Aw, shucks *gets a bit embarrassed* thank you so much for your lovely comments on yesterday's post – i went to bed feeling emboldened while also wondering what the hell i had just done. If I'm allowing myself to be this visible in February, what am I going to be doing by the end of the year?! If you met me in person you'd see that i'm not quite as demure as that little clip might suggest, although having said that, that was definitely my poetry head.

Inspired by Christine's book signings last year and Jonatha's UK tour, I'd love to be able to do a – what shall we call it? – blog tour. Can you imagine it?  Me and a suitcase of poetry books and cameras, travelling around the world giving poetry readings over mugs of steaming coffee, snapping Polaroids as I go. Actually, let's take the dream up a notch – i'd love to take Unravelling on the road, as a book tour and series of weekend workshops.  That would be truly amazing.

I'm feeling very excited about the possibilities of connecting creatively with others – the e-course is giving me a taste of it, and is exceeding all my expectations. I feel very honoured to be sharing my ideas and for them to be making a difference. Suddenly everything i've been through over the last few years makes sense to me now.

So until I can do my Unravelling tour, there's more connecting to be done online and in person. I'm cooking up a special e-course for the summer months, which should be fun and gently challenging, before we start Unravelling again in September.

Holly over at Decor8 is a design blogger extraordinaire and a lovely soul to boot; she's just announced that she'll be offering a blogging e-course in April! I'll be signing up for this, and not just because i want to see her video posts :)

I met Liz of Be Present, Be Here when I visited Seattle way back in September 2006; she's recently announced the wonderful Be Present retreats which she'll be co-hosting in June on the Oregon coast along with Judy Wise and Jen Goff. I won't be able to attend the first retreat, but i know that for those who can it'll be a soulful few days by the sea; they are kicking off with self portraiture, which is something i definitely need to delve into more…

And finally, there are the Squam Art Workshops in June and September. I was dying to attend last year but had just moved to Bath and needed to find my feet; well, those feet have now been found and i'm so happy to share with you that i'll be attending the autumn workshops! Really looking forward to connecting with everyone and having some creative fun. The classes all look so inspiring and I'll be breaking down some major barriers (with a sledgehammer) by taking Jonatha's songwriting class – naturally i reserve the right NOT to sing! If you're still thinking about whether or not to attend, there's an interview with Squam's founder & director, Elizabeth McCrellish, over on Decor8 which got my heart racing.

So tell me: who else is going to Squam, and do you want to meet me in the woods for a secret poetry reading by candlelight?

And if you can't attend this time (and i know how boring it can be when people bang on about stuff like this in Bloglandia) stay tuned because I'm going to be doing more poetry readings here… really loved doing it, really loved letting you hear my voice. Love the idea that we all get to know each other a little better… so if you feel inspired to do something similar in a video post, let me know so i can come join you with a mug of coffee.

The Friday song: Like I Belong to You by Julie Collings

It was a spur-of-the-moment thing; my hands are tired from too much typing but i wanted to post something.  I had this ee cummings poem in my head and wanted to share it…. i've been posting videos over on the Unravelling course blog and as my lovely co-conspirators will tell you, it's been painful for me to do this; all my worst inner demons start shouting in my ear as i watch myself on screen. So i blow-dry my hair and put on make up and try to find the best possible light… and then five minutes ago i thought sod it, and with unwashed hair, no makeup and my glasses to hide behind, i read this little poem for you. Not ready to talk to you yet… maybe another time…. Be kind, folks, I'm ripping off the Band Aid.

1. Styling by James Leland Day 2. the Sartorialist 3. apron by Orla Kiely 4. photo by Dan Duchars. Don't you just LOVE that combination of the wall, sofa and artwork… I'm swooning over here.