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Blind Insight I was 21, a fledgling writer. She was 98. Her name was Golda and she was my neighbor. I tended my vegetable garden on the other side of her picket fence. It was here that we met. Each afternoon, Golda's fingers would part the vines of hollyhock that wrapped around broken weather-worn fence slats as she leaned in and listened for me. Golda was blind. She lived alone. I purposed to become a kind and trustworthy voice, not out of charity, but a young writer's curiosity. How did this old blind woman survive on her own? I longed for a closer look at the life that was being lived in the tiny bungalow next door. However, out of respect for her disability, I chose not to impose a visit and resigned my curiosity to a neighborly distance. With time and patience, I won Golda's trust, and she extended me a long-awaited invitation. "Honey, are you there?" "Yes Golda, I'm here!" "Today is my 99th birthday! Would you have cake with me?" "I would love to!" I dropped my garden gloves in the grass, ran around the fence that had been separating us, and eagerly latched on to the arm of an old blind woman who was about to take me on an eye-opening journey. Inside Golda's tiny bungalow, she began narrating as her hands lovingly moved from tchotchke to photograph. Her tiny slippered feet shuffled about never once stumbling on the furniture that enshrined her remarkable stories. Her stories were adventurous, endearing, and traumatic stories of a young married woman who had journeyed from Oklahoma during the dust bowl and raised a family of six amongst the fertile orange groves of southern California. Golda spoke with every expression that her eyes could not. When she had finished, we sat quietly eating birthday cake. That afternoon, my eyes were opened to an important truth about writing memoirs. A great memoir grows not out of merely telling a story about one's life, but about discovering that kernel of insight that connects its reader to the author's life. Through her narrative, Golda transformed herself from an old blind woman into the historical icon she had destined to become. ~ Pamela Whitley The Writers' Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 1:30 to 3 pm in the RCN Conference Room. Any questions, contact mlarchibald@mac.com or zehnercorked@gmail.com. FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MAY 2020 39 The rainbow is a powerful symbol that represents beauty, balance, peace, and hope. As such, we believe it is a perfect representation for our group. We are residents of Four Seasons Beaumont who also happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. The rainbow is so perfect because it really fits our group's diversity in terms of race, gender, ages, and beliefs. While we strive to serve the interests of our members, we do welcome all supportive homeowners and encourage everyone to attend any of our functions. We believe you'll enjoy our company. Everyone leads busy lives (even at our age!) and we often find it difficult to stay connected with our neighbors. Therefore, the Rainbow Group has monthly get-togethers on the fourth Thursday of each month in The Lodge Game Room at 6 pm. Our next gathering will be on Thursday, May 26. Our monthly get-togethers are mostly informal social gatherings which give members an opportunity to meet new neighbors, catch up on member and community activities or news, and just chat--no stuffy agenda items, roll calls, minutes for us! If you are hungry, feel free to bring your own food items and adult beverages, or join some of our members before the meeting and order from the Kopper Kettle Bistro. The Rainbow Group also hosts periodic gatherings for socializing (such as BBQs, potlucks and holiday parties), LGBT-themed movie nights in The Lodge movie theatre, and other events the group may sponsor. Maybe you'd even like to suggest your own activity for the group--we are always open to new ideas. Please direct any questions to Dale at (951) 797-0364, dalebeckes@gmail.com or on Facebook, search for and if interested, ask to join Four Seasons Beaumont Pride. ~ Dale Beckes Rainbow Group Writers' Club Seasoned Solos If you are single and enjoy a variety of activities, then Seasoned Solos just might be the group for you. At each meeting we discuss what is going on in the Inland Empire and plan activities, from local lunches and dinners to excursions to presidential libraries, the Redlands Bowl, Metro Link trips into LA, and the beach train to San Juan Capistrano. There's not much that we won't consider doing. We meet on the first Friday of each month in The Lodge Arts & Crafts Room at 6 pm. For further information, call Joyce at (951) 850-3055. ~ Joyce Olson Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time.

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