Posts Tagged ‘Chinese Blackbird’

• MIDTOWN GLOBAL MARKET MINNEAPOLIS

  Date: 2021.06.30 | Category: Events | Response: 0

  Local Art with Global Flair

  Saturday, July 17 at MIDTOWN GLOBAL MARKET

  WHAT: Midtown Global Market will celebrate the work of eight local artists with artwork displays,

  live music, a book signing and prize giveaways.

  Honored multicultural author, Sherry Quan Lee, will sign her books from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

  Live music by local musician, Matt Yetter, will fill the air from noon until 2 p.m.

  Participating artists displaying and selling their creations will include:

   Chris Anderson – showing cotton batik kimonos and hand sewn books.
   D'MChelle – hand-crafted wire wrapped jewelry.
   Susan Gainen – cards and paintings reflecting her principle of “every piece looks better
  because of the pieces that surround it.”
   Allie Hafez – colorful handmade jewelry made from an assimilation of recycled materials and
  mixed media.
   Diane May – brings her European family traditions to her work in cards, prints, and paintings.
   Juan Parker – a visual artist with colorful and vibrant African-themed art

  WHEN: Saturday, July 17, 2021
  11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

  WHERE: Midtown Global Market – Central Court – 920 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis
  Convenient ramp parking on the east side of the building off 10 th Street
  First hour free with any purchase

  MORE: Midtown Global Market is an internationally themed public marketplace offering groceries,
  great food, and unique gifts. Midtown Global Market, owned by two non-profit entities: The
  Cultural Wellness Center and the Neighborhood Development Center, serves as a small
  business incubator whose mission is to provide access and opportunity for aspiring
  entrepreneurs. Together these entities make up a dynamic community gathering place that
  highlights the talent, ambition and cultural assets that characterize its neighborhood,
  contributing to its economic and social fabric. www.midtownglobalmarket.org
  CONTACT: Molly Steinke, Nemer Fieger, molly@nemerfieger.com, 612-309-1677

• A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, INDEED

  Date: 2012.08.15 | Category: LOVE IMAGINED, The Art of Writing | Response: 1

  Don’t Have to Imagine Love

  What can I say?

  I have been trying hard to post at least once a week, but recently I’ve been sidetracked or just lazy, lol!  Today, though, for whatever reason, I feel like writing.  I feel like an aha moment has hit me in the head.  Just now I realized I don’t have to imagine love.  Love is everywhere.  I love myself, I love my friends, I love my Family-I love acquaintances, I love people I don’t even know, okay some of them.  People love me (yup, even ex’s for better or worse).  Despite a world of tumult and chaos, and, yes, hate-historical and current, love abounds.

  That said, I may never finish my book, Love Imagined, but it will always nudge me to come back to it, keep adding to it-keep writing towards understanding of who I am; and, yes, I will keep posting to  my blog, Love Imagined.

  I have always known I needed a balance between living and writing, but what does that mean?  For now, it means living.  For now, it means only write when the muse overwhelms me.  For now, it means take a step back to ruminate, take a step forward to live life to the fullest.

  For now, right now, I am just thankful and appreciative of who I am and of all the wonderful, smart, sensitive, supportive, absolutely beautiful people-many who have a great sense of humor-I know whether we’ve crossed paths for a moment or a lifetime, whether you’ve come and gone come and gone.

  Friends like Annie whom I’ve known since kindergarten.  Annie has seen me through more relationships than anyone I know, who has sheltered me, fed me, held the reception for my second wedding in her home and more recently joined me on a boat in Vegas to take videos of my son’s wedding.  Annie who has dragged me to class reunions-where I’ve reconnected with other friends-like Patty.

  Friends who have entered my life at various stages of my life.  Friends who have mentored me. Friends whom I have mentored. Friends who have cried with me. Friends who have laughed with me. Friends who don’t care if I know whether I use “who” or “whom” correctly.   Friends who don’t judge me; and friends who do judge me, lol.  Friends who I can call in the middle of the night.  Friends who know what I mean when I say “I can’t afford to.”  Friends who also can’t “afford to.”  Friends who may not know they are friends. My publisher; Victor.  People who have read my books and found something meaningful in my words and those who have given me critical feedback.  My cousin Jay and his wife Shirley-love you!  My dislocated worker counselor.  Friends who know me as “Buttercup.”  My neighbor Alice.

