The Hair Club for Writers

The Daily Diary of Snickers the Dog

2011-11-30T00:05:00.002-05:00

Snickers has been away because of the holiday. While away, Snick talked with a wise nephew who thinks the blog is mediocre. So Snickers is taking his advise and writing about language acquisition. Of course, this will be a whole new blog. Snickers looked at this as daily diary as a kind of experiment. The blog had 400 page views last month and pitched to advertisers. Snick wants to write for an audience instead and may or may not get as many followers and hits. Snick hopes all will appreciate the moral and ethical rhetorical appeal at work, here.

A new link will be posted soon.

For those interested in blogging; by the way, Crocs, Brooks Brothers, and Thomas Nelson Books are now advertising since that last post. The experiment was a success and more advertisers were won!

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-11-22T08:03:00.001-05:00

Snickers is looking forward to Black Friday. You will find him shopping as a conservative in the Nittany Mall at Holister, American Eagle, Barnes & Noble, Bath & Body, Victoria Secret, J. C. Penney, Sears, Macy's, Bon Ton, Christopher Banks, Joseph Banks, CVS, Hallmark, Aeropostle, Icing, Pet Smart, Charley's Restaurant, and always finishes up with Gardner's Candies.

This, of course, is an experiment with the good use of time and money. It takes a special talent to shop on a budget, and Snickers is good at it. He clipped coupons over the weekend and is well prepared. (I'll let you in on a little secret. Sometimes Snick just window shops...it gets him out of the house. It's also the best way to find the good deals.) After that, a possible visit to The Clothesline in downtown State College and maybe a movie.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-11-17T20:48:00.006-05:00

Snickers wants to know what makes the world go around - what really makes the world go around?

Snick sort of agrees with Brian Greene's fascinating theory of the Earth sitting on fabric-like material and not nothingness (space). So because Earth is lopsided, it just keeps rolling, rolling, rolling, on this blanket-like thing we call space, as the planets and moon are also rolling around
in the same fabric, because the material is streched from the weight
of the Earth. Snick guesses each planet, moon, and star then has their own niche and pull from their weight in this fabric, which is why they don't all collide and run into each other. It's an interesting subject and Snickers says he could spend hours listening to experts discuss these theories of space. He's just weird that way.

Snick also found he likes Jack Johnson's music while having coffee and grading papers at One Green World Cafe in Erie, PA, thanks to Dr. Hirsch. Click on "The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog" to listen to and see Johnson's 3-min. music video. (See also "Better Together," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CIaRhBOjJ8) While on this music kick, Snick also found he likes Michael Jackson's Earth Song, even though critics were harsh. Snick likes the syncopated melody and bass undertones http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eigNnzAM3L8&feature=related

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-11-16T09:54:00.003-05:00

Snickers is wondering about what T Boone Pickins said on Morning Joe today.
T Boone said if we were not dependant on foreign oil, we could rely on our own resources and drive the cost down. TB said if we don't we may see an increase to $500 per barrel, but right now it stands at around $99 per barrel. Snickers wonders how this is going to work when America does not produce oil to fill America's demand. If we totally cut foreign oil from American soil, the cost of oil in America will most likely be $500 a barrel because the supply will not be there until the drillers drill more. YIKES!!! Maybe it's time to buy a horse.

Snickers would support oil drilling and fracking more (and maybe even in the city) if POGAM would release the chemical compunds used for fracking, and thereby allow researchers to develop safer and perhaps, cheaper methods of extraction. In the meantime they come off looking a bit greedy.

Snickers owns some land, but not the OGM rights. So these gas drillers have installed several tanks that disrupt the beauty of the landscape. Hey, Snickers is not part of the economy that drills. The only benefits he gets is the gas in his car he still has to pay and has no say in price. The tanks are not driving costs down. Snickers thinks he should be paid for having his beautiful landscape usurped by oil tanks, roads, and locked gates. They should at least pay for the bottled water he now has to buy.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-11-15T08:00:00.003-05:00

Snickers is exploring if false accusations are the same as bullying. He wonders why legislature doesn't support more anti-bullying measures. He knows legislature doesn't support anti-bullying enough because anti-bullying language is not present in everyday conversation.

Snickers asks if anti-bullying legislation is not supported because those in power use bullying as a power tool? He's just wondering. Snickers says false accusations can bring down any organization and those in power know that. Bullying's cousin, scapegoating, is an ancient power tool that works like an electric nailer. Google it sometime. Snickers wishes there was a way we could earn a living at supporting humanity and a peaceable way-of-life!

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-11-14T11:36:00.002-05:00

Snickers agrees with the Ghandi quote:

"Be the change you wish to see in the world. . ."

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-11-12T11:49:00.001-05:00

Snickers wonders if there is an age humans are supposed to stop having fun. On the one hand the bible says to behave like little children to live in the kingdom of God. On the other hand one needs to be mature and responsible like Robert Frost says to provide, provide.

If humans are financially responsible and mature how do they have fun? Snickers doesn't behave like a child to have fun, but does try to bring enjoyment to those around him. Anything that involves the senses is fun for Snickers as long as humans like it too and he doesn't break any ethical or moral rules. Snickers does not pay the bills, so he has lots of time for fun.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-11-11T11:11:00.000-05:00

Snickers read a bumper sticker yesterday that said,

Wag More Bark Less

and he liked it. In fact he chuckled when he saw it and
and at first glance. But in reality he thinks people need to
bark more and wag less in some cases. For instance,
if America reduces China imports, the middle and lower
class will suffer in terms of goods. Turn on any morning
TV show and you will see segments showcasing knock-offs
of trendy, and usually expensive, products. This gives the
middle class of sense of well-being and comfort, and probably is.
Most of us are more comfortable than our parent’s generation with a
car for every family member as needed. I’m not knocking
consumerism, but will save that for another argument. What
I am suggesting is that the 1% will win again if we do anything
To thwart change with China and other nations offering goods
at lower prices. Walmart prevails. An ideal world would mean, perhaps a local and regional economy, but until we compete with China
on a regional lever, isn’t going to happen. And on the bright side, Snickers says we are reducing poverty in poor, world areas. Maybe
American politics isn’t as bad off as it sometimes seems,
but could be, Snickers says, if we are wagging and barking
for the wrong reasons. Or, up the wrong tree.

The Daily Diaires of Snickers the Dog

2011-11-10T07:31:00.006-05:00

Snickers asks when will we see, cultivate, or educate political analysts to unravel legislation instead of political candidate's campaign styles, personalities, and popularity? Legislation should be scrutinized, including the legislation the would-be candidate has already supported, voted for, or written and not what he proposes to legislate. Laws need scrutinized and maybe even more so than how a candidate appears in public.

On a lighter note, Snickers found a mouse in the basement. Snickers licked the mouse's head and ears as it just sat there. Snick's mama wondered what she was going to do with it. The poor thing was obviously injured. So she scooped it up with a plastic whip topping container and a piece of flat cardboard. After a few minor squeeks, she walked it to the other side of the brook and released it near the tree line in a pile of leaves after dropping it once when it startled her and jumped while still in the container! The thin cardboard was all that separated her hand from the mouse. Snickers later noted two grasshoppers (cricketts? - not sure of the technical name is) and thought this interesting for the month of November in Pennsylvania. But, the weather man tells Snicker's our nature pals might be disappearing with expected snow tomorrow, until next week possibly when predicted temps will be in the high 50's again. Snickers says the bottom line is he loves nature AND human beings and wishes we could find ways to get along better without destroying one or the other.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-11-08T18:33:00.003-05:00

Snickers thinks Joe Paterno should have fired Sandusky on the spot, immediately after the graduate student reported seeing sexual activity between this pervert and young boy in the Penn State locker room shower. What else would they have been doing in the shower, anyway. Joe, ya screwed up. College football and the budget will never be the same if you and your 84-year old wisdom have to leave. Snickers supposes some teams will be extremely happy the competition is gone if you do step down.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-11-08T12:16:00.010-05:00

Snickers is worried. Morning Joe said China's economy will be No.1 in the world by 2016. What's scary is China is a communist country with CCP in control of jobs. European and American Capitalism needs more discovery, innovation, and support according to Snickers if Capitalsim is to survive. Discovery is key. Innovation is getting too much criticism. Support, in the news, has mostly been governmental and also open to critical attack. What else is there?

