The Writing Life
Odyssey Storytelling Presents: Winterizing, Dec. 7
Darkness before the light, preparing for the freeze, getting cold, staying warm, hibernating. Tucson fills with tourists and snowbirds, escaping to the sunshine, still our pipes freeze. But like lizards on a warm rock, desert dwellers enjoy the cooler weather.
Curated by Penelope Starr and Adam Hostetter
Produced by Ana Montanez
Consider your 3-minute true story for our spontaneous storytelling mid-show!
Location: The Screening Room, 127 E Congress St., Tucson, AZ 85701
Admission is $15.00
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/odyssey-storytelling-winterizing-tickets-761442243247?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Or pay at the door (card or cash). Patreon members: Your current membership gets you in free; please make sure to notify us if you are attending.
Interested in donating to Odyssey? Zelle us using this email: odysseystorytelling@gmail.com
Doors open at 6:30 pm
Stories begin at 7 pm
Downtown parking
Beer, wine & snacks available
Vaccination not required. Event will be indoors. Masks welcome.
Email stories@odysseystorytelling.com if you’d like to tell your own story on stage.
Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and her writing life. She retired after 30 years of teaching, semi-retired from coaching, editing, and gathering writers to publicly share their work. She is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships. These days, in Tucson Arizona, she writes to inspire, to connect with folks, teaching about the power of words, and for the pure enjoyment of it. Ethel enjoys sharing stories at Odyssey Storytelling, Artists Standing Strong Together, and anywhere there’s a mic or a Zoom room.
I’m a Hugger
My Dad was a champion hugger. He enjoyed being with people of all ages, and had a quick smile that went across his face and all the way up to his blue-grey eyes. If you were in his line of sight he’d be sure to have a greeting for you. If he knew you or was just introduced he’d extend both arms wide open, and hands ready to shake yours and bestow a hug. A hug that said, “Yes, I know you are here and I’m glad.” Over the years I watched reactions to his hugs – delighted laughs, wiggles and giggles from kids, genuine smiles from friends, and a miraculous defrosting from what I used to call “one of the up-tights.”
A HUG RESOURCE
My spiritual reading partner, M., and I are reading The Thich Naht Hanh Collection. The other afternoon we read the section about being present when you hug. To be with your “huggee,” think of them as you hug. That got me thinking of the different kinds of hugs I’ve noticed and received, gracing my life like so many shells on a sandy beach.
KINDS OF HUGS
The Air Hug: There is no physical contact other than a light touch of hands on my back or shoulders. The hands both welcome and keep a distance. J. hugs like that. I know she likes me, even considers us close friends, but there are quite a few inches between us. She does not kiss my cheek altho’ I get a quick one on hers before she pulls away within five seconds. This is a perplexing hug.
The Air Hug Plus Hand Clasp: This is minimal contact but a holding of the hands for a few seconds often with eye contact and then chatter. This can be a good warm-up for a personal conversation. Or it can mean, “I’m happy to see you, but I’m moving on.”
The Bear Hug: This can be most welcome or crushing. My brother-in-law is a welcome bear hugger. He envelops you, arms wrapped strongly, but not crushing. What makes his bear hug welcome is that he starts with a huge grin and either a “Hey” or a big “Okaay.”
The Crushing Bear Hug: This can envelop you, true, but it’s overly strong. Is there something to be proved- strength, power? Is it a stop gap to prevent a real personal hug? Whatever – it’s not welcome and the release has often caused me to lose my balance. Crushing bear huggers, please desist.
The Pat Pat Pat Hug: I think this is a holdover from infant and toddler days – a gentle pat to comfort, sometimes with a murmured, “There, there.” It is comforting, and yet establishes the “patter” as one giving comfort, the “pattee” accepting, or is a neutral participant in the hug. It has its place. I’ve welcomed it many times when I was anxious, hurt, or lonely. But as a greeting, it loses me.
