Birds of a Feather

Sometimes we critters cluster around one word or usage of grammar like chickens around an ear of corn. Last time, it was that devilish little punctuation mark, the comma. Yesterday, it was two words, “all” and “streeling”. Helen had included the word “all” all too frequently, using it in all of two or three ways, all too close together. But, all in all, her four devotionals that she brought for us to critique left us in awe of her writing, all of it! We felt much better for listening and critiquing “Dropped Like a Rock”, “Don’t Feed the Bears,” “The White Cotton Field” and “Parenting Styles.”  Thanks, Helen, for the uplifting words.

Peg, as usual, is reading a lot. When someone confides in me that it takes a month or more to read one book, you can be sure that person is not my neighbor Peg. One of her favorites since we met last was Law and Author by Erika Chase. This involves a teacher, Lizzie and her two cats, Edom and Brie. In the book, some enterprising Southern ladies find they must solve a mystery and they do so, admirably.

Peg shared that she also liked Privy to the Dead by Sheila Connoly, who has written several different series. In this particular series, Nell, the protagonist, is president of a historical society in Philadelphia.

Jane is working on two poems which I can hardly wait to hear. They will, of course, be full of the insight Jane has into life and her thoughts about Heaven. Jane’s writings as well as her paintings, reveal her ability to emphasize with others and reflect her courage and spirit.

Judy read to us, not a poem this time, but a reflection of a particularly painful time in her life and the strength she gained from that experience. I don’t think there was a dry eye at the hundred-year old table as Judy finished reading “A Mist That Appears for a Little While.” Thanks, Judy, for sharing that.

We missed Critter Nancy who could not be with us yesterday. Nancy always lends a lot to our discussions. We hope she can be with us at our next meeting, the second Wednesday in October.

I played two of the three auditions my publisher has sent for The Cemetery Club. We all agreed that we liked the first voice better. She was clear, read with the correct inflection for each character, and sounded as if she might be from Oklahoma or Arkansas or Texas or points south. Anyway, she was good.

Then, I read them a chapter of the Darcy and Flora work in progress. Sure enough, another troublesome word raised its stubborn head. Darcy and Flora were having a discussion in the kitchen of their new home, over two cups of coffee, of course.

I’m really sorry that boy decided to go streeling off somewhere just at the time that poor man was found dead at Old String’s place,” Mom said.

“Streeling?” a Critter questioned. “What’s that?”

“You mean “strolling,” said Jane

“No, I mean ‘streeling’,” I answered.

“Never heard of it,” someone said.

I looked around the table at four heads shaking in agreement. Nobody knew what “streeling” meant. I took that to mean nobody had ever streeled.

“I’ve heard it all my life,” I answered. “It means to go off wandering aimlessly, for no important purpose.”

Jane looked it up on her Smartphone. “You meant ‘strolling’.”

Equally determined, I looked it up on YourDictionary. “It does not mean strolling,” I said. “It is an Irish word so I’ve got my dad to thank for it. And, it means what I said it does.”

Later, Judy came up with a diplomatic answer to the problem which the other Critters haven’t yet heard. Darcy could laugh and say, “Mom, I haven’t heard that word since Dad used to use it.” Flora could say, “I know. I asked him to explain it one day and he told me that it meant to go wandering off with no particular goal in mind.”

Thanks, Judy!

So ended a lively critique with lots of laughter, spirited conversation, helpful pointers, and a ton of encouragement. We critters are birds of a feather and I look forward to the times we flock together

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