Lynn M. Dixon's Blog, page 50

Cooler Heads!

We have heard of the phrase, cooler heads prevail.  Well, the humidity has subsided and the cool, breezy weather has gently moved in to help us prevail.

The hot, sticky days that made us feel as if time  was standing still are over. They presented a real test as we walked through the summer months.

But now, it is the thinking season and one of my favorite months of the year. The air is thinner and the thoughts flow with a special ease.  It is an effortless process as clarity and resolve hold hands and reappear on our paths.

The muddled, hazy thinking has been lifted like a heavy blanket. The sweats are fewer and the comfortable temperatures have returned to bring a greater tranquility.

It’s time to do those September things like, ‘get back to basics,’ or ‘get down to business‘ or ‘tackle those tasks at hand.’  We think more clearly and methodically.  Positive thoughts resurge and clear visions return in sharper, panoramic views. 

We pick up where we left off before the stifled thinking came with the heat wave.  We  see victory ahead because we have held on and remained as poised as possible.  Now,  we venture towards those new, fresh shores of opportunity.

Lynn M.                                                         September 12, 2016

 

 

 

Book to Film: A Writer’s Dream

I looked at the movie Legends of the Fall this weekend.  I know. I know.  It came out a long time ago, but this was my time to take in every line like sipping on a cool soda.  I thought, “Wow!”  This is every writer’s dream to have his or her work understood, selected, magnified and displayed on the big screen.

I immediately started researching information about the author, Jim Harrison.  I saw that he passed earlier this year and had written this novella in 1979.  It covered over 50 years of the lives of one Montana family. He was fortunate enough to work with the director Edward Zwick to get it right.  The movie won an Oscar for Cinematography and was nominated for three other Academy Awards.

The result was undoubtedly a masterpiece. Together, the director and writer combined their visions and this epic tale was simply awesome.  The cast was also well-chosen for  this lengthy and powerful piece.  Jim Harrison was indeed blessed to have lived and enjoyed the fruits of his labors during his lifetime.  Unfortunately, many artists do not get that honor.

Most writers have a story to tell but it is truly a wondrous event when a film crew decides to take on their work.  Novels have often been used as springboards for showcasing memorable movies.  Sometimes the writers get the credit they deserve but oftentimes, they do not.  Jim Harrison had to be pleased to see his work on the big screen knowing that he helped to write the screenplay.

I can think of a few wonderful movies that were based on great books.  The list is endless, but here is a short list:

Legends of the Fall– Jim Harrison
The Color Purple– Alice Walker
Gone with the Wind– Margaret Mitchell
For Whom the Bell Tolls– Ernest Hemingway
Waiting to Exhale– Terry McMillan
Matilda– Roald Dahl
Dr. Zhivago– Boris Pasternak
The Thorn Birds– Colleen McCullough

The magic begins when a writer puts pen to paper and publishes a book that is picked up by a cinematographer who reads it and says, “Aha!”

Lynn M.                                                                       September 6, 2016

Smooth September!

Tinted leaves flutter to the ground,

Trees shed as autumn comes around.

September, a smooth month and, mild,

As we rake those leaves in a pile.

Kids are returning to the schools,

Using those lessons as life tools.

It begins with Labor Day fun,

But soon, there will be much less sun!

Lynn M.                                                                                                                           September 4, 2016

Southside With You: A Review

My sister and I went to see the new movie, Southside with You about Barack and Michelle Obama’s first date. I was struck by so many things because I have Chicago roots as well. The places, scenes, sights and sounds helped me relive the year and era of 1989.

His old car with the hole in the floorboard showed his bravery all the way back then. I don’t recall him making any apologies for it as he drove Michelle around to various memorable spots. They went to the Chicago Cultural Center for an art show. Its brilliant dome in the ceiling was recently refurbished and brought back to its original glory. I remembered going there a lot as a teen when that beautiful building was Chicago’s Main Library.

