Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Sisterhood of The Traveling "Plants"



These are called 'taro' plants or in lay terms 'elephant ears'.   And they are truly reflective of a sisterhood and they have traveled - so be the title , "The Sisterhood of The Traveling Plants". My dear friend is going back home on the first of February, all the way down under to Australia.  We met about 8 years ago when she stepped in to my office and became my intern.  Our loving and strong friendship developed from there.  We were/are bonded in  so many ways, as woman, Mom's,  and within our calling to work in an environment that served the needy and most vulnerable.  We are forever friends, regardless of distance.  I will miss her though, a lot.
These two plants were actually 'born' in our in-patient department.  They lived proudly in her office and then traveled to her home once she moved on to, shall we say, better and greener pastures.  And now these beautiful plants have traveled here to live in our sunny front window.  They are truly the Sisterhood of The Traveling Plants.

And now on to another point of interest.  I have begun working on my book again. It is time.  I may not be as visible on blogger for a while because my efforts and energy will be directed into my book writing.  I wont be far, I will be right here but just not as active with commenting and posting. So please don't experience my less than normal chatter as a sign of lack of interest or whatever - I am just otherwise involved in my book writing.  I want to post a paragraph or two below and get your thoughts, k? I value all of your opinions so let me know if my style peeks your interest to read more,  thanks SO much.


The therapist’s office was in an old house and her space was on the third floor.  The stairway was narrow and winding with broken side rails and a thick dark wood banisters.  It smelled like cat litter and old heat.  The door was ajar and I entered in to what was intended to be a friendly waiting room. It had pictures of women in big hats, candles in multi colored jars burning dimly, incense simmering in brass boxes that smelled like dirty socks to me,  dried flowers in old vases that were dull in color and had  cracks and chips.  The floors were old dull wood with fringed runners and small light brown grass area rugs placed at varying angles trying desperately to cover the stains and scuffs.  There was an assortment of chairs all thread barren with stained pillows and magazines on their seats left behind by I am sure,  a previous client that ran out screaming.  The therapist’s office had, much to my shock, a  massage table right in the middle of the room  surrounded by a table with oils and towels and scented creams.  She appeared, what seemed like, out of nowhere.  Hi, I’m “Meadow lark”, “what, who”, I asked with my head cocked, “Meadow Lark, I changed my name because I wanted a name that was one with nature”.  “Oh, it’s nice , hi, I’m Anne”.  My named sounded so boring in comparison.  Meadow Lark was really big, with short spiked brown hair, wearing khaki dockers, brown deck shoes with no socks, a beige crew shirt and she had huge glasses on top of her head.   Her skin was milky and her eyes were way too deep in to her head so their green color was misty. The windows in her room were huge and the sun was blinding as it filtered in over the massage table, white wicker chairs and brown tables with magazines about nature, healing, self-help and how to grow organic vegetables.   Dara entered moments later having been in the bathroom behind the waiting room.  Meadow Lark said, “Dara asked you here today because she has something to tell you, don’t you Dara?”    Dara slumped in to a chair and then began rocking as she held her stomach and moaned.  I was trying to absorb this ridiculous scene and trying to imagine what had Dara all twisted and infantile.  Meadow Lark’s voice was nauseating to me by now as was her milky skin and misty eyes.  “Do you want me to tell her Dara” I am darting between milky Meadow Lark and moaning rocking Dara and thinking what the fuck, I should just get up and leave. Dara  nods  to Meadow Lark still moaning and rocking.  Meadow Lark comes off her chair just a bit, so one leg is half off the chair and she turns to face me, looks right at me with her sunken eyes and stupid huge glasses and milky skin. I become acutely aware of music playing.  The kind of music you hear that is intended to be spiritual but usually sounds like wild animals being executed in the jungle and the owner of such music says, “don’t you love this?” and you are saying, “oh yes, amazing” when all the time you are thinking, “this shit is scary”. And so there I am with the musical sounds of wild animals being executed, looking at someone named Meadow Lark, Dara to my side rocking and moaning............

so, what do you all think?

Stay close and so will I.

 

31 comments:

Denim Journal, Scarlet Lens said...

LOVE it! I want to know the rest....
Love
Madeleine

Gail said...

Thank you SO much Madeline :-)
Love Gail
peace.....

Diana said...

I think I want to read more and you know me Gail, I'm NOT a big reader. Especially fiction. But it kept my interest. Which says a lot. If it doesn't catch me right away, I'll never finish it!
So far I like it. You must keep working while feeling inspired. Perhaps there will be a character named Di in your story,LOL. If there was, she'd have to be a bit off center!!LOL!! Love You, Di ♥

Jackie said...

You leave me hanging there...?? Right when I want to smack Meadow Lark for being so insensitive.
Love the descriptors, Gail. You have me seeing this. Great details.
More please.........
Love,
Jackie

Gail said...

HI JACKIE = I am so glad u are interested, thanks

HI DI - oh you are so funny :-) off center indeed LOL So glad u r on the mend. My God you have been thru alot

Love you both
Gail
peace.....

Cindy said...

So now do we have to wait until the book comes out. It caught my attention right away, and it was very visual, I felt transported into the nasty office....I am glad you are writing though I will miss you here. I think about you everyday whether your here or not, you will do wonderful. good for you for doing what you need to now. hugs, love ya hey.

Gail said...

HI CINNER - oh "YAY" :-), and I am so glad you were transported into that horrid space - Wow huh? I WILL be around cuz you are my fuel, my inspirations, I need all of you - I am not far, k?
Love you girl "hey"
Gail
peace.....

Scott said...

Love the title of the post, Gail! I've "inherited" plants, and literally had a houseful at one point, many of which were "traveling plants." But now I'm down to one rangy cactus, and that's enough.

