Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Guthrie theater Review

Quote of the Day: some favorite and famous lines from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams, playing now at The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.

I can smell the mendacity in this room, and it smells like death. Big Daddy and Brick discuss the meaning of mendacity, the lies that people tell others and themselves, the system that they live in. When their wives tell them, during separate dramatic moments in the play, that they really do love them, they both reply with the same line, Wouldn't it be funny if that were true?

I always thought drinking men lost their looks, but I was plainly mistaken. Maggie remarking on the lasting attraction she feels for her husband, Brick, despite his constant rejection of her.

I feel all the time like a cat on a hot tin roof. Maggie speaking about her life, how she's caught in it, but unable to jump off. This title line is repeated several times throughout the play.

Why is it so damn hard for people to talk? Big Daddy, trying, desperately to have a real conversation with his son.

I'm not living with you. We occupy the same cage. Maggie

My friend and publicist, Krista Rolfzen Soukup, and I attended Cat on a Hot Tin Roof together. It was her first time to the new Guthrie Theater and what a fantastic show to introduce her to this amazing place. We ate at the Level Five Cafe' where the mood was set for an evening in the South. We both had Big Mama's Southern Supper, mmm-hmm, it was good. Pork chops with pepper jelly and sweet corn spoon bread, mixed greens salad with walnuts and cranberries, and hot tin roof sundaes for dessert.

I showed her the best sights that I've discovered. We walked out onto the Endless Bridge and took a picture. Look, it's so cold, she turned blue!

Things heated up once we entered the Wurtele Thrust Theater. An older couple was ahead of us and the woman had dropped her ticket, so Krista picked it up for her. We ended up sitting right next to them, sweet seats right behind the railing, with an unobstructed view of the stage and all the steamy action. Krista picked up a fallen glove for the woman as we found our seats.

As the show begins, Brick is in the shower (off stage), and Maggie enters. She is on and speaking for most of the first act. It is through her stories and perspective that we meet the family, hear of their past, and discover the complicated and tense relationships. She is a woman longing for more, longing for relationship with her husband, longing for a family and children of her own.

Brick seems to have given up. He spends the evening sipping on drinks and avoiding real discussion and his wife's advances. He has shut the world out, waiting and hoping for the click to go off in his head, numbed by booze, so he can feel peaceful.

All of the action takes place in Brick and Maggie's bedroom, but not the kind that Maggie craves. Gooper and Mae's five "no neck" children run in and out. Family members barge in. Ghosts and hurts of the past make their appearance through words both spoken and avoided. We see the characters' pain, both the outward physical cringes, clutches and crutches, as well as the inward pain in their eyes and actions. We, as the audience, quickly forgot that we were at a play. The characters became real people and it was like we were watching them through those large French doors and windows off the balcony of their bedroom. I saw people leaning forward to take it in. I saw men wipe their eyes from the intensity of the scene and the tears they brought forth.

During intermission, the women on the other side of that older couple in our row, asked if they were enjoying the show. The woman said, "Yes. I was in it, you know, in 1975, the last time they performed it at the Guthrie." Krista turned to me with wide eyes. After the performance I asked her name. We were sitting next to Barbara Bryne, a famous stage and film actor. She's been in over 60 productions at the Guthrie. She had a light British accent and when she thanked Krista for picking up her ticket and some other pleasantries, I said, "She could be in Mary Poppins." She played Big Mama in 1975. I asked her if she was reliving it and remembering lines as she watched. She said, "Oh, no, you can't try to remember it all. You'd go crazy." I can only imagine after so many shows and theatrical experiences.

Everything works so well together in this production, the staging, the set, the costumes, the colors, the music, and the backdrop scrim that changes colors as the evening progresses. It lights up for the fireworks, and gets dark for the storm. Some actors are dressed to blend in, like Big Daddy, or shine, like Maggie, or clash, like Mae. I can still hear the bangos, the singing in the distance, and the harmonies amidst the discord of this family.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever rubbed elbows with a celebrity? Have you ever dared to strike up a conversation with a stranger and found out something remarkable? Have you ever seen a production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof?



Holy Smokes!

Quote of the Day:  The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small, manageable tasks, and then starting on that first one. Mark Twain

This seems like a fitting quote for the beginning of the year. How are you doing with your resolutions? Mine is to make one change, and write one scene per week for 52 weeks. Last week, I walked a little bit more than usual, and I wrote scene #1 for my play writing, and I scheduled rehearsals and set the date to have my first full-length play, Coffee Shop Confessions, performed at The Coco Moon. I still need to confirm with two of the actors, then I'll officially annouce the dates. Very exciting. I didn't know if I was shaking more from the caffeine or the adrenaline from taking that big step.

