As our sun-birds depart
for cooler climes, our core group of writers continues to show up
with an eclectic collection of writings to keep us active and
entertained. We miss our seasonal friends and wish them a safe and
speedy return. We will miss Kathleen Schwartz this summer as she
joins the seasonal exodus to the north. We missed Peter and Irv,
both full-time residents who should both join us again soon. We wish
them both speedy recovery.
Our Wednesday meeting
started with Ed Ellis doing the honors as head of the meeting. Ed
obviously meant business; he brought a blue, Tampa Rays cowbell
(claimed it was his wife's) so he would have a way to “get
attention.” Except for the break announcement, it was unneeded.
Rod DiGruttolo took advantage of the opportunity and relaxed for a
change. He'll be back up front for the next meeting. Ed kicked off
with a 5 word test about synonyms and meanings. Myrtle?
Really? All I could come up with was Wax or Crape...
George spoke a few words
about blogging and the its benefits and will put together a quick
instruction sheet for the next meeting on May 2nd. Susan Davis spoke briefly
about about Eye Opening Films being shown at Aurora Physical Therapy,
1037 US 41 By Pass S. on Thursday nights. Upcoming films include
“Tapped,” “Trashed,” Deep Green,” and “Thrive.” A $5
donation is requested, contact Susan at 941-486-0590 for details.
Kathleen led off the
reading with her work about a 69 year old woman going on her first
date in 43 years! “The Gal is Going Out,” showed not only her
really great writing, but her powers of observation as well.
Feedback was really great! Kathleen will be back this fall.
Rod got to read,
something we often miss due to his usually being the M.C., and we
were rewarded with his short story based on an old hit song, "The
Grandfather Clock.” Again, discussion was overwhelmingly positive.
Great writing! Susan Davis read from her as yet untitled work in
progress about the baby-boomers, the “Old Hippies,” who are not
powerless in spite of the frustrations and obstacles all around us.
More great writing! Again, the group discussion was all positive.
Don captivated the group
with a narrative based on an Air Force experience from 40 years ago.
In spite of the heavy use of military jargon and phrases, everyone
fully understood the pathos of the story without Don overly
describing or explaining in layman's terms. The great writing just
keeps coming! After the discussion, Ed got to use his cowbell and we
took a quick break
Susan Haley started the
second half by reading a poem she had earlier judged at a “Blind”
reading. She loved the poem and told the writer exactly what she
loved about the poem. Only then did she find out the poem, “My
Good Life,” was written by our own Don Westerfield.
Ellen Magnuson read
another chapter from her book “S'Truth,” her engrossing
autobiography about emigrating to the U.S. From England as a young
woman. Her description of sailing the North Atlantic in a former
refugee ship that ended up with a cracked hull enthralled everyone.
Ed Ellis again provided
more of his work in progress, being in a non-linear mode at the time,
the piece will be fitted as the story about survival in a post
nuclear terror attack develops. The metamorphosis of the characters
in really engrossing.
Lee Taylor Franke read a
developing piece that may have been considered poetry, but is
evolving into poetical prose. “Pass it On” was well received,
and received quite a bit of discussion, especially about the format.
Ed closed the meeting
with the announcement of another writers group in Englewood. The
meetings take place the 2nd Thursday of every month at 233
Old McCall Road at 6:30 pm. If you need a landmark, it is across the
street from Willie's Motorcycle Bar.
With that, we wrapped up an
said goodnight.
See everyone May 2nd!
George
Footnote: Among the
actual answers are these tidbits:
According to Babylon.com,
this jewel is from the Harry Potter definitions: “Myrtle - A ghost
who haunts the toilet in the girl's bathroom. She moans loudly and
complains that no one likes her (which is probably true).”
According to
UrbanDictionary.com, myrtle means “Surf Ambassador Hendo slang term
for an attractive female whether her attraction is physical,
creative, mental, psychological, or hypothetical. Basically, a stone
fox!”
