I made an announcement tonight at the open mic...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

I want to tell all of you, too!

I have decided, that even though I'm old, I'm not too old to learn new stuff.

Therefore, I am going to apply for a Masters of Fine Arts!

I hope they will accept me into the program...

I feel that I will improve my poetry and stretch and grow in ways I never thought possible!

:D

[abq e streeter]

1. Wow---I hope you get accepted, and that it's everything you hope it will be

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear abq e streeter!

Thanks, sweetie!

I hope so, too...

I know I will do some serious work...

But I'm ready for that.

[UrbScotty]

3. That's great, my dear CaliforniaPeggy!

You already are a 'small-m' master when it comes to poetry...

...so I can't wait to see you become a big-M Master!

:-D

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear UrbScotty!

Thanks, sweetie...

You know, I never thought I'd want an advanced degree...I thought I'd had all the schooling I'd ever want.

But this is different...

I want to grow!

[Kali]

5. that is so cool, Peggy!

good luck! :applause: :yourock:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear Kali!

Thanks, sweetie!

How cool is this? I was playing in your beautiful thread, and you were over here, playing in mine!

Thanks for the good wishes...I will need them!

:hug:

[Kali]

11. oh and you are one of the youngest at heart people I have ever encountered

you are NOT old!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. That is just too damn sweet of you...

The only way I'm old is years...

Not a damn thing I can do about that, lol!

:hug:

[hibbing]

7. you go girl! hehe

Hi,
That is awesome Peggy, I wish you the best in your future studies and creative exploration.

Peace

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear hibbing!

Aw, thank you!

I'm very excited, and I hope the folks where I plan to apply will be too...

I will need all your good wishes!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

9. Good on ya.

You're gonna kick some major ass. :headbang:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. My dear Prisoner_Number_Six!

Aw, thanks, sweetie!

Remember, first I have to get admitted!

I hope you're right...

Thank you for all your help and encouragement over these last few years!

:hug:

[WCGreen]

13. Cool

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. I appreciate it!

:hi:

[BuelahWitch]

15. Good for you!

You're right, you're not too old to learn! :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. My dear BeulahWitch!

Absolutely!

How's that saying go? Something about live as if you were going to die tomorrow; learn as if you were going to live forever!

That's how I feel, anyway!

Thanks, sweetie...

:hi:

[grace0418]

17. That's absolutely wonderful Peggy! I'm so happy for you and I know

you will excel!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. My dear grace0418!

Thanks, sweetie!

I just hope they will admit me...:scared:

That's the big hurdle.

I am really looking forward to it!

:hi:

[SeattleGirl]

18. Peggy! That is so wonderful! Congrats, and best of luck to you!!

:loveya: :hug: :loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

20. My dear SeattleGirl!

Thanks, sweetie!

It should be a lot of fun, and HARD WORK!


BTW, I sent you a PM recently about our mutual friend...I hope you got it!


:loveya: :hug: :loveya:

[SeattleGirl]

21. I did indeed!

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

22. That's great.

I wanted you to know what's going on...

:hug:

[denbot]

23. Right on Miss CP!!!

Where are you going to go? LMU? UCLA? Dear god not USC?!?!?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. My dear denbot!

Oh, no...none of those!

I'm going to apply to Cal State Long Beach. My husband is already a student down there, and they have a senior program which grants degrees, if you want one. He doesn't.

This program cuts the cost waaaaaaaaaaay down. It's $3.00 a semester tuition. Plus books. Can't be beat!

I hope they find me worthy...I think they will...

Time will tell!

:hi:

[denbot]

26. That's where one of my cousins went.

You can't beat that price. Good luck and go 49'ers!!!

[tango-tee]

25. They should be proud to have you in the program.

Oh, dear Peggy, I am so happy for you! We may get on in years, but we're never too old to reach for the stars.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

35. You got that right, my dear tango-tee!

I will reach as long as I have the will to do so...

Thanks, sweetie!

[Divine Discontent]

27. your sweetness is a fine art, and I wish you nothing but success in pursuing this.

I like to write poetry from time to time. It's good for expressing yourself in a way that is hard to find a release for elsewhere in life.

Hope when it's all done, you update us.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

36. My dear Divine Discontent...

Ah, I thank you for your kind words...

You will have updates as I progress...

[redwitch]

28. Yay for you!

Best of luck, I hope you get good news about getting in to the program Peggy!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

37. My dear redwitch!

I hope so too!

Thanks, sweetie...

[AllenVanAllen]

29. You inspire!

May you reach your goal and enjoy the ride there. :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

38. My dear AllenVanAllen...

I am honored to inspire!

Thank you...

And you can bet I'm already enjoying the ride...

Thank you, sweetie!

:hug:

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

30. Too old to learn new stuff?

I thought MFAs learned OLD stuff, like rembrandt and mozart, junk like that.

There's NEW Fine Arts? Who knew?

Have fun in the program.

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

39. My dear JustABozoOnThisBus!

Ha!

You are too funny!

I am planning on having fun, thanks!

