RIPE WHEN WRINKLED
It wasn’t a dream. It was a pre-sleep image. It wasn’t a dream because I had already been awake for an hour, writing after a disturbing nightmare. As I relaxed my head against my down-filled pillow, I saw a dark hand descend toward me. In the hand (which looked male) was a large wooden bowl. In the bowl were five brown fruits that looked like over-ripe pears, except they were round, not pear-shaped. I didn’t recognize them, and pushed my eyes forward to focus on them. Then a voice said, “Here, make molasses.”
What? What is this?
“Here, right here. It’s ready and the fruit is ripe. Make molasses.”
But what is this about?
“You know what it’s about. You have to make molasses. But you can’t wait. The fruit is ripe now. It’s work, but you have to do it. You have to do the work now.”
I struggled through the veil of sleep-tuggers to write the message in my journal. That should be a good one for my analyst later today. I would turn 60 in three months and I’m trying to define myself aging. During this indulgent year of study and growth at U of C, I’ve tried to make molasses, tried to sweeten my life and experiences. But what about my unexplored future, after I retire from teaching in five more years? Will my early desire to become a writer be met?
After breakfast and required text reading I went grocery shopping. In the produce section I was startled to discover the same fruit that appeared to me at six a.m. It was round, dark brown, and wrinkled. The label said it was Passion Fruit, which fascinated me because I had never seen passion fruit before (at least not consciously). I picked one up, discovered it cost $2.00. No wonder I had never bought one before. I marvelled at its density and texture as I turned it over in my hand. Across its bottom was a narrow strip which read Ripe When Wrinkled.
I bought it. It tasted delicious.
(first published in FORUM magazine, Fall 2002, Issue 14)
THE MOTHERS OF MOTHERS DAY
Published in Cricket Magazine, May/June, 2008, Vol. 35, No. 9, pp. 18-20
This article describes the work of Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis, who each tried to establish Mothers Day during the late 1800s. Julia Ward Howe wrote the Mothers Day Proclamation in 1870, and organized Mothers Day for Peace, an event which was recognized in Europe as well as eastern U.S. Anna Jarvis worked to establish Mothers Day as a day to honour mothers. Since both events were within 3 weeks of each other, in 1914 the U.S. Congress joined both to proclaim Mothers Day as the second Sunday in May. Anna Jarvis’s mother Ann established Mothers Work Days in 1858, to teach women how to improve sanitation and prevent disease. They made a significant difference in the health of their West Virginia communities, and were involved on both sides of the Civil War, working in the field hospitals to improve conditions.
Read the entire article, geared to children 10-14, in Cricket Magazine. Learn how the purpose of Mothers Day has changed from a day of action for peace and health, to that of honouring mothers at home. This may be available on-line, at www.cricketmag.com If not, email me for copies. Price is yet to be determined, and will reflect copy costs, shipping, and a small profit.
OLD AGE IS RELATIVE
Published in Forum, Fall 2002, Issue 14, pp. 9-13
This article was written for the Forum theme of Aging, in the ‘creative non-fiction’ genre. I used excerpts from my journals when I reflected on my age, from ages 36 to 65. I decided that Old Age is Relative, because as I age, my opinion of when old age starts is later and later. Now someone isn’t old unless they are at least 85, with poor health and no longer living in their own home. As my article shows, old is how you feel and think, more affected by your current state of health than anything else.
A PERSONAL TAKE ON THE SPIRITUAL FORMATION TRACK
Published in the ARC Newsletter, Winter 2005, Vol. 5, Issue 1, pp. 12 & 14
This is another creative non-fiction article, the result of reflecting on how helpful Melanie Abela’s program is within ARC. Earlier ARC newsletters had little about her program, focussing more on the Bodyspeak aspect that Pietro Abela has developed. Since I was attending ARC classes for my own growth, rather than to become a certified ARC practitioner, I chose Melanie’s program consistently. If you are interested in this and unable to access it through the ARC website www.thearcinstitute.com email me.
WHAT THE *&%@ DO WE KNOW?
Movie Review by Sharon Montgomery, ARC Newsletter, Winter 2005, Vol. 5, Issue 1, p. 14
Yet another review of this amazing film. I loved it, and watch the DVD occasionally to remind me of essentials.
