THE REVIEW

IRISH STEW


Seven of us were here on Wednesday telling tales for St. Patrick’s Day. Some of us were in green, and I did serve everyone green Jello.

Jason read first, a continuation of the story he read that ended with “God has left the building.” This section was called “Desire” and was a heated exchange between Damianos and the siren, Ligeia, about the killing of the pedophile priest. He wants revenge against the angels who had masqueraded as spiritual superiors but had been traitors. Stay tuned for the next installment.

I had a book of novelists’ answers to questions about writing. One question pertained to making time to write. I read the response of one frustrated author/housewife/mother to point out to Jason that his life as author and stay-at-home-Dad was in keeping with other good company.

Ellie read an epic rhyming poem for preschoolers called “Flying On The Grass”. It is born of a child’s imagination when he wants to fly and he envisions all the adventures he would have but ends up deciding maybe watching the clouds while lying (or is that laying, Jim?) on the grass is a happier pursuit. We hope Ellie can find her way to having this published in a picture book for children.

Barinder had emailed us her piece “Fantasy” which is a really great story line in the fantasy genre about a love triangle between a healer, a magician, and a black witch. This is mostly a story outline that needs some work to develop it, but it has great potential.

Bob read more of his personal history during the years 1941 to 1943/44. Unfortunately we were running out of time and I stopped Bob after 6 ½ pages, single spaced. It’s not that easy to condense a whole life on just a few pages. We marked where Bob stopped reading and that’s where he can start next time.

Anne Berrie joined us for the first time in about a year. She said she handed in her thesis. We’ve missed her unique perspective during that time.

Jim didn’t read this time. He didn’t even bring his laptop. He said he felt naked without it. However, he did have some news. Six months after his latest granddaughter was born, his daughter and son-in-law are expecting again. That’s just about the best story for any author.

Margaret is settling in Quesnel and has lots of visits from her sons and their families. She and Marshall both think they made the right decision to move closer to family. But she is talking about a possible trip down here to the coast and said she would drop by for a visit. We’ll have to see if she can make it for a Meeting of The Rams.

Next Meeting will be Wednesday, April 6th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hopefully spring will be well established by then. Am enjoying the extra daylight at night but having trouble arising if the sun isn’t up yet. I’ll feel better when the cherry trees and the daffodils bloom. Hope to see you all April 6th.

Lisa

THE REVIEW

AFTER THE WINDSTORM


After the windstorm on Wednesday, five of us gathered here to honour The Muse.

Jim read his short story titled “Men’s Room Memorial” about the antics of the coffee shop employee trying to close and finding a dead man on the toilet. The owners arrive and the comedy continues. And then the family wants a memorial for the deceased, to be set up in the men’s room. Very funny. We spent some time critiquing the story and suggesting Jim change where it starts and that he write it from Anna’s point of view, the employee. He thought that might work better, too.

Ellie read a poem that had been inspired by the death of her uncle. It raises all the questions that accompany death as to where the soul goes and what happens next. The death of a loved one does that to us, makes us stop to question the verities of life.

Bob had a revised version of his personal history that he is writing for his family. He read over 6000 words, but the version ha gave me to follow along with only had 5653 words. Hilarious. Bob would be reading along and I’d be frantically looking for the right paragraph to follow along with, but couldn’t find it because it wasn’t there. We still had a good history lesson as Bob started with what he remembered beginning in 1936, around the time his Mother died when he was just 3 years old.

Jason and I didn’t read. But maybe we will start first next time. Barinder wasn’t able to attend and I later learned she wasn’t well. Anne Berrie had promised to attend and pick up some books Margaret left for her, but since her thesis still wasn’t finished she didn’t make it either. Hope to see them both next time.

I guess Margaret is busy getting settled in Quesnel. No news from her yet. I will let you know if I hear from her.

Next Meeting will be Wednesday, March 16th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Since that is the day before St. Patrick’s Day, feel free to dress in green and kiss the Blarney Stone before you tell your tales. See you then.

Lisa

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