Record of meeting 21 August 2013

Present

Trevor, Lynn, Elizabeth, Cath, Leonie, Robyn, David C, Geoff, Terry, Melissa, Margaret, Helene, Wendy, Jenny

News

David C is learning the guitar and will play at Angels on Saturday (not the guitar another instrument). Terry rose to the challenge and played his clarinet with the Nowra concert band. Melissa spent 3 hours weeding and philosophising, Margaret bought a smaller electric bike, Helene has exercises for her Bakers cyst, Wendy has a blockage in an artery which can be fixed. Jenny went to party with lots of food. Trevor had quiet weeks at home because of a strained back. Lynn has been gardening and thinking of her sociopathic tendencies. Cath has been trying to burn out a stump. Leonie had a fantastic trip to Melbourne and saw a concert, a Monet exhibition and had a lovely visit with her family. Robyn’s husband had a good report from the heart specialist.

Words of the day

Insouciant – nonchalant

Firkin – a cask (1/2 kilderkin) about 9 gallons used for beer

Dank – damp

Sociopath – allergic to people

Procrustean – conforming by harsh means

Trepidation – alarm, agitation, trembling

Paean – song of praise

Callow – a young person who displays little good judgement

Plenteous – plentiful

Apocalypse – a revelation

Motor cyclist

Toggery – clothes

Melodramatic – exaggerated or sentimental histrionics

Imbroglio – confusing and complicate situation

 

Stories from word of the day

We created a brilliant selection of stories including - We will find out soon – a great poem from Terry. The house next door. Our last supper.  Underground dweller. Ignore the man next door. The glories of youth. Modern music. Lost. Into the cellar. The crowd.  Purpose of attending the church. Another way.  Plenty of handshaking.  The future.

 

Reading of homework

We created great stories of 100 words covering the topics I disappeared for 10 hours, Worlds highest building, Caller, the shopping trip, a car trip – very good story from Lynn, She was late, Not important, Another day, The lemonade bottle, The photo, The wardrobe, Cancer, An Egyptian mermaid and David C read us 5 stories of 100 words each about rockets or something.

Discussion

Leonie raised the issue that if everyone attended we would have 21 people and would be difficult to manage the meeting.  After discussions it was decided to watch the numbers with the possibility we could break into two groups on the day if more than 14 people attended.

We also discussed professional development for the group. Terry will investigate.

David C reminded us that he has the group’s printer which is available for members who need it.

 

Exercise

Created three word sentences - Did progressive write - Some hilarious results - Repeated again -Two words.

 

Homework

Take Geoff’s story below and finish it with 100 to 500 words - try to reduce the words in your homework if possible.

 
"Diana was going through their wardrobes to make more space for newer purchases. The biggest job was her side, from which she removed anything unused for a year. Reluctantly - but it did make some space.

Kevin's side was a much smaller task. He'd persist with any garment till it wore out. Shuffling some hangers she saw his blue blazer. Moving it onto a newer hanger a small edge of paper caught her eye: an envelope, in the top pocket.

Curious, she took it out and soon opened it, sitting to read it.

It's contents stunned her."