Cindy on September 1st, 2008
“So long as you write what you wish to write, that is all that matters, and whether it matters for ages or only for hours, nobody can say.” — Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own
Fall doesn’t officially begin until September 22. But as far as I’m concerned, summer ends as soon as the kids head back to school. I love this time of year. Feeling a burst of new energy, I’m ready to start a new season of coaching and teaching writing classes in my community. This week, I’m looking forward to a discussion group at the Royal Oak Public Library called The Writer’s Life, September 4, 11, and 18 at 7pm in the ROPL Auditorium. I’ve gathered a panel of professional journalists and editors to answer questions about the life of a working writer. You’ll also get a list of the very best books available on the craft of writing and living the writer’s life. For more information and to register for the program, visit the Royal Oak Public Library web site. – CL
Cindy on July 2nd, 2008
So I finished my series of my twice-weekly yoga classes. The practice remains a challenge and something of a mystery. There are many poses I simply can’t do at this stage (especially with bilateral hip replacements). But I’ve made some progress — and now I have something besides daily bike rides to get me out from behind a desk.
Better yet, I’m discovering that the lessons I learned on my yoga mat are enhancing other aspects of my life, including my writing. In one of the sessions, for instance, the instructor reminded us that we shouldn’t be looking over our shoulders at what others were doing.
“Yoga isn’t a competition,” she said. “It is about listening to your own body, and paying close attention to what it’s telling you, what you can do. Never mind what others are doing with their practice. Stop looking over your shoulders!” I thought this was both refreshing and wise — and I couldn’t stop thinking about it the following day.
Life isn’t a competition, either. Or it shouldn’t be. Whether we’re working or playing, a lot of us spend too much time looking over our shoulders to evaluate how everyone else is doing. We compare our achievements to those of our neighbors and coworkers. We scrutinize fashion models, athletes, best-selling authors, or film stars. How do we compare? How do we look? Are we ever good enough?
I had hoped that I would have outgrown this “looking over my shoulders” syndrome by the time I turned 50. There’s something so ridiculously adolescent about it. But clearly, I have miles to go. If nothing else, my yoga classes taught me the beauty and value of staying focused. On my own efforts. – CL
Cindy on May 28th, 2008
“Listen to your life. See it for the unfathomable mystery that it is; in the boredom and pain of it, no less than the excitement and gladness. Touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.” — Frederick Buechner
Original painting by Douglas La Ferle
Cindy on May 5th, 2008
“Laughter is carbonated holiness” — Anne Lamott, Plan B
People who lack a sense of humor top my list of pet peeves, right up there with cranky editors and shoes that hurt. This is why I keep a small statue of Mudhead near my computer monitor. Other friends display guardian angels, or religious icons of Mary or Jesus or the Buddha on their desks. Me, I’ve got Mudhead. Let me explain.
I found Mudhead on vacation one summer at a Native American art gallery in Wisconsin. Though I don’t collect kachina dolls, this little guy had to come home in my suitcase. According to Hopi legend, Mudhead is the clown of ceremonial dances. His duty as a cosmic trickster is to amuse the audience during pauses in sacred rituals. Leaping around the circle, Mudhead reminds the big chiefs that a higher power is in control and they need to lighten up. He is both ridiculous and humbling â and essential to the dance.
Covered head to toe in feathers and fringe, my own little Mudhead serves as a reminder to stop taking myself (and life) so seriously. And I need to be reminded often. Whenever I read or watch too much “news,” for instance, I’m convinced that everyone in the world is hopeless or depraved, and that my son’s generation will suffer the consequences. From incurable diseases to random violence, there’s never a shortage of horrific fodder to fuel my worries and make me think twice before leaving the house. Then again, sometimes I feel inexplicably guilty when I do relax and enjoy myself.
But a friend with a better attitude (and a wacky sense of humor) likes to remind me that not having fun –especially during tough times — shows a serious lack of faith. She points out that the word âsillyâ has roots in the Greek term âseligâ, which means âblessed.â In other words, it’s probably not a stretch to say that good humor has a spark of the divine.
Political commentator H. L. Mencken loosely defined Puritanism as âthe haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be having a good time.â Mudhead would agree. – Cindy La Ferle
Cindy on June 27th, 2006
Reviews of Writing Home
Rebecca’s Reads
FEARLESS REVIEWS: Sharing the Spirit of Independent Publishing.
BookPleasures Review
Michigan Women’s Forum Review and author interview on the Michigan Women’s Forum
Editors and reviewers: To receive a free review copy of Writing Home, send details and a link to your Web site or print publication to cindy@laferle.com.
A delight to read because of its clear organization and quality of writing. The collection is a glimpse into the life of the author and the world that surrounds her….It has something for everyone. – Midwest Independent Publishers Assoc., Midwest Book Awards
.Coaxes the extraordinary from an ordinary life with subtle and quiet insights….Lends itself to an early morning at the breakfast table, a cup of coffee and a few minutes to remember that the best lessons in life are the simplest and the best stories are those closest to home. â Joni Golden, Michigan Women’s Forum
With an engaging approach to family life and current events, Cindy La Ferle shows us that âhome’ can be a wonderful place. We melt into the pages of Writing Home and give ourselves permission to read âjust one more’ story. La Ferle makes us look at the browned bananas on our kitchen counter as an opportunity and not as a failure. — Gina Ritter, Natural Family Online Magazine
Little gems of wisdom from a modern working woman who has a valuable and interesting philosophy on life.â â Kathy Atwood, Midwest Book Review
Cracking open Cindy La Ferle’s collection of columns and essays is the equivalent of chatting with your best friend at a coffeehouse….We can only hope she will be inspired to continue the quest with her pen. Her obvious talent to weave honest, yet striking tales is definitely something to write home about. — Christine Hohlbaum, author of S.A.H.M. I Am: Tales of A Stay-at-Home Mom in Europe
Reading Cindy La Ferle’s essays is like chatting with a trusted friend. Her words seem to be just what you need to hear, at just the right time. And like a good friend, she speaks the truth about life, and what she knows — gently, honestly, and especially without judgment. — Theresa Falzone, editor in chief, publisher of Strut and Signature magazines.
