your sizzling summer annogram

Thank you for looking for your July annogram.  Annogram was away for the holiday weekend, so I am back to see what’s of interest this month to my uber-creative subscribers.  Hmmm…looks like artists may take over!
Lilly Ledbetter with President ObamaWomen poets in the work space
Are poets “the unacknowledged legislators of the world?”  Mais oui, say Carolyne Wright, Mary Baylor, and Eugenia Toledo,editors of Raising Lilly Ledbetter: Women Poets Occupy the Workspace, to be published by Lost Horse Press this fall.  I am thrilled my poem, “First Job,” will appear in this anthology.  Despite the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, women still earn only 77 cents to a dollar earned by men.  Harrumph.
Theater Diva
Finally, a blog about cultural events in and around New York City!  Arts columnist Debra Banerjee, who interviewed me recently, does us all a favor by reviewing concerts, plays and art exhibits.  I particularly loved her profile of Marilyn Maye, a cabaret singer still going strong at age 86.  Brava, Debra! Brooklyn Bridge by Linda Simone
(Sub) Urban:  Watercolors by Linda Simone
Linda Simone’s extraordinary watercolorsgrace the Madeleine Gutman Gallery at Greenburgh Town Hall.  The opening reception drew a SRO-crowd and well-wishers filled Linda’s arms with roses.  Her exquisite paintings run from brooding Manhattan scenes to open seasonal landscapes.   See this fine exhibit, curated by Sarah Bracey White, through August 27.
Photo by Michael CefolaFeast of St. Anthony in Little Italy
Oh, the joys of the Bronx, aka daBronx!  Bronxites refer to nonresidents as “the unfortunate.”   My husband Michael, our good friend Elaine Nole, and I headed to Arthur Avenue one Sunday for pastry and espresso at DeLillo’s.  Little did we know it was the Feast of St. Anthony, the Franciscan saint known for finding lost things, and Michael snapped this great photo.
Deborah Coulter collage
Deborah Coulter will display her outstanding collages and drawings, with work by artist Lake Charles, in an exhibit, “Dreams and Memories,” at the Oresman Gallery at the Larchmont Public Library.  An opening reception, this Thursday, July 10, from 6-8 pm, is free and open to the public.  Exhibit runs through August 29.
Danielle Jackson photography
Photographer Danielle Jackson’s exhibit, “Lighthouses & Landscapes,” will be on display in the gallery at Ossining Public Librarythroughout the month of July—I can’t think of a better way to cool off than to take in Dani’s serene seascapes!
Creamy Summer Vegetable Soup
Here’s a savory vegetarian soup I created.  Add other vegetables as you like—but don’t cheat on the curry leaves which give the soup its needed bass note.  This delicious soup also requires a countertop electric grill with a lid, such as you would use for hamburgers or grilled cheese sandwiches; and a hand blender. 
Vegetable oil spray1 yellow zucchini, sliced thin lengthwise1 green zucchini, sliced thin lengthwise1 carrot, sliced thin lengthwise1 red pepper, cored, seeded, sliced into stripsA handful of curry leavesSaltPlain yogurt (optional)
Spray grill with vegetable oil and heat grill according to its instructions.  When grill is hot, place vegetables on grill perpendicular to grooved surface.  Close lid and cook 10 minutes.  Open lid, turn vegetables over, and cook another 10 minutes.  The vegetables should be soft with brown or black grill marks.  Some may need to cook longer than others; remove cooked vegetables to a plate. 
Combine vegetables in saucepan with water to cover.  Bring to a boil.  Remove saucepan from heat.  Purée vegetables with your hand-held blender.  Add curry leaves and blend until completely smooth.  If soup is too thick, add water.  Salt to taste.  You may add a dollop of yogurt to make it creamier, or to decorate soup once ladled.   Serves two.
You can find fresh curry leaves at an Indian or Pakistani grocery.  Do not substitute curry powder—it’s overpowering and a completely different flavor.
Photo by Carol BoothRound the net
Congratulations and/or thanks to:
T J Banks’ blog on the Best American Poetry website
Carol Booth for taking these great photos from the Mermaid Parade
Steve Brannon for latest downloadable issue of Small Print Magazine
Terry Dugan for this article on France’s anti-Amazon stance Photo by Carol Booth
Beth Gersh-Nesic for Tatjana Bergelt’s exhibit at the Serbian Consulate through July 27
Gary Glauber for poems in Stone Voices and The Citron Review
Claudia Hammon for this poetic rant by William Logan
Cindy Hochman for her review of Alison Stone’s Dangerous Enough (Presa Press, 2014)
Janet Kaplan for recommending this writing workshop on film and poetry Photo by Carol BoothRobert McDowell for his new website
Laura Morelli for 10 Reasons to Love Limoncello
Poets House for its annual poetry book showcase, on view through August 16
Jay Shulman on noting the passing of Gerry Goffin and Ultra Violet
Photo by Carol BoothLinda Simone for her poem, “The Incredible Shrinking Woman,” in Carnival Magic
Linda again for this piece on solitude
The Small Town Theater for its summer concert series
Frank Vitale for chapter six of The Metropolis Organism
Keep cool, keep creative!
Until next time,Ann