Welcome to
The Cat’s Meow for Writers &
Readers Magazine ®™
The Cat’s Meow for Writers &
Readers Magazine ®™
© JANUARY – MARCH 2012 Issue 63, Vol. 12 ISSN: 2237-65
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PUBLISHER'S LETTER
From Rosanne Catalano (pen name: RC Kayla)
Owner, Publisher, Editor & Author
Publisher Rosanne Catalano
Happy New Year; and welcome to my new members!
I'm so glad you joined me for this issue. However, I hope you know this is not your typical electronic magazine? There are no links to "read more..." and no links to the individual authors' work, so yes you will either have to scroll down or use your up & down arrow keys. Not to worry, this will only be until we finish creating the hyperlinks needed.
My heartfelt new year wish for you is that 2012 is a healthy, prosperous, fun, and educational one! I also hope you are well-rested from last month's holiday season; and that you had a memorable time with your loved ones. My husband and I had a fabulous Christmas and New Year's, and are praying for an un-eventful, happy and fun 2012; with no more roller coaster rides! Although I used to love actual roller coasters (especially Coney Island's Cyclone!), I no longer want or need that kind of ride in my life.
Did you know? The Cat’s Meow for Writers & Readers Magazine has its very own Fan Page on facebook now! I know there are some who don’t know this yet, some who do. However, so far there are only 88 fans who have “Liked” the page and I know there are 9,000+ fans so please don’t be shy, go to: http://www.facebook.com/catsmeowfor (or scroll down to the facebook "Like" button at the very bottom of this magazine) ... Although you may or may not be happy with facebook’s recent change – ‘Timeline’ – please know I feel your frustration with their changes. That's why I am also on Google+. And, of course, I've been on Twitter since 2009 so please do "follow" me and my magazine there too (see Twitter's "Follow" button above).
In case you weren't aware, Google+ is a new social media website that I'm loving already but would love even more if all of my family and friends were also on there! To see my profile (and to get a better idea of what Google+ has to offer you), go to: http://www.plus.google.com/108844542348353504098?hl=en#108844542348353504098/posts
Sorry that Google+'s direct link is very long but I would love for you to join me on Google+ also!
I have other GOOD NEWS to impart:
In my previous issue of Oct-Dec 2011 (now in the Archives), I neglected to mention my newest Alliance with another electronic magazine. The magazine is titled “Angie’s DIARY;” and is owned and published by ANGELICA PASTORELLI of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Her magazine is the #1 Online Magazine and Community for Professional & Aspiring Writers, which I definitely recommend! After spending a lot of time on Angie’s site and having a story article of mine published in her magazine’s Lifestyle section: http://angiesdiary.com/lifestyle/imagine-if-you-can, I can honestly say that I am working on my magazine somewhat emulating the format of her's; “Angie’s DIARY” is much easier for you to navigate since there is no unnecessary scrolling and there are links to "read more...". So I ask you to please be patient with me as I continue to upgrade and improve The Cat's Meow for Writers & Readers!
Also VERY IPORTANT: If you are an author, poet or musician without a website, please check out this email from JIM MAGWOOD who is an author and writing consultant:
Hi Rosanne,
Just a quick note to say if you know of any authors, poets or musicians who need a website to display their works, have them check out “The Author's Inn” at http://www.the-authors-inn.com
VERY low cost, no annual renewal, and 24/7/365 exposure. Also First Place look-up on Google. Have them take a look. Best to all.
--Jim
Hmmm.... very low cost with no annual renewal fee and 24/7/365 exposure is a great deal! So do take JIM MAGWOOD up on his offer by visiting “The Author’s Inn” today!
On another subject matter, I recently received a “Letter to the Editor” from Writer and Poet Cynthia Groopman that was not directed at me but at the editor of The Queens Gazette (a local newspaper in Queens, NYC); and since I feel her letter touches on very important isssues, with Cynthia Groopman's written permission I am publishing it here also. Do read Cynthia Groopman's letter below….
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Firebomb outrage and more
Dear Editor:
I write with outrage upon hearing about the fire set deliberately at the synagogue in Bergen County, New Jersey. That is a hate crime indeed. I cannot understand why so many of these religious hate crimes occur. Why there is so much hatred is beyond my comprehension. All of us of all Faiths must not live in fear or trepidation. What happened to religious acceptance and the freedom to worship as we please? This situation is shameful and I am concerned. I feel it is imperative that all these religious institutions have security cameras! Also more police security must be guarding these synagogues and other religious institutions!
I am glad that our own Queens resident, Jacob Lew, will become the Chief of Staff of the Obama Administration. It is great to have a native son born and bred in Queens as part of the national team.
I applaud Assemblymember Aravella Simotas and the others who spoke at HANAC JVL-Dimotsis-Vallone Senior Center about medicare and about advanced directives. These meetings are beneficial to senior citizens so they are made aware of what is happening. I am just surprised that Simotas does not meet with other senior citizens - at other Senior Centers in the Queens area - since this information would impact them as well in a positive manner.
I am glad that our governor will increase the DNA base having to do with crime. Furthermore, I applaud our City Council for restoring $730,000 to the Medical Examiner’s office so that they can keep 12 highly specialized employees to deal with DNA identification and crime; making the prosecution of criminals much easier and which will enhance the public safety of all New Yorkers.
The requirement for pre-funding postal retiree’s healthcare plans for 75 years must be scrapped from the Congress since, at this time, it is hampering mail delivery. Future closures of Mail Processing Centers in many states will cause unemployment and delays in our mail delivery. I cannot fathom how mail delivery has gone down. There should be more of an investigation into this and less lies told!
It is also appalling to me and angering as well to hear that there is a 23-year backlog in fixing sidewalks by the NYC Department of Transportation [DOT]. They pay too much attention and spend large sums of money on silly projects and ignore the most important aspects of safety—sidewalks and potholes that can compromise our safety and lead to accidents and injuries. It is also truly appalling to me that NYC’s DOT works on creating bike lanes but fails to care for the ordinary homeowner.
I am also outraged and agree with City Comptroller Liu that Madison Square Garden [MSG] should not be blacked out by Time Warner Cable. Two million or more subscribers depend upon the MSG channel for the Knicks’ and the Rangers’ games and they pay for this service. They should be reimbursed for the refusal of the companies to get together and compromise.
It seems to me that there is always an axe to grind; depriving the innocent, law-abiding citizens of enjoyment.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Groopman
Astoria, NYC
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I would love to hear your opinion and/or thoughts on Cynthia Groopman’s letter. Personally, I agree 100% with Cynthia on all the issues she touched on that effects the safety and lives of Queens, NYC residents, those living in Bergen County, New Jersey, and all residents of the United States of America.
Now I’m also happy to introduce a friend’s monthly newsletter, which is Free and comes right into your email!
"Splash of Inspiration"
Published by Janet Perez Eckles, Author and Speaker
JANET’S NEWSLETTER BRINGS YOU FAITH & LOVE WITH A LATIN FLAIR!
To subscribe to Janet's newsletter, send a blank email to: jeckles@cfl.rr.com
Write “Subscribe” in your subject line and mention that I referred you. Janet will immediately send you her latest issue. Enjoy her inspiring newsletter as much as I do!
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My writing contributors have other GOOD NEWS to share with you…
FROM ARTHUR C. FORD SR.,
PUBLISHER, EDITOR & POET:
GUIDELINES (www.thepoetbandcompany.yolasite.com)
Dear Literary Artist,
The Poet Band Company is asking for poetry, max. 40 lines, and prose, max. 300 words (English language only. If sent in another language, also include English translation or transliteration) to be submitted for possible publication in the print “THE POETRY EXPLOSION NEWSLETTER” (aka “THE PEN”), issued quarterly (January, April, July, and October).
JULY'S ISSUES ARE DEDICATED TO ROMANTIC POETRY
OCTOBER'S ISSUES SPOTLIGHT HOLIDAY POETRY
ALL OTHER ISSUES ARE “OPENED TO THE WRITER”
"THE PEN" publishes poems and prose pertaining to all subjects (love, holidays, current events, etc.) and in any form (sonnets, haiku, rhyme, free and blank verse, etc.). Simultaneous and pre-published submissions are accepted. Bio-sketches are optional. Presently,
we are not paying monetarily, but if your works are selected we'll send you a free copy of the issue in which they(it) appear(s). Send us your best!
All submissions must be typed and of “camera ready” quality.
Submit a maximum of five works (a S.A.S.E. with correct postage if you want your works that are not accepted for publication to be returned). E-Mail submissions are accepted and must include Snail-Mail address.
Note: If sending from another country, please send International Coupons (2 per dollar amount) or a Money Order or a Check written in U.S. Dollars from a United States bank.
If you have never been published, this may be your chance!
Thanks for your love of the written word.
Subscriptions: $25.00 yearly (4 issues) or $48.00 for 2 years. Send $4.00 for a sample issue.
Outside the U.S.A., and Canada, $35.00 U.S Dollars for 4 issues or $68.00 for 2 years.
Make Check or Money Order payable to:
Arthur C. Ford
P.O. Box 4725
Pittsburgh, PA 15206-0725 (U.S.A.)
EM: wewuvpoetry@hotmail.com
TOLL FREE: 1-866-234-0297
POEMS ARE CRITIQUED AT 15 CENTS PER WORD.
ADVERTISING RATES:
Size One issue Four issues
1/8 page $10.00 $35.00
¼ page $20.00 $60.00
½ page $40.00 $120.00
Full Page $80.00 $270.00
Ads must be “camera ready” and printed in black and white. Logos are accepted.
Yours in Words,
Arthur C. Ford, Sr., Poet & Editor
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Arthur C. Ford, Sr. was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern University in New Orleans, where he studied creative writing and was a member of the drama society. He has visited 45 states in America and resided for two years in Brussels, Belgium (Europe). He presently resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His poetry (lyrics) and prose have been published throughout America, Canada, and Europe. Recently he spent 30 days doing missionary work and travelling throughout the country of India.
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FROM KJ HANNAH GREENBERG
AUTHOR, WRITER & POET:
Rosanne, wanted to let you and your readers know that "Friendsake," a poem of mine you published in your September 2010 magazine, is one of fifty collected in the anthology “A Bank Robber's Bad Luck with His Ex-Girlfriend, Unbound CONTENT,” which was published in December 2011. Please let your readers know that this book can be ordered from the publisher at: https://www.createspace.com/3729088
Or at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Bank-Robbers-Bad-Luck-Ex-Girlfriend/dp/193637322X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324641358&sr=1-1
Songbirds are entertaining. Roses smell nice. Most passion, however, resolves as cacophonous and stinky. In “A Bank Robber’s Bad Luck with His Ex-Girlfriend,” this mess we call ‘love,’ gets reduced, poked at, prodded, and eventually pushed over. Don't miss out on this tough, sassy, hopeful assemblage of verse!
Press up against its soft concepts of intimate associations. Come along to slide among “A Bank Robber’s Bad Luck with His Ex-Girlfriend’s” articulated regrets, muted longings, and rudimentary joys, today!
What’s more, “Unbound CONTENT” would like to offer your readership a 10% discount off of the cover price of “A Bank Robber’s Bad Luck with His Ex-Girlfriend.” Readers who use the code "sentiment’s chowder" on their order form will be charged this lower fee. Deeper, group discounts can be arranged by contacting annmarie@unboundcontent.com
Thanks!
KJ Hannah Greenberg
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FROM CAROL ROACH
AUTHOR, PUBLISHER, COLUMNIST & FREELANCE/GHOST-WRITER:
Rosanne, please tell your readers about my three wonderful columns at examiner.com :
First column
Women's Issues - covers all issues relating to women's lives, from the fight for women's rights which started over 100 years ago in Alberta, Canada, to all the great women's achievements in the USA, the feminist movement, women's legal, health, family issues and more, later on I will incorporate eastern women's issues as well.
http://www.examiner.com/x-47386-Montreal-Womens-Issues-Examiner
Second column
Health - covers all aspects of health from disease and conditions to most recent medical studies, to warning against certain drugs and pharmaceutical drug recalls.
http://www.examiner.com/x-38644-Montreal-Health-Examiner
Third column
Mental health - covers everything pertaining to psychology, psychiatry, self improvement, theories about behavior and why we do the things we do and a lot more.
http://www.examiner.com/x-33888-Montreal-Mental-Health-Examiner
The articles are well researched and, as you know, my field is psychology – I have a Masters in counselling psychology. The articles are also great for Storytime Tapestry members who do not want to wait for when the story is finally published in Storytime Tapestry, sometimes several months later.
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FROM JOSEPH J. MAZZELLA,
AUTHOR & WRITER:
Dear Friends,
I have good news. The Hardcover edition of my book ‘Walking the Path of Love’ is now available in addition to the Paperback edition at both Amazon and now Barnes & Noble online sites. Thanks again to all of you who have purchased a copy. You have helped make this writer's dream come true!
Wishing you every joy, Joe.
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FROM ROGER DEAN KISER,
AUTHOR & CHILD ADVOCATE:
Author Roger Dean Kiser’s child advocate office website is:
http://thewhitehouseboys.com/AmericanOrphan/americanorphan/index.html
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Do go to Filbert Publishing today to pick up your copy of Beth Ann Erickson’s helpful ebook, “101 No Cost or Low Cost Techniques to Turbo Charge Your Freelance Income”! She offers a ton of excellent advice on how to earn more than pennies for your freelance writing.
Also check out the “Helpful Sites for You” page for other interesting, fun websites, and literary journals, magazines and newsletters!
See you in April …. Until then, I’ll be writing more in my next book (my goal for 2012 is to finally get "Escape & Redemption" published and in your hands!), and I'll be celebrating the Valetine's Day and Easter holidays with my husband and family. Now I would like you to welcome my many writing contributors; some new, some established who have written short stories, story articles, poems, essays and helpful informative articles for you. If you like or have a strong opinion of what they have written, do let them know by email or by visiting their websites. [Authors’ email addresses or websites are listed in their bios.] My contributors love hearing from you :)
Copyright © January-March 2012 Rosanne Catalano.
Cat’s Rule, Dogs Drool
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BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY WISHES CORNER!
Happy Birthday to:
Linda Steinberg
Birthday: January 4th
Joseph Pollicino
Birthday: January 8th
Anthony Infranco
Birthday: January 8th
Dan J. Catalano
Birthday: January 12th
Marie Umland
Birthday: January 19th
Danielle M. Adams
Birthday: January 21st, 1982
Peter Campo
Birthday: January 22nd
Rosemary Macina
Birthday: January 28th
Roseann DiBetta
Birthday: January 31st
Susan Louderman
Birthday: February 8th
Janis Campo
Birthday: February 10th
Jeffrey Shar
Birthday: February 14th
Meg B. Catalano
Birthday: February 17th
Andrew Louderman
Birthday: February 20th
Rose A. Schoene
Birthday: March 1st
Carol Roach
Birthday: March 6th
Genice Campo
Birthday: March 7th
Nancy Currie-Wells
Birthday: March 15th
Gary Fitzmire
Birthday: March 30th
May all your Birthday wishes come true!
Happy Anniversary to:
Genice and Peter Campo
Anniversary: January 22nd
Denise and Jeffrey Shar
Anniversary: January 26th, 2002
To see your birthday and/or anniversary wishes here, email Rosanne with your name (first & last, or just first name)
birth-day (year is optional) and date of anniversary (again, year is optional).
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COFFEE HOUSE 4 READERS CORNER
Bringing You Short Stories, Flash Fiction,
Poetry (Contemporary & Classical), Haikus, Essays,
and Story Articles for Your Reading Pleasure!
How a Puffy Chest Can Injure a Shoulder
By Tim Johnson
In the year 2006 I was really getting into golf. PuffyChest was kind of into it too; he more or less liked the beer and the tranquil setting in which he could drink beers and (try to) smash some golf balls.
PuffyChest was NOT good at golf. He tried and tried like the little Blue Engine who wanted to get over that hill, but he simply couldn't get the hang of it. And as the beers flowed and his frustration rose (think: intersecting lines on a graph, where once the lines meet “fun” stuff happens) there was a proportionally greater chance that something was getting smashed.
So, there we are on a quaint golf course in the Greater Toronto Area, seemingly all by ourselves, on a summer evening that is approaching dusk. He and I are rather lubricated with the beers we snuck onto the course via our golf bags. I am having a great time on the course. I am playing well enough that I can make some rather snide remarks that light the wick of his fuse. Remarks such as, “You see Puffy, when I hit my ball, the trajectory of the ball leaving the ground allows it to fly further than hitting along the ground” ..... and “Yeah, the grass tends to slow down the balls power” .... oh and this one was the spark that ignited the powder keg.....”Try hitting it into the air next time.” That was it for him. Bruce Banner turned into The Hulk.
(He and I are close-enough friends so I was never in any “real danger” of him hurting me or anything like that. He usually prefers to smash inanimate objects, such as fairways, putting greens, port-o-potties, and signs around the course.)
