For the next six weeks, you can write on the weekly topic or any subject you choose. It’s up to you. The only requirement is that it be 300 words or less, not including your title and name.
This week’s writing topic is decisions. Interpret that topic as you wish. Write your story and post it in the comments section below.
Once you’ve done that, read some of your fellow members’ stories and leave them a note of encouragement.
On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, we’ll examine pages 9-27, “Contents” through “Safety Scissors.”
Discussion question: A great thing to do before you ever crack open a book is to study its cover and formulate questions as to what the cover might say about the contents. I’ve been intrigued by the cover of Heating & Cooling since I first saw the book. What do you think this cover is telling us? Based on this design, what do you believe you’ll find in the book? Why do you think the publisher chose this image? Come prepared to talk about the cover. Then, we’ll discuss any other items of interest you find on pages 9-27.
When it’s available, the book study replay from September 17, 2024, of pages 9-27 of Heating & Cooling will be posted here.
You have a busy life. I was exhausted just reading it! and I see you’re using the micro memoir technique you picked up recently, using emotion words (fun/joy, loved, unreal)
A very good story. Shows that moment of vulnerability in the early stages of adulthood. All kids leaving home should know their parents struggled with decisions and doubt.
This story reminded me of a conversation I had with my grandson before he went away to college, about the difficulty in making those first decisions alone, like crossing the high wire without a safety net for the first time. I don’t think he understood (yet).
Julie, your story sounds familiar. I went to FSU, I waited til second semester to go through Rush, think more fearful that I would be rejected. Also, I wanted to be sure I chose a group that valued my values, education, stability, lifelong friendship. It paid off.
Funny thing, one of grandsons is there now and living in a dormitory less than a block from the sorority house I lived in seventy some years later. It looks the same, I have pictures of me in front of the house.
Well, there’s one thing you are NOT and that’s a liar. You tell the truth. Being an interested eclectic person myself, there find no embarrassment in trying new things, wishing to learn new things, finding out I’m really not interested in those things, it’s the best way to find out who you truly are, at that moment. For a moment, you were a guitar player, an artist, and someone who wanted to learn another language. It’s just that the timing of these events were off, There’s still time OR, give those things away that remind you of unaccomplished ideas so… Read more »
Dave, what a delightful piece—I resemble it, too. I have also purchased a Great Courses course on writing—which has yet to be viewed! I’m so glad I’m not the only one in the boat.
David, sounds familiar. The piano you can see behind me in our Zoom meetings, my knitting bag with half-finished scarf, and my guitar, stolen from the wall I hung it on in our St. Simons rental place years ago, are examples of my forgotten ‘choices.’ Feel good about these past forgotten choices, David, cuz it shows how adventurous you were and are. Your kids books are next.
I loved the line about your memory being able to see through walls, doors and time. I think we all have those dusty boxes hidden somewhere. Good story.
Here is my story on Decisions. The story could also fit in as Part Seven in the previous series with the heading, Divine Intervention: Merited or Unmerited Favour.
We rely so much on administrative systems to handle life’s necessary paperwork, yet it isn’t a system, but a real, live human being, who helped you. Great story.
Hi Judy
It’s hard to know what it will be like in a new environment, away from your children and friends. My husband and I are in a neighbourhood where everyone knows each other. We have an acreage to look after and sometimes we say we should downsize. So far we have stayed.
Lisa and I also felt it was a big gamble. Her first impression of the area was similar to your “Disneyland” for adults.
I’m glad you stayed. Your story does a great job of chronicling your early elation, buyer’s remorse, and how this momentous decision affected you personally.
I am glad you decided to stay. It is important to check out the area. We decided to move here on a whim, and I love it, but we moved twice before we found our forever home.
Judy, I found myself in your shoes most recently when we moved to Houston in 2014. When they decided to send many of the oil and gas jobs back to Europe, my husband found himself retiring earlier than planned. We weren’t comfortable in the neighborhood we first purchased, so we found a new, up-and-coming one where we built our smaller retirement home. I could feel your anguish in your story. Well written!
Oh, Judy. I am so sorry. I felt lonely, too, when we moved to Florida. The hardest part for me was making friends. I could not figure it out at first, but then I realized Florida was a transition state when we moved in 1995. People did not expect you to stay permanently. I have a horror story to tell about building our house in Florida. It was a nightmare. Why have you not figured out the noise before purchasing the land? I hope you are feeling differently about moving here now.
We knew we didn’t want neighbors directly behind us. The road wasn’t busy then but the more neighborhoods that were built the road became noisier. We sold that house and moved six months later. We built a new house in a brand-new area and we have a wildlife corridor behind our house. Our quiet lanai is our sanctuary now. I believe we had to live in the first house for awhile because this area wasn’t available then.
