By Marylin
Recently, my daughter, a friend and I were on our way to our Chiropractor, who lives and has his practice in a small town east of our homes in Cody, Wyoming. We arrange our appointments on the same morning, and enjoy our commute together. However, this particular morning was different. My daughter was the driver, and it was our first trip in her new car, “Crystal Blue,” a cute little car, so named because, as she drove it off the Dealer’s lot for the first time, the old tune “Crystal Blue Persuasion” was playing on the radio and Tracy took this as a sign to name her car, as it is a beautiful, bright blue with a sparkling undercoat that gives it a depth, like looking at fresh, unspoiled snow on the ground when the clouds have gone and the sun first shines on it.
There is nothing in between these two towns, threaded together by a two lane highway, taking infrequent travellers east and west across the high desert landscape. The land is mostly rough, sparse clumps of sage and some native grass, that in the fall of the year, is almost as brown as the rocky soil. There are a few small farms still in evidence, many already abandoned by the rugged homesteaders, who tired of waiting for the promise of success, touted by Buffalo Bill and his vision of an irrigated paradise. The only evidence of life we see that day is a herd of graceful antelope in the distance.
“I don’t understand why we’re not getting any heat,” Tracy commented. She had just returned from Billings the day before, having taken the car in for its first “check-up” (like a mother taking her new baby to the pediatrician after the first six weeks). She no sooner had spoken, when the car began shutting down…all the needles on all the gages dropping backwards, simultaneously! She pulled off the road onto the shoulder, got out of the car and opened the hood to a cloud of what was steam or smoke, hard to tell which. She came back to tell us that the cap was off of the radiator, but she found it, and stated that it would probably be best to let the car cool off before trying to start it.
Almost immediately, a van pulled off the road in front of us and a man got out and asked if he could help. Although he was headed east, as we were, he offered to drive us back to Cody. We were about 25 miles out of town, and I was amazed that this individual would take the time out of his work day to do such a kind deed! He did not act in a manner that suggested that this extra “jog” in his journey was even the slightest inconvenience to him, although we all knew that it must be.
He apologized that the interior of his vehicle was “kinda’ messy,” as he scrambled to move empty plastic juice bottles, spare gloves, maps, etc. from the seats. He was as cheerful as though he had planned a rescue of damsels in distress as part of his day’s routine. We kept thanking him profusely, and his only response could have come out of an old Western movie, as an “Aw’ shucks, ma’am, ‘twarn’t nuthin’. To quote the Bible, ‘The Lord loveth a cheerful giver’.”
Marylin did this 15-minute writing practice based on the post WRITING TOPIC – KINDNESS & POLITENESS
About writing, Marylin says: I guess I’m a “dabbler,” as far as writing goes. My first work was done for North Hollywood High’s weekly newspaper; reporting and editing; good training. I enjoy both non-fiction (mostly in essay form) and fiction; short stories, song lyrics, one billboard (it was a Prairie Public Radio contest). I’ve written some poems (still into rhyming) and even a play, as yet, not produced.
My Grandson, after graduating from the Kansas City Art Institute asked if we could collaborate on picture books for children. So far, we have completed two, and are looking for a publisher. While living in Simi Valley, from 1997-2000, I published five essays — all humorous, tongue-in-cheek — in a weekly column in the “Ventura Star Tribune.”
As an adult, I took a course in Journal Writing, in which we used Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down The Bones. Now, I am writing childhood memories. I decided to do this after realizing, in doing genealogy, that I longed to know how it felt to be living in a certain time and place, and wondered why my family moved from place to place. Simply listing dates and places does not satisfy anyone’s curiosity!
I recently joined the Cody Writers, an informal group of women who enjoy writing and sharing what they write. We meet once a month. I introduced them to Goldberg’s “laws of Practice” at our last meeting. We all wrote like mad for ten minutes and then shared what we wrote. I know we’ll be doing it again!
[…] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerptKindness November 15, 2007 by Guestwriter By Marylin Recently, my daughter, a friend and I were on our way to our Chiropractor, who lives and has his practice in a small town east of our homes in Cody, Wyoming. We arrange our appointments on the same morning, and enjoy our commute together. However, this particular morning was different. My daughter was the driver, and it was our first trip in her new car, “Crystal Blue,” a cute little car, so named because, as she drove it off the Deale […]
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Glad things worked out. The West is a friendly place when people are in need of roadside assistance.
