My Best Gift in 2021: Faux Smokey

My girlfriend got this for me as a Christmas Present in Smokey's memory. 

People Lost in 2021

R. Wayne Nickerson.

 Blaine Hebbel.

My Auntie Paulette. 

Too many. 

 

People I've Neglected in 2021: Ron Goba

I haven't seen Ron since before the Pandemic, and I can't remember the last time we spoke on the phone. I have lost touch with so many since 2020, but to not speak with Ron is inexcusable. I am writing him first thing in the new year.

Things I Haven't Forgiven Myself For in 2021: Mom's Foot

I still feel responsible for my Mom's injured foot. Mom is so active for her age, I never thought about her mortality until this month. I'll be looking at her differently now for the rest of both our lives.

Man's Greatest Friend in 2021: Smokey

This is the photo I wanted to post since I saw it a couple of days ago as a Facebook memory. He looked so proud in his snuggie. This was the photo that convinced me he could rock a Walmart vest.

Smokey is gone, and there's little left to say. Moving on without him is going to be rough. In some ways he was the true family patriarch these past ten years. Now that he's gone, things don't seem to have a center anymore.

Rest easy, little soldier.

Poets I'm Glad I Featured in 2021: Stephanie Kaylor

Wanted to feature her work for a while. I'm glad the stars finally aligned. 

 

People Who Tolerated Me in 2021: Jason Wright

 

 

Jason put up with me a lot this year as I struggled to keep Oddball going. I appreciate him for keeping me in the loop as he continued to grow The Oddball Foundation and letting me get involved in The Michael Cherry Memorial 5K.I hope I get to be part of whatever happens next.

Things I'm Proud to Have Witnessed in 2021: Molly's Graduation

Molly graduated high school in June, and I am so proud of her. I try not to make big announcements about that because even writing that implies I had more to do with her success than I did. Fresh out of high school, she's a much better student, writer and artist that I ever was even when I graduated college. That I can offer her any help at all is a privilege. I can only hope I am around to witness what she becomes after graduates college only a few years from now.

People I'm Grateful for in 2021: Deta Galloway

 

 

I loved her feature on Stone Soup's fiftieth anniversary. I love her presence online. I love her constant voice messages, art pictures and selfies she sends online. I can't keep up with her output, but I'd be sadder for not having the chance to try.

People I'm Thankful for in 2021: Karen A. Szklany

I had a few people save me this year as far as contributions go. With Oddball's increased output, more photos and art pieces were needed. I was able to finally bring in Karen's work into the fold, and she's been a perfect fit. I hope to feature more of her in 2022.

People I'm Glad I Reconnected With in 2021: Coleen Houlihan

I hadn't seen Coleen since her baby shower over a decade ago. She was one of my favorites when I was hosting Stone Soup in the early aughties. To have her both come back and kill it on the mic for her feature was so sweet.

People I'm Grateful for in 2021: Toni Bee

If it wasn't for Toni's drive and support, my highlight list would be much shorter. I'm so glad she and Dexter Roberts are now engaged. The local arts needs a power couple like them. Let's hope we make it official in 2022.

 

Publications I'm Proud of in 2021: Reimagine America

I know I've tooted this anthology's horn a lot, but I'm so happy that Mark Lipman accepted my work and that Reimagine America will be out from Vagabond Books in January. Hope to do something nice for Mark and my fellow contributors. Especially Blaine Hebbel, who passed away this month.

Publications I'm Proud of in 2021: Molecule and Pocket Lint

Not only did I publish new work in familiar publications like Molecule, but my poems also found homes in new places like Pocket Lint. 

Two outlets for my shorter work? Yes, please! I write more short poems than you know. More than I admit to myself. 

That's good because Molecule is accepting new work now and Pocket Lint accepted poems of mine for both their second issue and upcoming third. 

Publications I'm Proud of in 2021: Ibbetson Street

 

For the first time in almost two decades, I was able to get poems in two back-to-back issues of Ibbetson Street. Issue #49 is already out, and Issue #50 should be out later next year. I'm glad my tenacity helped to get my work accepted by such a well regarded home as well as in their milestone issue.

Things That Disappointed Me in 2021 My Writing Output

With a new book last year and so many publications that existed and accepted my work because Trump was in office, it was inevitable that this year would be a bust in comparison. Especially since there was less time to write than there was in 2020. I treated last year's lockdown like an unofficial arts grant and braced myself for the certain letdown in 2021. 

I feel the worst about the print journals that shut down just when Trump got out of office. There's still much to write about and not enough places that take timely work in any kind of timely fashion.

So no, I didn't get published as much, and a chapbook project was forgotten about by a publisher.  But at least I got into print more, with more coming out next year. Hopefully, I made up for less of a presence with the quality of my work. 

Either way, the work continues.

Poets I'm Glad I Featured in 2021: Laura Kiesel

So glad to finally have Laura return after a ten year absence.

Things I'm Glad I Got Published in 2021: This COVID Piece in Oddball Magazine

What better way to end (for now) Oddball's series of COVID poems (which we ran every other week for over a year) than with a poem that shows the pandemic is never going to end if Americans have their way (which they always seem to get). Also got to pair up with Eric N. Peterson again, which is always good.

Something I Dropped the Ball On in 2021: Oddball Magazine

Wait, Chad, you might be saying. You helped keep Oddball Magazine going throughout the pandemic. It's still going.  How did you drop the ball? What did you do wrong?

Lots, actually. You just might not have noticed.

Things I Helped With in 2021: The Michael Cherry Memorial 5K

Here we have Oddball Foundation President Jason Wright with Jessica and van der Stad at the end of the Michael Cherry Memorial 5K. Jason was able to donate $3,000 to the Massachusetts chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. As emcee for the event, I played the smallest of parts, but it was good to do something for charity after staying away from people for over a year.