On Scene Writing

In the order of things, as you write, you will approach a scene. You peek around the corner at it. All your characters are there, milling around; waiting. You know them. They are, after all, yours. You know roughly what happens in the scene, BUT, there are ALWAYS surprises as a scene unfolds. Your characters always do the unexpected. That's what keeps writing fun and readers interested.

Garden of Forgiveness

My friend John is a proud man. Built his electrical contracting business from the ground up, He’s a good husband and father. John has reason to be proud. He worked hard for his success, but he assumes others think likewise. John is steadfast and constant as the Northern Star, but he is also inflexible and intolerant of change. When others change, John sees this as being untrue to self, and sometimes, a betrayal of him. Through conversation I discovered John sees his inflexibility as part of his strength in spite of some estranged relationships. After all, it is closely related to the determination that built his success.

My friend Mary teaches 6th grade here in town. 6th graders are a tricky bunch, but Mary does well with them. Not perfect, but better than average. She is night and day different from John. She is forgiving and tolerant. Mary has tried to be sterner in her life, but it’s not in her. As her students change, she changes with them. She is endlessly patient. In spite of her professional successes, Mary views her inability to be stricter as a flaw in her character. She told me she used to pray for a “sterner spine.”

Both John and Mary are wrong.

It is not a flaw to allow those close to you to make mistakes, to change and grow. Inflexibility is the flaw. In most cases tolerance and forgiveness nourish the vine of affection. Inflexibility kills it. Life is so much more pleasant, and relations so much richer when we exist in the Garden of Forgiveness.

Lamb or Goat

Some days you're the lamb, some days you're the goat. Either way you end up sacrificed on the altar of eventuality. Enjoy your pasture while you still have it. Jump a fence once in a while. Live.

Musing at the Tide Pool

There were a thousand footprints in the sands
of the tide pool
from my many trips to it,
but a moment ago.
Now the tide’s turned, and the beach has been washed smooth
Ready for new, other prints.
I hear echoes of a boy's laughter
From long ago.
The lonesome gull caws in the blue overhead
Sun’s setting.
Time to head home.

Two Words

It’s just two words. Two words that roll off the tongue with a pleasing balance of consonants and vowels. We uttered them with the greatest of ease and the sincerest of intention once upon a time. A warm wish meant only to confer upon the hearer all the goodness and warmth of the season. That was before we allowed the ugly weed of politics and political correctness to invade the garden of our lives and words. Today this malady has choked off the flowers, and has perverted light into darkness. Now, as I order my coffee and sit in the coffee shop this winter season, I observe friends, looking carefully over their shoulders before they furtively speak the words. Others utter them in loud defiance demanding to be heard not just by the person to whom they speak, for they, too, are making their own political statement.

I say these words now to you in their original form intending all the warmth of the hearth and brotherly love during this yuletide season.

Merry Christmas!

Cheat the Reaper

Another year I have eluded his icy grip and cheated the reaper; outrun the bill collector and taxman. But it wasn’t easy. In the book of my life, chapter 2011 will be titled Professor Mayhem. The professor’s class this past year was on the unpredictable and fragile nature of this life. He wasted no time opening the year with a stroke which killed a dear employee. Midyear a friend heart attacked out. Big health scare visited our house, but appears to have moved on, but then the child of another employee was shot. She lies paralyzed for the rest of her life. These are the big things. There were many, many smaller points made in the Professor’s class of 2011. The lessons of this year have marked me indelibly with a stamp that reads: “Fragile. Handle With Care.” Treasure what you have. However humble it may be. Love your family unconditionally. They are all you really have. They will insulate you when the cold wind of adversity howls. I am glad to bid Professor Mayhem adieu and put 2011 in the rearview mirror, and pray for smoother road ahead. I look forward to the New Year with renewed hope. Hope for my family and yours.

May this be our best yet!

Happy New Year