Rebrand and Trip Down Memory Lane

“Lynn, Lynn the city of sin. You never come out the way you came in.” That’s my hometown, right next to Salem, on the North Shore of Mass. Sources disagree on the origin of the rhyme, although it’s probably true that Lynn’s never had the best reputation. Still, it’s likable — diverse, largely working class, on the water, and 20% woods. I come by my love of ocean and trees honestly. I went back in June and visited some childhood haunts. I thought I’d share some pics with you and explain my rebranding too.

Here’s where I grew up.

The house was dark green in the ‘70’s; think Benjamin Moore forest floor, sans A/C unit and solar panels. We lived on a main street, one that Jimmy Carter drove down when President. We stood out on the sidewalk, waving little American flags as his motorcade passed. He waved back.

There were woods behind the house all the way to the next block. We had a convenient store right across the street in front. At some point the convenient store turned into something else, but it’s a store again. Different owners, of course. Quinn humored my nostalgia by getting candy with me. 

“Do you have any Tweety Bird comics?” They did not.

This is where I learned how to ride a bike. I learned to peddle and balance before I learned to stop, so the fence helped (and hurt). 

I spent a lot of time in the cemetery about three blocks from my house. It backed to the golf course, which made it a convenient cut-through to great hills for sledding. My friend had a secret passage into the cemetery from a hole beneath the fence in her backyard. We’d walk her dog there. I’d just go alone too and wander about. I always thought the sculptures, gravestones, and stonewalls beautiful, as well as the trees. It felt huge and like I could get lost, have a grand and mysterious adventure, but also knew that downhill would take me back to the street from anywhere.

Well, there’s your introduction to Lynnfield Street and my early years.

You may have noticed the wistful image of a split and bare tree that I had on my website banner for the past seven years. That was also the image on my business card. I modified light and color from a photo of a tree that stood maybe 200 feet from my Dad’s grave site in a cemetery in Salem. My writing at the time was primarily melancholy and introspective and that image seemed to fit the vibe.

I’m not sure that image represents my work, or the energy with which I approach writing, as much anymore. Certainly, wist is still represented, but less pronounced. For the time being, I feel that my humor is lighter and my thoughts more forward directed and active. I’ve been back to visit my Dad’s grave a few times. In 2021, I snapped this picture and thought to make it my site image.

The new growth on this previously near-devastated tree fascinated me. But it rarely seems like a good time to update my website, when I could be writing, playing, biking, painting — all the other things.

I took this of the same tree last month. My fascination with this tree — cut short.

My friend, poet Kelly, had new business cards made for the Gaithersburg Book Festival, where I had the great honor of moderating a panel with her and Massachusetts poet, Steven Ratiner. As is often the case, she inspired me. I decided to make new cards myself. I needed a new image.

I’m fortunate to work with some incredibly creative and talented students. I held up my paintings on my poetry books to one of them.

I began, “I’m thinking of something like a mash up of…”

“I’ve got it.” By the end of the day, they came back to me with this piece in crayon and colored pencil.

It looks terrific on the business cards. If I see you, please ask for one. They also make fine bookmarks. I love how it captures the feel of my paintings, in a surreal recall of sky, water, and whimsy.

Thus, the new picture on my site banner.

Next up: Music update including the new video for Shimmer of Light. Stay Tuned and Stay Safe.