October 30, 2005
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I can hardly contain myself; I hit the jackpot tonight. Most Saturday nights I drive across the river to this coffee shop where they have great chocolate chip cookies and an open mic. It’s always an unusual assortment of proud parents and budding musicians. I think I might have mentioned the night an 85-year-old woman played keyboard.
When it was still warm out I would bring Bridget, and we’d hit the dog park after. So I didn’t stay long, usually. Tonight was different. In the dark, through the window, I was surprised to see a packed house but no teenagers milling around out front. I parked and went in to find a group of men and women MY AGE. A guy was reading poetry, and the girl who sold me the cookie whispered “they’re writers. This is a fundraiser.”
I took a bite of what has to be the best cookie recipe ever and turned to survey the audience. The men were clean and healthy, the women were wholesome and happy. One after another, they’d get up and read beautiful, funny, clever poems and prose. They all seemed to know and like each other.
What had to be a proud parent sat in front and to the left of me, her daughter next to her. The daughter was my age and had clogs on, too. Her mother was wearing one of those Scandinavian ski sweaters that are unaffordable. I bet anything she knit it herself. I couldn’t see her eyes but she wore a permanent smile. Everyone laughed at the funny parts, and the professor shed a tear as he read about his dead cousin. It was like if you all showed up. Well, it wasn’t that good, but it was nice to be around like-minded people.
When it was over the woman who co-sponsored it and whose work I thought best introduced herself, and we talked about the writing community here. My radar was going nuts when she mentioned a writers group. I ran home and looked it up. It’s FIVE MINUTES from my house and the teachers are all published. This session is just ending but there’s a party tomorrow night. I’m considering showing up in a bellydance costume.
I looked at my calendar today and remembered just a few weeks ago when I’d wondered why there was nothing on it. Now it’s completely filled up. So many things are coming my way lately and they all seem important. I have this feeling like I gotta jump on this stuff. I’m starving for information and it just keeps coming. I want to tell you about the stock market and my financial classes but this is already too long.
Comments (27)
Life is good
I want to go too! It sounds wonderful!!!! I have thought about going to the open mic nights and reading my poetry…but ah. My throat kind of closes up at the thought, you know what I mean
Hello Prudy,
I think it sounds lovlely too. I’m glad you went. When are the next classes?
Belly Dancing costume .. woo, you should!
I wish I could belly dance.
There is a coffee shop here, Cafe Deroma , I used to go listen to the poets and watch the people. It was always interesting even when the poetry was bad.
Hope you make it to the party. Sounds like fun.
RYC: Your kids sound well rounded, and that is a good attribute to you. You were lucky to be home with them. This could be why they are so nice and not rude as you said, then again it could be genes. It’s sad parents have to work so hard and never get much quality time as a family.
You know, I dont think anyone is ever too tired to go on about their kids:)
Peace and Love:)
How wonderful….meeting not one ,but a group of people who are of a similar bent…and they already have the scaffolding in place to build friendships as well as skill…yu did hit the jackpot! I do not have a headache anymore…just a cold so I am reading this morning….
and may even writean entry… first want to catch up…like one of your comments asserted…life is good….
That is so exciting! There is so much that is good in your life right now.
RYC: I posted my answer in the comments section of my site, in case anyone else was curious.
I am sitting here so happy for you and thinking, God, she is on a roll and there is no stopping her now. Cheers
Thats sounds so wonderful, so warm. It always seems to me that some things simply fall into place when the time is right and it sounds like this is your right time.
What’s the word, synchronicity? When you’re ready, you see things and find opportunities. You’ve done all this internal work, writing, thinking, dreaming… Now the dots are getting connected to that foundation you’ve been building. It’s very exciting to read about! Your energy just shines off the screen! (I’d say page but…)
Wonderful!! I know just how you feel. Open mic is such a validating experience.
Wow. I envy the opportunity with the writer’s group. Are you doing Nano as well? Ah, the insanity…
Lucky you!!!!!
Wow, what a great evening! I have often looked at your site, coming here by way of pearlbamboo. I really enjoy it, and am going to subscribe. I’m also interested in writing but not trying to do anything organized right now. I have often had ideas for novels though, and recently I actually wrote down the outline for one that occurred to me. It seemed to flow right out of my fingertips, so maybe it will happen sooner than I think.
I look forward to more of whatever you put out here. It’s always interesting, thought-provoking, and intriguing.
Hope you’re having a lovely weekend.
Hello Prudy,
I dont know about funny, but I am embarrased now! I must have been asleep!
Have fun tonight.
Peace and Love:)
Pru, Wow a writer’s group. I think this is the exact avenue you should take. RYC: I read your question in email form first then this above and I still have the same advice this is the avenue. Writing. If anything specific is given to me I will pass it along. Something about it will happen along the way, but I don’t exactly know what that means yet.
Marilyn
RYC: I’ll delete it if you really want but it didn’t come across as bossy. Just your take of things. My girls love their clothes and dress up far more than I. It’s kind of funny.
I never make it to our community arts center’s open mic night, but now I’m determined to do so. I don’t have the skills (unless reader’s theater counts), but I could be one of those proud moms. . .
Happy Halloween!
Sounds like the universe is smiling upon you! What coffee shop has the great cookies? My husband loves cookies, so we’re always open to finding a new source.
aww man, color me jealous!!!
I need to find something just like that…
That settles it… Tomorrow, I am going to research what’s available near where I live.
(ps. not too many xanga people I’d wanna meet… but you are definitely one of the few I’d like to look up one day… )
RYC yep, Ookers took us to Cracker Barrel..one of his favs. He ate and ate and I believe his dad threw in a little additional funds to get us thru. He’s very sweet.
Go for it Prudy! I need to follow your lead and get out more.
RYC: Thanks, adore is one of my favorite words.
ryc: Thanks for the advice. I too am waiting to start. I was feeling tense till yesterday. Then I decided to relax and have fun writing. I do not know if I will reach the goal or not.
Ellen said it–synchronicity. The dams have opened, the flow is strong and good. Grab on!
Fabulous! Utterly wonderful… oh, I love how your life is flowing together in such profound ways. xo
how incredible! what great timing too!!!! and slightly jealous! *grinz!
ryc: i love idea of the pond and the fish, but the reality can be quite disgusting! lol! sometimes, you get things you thought you wanted only to realize you were insane at the time!
My writing group is on line. But I do get to listen to poetry and recite my own (when I have the material and the nerve) in person at a monthly meeting in a local book store. I love going.
ah, the things that happen at coffee shops
ah, you hit a pocket of good fortune indeed with this group. what i woudln’t give….
may go to an open mike on wednesday myself, may, may, may…..