While there, they enjoyed Ernie Barnes’ art depictions of black life in the inner city. Barack talked about the importance of art and how J.J.’s art was supposed to help him get out of the projects on the hit television show Good Times. Ernie Barnes’ pieces reminded me of Annie Lee’s works as well. Both artists were uniquely able to capture blacks simply enjoying everyday life.

Parker Sawyers, the actor, truly captured Barack’s essence. He had the tall, lean height, the gestures and the voice intonations down pat. After a while, I felt as if I was looking at Barack Obama, as he took Michelle to a variety of venues in one day.

They later went to the South Shore Cultural Center where there was an African drumming session going on. He had an opportunity to observe Michelle dancing with a little girl and he saw her in a more relaxed mode. Tika Sumpter also did a fine job of portraying The First Lady as she kept reminding him that this was not an official date.

They worked at the same law firm, and she did not think that their dating was a good idea. But he used his smooth ways to show her the many aspects of his personality by keeping her busy. They talked about a lot of things and he could immediately see that he had a thinker on his hands.

He drove his jalopy out to Altgeld Gardens which is out pass 130th Street. The Gardens, as they are affectionately called, are located quite a distance from the city and it was clear that he was out to impress her. He had driven to her house, the Loop,  South Shore, to the Gardens and even further as their long non-date continued.

Michelle had a chance to see him in another light while in The Gardens. The people loved and trusted him because of his former work there as a community organizer. She saw how he interacted with his admirers and she heard him speak and move his listeners for the first time.

Their date continued as they talked over drinks, went to see Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, talked on the Lakefront and enjoyed her favorite flavor of ice cream. They shared a lot about their families and he saw early on that he definitely had a sparring partner. Dr. Maya Angelou, says, “Equals can be friends.”

One review said that the actors lacked chemistry and I was somewhat swayed and had decided not to see it. But I am so glad that my sister insisted that we see it and judge for ourselves. The movie was short, sweet and thought-provoking. It ended with each of them quietly reflecting on all that had transpired in one day, once they had reached their individual homes.

One woman in the washroom complained that it was too slow and that she had gone too sleep. I silently thought, “Too bad.” She had missed a lot of deep conversations that set these two deep thinkers onto a historic path.

John Legend produced the film, wrote and performed the song, “Start.” Here are a few lines:

“Leave your house of mirrors, hear me out…

Fear no consequence, forget your doubts.

I don’t know where the road leads

And we won’t go unless we start.”

 

Lynn M.                                                                September 2, 2016

Courage!

I attended a lecture and a panel of six members spoke on the meaning of courage. They compared courage to the roar of a lion king. I started jotting down some of the words and phrases that rolled off of their lists. With the audience’s help, they came up with the following:

Strong

Fearing nothing

Triumphant over adversity

Acting courageously

Standing alone with Spirit

Not retreating

Trusting the law

Determination

Perseverance

Taking action

Facing fear

Not giving in

Not becoming stagnant

Not being swayed

Holding on to one’s belief or faith.

All I could do was scribble notes as fast as my fingers would move. With each pen stroke, my own personal courage seemed to surge. I started affirming things like, “I can do this.” or “Yes, I can.” I could see some of my mountains crumbling down into small ant hills. I left the lecture feeling more hopeful and knew that I needed to devise a plan of action when I got home.

We all need to be reminded that we can face some feat and tackle it with a degree of composure and grace. We have to take a leap of faith and as Ray Bradbury said, “Jump and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall.”

Lynn M.                                                                                                  August 29, 2016

Refreshed, Renewed & Ready to Move!

Sometimes we need to take a step back.  We hear the new buzz phrase, “Stand down.”  In essence, we need to stop, breathe and let life go by as we step to the sidelines.

As on a highway, we let those in a hurry pass to the left while we hold steady and keep both eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel. Let them go on!

Let the hurried, the worried thoughts go as we reconnect to our Source.  It is  the giver of all life and our mainstay.  We listen to the phrase,”Easy does it.”

