As I was shuffling through old posts this morning, I came across this one, written in January five years ago. It brought back so many warm memories, I decided to post it again. The day was cold, the Cozy Critters were reading and writing and offering encouragement. As Jane said, “Embrace hope and look to the future.” I hope you enjoy re-reading this as much as I did.
Yesterday, five of us Cozy Critters gathered around the table. A couple of them came in shivering and headed straight for the fireplace where they warmed their hands. We considered holding our critique in front of the fire (the weather was nippy) but decided the table would give us more room for paper, pencils, coffee and cookies. Our group is unique because, as well as sharing a love of writing and reading, we share a love for Christ. Yesterday, there were a few prayer requests and concerns and I always feel honored to be asked to pray. But, that’s what friends do.
Jane, who is an artist as well as a writer, read an inspirational article she had written in which she compared life to art. Life has its ups and downs, its bad times and good times. Life is contrasts, just as a painting is contrasts. Without darkness, there is no light; without sadness, there is no joy. Light is what gives the painting life. “Embrace hope,” Jane wrote, “and look to the future.”
Helen read her devotional stories that were real encouragers. I especially liked “Rummage Sale Bargains”. Another compared cows to people and got me started thinking along that line. At Manos Meadows, before houses were built in the pasture across our road, our nearest neighbors were cows. I marveled at their curiosity. If one cow found something interesting to stare at in our yard, the whole herd ambled to the fence, staring in our direction. Cows are funny and interesting creatures.
Another triumph for Helen is the new book, Grandfather, Father, and Me, an anthology of memories, poetry, and recipes, edited by Donna Clark Goodrich. The story of Helen’s father’s delicious fudge is in that book.
Peg has been reading many books. She likes cozy mysteries as well as other genres. She told us about some of her favorites by Donna Andrews. I will check out some of them the next time I’m in the library. And, as a tip for writers, Peg pointed out that when an author is over-zealous in her use of similes, those figures of speech can distract a reader.
Nancy’s inspirational book will be out this fall. She has been through the editing, proof-reading, back and forth with her publisher. It is a fascinating procedure and one that takes a bit of time, to get that book into print for all to enjoy. Soon, though, her words will be available and everyone will have the opportunity to be as blessed by them as we in the critiquing circle are.
I read my children’s story about a barn, a staying kind of barn which started out sheltering animals and wound up sheltering a family. I also read another Etta Bend devotional and got some good pointers on tightening it and making it more concise.
Writers share their innermost feelings in the words we write and we Cozy Critters trust each other with those thoughts and emotions. I missed that group of readers and writers when ice and snow lay on the ground. But yesterday, although the day was cold, my dining room was warm with laughter and friendship and encouragement. A perfect winter day!
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