Jennie Orvino

Not only will February 19 be a day to remember because it is the birthday of my magnificent daughter Rachel, but because the Book Release Party for Poetry, Politics and Passion was a feast of love and fun. About 45 people joined me for the reception and reading on a beautiful sunny afternoon. Laughter, tears, hugs and kisses in equal measure. Everyone should spend 7 years writing a book to have a party like this! The room may have levitated from the collection of talented people present from my many different artistic communities. Check out comments and photos by clicking the Reviews tab.

If you’d like to be moved, even cry like I did, listen to/watch the StoryCorps segment on Democracy Now for February 14, 2012. Human voices speaking of love and relationships: hard to explain, wonderful to experience here. Consider telling your own love story, in your own voice. I wish you a heart-centered day.

The Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Josh Fox (Gasland 2011)  was handcuffed and arrested yesterday as he attempted to film a congressional hearing on the controversial natural gas drilling technique known as fracking, which the Environmental Protection Agency recently reported caused water contamination in Pavillion, Wyoming. Josh is in the process of making Gasland II for HBO. Complete story here. I was so moved by the film that I included something about it in Poetry, Politics and Passion, but it didn’t make the final cut. When you can set the water from your faucet on fire, despite what President Obama says, this process is not a “safe” form of energy. In the spirit of the upcoming Oscars, find Gasland and view it.

On the last page of my book of memoir, poems and essays, I acknowledge journalists Amy Goodman and Bill Moyers,  whose work keeps me sane in an insane world. My daily check-in with Democracy Now is the source for  interviews and news I send to my list. It also fires me up with truth and analysis that is hard to come by in main stream media. Today I find irony in the fact that all American soldiers responsible for the “Haditha massacre” in Iraq–the murder of 24 women, children and old people in their nightclothes–were either acquitted or let off with no jail time…and that army whistleblower Bradley Manning has been in prison for two years and faces life imprisonment for exposing war crimes. Picking one item daily (thanks to a friend for asking what I’m passionate about)  may or may not happen with absolute regularity but it’s my intention. Writing longhand in my journal seems to be a luxury I don’t have time for!

Today when I got home from work, there were 200 copies of my new book on the front porch! I carried in 5 boxes before I could lock in the chickens.

My book Poetry, Politics and Passion is about to be released!  Read a description and find out how to purchase it by clicking “My Book.”  For information on the Book Release celebration click “Readings.” And check back for reviews, interviews, and more reading dates.