Limerick Laughs Submission

My submission for the Saturday Evening Post limerick contest Aunt Sue told us about.  Click here for contest details.

Caught off guard as the pins crack and tumble.

In those stockings she surely would fumble.

She kept me unaware,

I thought maybe a spare.

Smile, nod, and try not to grumble.

Writer-Bite: Limerick Contest!

The Saturday Evening Post is sponsoring a limerick contest, awarding $100 for the limerick judged to be the best fit for this bowling image. Your entry must be postmarked by April 4th!

Thanks for The Memory !

The Academy Award for Best Original Song of 1938 went to Thanks for the Memory, which was adapted many times over as it evolved as Bob Hope's personal theme song. Here's an adaptation I was inspired to write after spending a magical evening in Chicago. If you were there and want to add a stanza, feel free! If not, write your own adaptation as a March mini-challenge! For inspiration, see this video clip from The Big Broadcast of 1938 on YouTube here.

Thanks for The Oscars Dinner Party Memory

Thanks for The Oscars memory
Street-wise Daniel parked Mom’s car, Ball canning jar décor
Ikea world-wide wall map, gleaming oaken hardwood floors
How lovely it was!

Thanks for the memory
Of Michelle taking fashion notes, of category votes
PG had the early lead, as we all harbored secret hopes!
How lovely it was!

Many’s the time we were laughing
And many’s the time we were grinners
(Or groaners!) As we tried guessing the winners
Oh, to experience such ambiance!

And thanks for the memory
Of Paul’s java brewed just right, pick-a-cup delight
Fresh pasta Mia’s way set the stage for a perfect night!
So, thank you so much!

Thanks for the memory
Talk of romance books and, of red carpet looks
TC was Country Strong, but Randy won it with his hook
How lovely it was!

Thanks for the memory
Of Uncle Lee on eBay, (vintage postcards on the way . . .)
Thanks for treating us like treasure is what we want to say!
How lovely it was!

Where else would Division unite us
And where else would we raise a nice toast
To Chicago’s most award-winning hosts
We did have fun! The King’s Speech won!

So, thanks for the memory
Of Best Actress Natalie, of choppin’ broccoli
This 83^rd Annual Academy Awards party is now part of history!
And thank you so much!

An Object of Beauty: Chapter 53, I Wink to Thee!

For me, the masterpiece of An Object of Beauty is comprised of all the words contained in Chapter 53! Reminding me of a memorable holiday dinner get-together or a stimulating version of Table Talk, this restaurant-gathering depiction ranks in my top three of Best Book Chapters Ever. Before I got a copy of this book, I listened to an audio version, and Campbell Scott’s voice told this tale well. In fact, it was only in Chapter 53 that I thought that I specifically ‘heard’ author Steve Martin’s voice come through with distinct enunciation when the name of Hollywood actor ‘Stirling Quince’ was announced. I can imagine that Steve might have even winked upon saying those two words, which his main character of Lacey Yeager would have frowned upon.

Can you imagine what would have happened if, when flutterby posted the Ditalini Press 'Just Dialog' Challenge, she stipulated that we include fifteen character voices? This is why Chapter 53 is suitable for framing: it debates, from so many personal-perspectives, the merits of art, with Lacey’s journalist friend Daniel inserting just the right questions to keep the conversation lively. I am reminded of the great Michael Zinman who challenges us to collect – pick something, anything and just collect! (If you don’t like to collect ‘stuff’, try collecting memory images and hang them on a clothesline display in front of your Third Eye!) This group happens to collect art! As one might surmise, Mr. Martin is also quite the art collector, and in 2001 wrote a book about his collection, Kindly Lent Their Owner: the Private Collection of Steve Martin, which is listed on his website, www.stevemartin.com. A new copy can be had for a mere $400.00 through Amazon, a used copy from $95.00.

But I digress!

Lacey’s voice is surprisingly silent in Chapter 53. This particular art crowd at this particular time must not have suited her purposes or, rather, been able to further her purposes. Instead, at the end of the chapter Daniel spots her keeping cozy with a Russian playboy art collector, at a table for two. Described as ‘reckless’ in the book, I would add ‘ruthless’ to the description of Lacey and her most unscrupulous act is the one on which this book hinges. For as Lacey navigates the ins and outs and around and abouts of the art world, objects of beauty soon take on value-added dimensions, allowing her to deliberately up-style her life, but will she be truly liberated?

At first glance, what attracted me to this book were the art reproductions. Once reading, I loved the dappled light that played with similes throughout, and the rays that occasionally glinted off of rare golden chiasmus nuggets. When that happened, I might have even winked - in defiance of Lacey and in deference to the enlightened, word-smart geniusness of Stephen Glenn Martin!

Curiously, it is in Chapter 53, so full of art appreciation dialog, that we are let in on the secret of engaging in dialog with Art itself. So the next time an object of beauty gets your attention, whispering soft promises or all but shouting: Stop. Linger. Listen.