After the last comment, he was at “def-con 5”....it got real. He calmly got into the golf cart (where I was driving) and decided to start taunting my golf-cart-driving sensibility, rather than smash things. This was a real character change for him, and I was proud to see a close friend of mine develop from Neanderthal to homo(sapien). He started by saying things like, “You're driving so slow, I saw your Mom pass us on the last hole.... Nancy ”... and... “Shoot, move over! I'm driving. I haven't gone this nice'n'easy in a golf cart since I was plowing your Grandma last weekend.”...and...”Okay, look it. I've had enough. Either you start showing me these driving skills you claim you've been genetically handed-down, or I'm gonna have to smash the cart into a tree.” (What do you think someone like me would do? We're talking about the guy who painted his bedroom Florida Gator blue and orange on a dare from another friend of ours ZigZag.
Everyone has a limit. I know his. He knows mine. That's a dangerous combination for 2 guys, who are drinking beers, on a hilly golf course, with no one around to supervise them. We were playing a hole that is very flat to start and then has a dramatic drop-off to the green. By dramatic, I mean, at least 75 feet down on a 30 degree slope, which is only gravel and dirt. See where this is going?
I say, “So, you wanna see the driving skills, do you? Hang on!” We approached “the hill” at full-golf-cart-speed, which is a whopping 15 mph, and PuffyChest instantly becomes clairvoyant. He can see the future! In that moment of utter-clarity, he mumbles out, “Oh God, what have I done?!?”
Normal golfers read signs. They heed the warning of the golf course owners for safety and out-of-respect for the game. When they see a sign that states, “Steep hill: Use Brake!” they commonly obey the cautionary message. Not me. Not this time. My button wasn't pushed by PuffyChest; it was mashed by his little sausage fingers. I “gun” the gas as we were at the pinnacle of the hill.
I'll fast-forward a little bit here.....fish-tailing....swearing.....NO BRAKING at ALL….on a gravel path down a very large hill. So as you can suspect, the golf cart loses any control it had to begin with (which is minimal to say the least), and begins to go sideways. I try my hardest to correct the spin, but IT’S A GOLF CART, NOT A LEXUS! Before I know it, the cart is sideways with the wheels catching the gravel path. And in an instant the cart is on its side; PuffyChest's side. His shoulder takes the weight of him, me slamming into him, and the G-forces we were pulling on that hog. The cart flips more, and ends up on my side.
So, picture this: there I am, “driving” the golf cart, basically just gunning it down a gravel path hill. Fish-tailing, flipping it 270 degrees, getting out, and falling down from laughing so hard that I can't keep my stand up. All of this, and, The Golf Marshall (a golf course employee whose job it is to make sure the rules of the game are being obeyed and the course is being respected) saw everything from the top of the adjacent hill.
He slowly drives his cart down to us, and before he even had a chance to say anything like “Are you two okay?” or “What are you boys doing?”.... I shout out, “So that's why that sign is there!”
This remark doesn't go over well with the 65 year old Marshall; He is so unimpressed and horrified that he is speechless for a good half minute. The look on his face was like seeing a football player break a bone in slow motion. On the contrary, PuffyChest loses his stuff and falls down from laughing when he hears my remark mixed with this guy's reaction.
In the end, I walked away with a scraped knee. PuffyChest had a banged-up shoulder that hurt for a couple of days. The golf cart on the other hand was permanently FUBAR-ed. The top canopy was bent up real nice. It was a mash that could not be repaired. Bottom-line: That cart was not going to be used in that condition again!
We flipped the cart over, got in, and drove it back to the clubhouse. The Marshall “escorted” us. He must have radioed in, because when we pulled up, the owner and, seemingly, every employee working at the time was there waiting for us. PuffyChest's exact words were, “Oh shoot! We did it this time...” I whisper to him as we were almost to the crowd of a dozen people, “Let me do the talking and follow my lead.”
The owner started off by asking if we were okay. (Now, look, I've seen some episodes of Law and Order and movies about lawyers and how they talk. Legal mumbo-jumbo...yeah, I can rock this [or so the level of intoxication told me I could].
Me: “We're not seriously injured, and the golf cart seems to be working fine but its canopy has seen better days.”
Owner: “Well, I’m relieved you both aren't hurt, but that golf cart is an expensive piece of property and you’ll be expected to pay for the damages.”
PuffyChest: “C’mon, that’s ridiculous.”
Me: “So, let me understand what you mean here. You mean to tell me that YOU want ME to pay for the damages to the golf cart in an accident that resulted from the careless condition you keep your cart path on a giant hill? Sir, my Father is a litigation attorney that deals mainly with car crash victims and other accidental injuries. He would love to have some pictures and a detailed account of your continued efforts made to “safely” maintain your golf cart path. Do you honestly think a “4-word sign” is enough to win a court case of accidental injury when my friend's neck clearly is hurt?” (at this point, PuffyChest starts rubbing the back of his neck and softly moaning.)
Owner: “Well, that sign is there for a reason young man. The Golf Marshall tells me that you seemed to be going down the hill too fast. I think the responsible thing here is that you pay the cost of repair to the golf cart you damaged.”
Me: “Responsible thing? The responsible thing would be to not have a cart path that is made of loose stones on the side of a small mountain. If you plan on pursuing this “repayment” (I even made the quote signs in the air with my hands), then I’ll have no other choice but to pursue legal action against personal injury PuffyChest has endured.
Owner: “Oh c’mon now. Let’s not get all bent out of shape. I’m sure we can make an arrangement for you both.”
We didn't pay for any damages and even got 2 free “rain checks” because we were unable to finish our round. We have yet to redeem those rain checks.
Copyright © 2011 Tim Johnson.
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TIM JOHNSON is a 31 year old emerging published writer with an interest in writing in the humour genre. He is currently working on his first manuscript for publication; his book will detail hilarious events from his own life. Tim lives in Brooklin, Ontario, Canada (by way of
Buffalo, New York). He can be contacted at tmj_40@hotmail.com
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It's Free
By Joseph J. Mazzella
Author of “Walking the Path of Love”
I was doing my monthly bills again recently. The stack was huge so I took a moment to enjoy the balance at the top of the page. Then I clutched my pen and started to write check after check to pay bill after bill while the balance got smaller and smaller with each one.
Finally finished and looked at what was left. The ending balance wasn’t much. It amazed me just how much everything costs these days. I looked down again at the tiny amount left over and sighed. It was then, however, that I felt someone behind me. I turned and saw my youngest son smiling down on me. His handicapped mind had no concept of money, yet his gentle spirit seemed to know that I could use his smile right then.
I put my pen down, got up from the table, and gave my boy a hug. I rested my chin on his shoulder, patted him on the back, and thanked God one more time for giving him to me. At that moment I felt like the richest man in the entire world. I thanked God again for helping me to see the truth that the most priceless thing in this whole world is free.
Love is a greater treasure than all the crown jewels that ever sat on a Queen’s head. Love is more precious than every ounce of gold that was ever mined from the ground. Love is more valuable than all the stocks and bonds that Wall Street ever sold. Love is what we are here for.
Love is what life is all about. And love is free!
The next time your pockets are empty, the next time your bank balance is low, the next time that you don’t have a thin dime to your name remember that the most valuable thing in this life doesn’t cost a cent. Love is a gift from God that we are all free to share. It brings us more joy than all the money in the world and the more we give it away the more of it we have in our hearts, souls, and lives.
Copyright © 2011 Joseph J. Mazzella.
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The Power of Words
By Joseph J. Mazzella
Author of “Walking the Path of Love”
It was 15 years ago… I was driving home with my 8 year old son after a trip to the grocery store. Traffic was light. The sun was shining. A cool autumn breeze was in the air. I was quietly singing along to the song playing on the radio. I pulled to a stop at the intersection and looked both ways. The road was clear. I slowly started to make a right turn when suddenly a car rounded a curve at high speed and came straight at me. I stomped on the breaks of my car killing the engine in the process. The speeder zoomed past my dead car without even slowing down missing me by inches.
Before I knew it a stream of profanities was flying from my lips, chasing after the car and its driver. I then looked over to my son who was staring up at me innocently. With a red face and an embarrassed smile, I started the car, pulled back onto the road, and headed home.
Later that evening I was reading a book when I heard certain, unpleasant words coming from my son’s bedroom. He was replaying the incident over and over in his mind and swearing enough to make a sailor blush. Too late I realized the power of those words that had flown from my lips in that moment of anger. It took a lot of talks about good language and bad language with my son to undo the damage of that one incident.
That mistake, however, did teach me just how strong words can be. It helped me to swear off swearing in my own life and to start using words that uplift and inspire instead. I slowly realized that language is a gift from God and should be used to make our world better not worse. I learned too that a few loving words can help a hurting heart, strengthen a struggling spirit, and lighten a heavy load. I pray then that all of your words today are full of love, joy, happiness, and light. I pray that everything that comes from your lips flows from your soul.
Copyright © 2011 Joseph J. Mazzella.
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JOSEPH J. MAZZELLA is an author, writer and mental health worker who was born, raised and still lives in the mountains of West Virginia in the USA. He grew up walking in the woodland trails around his home and draws much of the inspiration for his work from God's beautiful creation that is all around him. He graduated from Glenville State College with degrees in English and Education. He has worked over the years as a busboy, lumber mill worker, and teacher. He is currently a mental health worker, and also cares for his two sons who have mental disabilities. A father of three, he has been writing for over 20 years for local county newspapers. With the creation of the Internet, he is now read by people all over the world. Joseph says, "Although I have never made a living from my writing, the joy it brings me is worth all the money in the world. All I wish is to continue to be able to share my simple words with the world for as long as I can". In August of 2010 Joe had his first book published, titled “Walking the Path of Love”, which can be purchased at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, or wherever books are sold. He can be contacted at joemazzella@frontier.com
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Before I knew it a stream of profanities was flying from my lips, chasing after the car and its driver. I then looked over to my son who was staring up at me innocently. With a red face and an embarrassed smile, I started the car, pulled back onto the road, and headed home.
Later that evening I was reading a book when I heard certain, unpleasant words coming from my son’s bedroom. He was replaying the incident over and over in his mind and swearing enough to make a sailor blush. Too late I realized the power of those words that had flown from my lips in that moment of anger. It took a lot of talks about good language and bad language with my son to undo the damage of that one incident.
That mistake, however, did teach me just how strong words can be. It helped me to swear off swearing in my own life and to start using words that uplift and inspire instead. I slowly realized that language is a gift from God and should be used to make our world better not worse. I learned too that a few loving words can help a hurting heart, strengthen a struggling spirit, and lighten a heavy load. I pray then that all of your words today are full of love, joy, happiness, and light. I pray that everything that comes from your lips flows from your soul.
Copyright © 2011 Joseph J. Mazzella.
# # #
JOSEPH J. MAZZELLA is an author, writer and mental health worker who was born, raised and still lives in the mountains of West Virginia in the USA. He grew up walking in the woodland trails around his home and draws much of the inspiration for his work from God's beautiful creation that is all around him. He graduated from Glenville State College with degrees in English and Education. He has worked over the years as a busboy, lumber mill worker, and teacher. He is currently a mental health worker, and also cares for his two sons who have mental disabilities. A father of three, he has been writing for over 20 years for local county newspapers. With the creation of the Internet, he is now read by people all over the world. Joseph says, "Although I have never made a living from my writing, the joy it brings me is worth all the money in the world. All I wish is to continue to be able to share my simple words with the world for as long as I can". In August of 2010 Joe had his first book published, titled “Walking the Path of Love”, which can be purchased at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, or wherever books are sold. He can be contacted at joemazzella@frontier.com
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Love Hurts
By Heidi L. Spargo
There’s a pain I have
So deep in my heart
It is burning so bad
It is tearing me completely apart
I love him so much
I love him so bad
How could he hurt me like this?
He says he loves me
He says he cares
But if he does
Then he knows it hurts
Why?
My heart hurts so bad.
Copyright © February 10, 2005 Heidi L. Spargo.
* * * * * *
More and More
By Heidi L. Spargo
As I sit here in the dark
I get mad at myself more and more
I look back on the last three years;
the last three years of my life as a mother
and I start hating myself more and more;
realizing that I put my two precious boys below someone,
someone that didn’t care about me
someone that didn’t even seem to love me
but I fell into his "pit"
Every time
and I keep on hating myself
My kids could be free
My kids could be home
but my decisions with this man
pushed them further away
It is like I really was a piece of meat
waiting to be burned – he "seasoned" me just the way he liked me
and turned me into what he wanted
Then finally the grill got too hot
and I had had enough
I miss them more and more
I am a good mother
Can they be free yet?
Can they come home yet?
I will never stop loving you Mikey and Jace
nor will I ever give up....
Copyright © October 25, 2006 Heidi L. Spargo.
* * * * * *
Angel Baby
By Heidi L. Spargo
Angel baby angel baby
where did you go?
I was so wrapped up
in when you were due
Now I am so blue
Finally looking forward to Christmastime
after all these years….
now Christmas
might still be filled with tears
Don’t ever forget that you are loved
now that you have wings
and are flying up above
Say hi to all our family
who have been gone;
don’t forget to hug them very long
Angel baby angel baby
with wings so white
Please kiss your brothers
on the cheek good night.
Copyright © 2011 Heidi L. Spargo.
# # #
HEIDI L. SPARGO is a mother of four – soon-to-be five—a stepmother of one, a loving wife to a firefighter, and a published poet and writer who resides in Kearney, Nebraska in the USA. She can be contacted at hlspargo@yahoo.com
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From the Dust of Man
By Sandra L. Hoynacki
Author of “Purple Latches”, “Whispers From the Ledge” and “On Call”
I dreamed inside the framework of a quiet echo
As my fingers touched the quill of your soul
I hid behind the clouds so no one would know
Of my lonely walks within no man's glow
You gently untied me from pastels of blue
From an embryonic womb of darkness
You gave me to sup of morning's first dew
Soothing lost edges as no other could do
You took the nightscape from inside my head
Your sun-thoughts cloaked my apathy
In layers of strawberry, silks and red
You spun every dream from smiles of thread
I climbed upon the plinth as you held my hand
You bade me follow across flawless fields
The windows of time became beads of sand
As we walked away from the dust of man.
Copyright © November 15, 2011 Sandra L. Hoynacki.
* * * * * *
A Windswept Freedom
By Sandra L. Hoynacki
Author of “Purple Latches”, “Whispers From the Ledge” and “On Call”
In a room of papered walls and cardboard squares
She sleeps in a box beside two empty chairs
There's nothing complicated, nothing arcane
Thunder claps loudly to welcome the rain
Outside the window splatters a canopy of light
Painted shimmering halos layered angel white
She crawls from her retreat and shakes her head
Amid Apollo's rays, the mantle of life's bed
Music scrapes the surface of things she sought
She pours hours into glasses of foibled thought
Her eyes move the length of a trolley car
As she sips julep from a mason jar
She smiles at the echo in her transparent space
Life is pure and simple without the rat race
She climbs into silence; it's golden they say
A windswept freedom on any given day.
^*^ Shhhhhhhhh^*^
Une Liberté Battue des vents
Copyright © October 21, 2011 Sandra L. Hoynacki.
# # #
She sleeps in a box beside two empty chairs
There's nothing complicated, nothing arcane
Thunder claps loudly to welcome the rain
Outside the window splatters a canopy of light
Painted shimmering halos layered angel white
She crawls from her retreat and shakes her head
Amid Apollo's rays, the mantle of life's bed
Music scrapes the surface of things she sought
She pours hours into glasses of foibled thought
Her eyes move the length of a trolley car
As she sips julep from a mason jar
She smiles at the echo in her transparent space
Life is pure and simple without the rat race
She climbs into silence; it's golden they say
A windswept freedom on any given day.
^*^ Shhhhhhhhh^*^
Une Liberté Battue des vents
Copyright © October 21, 2011 Sandra L. Hoynacki.
# # #
A resident of Florida, the "hurricane state," SANDRA L. HOYNACKI says her husband is her very life, along with her four grown children and two grandchildren. She retired from the nursing profession to take care of her elderly mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, but still finds the time to write because, as she has said, "I love writing and hope to write for many years to come!" This very busy author is a graduate of The Institute of Children's Literature and Pensacola Junior College and has been writing short stories and poems for many years. She believes she inherited her writing talent from her very creative father and her grandmother, whose short stories were published in various magazines. Following the Hurricane Ivan disaster, the local opera announced that it would be producing a show titled, "Hurricane Monologues." Writers were urged to submit their entries. Sandra's story, "Collections of Memories" was selected and performed onstage in September of 2005. Sandra is a member of Gulf Coast Authors' Group, and is currently in the process of working on book four. Her previous three books are: “Purple Latches”, “Whispers From The Ledge” and her 1st fiction medical thriller, “On Call”, which can be purchased at: www.SandraHoynacki.com (more information on all of Sandra’s books can be found in the Off The Press! Corner).
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Old Len and His Dog
By Helen Dowd
Author of “If You Only Knew!”
Len is just an old man, and his eyes are quite dim
And nobody thinks very much about him
He lives by himself--with his dog, nicknamed "Joe"--
Since his wife died of cancer, about twelve years ago,
Two years before that, Beth had gone for a stroll
She'd wandered on down by the old water hole
Her ears were alerted to a cry of distress
she went to investigate . . . Oh, what a mess!
"Who could have committed this terrible crime?"
