LEAVES TURNING BRING BACK MEMORIES

As a young child I don't think I paid much attention to the change of seasons, except for winter which brought snow and Christmas. Life in the Blue Ridge Mountains could be a challenge no matter what season. As I grew older I found myself looking forward to fall when we were surrounded with brilliant reds, golds, and vibrant oranges.  The sounds are still playing out in my memories---the Blue Duke Marching Band,  the shouts of anxious fans for the game to begin,  the cheer leaders cheering on the crowd to join in the,"Two bits, four bits, six bits a dollar, all for Dublin, stand up and holler." 

Then there were the smells---the spicy aroma of slow cooked apples and cinnamon that magically turned into apple butter---buttery smell of corn popping--my mother's pumpkin pie, fresh from the oven.  If we were lucky she would make an applesauce cake with a mixture of aromas--walnuts, gathered by the children who carried the tell-tale stains from the tannin in the walnut covering.

There were always school events and fund raisers to attend in the fall.  How I recall those Cake Walks in the school basement.  Soon it was Halloween and trying to put together the scariest costume ever.  We had never heard of Trick or Treat. My church usually gave a great party.  We would "bob for apples," except for those who didn't want to put their faces
in water.  Many of the adults took part by dressing up.  Some of them were masters of disguise and we could never guess their identities.  When the took off their masks we laughed ourselves silly.They had fooled us again..

There was always a lull after Thanksgiving until about two weeks before Christmas. The beautiful colored leaves were gone, frost had killed the the fall flowers and the landscape was bleak.  Decorations and Christmas merchandise were not placed in stores until closer to  the big day.  Christmas was not near as commercial as it is today.  it seemed so long between Thanksgiving and when Santa Claus would arrive.  I'm certain our parents tired of "how many more days until Christmas?" This is a good place to add that most of the parents in my little part of the world developed a way to keep the children from dwelling on the dangerous places their fathers worked---some were coal miners and many worked at the 'arsenal where gun powder and other explosives were manufactured.  Deadly explosions could and did happen.  We didn't talk about it but we knew the danger was there. We were Innocent children who liked to be with other children roaming the hillsides, wading in the creek, and playing in the snow.

It was not a perfect childhood but it was one filled with good memories.

Your comments are encouraged.

Darlene Bays Eichler
Teacher of Memoirs
Writer of Books

BOOK SIGNING ON SATURDAY

This Saturday is the day to meet Emma.  Who is Emma, you ask. She is the granddaughter of Miss Boots' owner in "Where's the Kitty." Do you think Miss Boots is excited to have a little girl in her home?  No!  She is hiding somewhere in almost all of the pictures. Emma wants to be her friend and goes to great lengths to let Miss Boots know.  The surprise ending will delight readers, especially dog lovers.

       What: Book Signing
              Where:GEORGETOWN, S.C.
               TIME:1:00 TO 3:00
                AUTHOR--DARLENE EICHLER
                ILLUSTRATOR-BETTY WYLES
                BOOKS-"WHERE'S THE KITTY"
                                 "EMMA SAVES THE DAY"
                    ALL OF DARLENE'S BOOKS
                    CHRISTMAS SPECIALS!
                                          

     

Bumps In the Road of Life, Number Two

I promised I would keep you informed of my progress in the treatment of RA as it involves chemotherapy.    Well, chemo is chemo. Why did I think I could sail right through this with no extra bump in the road? But if it makes me feel better I am more than happy to spend one day whining and lounging around feeling guilty that I' m not being productive. Then A line in Father Merchant's opening prayer came to me (paraphrasing) "if I am called to do nothing, let me sit quietly." How difficult can be in this hectic world.  For some off us a takes a dose of "chemo" to sit us down. Let's be more aware of our body's and soul's needs and sit quietly.

So far I have seen no changes in the symptoms of RA, but then I realize I am 29 years older than when I had treatment for breast cancer.  It takes more time for everything.  Right, my fellow seniors? I have realized that in most instances I can do almost everything but in a lower gear!

