Thursday, January 31, 2013

Memoir Summary With Kathleen Marsh

I didn't take a photo when Kathleen Marsh presented her wonderful teaching on memoir writing June 2009. A wonderful group of writers gathered at the Lighthouse Christian Writer's Group meeting anticipating the wonderful memories they could write. She inspred each one of us and gave healthy guidelines such as: never write a negitive report about those you write about in your memoir. Doing so would only hurt the person, possibly others, and could bring a separation with your family and or friends. Write those memories to encourage, build, and edify! As I looked over the notes I thought iw would be a true motivator if I looked over some photos to trigger some ideas....

Alex's birthday party...a few years ago. So many friends
hanging out and enjoying a good time. Do you think they hate
cake?
 
 Becky McLafferty and me at a writer's conference!
Sorry, I don't know how to turn the phot! You can see what an
aweful time we had there! 
 Same birthday party for Alex! Family loving time together.
So much laughter, our daughter Jackie taking care of
business. She organizes  family parties and get-togethers so well!
Pat my sister and MeKenzie (sp) Ha ha!! My sister's grandaughter is
all grown up now-- practically...this is also an old photo!
Pat and I've shared so many perfectly precious moments!
 

Kathleen Marsh has a wonderful, whimsical way of inspiring others to dip the tip of their pens in the intriguing ink of positively  personal storytelling. If ever a person wanted to leave a legacy, which would be viewed with eager respect and wide-eyed expectation, they'd doubly want to delve into the experience of memoir writing. Kathleen left me hungering for those special blocks of time where one can write and write and write some more to one’s heart’s desire. There are so many positive, uplifting true stories that I would love to share with my great-grandchildren. This would be as exciting for me as touching fingertips with them over the forbidden time line. Don’t worry, I’m aware that only the written word can cross such barriers. Take a stroll down the quiet, scented gardens of your mind. Dig deep into the riches of your vast experience and keen observations and prepare to share your delightful and thrilling memories with those who are not yet born. Dare to reveal that splash of surprise and curious moments, which would be lost forever had you not shared….



 Check out those muscles boys!! Strutt your stuff! Didn't they all
collapse when they got done showing off..Oh I'm not
supposed to tell that part -- right!!
 My brother, just as I think of him. He has that quirkey humor..
What is on his mind anyway? This was taken a few
years ago also!
 My two grandsons and some of Pat's grandchildren also.
We had so much fun with them that day!
Goodness another photo of Alex's party....looks like writing
material..where is my pen??????
 
Here is the challenge, pick a memory,one that stirrs your hear and start writing!



Monday, January 28, 2013

Theodore the Invading Inspiration







My husband and I have recently attempted to lose weight, diet so-to-speak. Well, he has been sneaking extra chips and MY cereal into his man cave for snacking.  The whole reward for losing weight was to be a new kitchen. You see the current kitchen is awkward, small, and offers very little counter space. It’s vital to have adequate counter space when the lady of the house likes, needs, and always seems to ‘stack’ important papers and catalogues in the kitchen. Of course, I informed him that since he is cheating and eating more than the allowable amount, I alone would have to lose weight to win the kitchen!

I needed something out of the basement freezer, so I went down stairs. Hold on reader, this is related I promise! A sound caught my attention. That creepy scratching and digging that you instinctively know is food being pushed around inside a box. It must be my cereal that was being invaded. (By the husband the previous night and something else this morning. Sometimes it’s awful to be right. There in the bottom of my fiber cereal is the cutest mouse. Well, to my surprise the mouse had never knocked over the box. It had merely climbed up, crowned the top of the lid, and fell straight in.

I pinched the box shut, forgetting the freezer, and made my way upstairs. Truly my husband would know what to do. I should give ‘it’ a name. I don’t care to call it– ‘it’ throughout this entire true story. Theodore, how is that for a name of a smart mouse? Dear reader, please forget any chipmunks you know by that name. Focus on this story.

I told my husband he had to kill the mouse. He of course refused and told me that was my job. We finally decided to flush the mouse. It seemed the quickest, most humane way to kill a rodent. (Previously I set traps that only provided a feast for Theodore and his friends. They were so talented and skilled at robbing a mousetrap that, well, they have never sprung one of my traps.)

My flushing attempt not only cost me a lot of stress and anxiety, it also didn’t work. Theodore held on to the bottom of the bowl as the water swirled down the hole. My husband had mercy and took over. Flushing finally worked for him--how—I don’t know and don’t care. I was almost hyperventilating by this time and had to leave the room. My husband teased me and asked if I would be afraid that the mouse would climb out of the toilet. What a ridiculous thought of course.

A week after this event the cat still seemed too interested in the small space behind the wood cabinet in the bathroom. She would sit and wait and watch the unseen hidden area. I couldn’t stand it anymore and moved the small cabinet and found…Theodore euwwwww!!  Zoey chased the him. This looked disgusting but promising. I shut the bathroom door while my hubby slept away unaware. Theodore ran back and forth. I jumped up and down and yelled softly making myself cheer Zoey on. Maybe with a little encouragement… Unfortunately, our cat is useless in the art and capture of mice. First hand I witnesses boredom settle into Zoey’s expression then she turned her head to find something more interesting. She ignored a perfectly terrified mouse and allowed Theodore to get away. Theodore climbed up the shower curtain and perched on top of the rod. This capture depended totally on me now. How terribly disappointing. I ran to the kitchen and grabbed an old container. Eventually this very fast, energetic mouse found itself trapped inside walls of plastic.