So Snickers continues to write and submit poetry for publication to focus more attention on domestic and world issues, and is up to about a dozen in the last 24 hours. It's nice to have a day off from work and this 60 degree & sunny weather in the middle of Novermber, is helping, too. Snickers feels sad for the Muskie and Walleye boiling in rivers, though...and wants to love and take care of them.

On a lighter note, a friend of Snick's told him a beautiful Walleye once jumped up and bit his friend on the ass while she was sitting in a canoe at a riverside bar. The friend said it was highly unprofessional, but Snickers laughed. Bless you and your fun-loving spirit, Snickers!

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-11-03T08:52:00.001-04:00

Upward, Social Mobility

So today on Morning Joe, Paul Ryan (Rep) from Wisconsin says
the resentment Obama is creating between the classes is not good.

Snickers thinks its Obama's way of getting the attention
of big banks and companies to reinvest in American workers
and create jobs so workers have social and financial mobility
and not live on unemployment. The government bailed them out
so it's their turn to pay it forward. Snickers also said
social mobility still rests with the individual, but outside
circumstances such as job opportunities for advancement need
to be in place as well.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-11-02T11:43:00.001-04:00

After Snickers was relishing Saint Peter's Cathedral in Erie
and All Saints Day, he wished he could row out to the middle
of a lake this morning, and just be one with God and nature
and his homemade granola. (He stole the idea from Dan Brown.)
He can't. He has to go to work. And get winter tires on his
car, oil changed, and the fuel injector system checked.
He did watch Martha Stewart this morning instead of Morning Joe
and found Mexico City is place he wants to visit. There is a park
there with the names of poets and musicians you can get to by
city bicycle. He also wants to try the local fare, like corn
on a stick with mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and chili pepper
powder. The spiced potato chips and papaya with lime and chili
pepper powder also looked good. So, he wants to scream
but instead wrote two new poems and will now throw in some
Wholewheat, Apple-Walnut Flax Seed Muffins before workout & shower.
Snicker is just full of want this morning. Stop that Snickers!

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-11-01T08:19:00.005-04:00

Instinct

Snickers heard Herman Cain's accusations of sexual harassment. Snick says he was once harassed and called an anorexic woman. Snick said some men do know where to draw the line while others know, but don't. The ones that don't draw the line have affairs.

Not all women like the changing roles of women in society today. Some would rather have a man take care of them, and many do. And men would, at times, rather rescue and take care of women instead of watching women struggle. It's an instinct human beings have cultivated for centuries, which creates sexual tension. How women and men deal with it is another matter, but it's never as black and white as we try to make it sound. Snickers thinks we take sexual tension way too seriously and says sexual tension ruins any chance of just being able to hang out with each other for a common cause, that is, not related to a love affair. But many times the sexual tension is just too overwhelming, like a magnetic field, and especially when the man or woman, or both, are in positions of authority and power, which is probably the case of Herman Cain.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-31T08:23:00.000-04:00

Snickers heard former president, Jimmy Carter's speech warned of this crisis years ago. It was called the "Malais Speech" because people didn't like it at the time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCOd-qWZB_g (copy and paste to your browser)

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-29T12:23:00.000-04:00

Snickers said, "There is snow on the pumpkin this morning!" He wondered why he slept in until 10:30 (he went to bed at midnight) but understands now that that's how long it took for God to put it there. It was a great surprise and said it was sort of like waking up on Christmas morning.

Snickers has been reading Roethke. And now that avocados are in season, he bought one Thursday while grocery shopping. The last time he made guacamole was New Year's Eve in 2008 and he didn't expecially like it made with garlic and onion. So, this time his mamma made it with honey. She used her mini-food processor, and blended the honey with the avocado until it was smooth. She served it on a soft shell taco (with taco filling) and sour cream. He loved it and so did his mamma.

Now back to Roethke and grading papers.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-28T14:43:00.001-04:00

Snickers finds it odd every time he goes to a poetry reading, the hot water tank pilot light goes out . . .

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-28T10:16:00.000-04:00

Snickers thinks this Blog is getting Dickensian. He's going to work on his Shakespeare/Falstaff outline.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-27T08:21:00.007-04:00

Poetry and "Gentlemen" on Morning Joe

Snickers loved the segment on Morning Joe about what makes a man a gentlemen in this month's GQ Magazine. It's real and truly moving.

On another note, Snickers thinks it's too warm for the month of October to be reading and writing poetry . . . but nonetheless, he convinced his mama to read. She really loves poetry and he knows she is a little shy, as some poets are. He told her to read for audience reaction. He thinks they will love her. And if they don't he'll be there to catch her. So, she will read her three poems, SYNERGY, HUMANITY, and DECONSTRUCTION if time allows and the line isn't too long. She'll be reading at Gannon University's One Green Cafe tonight at 7pm after Poet George Looney from Penn State Behrend and an editor for Poet's and Writer's Magazine.

The two blue jays in the bird feeder helped convince her, too.

She'll read with courage and love in the name of humanity, and for her students.

And because it's snowing in Amarillo, Texas.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-26T13:48:00.003-04:00

Snicker is wondering why his mama won't post her poems.

She says she doesn't know why she refuses so hard,
or why she won't read hers in public. She says she is
insecure about reading in public because she is
not from Spain. She is still waiting for a reputable
press to accept her work, besides her own university
literary magazines. She said she feels like the actress
who tries a modeling career at 50 and a horror in a
man's world.

Snickers kissed her on the forehead.

Occupy Wall Street - Lynch Corruption T-Shirts by MERs

2011-10-26T11:12:00.003-04:00

OWS t-shirts available at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170718475435#ht_500wt_919 (copy and paste to browser)

Snicker's sister designed the logo. She is a Graphic Design student at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-26T08:51:00.000-04:00

Joe Scarborough's Brilliance and My Critique of Small Business Taxes

Snickers loves watching Morning Joe (6-9am, EST) and Way to Early (5-6 am, EST), both on msnbc because it reminds him of his German-Irish Grandmother, Scottish Grandfather, and family sitting around the kitchen table hammering out politics and religion. But this show is contemporary and current. The politics of the show is not the politics of that kitchen table all those years ago, but just as important. Snickers is motivated daily by Meka, Joe, and Willie.

Snickers concluded that besides a surge in digital photography and do-it-yourself photo finishing, the other factor that put his family's two, 1-hour photo labs out of business, (the Mrs. wanted a chain...lofty goals there, mom...), one of the biggest factors in the demise of their small business was the double social security tax they paid on employees. For instance, I paid a social security tax for myself as an employee, and then I paid that same tax rate as a business owner. As a business owner I paid social security for each employee, plus they paid social security. For myself and one employee, the check I would then send in quarterly would be about $3,000.00 every 3 months. I also had to pay social security tax of $1,500.00 for myself as a business owner, so the check total is now $4,500.00. Now that is for me and my one employee. Not only that, but the employee again pays his own social security tax. In a way, Snicker's mama paid for her employees' retirement and the government official doing the paperwork (hopefully). Snickers is not bitter, in fact, he feels a bit magnanimous that he was able to help out fellow Americans. The problem is Snickers says its no wonder small businesses get discouraged, move south, or move jobs out of this country. And, it's no wonder construction workers hire illegals to work for them to avoid what some see as gorging. Snickers says, "Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar's and give to God what belongs to God" from someplace in the bible.

Snickers said it's no wonder there aren't as many small businesses operating in America as there used to be. It's not about innovation, we can't afford the taxes on having employees. Snickers now understands why there aren't as many bank tellers and why the suckers have been moved to ATM machines.

