Showing posts sorted by relevance for query talking on paper. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query talking on paper. Sort by date Show all posts

Talking on Paper: Mail

 I have been a member of SLT's American Association of University Women (AAUW) since we moved to Tahoe a decade ago. I belong to Talking on Paper, an interest group within AAUW, where once a month amazing women gather to catch up on life, share their wisdom, and to write. Today, I was the hostess.

After we spend time reacquainting and dining a bit, we write based on a 5 minute prompt and then read a selection of prose we had already prepared.
While in Coeur d'Alene, I was given this placemat sized 'Picture-Story Study Print' (c. 1965) by my mail loving friend, Barb. I shared it with the group and made our prompt simply Mail. Then for the next five minutes we wrote whatever Mail meant to us. What a delight to hear seven unique voices discuss one of my favorite things. Here is what I wrote:

There is something magical about a letter that arrives hidden amongst the propaganda and junk. A hint of it revealed in a colored envelop or a unique stamp. It's a mystery soon to be uncovered with its opening. I actually get a feeling of giddiness... what treasures lie within? How uplifting a simple rectangle, which traveled across the world or just across town, can be. And that's just the feelings of receiving postal goodness. I derive at least as much pleasure in the act of sending. Sitting alone with my thoughts and excessive (I need them all) writing supplies, I savor putting pen to paper. I picture the recipient's surprise after trudging to the mailbox to then discover a gift waiting. For that is what a letter is to me, a gift.

Eunjin Jang said it best, “Life is bearable when you have someone to write, and someone who writes you back. Even if it's just one person.”

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Writing with wonderful women...

A month ago I met Joan, a woman with enviable energy and membership in all the amazing groups in town.  The one that caught my eye, most recently, is the American Association of University Women (AAUW).  Joan chairs Talking on Paper – A Sounding Board.  The intriguing introduction had me hooked:

Talking on Paper writing group will again meet at Bona Fide Books, Tuesday May 1st. A light brunch will precede the event.  Anyone interested in creative writing: family history, stories, poems, letters, is welcome to attend. Our meetings are inspiring, surprising, amusing and above all educational.
What an exceptional group of women.  I described them to her as, "You are all truly the movers and shakers in this world and I am but a ripple in a small, albeit happy, puddle."  

After introductions and eating, we were asked to write for five minutes with the topic being assigned to us, "Passions".  Everyone has such different backgrounds and exciting stories to share, it was incredible.  I am definitely inspired and at times I was amused but mostly I'm in awe and I'm honored to part of this circle of women. 

Oh, and the location... WOW!
Bona Fide Books is a small press on a mountaintop publishing meaningful literature in a variety of formats. We aim to promote bold, unsung writers and connect them with their readers. In an alleged age of declining readership, Bona Fide wants to give everyone a reason to read.

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Talking on Paper: The Gathering

I derive great pleasure from my monthly meetup with my Writing Group. September's seem even more meaningful.

Five of us, well really six, found ourselves in the idyllic setting of Cindy's backyard.
I say "six" because recently injured Jan came to us via WhatsApp.
What a perfect solution and how wonderful to have her company.
Cindy, like all the Talking on Paper hostesses, provided a delicious brunch to fuel our morning of writing, sharing, and at different times, crying. It was surprisingly emotional.
The 5-minute prompt was "Write about a time you almost died but didn't. What did you learn from it?" I ended up writing about breaking my neck six years ago. I had no idea what powerful emotions still lingered after all these years. Wow.
We had two additional visitors join us briefly. Mr. B was a wise soul who listened patiently. Was he listening or anticipating mistakenly dropped morsels? Regardless, he was pretty dang cute. Also cute was my chauffeur, Steve, who visited because of the promise of delicious scones. No one left hungry!
While I can't attend every one of these first Tuesday of the month meetings, the ones in which I do participate always leave me inspired and with a sense of accomplishment. "You are the author of your own story. Make it one worth reading."

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The Song Remembers When...

I'm hosting my AAUW Talking on Paper writing group on Tuesday and I thought I'd share the piece I will be reading. It's quite the tome but I hope you enjoy a glimpse of younger Me.