I had a similiar experience summer of 2005 in NM when driving my brother’s old Chevy Cavalier. I had just picked up the winner of the Great Divide mountain bike race (Canada to Mexico) at Antelope Wells, a remote crossing at the Mexico border. We were on our way back to Silver City when the car puked out due to electrical problems. Some guy in a pick-up truck pulled over almost immediately gave us a hand. Even carried Matt Lee’s bicycle in the back of the truck. Nice guy!
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I’m intrigued by this car-naming tendency. I’ve met other people (QM, for example) who name their cars. MM, don’t you name your cars? (I’ve had my Subaru for two years; it’s blue and still has no name. Hmm. Last car I named was my dad’s car, which I drove in high school. A Plymouth Valiant. I called it ‘the Box’.)
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BTW, Marylin, I think it’s great you have this writing group in Cody. You described the session where you all wrote per the rules of writing practice. What other methods does the group use? I’m curious, since I write with one group here in my community and another online.
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ybonesy,
My cars names:
– 1964 Jeep CJ-5 was simply Jeep. It had a name but it never stuck. Loved my CJ.
– 1974 VW Thing was the “Kubelvagen” or “Koob” for short. That what the Nazi’s called their version the VW “jeep”. Kubel for bathtub. “Bathtub car”. Definately the coolest car I’ve owned. Wish I still had it.
– 1986 Ford Ranger, my first new car was named “Zippy” I like my little truck.
– 1992 Honda Civic was “Baby Beluga”. Probably the nicest car I’ve had. It was white and curvy like a baby beluga.
– 1998 Ford Escort was “Scort” because the “E” fell off the rear logo. It was a good “Rez Rocket”. 88,000 miles in 2 years!
When I moved to Venezuela I bought an old beater that I thought was going to be a throw-away.
– 1987 Ford Corsa was “Fantasma Gris” (Grey Ghost). My wife’s cousin still drives that car and still calls it Fantasma Gris. I liked Fantasma but he needed to go…got too cranky after a while.
When it looked like I was going to stay for a while I bought…
– 2003 Kia Rio, our current car, is “Baby Blanco” (White Baby). Baby Blanco is a good car. We love Baby Blanco.
BTW My cars are male instead of female.
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ybonesy:
The usual routine for our writing group is to listen to what the members have brought to share, and then give praise, encouragement, constructive criticism, etc.
Often it is recent writing, but sometimes an older piece is shared.
Nothing is mandatory except careful, thoughtful listening. We are free to come empty-handed; it is nice not to feel pressured to produce.
We meet in a back room of a restaurant; dinner at 5:30, down-to-business at 6:30. (Eating dinner there not mandatory, either.) But the social time together over dinner is always so nice, I can’t resist!
I don’t name my cars, but they are always female…I just know. Sometimes I talk to her, usually to praise her, as in “good job” stated with a pat on the dashboard.
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membresman:
Hmm, curious that to men, the vehicles are male, and the opposite for women. Guess the person who said that our cars are extensions of ourselves, was right.
Did you read the comment I made to the first Kindness piece, about my “guardian-guiding angel” trucker? He was really a great guy!
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Marylin,
Yes, that was great!
I rode my bike with Bikecentennial in 1981 (Albuquerque to Jasper, Alberta…but I started at the Mexico border) We rode across Wyoming from south of Saratoga to Yellowstone. It was an awesome state. Just outside of Jeffrey City in the Great Divide Basin we got hit by storm with 100 mph winds! I was standing on my pedals and couldn’t move! It was amazing! Then the hail hit! No place to hunker down. Just had to hide behind the panniers on my bike. Then the lightning after that. It was something I’ll never forget.
Wyoming is spectacular.
I guess the only car that may have been female is the Honda. It was a delicate car. She was smooth.
My wife considers our Kia a male. Kind of rough around the edges…
MM
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mimbresman
Have you ever ridden a bike in the badlands of ND?
My son, Pete has a bicycle business in Bismarck, and also takes people on tours in the badlands, which includes the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, in the summer. You can check out his website –
TNT Cyclery.com
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Marylin, I remember the song Crystal Blue Persuasion like it was yesterday. Tommy James and The Shondells. He also did the song Hanky Panky. I guess you’re lucky that wasn’t playing when Tracy named her car. 8)
Thank you for sharing your writing practice with us. You sound like you are surrounded by a solid, supportive writing community. I hope your illustrated picture books for children take off. Sounds like an amazing collaboration.