NOW HERE’S A HUG!:
Here’s the pearl is this oyster shell on the beach of hugs. This is what Thich Nhat Hanh calls a Resting Hug. His concept is expressed as a hugging meditation combined with breathing in and out. Being aware of who you are going to hug – my sister, my friend, a person who is in pain, or grief, or anger. Breathe in knowing “this person is precious” – to me, or to someone, as a person alive. A resting hug is a sincere connection, two people equally aware of the other, wrapping arms around each other and being there – no where else, being present. It’s very peaceful and accepting to be in such a hug.
Thich suggests staying hugged for three breaths. I kind of laughed at that. Later I realized, with the people I like to hug, really hug, those hugs are sustained for the time it takes to do a a couple of inhales and exhales. Nice.
HUGS THAT CONNECT:
~My sweetheart and I have resting hugs each morning. I know he knows I am there with him. We are present together to start our day.
~ My twin and I have sustained resting hugs that often include a rocking side to side. These hugs enhance the history we have together.
~ Another friend gives a sustained meeting hug. She is there, next to me, hugging and just being near me, and I close to her.
HOW ABOUT YOUR HUGS?
The lack of hugs during Covid was hard for me. I had to find other ways to be connected with people. I counted a lot on eye contact. Even today hugging calls for a quick check – tilt of the head- Hug? Arms out with questioning look. Hug?
Did you grow up in a family of huggers? Are you a hugger? Who do you know that is a great hugger? I know some people are not comfortable with hugs, and I accept that without having to know why. But if you are a hugger, I‘ve got a lovely one for you.
“Breathing in, I know my dear one is in my arms, alive. Breathing out, she is so precious to me.” If you breathe deeply like that, holding the person you love, the energy of your care and appreciation will penetrate into that person and she will be nourished and bloom like a flower.~ Thich Naht Hanh
Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and her writing life. She retired after 30 years of teaching, semi-retired from coaching, editing, and gathering writers to publicly share their work. She is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships. These days, in Tucson Arizona, she writes to inspire, to connect with folks, teaching about the power of words, and for the pure enjoyment of it. Ethel enjoys sharing stories at Odyssey Storytelling, Artists Standing Strong Together, and anywhere there’s a mic or a Zoom room.
Book Publicity That Makes Sense/Cents
WHAT: Book Publicity That Makes Sense/Cents
Online workshop with Lorraine Ash
WHEN: Tuesday, December 12
12:00 PM-1:30 PM Arizona time/ 2:00-3:30 PM EST
WHERE/WHO: Offered by The Eastside Writing Room of Tucson, Arizona . On ZOOM
-
- Open to anyone- anywhere
- FREE—Limited to thirty people 10 SPOTS LEFT!
- Participants will get a Zoom invitation to the presentation
CONTENT:
Learn about myriad types of publicity from reviews, digital ads, and book signings to reader reviews, podcast interviews, media outreach, and more. We’ll also tackle the big questions—whether to hire a publicist, how to convert awareness to sales, what actually works in the age of the Internet, and how much to spend.
HOW TO JOIN
Reserve by December 10. To reserve your place: Contact Ethel Lee-Miller ethel.lee.miller@gmail.com
Cape House Publishing. Lorraine Ash https://capehousepublishing.com/
PEOPLE ARE TALKING:
Lorraine was the inspiration for my memoir, Thinking of Miller Place: A Memoir of Summer Comfort, guiding me through the final edits, media kits, interviewing and generously sharing leads for publicizing and marketing my first book . That was quite a while ago. Her workshops both in person and online continue to hold gems of information. After taking this workshop with the Write Group of Montclair ( my old stomping grounds) I knew we had to bring her via Zoom to Tucson writers. I hope you will join us.
Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and her writing life. She retired after 30 years of teaching, semi-retired from coaching, editing, and gathering writers to publicly share their work. She is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships. These days, in Tucson Arizona, she writes to inspire, to connect with folks, teaching about the power of words, and for the pure enjoyment of it. Ethel enjoys sharing stories at Odyssey Storytelling, Artists Standing Strong Together, and anywhere there’s a mic or a Zoom room.
Odyssey Storytelling: Lessons Learned – Nov. 2, 2023
Odyssey Storytelling Presents: Lessons Learned
We have all learned a lesson or two in our time. Is your lesson one where we need a warning? Or perhaps the lessons you have learned has led to fame, riches and success. We want to hear about the lesson(s) you have learned.
