Last evening, it was my great pleasure to share the podium with poet Susan Jaret McKinstry at Magers & Quinn Booksellers at 3038 Hennepin Avenue South in Minneapolis–a few blocks from where Tim and I lived before we moved to Northfield. It was a dramatic evening in every respect, including a duet with Venus and the Crescent Moon and over-the-top weather conditions.

Despite howling Arctic winds gusting up to 45 miles per hour, dustings of new snow, and wind chill temperatures at nearly 30 below zero, necessitating the prudent cancellation by a dozen or so registrants, nearly 50 people braved the meterological hoopla to attend. We were so glad you did! Your thoughtful questions and audible appreciation made it a night to remember for Susan and me, and we both appreciated the chance for conversations after the reading.

It was my first visit to Magers & Quinn, and it seemed that everywhere I turned there was a book I knew I loved or one I wanted to get to know.

The first thing I saw upon entering Magers & Quinn Booksellers was this calendar with images by Ansel Adams. Because my new book contains the poem, “Motif for Ansel Adams”, I thought it was a good omen–and it was!

HERE is a link the YouTube recording of the evening.

Motif for Ansel Adams

I knew my destiny when I first experienced Yosemite.
Ansel Adams (February 20, 1902 to April 22, 1984)

He could see and was able to convey,
this keen devotee of Yosemite.
We need to hear what he needed to say.

As a boy, he was too sick to play,
so he studied each musical key. 
He could see and was able to convey.

His father’s house, overlooking the bay
of San Francisco, framed city and sea.
We need to hear what he needed to say.

At fourteen, with family, on holiday,
he first glimpsed his artistic destiny. 
He could see and was able to convey.

Dazzled by the soaring Sierra Madre,
he fell headlong into photography.
We need to hear what he needed to say.

Using black, white, and shades of grey,
He reveals our land’s innate symphony.
He could see and was able to convey.
We need to hear what he needed to say.

Leslie Schultz

I had a marvellous time reading at this one-of-a-kind independent bookstore, and I shall be heading back to Magers & Quinn as an eager customer early in the new year. With their large inventory of new and used books (and other items) and exceptional staff, I know I will uncover literary gems I do not yet know exist. If I cannot find them on my own, well, I shall ask for ….

Wishing you happy reading over the holidays and into the new year! Hope to see you, too, browsing the shelves!

LESLIE