June+15+Suzanne+&+Jan



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The Curious Case of Jan and Suzanne Buttons (with apologies to Brad Pitt and Kate Winslet)

Suzanne and Jan (senior citizens) write “snail mail” letters to each other

Letter to Suzanne from Jan:

Dear Suzanne,

It’s been a busy year for me here at the UPWP Assisted Living Facility. I’ve been attending water aerobics every day to work on these thighs I put on from a summer of writing. I know, I know…writing is supposed to be good for you. But, those UPWPers eat all the time while they write.

I remember that kick-off day in May of 2009, seems like a century ago, doesn’t it? We walked in and there were muffins, breads, bagels, fruits, and jams and that was just the beginning. As soon as breakfast started to fall to my feet, they brought out soups, sandwiches, salads, and that scrumptious cake with the UPWP logo on it. Well, I had to have seconds on that cake because I didn’t get one of the yellow flowers on the first piece. But, as that huge lunch fell to my feet, I think it all got clogged up on my thighs. Oh well, I’ll dance it off tonight at the UPWPers reunion—I remember Debbie Goldsworthy wrote about singing and dancing on her playhouse roof when she was a child. Maybe she will lead us all in a little dancing and singing on the roof of the clubhouse this summer.

We have a great group for the Summer Institute this year. They shared some unique memories at the Kick-Off Day that we might find useful in the summer. Chandra Ziegler might take us on a bird watching hike at the August retreat. She found a baby bird when she was four and knew it was a bald eagle. Sarah Davidson works with me at Graveraet, at least she did last year, but who knows where we’ll be in the fall…but Sarah is a pro at moving in a big blue Oldsmobile. Sarah has two dogs who might help us find our way through those dense woods around Conway Lake.

Tracy Feliz, from the valley, was about three-ish when she used to admire her grandmother sitting at her dressing table and applying her rouge. Tracy might be very helpful in preparing us for our dance on the rooftop by dolling us up.

Kristin Marczak, from L’Anse, shared how she met that cute husband of hers at the softball game, but she didn’t really like him then. Luckily, he didn’t give up and came to the restaurant where she was a waitress and romance began to blossom. Maybe Kristin can organize a softball tournament between “Younger Crappier Writers” and “Older Better Writers” at the retreat.

Some of the new UPWPers wrote about their memories with Mark at the May Kick-Off and we missed the stories – darn! Colleen Martin, from Sagola, showed up with a large yellow bag; I wonder what memories were hiding in that bag. She is such a clown that she had the group laughing so hard they started snorting.

First grade teacher Allison Marlowe glowed in her peachy-orange shirt. In first grade teaching colors and rules is really important. She covered orange and purple when she shared that grape gum isn’t allowed in first grade. Kara Graci, will be moving from teaching special education grades five through 12 to teaching special education in grades K-3. She is a MAC user, our only MAC person this summer. She will have to show us all the fancy, dancy stuff MACs can do. I think she is pretty tech saavy. Allison and Kara will be helpful in designing rules and procedures for the institute.

Well, that’s all for now. I have to go practice my clogging steps for the big event.

Hugs, Jan

Letter to Jan from Suzanne:

Dear Jan,

I took up belly dancing this spring to get rid of the UPWPers roll around my middle. Funny thing is, when you belly dance it just jiggles kind of pretty and I’m getting so used to it, I may not even try to get rid of it now. Bring on the snacks!

I heard JoeyLynn Paquette is fixing snack for the first day. Wow! She loves to cook. JoeyLynn didn’t think she had any memories from childhood, but she ended up writing about the “J & J Restaurant” that she created when she was a child. She’s been cooking so long that it should be some spread! And, Debbie’s been planning her snack since May for that second day, sounds yummy.

Sabina Carlson, from Negaunee, may want to set up a lemonade stand like the one from her childhood for us, maybe something a little stronger in the lemonade will get us up to the roof for the dancing. We will have to take up running by fall, if we can still get through the doorway with our expanded sizes.

I wish we could have heard all the quickwrites in May. The group was lots bigger than we expected. It was great to connect with old friends and new. I wrote about my little yellow dress from my aunt’s wedding. I was only three when I wore that dress and I still have it. I take it out and pose each of my granddaughters in it when they are three.

I heard you wrote about a dress, too. Your sheer white ruffly organza communion dress sounds quite the thing, but maybe not for a seven year old’s birthday party.

Be wary of that Michelle Bradley when it’s her snack day. She wrote about an outdoor kitchen where she made all manner of concoctions in her little red wagon. I think she said she used old leaves and mud for some. (shiver with disgust) We’ll have to watch her carefully at the retreat if we do any cooking out.

Marcia Inglese wrote about her family moving many times. Her little sister was so used to moving, she decided to move to Buffalo with the priest from their church when she was just three. The family was quite thankful after an hour or so when her sister began to miss her family and wanted to come home. Marcia may be an expert on packing up our things for storage each Thursday afternoon.

Well, you know how I always worry if we’ll have enough to feed a crowd. But, if we get really hungry and want to visit the big lake for some fresh fish, Halley Sodogren can be in charge. She told us about going fishing and forgetting the worms. But, she was resourceful enough to dig up her own. I think we are okay as long as she doesn’t give any worms to Michelle to add to her snack.

I think they just called time for lunch. Better hurry so I can get in the front of the line.

Hugs, Suzanne

Two mid-age women sending emails:

SS: Hi Jan, Feeling guilty using short email messages after Dr. Wong challenged us to have students write something long. What do you think—should we require a 20 page writing this summer?

Gotta’ run and check out Dr. Clarken’s website on the China earthquakes last year.

Cheers, SS

JS:Hey,

Read those last week – very moving! Wasn’t that a great movie Sara made for the Saturday Kick-Off Day? Really captured the heart of the UPWP.

Later…

SS:I love those movie maker programs. They make digital storytelling so easy. I’ve been teaching my granddaughters how to use them – so easy. How many T-shirts we orderin’ this year?

JS:28… Okay to use the credit card?

SS:Sure…How’s the story comin’?

JS:Stuck on the ending. Don’t know where to stop…

SS:Yeah, that’s always tough.

JS: Writin’ in your notebook much?

SS: Up and down…you?

JS:Same…so much to do before June 15…plans all set yet?

SS: Think so…hope that overview of notebook use was clear…think people will be writing in them this month?

JS:Doubt it…everyone’s flying too fast. We’ll see…

SS: See you soon..

Two “hip chicks” watch a Photo Story movie