I have run into several Good Samaritans over the course of my driving life. The most recent was a city experience. My tie rod cracked right at a busy intersection across from a Midas dealer. I walked over and asked if I should drive it over to the shop. The mechanic walked across the busy intersection to take a look at my car, told me it was okay to drive it to the bay, got me into the shop that day, and even gave me a ride home on a sweltering August day. All acts of kindness that I will not forget.
Yes, yb, I do name my cars. My current green Camry is Greta. I had a 1963 Austin Healey Sprite named Ollie. I had an old blue Datsun named Blue. I had a 1968 VW Squareback named SpongeBob SquareBack…no, I’m kidding on that one. Way too long ago for that.
My cars are both male and female. The VW Squareback and Austin-Healey were boys. The Camry and Datsun were girls. Hmmm.
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Marylin,
I’ve never been to the Dakotas, or Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska. That’s the missing chunk.
But riding the Badlands sounds like a good enough reason to head up there. Plus I have an old friend in Fargo who teaches at some university across the border in Minnesota.
MM
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Hi sorry I am a little off topic here, I would just like to remind you to email us your shipping address as well as your size for your SnorgTee-shirt. ( you were one of the 100 blogs most voted for the month of october.)
Thanks
Sylvie
http://www.fuelmyblog.com
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That’s kind of you 8) .
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Marylin,
I absolutely love your line, “like looking at fresh, unspoiled snow on the ground when the clouds have gone and the sun first shines on it.” What a beautiful description!
Your writing group reminds me of several Toastmasters clubs I used to belong to, although we shared breakfast rather than dinner. I like the idea of a social time first, then focus on writing. The writing groups I belong to tend to mix the two, and it’s often difficult to stick to task!
I know your family is going to be thrilled with the collection of your stories.
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ritergal
Thank you…I’m always trying to think of a beetter way to describe things. Wasn’t QM’s sister’s description of family love as a “quilt” the loveliest analogy?
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MM
I think you would enjoy the chunk of the country you mention. I envision for you a loop, heading north through SD, taking in the Black Hills, especially Spearfish Canyon. I drive through it with the windows down, the better to smell the Pines, and accompanied by Native flute music. Near Mt. Rushmore, which defaces the mountains which are sacred to the Sioux Nation, is another mountain being carved into the likeness of Chief Crazy Horse. The second generation of a family of carvers is slowly progressing on this monumental task…it won’t be finished in my lifetime!
North again, up to the ND Badlands for a stay in Medora; home of the ND Cowboy (andCowgirl) Hall of Fame and a Musical Variety Show every summer night in a natural, outdoor amphitheater. It’s a very small town, but you’ll want to find the Dakota Cyclery for that bike tour into Teddy Roosevelt’s Natl. Park.
Then you head east. As you near the Missouri River, you might take a short detour at Mandan, to see the reconstructed Fort McKeen and reproductions of earth-mound dwellings that Mandan Indians once lived in.
Then it is east to Fargo to see your friend.
You cross the Red River on I94, and head for Minneapolis, where I know you will be welcomed by QM & Liz. I leave the rest of your itinerary to you.
How does that sound?
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Wow, Marylin, that sounds like the greatest road trip ever. Really, as you were describing it, I was thinking, I got to tell Jim that we’re going. (MM, maybe this is something we all do together!)
Mimbres Man is a family friend; he, Jim, and I mountain-biked together many years. Jim did a mountain bike ride from Alaska to NM a long time ago, and I have to ask him if he saw much of what you’re talking about. He might not have made it there.
Also, I didn’t know there was a family of carvers working on the Chief Crazy Horse monument. That would be amazing to see. I’ve always wanted to get to that part of the nation. Like MM, I haven’t been there at at.
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Marylin, that’s a great road trip. I haven’t seen much of South Dakota at all. And Liz and I have talked about a road trip that way one of these seasons (maybe on the motorcycles). We’ll have to keep that route in mind.
I saw some of North Dakota when Liz took me home with her on a couple of trips. We did visit Fort McKeen, that you mention is near the Missouri River, and has the reconstruction and reproductions of the earth-mound dwellings that the Mandan Indians once lived in. I really enjoyed that tour. It’s beautiful country up there.
Hey, isn’t the Red River the one that flows North instead of South? Or is that the Missouri? I’m trying to remember.
mimbresman and ybonesy, come on up and visit us in the Midwest! Anytime, friends!
