Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello Pen Women!

I am posting today two poems as a Thanksgiving Celebration. Both were submitted by Muncie Member, Ella Reff. The first one is an original, and the second one is written by Scott Weseman.

Thank you, Ella, for your contributions!

I hope all Pen Women will have a joyous and blessed Thanksgiving Holiday!

A Thanksgiving Surprise 
 
I'm up so bright and early;
The turkey's in the sink;
But now my biggest worry:
The TV's on the blink!
 
No football for my uncle--
Whatever shall he do?
He could come to the kitchen
And help to stir the roux.
 
Yesterday I put the pie in
An oven at 400 degrees
So today I can bake the turkey
And fix the cranberries.
 
A sweet potato casserole
Must be upon my table,
And I will fix a salad
If time does me enable.
 
The turkey's waiting to be carved
Oh look! Here come the guests!
I'd better hurry up,
Get dressed to look my best.
 
My grandson barges in the door
And says, "Let's watch TV!"
I say we can't do that right now,
But he says "Look, Granny!"
 
The last time I was here with you
The TV I unplugged;
So let me take care of that
And things will be debugged!"
 
I forgave the little cuss
And smiled at Uncle too,
So thankful now that things were good
With not much more to do.
 
We all held hands and bowed our heads
And thanked the Lord above
For all good things that come our way
And for a family to love.
 
And here's the icing on the cake,
A day to finally see:
My uncle stood beside the sink
And washed the pans for me!
   
                   ---Ella Reff (2012) 

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer

Lord, so often times, as any other day
When we sit down to our meal and pray

We hurry along and make fast the blessing
Thanks, amen. Now please pass the dressing

We're slaves to the olfactory overload
We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold

But Lord, I'd like to take a few minutes more
To really give thanks as to what I'm thankful for

For my family, my health, a nice soft bed
My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head

I'm thankful right now to be surrounded by those
Whose lives touch me more than they'll ever possibly know

Thankful Lord, that You've blessed me beyond measure
Thankful that in my heart lives life's greatest treasure

That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place
And I'm ever so grateful for Your unending grace

So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You've provided
And bless each and every person invited

Amen!
--Scott Weseman  

Patriotic Poem - Ella Reff's Mother

Muncie Branch member Ella Reff shared a poem written by her mother. Born in 1925,  in southern Indiana, this poem was written when she was about 17 or 18 years old . Her mother's two brothers and husband were all in the military of WWII. Ella said the following poem was published in the local newspaper.

The original hand-written poem, now displayed in North Canton, Ohio

Because today is election day, I thought this would be the perfect time to share Ella's mother's patriotic poem. Note that the poem is now displayed at a restaurant in North Canton, Ohio, The 356th Fighter Group, in their special case with their "book of honor". We are proud to have this legacy as a part of our group.

 

 

            "Three Cheers For 'Em"

 

Three cheers for the men in the service

So loyal, brave and true,

Fighting for their liberty,

And the red, white, and blue.

They're giving up everything,

To fight for Uncle Sam,

To drive out the bitter hatred

In the heart of the other land.

Old Glory is behind them,

Whipping her colors in the breeze,

Fighting all the Axis powers,

Above all, German and Japanese.

A stamp buys the bullet,

A bond buys the gun,

With them both working together,

We'll keep them on the run.

So invest your money now,

Buy bonds and stamps today,

With men, guns, and bullets,

We'll keep the Axis away.

The Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines

Are doing their duty each day,

So let's chip in and help them,

And keep free, our good old U.S A.

       

                        Margaret Peavler

 

Interview with Jan Lewis

I recently had the opportunity to visit a local meeting of Sigma Delta Pi, a teacher's sorority, where I heard our very own Jan Lewis speak about her quilted purses. Jan did a wonderful job and showed off a few of her beautiful pieces of work. I decided to interview Jan for our blog! So here you go .....

Welcome to Jan Lewis!

Please tell me some background information about you.

I grew up with five sisters on a farm in Jay County.  I graduated with a B.S and M. A. from Ball State University. 

Please tell me some background information about your artistic endeavors.

I taught Family and Consumer Science for several years and took up quilting after retirement. 

How did you get started making purses?

.  I have constructed quilts for all four of my children, as well as all six grandchildren.  Many friends and family have received my quilted purses. 

How do you go about designing a purse?

.  The inspiration often comes from a certain fabric, a picture, a request from a client.  The purse usually begins in my mind, tossed around and analyzed from all angles.  I love this part immensely but also enjoy seeing the idea become reality. 

Are the purses washasble?

My creations ultimately become durable, hand washable items of functional art. 

 Do you sell at any sort of craft shows?

Many friends and family have received my quilted purses.  I have sold a few and bartered with purses for services.

How would you describe the creative process of purse-making?

While I sew I listen to IPR radio, music, and often scripture on tape.  I make sketches and notes of ideas that inspire me.  Added to these are pictures from magazines that spur ideas. 

What do you like most about sewing?

My creative instincts are constantly active and often result in great personal satisfaction for me.

Where do you work on your projects?

My sewing room is the smallest bedroom in a small house but I enjoy spending time there. 

Thank you, Jan, for sharing with us about your hand-made purses and your thoughts about the creative process!

I feel honored that you asked me.

November 2012 Meeting Information

November

November 10, 2012 NOON

At the home of Jane Beekman

4044 W. Kings Row

Cost: bring a salad or desert

RSVP: email: riverwrites@yahoo.com

or call River at (765) 212-9802

On the Agenda

• Business Meeting

· This year’s meeting schedule

· Writing Contest Update

· Scholarship 

Program

· Paula Gast, Inspirational Speaker

Author Alicia Erian

Please join us for an evening with author and screenwriter Alicia Erian.

Wednesday, October 17, 7:30 P.M.

Letterman Building, Room 125

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served and the reading will be followed by a booksigning and reception.

Alicia Erian's novel TOWELHEAD was made into a movie by Alan Ball in 2007. She is also the author of THE BRUTAL LANGUAGE OF LOVE, a book of short stories. Erian wrote the screenplay for the short film HAMMER AND ANVIL, which was developed at the Sundance Institute's 2008 January Screenwriters Lab, and directed by Michael Greif. She was the Newhouse Visiting Professor of Creative Writing at Wellesley College from 2004-2008 and currently teaches at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.

September 2012 meeting notes

Introducing Two Muncie Branch Guests

We were blessed with beauty and hospitality when we met at Barb Kehoe's house last month for our meeting. As always, she laid out an elegant table setting with a delicious menu which we all flavored with interesting topics of conversation.

We had two very talented guests who showed us samples of their work:
Sharon Davy who has just published God's Stories (Seeing the Hand of God); and Jill Palumbo who "paints with clay". Below are some pictures:

Sharon Davy

Jill Palumbo

Keep posted for updates regarding where these women will be showing their work in the future so you can see more and support them with your presence at upcoming events!

Best Art Smock

At our August meeting, we met at Parkview Nursing Center where member, Laurie Lunsford works as Interactive Arts Specialist.

Member Jude Urbanski won the prize for having the best art smock. She said it was done by resident Jerry Malone.

Thanks, Jude!