  I could drop a lot of names (never use the words “a lot” be specific, ha! Okay, noted for another post, list of names) but you know who you are and what I’m really trying to get at (never try to force a triggering subject) is although I, like many, have lived/live through racism, sexism, ageism-all those isms-and have tried our best to create awareness and change we still have to find that balance, find what works for us to do what we can and still be happy, still have a life.

  The last ten years I have had an amazing life.  I have had two books published, I have edited several books, I have taught and co-taught (with Laurie Young-Williams) writing workshops from Moorhead to Mankato (and in September 2012 Maidenrock, Wisconsin at   Running Dog Ranch.  I had an almost ten years of working with incredible writers from across the country with the incredible Split Rock Arts Program.  And, I now have four wonderful grandchildren. And, and, and…..

  I have also had challenges or as I’d rather call them “inspirations.”  Ethan, my grandson, is four and non-verbal autistic (I have met amazing bloggers as I search to know more about autism)  I was laid off of my job, then due to a fluke I lost my unemployment three months before it would be up anyways, and soon I will lose my health insurance and life insurance (until I turn a marvelous 65 in January when depending on the political situation should be able to be somewhat covered by Medicare).  I applied for jobs on line only to be rejected a few minutes after submitting an application (but “friends” have helped me through to soon be working again).  I have maxed credit cards and borrowed from one to pay another (but I have A-1 credit and so far have never paid a bill late, and my sister has been extremely generous/and not judgmental).  I’ve cried a few times, but mostly I’ve kept a positive attitude, a smile on my face, and always made sure I found ways to entertain myself AND keep my gray roots from showing-friend Jackie!

  As a writing teacher I believe in the the triggering subject, but right now it seems like the triggering subject is taking me a long time to get where it’s going, so bear with me.  Or better, yet. I will just stop here (no one likes long blog posts anyways, save something to keep ‘em comin’ back as the saying goes).

  One more thing, as Whitney said, “It’s all about love.”

  Sherry Lee

  August 15, 2012

• BLACKBIRDS

  Date: 2012.05.28 | Category: LOVE IMAGINED | Response: 0

  BLACKBIRDS

   

  Thanks for “liking”  blackbirds on fb.  Here’s the story.

  Chinese Blackbird  is the title of my memoir in verse.  Originally the title was A Woman’s Cycle, but friends liked Chinese Blackbird better.  Here is a Chinese Blackbird by fugar and one by Neil.

  When I started reading about blackbirds, crows, ravens etc.  I discovered blackbirds are not family to crows and ravens.  Nevertheless, I think ravens and crows are fascinating, smart birds.

  When Lori and I created our signature workshop, A Gathering of Storytellers, we chose this Dreamstime photo of “birds” because it seemed to us they were chatting, gossiping, telling stories.  I also use the logo for my name cards.

  Much to my surprise when a friend saw my card she looked at me in disbelief and said something like how could you?  Not her exact words, but truthfully I didn’t know what she was talking about.

  Jim Crow!

  Jim Crow!

  Of course!

  Embarrassed that I hadn’t made the connection, I apologized to Lori and was ready to change our logo but she said we should keep it.  She, like many of you, are drawn to the raven/the crow-the Chinese Blackbird.  And although crows are often negatively symbolized, they are also very smart and represent “guidance” and “love”  in African and Asian culture.

  Then again, one of my favorite, yet eerie, lines by Joy Harjo  “What a hard year.  We’re all dying, even that crow talking loud and/kicking up snow.” (“WHO INVENTED DEATH AND CROWS AND IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO CALM THE NOISY CLATTER OF DESTRUCTION?”  The Woman Who Fell From the Sky) What to make of it?  We are all dying, yes, but our stories, hopefully, won’t die with us.

  I welcome your comments.

   

  Copyright May 28, 2012

  Sherry Quan Lee