THE RAM’S HEAD REVIEW

June 24, 2007

Great party here Thursday to say our farewell to Susan. Gemma brought some awesome nibblies, Bob brought the most gorgeous cheesecake, and Michael brought some wine for those so inclined. We gave Susan our farewell gifts and she brought some books that she was giving away before the movers arrived.

Gemma read first, a short story called “Congo, The Gallant Basenji and The Bear”. Congo, a 20 pound dog, tells his story of going for a walk with Mary and seeing a black bear jump out at them from the bushes. Being so gallant, he barks at the bear until it leaves. And then we learn that Congo is toothless.

Gemma also read a poem called “Inner Strength”, which says if you possess a long list of wonderful virtues, then you are probably the family dog. Hilarious ending.

Michael read “The King Is Dead”, a short story about Virginia dealing with two thugs breaking into the home she used to share with her now deceased husband, who had been an Elvis impersonator. The story has both humour and pathos, and at the end the thugs are vanquished by Lisa Marie, the cat.

Amanda read her poem “Ants All Over Me” which is a rhyming ballad of someone being assaulted by all these ants falling out of a tree. It would be superb for a child’s picture book.

Margaret read from the Peacock collection. This time we see Rev. Peasly travelling to London to find a parrot to replace Joey. Looking for Bon Lane, he is then sent to Oxford. He finds the sweet shop there, but no parrot, and learns he should have just gone to the sweet shop in Wickerton. He finally attains a stuffed parrot which he repaints to look like Joey.

Ellie read some more of the three travellers in the cavern. They climb a ledge to pass the giant spider, then put out their torch when they get closer to an opening to the outside.

Susan read her last Chapter from “Select Availability”. It is two months after the end of the kidnapping and Barley and Phyllis take Barley’s Mom and Newton out for dinner to Choo Choo’s Restaurant in Langley. Barley and Phyllis are splitting the $50,000. reward money, and they plan to take his Mom and Newston on a trip to the south of England. And Stanley will go to a kennel, a special doggie resort. A nice roundup to an enjoyable story. We wish Susan all the best in getting it published. And we wish her all the best, too, in her move back to St. John’s. We will miss her bright face and contagious enthusiasm at our meetings.

Sonny has updated our website and the Father’s Day pieces are now posted, a little early for next year. We are thinking we can add to these pages in each subsequent year.

Since next weekend is the Canada Day long weekend, I have decided to take a break and there will be no meeting on Thursday. Our next meeting will be here at my place on Thursday, July 5th at 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you then, with your Muse in tow.

Happy Canada Day!

Lisa