Record of meeting 10 July 2013

 

Present

Cathy, Geoff, David C, Leonie, Trish, Jo, Terry, Trevor, Wendy, Helene, Margaret

 

News

Terry discussed an email from Garry about providing work for all people, Trevor has had a heavy cold and his trivia table won at the Huskie RSL, Wendy booked the table for our CIJ lunch for 12 noon on Tuesday 23 July and Wendy is going to Mudgee for the small field day, Helene has her grandson staying and invited everyone to a dinner at the Waterhouse Bar on Thursday 18 July at 6 pm, Cath made lemon butter and told us about the Writers festival at Bowral this weekend - information on Arts in Shoalhaven website. There is a woman in Basin View who offers lunches in her home eg French lunch $50. Geoff had a quiet week and his cousin died of cancer. David C went to a 60 th birthday party, built a fence for his daughter, saw the grandchildren, came home and relaxed. Margaret was late after looking for 6 pavers and did not find the place, Leonie met Margaret’s little dog, Trish has plenty of grapefruit for anyone who wants it - take care when eating grapefruit when taking some medications, Jo wanted to attend a lecture by Dr McGorrie about mental health issues as she would like better services in our area.

 

Word of the day

Equatorial = the line through the equator

Iatrogenic = a medical disorder by misdiagnosis, or wrong treatment the third highest cause of death

Acerbic = sour harsh or severe

Attrition = natural reduction

Fiasco = a mess, shambles goes to Venetian glass blowing

Propensity = inclination

Bights = curve in coastline & a loop in a rope

Peevish = petulant, cranky

Lapidary = to do with stones in general

Bombastic = using fine words with too little thought

Penicil = a tuff of hair, like in an artist brush

Writing from Words of the day

We wrote wonderful stories about The creative hairdresser, the wrong leg, down by the river, the attrition of children, the doctors new career, the vote – a great poem from Terry, a burping fit, painting of Dr Hart, Disease ridden penicils and political cartoon characters.

Homework

Homework reading included I’m not crazy, dark nights, taking a spell,  Light and dark, Nomad the sightless man, descent from the castle tower, The holiday house, The night train – a poem from Trish, Nothing is the same, I need work – decisions from the heart and from Garry the green side of the grass.

 

Other issues

Terry talked about the launch of the poetry book “Extravagance” by Irene Wilkee at the Nowra library. Contact Terry if you want more details.

Margaret talked about creating blogs and options and circulated a handout. Trevor is happy to help you create a blog.

Geoff brought a book of short stories “Gates of Eden” to lend.

Exercise

We selected a word or phrase and wrote a paragraph about it.

We wrote about - Close your mind a poem by Terry. Last chance for a man from Jo. Parents face sleepless time by Trish – her grandmother had 9 children. Greed by David C about 270 kilo friend in perfect proportions. Dazzling sun on gum trees and real sunsets – by Geoff. Margaret described peace in Mandalay. Sinful secrets by Helene.  Wendy says Thank you God for making me a short arse.

 

Homework

One day in your life or a day for another person, pet or object.

 

Record of meeting 3 July 2013

Present

David C, Elizabeth, Leonie, David R, Jo, Terry, Trevor, Trish, Wendy, Helene, Margaret, Cath.

 

Christmas in July lunch

Wendy told us about her difficulties arranging our Christmas in July lunch. We decided to book lunch (no guarantee about a Christmas meal) on Tuesday 23 July at the Postman’s tavern – Wendy to book. We can share transport to Nowra. More news once the booking is made.

 

News

David C is planning to visit his daughter next week and to see grandchildren for their birthdays (luckily the dates are clumped together for David’s convenience). Cath’s cat chased a fox. Margaret was interested to hear about Garry living near where she has lived. Helene had surgery on her finger and went to Shellharbour shopping. Wendy’s street was flooded and her husband found he had 23 motor bikes. Trish had a nice afternoon in Huskisson. Trevor drove to Sydney last week and saw no water on the road. Terry drove to Sydney last week and collected his new dog. Terry talked about selling and buying used books on Fishpond. Jo went to a solicitor who gave her advice. David R went to see a great dentist in Vincentia; he is getting a replacement chair (no not a dental chair) after 3 years of problems. Leonie enjoyed a visit to Pigeon House mountain tea house café. Elizabeth enjoyed seeing Beauty and the beast at the Nowra Playhouse

