THE REVIEW

FOND FAREWELL


Wednesday was our last chance to say farewell to Margaret. She has been an inspiration to us all, and her unfailing enthusiasm and cheerfulness have been a real blessing to us. We shall miss her dearly, but hope when she gets settled in Quesnel that we can still keep in touch over the internet. We wish her all the best in her new adventure and we are glad she will be closer to more family members.

Jim asked for some serious critiquing of his story “Kelsey” and had forwarded it to all of us ahead of time. So we brought our print-outs and spent some time re-working every page with him. Jason had done quite extensive editing and cutting and his work on Jim’s story made it much tighter and stronger. It was a good collective project and a lot was accomplished with the story.

A new member, Barinder Singh, joined us for the first time. She’s from North Delta and it’s amazing she would drive that far to be part of our group. She has written a lot of poetry, but is now drawn toward writing fantasy and wants to write a novel. She shared with us what she thinks could be the beginning of one about a young boy and girl in this world who get acquainted in the dream world and then find each other in the real world. The boy has a ‘golden heart’, which Barinder says will become the center of her story. She had titled the piece “The Bedtime Story” but it was suggested she call it “The Shutter”, as the boy often shuts himself off from others so they couldn’t see his golden heart. We look forward to hearing more about this story.

Margaret read her next chapter in “Coffin And Dye” where we see Coffin and his new female friend, Tootsie, at the Lark’s farm. They find the skull which was probably from a knight at the time of William I in 1066. The Larks say they have never seen any ghosts so Coffin then tells everyone he can see ghosts in the neighbours’ fields. Tootsie realizes he has lied to her about investigating a murder. Just then her dog picks up the skull and takes off with it.

We really hope Margaret will email us subsequent chapters for us to enjoy.

Ellie read a story she has started that she hopes to develop into a children’s book. It starts out in poetic form with fairies painting a forest scene. The next chapter is prose and starts portraying problems of environmental issues. It will be interesting to see where this story goes.

Bob and Jason and I didn’t read, but we all enjoyed being together and listening to all the other marvelous writing that is happening. Margaret left two books here for Anne Berrie who promises to attend the next meeting. I told her she could always read her thesis to us.

In a letter to the editor in the Vancouver Sun on Thursday, Nathaniel Poole, a member now living in Victoria, had written about people in Canada sending money home to family members in other countries being fleeced by banking transfer fees. Something to think about, for sure.

In yesterday’s Langley Advance, I have a letter to the editor about rules of our Medical Services Plan being detrimental to both patients and our provincial budget. That is a system I take exception to.

It is absolutely wonderful we have the freedom to write and publicize our beefs with government and know we won’t be imprisoned or tortured, or have to demonstrate for days or weeks or years against a dictatorship just to have that right. Let us all be grateful.

Nest Meeting will be Wednesday, March 2nd, at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. You and your Muse are both invited. Hope to see you then.

Lisa