Lately, when I cook, I set off the smoke alarms. They were going crazy yesterday. I opened windows, ran around and checked to make sure there wasn't smoke coming from another area of the house, stood outside a minute, but saw nothing to alarm, except for the blaring alarm. I turned off the oven and stove and turned on the fans, and left the windows and doors open. Then, the phone rang. (I thought the neighbors might be calling to check if I was okay.) It was my friend, Krista, from across town. She didn't hear the alarms. But, about that time, they finally quit. We discussed a good change. I've been invited to more shows at the Guthrie, and just this week, to attend a performance at the Children's Theatre in Minneapolis. Very exciting. Krista called to tell me she could accompany me to one of the shows.

Another good change stemmed from the smoke alarms. They sounded again today as I was frying up a salmon patty. It wasn't that oily! So, I decided to clean the stove and oven. But first, I pulled out the stove to clean behind and under it. Amongst the usual dirt and greasy dust bunnies, I found a Starburst, a Nerf bullet, my spaghetti server, and sand. I can't for the life of me remember a single recipe that called for sand, but there it was, piled along the edge where the counter met the stove.

I'm also experiencing a change in my own backyard that I'm not as excited about. I know, it could be good, but right now it just feels sad. I live on the edge of town, and had a lovely wooded view, see family photo, here.

Last Wednesday, the work crew pulled in. The backhoe chomped up the trees like a hungry dionsaur, piling the larger ones off to the side, and setting the rest to burn.

View from the back.

Well, you can't stand in the way of progress, especially when it's cold outside. You might as well embrace change, because it's always there. And, you never know, something really positive could come from this new view. I've already noticed that my kitchen is much sunnier.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What changes are happening in your world? What one new thing, or creative effort, did you make last week?

Of Mice and Men Review

Quote of the Day:  John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California, in 1902. His first three books were financial failures, and he worked at various kinds of jobs to surive, including fruit picking. - from the "About the Author" at the back of my yellowed copy of Of Mice and Men, which was in its 72nd printing when I bought my copy for a college course 25 years ago.  The story is still powerful and relevant today. With three failed books, and who knows how many rejections, and working at hard labor, unfulfilling jobs, do you think he ever felt like his dreams were as hopeless and unattainable and George and Lenny's?

I watched the show with my 13-year-old son, Zach. I had a ticket for my oldest son Bobby, but he wasn't feeling well so didn't attend. He was the first one I thought of bringing when I saw the advertisement. He's a senior in high school. He's read the book. He's ready for these heavy themes and dark look at life. I decided my 11-year-old twins weren't ready. When I told them a little about the play, that it ends sad, that it's a tragedy, they said, "We like shows where the good guys win."

So, I found myself sitting next to my 8th grader, wondering how he was handling the content and emotional impact of this story. He told me afterwards that watching a play is way more intense than watching a movie. You're right there. When the actors' voices get louder, you can hear that. When they get emotional, you can feel that. While the movie makers might try to manipulate the volume, it's not the same as being in the same room with the actors.

Wow. My work here is done. That's exactly what I want him to know about live performances. I want my sons to know that there is life beyond the screen. That to be in the presence of gifted and emotional performers is more powerful than anything they'll experience. Zach and I agreed, the screen creates a barrier. We have an easier time telling ourselves that it's not real.  Even though the set is representative of the time and place and the actors are playing parts, it becomes real through their words, actions, reactions, their very breath...and ours, the audience. The actors I spoke with on Monday said that each show is different. It takes on a life of its own. Each time they perform, it's a little different. The audience has a different chemistry. A Tuesday night performance in Brainerd, MN is going to feel different from a Friday night performance in Nothern California. I wonder how the folks in California react to this play?

Marcus, who played Crooks with amazing depth, told me that their director Jason King Jones wanted their performance of Of Mice and Men to be unlike any the audience has seen before. And it was. I believe it's because he allowed himself as a director to interpret the play, to bring it to life as he sees it. Then, he got out of the way and allowed the actors to create their characters. I felt like the actors and their characters were one.

