I'm returning to the world of blogging my writings and musings over here at caits.svbtle.com! I hope you'll join me there.
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See you soon, Caits
It's come time to close up shop in favor of a quieter platform: real, live notebooks. A sincere thanks for following my thoughts these past few years. For updates on my published work, forthcoming events, and occasional musings, please visit my website blog. To receive a monthly(ish) e-zine, sign up here. You'll also receive Little Sparks: an e-book of 100 writing prompts and musings, many of which were culled from this tumblr.
See you soon, Caits
Ana Castillo Thank you Sabina, friend and lead facilitator for DDFS/#GrowFierce, for sharing this with me and our class.
POSTCARD FROM FIRE ISLAND (& 2 days left for retreat payment plans!) I am writing this quick note from Fire Island, a small and lovely squiggle of land nearby to my own bustling city (and by nearby, it takes about three hours to get here by train and ferry.) There is a deer walking in front of my open door (they've become acclimated to humans), my toes are red and sandy (despite my efforts to not burn this round), my body has finally sighed a breath of relief. When I booked this trip I found an affordable room that is the definition of rustic, but has its own private entrance. A mini-studio saturated with naked men in the bathroom (a pornocopia so to speak for the gay men who typically stay here.) It is not top notch accommodations, but it was what afforded me these three days of salt and sea and long walks and deep rest. My body isn't the same body that arrived on Sunday. Something in me has opened, feelings expunged and faced, my muscles limber, skin glowing, brain simultaneously relaxed and challenged (I read Maggie Nelson's The Argonauts in a single day and highly recommend it!) The point of this is not to brag, but to invite you to do the same. As a full time grad student sustaining on disparate teaching gigs, I could not "afford this," but I also could not NOT afford it. To keep living in the exhaustion ceased to be an option, I needed to revive to return and do my life's work with care, passion and renewed intention. MYTHIC BEINGS YOGA & WRITING RETREAT FOR WOMEN I am proud to say that I am offering, with my friend Maiga Milbourne, a guided experience to engage all of these practices. From a Thursday night to a Sunday afternoon, we'll be leading Mythic Beings, a retreat that offers two classes of both writing and yoga per day centered around the themes of "the elements." You do not have to be a good writer or a good yogi to join. The point is not to be a great artist or contortionist, but to gently expand and release. Our retreat also offers three locally farm-sourced meals per day (with vegan and gluten free options), swimming in the river (the rambling old mansion is located right on a dock), a beach and hiking trails close enough to walk, bike or certainly drive to. Last year it was sheer magic, and this year, I do not expect anything less. Our payment plan options close tomorrow night. To learn more and register, visit mythicbeingsretreat.com. If you are aching to join but need an extension, simply email us by replying to this email. We may be able to work within your needs. Here's to moments to pause, moments to re-synch, moments to love self. Here's a secret: no one will hand them to you. You must create them for yourself. Happy creating!
Grateful for the radical work of Washington Heights Corner Project, a needle exchange and drug resource center I am proud to be teaching a poetry course at this summer.
This is still how I feel about my Dad. I am so lucky to have a pops that forever held my heart open for a smart/inspired/inspiring/kind/ethical partner. Because of you, I knew love would be possible. Happy Father's Day @hannsmeissner!
Louise Bourgeois, To Unravel a Torment You Must Begin Somewhere, no. 8 of 9, from the series What is the Shape of this Problem?, 1999
Reading @ Popsicle Literary Fest for The Operating System. 📝
Chani Nicolas inspired me to think about the body & communication on this new moon day. 🌕🌝🎱🔮💭💬🌀♋️✏️🎨💓🎆🍎💪
S T R E T C H >> payment plans available until July 1st! mythicbeingsretreat.com
This weekend with my sister Maya Azucena, who tore the house down with her verve and giving and guts and voice at the Reveal retreat at Kripalu. Goodness, she is a life changer/life saver for me and so many.
A great project to engage teachers in: curating personal artifacts from most impactful moments in education.
Here’s mine: 1) Winning regional essay contest & getting to be a clown in the Ringling Brothers circus, age 10. 2) Zine-making, where I pushed the boundaries of my own learning & creativity, ages 14-17. 3) Going to Ghana, studying with favorite poet, on full scholarship after winning The Pan-African Lit Forum’s OneWorld poetry contest, age 24. 4) Teaching at Facing History School, where I really grew and nourished my education style, ages 26-28. 5) Teaching in prison, my greatest teacher yet, ages 29-present. So many lessons attached to each.
Assignment from beloved: draw a bad ass smoking a Cuban in 5 minutes or less. Shhhh. Surprise!
Comics may or may not be in my future. Who knows where all this goes! Who is down to take the ride!
It feels so good to be keeping a sketch book/witnessing/idea journal again. Hey, bird of doubt that sits on the brain and says, "you suck!" My answer is SO WHAT.
REALLY EXCITED FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS, GUYS! Saturday, June 6th @ midnight, performing a feminist anti-hollaring anthem at the Blue Note Jazz Festival with my dear friend Rabbi Darkside.
Saturday, June 20th @ 8PM, I’m reading a set at the popsickle lit fest, repping The Operating System. More info: popsicklebrooklyn.com
