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October 2024

September 2024

August 2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

First Anniversary
08/19/2024

Alexandra Leaving by Leonard Cohen
08/16/2024

Muse des Beaux Arts by W. H. Auden
08/16/2024

The God Abandons Antony by Constantinos P. Cavafy
08/16/2024

Ch – Ch – Ch –Changes
08/15/2024

Cultural Activities Team offers an ‘embarrassment of riches’
08/15/2024

Engaging in Pasadena Village
08/15/2024

Future Housing Options
08/15/2024

Message from the President
08/15/2024

There Are Authors Among Us
08/15/2024

Villagers Welcome New Members at the Tournament Park Picnic
08/15/2024

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas
08/14/2024

A narrow Fellow in the Grass by Emily Dickinson
08/13/2024

Haikus
08/13/2024

One Art by Elizabeth Bishop
08/13/2024

Poem 20 by Pablo Neruda
08/13/2024

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
08/13/2024

Trees by Joyce Kilmer
08/13/2024

July 2024

June 2024

May 2024

Emergency Preparedness: Are You Ready?
05/28/2024

Farewell from the 2023/24 Social Work Interns
05/28/2024

Gina on the Horizon
05/28/2024

Mark Your Calendars for the Healthy Aging Research California Virtual Summit
05/28/2024

Meet Our New Development Associate
05/28/2024

Putting the Strategic Plan into Practice
05/28/2024

Washington Park: Pasadena’s Rediscovered Gem
05/28/2024

Introducing Civil Rights Discussions
05/22/2024

Rumor of Humor #2416
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2418
05/14/2024

Springtime Visitors
05/07/2024

Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024

No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024

An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024

Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024

Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024

The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024

Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024

April 2024

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There Are Authors Among Us

By Bridget Brewster
Posted: 08/15/2024
Tags: bridget brewster

Pasadena Village is overflowing with talent, creativity, smarts, humor, know-how, you name it, and our Villagers have it. It’s hard not to be impressed and even awed by the overwhelming gifts of our community.

After reading (to be honest, sometimes skimming) several books written by Villagers, I reached out to see just how many books we can count as a Village collection (not a literal library, but a compilation of titles), and was overwhelmed. The simple fact is, I lost count of the number of books authored by Pasadena Villagers . . . suffice it to say, it’s more than I could read in a Leap Year. They range from stories for grandchildren, academic texts, how-to books, expressions of art, memoirs, poetry and history . . . and that’s only from the Villagers who responded to my query!  This article doesn’t account for all of our gifted writers, it’s only a random sampling.

I loved the diversity of topics and the humility with which each writer answered my questions. When asked what prompted Bill Wishner to write his double volume of prose poetry, Things Happen When You Travel, he said, “That’s a story in itself.” Maybe we will get an answer when he presents his art at an upcoming Village art reception. And then there’s Sue Addelson, who has written 16 books, one each year for her two grandchildren. Her answer to my question about whether she’d write a book for the public: “My writing isn’t good enough to write a real book.” Anyone who has read her articles in Voice of the Village knows better — she’s an excellent writer. Katy Townsend shares details of her life in her book, Faith: My Life in California. Katy tells her personal journey and includes letters from friends and colleagues who attest to her faith and determination. 

Then there are those whose writing is more academic. Nancy Pine has written two books: One in a Billion: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey through Modern Day China and Educating Young Giants: What Kids Learn (And Don't Learn) in China and America.  She’s working on her third, The Dragon in the Room. Each of her books has been inspired by her years in China and she began rather simply: “I wrote faxes to my family, which encompassed a lot of my early impressions and learning.” 

Margarite Fernandez Olmos boasts a Puerto Rican heritage, and her life’s work in academia reflects that. She is noted for her analyses of religions of the Caribbean, U.S.–Latino writing, erotic writing by Latin American women, and studies of specific authors. When asked if she ever considered writing fiction based on her studies, she had a ready response: “I have no talent for writing fiction, but admire those who do.” A loss for those of us who only read fiction. 

I was happy to reach out to Bonnie Armstrong and learn that in her professional capacity she has written several publications on child welfare and family policy. Of course, many of us were riveted and enlightened by her recently published book, An Apparently Normal Person. When asked if she would make any changes in the book given the chance, she said, “I haven't thought of anything I want to change in the book. The change I would make is in my understanding and capacity to follow through on all the myriad opportunities to spread the word about it.” I, for one, was grateful to hear that, because the story she tells is profound. 

And finally, in a category all their own are two surprising Villagers who have unique perspectives. Kayla Partridge gives us Pot-Bellied Pet Pigs: Mini-Pig Care and Training.  Who knew? Her book includes useful information about keeping pet pigs in the house or the backyard. She wrote this book in 1990 and it’s still selling on Amazon. While working on her AA in Gerontology at PCC, she is completing another book, Puppy Dog, Listen to Me

Shannon Johnston said, “I don’t often think about it, but many years ago at the age of 33, I wrote a book called How Computer Programming Works. It was the day of machine language programming, which was the way I wrote code.” And her writing didn’t end there. She has a cooking website, cookitagainshan.com. I checked it out and learned the meaning of mise en place. No, I’m not going to tell you what it means, you’ll have to go to her website. 

As I said, we are a very eclectic and talented community. We never stop learning stuff and finding fascinating things to talk about . . . and some among us have actually written books about stuff. Writing this article about writers has taught me several things; most importantly, I’m not going to write a book!

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