When I'm alone in my car, my first music choice is iHeartRadio's 80s, especially if it's a weekend because the songs are aired commercial-free.

Our last drive to Lake Tahoe required both Steve and me to travel in separate vehicles and I was in Musical Heaven. Ten solid hours of the tunes that pretty much defined my 'formative years'. As I was listening in my solitude, each lyric evoked powerful memories that only a familiar song can do. Most were happy flashbacks to a time of carefreeness, shoulder pads, big hair, legwarmers, and jeans so tight my Mom had to help zip them with pliers as I lay on my bed.

The first summer of the 80s gave me my first live concert opportunity. I still can't believe my parents would let 18 year old me attend a Queen extravaganza at the LA Forum. We Will Rock You was the second song on the setlist and to this day, when I hear that familiar clapping and stomping I am transported.

DEVO's Whip It had lyrics I thought were so profound and powerful, "When a problem comes along, You must whip it, Before the cream sits out too long, You must whip it, When something's going wrong, You must whip it." Hearing this, as I traversed a lonely stretch of 395, brought me back to my second and scariest concert where, after hours waiting in line, the show was cancelled 'due to technological difficulties' and where the unruly fans had to be controlled by a SWAT team and multiple canisters of teargas. Guys we befriended pulled us out of the melee. When I returned for the rescheduled performance, my friend and I were so early, we were allowed to come in and meet the band. Oh man, hearing any of DEVO's songs puts me right back in that surreal space... the first person in line, not knowing what to expect, and anticipating so much.

1999 by Prince had me question my own mortality. When it was released I was only 20 and I distinctly remember thinking, "In 1999, I will be 37. I might not still be alive by then!" I don't think the lyrics helped to ease my fears, "Everybody's got a bomb, We could all die any day, aw, But before I'll let that happen, I'll dance my life away, oh-oh-oh". So dance my life away I did, at least through the 80s.

Loverboy was the band that made not-going-out-until-at-least 10 PM doable. Working for the Weekend said it all, "Everybody's working for the weekend, Everybody wants a new romance, Everybody's goin' off the deep end, Everybody needs a second chance..." It wasn't just the lyrics, hearing that repetitive drumbeat even decades later still made me dance in my Subaru seat.

At this age, I have forgotten, for the most part, the boys I had crushes on... that is until a song travels through my speakers that evokes memories like it was yesterday. When Vacation by the Go-Go's was played I was instantly poolside at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, madly in love with the lifeguard, Steve. How could any words be more true of a love that was destined to fail? "Can't seem to get my mind off of you, Back here at home, there's nothin' to do, Now that I'm away, I wish I'd stayed, Tomorrow's a day of mine that you won't be in".

Not every lyric recalls happy memories, however. I was still an immature teenager when the 80s began. I made some poor decisions that I would prefer not to remember but then a song plays and it remembers when. I broke a tender heart and that regret was refreshed with Genesis' hauntingly beautiful, and very sad, Misunderstanding, "There must be some misunderstanding, There must be some kind of mistake, I waited in the rain for hours, You were late."

I believe that music has the tightest hold on my 80s memories. These songs were there when life was utopian. They comforted when my heart was bruised. Each became a part of me, a soundtrack of some of my most fun, and also some of my most difficult years. Naked Eyes clarified the lasting impact a song has on us,  when they sang, "Well, how can I forget you girl? When there is always something there to remind me, Always something there to remind me." There is no way to truly forget the past, especially while on a solo car journey with complete control of the radio dial.

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Tuesday Part 1: Writing

For me, the reason I document my life is best summed up by Anaïs Nin, "We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect."

I'm honored to be part of Talking on Paper, a group of women who encourage each other to taste life to its fullest and then share it.
We gathered at Cindy's gorgeous mountain home, with delicious delights provided by Karen, for our monthly morning of camaraderie.
Each member shares in completely unique ways with each gathering always providing surprises (and talents).


