Struggles with the Past

Writing memories of stories told to me by my father is an almost

Mom's senior high school photo

easy delight. Experiencing those stories as if Dad himself were there beside me fills me with a warm satisfaction; those stories will not disappear when I do.

My last post on Susan Kane, Writer is a true to the images what Dad told me more than once. He always said that a good tale can be told over and over. This last post was one tale Dad told me which had me laughing each time, Gift, Freely Given.

My mother never told these detailed stories, ever. Instead, she talked with us as we worked with her. We would be washing dishes and she would have us laughing at some event from her youth.  A small event, like going to dances at her high school when she was sixteen, would have my sister and me in stitches.  

Mom in High School

Mom was vivacious. Mom loved people and they remembered her for her kindness and enthusiasm. Mom was born in 1928, part of the Greatest Generation. Mom grew up on a farm. Mom was a cheerleader and played the flute in HS. Mom did...

But there was no connection from one situation to one part to the next, just free-flowing.

Baby brother Donald with Mom and Dad, 1947

How do I weave those brief memories into a picture of who my mother was and how did those parts make her who she was?

As writers, what do you do with characters about whom you have to build around, to construct with pieces of understanding?  How honest do you have to be when this is a telling of someone like my mom? And keep the story true and solid?

How do I keep my voice accurate in trying portraying their voice?  Her voice.  Do I try to create a new persona for Mom?

Also, what do I do to be true to the character when their persona has flaws? In my Aunt Helen, her voice includes profanity.  In real life, Aunt Helen did not do this.  However, she held onto the anger of her growing-up years for her entire life. Her photos show that. So, I endowed her with inward profane dialogue. 

If I had that anger, what would I do to release it? What would you do with this way to express the character's anger?

So there you have it. And here I ask you: What do I do? What can I do? What would you do?

If this post leaves you confused, please check the post site in yellow above.

Galaxy Quest 2: Mission Continues, hopefully

Impressive Cast

Why wasn’t a Galaxy Quest 2 produced?  For those who enjoy bad effects and humor from actors who are forced to attend SyFy events in the roles they held fifteen years ago, we mourn decisions made preventing #2 film.

IF there were a Galaxy Quest 2, Cast would have aged appropriately and plot would have moved forward.

Narcissistic Crewman #6, Guy Fleegman (played by Sam Rockwell) would bring along his daughter, Crewman #6A (??actress—no idea).  She would be aboard to redeem her father’s various character flaws.  6A would roll her eyes, with hands on hips, and remark, “Let’s get this b….ch!”

She would take the first shot, roll and roll, and rip her shirt, revealing a flashy bra.

Gwen Demarco (Sigourney Weaver) would adjust her body Spanix, trying not to limp. Her last knee surgery didn’t go well. Body double, get in here.

Normally Jason Nesbit (Tim Allen) would have rolled and rolled, tearing his shirt to reveal six pack abs.  Instead Jason would adjust his man girdle, pop open a Diet Pepsi, and call, “Hey, body double in!”

Only Fred Kwan (Tony Shalhoub) held onto himself—his youth and humor, no aches at all.  “Fiery Doritos! You tried these yet?”

Tommy Webber (Daryl Mitchel) has moved onto “NCIS: New Orleans”, returning RSVP with regrets.

Sadly, Alexander Dane (Alan Rickman) is unable to participate, and he is missed. He was a versatile actor, a talented man. These are scenes that focus on him.

Basically plot and script would be a repeat with changes, older cast, better effects, and unique humor that was so endearing. 

That would just fine with me.

In Search of....

Leonard Nimoy

Every person is in search of something, whether it is glasses, car keys, a library book.  Searching for something can be applied for such simple items as these, or for something much grander, elusive, possible or impossible. 

This leads to a television show narrated by Leonard Nimoy, “In Search of….” where Nimoy (with his recognizable voice) leads the viewers through history.

"Before we unlock the future we must find the keys to the past.  I am Leonard Nimoy. Join me and open the door to the Ancient Mysteries beginning now.  

Wandering Trader

Then he shares the histories of Pompeii, the Pyramids, Camelot, Astrology, the Vikings, Atlantis, Macchu Picchu, Blood and honor at the first Olympics, Blood and treasure in Peru...the list is long and engaging.

What amazed me is, of course the list of fascinating events and place, but also Leonard Nimor himself.  Where does an actor go or what does he do after being known for a SyFy show that establishes a genre new to viewers?

Nimoy did act on stage successfully and in various television shows, but it is his voice, so recognizable and enigmatic.  Just with his voice, viewers are grabbed to watch long (sometimes) episodes about the mysteries that captured others, including myself.

Live long and prosper!

The Noble Lineage

The single touch

After spending/wasting a good part of the afternoon, the truth has emerged.  GENI© has wandered through the family line of my mother’s grand-mother, Sarah Ann.  Twisting and turning, I followed only the male line for ease of surnames, there it was:

I am related to God Almighty!  God Almighty is my 93rd Great-Grandmother!

Sarah Ann introduced some great genes into the humble family line, as her husband Elish’s information dead-ends when he was orphaned with his brother in Ohio. 

Her ancestors came from England = from Wales= from being the King of the Druids Wales = from Italy = from land of the Hebrews.  The researcher(s) made some phenomenal leaps to some conclusions that announced Adam had a daughter (!) who started the whole march of lineage.

While I could be rejoicing here, there are few things I know already.

I am a Child of God without following a bloodline; the only bloodline I follow is Christ’s blood. And I also know that the jump from Sarah Anna involves some crazy speculation.  God Almighty is not my 93^rd grandmother.

I will take the part about:

Brân “Fendigaid” (the Blessed) ap Llur Lieddiarth, Saint, Brenin of Silures

Or, Cerwyd ap Crydon, King of the Druids and Cornwall

Or, Tros, King of Troy.

P.S. My mother always told me that “Grammy” Sarah Ann had been kidnapped and raised by Gypsies and had the gift of second sight.  People came to her to read tea leaves.  Also, I wonder what tracing through the matriarchal lines would show me?

And, Queen Elizabeth 1 is my second cousin 14 times removed!  

The formal painting of Elizabeth 1, now hanging in Hatfield House