After another longer-than-anticipated absence, I return to my News and Notes section, humbled by the well-known line from Burns’s “To a Mouse.” 
… The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men 
          Gang aft agley …
 
Is it “essay” or is it “story?”
     Many have concluded that “essay” is more widely used than “story” with respect to my type of nonfiction, memoir-style writing. While I understand the importance of following the convention, it’s difficult for me to think of what I write as essays. When I write, I always imagine that I’m telling the story to “listeners.” I have this same feeling when reading at the table during one or another of the Red Oak Writing critique groups, which I have belonged to for several years. So, please indulge me while I struggle with the transition from “story” to “essay.” This might take forever.
 
Three new stories…or essays. 
     “The Other Side of the Screen Door” has been rewritten several times, the most recent of which (several days ago) is the result of outstanding suggestions from current and former members of the critique group. 
     “But One Mournful Chord” was published in the Jewish Literary Journal. (News and Notes, 1/19/2017). The slightly revised version on this website includes a short paragraph concerning an unpleasant incident with a tray of gauze-wrapped capsules.
     “Exodus Redux” was published in the anthology, Family Stories from the Attic(Hidden Timber Books, 2017.) With the permission of the publisher, I’ve posted the story exactly as it appears in the published anthology (News and Notes, 1/20/2017).
 
One more thing. 
     Last March, I posted a News and Notes item about our friend Taif Jany and his website, http://wethehabibis.com  On International Women’s Day, Taif sent me a copy of the following “celebration” that he wrote to and about his mother. With his permission, it’s reprinted here in its entirety, with minor revisions.
     What he wrote is moving and important, especially in today’s destructive political climate. This week, Taif is also celebrating his ten-year anniversary of being in the United States, on his path to citizenship.

​I’m a bit dismayed by how long it’s been since I posted any news and notes, and any of my stories. Of course, there’s a good explanation for the absence, but not everyone wants to read all of the details (a.k.a., excuses.) So, for the moment, I’ll just say it’s good to be back, and thank you for being here, as well.

Red Oak Writing. While I haven’t recently posted any stories on my website, I’ve continued to write and to attend Round Tables led by Kim Suhr, director of Red Oak Writing. Over the next couple of weeks, beginning today, I’ll post a number of new stories that will be included (in one version or another) in the collection I am preparing for publication (through one channel or another.) Kim, with her customary skill and vision, is playing a major role in editing and organizing the stories. All of my fellow writers who participate in Red Oak Writing have provided much needed criticism and encouragement.  Please stay tuned.

Lake Effect. If you go to my Home Page or List of Stories, you’ll see that one of the new posts is a link to LAKE EFFECT, a very popular Milwaukee radio show (WUWM, our local NPR station.) I was given the honor to be a guest on the show last December, and to read a story about surviving December and the celebrations of Christmas and Chanukah. The short version I read was drawn from a longer story with a much different tone. I like the short version better. On the WUWM LAKE EFFECT site, you’ll be able to read, or listen to me read, “Genesis Among the Crabapples.”

Two interesting and important websites…
 
wethehabibis.com You have to check out this wonderful website of musing, recipes, videos, and more, all created by Taif Jany, a dear friend of our family and, I happily hasten to add, our daughter. The site is relatively new, and Taif will be adding to it on a regular basis. Here is an excerpt from his bio, and another from the Home Page.
 
      I was born and raised in Baghdad. When I was 16 years old my father was kidnapped on his way home from work. I was forced to flee Iraq with my remaining family and seek refuge in Damascus, Syria. We’ve never heard a thing about dad.
      After spending about two years in Syria, I came to the United  States as a student. I went to school at Union College in Schenectady, NY and moved to Washington, D.C. right after graduation.
      Being alone in America, away from my family and my favorite falafel stands, I was  forced to teach myself how to cook. This is mostly because I really missed my mom’s homemade food, but also I started craving Iraqi food in general. When it comes to food, Iraq (in my humble opinion) is the hub of food in Western Asia (YES, IRAQ IS IN ASIA! Bet you didn’t know that.) From world-famous sumac kebabs and lamb stews, to dolma and masgoof (grilled fish), Iraq is where it’s at!
      That being said, I quickly learned that America is a place of abundance in many ways, and food ingredients is no exception. In the United States, I can access many items that we don’t have in Iraq. One in particular has forever changed my life. Let me tell you all about it.
 
      We the Habibis offers delicious homemade food, promotes cultural exchange, and builds community…Wait, tell me that you know what “habibi” means? No? … Okay, “habibi” … means “my love.” Don’t get too excited. I don’t know you, and I’m taken. More commonly, “habibi” is a term of endearment that we use back home when we greet friends and relatives.
      Here’s a free Iraq-Arabic 101 tutorial:
      You’re outside in your garden smoking hookah. Your buddy roles through, you go: “Shako mako habibi?” which loosely means something like “What’s up dude?” Get it? Good!
      Oh what? you said “habibi” is for men only? Not here it isn’t! I use “Habibi” to describe both ladies and gents. Technically the female alternative is “habibti”, but I’m only allowed to use that for my girlfriend.
      I have created We the Habibis not only because I wanted to share my passion for food with you, but also because I want to create an environment that promotes cultural exchange and builds community among readers.
 
ethansuhr.weebly.com Also, take a good look at the website of Ethan Suhr, a first-year film student at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.  Ethan has helped me build my own website and maintain it. In truth, I’m not sure the site would be up and running without his help and encouragement. I’ve been impressed by his creativity and technical knowledge, but also his ability to listen carefully to his clients’ needs and aspirations, and address them in his designs. Ethan’s talent is very apparent in his own film, art, and music he has included on his website. And he answers his phone calls, or responds to them promptly!!

