Vitality Stories
Stephen Thompson, photo by Sarah Morey
The Power of Community
A vital network
Stephen Jon Thompson and I have been friends for over thirty years. I met him at a church function in seventh grade when I still lived on Tiger Drive. Below is a picture of us getting ready for a night of Christmas caroling. Nothing screams early 1980s better than Steve’s layered, turned up collars, or my bi-level haircut: Continue reading
Vitality Stories
What Makes You Laugh?
In the light of day
Two weeks ago in the middle of the night, I was lying wide awake in bed. I was too excited–too happy–to sleep. Hours before, unexpected donations for the Tiger Drive Scholarship had started rolling in and the kindness of friends and strangers, and the idea that we might be able to help not one but TWO students, had my head spinning. Continue reading
Vitality Stories
Because It Feels Good
Growing generosity
It’s been an unexpected and wonderful week full of generous, encouraging, and supportive friends and strangers who have changed more than one person’s life in the past few days.
On May 3rd, I updated my status on Facebook about the $300 Tiger Drive Scholarship:
Within 24 hours of this post, someone contacted Carson City High School and anonymously matched the scholarship. By the next morning, another anonymous donor called the school. Continue reading
Vitality Stories
What Makes You Laugh?
Look with your hands
Inspired by author and illustrator Lisa Sinicki’s latest project, I recently signed up for an online comic strip drawing course with Paris Christou at ToonBoxStudio*. Early on, Paris points out it helps to choose a comic concept by considering our own stories or experiences in ‘little strips of gags,’ or punchlines. This makes sense, right? It’s why Garfield, Dilbert, Calvin and Hobbes, and The Family Circus are popular; they are true to life, and therefore, relatable and funny.
So I started writing down all of the silly, short conversations in my own life that have stuck with me and make me giggle. Below is one of my favorites, and perhaps one day, I’ll adapt it as a comic: Continue reading
Vitality Stories
Gretchen LeMay Photography
Don’t Forget To Feed Your Inner Dog
Positively grateful
I’ve been sending a Vitality Stories Newsletter to my email subscribers every Thursday morning since last August, and then on Thursday, April 14th, I didn’t. I was obsessing about the right balance between quality and quantity, and I assumed I was the only one who was paying attention to my schedule. Continue reading
Vitality Stories
Prompts, Promises, and Prom
Negotiating normalcy
Prom has been on my mind. Facebook friends have been posting pictures of their teenagers heading off to this traditional, timeless, and rite of passage dance.
Prom plays a large role in my novel, Tiger Drive, because seventeen-year-old, Carrie Sloan recognizes that the anticipation and excitement around prom is normal, but her situation demands that she focus her energy on finding money for college. Alas, to be a normal girl with a normal life is all she really wants. Continue reading
Vitality Stories
Grandpa’s Slugs by Jason Beck
Grandpa Worked With Slugs
It’s all relative
The more personal I get in a Vitality Stories Newsletter, the more responses I receive, and I suppose, the more risk I take that something I’ve shared might be taken out of context and applied relatively, such as the below comment from last week’s letter: Continue reading
Vitality Stories
Me w/3 of my 5 older siblings & perhaps my Mom’s lap
A poem from Me@18 to Me@45
I Remember
The response to my last newsletter has been rewarding, including hearing from a high school friend who sent me a copy of a poem I wrote in the 12th grade, I Remember. I Remember was published in the high school’s annual publication, The Verbatim. Continue reading
Vitality Stories
field behind Tiger Drive. Photo by Gretchen LeMay
Coming Clean About Tiger Drive
Where one door closes
In last week’s newsletter, I shared that a trailer burned on Tiger Drive, taking the lives of a man and his dog. Honestly, sharing the post about the fire, how I feel about Tiger Drive, and an update on my novel created my most personal newsletter to date. I know, because I felt vulnerable after I sent it, and I second guessed my willingness to share how I visit Tiger Drive whenever I’m in town and that an agent closed the door on representing my novel. Then, as doors are intended to do, a few swung open.
Vitality Stories
photo by Gretchen LeMay Photography
The Realities of Tiger Drive
Last week I learned news about both Tiger Drives.
First, the place
One week ago, a trailer burst into flames on Tiger Drive, killing a man who lived alone with his dog. The dog perished, too. He didn’t have any family. I know because I called the park manager to check if donations were needed. I have no idea what kind of man he was, but I wouldn’t have hesitated to help because I was once a Tiger Drivian. Continue reading