Lost & Overlooked Ski Areas - Montenegro

Part two of the series

I didn't expect to find ski lifts in Montenegro. Between its mild climate, small population and developing economy, I didn't think they'd have the luxury . I have made three trips to Montenegro since 2013 and it has me captivated. When  I found out there was skiing there I longed to know more about the people who share one of my biggest passions. So far, I've found out little. Here's what I do know.

Another Publication

Thanks Outside Bozeman for publishing my piece.

http://www.outsidebozeman.com/magazine/archives/winter-2018-19/sweet-spot

Lost & Overlooked Ski Areas - New Jersey

Intro to the series

Lost & Overlooked Ski Areas

Žabljak, Montenegro - what's the story?

Of all of the places to ski in the world, skiers often forget about the lesser known spots where people practice the sport; the small ski areas, where many of us learned to ski, the abandoned ski areas whose lifts have long stopped running, and the ski areas we pass in unexpected places.

On (Not) Becoming a Travel Writer - A Poem

In my writing group the other night we did a poetry exercise, which lead to a whole evening of poetry writing. Collectively, we don't really know much about poetry, but we all agreed it was pretty free-form. With poetry fresh in my mind I wrote this poem during lunch today.

Channeling Your Inner Mary Ann

RIP Mary Ann Vinciguerra

L-R: My grandfather, my aunt Tippy holding me, my mother

March 2, 1934 - October 1, 2018

Aroma: A Poem

Although I've never been drawn to to poetry as either as a reader or a writer,  Henry Hugh's reading at the Country Bookshelf back in September had gotten me thinking about poetry. I've been working on my writing practice in recent years, taking classes, reading books on the craft, and trying to mimic styles and articles that capture me. There's something in the way poets use a brevity of words and the artistic layout of their work that I feel certain can help my writing. Maybe I should write a poem? 

The few poems I painfully wrote in an undergraduate creative writing class were my last attempt at poetry. What makes a poem? Certainly they are more than the rhyming mess of words I typed out all those years ago. It was time to write a poem so I sat down and did it. Reading up on how to do it can come later.

~

Writing Exercise: Youthful Job Aspirations

I have never really known what I wanted to be and still don't. Early aspirations included driving a school bus and working at Dairy Queen. Once those goals faded, I wanted to be a novelist. After that, I never had an answer to the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" 

I did know I wanted to be important and powerful with a sophisticated sense of style. 

~

Postcard from Slovenia

Triglav Summit

My trip to Slovenia ended weeks ago and I am finally getting around to posting a few thoughts. Such an inspiring place, so much to say about. I'll start with these few words and hope to post more later. 

Writing Exercise: Write About Yourself as a Character

Even on a good day, the director's temper could flare up at the slightest provoking. Today was muggy, the air still and stifling. With the air conditioning out, the creative team know it was going to be a trying meeting even before the director stormed into the room.

Writing Prompt: Describe a Moment of Awakening

Today's exercise...