Tuesdays with Story
February 2, 2021
The first word . . . Panegyric
Some of us don’t use the word blessed much anymore. Maybe too complicated, used by some, misused by others.
But I’ll use it anyway: Tuesday with Story has been blessed to have Jerry Peterson as its leader/administrator/guru/guide/inspiration/add your own panegyric, for the last God knows how many years.
Author of at least six novels and novellas and as many short story collections, and according to him, a suitcase full of early rejection letters, Jerry gives hope to all of us who envision invitations to book fairs once our successful book is published. He’s been our under spoken friend, mentor, and guide. Some of the success obtained by the published authors in the group, and those authors who have left for England or ceased attending due to age, must be attributed to Jerry.
The life of TWS has been usually friction free for the two decades or so that I have attended. We offer each other critiques without criticism, stretch from our own literary venues into the strange worlds others are creating, to participate and email endless notes of advice and encouragement to one another. That too is a reflection of our leader.
So define blessed: VENERATED: Not yet, he’s still too young. HALLOWED: Close, but it would be an overstatement that Jerry would edit out. OF ENJOYING HAPPINESS: That’s a good one. Despite our endless wrestling with words, the community Jerry has formed and fostered with TWS provides the joy of solidarity and mutual support. We are a bit like the fraternal organizations that once dotted all Wisconsin towns, local clubs and organizations with some sort of general goal that brought together men and women of disparate employment, culture and age to form a supportive community, providing not only some attainment, but also the pleasure of each other’s company.
For the joy we need to thank Jerry, blessed as we have been by his efforts.
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Tuesdays with Story 