Welcome to part five of this six-part session where we’re writing six related micro-memoirs.
Post the fifth segment of your micro-memoir collage 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 August 27, 2024, we’ll use the following discussion question to talk about pages 105-123, which include chapters “On Some Stranger’s Bed” through “Sacred”:
Discussion Question: Titles of stories serve many purposes, primarily to capture the reader’s attention and tell something about the content. I find Jennifer Lang’s titles fascinating. Pick of couple of titles from the stories we’ve read so far in the book and tell us what about each title intrigued you, what the title did for the story, and what you believe was Lang’s purpose in writing it.
Read through these pages a couple of times, if possible, and prepare to actively discuss this week’s topic.
The fifth micro memoir is about hockey in a small town.
A great story of a triumph and a lasting public service.
Here is my fifth micro-memoir of my continuing story.
I liked your use of the list format. The ordinariness of each bullet point gives the last, the line about the abuse, more punch.
Week Five – Micro Memoirs – Theme – Loss using poetry???
I like the poem format and am glad you were able to meet with your son.
Beautifully expressed Dar, The depth of your love and wisdom shine through, and are profound.
Your poetry grips my soul; so happy you had that moment. I hope there were more such meetings.
Oh Dar, what an emotional story. I can’t imagine how powerful that meeting was. Beautifully done, Dar.
My fifth week story.
Judy, I can’t see your story.
Barb, my story is down further, called “An Unexpected Date”
My week five micro experiment – staying in present tense.
Very well done Kit. I liked this line best. “How many places are like this in my brain? “
Your thoughts show you the way forward. Well done.
Here’s one more installment in the frustrating experience of trying to tell a story with adequate detail in so few words. What an exercise this has been!
It is mutual, Patricia. I dislike Carl. Glad you survived the ordeal.
The whole story in dialog, interweaving your physical and emotional pain.
I agree with Judy. I’m not a fan of Carl either.
I don’t like Carl.
I like how you lead us through the time period in this painful scene, from person to person who is engaging with you. You show us pain is both physical and emotional.
Oh, your painful foot. I cringe thinking of the agony you experienced. I look forward to continued reading of your story.
Hope someday to read the whole story. I’m intriqued. Sorry for this pain you suffered. Your descriptions give me pain so you do a good job. Ouch, taking off that boot!
Number 5
Thanks for opening a window of what life on the farm was like for you in the 1970s. Busy sounds like an understatement. Now we can say, you survived it all, and thrived I am sure.
You are right Linda, the seventies were indeed eventful. I hope things got better for you later on.
I like how you teach us farm lingo as you move the story along one powerful bullet at a time. Like Lang, in the short chapters of Places We Left Behind, you share your emotions well.
You certainly had a lot to contend. I feel your pain and frustration. Well written, Linda.
that is surely not a time in your life that you would want to repeat. A stalking mother in law and a drinking husband. Good for you surviving all this….
I liked your bullet points. A lot of competing pluses and minuses
CHAPTER 5, bullet-point in present tense, revised by Etya,
The format is an effective way of condensing a significant span of your life. The words in bold type fill in some of the details.So glad your “love of life” returned and coloured the rest of the story in a positive way.
I enjoyed reading your story, Jackie.
You had so much to contend with during those busy times of raising a family. I like the brief summary of your feelings at the end of each concise statement of your struggles. Well done, Jackie
Wonderfully done Jackie. It was a trip through darkness to light and we were there with you. Thank God for smart doctors.
Well done Jackie…I agree with the others, the set-up, the use of bullets, the bold type, made reading your piece easy and very informative.
Thanks Dar, think I have found my mode for Memoirs, short sweet and to the point. When I get into dialog, description I tend to wander like a butterfly and flit from flower to flower accomplishing no goal. This keeps my mind on task.
Well done, Jackie. I especially like the bold type at the end of each list comment: exalted, etc.
Thank you, Barb, see Dar’s reply above. I like this way to Memoirs, keeps me on tract and to the point…..
What a decade you had. I’m glad you got the help you needed. I liked both the list form and the use of the one word, highlighted mood words.
Thank you David. I like this mode to Memoirs. It is a great way to remember the good and the bad parts hidden deep inside, bring them out, confess, ask forgiveness and as we should joyfully move on.
Part Five of Animals in My Life. @250 words. I forgot to attach a picture.
Heart warming story of Maple and Willow. You poured so much into their lives. The story shows a lot about you and your capacity to love and care for your pets. Bravo.
Loved your Mother Superior and Sheba, alias Maple and Willow, alias etc,etc,etc. Your account of their activities brought fond memories of our beloved basset hounds Napoleon 1 and 2, and Chatzie 1 and 2, St.Simons Island 1s, and Mexican Border hounds 2s. Loving, fond memories.
How adorable they are. Pets like that are a gift. They are forever a part of our hearts.
Happy Birthday Willow…Love the photo. Thanks for sharing this piece telling us of your love for your fur family
This is a very sweet story, Etya. Such handsome puppies.
Great use of the list, using bullet points for each dog’s disposition and the accommodations you made to bring them into your life.
Part Five of Animals in My Life. 250 words
Here is my Part Five story.
Lorna, ditto to David’s comment. I loved your Voice friend. Too often we hear the Voice, but continue on Our way. Another beloved story for me to cherish.
