NEXT ASSIGNMENT

All day long the three-levels-high tree outside my living room window has danced and flung itself about in our 33-50 degree weather. At 3:00 the sky is dark and dreary. Although I've not read so, I think this is from the storms on the west coast. It sent the wind our way. The east coast may be experiencing the same type of weather too.

If you can be safe during such storms, and if you are not busy helping others less fortunate than you, it should be a good time to read. Or walk. Or write. And that is what I'm working on a bit today. Early in January I'm to speak a while to the writing class here at MorningStar. They are writing their autobiographies, not necessarily for publication, but for their families. The staff leader is not a writer and uses a book someone else wrote about doing one's life story. Most books on that subject are written by people who apparently have no success in other writings. Books about how to write anything, written by famous writers, are another matter. They have proved themselves before producing a book on writing. For example, P. D. James and Elizabeth George. There are other great books on writing, some of them by males, and I've read them. But let me tell you about one, not of the best kind. 

Several years ago, when I belonged to a writing guild, I attended a yearly conference at which awards were to be given for the best writings. The woman who was the poetry judge got up to make her presentations, and began with these words: I am not a poet. Then she proceeded to prove it. I won't describe that, but will say she was there, in addition, to sell her book on writing an autobiography. She sold a few copies, but when I examined it, I found it to be quite elementary and run-of-the-mill. This author is one of many.

I told the staffer of this group here I had not seen the book she is using but I could guarantee I would emphasize one big secret that book doesn't mention. I am looking forward to this. Let the wind blow. I'm staying in!

TWO STORIES ABOUT LETTER WRITING

Although there was no time for writing this first letter, one day I skipped going downstairs for lunch so that I could write to a relative to whom I had not written for some time. I typed a full page plus one more paragraph on a second page. I told him about breaking my hip last April but did not dwell on that. I wrote mainly about my large family, and asked him to tell me about his life today. When the reply came, I was delighted to see the envelope and sat down in the lobby to read the letter. My address on the envelope was my return address label from my letter to him! Clever. His letter, in tiny but neat penmanship, took a small space on the second page of my letter to him! Instead of telling me about his life today, he relayed a childhood happening we two shared. He asked if I remembered it. Of course I do. I think I failed to mention to him what a good memory I have in my old age. But he did not tell me anything else, not about his life today, or his views on politics, or any thing about other relatives. Oh, he did say he enjoyed my letter.     

That was a unique exchange of letters. 

But the next one is a dilly that could win an Oscar. 

One day I received an e-mail from a relative-by-marriage, female this time, sending me an ultimatum to the affect that if I did not write by return mail, our friendship was over! What a shock! Was she kidding? She was not. I had repeatedly told her I did not have time to write her or write anyone else. (I still don't.) 

Then one day a letter came from her, full of good will and numerous exclamation points. I immediately realized the fake good will. However, I wrote her a short letter but did not accuse her of this impropriety. I haven't heard from her since. I could never have brought about such an un-Christian ultimatum in any situation. I am sorry to have lost her friendship but I can't do the impossible. 

IT'S ABOUT TIME

At long last, good news for the country: 17 states have filed suit against BHO for not going by the nation's Constitution and making his own laws. Why did it take so long, when he told us in the beginning that the Constitution was out of date? In just a few days the new Congress will be in session and we anticipate great excitement for the change. It is its job to make our laws and we have a voice in that through those we elect to send there. In the meantime, we can thank Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.