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Welcome to WHO KNEW?  A new feature focusing on life stories from our members and volunteers to share a little about the incredible organization we're building.

Every single one of us has an original story to tell about something we’ve experienced. We welcome yours. The more of us who sign-up to tell our stories, the more connections we will forge, coincidences we’ll uncover, and stories worth preserving will be surfaced!  Come on- sign up, share with all of us at Marin Villages. All you have to do is talk. We’ll come to you, or you come to us.

Contact:
Rita Lakin rlakejojo@aol.com 
Cheryl Sorokin Cheryl@sorokinsf.com

An Interview with Paula Weinberger (NV)

Farewell Paula. We are sad to share that she is leaving us in early July, moving to Colorado to be closer to her son - but happy for her! We will miss you!

Staying active, connected and independent describes Novato Village members/volunteer Paula Weinberger perfectly.

As one of the founding members of Novato Village, she actively participated in its launch party at the Buck Center, is a member of its steering committee, represents Novato Village at the Local Village Council, and in 2015, joined Marin Villages' Board of Directors.

It's easy to say that Marin Villages has been greatly enhanced by Paula's hard work and devotion to our mission.

Many know Paula's talent for writing and, if you read Marin IJ, you have probably read her many wonderful letters to the editor on behalf of Marin Villages, helping to enhance our reputation and expanding our outreach in the community.

We recently discovered another side of Paula at our 10th Anniversary Poetry event in early June where both her comedic and intellectual flair were in evidence as she read The Trouble with Dogs to a rapt audience !

Paula was recently interviewed by Cherie Sorokin on June 4, 2019, below:

Cherie: How did you get started as a poet?
Paula: I have always loved literature and reading, but it wasn't until college that I started writing poetry. It was a wonderful outlet for me in dealing with the emotional ups and downs of student life. As my life settled down so did my poetry writing. The flame was ignited again when I moved to the Bay Area and started attending readings at the Marin Poetry Center. Through friends I learned about a poetry writing class at the College of Marin taught by Prartho Sereno. That was over 10 years ago and I've been writing poetry ever since.

Cherie: What attracts you to poetry?
Paula: Poetry has always come naturally to me. My ideas and thoughts often come to me in poetic form. I can't always capture those moments in writing, but they resonate in me. I love the freedom poetry gives to use words in novel and unexpected ways. It literally allows you to see the world in a different light.

Cherie: What do you like to write about?
Paula: I spend a lot time in nature and have been a meditator for many years. Both have inspired my poetry. Of course, not everything I write is in that vein. Sometimes my inspiration comes from a class assignment or theme that Prartho suggests. For example, she once asked us to write something on the theme "the trouble with.." I wrote many poems inspired by that theme, including the one I read at our Poetry event earlier this month. [See below]

Cherie: What encouragement would you give other poets, or even to people who might not yet have tried to write poetry?
Paula: Poetry, like all of the arts, is a tremendous vehicle for self-expression. The goal is not to write the best poem or paint the best picture, but to get in touch with your own feelings. Both reading and writing poetry has been a solace for me, as I know it has been for others, as well as a source of inspiration. Just write for yourself! See what develops. If you enjoy it, take one of the poetry classes at the College of Marin. I highly recommend the "Poetic Pilgrimage" taught by Prartho Sereno. She's a great teacher.

The Trouble with Dogs by Paula Weinberger

The trouble with dogs, you can't ignore them.
They're not content with a simple restrained greeting.
They want more, and they deserve more.
Jumping ecstatically when you arrive;
eagerly anticipating your slightest gesture,
their liquid, sorrowful eyes
waiting only for a nod and a smile.

The trouble with people, we're not dogs.
Imagine your son, daughter, husband, friend, lover
leaping up whenever you show your face
if only to tell them, "Dinner is ready." or "It's time for bed.”
After the first few times, I'd think we'd find them rather tiring.

The trouble with adulation, we don't deserve it.
Occasionally perhaps, but even then,
it's hard to come up with an accomplishment
worthy of sustained praise.
And suppose, just suppose, fate has paired us
with some kind of super mate or super child,

The trouble with people who act like dogs,
you want to brush them away like pesky mosquitoes,
make a bee line for the nearest door
and sink into peaceful oblivion.

The trouble with dogs, they're not people.
It would be heartless to turn a cold shoulder on a dog. 
They can't help their ardent nature. It's in their DNA 
to be loving, happy, delighted with life.

The trouble with dogs, they are dogs
In ways that we humans can never be
and to tell you the truth, thank heavens
we're not.