by Valynne | Apr 4, 2010 | Writers and Readers |
Spring
“LEISURE”
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
By Wm. Henry Davies
* This is one of Paul’s favorite poems…would you like to share one of yours? If so, please leave it in the comments section. Thank you for sharing with us.
by Valynne | Jan 15, 2010 | Travel, Writers and Readers |
How fun is it that I found myself in NYC the very same week that GWW (Gotham Writers’ Workshop) held their annual Winter Open House? Much fun, for me and for Paul, who (being the gentleman that he is) escorted me to the classroom on Bowery (Lower East Side) then had himself a pint or two at McSorley’s Old Ale House while I learned how much there is to learn about writing.
The first class (Nonfiction Writing) was taught by Pauline Millard, who had me at “I write for the The Huffington Post”. I love that she stressed that in order to be a good writer, one really must read. I can do that. I know there is more to being a writer than reading a lot, but it’s a good start, isn’t it?
Ms. Millard gave us several writing prompts (my favorite being “Write about someone you can’t stand”). A few brave souls shared their five minute manifestos with the rest of us (apparently we all have someone or something we can’t stand – relief all around). She suggested we read On Writing by Stephen King. Being the good (i.e. obsessive) student that I am, I decided I must read that book. Now.
Evan Rehill taught the second class (Creative Writing). I enjoyed his teaching style (fired up) and the fact that he felt mortally wounded by a paper cut inflicted upon him last class. I wanted to know (and still do) what the tattoo on his inner wrist symbolized (it looked like a star that had lines missing). Don’t ask me why I didn’t ask him – I don’t know why – just didn’t. Maybe I will e-mail him.
Mr. Rehill taught that the words coming to life are what we give to the reader and gave us the following writing prompt: “Pick an ordinary object and infuse it with magic”. OK, got it. Next prompt? “Add conflict”. What does my character want? What is in the way? Juicy. Let’s make the impossible possible, shall we?
Now, of course, I want to take classes every Saturday in NYC. The classes aren’t too expensive, but the travel (train, parking, subway, etc) would run a couple hundred a week, easy. Alas. GWW does offer classes online, which I typically shy away from…will have to think about it. Meantime, thank you Gotham Writers’ Workshop for enriching my NYC experience!
by Valynne | Dec 7, 2009 | Simple Living, Social Media Experiments, Writers and Readers |
Got Thoughts?
Thanks to Keeping in Touch (Part I) I received several letters these past few weeks, each one deliciously written by hand. Highlights include a card with teacups and coffee mugs on it’s cover, bought along with an assortment at an estate sale. The letter inside was thick and juicy, it’s author having been a writer of newspaper articles at one time. Then there was the sparkly fairy card with a photo and new (and exciting) business card enclosed – how fun is that? Then, the card-as-art; sweet black and white satin-like dress flowing in the wind, handmade with such detail that everyone who saw it wanted to know if cardmaking was what the giver did for a living. And the fuzzy fall flower card. I even received a post-it note attached to a pair of dual purpose pink slippers (they polish the hardwood floors – I am not kidding). I have not worn them, because they are considered my first Christmas present and are going under the Christmas tree…You are getting the idea, I am sure…each piece of mail gave me pause for thought and sentiment. Delightful, really.
This year, I am writing out Christmas cards. In time for Christmas. I did this religiously when I was younger. The older generation still makes this a priority and I am determined to keep the tradition alive. Are you writing out Christmas cards? And yes, sending picture postcards of your kids totally counts in my book. A picture; a thousand words. I love pictures of other peoples kids! Or their new home, or their animals. LOVE THEM. I save them and savour them years later. Let that be some consolation to those of you who I have let down over the years in the “keeping in touch” department.
Thank you to everyone who has kept in touch by commenting on our blog. Tomorrow is the last date to enter your comment(s) into our First Annual Christmastime Contest drawing. I will announce the lucky winner before bedtime tomorrow night…
by Valynne | Nov 4, 2009 | Caretaking / House and Pet Sitting, Friends of Caretaking Couple, Simple Living, Social Media Experiments, Writers and Readers |
Today, I am researching all things caretaking. There is so much more info out there now! When I was caretaking in my early twenties, it was word of mouth alone…no forums or links to articles or websites (that I knew of, anyway). Still, I managed to keep myself busy; oftentimes I would go from sit to sit.
Now it is easier to find quality caretaking jobs/caretakers than ever. And no, I am not getting paid by anyone in the industry to say this – I am just a big fan of living simply and within one’s means (better late than never). Anyway, here is the link to the interesting NYT article…
www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/greathomesanddestinations/15caretaker.html?_r=1
Pretty cool, eh? If you have any great pieces of information on this subject please let me know. My goal is to have this site be an interactive point of reference for anyone interested in caretaking as well as a great way to keep in touch with everyone while on our caretaking adventures…
by Valynne | Nov 1, 2009 | Blogging Tips, Simple Living, Writers and Readers |
Here it is, another Sunday. Paul is off to pick up a newspaper and some bagels. I am sitting in the living room with Milo, who is enjoying his second nap of the morning. It is the day of rest, after all. My plans include reading the paper, taking down the Halloween decorations, doing a bit of cleaning, hanging with the dogs (Ty comes home today!) and writing letters. Yes, writing letters. Pen on paper. I’ve always said I love receiving letters…especially tucked into a card that has been picked out or sometimes even made (thank you, cousin Jenna) just for me. I have three big boxes full of letters and cards, and wedding invitations, and birth announcements that have been sent through the years. No, I am not a horder in general – just in love with all things handwritten. Old photos intrigue me also. Sadly, I haven’t had to buy a new letter box for over a decade…which is around the time we all started taking this whole e-mail phenomenon so seriously. There are many ways to keep in touch nowadays…still, I miss the handwritten letter. Do you?
Last night, I signed back onto Facebook after several months on the wagon. I wanted to see pics of my friend Suz’s new house and all of the Halloween costumes I knew would be posted. Hours later, I thought here I am again, feeling like an addict, unable to pry my face away from the screen. I love the concept, it is just overwhelming and time consuming with all of the extra stuff. I want to keep in touch without feeling obligated to answer interview questions and get poked and quizzed and join everyone’s cause and on and on. I know one is supposed to be social media savvy these days, especially when one owns her own business, etc. It just seems like a bit much. Twitter, I feel, would only add fuel to my ADD fire. Linked In seems a bit stuffy. Am I missing something?
In my perfect world, all of you would have a blog. I love blogs. They allow me to really get to know a person/entity at my leisure. They oftentimes entertain, inspire, and sometimes even motivate. I know not everyone fancies themselves a writer or a techy-type, but I honestly find blogging to be simpler than all of this other stuff (WordPress for Dummies might have had something to do with it, too) . And it doesn’t have to be along the lines of Shakespeare (obviously). Setting up a blog is easy and free, in most cases. Are you thinking of starting a blog? If you already have a blog, would you share it with me please? Perhaps I will get around to writing letters to all of you. In the meantime, feel free to read my blog. If you comment, I will comment back. It’s fun!
