Prompts

An unexpected outcome. Prompt #491

Write about an unexpected situation, event, or incident that has happened because of being sheltered in place. Argus Courier journalist Gil Mansergh asked:  What is an unexpected incident that happened to you and yours because of the quarantine? You can read the responses here. My response, as written by Gil (published in the  April 2, 2020 Argus Courier): “The Write Spot’s founding mentor, Marlene Cullen, is delighted to tell us that her daughter started an online book club [with ten-year-old granddaughter] who chose The Wizard of Oz. They are reading L. Frank Baum’s original version, and meet twice a week, using Webex. The surprising part is the deep, meaningful conversations inspired by the book, [Marlene] says. For example, the woodsman wanted to marry ‘one of the Munchkin girls, who was so beautiful that I soon grew to love her with all my heart,’ which led to a conversation about what…

Book Reviews

Going to Solace – an engaging story of the human spirit

Today’s featured book is Going to Solace by Amanda McTigue. Reviewed by Gil Mansergh. “I read over a hundred books annually for my NPR affiliated radio show, and I selected Amanda McTigue’s Going to Solace as the best novel I have read this year [2012]. In the rural Carolinas of 1989, things move at a different pace and folks either know each other—or know of each other. In just five days (including Thanksgiving) first-time novelist Amanda McTigue lets us get to know and care about the people who work, visit and reside in a Blue Ridge Mountain hospice home known simply as Solace. The residents are mostly old and worn out, the visitors are on edge from the uncertain finality of what will come soon, and the dedicated caregivers may have seen it all before, but are still deeply involved. I know you will get involved as well.” Gil Mansergh is…