Record of meeting 7 August 2013

Present

Lynn, Jo, Leonie, Jenny, David C, Geoff, David R, Helene, Wendy, Terry

 

News

Leonie fed fish at Lady Denman and will visit Melbourne next week, Jenny went to a good cake party, David C’s daughter visited at the weekend and he will walk in the City to Surf, Geoff has had a quiet week and publicised two events, David R has been planning his trip and enjoying life, Helene went to see her son in Wollongong, Wendy had problems with house insurance as she is in a bush fire prone area, Elizabeth saw some beautiful churches around Camden, Terry caught up with an old friend and will start to play his clarinet soon, Jo has a white tip spider bite and has problems with her internet. Maybe the spider bite made Jo unusually talkative today.

 

Words of the day

Essence, Turpitude, Repine, Manchester, Ersatz, Cornucopia, Drab, Fortitude, Chicanery, Infinite, Élan

This week we wrote our words on the white board and this allowed extra time for an exercise and a quick write later in the meeting. We developed stories from the words about The spy who fell in love, In pursuit of wealth, No depravity, Not glamour, The woman from Manchester, The strumpet, Drab times in Manchester – a great poem from David R, Sharp political comment from Geoff, Tony in a man thong, The standard of manchester and No finery.

 

Reading of homework

We read out our homework stories about

A bundle of joy love to Mum, Impressions of time, Yesterdays news, The birthday - Helene gained great enjoyment from her story, The storm symphony, Missing the group from Garry, Too many yesterdays, Under the purple tree, Today will become yesterday and aromatic information with the dogs from Jenny.

 

Reading

Terry recommended The Perk by Mark Gimenez and commented on the great planning he observed. We discussed the merits of planning a story versus letting the characters and our imagination take over. We also discussed the benefits of research and experience and writing about topics we are passionate about.

David R read out his poem Skeletons based on family secrets and a child's curiosity.

 

Exercise

Jo provided a page of phrases and we produced single words to replace the phrases.

 

Quick write

We used the phrase “Don’t get carried away with yourself” to do a quick write.

We produced great stories about - Too much to do, The black prince, Write without delay, No Mackers here, Hard to write, Beats village gossip from Elizabeth who appreciates attending our meetings, Down in the mouth, Not haughty, In my usual political rut, Don’t get carried away, The slippery road and No smoke to be found.

 

Homework

The tree

 

 

Record of meeting 31 July 2013

Present

David R, Trish, Terry, Lynn, Jo, Leonie, Cath, David C, Helene, Wendy, Margaret, Jenny and welcome to Sue

 

News

Sue is happy she finally made it to our meeting as she lives in the area part of the time, Jo has not had computer access for a week, Lynn has been enjoying gardening except for builders next door, Terry bought a dehumidifier which is working well, Jenny went to her daughter’s baby shower, Trish ate too much cake, David R has booked a trip to NZ, Margaret enjoyed Tosca at the Sydney Opera House, Wendy visited Congo, Araluen and Braidwood on a recent day trip, Helene shared a good news tradie story, David C bought in the Angels Catering menu and shared another tradie story, Cath found some good travel information on the internet.

 

Words of the day

Fatuous = stupid, silly

Frey = dispenser of fertility, good weather

Convocation = pulling together a large or formal meeting

Sinecure = position requiring little of no word but providing

Convoluted = complicated, twisted, unnecessarily elaborate

Embroil = implicate or involve in an argument

Ad hoc = for this, solution designed for a specific problem or task.

Inane = lacking sense, stupid

Filigree = delicate kind of jewellery

Ineffable = beyond expression, too wonderful

Picador = a man who incites a bull

Sportsmanship = fairness, cheerful looser

 

Writing from words of the day

A stick insect, Stolen water a great poem from David R, The jewellery maker and the Queen, Bleeding to death, The bull, The master debater - David C of course, The decorated costume, The good sport, Visit to Spain, The filigree ring, The footballer, A cushy job a great poem from Terry and The raving Minister and twins from Jenny.

 

Reading of homework

The good ship a great poem from David R, Meeting Joseph a storm in life, not a spring chicken, Too many friends, my best friend, a real friend from Garry, friends from school, The new dress, Do you remember, With me – an emotional poem from Terry, The cat on the piano – a lovely story from Jenny, a friend to kill for, a friend of mine - a moving story from Trish.

Reading

Terry read his story a storm in my head about Julia. David R read his poems; The death of a bird and Impetuous imps. David C read his stories The stockman, Who would a farmer be and Ode to the Navy Cadets. Margaret is first in line to read next week.

Exercise

We did progressive writes starting with Once upon a time which produced some funny stories.

 

Homework

Yesterday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record of meeting 24 july 2013

Present

Robyn, Leonie, David C, Geoff, Trish, David R, Helene, Wendy, Trevor, Lyn, Cath, Jo and Jenny

 

News

Robyn is in her new home, Jo had family visiting, Cath enjoyed lunch yesterday, Lyn has been at her mothers for a few weeks, Trevor had a hectic adventurous week with lots of dancing, Wendy to Shellharbour square, Helene drove to Tarago and Wollongong, David R has been enjoying eating out, Trish also went to Tarago  and Wollongong, Geoff organised a successful forum on local government, David C has played at the Angles and explained the name and has been cutting up trees, Leonie has been busy with a white fluffy thing and dealt with a family matter and Jenny enjoyed a scenic tour getting to the meeting.