She said, as she rescued a dog from the slime
she wrapped up the puppy, and hurried on home
she bathed him and nursed him, and named him, "Jerome"
From that day and onward, "Joe" was part of their life--
Now Len's only companion, since he lost his wife
Each day, for twelve years, around about two,
Joe and Len walk to town, just for something to do
Walking, now, is not easy for Len or for Joe
They're both old and crippled, and their going is slow
But Joe always knows when it's time for their walk
He snatches his leash from beside the big clock
And together you'll see them again and again
Joe walks a few steps...stops...and then waits for Len
So patiently, patiently, Joe takes the lead
To everyone's stares, Joe and Len pay no heed
At an outdoor café you'll find the pair there
They have milk and biscuits, which both of them share
It seems no one cares that Len brings Jerome
It's a fact that's accepted: It's their second home
Then, 'though no words are spoken, they stand up to go,
Slowly heading for home: Len, following Joe.
Copyright © Helen Dowd.
# # #
HELEN DOWD is a Christian author, poet and writer who says: “I gave my heart to the Lord at the age of eight. My husband, Hart, and I celebrated our fiftieth-fourth wedding anniversary last year (2011) on August 24th. During our married lifetime we have shared in the raising of many children – none of whom were born to us. I also worked with physically and mentally handicapped people; and have been caregiver for elderly relatives and friends. Now I am enjoying life with Hart, our four cats: Keeper, Ezee, Scooter, and Sparky (all cast-offs or rescue cats), and our dog, Corky (our dog Rocky died in November, '07. We adopted Corky from an animal rescue in December '07). In 2004 Hart was taken ill with a staph infection, nearly losing his life. In April of 2007 he had his right leg amputated due to MRSA (the super bug). Since then he has had to learn to adjust to life in a wheelchair; however, he uses his time to the utmost, sending out inspirational emails. He has met many suffering people on the internet, and feels that his health problems are insignificant compared to those with whom he corresponds. My accomplishments: Besides having graduated from Bible College in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada, I have received Certificates from two International Writing Courses, as well as from a Business College. Several of my poems, stories, pet articles, and Bible Studies have been published in anthologies and local magazines and newspapers, and most recently, online. I have won several prizes for my poetry, and have written poems for special occasions.
In 2005, my book,“If You Only Knew!” was published and is available to purchase through my website. I have dedicated my site, "Occupy Till I Come," to the Lord. Amen.” --Helen Dowd.
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Eight Weeks Have Gone By
By Cynthia Groopman
Eight weeks have gone by since the tragic shock occurred
and oh did I mourn grieve and cry
When my dearest twin brother suddenly passed away
Oh the darkness of tragedy befell me during the sunshiny day
Although time did march on,
moving ahead seemed difficult after Jay was buried and gone
Support did arrive in my life,
easing my pain, concerns and worries; and alleviating my strife
With the help of my spiritual leader who has a kind and caring heart,
Everything began to jell;
A team of helpers began to form and work began to start
Now I have a team who is caring;
their time and efforts are empathetically appreciated
I am grateful to them for sharing
God is on my side
In my heart, joy and gladness and renewal of spirit do abide
For, as you know, the sunshine in my life's sky
is beginning to once again beam and glow
No longer do I feel like the tears will opaque my rainbow of hope
Oh blessed are those who are enriching my life and enabling me to cope
Thus in eight weeks, I can truly say,
I am thankful to God and to His angels who are supporting me in every way.
Copyright © July 16, 2011 Cynthia L. Groopman
* * * * * *
A Special Valentine's Day Card
By Cynthia Groopman
It was February 14, 1973. Mother would always send me a store bought Valentine's Day card. I really would appreciate them and cherish them but somehow I longed for a homemade card. Mother was artistic and creative. I was noticing that she was working all afternoon on a beautiful surprise. She would cover her work at her desk whenever I would pass by. It was her secret. I just could not understand what her secret or surprise would be.
When I went to sleep that night, I wondered and wondered. I heard cutting of papers with scissors and lots of other work being done and mom was not in bed. When I woke up and went to look for mother, I saw my beautiful black haired beautiful mother sitting at the table, with a lamp on and she was busy at work. Mother, I asked, "why are you up at one AM?"
She smiled and said that I love you dear daughter. When I awoke I found near my chair, where I had placed my work bag and coat, a beautiful Valentine’s Day card creatively prepared by mom. It was a gem and more precious than the store bought ones. I found this hand made card in the desk about 5 years ago and was thrilled. Mother’s love for me not only was on Valentine’s Day but even after she passed away. I can feel her spiritual presence, and even have visits from her in my dreams.
True love transcends death and time. The lesson my mother taught me during those beautiful carefree youthful days was that love is special and it is the intrinsic value of an item that is precious and priceless. She also taught me the true meaning of love.
Copyright © February 14, 2011 Cynthia L. Groopman.
# # #
CYNTHIA L. GROOPMAN is a poet and writer who became a Senior Writer at “Storytime Tapestry Ezine”, an Internet-based ezine, shortly after submitting her work to the publisher (Carol Roach) on December 31, 2006. When not writing, Cynthia volunteers at a senior center in New York where she teaches English as a Second Language and as a Civilian Observation Patrol member, in which she won an honorary Police Precinct Civilian Observation Patrol (114th Civ-OP) Presidential Award. She received this Presidential Award in March 2007 at the senior center where she volunteers. She has worked with the Civ-OP for over 15 years, racking up more than 17,000 hours of volunteer service. Cynthia has also been published in “Prose’n’Poems”, a website’s newsletter for daily thoughts of the day, poems and jokes (www.jokesnstuff.net), and “The Cat’s Meow for Writers & Readers Magazine”, an Internet-based literary magazine (www.thecatsmeowforwritersreaders.com). Also in 2007, she won the coveted honor of being named “The Star of Queens” in The Queens Chronicle, a local weekly newspaper, for her community involvement, and a Congressional Medal of Honor Award from The Congress of the United States of America, also for her community involvement. She can be reached at cynthia.groopman@verizon.net
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I Suggest
By Conrad S. Cardinal
Some may wonder how God can forgive the horrible things we do?
At times I hear a heinous story and think, it can’t be true
Perhaps some wonder why they’re here, what are they to learn?
They find it hard to comprehend, lacking power to discern
There must be a secret code or mystery to uncover
some thing hidden in the Book, they must discover
I suggest a list of wrongs doesn’t exist in that special place
I believe with patience and compassion He looks upon each face
No secret code, no mystery to solve, none of the above
I suggest a simple answer, we must learn to love.
Copyright © 2011 Conrad S. Cardinal.
* * * * * *
He said to me "There is no God"
By Conrad S. Cardinal
He said to me there is no God, it’s foolish to believe
to waste my time in prayer is hard to perceive
I’ve asked for relief from the demon that binds me
Still I suffer, no help has come, how can He be?
I said to him, there is no answer to the why of things
I can’t explain the reason for the pain that life brings
My friend, our journey brings both joy and sorrow
only God knows what may happen tomorrow
Love can be the means by which our burden may lift
to me this knowledge has become a very precious gift
Through prayer and supplication I’ve come to understand,
By Jesus and the Holy Spirit we’ll be guided by Gods’ hand
It becomes a choice that each of us must make
Choose anger or the gifts that are ours to take
These gifts, I mention, have been placed within our reach
we must grasp each one, for God will not beseech.
Copyright © 2011 Conrad S. Cardinal
# # #
CONRAD S. CARDINAL is a retired-Licensed Preacher and Associate Pastor, a poet, and a writer who was born in Brooklyn, New York in the USA. While living in Brooklyn, he played professional baseball for about 4 years but due to a bad injury he retired from baseball and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in the USA. There he worked as a Security Guard, slot machine Floor Man, and then as a Stage Hand for 40 years. The last 18 years of his career, he ran a Theatrical Welding Shop while also taking Seminary Extension Courses through the Southern Baptist Home Mission Department; enabling him to become a Licensed Preacher and the Associate Pastor of a non-denominational Church on the Las Vegas strip. Conrad has been writing poetry on and off most of his life but he has been more committed to his writing since he retired. He likes to call his work “Essays in Poetry” because he writes about issues that concern him. Conrad and his wife have been married for 30+ years; they have 7 children and 11 grandchildren. He can be contacted at aol.com
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Death
(IT)
By Arthur C. Ford, Sr.
Brought to us by living corpes
Every second, every minute, everyday,
Plants, even share IT'S seasonal way
No answers come from thanatology
We depend completely on thaumatology
Life makes sure, that IT'S denounced
Living makes sure, IT happens only once
Sin and sorry, tend to be ITS kin
War seems to justify, why IT'S a win
The Past is the Future, as soon as IT arrives
The Future is the Present, waiting to be deprived
On land, in sea, IT diets on us
Whether long white hair or pubertal pus
Forsaken by Forever
All groups, all prides, all flocks,
This Rolex's worth a million
But Longevity ticks and tocks
Brought to us by “Funerals”
Please wake us from IT'S sleep
Cause IT gave us no fair warning
IT crept, IT hid, It leaped.
Copyright © February 10, 2011 Arthur C. Ford, Sr.
* * * * * *
Life
(THAT)
By Arthur C. Ford, Sr.
Brought to us by frowns and laughter
Pining love and lust-
and more of THAT thereafter
With smell, and feel and sight-
Touch, and taste and equilibrium
Stuffed in a box of ce-re-brum
Let Life and Love be spelled the same
The former is the latter-when there is no blame
The Present is some thyme,
That seasons Future wishes
The Past is a patient rope
Life's anglers saw brought fishes
Life complains-THAT it's too hot-
Life complains-That it's too cold-
Creating a mental mania,
Expecting the weather of Arizona
While living in Pennsylvania
Brought to us by a baby's birth
Mamma, Daddy, full of mirth
Yes, we know THAT begs and bend
Just promise us, THAT it won't end!
Copyright © February 10, 2011 Arthur C. Ford, Sr.
# # #
ARTHUR C. FORD, SR. was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana in the USA. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern University in New Orleans, where he studied creative writing and was also a member of the Drama Society. He has visited 45 states in the United States and resided for two (2) years in Brussels, Belgium in Europe. His poetry, lyrics and prose have been published in newsletters, journals and magazines throughout America and Canada. He has recently been published by: "The Cat's Meow for Writers & Readers Magazine", “Whimsie-E-Mail of Canada”, “Skyline Magazine of New York”, “Silver Wing of Clovis, CA.” and “Kuntu Workshop of the University of Pittsburgh”. Arthur’s next book, “Reasons for Rhyming (Volume 1),” will be released in the near future. He is currently residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA, where he continues to write, edit and publish poetry and prose. Arthur has read poetry throughout America, Europe and Canada. He can be contacted at wewuvpoetry@hotmail.com
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All Praise Be To Allah
By Jason Hutto
Each sun-kissed daffodil bounces back and forth in the
refreshing spring breeze
Every flower an individual, but at the same time keeping the melodic
ebb and flow of the others
Depending how you look, what you want your vision to
be, you see one or you see all
You see just a bunch of flowers or just the one
I tend to look at the one;
a flower just being a flower
I wonder if it has a name?
If not, I shall call it Bob
Bob is a fitting name for this stubby flower
Short, yet wider than the others, a tad askew
and unkempt. The fully bloomed bulbous head sticking out of
the masses and saying, “I’m Bob. I like sun and water.”
We already have much in common Bob and I,
I like sun and water too
As I get out of my own head, departing from the worries
and nonsense that tend to encapsulate my brain, Bob begins
to be my teacher, my spiritual guru in plant form,
my own personal Jesus
You see, Bob knows how to do something I don’t
Bob knows how to simply be what he is
He has no concern over the past or the future
Bob is content being in the now, and he does a darn good job of it
I become envious of the simplicity
that is Bob; so carefree, so effortless
A tinge of anger builds in me knowing that a mindless plant
has things together more than I do
I rise from my weathered, half-broken, rocking chair
while taking a sip of my now-lukewarm beer
I have one mission in mind, to pluck Bob
Halfway there though it becomes clear that if I pluck
Bob I also have to pluck Nancy, and Doris, and Florence
Again, all different but all one united front:
Lucille and Dick and Norman and Pearl
Why do all these flowers have names from the 1940’s and 1950’s?
Maybe because they’re old souls
They bloom, flower, wilt, and die
Then in the spring it starts all over again;
re-incarnated flowers from the black and white television era
I sit back down, eyes gazing at "Bob"
He looks back at me, swaying to and fro, almost a
smug smile smeared on his flower face
I submit to Bob, and follow the notion of the other flowers he leads to the Promised Land;
I just be and enjoy this moment to its fullest
Because of Bob I’ve learned to live
All praise be to Allah
Or God
Or Jah
Or Jehovah
Or Jesus
They are all really the same thing
Or are they all different?
Guess it depends on how you choose to see them.
Copyright © 2011 Jason Hutto.
# # #
Born and raised in South Carolina, JASON HUTTO says that means "he talks a little funny and possesses great manners, as well as high-blood pressure and probably high-cholesterol." After three non-platinum rap albums, Jason has turned his creative faculties towards writing. Instead of entertaining people on the stage with his actions he would rather entertain people with his feelings and emotions, which he balls up and turns into printed words. He is currently working on a compilation of works entitled "Meditations with Jason: A Collection of Ramblings". His prose style is well polished and descriptive; and his approach to writing is very unique and humorous. Jason can be contacted at www.facebook.com/awesomehutto
refreshing spring breeze
Every flower an individual, but at the same time keeping the melodic
ebb and flow of the others
Depending how you look, what you want your vision to
be, you see one or you see all
You see just a bunch of flowers or just the one
I tend to look at the one;
a flower just being a flower
I wonder if it has a name?
If not, I shall call it Bob
Bob is a fitting name for this stubby flower
Short, yet wider than the others, a tad askew
and unkempt. The fully bloomed bulbous head sticking out of
the masses and saying, “I’m Bob. I like sun and water.”
We already have much in common Bob and I,
I like sun and water too
As I get out of my own head, departing from the worries
and nonsense that tend to encapsulate my brain, Bob begins
to be my teacher, my spiritual guru in plant form,
my own personal Jesus
You see, Bob knows how to do something I don’t
Bob knows how to simply be what he is
He has no concern over the past or the future
Bob is content being in the now, and he does a darn good job of it
I become envious of the simplicity
that is Bob; so carefree, so effortless
A tinge of anger builds in me knowing that a mindless plant
has things together more than I do
I rise from my weathered, half-broken, rocking chair
while taking a sip of my now-lukewarm beer
I have one mission in mind, to pluck Bob
Halfway there though it becomes clear that if I pluck
Bob I also have to pluck Nancy, and Doris, and Florence
Again, all different but all one united front:
Lucille and Dick and Norman and Pearl
Why do all these flowers have names from the 1940’s and 1950’s?
Maybe because they’re old souls
They bloom, flower, wilt, and die
Then in the spring it starts all over again;
re-incarnated flowers from the black and white television era
I sit back down, eyes gazing at "Bob"
He looks back at me, swaying to and fro, almost a
smug smile smeared on his flower face
I submit to Bob, and follow the notion of the other flowers he leads to the Promised Land;
I just be and enjoy this moment to its fullest
Because of Bob I’ve learned to live
All praise be to Allah
Or God
Or Jah
Or Jehovah
Or Jesus
They are all really the same thing
Or are they all different?
Guess it depends on how you choose to see them.
Copyright © 2011 Jason Hutto.
# # #
Born and raised in South Carolina, JASON HUTTO says that means "he talks a little funny and possesses great manners, as well as high-blood pressure and probably high-cholesterol." After three non-platinum rap albums, Jason has turned his creative faculties towards writing. Instead of entertaining people on the stage with his actions he would rather entertain people with his feelings and emotions, which he balls up and turns into printed words. He is currently working on a compilation of works entitled "Meditations with Jason: A Collection of Ramblings". His prose style is well polished and descriptive; and his approach to writing is very unique and humorous. Jason can be contacted at www.facebook.com/awesomehutto
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HELPFUL NONFICTION ARTICLES CORNER
Knowledge Is Power.
Where articles with helpful information
and tips can be found!
Plus general informative nonfiction articles
Trends of Crime against Women
(A Case Study of Reported Crimes in Rajasthan State, India)
By Hem Raj Meena
Crime against women is a technical term used to collectively refer to violent acts that are primarily or exclusively committed against women. Similar to a hate crime, this type of violence targets a specific group with the victim's gender as a primary motive. The United Nations General Assembly defines "violence against women" as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life." The 1993 Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women noted that this violence could be perpetrated by assailants of either gender, family members or even the "State" itself.
Crime against women affects all of the society. The famous sociologist Sadarland states “that it occurs in public, in the family and in intimate contexts and can be experienced by women at any stage of their lives. Violence against women is a complex matter that is linked to women’s equality in society. Ethnicity, culture, age, relationship type and economic status can all affect the rate and impact of violence against women.”
This paper of statistical indicators in Rajasthan addresses the major areas of concern on crimes against women, including severity and prevalence, impact, risk factors, institutional and community based responses, and victims’ use of services. In terms of severity and prevalence, this data indicates that women are more likely than men to be victims of the most severe forms of spousal assault, as well as spousal homicide, sexual assault and criminal harassment. Following evidence of an increase in the incidence of spousal assault against women in the 2000s, a total of 17,316 cases were reported under Crimes against Women during the year 2009, recording an increasing trend, compared to 14,491 cases reported in the year 2008, with an increase of 19.49 percent.
