Welcome to session four of our study of Beth Ann Fennelly’s Heating & Cooling: 52 Micro-Memoirs.
Each week, 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 a chance encounter. 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, October 15, 2024, we’ll examine pages 66-84, “Married Love, III” through “Sweet Nothing.”
Discussion question: In her micro-memoir, “Now I Glance Up the First Time They Call My Name,” Fennelly uses a literary device to describe her total immersion in reading. It’s definitely not a figure of speech like simile or metaphor. The best description I can come up with is an extended figurative analogy, which is defined as drawing a comparison between two unrelated things to highlight a certain characteristic. Here she uses the ocean as a figurative analogy. Point out ways she does this and what each instance tells the reader. Do you think this is effective in helping you understand the type of reader she was?
When it’s available, the book study replay from October 15, 2024, of pages 66-84 of Heating & Cooling will be posted here.
Here is my Chance Encounter story.
That was a chance encounter! Imagine meeting someone you know while visiting a city of over 8 million people.
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Here is my chance encounter titled Backyard Surprise.
Norma, I like that you seem to always give some scientific tips in your writing, along with personal experience. Good stuff to wake up the brain. I also liked imagining your “woodsy getaway, which contained pink azaleas and purple Mexican petunias.” the wildness idea drew me in.
another great story. I liked the use of the list for Florida wildlife and the tie-in to us humans “I thought about how we humans must navigate life at times. Very, very carefully.” The Opossum is a cautious and shy animal and that is a great survival skill, even for people.
Chance Encounter
A sweet story, Dar. I was surprised that she was so docile; my wild cat observed me from afar for a long time and still is suspicious of everyone else. Perhaps she hadn’t always been an outdoor cat. I’m glad she has been your companion. Sounds like she did pick you.
great story. You had me at skinny dipping. It takes an adventurous soul to skinny dip in a cold Canadian river. What did you name the cat? It seems more often cats select people rather than people select cats. She must have seen into your soul and realized you’d be a friend.
I read the prompt for the week, chance encounters, and wondered what I’d write about. Not a half hour later I had two chance encounters, both peripherally connected to hurricane Helene. Both stories are positive.
Chance Encounter is about reconnecting with a man I knew 40 years ago.
Chance Encounter of the family kind is about an unexpected family conversation.
I couldn’t decide which to post so I posted both.
Read one or both or neither.
Dave, loved your sweet revenge. So true. You never imagine an eventual pay-back for our many rough parenting situations. Thanks for God’s sense of humor.
Also, congratulations for shooting accomplishments. Didn’t realize your whole family were, or are, military, even your wife. Is that how you met?
Yes the military is a family affair. Lisa and I met while stationed in Germany.
How wonderful. Where in Germany were you? Both sides of my ancestry are from lower Rhine, maternal musical folks, Heidelburg south, paternal side west of lower Rhine were farmers. That area of Germany saying goes, “Don’t say it can’t be done to us,” we’ll find a way to accomplish it.
I’m glad you included both stories, Dave. Your “weekend Bivouacs” was fun to imagine because your description was perfectly detailed for a short. How odd the circumstances that give us connections, or re-connections, these days. I laughed at the end of the family stories piece. your statement, so true! Love the humor and the setup of it going to be a short call, but turning into a marathon. Well done!
I agree with Barbara. I can relate only too well with your family story and your conclusion.
Both are great stories, David. I especially like the Family Kind 300 and your comment about getting even!
I may have used this before, but it fits the prompt.
I spent way too much time visualizing her. I also hope she found a better life for herself.
Here is my story. Hope you like it.
Sometimes God works in mysterious ways.
This is a beautiful faith story and connection with your father.
Here’s my Chance Encounter micro-story, at least it’s sort of.
Judy, i enjoyed your showing us your son’s talent with people. Hope you had a great time there.
Generosity and cordiality reap good returns.
Wow. What a great ending brought about by your son’s generosity. I’ll have to visit the Inner Harbor one day and remember to tip the wait staff well.
Judy, I enjoyed reading your story. It was lighthearted and encouraging. The server played it forward, thanks to your son’s generous tip.
Thanks Etya. Unexpected fun day.
It’s oh-dark-thirty and I’m in Never-Neverland right now. But I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who responded to my story on death. I was not looking for any sympathy. I was just trying to make a point.
Your responses gave me the WARM FUZZIES.
JOHN