Sunday, January 29, 2012
Small Talk & Annoucements
Fred Meyer on a Thursday. Jo, me, 2x2 dressing room and overhead florescent lights that are so bright they feel as if they beat me between the eyes. A man with a gritty southern voice, a loud talker who works the various check stands and who I avoid because of that voice, announces fresh and hot sourdough loaves have just come out of the oven in the bakery
"Which one do you like?" Jo asks.
She's down to two dresses. One is white, drop waist (think Flapper from the 20's) and the fabric seems to have been drenched in glitter. I have sparkles on my hands, my arms, my sleeves, my shoulders, my legs, my books. There is a circle of glitter around Jo's feet.
"I'd go with the pink one," I say.
"I always do pink. I've never done white."
Another announcement scratches out over the intercom system and I uncross and re-cross my legs. I have been sitting in this closet sized dressing room for too long. My leg is cramped.
"Mommy," she says, "I can't pick. I love them BOTH. I always get myself into this kind of a pickle."
This makes me laugh. Out loud. And that's unusual. Jo isn't the one who gets me to belly laugh. The comedy job has been filled by Spencer for all these years (he's 14) but Jo--a few days from ten--is funny. Like her body grows, this sense of humor blooms too. She's busted me up several days in a row now. These one line zingers that come from no where.
"Don't yell at the teacher, he has more power than you do," I overheard her tell a friend the other day.
"A-t-t-i-t-u-d-e," she whispered when her brother was being a pill.
"That Eli," she said, after a boy asked her what time it was and then walked away, "he's a nice fellow."
"Pickle," I say. "Yes, I suppose you're in a pickle."
The search and purchase of a birthday dress is my little ritual, I don't recall when I got it started, but Jo has latched on the way kids do. They love routine. And now, every year, we go shopping for a dress.
"Which one would you get?"
"Pink," I say again. "Your skin is perfect with that pink."
And then it happens. Jo, her own person, makes a decision--not based on what I think but based on what she wants.
"I've never had a white dress," she says. "I'm taking the white."
You would think, maybe, that I would care that she picked a dress that I didn't necessarily like. You might think, "well, that girl is going to be a handful when she's a teen." But I don't think about things that way.
While it's almost her birthday, I am the one who just got a huge gift. Jo, my child, is on her way to being her own wonderful self with her own tastes and thoughts and conclusions. I have given that to her, hard earned in a way because I still am not as confident as Ms. Jo. Jokes are easy but confidence--true confidence in yourself and your choices--that is hard.
As yet another announcement for hot fresh sourdough bread grates over our heads--sound pollution.
We leave the pink dress behind and take the white dress to the check out stand. Hand in hand we walk, Jo happy with her choice and me. well, I have glitter all over my hands.
~
CLASSES & RETREATS:
I'm planning the spring/summer schedule and it's going to be packed. In February, I begin the Critique Circle of just six writers reading their work to one another. This is a tight, salon style teaching and will be lovely for those who are working on a larger body of writing and want support, instruction and community.
CLICK HERE for cost and details.
Over at The Attic Institute, a memoir technique class is nearly full. It's affordable, it's intense and you will savor this experience.
A spring retreat is shaping up in Palm Springs, thanks to Tammy Coia, The Memoir Coach and those details are found by clicking here!
Finally, I have set the dates and times for the annual Beach Retreat. This one will be about you, about time to write, about relaxing and about WRITING! Read on and sign up early. This will be closed at eight writers.
~
8 Writers, 3 Days ~ Write, Relax & Restore. 
The 2012 Summer Retreat is for writers in search of depth instruction and personal mentoring. Come to Manzanita, a tiny coastal town snugged on the Oregon coastline, and savor four full days to write, receive teachings and read your work aloud. This unique, once a year opportunity, combines the best of camaraderie, solitude, teachings and celebration.
SCHEDULE:
Fri:
10-1 p.m. Breakfast & Teachings
1-6:30 p.m. Personal writing time
6:30 - 9:30 Desert, teachings, reading & conversation
Sat:
10-1 p.m. Breakfast & Teachings
1-6:30 p.m. Personal writing time
6:30 - 9:30 Desert, teachings, reading & conversation
Sun:
10-1 p.m. Breakfast & Teachings
1-6:30 p.m. Personal writing time
6:30 - 9:30 Desert, teachings, reading & conversation
COST:
$375.00 Early Sign Up (Prior to May 15, 2012)
$450.00 Late Sign Up (May 16, 2012)
Jennifer covers your teachings, breakfast and evening desserts.
You cover your travel to and from Manzanita and your accommodations.
While we can help make accommodation recommendations for writers and can arrange meetings between students for ride share, we will not be responsible for your travel or accommodations. You are encouraged to find a place to stay that allows privacy, relaxation, restoration and space to write.
RECOMMENDED LODGING:
(Luxury)
Inn at Manzanita
Coast Cabins
Ocean Inn
(Affordable Shabby Chic)
Spindrift
Sunset Surf
(House Share Opportunities)
Sunset Vacation Rentals
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