The readings were as rich and varied as this palette. Thank you writers for really putting on a great show last night. You all read so well and the pieces we heard were unforgettable. I will never look at a tree the same way, or a haunted house, or a field of flowers, pick blackberries the same. God Bless the writers! You will have to read that piece in the Anthology if you didn't hear it. I could go on . . and on.

I will give you the schedule of the online Anthology as soon as I know. . remember this is all a first time process for me and there is a lot I didn't know this year. Thankfully you were all forgiving and great to work with as I stumbled through.

I do have one big announcement. . thanks the the great minds in the room last night we picked a title for the seventh annual Northwest Plein Air Write Out 2011 Anthology:

Writers, Ghosts and Yellow Jackets

The only other news is that you have been invited to join a Poetry Writing group which meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in White Salmon Community Library from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. For more information on that group you can email Richell Graves: rishelig@yahoo.com

Be well and keep writing! Linda

Reading Tonight, September 4th

Tonight we will meet at the Columbia Art Center to hear the plein air writing pieces read by their authors. The event starts at 7PM and is sponsored by the Columbia Art Gallery and Waucoma Books. Waucoma books has generously donated books for the authors. Please be thinking as well about a name for the seventh annual Anthology which will be online sometime later this month. Last year it was called "Between Two Mountains", and in years past some of the titles have come from a line from one of the writing pieces. This year I thought we could put our collective imagination and writing experience together and come up with a title.

See you tonight. Linda

Photo of Black Eyed Susans . . Julie will tell you why they are wanton . . later.

Wow . . I just got to read most of the writing entries! Some of you read a different date for submission and that's OK as I am open to receiving them still. For those of you who did submit already . . WOW! What a group of writers we have this year! I was surprised, humbled and so happy to be part of this group! There are phrases and written pictures among them you will never forget. I got a peak at some of the art too. . WOW. Relax and rest up for Friday the opening night as your "eyes will bug out" to quote Randy Newman.

Thank you all for being so diligent and so spontaneous. Linda

Mt. Hood from Crest Vineyards dressed in Sunday's best warm, vaporous atmosphere, gave both the painters and the writers inspiration today. The vineyards and grounds were artful and well manicured with easy parking and paths through interesting areas. I especially liked the "tree room" full of hammocks.

Tomorrow the painters are doing downtown Hood River and the marina area. I plan on visiting Ground coffee sometime during the day.

Tomorrow night is deadline for submissions, but if you are having trouble getting two to me in that time frame email me and we can talk.

See you tomorrow. Linda

An interesting day today on Moiser Plateau. It was cool and a little breezy and most people found the spot. What beautiful views for plein air inspiration. Whenever you get a group of creative people together interesting things happen. The fire marshal from Moiser was seriously worried about our cars . . but he was so dang good looking the distaff half of the crowd found it hard to listen to him. Oh well.

Tomorrow we will be at Crest Winery Vineyards in Underwood and their website has excellent directions:

http://www.gorgecrest.com

See you there.

Linda

Moiser Plateau Directions

Today we will meet at Mosier Plateau.

The directions are to head East (unless you are further east than Moiser) on highway 84 to the Moiser Exit approximately five miles east of Hood River. Go through Moiser and head out of town on the east side. After you start up the windy hill it will be the first driveway on the right. There is a little white sign that says 8603 or 8606 . . don't go through the gate but stay right and take the two track road up the steep hill to you get to the gray shed. Park near the shed.

We will have an informal gathering at the Moiser 10 Speed around noon where you can get coffee or lunch and we will find a spot to talk outside somewhere. Don't forget your name tag.

See you soon. Linda

First Plein air write out day . . . and it was a hot one, but the Gorge White House was beautiful and all the painters found spots in the shade on both sides of the big flower field . . on one side you could see Mt. Hood and on the other they painted Mt. Adams.

It should be a little cooler in Stevenson tomorrow and Pebble Beach has shade.

Just to remind you, when you are in Stevenson take the main north south street (Russell Stree) across the railroad tracks to the pier and turn left. Go all the way to the end where the boat ramp and small dock are and you can park there. Walk further east over the little walking bridge that spans Kanaka Creek and follow the path to the little coves where the pebbles are on the beach.

I will be around and I have extra name tags if you haven't picked up your bag yet.

See you soon. Linda