I chose for myself the writing prompt of "What was the last thing you did that reminded you of childhood or a recent activity you hadn't done since you were young?"
While on an extended stay with our son's in-laws, we were in desperate need of clean clothes. After washing our first load and removing the freshly washed laundry, I was tasked with hanging it on the clothesline to dry, as was the way for this family.

Reaching into the hanging cloth clothespin bag and feeling the old-school wooden clips, made memories of my childhood flood back.

How much a part of my youth were these hanging tools. Two prongs connected by a fulcrum with a spring. By a lever action, when the two prongs are pinched at the top of the peg, the prongs open up, and when released, the spring draws the two prongs shut, creating the action necessary for gripping. Never had I thought of the cleverness of this simple tool as I did on this warm winter day.

Removing each item of damp freshness from its basket, and strategizing on its most optimal placement on the clothesline, made me long for the simpler life it represented. It helped me to remember the frustrating challenge of folding each piece of clothing in such a way as to not leave a huge crease where a crease shouldn't be under the power of the gripping pin. Even the squeaky sound of the spring rubbing against the wood prongs made me smile.

After a day of blowing in the breezes, removing the dried laundry actually made me laugh. Oh, how many times, as a child, had I dried off with, and complained about, a stiff, sandpaper-like bath towel. Yet somehow, the scent left upon my pillowcase was worth it all.

I am continuously delighted by the little everyday things that cause memories to return. One really never knows when those childhood recollections will flood back but when they do, what fun to take a moment to savor them and, at times, to share them.
"We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed.
As in filling a vessel drop by drop,
there is at last a drop which makes it run over;
so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one
which makes the heart run over."
-Ray Bradbury

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My First Experience With Grief...

I am so pleased that I'm in town so I could attend my Talking On Paper writing group. I wanted to share what I wrote to read aloud.

Chester living it up before the chaos
With the recent death of my mother-in-law, I spent time reflecting on the several instances of loss I have experienced in my over six decades. Like anyone who has lived, loss is a natural part of life.

I thought back on my first experience with grief which was a direct result of my first experience with love. Chester Do Good Saffell was the runt of a litter of new Bassett Hounds chosen, and named, by my much older brother, Chuck. Chuck assumed his title of “Only Child” would endure forever. Chester was my parents’ second son. Boy and Dog spent several years of human/canine bliss before my parents shockingly expanded their family with two babies born within 10 months of one another when Chuck was 15.

For Chuck, Chester was probably a lifeline to normalcy. Needing to take him on walks was an escape from the chaos two children so close in age generated every moment of every day. He was a confidant, someone who would listen to Chuck’s list of all life’s unfairnesses. He loved unconditionally and truly was Chuck’s.

For me, Chester was a constant presence. He was there through my infancy, toddlerhood, and early childhood. He was the guard at the crib, the floor cleaner at the high chair, the support for a teetering new walker, and the warm comfort for boo-boos and timeouts.

I was the one, at age six, who discovered Chester when he died. Six. I remember it clearly. Even so young, I felt the loss.

Of all the loves I have lost, his presence was the shortest in my life. Perhaps because my heart was so small when he captured it, it filled a larger, forever space. Or perhaps as they say, we never forget our first love.

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Writing, Wagon Trains & Birthdays...

Wow, what a busy, eclectic day.

We began the day with a drive to Placerville for me to attend our AAUW writing group. Joan, the gal on Steve's left, was the leader of our Talking on Paper gatherings and had moved to Yuba City where she started her own group. This was a day of getting writers from both groups together. Placerville was the middle point.
There were twelve of us and it was delightful. It was a highly successful melding. I hope we do it again soon.
This was the view from the car today. The Highway 50 Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to horse and wagon enthusiasts, and the historical reenactment of the "Great Western Migration".



This was their 67th year of going back through the portals of time to relive the adventures and rigors of the early pioneers as they forged their way west- all on a 90° day. It was very cool to see.
Our day ended on Casey and Linda's deck for Casey's birthday. What a great day!
 "Keep calm and be crazy,
Laugh, love and live it up
Because this is the oldest you've been
And the youngest you'll ever be again!"