Continuing the gratitude challenge I want to say how thankful I am for my Memoir Writing Class.  They raise my spirits and give me goose bumps with their wonderful writings.  We are an eclectic group who spend two productive hours together every Wednesday morning. We travel the world, with different ethnic backgrounds, religions, life experiences, laughter and tears but we do it with respect and admiration for one another. It makes for a great week!
Thanks for reading my ramblings.  Your comments are welcome.

Darlene

Bumps on the Road of Life

  Perhps some of you have noticed my absence on this blog in the past several    months. I have been dealing with a huge road block. l wasn't exactly sailing a  Iong smoothly but I had my Parkinson's Disease under control. Then, Wham! I was attacked by an autoimmune disease called  rheumatoid arthritis. It is a tricky, sneaky, and fickle malady. It attacks when you least expect and travels from one joint to ànother.  It seems that it knows exactly where it is least elcome. The illustrator of my two children's books has it in her hands. It resembles osteoarthritis in  the pain but it can be a serious disease àffecting joints, soft tissue ànd internal organs. The main symptom that bothers me is the fatique.  There are days when it is difficult to get dressed without help.There have been times I have been ready to go somewhere and I could not because of the fatique.

I will be taking a treatmeat given by infusion beginning on September 16. The procedure will take 6 hours and will be given 4 times a year. Keep me in your prayers. I will try to post and keep you informed of my progress.

My best to you,
Darlene




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AN ACT OF KINDNESS FOR FATHER'S DAY

We knew this day would be busy so we decided to stop by IHOP for a quick lunch.As we turned into tbe parkkng lot I remarked that "Summer Season" had begun and I hoped we didn't have to wait. We were seated promptly nexf to a large group of  chatting, happy people.  In a few minutes an elderly lady was seated at a table to my right. She wore a pretty blue dress that complimented her snow white hair. I kept waiting for someone to                  join her but no one came. Then one of the younger women from the large group came over to the lady's table.  I overheard her say, "it is against the law to eat alone.!   With just a little more cajoling she went along with the idea.  Soon she was joining in the animated converstions
.I stopped by the table on our way out and told the young lady  that was.a nice thing to do. She sat d she did it  for herslf and she hoped it would catch on.

I do, too !

News Bits For Summer Memoir Writing Students

Hello Class,
I look forrd to
seeing you on the 14th in Conway.  If you have not turned in you paper on creating a holiday, please bring it with you.
Directions---going toward Conway, turn right at the main intersection to the University.  The road curves to the left and you will find the The Testing Center We willbe infroom--131 near the front.EXCUSE TYPOS!

See you then.
Darleneh

My Memoir Class

Post retirement years can be fulfilling or they can be a bore.  This is   left up to the individual. But it saddens me to see senior citizens sitting and doing very little.  Not only do their brains get sluggish but their physical health suffers. I have an answer for some of these bored seniors.  Take a memoir  writing class.  In particular take my memoir class . Now don't read me wrong. I don't think mine is the only one but it has always been very special. I cannot explain it but I know that after one or two  meetings the class, for the majority, has come together as a group.  They learn to care for one another as they listen to other's stories.
Before the session is over the class has learned to write in slices of their lives, reducing to refine a great story, found their own voice, shed tears of joy and tears of relief  Some have come to new understandings about rifts in family relationships.  Others  find humor where they thought there was none, while others forgiveness is needed.
Memoir writing is not easy but together is rewarding and fun.
The fortunate teacher,
Darlene Eichler

SEE ASSIGNMENT FOR WEDNESDAY FEB 6. 2014

We will be discussing TRUTH in memoir writing.  Write a paragraph or two telling how you would
 or you will handle a truth that could be hurtful.

Write a slice of an experience in bad weather, such as being snowed in or stranded, flight delays, cancelled trips.  It can be negative or positive, humorous or serious.  Just a slice, please
.
Some people really like snow, I think it's an unnecessary freezing of water."
Carl Reiner










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