2/29/16 RMB Learning to Drive

2/29/16 RMB Learning to Drive

Dear Rita Mae Brown,

Dian Hughes, an accountant and a friend gone too soon, recommended that I watch Learning to Drive in one of our last working days together. It was during her final visit before her early departure from this life.

I requested the DVD from the Library. It arrived last week and I spent Saturday morning on a small couch in my bedroom watching it on the same computer screen that, letter by letter, spells out this communique, feet propped up and fresh coffee in hand. It stars the talented actors Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley.

As the student, Patricia’s character, approaches her driving test with trepidation, Ben’s character assures her, “If you get nervous, just listen. You’ll hear my voice telling you what to do.”

At one point, towards the end, I had a fleeting thought of calling Dian to tell I watched it and that I agree. It is good. You know that instant when we forget and very sharply a pain swiftly enters with the realization that you can’t do that anymore. Ouch.

I am among those that claim we live on. I’ve felt the presence of loved ones from the “other side”. Even those that claim that isn’t so, will have a look in their eyes that indicates they too have felt their loved ones still with them in the here and now. Some truths exist, whether we understand them or not, whether we believe in them or not.

I will have to practice what I preach and watch more movies with her, while I’m still here and she rests in her new home, but together just the same.

In the film, when the student loses faith, she depends on her teacher for a connection to something more and tells him, “You are my religion.”

When the road gets rocky, if I listen, guidance will come. That is my religion.  

Sharing this life,

Loraine

2/26/16 RMB Tolle

2/26/16 RMB Tolle

Dear Rita Mae Brown,

After listening to Eckhart Tolle’s Power of Now this week, I am on a mental high. It’s the kind of book I want to tell everyone to read and a few actually will. It was recommended to me by my niece after an instructor recommended it to her. I like how good books grow legs, traveling from reader to reader, city to city.

This one has some concepts that will take a while to digest, ones that are close to what I’ve heard elsewhere, ones that touch a knowing inside, and at the same time differ drastically from what we are taught in so many ways.

The night before last I watched Frisco Kid with Harrison Ford and Gene Wilder. I guess the Harrison Ford bug got me after watching the latest Star Wars, next came Regarding Henry and now Frisco Kid. Different genres, from different decades, yet all good.

I would like for someone to see that in my work, regardless of the form it takes, or the year it is completed, I’d like for it to be good work, for the written word to strike a chord, or the interaction to leave a nice memory.

There is much work for us all to do, but the what is not as important as the how. To say a person lived is one thing, to say HOW that person lived, ah, that’s the real story, that’s where life’s magic lives.

Living a good life,

Loraine

2/21/16 RMB Loose Lips to Outfoxed

2/21/16 RMB Loose Lips to Outfoxed

Dear Rita Mae Brown,

I finished reading Loose Lips yesterday and my favorite line was nearly the last one, where little Nickel assures Juts that she will remember her, as will many who followed her story thanks to your entertaining books. The story was a fun ride with colorful characters and plenty of excitement. It marked a place in history, giving us a peak into another time.

I’ve already started my next RMB book, Outfoxed. It offers a view of fox hunting that only an insider can give. I applaud any who have the energy for such an adventure.

On the home front here, El Nino promised southern California rain and it delivered. The land is greener for it, flowers are blooming, and we are thankful.

Rumblings of the upcoming Presidential election pepper conversations. We must be careful what we ask for, sure of our motives, and kind in our actions. As we give we receive, so simple, yet apparently still an elusive concept to many. May goodness abound.

Wishing you well,

Loraine