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ENJOYING ONE OF MY ASPIRATIONS-WHILE GAINING NEW FRIENDS AND NEW INSIGHTS INTO ANNE TYLER

You may remember back in January I chose the word ‘aspire’ as my OLW for this year (you can read about it here) and one goal I set was to enroll in an actual sit down class to learn something new or interesting.  Well, I did just that.  And it was so much fun! I joined the local Osher program at the U of U, which by the way, I had looked into a few years back, but the one requirement is:  you must be 50 or older. I’m so proud to say I’m now well over 50 so I met the requirement!

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As I began looking through the winter schedule of classes, one practically grabbed hold of my hand before I could turn the page. It’s title: “Anne Tyler American Icon”.  Really, a class in which you would read an Ann Tyler book and then actually sit with others and discuss this American Icon? Well, that sounded too good to be true.  But true it was.

The course overview:

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Texts: Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, The Accidental Tourist, and Breathing Lessons.

Our class met every Thursday morning from 9:30-11:00.  The syllabus (if you want to call it that) instructed us to read about half of a certain book each week and come ready to discuss. I’ve never had a problem with meeting new people or going places by myself so this was right up my alley for aspiring to learn something new and engaging.  What I wasn’t prepared for was an instructor who would become an instant friend to each and everyone of us.  She had this natural gift of drawing each woman into the conversation and making us feel safe in doing so.  We came from all walks of life and yet at the end of two months I left with a handful of new friends and a whole new insight into the life of Anne Tyler.

Here’s a few of our favorite quotes from the readings of Anne Tyler:

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“You ever wonder what a Martian might think if her happened to land near an emergeny room?  He’s see an ambulance whizzing in and everybody running out to meet it, tearing the doors open, grabbing up the stretcher, scurrying along with it.  ‘Why,” he’s say, ‘what a helpful planet, what kind and helpful creatures.’ He’d never guess we’re not always that way; that we had to, oh, put aside our natural selves to do it.  ‘What a helpful race of beings,’ a Martian would say.  Don’t you think so?” -Anne Tyler, The Accidental Tourist

“Sifting through these layers of belonging while Ira stood mute behind her, Maggie had a sudden view of her life as circular.  It forever repeated itself, and it was entirely lacking in hope.” -Anne Tyler- Breathing Lessons

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“Everything,” his father said, ‘comes down to time in the end- to the passing of time, to changing.  Ever thought of that?  Anything that makes you happy or sad, isn’t it all based on minutes going by?  Isn’t happiness expecting something time is going to bring you?  Isn’t sadness wishing time back again? -Anne Tyler Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant

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And then Anne Tyler’s quote- which Sally (our instructor) gave to each of us.

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I’m now looking forward to my next class- Friendship in Fiction.

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How about you, my friends, have you enrolled in any classes lately?

As always my friends thanks for dropping by, have a wonderful day.

Join me as I link up to SYC with Jann, Jo, and Carol.

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Filed Under: Book Reviews 15 Comments

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Comments

  1. Melanie says

    March 9, 2016 at 4:26 pm

    I am excited just reading this post. I may just have to check into what is on offer locally. A welcoming, non-threatening environment with people who share a passion… Sounds too good to be true. Hugs.

    Reply
    • Trina says

      March 10, 2016 at 8:53 pm

      Oh, you would have loved this class. For Spring I actually signed up of the Friendship in Literature and Art in Paris which will be a study of all the artist in the 19-20th century that studied in Paris. Looking forward to it.

      Reply
  2. Paula Perkins says

    March 9, 2016 at 6:37 pm

    Oh my gosh!!! I love Ann Tyler! Did you get any biographical info? I’d have been in Heaven!!

    Reply
    • Trina says

      March 10, 2016 at 8:55 pm

      You would have been in Heaven, lots and lots of biographical info, I came away with the feeling that Anne Tyler was a new friend.

      Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    March 9, 2016 at 10:14 pm

    I haven’t taken a class in far too long! Good for you. This sounds so enriching. I’d have loved this class. Thanks for inspiring me my friend, I’ll check for a local class.
    Have a great week!
    xoJennifer

    Reply
    • Trina says

      March 10, 2016 at 8:56 pm

      Enriching is a perfect way to describe this. Let me know what you find in your local area. I forgot how much enjoyment one finds in learning with others.

      Reply
  4. Happiness at Mid Life says

    March 9, 2016 at 10:38 pm

    This sounds like a great class. If I had the time, I would enroll in a class like this in a heartbeat since I love reading so much. A coworker of mine retired last year and signed up a class that revolves around Downtown Abbey. The class focused on different aspect of the English culture at the time and she enjoyed it so much that she signed up for it again.

    Alice
    http://www.happinessatmidlife.com

    Would love for you to stop by & join TBT Fashion link up.

    Reply
    • Trina says

      March 10, 2016 at 8:59 pm

      Oh my, a class revolving around Downton Abby . . . now that would be pure delight! I need to suggest this (or maybe not). I’ve learned that once you suggest things sometimes you end up teaching the class, right? And, I promise, one day you will be our age and retired.

      Reply
  5. Jess says

    March 10, 2016 at 4:11 am

    How wonderful Trina, sounds like such a welcoming group and the instructor is so fit for the job. I took acting classes a few yrs back, would love to do it again. Your group sounds like my kind of class, and u recommend this book?

    Reply
    • Trina says

      March 10, 2016 at 9:00 pm

      I would highly recommend all three of these books. Acting class? I’m terribly impressed. I would never dare to do that kind of class.

      Reply
  6. Teresa Freeland says

    March 10, 2016 at 7:39 am

    I love Anne Tyler. Breathing Lessons is one of my favorite novels. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Trina says

      March 10, 2016 at 9:06 pm

      Teresa, I found a great article on the New York Times titled “About Magie, who tried too hard” an interesting take on her character and the book as a whole. You might find it fun to pull it up.

      Reply
  7. Carol Cook says

    March 10, 2016 at 10:37 am

    What a wonderful way to meet new people.

    Thanks for sharing at SYC.

    Reply
    • Trina says

      March 10, 2016 at 9:06 pm

      Really is a fun new way of meeting people.

      Reply
  8. elle the Elle Diaries says

    March 15, 2016 at 1:34 pm

    Wow,
    this sounds fabulous! Like an super organized book club! I loved the accidental Tourist, and have been wanting to read Breathing Lessons. You chose a good word to start the year and are following on the path! Admire!
    xx, Elle
    http://www.theellediaries.com/

    Reply

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