May Theme:

If you were a cliché, what would you be & why?

Barbara Ehrentreu — Better Late Than Never

Time and I have a difficult relationship. Many times I am on time or even early but sometimes I am late. I was late to physically develop. I got my period at thirteen. I was late to have children. It took me over twelve years. But how wonderful that was and how grateful I am that I did. And I was late to become an author. But these experiences were worth it at any time. And this has taught me to take advantage of anything I want to do even though I am late in life. It’s the doing that counts and not when it’s done.

Cathy Horn — Better Safe than Sorry

Always one to prefer my feet on solid ground, I was never so risk-averse until we had children. Then the stakes were raised exponentially as any risk to their health or safety became something to avoid at all costs. No longer protecting just myself, my children became the most important of all people in my life, except, of course, my wonderful husband. But he could take care of himself while our children were completely dependent upon us to keep them healthy and safe. It was our responsibility. Anxiety accompanied me as I remained alert to any potential threat or danger. Now, we have two adorable granddaughters, and I am with them most weekdays. I remain hypervigilant as I watch them run, climb, jump, and flip trying not to let my fear of the “What ifs?” get in the way of their freedom.

Linda Hortick — Birds of a Feather, Flock Together

Birds of a feather, flock together, is an English proverb that dates back to 1545.
Birds dwell with their kind…. (rest of the proverb)…. until the cat comes.
Aha….bet you didn’t know that!
Birds of a feather implies a similar type of interest, person, characteristic, or the same distinctive attributes. There is trust when birds of a feather mutually associate.
This sound familiar? Does it remind you of the Greenwich pen women and NLAPW? Yes, we have found each other!
We are birds of a feather loving the camaraderie, time we spend together and the friendships WE MAKE.

Doris Mady — A Stitch In Time Saves Nine

Having starting my Art Director career as the only woman in a 12 -person department I really had to be on my toes and “know my stuff”!  If I made a mistake, believe me, I heard about it. I wore myself out figuring the worst case scenario and asked a lot of questions to be sure I wouldn’t encounter any snafus. Being “Miss Worriwart” helped me in so many ways. Even today I try to be prepared and foresee where I can put that stitch and save nine.

Heather Sandifer – A Watched Pot Never Boils

I am famous for being impatient when cooking.  I’ll walk outside, start thinking about the garden, or go up into my studio to study a painting, lose track and the pot boils over in the meantime!

 June Theme:

If you could travel anywhere to recharge your creativity where would you go?

Pen Women Get All Shook Up by Linda Hortick©

April 7, 2024

April 5, 2024 was the monthly meeting of the “Letters” group of Pen Women writers.
Anticipating an interesting, intellectual morning at Deborah Weir’s beautiful home, some members arrived early.
When almost everyone arrived and took their seats, Deb called the meeting to order.  She invited us to get coffee or tea. There were red and green grapes on the table, as well as, homemade oatmeal cookies baked just for us.
A few minutes later, a member arrived we had not seen for a long time. We welcomed back Anita Keire as she took her seat. Anita had a tough year medically but today looked radiant and healthy.
She quickly got settled and Deborah suggested we discuss her piece first.  Anita asked us to comment on a question she had.  She is doing research in anticipation of writing a new book.
After we discussed Anita’s question, the meeting continued. Critiquing each other is always a learning experience and it is very satisfying to get feedback from our peers.
We were ready to move on to the next member when suddenly, out of the blue, the table started shaking, the house shook and the dishes rattled. We heard all kinds of noises. Hands went to the table to brace ourselves. Some of us looked at each other in wonderment. What was the heck was happening?
Alarmed, we all stayed seated in our chairs while the rattling and shaking went on.  Deborah said, “It’s 10:40 a.m. This must be an earthquake.”  I looked at the person across from me feeling slightly alarmed.
Then, as quickly as it began, the shaking stopped.  The group began talking and then the tremors began again but not as strong. “It must be the aftershock.” someone said. More shaking and rattling but this time only for seconds.
Diane Morello, always quick to research something and fill us in, was on her iPad like a flash.  She told us it was a 4.8  earthquake that began in Lebanon, New Jersey and spread to several states.  She showed us the fault lines on her iPad.
Most of the writers pulled out their cell phones to try and get more information on the phenomeana.
A few minutes later I called my husband, Edward, to ask if he was okay.  He asked me why?  I told him what we experienced. He had no idea there was an earthquake. He was driving to Greenwich and was wondering why there was so much traffic on the road.  As we were conversing, he saw fire engines, police and rescue vehicles rushing by, so we said goodbye.
Back at the Letters meeting, the group was talking about the earthquake again. I said, “It was like a seance in the vintage movies.  The walls would rattle and a ghost would appear from the dead.” I don’t know if anyone heard me because everyone was talking at once.
Later in the day, news flashes reported that people in California were laughing at the East Coast people saying for them, a 4.8 earthquake rocks them to sleep.  4.8 is no big deal to them.
In the evening news, they reported there were aftershocks of 4.2. in several states. People walking on the street in N.Y. were interviewed on the 5:00 p.m. news. Some felt the buildings sway and some did not notice anything.
Today, Sunday, April 7, I am thinking to myself; What a great experience! No one hurt, minimal damage and our Letters group will forever be bonded because of this experience.
Those in attendance to witness this phenomeana at Deborah Weir’s home were:  Rosemarie Anner, Barbara Ehrentreu, Linda Hortick. Anita Keire, Diane Morello, Alma Rutgers, and Deborah Weir.
Can’t wait for the next Letters meeting. It’s at my home but I can’t top this experience!

Deb Weir — We had just finished giving feedback to Anita for her chapter on heaven. We had started looking at Alma’s final chapter in her book in which she describes the day that Ramadan, Easter, and Passover occurred on the same day while she was in Jerusalem. Do you think God was telling us something