The Lucky Dog Blog

LEARNING THEME AND VOICE IN WRITING

Last Saturday, Marilyn took a one-day writing class. The topic was theme and voice. It was taught by Mary Carroll Moore, her on line teacher and it was an opportunity to see her in person. It was a very interesting day.

             

When Marilyn started taking writing classs in January, she was seeking a way to tell stories more effectively. Coming from a long line of story tellers in the Ozark tradition, she thought it would be simple. Instead she said it feels like knowing a little arithmatic and suddenly trying to solve advanced calculus problems (not that she ever got that far in math anyway).

There are so many new ideas and concepts to learn and try to apply. It isn't as if she isn't given enough instruction or information, she just is having a problem absorbing it all in what seems like a very short time.

             

Suddenly she has to work with an inner and outer story and fret about character development and other arcane terms. Nothing worthwhile is easy, she says so she slogs along. This week, the teacher gave the class 7 random words and asked them to “free write” a scene using three of them. Ever the over achiever, Marilyn worked in more. he list of words is:

thief, river, solitude, parchment, wine glass, red, brilliant.

This is what she wrote:

A plain featured man except for an overlarge nose due to the copious amounts of whisky that had slithered down his gullet over the years sat at the end of the bar. Old cigarette smoke, vomit and stale beer clouded the air. He was as oblivious to the atmosphere as he was to the brilliant light that glinted on the pristine river below. The piercing beam had to hurt his eyes, but he was beyond such physical pain; today’s whiskey had taken care of that.

There was something about his solitude that scared me. I would rather have approached him when he was part of a raucous group of buddies. That always put him in a good mood. Laughing whisky, not fightin whiskey. I approached cautiously; I knew better than to startle him. I’d made that mistake in the past. Black eyes hurt.

 Other than the glowing nose, his skin was almost transparent – like parchment. The thief of time had overtaken him and he looked older than his actual years. He should have blended into the background. Just another hard drinking guy occupying his favorite bar stool day after day, but his large size and red plaid shirt made him hard to conceal.“Nice evening,” I say as I climbed up on the next stool.

“Mmmh.”

“Mom says it’s time for you to come home.”

“What for?”

“Time for supper” she says. “We’re having your favorite – fried catfish and stuff.”

“Go away, child. I’m busy.”  He slapped at me. I ducked.

I slid down to the floor, head hanging low. Mom would give me a whuppin when I got home.

First of all, this is totally imaginary, nothing Marilyn has ever witnessed. She left out wine as she didn't think it fit in a scene about an old sot.  Secondly, it might be a tad precious in her effort to work in the words, but she said it was fun to write. I just want her to be happy and enjoy life, so if it keeps her busy, it is great with me.

Lucky

YELLOW CAT HURT, BUT MENDING

Oliver Saffron (AKA: Little Yellow Cat) is a good looking member of our family. He likes to be called a handsome cat and is ordinarily very sociable. Sometimes he gets in my way;  I am a little jealous of the attention he gets. I guess the baby of the family always requires a little more parental guidance.

                                                    

Last week, he got very sick. We noticed that he was lying like a limp rag and didn't want to move. This was unusual as he is usually winding around someone's ankles looking for a pet. Marilyn immediately was reminded of when Busted had Bobcat fever and nearly died. (the fatality rate for BC fever is about 98%). She immediately set off for the veteranarian's office. Not waiting to make an appointment. After all, this was an emergency! 

Recently the cats have been allowed outside for the first time since we moved to Minnesota. Not all of the neighborhood cats were schooled in “Minnesota Nice” and there were some encounters. The vet noticed Oliver had a wound on his shoulder and one on his paw. His fever was over 104 degrees (cats are usually about 102, she said) so she gave him some fluids, a big blast of an antibiotic and sent them home with some pain medication. Oliver stayed very quiet and hid out most of the next few days. There was another visit to the vet on Monday and worry clouded the air around here. Tuesday night, he had a fit of drooling which caused great alarm, but by morning, he was significantly better and was following Marilyn around and sitting on Al's chair arm. Marilyn noticed that the wound on his shoulder was actually two puncture like spots about 1 inch apart and his fur was gone in small “crop circles” around each spot.

         

We are not sure how he got hurt but I know that I didn't do it!

