If you tried to send me a tree by email

[pegkerr]

And I didn't acknowledge it or if you got a bounce message--it seems that my ISP is arbitrarily deciding that this spate of messages I've been receiving lately must be spam because after all, who would want send an email to me? I mean really.

So, here's a way I've found to get around this high-handedness: If you want to send me something via email, please a comment to this post with your email address (all comments are screened and will not be unscreened). Then I will send an email to you, and you can attach whatever you would like to send me and hit "reply," sending it back. This should get through.

Thanks, and sorry for the frustration.

The management.

Edited to add: I have also changed the journal settings so that now I can receive anonymous comments. So you can participate even if you don't have an LJ account. Thank you everyone. I have been truly touched by your response to this project. Here is the original post, anonymous posters, if you want to drop an additional comment there--you can do so now.

Comments

One More Story: Part 1 of 2

[bohemianspirit.livejournal.com]

Peg, here's one more story for you, based on your January 23rd entry. That entry has haunted me since I read it, and I knew I was going to write something in response; it just took me a little longer than I expected. ;-) I hope it inspires you!

I'm posting this via LJ to make sure it reaches you in time, just in case your e-mails are still having "bouncing" problems. (Did you get the story I e-mailed yesterday?) Unfortunately, LJ is telling me it's too long for a comment, so I have to post it in two comments.

Have a good retreat! - Karyn


In the Garden


"I'm in the back," called a welcoming voice. Peg followed a stone path around the side of the house into a burgeoning garden nestled in a grove of flowering birch trees.

"Sit down, Peg, sit down." The woman smiled, and gestured towards a chair next to hers. Between the chairs a small round table held two cups and a steaming pot of tea.

"So how have you been doing?" asked the woman as soon as Peg was settled.

"Fine," said Peg.

The woman's blue-green eyes sparkled. "Would you care to elaborate?"

"Of course." Peg started to talk about her day job, and her family, and a recent vacation. Her hostess nodded as she listened, made an occasional murmur to affirm that she was indeed paying close attention, and now and then asked a question to clarify or expand upon something Peg had mentioned. The conversation was progressing quite pleasantly, and Peg began to relax, thinking the afternoon might pass as simply a lovely tea in a lovely garden; then came the question Peg had been dreading.

(continued...)

Re: One More Story: Part 1 of 2

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I love this story. Thank you. Yes, I did get your story yesterday. Haven't read that yet--I'm planning to do so when I get back from the retreat. But I wanted to acknowledge that yes, I've received it and thank you for this one. I love it.

(If I have a lot of success with the soulcollaging on the retreat, we should get together sometime after I get back so I can show you what I've done.)

*Dashes off to transfer another load of laundry and start packing*

One More Story: Part 2 of 2

[bohemianspirit.livejournal.com]

(continued from previous comment)


"So, Peg," said the woman, leaning back in her chair. "What have you been writing, lately?"

Peg looked away. "Nothing," she said in a very small voice.

"Nothing?"

Peg shrugged. "Nothing important."

"Mm."

Peg dared a glance back at the woman, who was serenely sipping her tea.

"Well, I did start a new novel. About summer magic, and winter magic, and the ice palace at the St. Paul Winter Carnival."

"Mm. That does sound promising," the woman said.

Peg cringed. "But... but I don't think I'm going to write it."

"Oh?" The woman raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. "Well, then, I expect you'll write something else." She sipped her tea.

That was it? No lectures, no chiding; just... letting it go? Like that?

"I haven't stopped writing altogether," Peg burst out, wondering as she spoke why she sounded a bit defensive.

"I don't think you could," said the woman, smiling over her tea cup. "So what else have you been writing?"

Peg gulped. "Well..." She stared down into her tea, and dared a sip. Earl Grey. She sipped again. "Live Journal, mostly. And a few articles--nothing big." A light breeze fluttered a few petals down into her tea. Peg stared at them, scrying their intent, screwing up her courage. "Fan fiction," she confessed, barely audibly. "Time wasters, all."

"Ah." There was a long silence, then the woman inquired, "And do people enjoy reading your fan fiction?"

Peg nodded.

"And your Live Journaling?"

Peg nodded again.

"Well, Peg. I'd hardly call that a waste of time."

Peg snapped up so sharply she nearly spilled her tea in her lap.

"Peg." The woman's eyes, tranquil as the blue-green sea, shone in the light of the sun. "What do you want to do?"

Peg jumped in her seat. "Well," she began, taking a nervous sip from her cup, "I really should finish that novel, and stop putting it off--I mean, if I don't write it, nobody else is going to write it for me--but I also want to be there for the girls, they are growing up so fast--and I want them to be strong, and bright, and ready to meet the world--and of course there's Rob--and work--and our church involvements, and our community involvements, and karate, and cleaning the dojo, and trying to keep a pulse on the local fantasy and science fiction community, and taking the girls here, and there, and picking them up, and coordinating everything--and I'm just so busy..."

The woman listened as Peg continued her breathless litany. When at last Peg ran out of things to say, the woman regarded her silently. Peg tensed, waiting for the pronouncement of doom.

"But, Peg." The woman's voice was as gentle as the breeze brushing over Peg's skin. "What do you want?"

Peg's tea cup fell into her lap.

"Oh!" Frantically she scrambled for a napkin, blotting the tea which soaked a great brown tea stain on her bright blue skirt. "I... I don't..."

Then, suddenly, Peg grew still. Slowly she set the tea cup on the table, and slowly she folded the napkin and set it next to the tea cup. Slowly, firmly, she lifted her head and looked into the eyes of her hostess.

"Let me get back to you on that," Peg said.

The woman smiled. "Take your time," she said, refilling Peg's cup.

* * * * * * * * *