THE RAM'S HEAD REVIEW

SUMMER AT LAST!


Hello fellow Rams. Gorgeous weather we’ve been having. Finally. The trip Bryon and I made to the Okanagan was a lot of fun. A daytrip to Vernon while up there saw us at an independent bookstore on the main drag. Interesting to see what interests the local population. The two largest sections were automotive and cooking. I asked to be directed to the section on writing, and it consisted mostly of dictionaries. The only book connected at all to the writing field was “Get Published” by Meg Schneider and Barbara Doyen published by Adams Media. Not quite finished reading it, but it has a lot of pertinent information on what to do after you’ve finished writing an article, short story, novel or non-fiction book.

Bob and Margaret joined me here on Thursday to appease The Muse. Bob still hasn’t done any writing but had brought a number of magazines for Margaret. However, I asked a favour of them: I asked to keep about five mags to forward to some of our soldiers in Afghanistan who never receive any mail at all. Two of the National Geographic issues have articles about issues in Afghanistan, so they are especially appropriate. Thanks Bob and Margaret.

Bob also brought a pile of piano sheet music to give to Margaret, who now wants to get her piano tuned. She hadn’t played at all since her husband passed away.

Margaret showed us an article from a 1939 Star Weekly (Toronto Star) that she had saved about the clans of Scotland. She also had a book she used for research, “Tartans And Highland Dress”. Then she read to us “The Reverend’s Kilt” from her Peabody collection. Peabody was going to a stag party for the innkeeper that was being held at the Duke of Marsh’s residence and he had to wear a kilt, which he was very reluctant to do. He went shopping and was told if he’s not a member of a clan, he should wear a Jacobite or Caledonian tartan, but Peabody thought them too colourful. When the tailor learned he was a Reverend, he showed Peabody the dull grey clergy tartan, and matching shorts to wear underneath. Peabody purchased the outfit and left in trepidation as he would have to ride his bicycle to the event.

Then Margaret read the next chapter, “Malcolm, Where’s Your Trousers?”. Peabody dressed in the clergy kilt and shorts, and left for the stag. He planned to walk and then catch a taxi. Marie saw him walking away, and he appeared to be dressed only in a hat and overcoat. She phoned Peasly, who tried phoning Peacock but got Marigold first. She listened to their conversation and decided to go searching for Peabody to rescue him. Meanwhile, Peacock phoned the police. But Marigold found Peabody and offered him a ride to the stag and they had a good laugh about the predicament, and foiling the police search.

The next chapter was “Rev. Peabody Reflects”. After the stag, he was home and remembered the Duke showing him some art he bought, “The Last Supper”, painted by Marie. He recalls the debacle of mistaken art that had become “The Last Slipper” instead. Peabody went to bed and Marie cleaned up after him. She found a slip of paper with Teasdale’s address.

I read Chapter 8 of my novel, which sees Cam at home the next morning after the fire. His Mom is out, the ringing doorbell gets him out of bed. It’s Detective Vettersly, looking for his Mom, and he leaves his card. Then Cam’s friend Miles shows up and the two boys discuss their Moms, their girlfriends, over breakfast, and we see the common circumstances in their lives that are part of their friendship. They then make plans for the rest of the day.

Gemma’s husband, Laszlo, is home recovering after his surgery. Lynette and her family are off to Europe next month for her son’s wedding. Marilyn is super busy with the ham radio and community policing activities she is involved in.

Many thanks to those who have volunteered to write or send parcels to Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan who have received no mail. It is appreciated by both me and Sonny. Caring about these people as individuals in a difficult situation does not automatically translate into an endorsement or promotion of war, only compassion for other human beings. Thanks for letting your heart take precedence.

Next meeting here at my place, Thursday, August 7th at 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you then, and Happy Writing in the meantime!

Lisa