Together at our home in RI
Second collection of poems The Nature of Things
My collection of poems published 2008 by Bellowing Ark. A new collection The Nature of Things is in production now. To buy either book, contact http://www.bellowingark.org or mail to bellowingark@bellowingark.org. Cover photo of Doors to the Universeis by Cate Kerr, whose accomplished art photos can be seen at www.kerrdelune.com.
C'est moi.
Dolores and Sidd, a friend forever remembered
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Author of Circle of Five and its sequels; Spirit, a novel; the Superfoods cookbook series; and two collections of poems, Doors to the Universe and The Nature of ThingsA well-known, well-loved author of metaphysical books, Scott Cunningham, once wrote (in The Magic in Food, Llewellyn, 1991) “Foods are storehouses of natural energy. Choosing specific foods, properly preparing them, eating with a magical goal in mind: these are the secrets of food magic, an age-old method of taking control of your life through your diet.” Cultural lore teaches us that certain magic foods bring good luck as we face the longest nights of the year (which is really the beginning of spring.) I was brought up on Mediterranean fare—in my family, lentil soup would be served on January 1, because each little lentil resembles a minute coin, and you can never have too many coins. In Turkey, pomegranates with their coin-shaped seeds promise a fat purse. In the American south, the magic menu would be black-eyed peas (for pennies), greens (for dollars), and cornbread (for gold.) In Ireland and Germany, pork is recommended because pigs root around in the earth and find treasure. An accompaniment of cabbage, fresh or sauerkraut, is a symbol of “the green stuff.” In Spain, it’s the custom to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, one for good luck in every month of the year ahead. And in China, noodles must be eaten as the new year arrives, the longer the better, since they represent longevity. Sympathetic Magic,, scorned by skeptical anthropologists and psychologists alike, is the paranormal belief that similar objects influence one another (i.e.: lentils = money). It’s one of the most primitive and prevalent forms of magical thinking. In alternative medicine, sympathetic magic has given rise to the Doctrine of Signatures, in which the shape and markings of plants are clues to their medicinal use. As a proponent of the Circle’s “prime directive,” thoughts are things, I believe there may be more to sympathetic magic than the cynic’s philosophy has dreamt of. Arthur C. Clark formulated three Laws of Prediction. Number 3 is especially relevant. 1. When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. 2. The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible. 3. Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Whatever magic may be, Bon Appetit, and a year of peace and plenty, health and happiness to every one of you! January First It seems a shame to throw out that old year, that had so many birthdays in it, parties and vacations, fixings of the body and the house, all finished and no longer to be worried, and now to pin up these new wolves and dogs and moons blank squares and unmarked days. A sleeping new year wakes, lumbers out of darkness, hungry to consume us bite by bite at each appointed hour. There should be maps to guide us through the wilderness ahead, survival tips and even prayers. But cloudy gates of heaven close us out from that eternal view and leave us with the ticks and nicks of time. At least, I’ll make a money soup and let the rich aroma of lentils, garlic, oil fill our empty bellies with its comfort. At least, I’ll write some letters to the far ends, call a friend who’s been where I have been, and laughs about it, then settle in behind my usual wall of rough and solid words. I love most the days of nothing nipping at my heels with obligations. How many will there be? © Dolores Stewart Riccio Lentil Soup with Sun-dried Tomatoes This soup thickens as it cools. I always add a little chicken broth when reheating. 2 cups lentils, picked over and rinsed 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large yellow onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 cup sliced carrots (small slices) 4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth 3 cups water 1/4 teaspoon each dried oregano, basil, rosemary, and pepper 1/2 cup slivered oil-packed, drained sun-dried tomatoes 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper Salt if needed 2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar 1 cup very small shell pasta In a large heavy pot, heat the oil and sauté the onion and garlic for 3 minutes. Add the lentils, carrots, stock, water, herbs, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, and continue to simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, until the lentils are tender, stirring more often. If the mixture becomes too thick, add a little water. Stir in the pepper and vinegar. Taste the soup, and add salt if you wish. Cook the shells separately according to package directions. Drain. Stir into the soup. Makes 6 servings. **************************************************************************