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9,557 Miles of America: Summarized!

For my AAUW writing group, Talking on Paper, I thought I would sum up our Road Trip for those who don't follow the blog. Enjoy the summation!

 For 94 days, Steve and I menadered across our vast Country, traversing 22 states and hundreds of small towns. Looking back, it's difficult to fully explain just how extraordinary this Road Trip was. I have found only one quote that fully captures my sentiment about traveling the open roads which was written by Victoria Erickson:

"Road trips are the equivalent of human wings.
Ask me to go on one, anywhere.
We’ll stop in every small town and learn the history,
feel the ground and capture the spirit.
Then we’ll turn it into our own story
that will live inside our history to carry with us always.
Because stories are more important than things."

 So I'll share with you a brief recap of our story, month by month.

 We departed a few days after our younger son's wedding in our backyard. We hopped on Highway 50, deemed "The Loneliest Highway". While the towns were certainly few and far between, the unique terrain and quaintness of each city we stopped in, was worth the drive. Our first evening was camping in Eureka, NV. What made it special was our campsite was at a pioneer cemetery, a wonderful place to discover a town's history.

 September's travels found us at the National Parks of Arches, Mesa Grande and the Great Sand Dunes. It had us exploring old forts, four different states, seeing zebras in a field, and we even "Got out of Dodge" (Dodge City, Kansas that is). We went to the birthplace of Elvis, learned of the legacy of Jimmy Carter, were entertained by the hysterical author, Carl Hiassen, explored historical cemeteries in Savannah and we played at East Coast beaches a few times. Our first month on the road ended with an unforgettable Barn Jam and a beyond amazing Big Fake Wedding. Knowing we would never get to a southern wedding in a 300 year old Charlestonian home, we jumped at this timely opportunity. 'Diverse' is probably the best adjective for the month of September.

 October had us learning about monks and attending Peanut and Italian Festivals. We even donned lederhosen for an Oktoberfest in the darling town of Hickory, NC while escaping the wrath of Hurricane Matthew. We explored nature preserves and Civil War battle sites, most impressively Gettysburg. Steve got to bond with other NASCAR fans as we attended two events at Charlotte Speedway. We connected with my big brother in Virginia where we volunteered for his wife's annual charity rummage sale. We worked hard for three days and were rewarded with some great finds. While there, we house sat for him while they spent their 70th birthdays in Venice. My brother has a farmette, five acres of gentleman farming complete with eight chickens, two bunnies, one cat and three Jack Russell terriers. We had our work cut out for us. Since their large home was relatively empty while they were gone, we had some Tahoe friends stay with us which was the catalyst for traveling to Washington DC and beyond for explorations. We delighted in discovering, together, all the region had to offer. This included attending a very special garden party in a Georgetown estate celebrating its bicentennial, getting our library card from the Library of Congress, touring the Capitol Building and the White House and just being in the DC area during election time, which had an electricity that is impossible to explain but certainly made the trip uniquely memorable.

 November's beginning was at Disney World, the "Second Happiest Place on Earth". Here we met with Florida and Tahoe friends for four days of exhaustive fun. I love all things Disney so this certainly was one of the highlights of our Road Trip for me. After being a kid again, we recuperated at my last remaining aunt's home. Four generations live together there, so we were able to get quality family time in before heading to Port Canaveral and an unbelievable visit to the Kennedy Space Center. I am the queen of googling "what to do" prior to arriving at a destination. I found that a new exhibit was opening and we planned our visit accordingly. The "Heroes & Legends" ribbon cutting was attended by 24 Hall of Fame Astronauts and we were in their presence (including Buzz Aldrin and Jim Lovell). It was beyond amazing and certainly a once-in-a-lifetime event for us.

 Port Canaveral was also the jumping off point for our eight day cruise to the Southern Caribbean. Curaçao, Aruba and Grand Turk allowed us to become Island Steve & Denise where we frolicked at breathtaking beaches, explored the unique local history and just enjoyed being somewhere so new to both of us.