Curated by Jonathan Grinder
Produced by Steven Braun
Bring your own 3-minute story for our spontaneous storytelling mid-show!
Location: The Screening Room, 127 E Congress St., Tucson, AZ 85701
Admission is $15.00
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/odyssey-storytelling-lessons–learned-tickets-738 445529457?aff=oddtdtcreator Or pay at the door (card or cash). Patreon members: Your current membership gets you in free; please make sure to notify us if you are attending.
Doors open at 6:30 pm
Stories begin at 7 pm
Downtown parking
Beer, wine & snacks available
Vaccination not required. Event will be indoors. Masks welcome.
Additionally, our eyes are always looking to the future, and we still need your support as we plan for financial security. You can always Zelle us using this email: odysseystorytelling@gmail.com
EWR- Celebrating US- The Eastside Writing Room
EWR Celebrating US- The Eastside Writing Room
We had an unusual and special hybrid meeting this month. When “things opened up” after Covid, we continued to meet weekly via Zoom. It was a much easier commute for most our members, plus three had moved out of Arizona.
Who’s Who at EWR
When Bee Bloeser announced she was doing a week’s worth of presentations here in Tucson and Green Valley we organized our monthly hybrid meeting around that. We honored Bee with a luncheon and an early birthday celebration as she concluded buzzing to quite a few speaking events.
There’s something about a live meeting. The energy flowed, the conversation became more lively and personal, writing and publishing tips were shared, the laughter quotient increased, and we had a delicious lunch together.
Lori Conser Senior Manager from Wheatmark Publishers joined us, along with Joan Milner and Mary Lou Forier from Rillito Writers.
Along with Bee’s Vaccines and Bayonets, Susan Smith’s newly published My Heart Attack Saved My Life, But for What? joined the collection of books displayed for sale: Mary Lou’s Tallak: immigrant, Penelope Starr’s The Radical Act of Community Storytelling, and my own Thinking of Miller Place: A Memoir of Summer Comfort, and Seedlings: Stories of Relationships.
Why Unusual?
A healthy, happy phenomena – we had more people in-person than Zooming in.
Looking for a writing group that provides support and motivation to get that writing project done and enjoy the satisfaction of accomplishing what you’ve said you wanted to do? Join us each Tuesday from anywhere for our Zoom meeting. Then take that energy with you and write. Contact Ethel.
Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and her writing life. She retired after 30 years of teaching, semi-retired from coaching, editing, and gathering writers to publicly share their work. She is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships. These days, in Tucson Arizona, she writes to inspire, to connect with folks, teaching about the power of words, and for the pure enjoyment of it. Ethel enjoys sharing stories at Odyssey Storytelling, Artists Standing Strong Together, and anywhere there’s a mic or a Zoom room.
Odyssey Storytelling- October 5- YIKES!
This month’s theme! – Yikes!! Sure to be a winner! Local storytellers share true stories that evoke YIKES!
Doors open at 6:30 PM Roscoe Mutz curator, kicks off the show at 7:00 PM.
How much: Admission is $15.00* Tickets: Eventbrite or at the door.
Where: The Screening Room, 127 E Congress St., Tucson, AZ 85701
The Eastside Writing Room
For Writers Who May be Busy, Over-scheduled, and/or Distracted
Every Tuesday- every week, every month 11:30 AM-12:10 PM Mt time
Now in our 10th year!
Zoom in for a half-hour to state your writing intentions, share ideas, challenges, successes.
We have committed to show up each Tuesday to verbally share what we will be writing that day or week. Making that commitment has always worked for me as I sometimes ‘blow off’ my self-commitment but rarely a commitment to others. It works! See Perks of a Writing Group.
We have a solid base group. Published or not, beginner or seasoned writer. Check in each week or when you can. Never a fee, always supportive, respectful, interesting and interested in your writing. RSVP required to know the expected number.
Once a month we’re hybrid – Zoom and in-person in Tucson AZ. In-person meetings: Coffee, tea, and juice offered at the host’s location. No fee. Bring a bag lunch if you wish.
Contact Ethel if you are interested. I’ll send you the Zoom link each week.
Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and her writing life. She retired after 30 years of teaching, semi-retired from coaching, editing, and gathering writers to publicly share their work. She is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships. These days, in Tucson Arizona, she writes to inspire, to connect with folks, teaching about the power of words, and for the pure enjoyment of it. Ethel enjoys sharing stories at Odyssey Storytelling, Artists Standing Strong Together, and anywhere there’s a mic or a Zoom room.
Perks of a Writing Group
It’s happening again. I’ve got to tell you about the perks of being part of a writing group. In person or on Zoom, the Eastside Writing Room works!!
I’ve written before how a writing group can reduce procrastination and replace it with action. It’s inspiring when you think, “That is so cool. I’d like to find out more about blogging.” And motivating to the point where you do a BIC (butt in chair) and actually begin to write your blog, song, poem, letter to the editor, magnum opus. A group also helps normalize the “stuck” times.
Way back in 1999 I had used up the litany of not-writing-yet phrases:
“I can’t find the time to write.”
“Too many interruptions.”
“I get distracted.”
“I’m too busy.”
When I said that last one, a tough love colleague barked, (well he didn’t really bark, but it seemed like it) “Come on – Either you want to write this book or you don’t.” A lighter version of “Either #%*@ or get off the pot.” And so I began to change my writing habits and attitude.
Writing groups in New Jersey opened my mind to a wider possibility for my writing from “oh, it’s just for me and my second grade class”… to “for my family’ … to and for a wider circle – publish! Thank you to the writers at The Montclair Write Group and my Scriveners group.
Since 1999 I’ve been a member of one writing group or another that meets for the sole purpose of writing. I know this weekly commitment added to the successful publishing of my memoir, Thinking of Miller Place. (2008) and (2016). When I moved to Arizona in 2009 I knew a group that actually writes worked for me.
The Eastside Writing Room
A few fledgling groups led to the formation of the Eastside Writing Room in 2013. Our group helps with accepting the inevitable rejections. And we celebrate the final product with colleagues/friends who have been along on the writing journey. Sure enough, my second book came together, got revised, edited, and published ––Seedlings, Stories of Relationships (2014.) Ten years later the benefits still roll in.The Eastside Writing Room continued meeting via zoom during the pandemic and decided to go hybrid after the pandemic ebbed.
More Than “Just” Writing
Since mid-June this year I saw a parallel trend emerging at EWR along with the creative works in progress. The parallel road is the business of writing for publishing, and work which calls for more factual skills, rewrite, edits, revisions, research for a final product. It can be a daunting experience finding an editor, publisher, social media expert, presenting workshops, filming, public speaking or marketing planner. Some of us have navigated successfully down those roads and we share our experiences.
2023 Milestones, aka Brags
Bee Bloeser: Just finished her 51st presentation for historical memoir, Vaccines & Bayonets: Fighting Smallpox in Africa amid Tribalism, Terror and the Cold War. October events: Life Long Learning – Green Valley, AZ; Senior Academy – Vail, AZ; Dusenberry-River Library – Tucson AZ; featured speaker – Westmont College Faculty Forum – CA.
Ethel Lee-Miller: Storyteller at Tucson’s Odyssey Storytelling June DNA and September Arms and Legs shows. Completed a spiritual autobiography for interfaith course, Tacheria. https://etheleemiller.com/
Jennifer Beauchamp: Finishing touches inserting photos for families in book series, Roots Tied Down. Book #1 Gordon Ancestry. Book #2 Hess Ancestry. Jenn is the writer, ancestry researcher, interviewer, formatter, for this saga of the four families in her ancestry. www.jenniferbeauchamp.com
Linda Moran: The Perks of Hospice: Stories of Love, Life, and Loss (Amazon). Regular contributor to Thoughts and Ideas, a publication at Medium.com.
Pam Alexander: Published Black Bear Killer, the fifth novel in a mystery series (pen name Pam Fox). Completed poetry manuscript under own name. Poetry review in The Sharpener, Sean Singer Substack blog (9/16/23). Three poems accepted by Ocean State Review (print), and one by Amsterdam Review (online). https://www.pamelaalexanderwriter.info/
Pamela Asbury-Smith: Now working with an editor for WIP, Death in Waikiki.
