By Mandy Feder —
I won”t lie, as a journalist I get to go to the coolest places and meet the most fascinating people.
Such was the case on Thursday morning.
A special invitation landed me a sweet spot surrounded by brilliant minds.
As I drove to my destination and wondered what it would be like, the sky hung heavy with clouds resembling dirty cottonballs that released a mist of tiny droplets the wind pushed at a slant. Waterfowl braved choppy waves. The inability to see the other side, made Clear Lake look more like an ocean.
Once I got inside, my dreary mood was illuminated with the energy of youthfulness.
Students in an advanced placement English class at Lower Lake High School analyzed favorite columnists. What an honor to have made a list that included David Brooks from the New York Times, Maureen Dowd, Debra Saunders, Howard Zinn and Ann Coulter.
Savannah Koch, the student who chose me, described my writing, tone, syntax and sentence structure. She was organized, accurate and identified my specific style as though she knew me well. This girl is definitely going places.
Lake County schools sometimes get a bad rap. These students, products of the system, in that particular classroom, contradict any negative statements or stereotypes.
“I think Mandy Feder”s writing appeals to people in their 20s or 30s,” Savannah told the class — that made me laugh a little because, last week I had the pleasure of meeting one of my all-time-favorite readers. We had coffee and talked for hours. After years of email communication, I could finally put a face, voice and smile with the name. Joe is in his 80s. If I had to identify a group of people that my writing seems to appeal to; it is men in their 80s.
What kind of readers appeal to me? All of them. Readers rock.
One inquisitive boy in the class asked how I decide what to write about.
That”s a good question.
Joe also asked me how I come up with subject matter every week for my column. “Don”t you run out of ideas?” I told him my ideas come from the recesses of my bizarre and twisted mind. I don”t necessarily run out of ideas, as much as I can”t find the right words to express my thoughts at times.
It is invigorating spending time with aspiring Lake County youth. They have so much to offer to the world.
It is equally inspiring spending time with someone in the senior set and gleaning the history and wisdom from a life rich with experiences and valuable lessons.
I extend humble and gracious thanks to the class that hosted me.
I also wish to extend an apology to my favorite brother on his 47th birthday.
I was going to dedicate this week”s column to him by recalling some of our crazy childhood antics. But I was simply too impressed by this exceptional group of students. I had to acknowledge them.
Happy birthday, Steven Redwood. You”re the best friend and brother ever.
OK, one anecdote. I can”t help myself. My brother”s middle name is Edward. When I was a tot, I mimicked my parents” “you”re-in-trouble-voice.” The use of the middle name was a sure indicator of punitive actions to follow. My attempts to say Edward crossed my lips as Redwood. It stuck.
Mandy Feder is the Record-Bee managing editor. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 ext. 32.
