Autumn already. Back to school and I am back to teaching religious education at our church. I noticed over the past couple of teaching years that teenagers learn much more at school than did my generation. They know so much more than we did or perhaps they know as much but a lot sooner – and I do not mean sex education.
It is hilarious how I could not get my groups to discuss the topics at hand yet those same kids could share and discuss their math studies with the group. As well they know more about math than I do. And computers.
Speaking of teenagers and little kids I find it fascinating to see that they are smarter than too many adults. We have on our block two crosswalks. The young people press the button and wait for the light to change. They look both ways. And then they cross at a good pace. Their elders on the other hand run between the crosswalks and weave through traffic. They do this also in the dark of night while wearing black clothing. Now who is intelligent?
BOOKS
WHEN AGAIN THIS WAY I WALK
lindagigliottiwriter.com – Linda M. Gigliotti’s writings:
The lives of 1870’s Julia and modern Andie touch as each in her own time faces relational issues common across the ages as times change and people do not.
Reviews
Linda Gigliotti’s novel, When Again This Way I Walk, invites readers into the lives of two families, living in the same location but a century apart. The dual-timeline story begins when Andie gazes into the forest and experiences a life-like vision of a woman and girl of previous time. Throughout the story, we follow Andie, her family, and the choices and decisions each must make and the parallel issues that Julia and her family cope with. With touches of mystery and illusion, Gigliotti deftly alternates between eras to reveal how the lives and issues of these two women, and perhaps all of us time unto time, face similar challenges, experience the same joys, and struggle to discover our deepest truths (Judy Reeves).
-Judy Reeves is the author of Wild Women, Wild Voices: writing from your authentic wildness and A Writer’s Book of Days.
I had the privilege to be one of the first readers of Linda’s novel and from the first page I was drawn into the story and felt as if I was part of it, thanks to Linda’s extraordinary way of describing the scenery and the characters. A beautiful story about life, love, family, traditions and friendship with a twist of mystery and suspense. Linda sends you on a journey between the past and the present, reminding you that life is about being curious and courageous.
- Tina Mundelsee is author of Yoga Coaching: use your practice to resolve emotional baggage, master your mind & create harmony in your life & relationship and Think Happy, Be Happy – A Yoga Coaching Pocket Guide. As well Tina is life coach at www.tinastools.com
I just finished reading When Again This Way I Walk. I loved it. It’s so funny I have thought these very thoughts myself. You are so right, the sun will keep rising and settling long after we have danced our lives across the earth and it has risen and set long before we took our first breath. So many experiences, interactions, memories. What a wonderful story. Bravo to you.
– Jackie Wilkinson, avid reader
HOWMASTER: THE WRITER’S GUIDE TO BEAUTIFUL WORD CRAFTING – Revised Edition lindagigliottiwriter.com – Linda M. Gigliotti’s writings
OTHER GREAT READS
Check out Judy Reeves’ new memoir WHEN YOUR HEART SAYS GO (She Writes Press 2024)and others at
https://www.judyreeveswriter.com/ . Judy also wrote Wild Women, Wild Voices (NWL 2015), a book for those of us who must write and do it well. Check out Judy’s A Writer’s Book of Days (NWL 1999) for some great daily writing prompts.
NOTEBOOK SAYS
Poetics are not something I read yet those fall fully formed into my head. Not rhyme time but the Japanese style of Haiku with its three simple, powerful lines flow unbidden. How I wish that would happen in my chosen style of story. Imagine no blocks. Writing like it should be, flowing and steady across the page.
So I pass the poetry prompt onto you: spend a few days with those three simple, powerful lines.
ART CORNER
Have you ever gotten mad at a painting and think to toss it? I did many times until recently how wrong that is. Years ago I was shocked to find I could look at a photo I took and replicate it. Since then I copy my photo with pencil into a sketchbook which I transfer with brushes onto watercolour paper. No sketch lines. Just me and the brush and some paints. My hand remembers what to do from the sketch.
And so it is that I painted a clutch of day lilies and their leaves. Then I decided it “looks hairy” with all those leaves and petals sticking out however gracefully. I hid the work in a trunk I use mostly for Christmas decorations. It is beautiful, too perfect for the atmospheric painting I prefer and gorgeous in its own right.
Watch what you toss. It could hold treasure.
OTHER GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT
Nicholas Wilton is a master in his teachings about colour and the way your art reflects your soul. Look through his site and sign up for his Sunday Vlog. Art2Life Artists | Facebook and https://www.art2life.com
Check out Karen Abend’s art community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SketchbookRevival and sign up for her great newsletters.
Don’t miss https://doodlewash.com/ with Charlie O’Shields, of Creator Doodlewash®, founder of World Watercolor Month™ (July), World Watercolor Group on Facebook, and author of the Sketching Stuff™ books.
Until next month,
Linda Gigliotti
lindagigliottiwriter.com 