Paul Zohav: “Marriage and Communication: Recipes for Life. Manuscript to the publisher – end of September, 2023.
Paula Brown: “Missing Beth Who Was Always Here,” in Letters I’ll Never Send: An Anthology, by Jackie Bluu. Release Nov. 2023 (Amazon). “Because Heaven,” essay in Dec. Persimmon Tree (online journal).
Penelope Starr: Desert Haven, a novel in linked stories – coming Spring 2024, Rattling Good Yarns Press. Presented 2 four-week workshops – “Dear Diary: Establishing Your Journal Practice” and “Writing Fun and Games,” both sponsored by S. AZ Senior Pride. www.penelopestarr.com
Rhema Sayers: “Into the Fog” in Blood and Thunder: Musings on the Art of Medicine, anthology. New articles in The Desert Leaf: “Memorial Day.” Also coming up in 2023, “The Great Molasses Flood in Boston 1919.“
Sally Lanyon: Moving into new writing territory – young adult historical fiction. Road Scholar trip to the novel’s locations to experience characters’ settings/world view. Highlights for Children course -“Shaping Your YA Novel.” Works in progress: memoir pieces on Spirituality.
Susan Smith: Soon to be published My Heart Attack Saved My Life, But For What? One woman’s path to discover how change can bring you freedom. Diving into Tucson Festival of Books– submitting book for author panel, and three stories to TFOB Literary Awards. susansmithheart.com
All of us in The Eastside Writing Room have watched, cheered, and been part of this process. Kudos to our fellow writers!
What’s next? Anything is possible.
Are you in a writing group? What kind? How’s it working for you?
You are welcome to give the Eastside Writing Room a try. Contact Ethel.
Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and her writing life. She retired after 28 years of teaching, semi-retired from coaching, editing, and gathering writers to publicly share their work. She is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships. These days, in Tucson Arizona, she writes to inspire, to connect with folks, teaching about the power of words, and for the pure enjoyment of it. Ethel enjoys sharing stories at Odyssey Storytelling, Artists Standing Strong Together, and anywhere there’s a mic or a Zoom room.
Happy Fall Equinox
Yes, we have fall!
Clues that it’s fall here in Tucson
- The cold water faucet has cool, not hot water.
- We can “open up” rather than live with A/C all day.
- Folks venture outside later than 10:00 in the morning!!
- The phrase “it felt cool this morning” is both a wish and a reality.
- Dog walkers discard hot weather dog booties.
- Dogs retire the four-legged locked position which means “No way am I walking out there today.”
- Flip-flops are still a staple for footwear; this is Tucson, after all.
- Clothing choices are fall-ish, a short-sleeved top as opposed to the thinnest sleeveless one you can find.
- “I hot-footed it to get to the store before it closed” is a figure of speech, not a painful expedition.
- We live near Sabino High School so the sounds of football cheers and band practice drift our way.
- I watch with envy as girls and boys walk, jog, and run along the roads for cross country practice.
- On cooler evenings some fashionistas break out shawls, scarves, and long pants (albeit made of materials labeled thin, lightweight, breathable) that would induce heat exhaustion in the extreme heat of this summer.
- The sun rises a little bit to the left of our bedroom window as the earth begins that tilt. And it sets just as brilliantly a few minutes earlier each night.
Welcome, Autumn!
Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and her writing life. She retired after 30 years of teaching, coaching, editing, and gathering writers to publicly share their work. She is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships. These days, in Tucson Arizona, she writes to inspire, to connect with folks, teaching about writing and the power of words, and for the pure enjoyment of it. Ethel enjoys sharing stories at Odyssey Storytelling, Artists Standing Strong Together, and anywhere there’s a mic or a Zoom room.
The Not-so-terrible Twos
👀 👂🏽Seen and Heard at Safeway
The other day I was at Safeway, one of my favorite people watching places, and overheard a conversation between a parent and what was probably a tired two-year-old child. Trailing the duo I witnessed this:
The child was standing up in the shopping cart, holding on tight to the rim with one pudgy little hand. Her other hand was reaching out to every package that Mama passed. “Oh, me want. We get. Please, please. Pleeeze!” You know that voice.
