The Things We Carried

Ever since I heard that there was going to be a showing of a movie of a fairly recent book talk by Tim O'Brien on The Things They Carried (first published in 1990), I considered whether I should go see the 1-hour movie with a discussion afterward.  The movie was part of a series called "Writers in the Limelight," presented by Village Books (Bellingham's independent book store) at the tiny Limelight Cinema in downtown Bellingham.

Since 2006 when I began this blog, I've come a long way with the things I've carried in the wake of the Vietnam War, and I questioned the wisdom of visiting those memories today.  After a walk with a friend down by Bellingham Bay this morning and meeting with a group of friends afterward, I decided to risk opening old wounds in the hope of finding some healing for those old wounds.

Outside the theater, I recognized a Vietnam veteran who speaks in the local schools as a member of Veterans for Peace.  There were two other men of similar age along with a few women who looked to be in their 60s.  The event was sparsely attended.  There may have been a few younger people, but most of the men and woman appeared to be in their 60s or older.  After the movie, there was a short discussion facilitated by one of the booksellers from Village Books.

It was a wise decision for me to be there today.  I can look back, look at the present, and also look forward without the haunted feeling that I lived with for so long.

What I've posted below is a similar recent book talk on The Things They Carried.  It's worth listening to.  After an introduction, Tim O'Brien begins speaking at about 3:40:

St. Valentine's Day 2010 / Our lives became true with love and meaning, against all odds

The catalogue at the back of my book, the "About The Artist/Poet" page and the back cover:

















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Now you've seen my book in its entirety. I hope you can hold a copy of it in your hands someday. It's a beautiful book.

Today, shortly after I woke up at 5 a.m., something told me to make my 70-page full-color book of art and poetry available for $14.95. Contact cindi@villagebooks.com at Village Books in Bellingham, Washington, if you'd like to buy a copy of 42 years: a book of changes, by Amanda Wald Rachie.

It might be a good idea to wait a few days to make sure that they have the book priced at $14.95 in the computer system. It was just today that I went in to ask about changing the price. Thanks to all who have already bought a copy of my book!

My plan now is to begin looking for an agent. Given that wives and husbands, boyfriends and girlfriends, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, grandmothers and grandfathers, uncles and aunts, cousins and friends, will continue to wait for loved ones to return from war in the foreseeable future, my book is both timely and timeless. The story I share with others throughout history is that although our collective dreams of being reunited with our beloveds didn't always come true in the way we had hoped, our lives did become true and whole with love and meaning, against all odds.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Kate McGarrigle's son, Rufus Wainwright, singing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" in the movie, "Shrek," seems just right today.

Shrek: Fiona? Are you all right?
[Stands up and looks at herself, then at Shrek]
Princess Fiona: Yes. But, I don't understand. I'm supposed to be beautiful.
Shrek: But you are beautiful.
[They kiss and live happily ever after]

I'm preparing to weave again. The colors have been chosen.

And you can see on my table a book about self-publishing I bought from our local independent bookstore, Village Books. The bookstore has a machine now that will print books, including self-published books, with a perfect bound binding. At this time, the machine is not set up to print illustrations but can print a full-color cover. I'm giving some thought to printing up some copies of a less-expensive poetry-only version of my book, with a full-color cover featuring one of my paintings.

The book about self-publishing was written by Lindsey McGuirk and Rod Burton. Lindsey McGuirk is the person in charge of the book-making machine at Village Books. Rod Burton is a graphic designer who has designed a variety of books.

42 years: a book of changes

About a month ago, I had a limited edition of 25 copies of my book of art and poetry printed up. A few days ago, Bellingham's independent bookstore, Village Books, took three of my books on consignment, with a retail price of $14.95 per copy. I will not be making a profit on this limited edition but do want to make it available for those who are interested. For those readers who would like to purchase a copy and who live in the United States or Canada, try calling Village Books at 1-800-392-BOOK and asking for:

42 years: a book of changes
(by Amanda Wald Rachie)

For those who don't live in the United States or Canada, email me if you'd like to buy a copy.