Stonecoast

I've just spent a few days in Maine, at the Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing. I co-led a critique workshop with the vivacious Elizabeth Searle, gave a reading, and did a presentation on character in popular fiction. Had great fun at Stonecoast, and met some amazing people. I didn't get down to the water, which is a pity, because Maine is supposed to have great shores for finding beach glass. With any luck, they'll invite me back and I'll get another chance. I did, however, find a local Sally Ann, where I got some interesting sewing patterns from the 70s and 80s, and a dress that looks to be from the 1940s. I'm especially pleased about the dress. It's deadstock; still has its original tags on it. The seams are pinked instead of being serged, and the press stud at the waist and the buttons down the front appear to have been hand-sewn on. It's a lovely, vibrant red cotton print, with the label of the Ladies' Garment Workers sewn into it. It's in perfect condition. Don't know what I'll do with it. It's a little too snug on me. I could alter it to fit better, but I'm not sure I want to do that with an undamaged, unworn garment that may well be over 60 years old. Here are some pics. Unironed, but you get the idea:

Now I'm taking a few days off before heading to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, for the Festival of Words. I'm writing almost every day. I think it's severe anaemia that's been slowing me down the last year or two, but I'm taking my iron and eating iron-rich foods, and now I can occasionally concentrate for more than ten minutes at a time.