Managing the Ps that Bring Writers to their Knees

 

Osprey

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In August I volunteered to lead a session of Write In Louisa, a writers' group that meets monthly in a neighboring county. Its leader called for a volunteer, and I knew exactly the topic I would speak on. It is one my husband unknowingly inspired.

    In his spare time, he builds rock walls; not the kind with mortar in between each piece, but dry-stacked ones where every rock is pressed in, almost like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. If one does not fit, in contrast to cardboard puzzles, he positions a chisel and wallops it with a mallet to conform the rock to the space. Some of the rocks are small and easy to lift, but some are huge and heavy. From my observations over the years, I concluded that constructing a rock wall is not for dainty hands and weak spines. 

A Tinge of Sadness

 

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Back in May, we went to a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion, a restaurant we had not been to in years. Our entrees were delicious, but the waitress was sour. In her bad mood, or what could have been her usual grumpy disposition, she put a damper on the experience. She ignored us, did not ask if we needed anything, and barely opened her mouth, let alone, smiled. We chose not to tell her about the special occasion; I doubt it would have made any difference in her demeanor. On the way out, we skipped on complaining to the management or scrimping on the tip. 

    This unsavory incident was most unusual, as generally, when we eat out, we meet a friendly, efficient staff. I have never been a waitress (although I've served plenty of people), and I am sure that waitressing is challenging work, and that some customers can be curmudgeons, but a server taking out a bad day, or a bad life, on her diners is not a good thing. I left the restaurant feeling sad for her and for us as well. 

    Today, another damper has been cast. I feel a touch of sadness for a little girl who grew up poor in Tennessee, and became a most successful musician, because yesterday, she departed this world for another one. For as long as I have been alive, there has been a Dolly Parton, and it is hard to imagine that she is no longer among us. Even though I never sought her music or "followed" her, she was everywhere, and one only had to own a TV or a radio to see her performances or hear her voice. I have great admiration for her songwriting ability. She wrote thoughtful and meaningful songs that told stories and pulled at our hearts.

    When the movie about Dolly Parton's childhood aired on TV, I sat down to watch it, and within minutes, my eyes clouded up and dripped tears. I turned it off. I cannot explain why, but something about her childhood reminded me of mine. That is my only heartfelt connection to Dolly Parton, if there is one at all. I did finish watching the movie sometime later.

    

    So, while I intended to write on another topic today, my thoughts have taken a different direction. It's funny how the passing of someone you never met and didn't know can strum a chord of sadness. Out of respect for her amazing talent and humanitarian efforts, I write these few words for her. Rest in peace, Dolly Parton.

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A Star is Born

 

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In 2019 I came up with the hairbrained idea of making another quilt. This time, I would size it to fit our bed, which I had not done before. All of my other quilts are hanging over bannisters, resting in folds at the foot of beds, or lounging on the backs of chairs and racks. This one would be different; we would sleep under it. It would fit our queen size mattress and come down to the dust ruffle. That was the criteria, and my needle and thread would be coaxed toward that goal.

    As usual, when I sprint down the quilt trail, I jump in on all fours and start cutting and stitching, not stopping to eat a sandwich, not thinking about the future, and certainly not planning how I will accomplish certain maneuvers along my quilt making way. This failure to appropriately plan creates the potential for a disaster, but as the instructor of my first quilt course once said, "There is no mistake that cannot be fixed."