The Fall of the House of Usher

I finally got around to reading Edgar Allen Poe’s short story. I had to look up the word “porphyria,” which, apparently, is an allusion to a genetic disease caused by incest (in his story). But I was also directed in my internet search to “porphyrogenes” – a certain class of butterflies. This was more compelling to paint than the disease.

Porphyrogenes is a Neotropical genus of spread-winged skippers in the family Hesperiidae,[1] in which they are placed to tribe Phocidini.[2] (Wikipedia)

The 5th Book

I completed Kevin and His Grandma, my fifth book. My objective of writing, illustrating, and self-publishing this book was to be creative. I chuckle when my students ask me how much money I have made on my books. I do not even market them and am certainly not ready to get others to buy them! I am striving to write and illustrate well. Perhaps by my 25th book I will be satisfied. In the meantime, I am just enjoying the process. This book was purposely created with as little technology as possible. I cut pieces and made collages, drew freehand, and used watercolor. I love Arnold Loebel’s simple illustrative style in pursuit of graphically representing relationships.

How to Haiku

I was teaching my sixth-grade students a mini-lesson on writing Haiku. 5-7-5 syllabic pattern. Nature. I considered it a review lesson since we wrote some last year, so I was surprised at all their questions.

“How many syllables in ‘miles’?” One.

“Does it have to be about nature?” Yes.

“Please, can we write about something besides nature?” I envision 33 Haikus about flowers. Ugh.

“OK, I’ll open it up to include whatever is happening in your lives. But remember, Haiku is about the now. Write about what is in front of you.” They give me blank stares but begin writing. They submit them to me, eagerly awaiting approval. Many beautiful poems about spring land on my desk. And then this one: