Mt. Pleasant Scribblers share reflections during February meeting

The regional writer’s group, Mt. Pleasant Scribblers, met Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 at 1:00 in the gathering space of the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, 902 S. Walnut Street.

Kathy Wiley had written a reflection based on the word, wanderlust, given to her at church for this year’s meditation. She titled her reflection “‘Wanderlust,’ Star-word for 2024.” This word suits her mystical, contemplative nature perfectly. In the spirit of an Australian walkabout, every year she selects a destination for her week of solitude. To escape life’s organization and repetition, she goes on a solo adventure at least nine hours away from home. She stays at monasteries, retreats, or isolated cabins and allows time to refresh and recharge. Sometimes she takes part in meditative rituals, but most often her time is spent simply soaking in silence.

Marilyn Vincent went back to her roots as a poet who had been selected for inclusion in Lyrical Iowa multiple times, most recently 2002. She read a page of crisp new haiku and shared strategies with Kathy about composing haiku poetry. She also asked for help brainstorming a fitting title for a new free verse about the loss of a young neighbor who died of a tragic suicide.

Claudia Streeter had received a surprise in the mail, a book titled “Sometimes Words Appear Easily on a Page.” by James R. Ellerston. Mr. Ellerston is the husband of a friend who had been on a trip with Claudia to Australia. He publishes books of poetry to share every year. She was inspired to write a poem of her own. “Butterflies” describes a one-sided conversation about seeding farm ground to attract pollinators.

Valerie Kreutner researched a young basketball player who thrilled spectators in the late 1960s. Girls’ games were six-on-six with a climax in Des Moines at the Iowa State High School Tournament. Basketball was not a college sport for women at the University of Iowa until 1974. Her best shot was from 30 feet and highest score in one game was 111. Denise Long averaged 62.5 points per game and was drafted into the NBA in 1969. Later the NBA commissioner voided the selection by the San Francisco Warriors because she was a girl and so young. She continued to play, but in limited ways. She now lives close to Wichita, Kansas.

Martha Wiley described her slow progress working toward publication of a first book, “Making Friends with Water.” She followed that by reading a chapter from “Catch the Wave,” another book in her series. To give Scribblers the full experience, she let them sample two of the activities from the story. The Scribblers set up standing waves and compression waves using a rope and a spring. The consensus was that upper elementary students, who were encouraged to laugh and play while learning about physical science, will have a better foundation in higher grades when asked to master STEM topics.

Scribblers are pleased to welcome new members who are interested in being part of a group, sharing efforts in the craft of writing. The next regular meeting, at 1 p.m., Monday, March 18, will be in the gathering space at the north entrance of the First Presbyterian Church, 902 S. Walnut, Mt. Pleasant. For more information, contact Karen Osborne, 319-367-5586.