Lorraine Saint Pierre
Writer, blogger, podcasting
Job Writer
Lives In Deering
From an early age, Lorraine Saint Pierre understood the world and its inhabitants to be more complex than presented. It led her to question the veracity of accepted reality, to explore the hidden or barely acknowledged mysteries that surround us. Such a choice is fostered by incomprehensible dreams and visions that generate questions, bafflement. Saint Pierre, whose professional name is Luhrenloup, has been gathering stories all of her life about what lies beyond reality’s film. In that capacity, she has linked with similar seekers in Manhattan for over 20 years.
Living an authentic, meaningful life in the world as it has presently evolved is a challenge. How to carve out a corner that meets one's needs without engendering sanctions or contempt is the challenge of the 21st century. One seeks to escape the force that endeavors to create obedient servants as we are buffeted from one side and the other to obey, to believe, to endure, to deny what is obvious. It has been a major part of Lorraine Saint Pierre’s life work to tell stories that unveil, that transcend the zeitgeist. It's her talent, and truly, her life. The day she discovered this talent was her encounter with destiny.
She writes fiction and nonfiction, shining a light on the world as she perceives it, in books, on her website www.luhrenloup.com, podcasting, on the stage, in essays, talking and listening to people.
Why did you choose Portland? I’ve come back to Portland after years in Manhattan because it was where I attended USM. I remembered it as a cool place. Hanging in the Old Port played a major part in our social life back then. Philosophical discussions with psych Prof Systma and his buddy from the History department at the old Sun Tavern, a divey bar in the best sense where you knew there were interesting conversations to be had. No evening was complete without a drop in and show your face there. Stained glass was the medium used by artists in the Old Port for a while back then and the Sun had the most gorgeous piece hanging at its street window of a gigantic multi-hued sun in shades of mustard, gold, harvest grain, amber, lemon. My gang from the University Women’s Forum ate many a serving of quiche at various establishments in the Old Port. Quiche being the cheapest offering on the menu, that and we’d get herbal tea, a pissy drink that had about as much kick as watered Kool-Aid. We were hip, and needed the proper venue to have our weekly meetings. I loved to dress outrageously back then and go dancing at the Oasis (which, incredibly, is still operating) or we might spend the evening walking the cobblestone streets going from bar to bar, having a drink here and there, checking out the featured bands that weekend. Portland had a cool vibe then and thankfully has retained it. Glad to be back.