Words of the day

Curd = coagulate

Echolalia = meaningless repetition of someone’s words

Terse = smooth and concise, curt

Tarn = mountain lake

Coda = a triumphant ending, final part of music

Whet = sharpen, stimulate

Bespoke = specially made for a particular purpose

Macaronic = using more than one language or dialect within the same conversation

Fustilarian = fat slovenly person

Felicitous = admirably suited or well suited

Idiopathy = spontaneous disease of unknown cause

Tanglefoot = complicated person

 

Homework

A mind that changed - an emotional tale from Terry, Doing things my way, The jungle beat – a call to freedom a great poem from David R, Away from the computer – another escape, Success in the Northern Territory a fabulous story from Elizabeth, A bit of nonsense and a few good ideas, Grand plans and lists and pleasure from achievement, The suitcase, Things to do and places to go – a great travel story from Trish, The year of 2013 – a great year and the joys of finding our writing group by Trevor.

 

Reading and discussions

Jo read the start of her story “The piano bird” – a well described environment.

David R read a poem The Uber river a dedication to his great, great, great Grandfather - I saw through your eyes.

Margaret is marketing her book at the Arbour in Berry on Monday 8 July 2013. She told us more about how she published her e- book.

We also had a discussion on the importance of recording our own life stories for future generations to read. A blog is one way to do that. You can seek help from other members if you need it.

Homework

Entirely in the dark

 

 

 

Record of meeting 26 June 2013

Present

David R, Trish, Elizabeth, Trevor, Jo, Leonie, David C, Cath, Helene and welcome to Margaret

News

Margaret has moved to Vincentia with her cute little dog after living in a number of OS locations, she has one e-book published

Cath has been watching the water creeping up her yard and her cat chased a fox

David C recorded 275 ml of rain at Sanctuary Point over the last 3 or 4 days

Leonie has been writing and sewing and heard from three of her children and went out to lunch

Jo bought in a book called Sydney poets, she spent a night in her car as she was afraid that trees may fall on her house, then her car became bogged after the rain

Trevor noticed it has been raining and has edited a story written by Jo

Elizabeth had calls from her children all over the world

Trish finds its good to be here

David R saw a physio this morning and she said he is doing well and the bow has gone from his leg - I wonder where he lost that bow

 

Helene is happy to be back after 3 weeks away

 

Words of the day

Pedantic – priggish, meticulous

Crass – grossly stupid, uncouth

Confused – perplexed

Fortitude – courage in pain or adversity

Exude – to give off moisture or smell slowly and steadily

Smudged – make or become blurred

Adept – skilful

Willy nilly – it happens

Reverie – pleasantly lost in thoughts or daydream

Bibliophile – a person who collects or has a great love of books

 

Stories from words of the day

We created a wide range of stories including The census, the manuscript, two succinct sentences from Trevor, The professor watching students, The odd couple and an ordeal after the anaesthetic, The idiot removalist, Sir Hector, In perfect order, The painting, & Reading in bed with an owl in a tree.

 

Reading of homework

We read out stories about The love spell, The watermelon plant, The island’s GP, The art of knitting a cloud – a cool story from Jo, Odd body parts a very entertaining story from Trish, Hex, Bex and bad effects, The possum fur cape from Helene and from Garry Aboriginal stories involving circumcision, spitting, the witch doctor and a croaking frog.

 

Discussions

Margaret spoke about the book she published on line based on her life experiences. Contact Margaret if you want to read her book. Look on Smash words for further details on how to publish on line.

We continued with a discussion on copyright and e-books.

David R and Trevor recommended the novel “A Blue stocking in Patagonia” by Ann Whitehead story of Mary Gilmore.

We also completed a progressive write with hilarious results.

 

Homework

The year of getting things done or do what you like.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting 19th June 2013

Present:  Cathy, David R., Terry, Trevor, Jo, Leonie, Geoff, Wendy.

News:  

Leonie had her eye done, not like the first time.  Reduces what she can do, except quilt.

