THE RAM’S HEAD REVIEW

Sept. 16, 2007

Fun meeting at Bob’s place on Thursday, with four regulars and one new member showing up. Elaine Huhta-Belair joined us for the first time and we were pleased she did. Elaine has written mostly poetry, usually pieces meant exlusively for one person on some special occasion, but which have significance to others as well.

Bob read first, telling of different staff members that worked for Jacoby Bros. at various times. We heard of one jeweller causing an explosion when he was soldering a ring. He also lost his hairpiece when he had an epileptic fit. There was a black jeweller from South Aftica, not much liked by the Japanese jeweller. Some jewellers were in the habit of selling their “exlusive” deisigns to more than one firm. And some of their salespeople were not always honest, padding their expense accounts. In 1982 there was a downturn in business and The Bay asked Jacoby Bros. to downgrade the colour of their diamonds. Diamond prices dropped and Jacoby Bros. lost a lot of money selling their extensive inventory, and at the same time interest rates were soaring.

Margaret has incorporated a history of Guy Fawkes Day into her Peabody story, so we will know what the wedding party will be contending with when the wedding takes place on November 5th. Now effigies of Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators are burned on Guy Fawkes Day to celebrate the saving of Parliament from their planned explosions meant to kill the Prince of Wales and King James I.

Carolann read her poem, “Rage”, a commentary on the uncontrolled rage that can lead to murder and mayhem in a school shooting. The poem was a very powerful observation and Elaine said she felt the rawness and realism expressed in it.

Elaine read us three of her poems. “Morning Coffee” is an expression of the empathy she feels with another’s suffering when she reads their story in the morning paper. “Mystical Sower” is about a woman sowing seeds of love in human hearts. And “The Workhorse” is an ode to someone she knew who plodded through life, working hard, without acknowledgement, but content in ‘sweet obscurity’. These were all excellent pieces depicting each a slice of life.

I read another two chapters from my novel, that saw a tailless cat claim Miles. Tanner explains to Fiona and others that Dan is probably not the sole arsonist, that there is probably more than one. Cam is extremely worried about his Mom. Lucy tells him not to worry, that there won’t be any more fires in the complex, and she promises that to him.

At the present time there is a monster garbage bin in my driveway, and I am really hoping the roofers will commence replacing our roof tomorrow, but who knows? I kind of don’t think I’ll be having a meeting this week, but will email everyone when I know for sure. However, don’t let that stop you from writing! Talk to you later.

Lisa