Treadmill Musings

As a child, Saturdays were reserved for the picture show;  I'd often go with my friends whose elegant grandmother owned the theater.  You know we got the royal treatment from her!

I remember how special those times were.  I'm also remembering a soundproof "cry room" at the back of the theater where parents could take a noisy child who'd be ruining "Lassie" or somesuch for the other ticket holders.  Sometimes, when it wasn't occupied, my friends and I would have dominion over the little room where a huge picture window faced the screen.  And there was sound coming into the room, if not going out.  When we'd manage to have time in the "Cry Room," we were too busy feeling important to cry; the place was like our own private screening room.

The other day I noticed a "Change Room" sign on a door at the gym.  How fabulous would it be, when we wanted to change—not our clothes, but ourselves—if we could walk into a room thinking about the changes we wanted to make in ourselves and walk out with those changes made.  Just like that.  Done. 

                                                    

Something like Clark Kent going into the phone booth and coming out as Superman.  If we could change habits or attitudes or our past hurts and grievances by simply deciding what we want to change and then walking into the room. . . .

Then I thought:  If we could do that, how could we know we wouldn't be eliminating a significant reason for having the human experience in the first place?  The struggles, the lessons— you know, the process of becoming more open-hearted.  Or becoming whatever.   We might be messing with the very meaning of life.  Besides that, a lot of mental health professionals would be out of work if personal evolution were that easy. 

Without our own "change rooms" we will continue to strive for more awareness, ever wanting to remember our wholeness.  Meditation, friends, a support group, a good therapist— whatever it takes to fully become our own authentic Selves.  And then to find the courage to live in sync with exactly who we are.  Yep, that just might be one of the challenges of a lifetime.

It was fun to think about a "change room" though.   There's always time for contemplation on the old treadmill for someone who can't read while moving.

Fun with River Club Readers

Great evening with the River Club's Book Club at Pawleys Island, SC. What a fabulous group of intelligent, sensitive, and open-minded readers! DANCING ON MARS was their June selection.

Took my camera  so I could share more of the experience here; apparently I need more photo remediation.  The pics were either seriously blurry or too dark.  So, picture a room full of beautiful women you'd like to have as your friends.  And the dinner was outstanding.  Is there a cookbook project in their future?

During discussion, comments made it clear that the book continues to validate my intention; it's touching other women's  (and a few men's) lives in a positive way.  Generous in sharing their life experiences, the group talked about how the book has affected them.  They're sharing it with friends and family.   Thank you, River Club Book Club Book Club readers. You've made me very happy!

Nora Ephron

So sad to learn of a brilliant writer's passing at 71.  I've always admired her honesty,  loved her sharp wit, and the amazing courage she showed in writing about subjects that are not easy to handle.  Rest in peace, dear Nora! 

Of Book Reviews and Summertime

I've done a little better lately about limiting my compulsive visits to Amazon, checking out reviews for Dancing on Mars.  It had been a few days since my last visit, and I was happy to find  23 favorable reviews!  I don't think there's a limit on the number allowed, so feel free to post one if you'd like.

After a full day of medical tests in the Midlands yesterday, I'm glad the results were good.  Best of all, my doctor is enjoying Dancing on Mars.  Since he has very little time to read for pleasure, I'm honored that he chose this book.  He says he especially likes the humor; you know I loved hearing that!
                                                                            * * * 
    Words from Rudyard Kipling:                                

                                     Oh do not tell the priest our plight,
                                     Or he would call it sin;
                                     But we have been out in the woods all night,
                                     A-conjuring Summer in . . . .

Hope you're enjoying this first day of Summer.  Cloudless skies over the lake this morning, Great Egret fishing by the dam.  A lazy gator is gliding by, apparently in no hurry.  In a summer mode.

I'm thinking of my grandmother, Mammy,  and how she was ever-patient with my requests for her to play "In the Good Old Summertime" on the piano.  (You met Mammy in the book.) No doubt my feeling that Summer means freedom relates to school days.  But even today, despite the heat, humidity and mosquitoes, I still love "the good ole summertime."   Let me get back to you when the temperatures reach triple digits.

Meanwhile, it's time for a tall glass of iced tea - with mint!