Thank you for your kind comments Jackie. Appreciated.
Yes, Lorna, sometimes we hear voices to avoid disasters.
Thank you Etya. Learning to listen and to take action is important.
Rasta Jon sez, “Good vibes, woman.”
Loved the insertion of “The Voice.”
I understand the 300-word predicament. But if you have the room, the Governor needs to be defined to us outsiders.
Thanks for your comments, John. Much appreciated. The Governor is the Head of the Central Bank.Our equivalent to the Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank,
The repetition of the command to read the document works very well, adding suspense to the story.
Thanks for reviewing, David. Interesting observation.
Week five, 300 word essay #4.
Teerry, beautifully written. I love the ending and wholeheartedly endorse your sentiments. The students will not feel the loss of Shakespeare from the curriculum, because they never had a chance to experiennce the richness of his writings, How sad I enjoy the way in which you make Shakespeare relatable, and in a humourous way with the telling of these anecdotes. The anecdote re Laurence Fishbourne typifies reaction in cinemas in Jamaica, years ago. I look forward to reading more of these stories.
Thank you, dear Terry, for bring us so cleverly back to the glorious days of Shakespear. Schools are focusing on teach/test lowest level of thinking. Students aren’t being taught to think, develop the thought process, thus ‘follow the leader’ and who knows what. Loved your bullet-point approach.
Terry, I love these behind the screen tidbits that you have gathered so lovingly. You would love to come to Stratford, Ontario where every summer they hold the Shakespeare Festival, and people from all over the world come to take the plays and live theatre. And yes, the Avon River flows through this town and people picnic on the banks while watching the swans swim by. Well written micro, as usual
Hey Dar, I would love to come, missed going to the one in England when visiting there, Had choice of Bath, England or Stratford, by train. Bath was closer, so I melted with Jane Austen.
I love this memoir, especially at the end when you are on the first name base with the great bard. The humor comes through, and the descriptions are beautiful, my friend.
You are obviously a bardolater. Bill and I never really got along. But it’s nice to know that his community has a sense of humour–don’t tell Patricia that I added the U. She’s been on a mission to get me stopping my Uz.
BTW…good listing.
A wonderful way to chronicle your theatre memories, woven through a tribute to Shakespeare.
#5 of 6 completed. List form.
Very cleverly done, Dave. You know all the basics for safe travels.
Dave, I think you should give considerable thought to writing a daily humour article for a local newspaper. Really, I’m not kidding…Love your list, a great way to make your point.
Dave, The List Structure works well for your story. That it is served up with your usual dose of humour, makes it even more interesting.
Dave, good use of list form. My husband can relate to it better than I am.
Dave, you said it all. But wait. I would have added Gorilla glue to point # 4. But then again, as we spoke the other day, I’ve only been on a motorcycle once in my life.
Hit ’em straight this weekend. Yeah right. I forgot the real reason for your outing. NEVER MIND.
Here is my story for Part 5. “Let’s Be Friends Forever.” 300 wds.
Beautiful story of friendship Norma.. You both created wonderful memoriies.
Norma,
By now you know I have music in my life. You dug out a golden oldie with this story.
1969 – Sonny Charlles and the Checkmates sang:
“Black Pearl, precious little girl. Let me put you up where you belong.
Black Pearl, pretty little girl. You’ve been in the background way too long.”
Thanx for this story Norma. As the song winds through my mind over and over again, I have tonight’s MI–method for insomnia.
J
A beautiful story to remember Pearl and your special friendship.
This morning’s submission is thanx to a melatonin breakdown about two hours ago. Ya gotta write some time.
Great story, John. You captured the range of emotions very well. You stuck the story with the surprise ending, especially after the casual way in whiich you slipped in, ” I don’t think I ever lost to him.”
Ha, ha, ha, John, I almost believed this story did not have an asshole in it. You did not disappoint. General Walker.
When they said it was a 24/7 job we all assumed it was the mission. But no, you wear the rank 24/7. At the theatre, the commissary, the bowling alley… Even if you’re not in uniform.
Week Five Theme; Suicide(113 words). A topic pushing me towards my last entrenchments for week 6
Others choose to laugh
As they pick up shattered glass
I love how you ended this poem. It is very profound and poignant,
Once again Thierry, you’ve tackled a very rough subject. The format gave me the feeling that I was sinking along with Youse. Good imagery.
J
“As they pick up the shattered glass”
Great ending to the story. great imagery
Here is my part five story, animal encounters.
What a delightful story, Judy! It is funny that you and your best friend had the same name.
Thanks Etya, it means a lot to me when you like my stories.
What a funny story. You were “cowed” into silence. Well done.
Yes, we were, what a shock that was.
Cute Jude.
BTW, the cow was raised in the back seat.
I bet it took awhile for those two yokels to get that cow in that car.
A perfect title for this piece. I could picture Judy and Judy curious and bursting. Reminds me of my encounter with a parked station wagon with Vermont plates. In the dead of the night, on the busy bars and clubs, ST-Lawrence Boulevard, downtown Montreal (1,75 million inhabitants). A haystack in the back with an adult goat waiting for her ride home, presumably!
I’d love to read that story, Thierry. Sounds fun.
Judy, I enjoyed your story. I agree with your question about how they got that cow in the station wagon. Cute story.
I know! I bet that would have been funny to watch.