Readings at the Library

Yesterday, Carnegie Library hosted its annual Reminiscent Writings Program.  Despite the rain a few folks showed up.  I had the privilege to read an entry from the 2009 program.  It was a story about how my grandpa met my grandma (my mama's parents).  She came with me and I knew it was going to be hard, since I'm so tender hearted.  My voice cracked and tears welled in my eyes on more than one occasion but I finally finished the story.  There is nothing like telling your story! It may sound a little selfish, but that story means so much to me just as it did when I visited with my grandpa that day and heard him tell it.  Sadly, of all the people in all the surrounding communities, the library only received ten entries this year.  The new theme for 2012 was announced and I can't wait until another special story gets out of my head to be forever recorded on the page.  Won't you please check out the Reminiscent Writings?  This is a great opportunity to record your stories.  Ms. Marcia Dutton and her husband Mr. Charlie were there, and I was so happy to see them.  I can't wait to read Ms. Marcia's story since she submitted one this year.  This competition, if you want to call it that, has been in place since 1991 and it's a way of collecting community members' stories.  There is no fee to enter, only adhere to the theme and word count.  Everyone who submits a story receives a spiral-bound copy of all submissions.  Although my story was somewhat sad and sappy, the program ended on a happy story about a young girl accidentally making muffins with Watkins liniment!  Please consider participating in this year's theme.  There are countless stories out there waiting for the right home. Some of our Bayou Writers' Group members have participated over the years such as Rachel Windham and Bob and Georgia Downer. It's really fun and a great way for writers to get published!

Poetry Out Loud

On Friday, Feb 17th, Central School will  host the regional competition of the National Poetry Out Loud Competition.  This event if open to the public.  For more info see the Arts & Humanities website.  I promise, you'll be blown away as high-school students recite poetry.  Show your support to our young people as they embrace the arts.

Saint Domingue & Toussaint Louverture by Dr. Philippe Girard of McNeese State University

Dr. Phillipe Girard, associate professor of history and department head at McNeese State University gave an excellent presentation at our Bayou Writers' Group meeting yesterday.  The reason I'm writing about this is because not only was his topic fascinating, but he shared with us the five years it took him to research his book "The Slaves Who Defeated Napoleon: Toussaint Louverture and the Haitian War of Independence (University of Alabama Press, 2011).  Dr. Girard's native language is French, and at times it was a little hard to understand.  His enthusiasm and education on the subject makes me want to enroll in one of his history classes just to listen to him speak.  I forgot what true French sounds like! As usual, I took notes:

• 200 years ago Saint-Domingue was the world's leading exporter of sugar and coffee.  (WORLD'S largest, according to Dr. Girard.)  Now, present-day Haiti is one of the poorest countries.
• Toussant Louverture was a slave who became a freedman who became a land owner and slave owner who then became a leader and finally governor of Haiti (sounds a bit like the movie Gladiator, huh?)
• In 1803 Napolean's interest in Haiti and it's supporter Louisiana diminished, and he wondered how to get rid of Louisiana. At the same time, Jefferson and his team showed up in France to buy that piece of property.  Odd coincidence.
• Haiti wasn't recognized by the United States as a country until 1863 (two years into the Civil War).
• In 1794, France was the first country in the world to abolish slavery.  70 years before the U.S..

After his presentation, lots of members asked questions.  It was an excellent meeting and I encourage visitors to come.  You never know who will show up at the BWG meetings.  Our next meeting is Sat, March 3 at 10:00 am at the Carnegie Library on Pujo St in Lake Charles.  See our website at http://www.bayouwritersgroup.com/

Call Yourself a Writer | Southern Short Stories

Call Yourself a Writer Southern Short Stories

Inspirations Anyone?

As a writer, I find inspiration all around me:  conversations, traffic, watching people (and listening), photos, memories, thoughts, gestures, mannerisms, etc....

Have you ever based a piece of work, say a poem or short story, on another piece of work?  I have.  Twice actually.  They're short poems, but inspired by another person's creation.  I always include the credit at the top of the piece, and verbalize it each time I share them aloud.  Just curious if anyone else has ever based your work on someone else's.  If so, how did it go?  Naturally, I'm not advocating taking credit for another person's work.  That's PLAGERISM - HELLO! 

Since we're all creators, and inspirations come from everywhere (and from no where sometimes), how do you incorporate your ideas into someone else's?  Just curious.

If you've never tried it, and something hits you - a song, a movie, a book, a photo, try it.  If you get stuck on writer's block, millions of resources are out there.  Just please remember to give proper credit!

