Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
Speaking Engagement
I looked out at the small sea of old women, well, a pond really, shallow with thinning reefs around the edge.
I was asked to talk about women but I talked about aging because that’s what I was thinking about even though the notes in my pocket said different.
They listened to me even while I noticed that the bottom of my dress pants were wet from hiking through the dog park in a steady rain.
Afterward, a woman who invited me to speak gave me two carnations and a bag of chocolates, lip balm, and many other small rewards, women’s things that were all lovely like a pond surrounded by thinning reeds.
5 Comments on “Speaking Engagement”
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Snow Door | wisconsinacademy.org
Listen to Jan read her essay “Billy” presented on WUWM’s Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “At the Breakfast Bar” on WUWM Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “The Parish Hall,” on WUWM Lake Effect
“Fury Cannot Touch Me,” Modern Love, NYT, 9/29/11
YES! Authentic Storytelling … my heart’s delight. (and, I imagine the delight of your listeners and readers) Thank you, Jan.
I’ve always been so about my notes – convinced myself that I couldn’t speak without a set of bullet points, which I know isn’t true because I can certainly run on at Roundtable. LOL First time just standing up with a mic and keeping my notes in my pocket. Good for me.
Perfect!
Long road you have traveled. Time for a book? Maybe ??
I loved how you first fashioned your notes, I have the same style, I cannot read a script, and telling a story or what is in my heart works best for me. you went with what you were feeling once you got up there, and the audience clearly felt it and was impacted. the thinning reeds are such a good way to describe those around us as we age and travel through life. lovely, kind gifts at the end, they were clearly grateful for you