Thank you to my friend Leah who invited me to come do a
women’s writers workshop in North Carolina
at NOMAD Farms among the
chickens, pigs, cows, turkeys, sheep, and horses.
Above is a photo of me the day before the workshop
while it poured rain!!!!
Here's a photo of me now.
Mostly I have had to peck
out this blog
one letter of the keyboard at a time
because a week ago
I BROKE MY SHOULDER!
Our family has owned a trampoline for
DECADES.
I've loved laying on it to watch bats, birds,
planes, leaves, squirrels, and clouds.
I have been doing yoga on it for three years.
NO I did not fall off the trampoline while DOING yoga.
But I did fall off it while stepping down.
My doctor said,
"It looks like you took a hammer to your shoulder."
It felt like it.
I'll heal...
(I had to cancel 5 dog $itting job$!!!)
Enough of that!
Let's get back to the blog!
***
The day before the workshop we arranged tables and chairs
in a semi-circle in an open air hay barn.
(Thanks for your help Keith.)
Leah made the place beautiful with signs, flags,
flowers, table runners,
and decorative pitchers for water.
Leah even purchased a microphone
for me to use since I have been known to be soft-spoken.
The place looked amazing!!!!!
Leah put a sign on the country road and
people parked up by the farm's store where
organic, free range products are sold.
Participants walked down the red, rocky road
where they were greeted by hay bales and fall decorations.
Due to Covid concerns everyone was told to bring
their own snacks and the ladies were seated
with space to write and breathe facing forward.
Just to be safe.
I brought a surprise ball with me which we
unwound to discover toys inside.
It made the group laugh, smile,
and become bound together as one.
The workshop was two hours long.
That gave people time to say hello
and time for me get through my agenda.
(The group knew each other from church.)
We had all ages there, from high school - up.
Each of the ladies brought their own drinking vessel
which I had asked them to bring.
Each woman was to give a “mug shot“ about themselves
by sharing why they had brought that cup.
The insights we gained about each lady
were charming, personal, and touching.
I collect mugs. I buy them at thrift stores. I give them as gifts.
I received these English Bulldog mugs as memorials when Magnus died.
Mugs help me remember people and places I love.
I shared about some of the jewelry that I was wearing
and the mug that I had brought.
I have the Starbucks collection of states.
I even bought a Starbucks mug when I was in India.
I love buying handmade pottery mugs.
I actually bought this jack-o-lantern mug
off etsy while I was waiting for my plane
to take off for NC.
It's by a favorite artist:
We opened the literary part of the workshop
by having folks share small selections
of published writings or their own writing.
So enjoyable!
I told the ladies a little bit about my experiences
as a writer and about my book
My book has essays about my experience running a resale store
that had an art gallery inside of it.
The short essays are full of insightful connections
about how the artists, consignors, customers, and merchandise
all affected me - during a recession.
Here’s the essay from my book I chose to read to the group:
Then it was time to write! I always give my groups the option to use a prompt.
I had two prompt words that I chose to share with this group: home and hometown.
We wrote for 15 minutes.
Then I asked for a thumbs up if people wanted more time for writing.
Then the ladies were invited to share picking the next person
to share, with all the participants
having the right to pass and not share - which happened.
As the ladies were writing some chickens came into the barn
and made some clucking noises.
We also could hear cows, pigs, horses, and sheep.
Lots of mooing, baaing, and braying.
After the ladies shared we did a Wrap Up in which they
commented tidbits of where they may have been surprised by
their writing or the experience.
Then I gave away door prizes and we ended on time!
The group was invited to go up to a log cabin store
where we could buy meats, eggs, and t-shirts.
I bought a t-shirt of course!
Leah purchases
their free range meats at a
farmer's market.
(Or process-a-ecuted. Hahaha. )
The setting of the farm was absolutely glorious!
During the summer the owners hold a camp for children
in which the participants keep field notes.
Make sure you check out the website for this amazing place.
THANK YOU DANA AND MARK
FOR SHARING YOUR SLICE OF HEAVEN.
***
Since it's tedious pecking out words I've used my microphone too.
But you can imagine the typos...
So I'm not going to explain the
next slew of pics much.
Most of all I want to say:
I HAD FUN VISITING YOU LEAH!
I LOVED YOUR COOKING,
DINING IN YOUR BEAUTIFUL HOME,
WORSHIPPING AT YOUR CHURCH, THRIFTING,
RESALE SHOPPING, AND ANTIQUING WITH YOU,
AND BEING WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
THANK YOU!!!!
Here's evidence of a fantastic week:
Souvenirs of Winston Salem.
I wanted to buy this:
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Cookie - owner of Shabby Antiques for 40 years.
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I got to go to Charlotte to visit friends!
My honorary daughter, Jasmin.
My Other Mother and her daughter, my childhood best friend.
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The photos below are all mixed up.
Some are Sawtooth Studios, some shopping, some a gallery.
Too hard to fix with one hand.
Sorry.
***
Don't forget, October is breast cancer awareness month!
I am thankful for my friends!!!
Anyone else want me to come do a Writer's Workshop?????