INSIDE THIS EDITION:
- NOTES OF A FAMILY ODYSSEY – “OH NO. MORE STEPS" PART THREE by Gloria DePaola
- DISCOVERING MYSELF AT 87 THROUGH THE LENS OF AUTISM by Bob Goodwin
- FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO WRITE: LLC's FICTION WRITING CLASS by Kate O'Kula
- ANNUAL AUTHORS BRUNCH FEAT. LISA GENOVA, NANCY RUBIN STUART, AND DAWN TRIPP (Oct 26)
- CELEBRATE APPLE SEASON AT MARTIN HOUSE (Sept 14)
- JOIN US FOR ROOTSTOCK 2025 (Sept 21)
Click on the links to jump to the article.
Notes of a Family Odyssey – “Oh No. More Steps”
Part Three
by Gloria DePaola
Back in Athens for a few days of shopping and decompression before the return home. Our spacious Airbnb is easy to spot – there’s an enormous bougainvillea draped around the front door. The room arrangement is confusing; 3 steps up from the dining room we never used to a bedroom, a circular staircase to another bedroom and a narrow 10-step ladder climb to a 3rd floor loft. But there is a patio outside every door, all overflowing with potted plants.
That night we dressed for drinks on the roof café of the elegant Grande Bretagne Hotel where the drinks cost 22 euros – about $25 each. But we’re really paying for a breathtaking sunset view of the Acropolis.
Tower of Winds, Roman agora with Acropolis in the background
Another rooftop café on Sunday at 11 AM to watch the changing of the guard at the Parliament building. This time we’re on top of the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture where we can watch soldiers in pleated skirts strut in formation to a patriotic march.
Evzones (palace guards), Athens
It was an indulgence that helped us prepare for the 5 AM flight back to Heathrow.
Note from Gloria: All photos were taken by George Kousoulas. He’s my son-in-law and I’d like him to receive credit for lugging a serious camera everywhere to take those spectacular photos.
Discovering Myself at 87 Through the Lens of Autism
by Robert Goodwin
Former Vice President and Social Chairman of BCLIR/LLC
I wrote this book to share my enthusiasm of learning that I have all the symptoms of autism. If something good happens, people like to share it. You may wonder why anyone would be pleased to make such a discovery. It's because it helps me understand my life better. In the book I select events in my life that are best explained as symptoms of autism. I believe this book is worth a read, if you know someone who is autistic or wonder about yourself.
The book is available on Amazon, and several chapters can be read online as a sample.
https://www.amazon.com/Discovering-Myself-Through-Lens-Autism/dp/B0FKZKHHVJ
For Those Who Like to Write: LLC's Fiction Writing Class
by Kate O’Kula
“Summertime is perfect for mulling over that story in the back of your head. Maybe you’re sitting on the beach or waiting in line for ice cream … or mowing the lawn, running errands, maybe paused at a red light. Inspiration can come at any odd moment. Often, writers scribble notes until they can sit down to put a story together. Then, there’s nothing so satisfying as sharing that work with others who carefully read it and offer commentary.
In our relaxed, every-other-week class, coordinated by Mary Ball Howkins, we had the time and opportunity to do that. We brought in work we’d just created or an ongoing story, or a manuscript from "the back of the drawer.” There is a sense of achievement that comes with having your writing critiqued — after the initial dread some feel. It’s work being taken seriously; it’s seeing and being seen. For those who like to write, this kind of class is sheer fun.
Pictured: Ken Nordstrom, Leslie Mignault, Eric Cohen, Joe Petteruti
Join us for Rootstock 2025
374 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI
September 21
12 pm - 6 pm
Revive The Roots cultivates an inclusive environment free of judgment and biases where people and the environment thrive through sustainable practices, community building, and education. We prioritize shared resources and a collective vision to responsibly steward land for generations to come.
Revive the Roots - Let's Grow Together!
