November 20, 2019

Rod is still in Louisiana, and Ernie led the meeting. Eleven members attended. Writers are a loquacious bunch when they get together. Our group is for sure. We begin gathering at the Nokomis fire station before six and by six-thirty, the conversations were in full swing. Rod's big booming voice of command can override the chatter to call the group to order with the words “GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY” but in his absence, it took Ernie a couple of attempts. In any event, approximately 6:30 pm we called the meeting to order. The first order of business was to welcome back Ian Schagen of Great Britain. Ian has published his book recounting his father’s World War II escape from the Nazis and his experiences following the path of his father’s escape route. Ian's return is most welcome.

Peter Frickel was our first reader. He shared his thoughts on the power of a single line to inspire the writer. Some of his examples were:
“Saliva heavy with hunger … the lion.”
“Wind … a blade of grass bows to royalty.”
“Truth … is strongest sometimes between the sheets.”
The group responded to Peter’s examples with enthusiasm. The idea that a line triggers the writer’s imagination and takes on a life of its own led to the proposal for a group challenge. In 35 words or less, take a line and write, creating an image, a poem, the seeds of a story, or to dramatize a situation. We asked Peter for the line, and he has one for our challenge: “Stay low, don’t fight.” Given the December holidays, we have set the challenge date for our first meeting in January, Wednesday, January 8th. (We will be meeting the 2nd, and 4th Wednesday this coming January as our first Wednesday falls on New Year’s Day.) We have our first meeting
in January to look forward to, and we will be listening to where Peter’s line leads each of us.

Bruce Haedrich read next from his Hadley Pennsylvania Stories. He read excerpts from Promontory Castle, a classic tale of knights and kings written in iambic pentameter. The group enjoyed the reading and admired Bruce’s use of the classical form. Thank
you, Bruce. 

Scott Anderson treated us to five of his poems: Partings, Poet Burning, Little Kisses, The Garden, and The Duke of Mantua. Thank you, Scott.

Tish McAuley continued with her memoir. In her straight forward prose, we learned more about her life growing up with an abusive and alcoholic father, a Lt. Col. in the Air Force. She describes him as a man with two faces: a man much admired as an officer and leader of airmen who lived another life at home Acknowledging his wartime experience may have had something to do with demons he faced, she has no knowledge of what they were. It was the1960’s, an era when you didn’t talk about tough stuff or family dysfunction. Her parents moved to Orlando to be closer to her mother’s family living in Sarasota. Fighting, which was common in her home, eventually led to her father’s departure. The trauma left her mother even more dysfunctional. Her grandparents tried to help, with little success. Tish and her two siblings were left to raise themselves. That she can recount such traumatic experiences with grace and calm clarity inspired the group, and we encourage her to continue. Thank you, Tish.

Jeff Kutcher read more from his biographical novel of his friend and Cuban refugee, Amaury, continuing with the story of Amaury’s father, Nury. Amaury’s natural curiosity was irrepressible. Life in Castro’s Cuba was and is hard. However, it was less so for the family of one of Castro’s generals. Nury advised Amaury not to question their way of life. By nature, it was something Amaury could not do. Jeff reminds us all with his story how fortunate we all are with the freedoms we enjoy. Thank you, Jeff.

Dennis Cathcart brightened the mood with a whimsical piece he had from his file, opining upon the conditions of seasoned citizenship, The Old Gray Matter Ain’t What it Used to Be. What a hoot, and for those of us who know, how true. Great job, Dennis.

Susan Haley revisited her poem Alaska is Sinking after the group had given her some suggestions from her previous reading. In good humor, she confessed that she is a passionate environmentalist. We all agree with taking care of our good earth and Susan's words remind us of how precious it is. Her poem ends on an upbeat note, the earth will survive. Keeping things friendly, on the political side, as to man’s influence on climate we will leave to another forum. Thank you, Susan.

Ian Schagen, our British guest, did not shrink from the political side as he read a piece offering his ideas on American governance. Titled The Fickel Finger of Faith, Ian read an imaginary story of Charity, a woman selected from a random sample of the population to be President of the United States. He proposes our Constitution be amended to provide for political offices to be filled from a computerized random sample of the population. A professional statistician, Ian says the proposition is based upon his work and his belief a random and representative sample of the population could do a better job of governing than elected representatives. Revealing his own political preferences, he would have the random sample government enact the full lunch box, including universal health care and all the rest. The group kept it friendly, but more than one let it be known, we like our Constitution in its current form, thank you very much. Still, the story was good and this is the United States of America where all are invited to put forth their ideas. Welcome back, Ian.

Jim Kelly announced the publication of his two-volume work on the life of Civil War Union General Winfield Scott Hancock: I Am a Soldier First and Always, Vol. 1 –Rebellion and Vol. 2 – Turning Point. Jim read from a poignant scene of Hancock’s last days. Thank you, Jim. It has been great fun to see and hear one of our group’s members take his work from "first draft" to "finished product." You remind us all that with persistence it can be done.

Wrapping up the meeting, Ernie Ovitz read the conclusion of his apocalyptic short story, The Rock. In the final scene, it is disclosed,  a traitor has revealed the identities of the four horsemen and those in their movement to the government. They are wanted men and women and must warn their followers to go underground. The
Church is being persecuted, and like the ancient Church must preserver in the trial to come. From the Rock at the Four Corners of the county, Michael, their leader, sends the horsemen east, west, north, and south, to warn their followers. The government effort is being led by a man that Michael knows well, a dark figure from Michael’s past, Sam Beal. When asked what he's going to do.
Michael replies, "I have a date with the Devil in New York City."

Thanks again to all our writers. We are looking forward to our December meetings on Wednesdays, the 4th and 18th. December 18th will be our Christmas meeting. We encourage all who which to join us to bring a holiday treat to share. Not to worry, our
firemen friends will be happy to take care of any food we leave behind. Our December 18th meeting will be one that we present our groups thank you's and contributions to the firemen’s fund. We will take up voluntary collections during both December meetings. Hope to see you all there. 

Until then, keep on writing.

P.S. Winter has come early up north, and Season is here. Take care on the roads, it's a little crazy out there sometimes. When you are safely home or having a cup of coffee at your favorite shop, pick up your pen, and take up our challenge. January is just around the corner.