Cath:  Going through hockey slides.  Saw a man from 40 years ago.

David R:  Had friends staying - writing - reading.  Okay time.

Wendy:  Went on a picnic at Culburra.- rained - had one (picnic) in the car at Culburra instead.

Trevor:  Went to Sydney.  Has carrot soup left over, I think.

Terry:  Went to Sydney - old car business - Triumph only - found the roads awful but got lots of parts.

Jo:  Said about DNA search, National Geographic, and showed the word 'ululation' - it has stupid words describing it according to the Thesaurus.

Geoff:  Found out about his kidney disease, not good news Geoff, we are sorry.

Word of the Day:

deft:  dexterous

leery:  cautious, wary

firmament:  the 'vault of heaven', the skies

sinecure:  a position that requires no work but gets paid.

guile:  treachery

profligate:  very wicked, shamelessly bad

desist:  to abstain, to discontinue activity

prosumer:  one who both gives and takes (e.g. electricity panels)

Word write:

David:  Was warned by his wife that he'll go to hell.  A poem.

Wendy:  Guile used, was going to be bad all her life.

Trevor:  A bloke was offered a job.  He turned it down because he was being paid but there was no work.  ??

Terry:  A poem  - what we write about.

Jo:   Angels looking for potholes in heaven's road.

Leonie:  Politicians with profligate behaviour.  Guile of the devil.

Geoff:  The State Govt. does everything for themselves, not for all.

Cath:  As large as the heavens - that's all everyone wants.

The Homework was:  Winter, or anything to do with it.

Leonie:     'One Winter's Day'.    The curtains, a symbol of her life now - husband died, all changed.  In Tasmania - too cold for her.

Geoff:  'Winter' :     A discusson of Winter and it's effect on us.  A poem.

Helene:     'The Chicken Dance'.  Nothing to do with Winter.  It's Fifi again.  Lulu perfume, whatever that is, and 7 black chooks.  A possum was in the nesting box.  A fruit fight, poor poss.  Fifi cruelly stole the possum from its warm place!

David R:    Shorter days, longer nights - the poem - creature comforts of Winter - warm bread - avoiding Winter around the world would be a good idea.

Wendy:      She loves Winter - can wear what she wants - no one knows what she does (I think it is because she is rugged up and unidenitfiable).

Trevor:      Sydney as a boy - kero heater etc.  Moved to Canberra - wasn't that cold after a while, - went to snow fields, the pub was air-conditioned, so that's all, folks!  Suicide season when it's wet in Darwin!

Terry:       'A Street Life'  Adrian in Winter.  He loves the dreary Winter.  He is just 42...and homeless.  He is watched by passers-by - a Sallie gives him coffee.

Jo:     A Bear in Winter.  A female bear didn't get into her cave in time.  Got shot.

David R. read Garry's missive - uses last week's Words - Johnny was now looking after his brothers and sisters.  Docs tried to take them.  

Fifi  (bloody woman keeps cropping up!  I can't stop her!  ed.)  here again.    LUCKY MOLE invented the blunderbuss ... erk? ... Garry sent us a letter.  He is teaching, is busy.

Helene did something else, but all I wrote was:  story of words of the day last week.  Fifi is a nuisance person who owns a dog.  

Make of this whatever you think suits you.

A discussion ensued about Christmas in July.  Postman's Tavern seems to be the go.  Wendy sussing it out.

We discussed the word 'aborigine', then 'labor', all interesting, other words in general, which is a good exercise, one unplanned but always with a bunch of writers, informative and worthwhile. 

David read of a person's xenophobia, etc. a Poem.  Someone suggested sending the Libs back, I don't know where to, take your pick, and blaming it on Labor (a word we discussed).

David still poeming,  'Dark Glasses' - seeing within - the covered truth.  Politics etc.  No care any longer for 'bent'   (? what?)

Magic magic moments - old age - oh where did it go?  (old age doesn't go, David, you die of it!  Dear me!).

Anyway, he has avoided old age, he has decided to be a dolphin instead. 

Very wise.

A Quik-Rite:  'The Magnet'

Geoff:  A pair of workers on the production line.  Eva and Jo got together  (no, not me).