Lucky

CANADA GEESE

BULLETIN: Little Yellow (Oliver Saffron) is mending. He is beginning to resume his normal activities like sitting on the chair next to Al or following Marilyn around the house. He seems to feel that I am not an adequate escort. Frankly, he gets on my nerves at times. I was a little concerned about him as he was very sick for several days and hid under the bench in the living room. It took a while for M & A to find him on Tuesday morning and they were beginning to get alarmed. I will show you some pictures of the wounds that apparently caused his illness tomorrow.

L.D. (Lucky Dog)

This morning as Marilyn was going to her exercise class she saw the flock of geese that she had seen a few weeks ago crossing the street.

                              

Today, she must have been a little late as the geese had already got across the street and were marching up the lane following the adult leader. There was another adult guarding alongside them so they wouldn't dash into the street and one at the end to round up any stragglers. Apparently, geese are very good at parenting their young.

   

The goslings are growing up fast and are almost as big as the adults now, but they are very obedient and well disciplined. There is a nearby lake where they spend most of their time.

Lucky

MINNESOTA LANDSCAPING

Marilyn didn't have much to write about today as she couldn't find the photos she took of her class and Al is busy right now, so they will have to wait. When she went to her exercise class, she noticed how nice the landscaping was in the commercial area she was visiting. There are nice walkways, comfortable benches and shade to enjoy.

                                  

Minnesotans take landscaping very seriously. We think it is a reaction to those months of blinding snow scapes. The eye is hungry for green and some bright spots of color. Even a simple planting like the one below (We have no idea why the fountain pool is empty, but it does look better than a lot of algae-green, mosquito-breeding water.)

                                      

Our buddy, Oliver Saffron is sick. We don't know what is wrong since he can't tell us, but he has a high fever and is very listless. Marilyn and Al have taken him twice to the vet and he has had medicine, but so far still is one sick kitty. We will keep you informed. Right now, Marilyn is getting ready to call the vet fo more advice.

Lucky

MARILYN IS TAKING ANOTHER WRITING CLASS

The Art of Voice and Theme in Fiction and Memoir

07/19/14–07/19/14 | Saturday | 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Teaching Artist: Mary Carroll Moore

Seats available: 1

Ages: Adult

Location: Open Book-Loft Classroom

Tomorow, Marilyn will be gone all day. (Whew!). Al, the cats and I are going to have free run of the place. I am hoping that she will get inspired to help me more with my blog. It hasn't been very interesting lately. She is writing on her book, but won't share much with me. She says that somethings will have to be changed a lot or it will have to be published posthumously as she can't tell some of the funnier stories right now. Maybe she will think of something.

Today was Al's birthday. They had a quiet day at home and had a pizza tonight to celebrate. I got to eat a little bit of the crust. I bet the pepperoni was a lot better.

We are having a really nice summer so far. Not too hot and humid like it can be at times. We aren't complaining as it sure is a lot better than being knee deep in snow.

Lucky

SOME EXCITMENT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Last night about 9 pm or so (just as it was getting dark) we glanced out our front window to see a Hopkins Police car parked near the trail. Then an unmarked car pulled up and a young policewoman got out and walked east on the trail. Marilyn started snapping photos, curious about what was going on.

    

Soon a couple of walkers came by that Marilyn had seen talking with one of the officers. Not wanting to bother the police, she asked the women what was going on. She learned that there had been police patrols in the area for more than an hour. A young woman wearing a pink hoodie was missing and they were searching for her. Soon a Sheriff's car (lower right) with a K-9 helper pulled up.

   

Marilyn went about her business for a while, but when she came into the living room again, there was an ambulance parked in front of our house. Fearing the worst (now there werer five police cars, plus the ambulance) she sat on the little rock wall in front of the house and watched. She heard screams of anguish and saw a young woman surrounded by several police yelling loudly that she was trying to calm down. She wanted to go home. Although Marilyn wasn't close, it was apparent that they were trying to persuade the young woman to go into the ambulance and she was resisting. Suddenly, the 5 officers surrounded her and escorted her to the waiting gurney. They were gentle, but firm in moving her along. She continued to yell that she didn't want to go.

Soon one of the officers came over to see Marilyn. He introduced himself and asked if she had heard the yelling. Yes, she said, but she also thought that it had been handled well. Was she the missing girl? No, he said, but they are related cases. The missing girl has been safely found. That was very good news.

