The Art of Story

It was a dark and stormy night and all the Indians were gathered around the campfire. The Chief stood up and said, "Neewah, tell us a story." And this is the story that Neewah told, "It was a dark and stormy night and all the Indians were gathered around the campfire. The Chief stood up and said..."

And so it goes. That was a story Mr. Jackson's Dad told him, his sisters and their friends as they sat in their dark backyard wide eyed waiting for the next move Neewah would make...the older kids knowing the punchline watching for the younger kids' reaction. The elder Jackson setting the mood and telling the story to deliver the delight that resulted. Laughter and the joy of sharing is one of the components for a good story.

I love stories. I remember the first time I was able to string together a plot more complex than "See Jane run after Spot." I was hooked and wouldn't put the book down until the last page was turned. My breath exhaling as I finally knew the end, how it all worked out and my mind whirling at the possibilities.

Despite having a bit of the Irish in me, I never could tell a story without first writing it and even then, it's best if the reader or someone else takes over in the telling. No matter how hard I've tried, the telling, the punchline always gets lost because in the telling I am experiencing simultaneously the story and the possibilities of what might be. I laugh, cry and get angry all the while wondering where it is all going. 

So for me, the telling must be done by filling the blank page and giving my voice to the characters in the story and ultimately, the reader.

And so it goes...it was a dark and stormy night....

Flash Friday-"It's a Great Day for America!"

Time flies when

You are having fun

Don’t know if that’s true

But it certainly helps

If you get to see

Craig Ferguson

A Scotsman

Now proud American

Make it to Carnegie Hall

Telling stories

Acting silly

Be forewarned

Practice, practice

Is how one gets there

But with comedy it does help

If one swears.

C.M. Jackson 2010

Yep, you've made it to Friday and if you can say it in 55 words, you MUST go tell the g-man. Happy weekend all!

Willow Ball 2010 -Part II

The weather was treacherous so we had to stop off at a neighboring airport and board a private jet for the rest of the trip.

We made it just as the party was beginning---Sting took one look at Willow Manor and started humming. Did I mention he brought his orchestra with him? After the proper introductions and some mingling, he took the microphone and proposed a toast to the hostess-Willow and began to sing---

Mr. Jackson, very pleased with himself, took my hand and we danced the night away.

This is just a hint of the happenings--waltz your way to Willow Manor and check it out!

Monday Morning Wake Up Call-King Tut

Mr. Jackson and I visited the King Tut exhibit in Times Square and had almost as much fun as Steve Martin did doing this bit. An extensive review of King Tut's family and antiquities, the exhibit made me want to learn more. If you can, check it out. Until then, dance along with Steve and have a great week!

Flash 55-Full Moon

The man in the moon spoke to me two days ago. “McTavish is that you? I whispered. With a wink, he said “You are not lost. Whatever you wish can be found so long as you are willing to believe.” I smiled, humming happy birthday as he played hide and seek in the night sky.

Have a story to tell? Tell it in 55 words and see the g-man! Happy Flash Friday!

Theme Thursday-Bottle

"Wine is bottled poetry"-Robert Louis Stevenson

Filled to the brim
Effervescent
Champagne
Prosecco
Ruby Red
Montepulciano d'abruzzo
Vino Nobile
Chianti
Pinot Noir
Shiraz
Golden
Chardonnay
Pinot Grigio
Reisling
each
bottle
tells
a
story...........

Return your bottles here! Happy Theme Thursday!

Monday Morning Wake Up Call--A Pledge

Mondays ____! I'll let you fill in the blank---That doesn't mean we have to be filled with negativity and angst. Oh no, we need to get silly. So repeat after me--I (say your name) ...tee hee..Here's to a great week!

Theme Thursday-Bread

loaves
warm
bastone
semolina
french
italian
whole
grain
wheat
rye
challah
sour
dough
raisin
no

my jeans don't fit....

For sustenance without the calories--go here!

Theme Thursday-Polka Dots

One dot...



Two dots...



Three dots...



so many dots, so little time....

Theme Thursday-Traffic

Experience is by far the best teacher. You know, ever since I was a little girl I knew that if you look both ways when you cross the street, you'll see a lot more than traffic.” Mae West

Mae had it right. There's traffic where ever we look on this ever smaller globe of ours. It is how we choose to deal with it that makes the difference. I choose to imagine the images above when I am caught in midtown NY ---horns blaring and taxis moving ever so close to my bumper.

So much time is spent getting somewhere, what if we just took the time to be, to learn and look beyond the car in front of us---lead rather than follow, take the exit we pass every day just because, take a train so we can read another chapter of that book, ride a bike, motorcycle or a vespa. It is about living and experiencing. Mae had it right. I will try to do better.

Theme Thursday-Limo

This one is a stretch;-) but here goes...It's a new world people!! Line 'em up, no trouble finding parking and great on gas!

Let's Dance

"It is utterly false and cruelly arbitrary to put all the play and learning into childhood, all the work into middle age, and all the regrets into old age. " Margaret Mead

They Say it's your Birthday

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.- Victor Hugo

Happy birthday little sister! Enjoy the day and know that your laughter brings joy to all you touch.

let's "smove"

An interesting concept with unlimited possibilities!

Have a great tomorrow!

World Laughter Day 2009

:-0)...tee hee ha ha ho ho ha ha