TOMORROW: Snicker's mama's health insurance costs $160 per month with a $10,000.00 deductible and she is in excellent health.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-25T07:58:00.004-04:00

Mexibama

Snickers thinks Alabama should rename it's state, for a sense of shared nationalism and pride, to Mexibama. Illegals might want to then register and become citizens of the United States instead of feeling threatened. Also, Alabama should look at Delaware's labor protection system for curbing crooked employers, who hire illegals and don't pay state, local, or federal taxes on their businesses or themselves. It probably doesn't amount to much in the broader scheme of things. But Snickers beleives the tax system, employers, and employees will then ensure their rights to vote and help support teachers, police, and firefighters. In other words, Alabama needs to do more to initiate a sense of community with illegals and natives of the state. Snickers thinks this can be achieved by supporting their presence through, for one, help with learning the English language while preserving their own cultural values and language. In other words, teaching ESL on a broader scale and providing services as such. "Gee," Snickers says, "that way they could help pay for these services IF they are on the tax roles. But first you have to connect and teach them, not threaten to toss them in jail!" On second thought, Snickers thinks maybe Mexicana can be the nickname because to change the state name is actually kind of ludicrous...but you get the idea.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-24T10:10:00.002-04:00

Ed Villiamy's AMexico and Dick the Hardliner

Snickers is worried about Mexico today and wants to read Ed Villiamy's book, "AMEXICO:Border Wars, Drugs, Gangs & Murder" because he uses the human factor and has actually visited rehab centers and talked with gang members. Snickers wants Mexico's people to return to the beautiful people they once were, in other words, to become beautiful people once again.

Snickers was also worried about Joe Scarborough on MSNBC's Morning Joe. He seemed crotchety when Mika Brzezinski was discussing puppies. Willie Geist was scapegoating Mark Halperin, who once called Obama a dick on television. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=449FGJwDQRY (highlight and right click) Snickers thinks "dick" has multiple meanings and says besides being a nickname for Richard, it can also be a sign of respect in some circles. But, Helperin clearly used it as a metaphor for hard-liner. Snickers thinks it's interesting how a hard-liner could become confused with an honest, sign for respect. Maybe it's better to use the spiritual reference to Peter and the seminal references of Christ in Christmas Hymns. Anyway, Snickers thinks Obama does sometimes sound like a hard-liner and maybe Halperin is right. Snickers asks, "Where is the humanity, folks? Why can't we all just get along and share our resources and talents? Maybe sometimes you do have to be a hard-liner to earn respect and get results for people to act like civil, human beings."

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-23T18:47:00.005-04:00

Free Abortion

After I came home from church today Snickers said, "If you want to radically reduce abortion, persuade government leaders to pass legislation that makes abortion free. Yes, that's right, F-R-E-E, FREE. If doctors (if you can call them that) try to charge patrons a fee for performing an abortion, the patrons will argue it's illegal to charge money for it. (Yes, so you have to publicize it's free in the media and suffer a backlash of criticism.) The thing is, doctors are not going to waste valuable time on procedures they can't charge money for. It won't eliminate abortion entirely, but it would greatly reduce it. There will always be those who break the rules and accept money, but those would most likely be small cells of people."

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-22T13:15:00.029-04:00

Mountain of Despair - Wall of Hope

"Out of a Mountain of Despair - A Stone of Hope" Engraving on Martin Luther King Monument, National Mall, Washington, D.C.

Monument title ties in nicely with my Dr. Martin Luther King video-interview with Dr. Rev. Joan Brown Campbell (Gannon University). See also Dr. Robert Bernard Hass' (Edinboro University) poem titled Hope for Despair, which I read in the Hall of Philosophy at Chautauqua Institution last summer. Snickers finds this all very amusing... Especially considering Dr. Campbell works in DC, and his mama worked with Joan for two summers at Chautauqua Institution. Life is good, and very interesting...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzPytYxO1cc

www.abcnews.go.com/US/slideshow/martin-luther-king-jr-memorial-dedication-14748384&docid=x4TkFHDreSUrXM&imgurl

(HIGHLIGHT AND RIGHT CLICK TO VIEW LINKS)

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-22T01:42:00.018-04:00

3 Magical, German Christmas Trees?

Snickers asked me why Germans have three different names for Christmas trees. I said I don't know, but it makes life interesting. Then I said we have 3 names for Christmas trees, sort of. We have pine tree, blue spruce tree, and Christmas tree. But, Ronald Wardhaugh argues the German trees are "magical," said Snick. Well, if Wardhaugh said they are magical, the German version must be magical. After all, they invented the Christmas tree as far as I know. Accordingly, the following story is magical, but the ending is not how the real story ended. (In reality it ended like the Columbus, OH exotic animal incident this week [Oct. 2011]. Quillyshine was originally intended to be a lovable, children's story.)

QUILLYSHINE
by Martha J. Rogus

Illustrated
by Maria E. Rogus

(originally written 2005, artwork 2007)

Forward

Porcupines are described in the Concise Oxford English Dictionary (2004) as rodents, known for their coat of sharp spines, or quills that defend them from predators. The word porcupine comes from a Latin word meaning “pig”. A rat is described as a rodent we don’t like having around. So, the dictionary makes the porcupine sound like a piggish pest. The story I would like to share with you reveals how the porcupine is a delightful and charming animal in spite of the dictionary definition and can be loads of fun to be around. (At a distance, that is.)

QUILLYSHINE

This creature of nature showed up in my backyard one warm and sunny day when I was a little girl. This porcupine managed to navigate its way over several city streets and blocks to my house, which seemed amazing because the closest woods to our house, the Allegheny National Forest, was twenty miles east. The porcupine must have been somewhat intelligent to avoid being crushed by the cars zooming up and down the streets. The porcupine even avoided people who would have chased it away or brought harm to it. I thought the intelligence of this porcupine surpassed that of a bear, because I had never seen a bear this close to my home.

My father was the first to see the porcupine and called our attention to it. “Look outside,” he said, “over by the fence.” Because my Dad did not try to chase it away, I did not think it was a problem rodent, like a rat or mouse for instance. Instead, I remember watching as the porcupine playfully ducked in and out of our hedges that lined the fence. I told my two sisters, and they called their friends as I found my friends.

Soon after, all friends and neighbors gathered to get a glimpse of this awe-inspiring creature. Would these people assemble if it were a rodent? What was transpiring was quite the contrary. It was like watching a deer, a bear, or an elk. A rodent would not generate this much commotion and excitement.

The adventure the porcupine took us on is truly the best part of the story. Some time passed and we lost sight of the dear porcupine. Then one of the neighborhood boys noticed that it managed to squeeze itself under our fence and gained entry into our neighbor’s yard. This particular neighbor had no children and we barely knew her. We were a little fearful of walking through her yard without asking, so I knocked on the door. “Miss Shawkey,” I said bravely, “do you mind if we go into your yard to see the porcupine?” “A porcupine!” She clapped her hands and her eyes widened. “Oh, I would like to see it, too.” I kind of had a feeling she would like it when I was knocking on her door because it was then I remembered she was always feeding the birds on her porch and grew the loveliest flowers in the spring and summer. So, I kind of had a feeling she liked nature and I kind of had a feeling she would like this porcupine, too. Miss Shawkey put on her sweater and came with us.

We followed the porcupine as he snuck under Miss Shawkey’s pink and white hydrangea bushes. I think he knew we were watching. I’m pretty sure he winked at us. He was nibbling at some green leaves on the ground under one of the bushes. Then my two sisters, my sister’s two friends, my three friends, Miss Shawkey, and I all followed the porcupine through Miss Shawkey’s flowerbed and around her yard. “I think he is trying to show us something,” I said. We could hardly wait to see what he was leading us to.

Everyone was sure the porcupine had something special, like a secret, he was going to share with us. So, we followed him though people’s yards, over driveways, passed gardens, and over sidewalks. He walked through short cuts and paths we took to get to friend’s houses. He took us passed Amy’s pine tree she loved to climb, and passed the alley between Toni’s house and the neighbor’s garage. Haz walked passed the chestnut tree where we had contests to see who could collect the most chestnuts. He even waddled over the route we took to get to school. When he came to Carol’s sandbox he stopped. We all laughed because we were all thinking about stopping there too, except for Miss Shawkey, of course. But, she was a good sport and also laughed. We started to believe the porcupine was one of us.

