Diane Chamberlain's Blog, page 13

Story Weekend: Three Words to Describe You, Then and Now

Sorry for being late with Story Weekend this weekend. A new puppy can really wreak havoc on the schedule!

I was looking at some old family photos recently and at the age of 13, I was a pretty unsmiling, miserable looking kid! Then last night I saw a recent television interview of myself and thought “how can that be the same person?” It started me thinking of the way we change throughout our lives. So for Story Weekend, let’s do this: what are three words that describe you at age 10, three words that describe you at whatever age would be the halfway mark between birth and your current age, and three words that describe you now. I’ll go first:

Age 10: fearful, worried, imaginative

The halfway point: ambitious, career-oriented, imaginative

Now: confident, happy, imaginative.

Hmm, I detect a theme!

If  you’re new to Story Weekend, here’s how it works: I pick a theme and you share something from your life that relates to that theme, however you interpret it. Thanks to all of you who’ve been contributing. As always, there are a few “rules”:

▪   The story must be true

▪   Try to keep it under 100 words. Embrace the challenge! That’s about six or seven lines in the comment form. I want others to read your story, and most people tend to skip if it’s too long. I know how tough it is to “write tight” but I hope you’ll accept this as a challenge.

 

Other People’s Skin

Today’s my Other People’s Skin Day. I try to have an OPS Day about once a month, though sometimes I forget. It can be exhausting, but also uplifting. I started my occasional OPS Days about two years ago after reading one of Thich Nhat Hanh’s book about how we’re all connected. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Buddhist monk with a million books out there and they’re my go-to reading when I’m stressed or just need a bit of a spiritual boost. Anyway, it’s hard to read one of his books without feeling profoundly connected to everyone and everything in a way that goes beyond words. I start to look at other people differently. With the storm devastation in the northeastern United States, I think it’s a particularly good time for an OPS Day.

So what do I do on OPS day? Everyone I see, I imagine myself in that person’s skin. For example, I’m sitting in Starbucks right now and as I look around at the other patrons, I try to feel what it’s like to be them, even if I have to do a lot of imagining. When I put my heart inside of them, it fills me up with love and caring and especially empathy. They’re no longer “the other”. Those folks on TV milling around in the ruins of their homes—they’re me today and I’m them. Those people waiting 8 hours in line to vote—they’re me and I’m them, even if they’re voting for the “other guy.”

Have you ever done this? Want to give it a try with me?

On a more craven note, remember that everyone who comments on my blog between now and December 23rd is in the running to win a bookstore gift certificate.

Have a good OPS Day!

 

Story Weekend: Your Earliest Memory

I feel sober and sad this weekend, witnessing the hurricane destruction in New York and my home state of New Jersey. I haven’t lived in New Jersey for decades, but my earliest memories are on the boardwalks of Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights, and it’s hard to see what’s happened to the coastline I’ve loved. One of my first memories is riding the little train on the beach at Point Pleasant, sitting on my Daddy’s knee.  What an adventure! How about you?  What is your very first memory?

If  you’re new to Story Weekend, here’s how it works: I pick a theme and you share something from your life that relates to that theme, however you interpret it. Thanks to all of you who’ve been contributing. As always, there are a few “rules”:

▪   The story must be true

▪   Try to keep it under 100 words. Embrace the challenge! That’s about six or seven lines in the comment form. I want others to read your story, and most people tend to skip if it’s too long. I know how tough it is to “write tight” but I hope you’ll accept this as a challenge.

I hope you all have power and are safe and dry.

Story Weekend: Rainy Days

I think the east coast of the United States is in for something far worse than a few rainy days this coming week, thanks to Hurricane Sandy. I hope everyone stays safe! Meanwhile, what’s your rainy day story?

If  you’re new to Story Weekend, here’s how it works: I pick a theme and you share something from your life that relates to that theme, however you interpret it. Thanks to all of you who’ve been contributing. As always, there are a few “rules”:

▪   The story must be true

▪   Try to keep it under 100 words. Embrace the challenge! That’s about six or seven lines in the comment form. I want others to read your story, and most people tend to skip if it’s too long. I know how tough it is to “write tight” but I hope you’ll accept this as a challenge.

 

Have fun and carry that umbrella!

Story Weekend: Your Best Age So Far

Hmm. . . great question. I won’t go first because I don’t want to sway anyone (note: I wouldn’t go back to the age I was in this picture for anything, except maybe to experience being a size six again). What’s your favorite age so far?

If  you’re new to Story Weekend, here’s how it works: I pick a theme and you share something from your life that relates to that theme, however you interpret it. Thanks to all of you who’ve been contributing. As always, there are a few “rules”:

▪   The story must be true

▪   Try to keep it under 100 words. Embrace the challenge! That’s about six or seven lines in the comment form. I want others to read your story, and most people tend to skip if it’s too long. I know how tough it is to “write tight” but I hope you’ll accept this as a challenge.