 

Word of the day

Oscillating = moving back and forth at a regular speed

Hoo-ha = a fuss, commotion and slang for vagina

Esoteric = relating to a select group

Belcher = a spotted neckerchief

Devout = deeply religious, swallow or eat greedily, devoted

Congeries = urban mass, collection of particles into one mass

Perilous = dangerous

Penchant = inclination, enthusiasm

Dalliance = dawdling or amorous flirtation

Syzygy = alignment of the planets

Perspicacity = quick mental insight

Extirpate = to search and destroy

Morose = sullen and ill tempered

 

Writing from words of the day

 

Gypsy the belly dancer, In the church, the boxer and the priest, Dangerous ideas and slogans – great political comment from Geoff, Josephine’s dalliance, Joan and James, Belcher liked old bottles, The Queen liked to write poetry, The monk and the Bishop, Dalliance with the butcher and a light bulb moment, A great use of words from Trevor, The dogs addicted to the cane toad and my toy boy from Wendy.

 

Reading of homework

The care dog for Alice, The unknown visitor, After the footy, Lets eat – a hill billy family feast, The wet season, Natures day over the rainbow – a great story from Trish, The boundary rider including a poem from David C, the storm of my life a powerful story by Leonie, a dive ship off Phuket from Garry.

 

Reading

Helene spoke about the American writer Joyce Maynard and her novel Baby Love.

Poems from David R – Waves and a love poem Gentle persuasion

Beautiful writing from Jenny

 

Exercise

We chose one or a few words from the lucky dips and created the great stories - I like bad taste, landing in Japan, China and Russia, the Model M family, Finding a snake, lunch on Sunday, Freedom and friends, travelling on a tram, bums on camera, birds talk, the peach stone and I was a champion.

 

Homework

 Friendship

 

 

 

Record of meeting 17 July 2013

Present

David R, Terry, David C, Elizabeth, Cath, Margaret, Helene, Wendy, Trevor, Jo, Leonie and welcome back to Jenny visiting from Queensland.

Christmas in July lunch

Meet at the church at 11.30 am Tuesday 23 July 2013 to share transport.

News

David R had a friend staying and went out whale watching and saw dolphins, a small whale and seals. Jo has to wait till April 2014 to get her other eye done. Jo brought material from Dr McGorrie on mental health, anybody can participate and she will provide more details. Jenny took 8 hours to learn how to use a glass top hotplate. Trevor spent the week recovering from his cold. Wendy had a great weekend at Mudgee.  Helene had a flat tyre and the Manager of the Tarago Pub changed the tyre. Margaret had 100 copies of her book printed. Cath had her rubbish collected using her council voucher - ring the council to arrange collection. Elizabeth’s son recently visited and refused to share his lifejacket. David C cut up firewood. Terry had a massage on his shoulder and neck and is now sleeping better.

Words of the day

Myopia = near sightedness or lack of insight

Auspicious = fortunate, favourable future

Articulate = speak properly, movement of a joint

Ben = a high mountain peak, a room in a two room cottage

Guile = deceit or treachery

Fug = a warm stuffy atmosphere

Metonymy = a figure of speech used in rhetoric in which a thing or concept is not called by its own name but by the name of something intimately associated with that thing or concept eg Hollywood, Wall Street, Canberra

Scot free = from the Swedish word Sket a person who did not pay tax

Bucolic = country things, Sheppard’s, farming

Putative = reputed or supposed

Phrenology = study of the human cranium and head bumps

 

Writing from words of the day

We used the words of the day to write stories about Like minded people, overheard in the pub, travel in a bus studying a bald head, blind spots and bumps in the palace – a good poem from David R, Madam La Verne should have a shave, Not a legitimate occupation, view from the mountain, creative accountancy near Ben Loman, In the highlands, Ben and Scott and hoping for the best.

Reading of homework on a variety of topics

Jo told a scary story of a boy visiting her house, A small drop in the ocean a great poem by David R, He lies on the pavement a great story from Leonie, Superman’s problems with super powers an unusual story from Terry (not so unusual for him), notches on the bamboo stake on a deserted island, no lights on to read, flying to Columbia in a storm from Garry,  Snow on the railings to view ice burgs by Margaret, My first day at Kindy – a funny poem by Wendy, The last person on earth a true story from Trevor and diary of a house sitter from Jenny.

 

Reading of work

Terry read two chapters of his novel about McCord and the group provided helpful and fun feedback.  David R read a poem in the darkness and Jenny read a story about winter.

Exercise

We created stories using the terms - A burglar alarm, a love note and an untimely sneeze.

We were inspired by the love note as our stories included A note from Lady Godiva, Love letters in the toilet block, A black waterfall at midnight, Jenny and Jack, The milkshake lover, Carnation lover, I hope his wife is away, The nasty trick, A note on his chest pinned with a knife, mushrooms on toast, Love note to Alice, sneezing caused by a love note.

Homework

A storm

 

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.