January 14th, 2016

Post date: Jan 27, 2016 4:52:58 PM

Last night in Augusta we had a sizzling NSA meeting at the restaurant at the Senator Inn's restaurant. Five of us, a cozy quiet round table, good food, making new friends and enjoying old ones.

The conversation sparkled:

 - Do you stutter less with your partner at home ("less stress"), or more ("I can let my guard down")?

 - Why is it hard to make phone calls with someone listening, even someone who loves us?

 - The idea that stuttering is just a different way of talking, society's reactions are the problem, and

    kids who stutter shouldn't receive speech therapy (nobody liked this one)

 - We can change our mental images of speaking. Instead of imagining your listeners as impatiently

    waiting, imagine them as your allies eagerly drawing out your words from your mouth

 - We get into muscular habits of speaking (like being weak in getting our first word out). We can learn

    a new habit, such as starting our speaking like an orator does. "Easy onset" really is only one such way.

 - Two of us have been to Russia, and it looks a lot like Maine.

 - Creme brûlée

You really ought to come sometime! (Remember, partners always welcome).