I am sitting with my 6th grade student, Charlotte, and it’s time for a “quick write.” This is when we do free-writing for usually 10 minutes, but in my case it’s 6 today because I made Charlotte popcorn, and got her a glass of iced water while she started her quick-write. So, now she is…
Month: February 2013
Tricksters in Stories and a Few in My Life
I am sitting with one of my students, Aaron. He is taking an online class on mythic structure and today’s lesson is on the trickster archetype. According to Christopher Vogler’s book, The Writer’s Journey, a trickster “embodies the energies of mischief and desire for change.” Tom Sawyer is a trickster we all know. Who else…
The Discovery of a Mentor
I had just finished a second draft of my memoir turned novel when my friend, David, invited my husband and me to dinner one evening. He told us that he had also invited another man, Michael, who we had met once time before, and he hoped that we would finally have a chance to get…
Ray is Back
Ray returned this evening from Texas. He stayed several extra days after I left last week. I picked him up at the airport tonight. Our friend and priest, Ian, went, too, and after we picked up Ray, we headed to the Virgin Atlantic terminal and picked up his parents, who were arriving from Wales. A…
Lazy Sunday and the Oscars
I am sitting in my back yard here in CA enjoying the sun. The temperature is 66 degrees and there is not a cloud in the sky. There is just enough wind to make it feel cool, but not cold. The sun is warm, but not hot. Ah, lovely. Here is the back yard: Cordelia…
Aristotle, Tragedy and My Student, Cameron
My student, Cameron, is writing for 20 minutes, so I’m going to use this time to write my blog for today. Cameron is sitting over in one of our recliners with her feet up, her computer in her lap, and a cup of Tetley’s tea on the table beside her. She is 15-years-old, already a…
Wind and the Return to LA
It is 10:33 pm Pacific time; 12:33 Central time. I am back in LA after an early morning plane flight and a long afternoon of students. This evening I worked with daughter Liz on her post-law school personal statement. Now, I have two dogs lying here in bed with me and I’m eyeing that clock,…
A Change in the Weather and A Junk Trip
Today the weather has turned cold. I am literally sitting here in a long-sleeved shirt, a sweater, and 2 thins jackets. It’s not that the house is cold; we’ve just returned from the McKinney Restore and it is cold in that big warehouse despite big hanging heaters. So, I’ve just decided to get really hot…
A Little Bit of Heaven
I hear a train whistle in the distance and the hum of the space heater in the front room. Besides that, it is quiet here. I am back in Texas for only 3 days, a whirlwind trip to keep my drawl strong and my heart in the right place. We arrived yesterday evening and I…
The End of a Long Day
This has been one of those days… I was up and out of the house by 7:10 for church. Came home and worked with daughter Liz on her personal statement for post law school from 11 – 2:00. Ate a quick lunch with Ray, Liz and our friend, Ian, then watched 1/2 of Silver Linings…
20 Minutes a Day 