The past decade has witnessed a general increase in the number of women related cases. This upward shift may be partly attributed to institutional and community-based responses, a negative tolerance for violence against women, and improvements in women’s socio-economic status. Additional data is needed to answer the questions of whether violence against women has decreased for all sub-groups of the population, and whether intervention efforts have made a difference. Governments and communities have responded to violence by providing shelters, treatment programs for abusers, specialized domestic violence courts and other victim services. Victimization surveys suggest that there has been a rise in the percentage of spousal assaults reported to the police since 2005, although this stabilized between 2007 and 2008. These are an indication not only of the impact of violence on individuals, but of the direct and indirect costs to society. The risk factors identify young women as particularly vulnerable to criminal harassment, sexual assault and spousal homicide.
One of the most important risk factors of physical or sexual violence against women in relationships is the presence of emotional abuse. This type of abuse, including jealous and controlling behaviour, the use of verbal bullying, and financial abuse, provides a significantly stronger predictor of violent behaviour towards women in relationships than does alcohol use, income or education. Women living in common-law unions are at higher risk of assault and homicide by their partners than married women. Separation can also increase the risk of violence and potentially trigger homicide for women in violent relationships. Ultimately the impact of violence against women is felt by everyone, either directly or indirectly. Ongoing collection and analysis of reliable statistical data is important for monitoring the prevalence, risk factors, and intergenerational impacts of violence. Data such as these indicators are intended as a useful tool for all levels of government as well as non-governmental groups for tracking change over time, highlighting new and emerging issues, and developing legislative, policy and program responses to help prevent violence and assist victims.
Crimes which are directed specifically against women may be broadly classified under the following two categories: - Indian Penal Code(IPC) Crimes such as Rape (Sec.376 IPC), Kidnapping & Abduction for various purposes (Sec. 363 –373 IPC), Dowry Deaths or their Attempts (Sec.302/304-B IPC),Torture, both Mental and Physical (Sec.498-A IPC), Molestation (Sec.354 IPC), Sexual Harassment (Sec.509 IPC) (referred in past as Eve-Teasing), Importation of Girls (up to 21 years of age) (Sec.366-B IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL) Crimes such as Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961,The Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Act, 1979, Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987, The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation, Prevention & Misuse) Act, 1994.
Incidences of Various Crimes against Women:
The crime incidence of reported crimes against women during the last five years, along with their percentage variation, is presented in Rajasthan. Total 17316 cases were reported under Crimes against Women during the year 2009, recording an increasing trend, compared to 14491 cases reported in the year 2008, with an increase of 19.49 percent. Among them a total of 1,519 cases of Rape were reported in Rajasthan during the year 2009 as compared to 1,355 cases reported during the previous year, showing an increase of 12.10 percent. A total of 436 cases of Dowry Death were reported in the year 2009 as against 439 cases in the year 2008 showing a decrease of 0.68 percent. A total of 2485 cases of Molestation were reported during the year 2009 showing a decrease of 1.39 percent, when compared to the previous year, which recorded 2520 cases.
A total of 24 cases of Sexual Harassment were registered in the year 2009, recording a decrease of 26.32 percent when compared to 19 cases during the previous year. A total of 10371 cases of Cruelty against Women were reported during the year 2009 as compared to 8113 cases reported during the previous year, with an increase of 27.83 percent. An increasing trend has been observed under this head with 2310 cases reported during the year 2009 when compared to 1863 cases in 2008, recording an increase of 23.99 percent. In the Dowry Prohibition Act in Rajasthan, only 3 cases were reported during the year 2009. In the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, a decrease of 13.89 percent has been recorded in cases during 2009 with 62 cases when compared to previous year 2008 with 72 cases. In the Indecent Representation of Women (P) Act, a total of 106 cases were reported during the year 2009 as compared to 107 cases reported during the year 2008, showing a decrease of 0.93 percent.
Hence it can be concluded that the number of women in the population who are affected by violence is challenging due to the very private nature of these experiences. A subset of police services across India is able to track the gender of victims and offenders for crimes that are reported to them. But this undercounts incidents of violence against women as just over one-third of spousal assaults and less than 10% of sexual assaults are reported to police. However, women who use shelters tend to be fleeing very serious violence and may not be representative of all abused women. Victimization surveys, as opposed to police collected data, can become the standard for estimating the nature and extent of violence against women in the general population.
Copyright © 2011 Hem Raj Meena.
# # #
HEM RAJ MEENA is a newly published writer, an RPS Officer in Rajasthan State Police of India, and the Deputy Superintendent of Police, PTC, in Jaipur City, Rajasthan, India. He can be contacted at hemrajppmeena@gmail.com
________________________________________________________________________________
Crime against women affects all of the society. The famous sociologist Sadarland states “that it occurs in public, in the family and in intimate contexts and can be experienced by women at any stage of their lives. Violence against women is a complex matter that is linked to women’s equality in society. Ethnicity, culture, age, relationship type and economic status can all affect the rate and impact of violence against women.”
This paper of statistical indicators in Rajasthan addresses the major areas of concern on crimes against women, including severity and prevalence, impact, risk factors, institutional and community based responses, and victims’ use of services. In terms of severity and prevalence, this data indicates that women are more likely than men to be victims of the most severe forms of spousal assault, as well as spousal homicide, sexual assault and criminal harassment. Following evidence of an increase in the incidence of spousal assault against women in the 2000s, a total of 17,316 cases were reported under Crimes against Women during the year 2009, recording an increasing trend, compared to 14,491 cases reported in the year 2008, with an increase of 19.49 percent.
The past decade has witnessed a general increase in the number of women related cases. This upward shift may be partly attributed to institutional and community-based responses, a negative tolerance for violence against women, and improvements in women’s socio-economic status. Additional data is needed to answer the questions of whether violence against women has decreased for all sub-groups of the population, and whether intervention efforts have made a difference. Governments and communities have responded to violence by providing shelters, treatment programs for abusers, specialized domestic violence courts and other victim services. Victimization surveys suggest that there has been a rise in the percentage of spousal assaults reported to the police since 2005, although this stabilized between 2007 and 2008. These are an indication not only of the impact of violence on individuals, but of the direct and indirect costs to society. The risk factors identify young women as particularly vulnerable to criminal harassment, sexual assault and spousal homicide.
One of the most important risk factors of physical or sexual violence against women in relationships is the presence of emotional abuse. This type of abuse, including jealous and controlling behaviour, the use of verbal bullying, and financial abuse, provides a significantly stronger predictor of violent behaviour towards women in relationships than does alcohol use, income or education. Women living in common-law unions are at higher risk of assault and homicide by their partners than married women. Separation can also increase the risk of violence and potentially trigger homicide for women in violent relationships. Ultimately the impact of violence against women is felt by everyone, either directly or indirectly. Ongoing collection and analysis of reliable statistical data is important for monitoring the prevalence, risk factors, and intergenerational impacts of violence. Data such as these indicators are intended as a useful tool for all levels of government as well as non-governmental groups for tracking change over time, highlighting new and emerging issues, and developing legislative, policy and program responses to help prevent violence and assist victims.
Crimes which are directed specifically against women may be broadly classified under the following two categories: - Indian Penal Code(IPC) Crimes such as Rape (Sec.376 IPC), Kidnapping & Abduction for various purposes (Sec. 363 –373 IPC), Dowry Deaths or their Attempts (Sec.302/304-B IPC),Torture, both Mental and Physical (Sec.498-A IPC), Molestation (Sec.354 IPC), Sexual Harassment (Sec.509 IPC) (referred in past as Eve-Teasing), Importation of Girls (up to 21 years of age) (Sec.366-B IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL) Crimes such as Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961,The Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Act, 1979, Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987, The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation, Prevention & Misuse) Act, 1994.
Incidences of Various Crimes against Women:
The crime incidence of reported crimes against women during the last five years, along with their percentage variation, is presented in Rajasthan. Total 17316 cases were reported under Crimes against Women during the year 2009, recording an increasing trend, compared to 14491 cases reported in the year 2008, with an increase of 19.49 percent. Among them a total of 1,519 cases of Rape were reported in Rajasthan during the year 2009 as compared to 1,355 cases reported during the previous year, showing an increase of 12.10 percent. A total of 436 cases of Dowry Death were reported in the year 2009 as against 439 cases in the year 2008 showing a decrease of 0.68 percent. A total of 2485 cases of Molestation were reported during the year 2009 showing a decrease of 1.39 percent, when compared to the previous year, which recorded 2520 cases.
A total of 24 cases of Sexual Harassment were registered in the year 2009, recording a decrease of 26.32 percent when compared to 19 cases during the previous year. A total of 10371 cases of Cruelty against Women were reported during the year 2009 as compared to 8113 cases reported during the previous year, with an increase of 27.83 percent. An increasing trend has been observed under this head with 2310 cases reported during the year 2009 when compared to 1863 cases in 2008, recording an increase of 23.99 percent. In the Dowry Prohibition Act in Rajasthan, only 3 cases were reported during the year 2009. In the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, a decrease of 13.89 percent has been recorded in cases during 2009 with 62 cases when compared to previous year 2008 with 72 cases. In the Indecent Representation of Women (P) Act, a total of 106 cases were reported during the year 2009 as compared to 107 cases reported during the year 2008, showing a decrease of 0.93 percent.
Hence it can be concluded that the number of women in the population who are affected by violence is challenging due to the very private nature of these experiences. A subset of police services across India is able to track the gender of victims and offenders for crimes that are reported to them. But this undercounts incidents of violence against women as just over one-third of spousal assaults and less than 10% of sexual assaults are reported to police. However, women who use shelters tend to be fleeing very serious violence and may not be representative of all abused women. Victimization surveys, as opposed to police collected data, can become the standard for estimating the nature and extent of violence against women in the general population.
Copyright © 2011 Hem Raj Meena.
# # #
HEM RAJ MEENA is a newly published writer, an RPS Officer in Rajasthan State Police of India, and the Deputy Superintendent of Police, PTC, in Jaipur City, Rajasthan, India. He can be contacted at hemrajppmeena@gmail.com
________________________________________________________________________________
Loss of Innocence: Sexually Abused Children (Part 1)
By Carol Roach
Author of “Picking Up the Pieces: One Woman’s Journey”
and “Angels Watching Over Me”
Most people will automatically think of the loss of innocence when an adult defiles a child in a sexual way. However, according to Dr. Hord, a Florida psychologist specializing in treating sexually abused children, some very young children enjoy the experience of fondling, etc, because they do not realize the sexual encounters were morally wrong until later in life.
Others may not realize what was done to them until years later, when problems begin to surface in their lives and affects the ways in which they interact with the world.
Some may not remember the sexual activity if it happened when they were really young and some bury it in their subconscious because the pain is too hard to remember.
Still others remember it and are tormented by it for years to come.
Treatment for sexually abused children differ
Dr. Hord states that you cannot treat all sexually abused children in the same way, the problems and reactions are different when the abuser is a family member to when it is a complete stranger.
Children often do not report sexual abuse perpetrated by a parent or other family member
Children who have been sexually abused by a parent are confused. They don’t understand what has happened to them and they often feel guilty for reporting the abuse. They often think they brought on the abuse themselves. They feel they have caused pain to their abuser by reporting the crime.
Some children have been abused for so long they feel it is normal.
Other children are afraid the family might retaliate by denying the abuse, blaming the child for lying and putting the child in an awkward position of no longer knowing right from wrong. These children faced with this situation often take back the accusations which further complicates the situation making it harder for both treatment and prosecution of the criminal.
For help in Montreal, Montrealers’ can turn to:
Sexual Assault Center
514.934.4504
Kid's help line
514.288.2266
Help line
514.935.1101
Referral Centre of Greater Montreal
514.527.1375
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/explaining-pedophilia?page=4
Copyright © June 14, 2010 Carol Roach.
* * * * * *
Others may not realize what was done to them until years later, when problems begin to surface in their lives and affects the ways in which they interact with the world.
Some may not remember the sexual activity if it happened when they were really young and some bury it in their subconscious because the pain is too hard to remember.
Still others remember it and are tormented by it for years to come.
Treatment for sexually abused children differ
Dr. Hord states that you cannot treat all sexually abused children in the same way, the problems and reactions are different when the abuser is a family member to when it is a complete stranger.
Children often do not report sexual abuse perpetrated by a parent or other family member
Children who have been sexually abused by a parent are confused. They don’t understand what has happened to them and they often feel guilty for reporting the abuse. They often think they brought on the abuse themselves. They feel they have caused pain to their abuser by reporting the crime.
Some children have been abused for so long they feel it is normal.
Other children are afraid the family might retaliate by denying the abuse, blaming the child for lying and putting the child in an awkward position of no longer knowing right from wrong. These children faced with this situation often take back the accusations which further complicates the situation making it harder for both treatment and prosecution of the criminal.
For help in Montreal, Montrealers’ can turn to:
Sexual Assault Center
514.934.4504
Kid's help line
514.288.2266
Help line
514.935.1101
Referral Centre of Greater Montreal
514.527.1375
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/explaining-pedophilia?page=4
Copyright © June 14, 2010 Carol Roach.
* * * * * *
Pedophilia is the Ultimate Crime against Children (Part 2)
By Carol Roach
Author of “Picking Up the Pieces: One Woman’s Journey”
and “Angels Watching Over Me”
There are some individuals who have trouble maintaining a normal adult relationship and fantasize about having a relationship with a child. These people do not act upon it. However, there is no physical contact made with children and therefore no legal crime has been committed. Nevertheless some of these people are remorseful knowing these feelings are wrong. Unfortunately, they just do not know how to entertain a relationship with a consenting adult.
On the other hand there are pedophiles who engage in sexual activity with children just for sport. Dr. Hord says these are the monsters, they are not remorseful and argue that what they are doing is perfectly okay. They are adamant that their sexuality activities with children should be legalized the same way that homosexuality has been legalized and recognized in Canada and parts of the USA. They maintain that they should have legal rights. Do they actually believe that the world is discriminating against them or do they just want to justify their immorality; it’s hard to tell.
These individuals will most probably fail at any kind of treatment and should remain incarcerated for the remainder of their lives.
The two above mentioned situations as explained earlier are as different as day and night.
However, not all pedophiles want to justify their actions, there are cases reported of pedophiles who know they are wrong, but also know they cannot help themselves. We have read cases where the pedophiles has admitted they cannot help themselves and asked for castration in order to prevent any further abuse of minors.
Chemical castration
It has long been noted that there is a correlation between aggression and the male sex hormone testosterone. Advocates of chemical castration are in favour of using the drug Depo-Provera to reduce the sexual urges of these men. However, for the treatment to work it would have to be mandatory and monitored and combined with cognitive behavioural therapy to be discussed later.
To be continued in the April-June 2012 magazine issue ….
For help in Montreal, Montrealers’ can turn to:
Sexual Assault Center
514.934.4504
Kid's Help Line
514.288.2266
Help Line
514.935.1101
Referral Centre of Greater Montreal
514.527.1375
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/explaining-pedophilia?page=4
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-11/cfaa-pmb112707.php
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/461904/pedophilia_may_be_caused_by_irregular_pg2_pg2.html?cat=5
http://whyfiles.org/154pedophile/2.html
http://www.sexoffender.com/sorecidivism_review.html
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1778
Copyright © 2010 Carol Roach.
# # #
CAROL ROACH, M.Ed., B.A., a native of Montreal, Quebec, holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Masters in Education in counseling psychology from Concordia University and McGill University in Canada. She is the author of two books, titled “Picking Up the Pieces: A Woman’s Journey” and “Angels Watching Over Me” (more information about her two books can be found in the Off The Press! Corner of The Cat’s Meow for Writers & Readers Magazine). Carol is also the moderator for the Psychology Channel at Factoidz.com; she publishes “Storytime Tapestry”, an Internet-based ezine that is devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world. Carol is also a freelance / ghostwriter for hire and her many articles, stories and poems have been published in both print & electronic magazines. Check out Carol’s new blog at: http://carolsstories.blogspot.com and her three (3) new columns: “Women’s Issues”, “Health”, and “Mental Health”, at Examiner.com. She can be contacted at winterose@videotron.ca
________________________________________________________________________________
June 2021: Ten Predictions for the Coming Decade
By Sam Vaknin
Author of “Malignant Self-Love: Narcissism Revisited” and
“After the Rain - How the West Lost the East”
1. Italy, the euro, and the US dollar
On November 24, 2010, I published (in "Global Politician" and elsewhere) an article titled “Italy will Kill the Euro”. Six months later, credit rating agencies have downgraded Italy’s outlook from “stable” to “negative”. Italy is in worse shape than most members of the European Union (EU): at 6% of GDP, it has an ostensibly sustainable budget deficit, but its external debt (now close to 120% of GDP) is higher than that of the most egregious wastrels in the bloc, Greece and Ireland included. Italy's banking sector is over-exposed to borrowers in Central and Eastern Europe; a region habitually pendulating between recovery and economic calamity. If Italy goes Greece's and Ireland's way, the EU and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - already over-extended by serial bailouts - will be unable to stem the red tide. Italy may actually effectively default and, in the process, ruin the euro and restore the US dollar to its erstwhile glory.
