Did I fail to tell you all about the poetry workshop I did last week? I probably also didn't mention the kids going to the Nutcracker, the birthday party, Elsa's tea party, the Terrance Hayes' poetry reading, and getting the emissions tested on the car. That's how the last couple weeks have been.

Cecile, my business partner, and I put on a poetry writing and holiday card making workshop. And I thought I was crafty. Cecile had us typing the poems into the computer and printing them out on these gorgeous cards that the kids then decorated. They looked fantastic.

The poetry workshop was one I had done enough that I had the rhythm of it down. We made similes, metaphors, and figurative language about holiday themes. We joined an abstract word with a concrete one like "hope is a puppy." The trick is to be able to think specifically and deeply about your concrete object. Then you create surprising images like "Hope jumps in my lap and licks my face."

The kids had a great time. We had a great time. And I almost didn't bother doing the workshop because, frankly, I hate to advertise. I will advertise the Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Father's Day workshops in plenty of time, because, why not?