Writers of fiction, poetry, lyrics, screenplays and life stories come from diverse backgrounds. For the past three years a small group has met weekly to write together, offering criticism and support to whoever stopped by. Over 200 different people have dropped by; we learned something from each one of them. Most of the people who found us had already written for years- some even published.

If this is something that interests you, join us! We meet every Wednesday, from 9 AM - 10:30 at the Jesus Center on Park Avenue.



Saturday, December 28, 2013

Cardomon Pt. II Early Material



Erin Koip Orinitus rose from her camp bed, slipped into a warm robe and fetched her baby out of his crib. Sitting on the edge of the cot, holding Sikar II to her chest, she looked through the open front of her shelter tent down the short graded approach to Lucy’s estate, morning mist smoked the treetops and heavy dew damped the terrain.
A second cot adjoined Erin’s, standing head to head, it was empty, only holding disturbed blankets in a heap. Around the foot of her bed a folding mattress lay on the ground, a sleeping figure stretched across it.
Her empty hand took her pillow and threw it at the man, hitting the back of his shoulders. “Wake up! Your wife is out running already, Grube is with her.”
Chilperic sat up and let the covers fall over his lap. He yawned and scratched a stubbled chin. “Don’t do that! I feel like I just got to bed.”
“Didn’t you? You were still drinking with those guys when Chris, Grube and I turned in. I bet you were up half the night!”
“Sometimes it’s the only way I can sleep.”
“You should relax with your wife, not with alcoholics. I don’t need you two here—go home and fuck, you’ll both feel better.”

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Two Miracles


An email to a friend:

Glad to hear from you and Happy Happy Happy, if I may be redundant
I had a big scare with Zora two days ago. The landlord put cows and calves in the pasture. I walk around them, at first they shied away at our approach and I have a leash to keep her controlled. But if they are a ways away I let Zora free. Sunset Monday I thought they were far enough off, but one curious calf ran over before I could restrain Zora. I've had the girl for almost fifteen years now and she hardly ever runs any more, but the sight of moving livestock triggers her instincts to herd. She started chasing the calf and its Momma cow came running at a charge. She clobbered Zora with front and rear hooves, the poor girl lay curled on the ground in tremors. I carried her inside and put her on her pillow, I thought she was a goner for sure but I offered soft food (hot dogs) and she demonstrated spirit.
Yesterday Zora was stiff and slower than usual, but active. This morning she seems hardly worse at all.
A miracle.
And I don't even do Christmas.
Also, just for sheer beauty, let me tell you about my Holiday tree:
Back in September I was going to work at that Orland Farmstead Creamery. There is a stand of Valley Oaks the one-lane road goes through and sometimes I stopped there the take a leak. This Fall was what the ecologists call a 'mast' season, which means that the oaks were putting out tons of acorns--I collected a few. I planted one in a ceramic pot and waited, nothing happened, it seemed. But after a month I scratched a little in the soil and saw a radicle (embryonic root) emerging from the pointy tip so I kept watering it. The first green appeared in early November along a tiny crack in the acorn body. Gradually the crack got bigger, other ones formed that splintered the end and the green mass has crept into the open. It is the slowest process I have ever observed, I wish I had a time-lapse camera setup. All of the growth happens at night, it seems, just a little larger each day and this morning it had tiny leaves on it--welcome to the World!
That makes two miracles
Happy Happy Happy, if I may be even more redundant