3/31/15 RMB Truer Form

3/31/15 RMB Truer Form

Dear Rita Mae Brown,

What happened to March??? It was here a second ago.

Often children are asked “What did you learn in school today?”

I am tempted to ask that of myself. “What did I learn today; in this disappearing month; this year?”

I learned that many lessons must be re-learned, that we must continually test our limits, strengthen our weaknesses and refine our strengths. Our best today can be made better tomorrow.

These days my characters rest, as I gather my wits, adjust my attitude and reconsider their paths. And when I lift my pen to write, I look forward to finding them in truer form, deeper and bolder than before.

To being better than before,

Loraine

3/29/15 RMB Race Relations

3/29/15 RMB Race Relations

Dear Rita Mae Brown,

A popular coffee shop chain recently started a campaign to better race relations, it backfired, or so I hear. From posts on social media to the chatter in one of their shops, all agree it missed the mark. One lady talks of her personal experience. Baristas speak of how they handle the questions that come up because of the aborted effort. A teacher tells of her school's race training seminar that was a bust and an insult.

I sat, quietly playing solitaire. I held my words, letting them all have their say and when the customers were gone the employees continued conversing on the subject. How often has a child fussed over homework, blind to the lessons it lends?... In some cases putting new knowledge to use, as years go by, and never seeing the connection.

Did the campaign to better race relations miss its mark? Was the school’s training a bust? I listened to five stories that would not have been told, if it weren’t for those “failed” attempts.

Smiling, I see how goodness lingers from the effort to do good.  

Ever thankful,

Loraine

3/28/15 RMB Gently Falling Snow

3/28/15 RMB Gently Falling Snow

Dear Rita Mae Brown,

The sun is shining on me here in California as my Delaware friend describes today’s snow gently falling in her yard. Our world contains every experience imaginable and our imagination can take us to even further realms. As I enjoy her snowflakes and my sunshine brightens her afternoon, we share a conversation and the day.

Imagine snow, sunlight, peace, and, if even for a moment, it is yours.

Neat,

Loraine