At one point, the element of danger emerged. We found ourselves wondering if the porcupine might turn and throw its quills at us. One of the boys suggested it could happen and the thought frightened us. But, as we continued to follow the porcupine, not once did he threaten us or try to harm us in any way. He left the neighbor’s property untouched except for chewing on a few leaves on the ground here and there. The porcupine’s armor-of-plumes never presented in a threatening way. He didn’t chew on any plants or destroy gardens. The porcupine was now our friend and the only danger was getting grounded for missing dinner.

We continued following the porcupine until he stopped in front of a majestic old oak tree. When he stopped, we stopped. He looked up as if he were studying something high in the air. Effortlessly, the porcupine ascended the tree by attaching his sharp claws into the bark and slowly moving his body up the tree. He continued to climb, higher and higher. “He looks like a koala bear,” Toni said. When he rose about thirty feet into the air, the porcupine perched himself onto a branch shaped like a Y. He looked very comfortable on that branch as he turned his sweet gaze upon us. He sat there like he was waiting for an airplane ride or a fishing pole.

Just as our necks were getting sore from watching him high in the tree we heard a car pull up. It was a policeman. As the policeman parked his car, the porcupine didn’t seem worried so we weren’t worried. When the policeman brought the rifle out from the backseat, the porcupine still didn’t look worried, so we were still not worried. I remember thinking that the policeman was there to get the cute porcupine out of the tree to take back to his home in the woods. I thought the porcupine was thinking the same thing.

It wasn’t until the policeman raised the rifle that I realized what the policeman wanted to do. “WAIT! STOP! DON’T SHOOT!” we all began to shout. Miss Shawkey put her finger to her lips and said, “Shhhhh.” She carefully walked over to the police officer with his gun in the air. When the policeman noticed her near to him, he lowered his rifle. Touching his sleeve with her hand to steady herself, she said, “Please don’t shoot the porcupine.” then the police officer looked into her face and saw a small tear forming in the corner of her eye. He looked through the scope one more time and then lowered his rifle. The policeman walked over to his black & white car and pulled out his radio from the dashboard. “Hello, dispatcher? This is car 54. I need the game commissioner immediately. Tell him we have an emergency situation at the northeast corner of Jackson and Hertzel Streets. And tell him to bring a nice, big cage, something comfortable.” He smiled at Miss Shawkey as he spoke. We looked up in the tree to see the porcupine preening himself. It looked like was smiling at us.

When Mr. Jones from the game commission arrived, he explained he would have to climb the tree and remove it with special gloves. He did just that. He climbed the tree and picked up the porcupine the way a mommy cat picks up her babies, by the back of the neck. As we watched, it looked like the porcupine was waving to us. Mr. Jones placed the cage with the porcupine into his car and said he would take him back where he came from. He said the porcupine was a long, long way from home.

After Mr. Jones left with the porcupine in the cage in the back seat, we looked down and saw a lone quill glimmering in the sunlight on the sidewalk beneath the oak tree. We carefully picked it up and took turns holding it. The quill was very sharp and sparkled in the sunlight. Marty carried the quill home and put it in a special plastic box to keep forever. He still has it to this day.

We certainly had a special adventure the day the porcupine came to visit. But, I think because the porcupine in my story does not fit the dictionary definition, I should be able to make up my own word for porcupine. To convey the meaning the porcupine held for us on that sunny day in September, I would like to rename the porcupine, Quillyshine. In that mysterious and brief time we shared with the porcupine, I think Quillyshine better describes the discovery and awe-inspiring event that brought us closer together as friends, family, nature lovers, and adventurers.

Reference

Soanes, C. & Stevenson, A. (Eds.). (2004). Concise Oxford English Dictionary.
(11th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press

Snickers said this is all well and good, and that I better get to work on my Shakespeare book tomorrow, which I am now ready for or else he is going to bite me in the ass. yikes! I found my outline so all is well; that is, all 22 cantos.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-21T09:05:00.005-04:00

Obama's American Jobs Bill

Snickers is pissed-off today. Washington voted 50/50 on Obama's American Jobs Act that would have secured firegighter, police, and teacher jobs. The bill requires a tax increase of .5% (half-a-percent) of America's top wage earners, in the 1% of the population who control 35% of America's wealth. Snickers admits he's in the 99%. The Republicans, all of them according to Morning Joe (October 21, 2011), voted against the bill. Snickers is pretty sure the Republicans voted it down because the top wage earners paid for the Republican legislators to get elected. He says, "It would be like biting the hand that feeds you!" "Well, that makes sense." I said. "So all it would take is a few phone calls or communications to these legislators by these rich and powerful contributors to say, it's all right. Pass the damn thing!!!" Snickers says a half-a-percent is not going to break the bank. It's probably not even going to dent it.

To convince Republicans to pass the American Jobs Bill, or maybe as a gesture to inform the public, Morning Joe showed Joe Biden clips, who said crime is up in Flint, MI and Camden, NJ since jobs have been cut. He cited rape and burglary. Snickers asked about fires. But then, Snickers heard Mika, Joe, and Willy say this sounded like a threat. It was like Obama and the Democrats were bringing this on to scare the Republicans with demagoguery. Snickers is pissed. And he said, "Ya know what? It's not a scare tactic. He agreed with Joe that no one is going to rape your wife or set fire to your house. However, all those people who serve you, like the valet drivers, food servers, wait-staff, airport attendants, office staff, and hospital workers will be affected. Maybe some of the 1% care. We sure hope so. This is where politics is going.

Snickers says people have to realize the disparity between the population of current college students for example, compared to present day college student parents' generation (baby-boomers +/-). Now, both population and jobs are on the decline, which means there is no tax base to support government jobs and paychecks, let alone healthcare. He says where else is the money going to come from if not the wealthy 1%?

Snickers says we are all human and deserve to have food on the table, a safe place to raise our children, good education and healthcare, and meaningful employment. Why should only the rich enjoy those comforts? Snickers thinks some are just luckier than others, through hard work of course. Snickers thinks they need to learn to share. They act like spoiled brats and some probably are.

On another note, one day last week Snickers heard on PBS that a political action group was trying to dismantle the electoral college because today's technology has the potential to record every, single American's vote. Snickers thinks this has the potential to eliminate the corruption of those with money installing political leaders to protect their assets. If the electoral college method was dismantled and individual counts really mattered, the playing field of Capitalism will then be leveled, a sense of loyalty and honesty would be established in American government, and America would be a good model for other nations seeking democracy. Right now it sucks. Snickers asks, "Do we really want other countries to mirror American government as it stands now? Won't they then, be one day kicking around poor asses depending on who is controlling world wealth if we don't correct it now?"

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-20T22:57:00.002-04:00

Shakespeare Book Outline

Snickers is worried about his mama. She posted this on Facebook. All I said was I wish I had time to finish my Shakespeare book. I'm trying to fit it all in [with her busy schedule], but I can't find the outline I was going to use because its on my old computer that died. The professor who was co-editing is too busy so I thought I would wing it alone. But I can't find the darn outline. I asked for another email copy but never got it. I don't enjoy being a pest... Snickers thinks she should be a pest. He also thinks the beef was overcooked.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-20T22:48:00.003-04:00

Time for a Good Shakespeare Book

Snickers is worried about his mama. She posted this on Facebook. All I said was - I wish I had time to finish my Shakespeare book. Trying to fit it all in, but I can't find the outline I was going to use because its on my old computer that died. The professor who was co-editing is too busy so I thought I would wing it alone. But I can't find the darn outline. I asked for another email copy but never got it. I don't enjoy being a pest...I'll get it done, Snickers. Don't you worry about a thing.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-20T10:12:00.001-04:00

Death of Moamer Kadhafi in Sirte, Libya and the Death of 56 Animals in Columbus, OH

Snickers is worried about two things today; that is, the death of Kadhafi and the Columbus, OH breeding incident because the monkey and wolf are still on the run. Snickers is pretty sure he can befriend the monkey, but is not so sure about the wolf. He wants his mama to post her and Maria's "Quillyshine" story, which she will do tomorrow. She still has to exercise, shower, and teach today and is running out of time. He also wants more gravy next time on his food.

