The Hill
Country Women of Words June meeting was small, but so much fun!
Sheila Kale gave us our writing prompt: “We
waited...” We didn’t wait – we wrote for 10 minutes and then shared our words.
Barbara Loyd brought two poems and a story all
attributed to neighbors. “In the Path of Progress,” a lament to the five trees
which once stood on the lot next door shading her studio (in Tulsa, OK, not
Fredericksburg) and how sad it was to see her “neighbors” lopped down,
shredded, and carted away. Barbara also brought a creative nonfiction piece
called, “Ballet Trauma,” not an experience of her own, but an experience of one
of her neighbors. It was good to be reminded that we never know the trauma
somebody else may be in, even in the most entertaining circumstances. Barbara’s
second poem, “Bounty,” was a tribute to her neighbor’s vegetable garden which
Barbara got to pick while her neighbor was on vacation. Thanks to Barbara and
her neighbors for their inspiration.
Paula Bramlett is continuing to work on her
story of Sacajawea which will be part of her book, Sassy Cowgirls. Paula brought a sample of the research she does for
her stories. Her research is extensive and that’s part of the reason why her
stories are so well written. Thanks, Paula.
Sally Clark brought news that the story she
read at WOW last month, “Sidney’s Story,” has been accepted by
Purpose Magazine for their February 2018 issue. This story is a shortened
version of a longer piece, “The Christmas Card,” which was previously published
in Tyndale House’s anthology, Life Savors,
in 2008. Recycle, recycle, recycle! This is my second time to be published in
Purpose.
Sheila Kale didn’t have anything to read, so
she read Linda Blalock’s story that appeared in the Fredericksburg Standard
newspaper for winning First Place in the Fredericksburg Writers
Conference’s annual contest. We all enjoyed it. I hope you got a chance to read
it.
Judith Rost is still in Minnesota.
Linda Christensen couldn’t make the meeting because
she had just returned from Illinois the night before, but Linda is a
regular TWiG attendee so we keep up with her there.
Megan Willome is the new editor at Tweetspeak
Poetry. Congratulations, Megan!
Sheila Kale’s daughter and five grandchildren
are in town for the next two weeks, so we probably won’t be seeing her at TWiG for
awhile.
I had a
nice email from Sheila Barnett in Johnson City saying, “I still get your
messages and it is good to keep up with everyone. I don’t know how I’ve
gotten so oversubscribed with all kinds of “things,” but such is the case.
I doubt I will get back to writing anytime soon, but I do miss the group
of writers. Maybe someday things will slow down, but I’m not holding my
breath.
We are
doing well. This summer we are doing our summer lunch program for local
kids who need a free lunch during the time school is out. It is 3 days a
week at our church, hot meals, and while I don’t have to cook every day, I do need
to be there to answer questions from the cooks and open (and close) the
Activity center doors. We serve from 11-12:30, Monday, Wednesday and
Friday. We have cooking teams from 4 local churches., and three provide 2
teams. It is really a community effort.
I hope
you are well and I do miss the group.”
Shelley Burkhalter has taken a full-time job at the
Kerrville Public Library. We will miss her so much. I really enjoy Shelley’s
writing. She promised to stay in touch and let us know of any writing events at
the library in Kerrville.
Don’t
forget about TWiG every Tuesday, at 1:00 p.m. in the downstairs meeting room of
Chase Bank. Everybody is welcome.
Keep
cool, keep writing, and let it rain!
