In this week’s episode, Laurel McHargue introduces listeners to another character in her life: her dog, Ranger.
Inspired by a man in her writing group who one day told everyone “Don’t get a boat,” Laurel knew she had to write a piece called “Don’t Get a Dog.” She reads excerpts from the piece as she muses about the pets in her life, and shares a confession at the end.
Show Notes:
Story inspiration at writing group meeting
Raised by “No pets!” parents, she nevertheless got some free ones along the way
After reading 8 books on dog training, found the best one for her new German Shepherd puppy: “The Art of Raising a Puppy“
In today’s episode, host and author Laurel McHargue introduces her father as she never knew him. With a shoe box filled with letters from a 19-year-old son to his parents and siblings during WWII, Laurel shares her thoughts on the bizarre world of parent/child relationships.
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Show Notes:
The letter shoe box.
Charles Bernier, age 19, off to “somewhere” in 1943
Blog post Boston Boy In For An Eye-Opener with narrative
Questions about parents
The parent/child relationship
Brainstorm about questions and the brain
Storytelling tip: Focus on a small thing
Introduce next topic: Something completely different
In this episode of Alligator Preserves, host and author Laurel McHargue discusses her on-again-off-again love affair with hair and her failure to achieve a childhood goal.
Alligator Preserves is hosted and produced by Laurel McHargue with technical support provided by her husband, Mike McHargue. Follow her on her website at leadvillelaurel.com where she writes about life, real and imagined, and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @LeadvilleLaurel. If you enjoyed this podcast, you might enjoy her books. Find her work on Amazon.
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Show Notes:
Storytelling and blog post entitled “My Hair Piece” with interjected narrative
Brainstorming about hair and mundane topics, finding the humor, and learning something about the human condition
Memories of hair and listener encouragement to explore their own
Writing tips and announcement of next topic: a young man’s eye-opening experience when he joins the Army in 1943
In this episode, host and author Laurel McHargue discusses a very special gift she received long ago from an old family friend. Her decision to take the gift on her morning run leads to several memorable discoveries.
Alligator Preserves is hosted and produced by Laurel McHargue with technical support provided by her husband, Mike McHargue. Follow her on her website at leadvillelaurel.com where she writes about life, real and imagined, and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @LeadvilleLaurel. If you enjoyed this podcast, you might enjoy her books. Find her work on Amazon.
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Show Notes:
Storytelling and the genesis of the title Alligator Preserves
Blog post entitled “Balls” with interjected narrative
The second book in the Waterwight trilogy will take you to places higher and deeper than you ever thought possible as Celeste discovers ancient gods who have their own ideas about what she should be doing.
Kindle download Christmas day…no fuss, no muss, no shipping.
(paperback out in January 2018)
Vail Daily visited Leadville to talk about the Victorian Homes Tour and the 2018 Calendar Girls of Leadville!
We were delighted this week to be visited by Vail Daily news reporters! I was interviewed along with Stephanie Spong, President of the Tabor Opera House Preservation Foundation, Carol Glenn, City of Leadville Chamber of Commerce and Victorian Homes Tour Director, and Mary Ann Best, Treasurer and Volunteer Coordinator for the Tabor Opera House.
If you haven’t yet purchased your keepsake “2018 Calendar Girls of Leadville: Calendar Girls Uncovered” calendars, you’d better be quick! They’re going fast!
Here’s the link to Leadville Literary League‘s page with ordering info, and thank you for helping us preserve a national treasure!
Patricia Bernier January 2, 1929 – October 19, 2017
While on my way to visit Mum in the hospital earlier this week, I started thinking about last words. It’s unlike me to stall when it comes to expressing myself, but what last words do you say to a woman whose life has provided the template for your own—a template you will first follow (because you have to), then alter (because you know best), and then ultimately imitate once more (because you have learned a few things since when you thought you knew best)?
Do the words “I love you” say enough? Or “thank you for your guidance, your patience, your discipline, your advice, your laughter, your hugs, your recipes”? Could any words ever express enough?