As Eryn O'Sullivan, Curley's Wife, was talking about leaving this place and joining the traveling show, I couldn't help but think of how all these young actors did just that. They left the comfort of home, of a "regular" life and hit the road in a traveling show. Aren't they also beating it from one town to the next, looking for work, seeking connection, discovering more and more about themselves, and wondering if they dare to dream of something more?

And, that is the theme of the play. Zach asked me what I thought the theme was. I hesitated. I thought I'd lost my English teacher eye for literary elements. But, when he asked me, I was still in shock over the ending. Of course, I knew what was coming. I've seen this play done a couple time, read the book, studied the story, but I couldn't answer that the theme was the death of a dream.  I wanted it to be more hopeful than that.

I asked Zach, "Why do you think John Steinbeck wrote this story?" He said, "Because he wanted to show how hard some people had it, especially during those times."

I have such a smart son.

I am feeling grateful for the experience of the theatre, the improv class, the emotional and powerful performance by The National Players, and a great night out with my son, who sheds light on life and literature for me.

(Brian Vaughan who played Slim, and Patrick Hogan, as Carlson)

Go ahead, Play off the Page!

I dare you!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Close the screens, and experience life and art in real time. It's waiting for you to show up with your own creative energy.

Journaling Prompt:  What do you think is the theme of 'Of Mice and Men'? Why do you think John Steinbeck wrote this story? Where would we be if he gave up on his writing life and accepted the death of his dream? Where would you be if you gave up on your dreams?

Avoiding Writing and Eating like a Hobbit

Quote of the Day:  Read the poem The Tao of Touch by Marge Piercy on The Writer's Almanac.  This poem was used there on May 5.  It spoke to me.

In order to avoid working on my next play, I caught up on blogs.  I actually zeroed out my Reader on Saturday morning!

I awoke to a loud thud. At first, I thought the twins were up and already going outside.  The door to the garage closes with a thud and rattles the house.  I got up, checked, and saw that they were still snoring in bed.  Hmm. I walked downstairs and didn't see anything out of order.  I heard the thud again.  Was that thunder?  No. It's cloudy, but not raining.  Then, I realized it was the sound of war manuevers at Camp Ripley, which isn't as far away as I think.  The entrance to the camp is about 20 miles south of here, but the land within the camp comes up to the Crow Wing River, very near my house.  It sounds like canon fire, (from what I've heard on tv shows) so I wonder, Why are they shooting off canons?  Are they just playing war games and Civil War re-enactments?  Probably not.

My imagination enjoyed playing with the sound, though.  Maybe it's trolls walking nearby, or using my roof as a percussion instrument.  And, speaking of Trolls, the boys and I decided that Saturday would be "Eat like a Hobbit" Day.  We enjoyed breakfast together - toast, cereal, an orange, coffee.  Then, we had a second breakfast - scones.  For Elevensies, I had a banana.  They had toast.  I thought I'd better take a walk after that, since luncheon was coming up.  And, for tea time, we had Oreo cookies and milk out on the deck.

Despite my best efforts - long walk, laundry, cleaning my room, and all that eating, I did manage to type a few more scenes in my play.  I'm now up to page 12!

The setting is the kitchen.

The main focal point is the kitchen table.

The characters are a family, trying to connect the past to the present, understand each other, and be whole.

I have a present day table setting, and one from the past.  This is the first time I've used flashback in a script.  I like it.  This story is a drama, filled with emotion.  I also included 10 year old twin boys, which lends to high energy and humor.

For Mom's Day, the boys got me great gifts - movies, a candle, and smelly bath gel, and they took me bowling.  They did great.  I am one lucky Mama.

I hope you all had a great weekend.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What would be on your menu for "Eat like a Hobbit" Day?  How did you celebrate Mother's Day, or enjoy the weekend?

Athena Strikes Again

Quote of the Day:  I really talk too much about my work and to anyone who will listen.  If I would limit my talk to inventions and keep my big mouth shut about work, there would probably be a good deal more work done. - John Steinbeck

(Look at the ideas exploding around my computer.  Oh, ya, the chocolate and coffee help stimulate them!)

I agree with Mr. Steinbeck to a certain extent.  We can talk our ideas out and lose the energy for them.  We can give too much away.  And, sometimes, we need to close our mouths and start writing. 

Unless you use the people that you meet as sources for great stories and dialogue.  Here's an example.

