Mary Oliver Archives - Paul Yanuziello

Bobcat

One night long ago, in Ohio, a bobcat leaped like a quick clawed whirlwind of light from the pines beside the road and our hearts thudded and stopped –
those lightning eyes! that dappled jaw! those plush paws!

Mary Oliver (1935 – 2019)

In this weeks newsletter, a children’s book festival, tree museum’s, bullfighting and more…

My Weekly Journal

A weekly newsletter that gives you 5 personal interests that I share with you.

1. An invisibility cloak, that is what interested me this week. I came across one in the forest of The Tree Museum last year. So cool. Pictured below is an invisible outhouse located in the forest. Can you see it?

2. The inspiration for my interest, the 12th Annual – Telling Tales Festival. A literary festival for children and a great discussion on invisibility cloaks.

3. My viewing pleasure this week, choreography, dance and movement. Netflix original documentary, Move.

4. Karate – one of my passions. I have been training in karate for many years. And since August I have been leading a group in outdoor martial arts training. The cold temperature is coming and soon training will have to be done at home. For my students, I recommend Karate at Home with Shinji Akita. Sensei has compiled 32 video’s to keep you inspired and training with his qualified guidance.

5. My reading this week has taken me back (1949) to a book, a favourite of my mothers, The Brave Bulls, by Tom Lea. This is a first edition copy, not signed. My mother studied Mexican folk dance and culture.

I visited Mexico with my parents when I was a teen. Climbing the pyramids, exploring the jungle ruins and loving the beaches. Great fun, an incredible experience. I attended a concert, the Ray Charles band at an intimate, swanky club in the Zona Rosa, Mexico City. After the show, I hung with the guys in the band at a small cafè.

I went to the bullfights and I spoke to the young rock star bull-fighters.

I drove from Mexico City to Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, about 1,600 thrilling kilometres. Have you ever been pursued by the Mexican military? My father didn’t like the idea of trying to outrun them. We pulled over. “Tourista,” they said.

They waved us on our way. Mexico at that time, 1974, took care of their tourist’s. Tourist dollars were number one.

Thanks for reading, if you think someone you know would like my newsletter please share it with them. If you’re looking for a great children’s book, check out my book, Samba on a Snowy Day. Available online at all Chapters-Indigo stores and in selected stores, Markham, Richmond Hill and Newmarket.

Please consider a contribution to our next book project; scheduled for release February of 2021. You can contribute by buying me a coffee, just swing by Ko-fi.com. You know I appreciate my coffee and in these crazy times every coffee really helps out.

Check out my weekly journal, follow the link to subscribe. Get the weekly happenings in your inbox, no spam I promise.

Newsletter 42

Hello all. Welcome to another week of optimism! This week I share with you 5 things that peaked my interest and provided some optimism. I am hoping you too may find interest here and some semblance of joy.

1. I found myself in need of some good vibrations this week and listening to amazing bass players. Leland Sklar with Judith Owen “About Love”, Barry Guy with Maya Homburger “Peace/Piece”, Roberto Occhipinti “Stabilemento”, Steve Swallow, Andy Sheppard and Carla Bley “Ups and Downs”, Christian McBride with Dee Dee Bridgewater “It’s Your Thing”. Some truly beautiful vibrations.

2. This week I was invited to an online seminar with the great Barry Harris. I couldn’t attend but it brought back some great memories. I have met Dr. Harris on a few occasions and I even had the good fortune to interview him in regards to the We Are One Jazz Project.

3. Greenpeace is a group I have supported for many years. This week they offered a wonderful treat. I watched this awesome documentary “Sanctuary” about efforts to save the Antarctic ocean with Javier Bardem lending serious support.

4. Imagination and visualization = creativity. The time away from all things related to crowds and groups of people have given ample opportunity to practice. I have always told my martial arts students that they have no excuse not to practice, even when it comes to weapons training. Using visualization techniques and imagination allows you to go through all of your forms regardless of your space constraints. My long staff video, me performing the form. Minus the staff.

5. There is no better time to read Mary Oliver. I am re-reading Upstream her lyrical prose, that is a calming antidote to these trying times. I am also reading Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and taking in the beautiful illustrations of Greg Hildebrandt.

Thanks for reading, if you think someone you know would like my newsletter please share it with them. If you’re looking for a great children’s book, check out my book, Samba on a Snowy Day.

Please consider a contribution to our next book project by buying me a coffee, swing by Ko-fi.com.

Don’t forget to check out my youtube channel. Get my weekly newsletter in your inbox, no spam I promise.