The Daily Diaries of Snickers the Dog

2011-10-19T14:45:00.014-04:00

Welcome, Snickers

Snickers is a 16-year-old black lab. He loves people, food, swimming, and cats. Snickers is involved in politics and multi-culture education. And, he worries a lot. In fact, today he is worried about his sister's (especially Maria Rogus`) career choices. He hopes her future choices include a cat and not another dog. Snickers is also worried about the move, "Anonymous" because his mom just wrote a story about Shakespeare and the Cobham Poet (it was actually her master's thesis). He hopes the movie is as good as her book! He thinks a good name for Maria Rogus's (aka freshbakedbrouhaha) future cat is either Jello or Pudding. Snickers loves Maria Rogus's Black and White Photography and Graphic Design work! He is excited her stuff is on http://freshbakedbrouhaha.tumblr.com/

NURSING HOME

2011-10-02T12:40:00.001-04:00

When it's time for me to trade in my high heels and cowboy boots
for a pair of orthopedic walking shoes

and the light creeping under the door is from the nurse's station down the hall
and no longer the Jersey Shore, turtle shell nightlight from my hallway

please come & bring my poems and poetry of you and others
tucked neatly under your arm in a book close to your heart

to remind me of who I am, who you are, what I did
and what you did, so I can relive life's rhythm & rhyme

before I leave for Heaven.

Where's the Other Half?

2011-08-29T21:01:00.000-04:00

I was going to write a poem
about a chocolate coated
Nabisco Oreo Cookie
until I bit into one and found
the other half was missing!

BIRTH CONTROL KILLED THE COFFEE SHOP

2011-08-27T13:46:00.017-04:00

I grew up in the small town of Warren, Pennsylvania. Back in the 1960’s and early 1970’s, Edinboro University was home to an uptown, auxiliary location called The Zodiac around the time I was twelve years old and my older sister was eighteen. She often talked about The Zodiac because it was the place to be.

The Zodiac Coffee Shop was on the second floor of stores ranging from clothing, hat shops, art supplies, and hardware. The shopping culture was different then and these family-based businesses were a staple in the community. My friends and I spent Saturdays after chores exhausting allowances on popular songs available on vinyl. The chain store - Kresge’s, had a soda fountain and hamburger grill where we spent our last ½-hour of shopping sipping cherry or vanilla cokes and catching up with friends. The Zodiac was off limits to us because of our age, but we discussed its presence as I thought it held a key to the house of knowledge.

My Zodiac comments were regarded among my friends and younger sister by four years, because my older sister provided the credibility for me to speak on the subject. My language and word choice was always accurate because my older sister was a speech Nazi. My earliest memories recall her admonishing me for not getting facts straight. So, I strived to speak the truth to avoid the consequences of her wrath upon my head. And besides, I liked my sister and the clothes she wore. She was cool in my eyes because she dressed more trendy and edgy than my mother allowed me to, though not hippie.

My sister had told me only the coolest, smart people were allowed in the Zodiac. My close friend - Lori and I, more than once observed the clientele. Long hair, hip-hugger jeans, corduroy or tweed blazers, guitars strung around necks, leather shoulder bags, t-shirts with messages, tie-dye, dark glasses, beads and peace signs, bandannas and head scarves all entered and exited the Zodiac. We were told that in the midst of the color were college professors.

At the time, one of my sister’s friends was studying philosophy. She was in a Ph.D. program in California and home for the summer. She described The Zodiac as a great place for intellectual stimulation because college professors hung out with students in a casual setting. She wore immaculate blue jeans and was bare-foot by choice. Silver hoop earrings and wire-rimmed glasses foiled her long, straight hair. She made sense when she spoke and people enjoyed listening to her, even my sister. They talked about ideology and philosophy and great discussions and arguments ensued between genders. She provided a spark. I was allowed at the table because of my role as babysitter for my sister and brother-in-law’s two boys. I dearly loved caring for my two nephews and willingly watched all the early Sesame Street episodes, read many stories, and took long walks along the Allegheny River path. Being allowed in on adult conversations because of my position was the icing on the cake for me.

My path took a different course for the next thirty years until I returned to college to finish my degree in 2005. The fear of the unknown is a logical fear as I discovered my idea of education was radically and dramatically different from organized education. To earn credentials you have to pay. Knowledge is not free. It was a hard lesson to learn for someone like me - an interpersonal learner. My parents and close relatives had professional degrees. In addition to being an adult student I was the first of my generation to pursue a college degree. And, I was the same age and older than many of my college professors so these social and Marxist boundaries were problematic for me.

I asked myself, what is the big fear of college professors hanging out with students? Aside from Marxist thought replacing the coffee shop mentality (in my mind), I think part of the answer lies in our birth control system. Because women contracept as a life-style choice, there is no reason to say no to sex. This opens an arena for possibilities that the human mind has trouble setting up boundaries for. So, it becomes easier to remove the temptation by not physically being there.

Artificial birth control is eroding many things including technology, our sense of professionalism, and women's fertility and if that's not enough - birth contol opens the door for immoral behavior and in the process erodes relationships. The possibility of immoral behavior, and as a result - emotional detachment, leaves human beings feeling vulnerable and confused. Sexual desire is naturally magnetic for a reason. As a consequence, we dilute encounters that could facilitate responsibility to the other person, growth of knowledge, and the healthy and spiritual bonding of human relationships when using artificial contraceptives whether or not we are sexually active with that person or not. A physically-sexual relationship can be gratifiying, but is painful to the spirit if not well-balanced with a spiritually-sexual relationship. And, if a woman's body is being altered from its natural state with artificial birth control, what is the artificial birth control doing to a woman's body, spirit, and relationships? Artificial birth control methods create a barrier within the synergy of relationships. This barrier effects both the spiritual and the physical realms of a relationship, or in other words, spirit and matter. And what about the the control factor of birth control. Does that suggest that since most (not all) forms of birth control are formulated for a woman's consumption, does that put her more in control of the relationship? Shouldn't the control and expression of sexuality within a relationship be fifty-fifty and agreed upon?

I agree that high standards of professionalism and the need for a formal college arena in order to earn money and college degrees are important. But even Robert Frost casually hung out with his students before birth control exploded in American culture. The Zodiac Coffee Shop once inspired college students and non-college students to focus on college careers by engaging with professors in a casaul setting; however, for now the Zodiac is long gone.

1. synergy - definition of synergy by the Free Online Dictionary ...

The interaction of two or more agents or forces

so that their combined effect is

greater than the sum of their individual effects.

BUILDING A LAKE OR A POEM (It's the same thing.)

2011-07-02T14:56:00.007-04:00

by Martha J. Rogus, MA

Being hopelessly in love with rhyme and meter,

I never really fancied poems

about writing poems

as if they take shape

all on their own

the way a stone skips across a smooth lake

because I imagine chasing words

              all

                                                                             over

                                                     a page

                                                                                                            something like

                        this that

certainly no scholar

would approve of

so imagine lettered words as

a

un

wet

drop

grows

puddle

not one you would find

on a sidewalk but

maybe in a field

of grass

with dirt

under it

like marble

or some

other hard rock

way below the dirt

as water on top

grows with each rain

fall until it’s too

big to jump

across and

even bigger to the point

when I want to call in

a bulldozer to make it a lake

with some pebbles here

maybe a dock there, but I need to make sure the dock extends out farther than the shore

when I realize if that last line

were in a folio or Kindle

it may lose the structure

and I can’t afford

the bulldozer anyway

so maybe my lake

will not have a dock

or size and depth

at first until I know

how wide the page

is going to be

when

the pencil sharpener

brings focus to

the lines and

shape of my lake

to be naturally

achieved with erosion

from now on

so I pray for wind

and lots of rain

and little sunshine

but not this summer

because last summer

was such a bummer

with lots of rain

and little sunshine

though it would have been

the time to grow a

lake if only I had

thought of it then

so if patience prevails

we can have our lake

over time

and a lovely poem to read by

but it can’t be the end because

I want some flowers here.

