THE REVIEW

DEDICATED WRITERS


Bob and Margaret and I were the three who met here on Thursday, all with something to read. But I should tell everyone, that even if you haven’t written anything to read, you are still very welcome to attend, as those who have written still need your support, too.

Still writing about Trayling and Waters, Bob read that he had perhaps downplayed their importance. They were, in fact a very large and successful operation for many years, and also very good to their employees. Their operation had a magnificent view of the North Shore mountains, but Bob did notice they replaced clear windows reinforced with bars, with opaque windows that employees could no longer see out of as they worked. When their business ended, their models and molds sold for higher than usual prices to other businesses.

I read next, a piece I now call “Mom’s Memorial, May 1, 2008”. It was to acknowledge my Mother’s love and the loss I feel since she passed away in March. Since Mothers’ Day is next Sunday, I will also post this piece on our Blog, right after this Review. And if anyone else has something about Mothers’ Day that has not yet been posted to our website, and would like to see it on our Blog, then by all means, send it to me and I will put it up. Just make sure it has a title and your byline on it.

Margaret was able to read 2 chapters from her Peabody section. The first was “Solitaire” and tells of Marie, Rev. Peabody’s housekeeper, finding a solitaire engagement ring in his desk drawer and she assumes he’s going to propose to her. She then tells Marigold, who is Rev. Peasly’s housekeeper. But Marigold has assumed Peabody was going to propose to her, and is consequently very upset and tells Peasly and Peacock, who then hatch a plan for Peasly to propose to Marie himself to make sure the truth comes out. The next chapter sees Peasly fortifying himself with alcohol to go to Peabody’s to propose to Marie. But she is out and so he tells Peabody that he had come to ask for a lifelong commitment, neglecting to say he meant from Marie. Peabody misunderstands and tells Peasly he’ll think about his proposal.

Margaret had a number of drawings to show us. She usually prints them out on envelopes, but was having trouble doing so with her new copier. The pictures were done in stages, with trees, buildings, and human figures drawn separately and then added on wherever she wanted them to form a whole picture.

I mentioned two books on writing that I had purchased and recommend. One is “How I Write” by Janet Evanovich. It is a fun-to-read overview of steps in creating and publishing a novel, by a bestselling author. The other book is “Writer’s Guide To Character Traits” by Linda N. Edelstein, PH.D. This one is published by Writers’ Digest and the author is a practicing psychologist and uses over 30 years of experience to explain and give very useful lists of character traits seen in people, relationships and in group situations. The book is written specifically as a resource for creative writers. Just amazing information.

Also of interest to local writers, there is a huge used book sale happening every Saturday in May in otherwise empty shop space on the SE corner of the old Safeway Mall in Cloverdale. It is just across the lane from the Legion’s north side. Books are $1.00 each, 6 for $5.00, or $20.00 for a box full. Bryon and I spent two hours there yesterday and came away with a box full. These are mostly books now discarded from public libraries. Awesome.

Next meeting will be here at my place on Thursday, May 19th at 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you then, even if you haven’t written anything.

Lisa



MOM'S MEMORIAL, May 1, 2008

The icy fingers of winter still clench the land, holding back the luscious green of spring. And frosty breath still blows through the walls, shivering my aching bones. It is the first of May, but summer’s balm is still just a dream.

Mothers’ Day approaches and my heart is heavy. This will be the first year since being a youngster that I cannot give my Mother a card or a gift. She has left this plane of physical existence, and I can no longer touch her or see her smile. It has been forty-three days since she left, but I am only now starting to feel the loss. The hours spent on the paper detritus of death staved off my grief. Now there is nothing to hold it at bay and I must face the loss of the one person I know loved me unconditionally. And it is here that my tears begin.

She loved all children, not in an overly sentimental fashion, but by her calm and quiet acceptance of each child exactly as is. She told me once that it was in caring for children that one could keep going in spite of any difficulty. Striving to meet their needs always put your own in balance. And the all consuming necessities of children could always obliterate one’s selfish preoccupations with self. It’s hard to bemoan the loss of frivolous pursuits when a child needs feeding or any kind of caring. Mom taught me to care for the child first, and everything else would work out, too, in its own good time.

And she taught me there is nothing wrong with putting family first, that they are the ones who need you the most. She was always there for her own, even though I often sought outside the circle of her love. But each time I realized that coming home to where I knew I was loved was always the best way for me. In return, I hope I was able to give that same love to my own children.

She suffered greatly in the end, and I do not know why. Or maybe I do. Maybe I wasn’t ready to let her go. When I did pray for her release from pain more fervently than I did for her to continue living, she left very quickly. I wasn’t there at the end, but seeing the peace on her countenance soon after, I know she’s gone to a better place.

So, Mom. I cannot give you a physical card or gift this year, but I can give you all the love in my heart and tell you it will always live on, because of your selfless devotion to me. That is my Mothers’ Day gift to you.

Love forever,

Lisa