The July
meeting of the Hill Country Women of Words was summed up best by one of our
illustrious members, Linda Christensen, who said, “I learned so much today.”
That’s what we’re all about – learning from each other
Sally Clark, Shelley Burkhalter, Judith
Vost, Alice Kolb, Paula Bramlett and Lynn Harris attended the Johnson City Writers
Event to hear author and speaker Nancy Robinson Masters on June 28th.
Sally, Shelley, and Judith were all at the meeting so we shared how much we
enjoyed the day (and the food) and Nancy. She is a very good speaker and I
hope we can get her to come speak in Fredericksburg sometime.
Linda Christensen was the first one to read. Linda
and her husband, Jerry, are working hard to bring a half-way house to Fredericksburg for women recovering from
alcoholism. They are working in conjunction with their church, Holy Ghost
Lutheran, and Linda is keeping a diary of each step of the process. She brought
us her notes and emails. This is a worthwhile project for sure and we are all
praying it becomes a reality. I’m sure there will be many challenges along the
way, but it will be a real blessing to so many women.
Liz Brookshire was with us this month. Liz has
been out for awhile, but I’m so glad she came today. She brought a story called,
“Memories of Old Turner Hall.” Liz’s wedding reception was there. Do you know
why it is called Turner Hall (it’s not because of someone named Turner)? Now I
do. We feel the newspaper should run Liz’s story and other’s like it, so
everyone can know more of the Turner Hall history. I hope they will decide to
rebuild it.
Sally Clark brought a new picture book, Marmalade’s Words, a story of a little
girl? mouse? whatever? who likes to collect happy words all through her day and
carry them home in her little basket. But what will she do with the stinky,
heavy, biting words that some of her friends throw at her? Will she let them
weigh her down? Sally also brought copies of two new anthologies that each
feature one of Sally’s poems, Bearing the
Mask: Southwestern Person Poems and Texas Poetry Calendar
2016. Both are
published by Dos Gatos Press. So sad this is the last TX Poetry Calendar.
Barbara Loyd brought us a new project – a
calendar of colors. Today, she brought “A Fish of a Different Color” about Koi
ponds and how people have bred the fish for their colors. So interesting! This
would be a beautiful calendar, Barbara. She also brought an essay on “Can
Animals See Color?” What do you think? For years, the experts have told us no,
they only see black and white, but current research proves that theory wrong.
Wonderful writing, Barbara.
Shelley Burkhalter brought us the continuing saga of
the “Mermaids of West Texas.” Such a good story! Shelley read the first part of
this chapter at TWiG a few weeks ago. This week we learned about Dugan and
Gable’s run in with No-Neck at the country western dance. This is prime West Texas in the 70s and we’re really
enjoying it.
Judith Rost has written a new picture book, The True Story of Buster, the Handicapped
Bat. Would you believe Judith’s daughter had a pet bat? I’ve never heard of
anybody who kept a bat as a pet, but Jodi, Judith’s daughter did. This could
really be a fun picture book and very unusual. I think I’d freak out, too, if I
saw a tiny little bat face peaking out from somebody’s shirt collar!
Mary Eckert emailed to say: “Miss all of you. Summer is keeping me busy with grandkids coming and going. Also helping Dewey with summer harvesting on the farm. Don't give up on me....I shall return! Blessings Mary
Megan Willome also emailed: “I won’t be
there tomorrow—doing an interview (for her book.)” Megan will be speaking at Zion Lutheran in August and I
will put more information out about that later and also about an online poetry
course Megan will be teaching starting in September.
Stay cool this summer and let it rain!
Love, Sally
