Accepting what is to come
Saturday, July 13, 2024
A Month Ago I Wrote:
Sunday, June 2, 2024
Time Marches on
Saturday, May 18, 2024
City Lights Books in Sylva
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Interview with a YouTube Success Hostess
Friday, April 26, 2024
Recovery and Anxious to Teach Again
Young Glenda who thought she was too thin. |
1995 when we moved to our home in the mountains |
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Going back to NC
Readers, if you are still with me after such a long
absence, I appreciate you very much.
I look forward to going back to NC next week.
Scott Owens, the fabulous poet from Hickory, NC will come
to our area on Thursday, April 18 to speak and read some of his outstanding
poetry. He is always interesting to listen to and he will have some of his
books for sale at the John C. Campbell Folk School in the Keith House where we
will meet at 7:00 PM.
I will also speak and read prose that evening. As many of
you know, I write poetry and prose, but at this meeting, Scott will share his
poetry and I will share a short story or a nonfiction narrative from the many I
have written over the years.
All of us who know Scott and his work will be happy to
have him stay over to teach a workshop on Friday afternoon 1:30 – 4:00 at the
Moss Library in Hayesville. You can read more about this event at www.netwestwriters.blogspot.com
Although we need fees to pay Scott for coming so far, we
cannot ask for them because the library’s rules say we can only ask for
donations and must be open to the public. But we ask for donations of at least
$40 and registration sent to Sandy Benson 310 Quail Cove Cir. Warne NC 28909
If someone wants to attend and cannot make a donation, we
will welcome them. It is helpful to know who and how many will be attending so
we hope to hear from you if you plan to be there.
Contact me at gcbmountaingirl@gmail.com
if you have any questions.
Meanwhile, I am happy to finally take off the sling I
have worn for six weeks because of my surgery. I am still doing physical
therapy three times a week and can’t use my left arm much, but was told I have
healed very well and will have good range of motion if I stay with PT. Thanks
to those who sent me good wishes and said prayers for me. I am very fortunate
to be here with my sister and brother-in-law who are so good to me. Without
their love and care, I don’t know how I would have managed.
If you live within driving range, I hope to see you on
April 18, at the folk school with Scott Owens. And if you write or want to
learn to write poetry, be sure to register for the workshop on Friday, April 19
at the Moss Library in Hayesville, NC.
Until next time, stay well and be generous. Even giving a
smile away to others is a gift much appreciated.
Friday, March 1, 2024
Brandy, My Miracle Dog
WHAT'S NEXT, MOM? |
Brandy, my miniature black poodle, rode with his front paws firmly planted on the top of the Honda motorcycle, his little rear end on the seat between my legs as I sped down the farm road. His long ears waved behind him in the wind like two black flags. Together we leaned into the curves and he never once lost his balance.
My
husband Barry gave Brandy to me as a wedding present one week after we
married. I should have been aware that the puppy would own me before too long. He
was a tiny curly ball of fur, jet black and shiny. Only six weeks old. His face
with a pink tongue peeping from his smiling mouth and his two inquisitive eyes
should have been a hint that he would lead us on a merry chase as we came to
adore him.
I
loved his new puppy smell as I buried my face in his coat. He licked my face and I knew we were meant
for each other. That first night we made him a bed in a box in the kitchen
complete with a soft blanket, a ticking clock, and old socks. We went to bed
feeling like proud parents. It turned out to be a long night, and in the
morning, the puppy was sleeping on my pillow.
For
the first three months of Brandy's life, he and I were inseparable. He ran free
in our small furnished apartment and behaved himself surprisingly well most of
the time.
In
September I went back to work teaching fourth grade. We left him alone for the
first time, confined to the dining room just in case he grew bored or had an
accident being left inside for such a long time. Although he cried when I
closed the door on my way out, I felt certain he would settle down once he saw
I was not coming back.
To my dismay, Brandy met me at the back door that afternoon. I looked down and saw this tiny dog standing in an explosion of foam rubber strewn from the back door to the living room and all over the kitchen. After a brief survey, it was obvious. Brandy had jumped up on a chair and from there to the dining room table. From the table, he leaped through the spindles of a wall divider into the living room. That was where he proceeded to destroy three sofa cushions and then to chew each of the legs of the coffee table.
That escapade was expensive, and we knew we had to do something right away. We replaced the ruined furniture and made a decision that became a turning point in our lives. We moved to the farm where I had grown up and where my parents still lived.
On the farm, Brandy ran free when we were home. He chased cows, and made friends with my horse, although he was somewhat jealous of her. He nipped her on the nose. He was content to be fenced when we were gone.
One Sunday afternoon, Barry climbed up on the roof to repair a television antenna. In a rush to watch a football game, he left the ladder leaning against the house and forgot about it.
Early the next morning, we left for work in different cars. I arrived home around four o'clock in the afternoon. As I drove up I couldn't believe my eyes. Brandy came running, as he always did when he saw me, but this time he was running up on the roof. I clambered out of the car knowing, in his eagerness to reach me, he was going to jump.
My heart pounded. I ran toward him. But Brandy, far more intelligent than I realized at the time, scampered over to the ladder, scurried down, head first, never missing a step until he was three feet from the ground. At that point, he jumped. I heaved a sigh of relief, gathered him up in my arms, and hugged him. I looked up and wondered why he decided to climb the ladder? How long had he been up there? Over the years of living with him, I became aware that Brandy was an unusual dog. We had more to come.