:hi:

[Amerigo Vespucci]

31. Congrats, CP!

In the late 80s, I was having a conversation with a friend and mentor...who also happened to be a graphic artist...about my photography. I made some kind of comment about how things were progressing nicely and in a short time I'd "be where I want to be." He replied "No, you've got it all wrong. Art is never about "getting somewhere." Artists are always growing."

"Stretch and grow" is the definition of an artist, and I'm sure you'll find no shortage of people here willing to applaud your decision and encourage you as you move forward.

:toast:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

40. My dear Amerigo Vespucci!

Ah, so that's how it works!

I should have guessed...

That was a most illuminating conversation you had...

Thanks, sweetie!

:hug:

[MiddleFingerMom]

32. Congratulations!!!

.
Of all the people whose poetry I've read since leaving school, you're
the most worthy and deserving and suitable for an MFA program.
.
Many, if not most of the peers of mine whose work I respected as
undergrads went on for that degree. You deserve to be in their company.
.
I wanna see a picture of you doing a kegstand at a frat party.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85ozjZai1pU
.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

42. My dear MiddleFingerMom!

I cannot tell you how touched I am by your very kind words...

In the short time I've known you, you have been so supportive, so helpful and encouraging...

I am honored by your thoughts.

Thank you, sweetie...


And as for the keg-stand? Don't hold your breath, lol! :rofl:


:hug:

[Inchworm]

33. Yay!

You go, Ms Peggy!

:yourock:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

43. My dear Inchworm!

Thanks, sweetie!

Thanks for being part of my journey...

:hug:

[NYC_SKP]

34. Outstanding!

I'm confident that you'll be accepted and that the Masters program will be enriched by your inclusion.

:hug:

Oh, and, at our age aren't we already "stretching an growing in ways..."?

:P

[CaliforniaPeggy]

44. My dear NYC_SKP!

Aw, you are too kind!

I expect the enrichment to be a two-way street...

Oh, and I certainly am growing and stretching...not in ways I wanted to, though!:P

:hug:

[rrneck]

41. Coolness!

It'll take you places artistically you never knew existed.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

45. My dear rrneck...

This is exactly what I'm hoping for...

Thank you for illuminating my path!

:hi:

[hamsterjill]

46. My dear, California Peggy

I wish you the very best. You have a sweet soul, and somehow I sense that achieving this goal will be a wonderful event in your life, and that the world will benefit by having you achieve your goal.

Great success to you!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

51. My dear hamsterjill!

Thank you for your great wishes!

I am going to need them!

I do hope the world will benefit...

I know I will.

[av8rdave]

47. That's awesome, CP!

You are perfect for that program...you'll do great!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

52. My dear av8rdave!

Oooh, thanks!

I sure hope I will do well...

I'll have to write a Master's thesis! :scared:

:hi:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

48. Good luck. Peggy. I am sure you will enjoy the experience.

:toast:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

53. My dear Tuesday Afternoon!

I expect to enjoy it!

I just wish Khash were here to see me doing it...I know he'd be proud...

*sigh*

:hug:

[motely36]

49. $3.00 a semester?

My Masters cost $1500 per class! I think it's great to give a break to seniors, but what about the rest of us struggling to pay to get our degrees?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

54. That is the reality, unfortunately...

I wish it were different for you.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

56. College prices today are just outrageous

When I started college (riding to class on a dinosaur), a 12-credit-hour quarter cost about $130. And I had the G.I. bill to help with expenses.

What's different now? Do professors and instructors make lavish sums these days? (as a teaching assistant, my salary was somewhat less-than-lavish). How did the cost go up so high?

[TZ]

58. As a relative of a retired college professor...

No they don't make that much money. In fact, most make less than many public school teachers. Oh and my uncle's pension from Georgetown University...not very good...

[Shell Beau]

82. $3 does seem messed up with all the teacher lay offs and such.

I wish the really poor could go to college for $3. Doesn't make sense. I am all for affordable anything for the elderly, but our children are our future. Something is so messed up with our educational system.

[LibertyLover]

50. You go girl! Good on you!

Heck, when I was working on my master's in Military History a while back we had a 65 year old woman who was in our classes going for her PhD. I plan to do the same in a few years after I retire. You never are too old to learn new things. Keeping my fingers crossed that you'll get accepted into the program!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

55. I thank you, my dear LibertyLover!

PhD. Now, there's a program that I will NOT enter! I promise!

But still, good for her. It takes a lot of energy to do that...

I thank you for your good wishes!

:hi:

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

57. Wow!

What a great example to set for others :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

61. My dear Dyedinthewoolliberal!

Hey, if I can help anyone else, then that's wonderful!

Thanks, sweetie...

:hi:

[ceile]

59. Very cool Peggy!

Good luck!!!!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

62. My dear ceile!

Thanks, sweetie!

They want a 3.0 GPA from my undergraduate work, and frankly, it's been such a long time, I no longer remember!

[Gormy Cuss]

60. Good luck with the admissions process, CAPeggy -- it should be straight forward enough

but if Cal State is letting anyone enroll in degree programs for only $3/semester that's seriously screwed up. There are many talented young students who can't get enough aid, or who end up with loans that will take years to pay off, just to pay the fairly modest standard Cal State fees.

I know that's not your fault, just venting.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

63. My dear Gormy Cuss...

It doesn't look too bad.

I need to get transcripts and such...

I can't help the pricing.

:shrug:

[JitterbugPerfume]

64. that is so cool Peggy!

We may be old, but we ain't dead yet and we can still learn new things!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

65. My dear JitterbugPerfume!

Thanks, sweetie! I think it's cool, too...

As long as I'm alive, I can learn things!

And that's just what I'm going to do!

[GreenPartyVoter]

66. Woohoo! Go, Peggy! *hugs*

[CaliforniaPeggy]

67. My dear GreenPartyVoter!

Thanks, sweetie!

I'm afraid it will cut into my DU time while I'm doing it...but it'll be worth it in the long run.

:hug:

[Rising Phoenix]

68. Happy Day!

Rock on Peg!
:loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

72. My dear Rising Phoenix!

It IS a happy day, sweetie!

Thanks...

:loveya:

[livetohike]

69. Congratulations on your decision Peggy!

:toast: Of course they will accept you. You will love returning to school at our age. No distractions and you are ready and willing to learn. You will do just great :-).

[CaliforniaPeggy]

74. My dear livetohike!

I think I'll do OK...I just hope that the minutiae of being a student again won't bog me down...

You know, where to park, how long to allow to get there (it's 20 miles one way, mostly freeway) and like that...

The actual core work? Very exciting!

Thanks, sweetie!

:hi:

[liberaltrucker]

70. Way Cool, Peggy!

Keeping my pinkies crossed.

:loveya:

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

75. My dear liberaltrucker!

Thanks, sweetie!

Your support means so much...

:loveya:

:hug:

[tigereye]

71. good for you! No one is ever too old to learn and grow!

:thumbsup:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

76. Thank you, my dear tigereye!

That's how I see it too!

:hi:

[lunatica]

73. I celebrate your decision

There is never an end to learning art. Never! One is only in one's present phase. Real artists move on to their next phase naturally. It looks like you're ready for your next phase. May it be a delightful adventure and a big wonderful surprise!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

77. My dear lunatica!

That's how this feels: the next phase!

And there you are with the smileys! I love 'em.....but what's up with the dancing banana and the whip???:scared:

Thanks, sweetie!

:hug:

[ellaydubya]

78. You are an inspiration to us all.....

Especially those of us getting on up in age! I think of two sayings: "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be." and "You are only as old as you feel". Learning and discovering keep us young in spirit and young at heart.... So, dear Peggie, go for it and we will remain forever young!:toast: :fistbump:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

80. My dear ellaydubya!

Me? An inspiration? Aw...thanks!

I love the saying grow old along with me...it speaks the truth to me...

I also like "I may get older, but I refuse to grow up!"

:P

I am going to do this, and you will all be along for the ride...

:hug:

[kimi]

79. Aw, CAPeggy, you of ALL people deserve this!

Your words and pictures have brought me much serenity in times when I've needed it, and I have no doubt at all that so many others feel the same.

Best of luck, and please share the journey with us!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

81. My dear kimi...

Thank you for telling me what my pictures and poems have meant to you...

It means a lot to me, too.

You know I will share the journey...as I have time, lol!

Thank you, sweetie...

:hug:

[applegrove]

83. Oh that's great Peggy. Sounds like fun.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

84. Thanks, my dear applegrove!

It should be fun, and a ton of work...

:hi:

I am ready for that.

[nolabear]

85. Peggy, that's wonderful!

Where are you thinking of applying? (I expect this has already been answered, but I think it's very cool anyway).

[CaliforniaPeggy]

87. My dear nolabear!

I'm going to apply to Cal State University at Long Beach. They have a really strong program, according to one of my mentors...

Thanks, sweetie!

[Forkboy]

86. To quote Nomeansno, "Old, it's the new young!"

Good luck!!!! :toast:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

88. My dear Forkboy!

Oh really, lol!

Wish I could get my old body to agree!

Thanks, sweetie!

:hug:

[friendly_iconoclast]

89. That's cool! Great for you.

Good luck with your studies

[CaliforniaPeggy]

90. Thank you so much, my dear friendly_iconoclast!

[seaker]

91. Masterful

plan, dear CaliforniaPeggy! They will be enriched by your inclusion.

:loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

92. Thank you so much, my dear seaker!

Oh, I hope so...

:hug:

[csziggy]

93. You are awesome!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

95. Thank you so much, my dear csziggy...

:pals:

[asdjrocky]

94. Peggy, you're not old.

You're old enough.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

96. My dear asdjrocky!

Ah, I hope so, sweetie...

Thank you...

:hug:

[tblue]

97. Wow! How inspiring! You rock!!! n't

[CaliforniaPeggy]

98. Thank you, my dear tblue! Appreciate it lots! n/t

[elleng]

99. Bravo!