THE RAM’S HEAD REVIEW

April 15, 2007 

Fun, fantastic meeting Thursday night with nine of us here. Special welcome to Amanda Minchau who joined us for the first time. 

Margaret read first from her Peabody collection. Rev. Peabody’s housekeeper, Marie, goes to the Art Club and sees that he and Peacock hadn’t displayed her art as requested, so she goes home to retrieve it and make sure it’s entered. Meanwhile, Rev. Peacock and Rev. Peabody decide to go to the Hound & Fox Inn, on the motorcycle. But when they arrive, the sidecar with Rev. Peabody and the parrot in it are missing. Hilarious. 

Susan read to us of Barley still in detention at the Border. Talking to Phyllis on the phone, he helps her find the next cache on Grouse Mtn. The next clue from the kidnapper directs them to Redwood Park. Newton shows up and manages to get Barley released and he is reunited with Stanley, who is being fondled by all the Border guards. 

Nathaniel read a poem called “Memento Mori” about Renaissance art, dimmed by time, provoking a disconnect from current reality. He also read an untitled prose piece about a character named Bob who is visited by a manifestation of God in human form. And God demands that Bob start living and feeling, good or bad, so God can experience life through him. A sometimes irreverent look at the reverent, and very funny in places. 

Tara read more of her story “Clocks”, where Simon is tired of his girlfriend, Julie, and goes to a showing at an Art gallery without her. There he meets Celita whom he sees again later at a bar. He is smitten. Julie calls through the night, looking for him, and then confronts him the next day. She wants to break up with him because she feels so unloved and unwanted. Tara’s writing is full of startling images and witty observations and so much fun to listen to. 

Amanda read to us two poems. The first one ,“Silence” is full of haunting images as seen by someone battling serious depression. The second poem, “Remember”, was written for her grandmother’s birthday, which was just a couple of months before she passed away. Amanda said her grandmother had raised her, and this was a very moving piece. We’re hoping Amanda will submit this for our website for our Mothers’ Day page. 

The rest of us didn’t read, but all thoroughly enjoyed getting together after two weeks apart.  Susan said her house is sold and the Flanagans will be leaving for Newfoundland June 30th. We will miss her bright and keen personality dearly when she leaves. Nathaniel’s house isn’t sold yet, but he said he and Tracy have purchased their boat, so he too, will be leaving our immediate circle eventually. Thank God for email. We can still stay in touch. And someone did tell us a secret that we can’t divulge yet. So mum’s the word! And Mothers’ Day is approaching, so it’s time to start sending your work to Sonny at sthatton@gmail.com 

Our next meeting will be here at my place, Thursday, April 19th at 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you then. Bring your Muse with you. 

Lisa