Tag: Orlando Florida

Like Iron Sharpening Iron: The Power of Critique Groups

My hand trembled the first time I distributed my one-page poem to my critique group. The reader to my right launched into the first stanza with gentle enthusiasm. A strange feeling came over me when I heard my words tumble out of her lips. My poem described a childhood memory and while she read, I felt overcome with sentiment. A tear slid down my cheek. Embarrassed, I lowered my head, fumbled through my purse for a Kleenex, and hoped no one noticed. Only one hundred twenty words, the last line came quickly.

Then, the members of the group picked up their pens and began scribbling comments. I squirmed in my seat and wished I were somewhere far away, anywhere but here. What made me think I could ever write? I tried not to make eye contact with these seasoned writers and dreaded their remarks.

One by one each member finished and smiled in my direction. The leader signaled the person on my left to begin. He looked me directly in the eye. “A good poem takes the reader to a new place, and you have succeeded to do that here.”

I’ll never forget those words. Relief washed over me from my head to my feet. As each member continued to share their reactions to my work, I discovered something I didn’t know. I am a writer after all.

I have participated in Word Weavers critique groups since 2013. Over the years this community of writers has greatly influenced me. When writers share their work with others, they learn how to better communicate with an audience. Mistakes can be caught through the process of hearing someone else read your work aloud. We refer to this as a “cold read.” The quiet time after the reading gives each member an opportunity to evaluate the degree to which the author achieved his or her purpose. The final part of the critique involves verbal suggestions for improvement, but not at the risk of discouraging the author.

The “sandwich method” of layering criticism between two compliments nourishes a writer’s growth. I can testify to the effectiveness, because over the years I have published numerous poems, an article for a children’s magazine, and two children’s chapter books. Fallen Leaves is the title of the first poem I ever submitted for critique.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 ) This verse applies to critique groups. Writers become more efficient through interactions with other writers. Most authors reference those who have influenced their work in the acknowledgements section of their books.

Word Weavers began in the Orlando area in 1997. Their mission is to help members find their unique voice and raise their writing to a publishable level. This is accomplished through Christian community, critiques, and conferences. Word Weavers offers in-person and online groups.

If you live in the Orlando area, stop by our booth at the Longwood Arts Festival this weekend. Eight members of Orlando Word Weavers will be selling and signing their books. If you are a writer, we’d love to meet you and encourage you on your writing journey.

The Coyote Comeback

Coyotes are on the move and coming to your backyard.

When I was growing up, my first encounter with a coyote happened while I watched TV. Like most kids during the fifties, I enjoyed Looney Tunes cartoons. One of my favorite shows starred Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner.

This cartoon was set in the Southwest American desert. In each episode Wile E. Coyote tried to catch Roadrunner, but was never successful. Wile E. built complex contraptions to try to catch his prey. His contraptions always failed, and Wile E. was the one who is injured. There was no dialogue between the two characters. The Coyote only communicated by holding up a written sign. The Roadrunner always raced by and said, “Beep Beep.” My siblings and I laughed at the slapstick humor.

My parents told me television could influence a person’s thinking. Because of this cartoon, I imagined coyotes only lived in the desert, and weren’t very smart. Both assumptions are false. Today I’ve discovered coyotes are very intelligent. In fact they are one of the most skilled survivors in the animal kingdom. (After all, no matter how many times Wile E. Coyote’s master plans failed, he always lived and returned for another episode.)

In a similar way, coyotes have made a huge comeback in America due to their adaptable behavior. Despite human efforts to eradicate them, coyotes have learned to live in a variety of habitats, from snowy mountain ranges, to big cities. In fact they are now found in all of Florida’s 67 counties.

Recently many coyotes have been sighted in Orlando. Early one morning in April, Herb spotted one walking down the street. He kept a tight hold on Buddy’s leash while the large animal ran to a nearby retention pond. Buddy froze and stared, but did not make a sound. Perhaps he considered Mr. Coyote a distant cousin since they are both members of the dog family.

This spring several coyotes have also been sighted in the park area around Lake Baldwin. My neighbor saw one a few days ago and shot this picture.