LADIES PAINTING THE TOWN If we thought a bit Of the end of it When we started painting the town… Cole Porter As the Harvest Moon rises over the Atlantic, it's hot times again in Plymouth, Massachusetts, for the bewitching ladies of the Circle, who embark on their most challenging rescues yet! It all begins when Cass tries to help a disturbed ex-model, Ada, to cool her flaming desire for revenge against her philandering husband, Jerry, an unscrupulous divorce lawyer conspiring to commit her to a mental institution. Just as Cass sorts out this tangled web, a kidnapping in Rome impels the ladies to fly off to save a dear friend, and incidentally, paint the town their own brand of reckless red, as Fiona calls on the aid of the Italian strega, incurring the wrath of the Calabrian Mafia in the bargain. One exciting city leads to another when the fabulous five find their journey taking them to Venice and Pompeii as well. Between close calls with scary thugs, the ladies somehow manage to eat, shop, love, and take in the exotic sights with their usual joie de la vivre. Home at last, safe and sound,the ladies discover that Ada has got herself accused of murder, and there is a whole new set of dangers to avert with their cusomary blend of spunk, smarts, and spirit. This weird, wonderful , wtichy coterie is at it again. Tom Elliott, in the Mensa Bulletin ************************************************************************** Books from my personal book store will be signed copies. Media mail is slow but cheap: $3.00 ea. Circle of Five I have hardcover as well as trade paperbacks for sale. Hardcovers: $12.00 ea plus shipping Trade paperbacks: $10.00 ea plus shipping Charmed Circle Special purchase! Trade paperbacks: $5.00 plus shipping Ladies Making Mischief Trade paperbacks: $14.00 ea plus shipping Ladies Courting Trouble Still for sale on Amazon but Kensington Books could find no copies to sell the author. Just another weird quirk on the publishing scene. I do have a few copies of bound uncorrected proofs for sale, though. Covers are plain yellow, and a few typos may remain within. $5.00 ea plus shipping Ladies Playing with Fire Trade paperbacks: $15.00 ea plus shipping Ladies Rocking the Boat Trade paperbacks: $15.00 ea plus shipping Ladies Tipping the Scales Trade paperbacks: $12.00 ea plus shipping Spirit: a novel of past and present lives Trade paperbacks:$24.00 ea plus shipping Doors to the Universe A collection of poems published by Bellowing Ark Press 2008 Trade paperback: $14.00 ea plus shipping The Nature of Things A collection of poems published by Bellowing Ark Press 2011 Trade paperback: $14.00 ea plus shipping
THE DIVINE CIRCLE OF LADIES TIPPING THE SCALES
The Fabulous Five are out for justice—one way or another! The ladies of the Circle are rushing to the rescue again, crusading for the Goddess of Justice in their own preternatural way—even if that means tipping Her scales a bit. It all begins at Lammas, the August Festival of Bread, when Cass Shipton is called to jury duty in Plymouth County—the tragic case of a home invasion, the brutal death of a mother and daughter. Although she considers it her Libran calling to weigh evidence in the most impartial way, Cass the Clairvoyant soon finds herself knowing too much for comfort. Meanwhile, Heather Devlin, the Circle’s intrepid animal activist, pursues a local dog-fighting ring with her own zany brand of “special ops.” Fiona helps a light-footed young widow named Ashling lay to rest the ghost of her late husband, an irascible poet. Phillipa cooks up trouble at favorite local restaurant. And Deidre runs into an old flame. Clearly, the ladies have a full agenda on their hands. With their usual flair for mischief, mayhem, and a little judicious spell-working, the ladies of the Circle are off on another wickedly exciting romp. Available online from Amazon.com (just click on the title below the cover) and from many book distributors. Do urge your library to order a copy! |
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