I went to the drive-thru of Grab-a-Java, where you might think I just want a wham-bam-thank you, ma'am, quick shot to go.  To that I would say, you don't know me very well.  I'd just brought my cat to the vet because she hadn't been eating for over five days, and I was concerned. I ended up leaving her there for oral surgery - cavities and infection. (Let this be a lesson to all you kids to brush your teeth.) I needed a little pick-me-up.  I mentioned this to Carla, the owner, as she leaned out the window.  No one was behind me, so we chatted.  I told her about my play Coffee Shop Confessions.  She had more stories.  She witnessed a whole love drama unfold in her little coffee shop - from tryst to break-up, chairs sliding closer together, to being pushed apart.

I told her that on my way home from the She Speaks event in Grand Forks, I had no less than three ideas brewing. (She liked that metaphor.)

Carla said, "You must feel like your head is exploding sometimes."

I said, "Yes, you know that Athena, goddess of wisdom, war and community, was born out of Zeus' head.  She's my muse.  I feel ideas bursting out of my head."

She laughed.  Another car pulled up.  I finally ordered my mocha to go and was a wee bit late in getting home to teach a piano student.  I blamed it on the cat, at first, then confessed that I had a quick chat with the coffee lady.

Ideas are everywhere.  Interesting characters are lurking in waiting rooms, coffee shops, and in check-out lines across the globe.  And, how convenient with cell phones, now.  I can hear one-sided conversations and piece together the rest of the story.

Carla asked, "How do you know if you have a good idea?"

I said, "I talk about it to people.  There are some writers who guard their ideas and don't talk about them.  But, I find that when I talk about an idea, I get more ideas and stories, and that's how I know I have a good idea, because so many people can relate to it."

On my trip North for the reading, I packed a couple fun wines.  The red is called "Writer's Block."  Roxane and I determined that we weren't blocked, so didn't open that one. 

I just had to try the white, though.  It's called "Middle Sister - Drama Queen."  Seems it was made for me!

May the muse be with you in whatever form she takes.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Do you like to share your ideas while their brewing, or do you wait until the pot if full before you share what you're working on?  In other words, do you talk about your creative work, or do you wait until it's done to reveal it?

Playwright Night to Remember

Quote of the Day:  Playwrights work in collaboration.  Their words to the director to the actors to the audience, and many people in between. - This is a paraphrase from Kathy Coudle-King, playwright and director, and my own sentiments.  That's what I love about theatre.  You're part of a creative team.

Mary Aalgaard with Kathy Coudle-King

Here we are celebrating after the readings during the She Speaks event in Grand Forks, ND, March 5, 2011.  They had some technical difficulties with the Skype attempt with Australia and Canada.  Some of it worked out fine, and it was cool to say "We're waiting on Toronto," but other times we had nothing or fuzz.  We're not quite to The Jetson's stage on that.  Also, I had technical difficulties with my dad's video camera.  Didn't push the right button, so no video.  However, I did receive the DVD of our table reading from two weeks ago. Thanks, Matt!

Michael Harvey, Wendy Swerdlow Pedersen, Mary, Nancy Swerdlow

These are the actors who read the cutting of Coffee Shop Confessions.  Mike read Sam. Wendy read Jewell. Nancy read Lolly, and Tori Remer read Micki, the teen girl, but like a teen girl, slipped off before we got a photo.

They did a fantastic job.  I laughed.  I cried.  I held my breath.  I felt my heart beating harder when Jewell walked on with the cell phone in her hand in a heated discussion with her husband.  It was a reading, not a production, but they did some wonderful acting with their eyes, expression, voices, character, and props - the cell phones.  They did get up and move during the mixed up cell phone bit.  Oh, they were wonderful.  Thank you fine actors for bringing my characters to life!!

They were also gracious in welcoming me to their stage, The Firehall Theatre in Grand Forks, ND.  The actors thanked me for sharing the script with them at the same time I was thanking them for lending their voices and talents to my words.

My first authors' panel (not the most flattering picture, but, eh, what can you do?).

We had a "talk-back" discussion with playwrights, audience, actors and directors afterwards.  It was a positive, enlightening experience.  All the readings were great.  Each quite different and unique.  I enjoyed seeing and hearing what the other playwrights had done.

My best writer-mama-pal, Roxane Salonen, drove up from Fargo to celebrate with me!

My Grand Forks writer friend and fan, Janet Speath, came to watch the readings.  Thanks for your support, Janet!  It was Janet who got me connected to this event.

My sister Nancy and her husband KC at the Bethany Church Dumpling Dinner.  They came to the show, but I missed getting their photo at the Firehall, so snapped them up here.  They were great supporters and full of comments and tips to make the show even better.

