The Women in My Life

          I’ve been thinking about women who have helped me in my life. Today I’m reflecting on the period 1990-2010.

          As a newcomer to Oakhurst in 1991, I planned to go to a meeting of the Eastern Madera County Arts Alliance to see if they would sponsor me to teach a creative writing class. A group of us stood shivering outside the library, waiting for the person with the key to arrive. But whoever was supposed to have gotten the key hadn’t.

          “I live just around the corner,” I said,  “We can go to my apartment.”

          There wasn’t enough seating for everyone, so some had to sit on the floor but I distinctly remember Nancy Clute, the director of the Madera County Arts Council, sitting in the middle of my couch, in a red wool dress.  Nancy came up with idea for the PACES program – (Presenting the Arts to Children in Elementary Schools) – that was funded until just this year. She would eventually encourage me to teach in the PACES program and after she was killed in a car accident, her replacement Dr. Pamela Beecher was hugely instrumental in helping me work in both County programs as well as Rivergold Elementary; she would eventually hire me to write the Arts Council quarterly newsletter and together, for four years, we worked on Poetry Out Loud.  She has been a great promoter of the arts and artists, working tirelessly to raise funds to keep programs going and now she, too, is leaving. I know she will be sorely missed.

          Another woman who I met at that meeting in my apartment, Lynne, became one of my best friends. As an art teacher we shared a love of teaching, but we also loved to have fun together: hiking, dancing, entertaining. She brightened my life for eighteen years and she still does, from afar. When I feel down all I have to do is put on one of her beautiful dichroic glass necklaces and I feel her love and laughter brighten my mood.

          In 1991 I became secretary of EMCAA and we changed the name to Mountain Arts Council.   A new organization was formed shortly thereafter, Vision Academy of the Arts.  I became secretary, then President and worked with Jackie Byers, music teacher and arts promoter. For years I taught creative writing in the wonderful “Arts Around the World” summer art camp she developed.  I weep to think that I’ll never again be a teacher in that great program, or watch the kids at the end of the week put on their show, with Jackie at the piano. . .

          When I was new to Oakhurst I offered a free one-day writing workshop at my apartment. Roz, a teacher at North Fork School, called and asked if I would come talk to her class. I did, but I also made the kids write. She then was able to hire me to do a residency in her class and another class. I really had no idea, before this, how much I would love teaching children. Years later Roz would attend my adult workshops. She is not only a great teacher, but a great student, who writes delightful poems.

          I am so grateful for the “women of the mountains” who shared their time and talents with me: Carole, my acting teacher, who brought me back to the stage and Liz who directed me in three plays.  Barbara shared her knowledge of birds and wildlife, sushi and art with me.

Diane – ah those pies! and your elegant poems; Robbie, your celestial voice!; Pat – entertainer extradinaire, thank you for all those parties!; Julie, my Scrabble pal; Izabel my spiritual mother who still keeps me on track from afar.  Plus, the PTA presidents, principals, teachers, and office staff who trusted me to teach your kids.  Thank you!

          Yesterday, my dear friend Karen who I met in1984 in a poetry workshop in L.A., called to tell me she’s been offered a job that sounds perfect for her.  I was so thrilled I embarrassed myself by not being able to shut off my tears. I’ve known and loved Karen through her years as a poet, teacher, artist, gardener, print and book maker – everything she does she does perfectly. Every day I look at her paintings in my home and feel honored to have such a darling talented friend.

          The fact that Karen has found the right job, after a tough time being unemployed, gives me faith that there are people “out there” I’m still to meet,  who will be a joy to work with. For, I’ve found that the basis of so many of my friendships (including the Sand & Sea years 1977-90, or even further back to my school days in the Duprees) is working together at things we love.  I can’t wait to be part of a team of creative women again!