2. Korean Unification
By late 2010, a succession war was simmering in North Korea. His panoply of suddenly-bestowed senior political and military posts notwithstanding, the generals and military establishment are less than happy and impressed with Kim Jong-un, the younger son of the Dear Leader, Kim Jong-il. Each side flexes muscles in an attempt to burnish their nationalist and martial credentials. The outcomes of this internecine conflict are ominous: a series of ever-escalating military skirmishes with South Korea and the ramping up of North Korea’s already burgeoning nuclear weapons program.
North Korea’s leaders are likely to try to reform their country’s economy and introduce capitalism, but this will fail. The regime in North Korea is all but dead on its feet. These are its last days. China is facing the terrifying spectacle of a crony failed state with tens of millions of starved and destitute potential refugees swarming across its porous and indefensible borders. There is only one solution to all the problems of the Korean Peninsula: unification. The parties came close to discussing it in secret talks in 2002 and then again in 2009.
3. China’s Economy and the Second Great Depression
As I predicted in an article published on February 22, 2009 and titled “The Next 18 Months: Recession, False Recovery, Depression”, the years 2010-2011 saw a false recovery from the Great Recession of 2008-2009. Mounting sovereign debts crises in Europe and an anemic rebound in America’s economy were more than outweighed by the emergence of Asia as a global powerhouse. Yet, the warning signs were there: China’s economic “miracle” was based on unsustainable dollops of government largesse and monetary quantitative easing. This led to the formation of asset bubbles (mainly in real-estate) and to pernicious inflation. The Chinese authorities’ attempts to clamp down on rampant speculation and price gouging are too little, too late. The economy will slow down considerably and the Chinese house of cards will collapse ominously and swiftly. This will bring the entire global economic edifice into disarray with mounting imbalances and increased risk-aversion among investors. The second phase of the global crisis will resemble closely the Great Depression with massive write-offs in the values of equities and mounting, two-digit, unemployment rates everywhere.
4. Israeli-Arab War
The Arab Spring of 2011 empowered Islamist and other anti-Israeli elements in Arab society. Israel and its allies, the reactionary Arab regimes, were long and justly perceived by the oppressed average Arab as outposts of American (and, previously, British) mercantilist neo-imperialism. The popular uprisings unseated these entrenched dictatorial elites and replaced them with military and Muslim ruling classes bent on restoring the anti-Israeli hostility and enmity that characterized the Middle-East before 1979. In time, this – and heavy Iranian meddling - will lead to an all out war between Israel and its neighbours, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with any certainty.
5. Russian Liberalism
On June 2, 2010, I published an article titled “Putin’s Last Days”. Putin is on his way out. With this clownish “strong man” gone, Russia is bound to become a far more liberal and democratic place. Whether Medvedev wins the next presidential elections or not, Russia’s oligarchs are a dying breed; the rule of law is asserting itself; property rights will be restored; a new cadre of politicians – young, educated, self-confident, and cosmopolitan (though not necessarily pro-Western) – will take Russia forward and free it from its pecuniary dependence on oil.
6. First Cyberwar
The Stuxnet worm delivered a paralyzing payload via cyberspace, thus heralding the first salvo in the gathering storm of cyberwars. Prior to Stuxnet, hacker networks – both government-mandated and self-assembling – attacked the Internet infrastructure of perceived enemies (the prime examples being Russian attacks on the Baltic States and on Georgia and Chinese attacks on dissidents’ accounts with Google). The resulting disruption was minimal and transient. Not so with Stuxnet, which ruined the Iranian uranium enrichment infrastructure single-handedly and remotely and without a single casualty among the Israelis who launched it. Similar offensives will become common in the near future.
7. Change of Guard in International Institutions
The composition of and voting rights within the United Nations and its organs (including the World Bank) as well as other multilateral institutions (such as the IMF – International Monetary Fund) reflect the world as it was in 1946, after the Second World War. A lot has changed since then, most notably the emergence of Asia as the fastest-growing region, both economically and militarily and the relative decline of an insular Europe and depleted USA. Within the next few years, the upper echelons of the IMF and the UN will be revamped to reflect these gargantuan historic shifts: we will see Asians and Africans running the world.
8. A Dictatorship in Turkey
Snubbed by the EU (European Union) and the USA alike, Turkey is re-orienting itself. Once again, it is playing the role of a regional potentate, with ties to regimes of all sorts: veteran and unsavoury; emerging and fundamentalist; terrorism-prone and peace-seeking. Turkey’s military and its secular political establishment have lost their decades-old grip on power. Moderate Islam, reified by Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan, is slowly being transformed into an authoritarian, fundamentalist, anti-Western pale imitation of Pakistan and Iran. Its erstwhile warm relationship with Israel is frayed. Media freedoms and online access are curtailed and censored. Human rights are again breached and violated blatantly (especially where Kurds are concerned). Turkey’s role in NATO, its special relationship with the USA, and its EU accession are all in doubt.
9. War in Pakistan
The second war between the USA and China – directly and via proxies – will be fought on Pakistani, Indian, and Afghani soil. As an increasingly-Islamized Pakistan veers away from its frenemy, the United States, and towards its new-found ally, China, America’s vital interests in Afghanistan, India, Japan, and South Korea are at stake. Skirmishes will evolve into a full-fledged conflict, with a slate of nuclear powers as adversaries: Pakistan, India, China, and the USA/NATO .
10. Dissipated Cloud Computing
As the inherent instability, unreliability, and unsafety of cloud computing are demonstrated time and again, businesses and, later, users will shy away from it and return to the safe havens of their servers, laptops, tablets, notebooks, netbooks, and PCs. Hyped today, cloud computing and its derivatives (Chrome Operating System, for instance) is a fad and will become the exclusive reserve of giant consumers of storage such as Google and Amazon. Other predictions: Bing will triumph over Google as it gains access to Facebook’s and Skype’s vast treasure troves of user-generated information; the PC will make a comeback (of course, transformed beyond recognition); Windows Mobile (Nokia) and Android will overtake Apple’s iOS.
Copyright © July 9, 2011 Sam Vaknin.
* * * * * *
On November 24, 2010, I published (in "Global Politician" and elsewhere) an article titled “Italy will Kill the Euro”. Six months later, credit rating agencies have downgraded Italy’s outlook from “stable” to “negative”. Italy is in worse shape than most members of the European Union (EU): at 6% of GDP, it has an ostensibly sustainable budget deficit, but its external debt (now close to 120% of GDP) is higher than that of the most egregious wastrels in the bloc, Greece and Ireland included. Italy's banking sector is over-exposed to borrowers in Central and Eastern Europe; a region habitually pendulating between recovery and economic calamity. If Italy goes Greece's and Ireland's way, the EU and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - already over-extended by serial bailouts - will be unable to stem the red tide. Italy may actually effectively default and, in the process, ruin the euro and restore the US dollar to its erstwhile glory.
2. Korean Unification
By late 2010, a succession war was simmering in North Korea. His panoply of suddenly-bestowed senior political and military posts notwithstanding, the generals and military establishment are less than happy and impressed with Kim Jong-un, the younger son of the Dear Leader, Kim Jong-il. Each side flexes muscles in an attempt to burnish their nationalist and martial credentials. The outcomes of this internecine conflict are ominous: a series of ever-escalating military skirmishes with South Korea and the ramping up of North Korea’s already burgeoning nuclear weapons program.
North Korea’s leaders are likely to try to reform their country’s economy and introduce capitalism, but this will fail. The regime in North Korea is all but dead on its feet. These are its last days. China is facing the terrifying spectacle of a crony failed state with tens of millions of starved and destitute potential refugees swarming across its porous and indefensible borders. There is only one solution to all the problems of the Korean Peninsula: unification. The parties came close to discussing it in secret talks in 2002 and then again in 2009.
3. China’s Economy and the Second Great Depression
As I predicted in an article published on February 22, 2009 and titled “The Next 18 Months: Recession, False Recovery, Depression”, the years 2010-2011 saw a false recovery from the Great Recession of 2008-2009. Mounting sovereign debts crises in Europe and an anemic rebound in America’s economy were more than outweighed by the emergence of Asia as a global powerhouse. Yet, the warning signs were there: China’s economic “miracle” was based on unsustainable dollops of government largesse and monetary quantitative easing. This led to the formation of asset bubbles (mainly in real-estate) and to pernicious inflation. The Chinese authorities’ attempts to clamp down on rampant speculation and price gouging are too little, too late. The economy will slow down considerably and the Chinese house of cards will collapse ominously and swiftly. This will bring the entire global economic edifice into disarray with mounting imbalances and increased risk-aversion among investors. The second phase of the global crisis will resemble closely the Great Depression with massive write-offs in the values of equities and mounting, two-digit, unemployment rates everywhere.
4. Israeli-Arab War
The Arab Spring of 2011 empowered Islamist and other anti-Israeli elements in Arab society. Israel and its allies, the reactionary Arab regimes, were long and justly perceived by the oppressed average Arab as outposts of American (and, previously, British) mercantilist neo-imperialism. The popular uprisings unseated these entrenched dictatorial elites and replaced them with military and Muslim ruling classes bent on restoring the anti-Israeli hostility and enmity that characterized the Middle-East before 1979. In time, this – and heavy Iranian meddling - will lead to an all out war between Israel and its neighbours, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with any certainty.
5. Russian Liberalism
On June 2, 2010, I published an article titled “Putin’s Last Days”. Putin is on his way out. With this clownish “strong man” gone, Russia is bound to become a far more liberal and democratic place. Whether Medvedev wins the next presidential elections or not, Russia’s oligarchs are a dying breed; the rule of law is asserting itself; property rights will be restored; a new cadre of politicians – young, educated, self-confident, and cosmopolitan (though not necessarily pro-Western) – will take Russia forward and free it from its pecuniary dependence on oil.
6. First Cyberwar
The Stuxnet worm delivered a paralyzing payload via cyberspace, thus heralding the first salvo in the gathering storm of cyberwars. Prior to Stuxnet, hacker networks – both government-mandated and self-assembling – attacked the Internet infrastructure of perceived enemies (the prime examples being Russian attacks on the Baltic States and on Georgia and Chinese attacks on dissidents’ accounts with Google). The resulting disruption was minimal and transient. Not so with Stuxnet, which ruined the Iranian uranium enrichment infrastructure single-handedly and remotely and without a single casualty among the Israelis who launched it. Similar offensives will become common in the near future.
7. Change of Guard in International Institutions
The composition of and voting rights within the United Nations and its organs (including the World Bank) as well as other multilateral institutions (such as the IMF – International Monetary Fund) reflect the world as it was in 1946, after the Second World War. A lot has changed since then, most notably the emergence of Asia as the fastest-growing region, both economically and militarily and the relative decline of an insular Europe and depleted USA. Within the next few years, the upper echelons of the IMF and the UN will be revamped to reflect these gargantuan historic shifts: we will see Asians and Africans running the world.
8. A Dictatorship in Turkey
Snubbed by the EU (European Union) and the USA alike, Turkey is re-orienting itself. Once again, it is playing the role of a regional potentate, with ties to regimes of all sorts: veteran and unsavoury; emerging and fundamentalist; terrorism-prone and peace-seeking. Turkey’s military and its secular political establishment have lost their decades-old grip on power. Moderate Islam, reified by Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan, is slowly being transformed into an authoritarian, fundamentalist, anti-Western pale imitation of Pakistan and Iran. Its erstwhile warm relationship with Israel is frayed. Media freedoms and online access are curtailed and censored. Human rights are again breached and violated blatantly (especially where Kurds are concerned). Turkey’s role in NATO, its special relationship with the USA, and its EU accession are all in doubt.
9. War in Pakistan
The second war between the USA and China – directly and via proxies – will be fought on Pakistani, Indian, and Afghani soil. As an increasingly-Islamized Pakistan veers away from its frenemy, the United States, and towards its new-found ally, China, America’s vital interests in Afghanistan, India, Japan, and South Korea are at stake. Skirmishes will evolve into a full-fledged conflict, with a slate of nuclear powers as adversaries: Pakistan, India, China, and the USA/NATO .
10. Dissipated Cloud Computing
As the inherent instability, unreliability, and unsafety of cloud computing are demonstrated time and again, businesses and, later, users will shy away from it and return to the safe havens of their servers, laptops, tablets, notebooks, netbooks, and PCs. Hyped today, cloud computing and its derivatives (Chrome Operating System, for instance) is a fad and will become the exclusive reserve of giant consumers of storage such as Google and Amazon. Other predictions: Bing will triumph over Google as it gains access to Facebook’s and Skype’s vast treasure troves of user-generated information; the PC will make a comeback (of course, transformed beyond recognition); Windows Mobile (Nokia) and Android will overtake Apple’s iOS.
Copyright © July 9, 2011 Sam Vaknin.
* * * * * *
How The Stupid Took Over the World
By Sam Vaknin
Author of “Malignant Self-Love: Narcissism Revisited” and
“After the Rain - How the West Lost the East”
The Stupid, the Trivial, and the Frivolous are everywhere: among the working classes, of course, but increasingly you can find them displacing the erstwhile elites, spawning hordes of mindless politicians, idiot business tycoons, narcissistic media personalities, vacuous celebrities, illiterate bestselling authors, athletes with far more brawn than brain, repetitious pop singers, and even ignorant academics. Their cacophony drowns the few voices of wisdom, expertise, and experience and their sheer number overwhelms all systems of governance and all mechanisms of decision-making. The Imbeciles are a menace to the continued existence not only of our civilization, but also of our species. We may end up being all Homo, no sapiens.
The percentage of stupid people in the general populace may not have changed. It may even have decreased. But in terms of absolute numbers, there are more Stupid Heads now than the entire human population only a century ago. Modern medicine makes sure that the retarded and plain dim-witted live on to a ripe old age. That we are faced with the daunting prospect of idiocracy is the fault of the malignant transformation of the democratic ideal and the recent onslaught of the media, both old and new.
Start with democracy:
In the not-too-distant past stupid people had the right to vote once in a while and thus express their completely inconsequential opinion where it mattered least: in the ballot box. Alas, the inane idea of “one person (never mind how pinheaded, unqualified, or ignorant), one vote” has invaded and permeated hitherto hierarchical environments such as government, the workplace, and the military. With technology at their disposal, The Stupid repeatedly interfere with and disrupt the proper functioning of virtually every system.
Even the generation and transfer of knowledge have been “democratized” as crowdsourcing yielded enterprises such as Wikipedia, the “encyclopedia” that anyone can edit, add to, and delete from. Internet search engines rank results not according to the merits and authority of the content, but by the number of votes cast by ... you guessed it: mostly dense people (who now congregate on social networks). This widespread and much-lauded vandalism reflects the utter collapse and disintegration of the education system which turns out illiterate, nescient, and irrational graduates having annihilated its standards in order to embrace them as students in the first place.
The Stupid, dimly aware of their innate inferiority, are anti-elitist, anti-intellectual, and anti-excellence. But, while in the past these remained mere sentiments, today they have become an ethos, a code of conduct, a set of values and ideals. It is politically incorrect and impolite to claim any advantage and superiority. Egalitarianism is running amok. Everyone is equal: doctors and their patients; professors and their students; experts and laymen alike.
Continue with technology:
In an act of self-preservation, past civilizations had confined The Stupid to certain settlements, replete with their drinking establishments, entertainments, and sports arenas. There the “intellectually-challenged” could safely torment each other with their vulgarities and rampant, uninformed idiocy. The advent of radio, television, and, most egregiously, the Internet has changed all that: now stupid people have unmitigated access to the kind of technology that allows them to pollute the airwaves and the broadband with their inferior analytic capacity, low-brow output, trivial observations, monosyllabic exclamations, and harebrained queries. Thus, the New Media have transformed stupidity from a mental endemic to a viral epidemic. The wise and knowledgeable may broadcast while the Stupid merely narrowcast – but the Stupid have the upper hand, what with Google, Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, and YouTube decimating the traditional print and electronic media.
This technological empowerment is the crux of the problem: there are no barriers to entry, no institutional filters, and no erudite and experienced intermediaries to hold back the avalanche of doltish balderdash, the tsunami of nonsense, and the flood of misinformation, factoids, and conspiracies that corrupt our intellectual space. Commercial interests inevitably and invariably side with the brainless masses because of their superior aggregate purchasing power. The privatization of education is one manifestation of this creeping decadence. The mindless nature of television programming is another. The empty one-liners that comprise most “conversations” on social networks are its culmination. We are surrounded with clods, harassed by the lame-brained, criticized, censored, and ordered by simpletons. Welcome to the New Dark Ages.
Copyright © July 9, 2011 Sam Vaknin.
