January 2,
2007
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all Rams!
Hope you’re all still treading water after today’s deluge.
Bryon’s downstairs sucking up water with our steam vac. The
leak was in our basement this time.
We had a merry old time here
Thursday night with 17 of us wanting to party. Charlie Thompson
brought his fiance e, Margaret, to introduce to us. A lovely lady.
Michael and Candice were here, 20 weeks along in their pregnancy.
Susan showed up in a mummer’s costume. Then she changed into
Newfoundland rain gear and Screeched in the group. People had
to drink a shot of Screech, recite a Screecher’s reply to being asked
if he/she is a Newfie, and then kiss the head of a cod or the tail of
a puffin. On completion of these requirements, one is awarded
certification of belonging to The Royal Order of Screechers.
On the edible side of the festivities,
Bob brought an ample supply of his Sticky Date Pudding which was served
with sauce and ice cream. Gemma brought a pate of smoked salmon
and creamed cheese, served with crackers and pickles. Two people
brought home made Nanaimo Bars. And all sorts of chocolates and
treats kept coming through the door as well. And I believe Nathaniel
and Tracy also brought a big bottle of wine.
Now lest you think all we did
was eat and drink and party, I must confess that four Rams bravely read
to us that night. After all, the Muse had to be satisfied at this
last convocation of 2006.
Margaret read another Peabody
story. This one was of a 55 year old Rev. Peabody of St. Anthony
accepting a young boy, a refugee, from Africa, to house and raise.
In preparation for his arrival, the Reverend takes over his housekeeper’s
room and paints it blue while she’s away on holidays. The housekeeper
is not pleased. And then the “boy” arrives and turns out to
be a parrot.
Ann read two articles she had
written for classes she has been taking. The first was a book
report on “Shopaholic”. The second was “Why Bother With
Creative Writing?” where she offers two good reasons: as entertainment,
and to inform the readership.
Michael read us Chapter 27
of “Quantum Theory” where Johnny Sellout works at a restaurant called
“Has Beans”. Johnny covers for Naomi, who’s son is going
to hospital. He waits on a crazy black woman with blue eyes and
dreadlocks. She tells Johnny he is on a journey where he might
find love. She gives him a voodoo doll that she tells him is a
soul swapper. --- Lots of humour in this piece, as well as pathos.
Michael showed us a hand-written note from an editor at Ballantyne/Random
House who wants to look at this manuscript. Way to go, Mikey!
Nathaniel read to us of Metis
riders coming to their camp and telling them the English brigade has
been intercepted and their furs and supplies stolen. They are
determined to run the English out. Now that the buffalo meat is
dried and packed, the camp breaks up and heads back to the Assiniboine.
Alexander is still out on the prairie. He comes across 2 Sioux,
in Cree territory. He slits the throat of one and shoots the other,
then takes their horses and provisions and he also heads for the Assiniboine.
He comes across some Nor’westers and hides and watches them.
He realizes one is Cuthbert-Grant who will try to drive out settlers.
He still feels responsible for Rose and the settlers, and consequently
sees a fork in his life’s path. – Nathaniel has told me recently
that he has killed Alexander, but I have to wait for Thursday to learn
any details. Now how is that for a hook?
Other faces who were here on
the 28th were Jean, back from Israel and Egypt. Carol
Ann, who says she reads the Review on the website faithfully.
Lynette, who is bringing together photographer John Gordon with our
website. And Nathaniel’s wife, Tracy, who looked smashing in
a merlot coloured matching outfit. And of course, our Sonny, who
said he had a lot of fun meeting everybody and matching people to their
pictures on the website. And he made off with the remainder of
the Screech, much to Bryon’s dismay. But not to fear.
Susan gave me a pamphlet showing all the spirits blended and bottled
by the Newfoundland Liquor Corporation. Apparently you get a sample
of Screech when you buy a bottle of Old Sam, which is one we quite often
buy for another friend who likes his rum, and which is also bottled
by NLC. Very interesting. I think I live on the wrong coast.
B.C. doesn’t even bottle its own water, for heaven’s sake.
Since the Holidays are over,
I can think about getting back to some writing. But maybe I’d
better take down my tree first, and vacuum, and dust, and do laundry,
Oh dear. How can you write about life when living it gets in the
way?
Next meeting here at my place
on Thursday, January 4th, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. You have
to come and eat the chocolates I’m not allowed to eat. Now I
wonder if a chocolate high contributes to inspiration? Mmm…
See you Thursday.
Lisa