Video One – Fall 2020
A Bit of Inspiration
I wanted to kick off the program with a little bit of inspiration. In this video, I’ll share a passage from a book on writing I’ve cherished and found inspirational in my writing life. After you’ve read it and watched the video, isolate a moment you experienced recently and bring the place to life using detail and description as Natalie Goldberg did. Post your paragraph in the comments section below. Give it a try. Take me there.
16 Comments
Kelly Marie Dawson
Colombia Falls Montana has taken my appreciation for the nature to a whole new level. This town which resides just outside of Glacier National Park is full of Mountains and outdoor enthusiast that are full of strength. I am here visiting a high school friend who happens to be a Catholic Priest. So I am literally in “Gods Country.” My timing to visit has been incredible as the fall season is in full bloom. My first morning, I awoke from a restful sleep, with the morning sun shining through the windows as a reminder of the beauty given to us as a gift from God. The mist on the grass from the morning dew sparkles like beads of softness, as the sky brings on a flair of light blue. The moon half full shines in the sky. Soon the moon will be New, as It takes a moment to reflect, before it shows the light again in the dark sky. The fall colors on the trees are taking my breath away. Rich golds, burnt oranges, these colors invite me to cuddle up with a blanket and drink hot tea. The color of reds pop and fade behind the dark green tress. The leaves are falling generously on the ground. The warm wind that brushes through my hair messes with curls. I close my eyes to breath in the freshness from the open landscapes, the air crisp but not cold. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to spend time this morning to appreciate what will soon be cold and the landscape will change to white from the snow fall. I love my romance with nature as the seasons change so do I. KMD
Norma Beasley
Good beginning. Coming from West Virginia, I can relate.I have a question or two that when answered, may add more richness to your story. I want to see more pictures painted with your words. (1) What do you mean when you say “enthusiast that are full of strength” (2) How does the warm wind mess with your curls? (3) Describe open landscapes.(4) How do you change as the seasons change? (5) Do the fallen leaves smell? Love “falling generously”, “beads of softness”…any particular color? (6) What kind of tea are you drinking? Good job.
Kelly Marie Dawson
Norma, I bow to you with gratitude. Thank you for your input and important questions that would add richness to my experience. I appreciate You!! XO KMD
Kathy Ashton
I live in a small community where the houses are tucked among green rolling hills. As you round the curve on the left you can see a sparkling lake with a bubbling fountain that changes colors at night from red, blue and green. Looking out my window at the lake I see palm trees and yellow blooms on the trees surrounding them. There are little puddles down by the lake that were created after a gentle rain. The two sand cranes in these puddles are dancing; spreading their wings and hopping about. I have never before heard a sound like they make which is a very loud squawking sound. We have a little alligator in the lake that glides along with only his beady eyes showing. As the morning sun slips away and the heat takes over, he slithers up to the edge of the lake to sun himself. It is going to be a beautiful day here in my little oasis. KA
Patricia
This is great, Kathy. Well done. Stay out of the way of that alligator with his beady eyes.
Carole Mayback
I know that lake! What a beautiful view you have. Thanks for sharing it, Kathy!
Ada Miller
Looking at a scene with water in the view has always been very pleasing to me, whether it is a lake, a water fall, a stream running through pasture, or any of myriad mind pictures. But today, I am sitting on a couch, looking through glass French doors and large old windows in a sixty year old beach home on Gilliam Bay, Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas. The view of the water is so beautiful it is hard to describe. There are so many colors because of the varied depths. There is bright aquamarine, dark blue, light blue reflecting the white sand bottom, shades of green, and blue like the sky above. I know that soon I will be floating and swimming in this paradise of water. Time to reflect and be grateful that I have the opportunity to experience this lovely corner of the world. I bow my head and say “thank you”.
Patricia
Oh my gosh, Ada Jo. This scene sounds so beautiful. I’d love to be there right now. You did a good job of describing the scene.
Jennifer Paster
Four years ago my husband and I talked about our dream to live in a house with a lake view. I love water and my husband loves sunsets. My husband tells me that sunsets fill his heart. For me, water calms my thoughts and fills my soul. We have both learned from the past that sometimes dreams come true if you are willing to work hard for them. We diligently researched homes for sales: big houses, little houses, houses on ponds, houses on golf courses, houses on canals, and houses that only had a tiny, narrow lake view. We would be grateful for any of these, but none of them worked out in the end. One day I went to lunch with my girl friends and showed them a picture of a house I really wanted. It was modest in size, bright yellow, ordinary from the front, had a pool (never had a pool before) and was on a large beautiful lake. Guess what? It had a wide view of possible future sunsets across the lake from this amazing house. My friends were all encouraging me to go see this beautiful house. The next day I met the relator. As she opened the door I instantly could see through this house and was drawn into the most incredible lake view. I knew that this house was perfect for us. Um, I just needed to persuade my husband. It did not take much! One walk to the end of the long dock looking out at the vast open lake area that had the most beautiful sunset surrounded by a stream of indescribable colors and rays. He told me later that he knew this house was the house for us with every part of his being. I thank my friends for giving the nudge to follow my dreams. Over the years this lovely house has been filled with many wonderful caring friends and family, provided me with a healing view as I recuperated for many long weeks after my open heart surgery, and refuge from covid-19. Again, sometimes dreams come true.
Patricia
This is beautiful, Jennifer, well written. I love that “sunsets fill his heart.” What a sweet thought. I loved being reminded of this story and the magic of your search.
Carole Mayback
Well done, Jennifer! I love this story of finding the perfect home for you and your husband. I remember how you waited for this (was it 4 years?!), and how diligent you were in your search. I guess you did not need to pursuade him as much as get him to see the house to appreciate its beauty!
beckymcg19
I remember being mad at my parents as I stood in the front yard of my grandfathers house. I wanted to sit on the tree hung swing. Instead I’m holding a red leaf rake staring at an acear of multi-colored leaves. It seemed wrong to rake all those colors into a black plastic bag, leaving a lawn of brown grass. “Becky what are you doing?”
“Enjoying the colors.”
“Well, more raking – less enjoying.”
That was an understatement.
Patricia
Nice snippet, as Lois would say.
Carole Mayback
I love that you were enjoying the colors. I would have wanted to swing in that swing and jump into the pile of leaves, not sweep them into a bag! Silly parents.
Carole Mayback
I love lying in the porch swing under our pergola. This swing was a gift from our friend, whose Dad built it especially for her. I treasure it. It allows me to lounge in the garden, even when it’s raining. Now that the Florida sun has cooled a bit, I can smell our neighbors’ freshly mowed grass, and the earthy leaves, mulch and dirt below. I love to swing back and forth, then side to side, pressing against the rope above the armrest with my feet, then easing, then pressing. I lay back and let the swing just sway. Sounds of the garden provide delicate background music for a delicious fall nap, lulling me to sleep. Just being outside calms the anxiety I usually do not feel until it leaves my body. Nature soothes my soul in a way that nothing indoors can.
Patricia
I can picture you there, Carole. Nice description. Well done.