I am sure the clients you looked after appreciated your care. You must have been dedicated to them to stay for six years when you experienced health issues yourself. I am glad you experienced what it was like to be in nursing.
Linda, I enjoyed your descriptions of caring for others. You probably never knew what you were truly walking into. I also understand the body’s aches and pains. I also wanted to be a nurse, but situations happen to change our paths sometimes.
Very well done. It isn’t so easy to say goodbye to a place that is more than just a house. It’s the end of an era.
I found one minor typo in the third sentence. “in the own” perhaps you meant “In their own”
That’s a powerful story, Barbara. I relate to it. I’ve gone through the same thing many times in my life. We move from the places we’ve lived, but the memories stay.
Etya, what a moving story. I felt your pain and apprehensiveness in leaving your mother. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been. At least you had your husband and daughter. Thanks for sharing.
This is a great line and to me, is the story’s point. “She didn’t understand what we were leaving behind or stepping into. Neither did I.” Your writing transmitted your pain into print so well.
Etya, your story is such a sad piece. I felt your anxiety with your descriptive words. I could feel your sadness. Was your husband with you? I wonder about your destination. Good story.
Barbara, your story somewhat parallels my latest move, except in 2019. I uprooted from a lovely home in Orlando and moved to Atlanta, Midtown, Georgia into the 20th floor of a high-rise in downtown Atlanta. Now my story is more like Judy’s first move to the Villages, and it still is.
Yes, my husband came with me. I would not go without him. His parents hated me. This is a scene where I said goodbye to Mama and my two siblings before coming to America. I was the first member in our family to leave.
Dearest Etya. How painful and defiantly scary. Did you leave with your in-laws? Did they come to America with you.
As usual, beautifully written. God bless you as he definitely has done through the years. LOLMomJa
This is Chapter 7, A Weird Decision, of my life. Norm and I our Nomadic life. Free, empty-nested and fifty-seven years of life.
What a transient adult life you’ve led Jackie. Enjoyed your using the special words.
You have a busy life. I was exhausted just reading it! and I see you’re using the micro memoir technique you picked up recently, using emotion words (fun/joy, loved, unreal)
You and Norman certainly didn’t let any moss grow under your feet through the years. I had no idea you traveled so much.
Thanks, Judy. Wait until you see what I did in 2003,4,5,6 and so on surviving widow-syndrome. My childhood love of adventure resurfaced.
Here is my “Decisions” story.
A very good story. Shows that moment of vulnerability in the early stages of adulthood. All kids leaving home should know their parents struggled with decisions and doubt.
This story reminded me of a conversation I had with my grandson before he went away to college, about the difficulty in making those first decisions alone, like crossing the high wire without a safety net for the first time. I don’t think he understood (yet).
Julie, your story sounds familiar. I went to FSU, I waited til second semester to go through Rush, think more fearful that I would be rejected. Also, I wanted to be sure I chose a group that valued my values, education, stability, lifelong friendship. It paid off.
Funny thing, one of grandsons is there now and living in a dormitory less than a block from the sorority house I lived in seventy some years later. It looks the same, I have pictures of me in front of the house.
Julie, it’s always good to find a decision which creates good memories and life-long friendships.
My decision story and completed just under the wire. I decided to finish my September story first.
Well, there’s one thing you are NOT and that’s a liar. You tell the truth. Being an interested eclectic person myself, there find no embarrassment in trying new things, wishing to learn new things, finding out I’m really not interested in those things, it’s the best way to find out who you truly are, at that moment. For a moment, you were a guitar player, an artist, and someone who wanted to learn another language. It’s just that the timing of these events were off, There’s still time OR, give those things away that remind you of unaccomplished ideas so… Read more »
Dave, what a delightful piece—I resemble it, too. I have also purchased a Great Courses course on writing—which has yet to be viewed! I’m so glad I’m not the only one in the boat.
David, sounds familiar. The piano you can see behind me in our Zoom meetings, my knitting bag with half-finished scarf, and my guitar, stolen from the wall I hung it on in our St. Simons rental place years ago, are examples of my forgotten ‘choices.’ Feel good about these past forgotten choices, David, cuz it shows how adventurous you were and are. Your kids books are next.
I loved the line about your memory being able to see through walls, doors and time. I think we all have those dusty boxes hidden somewhere. Good story.
Here is my story on Decisions. The story could also fit in as Part Seven in the previous series with the heading, Divine Intervention: Merited or Unmerited Favour.
We just never know….
We rely so much on administrative systems to handle life’s necessary paperwork, yet it isn’t a system, but a real, live human being, who helped you. Great story.
