Random Thoughts

[Note: This post is kind of long. Grab a cup of tea and read on. me] At the end of May when my writing group, Le Chat Noir Writers Circle, broke for summer vacation, our leader gave us an assignment. She had us make a list of things we'd like to do or have happen over the summer. From there she had us revise the list to include sensory details. For example, one of the things on my list was "take Gracie to the beach," which could be dressed up by saying, I want to "feel the sand between my toes as Gracie and I walk into the shallow waves." Instead of just "reading a book I can't put down" I wrote I want to lose myself in the words, the time and place of the story." Rather than say, "I want to float in the pool." I wrote, I want to let the cool water caress my body on a hot afternoon, or I want to be lost in the womblike silence under the water. You get the idea. When we meet again in September, we are to bring our lists re...

“Be serious.  Life hurts.  Reflect what hurts.  I don’t mean that you can’t also be funny,  or have fun, but at the end of the day,  stories are about what you love.” John Irving Need to make yourself feel good by helping others?                  Begin by gathering some of your favorite people. People who use pieces of every day life to tell a story. People who love to write, to cook, to give back. Ask them to help prepare a well-rounded, healthy dinner for 55 people with an Italian theme. Cut up 15 heads of romaine, toss in some red onion, mandarin orange slices, bleu cheese and dried cranberries.  Wear gloves to prevent the spread of germs.  Make 6 dozen cupcakes, topped with multi-colored sprinkles. Ask Panera Bread to donate some delicious smelling bread. Heat the casseroles, cook the beans, warm the bread,  prepare the salad...

"I don't think you ever stop giving. I really don't. I think it's an on-going process. And it's not just about being able to write a check. It's being able to touch somebody's life." Oprah Winfrey Le Chat Noir Writers Circle @ the Sulzbacher Center Here we are at the end of NaBloPoMo. As I look back to the beginning, I think I may have gotten off track a little here and there, but kept writing nonetheless. There are several other people who bring me joy that I didn't write about. Like Akasa Wolfsong ; Stephanie Darnell , Maithri Goonetilleke , and Queen Dani . Each of them in their own way have shared their truths with me. They have lifted me up when I was down, given me hope and often made me laugh. It's possible that my old friend "grief" has been a common thread in our blog relationships. Each of these big-hearted bloggers has offered his/her own personal grief journey to make a difference for themselves and others. I, for one, h...