{"id":1228,"date":"2008-04-14T00:55:43","date_gmt":"2008-04-14T06:55:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1228"},"modified":"2008-04-14T10:26:59","modified_gmt":"2008-04-14T16:26:59","slug":"seven-impossible-interviews-before-breakfast-71-cloudscome-at-a-wrung-sponge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1228","title":{"rendered":"Seven Impossible Interviews Before Breakfast #71: Cloudscome at a wrung sponge<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here’s a suggestion for our readers out there, should they actually not already be reading a wrunge sponge<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, the blog of Andromeda “Andi” Jazmon (her pen name), or cloudscome (her blogger name): If you need a quiet moment of unassailable beauty in your hectic day, then you can find one over there, on any given day, at cloudscome’s blog. Most striking are her original haiku posts<\/strong><\/a> and her often-breathtaking photographs<\/strong><\/a> of moments-in-time, courtesy of Mother Nature. <\/p>\n

However, at a wrung sponge<\/em>, you’ll also get some experimental original poetry<\/strong><\/a> (in addition to her beloved haiku); some detailed thoughts on favorite books<\/strong><\/a>; suggested reading lists, most often on so-called multicultural titles, and library-trip reports<\/strong><\/a>; warm and inviting posts about her faith<\/strong><\/a> and adoption<\/strong><\/a>; and much more (including her participation<\/strong><\/a> in the Pay It Forward<\/strong><\/a> Book Exchange). Her blog’s template states, “I’m a librarian posting about multiculti kids’ books<\/strong><\/a>, poetry<\/strong><\/a>, knitting<\/strong><\/a>, my garden<\/strong><\/a> and gluten-free cooking<\/strong><\/a>,” but many of her posts, particularly her haiku posts, transcend the mundane and take you — if you give yourself a moment to go — to a place where you can see the extraordinary in the ordinary. For serious, it’s like this lovely gift to yourself to stop by a wrung sponge<\/em> and see what Andi has noticed — and, likely, written about or snapped a photograph of — in her day (or — as William Carlos Williams put it once, which she quoted in a post<\/strong><\/a> — she “write{s} what is in front of {her} nose”). Here are but two examples of some of her photography, which she regularly shares at a wrung sponge<\/em>:<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Ah. Nice. We’ll let those photographs speak for themselves. Moving on . . . <\/p>\n

\"Matsuo<\/a>If you missed this post<\/strong><\/a> about the origin of her blogger name, Andi explains, “I took my online name ‘cloudscome’ from one of my favorite haiku by the poet Basho<\/strong><\/a>” {pictured}:<\/p>\n

Clouds come from time to time
\nGiving us a chance to rest
\nFrom looking at the moon.<\/em><\/p>\n

“I named my book blog a wrung sponge<\/em>,” Andi added, “because I was planning to write about what I am reading. I read all the time and soak everything up like a sponge. I thought the blog would be a place to wring it out. I try to write about three book reviews a week . . . Since I’m a computer teacher as well as a librarian, I sometimes write about that<\/strong><\/a>. I also love cooking<\/strong><\/a> and gardening<\/strong><\/a>, so that gets thrown into the mix.”<\/p>\n

Fans of Andi’s blog know she adores Poetry Friday and always participates (lucky for us). “Writing haiku and posting it on my blog,” Andi said, “is an exercise that helps me look at the world, focus on beauty and put the smallest essentials into words. A couple times in the year (usually in the spring and fall), I have tried to spend a month writing at least one every day.” Just last Friday, “Cutting a Swath” — a collaborative crown sonnet written by Andi and a handful of other bloggers (Liz Garton Scanlon<\/strong><\/a>, TadMack<\/strong><\/a>, Kelly Fineman<\/strong><\/a>, Sara Lewis Holmes<\/strong><\/a>, Tricia Stohr-Hunt<\/strong><\/a>, and Laura Purdie Salas<\/strong><\/a>) — was unveiled in its entirety here<\/a><\/strong> at Liz’s blog. “I and six other blogging poets have been working on {this} as a group project all winter,” Andi explained. “It is so exciting for me to be part of this group! Having these fabulous poets challenge, encourage, stimulate and cheer as I trying to write a decent sonnet is what blogging is all about for me. I never would have thought I could hang with these remarkable poets — but here I am trying to keep up with them and having the time of my life!” {7-Imp will have more on this daring project later this week, ’cause we just can’t NOT ask all seven of them about this exciting venture.} <\/p>\n

