Stanley Kunitz died this month

One of my very favorite poets, Stanley Kunitz, died this month. He had an amazing and venerable
career. The link is to the Washington Post's article about him. I had a mental image of Stanely and my dear friend Harvey Birenbaum, who died in September, having a lively conversation in heaven about poetry!

In home news, my cousin Johnny has told me there are probably no pictures of my grandmother Mary
among the ones he's sending me--but the man is on a mission now, and is going to various places in Boston
to try and find one for me. This would be wonderful beyond words for me. One reason I wrote The Strega's Story is because I did not want my grandmother to vanish forever--I am lucky to have a watch of hers, a little pocket New Testament, and a pin--but to see her face again would mean the world to me. For now, lots of pictures of Mamma Nonna and other family are coming to me, which is wonderful in and of itself, and a desperately-needed boost to keep plugging away at the book.