# # #
SAM VAKNIN ( http://samvak.tripod.com ) is the author of “Malignant Self-Love: Narcissism Revisited” and “After the Rain - How the West Lost the East”, as well as many other books and ebooks about topics in psychology, relationships, philosophy, economics, and international affairs. He is the Editor-in-Chief of “Global Politician” and served as a columnist for “Central Europe Review”, “PopMatters”, “eBookWeb”, and “Bellaonline”, and as a United Press International (UPI) Senior Business Correspondent. He was the editor of Mental Health and Central East Europe categories in The Open Directory and Suite101. Visit Sam's website at http://www.narcissistic-abuse.com
_________________________________________________________________________________
The percentage of stupid people in the general populace may not have changed. It may even have decreased. But in terms of absolute numbers, there are more Stupid Heads now than the entire human population only a century ago. Modern medicine makes sure that the retarded and plain dim-witted live on to a ripe old age. That we are faced with the daunting prospect of idiocracy is the fault of the malignant transformation of the democratic ideal and the recent onslaught of the media, both old and new.
Start with democracy:
In the not-too-distant past stupid people had the right to vote once in a while and thus express their completely inconsequential opinion where it mattered least: in the ballot box. Alas, the inane idea of “one person (never mind how pinheaded, unqualified, or ignorant), one vote” has invaded and permeated hitherto hierarchical environments such as government, the workplace, and the military. With technology at their disposal, The Stupid repeatedly interfere with and disrupt the proper functioning of virtually every system.
Even the generation and transfer of knowledge have been “democratized” as crowdsourcing yielded enterprises such as Wikipedia, the “encyclopedia” that anyone can edit, add to, and delete from. Internet search engines rank results not according to the merits and authority of the content, but by the number of votes cast by ... you guessed it: mostly dense people (who now congregate on social networks). This widespread and much-lauded vandalism reflects the utter collapse and disintegration of the education system which turns out illiterate, nescient, and irrational graduates having annihilated its standards in order to embrace them as students in the first place.
The Stupid, dimly aware of their innate inferiority, are anti-elitist, anti-intellectual, and anti-excellence. But, while in the past these remained mere sentiments, today they have become an ethos, a code of conduct, a set of values and ideals. It is politically incorrect and impolite to claim any advantage and superiority. Egalitarianism is running amok. Everyone is equal: doctors and their patients; professors and their students; experts and laymen alike.
Continue with technology:
In an act of self-preservation, past civilizations had confined The Stupid to certain settlements, replete with their drinking establishments, entertainments, and sports arenas. There the “intellectually-challenged” could safely torment each other with their vulgarities and rampant, uninformed idiocy. The advent of radio, television, and, most egregiously, the Internet has changed all that: now stupid people have unmitigated access to the kind of technology that allows them to pollute the airwaves and the broadband with their inferior analytic capacity, low-brow output, trivial observations, monosyllabic exclamations, and harebrained queries. Thus, the New Media have transformed stupidity from a mental endemic to a viral epidemic. The wise and knowledgeable may broadcast while the Stupid merely narrowcast – but the Stupid have the upper hand, what with Google, Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, and YouTube decimating the traditional print and electronic media.
This technological empowerment is the crux of the problem: there are no barriers to entry, no institutional filters, and no erudite and experienced intermediaries to hold back the avalanche of doltish balderdash, the tsunami of nonsense, and the flood of misinformation, factoids, and conspiracies that corrupt our intellectual space. Commercial interests inevitably and invariably side with the brainless masses because of their superior aggregate purchasing power. The privatization of education is one manifestation of this creeping decadence. The mindless nature of television programming is another. The empty one-liners that comprise most “conversations” on social networks are its culmination. We are surrounded with clods, harassed by the lame-brained, criticized, censored, and ordered by simpletons. Welcome to the New Dark Ages.
Copyright © July 9, 2011 Sam Vaknin.
# # #
SAM VAKNIN ( http://samvak.tripod.com ) is the author of “Malignant Self-Love: Narcissism Revisited” and “After the Rain - How the West Lost the East”, as well as many other books and ebooks about topics in psychology, relationships, philosophy, economics, and international affairs. He is the Editor-in-Chief of “Global Politician” and served as a columnist for “Central Europe Review”, “PopMatters”, “eBookWeb”, and “Bellaonline”, and as a United Press International (UPI) Senior Business Correspondent. He was the editor of Mental Health and Central East Europe categories in The Open Directory and Suite101. Visit Sam's website at http://www.narcissistic-abuse.com
_________________________________________________________________________________
OFF THE PRESS! CORNER
Take a look at the BEST in Contemporary Literature
Then order your very own copy thru the links
provided in the press releases for the authors books!
Seaburn Media Group Announces
But! I’ve Always Loved You
Author ROSE ANNA SCHOENE’S third novel!
But! I’ve Always Loved You, Rose Anna Schoene's third novel, is about stunning Jessie who is raped at twelve and bears a son who is then taken from her. As she grows up she is repulsed by men until she meets devastatingly handsome Andre, who offers her a forbidden love amidst magical, romantic Rome. Jessie’s loyal friend Debbie is always there for her; steadfastly aiding her in her lifelong quest to find the son she gave birth to but had to give up. Will Jessie succumb to devastatingly handsome Andre’s charm? Will she ever find her son?
ALSO BY ROSE ANNA SCHOENE:
"Absolutely the Last Resort" and "Where Are You?" (Fiction novels)
ROSE ANNA SCHOENE is a native New Yorker who made her writing debut with "Absolutely the Last Resort," a charming and nostalgic family-oriented book, which fictionalizes many of the author’s personal experiences owning a resort in the Catskill Mountains of New York for over 30 years. This book reflects just one aspect of the author’s life and creative talents, and introduces us to her artistic and comedic nature. She has a writing style that is both entertaining and uplifting which reflects Rose Anna’s true writing persona; yet she proves the versatility of her literary scope with her second novel, "Where Are You?," which offers a serious, dramatic and paranormal-love storyline, and her third novel, "But! I’ve Always Loved You."
Where Are You?, Rose Anna’s second book, is about Dr. Joy Evans and Dr. Dean Judson, who collide in the corridors of St. John’s Hospital—their introduction is the beginning of a torrid and tender love. Two weeks later, they are married and in six months they relocate to the state of Pennsylvania, where Dean takes over the practice of a retiring Doctor and feels that his ambitions have been fulfilled. But when Joy does not return from a quick errand to the store and her car is later found, Dr. Dean Judson’s entire life takes a plunge into despair. Then strangely, Dean begins seeing Joy, or what he perceives to be Joy. In the early hours of the morning, he is awakened from his sleep and sees Joy at the foot of his bed. She seems to glide around and then vanishes. Is he dreaming? Is he hallucinating? Is she a spirit or is he going mad…?
All three (3) of Rose Anna’s books are available to purchase on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Seaburn Media Group.com or on her author website: http://www.AuthorRoseAnnaSchoene.com
Ordering Info for Rose Anna Schoene’s three (3) books:
Absolutely the Last Resort by Rose Anna Schoene
Publisher: Seaburn Media Group
Publication Date: 2003
ISBN #: 159232-060-0; 144 pages
Price: $14.95
Where Are You? by Rose Anna Schoene
Publisher: Seaburn Media Group
Publication Date: 2006
ISBN #: 159232-009-0; 124 pages
Price: $14.95
But! I’ve Always Loved You by Rose Anna Schoene
Publisher: Seaburn Media Group
Publication Date: 2010
ISBN #: 159232-253-0; 169 pages
Price: $14.95
Also visit Rose Anna’s official author site at: http://www.AuthorRoseAnnaSchoene.com
_____________________________________________________________________
ALSO BY ROSE ANNA SCHOENE:
"Absolutely the Last Resort" and "Where Are You?" (Fiction novels)
ROSE ANNA SCHOENE is a native New Yorker who made her writing debut with "Absolutely the Last Resort," a charming and nostalgic family-oriented book, which fictionalizes many of the author’s personal experiences owning a resort in the Catskill Mountains of New York for over 30 years. This book reflects just one aspect of the author’s life and creative talents, and introduces us to her artistic and comedic nature. She has a writing style that is both entertaining and uplifting which reflects Rose Anna’s true writing persona; yet she proves the versatility of her literary scope with her second novel, "Where Are You?," which offers a serious, dramatic and paranormal-love storyline, and her third novel, "But! I’ve Always Loved You."
Where Are You?, Rose Anna’s second book, is about Dr. Joy Evans and Dr. Dean Judson, who collide in the corridors of St. John’s Hospital—their introduction is the beginning of a torrid and tender love. Two weeks later, they are married and in six months they relocate to the state of Pennsylvania, where Dean takes over the practice of a retiring Doctor and feels that his ambitions have been fulfilled. But when Joy does not return from a quick errand to the store and her car is later found, Dr. Dean Judson’s entire life takes a plunge into despair. Then strangely, Dean begins seeing Joy, or what he perceives to be Joy. In the early hours of the morning, he is awakened from his sleep and sees Joy at the foot of his bed. She seems to glide around and then vanishes. Is he dreaming? Is he hallucinating? Is she a spirit or is he going mad…?
All three (3) of Rose Anna’s books are available to purchase on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Seaburn Media Group.com or on her author website: http://www.AuthorRoseAnnaSchoene.com
Ordering Info for Rose Anna Schoene’s three (3) books:
Absolutely the Last Resort by Rose Anna Schoene
Publisher: Seaburn Media Group
Publication Date: 2003
ISBN #: 159232-060-0; 144 pages
Price: $14.95
Where Are You? by Rose Anna Schoene
Publisher: Seaburn Media Group
Publication Date: 2006
ISBN #: 159232-009-0; 124 pages
Price: $14.95
But! I’ve Always Loved You by Rose Anna Schoene
Publisher: Seaburn Media Group
Publication Date: 2010
ISBN #: 159232-253-0; 169 pages
Price: $14.95
Also visit Rose Anna’s official author site at: http://www.AuthorRoseAnnaSchoene.com
_____________________________________________________________________
On Call
(A fiction medical suspense thriller)
By SANDRA L. HOYNACKI
On Call, author Sandra Hoynacki's third book and first fiction novel, is about Jenny, a nurse working in a hospital in the Town of Morganville, and her best friend Kathy, also a nurse working at the same hospital. They become caught between life and death when they discover the hospital's "secret". You will walk amid cryptic pages of suspense so powerful that you will lose your ability to distinguish the unknown from reality as you walk the same corridors as Jenny and Kathy; aware that they are watching you. Be prepared to enter a realm beyond your wildest imagination with Sandra's medical thriller On Call.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Although SANDRA HOYNACKI has only been writing for the last several years, she has already won several contests for her poems, has had one of her short stories chosen to be performed at The Pensacola Little Theater after Hurricane Ivan, was once invited to read at a Poet’s Convention in Washington, D.C., and is a graduate of The Institute of Children’s Literature. Sandra Hoynacki is a poet, a novelist, and an author but if you ask her what title she prefers Sandra herself will say: “Writer.” That sums it up perfectly, and what a writer she is!
Ordering Info for Sandra Hoynacki’s novel On Call:
On Call by Sandra Hoynacki
Publisher: Trent's Prints & Publishing
Publication Date: September 2009
ISBN#: 978-1-934035-76-4
276 pages, and can be purchased through Sandra’s author website: www.SandraHoynacki.com
ALSO BY SANDRA L. HOYNACKI:
Purple Latches (A book of poetry) and Whispers From The Ledge (A book of poetry & short stories)
Review of Purple Latches :
***** I'm familiar with the exemplary life author Sandra Hoynacki leads; her book Purple Latches includes some of the most beautiful poetry your eyes shall ever read and witness. The words of imagery and artwork shall instill within you an uplifted spirit like none I've ever read in my fifty-eight years on earth. Each poem opens ones physical senses and starts a movie in the minds eyes where you can leave at the end with the most dynamic thoughts ever perceived in ones written words of truth and mystery. I strongly recommend this book to anyone in need of a life changing experience or for the benefit of a walk down memory lane. It is an honor and privilege to know the Author Sandra Hoynacki, and the sacrifices she makes toward humanity on a daily basis. --Michael Powell; writer & security guard.
Drawn from real-life experiences and creative visions, these collections of poems and short stories by Sandra Hoynacki will inspire, surprise and entertain the most discerning reader.
Ordering Info for Sandra Hoynacki’s other books, "Purple Latches" and "Whispers From The Ledge":
Purple Latches by Sandra Hoynacki
Publisher: Lulu Press
Publication Date: June 2007
ISBN #: 978-1-4303-2293-1
Price: [Print-edition] $19.50; [ebook] $12.00
158 pages, and can be purchased at: Sandra Hoynacki.com, Lulu Press, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, or wherever books are sold.
Whispers From The Ledge by Sandra Hoynacki
Publisher: Lulu Press
Publication Date: December 2008
ISBN #: 978-0-557-02904-4
Price: [Print-edition]: $15.17; Not Available in ebook edition.
148 pages, and can be purchased at: Sandra Hoynacki.com, Lulu Press, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com,
or wherever books are sold.
________________________________________________________________________________
***** I'm familiar with the exemplary life author Sandra Hoynacki leads; her book Purple Latches includes some of the most beautiful poetry your eyes shall ever read and witness. The words of imagery and artwork shall instill within you an uplifted spirit like none I've ever read in my fifty-eight years on earth. Each poem opens ones physical senses and starts a movie in the minds eyes where you can leave at the end with the most dynamic thoughts ever perceived in ones written words of truth and mystery. I strongly recommend this book to anyone in need of a life changing experience or for the benefit of a walk down memory lane. It is an honor and privilege to know the Author Sandra Hoynacki, and the sacrifices she makes toward humanity on a daily basis. --Michael Powell; writer & security guard.
Drawn from real-life experiences and creative visions, these collections of poems and short stories by Sandra Hoynacki will inspire, surprise and entertain the most discerning reader.
Ordering Info for Sandra Hoynacki’s other books, "Purple Latches" and "Whispers From The Ledge":
Purple Latches by Sandra Hoynacki
Publisher: Lulu Press
Publication Date: June 2007
ISBN #: 978-1-4303-2293-1
Price: [Print-edition] $19.50; [ebook] $12.00
158 pages, and can be purchased at: Sandra Hoynacki.com, Lulu Press, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, or wherever books are sold.
Whispers From The Ledge by Sandra Hoynacki
Publisher: Lulu Press
Publication Date: December 2008
ISBN #: 978-0-557-02904-4
Price: [Print-edition]: $15.17; Not Available in ebook edition.
148 pages, and can be purchased at: Sandra Hoynacki.com, Lulu Press, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com,
or wherever books are sold.
________________________________________________________________________________
NEW! One Priceless Treasure
(A fiction novel)
By ROSALEE WILSON
About “One Priceless Treasure by Rosalee Wilson”:
Brad Thompson moves from his home in Florida to Boston, Massachusetts with his family who are pursuing a new business venture. Brad doesn’t know the extent to how his life is going to change until he meets Connie, the love of his life. She is every man’s dream girl and he feels special that he becomes her choice. But due to unseen circumstances, his dreams begin to crumble and he doesn't know if he can put them back together again. What drives him away is a misunderstanding but how will he get her back, and will he? After years of pain and agony, they reunite once again. If only he had taken the phone call that night; their lives could have been happy and years of loneliness could have been avoided.
“One Priceless Treasure” is a sweet romance that everyone who has ever been in love can relate to; remembering that awesome feeling of your first crush! Laughter and tears, this book is a must-read and will definitely touch your heart.
Hurry! Get Your Copy of “One Priceless Treasure by Rosalee Wilson” Today! ( ordering info is below… )
Ordering Info for Rosalee Wilson’s book, "One Priceless Treasure" :
One Priceless Treasure by Rosalee Wilson
Publisher: Lulu Press
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN #: 978-1-257-86522-2
Price: $5.99 ebook download; $22.50 for print edition
Also By Rosalee Wilson:
A Mushy Mouse Tale
(A children’s book)
By ROSALEE WILSON
This is your chance to meet Mushy, the most lovable mouse you will ever meet!
Mushy Mouse is a mouse looking for love and a family to call his own. He struggles with self confidence and the idea of someone loving a fat mouse like him. But Mushy and an Indian mouse named Feathertail form a bond that will last a lifetime. With excitement and adventure, “A Mushy Mouse Tale” by Rosalee Wilson will touch your heart forever. A must read!
Go to www.lulu.com today and order your copy of “A Mushy Mouse Tale by Rosalee Wilson”!
Elijah the Penguin
(A children’s inspirational book)
By ROSALEE WILSON
Ordering Info for Rosalee Wilson’s book, "Elijah the Penguin" :
Contact: Lacresha Hayes
Living Waters Publishing Company
Phone: (870) 739-4100
Fax: (870) 739-4108
lacresha.hayes@livingwaterspc.com
17 Gannet Street
Marion, AR 72364
www.livingwaterspc.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
ROSALEE WILSON is an avid writer with an imagination that ignites a spark in children everywhere. She is available for speaking engagements and interviews.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Brad Thompson moves from his home in Florida to Boston, Massachusetts with his family who are pursuing a new business venture. Brad doesn’t know the extent to how his life is going to change until he meets Connie, the love of his life. She is every man’s dream girl and he feels special that he becomes her choice. But due to unseen circumstances, his dreams begin to crumble and he doesn't know if he can put them back together again. What drives him away is a misunderstanding but how will he get her back, and will he? After years of pain and agony, they reunite once again. If only he had taken the phone call that night; their lives could have been happy and years of loneliness could have been avoided.