Lorna, I also believe that Divine Intervention steps in many times to make things right. I loved your heartwarming story.
A beautiful story, told with raw emotion, and yet great determination. Divine intervention? Definitely!
“Decisions” first story.
Hi Judy
It’s hard to know what it will be like in a new environment, away from your children and friends. My husband and I are in a neighbourhood where everyone knows each other. We have an acreage to look after and sometimes we say we should downsize. So far we have stayed.
Lisa and I also felt it was a big gamble. Her first impression of the area was similar to your “Disneyland” for adults.
I’m glad you stayed. Your story does a great job of chronicling your early elation, buyer’s remorse, and how this momentous decision affected you personally.
I am glad you decided to stay. It is important to check out the area. We decided to move here on a whim, and I love it, but we moved twice before we found our forever home.
Judy, I found myself in your shoes most recently when we moved to Houston in 2014. When they decided to send many of the oil and gas jobs back to Europe, my husband found himself retiring earlier than planned. We weren’t comfortable in the neighborhood we first purchased, so we found a new, up-and-coming one where we built our smaller retirement home. I could feel your anguish in your story. Well written!
I can only imagine your great disappointment with the first move. Glad you found your happy place.
Oh, Judy. I am so sorry. I felt lonely, too, when we moved to Florida. The hardest part for me was making friends. I could not figure it out at first, but then I realized Florida was a transition state when we moved in 1995. People did not expect you to stay permanently. I have a horror story to tell about building our house in Florida. It was a nightmare. Why have you not figured out the noise before purchasing the land? I hope you are feeling differently about moving here now.
We knew we didn’t want neighbors directly behind us. The road wasn’t busy then but the more neighborhoods that were built the road became noisier. We sold that house and moved six months later. We built a new house in a brand-new area and we have a wildlife corridor behind our house. Our quiet lanai is our sanctuary now. I believe we had to live in the first house for awhile because this area wasn’t available then.
Decision
I am sure the clients you looked after appreciated your care. You must have been dedicated to them to stay for six years when you experienced health issues yourself. I am glad you experienced what it was like to be in nursing.
Linda, I enjoyed your descriptions of caring for others. You probably never knew what you were truly walking into. I also understand the body’s aches and pains. I also wanted to be a nurse, but situations happen to change our paths sometimes.
Unfortunately, your body betrayed you. Sorry you couldn’t continue in that job. I loved the ending. A short summary sentence.
Linda, I’m impressed you stayed for six years. Looks like you toughed it out even though you had to pay in aches and pains.
Well, Linda, at least you gave your dream a shot. It is commendable that you hung in there for six years.
Here’s my Decisions micro-memoir.
Very well done. It isn’t so easy to say goodbye to a place that is more than just a house. It’s the end of an era.
I found one minor typo in the third sentence. “in the own” perhaps you meant “In their own”
Change isn’t easy, I know. We just hope and pray for brighter days ahead.
That’s a powerful story, Barbara. I relate to it. I’ve gone through the same thing many times in my life. We move from the places we’ve lived, but the memories stay.
Here is my micro-memoir, which I wrote about the topic of Decision. I hope you all liked it. The scene is about me leaving the USSR.
Etya, what a moving story. I felt your pain and apprehensiveness in leaving your mother. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been. At least you had your husband and daughter. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Julie. It was tough.
This is a great line and to me, is the story’s point. “She didn’t understand what we were leaving behind or stepping into. Neither did I.” Your writing transmitted your pain into print so well.
Thank you so much, David.
How scary that must have been for you Etya. Having in-laws who weren’t fans I’m sure didn’t help. You were very brave.
Thank you, Judy. It was not easy, and fifty years later, I am still dealing with a mother-in-law issue.
Etya, your story is such a sad piece. I felt your anxiety with your descriptive words. I could feel your sadness. Was your husband with you? I wonder about your destination. Good story.
My husband was with me. I would not have gone with my in-laws alone if they paid me a million dollars.
Barbara, your story somewhat parallels my latest move, except in 2019. I uprooted from a lovely home in Orlando and moved to Atlanta, Midtown, Georgia into the 20th floor of a high-rise in downtown Atlanta. Now my story is more like Judy’s first move to the Villages, and it still is.
Yes, my husband came with me. I would not go without him. His parents hated me. This is a scene where I said goodbye to Mama and my two siblings before coming to America. I was the first member in our family to leave.
Dearest Etya. How painful and defiantly scary. Did you leave with your in-laws? Did they come to America with you.
As usual, beautifully written. God bless you as he definitely has done through the years. LOLMomJa
It is in the story. I came to America with them.
Dear one, I’ve missed that, have you sent it to me. If not, please do, I have a folder of just your stories, but I can’t find that particular one. MJ