 Beignets, Hurricanes (the famous Pat O'Brien's libations) and historical sites were enjoyed in New Orleans, as we began our trek West and ultimately home. Bayou back roads through small towns, allowed us to see a different, wonderful South. Driving 431 miles of Interstate 10 opened our eyes to exceptional sights. It delivered us to San Antonio so we could "remember the Alamo". It took us to Tucson so we could learn about the Titan Missile Project. It even allowed us to discover, after miles and miles of advertising billboards, The Thing? And lastly I-10 led us to the Yuma Territorial Prison for a very interesting history lesson.

 Once we crossed the Colorado River and we were in Southern California, we were very aware that the trip was coming to an end. The last few days were spent connecting with as many family and friends as possible as we made our way North. In our old hometown of Temecula, we were able to attend a Sister City Dinner along with numerous local friends and even several from Japan. They say timing is everything and this certainly was a common theme through the 9,557 miles.

 We spent our final days with our sons and their gals, sharing the stories of our adventures and learning of the ones they had made in our absence.

 Ours was a voyage of discovery. While we covered so much distance rather quickly, we did absorb the spirit of each place and took away many great stories, needing to be told. I eagerly await being asked to go on another Road Trip. My human wings are rested and ready.

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My Birthday in China 2008...

Being as I was the hostess for this month's "Talking on Paper", I was given the task of determining the writing prompt.  Since it is my birthday month, I chose the topic for our five minutes of writing:  Tell us about about your most memorable or interesting birthday.  I chose to write about by birthday trip to China because I had never had the chance to blog about it.  Writing for five minutes is not nearly enough time to capture the magicalness, but here goes:
I went to the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce office about something completely unrelated and being rather nosy, I found a flyer for a Chamber sponsored trip to China.  Ten days, meals included, 4 and 5 Star hotels, English speaking guides and all happening right before the Summer Olympics.  I felt this was probably the best time to go because the people of China would most likely be aiming to please.

We were planning on going to Hawaii with friends for Spring Break, but this was such an amazing deal at $1499 per person, all inclusive to China.  We were sold!  Our boys were excited, as excited as they get.  Our Hawaiian travel partners decided to go as well.  We spread the word.  We traveled with 258 people from our own hometown, thirty of the adventurers were friends of ours.
How incredible to be surrounded by friends, celebrating on the Great Wall of China.  This was one of those trips I never planned to take, but we are all so incredibly glad we did.  It was an unforgettable birthday!

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Tuesday in Tahoe...

Our AAUW Talking on Paper group was hosted exceptionally by Mary Jo. What a morning of being in the company of amazing, talented, and inspiring women. I am creatively nourished by each one of them.

“Friendships between women,
as any woman will tell you,
are built of a thousand small kindnesses...
swapped back and forth and over again.”
-Michelle Obama
Our 5-minute writing prompt was, "Tell about your favorite holiday song, movie, or book." It took me a couple of minutes to come up with one but this is what I wrote: My favorite song of Christmas time is Silent Night. However, it isn't because of its lyrical sweetness or the images it represents. My fondness is due to the memories it evokes of my younger son's innocence as a toddler (photo above from 32 years ago).

When he had difficulty falling asleep, I would gently stroke the bridge of his nose. Then I would quietly sing, "Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child. Holy Infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace." I never seem to have needed to complete the entire refrain. Sleep in heavenly peace. What memories!

Afterward on a freakishly warm December afternoon in the Sierra, Steve and I headed to Emerald Bay for a hike.
The last time I was in the Bay was when I boat camped with Bob and Jenny (August 12, 2022). A month before, Steve and I had boated over with them for a flower Quest. Our last hike down was the May prior to the boating. So needless-to-say, we were way overdue to get to our Happy Place.
Heeding John Muir's advice, "Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt!"
They say that Nature is Vitamin N. Our entire hike made me feel euphoric. It was exactly what the doctor ordered.


Right?!
Eagle Falls had enough water flowing that we felt its power and positive Ions. Roland R Kemler said it best, "There’s no better place to find yourself than sitting by a waterfall and listening to its music."

