Conversations with Calliope- Weekend in the Woods

Woody on the Allegheny

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. How was your weekend?
JOE: A nice change of pace.
CALLIOPE: Tell me about it.
JOE: We spent Friday night at a party with Carol's family at their cottage on Canisus Lake with only a slight passing shower.
CALLIOPE: And the rest of the weekend?
JOE: We camped with friends at their campsite along the Allegheny River next to Allegany State Park.
CALLIOPE: Is it Allegheny or Allegany?
JOE: Hard to tell. The best I can discover the park is Allegany and the river Allegheny. But the spellings seem almost interchangeable.
CALLIOPE: Very confusing.
JOE: I puzzled about it too.
CALLIOPE: So how was camping?
JOE: A good chance to get away from my computer and spend time with people.
CALLIOPE: How did that feel?
JOE: A little awkward for me after spending so much time with the computer working on my writing. I will work on more balance. Talk with you tomorrow.

Conversations with Calliope- Dialogue with My Muse

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. I thought we were to talk on Saturday.
JOE: We were. However it turned out to be a nicer day than I thought it would be and I decided to go the air show with my son.
CALLIOPE: I guess I can't compete with family. What's going on in your writer life?
JOE: I continued the theme I started last week, evaluating where I am with my life, including my writing life.
CALLIOPE: Have you reached any conclusions yet?
JOE: Not really. I don't want to rush the process. There's no hurry.
CALLIOPE: I guess not. Any work on your writing?
JOE: Not this weekend. I have been busy with people- Air Show, church, visiting friends.
CALLIOPE: It's good to be with people. As I recall that was one of the areas of your life you wanted to expand.
JOE: Correct. I also had a chance to do some reading- Poisonwood Bible and The Power and the Glory.
CALLIOPE: I don't recall you mentioning the second book.
JOE: I haven't. It is about the abuse of power in the reign of Pope John Paul II, whom many people revere as a saint.
CALLIOPE: What does the book say?
JOE: Despite the reputation, he ruled with a conservative iron fist. That was not a surprise. The papacy certainly has had a checkered history. Talk with you tomorrow.
(Rocky Mountains- Estes Park, CO)

Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope. How are you this morning?
CALLIOPE: Hey, that's my line. But now that you ask, I'm in fine fettle, whatever that is.
JOE: Glad to hear it. I have quite a few things I would like to do this morning and am not sure where to start.
CALLIOPE: What are the front runners?
JOE: I need to post my column to the Daily News and my subscribed readers before anything else happens.
CALLIOPE: Was this your experimental column?
JOE: Yes. I wrote it as a short story based on my recent mall experience. I am anxious to see how it is received.
CALLIOPE: Let me know what happens. What's next?
JOE: I have several other projects on tap. I have been thinking about publicity for The Pastor's Inferno. It seems to me that it might scare people in light of its topic. I have been considering a short video for You Tube with the title, Are You Afraid of This Book?
CALLIOPE: Sounds like an interesting approach. What would you say?
JOE: I don't have anything prepared. It's an idea which occurred to me yesterday.
CALLIOPE: Good luck with it. What else is going on?
JOE: I am heading for the Allegheny River tomorrow for a little camping and good company.
CALLIOPE: A little socialization for a change.
JOE: Yes. I have been a bit into myself lately. I am looking forward to some time with people and possibly some painting while I am out in nature.
CALLIOPE: Enjoy it.
JOE: I will. Talk with you either Saturday or Monday depending on when I get back.
(Camping on the Allegheny River)

Conversations with Calliope

JOE: Good morning Calliope.
CALLIOPE: Good morning Joe. I have been expecting you for a while.
JOE: I was feeling rather languorous this morning.
CALLIOPE: Still not back in gear after yesterday?
JOE: Correct. I spent most of the day in service to others. The whole morning was at the police training telling my mental health story as a parent and listening to others' stories.
CALLIOPE: And the afternoon?
JOE: I had planned to relax which I did for about fifteen minutes. Then my daughter asked me to go with her to look at a car.
CALLIOPE: Which you did?
JOE: Of course. What kind of father do you take me for?
CALLIOPE: And the evening?
JOE: I went to the first Jackson Square concert of the summer in Batavia for a Frank Sinatra tribute. It was a chance to relax and interact socially with others.
CALLIOPE: So you spent your whole day with others instead of by yourself?
JOE: I hadn't thought of it that way, but yes I did.
CALLIOPE: And today?
JOE: I found a book on the Craft and Business of Writing, a Writer's Digest book, and might spend some time reading it.
CALLIOPE: What about the recordings?
JOE: Ill fated. The construction continues upstairs. Either today or Monday I will get to them. Now I need to post my column on my website and get going for the day. Talk with you Monday.
(Columbus Circle- New York)