A tray of what we Midwesterners call "bars."

A sweet ending to a practically perfect weekend.  I have a few details to work out with my script if I want to use music.  It's tricky.  I'll need do my research, get permission, or better yet, find a composer and do original music.  Any takers out there?

Journaling Prompt:  What are the ingredients to a wonder weekend in your world?

Mountaintop Feeling

Quote of the Day:  You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. - Eleanor Roosevelt

Last April I signed up for Scriptfrenzy where your goal is to write a script in a month.  I wore the above t-shirt for the first time, packed up my laptop, and made myself a table top office at a coffee shop in downtown Brainerd, MN.  I did not complete the script in month, but I got a good start.  I typed "The End" on it last week, made copies, and invited a few talented and supportive friends over for breakfast and script reading.  It was one of the best days of my life!

I served an egg bake with ham, cheese, and hash browns, and made my famous fruit pizza.  I'm showing the readers the pizza because it has a star fruit theme.  I told them, "You are all stars.  I feel like I'm launching my career as a playwright today, and I'm so glad that you are here for it."  And, for those of you who read my blog and know me, you have also been here for it.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  I feel your encouragement and creative energy every time I sit down to write.

After much blood, sweat, tears, and coffee, the play is ready to be released to the world.  I had just finished typing "The End," when Janet, a writer friend in Grand Forks, wrote that they were having a theatre opportunity for women writers in Grand Forks, called She Speaks, on March 5, and would I be interested in submitting a 10 page cutting of my script.  Whoa, I thought, I just finished it.  I'm having the first read-through on Sat. morning, but YES, I am interested.  I made the cutting this afternoon and sent it off to the director. 

The story and characters came alive in a new way as my friends read this script.  Several times during the reading, that was often interrupted by commentary, the people reacted to the words as themselves, then realized that it was script, and went back into character.  That's how natural it read.  Oh, my heart was beating fast.  Can you tell from the photo how flushed I am?  I'm still coming down from this Mountaintop feeling.

Here they all are:

Joey, my photographer friend who played Lolly.

Lisa, my neighbor and freind who brought the cream cheese coffee cake and played Jewell.

Laura, my friend with enormous gifts and talents in theatre, played Laura.

Matt and Beth live over two hours away, but just happened to be coming through town, read Nick and Roxy.  Beth was my student back when I was an English teacher.  She starred in the one play that I directed in her high school.  She's also writing a play.

Ed, the coffee drinker sweet dad guy who played Sam.  He's a retired elementary school teacher and a musician.

And, Denise, the birthday girl, who said this was a great way to start out her birthday celebration.  She played Aubrey.

I could go on and on, but I'll save some things for a later post.  We laughed.  We cried.  We shared stories.  Denise said it felt like we were surrounded by a white light of positive energy.  I'm telling you, folks, it's still here.  I'm still glowing.  And, the view from this Mountaintop is spectacular.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Promt:  Describe a mountaintop experience, one you've had or one you dream of having.

Measuring Success

Quote of the Day:  The true artist declares himself by leaving out a lot.  The artist alone sees spirits.  But after he has told of their appearing to him, everybody sees them. Goethe

photo by Joey Halvorson

I have spent many hours in coffee shops talking, listening, eavesdropping, asking questions, visiting with the baristas, observing life.  The characters of my first play in three acts, Coffee Shop Confessions, were formed here.  Many of them are based on real people, but they are all fictional.  They have a past.  They have current concerns.  They have hopes and dreams, talents and conflicts.  These characters were conceived inside of me, talked to me, grew, and birthed from my head, the way Athena burst forth from the head of Zeus, fully armed and ready to lead her armies into battle.

I'll claim Athena as my muse today.  She is goddess of war, civilization, wisdom, strength, strategy, crafts, justice, and Greek Mythology.  Don't we need all those skills as we march onto the battlefield of our crafts?  We need the tools for success.  We need an army of supporters, a cloud of witnesses if you will, strategic planning, and a sense of justice in a satisfying ending.

I am measuring my success today.  I have a few finishing touches left in Act 3, then I'm ready to unveil my first full-length play.  I've scheduled a read-through with supportive and talented friends, and I've already gotten enthusiastic response from them.

Thank you!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Write about the success you feel right now in your craft and in your life.

Eavesdropping on Characters

Quote of the Day:  The way you define yourself as a writer is that you write every time you have a free minute. If you didn't behave that way you would never do anything.