I know.

This is where deer

poop neighbors’ iris they steal

after eating the garden

as I add plum trees

and a bench

when Wendell Berry shows

up. No wait. This is no place

for Wendell Berry.

So I take him out to end it

once and for all,

to let nature take its course

and realize my lake poem

has turned into a stream.

2011-03-31T18:46:00.002-04:00

This class was really fun. I hope you all learned something. Hi-Ed rocks!

MOTOR MOON by Martha J. Rogus

2010-10-28T08:24:00.006-04:00

Sky fire matter
roared along a shelf of clouds
like lip liner –

emerging as a saffron thumbnail,
   the moon played with me in my car;
white candle, motor moon with a coat of wax.

Like a bridegroom at the alter –
   straight asphalt led my car to you until
   a curve flung you left. Four stars now hold you;
white candle, motor moon with a coat of wax.

From the hill top –
   you bid, “Good-night,”
   and went to work in the deep, then
   re-appeared in an ill haze, scaring me.

   To make amends your particles played in treetops
   to the 2nd clearing
   where you divided in two behind a cloud
   then wore a mustache to make me laugh;
white candle, motor moon with a coat of wax—

Pulling the sky around your clouds
   you said, “Good-night, sleep tight, sweetheart,"
   as I pulled into the garage where darkness fell;
– white candle, motor moon with a coat of wax –

CHIASMUS IS COMING by Martha J. Rogus

2010-10-27T08:59:00.007-04:00

A New England friend called me to say
“Chiasmus is coming –
it is almost he-haw.”

The PA October sky
was fair and eighty.
I in shorts forgot.

     ipod text said battery was low
     and roiling soup like global warming
     news too hot to touch
     will cool with snow
          and time

     + ads for gadgets

The gadget I want for Christmas,
I told my friend,
and want of gadget for nature
is one to read the signs a
body can sign to read.

     So, read the text—
          this is all I want for Christmas,

a gadget
   to tell me what you're thinking
       to tell me what you're feeling
   to track a kidney stone at home
   to track me when I'm fertile
   to warn us global warming's climbing
   to tell me it’s Chiasmus,
          all without leaving
          the comforts of space or health.

Kidney Stone

2010-10-26T14:23:00.004-04:00

by Martha J. Rogus and Maria Rogus (daughter)

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I said to my kidney stone,
"Good-bye to you."

and I said --
I hope it's not offended,
smoothes itself out,
continues with its journey
within the water cycle.

At the Wishing Well - Storey Book Forest, Conneaut Lake, OH: 1963

2010-10-24T00:08:00.003-04:00

Sister Gretchen, 11 and Me, 5

Jack-n-Jill's wishing well,

Hey Diddle, Diddle's dish running away with the spoon

(in background), and

the old woman who lived in a shoe with so many children, she didn't know what to do's, shoe and sliding board.

BLOOD BROTHERS (IN RESPONSE TO PHYLLIS) by Martha J. Rogus

2010-10-23T22:20:00.005-04:00

We dug in the earth to make our houses
of daisies, glass, pop tabs, caps, and grasses
Bob had the better claim of space and glass

I suppose he rose at dawn for his spot
In the shade between the barn and pine tree
where Amy and I became “blood brothers”
well, sisters really because we were girls—

this was a guy’s world. We both knew it

Bob never bled from the wrecked glass
and told us to be careful

We admired his one-day, way too long
because Amy got mad and said it stunk

she said she didn’t like Bob’s space and house
so she kicked it into his empty shoe!

I watched – stunned – until it landed inside
as John and Jeff jumped in wobbly puddles with Bob.

2010-10-23T21:51:00.005-04:00

Wendell Berry Poems (from Collected Poems)

MARRIAGE

How hard it is for me, who live
in the excitement of women
and have the desire for them
in my mouth like salt. Yet
you have taken me and quited me.
You have been such light to me
that other women have been
your shadows. You come near me
with the nearness of sleep.
And yet I am not quiet.
It is to be broken. It is to be
torn open. It is not to be
reached and come to rest in
ever. I turn against you,
I break from you, I turn to you.
We hurt, and are hurt,
and have each other for healing.
It is healing. It is never whole.

THE THIEF
I think of us lying asleep,
eyes and hands filled with the dark,
when the arm of the night
entered, reaching into the pockets
of our empty clothes. We slept
in the element of that power,
innocent of it, perserved from it
not even buy our wish.
As though not born, we were carried
beyond an imminenece we did not
waken to, as passively as stars
are carried beyond their spent
shining--our eyes granted to the light
again, by what chance or price
we do not even know.

THE BROKEN GROUND

The opening out and out,

body yielding body:

the breaking

through which the new

comes, perching

above its shadow

on the piling up

darkened broken old

husks of itself:

bud opening to flower

opening to fruit opening

to the sweet marrow

of the seed--

taken

from what was, from

what could have been.

What is left

is what is.

Sign-of-the-Times Cartoon from www.seattlepi.com

2010-09-26T15:25:00.003-04:00

The three kisses by Pziad Yasao

2010-05-15T12:33:00.000-04:00

The three kisses by Pziad Yasao

Book Review by Martha J. Rogus

2009-12-29T19:11:00.001-05:00

DERAILED by Tim Irwin, Ph.D.

Five Lessons Learned from Catastrophic Failures of Leadership

Finally, a book that informs us people need people, not arrogant, hubris-based leadership. Tim Irwin shatters the precept of hyperindividualism by showing us six, characteristically incorrect corporate leaders who failed. Irwin does not only deride these capable CEOs of Lehman Brothers, Proctor & Gamble, Home Depot, Hewlett-Packard, Starwood Resorts and Hotels Worldwide, and Fannie Mae, but discusses their successes as well as their failures. He includes diversity by selecting one of the most powerful woman CEOs and an African American as case study subjects. Irwin presents information on how we can avoid making the same mistakes in our careers and within our own lives. For the first time in my life I understand that to be accomplished does not mean the same thing as being an overnight success, and how character should be valued more highly than personality in American culture, but is rarely the case.
Irwin identifies character flaws and warning signals that can significantly save us from demise. The personal stories he reflects on near the end of the book provide a feeling of honesty and authenticity. Irwin is believable and real. I find it refreshing Irwin uses the characteristic of humility as a key motif in this book. The only problem I had was Irwin’s suggestion that self-deprecating humor is an important characteristic to developing authenticity. Ironically, in a later chapter Irwin admits self-deprecating humor is not the same thing as humility. Humility is one thing, but self-deprecating humor negates self-respect in my opinion. It would seem the self-deprecating humor comment would better serve the chapter on the human mask. However, I like this book and will recommend it to others. It is written sympathetically, yet honestly and the villains seem less threatening and more human by story’s end. There is one question that remains unanswered in my mind though. How on earth could Frank Raines of Fannie Mae walk away with a 19 million dollar severance package while the company went under and still live with himself? One can only hope it was to pay off his own personal debt.

http://brb.thomasnelson.com/

2009-11-10T15:45:00.000-05:00

Rainer Maria Rilke Poetry Link

2009-08-26T21:42:00.000-04:00

After reading "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger I found the poetry of German born Rainer Maria Wilke beautiful and soothing. He wrote in French and German and this linked website contains English translations.

"For one human being to love another:
that is the most difficult of all our tasks
the ultimate, the last test of proof,
the work for which all other work
is but preparation." ~ R. M. Rilke

Photo from http://www.geocities.com/Paris/LeftBank/4027/

Clinton Frees Journalists but Where is the Credit for the CEO Funding?

2009-08-07T15:26:00.002-04:00

Here's an interesting scenario. Bill Clinton and corporate America working on a humanitarin effort together. What bothers me the most about Clinton’s freeing of journalists in Korea was the news coverage of the event. Why weren’t the two corporations and CEOs that funded this life-saving effort mentioned?

