Monthly Archives: October 2009

Shoulder Angels, 4

I’m at the part in my Grand Exit memoir where I’m wondering what “unseen forces” might have influenced my various decisions to reinvent myself. I like my “shoulder angels” pushing me one way or another. And you know this memoir … Continue reading

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Famine Fever Fire Farm

I’m spending more time reworking old material than creating new stuff. I came across this golden-oldie of how my Barrett ancestors made their way from starvation in Ireland to the hope of prosperity in Missouri>>>. Talk about your “grand exits” … Continue reading

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Work In Progress

“Grand Exits” is progressing. It is a mess — which is a good sign. Having a big mess is just a phase before things start taking shape. Knowing this is one of the happy results of being 60 and (whew) … Continue reading

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This Week on Planet Susan

Wish I could say I accomplished more. The Marlon Brando scrapbook (headed for ebay) is still on the table waiting for me to set up my camera. Unsold items from last week on top of it, waiting to be relisted. … Continue reading

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Down the Family History Rabbit Hole

Every once in while I get bugged by a family history question and get frustrated because I can’t just reach back in time for the answers. It started with this photo: It’s a photo that is legendary because of the … Continue reading

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Work In Progress

I actually did some writing today — strung together 1000 words. Let’s see, if I do that every day for 50 days, I’ll have the first draft of a memoir. That brings us to… maybe I should say Christmas. As … Continue reading

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“Grand Exits” as a favorite theme

I’m honing in on subjects to develop. Various themes meander through my writing. Exiles and expatriates cropped up after I retired from the Institution. And more recently there have been explorations of God, Zen, & Other Things “Beyond Me.” Grand … Continue reading

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“Remembering Charlotte” Licensed

“Remembering Charlotte, In the Rain” was licensed today for broadcast by KRCB, a public radio station in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco. “Charlotte” is my short memoir piece about a grade-school friend Charlotte, who wanted to be called “Chuck” … Continue reading

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Hilarious!!!

Actually, I never buy a book (anymore) described as “hilarious.” Usually they are not. I’ve been suckered into buying a few hilarious travelers’ tales and they are mostly about dyspeptic assholes. Isn’t hilarious supposed to mean laugh-out-loud funny? As this … Continue reading

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Creative Process In Action

Coach Pat called last night to weigh in on my next book project: novel, bleh; “Lily Nash,” nah — just be Susan. Write a book of first person “revelations” called Mad in Pursuit: Wrestling with Discontent. Illuminate life from a … Continue reading

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