Must-Read Modern American Poets

There have been many accomplished poets that have come out of the U.S. in the last century, winning tons of prizes and generating enduring respect from peers and readers. They’ve ultimately led to many movements and techniques that have shaped the way we currently appreciate this form of literature. Here then are three of the most influential American poets of the modern day.

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John Ashbery

Considered to be one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, Ashbery was certainly one of the most decorated and respected, having won the Pulitzer, the National Book Award, and the National Book Critics Circle Award for his book “Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror” in 1975. No other American poetry book has garnered such unified acclaim. His style is distinctly nuanced, exploring the possibilities of language and foregoing age-old notions on form and the lyric.

Mary Oliver

Oliver is most popular for her short-lined yet kilometric poems and conversational tone, often dealing with man’s relationship with nature. She can pass as the poet’s Thoreau, offering a lucid take on how the environment is reflective of our innermost passions and desires. A good starting place for reading Oliver is her acclaimed book “American Primitive.”

Robert Hass

At once arresting for their fascination with philosophy and language, Hass’ poems can feel daunting to the uninitiated, but once the reader adjusts to his diction and tone, the poems are a pleasure to read. His style is accessible yet cerebral, celebrating both memory and phenomena. Our recommended starter book for reading Hass is “Time and Materials.”

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Hello, there! I’m Charles Bishop from Pompano Beach, Florida. I’m a wedding photographer and a certified bookworm. For similar reads, pay this blog a visit.

Preserving paperbacks: Care and storage tips for book lovers

As a book lover, I have a pile of books on the shelf that I haven’t had the time to sort. One of my friends noticed the messy shelf and convinced me to give my precious paperbacks the TLC they deserve. Here’s what I learned from my recent book sorting activity:

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1. Store books in a dry and cool place, away from the sunlight.

Paperbacks are made of cheaper material making them more vulnerable to damage. Storing them where the sunlight hits can cause the pages and the cover to fade. On the other hand, if you store them in a humid room, the pages might be prone to mildew and mold.

2. Shelve books in an upright position.

The spines of paperback books are more fragile compared to hardbound ones. Letting the books stand will preserve not only the spine but also other parts such as the cover and the pages. However, don’t stuff the shelf with all the books that can fit. Doing this might ruin the covers. You wouldn’t want that.

3. Cover your favorite paperbacks with clear plastic film.

Doing so will preserve the structure of the book and will keep bugs, dust, mold, and mildew from ruining the cover page. If you want to take it one step ahead, use bubble wrap to protect the whole book.

4. Dust the books once in a while.

Accumulated dust can make the pages look darker and can get in between the pages. You can use a feather duster or a dry microfiber towel to clean the books.

There’s no substitute for a good book. If you have a growing library, it’s essential to organize the shelves so that you can return to your favorite reads or share them with others.

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Charles Bishop of Pompano Beach, Florida is a wedding photographer who loves reading good literature and collecting sports memorabilia. For updates on his work and interests, follow him on Facebook.

Hype Or Not: Should You Get These Miami Dolphins-Inspired Ultra Boost Sneakers?

with new silhouettes NMD, Yeezy Boost, and Ultra Boost. These models sit on top of the shoe giant’s boost technology, which has generated much acclaim for bringing unprecedented sneaker comfort.

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As new colorways came about, sneakerheads lapped everything up. The shoe game has changed drastically; people fall in line for these Adidas models, and the resale market is abuzz. One of the most sought-after models of the Ultra Boost, Adidas’ popular running-shoe line, is the mineral green colorway, which essentially dons the Miami Dolphins colors.

While not really a PE (or players’ edition) release, this model follows the Ultra boost 2.0 pattern, using Adidas’ patented Primeknit technology, and boasts of a Continental outsole. The side or midsole is hugged by a generous amount of boost, easily the major selling point of the shoe line.

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Since the release of this “Dolphins” colorway, many other designs of the Ultra Boost have come out, but collectors and sneaker enthusiasts know the intrinsic value of rare color releases. It may not be as expensive now as more limited, collaborative releases like the Ultra Boost SNS or Ultra Boost Wood Wood, but it resells for no less than $200 on online sneaker selling websites like Goat or StockX. Plus, if you’re a solid Dolphins fan, this is a definite must-cop.

Charles Bishop is a resident of Pompano Beach, Florida, and he has been a wedding photographer for more than a decade. He is also a huge fan of the Miami Dolphins. For more on his work and interests, visit thisblog.

 

What Golfing Brings To a Person’s Life

Golfing brings a host of advantages to a person, and so there truly is no reason not to take up golf as a sport.

It makes for a lot of good exercise. Unlike high impact sports like basketball and football, golfing does not really cause any serious injuries. Neither does it strain one’s muscles too much. There are a lot of health benefits to walking on the green for relatively long distances, which is the best way to gently burn calories.

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Walking under the sun is good for the skin, too, especially if there is a need to add a little more vitamin D in one’s system. This allows the skin to respire properly so that one can keep a neat glow.

Patience is a virtue in life, and this is precisely one of the values in golf. Reaching the next hole takes time. Calculating a shot takes time. This will bring out the ability of a person to be patient while he is playing the game, and surely even afterward.

Golf is also the perfect opportunity to increase one’s network. A lot of people become good friends at the golf course, and many business deals are sealed in there, too. This is one of the biggest reasons people actually decide to try out golf as a sport.

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There is absolutely no mistake in deciding to pursue golf.

Charles Bishop of Pompano Beach, Florida , is a wedding photographer who is also a golf enthusiast. For more insights on golf, follow him on Twitter.