We can remain in the slower lane as we reflect, refurbish and mostly remember.  We can recall the fluid motion of our younger selves and how we were more fearless as we faced those new daunting tasks.

It seemed as if we were braver then because we were less aware of how fleeting this precious life can be.  We were less likely to become petrified beings constantly searching for feelings of safety and security.

As we hold steady and rejuvenate, our confidence soars.  We may move a little slower but with each breath, we are refreshed.  We take in our surroundings in a more mindful manner. Each beautiful sunrise or sunset reminds us that we are still here.

We can hear the soft guidance of our loved ones and former teachers who are no longer visible to us.  We can feel them nudging us in the right direction.  We remember the many lessons they have taught us and we can review the roadmaps that they left behind for us to follow.

As we continue our journey, we relinquish what we no longer need.  We let go of the old beliefs, attitudes and people who combine to hold us back.  And when we are ready to move forward, we can confidently switch our speeds and flow into the faster traffic.  We set our own paces to coincide with our comfort zones.

Maxwell Maltz wrote, “Man maintains his balance, poise and sense of security only as he is moving forward.”

Lynn M.                                                                                                                August 22, 2016

Mid-August: A Poem

Mid -August is all abound,

With high movement all around.

Prepping for return to school,

Limited time in the pool.

Rolling along with the change,

Knowing when to switch that lane.

Those new ventures do surround,

Making a most joyous sound.

Lynn M. Dixon                                                                             August 15, 2016

It’s On!

It’s on, is a coined phrase that means that things are happening.  One of my recording teacher’s referred to it as live stage.  This meant that the activity was at its peak.

It is August!  The summer party is drawing to a close.  Soon, it will be time to put the beach balls away, pack up the swimwear, the inner tubes and the other pool items. School is about to start and this time of the year is not to be taken lightly.

Students will be getting new school supplies and meeting new teachers.  New clothes, pencils, paper, tablets, laptops, book bags, shoes, socks, the works are on the agenda.

Principals will be looking for new teachers.  They must have that staffing in place because a classroom full of students without a teacher would  be a travesty. Simply unthinkable!

Anxiousness and anxiety are about to fill the air.  Thank goodness we have the Summer Olympics from Rio.  Watching the athletes perform is a calming hiatus during this season of  high energy and uncertainty.

There will be registrations and the hope of getting into the right classes for those on the college scene.  New dorm mates will be met and searches for housing will push this group into a frenzied state.  Everything has to be in place before that first day of classes.

Parents will scramble to buy new uniforms and wardrobes.  They may have to get medical forms filled out or take the little ones in for those annual shots.  They will be rechecking those school lists to make sure that they have everything that the school has asked them to provide for their children.

Summer camps will end.  Summer workers will be calculating because they know that the last check is a stone throw away.  It’s been fun but seasonal work is seasonal work.  Summer is pulling into its last stop.

Even businesses are affected.  Yes, they were exhausted from the throngs of kids coming in and out of the revolving doors. It was trying and taxing, but after all, the sales did add up.   Some of the cash flow that they enjoyed counting will vanish as the kids go back to school.

Fewer security guards will be needed at those malls that the teens use as a meeting place.  The parks won’t be filled for endless hours nor will there be a need for manpower at those outdoor concerts.

As the children and young adults  go back to school,  many will let out a huge sigh of  relief. Yet, after a little while, they may feel a sense of boredom because they  miss the drama and constant motion from the children. No one will remain unaffected because it is truly on!

Lynn M.                                                                                                                         August 9, 2016

 

 

A Saga is Born!

As a writer, I first met Trey and Phoenix in a novel that I started to develop over twenty years ago.    I had the desire to write a great love story.  The idea came to me after having a conversation with a friend. She talked about the stresses that professionals face in the work world.  Much is expected and sometimes, even more is expected of minorities who have climbed the corporate and career ladders.

