Life With Elizabeth

No, not me, but a small gem of TV history just recently discovered on Netflix.  Starring Betty White and from the early 1950’s it contains some side-splitting moments with Betty White as a newly-wed.  Proof once again that comedy doesn't need to be vulgar and obscene.  To quote from Amazon  "Unlike the format of normal sitcoms, LWE did not feature a single narrative, rather several 'incidents' (sort of "A Day in the Life of Elizabeth"), hosted and narrated by Jack Narz. Betty White glows as Elizabeth with fine support from Del Moore as patient husband Alvin. LIFE WITH ELIZABETH ran for three years in syndication. Simple, homely domestic comedy."      If you get the opportunity do watch it and know that, as with I Love Lucy, the best comedy is timeless.

Being Good Friday, the morning was spent attending a Passion Play, put on by Kitchener Holy Trinity Church.  The first time I've been to that church and was curious to see what their presentation would entail.  It didn't disappoint, and while a low key production and simply presented, the effect was moving and very appropriate to the day.  Well done to all involved -  I plan to be back on Sunday.  Then lunch afterwards  and here it is almost five hours later and no hunger pangs to trigger something for supper.

I have letter number three now from grandson Michael as our pen pal relationship develops. He seems to be enjoying it, and I know that I certainly am.  In this most recent note he says he can’t believe he’s ten years old now.  Well, guess what…neither can I!

Hope you're enjoying Pam’s interviews – if you could see the list she has lined up!  When she was still my co-worker, one of her strengths was conducting informal ‘getting to know you’ interviews for the monthly newsletter that I produce.  And even though she’s been retired nearly two years now, printed copies of those interviews still decorate the wall.

We've been working on a short story for a few weeks in anticipation of the upcoming Scene of the Crime in August, and did the first thousand words in tandem, but then at my suggestion we branched out and finished the story independently.   Earlier this week we swapped our finished tales and how very interesting to see how different we treated the ending!   Next Saturday we plan to spend the day in Jamie Tremain mode and see how we want to integrate these endings into one.

I leave you with this whimsical reminder that it really is Spring and send Easter wishes your way.

Cheers!

Liz

Pen Pal

What does a writer like to do?  Write of course.  But every now and then the path takes a turn unexpected.  For me this week, my road to writing has taken a side street in connection with my oldest grandson, Michael.  He’s not quite ten and having some struggles with school work.  His teacher suggested having a pen pal might be a good way for him to become familiar with writing structure.  She’s had some success with other students using this idea.

So I was truly honoured when Michael’s mother approached me to see if I’d be interested in becoming Michael’s pen-pal.  Would I?  What a terrific idea.  Even though we live in the same part of town this could still be fun.  So I began watching the mail box for his first letter.   A few days passed and I began to wonder if I was supposed to send the first letter.  Checked with his dad, my son, and no, Michael was working on a comic strip that he wanted to send.  It was almost done and would soon be in the mail.

Today it arrived, addressed to Nana Lindsay.  Couldn't believe how excited I was to open this up and see what the envelope held.  A notebook page entitled Best of Food Friends, with a comic strip detailing an adventure between an egg yolk and a pickle.  Good imagination and it’s still making me smile.

When was the last time I actually put pen to paper and wrote a longhand letter?  Usually I’ll whip up a letter on the computer and print out and off it goes.  But this called for a much more personal touch, so I started printing, and keeping in mind I'm corresponding with a ten year old.  The process led to memories surfacing.  Of having pen-pals in grade school; at one point I had two at the same time.  A girl in France with whom we took turns writing in both French and English, and also a boy in Scotland.  Ironically his name was Jamie!  I had totally forgotten about that experience.

Not that I’m about to start writing anything Jamie Tremain in long hand, but the process forced me to really think about what I was writing and not just key words as fast as I can think them.  So I’ll have to thank Michael for this little side benefit.

Who knows how many letters we’ll exchange, or if this idea will fizzle, but for now I’m quite excited to continue sending letters and will work to make them interesting and at the same time hoping he’ll also be learning a little about grammar and sentence structure along the way.  And I’ll gladly write to the rest of my grandchildren as they get a little older if the desire is there.   If you have grandchildren, nieces or nephews, I’d recommend this exercise – its sure to benefit all involved and strengthen bonds and create some special memories.

Cheers!

Liz