Sue's Newsletter
January 2007
In this Issue
* Bridge to a New Year
* Sue's Book News
* The Usual Publications
* Sorry, No Classes
* Willamette Writers
* Book Report
Bridge to a New Year
Lincoln County has four covered bridges. Having only seen two of them, I decided we should take a rare rainless day and explore the bridge at the end of Yachats River Road. If we timed it properly, we end with a "Philly dip" sandwich (French dip and Philly cheese steak combined, yum) and crisp salty fries at LeRoy's Blue Whale. It was numb-your-fingers-and
-toes cold but clear as we headed up the road never taken before. It's a lovely area, following the Yachats River through pine forest and cow pastures until you finally reach a crossroads, with Cape Perpetua to the right and the bridge to the left.
As covered bridges go, it's pretty much like the others, painted red, built of criss-crossed boards. You can still drive a car over it, but trucks and RVs are not allowed. You run right into private property on the other side anyway. The most interesting part was the river itself, rushing so fast and clear over the rocks just below the bridge. I could find no way to capture the wildness of that water or the quiet green mossiness of the trees all around us with my little camera. You had to see it.
We enjoyed our little piece of the past, then hurried into the car to warm up and get lunch.
Later we stopped to photograph the waves, far wilder than the river, rolling up high and green, then bursting against the rocks into huge white sprays like fireworks. In a month of rain, wind, ice, falling trees and power outages, it felt good to get out and look Mother Nature in the face before starting a new year.
Book News Book News Book News!
We haven't finished the revisions yet, but my next book has a name and a cover, and publicity has begun. The book is Freelancing for Newspapers. Quill Driver Books plans to have it in stores on May 1. It's not sexy, but it's full of useful information for anyone who wants to write and sell articles. It's even priced reasonably at $14.95. If you want to get on the list to be informed when copies are available, or if you know somewhere I should give a talk or do a book-signing, let me know.
Meanwhile, Stories Grandma Never Told: Portuguese Women in California is officially out of print, and I have only one copy left to sell. Gasp. But I'm working on various options to bring out a new edition in the near future. Stay tuned for news on that.
The Usual Publications
My articles on Sandy and Scott Blackman's fabulous art activities and on county commissioner Bill Hall are featured in the baby boomer section of the January issue of Northwest Senior News. Doug Hoffman's trip to Saudi Arabia comes up in February. The Scriptorium has been taking a holiday break, but you should soon be able to read my column, "Writers Don't Get Sick Leave" at www.thescriptorium.net.
Sorry, no classes
This quarter I am not teaching at the community college, nor do I have any online students. I'm taking this time to work on my books and my music and take better care of things at home. Some of my former students are forming a critique group that will meet in the Newport Area every other Wednesday. If you would like to join them, e-mail me at suelick@casco.net and I'll pass your information on to them.
Willamette Writers
We're hosting a group of poets from Corvallis on Jan. 9. They will read some of their works, talk about how to form a successful critique group and share information on how to publish a chapbook. Come on down, poets. The program starts at 7 p.m. at the Newport library, no cost. Some of us meet for dinner at the Chowder Bowl at 5 p.m. If you want to join us, either be there precisely at 5 or let me know you're coming so we can save a seat.
We have some great programs coming up this year. Now would be a good time to join Willamette Writers and take advantage of everything the organization offers, including fabulous monthly programs in Portland, Eugene and Medford. See the website, www.willamettewriters.com for more information.
Writers on the Edge, our WW affiliate, presents the Nye Beach Writers Series on Jan. 20. Our guest author is Kathleen Dean Moore, who writes wonderful creative nonfiction, much of it about nature. Come hear her, then join the open mic afterward. General admission is $5. Students get in free. Bring money to buy books, wine and snacks.
Book Report
From Baghdad With Love by Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman with Melinda Roth, The Lyons Press, 2006. I love this book. It is so good that I treated it gently--no eating over it or stuffing it into my purse--and sent it to a loved one for Christmas (yes William, I read it first). Of course I was sold the second I saw the puppy photo on the cover. So cute. But the story inside grabbed me so hard I read the book in a weekend. In short, Marine Lt. Col. Kopelman finds this five-week-old puppy in Baghdad. Although it's against regulations, although most dogs are abandoned on the streets or euthanized, he and his Lava Dog battalion keep this dog with them as their companion. They name him Lava. This crazy ball of fur chews everything, pees on everything, and gives them love in the midst of daily horror. The book tells the story of Kopelman's repeated efforts to keep Lava alive and to get him safely to the United States. It's a gripping story that serves as a focus for the bigger story of what it was really like in Iraq, the constant danger, the ghastly things they saw, the despair and corruption. This book is beautifully written and well researched. It is also a terrific example of narrative journalism at its best. Plus, it has more great dog photos inside. Buy a copy for yourself and for someone you treasure. Then, if you have a dog, give him/her a big hug.
How to Talk to Your Doctor: Getting the Answers and Care You Need by Patricia A. Agnew, Quill Driver Books, 2007. This is one useful little book (and not just because it's coming from my publisher). So often we experience more frustration than comfort from doctor visits, prescriptions and medical procedures. Agnew helps us prepare so that we get the answers and the help that we need. The book explains the differences between the different medical practitioners, what the most common tests are and what they're for, how to get more information about drugs and medical conditions, and how to approach surgery, if needed, with the least stress. A large portion of the book is dedicated to lists and charts that will definitely make one's life easier. I think every doctor should give copies of this book to every patient.
The Anza Trail and the Settling of California by Vladimir Guerrero, Heyday Books, 2006. I bought this book so eagerly, looking for hints of my family history and the story of their lives in the early San Francisco Bay Area. On page 189 (out of 221), I read several mentions of a Sgt. Ortega, no first name, who might be connected, but overall, this is a frustrating book. The author writes that Father Font included a list of all the settlers in his diary. BUT he doesn't share that list with his readers. Nor does he share the drama of the story. Guerrero has translated the diaries of Juan Bautista de Anza, Father Garces and Father Font from Spanish into English and paraphrased them into one of the world's dullest narratives. "On March 13, Anza writes that they traveled 8 leagues. Font says it was 10 leagues. They camped at a dry river they named San somethingorother. Five head of cattle and a mule died. They left the next day at 6 a.m." Okay, this is not a direct quote, but it's close. I read the whole book waiting for the payoff when they finally see the bay and settle down and we get to know the families. But no. They saw a big patch of water, made a few notes in their journals, turned around and went back to Mexico. Wahoo. Dr. Guerrero may have created a record of some use to researchers but I feel cheated out of the real story and wish I had ordered the other book on the subject that was listed at Amazon.com.
******************************
Final notes:
This newsletter is a day late because we threw a massive New Year's Eve open house. Great friends, great food, great conversations. Thanks to all who came for filling our house with your love. Those who missed it, we'll see you soon.
2006 was a challenging year in many ways. Fred and I were both sick part of the time. Sadie has had some bad days, too. My family lost three great women: Aunt Ruth Fagalde, cousin Irene Ogan and, on Dec. 29, Aunt Genevieve Fagalde. Our lives are richer for having known them and my heart goes out to their grieving children and grandchildren.
Now we have a whole brand new year. Whatever you've been putting off, whether it's writing a book, going on a trip, or simply calling a friend you haven't talked to for a while, get to it. The only moment we can be certain of is now.
Hugs and Happy New Year,
Sue
If you would like me to send you a link to this
newsletter every month, e-mail me at
Newsletter archives
All contents copyright Sue Fagalde Lick, 2007
P.S. I know there are two "Newsletter" buttons to the left of this page and all the others. As soon as I figure out how to remove the extra one, I will.