Cath:  Machines quiet.  Why?

David R:  Deaf, dangerous, delicious - the magnet of the factory - a dangerous chick.  Magnets in her pants. (no, not rude, it is as opposed to 'ants' in them!)  ya da da de da da!

Wendy:  Attracted to a magnetic field.

Terry:  A friend, a Pole, Maxwell.  His force is attractive.  A play on words to do with magnetism...in an MG Magnette factory.

Jo:  Screw her, magnets.  (yes, this one is rude, I'm sick of being 'Mrs. Nice Guy!)

Leonie:  Two boys trying to get in.

Trevor:  (had to leave early)

More talk re innovative use of a bus system running over the existing traffic beneath, in China, in order to maximise available space for traffic.

Jo said did anyone see about the hospital ship that goes around the world doing ops on board and having many beds to recuperate - vision is for poorer people who can't reach docs or med. help.   Amazing show.

Then, Venice, why was it built in the first place?

Well, we had a good try at talking about stuff we don't usually talk about and it was good, Trevor is kindly going to read Jo's story, 'The Piano Bird'.

Homework:  'Casting a Spell' or just 'A Spell'.

Meeting 12th June

Present:  Geoff, Jo, Wendy, Elizabeth, David R., David C., Lyn, Cath, Leonie, Terry, Trevor.

 

News: 

 

Geoff:  Forum on l7th July and has a metaphor collection.  Not everyone has one of those!  Interesting.

David R.:  Rates rise, it did happen - has begun guitar lessons, wants to know how to avoid sore fingers -is only a learner, but he just had to ...    '"The 'G' String" ... alright knowing it David, but what are you going to do with it?

Cath:  Getting new glasses from IMB.

Leonie:  Done a lot of writing, correcting, brought together a former story and finished it off.  Began a quilt for a friend.

Jo:  Had her eye done.  Horrible experience.

Elizabeth:  A neighbour drove her to Iluka and she saw three whales.

Terry:   He and Virginia went to Cambewarra and was overcome by the lookout.

Trevor:  Made carrot soup that he thought was amazing.  Made us hungry.  A Soup King, not many of us can be that!

Lyn:  Robyn's operation - Lyn helped her.  Has retouched her own windows.

Wendy:  I think she saw 'Cinderella'.  Christmas in July search for venue not exactly easy to find one.

David C:  His Dentist got sick, he saw another one and was very pleased with the work.

 

Words of the Day.

 

chunter:  to mutter, grumble, complain.

crick:  stiff neck - to give a crick to someone.

blunderbuss:  a short gun firing balls or slugs.

sedulous:  hard-working, diligent.

precocious:  unusually advanced for age.

prosaic:  ordinary, dull or everyday.

emblematic:  heraldic device - symbolic object.

faze:  to worry or irritate.

forfend:  to avert or turn aside.

portenteous:  ominous, monstrous, foreseen.

feign:  pretend, simulate, sham.

 

Write-Word Exercise:

 

Geoff:  A new flag - we should think about it.  He wants a flag of gum-tree colours.

David R.:  A man like any man with a wooden leg.

Wendy:  Made a speech, she forced them to accept her.

Lyn:  Indian Princess and John Smith.

Trevor:  The Curator.  A Collection.

Terry:  He keeps talking no matter what.  He thinks he is one of the mob.  (couldn't hear who 'he' was).

Elizabeth:  Gordon had a twin brother, they were opposites,  Gordon blunderbussed his brother.

Jo:  A boy who wants to be an actor, his father wants him to play rugby.

Leonie:  A teacher who chooses his favourites.  Two kids who pretend to listen.

Cath:  Don had the blunderbuss.  Teaches everyone a lesson.

David C.:  Himself a sedulous child!  Uses a blunderbuss to swat a fly.  A real crick!

 

 

Homework.

 

It was 'Prehistoric'  but not everyone did it.

 

David C:  Began reading with 'The Devil's Orifice'.  Part One.  People going into a foul place - in Himalayas.  Forboding place, stank of rotten flesh.  Everyone keep together!  Danger!  Unisex toilets!  Mmm...  Men and women argue, Henry was torn to pieces.  I think the unisex toilets ate him.

