Half Starts and Trail Offs

Oh sweet summer, how I’ve missed you

Jul 15

MeredithBookmaking, Photography, Poetry a serious sense of accomplishment, i am so sleeping in this weekend, time to take a breath 5 Comments

Summer school is about to come to a close. My independent study ended comfortably if rather unceremoniously today, and tomorrow I will turn in my final project for the book design class. It’s been an incredibly stressful eight weeks (and I’ve had the migraines and break outs to prove it), but it was worth it, and, better yet, it’s all but over.

First a quick recap:

I designed three books, the last of which is being flattened under my mattress as we speak. As I look back over my work throughout the class, I can really see that I’ve made strides even in so short a time. My final book is a collection of poems I wrote around the time I moved out to New Mexio. I had collected them all into a chapbook called Changing Weather which I never did anything with (not entirely true, I did submit it to a chapbook contest judged by Densie Duhamel, which I obviously did not win). I’ve mixed the poems with photos I took both in Missouri and New Mexico to really help convey the landscapes that the piece revolves around. I don’t know that it’s the best writing or even the greatest photos, but I’m gosh darn proud of myself. Here’s the cover and a couple interior spreads:

My independent study gave me an opportunity to really pursue my interest in experimental writing, and I read 2.5 novels (House of Leaves, you beast, I will finish you yet!), too many poems to count, and a few whatsits in between. I also wrote regularly (and more than usual), which was good.

And looking forward:
Ave and I will be making a trip to New Mexico at the end of the month for a celebration of his friend’s wedding. I’m so looking forward to seeing everyone and being back in a place I love.

As for the rest of the summer, I intend to take regular walks, reacquaint myself with my camera, do some serious reading, and try to keep up the writing. It’s not much, but it’s all I need.