Our Mum—your sister, cousin, mother-in-law, Nana, aunt, friend—was a powerhouse. If you knew her at all, you knew how much she loved being surrounded by family and friends, and how after most of us moved away she wished all her little chickens would someday be together again on a big family compound.
You might say she liked to be in charge of things. She was a woman of strong opinions, and she was never afraid of sharing them. She raised her children in a “Father Knows Best” era, yet somehow was able to fulfill the expectations of being the perfect housewife while also instilling in her daughters the belief that they were capable of accomplishing their wildest dreams.
Mum’s dreams were for her family. Most of you know what a talented artist she was—her paintings hang in many of our homes—but she never pursued being an artist or an interior decorator as a profession. She was also an adept seamstress. The most common thread woven through Mum’s life, however, was her faith. She shared a story about when her family moved—she was in 4th grade at the time, so she was about 9—and some of the popular girls invited the new girl into their circle. “After some time I tried to save their souls and told them they’d better join the Catholic church or they would surely lose their soul and go to hell. I firmly believed it and my ‘gift of faith’ has stayed unflappable, but I have conceded that ‘God is merciful’ and some might make it to heaven.” She then recalled a cute boy who—of course—was Catholic and she couldn’t wait to kiss him—“and I did,” she said. You might say that she led her life with all kinds of passion.
Mum reminiscing
Several years ago while interviewing Mum and Dad about their lives, Mum talked about not having a single regret, except that “I’m not a princess, but my Prince Charming has treated me thus . . . the only way a man should treat the woman he loves.” Much laughter ensued, and then she shared an astounding fact. In the entire span of her lifetime, she never once filled her car with gasoline! Can anyone else among you say the same? I do believe that fact alone elevated her to princess status, and in any case, the look in Dad’s eyes and his great smile whenever she told her stories were proof enough that she was his queen bee.
About a year ago I asked Mum to jot down a few ideas about how she’d like others to remember her. We girls have loved the way our parents were unafraid of these conversations, and I still laugh when I recall asking Dad for input on his funeral arrangements. “Surprise me,” he said.
Here are the things Mum wanted to be remembered for (and I quote):
My love of my God and his wondrous, awesome creation.
That I loved much.
How I handled the joys and sorrows of life. Hopefully with dignity, kindness and generosity.
Having made a happy home with the prince of my life, and raising my children with him.
Being as welcoming to my five sons-in-law and as glowing in the delight of each grandchild and great grandchild, for whom I have great dreams.
Appreciating the path God gave me as I travelled, made new friends, and enjoyed the marvelous companionship and love with Charlie, my “Marco Polo” lover, and
That I used my God-given talents to the best of my ability.
What more need I add to her list?
Some things we whispered to Mum as she finally released her ties to this world were things like “I love you . . . you set the standards for being a mother and a wife . . . thank you for your guidance, your patience, your discipline, your advice, your laughter, your hugs, your recipes . . . don’t be afraid . . . your job is done here . . . your Marco Polo is waiting for you . . . start working on that family compound in heaven . . . but please don’t start redecorating until you’ve been there a while . . . we’ll be okay, we’ll take good care of one another, just as you’ve taught us to . . .”
We whispered all the things she already knew.
Because ultimately, it’s not the last words that matter. It’s the lifetime of words and deeds and the acknowledgment that we all share and endure this human experience, this short visit on a planet designed to challenge us in different ways.
Mum accepted every challenge—even her final one—with grace and dignity, in a manner befitting the princess we all secretly believed she has been all along.
Order your historic, keepsake calendars through our Kickstarter campaign from September 19-October 19, 2017, and thank you for helping us fund this important philanthropic effort!
“Leadville Antiques: Uncovered”! These brave ladies bare more than their souls to save the Tabor Opera House! [photos by Elise Sunday]This lighthearted calendar is Leadville Literary League’s first major project to promote local literary endeavors and the arts.
All net proceeds from sales of this calendar will be donated to the Tabor Opera House Preservation Foundation to save and restore this designated National Treasure, a beautiful 1800s Opera House.
Preview a little glimpse of what we’re doing and why in this video trailer created by Karen Onderdonk, owner of Indigo Media Arts, and get ready to order soon! Calendar Girls Video Trailer
