Mozart’s Birthday

Today is Mozart’s birthday. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 in Salzburg, Austria. So today, if people around you are whistling Mozart tunes with great fanfare (or is it, fan tutte fare?), you’ll know why.

Thinking about Mozart made me think of the 1980s’ movie Amadeus, which made me think of Tom Hulce, who played Mozart in the film. That made me think of the Tom Hulce scene in Ron Howard’s movie Parenthood where Tom Hulce’s character arrives home, rolling out — or was it being pushed out? – of a speeding Lincoln Continental while his dad, played by Jason Robards, looks on. So next I thought of All the President’s Men, in which Jason Robards plays Ben Bradlee of the Washington Post, and that made me think of Watergate, which made me wonder, what would Mozart have thought of Nixon? That brings to mind the new movie Frost/Nixon, which I haven’t seen, but just now realize was also directed by Ron Howard. What if today were also Ron Howard’s birthday? (Quick google check). Guess what?! It’s not. Ron Howard’s birthday is March 1. BUT, who can think of Ron Howard and not think of The Andy Griffith Show? And when you think of The Andy Griffith Show, naturally, you think of the theme (The Fishin’ Hole by Earle Hagen) that opened the program. It was whistled. And here we are back at whistling again.  And so it goes on Mozart’s birthday–start out with a tribute to a composer and end up finding a connection between Mozart and Mayberry R.F.D.

Poetry Friday

Today is my first time with Poetry Friday, a weekly conversation about poetry that takes place via the blogs of folks in the children’s book world. It may take me a bit to catch on to how all this works, but I’m already feeling inspired just knowing Poetry Friday exists! I’m linking to a short poem about fun-sounding words, written as a kind of exercise. Poems like this help me when I’m feeling blocked. And so does reading the many poems, and notes about poetry, available through the Friday blogs. Next time I’ll come with a link to a poem of note! Today’s poetry roundup is hosted by Laura Salas.

In Today’s Sharp Sparkle . . .

“In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.”

Love that line of Elizabeth Alexander’s inaugural poem. Thanks, Scott, for sending along a link to the full text.

In other poetry news, my friend Michael sent along a very fun poem for kids, found here. Michael is also an ace Web editor at Childen’s Hospital Boston. He and I have worked on a bunch of projects together, though I just learned yesterday about our shared interest in children’s poetry! Whadyaknow? Thanks, Michael, for adding to the poetry conversation!

Yes We Can

Not even going to try to compete with the words of President(!) Obama or poet Elizabeth Alexander today (looking for a link to the text of her inaugural poem).

Just taking a moment during the Capitol Lunch to say hurray! We have a new president!

Solving the Rubik’s Cube

Many of us have heard the recent news story about Graham Parker, the man from England who, after 26 years of trying, finally solved the Rubik’s Cube. I’ll bet many writers can relate to the story, refusing to give up on a work in progress–obsessing over scenes that aren’t working, a saggy line of poetry, or the proper placement of commas–no matter how long it takes ’til the puzzle is solved. Congratulations, Mr. Parker. And to my writing friends who may be struggling with a manuscript, don’t quit. Today could be the day the pieces fall into place! Click.

Image by fotolia.