by Jana Pierce-van Loon
My mother, who has stepped in as editor of this fine rag you hold in your hot little paws, asked me for an editorial on my oft-seen but little thought-of email signature, “Love IS the Movement”. I was, to put it lightly, flabbergasted. “Um, ok,” I said hesitantly, unwilling to admit that I hadn’t given it much thought when I’d assigned it as my signature – it had just sounded cool!
But as most things in my life, this was serendipitous; for, while thinking on what the heck to write (and past deadline!), I discovered a valuable lesson.
I have been an activist my whole life. It was born into me, and it will leave me only by death or lobotomy. Combined with that activism is a deep river of rage, thick and juicy in its depths, red like the floes of magma beneath the earth’s flimsy crust, ready to burst forth at a moment’s notice.
And no wonder. I have much to be angry about. My parents’ generation, the hippies of Free Love and maybe just a little too much LSD, my predecessors in the Great Fight, did a bang-up job. We owe them quite a bit. They paved the road for the activists of today, much as the suffragettes and activists before them paved their path. The hippies had the right idea, folks! Love IS the movement. Much as they may be cast aside, dismissed derisively by young idiots who don’t know what their apathy is losing them, without them our world would be a lot worse.
I am proud of people like my mom, people of my mom’s generation, who fought the good fight in a time of civil rights infringement, injustice, and phony wars. Wait, that sounds familiar...I wonder why. Read more »
August’s theme is the humble blackberry (not the electronic gadget, the other kind). With the fruit ripe on the vines and the festival upon us, we have decided to put in a lot of blackberry content – the juice of the issue, if you will. We hope you enjoy the information presented on this Pacific Northwest seasonal gem.
Immanence has received a lot of feedback from its first two editions, which couldn’t make us happier. However, some feedback has indicated that there seems to be a rumour that Immanence is part of a “contingent” to either shut down the mill or let anarchy run the town – or something along those lines. This deserves an answer.
Regardless my personal opinion or the opinions of our contributors, Immanence, I may assure you, has no opinion. Mainly because it’s flattened tree pulp and ink stapled to form a magazine. If it had opinions it would be a sentient being, and most likely would shake off the control of its editor.
Immanence is made by you – the community of PR – and the opinions are your opinions. If you feel your opinion isn’t being represented, then please send me your piece. I will publish it, at least on the website if print has no room. I will even publish hatemail (some of which we have received), on the website only – it is there if you choose to see what people waste their time writing.
If you feel there isn’t enough reporting, or said reporting is too biased one way or the other, then step up – give us your unbiased, positively-languaged (meaning no bitching, personal attacks, or insults – it’s possible to be tactful with criticism) piece of news on what you find important.
It’s called Open Source Media for a reason – it’s open to the source, which is you, dear reader.
The deadline for the September issue is
September 1st. Limit 300 words.
September’s theme is The Autumnal Equinox.
Send submissions to editor@immanence.ca.
by Jana Pierce-van Loon
Witches in the Kitchen (2006) by Blair and Anne Marie Drawson is a fun, fanciful and down-to-earth romp thru a year in the life of a Junior Witch by the name of Ivy Prickle Tree. Ivy is a young Witch who has failed cooking at school, so she is sent to her Aunts Nettle and Thistle to be taught Kitchen Witchery. We follow Ivy throughout a whirlwind year at her Aunts’ place, celebrate seasonal holidays such as the Solstices and Equinoxes with her, and learn a little bit about Witches in the process.
Witches in the Kitchen is accessible and informative for all ages. It is easy to understand without falling into the simplicity trap, and its characters are lovable and fun. Blair Drawson is an award-winning illustrator, which shows in the book’s artwork. The book was done collaboratively between Blair and his wife, Anne Marie, though she sadly passed away while the book was being put together, and did not get to see it to fruition. You can see her as a character in the book, and in the dedication at the back.
Altogether enjoyable, Witches in the Kitchen gets 4 bookworms out of 5.