JULY 20, 2022

We were short on discussion time for this second meeting in July, so we moved into our reading venue after a bit of frivolity and chit-chat.

Leading off the evening was Ed Ellis. Ed published his long-awaited book, Engage Possibility, A Model and Bridge for Individual Independence, this month. Ed asked, “What makes the Mona Lisa so famous?” He recorded all the answers he received. Interesting, he says it has something to do with his next book. Hmm???

Have you ever wondered how it feels to be part of the dark drug scene? Our own Tish Mcauley can tell you. She is telling us as she reads from her book in progress, Angel. Almost daily, fear, abuse, and terrible illness are part of life. Any strange car in the area might mean police are about to break down your door and take you to jail. The phone ringing sends chills up your spine, and so-called “friends” desert you and steal your belongings and money before they run away. Can you call that a life?

This time we’re back with Emperor Constantine, as Ernie Ovitz reads Chapter 17 of his historical trilogy. The Emperor has an ally in the camp of his dissenters, Strategus. A death in the ranks of the potent Arvell Fathers gives Constantine a chance to install someone of his liking. However, Strategus brings a compromise to him as they meet aboard a trimaran warship.

Blessed to have several outstanding poets in our ranks, Scott Anderson is one of the best. Reading a poem entitled Shooter, Scott tells us it’s one of the darkest works he’d done in a long time. Herein a youngster contemplates his life and actions. The dice roll touches his heart, soul, and spirit in Scott’s poignant words.

Do you know Gaia? Bruce Haedrich does, and he is sharing a lengthy letter from our Mother Earth (Gaia) with us, the second of Gaia’s letters. It contains some interesting information. In Chapter Two of Gaia II, a Planet in Peril, Gaia tells of The History You Do Not Know. Did you know extinctions are commonplace on our planet? Keep an eye out for Bruce’s subsequent publication.

As a writer, we face some truly extraordinary challenges. For instance, Peter Frickel recently played host to two remarkable young girls, his granddaughters. Though wonderful to have them around, visitors do distract writers. Even though the girls were there, Peter carved out a few hours to write. Sitting in his garden, he contemplated; Inanimate Objects, such as a river stone, so silent and robust; Hands, soft, loving, firm, and confident; and the Mockingbird, such a clever devil to sing songs not his own. Peter now has the distinction of being A Celestial Super Nova, as he has self-initiated himself after hearing the story of Gaia.

Another poet of distinction took the floor as Don Westerfield strode to the podium. As he read Play for Me Again Those Old Songs, his first reading brought a lump to my throat. Memories danced across my mind as title and artist names came to me clearly at their mention. As the memories in my brain faded, Don came forth with another offering, Healing Time. Looking through the window of time, the poet sees a changing world filled with mysteries solved and unsolved and regrets fulfilled and unfulfilled dreams. Then, just as I was catching my breath, another beautiful story came from Don’s lips. I’ve Never Chased Butterflies looks back in time remembering those wonderful things the poet has done, but wonders and regrets not having stopped to smell the flowers; touch a rainbow, or chase a butterfly

Two very close friends and a bully inhabited Richard Cope’s part three of his story Those Who Trespass Against Us. As the three friends play in a swimming hole below a highway bridge, a car stops on the bridge, and someone tosses a burlap bag into the deepest water. The bag wriggles and clanks as it strikes the water’s surface. Our young hero dives into the water and must dive deep to retrieve the bag. Finally ashore, the three friends open the bag to find it contains metal and three puppies. Two of the pups don’t make it because they’d inhaled too much water. The third, however, is alive and full of spirit. Who threw the bag into the water? We might find out in later readings, or maybe we’ll have to wait until Richard publishes the story.

James Kelly took the floor and read an amusing scene from his newly published book, These Sacred Lands. The young Lieutenant Mackinsey’s wife awakens him early in the morning. “It’s time,” she says. The flustered first-time father stumbles outside, rousing the woman next door, on his way to fetch the Doctor. To all of us who were first-time fathers, we felt empathy for the confused young soldier.

Well, that about does it for this week. It’s hot outside and staying inside with air-conditioning sounds like an excellent reason to write. When you get tired, take a break, and read a good book. Even if you like to be out in the heat. KEEP ON WRITING!