“One Priceless Treasure” is a sweet romance that everyone who has ever been in love can relate to; remembering that awesome feeling of your first crush! Laughter and tears, this book is a must-read and will definitely touch your heart.
Hurry! Get Your Copy of “One Priceless Treasure by Rosalee Wilson” Today! ( ordering info is below… )
Ordering Info for Rosalee Wilson’s book, "One Priceless Treasure" :
One Priceless Treasure by Rosalee Wilson
Publisher: Lulu Press
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN #: 978-1-257-86522-2
Price: $5.99 ebook download; $22.50 for print edition
Also By Rosalee Wilson:
A Mushy Mouse Tale
(A children’s book)
By ROSALEE WILSON
This is your chance to meet Mushy, the most lovable mouse you will ever meet!
Mushy Mouse is a mouse looking for love and a family to call his own. He struggles with self confidence and the idea of someone loving a fat mouse like him. But Mushy and an Indian mouse named Feathertail form a bond that will last a lifetime. With excitement and adventure, “A Mushy Mouse Tale” by Rosalee Wilson will touch your heart forever. A must read!
Go to www.lulu.com today and order your copy of “A Mushy Mouse Tale by Rosalee Wilson”!
Elijah the Penguin
(A children’s inspirational book)
By ROSALEE WILSON
Ordering Info for Rosalee Wilson’s book, "Elijah the Penguin" :
Contact: Lacresha Hayes
Living Waters Publishing Company
Phone: (870) 739-4100
Fax: (870) 739-4108
lacresha.hayes@livingwaterspc.com
17 Gannet Street
Marion, AR 72364
www.livingwaterspc.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
ROSALEE WILSON is an avid writer with an imagination that ignites a spark in children everywhere. She is available for speaking engagements and interviews.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Family Secrets Lies and Alibis
A Different Kind of Love
Bruised Love
Skeletons Beyond the Closed Door
and now…
Gossip Line
(Fiction novels)
By NANETTE M. BUCHANAN
Nanette M. Buchanan’s new book, Gossip Line, is now available - Get Your Copy Today!
About ‘Gossip Line by Nanette M. Buchanan’:
A new beginning is what Melinda Wells was seeking when she left her home in Mobile, Alabama. As a journalist, her dream of writing for a large newspaper would never become a reality having the experience the Mobile Register offered. Melinda embraced the thought of moving to New York, landing her job as a journalist in Manhattan, and her new love interest Jerome Belmont, despite her father and grandmother’s warnings.
Melinda’s rise in journalism took a back seat to her growing interest in talk radio. When her southern charms secured an opportunity to host her own show in her boyfriend’s hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Melinda knew her dreams were becoming a reality. The new “Radio Diva’s” dream came with a price.
Her new lifestyle became more than what Melinda expected. After climbing the ladder of what the industry labeled as well deserved success it all was falling apart. Gossip Line, the radio talk show that named her as the number one host on the Pennsylvania airwaves, was threatening to ruin her dreams. Her family background that she knew little about, and her fairy tale love life was being aired on the radio one piece at a time. Melinda needed to find the caller who knew more about her than she seemed to know about herself.
However, revealing the caller’s identity could be fatal to more than the show.
Let IPenDesigns.net or author Nanette Buchanan know your thoughts and comments about her other novels (below): ipendesigns@gmail.com
‘Family Secrets Lies & Alibis,’ The Sequel... ‘A Different Kind of Love’, 'Bruised Love’ and ‘Skeletons Beyond the Closed Door’…
About ‘Skeletons Beyond The Closed Door by Nanette M. Buchanan’ :
Brian and Sage Drakeford were living their life as a loving couple and devoted parents until Sage caught her husband cheating. Seven years after their divorce, Sage Monroe Drakeford finds it hard to love again. As skeletons from her husband’s past resurface, Brian desperately wants to remain a part of his family’s life. After meeting a client who expresses his feelings for her and his knowledge of her husband’s secrets, Sage fights to ignore her emotional attachment. It is apparent Brian has moved on and jealousy becomes a reason for Sage to consider dating. Just as she decides Brian is not worth her putting her life on hold, his indiscretions become more than she is willing to accept.
Sage is caught between ruining Brian’s relationships with family, business and friends, and moving on with a new love, and forgetting the past. Sage’s decision and Brian’s choices will change their lives forever.
All of Nanette Buchanan's Books Are Available To Order On:
“I Pen Designs.net”
Visit Nanette at: www.ipendesigns.net or www.myspace.com/ipendesigns
Stay in contact with the author by checking out her “WHAT'S HAPPENING” page at: http://www.ipendesigns.net/
________________________________________________________________________________________
Brian and Sage Drakeford were living their life as a loving couple and devoted parents until Sage caught her husband cheating. Seven years after their divorce, Sage Monroe Drakeford finds it hard to love again. As skeletons from her husband’s past resurface, Brian desperately wants to remain a part of his family’s life. After meeting a client who expresses his feelings for her and his knowledge of her husband’s secrets, Sage fights to ignore her emotional attachment. It is apparent Brian has moved on and jealousy becomes a reason for Sage to consider dating. Just as she decides Brian is not worth her putting her life on hold, his indiscretions become more than she is willing to accept.
Sage is caught between ruining Brian’s relationships with family, business and friends, and moving on with a new love, and forgetting the past. Sage’s decision and Brian’s choices will change their lives forever.
All of Nanette Buchanan's Books Are Available To Order On:
“I Pen Designs.net”
Visit Nanette at: www.ipendesigns.net or www.myspace.com/ipendesigns
Stay in contact with the author by checking out her “WHAT'S HAPPENING” page at: http://www.ipendesigns.net/
________________________________________________________________________________________
Angels Watching Over Me
(A fiction paranormal novel)
and
Picking Up the Pieces: One Woman’s Journey
(A nonfiction book)
By CAROL ROACH
Storytime Tapestry Ezine’s Owner, Founder & Publisher
(Storytime_Tapestry-owner@yahoogroups.com)
Attention everyone!
A Canadian publisher, author & writer released her second book Angels Watching Over Me!
CAROL ROACH, a graduate of both Concordia University, with a bachelor’s in psychology, and a graduate of McGill University, with a master’s degree in counselling psychology, knows people as much as she knows the struggles of the poor and disenchanted.
She is truly the champion of the underdog. Carol’s signature writing is about poverty and the ability to rise above it. She strives to give women and men a voice through the written word. Her writing is poignant and inspirational. Ms. Roach also publishes an online ezine, Storytime Tapestry, where she encourages everyone to “let their true heart sing” through the words they write.
Her new book Angels Watching Over Me is rich with character while it underlines the issues of survival in one of Montreal’s poorest districts, St. Henri. Carol herself grew up in this area of the city.
Prominent Amazon & Senior MidWest Book Reviewer SHIRLEY JOHNSON'S Review
of Carol Roach’s book "Angels Watching Over Me" :
***** In this wonderful work by gifted author and publisher Carol Roach we meet a very special girl named Carissa. Carissa’s life has been anything but easy. She had known the scorn of poverty, the battle of rejection, the sorrow of death. However, Carissa has a quality that hinges almost on the supernatural; her faith and assurance in a God who is more than enough. We are taken through the life of Carissa from her youth in a small rural community and her family to her final victory as a woman who never comprised despite the hardships such decisions would bring. Her life stood as a testimony. This is a deep heartfelt read; one that shows the strength and courage of the human spirit despite at times cruel circumstances and unfair situations. The author definitely draws you into the very heart of Carissa merging you with the fight and strength that she possesses during her entire life. Her unselfish love is the main attribute that shone out to me and one that I think author Carol Roach did an exceptional job at portraying. If you want to read a story of the heart, this one is for you. A compelling story of a woman, a time and a future where one can actually say, ‘everything turned out all right.’ It might have happened much later than we as the reader may have wanted, but perhaps that is exactly how life for most of us plays out. Well done Ms. Roach!
--Shirley Johnson, Senior Reviewer for MidWest Book Review and a Prominent Amazon Reviewer
Ordering Info for Carol Roach’s book, "Angels Watching Over Me":
Angels Watching Over Me by Carol Roach
Publisher: Janelle M. (Lulu Press)
Publication Date: March 2007
ISBN #: 978-1-4303-2003-6
244 pages, and can be purchased at Lulu Press, Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com. Or you can order it at your local bookstore.
Price: [Print-edition] $16.10
[ebook] $5.00
_________________________________________________________________________________
She is truly the champion of the underdog. Carol’s signature writing is about poverty and the ability to rise above it. She strives to give women and men a voice through the written word. Her writing is poignant and inspirational. Ms. Roach also publishes an online ezine, Storytime Tapestry, where she encourages everyone to “let their true heart sing” through the words they write.
Her new book Angels Watching Over Me is rich with character while it underlines the issues of survival in one of Montreal’s poorest districts, St. Henri. Carol herself grew up in this area of the city.
Prominent Amazon & Senior MidWest Book Reviewer SHIRLEY JOHNSON'S Review
of Carol Roach’s book "Angels Watching Over Me" :
***** In this wonderful work by gifted author and publisher Carol Roach we meet a very special girl named Carissa. Carissa’s life has been anything but easy. She had known the scorn of poverty, the battle of rejection, the sorrow of death. However, Carissa has a quality that hinges almost on the supernatural; her faith and assurance in a God who is more than enough. We are taken through the life of Carissa from her youth in a small rural community and her family to her final victory as a woman who never comprised despite the hardships such decisions would bring. Her life stood as a testimony. This is a deep heartfelt read; one that shows the strength and courage of the human spirit despite at times cruel circumstances and unfair situations. The author definitely draws you into the very heart of Carissa merging you with the fight and strength that she possesses during her entire life. Her unselfish love is the main attribute that shone out to me and one that I think author Carol Roach did an exceptional job at portraying. If you want to read a story of the heart, this one is for you. A compelling story of a woman, a time and a future where one can actually say, ‘everything turned out all right.’ It might have happened much later than we as the reader may have wanted, but perhaps that is exactly how life for most of us plays out. Well done Ms. Roach!
--Shirley Johnson, Senior Reviewer for MidWest Book Review and a Prominent Amazon Reviewer
Ordering Info for Carol Roach’s book, "Angels Watching Over Me":
Angels Watching Over Me by Carol Roach
Publisher: Janelle M. (Lulu Press)
Publication Date: March 2007
ISBN #: 978-1-4303-2003-6
244 pages, and can be purchased at Lulu Press, Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com. Or you can order it at your local bookstore.
Price: [Print-edition] $16.10
[ebook] $5.00
_________________________________________________________________________________
My Naked Mind: An Intimate Collection of Poetry
(A book of inspirational poetry)
Fed Up Woman
(A novel ...)
and
NEW! Trisha's Treasures: Gems of Inspiration
(A book of inspirational quotes from the author)
By TRISHA MARTIN
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
TRISHA MARTIN is an author, poet, entrepreneur and blogger. Her book publications include "My Naked Mind: An Intimate Collection of Poetry" [April 2005], "Fed Up Woman" [May 2011] and "Trisha's Treasures: Gems of Inspiration" [May 2011]. Trisha has also had many of her poems, short stories and articles published in online & print magazines, journals, and newsletters. You can visit Trisha at her website: Trisha's World
Reviews of "My Naked Mind: An Intimate Collection of Poetry by Trisha Martin" :
***** The words contained within the pages of author, poet and entrepreneur Trisha Martin’s book are filled with compelling, deep, emotional and inspirational poems that readers should be able to identify with. Each poem is written with clarity as the author pours her heart and soul into her writing. If you're a poetry lover who likes reading personal works of others, this book of poetry is a must-read!
**** I have never read poetry so vividly written, taking me on a continuous journey from emotion to emotion!
Ordering Info for Trisha Martin’s books:
"My Naked Mind: An Intimate Collection of Poetry", "Fed Up Woman", and "Trisha's Treasures: Gems of Inspiration"
My Naked Mind: An Intimate Collection of Poetry by Trisha Martin
Publisher: Publish America
Publication date: April 2005
ISBN #: 1413744540
84 pages; Price: $14.95
Fed Up Woman by Trisha Martin
Publisher: Publish America
Publication date: May 2011
ISBN #: 978-1-4560-4946-1
64 pages; Price: $16.95
Trisha's Treasures: Gems of Inspiration by Trisha Martin
Publisher: Blurb
Publication date: May 2011
Price: (Soft cover, paperback) $13.95
(Hardcover, dust jacket) $29.95
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Reviews of "My Naked Mind: An Intimate Collection of Poetry by Trisha Martin" :
***** The words contained within the pages of author, poet and entrepreneur Trisha Martin’s book are filled with compelling, deep, emotional and inspirational poems that readers should be able to identify with. Each poem is written with clarity as the author pours her heart and soul into her writing. If you're a poetry lover who likes reading personal works of others, this book of poetry is a must-read!
**** I have never read poetry so vividly written, taking me on a continuous journey from emotion to emotion!
Ordering Info for Trisha Martin’s books:
"My Naked Mind: An Intimate Collection of Poetry", "Fed Up Woman", and "Trisha's Treasures: Gems of Inspiration"
My Naked Mind: An Intimate Collection of Poetry by Trisha Martin
Publisher: Publish America
Publication date: April 2005
ISBN #: 1413744540
84 pages; Price: $14.95
Fed Up Woman by Trisha Martin
Publisher: Publish America
Publication date: May 2011
ISBN #: 978-1-4560-4946-1
64 pages; Price: $16.95
Trisha's Treasures: Gems of Inspiration by Trisha Martin
Publisher: Blurb
Publication date: May 2011
Price: (Soft cover, paperback) $13.95
(Hardcover, dust jacket) $29.95
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Pink Poodle Pie
(Other Tales of How Women Get Even)
[A book of short stories by Barbara Deming and others]
By BARBARA DEMING
The Puppies Have Been Born!
Pink Poodle Pie (Other Tales of How Women Get Even) by Barbara Deming is available to purchase. All those stories are just 'yapping' to be read. This is what my editor calls 'mid-life chick-lit.' I say it is a blueprint of how we gals can get even with those cheatin' males in our lives, or dream of what we wished had happened to such guys in our past.
If you've ever been cheated on, dumped, or mentally/physically violated by a yahoo in any way, this is a must read for you! You will grin, gasp--maybe even give an "atta girl!" yell at the antics of these strong women. Yours Truly, Barbara Deming, offers nineteen women, many like us, who write their own ending to the stories of an important time in their lives.
You can find "Pink Poodle Pie" at iUniverse.com, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, Books-in-a-Million.com, or receive an autographed copy of the soft-cover edition by sending your check for only $16 (includes media postage-mailing) to: Barbara Deming, 1175 La Moree Rd. #68, San Marcos, CA 92078. She welcomes questions, discussions, and comments at: mailto: demingwrites@att.net
# # #
BARBARA ("BARB") DEMING is an Author, Instructor, Speaker, and Owner of the Writing Workshop "I Can Write. Can You?", which promotes writing for fun, mental health, and publication for both children and adults.
--"Pink Poodle Pie (Other Tales of How Women Get Even)" is available to order at: Amazon.com, iUniverse.com, or get your autographed copy from the author by e-mailing her at: demingwrites@att.net.
--"The Quilt Maker" and "Growing up Barefoot in the South [Essays of a Southern Writer]" can be purchased at Amazon.com. Or get an autographed copy from the author by e-mailing her at: demingwrites@att.net.
--Check out Barbara's blog: http://barbswritetree.blogspot.com
_________________________________________________________________________________________
If you've ever been cheated on, dumped, or mentally/physically violated by a yahoo in any way, this is a must read for you! You will grin, gasp--maybe even give an "atta girl!" yell at the antics of these strong women. Yours Truly, Barbara Deming, offers nineteen women, many like us, who write their own ending to the stories of an important time in their lives.
You can find "Pink Poodle Pie" at iUniverse.com, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, Books-in-a-Million.com, or receive an autographed copy of the soft-cover edition by sending your check for only $16 (includes media postage-mailing) to: Barbara Deming, 1175 La Moree Rd. #68, San Marcos, CA 92078. She welcomes questions, discussions, and comments at: mailto: demingwrites@att.net
# # #
BARBARA ("BARB") DEMING is an Author, Instructor, Speaker, and Owner of the Writing Workshop "I Can Write. Can You?", which promotes writing for fun, mental health, and publication for both children and adults.
--"Pink Poodle Pie (Other Tales of How Women Get Even)" is available to order at: Amazon.com, iUniverse.com, or get your autographed copy from the author by e-mailing her at: demingwrites@att.net.
--"The Quilt Maker" and "Growing up Barefoot in the South [Essays of a Southern Writer]" can be purchased at Amazon.com. Or get an autographed copy from the author by e-mailing her at: demingwrites@att.net.
--Check out Barbara's blog: http://barbswritetree.blogspot.com
_________________________________________________________________________________________
"THE GIFT OF GABE"
PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES:
THE LENNON CODE?
Few people have heard of the novel The Gift of Gabe by Brian Joseph. Six years ago even fewer people had heard of it. In these days of big budget mass marketing, books that are published by small publishers often have difficulty finding an audience. Without an advertising budget, word of this book has been spreading. Early readers fascinated by the book's inclusive spirituality, told others. An internet forum for people who study Gnosticism picked up on the book six summers ago, making it their topic of discussion for two months.