Bayou Writers' Group of Lake Charles

     Yesterday was the first meeting of 2012 for my writing group, and what a way to begin the new year!  We had such a great time at our meeting.  Dry Creek author Curt Iles gave an excellent presentation about his research for his ninth book "A Spent Bullet."  Time flew by, as it always does.  Along with "A Spent Bullet," he also has a companion children's book.  After the meeting broke, many of us continued visiting at Ryan's for lunch.
     If you're looking for a writing group, check out http://www.bayouwritersgroup.com/.  We'd love to have you.  Our membership is growing, we're involved in the community, and each November we host a writing conference.  We're in the process of securing an excellent group of speakers for this year.  I encourage you to get serious about your writing before you wake up one day and realize you're 70 years old and never wrote that book you wanted to write.  We'll help you with resources, editing, feedback, but most importantly we'll help you make new friends.
     Speaking of being involved in the community, some of us read our poetry at The Porch Coffee House in Lake Charles Friday night.  The First Friday Reading Series is sponsored by the Arts & Humanitites and is held on the first Friday of each month.  Bayou Writers' Group was the first group invited to read last January and to help celebrate the event's one-year anniversary, we were invited back.  We had a blast!
     If you're a writer, or want to be a writer, come check out the Bayou Writers' Group.  We'd love to have you.  Keep an eye on our website as we update conference details throughout the year.

Reflexology

     Reflexology, it’s a word not given credit by lots of folks.  Coo-coos, quacks, witch doctors, wanna-be doctors, and many more phrases attribute to any practice of holistic healing.  This is too bad, because the one and only experience I recently had, and hope to repeat soon, defied all of the above.

     As a new soldier, at my first duty station only about a year, I was involved in an accident with my feet.  I won’t get into the details, but it was bad. Since then, my feet have given me problems.  Problems that will probably lead to arthritis when I’m older.  I hope not though.

     After seeing a couple of podiatrists, and having different arch supports fitted to my feet, nothing worked.  All the inserts I tried were ineffective.  Even soaking my feet in those massaging and bubbling “foot tubs” you can buy anywhere was a waste of money.  Different shoes had no effect either.  So, I just learned to deal with the constant ache when I walked too much or stood too long.  I guess that’s what most people do with a chronic condition; we just learn to live with it when we can find no relief.

     Almost three years ago, I met a reflexologist.  As the Beauregard Parish Transportation Secretary, I am in daily contact with school bus drivers.  One day, a driver came in and our conversation turned to aching feet.  My ears pricked up as she explained she practiced reflexology.  She talked.  I listened.  After all, what would it hurt since nothing else brought me relief, I thought.  Months passed, as I kept wanting to visit Ms. Sue but everything seemed to keep getting in the way.  Last month, I finally went to see her.  Ironically, it was on Veterans’ Day.

     She had a little room set up in her house with dim lighting, soft music, a neck pillow, a fleece blanket, and a chair which reclined all the way back.  As soon as my feet were in the air, Ms. Sue removed my shoes and socks and started her magic. 

     Quickly she explained her feelings.  “God has given me a gift,” she said.  I believed her as I felt more than just tingling in her touch.  We talked as she worked on my feet.  Yes, it hurt, at first.  I told her how I wished I could relax, but nobody had ever pressed so hard on certain places.  It was hard for me to relax through the pressure she was applying.  She understood exactly what I was saying and said, “When I get through, it won’t hurt anymore.”  She was right.

     She devoted more than a half hour to my sore, tired, worn out feet.  Then, she told me to place my feet in a foot massager.  Yet, this was no ordinary massager.  The machine went all the way up to my knees.  It kneaded my calf and chin muscles, squeezed my feet back and forth, as tiny balls rolled under my feet simultaneously.  She left me to the machine, and exited for a little while.  I almost fell asleep. 

     When I got up, put my shoes and socks on, my entire body was tingling.  In my entire 41 years on this planet, my feet never felt so good, so relaxed, or so alive.  I said, “I feel like I’m walking on clouds.”  She smiled, nodded, and said, “I know, your facial expression says it all.”

     Now, I’m not a doctor, neither is Ms. Sue, but I will tell you I cannot wait to go back.  Proudly, I recommend for anyone to try this experience one time.  If you are a skeptic or a believer, please don’t continue to go through pain.  Another humbling aspect about Ms. Sue is that she doesn’t expect payment.  If you can pay, she’ll take it.  However, if you can’t, she will still beg you to come.  She said, “Some of my clients pay me in a baked cake, or they bring me eggs.” 

     Like in life, when all else fails, then we turn to Jesus.  Well, I’m here to encourage you when all else fails, try reflexology.  Mrs. Sue Granger at Longville only works on personal referrals.  She doesn’t advertise except for the few business cards she gave me.  If you want her number, let me know!

     I truly believe she has been given a gift from God, since her soul purpose is to help.   “It’s not about the money,” she said.  Why are we so skeptical when it comes to believing in miracles?  They happen to us all the time, but we just don’t see them.  We’re too busy, we’re too broke, we’re too this or too that.  I saw it, and I felt it that day.  Through the power of Jesus, I do believe Ms. Sue performed a miracle on my feet.  A miracle I want you to receive as well.  A miracle I can’t wait to experience again.