A season of good fellowship...

This is the time of year when organizations get together to celebrate the Christmas festive season. It is a time to share good wishes, to renew fellowship and reflect on past benefits. It is also a time when the more fortunate members of our society look at the less fortunate, opening their hearts and wallets to provide a measure of happiness to the less fortunate. They say that our poor will always be with us; that many will suffer from not having even the necessities of life. This is the time when individuals do help out, more than they usually do. For this extension of good will, the poor are thankful. It is recognized that governments do fall short in doing all that could be done to alleviate suffering of all citizens and therefore whatever is done by organizations and individuals is extremely important.

Tonight, I was pleased to attend the annual general meeting and Christmas party of the Ottawa Independent Writers. I felt it was a meeting of old-timers. Seldom do I associate with a group where the majority of individuals are older than I. It is good to review past historical events and our perceptions of those times with others. It is a true appreciation of each individual's contribution to those times and serves the vanity of each individual. It can be fun.

The Ottawa Independent Writers was created to serve the general interests writers, from skill development in writing to the final publication of their works. Members of the organization are involved in many writing activities including: (here's a good alphabetical listing) advertising, biography, business communications, children's literature, consumer affairs, drama, education, fiction, freelance journalism, government, health, high technology, humor, industry, magazines, music, mystery, journalism, novels, poetry, publishing, sales, science fiction, sciences, short stories, speculative fiction, speeches, travel and more. That mix of individuals can make for many an interesting discussion. I enjoy being with that group.