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Marylin, just wanted to let you know your post got picked up by Cafe Philos: an internet Cafe. You can check out the link here:
From Around the Net (LINK) on Cafe Philos.
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There’s a Red River in northern NM. I’ll have to take out my map and see where it comes in from. Maybe MM will know.
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QM
Yes, the Red River does flow north, as well as being the border of ND & MN. The Canadians are a little, (or maybe a lot,) grouchy about possibly getting “dirty, acid-rain-contaminated” water from their southern slob neighbors. They are watching us very closely, eh?
(Canadians end almost every statement with “eh?” their voices ending with an inquisitive uplift, as if they are asking, “isn’t that right?”
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Marylin, I’ve never been on the Canadian part of the Red River. I can see how they might be watching us kind of closely. 8)
ybonesy, I was curious about Red River, New Mexico. It looks like there’s a Red River in Texas. And then the Red River of the North that flows through ND, MN, up into Canada. But I couldn’t find an actual Red River in NM. I could only find reference to the town of Red River. Yeah, maybe MM will know.
I did, however, find out how Angel Fire, New Mexico got it’s name. I had always wondered about that as I’ve driven through there many times:
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Is it a guy thing to have a spare coffee can on hand in case one happens upon a snake? Never would occur to me to chase after a snake I almost ran over…
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skyWire, I was wondering about that, too. Where did you see that? Was that from something mimbresman said? Or was it in the Snake post? I can’t remember where the reference to that coffee can was.
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snakes—In Eden the snake was the devil. I wonder if a man goes after the snake to prove he can conquer the devil. Also Eve let the snake get her to pick the apple. So it seems we are both tempted. I’m not so sure I like the idea that the woman gives in and the man captures it. I’m sure there is another reason but for me I would run the other way.
Though I have held a snake, I can’t say it was pleasant,more of a challange to myself to prove I could do it.
I also married one ,one time. Not the father of any of my children though !!!I’m sure all of us have known a snake at one time or another.
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Mom, the snake does have a rich symbology. I read somewhere that Eve followed the snake’s advice for access to knowledge and empowerment. I wonder if that was really such a bad thing.
I remember snakes mostly from when we lived in the South. We had them in our backyard, mostly harmless ones. And then the ones at the lakes, mostly poisonous; they scared me. I wonder why some snakes are poisonous and some not?
I’ve rarely seen one in my years in Montana and Minnesota. Though I had a friend in Montana who was deathly afraid of them and ran into them nearly every day on her land. Talk about attracting what we are afraid of!
This makes me chuckle:
Ugh, I think I know who you mean. I’m glad you can look back with a sense of humor. I’ve known a few snakes in my time, too. But luckily, for me, the kind beings far outweigh the snakes.
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Snakes hibernate in the cold that’s why when it is cold you see them on the road they look for a warm place . Also you find them around rocks, rocks hold the heat from the sun.
I guess they are different because every creature has their own survival way. Some are fast some crush, etc. But a snake usually won’t attack you unless you suprise them and they feel threatened or they are protecting their young.
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skyWire, I think the coffee can reference is in the Meet Baby post. I meant to come back and put a link here. Here it is!
Meet Baby (LINK)
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[…] Kindness by Marylin […]
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[…] Marylin (aka oliverowl) is a freelance writer living in Wyoming. She has written essays for a weekly column in the Ventura Star Tribune and collaborated on two picture books for children with her grandson. She currently writes with the Cody Writers. This is her second piece for red Ravine. You can read more from Marylin in her post, Kindness. […]
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[…] About Marylin: Marylin (aka oliverowl) is a freelance writer living in Wyoming. She has written essays for a weekly column in the Ventura Star Tribune and collaborated on two picture books for children with her grandson. She currently writes with the Cody Writers. Her previous pieces for red Ravine include the travel essay Rollin’ Easy and a Writing Practice, Kindness. […]
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[…] Her previous pieces for red Ravine include the travel essay Rollin’ Easy, a Writing Practice, Kindness, and a memoir piece, Images From The […]
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[…] Her previous pieces for red Ravine include the travel essay Rollin’ Easy, Writing Practices Kindness and Cloud, and two memoir pieces, Images From The Past, and Two Little Girls & A World At […]
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[…] Her previous pieces for redRavine include the travel essay Rollin’ Easy, a Writing Practice, Kindness, and two memoir pieces, Images From The Past and Two Little Girls & A World At […]
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