STEAMY WATERS IN THERMOPOLIS
Published in RVing Women magazine, July/August 2004, pp. 14 & 15
This is my first travel article, inspired by a wonderful afternoon in the world’s largest mineral hot springs in Thermopolis, Wyoming. It has photos (which I took myself), history, interviews with a few frequent users, and steams with good vibes. Thermopolis is the most frequented tourist spot in Wyoming, for good reason. Copies available upon request, but see if you can get it through www.rvingwomen.org
PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF GIFTED STUDENTS SEEN THROUGH THE LENS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TYPE
Published in AGATE, Journal of the Gifted and Talented Education Council fo the Alberta Teachers’ Association, Volune 11, Number 1, Spring 1997. pp. 37-47
This article is the result of research conducted from 1992 to 1995 with students in Queen Elizabeth School in Calgary, Alberta. A control group of students at Sam Livingstone Elementary School enabled me to examine differences in personality type, using the Murphy-Meisgeier Type Indicator for Children to assess the children. Over 100 children in each program were followed and re-assessed three years later, using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Changes in personality development were tracked, and this article includes four tables that examine trait characteristics as well as differences between the control group and gifted group. The discussion points look at learning styles and needs of gifted and regular students, emphasizing that effective development means that one can adapt one’s style to the requirements of the situation. Suggestions for teachers are included in the conclusion, part of which follows:
“The relationship between psychological type and gifted characteristics is strong and can guide teachers in addressing learning style needs of all students, not just gifted ones. I believe it is important for all teachers, not simply those who teach gifted students, to know about the relaltionship of type and giftedness. Analysis of a student’s learning style includes recognition of weak areas. The source of errors is usually found in the skills associated with the least preferred preference. ”
Interested readers could contact me via email for copies of the complete article. AGATE may have it available in an on-line format also.
WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING
Published in the Newsletter of the Alexandra Writers, Mar/Apr 2004, No. 126, p.3
This article describes the process of developing the musical I wrote for junior high school students,Village: A Futuristic Musical . I wrote the play because I had a dream in 1992, where a robot stopped warring teens by freezing them and singing “Put Your Guns on the Rack”. I thought it would be a good way to involve teens in understanding how to resolve conflict, better than the often-preachy methods we used in class. Well, the play still has not been produced, but I love the music and feedback from drama teachers has been very encouraging. My energy has been spent on different kinds of writing the last few years, so I haven’t marketed the play continuously. Perhaps this website and my blog will help. If you are interested, go to Plays by Sharon Montgomery to learn more about Village, and listen to the music on Songs by Sharon Montgomery. Then contact me to make a deal! I rent copies of the script and CDs for $15, plus shipping & handling.
MURPHY-MEISGEIER TYPE INDICATOR FOR CHILDREN: THE EXPERIENCE OF TWO RESOURCE TEACHERS
by Dianne Ness and Sharon Montgomery
Published in The Best of the Bulletin, Vol. 1, 1997-1996, Chapter 5, published by the Association for Psychological Type, Inc. September 1998.
This article was written with Dianne Ness, another Resource Teacher in Calgary. This is our introduction:
“Putting theory into practice is an age-old dilemma facing classroom teachers. Teachers are eager for new approaches that make their classrooms productive learning environments, but it is often difficult for practicing teachers to be convinced of theory unless they can see it in action. Demonstrating the links between a familiar theory, learning style, and a relatively new theory, personality type, provides the classroom teacher the opportunity to witness theory in action. As learning style is a reflection of personality, the MMTIC serves as an invaluable tool in this demonstration. It allows presentation to a group, yet provides information specific to the individual student or teacher. It provides a class profile, yet capsulizes the individual’s uniqueness. The classroom experiences that we describe in this article are shared in the context of practitioners, rather than researchers. ”
I don’t know if this is accessible on-line, but should be found in educational and university libraries. If interested, you could email me. Price is to be determined, based on copying costs, shipping, and a small profit.
ASK AN EXPERT
Published in Rising Women, Vol. 11, Issue 2, Nov. 2008, p. 38
This is a short article written in response to this question:
My 10-year-old daughter, who attends her best friend’s church, is getting narrow ideas about spirituality. What do I do?
The article encourages her parent (which I assumed to be her mother, but that’s not necessarily so) to attend that church at least once to see what it’s about, and to model her own beliefs consistently. I based the article on what I felt when my daughter was that child, and wish I had acted so wisely 30 years ago!
You might be able to access the full article at www.risingwomen.com or you could email me, or, if you live within their distribution area, pick up this delightful magazine about women entrepreneurs. It’s wonderful to read about such diverse occupations and passions!
