Naming the World

I always love getting a new book in the mail, especially one that I bought used for a fraction of the cost. The book that arrived last week was Naming the World and other Exercises for the Creative Writer
edited by Bret Anthony Johnston.

" A delicious book. Imagine yourself at a cocktail party crammed with literary lions. You have the
chance to spend a few moments with each of them. Wit and wisdom abound."
Julia Cameron, author of The Artist's Way

It is like spending a few moments with great writers. This book includes exercises from Dorothy Allison, Joyce Carol Oates, Tom Robbins, and Elizabeth Strout. It is divided into sections such as Getting Started, Point of View and Tone, Revision, and Daily Warm-Ups.

The chapter I just digested was entitled" Untold Stories: An Exercise To Generate Fiction" by Dorothy Allison. She introduces an exercise where you write a piece beginning with the line, " I never told anyone..."
Here is my rough draft.
" I never told anyone, but sometimes I wanted to hang out in Room 222. It made school look cool.
I never told anyone that I wished I was a boy so my dad would come and watch me do something.
Once when I was on a date when our raft capsized and we were swept into the river. I was terrified, but I never told anyone.
When I took lifesaving lessons in the old YMCA pool, the basement was creepy, but I never told anyone.

You can also shift to the line " I never told anyone, but I'll tell you..."

I never told anyone, but I'll tell you Mom that you showed amazing grace during your fight with cancer.
I never told anyone, but I'll tell you Sherri that I miss you when I need a recipe with 'secret ingredients'.
I never told anyone, but I'll tell you DR that you have helped me through a dark tunnel with your words of wisdom, listening ear, chocolate, a safe place, and a standing appointment.

I think exercises like these can help to begin a story or a memoir piece. I look forward to moving through other chapters in the book and practicing some other parts of the written word.

Sunday Scribblings: "I Come From"

I come from a childhood entwined in Easter baskets, birthday parties, Dr. Suess, visits to grandmothers' houses, snowy winters, short springs, hide and seek, Leave It To Beaver, fruitcake at Christmas, burning leaves in October, Thanksgiving potlucks, slumber parties, Sunday School, orange Crush,books from the library, the city pool,and Friday night popcorn.

I come from teen years full of spring concerts, "Everybody's Girl", school newspaper, Sadie Hawkins dances, The S& R, Thursday night GAA, Wheat Thins, Pepsi, marching in the Torchlight parade, French, To Kill a Mockingbird, typing class, long phone conversations, stolen kisses, going up the river and out to the lake, and running track.

I come from college years brimming over with laughs, friends, Mort's Club, Taco Time, on the run, the landing, The Perch, the I Tower, Hello Walk, kiddie lit, afro hairdos, Benny and the Jets, student teaching at Ramsey, house president, sunbathing on the deck, working at "the cage", Boville Run, wind,and the arboretum.

I come from early adulthood packed with making bulletin boards, my first car,serious relationships, dancing on week-ends, a wedding, moving away, book groups, going back to school, happy hours, learning piano, teacher friends, "Bowling Babes", writing workshop, changing grade levels, first lattes, dinner gatherings, first dogs, lots of books, fresh pressed cider, recipe collecting, cabin in Idaho, wine tours, hot summers, family gatherings, illness,bird dogs, never slowing down, black holes,The Book Worm, broken marriage, growing flowers, alone, Oregon coast, therapy, moving, good-bye.

I come from a change in life that includes a small school, moving, Friday afternoon football,Lake Roosevelt, finding my place, the guy across the road, dogs and cats, The Hitching Post, coming out of the darkness, writing retreats, four seasons, depression, teaching and learning, therapy, Aunties Bookstore, gardening, July in Moscow, the ferry, family gatherings, pow wows, a camera, road trips, the reservation, camping, new friends and family, Starbucks, finding state parks,nesting, slowing down, blogging, memoirs, Garden Valley Church, being a true fan, red shoes, siblings,online book groups, Camp Aunt Christy, trips to town, love, contentment,peace and quiet.

To read other Sunday Scribblings on " I Come From" go here.

Gonzaga's Goodson Grabs the Spotlight: On to The Sweet Sixteen!

Freshman Demetri Goodson scored a layup with 0.9 seconds left to lift the Zags to a 83-81 victory over Western Kentucky. I love the photo moment above with senior guard Jeremy Pargo embracing freshman Goodson. Goodson's face says it all.... excuse me a moment... I just heard Coach Few say in the uncut interview that the only name the team knows him by is "Meach". The Bulldogs advance to the Sweet Sixteen and take on North Carolina in Memphis on Friday. After this nail biter I have given up on having nails until the tournament is over. Annie also sequestered herself to her dog carrier until I calmed down this evening. I better go let her know who won!

Above "Meach" is in a victory huddle with Austin Daye, Matt Bouldin, and others. He said after the game that the last time he tried the game winning shot was in fifth grade. He made that one also!

Photo Hunt: Yellow

a collection of yellow images from the photo album

To view other photo hunts using yellow go here.

Vernal Equinox

Today is finally the first day of spring. I think this year spring may become my new favorite season. We have waited so long for this season to arrive. We have observed white, dirty, icy, and lingering snow. We have watched icicles grow longer, broader, and eventually slip off the gutters. Now I can see the sandy shoreline of the lake below our house.

Now the boxwood are actually looking greener.

The pond would not hold up the dogs now. There is evidence of water on the sides.

Now I have spotted tulips emerging from the ground.

The snow in summer is showing new growth on the rock wall by the pond.

Happy First Day of Spring...
it can only improve from here!

Jitters, Josh, and Jubilation

As the Gonzaga Bulldogs were finished up the first half tonight in their NCAA tournament game against Akron I had the jitters. The game was close. Things were not running quite as smoothly as this Zags fan had wished for. Beads of sweat popped out of the forehead, deep breathing was taking over, and exhaustion was setting in. That was just what was happening to me watching the game! I had to regroup over half time so I could survive watching the second half. Suddenly everything began to fall together.

Josh Heytvelt scored 22 points, seven of those in a late run in the second half. Josh and the rest of the Bulldogs helped my blood pressure immensely by rallying to beat Akron 77-64 . Heytvelt also had eight rebounds. He stood out in my mind tonight as a player with a mission, but he was surrounded by a whole team that had a mission. They wanted to play another game is this tournament.

As the last second ticked away I was filled with jubilation. The Zags were victorious plus I got to recuperate from an intense couple of hours. I even pounded my chest like Micah Downs when he made a big shot in the second half. No wonder I was having trouble breathing when the final buzzer went off.