Reassured, Marilyn went inside. Less than an hour had passed and all was well. She continues to be impressed with the city of Hopkins. They train their people well and there is none of that strutting about sniper wanna be mentality in the force that she has lamented in the past. Yes, they do have a sniper team, but it is not flaunted and the sniper she met about a year ago was more likely to charm someone with his dimples than actually shoot even though it was clear that he, too, was well trained.

Lucky

 

MARILYN FOUND NEWS ABOUT CRYSTAL BRIDGES

 

This morning, we are having difficulty in putting a link into my blog. What we wanted to write about was the announcement that a new exhibit will begin on September 13, 2014. What is exciting is that a tour of American artists has culminated in an exhibit that will showcase more than 100 artists from all over the country. You might try copy and paste of the link below. Otherwise, readers can Google Crystal Bridges for more information.

http://crystalbridges.org/press-releases/crystal-bridges-museum-american-art-prepares-debut-state-art-discovering-american-art-now-september-13-2014-january-19-2015/

She learned that locally the buildings are called “silver armadillos” but she is reminded of turtles basking in the sun. As the copper weathers, it will become more verdigris and blend into the area. The Frank Lloyd Wright house that is being moved from Massachusetts and restored will be located off the walking trails that are at the bottom of the photo, nestled in the woods. It promises to be another great destination.

Lucky

 

INDIAN BURIAL MOUNDS IN ST. PAUL, MN

This morning's paper had an interesting article on the addition of several burial mounds in St. Paul to the National Register of Historic Places. It reminded Marilyn of the time she got a grant to put the last remaining mound in the state of Missouri on the Register. It was an accomplishment that made her proud as so much local history, especially pre-historic sites has been lost over time. The Pineville Mound is a Caddo priest's mound according to the archaeologists. The Caddo tribe once claimed most of the land in the Louisiana Purchase. Their culture was similar to the Pawnee and the mounds were built up each year by adding soil and having a stomp dance.

After Marilyn was harrassed from office, she read in the paper that she had been awarded a commendation from the state for her efforts in preserving history. She went to City Hall to claim it, but the new Mayor had thrown it away rather than let her have it. It was one of the many heartbreaking events that nearly broke Marilyn's spirit for a time. What a petty thing to do to someone who was merely trying to do a good thing.

Below is the link to the story about the St. Paul Mounds. Like most, they were at the confluence of two rivers. In this case, it is the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. In Pineville, it is the meeting of Big and Little Sugar Creeks.

http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/266952891.html

By the way, today is Marilyn and Al's 26^th  wedding anniversary. They hope to have a nice day. The weather is perfect. Cool and breezy. I am going to be very well behaved today as my gift to them.

Lucky

OF BONKS, BRUISES AND BIRDHOUSES

Last week was a time of bonks. First Marilyn's friend Colleen collided with the tip of her car door and skinned her forehead, then Builder Bob turned suddenly and encountered a protuding 2 x 4 then Marilyn finished off the three-in-a row by tripping over her own feet and falling on the sidewalk in front of her sister's home. She also skinned her forehead, but garnished the rest of herself with bruises on her arm and body (she decided to spare my readers any more photos of that.) Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt. Marilyn must have sturdy bones because she manages to fall at least once a year and so far the only bone broken in her body was her nose when she was a child and (before seatbelts or safety seats) collided with the front seat of her uncle's car when he came to a sudden stop.

                          

Below are photos of the wonderful miniature bird houses made by Marilyn's friend Tom Duggan. He makes the most amazing things of wood from chess sets, intricate puzzles, bangle bracelents and more.

   

The little houses are made from different kinds of Ozark native woods and are barely 3” tall. They would make great Christmas orniments, but Marilyn is going to hang them in a suitable spot in the living room so she can admire them all year.

Lucky

LUNCH AT HAVEN 55

While in Missouri, Marilyn, her sister Zella and Zella's and Marilyn's life-long friend, Nova enjoyed lunch at the nice restaurant in Havenhurst called “Haven 55”. From the large windows they could watch people playing in the creek and enjoy the beauty of Little Sugar Creek.

The food was good and so was the company. It was nice to catch up with all the news. Nova sheltered Al and Marilyn after the big flood in 2011 and they will always be grateful that they had a place to put their heads during a hard time.

The dam at Havenhurst is a pre-Civil War dam that powered a grist mill and generated electricity in the early days. It forms “Sugar Lake” and has been restored to its early beauty. Across from the restaurant is a large campground that was very popular on a hot summer day.

Lucky