[Jayne Osborn]

That's wonderful news, Shaun. Congratulations, soon-to-be Dr Russell.

I have some wonderful news too, but it's just too personal to tell everyone, so forgive me if I just bask in it privately!

Jayne

[Allen Tice]

Sincere felicitations. Books need all the force you can give them.

[John Isbell]

Just became a coach at the place I teach. I took the team to their first sanctioned tournament (the team is about a semester old), and they went 4-4! It made me happy (and sunburned).

Cheers,
John

[Michael Cantor]

Congratulations, John, but I'm a bit puzzled. I thought that football was the only sport in Texas, and the season is long over, and it's never been poet-oriented. And it left you happy and sunburned. Oh my god - you're the golf coach! Soccer? Lacrosse? Baseball? (There are some great baseball poems.)

[John Isbell]

Good morning Michael!

Football is indeed the only sport in Texas, particularly in High School. i am the Ultimate Frisbee coach, which would require a long explanation. Anyway, i was proud of the team. I've been playing for decades, here and there, but this is my first coaching stint.
I have about two poems on the game, they're the only ones I've come across. :-)

Cheers,
John

[Jayne Osborn]

We had a big family meal last Sunday, when my son unexpectedly walked into the restaurant (secretly arranged by one of my daughters as a surprise for me).

But the really good news is that my son, who has lived on the Isle of Man for the last eleven years and now has four young children, is coming back to live in my area! I will get to see him, my daughter-in-law and my grandchildren a lot more often -- without having to get on a plane to do so!

Jayne

[John Isbell]

That is wonderful news, Jayne. Our son is now with us working on his M.A., so we know how you feel.
I'm reluctant to over-post on this thread, but I guess I'll share that about a week ago, I was accepted for the University of Iowa summer poetry workshop. This seems the place to share. James Galvin is teaching it this year.

[Roger Slater]

I was in a workshop many years ago with James Galvin. He was a very nice fellow. Another participant in the workshop was a nice young woman I ended up marrying. She is currently asleep in the next room.

[John Isbell]

That is a great story, Roger. Although my own wife might have reservations about the second part.

[Gail White]

I love seeing people's good news. Mine is that we just made a successful midweek visit to New Orleans, meeting up with Barbara Loots & her husband -- had breakfast at Brennan's and muffalettas at the Central Grocery, plus 2 dinners at Mandina's -- and made it home with no disasters involving car, house, or cats. I am always grateful for disaster-free journeys.