Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Lost in space

We had people to make us things
We had people to sell us those things
We didn't have enough room for those things
We build lots of self storage.
-- Jimmy Buffett, from "If It All Falls Down"

Five years ago, we bought a house with a three-car garage. Above the garage was a huge attic.
In the third garage, which we cleverly began calling the “Third Garage,” there was more shelf space than in all the other houses we’ve owned combined.
“We’ve got all the space we’ll ever need,’’ we said, gleefully. (We love to say things gleefully.)
And then. …
The stuff piled up.
It filled the rafters across the attic.
It filled every shelf in the Third Garage.
It piled up on the floor and spread across the double-car garage like diabolical kudzu vines.
And then it got into the house. First the closets, then in available rooms.
It all proves my theory that the amount of stuff you own will expand to fill up the space you have.
In April, we had to rent space in a storage shed.
The creatures from out-of-space.
They got us. Don't let them get you.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

We've got to stop the insanity!

12:00 PM  
Blogger Anne said...

Ed-Would you like to participate in this- Others may want to register.
“Tapping Your Native Spirit”:
First Annual Writing Conference of The Village at Indian Springs
Mission: The mission of the Writing Conference is to bring beginning writers, publishers, editors, agents and published writers together in an appealing and nurturing environment to provide opportunities and knowledge for professional growth.
Target Audience: The conference is open to participants and presenters from all areas. The venue is located in Middle Georgia, south of Atlanta, an area vastly underserved by the arts.
The conference is designed to serve up to 100 participants. Presenters will represent a variety of genres, including mystery, memoir, novel, and magazine writing. The title, “Tapping Your Native Spirit”, expresses the spiritual aspects of creativity, the need to draw upon one’s creative gifts, and, refers to the geographical location in which the conference is held. The area is rich in Native-American history and is the site of Indian Springs, a natural spring from which the Creeks, and later settlers have drawn healing medicinal water for hundreds of years.
The venue is unique in its setting and in its ability to handle large gatherings. The Village at Indian Springs
These are tentative ideas subject to change and other input: We will charge participants in order to pay for food and expenses of conference, particularly advertising. Will expect 100 participants-
We can provide lodging and food for authors for the conference time from the fees but have no author pay as such- There will be opportunities for bookselling at the sessions and to the public in the Gallery
Friday will open with an optional Friday afternoon (3:00-5:00) workshop, possibly on such topics as Mystery Writing, Memoir Writing, Journaling and Becoming a Published Writer
Registration will be from 5:00-7:00
Sandwich Supper at Pinky's with musical entertainment
Open Mic Readings of Work and Works in Progress by published and unpublished authors (poetry, book novel excerpts, etc)

Sat- Light Breakfast and Nature Hike
10:00 Sessions Begin with a Keynote Speaker (possibly an author , agent or publisher
10:45 Booksigning related to presentation

11:00- Sisters-in-Crime Panel and their 11:45 booksigning

12:00- Lunch at Pinky's with Agent or Publisher Presentation and 12:45 booksigning related to works represented or written by speaker

1:00 Author Presentation 1:45 Booksigning

2:00-Panel
3:00 Author and booksigning
4:00 A Multi-cultural Perspective- with authors representing different cultures and discussing their work in light of their cultural heritage and perspective- 3 authors- re 15 min each and 15 min booksigning
5:00 Break- Time to explore shops, etc.
6:30- Informal Banquet/Pinky's- Music and Keynote Speaker- Booksigning
7:45- The Sacred Circle- Gathering Around the Campfiire- begin with Native American Flute Music – Storyteller - Native American Mythology, Vision Quest related to One's Spiritual Quest today (can bring in additional speaker if needed) and Native American Symbolism
8:30 Park Ranger to present program about history of Indian Springs
9:15- Break- talk, discuss, Question and Answer Session
Sun.- 9:00 Interdenominational Service in the Chapel related to Native American/ Christian/ common world religion beliefs
10:00- Author or Panel Presentation-10:45 booksigning
11:00- "In Closing" Question and Answer session from author Panel (representing various genres)
12:00- Lunch with an author/speaker-12:45 booksigning
1:00 Booksignings in the Gallery or other venue, open to the public
Confirmed Presenters:
A) Jackie Miles (author, dramatist, Roseflower Creek, Cold Rock River, Divorcing Dewayne)- Query Writing Workshop will stay with me
B) Anne Jones (author, teacher Gold Thunder, All Around the Track, Brave at Heart, Blackwater Rising)- Memoir Writing
C) Chris Roerden (editor and author, Don’t Murder Your Mystery)- will also offer critiquing
D) Jackie Weldon White (true crime, novel, & biography- Mockingbird in the Moonlight, Whisper to the Black Candle, The Empty Nursery, Distant Hearts, Bestest)
E) Joan Garcia (author, Cemetery Silk, The Plague Doctor)
Sponsors:
Columns Magazine
Indigo Publishing



The Village at Indian Springs
Only 20 minutes away from I-75, the Village at Indian Springs is a different world. The Village is located just outside Indian Springs State Park, the oldest state park in our nation. The Park’s natural springs have been known for their healing powers since the days of the Creeks and the area is rich in history.
The Villages at Indian Springs brings that history to life with its renovated old Indian Spring Hotel, Indian Springs Chapel, Pinky’s Parlor & Cafe, Generations Gallery, vintage cottages, botanical garden and charming shops. One of the most beautiful attractions is the Hanes House, an antebellum home now used for special events, including weddings and receptions. During the year, the Village offers a wide variety of programs, activities and festivals. On the weekend of April 25th, a writing conference will be held. “Tapping Your Inner Spirit” brings beginning and professional writers together with readings, panels and seminars. The Sunday booksignings in the Gallery will be open to the public.
Other activities include holiday celebrations, fashion shows, community yard shows, and a range of artistic and historical events and classes. For information and directions, contact thevillageatindiansprings.com or call (770) 775-5556.






Press Release- (one version)
“Tapping Your Native Spirit”:
Writing Conference to be held at The Village at Indian Springs
Things that Whirl, Click, and Glow Red in the Night… Some are entranced by the tall handsome stranger. Others may be lured by the fascination of things that whirl, click and glow red in the night. Whatever your preference, from romance to science fiction, “Tapping Your Native Spirit” holds something for you.
Everyone has a story. The first challenge is how to present it, whether by mysterious means or revealing memoir. The second is getting it published. To help in overcoming these challenges, The Village at Indian Springs. is offering “Tapping Your Native Spirit” a creative writing conference in which participants learn skills, establish goals and explore the marketing and publishing world. The conference will be held April 25-27, just minutes from I-75. For information on cost and registration, call-(770) 775-5556 (amateurs and professionals welcome)

9:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hey ed tell jake i said hey. im chandler perry darlis and brendas grandson

7:56 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home