Jenn Howe

Okay, my last blog was mega angry and I posted a poem condemning guns.  I was simply SICK of mass shootings in America’s schools (still am…and I stand by my poem 100%).  But I’ll try to post some lighter material this time.  Goodness, we could all use a break from trauma and despair — especially here in the U.S.

I guess I last posted in…February?  Okay, let’s go back to the winter, when I had my big poetry reading at Kollective.

It happened on the coldest day of the year.  Of course.  There was snow and ice, and many of my friends and family members couldn’t make it due to weather issues.  There was still a good crowd, though, and it was lots of fun.

Below:  the article in Hot Springs’ paper, “The Sentinel-Record”.  Am I still going to look pissed off in every photo I’m in?  You bet your ass I am…

They actually used a photo from quite a few months ago.  My hair is twice as long as this now.  Anyhow…

I wore this really far out dress from the 1970’s, and I created a makeup look inspired by one of the scenes in the film “The Neon Demon”.  I did it partly just for fun, but also because the theme of the film matched the theme of my final poem for the night:  the dangers and pitfalls of beauty in a cruel and superficial world.

Getting ready for the big night…

Still looking pissed off, even when I’m not = Check ✔️✔️

Forever and always.

The best part of the night?  MY DAUGHTER WAS THERE.  🙂

She drove three hours after a long day of college classes just to hear me read.

The above photo was taken by my friend Lake, and I have NO idea how it happened.  She didn’t use any filters or special effects…it just turned out that way???  Crazy.  I love it, though.

Then came Valentine’s Day.  And I was single.  Again, like always.  But I wasn’t bitter about it.  I’m quite at peace, as I mentioned in recent blogs and posts.  Because I love myself — and it’s ALWAYS better to be alone rather than just settling for someone who doesn’t treat you right (or who isn’t right for you).  I actually enjoyed the day very much.  I took myself out for dinner and coffee, went to a poetry reading, and bought myself flowers.  Because I deserve it.  Everyone deserves to be loved and treated with respect.  I just do it for MYSELF…

Hey, wanna see something interesting?

A comparison of two of my poems — both about love, written decades apart.

This first one, I wrote on Valentine’s Day when I was ELEVEN years old:

This second one, I wrote on Valentine’s Day this year, when I was FORTY-TWO years old:

I find it so fascinating…the difference between the child we were and the adult we became, whether we are comparing two photographs, or — in this case — two poems.

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Then it was time for Arkansas to do the magical thing that it does every March.  The earth awakened — slowly, then suddenly.  The plants yawned open and stretched themselves out, spreading their beauty.  Finally…SPRING:

(Above quote from Mary Oliver’s poem “Many Miles”.)

Spring in Arkansassy.  Ah, the colors…the warmth…the SNEEZES.  Oh yes, the sneezes.  #allergies

Then came Mother’s Day, which was amazing, thanks to a visit from my little boo-face.

Lana is willing to offer style tips, for anyone interested.

And she hooked me up with goodies from Ulta, since she gets a discount there.  I even got a special curling wand to create waves in my mermaid hair…<3

Woot!

After a LOT of hard work and tons of overtime for many months, it was time to use some vacation days and head south…back to Florida and that gorgeous blue-green water.  This time we stayed on Miramar Beach and visited some new places, including Panama City Beach and Shell Island…

Above:  the view from my bedroom balcony.  Pretty nice.

The only way to start the day:  coffee & ocean.  ❤

Suit up!  Snorkel adventure time.

Here come the dolphins!!

Dolphins everywhere!  All week long!  🙂

We also took a boat several miles out into the Gulf of Mexico (leaving from Panama City Beach) to reach the largely wild/untouched Shell Island…I HIGHLY recommend this trip.  We did a lot more exploring/snorkeling/swimming (well, I KIND OF swim…we’ve talked about that before — I always bring a life jacket ).

LOLOLOL She’s happy. 😀

More dolphins!

Fuckles the traveling gnome rides again!

Below:  getting ready to go up, up, and away… #parasailing

READY.

My favorite new ride…

Love a good storm on the beach.

Below:  birds of the gulf…

Above:  WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?

I refused to brush my hair all week long.  I WON’T DO IT.

Found a bunch of beautiful shells.  AND A DOLLAR.

The lovebirds.  ❤

Me and my girl.  🙂

I’ll stop here, because I have wayyyyy too many photos, as usual.  It’s been a pretty nice spring.  I hope all of you can say the same.

I dream of heading to Europe again in the not-too-distant future, and I have much more poetry that I’m working on.

Also…

I was about to post a video of me reading one of my poems — as I promised a long time ago — but my computer is being wonky, so I’ll have to make another time/way to record it.  My computer keeps crashing??? (I’m having to finish this blog on my PHONE…argh).  But hopefully, there will be a video reading soon.  Fingers crossed.

OH.  AND…

The other day, right at the end of my vacation, I TURNED 43 YEARS OLD.  #BirthdayGirl

I’ll leave you with a few more photos of my mermaid hair (that I still refuse to brush)  and my 43-year-old self.  Until next time…

xo, Jenn