The Three Chairs: Word Shop Newsletter March 2006
Once upon a time there were three chairs: A great big leather papa bear chair that Adrianna gave us ten years ago, two twin soft mama bear chairs that Sherrie gave us and a wee baby bear chair Devorah decorated, which doesn't enter into the story at all. One day Julie was enjoying lunch in one of the mama bear chairs, when she noticed the arm was loose. "This chair is breaking," she said.
"Maybe the Lord will send us another chair," I said.
One hour later I was visiting the office next door. "I'm getting things pretty well arranged," said the new renter, "but I don't have room for this big white chair."
"We have a chair that is breaking," I said and soon carried the lovely white chair into our back room.
One day later, a soft mama bear sized chair on wheels had replaced the plastic lawn chair in front of our desk. "She brought it over from next door," Doug said.
One week later, during the Second Sunday Comedy Club producers meeting in our back room, the old mama bear chair broke all to pieces, sending Dave, the illustrious Toastmasters Division Governor, sprawling onto the floor. "That's OK," I said, "Julie said that chair was breaking. The Lord already has sent us two other ones."
"I have two blue chairs you could have," said Teresa.
Maybe the Lord will send us a bigger room.
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Sedilia
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FINDING GOD (did you think he was lost?) is a "Handbook of Christian Meditation" by Ken Kaisch. Hobie ordered this out-of-print book years ago, calling it the most complete book on prayer. I found him a couple of copies and kept the title on my want list. Every so often one would float through my computer screen--usually for well over $20. When I saw one under $20, I grabbed it. The book covers a lot of ground: Practicing the Presence, Ignatius, Jesus Prayer, Lectio Divina, Visualization, Centering... It's a bit heavy on the true self/false self dichotomy but otherwise chock full of interesting information and exercises. You can have it for $18.
Pat, who my husband and I agreed is a Great Lady, brought in a nice clutch of books including Kathleen Norris's AMAZING GRACE, WISDOM OF THE CELTIC SAINTS by Michael Mitton and FROM MAY SARTON'S WELL. Since I've enjoyed several of May Sarton's journals, I thought this collection of her writings, edited and augmented with photographs by Edith Royce Schade, might help me grow to enjoy poetry more. I slogged diligently through the poetry and arrived with relief at the prose sections. I seem to be perpetually inclined toward narrative writing. You, however, may enjoy both. Here's a quote:
"Union on a deep level is so costly that it very rarely takes place. But withdrawal, censorship, the wish to keep the surfaces smooth because any eruption spells danger and must therefore be prevented, is costly also. Censorship simply drives conflict deeper inside. What is never discussed does not for that reason cease to exist. On the contrary, it may fester and finally become a killing poison."Walt, who is NOT a Great Lady, brought in a bag of mostly contemporary fiction. The only one I'd read was Sue Monk Kidd's THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, which was wonderful despite its feminal spirituality. I also recognized MEMOIR OF A GIESHA, though I've never read it. Does anyone know about Jennifer Egan, Wendy McClure, Divakaruni, Pam Houston? A box of mass market guy's adventure fiction, with titles like SERPENT, DEEP FATHEM, HOUR GAME, was also in the mix. Foundling Fiction From & For Fortunate Friends: Few Farthings.
Why is OUR WILDEST DREAMS; Women Entrepreneurs; Making Money, Having Fun and Doing Good, on the Easter display? I don't know. Maybe I'm supposed to read it. (Some times you choose books, and sometimes they choose you.) I discovered that, according to author Joline Godfrey, my leadership style, which I always thought was simply obvious is congruent with styles of leadership women generally have and different from the classic corporate (male) model. The light dawns. And all this time I've just thought those guys were idiots... $3.
"When a woman behaves like a man, why can't she behave like a nice man?" --Dame Edith EvansUPCOMING Alliee APPEARANCES: (*Poof*) All are free, open events.
MC for the Second Sunday Comedy Club. Sunday, April 9, 4:00 at Michael's on Main in Soquel.ANOTHER UPCOMING APPEARANCE"Company of Saints" a speech for Toastmasters. Wednesday, April 19, 12:00 at Rio Sands Hotel in Aptos.
"Alexander bar Simon" a story for Good Shepherd Felowship. Sunday, April 30, 12:30 at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church off Park Ave.
A new family member via Shawn and Shannon. Due mid October. Tra La Tra La!CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS:
First Tuesday Writers: Monthly writers' group meeting. 7:15 Tuesday, April 4 at The Word Shop. $20 for six months. Guests welcome.Wisdom from Rod Heskett: "Adults can't add things to their lives; our lives are already full. We can only replace things."Edit That Story: a three hour workshop Monday, May 1 from 1:00 to 4:00. Bring a two copies of completed story (repeat: completed!) or part of a finished novel. We will work on editing themes taken from SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS by Renni Browne. Cost for the workshop is $25, or $35 if you want a copy of the book, which is usually $14.95. RSVP
Eggcetera: Anne and her daughters are leading a workshop making Ukrainian eggs. 11:30 on Monday April 10. We have room for three more people. RSVP
LIFE RULES! Friday, April 7 at 1:30.
(Unless, of course, the Lord gives us a bigger room.)
Out with the old; in with the new.
Happy Easter!
Blessings,
Alliee +