 

Have fun!

A Book Club Visit

I love it when my schedule gives me the time to visit a book club in person! This Wake Forest, NC club read The Good Father, and we had a fun discussion and yummy munchies. If your club reads one of my books and our schedules mesh, I’d be happy to call your group by speakerphone (and possibly Skype) when you have your discussion. There’s a form to fill out on my website to make arrangements. Talking to book clubs is one of my favorite things to do!

Thanks for having me, Ladies of the Villas!

Story Weekend: Your Childhood Talent

Today’s Story Weekend theme: childhood talent. What’s the story about yours?

If  you’re new to Story Weekend, here’s how it works: I pick a theme and you share something from your life that relates to that theme, however you interpret it. Thanks to all of you who’ve been contributing. As always, there are a few “rules”:

▪   The story must be true

▪   Try to keep it under 100 words. Embrace the challenge! That’s about six or seven lines in the comment form. I want others to read your story, and most people tend to skip if it’s too long. I know how tough it is to “write tight” but I hope you’ll accept this as a challenge.

 

Have fun!

 

Are you a Re-reader?

I’m in charge of my bookclub’s discussion tomorrow night, and the book we chose to read  was Stephen King’s 11/22/63. (That’s a slightly dated pic of my club on the left). I love King’s non-horror books and stories (The Stand is a favorite and his short story Shawshank Redemption inspired the fantabulous movie of the same name). 11/22/63 is about a regular guy who learns he can time travel and decides to try to prevent the assassination of President John Kennedy. I read the book about a year ago and since I have zero retention,  I had to reread it. All 800+ pages of it, although since I read on my iPad, I didn’t actually realize how long it was. It’s a super fast read despite the  length, especially if you stay up till 2 am every night because you can’t put it down. I loved it just as much the second time as I did the first and I’m glad my memory is terrible, because I could enjoy the unfolding of surprises all over again.

So, are you a re-reader? I hear from some of my readers that they read my books two or three times, and a couple re-read them every year! While I’m hugely flattered, I can’t imagine doing this when there are so many new things to read in the world. I’d love to know your ‘reading behavior’.

Story Weekend: Dress Codes

I remember walking into my high school one morning when a female teacher grabbed my arm, pointing in horror to the hem of the green corduroy jumper I was wearing. “I have a mind to send you home,” she said. But the hem was so close to the required middle of the kneecap that she let me slide. “This time,” she warned. After I graduated a year later, girls in that high school could wear pants and I was wearing skirts halfway up my thighs to my college classes (where we could also smoke in the classroom. Cigarettes, anyway.)

What’s your dress code story?

If  you’re new to Story Weekend, here’s how it works: I pick a theme and you share something from your life that relates to that theme, however you interpret it. Thanks to all of you who’ve been contributing. As always, there are a few “rules”:

▪   The story must be true

▪   Try to keep it under 100 words. Embrace the challenge! That’s about six or seven lines in the comment form. I want others to read your story, and most people tend to skip if it’s too long. I know how tough it is to “write tight” but I hope you’ll accept this as a challenge.

 Have fun!

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

In what now seems like another life, I once belonged to a dog training club. My then-husband and I had two wonderful golden retrievers and for years we trained them in obedience and agility, going to shows each weekend and working and playing hard with our dogs. Then there was a divorce and a move away from the club, and with a blossoming career and two dogs to manage on my own, my training time slipped away. The final blow was Rheumatoid Arthritis, which severely limited my ability to work with my dogs. (You can see the bottom of my brace in this picture). Thus they became couch potatoes. More dogs have followed and while I made sure to take each of them to obedience class, that was the end of our training. They each learned the basics–sit, down, stay, come (sort of)–and that’s about it.

But when we lost Jet two weeks ago, I began lavishing more attention on Keeper. I have to admit that we’ve always thought of Keeper as a bit of a “dim bulb” in comparison to Jet. Shyer, more neurotic, less responsive and physically slow. (Why run if you can walk?) But he’s been a comfort and a joy to me lately, and as I started working with him, I was amazed that he remembered his clicker training from puppyhood, nine long years ago. In one five-minute session, he learned the things I should have taught him years ago: shake, spin, play bow. He’s now moved on to tapping my sunglasses (not on my face) with his nose when I say “where are the glasses?” He’s loving every minute and so am I. Always a wanderer on the beach (no leash law after September 30th here), he’s now glued to my side. Of course, this training is treat-centric, but whatever! It works and we’re having fun. We miss Jet so much, but I think he’s okay. I picture the Rainbow Bridge paved with Beggin’ Strips.