They not only have an image to maintain, but they are often under greater scrutiny.  Combine that with a troubled romance and a job can go down the drain quite quickly. I originally wrote A Golden Leaf in Time where Trey is trying to keep it together while he argues with his insecure girlfriend. She constantly accuses him of being with others when they are not together. His job as a college professor takes a hit.

Phoenix, an African American, is a librarian.  She, too, is under the microscope and being observed by both staff and public patrons.  But her love life is in shambles and she privately medicates with beer to try to deal with it all.  Their lives run parallel and both have a hard time balancing the world of work and their love lives.

As I grew, I decided to take some of the salty language out of parts of that book.  I softened it by revising and the second title is called A Golden Leaf in Time Revised.  Plus, the original copy was filled with typos and mistakes because it was my first edition and I did not know how the self-publishing industry worked.  Now I do.

I thought that these characters had had their say, but they had not.  A few years later after leaving a job, I wrote Warm Intrigues.  The story continues about Trey (Tyre), who now goes by his given name and Phoenix.  They are dating throughout Chicagoland.  I say Chicagoland because he lives all the way in Evanston and she lives in the south suburb of Homewood.  They had met at the end of A Golden Leaf in Time Revised and they have to travel very long distances just to see each other.

They must still keep their jobs intact along with the new romance.   Anyone who knows the size of Chicago can understand that the miles between the two locations could easily make a couple simply pass on a relationship.  But, the spark is there and they weather the challenge.

I had another hiatus, last summer and I realized that I had left them on a Hawaiian beach.  It was as if they were saying, “We are still sheltered in place and waiting for you to come and get us.”  I remember seeing Mildred Pitts Walter, a children’s author of Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World.  When asked when she was going to write more about Justin, she replied, “Justin has not spoken to me yet.”  Writers do have their own code.

So, during the summer of 2015, I picked up my pen and I went and got Tyre and Phoenix off of the Hawaiian Beach.  A Continuum:  Tyre and Phoenix opens with them flying back to Chicago from Hawaii.  It is about the ups and downs of their first year of marriage. They must still maintain those high profile positions as they bond and support each other.

Here we are in the midst of the summer of 2016.  I am an educator and after school got out, I took a short trip to Boston.  Sitting on the Charles River cleared my mind and upon return, I started to write and continue more about Tyre and Phoenix.  They had waited for a whole year to share their story and once their voices started, I recorded page after page.

In the Throes of Progress just came out a couple of weeks ago.  In the past, I always had a writing plan or outline.  With this one, I just let them speak and I was merely their medium.  Somehow, it all came together and the puzzles pieces fell into place.

Robert Frost wrote, “No surprises in the writer, no surprises in the reader.”  I surprised myself as events unfolded.  I believe there will be even more about Tyre and Phoenix because a saga has been born!

Lynn M.                                                                                                                           August 2, 2016

 

Where Do You Go??

William Wordsworth wrote The World is Too Much with Us many years ago. I often think of  his words when I look at the daily happenings. Here are a few lines from that poem:

“The world is too much with us, late and soon.

We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!

For this, for everything, we are out of time.”

Those words still ring true today. After listening to the news, we all need to find a place to go after being rocked and swayed by events. Whitney Houston sang “I Go to the Rock,” from The Preacher’s Wife Soundtrack.  She sang:

“I go to the rock for my salvation.

I run to the mountain and the mountain stands by me.”

Well, I go to the lake. It calms me. I can breathe. I remember Thich Nhat Hanh’s words, “Breathe, You are Alive!”

I can breathe out and release some of the unsettling things.
I can let go of what I have seen and heard.
I can breathe out the outmoded thoughts and ideas.
I can just breathe and sit in the silence.

And then, I can inhale.

I can inhale new ideas.
I can inhale new beginnings.
I can inhale and chart new plans of action.
I find a new source of energy as I regroup, refocus, renew, revamp, refresh and reflect.

I  return to the daily routines feeling rewarded. It is imperative for me!

Where do you go when it has all simply become too much?

Lynn M.                                                                                                                         July 26, 2016