Gail said...

HI SCOTT - the title came tome in the middle of the night, good one, right? I hear ya on the plants - most of mine are with me for a long time, one I have is 28 years old and another 20 years old. So good to see you
Love Gail
peace.....

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

Well, you most certainly get a feel for the setting and definitely a feel for your impressions. Got my attention... Yes, I want to know what is going on...

Cheers!!

Jane said...

Hi Gail, I really like elephant ears, My neighbors two doors over have a large grouping in their front yard, love the pink flowers early in summer - I'm not sure if there are other varieties or not. It sure is wonderful you both developed such a deep friendship that continues irregardless of time and distance.

I really enjoyed your story, but now I'm left hanging... I need to know what weirdness is about to go down!! Great scene description and realistic inner dialogue.

Anonymous said...

I'm hooked! So what's happening with Dara and why is Meadow Lark running the show? I'm ready for installment 2! Keep writing Gail! It's hard to have a forever friend move...I know you'll keep in touch with each other and that's a good thing!

Gail said...

HI THEANNE-

HI JANE

HI ROSEMARIE

Thank you all for taking the time to read a few paragraphs of my book and for your encouraging comments of interest. Wow. I am very inspired again to write and it is unfolding as it should. I believe :-)

Love to you all
Gail
peace...

Amanda said...

I was hoping I would find out more from your story!! I want to read more of it! You've got a fabulous paragraph there so far. Elephant ears, eh? I think it's a lovely plant and am happy to hear that it spend a lot of time traveling around! My friend lives in Australia - and let me tell you, that is far too far sometimes!!

Sending you love and peace!

Eileen said...

Great post! 'Loved the real-life story of the traveling plants and you hit just right notes with your book too!

I don't like books that are too in-depth with descriptive words, so many go overboard, I find myself thinking so many times, "Just get on with the story already!", but this was just right! It put me in the scene without distracting from the story, and it put me in the mind, heart, and soul of Anne! That's a true gift in my eyes to be able to find that balance!
EXCELLENT!

'Not happy that you'll be away for awhile, but so happy that you are in the midst of such creation!
ALL MY GOOD WISHES, FRIEND!
Love and Prayers,
Eileen
PS ~ I'll be first on line to get my signed copy!

Lola said...

I like ALL (the traveling plants story, your strong friendship and your writing).
It sounds exciting and I'm looking forward reading more.
:-)

Gail said...

hi lola - so glad you like my style of writing :-) I will be over to see you in a bit

HI EILEEN - I am so glad you found my style just the right blend of detail so as not to distract form the story "YAY" I will be around, not far at all - I love all of you way too much

HI AMANDA - so glad you like my story line :-) And also that you get just how far away she will be :-( We will manage to nurture our friendship, I am sure

Love to you all
Gail
peace......

Margie said...

Hi Gail
I only have a minute or so so must make it quick!
(My daughter has started contractions and I'll be heading to Denver soon, the baby (first grandbaby) is due Thurs. but maybe she'll come a day early!


You certainly got my attention on the story, I liked it!
Keep on writing!

It's wonderful you now have your friend's plants!
Lovely story about them and they are beautiful!

Gotta go as I have much to do before I get ready to leave and await for the new bundle of joy!

Margie x

Gail said...

HI MARGIE -oh my, how exciting - your first grand-baby! :-) Please let me know when it is official - mean while I am sending prayers and all good thoughts.
I am so glad you liked what you read of my book :-) And appreciate your warm sentiments about my plants and my friend.
Love Gail
peace.....

Unknown said...

interesting book presentation, i think i would read more, it started my curiosity.
The plant, the elephat ears - remind me of growing up in Houston, good old semi tropical Houston. Thye grew outdoors and you covered them with plastic when it got cold. In the spring and summer they had the small chamileon lizards nestled insdie catching bugs.
Good memories

Andy said...

Hi Gail.

Yes, I like it and want to know what happens next. If you publish it online in the form of a blog I would link to it from my site - I have a few 'books' there already :-)

But, at least tell us what Meadow Lark says next. Please? :-)

Gail said...

HI WHITEMIUST - so good to hear that my elephant ears evoked good memories for you. And I am so glad you are intrigued by my story.

Love Gail
peace......

Gail said...

HI ANDY - Oh my I am SO glad YOU like my story. It is not finished yet, I am at 165 pages - and am about, oh, 2/3 the way through. Not sure if it will be an e-book or what - of course I want it to become a best seller and a movie hah! And since you asked so convincingly, here is what Meadow Lark said............

"your husband raped your best friend......"

Love Gail
peace......

Grizz………… said...

I know the first rule of showbiz is to always leave your audience wanting more.

And as a professional writer, I know it's important to "hook" your reader with that opening paragraph or chapter.

But as a reader, I feel LIKE I BEEN LEFT HANGING!

Com'on…have a heart. Post some more. :-)

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ - ya, that was my intent! :L-) read my comment to Andy and you will know what 'Meadow Lark' told Anne that Dara couldn't bring her self say. thanks so much for coming by
Love you
Gail
peace......

PENolan said...

So is Dara the best friend? I thought she might be a daughter . . .
Keep it going, grrrlfriend.

Tracey said...

I agree - I'm hooked!! I have to know what happens next!! This is good stuff, friend. Now I know where you are & what you're doing. Keep up the good work!! :-)

Gail said...

HI TRACEY - thanks love :-) and I accepted your invite to connect on Linkedin!
Love Gail
peace.....

Just Be Real said...

Gail those are cool plants and I love what they are called. Gail you have an 'attention' getter post that keeps us in suspense. :)

Gail said...

HI JBR - so nice to have you come by and thank you so much for your kind and validating words.
Love Gail
peace....

Andy said...

Thanks Gail :-)
Perfect!