RECOVERING FROM SURGERY WITH HEALING TOUCH
Published in the Knox Newsletter, May, 2008
Spring Break had a new meaning for me this year. While visiting my son and daughter-in-law in Vernon, B.C. I fell in their driveway. My 20-month-old grandson had kicked a ball into the driveway and I went after it, so he wouldn’t follow it onto the road. I’m not as agile as I used to be. I lost my balance, realized I was going over, so tucked and rolled. Not quite enough of a tuck, because my left arm flung out and hit the retaining wall on the way down. Ouch! Winded and spent, I sat on the retaining wall a short time, then went indoors to ice the elbow.
Twenty-four hours later I was back in Calgary, at the Rockyview Hospital. They had admitted me after viewing the X-rays taken at the Vernon Hospital the previous night. I had surgery on March 15th , where two pins were wired together to pull the elbow bones back into place. This surgery was a new experience for me, the first surgery in my entire life. I was impressed with the care I received. I’m so grateful for my general good health and for capable doctors and nurses.
The next day I was sent home, where my partner Lois looked after me and my every need. That was new, too, as previously when I was sick I sent her away so I could go to bed and recover. This time was different. I needed help to do simple things. Lying down was painful and changing positions took planning. I had never needed anyone to look after me before, so being dependent was an eye-opener. Still learning after all these years!
When the Healing Touch team at Knox heard that I had broken my arm, they quickly organized treatments at my house. We do that for each other, with each of us having received multiple treatments after various surgeries. Sometimes we joke that we are there for each other, even if many at Knox don’t realize they can ask us for treatments pre- and post-surgery. We know that the sooner a person can get a Healing Touch treatment after injury or surgery, the better. The more treatments, the better, too. The first week I received four treatments, the second week three, and two treatments the next two weeks. I felt really spoiled.
My arm has recovered well. At my one-week checkup, after the stitches were removed, my surgeon was pleased to see how the arm was healing. When I told her I was receiving Healing Touch treatments, she said, “It can’t hurt.” She also okayed the list of five vitamin and mineral supplements I was taking to aid bone growth. In the next three weeks I exercised the arm, using the half-cast only at night-time and if I had to go out among crowds. For the first time in my life I slowed down and said ‘no’ to commitments in order to restore my body to full functioning. It has been a slow process, but the arm is healing well and I can now use it for almost everything. I’ve learned to appreciate having two good arms to lift, bend, and more recently, to floss my teeth and put the backs on my earrings. Someday I will be able to use my left hand to grab the seat-belt in the car.
I experienced the Healing Touch treatments differently from times when I was healthy. Because I was in pain, and often on pain-killers, I was in an altered state of consciousness. I was very aware of my body. I could sense the energy flow, noticing prickles, squiggles, and currents running along nerves and muscles. I monitored myself relaxing into a soft supportive cloud. I felt relief from pain when the practitioner did a Pain Drain on the elbow. I recognized some of the techniques the healers used, noting which ones helped the most. I practiced meditation and deep breathing to assist the treatments. Sometimes I fell asleep during a treatment. I was also aware of lightness, not only in not feeling as heavy, but also in not being so dark. My spirit felt lifted into clarity. I felt fed, nurtured, loved, tended, noticed and accepted. Quite wonderful. Quite remarkable.
These six women from our team (Loy, Elizabeth, Inger, Doreen, Peggy and Gladys) came to my home to give me treatments for the first month. They seemed happy to do so. My arm continues to heal, with regular physiotherapy and home exercises. Both my physiotherapist and my doctor are impressed at my progress. It takes longer for old bones to heal, but I am surprising them. Perhaps the most telling difference is that my daughter suffered a similar accident and surgery in October, 2007. Although she is 25 years younger, her arm is no stronger or more flexible than mine, even though she has had four more months in which to heal. The only difference in our treatments is that I had Healing Touch.
Within the Healing Touch group we have wondered what it will take to have more members of our church family ask us for treatments. Sometimes we look at the small numbers at our meetings and wonder how to provide treatments to everyone who needs them. Most times we simply look at our individual schedules and make the time to be present for someone who calls. We are glad that a few members have asked us for treatments pre- and post-surgery. It really does help the body relax so it can better heal itself. As Dr. O’Brien at the Rockyview Hospital said, “It can’t hurt!”.
Words By Montgomery 
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