Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.
James Cash Penney
Last year during the local Terroir Creative Writing Festival I found that there were four of us in our rural proximity that shared a love of writing and poetry. We are all novices on a path to discovery. Why not get together now and again?
Last October we did just that. The first meeting took place on a Sunday afternoon at Patricia’s lovely greenhouse. We sat at a table nibbling a delicious homemade coffee cake and sipping tea while a tangle of tomatoes and other vegetables seemingly were our audience. Then we rotated to Linda’s, my farmhouse and next month it is Deb’s turn.
A sort of agenda has emerged. The person hosting leads off with something they’ve read that they would like to share and then some of their personal writing. I am working on a memoir piece. The last two meetings I have read parts of it. We discuss and offer feedback on pieces if requested and then take turns. We all adore Mary Oliver. At her recent passing, there has been much to share.
At our last meeting, we suggested all purchasing Oliver’s book “A Poetry Handbook” as a 
resource that we all have in common. For writing challenge we have suggested finding a poem we like, using it as a “pattern” and then writing a new poem with our own words to share. With all of our so-called assignments we put in the qualifier “or not.” There is no pressure here, just pleasure.
Since I have a penchant for naming things, the name “The Nuthatch Society” came into my mind for our group. The four of us live on rural property and we are quite familiar with these quirky little birds that frequent the foliage and feeders about our homes. They are busy creatures, quite chatty, cute, but fierce and have the ability to walk upside down on trees. The name seemed to fit with us.
There is value in online community but it cannot compare with four souls coming together to share a common interest over tea. I’m so looking forward to the next meeting of the Nuthatch Society and sharing my writing and all the fascinating things I’ve read this month as well as what my fellow Nuthatches have been up to in their busy lives. Community is a powerful thing- no matter how small.
Mary Oliver, the great poet is now no more in physical form on this earth as of January 17,2019. She leaves a huge void but in her wake is a monument of poetry and prose of her making. I never used to care for poetry. Poetry was presented to me in school like nematodes to be dissected in biology. I ran from them Then years later her poem, 
Workout routine done (don’t be too impressed, I don’t work that hard) I changed my clothes and headed out the door with my 13-year-old Golden Retriever for a ramble. We drove to the Benedictine Abbey less than 10 minutes away for a walk in the woods. They have a series of trails that they allow the public access to.
schools I sub in. They are constantly with their earbuds, listening to music, watching videos, checking social media. What about the sounds of birds and the ruminations of their own thoughts? I’m sad for them.
The New Year is always full of good intentions. I just began my online class “A Year of Painting” taught by 
By Alanna Pass 