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THREE BIG WORDS
The word “Still” can be an adjective, adverb, conjunction, noun, or verb. Its versatility intrigues me; it resonates with me. The word “Talking” is also a versatile word. In one form or another, it defines or captures the essence of me. I have been---currently am---and always will be a capital “T” Talker. Talking is my modus operandi. It has catapulted me into and out of opportunity and trouble over and again. Since childhood! Oh, and the word “Writing” can be a noun or a verb. Or even an adjective – writing table, writing discipline, writing fool… In October 2023, my friend and Transformational Speaking coach, Gail Larsen, encouraged and challenged me to present 80 inspirational storytelling talks during my 80th year. Challenge accepted! But not fully achieved. And now I’m in my 82nd year. Still Talking! To date, I have spoken at three churches, a new age spiritual center, the Rotary Club (twice), a travel bookstore, a dinner party for young businesswomen, four book clubs, the New Mexico Speakers’ Association, and numerous Zooms! I speak and write on! And on! Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose! |
In the first grade, in front of the whole class, my teacher reprimanded me for “reading ahead”. The pages at the beginning of our FRIENDS and NEIGHBORS reading book had simple learning-to-read sentences, like “See Dick run” and “Jump Spot, jump.” Those pages were far too b-o-r-i-n-g for a six-year-old girl who had been reading for years!! By reading ahead, I discovered some really interesting stories towards the back of the book. One story fascinated me from the moment I turned to the colorful and intriguing illustrations. It still figures in my thoughts, writing, and conversations – from time to time. It’s all about a greedy old woman who refused to share her (plentiful) cakes with a hungry stranger. So, the hungry stranger (who had magical powers) turned the selfish old woman into a woodpecker, condemning her to forage for food, in the forest, for forever…Wow! What a powerful story I thought -- way back in the 1940s. Still powerful today.
In the third grade, because I kept talking when we were supposed to be listening, the teacher moved my desk to SIBERIA---an area at the very back of the room, away from all the well-behaved, rule-following kids in my class. I think I had been warned a couple of times. I still talk too much.
Follow instructions. Stay in line. Be quiet, Play by the rules. These are some early lessons I never quite took to heart. The benefits and repercussions of my kind of willfulness have led and followed me throughout my long life.
Reading ahead…Thinking ahead…Wandering ahead…and Wondering have characterized my life for decades and decades. More recently, wandering and wondering are taking me back to some of my beginnings. Time can do that.
These thoughts and memories bring me to this neglected Blog, on this website-of-all-possibilities. Here, I can write about talking--and talk about writing--and do my best to make sense, through storytelling and speaking, and communicating some of the truth, beauty, ideas, adventures, and lessons that have tsunami-ed me to this exciting octogenarian benchmark.
On this blog, with the remaining segments of my Still Moving life, I plan to share some of the adventures, lessons, and ideas that have delivered me to HERE.
In the third grade, because I kept talking when we were supposed to be listening, the teacher moved my desk to SIBERIA---an area at the very back of the room, away from all the well-behaved, rule-following kids in my class. I think I had been warned a couple of times. I still talk too much.
Follow instructions. Stay in line. Be quiet, Play by the rules. These are some early lessons I never quite took to heart. The benefits and repercussions of my kind of willfulness have led and followed me throughout my long life.
Reading ahead…Thinking ahead…Wandering ahead…and Wondering have characterized my life for decades and decades. More recently, wandering and wondering are taking me back to some of my beginnings. Time can do that.
These thoughts and memories bring me to this neglected Blog, on this website-of-all-possibilities. Here, I can write about talking--and talk about writing--and do my best to make sense, through storytelling and speaking, and communicating some of the truth, beauty, ideas, adventures, and lessons that have tsunami-ed me to this exciting octogenarian benchmark.
On this blog, with the remaining segments of my Still Moving life, I plan to share some of the adventures, lessons, and ideas that have delivered me to HERE.
THE SPARKLE CHRONICLES
In the 60's two "no-where girls" from New Jersey met as New York Playboy Bunnies. We became fast friends, shared homes, wanderlust and adventures. Similar dreams led us to diverging paths. Here I share 50 years of our unique friendship.
EVERYTHING ELSE
Some of my stories and thoughts are salty. Others are sweet. May some or all be worth savoring.