Some Beatles fans became interested after the reviewer for the online music magazine Ear Candy recommended it saying, "I was also fascinated by the interpretations of Beatles lyrics in the book, especially after having read about every book imaginable on Beatles song analysis." Shortly after the review in Ear Candy, information about the book showed up on “What Goes On”, a website dedicated to Beatles news. Canadian readers with an interest in the paranormal picked up on the book after the author was interviewed on The X Zone Radio Show. There has been buzz about the book by Beatles fans in places as far apart as Israel, The Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, and Russia, places far removed from the book's northern New England setting.
The book is the story of meeting an eccentric old man who discusses his spiritual philosophy including the belief that people who have had certain experiences can communicate these experiences to each other in a symbolic language that is not readily understandable to most people. What most readers find fascinating is that many familiar songs are interwoven throughout the story and looked at in a way that is unique and thought provoking. A reviewer for Bookpleasures said, "Actually, it is primarily through Gabe's radical interpretations of the mentioned songs that one tends to become convinced of his perspective's veracity." Many of the songs are so familiar to people that the author was able to do this without directly quoting the lyrics. A reviewer for Mystic Living Today wrote, "There are many wonderful songs, book references, and passages throughout that are beautifully brought to life under the author's direct and interesting first person style."
While many readers seem to be focusing on the Beatles songs referenced in the book, songs by Jimi Hendrix and others are also referenced by the main character to help illustrate spiritual concepts. The volume of examples given and the interconnections between songs and artists have led many to conclude that there is truth in what the main character says. One of Gabe's claims is that during certain creative states some people can 'channel' the Universal Mind and be unaware that they are doing so. Gabe cites Plato and many others to support this concept. Purported examples are given including songs by Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison. Gabe believes that this experience is what some of the Sufi call shathiyat and what Joseph Campbell called transcendent poetry. What may be most controversial is Gabe's claim that this archetypical poetic experience is 'the speaking in tongues' of the early Christians. It is probably this concept that has appealed to readers who identify themselves as being 'new age'. Word of the book has shown up on websites like The Holistic Bulletin.
The reviewer for Mystic Living Today said, "I would recommend this book to anyone who likes an enlightened and spiritual read… One of the things that differentiates’ The Gift of Gabe from other books in the visionary fiction genre is that it incorporates factual information and events in a way that is similar to historical fiction. Some readers have had a scholarly interest in the book seeing it as a modern myth that incorporates the philosophy of Aldous Huxley, Alan Watts, G.I. Gurdjieff, and others. While some are predicting that the book will become a countercultural classic, the book is clearly not for everyone.
A reviewer for Round Table Reviews wrote, "The Gift of Gabe is well written, but the subject matter was too over the top for me." The same reviewer still recommended the book for some saying, "Those with a strong interest in The Beatles and philosophy will be thrilled with Brian Joseph's novel."
To order your copy of Brian Joseph’s book, visit the official website for The Gift of Gabe at: http://www.giftofgabe.com/
_______________________________________________________________________________
Some Beatles fans became interested after the reviewer for the online music magazine Ear Candy recommended it saying, "I was also fascinated by the interpretations of Beatles lyrics in the book, especially after having read about every book imaginable on Beatles song analysis." Shortly after the review in Ear Candy, information about the book showed up on “What Goes On”, a website dedicated to Beatles news. Canadian readers with an interest in the paranormal picked up on the book after the author was interviewed on The X Zone Radio Show. There has been buzz about the book by Beatles fans in places as far apart as Israel, The Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, and Russia, places far removed from the book's northern New England setting.
The book is the story of meeting an eccentric old man who discusses his spiritual philosophy including the belief that people who have had certain experiences can communicate these experiences to each other in a symbolic language that is not readily understandable to most people. What most readers find fascinating is that many familiar songs are interwoven throughout the story and looked at in a way that is unique and thought provoking. A reviewer for Bookpleasures said, "Actually, it is primarily through Gabe's radical interpretations of the mentioned songs that one tends to become convinced of his perspective's veracity." Many of the songs are so familiar to people that the author was able to do this without directly quoting the lyrics. A reviewer for Mystic Living Today wrote, "There are many wonderful songs, book references, and passages throughout that are beautifully brought to life under the author's direct and interesting first person style."
While many readers seem to be focusing on the Beatles songs referenced in the book, songs by Jimi Hendrix and others are also referenced by the main character to help illustrate spiritual concepts. The volume of examples given and the interconnections between songs and artists have led many to conclude that there is truth in what the main character says. One of Gabe's claims is that during certain creative states some people can 'channel' the Universal Mind and be unaware that they are doing so. Gabe cites Plato and many others to support this concept. Purported examples are given including songs by Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison. Gabe believes that this experience is what some of the Sufi call shathiyat and what Joseph Campbell called transcendent poetry. What may be most controversial is Gabe's claim that this archetypical poetic experience is 'the speaking in tongues' of the early Christians. It is probably this concept that has appealed to readers who identify themselves as being 'new age'. Word of the book has shown up on websites like The Holistic Bulletin.
The reviewer for Mystic Living Today said, "I would recommend this book to anyone who likes an enlightened and spiritual read… One of the things that differentiates’ The Gift of Gabe from other books in the visionary fiction genre is that it incorporates factual information and events in a way that is similar to historical fiction. Some readers have had a scholarly interest in the book seeing it as a modern myth that incorporates the philosophy of Aldous Huxley, Alan Watts, G.I. Gurdjieff, and others. While some are predicting that the book will become a countercultural classic, the book is clearly not for everyone.
A reviewer for Round Table Reviews wrote, "The Gift of Gabe is well written, but the subject matter was too over the top for me." The same reviewer still recommended the book for some saying, "Those with a strong interest in The Beatles and philosophy will be thrilled with Brian Joseph's novel."
To order your copy of Brian Joseph’s book, visit the official website for The Gift of Gabe at: http://www.giftofgabe.com/
_______________________________________________________________________________
Mirrored Images
(A book of short stories & poems)
By ROSANNE CATALANO
The Cat’s Meow for Writers & Readers’ Owner & Publisher
(www.thecatsmeowforwritersreaders.com)
Owner, Publisher and Author ROSANNE CATALANO is pleased to introduce her second book, Mirrored Images, because it is a quick read at 71 pages! It is a book containing Rosanne’s collection of short stories, story articles and poems (some fiction, some fact) written by her for your reading enjoyment and for those who love guessing games. “Mirrored Images” by Rosanne Catalano begins with a poem about, and dedication to, her late father and still-living-mother and goes into a short story about an experience with bullying in the eighth grade of school to being saved by a guardian angel when the story character was in her mid-30’s. An interesting read in which you, the reader, may want to guess which of her stories are fact or fiction…
Reviews of "Mirrored Images by Rosanne Catalano":
***** I purchased a copy of Rosanne Catalano’s book, Mirrored Images, and this short collection of short stories (you will have to try real hard to decide which are fact or fiction), articles and poetry, both touched my heart and made me smile. Rosanne’s book Mirrored Images is truly a great read! It touched me because of the love shown for her parents, God, and her husband. It touched me because I was the kid with glasses who was bullied and picked on and I could feel Rosanne's pain when it happened to her. It touched me because I have lost my parents and her tribute to her father, and mother, brought back all of the good times and love I had with/for my own parents. It touched me because Rosanne, as I feel so many of us are but never put it into words so eloquently, is a survivor. I believe we all have guardian angels and Mirrored Images proves it to all who will listen. No one but angels could have saved her from bullies in junior high school, have looked over her until she found the perfect mate, and still guide her to this day in her writing craft. These are stories we should not only want to read, enjoy reading, but they are stories we all need to hear. I get a glimpse of the love and courage that Rosanne shows, and shares, in her magazine--and our most welcome online correspondence. Rosanne is writing a continuation of Mirrored Images titled Escape and Redemption. I can't wait to read that! But first, my readers, you must read Mirrored Images.
--Barbara Deming; author, writing instructor & publisher.
***** I read Rosanne Catalano's book Mirrored Images and I love it! She had somewhat of a hard life in some areas and a good one in others. She had a lot of heartache, with the loss of friends early in her life, and the ridicule and horrendous behaviors of other kids when she was in junior high school. Though it sounds like Rosanne had a most wonderful Dad and Grandmother too; her grandmother reminded me so much of my own Grandmother who passed away last year! I enjoyed very much reading all of Rosanne's different short stories and the poems she included. I really loved reading about her little cheese episode in ‘Christmas With Grandma,’ and her little sneaky trek to the store thinking she could hurriedly fix what she had EATEN…LOL!!!! I LOVED IT--------- And I can still see her so clearly eating all of the cheese!!!! CONGRATULATIONS go out to Rosanne Catalano all the way around!! I will get her next book soon...I like her book’s title by the way, and the picture of Rosanne on the back cover; she looks sooo relaxed.
--Sandra Hoynacki; author & poet.
**** Rosanne Catalano's book, Mirrored Images, was a delightful read! I LOVED IT!!!! IF the abuse at school and all was about her, Rosanne has become a beautiful person and woman. I'm so glad she now has a wonderful spouse and that her life is presently filled with love.
--Carol Dee Meeks; author, poet & writer.
Rosanne Catalano’s next book, Escape and Redemption, will be a continuation of where Mirrored Images
left off but as a fiction novel.
Escape and Redemption by Rosanne Catalano Coming Soon!
Mirrored Images by Rosanne Catalano is available to purchase for $8.75 in an ebook format, $17.51 for the print edition!
Be sure to pick up your copy of “Mirrored Images” today at: Lulu Press, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, or in Rosanne’s magazine!
Ordering Info for Rosanne Catalano’s book, Mirrored Images:
Mirrored Images by Rosanne Catalano
Publisher: Jane W. (Lulu Press)
Publication Date: January 2007
ISBN #: 978-1-257-40573-2
Price: [Print-edition] $17.51; [ebook] $8.75
71 pages, and can be purchased at: LuluPress, www.thecatsmeowforwritersreaders.com, Barnes&Noble.com, or at Amazon.com
Reviews of "Mirrored Images by Rosanne Catalano":
***** I purchased a copy of Rosanne Catalano’s book, Mirrored Images, and this short collection of short stories (you will have to try real hard to decide which are fact or fiction), articles and poetry, both touched my heart and made me smile. Rosanne’s book Mirrored Images is truly a great read! It touched me because of the love shown for her parents, God, and her husband. It touched me because I was the kid with glasses who was bullied and picked on and I could feel Rosanne's pain when it happened to her. It touched me because I have lost my parents and her tribute to her father, and mother, brought back all of the good times and love I had with/for my own parents. It touched me because Rosanne, as I feel so many of us are but never put it into words so eloquently, is a survivor. I believe we all have guardian angels and Mirrored Images proves it to all who will listen. No one but angels could have saved her from bullies in junior high school, have looked over her until she found the perfect mate, and still guide her to this day in her writing craft. These are stories we should not only want to read, enjoy reading, but they are stories we all need to hear. I get a glimpse of the love and courage that Rosanne shows, and shares, in her magazine--and our most welcome online correspondence. Rosanne is writing a continuation of Mirrored Images titled Escape and Redemption. I can't wait to read that! But first, my readers, you must read Mirrored Images.
--Barbara Deming; author, writing instructor & publisher.
***** I read Rosanne Catalano's book Mirrored Images and I love it! She had somewhat of a hard life in some areas and a good one in others. She had a lot of heartache, with the loss of friends early in her life, and the ridicule and horrendous behaviors of other kids when she was in junior high school. Though it sounds like Rosanne had a most wonderful Dad and Grandmother too; her grandmother reminded me so much of my own Grandmother who passed away last year! I enjoyed very much reading all of Rosanne's different short stories and the poems she included. I really loved reading about her little cheese episode in ‘Christmas With Grandma,’ and her little sneaky trek to the store thinking she could hurriedly fix what she had EATEN…LOL!!!! I LOVED IT--------- And I can still see her so clearly eating all of the cheese!!!! CONGRATULATIONS go out to Rosanne Catalano all the way around!! I will get her next book soon...I like her book’s title by the way, and the picture of Rosanne on the back cover; she looks sooo relaxed.
--Sandra Hoynacki; author & poet.
**** Rosanne Catalano's book, Mirrored Images, was a delightful read! I LOVED IT!!!! IF the abuse at school and all was about her, Rosanne has become a beautiful person and woman. I'm so glad she now has a wonderful spouse and that her life is presently filled with love.
--Carol Dee Meeks; author, poet & writer.
Rosanne Catalano’s next book, Escape and Redemption, will be a continuation of where Mirrored Images
left off but as a fiction novel.
Escape and Redemption by Rosanne Catalano Coming Soon!
Mirrored Images by Rosanne Catalano is available to purchase for $8.75 in an ebook format, $17.51 for the print edition!
Be sure to pick up your copy of “Mirrored Images” today at: Lulu Press, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, or in Rosanne’s magazine!
Ordering Info for Rosanne Catalano’s book, Mirrored Images:
Mirrored Images by Rosanne Catalano
Publisher: Jane W. (Lulu Press)
Publication Date: January 2007
ISBN #: 978-1-257-40573-2
Price: [Print-edition] $17.51; [ebook] $8.75
71 pages, and can be purchased at: LuluPress, www.thecatsmeowforwritersreaders.com, Barnes&Noble.com, or at Amazon.com
_______________________________________________________________________________
LETTERS TO THE PUBLISHER:
If you have a question, would like to make a suggestion on something you would like to see in this magazine, or just want to tell me about an article, poem or story you have read here, send an email to The Publisher’s Box™ and let me know your thoughts, questions, news or anything else you want to share with me. I will be sure to respond in a timely manner.
TO SUBMIT:
Please do send your short stories, flash fiction, essays, poetry, haikus, story articles (nonfiction stories) and/or helpful nonfiction articles, but follow the Submission Guidelines I set forth. To read my Submission Guidelines click on this link, then click back here and send your submission(s) to “Submissions”. Remember, submissions must be sent within the body of your email. Do not send submissions as an attachment! And please do provide a resource box and / or author bio along with your work. I read every single submission and will respond within four months. Thank you and keep on writing!
HOW READERS AND OTHERS ARE SUPPORTING
THE CAT’S MEOW FOR WRITERS & READERS MAGAZINE :
In each magazine issue (and within Rosanne's website), there are links to businesses such as Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, Miller Mosaic LLC, Judy Cullins-Book and Internet Marketing Coach, Moontown Cafe, BookConnector, Writer On-Line, Angie's DIARY (#1 online magazine and community for professional & aspiring writers), First Writer.com, Filbert Publishing, How-To Corp, Free Rice.com, and many others. Purchasing products through these links helps support The Cat’s Meow for Writers & Readers and keep your subscription free!
______________________________________________________________________________
LETTERS TO THE PUBLISHER:
If you have a question, would like to make a suggestion on something you would like to see in this magazine, or just want to tell me about an article, poem or story you have read here, send an email to The Publisher’s Box™ and let me know your thoughts, questions, news or anything else you want to share with me. I will be sure to respond in a timely manner.
TO SUBMIT:
Please do send your short stories, flash fiction, essays, poetry, haikus, story articles (nonfiction stories) and/or helpful nonfiction articles, but follow the Submission Guidelines I set forth. To read my Submission Guidelines click on this link, then click back here and send your submission(s) to “Submissions”. Remember, submissions must be sent within the body of your email. Do not send submissions as an attachment! And please do provide a resource box and / or author bio along with your work. I read every single submission and will respond within four months. Thank you and keep on writing!
HOW READERS AND OTHERS ARE SUPPORTING
THE CAT’S MEOW FOR WRITERS & READERS MAGAZINE :
In each magazine issue (and within Rosanne's website), there are links to businesses such as Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, Miller Mosaic LLC, Judy Cullins-Book and Internet Marketing Coach, Moontown Cafe, BookConnector, Writer On-Line, Angie's DIARY (#1 online magazine and community for professional & aspiring writers), First Writer.com, Filbert Publishing, How-To Corp, Free Rice.com, and many others. Purchasing products through these links helps support The Cat’s Meow for Writers & Readers and keep your subscription free!
______________________________________________________________________________
Owner, Publisher & Editor of The Cat's Meow for Writers & Readers Magazine :
Author Rosanne Catalano (pen name: RC Kayla)
Email: editor@thecatsmeowforwritersreaders.com
Rosanne's Website(s) and Blog(s):
http://www.thecatsmeowforwritersreaders.com
http://www.facebook.com/catsmeowfor
http://www.linkedin.com/in/rosannecatalano
http://thecatsmeowforwritersreaders.blogspot.com
http://www.thecatsmeowforwritersreaders.com/publishers-blog.html
http://www.twitter.com/rckayla
* * * * * * * * * *
The Cat’s Meow for Writers & Readers Magazine is dedicated to:
Rachel Renée, Carman Catalano, Anna Pollicino-Catalano, Harold C. Welch, Pauline Mullé-Infranco,
and Joseph Infranco.
The Cat's Meow for Writers & Readers Magazine is an independently-owned literary magazine supported by readers like you and by grants and corporate sponsorships from various organizations and companies (some listed on the "Helpful Sites for You" page).
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