A Busy Week for Literature and Culture

Yesterday in Lexington was the dedication of James Still's papers to the Special Collections of the University of Kentucky library. There were probably around 125 people there. A wonderful day hearing all about Mr. Still, from biographers, and literary scholars, and friends, and even his adopted daughter and literary heir (who I had no previous idea about!) Took some good notes and got a broader glimpse into the life of the writer in whose house I am living.

Sometimes I get all self-involved and forget: but, this life of mine is pretty amazing!

Today, rolling over to Marshall University in Huntington to hear Ann Pancake read, and run into my undergrad writing professors, I'm sure.

And then, this Saturday in Whitesburg, a beginning banjo lesson at the Old Time String Band Day put on by Appalshop. (If you don't know about Appalshop, you should. They do wonderful films, have a great community-funded and -run radio station, and, for the locals, put on all kinds of neat cultural events. Find out more here. And check out their loaded YouTube page here.) Then, Saturday night, a masquerade square dance. At this point in my life, I can't imagine much more fun than that. Well, I guess the only thing that would make it out-of-this-world-blissful would be to have all my friends and family there wearing masks and do-see-doeing with me.