Little Child look tired. Those small lines were creasing under her eyes, indicating it was past nap time. Her face was a bit red. Her cheeks were flushed.
When I looked at Mama, she had a similar flushed look. Her eyes were kind of squinty. She’d been responding to the requests with the stock answers.
“Not now, maybe later.” “No, I’m sorry.” “We have some at home.”
Curiosity Personified
The Child, adorable little thing that she was, asked, “But why?”
This “why” was repeated perhaps seven or eight times and Mama was getting a bit more than frazzled. She pulled the boss card. “Because I said so.” That’s supposed to be the conversation ender but not with a two-year-old.
I caught Mama’s eye. “She’s two?”
Mama: ”She’s good at it. “
The Terrible Twos
This made me think of that phrase “the terrible twos.” I don’t think the terrible twos are so terrible. For several reasons:
1. Rebelling, saying no, and asking why are a young child’s way of trying to find out “What’s going on here? Where do I fit in this place?” and being two, “I should be the center of this place.”
2. Curiosity is one of the reasons I loved teaching children. I really liked those kids who asked why because then I could get excited myself and say, “Oh, let me show you.” I knew it would leave them curious for more.
I found when curiosity is acknowledged it allows children to find out for themselves. At the tender age of two or three or four, or even nine or ten, before the age of reason kicks in, they’ll be curious about everything if we let them. At 13, 14, and 15, when the age of reason should’ve set in, but the corpus callosum hasn’t been complete, the pathways of finding out why are often impulsive, which teens discover will not lead to solutions, and have sometimes downright dangerous and risky consequences.
Still I wouldn’t ever want to stop that questioning of why. Why? Because I do believe that when verbal and higher level thinking skills have been encouraged along with curiosity, safer choices are discovered by the questioners, whether you’re two or twenty-two or seventy-two.
Why Does “Why” Sometimes Seem Negative?
“Why” has often become associated with a demanding, incredulous “What the heck made you do that?” tone. “Why on earth did you cut your brother’s hair- but only on one side?” It certainly became almost hardwired in me. Self-questioning after the fact, became pretty self-judgmental. What the heck was I thinking? Well most likely, I wasn’t. Until I let my curiosity come out and play.
Reading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz gave me a clear perspective that erased “why” as a negative thing. Paraphrasing his advice: When we realize even dimly that we are controlled by Victim thinking or take the role of Judge scrutinizing every less than superb outcome as a failure, we must do as young children do as the not-so-terrible twos. Rebel. Say no!
I remember those days of wanting to say no or ask why. Now I know it was because there was something I believed was causing a problem. What was going on?
Ask Why in a Different Way- with an example of an innocent asker
Asking why in a curious kind of way allows the responder, young or older, to give a rationed explanation, not a defense.
I had a young student who was oblivious to vocal tones.
“So, what were you thinking when you threw your friend’s backpack out the second-floor window? I’m wondering why you did that?”
“I wanted to see how fast it would go down. I wanted to see if because his was heavier than mine it would go faster and hit the playground first.”
Brilliant. Curiosity was intact. He had procedural steps. There was no intent to harm. But not so safe.
We recreated the toss with “spotters,” two cohorts down at the perimeter of the expected landing.
“Clear!” shouted a spotter.
“Dropping now,” the tosser shouted. A stopwatch became involved. I think there was a future NASA engineer in the making.
Getting Personal
👧🏼My conclusion? Those terrible twos are not really so terrible. It’s prep for asking why and confidently saying no later in life to the bigger stuff. And being curious, staying curious through the years, learning to make mindful choices. And sometimes you have to say no to get to yes.
Next up: My Own Not-so-terrible Twos
Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and her writing life. She’s retired from professional writing gigs after 30 years of teaching, coaching, editing, and gathering writers to publicly share their work. She is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships. These days, in Tucson Arizona, she writes to inspire, to connect with folks, and for the pure enjoyment of it. Ethel enjoys sharing stories at Odyssey Storytelling, Artists Standing Strong Together, and anywhere there’s a mic or a Zoom room.