I just bumped my last post about Tori turning 13 months. I'm sorry--it will publish tomorrow.
I just found out that a dear, dear friend died of unknown causes on July 2. In the fifteen or so years I've known Sandy I've watched her help run a writer's group, publish a local anthology of writers, switch from writing fiction to writing poetry, and eat fire.
Yes, she performed her poetry with a fire eater and ate fire herself.
Sandy was brilliant, crude, funny as hell, warm, and just lovely. She was the kind of person you wanted as a best friend or a big sister. I didn't see her often enough, but I loved her deeply.
For the last couple of years she and I have served together on the editorial board of Philadelphia Stories, a local literary journal. She brought much to our editorial discussions, and I will miss her presence there heartily. I hate this getting old shit. People should not be allowed to drop dead with unknown causes. EVER.
If you are interested, check out her book of poetry. You can hear her read a poem here (additional poems can be found here).
Goodbye, Sandy. You were a bright light, and the world is darker without you.
