In the Playhouse of My Mind Vol. I
Peggy Vining, Poet Laureate of Arkansas: "When I first read the title of this book, a collaboration between poet Patricia A. Oplinger and fellow Pen Woman artist, Carol L. Funke, both of Cherokee Village in North Arkansas, I was intrigued.

The title, In the Playhouse Of My Mind (the first of a trilogy), was cause enough for my imagination to leap backward to the days of my childhood, especially when I read the word “playhouse.” Even before I turned the first page of this new book I was hooked by its title.

As I began to read, I conjured images of when, as a child, my cousin and I constructed playhouses under the big oak tree in my grandmother’s front yard. The tree roots made lovely borders for our imaginary rooms as we created leaf beds, toadstool tables, chairs and moss carpets for the pretend fairies who would occupy them. The variety of objects we created was as varied as the poetry housed within this book. We worked hours without stopping just as I devoured the beautiful word play, the sometimes exotic and often memorable phrases that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

I found pleasure enjoying the intrigue of colors and the joy of expression in the beautiful displays of art. Carol Funk captures the moods of Pat’s poems yet expresses her own captivating impressions without words.

On each page I looked forward to a new thrill and found it in reading the poem “The Apron” as I visualized my own grandmother, at the iron stove in her neatly starched embroidered apron. She was sweetly housed within the poet’s wonderful authentic description of her own grandmother.

Pat’s’ poem “Life’s Toy” states that the printed page is her solace and Carol says that playing in her mind was a successful survival strategy. They both admit being addicted to the stimulation daily life provides them. They relish bartering ideas and in the process, create pieces that touch all of us, Pat through words and Carol through images.

This volume is a delightful expression of the love of words and art. I believe it will be your great loss if you do not purchase a copy for your enjoyment. It is a soothing book and one that can be picked up to savor at leisure, for a few minutes or a few hours.

In The Playhouse of My Mind is a book all ages will enjoy. It offers more than reality, more than imagination. Its thoughts, ideas, and colorful images turn into beautiful words and expressions; expressive ideas that are brushed into existence with words, paints, and pens. This poet and this artist bring to the blank page that which first appeared in the playhouses of their minds. You will find pure joy reading and owning I n the Playhouse of My Mind."