Andi also told us a bit more about her photography: “Another thing I really enjoy sharing on my blog is photography. I joined in Project 365<\/strong><\/a> last year and I have carried it on this year. It’s a commitment to taking and posting at least one photo a day for the whole year. Anyone can join and there are lots of great blogs sharing fabulous photos. My photo blog is Sandy Cove 365+1<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.” Pictured below are two photos from that blog.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

A big thanks to Andi\/cloudscome for stopping by 7-Imp so that we can all get to know her a bit better (in the picture from last summer which opens this post, she’s on her porch swing, “one of my favorite places in the whole world,” holding her sleeping toddler, Punkin). We at 7-Imp also thank cloudscome for the little bit ‘o’ beauty her blog provides in otherwise hectic days. So, without further ado, here she is. <\/p>\n

* * * * * * *<\/center><\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: What do you do for a living?<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: I am a Library Media Specialist in a small independent elementary school.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: How long have you been blogging?<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: My first blog was started June 2005. It was all about parenting, and I abandoned it after a few months. I started a wrung sponge<\/em>, my book blog, March 9, 2006. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: Why did you start blogging? Why do you continue to do it?<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: I started reading adoption blogs while in the process of adopting my third son. I got so much out of reading the experience of first parents, adoptees and other adopting parents, I got drawn into it. When I found book blogs, I knew I had come home. I blog to think about and remember what I\u2019ve read and to improve and share my writing. I am fascinated by what other people think about and what they are reading and writing. It is such a dynamic and enriching experience! <\/p>\n

\"Don<\/a>7-Imp<\/strong>: Which blog or site would you take to the prom to show off and you love it so much you could marry it?<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: I am afraid I couldn\u2019t pick just one! I\u2019d rather go to a potluck picnic than the prom\u2026 and I\u2019d like to find Jo(e)<\/strong><\/a>, gawdess<\/strong><\/a>, Scrivener<\/strong><\/a>, Dawn<\/strong><\/a>, Los Angelista<\/strong><\/a>, Don Tate<\/strong><\/a> {pictured}, and everyone in my bloglines account there. Is that too many? <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: What are your other favorite things to do, other than reading and blogging?<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: Staring out the window, doing photography, and hanging out with my boys at the playground, walking in the woods, biking, cooking, quilting, or knitting. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: What\u2019s one thing that most people don\u2019t know about you?<\/font><\/p>\n

\"Hezekiah<\/a>Andi<\/strong>: I have been teaching for 25 years. I started out teaching English for two years at Daqing Teacher’s College in Heilongjiang Province, China. I’ve been a librarian for the past eight years. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: What\u2019s in heavy rotation on your stereo\/iPod lately?<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: Kirk Franklin<\/strong><\/a>, The McClurkin Project<\/strong><\/a>, Hezekiah Walker<\/strong><\/a> {pictured here}, Yolanda Adams<\/strong><\/a>, The Clark Sisters<\/strong><\/a>, CeCe Winans<\/strong><\/a> and other Black Gospel singers. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: If you could have three (living) authors over for coffee or a glass of rich, red wine, whom would you choose?<\/font><\/p>\n

\"Maya<\/a>Andi<\/strong>: Anne Lamott<\/strong><\/a>, Maya Angelou<\/strong><\/a> {pictured}, and Amy Tan<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n

***The Pivot Questionnaire***<\/center><\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: What is your favorite word?<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: \u201cC\u2019mere.\u201d <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: What is your least favorite word?<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: “Nausea.”<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: Beautiful images, green growing things, and anyone learning something new. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: What turns you off?<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: People who talk too much. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: What is your favorite curse word? (optional)<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: “Son of a bitch!”<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: What sound or noise do you love?<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: Children laughing, bird song, running brooks and the wind. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: What sound or noise do you hate?<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: Whining or screeching. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: Haiku Poet in Residence. (Benefits include a hermitage in a sunny forest glade and lots of solitude.) <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: What profession would you not like to do?<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: Anything in sales, management or school administration. <\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>: If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?<\/font><\/p>\n

Andi<\/strong>: “Welcome home, my darling daughter! (((HUG)))”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here’s a suggestion for our readers out there, should they actually not already be reading a wrunge sponge, the blog of Andromeda “Andi” Jazmon (her pen name), or cloudscome (her blogger name): If you need a quiet moment of unassailable beauty in your hectic day, then you can find one over there, on any given […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1228","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blogger-interviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1228","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1228"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1228\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1228"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1228"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1228"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}