Over the past month, there seem to be fewer and fewer rabbits running through the marshy areas around the lake. Coyotes love rabbits but will eat anything, including pets. You can imagine the raised eyebrows when somebody’s cat didn’t come home one night.

It seems like there is nothing we can do to get rid of these unwelcome visitors. The local wildlife commission has no plan to remove them and only advises pet owners to keep their pets inside or on a short leash. Attempts to trap and remove them to other locations have failed to keep the rising population under control.

A dog park is located on the opposite shore of Lake Baldwin. People let their dogs run free on the property because it is fenced. Be on the alert dog owners. Coyotes can swim. There is nothing to stop one from entering the dog park.

All is not lost, friends and neighbors. At least coyotes are very clean animals. They actually bury their excrement. So if you discover a pile of poop on the sidewalk, it was probably Fido’s and left behind by a human.

I have to say I am somewhat alarmed that a pet eating mammal roams through our neighborhood. I’m also concerned that we are expected to accept the idea that “coyotes are here to stay.” Wile E. Coyote has triumphed at last. He may not have outsmarted Roadrunner, but he has outwitted man.

Along the Cady Way Trail

Pushing on the pedals

Riding down the road

Wheels are spinning faster

Cares are letting go

I shiver in the shadows

Under live oak trees

Pendulums of Spanish moss

Swaying in the breeze

Riding through a clearing

Bright sun warms my face

Days are getting shorter

Time is hard to place

Autumn is a toddler

Playing guessing games

Silent when a stranger

Wants to know his name

Haven for the snowbirds

Flocking to the scene

Nature hums an endless song

In the key of green.

Lake Louisa: Florida’s Secret State Park

Did you know there’s a wonderful state park less than an hour drive west of downtown Orlando? Most Orlando residents have never heard of Lake Louisa State Park.  I just discovered it and I’ve lived here for almost thirty years.

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Lake Louisa is the southernmost lake in the Clermont Chain of Lakes.  These waters comprise one of the most recreational lake systems in Florida, providing a haven for water sports and fishing.

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Lake Louisa offers guided kayak trips. Visitors can rent kayaks or canoes at the Camper Canteen located near the campground.

The Lake Louisa campground is one of the best we’ve visited. We parked our trailer in the Dixie Loop, nestled between Lake Hammond and Dixie Lake. From our site we could easily walk to either lake for spectacular views.

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Sunset on Dixie Lake

The weather forecast was accurate for this trip. It rained often. Unlike many places we’ve camped, our site had terrific drainage. The site was paved with a gravel top and bordered with concrete. Even after a night of heavy rain the ground outside our trailer was dry. Another advantage, many of the campsites are pull-through and contain full hookups including sewer.   IMG_3615

Fortunately, it didn’t rain all the time. People often ask me what we do when we go camping.  We usually spend our mornings hiking with Buddy.  His beagle nose takes in all the smells and direct his little feet forward. Most of the time he’s tracking some critter beyond our limited human awareness.

IMG_7639Once in a while, Buddy will encounter something that warrants further investigation, like this little turtle. A few extra sniffs and we’re on our way again.

 

 

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Trail rides are offered at Lake Louisa. Buddy tracked a horse on one of our hikes. But when we followed it to the corral, he became more interested in whatever trash he could grab with his mouth.  Sum it up to life with a beagle.

After a morning hike, our family of three relaxes in the shade. Herb and I both enjoy reading.  I write, or think about writing. Buddy dozes.

After dinner, we like to sit around the campfire and talk.  All three nights of this trip it rained. No chance for a fire, so we sheltered in place inside our one hundred square foot trailer. Good thing we get along.  Avid board gamers, our favorite game at the moment is Splendor.  For details follow the link.

Our last morning at the campground we met a couple of neighbors. The camp host, Kevin, invited everyone for coffee.  We love meeting other campers and sharing stories of our experiences in various Florida state parks.

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Pictured left to right, Kevin, Bob, Suzie Q, Herb, and Buddy.

Campground hosts volunteer to help maintain the campground and give information to campers if needed. They are also called upon to offer assistance in case of late night emergencies.  In return, they camp for free. Most live in their RV’s fulltime and move within the Florida park system as needed.  I don’t think Herb and I are interested in the position yet. Not until we upgrade beyond our one hundred square feet of living space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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