Listen and Be Heard Martha Cinader

From the archives, for Asian Pacific Islander Month, a conversation Martha had with CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI back in 1999 on WBAI Radio, when Chitra's novel, Sister of My Heart had just come out. At that time, she was a recent immigrant. They talk about the tug between individualism and traditional extended families, and her near-death experience that was the inspiration for Mistress of Spices. Divakaruni is a prolific writer. She has published fifteen more books since that time. Her latest novel is called Independence, set in 1947 during the partition of India. For those who might not know of her, or for fans of her work, this is a glimpse into her writing life just as she was becoming popular in both America and India. TONY ROBLES, our roving Poet of the People was in Greenville, SC for the 33rd Annual Festival Celebrating the birthday of Malcolm X, talking with people who attended, and listening to poet BEVERLY "BEP" BENSON.

Last night we had a mother of a thunderstorm. Bobo hates thunderstorms. He broke out somehow, despite the electric wire, and was running around practically begging me to put him back up in his stall. So now I have him locked in his stall, and Bart and Frank and Thelma and Louise, too, because there are predictions for worse weather later today. I fed the ducks and chickens and came back inside just in time, before the thunder and lightning and pouring rain started all over again. The pool renovation is progressing. The next time weather permits I am going to plant my okra starters, somewhere, I haven't decided where yet.

Poet, MARY OISHI on her new book, Sidewalk Cruiseship. From the archives, an interview with DR. CLARISSA PINKOLA ESTES. More from the CD Sugilanon, more about banning books, and more of Martha’s quest to publish.

Last Sunday morning I didn't take time to make any videos, but I had fun play/working with the water flowing from the pond into Langston Creek, which runs all the way to the Reedy River. I've been on a quest to slow the flow... This Sunday morning it's been more about the Callery pears that are trying to make a comeback in the woods along the goat fence. After looking in on the pool garden, where I have a lot of starters started, feeding everyone and doing the chick check, I headed into the woods to lop off the Callery pears and pile them along the goat fence, which they thought was a great idea.

Today in the audio garden SHARON SCOTT, author of Low Power FM for dummies contemplates the future with radio thriving in a tapestry of resilient regions across the continent known as Turtle Island. CAROLINE JULIA CABADING considers the past through a lens of poetry and music. ERNIE BRILL comments on banning books. MARTHA CINADER’s quest to publish her most recently completed novel continues.

This third year garden hosts a mixture of annuals, perennials and animals as it changes, like life does. Please join me in the audio garden tonight, Tuesday April 30, at 8pm EDT, for the L&BH Hour for Readers and Writers, live on WLBH.org.