Cath:  'Prehistoric'.   A boy becoming a man - they all make a canoe, one moon to go to manhood.  A group picture of prehistory.

Leonie:  A treatise on prehistory.  How we look back at it.   Why we are, how we are, today.

Jo:  Prehistoric - a nursery rhyme about slime coming out and becoming Man.

Terry:  Nomads.  He knocked a bloke (out) who wasn't human.  Terry is frightened, this is terrible, Wally suddenly pulled off his mask and they were friends again.  

Trevor:  The Poet Laureate and the Don.  Tennyson and his connection to the Governor of South Australia.

Lynn:  Run, Rudd, Run.  The red tide.

Wendy:  I think it is hers.  'The older generation can teach the younger, and win points too.

Helene:  Prehistoric.  She found prehistoric pillows under pillow protectors.

Fifi is at it again.  Going for a walk with Gigi - she likes music - Helene hurt her leg, or Fifi did,  She's the one who is blamed for it all anyway.  Dingoes going to get her.  I think that is a good idea.  But, damned Fifi saves the day.

David R:  Went to Nurse's (?).  A blood sucker, Doctor Death came.  They are going to send him to a museum.  (Seems to be a good place, eh, readers?)

Gary:  A prehistoric Australian.  A true story.  Dawa, a teenager long ago.  The everyday life of aboriginal people.

Geoff:  Prehistoric.  Dinosaurs, millions of years.  Creationists not in sync with the rest of us.  Pre-history can be recent.

 

David read his poem, 'Echoes'.

 

 

Homework:  In the Middle of Winter, or just 'Winter'.

 

Meeting 5th June 2013

Present: Leonie, David R. David C., Cath, Elizabeth, Wendy, Geoff, Jo, Trevor.

 

Hello and welcome Trevor, a new member. 

 

News:

Trevor told  a story about someone utilising his writing work under their name on computer.  Not fair.  He likes non-fiction and Australian stories, wants to publish.

Cath arranged for About Magazine, meeting times for our club.

Jo told about Community buses .... what are they?

Leonie went to see the Turner Exhibition. Lucky duck.

David C. saw email re cruise to Cairns via sail.  He has ideas, folk, he has ideas!

Geoff is going to attend University Forum re Referendum.

Elizabeth has had bus trouble too.  Visited niece - lovely journey.

David R. walking about 40 kms week. (At this rate he'll be 1100km away from here by Christmas. Don't go David)

Wendy trying to get Christmas in July arranged.  Venues thin on ground.

 

Word of the Day

tawdry:      showy, worthless, tasteless-finery.

camouflage: concealing, disguising, deceptive.

validity:      authentic, just truth.

lukewarm:   tepid.

stripling:     young boy.

metronome:  a counter for piano.

eclat:         conspicuous success, stylish.

sublimate:    hold down feelings.

abeyance:    hold back - suspension (temporary).

 

Writing from Word of the Day 

Cath:    Wrote about examing the metronome.

Trevor:  Used all words in two lines.

Wendy:  The stripling mincing.  Mouse-eaten clothes.

David R: A bloke trying to explain who he is.  A difficult task.

Elizabeth:  Piano playing - not a good student - needs more knowledge.

Geoff:   Getting stripling candidates in Government.  Just won't work.

David C:  A young man likes music.  He doesn't like singers.

Leonie:   Don't touch the metronome!  Boy gets into trouble.  A woman upsets him.

Jo:       Double Dutch to him, what is his Dad saying?

 

Reading of homework:  'Pretend'.

Garry:  Sister pretending to be a ballerina, make-believe world not like reality in the  family.  Talks to her dolls, hates Barbie and Ken.

Trevor:  Read Garry's 'The Great Pretender'.

Jo:      The Devil and the mermaid

Leonie:  'Pretense', Jonothan dancing seriously.  He was bent on using social mores - chose a woman, but lost some control.

David C: Pretended showing his accidents.  Then read poem about a wife who was awful.  Not his.

David R: 'Shy Shopping' poem.  Market owners doing business amongst the customers.  Shifty owners.

Wendy:  A politician - taking every bonus the job could offer - a poem.  Reference to Julia.