The Clinton/North Korean freed journalists coverage I witnessed began with reporters hanging around an airport hanger in Burbank waiting for the arrival of Clinton and the newly freed writers. Don’t get me wrong, I think this was a wonderful gesture, but found something odd about the whole thing from the beginning, like we weren’t getting the whole story. I am plagued with wondering why reporters don’t research and get at the truth and all I can come up with is the public's obsession with spectacle. You can bet newspaper sales and media interest were higher during the Clinton / Lewinsky affair than the CEOs and Clintion freeing a bunch of writer's held captive in a hostile country. But what if Clinton is really trying to get his life together and wants to be the good guy now? What is so wrong with that? We should want this truth, when it puts others in a good light, especially if it is someone who has fallen in the past. Why do humans find it so difficult to recognize and commend good works in others? Is jealousy a factor? If so, it seems to me we should be channeling that negative energy into a handshake instead of a stab in the back, or bad press.

I feel much better living in a world that encourages rehabilitation of the broken human body and or spirit, no matter what form it's in, when I am walking to my car in the city on a dark night. The guy lurking about in a doorway may be an ex-addict who picks up and returns my dropped valuables out of altruistic instinct, not one who will rob me for drug money because he can find no good reason to rehabilitate himself in a society that won't forgive him even if he does change.

Changing for the good is exercising good commom sense. Changing for the good should be recognized and commended in American society. Afterall, common sense is our strongest founding virtue in this country and it is one way to get us back to discovery and invention. This is something I strongly feel this country needs to get back on it's feet, job-wise, if for no other reason.

So for now, I am still fighting with the question, why wasn’t there some mention of these corporations that helped Clinton free the writers? For a change, the corporations did something good and they are not receiving credit that is due to them.

Search for “Clinton frees journalists” and all you get are bundles of news stories about the Clintons and some of Al Gore and his media show. There is nothing about the corporate sponsors as of today. It has crossed my mind perhaps the corporate donors didn’t want the limelight, or to attract attention to those who would hound them for their own interests. If so, the reporters should still build up the fact that corporate America is not the bad guy!

After all the recent and continuing corporate scandals, why not be the light when you can? Wouldn’t this save corporate America and maybe even create some new business ventures that would employ those put out of work because of scandal and poor decision-making? Isn’t it time to start believing and rebuilding corporate America again, only more fairly, openly, and honestly this time? Isn't time to rebuild corporate America with discovery, invention, integrity, and common sense? Afterall, we can't all have Ph.D degrees, but we can have a well-balanced society working together in a copacetic way.

THE SUMMER SUMAC WAS CONFUSED

2009-08-07T15:25:00.000-04:00

A Poem by Martha J. Rogus

This was the summer the sumac was confused
Turning from green to crimson before Fall.

This was the summer Clinton freed writers.

This was the summer air conditioners ceased
And fans remained in the off position.

This was the year Somalian pirates died.

This was the summer rain filled both pants pockets
And broke all-time records in Eastern states.

This was the year Obama reformed health care.

This was the year windmill parts jammed country roads
As oil prices continued to climb.

This was the year Russians spied Western shores.

This was the summer Texas heat scorched roofers
With highs of 104 in McAllen.

This was the year Sotomayor won court seat.

This was the year temperature anomalies
Ran amok amidst global economy.

This was the year the Iraqi war closed.

This was the year the Weather repented sin.
This was the year humanity fell short.

Sunday - August 3, 2008

2008-08-03T18:49:00.000-04:00

Fot those of you who don't know Dr. Randy Pausch from Carnegie-Mellon University, see the link. Dr. Pausch died of pancreatic cancer on July 25th of this year. After he was diagonsed, they told him he had 6 months to live. He outlived doctors' expectation by many months and his spirit lives on. The U-Tube presentation is known as his "Last Lecture" and is very inspiring. He leaves behind a dream for a cure and shows us how to live life to the fullest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

Comfort Sway

2006-10-14T16:31:00.000-04:00

You came to me in a dream last night
in my harbor-blue, home over looking the lake.

Your son was much older, a boy of about ten, but charming.
Your embrace, as warm as the breeze.

Your shirt - checked, but white
Intentions were good.

You followed me as I did business in the rooms of my home,
And my sisters felt your presence.

You boast you save bikini bottom
Long ago when the world began.

They didn’t mind that you fancied me,
And laughed when you joked about Amor.

Then the screen door caught me like a trap,
I did not panic as you laughed.

It was time for you to go and
I was sad to see you leave, but I knew you’d be back.

By Martha J. Rogus

In My Opinion

2006-10-08T14:34:00.000-04:00

In My Opinion…By Martha Rogus

Why do the Arab factions hate Americans? Japan and most countries in Europe are as developed and technologically advanced as Americans. Historically speaking, the only difference perhaps is the older countries may have a stronger sense of culture or a stronger loyalty to family kinship. I am not aiming to shift the Arab’s hate to other countries, but trying to come up with a reason as to why the Arab world hates Americans. I fear that if we don’t figure it out and do something about it, we could be facing a war of civilizations. I think the issues we need to address are kinship, greed, and religion.

Let’s take a look at our different kinships. The United Kingdom has a divorce rate of 53% of the total of all marriages. USA is 49% and Germany is at 41%. Interestingly, Italy is at 12%. Of the less developed countries, Turkey is at 6% and Cyprus is at 13%.
http://www.divorcemag.com/statistics/statsWorld.shtml
Is it just me, or does it look like the more developed the country, that is the more equal women are to men, the higher the divorce rate. I really hope that is not the sole reason for high divorce rates, but it makes one wonder. Maybe our screwed up family values and kinship make us an easy target for the extremist religious sect. I will be the first to admit Americans need to work on kinship. Too many parents view their children or themselves as being superior to others. This colonial thinking leads to personal wars. We should do as the BaMbuti Pygmies in the Congo and follow Hawaiin kinship and view all children as their own, people of the same generation as sisters and brothers, all parents of our parents generation as our parents, and all grandparents as their own grandparents (Colin M. Turnbull, The Forest People, P.106). This way we would all be taking care instead of destroying each other.

I applaud the Pope for pointing out, a few weeks prior to Ramadan, to professors at a German College where he used to teach, the fact that the Islam bible (Koran) contains a passages that calls for their religion to “be spread by the sword.” It was kind of a silly comment really, but then again is that what the 15 Egyptians were doing on 9/11? The Islamic nation took this speech by the Pope seriously and demanded an apology much like they did after the cartoons published by a Danish newspaper last year. This would be one way to keep terrorists out of our airports. Just put up life size cartoons of Islamic religious leaders in terminals and on jets.

Joking aside, I began to ask myself these questions in 1976 when I was in my Current Events (History) class during my senior year of high school. As part of the curriculum, we were to read magazines that Mr. Bakewell brought in. Time Magazine became my magazine of choice initially because of the graphic and real photos from around the world. What I didn’t realize, was that I was reading things that were triggering events that would have lasting affects far into the future.

My favorite current event topic came to be the Palestinian Liberation Organization or the PLO. This group appeared to be the hero’s group because they were striving for peace at the expense of people in the land of Israel known as the Gaza Strip. It looked like the Palestinians had been robbed of their land. This Arab group fought for control of this land. I began to think how unfair it was that these people had no home. Years later, I came to learn that the United States supported Israel and not the PLO.

If Arabs hate us because we don’t share in their dilemma, or because Americans don’t share their wealth with the poor or less fortunate people or countries, would someone please explain “Palm Island” to me? It seems to me the warring Arab factions should look in their own back yard for the answers to their problems.
http://www.palmsales.ca/

Former Newspaper Editor at Edinboro

2006-10-01T20:48:00.000-04:00

Mr. Jeff Pinski, former editor for the Erie Times-News, assumes a position at EU as "Assistant Director of Public Relations" and has some very inspiring and interesting comments published in the September 22, 2006 edition of The Spectator (P.1-2), which can be found in most buildings on campus. (Vol. 106, No.3)

The article outlines a speech Mr. Pinski gave in Van Houten last week. He talked about things such as "credibility", "ethical breeches in newspapers and electronic media", and the role of "ethics and humanism" and the responsibility of the journalist.