​A few weeks ago, I visited with Lisa Williams, one of the cast members in the 2017 Listen to Your Mother performance at Alverno College. While enjoying a carry out lunch from Oakland Gyros (no, they don't pay me,) we reminisced about the show, what we would like to achieve as writers, and our shared experiences working in and consulting with various social service agencies. The first time I heard Lisa read her story in one of our cast rehearsals , I was moved to tears, as were others in the room. Lisa has given me permission to post her story here, and I'm pleased that she is the first "guest" author on this website.

(My own LTYM story can be found on the Home Page or in the List of Stories of this website.)

The anthology, Family Stories From the Attic (see post, below, from 1/20/2017) is now available for purchase from:
Boswell Book Company
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Family Stories from the Attic is an anthology of essays, creative nonfiction, and poetry inspired by family letters, objects, and archives. Nearly two dozen contributors from the United States and Australia tell stories of immigration and migration, loss, discovery, secrets, questions, love, and the search for meaning and identity. Editors Christi Craig and Lisa Rivero bring together both experienced and new authors who will prompt writers and non-writers alike to think about their own family treasures and histories in new ways.
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A book launch will be held at Boswell Book Company on Saturday, May 17 at 7 p.m. The event will include readings by anthology authors from their own "family stories from the attic." 

​Last Thursday, March 30, the Writers' Showcase (at Comedy Sportz-Milwaukee) was, by all accounts, a great success. It was a privilege to have been one of the readers, and to be associated with such talented colleagues. They inspire me by their creativity and their skill.

For the event, I reworked one of the several versions of a story that deals with a single event, on a single day, circa 1950. This day did much to shape my convictions and actions concerning race relations and social justice. The title of the piece is "It's As Simple As Black and White," and it's posted on the Home page of this website. 

   
    I have to admit that until this year, I hadn't known anything about the national productions of the Listen to Your Mother show–other than I should have done so more often, I'm sure. 
   
The LTYM website, listentoyourmothershow.com states: "The mission of each LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER production is to take the audience on a well-crafted journey that celebrates and validates mothering through giving voice to motherhood–in all of its complexity, diversity, and humor–in the form of original readings performed live on-stage by their authors."
    
To learn more about the Milwaukee show for 2017, visit http://www.listentoyourmothershow.com/milwaukee where you'll also find a list of "cast" members (i.e., "readers") and  a link to the national website, where it is written: The videos of presentations from past shows are inspiring.

    In February, I auditioned  for the Milwaukee "cast," and am delighted to have been selected. As we heard each other's stories during our first two rehearsals–and laughed and cried together–it became obvious why the Listen to Your Mother Shows have moved so many audiences throughout the country. The Directors of the Milwaukee show–Alexandra Rosas, Rochelle Fritsch, and Jenny Gaskell–have provided our cast with an environment that has been warm, encouraging, and supportive. 
                          Don't miss our LTYM Milwaukee show.  Alverno College (Milwaukee) Wehr Hall on Sunday, May 7 at 3 PM.
                                     Additional information will be posted on the Listen to Your Mother/ Milwaukee website.
​
By the way, I'm very proud to be the only "guy" in the cast. The same is true with respect to the list of authors whose work is included in the Hidden Timber Books anthology, Family Memories From the Attic. (See, my 1/20/2017 post.) So...what's up with that?

             

Red Oak Writing (redoakwriting.com) led by its Director, Kim Suhr, “… offers programming for writers of all levels of ability and experience.” Online critique groups also are offered. The groups I have been in for the last year and a half have been led by Kim, and have been a learning experience that ranks right at the top of a long list. Kim is a wonderful writer, and you can read much of her work on her website, kimsuhr.com.

• Roundtable groups are appropriate for dedicated writers willing to share their work with a group to receive feedback, share ideas and build a network of writing friends.
• In November 2016, I attended a poetry workshop led by  Robin Chapman (robinchapmanspoemaday.blogspot.com) a Wisconsin poet. While I don’t write poetry, my prose work is improved when I remain mindful of the remarkable way good poetry captures so much in so few words. I highly recommend this workshop, as well as Robin's poetry.
• In January 2017, I attended another workshop led by Wisconsin writer, Christi Craig (christicraig.com). We explored the difference of purpose between memoir and memoir essay, and how to turn a complex personal experience into a story of 1,000 words or less. The quality of the writing we examined, including Christi’s, is what I strive to achieve.

While the two workshops focused on different types of writing, both of them emphasized how to convey thoughts and feelings with an economy of words, and well-crafted imagery. 

•  Writers' Showcase (posted March 14, 2017)  On March 30, I'll take a turn as one of the Showcase readers (details below.) More than two years ago, when searching for a writing group to join, it was my good fortune to attend a Red Oak Writing Showcase. A half hour after the program had begun, I knew I had found what is right for me; I joined a critique group, and haven't missed a session since. 

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                  Visit www.redoakwriting.com or phone 414-881-7276 for more information