The Furious Spinner

First off, I think all my readers are very astute—come on, you're reading Furious Spinner. And the results of the quiz have proven this astuteness (don't you like that word). Thanks to everyone who participated. Now, drum roll please! Kevin in Hawaii is absolutely the Most Astute Furious Spinner Reader ever! Not only did he get every question correct, he got all the bonus points, too. OK, Kevin, you've got your choice now. Do you want one copy each of my novels or two of one and one of the other or three of one? (Did you get all that?) I can send the books to you, or if you want to gift any of them to anyone, I will sign them and send them to any address you give me. Congratulations! (I've always known Kevin was pretty astute.) I am also giving a second prize to Bernadette who happens to live in a part of the county where I used to live—although we've never met. Her answer to the bonus bonus question was beautiful. So, Bernadette, you pick which book of mine you want, and I'll sign it and send it to you.

Here are Kevin's answers to the questions along with Bernadette's answer to the bonus bonus question. (And I'll try to link the answers to the original posts.)

1. Who said, "No one can stop us from imagining another kind of future, one which departs from the terrible cataclysm of violent conflict”? Susan Griffin.

2. Who said librarians were "hysterics"? John Ashcroft. (Bonus: What is it in the Patriot Act librarians object to? Access, without probable cause, to library records, which violates patron
confidentiality.)

3. In October 2003, children in which country were accused of being witches? Congo. (Bonus: Why were they accused? Orphaned by AIDS, their relatives couldn't (or wouldn't) support them so they were accused and abandoned.)

4. What animal may have caused many fires in 19th century London? Rats. (Bonus: How did they start the fires? By chewing through pipes —releasing gas—collecting match sticks for the wax, chewing on them and igniting them causing fires and explosions.)

5. What is my favorite restaurant on the coast of Oregon? Sarang. (They're selling the restaurant, by the way.)

6. Which story of mine is an homage to "The Yellow Wallpaper?" "The Black Wallpaper" (Bonus: Where was it recently published? In the anthology The Many Faces of Van Helsing )

7. What did a Pentagon report say would be the biggest threat to the United States (and the world) in the near future? Global warming.

8. Where was I born ? Louisiana. (Bonus: What is the first or last line of my favorite joke? "Ira," the voice said, "Help me out. Buy a ticket.")

9. Which presidential candidate shook my hand? Dennis Kucinich. (Bonus: What book was I writing in the same month I shook this candidate's hand? Lady Liberty)

10. Which Bushie equated pro-choice people with terrorists? Karen Hughes.

11. Which national holiday do I loathe? 4 of July. (Bonus: When I wrote about the "funeral of god" who was I talking about? Ronald Reagan's funeral.)

12. Who won the Stupidity Award? George W. Bush. (Bonus: Whose speech at the Democratic convention did I really like? Al Sharpton. )

13. What community activity do I consider "intimate?" Eating. (Bonus: What flora demonized me in July and August? Poison oak.)

Bonus bonus: What is your favorite part of Furious Spinner? Kevin's answer: "Although I find that I really do enjoy all the aspects of Furious Spinner, my favorite parts are the essays. I would include your "The Writing of Lady Liberty" in that category and I really enjoyed seeing how the creative process worked for you. I think my favorite essay is "Still Life, With Colors" (2/3/04). Probably because it has both you and Mario, includes the wonderful way you write about food and nature and your musings on various topics. It has a wonderful mood about it —as so much of your writing does. Don't get me wrong. I love your more "furious"writings as well. Especially since we share our outrage on so many things. Looking back over the year, you have amassed an incredible body of work here. Keep up the good work!" (Thanks, Kevin. I needed that.)

Bernadette wrote: "I was trying to think of my favorite part of Furious Spinner and couldn't quite decide. Naturally I love the links to timely political articles, and the references to local things around Stevenson and Skamania, as I'm trying to "feel" my way around, getting to know the community. My favorite thing, though, is probably reading about things like the organic peaches, how you got them, prepared them, and enjoyed them—your reverence in general. Just glimpses into a nice life, despite the ailments—like poison oak!" (Thank you, Bernadette.)

Many people wrote to say they enjoy when I write about food. At first, this surprised me, but when I thought about it I realized there is something very grounding about reading (and writing) about ordinary events, especially nowadays.

Thank you all for allowing me the privilege of writing for you. I have to write—it's just this thing I have to do, for whatever reason. This weblog has given me an opportunity to communicate immediately—without waiting for a middle party to decide whether you get to read what I write or not. I am astounded and grateful for this process.

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