabitable by a building inspector.
Predictably enough, the clueless Rio and Mike quickly set about attempting home repairs when it appears neither has ever held a hammer. The hopelessly dilapidated house instantly recalls the struggles of another young couple in “The Money Pit.”
Another surprise in store for the New Yorkers is the parasite Rudy (Begley) living in their barn and casually using their bathroom even when they are in the shower. Rudy’s quirky antics suggest that he’s the type of neighbor who is way too invasive of personal space.
Rio and Mike are very likable with their city slicker frivolity. Unfamiliar with even basic facts of rural life, Rio instantly displays an unreasonable yet humorous fear of a docile cow roaming free.
The show’s urban-centric writers apparently traffic in the typical oblivious understanding of rural life, casting neighbors (Lennon Parham and David Koechner) as a scheming hayseed couple eager to buy Rio and Mike’s farmland.
As one of the locals, Pam Grier fares much better as the cowboy hat-wearing Constance, owner of the local hardware store doing double duty as the town sheriff who also happens to run the local theater with a production of a Broadway musical.
“Bless This Mess,” much like the “Green Acres” mockery of the clash between city folk and the local rubes, mines the comedy of cultural differences and urban pretensions. Running for only six episodes, it may not take long to see if this show has promise.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
Mary Daly working on a sculpture for Vertical Pathways. Photo courtesy of the Middletown Art Center. MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The public is invited to join the final Restore sculpture workshop this Sunday, April 28, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Middletown Art Center.
Participants will be working on Vertical Pathways, a collaborative art piece for Rabbit Hill.
Natural wood sculptor Marcus M. Jung will lead this session with support from concrete and plaster sculptor Emily Scheibal.
Create vertical sculptures in natural wood combined with additive forms sculpted in hardware cloth and concrete.
Adults of all ages and teens 11 up are encouraged to join in this unique opportunity to collaboratively create and engage with the natural environment.
Contributions can be completed in one session and no previous participation or art making experience is necessary.
Vertical Pathways will provide a sense of protection and visual contrast and harmony, while honoring remaining trees.
The collaborative vision for the piece was inspired by both the totem like quality of remaining burned trees on the hillside and by stories told about the flutes that the former Rabbit Hill owners, “Huck” and “Skee” Hamann taught neighborhood children to make and play.
The “pathway” will add height back into the hillside and provide habitat for seed spreading birds, raptors, and pollinators.
Participants are invited to select a fallen tree to carve and add form and shape to. The “poles” will be installed in an undulating serpentine fashion to create a rhythmic visual pathway on the hillside.
Visit www.middletownartcenter.org/restore to learn more about the project and see some of the sculptural works that have provided inspiration for the project.
MAC is working with the Lake County Land Trust to help revitalize public interest and appreciation of Rabbit Hill with this new art trail.
Community members interested in joining the project by helping with landscaping or installation can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call MAC at 707-809-8118.
Restore classes are coming to a close. A final printmaking workshop in drypoint etching and monotype will take place May 4.
A final writers’ workshop with Georgina Marie and Casey Carney will be held May 11. Both will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information and installation and other scheduling visit www.middletownartcenter.org/events .
The Restore project was made possible with support from the California Arts Council, a state agency, with additional support from the Lake County Land Trust and other local organizations, businesses, and individuals.
Visit www.ca.arts.gov to learn more about the California Arts Council’s work in communities and schools throughout California. Learn more about the Lake County Land Trust at www.lakecountylandtrust.org.
Be a part of the growing arts and cultural scene in South Lake County by becoming a MAC member, by participating in Restore classes, or by attending one of the many events or classes at MAC.
This Saturday, April 27, from 7 to 10 p.m., the public is invited to One World Dance, an Earth Day Celebration with music from around the globe.
The MAC Gallery currently features “Living Color,” a vibrant exhibit open to the public on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Nalani Marlowe was the Lake County, Calif., finalist in the 2019 Fifth Congressional District Art Competition for her piece, “A Day in the Life.” Courtesy photo. NAPA, Calif. – On Wednesday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that local judges have selected Nalani Marlowe from Kelseyville High School as the Lake County finalist in the 2019 Fifth Congressional District Art Competition for her piece, “A Day in the Life.”
“Congratulations Nalani Marlowe, Lake County’s 2019 Fifth Congressional District Art Competition finalist!” said Thompson. “Every year I have the privilege of seeing our district’s up-and-coming artistic talent and showcasing our students’ artistic talent and skills. I am so proud of each student who worked hard and participated and want to thank all the dedicated teachers and parents who supported their efforts.”
Finalists from each county in the Fifth Congressional District will now be judged and a grand prize winner will be selected.
That student and a guest will be flown to Washington, D.C. for an awards ceremony with winners from across our nation.
That student’s artwork will also be displayed in the halls of the U.S. Capitol for one year.
Thompson is proud to represent California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
Students’ art on display at the New Artist Gallery in Napa, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. Courtesy photo.
A previous dance at the Middletown Art Center. Photo by Middletown Art Center staff. MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Art Center invites the public to One World Dance in honor of Earth Day this Saturday, April 27, from 7 to 10 p.m.
Celebrate the Earth and Earth Day in community at MAC. Immerse in dance music from around the world including North and South African beats, East and West European bangers and Bhangra, Reggae, Cumbia, and Brazilian and Latin rhythms mixed by DJ Nic.
The cost is $10.
This is also an opportunity to celebrate MAC’s fourth birthday having opened March 28, 2015, just six months before the Valley fire, which severely impacted the Middletown area.
The MAC is a vibrant community resource where residents and visitors of all ages can experience creativity. healing and quality of life through art classes, exhibitions and a range of arts and cultural events.
Come together to honor and appreciate some of what we all love and share – the planet, our humanity and the arts.
Beer and wine for purchase onsite. All proceeds help cover the cost of MAC’s rent and utilities. Goddess of the Mountain Pizza will also be there.
MAC is located at 21456 State Highway 175 at the junction of Highway 29 in Middletown. Cover charge is $10. No host bar onsite.
Visit www.middletownartcenter.org to learn more about MAC and the burgeoning arts scene in South Lake County.
Be sure to catch this exhilarating music and dance event.
Austin & Owens. Courtesy photo. LAKEPORT, Calif. – Local guitar duo, Austin & Owens, is slated to perform at the Soper Reese Theatre at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4, the last of four performances making up the new Saturday Night Jazz Club Series at the Soper Reese Theatre.
Tickets are $20 with open seating.
Travis Austin and Robert Owens, both classically trained, have been playing together for more than 15 years, performing all around Northern California.
Blending jazz flavors with Flamenco influences, the pair create electrifying stage performances with material ranging from classical pieces such as “Ave Maria” and “La Malaguena,” to film soundtrack favorites, and even some classic rock instrumental covers.
Sponsored by Karen and Bob Ellenberg and by Sandy and Rick Orwig. Tickets are available at www.soperreesetheatre.com; at the theatre’s Box Office, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport, two hours before show time; at The Travel Center, 1265 S. Main St., Lakeport, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The theatre telephone is 707-263-0577; Travel Center phone is 707-263-3095.
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