Last night I went to a Story telling night at the 602 club in Appleton. The theme of the night was Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth.  The night was highly entertaining and powerful. There is something so special about hearing someone telling their story and hearing it in person.

The first person talked about his family’s motto of- Be normal when you are allowed to be.  The next person was an actor and talked about acting in a move called West of Thunder. With great timing and stage presence, he discussed being 1/8 Native American and two horses identifying him as such by continually biting him on the shoulder.

A woman told the story of feeling down because of health problems (rightfully so), but finding gratefulness for what her body can do after a interaction with someone with more problems.

Another woman discussed being moved by the lord and spending her life helping people. You can probably picture this distinguished religious lady.  Very proper looking and speaking, but talking with such love about people on drugs and other vices. With love about living in extreme poverty.

I read from my piece in Cup of Comfort For Children with Autism. A piece I wrote when my youngest was four.  I had forgotten a lot of what I wrote about. It was great for a chance to revisit it.

My friend James talked about his 40-year addiction. He discussed how he became free of it. Then, he read one of his powerful poems.

Another friend, Tim, spoke off the cuff about the lucky things that happened in his life. Not graduating from high school but still getting an apprenticeship. Some funny stories about courting his wife (making her a lunch of burnt toasted cheese sandwiches and taking her on her first date with a car with pieces missing) and how lucky he was she was in his life.

“The Meatman” told some grand stories about missed opportunities as a music journalist and working at a foundry. I am not doing his stories justice, but then everyone should go to his events in Green Bay – Story Slams

Rochelle hosted the night. She was funny and tied everything together perfectly.