~John Irving (1942 - )

(The playwright, ya, that's me, sipping on some inspiration.)

Let me introduce you to five friends who meet at a coffee shop.  They're connected through their love of music and performing.  They call themselves the Swingin' Sallies, although not one is named Sally.  They are:

Laura, married, mother of five, including twins who are the youngest.  She seriously needs a creative outlet, a long solitary bath, and a triple shot latte, "No, don't hold back on the whipped cream."

Lolly, Laura's mom. They've been singing together since Laura was out of the womb.  Lolly's husband died a year ago from colon cancer.  She still wears black nearly every day, but plans her new flower garden while sipping her herbal tea.  Oh, and going on an Alaskan cruise is still a dream she talks about from time to time.

Aubrey, a hair stylist.  She's got an eye for a good make-over.  She's single and cruising the 'net for the next exciting date.  A hot mocha is like a warm hug to her, especially after a morning of hearing salon chair confessions (but that's another story).

Jewell, stay-at-home mother of two.  The youngest started Kindergarten this year.  The older is in second grade.  She's in charge of everything - the schedule, the children, her home.  She's always "on call."  Her cell phone and planner are her appendages.  She'll order a fresh brew, black, because she's watching her weight. Or, is it her husband who's watching her weight?  (She secretly craves a turtle latte.) Naturally, she's in charge of the schedule for the group.  Whenever they add a new gig she says, "I'll check with my husband then put it on the calendar."

Roxy, an artist, easily distracted (I mean interested). Her coffee order varies with her mood.  Some days she just wants a fresh brew, sometimes with a splash of cream, or maybe a mocha, or hmmm... What's the special today?  Her husband is kind and supportive and rescues her often with a forgotten item.

Wouldn't you just love to eavesdrop on their conversations?

Research for this project has been stimulating.  I've spent many hours with girlfriends at coffee shops.  I've spent some solitary time there, too, writing, thinking, and yes, eavesdropping.  I can't help it.  I daydream in dialogue.  The quote at the top of this post fits me when I'm working on a script.  I keep notecards handy and write down conversation bits, ideas, scenes.  I am writing in the spare minutes.  As a mother of four who's in charge of everything, I have only snippets of time and limited energy.  Keeping a pencil and scraps of paper scattered throughout my home, van, and purse have been my way of letting this story pour out.

Journaling Prompt: Fess us!  I know you've done it.  Write about a time when you accidentally, or on purpose, listened in on a conversation.

Making a Scene

Quote of the Day:  The play's the thing. - William Shakespeare (Hamlet)

( Photo by Joey Halvorson)

Here we are, folks, making a scene at the Coco Moon in downtown Brainerd, MN.  I needed to set up a photo shoot with local photographer, Joey Halvorson, for an article I wrote for our local women's magazine, Her Voice. The article is called "The Committee" and it's about the gremlins that sit on your shoulder and tell you that you're not good enough and who are you to write a novel, or play, or sing, or do any art, or be special (you know the voices).  They were drowned out today, I'll tell you!

I said, "I'll be at the Coco Moon this afternoon working on a coffee shop drama that I just started."

She appeared, camera in hand.  I sat there with my laptop, book bag, numerous pens, stack of notecards, a single tall Thumper latte (treated myself for this event. Ingredients: white chocolate and roca almond, mm-mm), a glass of ice water and two napkins.  (I was setting up shop!)

She asked me what I was planning to do with my drama.  I pointed to the coffee bar in the above photo and said, "I picture it performed right here."

The people in the photo are normal, everyday patrons who had innocently come in for a cup of coffee.  Suddenly, we're rearranging the furniture, snapping pictures, talking loudly (that was me), giving directions (both Joey and I), laughing (I think everyone), and the sweet, young gal at the table with me is leaning in because she's truly interested in acting in my play.  We made a great connection!

The guy on the left, near the pillar, was a little surprised that he'd be making his modeling debut in a magazine called Her Voice.  He came over to me afterwards to ask what it was and when it would be published.

The sweet, young gal talked to me about her gifts and talents and hopes for the future.  She'll be graduating high school this May.

Joey took fabulous shots, as always.

The proprietor was all smiles and encouraging.  Thanks, Lorie!

The photographer lifts her lens.  The script writer directs the patrons.  Connections are made in a flash (or is that with the flash).  And, fun was had by all!

Journaling Prompt: Describe a great day that included making a fun connection with someone.