Vikingsholm Castle was buttoned up tight but as we meandered we discovered old relics from its past.

Our day ended on the lakeside deck of the aforementioned Bob and Jenny. Jenny created the most sumptuous "Healing Curry Butternut Squash Lentil" Soup. We dined until the mountain air turned too crisp to be outdoors. What a truly fantastic Tahoe day.

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Guest Season!

Before our next round of house guests arrive, I wanted to share what I have written for my next Talking on Paper writing group meetup.

Ralph Waldo Emerson advised that one should go “Go oft to the house of thy friend, for weeds choke the unused path.” This summer there is absolutely no weed to be found at our house. Guest Season is in full swing and while exhausting at times, I could not be more pleased by this phenomenon.

I am certainly not the hostess with the mostest though I absolutely love welcoming people into our little Cabin in the Pines. There are things about me that prior guests know and new guests should be aware of.  First off, I am not a foodie. We eat to live not live to eat. Meals are simple, and if a guest stays long enough, redundant. That said, they are plentiful and gleefully served al fresco when the weather permits.

The accommodations are best described as COZY. With only 1,248 sq ft of livable space, most guests realize they didn't come for alone time. Yet, with beds for six extra heads, we can house entire families with comfortable beds, warm flannel robes, and hot coffee awaiting morning.

Speaking of mornings... I love being a tour guide and I strive to find unique opportunities while making sure highlights are not missed. Most times this involves early morning departures which I live for. There is little chance of sleeping in when one accepts our invitation.

And knowing that travel tales need to be told, a stack of Lake Tahoe postcards is offered for anyone who wishes to share the fact that they are vacationing in the Sierra. I appreciate this description of this form of communication, "Postcards: The Haiku of Correspondence".

My departing request, asked of everyone who traverses that well used path, is to sign my Guest Book. It is my way of documenting our guests' stories of their stay with us. Ibn Battuta said it best, “Traveling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”... even if your story is short enough to fit on a postcard or on one page of a Guest Book.

Here's to Guest Season!

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My Happiness List...

For this month's AAUW "Talking on Paper" assignment, I chose to write:

What makes me happy?  Answering this simple question is the assignment I have given myself.  I believe, every now and then in life, we should remind ourselves of what makes us feel happy.  So I thought I'd create a list, not in any order of importance, of a few of my favorite things.

1.  A letter received in the mail.  There is still no greater way to communicate.  To sit, with a cup of coffee and read someone's thoughts, written just for me, is a special activity that truly brings me joy.

2.  Sending mail, believe it or not, brings me greater joy than receiving it.  Choosing the proper stamp, taking the time to sit, even if briefly, to let someone know they're thought of.  Knowing that in a day or two, amongst a stack of bills and propaganda, the recipient will get a little surprise that will evoke a smile... this makes me very happy.

3.  A clean car with a full tank of gas.  This has always been a treat for me which actually begins as a chore, as I am the one who normally washes my own car.  A clean windshield is a perfect frame to what exists on the road ahead.

4.  A freshly opened can of coffee whose aroma wafts through the house signalling the start of a brand new "today".

5.  A child's unbridled laughter always makes me smile.  Who can express joy better than a child?

6.  New experiences continue to delight.  Having lived for a half century with some pretty amazing experiences, it is wonderful to realize and appreciate that there are still new ones to be had.

7.  Witnessing my children grow up, make wise decisions and become people who like me and who I like as well.  It's a realization that I was a pretty successful parent, regardless of my perceived inadequacies.

8.  I love finishing a book and feeling like I accomplished something.

9.  I have a rich, eclectic group of friends, of various ages and life experiences, that fill my life with happiness, laughter, advice and much fun.

10. My in-laws have always considered me to be the daughter they never had which fills a void of loneliness with love and kindness.

11. My husband, Steve, continues to be the best decision of my life and I'm grateful for the life he has provided for me.  Most of what makes me happy is truly a direct byproduct of our coming together as a couple.

It is said, "Happiness isn't having what you want, it's wanting what you have."  I'm happy because I want for nothing and I have everything.  What's on your list?

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