When I placed the clear container on the bathroom counter the cat walked right past, never realizing the furry invaders presence. I escorted our unwelcome intruder to the kitchen and our perfect puppy, Porschea, knew we had company. This leaping Leo has one talented nose. She sniffed all around not suspecting the presence inside the container. Later on my way to work, I asked for assistance from a young lady I give a ride to in the morning. She bravely held  Theodore’s container. We drove to Lake Michigan’s shoreline and dropped Theodore off to his new forever home. This time he ran in circles of joy, even running back to me before he turned and ran in the opposite direction. I only knew Theodore for a few minutes, stressful ones for both of us for sure, but when I visit this spot on the lakeshore in the future, I will always watch my step. He could be running around carefree and I wouldn’t want to give him a scare. His zest for life and fullness of joy at this fresh opportunity for a new start was rather inspiring.

Thank you Theodore, wherever you are. You’ve made a new home; hopefully, not among any of the houses which line the other side of the highway.  Reader imagine Theodore’s view of the lake, stunning skies, and beautiful flowers when springtime arrives. Oh that we would open our eyes with his joy and expectation. We have so much to look forward to! Okay everyone, get ready and run….

 
 

Saturday, January 12, 2013

I Believe LOVE is the Answer...LOVE Will Find the Way




I Believe LOVE is the Answer

I Believe Love Will Find the Way

By Susan Marlene Kinney

January 12, 2013

Ps. 31:16 Let your face shine on your servant, save me in your unfailing love.

Love stories. We are drawn into novel land, whether we plunge into the romance of the century or are warmed to the tale of men and women who brave wars or other seemingly insurmountable situations. Yes, something larger than the customary and mediocre happenings grabs our attention. But the glue, which holds us captive, is relationships.

I believe the love we seek and crave is bundled with magnanimous hues of strength and grace. We were born to seek out love. We certainly need acceptance and to know that we are significant in this troubled world. I believe LOVE is the answer. I believe LOVE will find the way through troubled valleys or slippery cliffs. I don’t believe the counterfeits of sordid love affairs that the world promotes, has any value. I believe those shallow tales have done the greatest harm and have caused many young women and men to settle for selfishness. The greatest love story is God’s love letter to us. The holy word speaks of the purest love, the kind of love we really need. It begins with the Trinity creating the earth, our setting, and Adam and Eve, the human race. It ends with the Son of God, our savior, whisking us away, rescuing us from unimaginable terrors and suffering to bring us to our forever happy ending.

Passionate, perfect love for us shows forth every day, through glistening sunshine or blacked clouds zigzagged with lightning bolts. His love pierces our darkest days, bringing our significance to light. Let your face shine on your servant…and so it does. How precious it is that we are more than servants, we are daughters and sons of the King of Kings! He woos our hearts, all we have to do is respond to His call.  Then we will have the sweet victory and witness that LOVE will find a way.

We long for courageous, unselfish heroes, individuals willing to enter the fray on our behalf and risk it all, because they are strong, valiant, and able to win our hearts. We long for the lasting, uncommon exciting love story. Whether we write romance or contemporary, no matter the genre, we desire to find answers, to find and be inspired by perfect love. My advice is that we spend time with the Lover of Our Souls for He is our Anchor, our Bright Morning Star. He is our Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace our Bridegroom. He will inspire and thrill our hearts as we draw near to Him, seek Him out like precious silver and gold. The story of His creation of the earth (HEBREWS CHAPTER 1), sacrifice on the cross, and the great day when He rescues us, bringing us to our heavenly, eternal home is fantastic. But the relationship… that is the glue and what makes our hearts race to find LOVE.

Love is the answer. Love will find the way….   


 

 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

PENS OF PRAISE MEETING


PENS OF PRAISE
Christian Writers Group

Next meeting…
Saturday, January 12th  ~  10:00 am – 12:00 pm

at

Faith Church

2201  42nd Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220

§   Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods

§   Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43

§    

The teaching for October is called “Perfect Pairings: Crafting Hero/Heroine’s Who Were Made For Each Other” Taught by Susan Kinney

Our prompt for October is…

 Write a recommendation for a book you enjoyed or felt useful.

Also, you are invited to bring a short five minute sample of you own work in progress if you so desire to share it in a safe friendly environment. This is not required to attend the meeting.

We may share a book report on a novel or a “how to” for writing!
 

Remember - visit a local shop and bring your coffee or cappuccino with you.

Let us know if you’re attending so we can save a seat just for you.

If you have questions or concerns call Becky McLafferty at (920)758-9196 or e-mail her at mclafferty@lakefield.net or call Susan Kinney at (920)242-3631 or e-mail her at                      cal-suek@charter.net or susanmarlenekinney@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you there! May God bless you richly and always as you write for His glory!