Mr. Pinski also mentions "blog authenticity, reliability, and fact." I found the peice to be an eye-opener and a must read for any aspiring journalist or writer.

Writer's Block Cure from a Pro

2006-07-31T19:15:00.000-04:00

"My "sure-fire" cure for writer's block is to take a day-long break from anything having to do with the project--no thinking about it, nothing." ~ Dr. Jeremy Sideris, Ph.D.

Edinboro University Writing Center

2006-07-30T11:28:00.000-04:00

With the help of Dr. (Jeremy) Sideris, we now have the a link to the Writing Center for you Edinboro students.

Writer's Block

2006-07-16T17:30:00.000-04:00

Does anybody ever get writer's block? My lack of inspiration to write started when the 2006 spring semester of classes ended at Edinboro. There was a little spark left for Tom Lipinski's Creative Writing Class that I took the 1st summer session at Edinboro's Poreco Center, and then after that my desire to write just died, for the lack of a better word.

I have been frustrated that my swimming pool was out of commission and not usable. I was not enjoying summer much. Painting, gardening, a visit to camp, and a wedding cake I had to do did nothing to inspire me to write. Then, Ruth Robinson and I began emailing each other and she and Nick emailed each other. I asked myself why did I even want to write. I used to answer with, because I had something to say. But, that sounded so hollow and did nothing to get the juices flowing. But after emailing with Ruth, I started feeling a little better.

Friday, our pool became usable just in time for the 90 degree day and my 17 year old daughter's birthday sleepover. That went well. I sat on my deck as they swam and tried to write but I hated everything that came out.
Two glasses of wine did not help and in fact, made it look even worse.

Then some sort of miracle happened Saturday. I decided to forget about everything and just float on a raft in the hot sun, alone in my pool. Well, not totally alone. I took Toltsoy's Anna Karenina with me. I found a way to read without getting the pages wet, or so I thought. No real harm done. I am at the part where Anna arrives by train and meets Vronsky. Actually, I am a little beyond that and to the part where, under Anna's direction, Dolly and Anna's brother Stiva have reconciled, or so it appears to Anna that they have. And, Vronsky has paid the Oblonsky household a visit which came across as being strange to everyone, especially to Anna. Anna thinks there is an ulterior motive that may involve her. What I liked the best about the chapters I read was the idea of forgiveness and being able to forgive.

I stopped reading and floated in and out of a shaded spot in my pool created by some nearby trees, and just let the water carry me wherever it wanted. I did nothing to intercept the natural current, mostly created by the man-made water pump, but somewhat connected to the light breeze that was gently blowing across the top of the water. I gave up all of my control and just floated. As I floated, I thought about the things in front of me and decided which were from God and which were man-made. I tried to stay as one with being with the water, the breeze, the sun, and the trees. This gave me such a feeling of freedom and grace.

I have skin sensitivities and could only enjoy this moment for a half an hour. I stretched it to 45 minutes with no harm done. As I was leaving the pool area and walking over the foot bridge, I noticed my neighbor, dredging his part of the brook with a shovel. We had said hello earlier so I continued walking and did not interupt him and his work.

Later, I was standing at my kitchen sink and I thought I heard my neighbor up the street who is a lawyer with a son who is attending Oxford University in London say something about courage.

That's it! A thought exploded in my head. My book is about courage. And the words started flowing like great, aged wine.

(I hope they read that way.)

So, anyone who would like to go for a dip in my pool to get the writing juices flowing is more than welcome.

Or, if anyone has something that worked for them, why not share it with us. This would be the place.

And thanks to Ruth , too. She knows exactly what I am talking about.

~M

2006-06-11T16:36:00.000-04:00

Poetry - The "Uncommon Language"

I read an interesting article today about a poet who spent time in Cape Cod. His name was Stanley Kunitz and he lived to be around 100 years-old. He recently died.

Poet Stanley Kunitz was inspired by the scenery of Cape Cod and Provincetown. Knowing this makes me wonder why poetry is not more readily available for us to read and why I never heard of Stanley Kunitz until I read about him today, after his death.

We have multitudes of poetry writers, but rarely do you come across their work unless you have to read it for a class, or if poetry is what you are into. I am beginning to think poetry is an "Uncommom Language."

by Martha Rogus

Cacchione, J.B. (2006, June 11). Pining for a poet gone silent, Erie Times-News, p. 3E.

2006-06-11T16:23:00.002-04:00

Weekly Book Giveaway

The Erie Times-News newspaper has a book giveaway raffle every Sunday.

The Book Giveaways can be found in the Sunday Living section.

Good Luck!

2006-06-11T15:30:00.000-04:00

FREE E-books Available from July 4 to August 4

For free E-book information, go to www.worldebookfair.com

According to Dave Carpenter of the Associated Press, there will be more than 300,000 e-books available online, FREE from July 4th to August 4th as reported in the June 11th Erie Times-News.

No longer protected by copyright laws, the books were scanned and typed into computers by Volunteers. The e-books available are "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", "Old Indian Legends" thesauruses, and dictionaries all at no cost. The fee of $8.95 to access the World eBook Library will not apply from 7/4 to 8/4 in recognition of the 35th anniversary of Project Gutenburg.

"We want to give the most books to the most people," says the 59-year old, Michael Hart who created Project Gutenburg in 1971 after graduating from the University of Illinois.
Carpenter, D. (2006, June 11). E-book fans, start your computers. Erie Times-News, p. 3E

2006-06-11T15:26:00.000-04:00

Meeting Places for The Hair Club for Writers

Meeting Places:
Mallory Lake Gazebo - Edinboro University, Edinboro, PA
The Comedy Club - Erie, PA
Lake Erie Beach #10 and pavilion
A Camp (that I know of) - near State College, PA

open to suggestions

2006-06-11T15:24:00.000-04:00

Members of The Hair Club for Writers

Members eMail:
Martha Rogus rogus2006@verizon.net
Nick Bonini chimerasy@aol.com
Ruth Robinson queenoftheamazons@hotmail.com

Members Facebook/Myspace:
Nick Bonini
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=79282702&MyToken=0b12c524-2a2d-4b07-ae01-dc110da3509f
Martha Rogus
http://edinboro.facebook.com/profile.php?id=65905226
Ruth Robinson
http://edinboro.facebook.com/profile.php?id=65903209&hiq=ruth%2Crobinson

The Hair Club for Writers

2006-06-11T14:27:00.000-04:00

Mission Statement:
To encourage, enlighten, and promote each member's writing in a positive way and to share insightful information regarding writing and published works with a spirit of camaraderie.

Objectives:
Honesty, Focus, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence (aka H-FIRE)

Meetings:
Meetings will be reserved for the activites listed. We will try to meet two or three times a year at various locations, preferably during breaks and summers as to not interefer with course work. A tentative schedule can be emailed to you upon request. Request schedule at rogus2006@verizon.net

Activities:
Workshops - Fiction, Creative Non-fiction, Non-fiction, Drama, Screenplay, and Poetry. Members can write in one or all genres. We will read and evaluate each other's writing.

Story Revelations - Members will meet to listen to selected readings of various published author's works. There will be a discussion after each reading.

Character Development - We will meet at outside locations and develop charaters as a group through observation.

Special Guests - We will meet with professionals established in the field of writing such as professors, writers, editors, etc. that would be interested in speaking and sharing their knowlege with us.

Blog Site - Up-to-date information related to writing that may be of interest to members. Generally speaking, the blog will be revised every Sunday or as events or items of interest present themselves.

Rules:
1. This club that is based on friendship and will maintain the highest regard for all who have a genuine interest in writing.
2. Think of others and not just thyself.
3. Rules will be modified and amended when the need presents itself.

If you would like your email address removed, send request to rogus2006@verizon.net