Here are my daffodils gone wild that I should have included last week. Took a while to find the photo. I haven't quite mastered Photoshop. Actually, I can't even use the organizer, probably the simplest part of Photoshop. Now, I can't take a class to learn. My version is obsolete. There's a lesson there: Do it now. Whatever it is -- do it now.
Susan Sanders is a great example of what happens when you do it now. I met Susan when she came to a life story writing class I was teaching.
A little more than a year ago, Susan's partner of twenty years passed away after a sudden illness. Susan had been keeping journals for years; but after Kathy Ruth's death, Susan started new writing, and in one year, wrote and self-published a 208-page soft cover memoir -- Quicksand, A Love Story.
Susan was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. The back cover of the book describes her this way: "... this Southern woman was different. Yes, she was married. Her husband was a doctor. She was a psychotherapist. But, she was also gay.
Okay, if you are having a little jolt of discomfort because you are reading about a gay woman here, let me tell you about something that has been in the news lately. One important way to keep your brain active and lively as you age, is to engage in discussion about new ideas, even ideas with which you disagree. You may never agree, but it will give your brain a workout. Or maybe a memoir by a gay woman is fine with you.
Either way, when you read Susan's story, you can't help but relate to the universal themes of love and grief. And, through Susan's efforts there is now a gay-lesbian grief support group in Kansas City.
Susan will be signing her book on Saturday, May 8, 1-3 pm, at the Border's on Metcalf just south of 119th in Overland Park, Kansas. The book is funny and sad and enlightening. The signing is worth attending just to meet Susan and to hear her southern accent.
Susan told me she had been trying to figure out how to shape all the writing in her journals into a memoir. She said that a line from my Write Your Life Story in Eight Weeks Workbook (available at www.angelinyourinkwell.com/buy.html) was the key to the process. The line (p.16): Imagine yourself at lunch with a friend.
So -- what is the Writing Tip today? Do it now.
WRITING PROMPT
Answer the following question. Imagine yourself at lunch with a friend. The friend asks, "How did you become the person you are today?"
CHOCOLATE INKWELL
This is a recipe so simple you can do it now. I think this recipe is from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine. (When will I remember to name and date pages I rip from magazines?) If your morning was like mine -- furnace repair and health insurance company telephone recordings -- we deserve this comforting treat, don't you think?
Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter on Pound Cake Sandwiches
Butter 4 slices pound cake. Place 2 slices, buttered side down, on a work surface.
Top each with 1 1/2 teaspoons creamy peanut butter and 1 tablespoon melted milk chocolate.
Top each with 1 slice pound cake, buttered side up.
Heat a medium skillet over medium. Add sandwiches and toast, flipping once, until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
Slice each sandwich into 4 pieces and serve warm. (Serves 4)
My note: Oh yeah? Make that Serves 1.
Find more writing resources and fun stuff at www.angelinyourinkwell.com