 

Garry also sent an Email that was just HIM!  Sent a 'Word' story of last week's words.  You know Gary, mad, didn't mention 'you know who' either.  Maybe he's sick.  Yes, L..EE..m..LE. 

Leonie talked about Geoff's magazine, interesting, passed it round.

We spoke briefly about how it seems easier to edit from paper copies than directly from the computer face.

David R:  Poems re 'Metronome' e.g. 'Metro-gnome'. also 'Hippocampus' - 'Hippo Campers'.

David C:  Was it you David who had rabies at this point?  Or have I got the wrong David?  I've written it down anyway. David C:  He did read out poems and discussed a small book of poems by Jim Haynes.  David was a ventriloquist's dummy once and it has stuck to him.

 

An Exercise.

Give each left side writer present, your list of about 5 ingredients for a story they must use when mixed.

 

Geoff:  Pokie player - club - Denise, they go to dinner - she paid for her own food.  Jarred mate!

Elizabeth:  A young man - looking out - sees two girls under an oak tree - goes out.

David R:  4'9" Bikie chick - lost boyfriend.  Poem.

Wendy:  Let's dance - lapdancer with wooden leg.  Harriet doesn't want splinters in her bum.

Trevor:  A bedraggled tramp - who was he?

Cath:  Politics - silent.

Jo:  The sad story.  Hair too long.  She died.

Leonie:  Has 2 children on her own.  Sews.  Does not laugh or eat.

David C:  Jennifer, fat, nasty wife, giving orders.  She died of fire - he has a holiday on the insurance money.

 

We did a progressive write.  We're all mad.  That's all it proves.  Trevor practically laughed himself under the table.  Good introduction, Trev.  More of that please.

 

Topic for Homework:  'Prehistoric'.

 

A piece from Gary in Thailand

Here is Gary's homework piece sent from his castle in Thailand. It's a little different to his usual so we thought it worth putting on the blog.  

Homework 29^th May 2013

Some dreams are dangerous

The night had been warm and balmy; the smell of the jasmine flowers was wafting through the levers of the bamboo windows as the ‘Sage’ of the village bedded down for the night. He had been drinking fermented fruit juice and also eaten a few ‘magic’ mushrooms. Sleep started to engulf him as he seemed to be transported off to some strange far away place.

It was a though he was floating above a group of diligent people who were sitting around a large table – they all had pens and paper and discussing recent events in their lives.

One guy talked about swimming with dolphins, another about his amazing car. One lady wanted others to know that her Fifi was now centre stage now that the creepy Lucky Mole was gone.

The Sage floated around above their heads, unnoticed, but listening to what this interesting group of people, similar age to him, were excited about.

It seemed that news had come from a far away land from one of their friends relating how happy he was at this time but missing their friendship and intellectual stimulation.. The weather was good, the food great, the people wonderful BUT no friendship like the group to whom he had written.

Afternoon tea time, about 2:36pm, was a happy time as they drank tea/coffee, ate Tim Tams and other delicious things. One lady, who wears red Coke sun glasses, didn’t eat or drink anything and neither did the oldest member whom they called, Elizabeth. Two short ladies had been diligent in preparing everything and also seemed to be the ‘washer-uppers’ – a pleasant time being had by all. There were others there but they were ‘quiet but thoughtful ones.’ Stories, poems flowed from their pens onto the paper with such ease – an opportunity to ‘grow’ in their skills.

In an all to short time the gathering was over and the Sage started to wonder where he was and how to return to his ‘home’ – fear crept up on him as he quivered with the thought he couldn’t remember how he got to this place so how could he know how to get back. The night was closing in and loneliness infused him – tears dripped from his baggy eyes – this was a dangerous situation for him – a stranger in a strange land.

All of a sudden he felt the shaking on his shoulder and it was one of his gorgeous maidens trying to rally him from his sleep.

OMG – it was a dream, not reality, maybe those people don’t exist, maybe they don’t eat Tim Tams and write stories and poetry – he looked around his room, took comfort in the sounds of the night and the crashing of the waves on the reef. The smell of jasmine filled his senses and he vowed never to eat those ‘magic mushrooms’ again.