Father's Day 2012

In Dancing on Mars I say that my father, when he met my mother, was "a ringer for young Brando."  He's the one on the left, taking a break from Midshipman School to be with one of his older brothers, CW.  I miss Papa every day and so grateful that he's a part of me now.  We were a lot alike!

                                     

So True

and yet it's so hard to believe when the wound is fresh, isn't it?  I've learned that it's also true that we become strong in the broken places.   Let's celebrate our Light and our strength today!

                   (KindOverMatter.com via Ganesha's Place on FB; thanks for this post!)

Rainy Days & Book Reviews

It just keeps on a-raining here in Georgetown.  The lake is filled to the brim, white water gushing under the bridge like a miniature Niagara Falls.  I love rain, even lots of it; that is, on days when I can stay inside.  Somehow the rain slows me down, quiets the inner landscape enough to hear what's going on in my heart.   Rainy days grant permission to be only as productive as I truly want to be—not as productive as I "should" be.

Between yesterday's rainstorms,  a colorful visitor stopped by to snack at the bird feeder:  A Painted Bunting!  He wasn't spooked that I was sitting at an open window only inches away and talking on the phone, in a whisper after seeing him there.  A brave and beautiful fellow.  At one point, I could have sworn he winked at me.  What a thrill it was, this first sighting.   It seemed more likely he was AWOL from some magical movie set than outside my window.   Here's a photo; I didn't have a camera handy, so this one's from the web.
 

                                               

After the bird excitement, there was something else to be delighted about—a wonderful review of Dancing on Mars.   If only I could internalize these generous words, I'd be a whole lot braver!  Meanwhile, I'll just continue to feel very grateful.  Here's the review:

Lucinda Shirley opens up her life to readers in the warmest, most engaging and enlightening way. It is easy to relate to the changes and challenges she shares, especially as a southern woman. I love that she weaves her wonderful poetry throughout the book; it accentuates her wisdom, her questioning of the 'status quo' and her great sense of humor. I highly recommend the book... a great read! - L.P.

Have a delicious day, no matter what the weather may be in your corner of the world!

Sunday Morning Book Talk

I was excited to see twenty favorable reviews for Dancing on Mars at Amazon.  Okay, one was written by a cousin (who discloses the relationship),  and I do know some of the people who posted - but not all.  No blackmail or bribery involved!  Here's a link if you'd like to check out what they had to say. http://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Mars-Lucinda-Shirley/product-reviews/0985006617/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

More feedback is coming from men who are reading/have read the book.  A busy doctor e-mailed to say he has little time to read for pleasure, but wanted me to know he's savoring my book!  Feedback from one fellow (a relative) was that he believes I stand a good chance of going to hell — based on  my spiritual journey described in "Hundreds of Ways to Kneel."  Not sure whether to think of that as a favorable or unfavorable comment about my work.   I had fun penning a four-liner after he predicted my fate in the hereafter:

                                               I’m going to burn in Hell you say,
                                               Not believing the same as you.
                                               You know so well what’s in store for me,
                                                I’m delighted to have no clue!

A woman whose family has been friends with mine since early childhood wrote just after reading the "Notes from a Recovering Victorian" part of the book.  She clearly remembered something her mother told her when she was a little girl; what she shared brings me closer to solving one of the mysteries that has haunted me all my life.  I talk about it in the book.

Seems Dancing on Mars has taken on a life of its own now.  Y'all stand by.  No telling what I'll learn next! 

Upcoming Book Club Visit

Thank you to the members of  River Club's Ladies Book Club in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, for making Dancing on Mars their June selection.   I look forward to meeting with them later this month for discussion and Q & A.  An opportunity like this is - as I see it - an invitation to visit, not to stand and pontificate in a formal speech.  I'd like to hear from them about, for example, what, if anything, their  take-away was and what they liked best and least about the book.   Did they feel that the poems added to the reading experience or were they just a distraction?

It will be interesting to learn whether the questions posed at the book's end will be a jumping off place for group discussion—or whether they will go with whatever came up for each of them as they read it.   It's amazing how many identical issues we women share, and yet each of us is unique in the way we live our lives and express ourselves.  Ahhhh, yes.  Let's celebrate our commonality and our individuality!

Can't wait to meet these readers, very cool women!