A Changing of the Mind (6/2018)

My friend Lilli asked: When was the last time you changed your opinion / belief about something major?

 This is a difficult question to answer. I need to really think about it. Not because I don't change my mind and have to search out such an instance, but because I work hard at keeping it open enough to hear all sides of anything. Thus, I can change my opinion without malice, so to speak, and there are many from which to choose. I'd like to mention one that's significant and interesting. *strums fingers on chin* hmmmm, let me see. . . 

Mind you, I'm not a wimp or an airhead; I just believe things can change. People can change. What was true (or what seemed true) yesterday, may not be true today.

 Ah! *snap* I've got it. I hate to be "political" - and especially publicly, but I think I shall address this issue of kneeling during the presentation of our Flag and the singing of the national anthem of the United States, (for you youngsters who don't learn it in school anymore, it's called The Star Spangled Banner).

 Okay. *takes a deep calming breath. Whispers a prayer for clarity in mind and presentation*

 Respectfully,
I'm an old hippie. I know it's cliche, but I truly think of myself this way. I went to Woodstock, protested Vietnam, and marched to Washington to beg President Nixon to bring our boys home and stop what I perceived to be utter madness. Some of my contemporaries burned our Country's flag; I never did that. It angered me. I spoke out against that, usually at the top of my lungs. And when President Nixon kept his promise to bring our boys our young men and women home, I rejoiced and welcomed them back with open arms and a loving heart.

I volunteered for many years at our NJ Veterans' Association and one of our VA Nursing Homes. Believe me, they had a rough time of it. Many blamed them for the atrocities committed, for the horrors of war they were forced - at 18 and 19 years old - to take part in, to witness, to experience on a level most of us don't even have the capability to know or understand.

= = = = = = = = = =   = = = = = = = = = =   = = = = = = = = = =

 My grandfather, though he was a newly acclimated immigrant, fought under the Star Spangled Banner in WWI; his son, my father the first and only of his siblings to be born in the great land of the free, and all my mother's brothers, my uncles, under that same banner in WWII; my cousins in Korea; my schoolmates, friends, and neighbors in Vietnam; nephews and the sons and daughters of friends, in Afghanistan and through the middle east. And still it goes on. To me, our National Anthem rings out to them - to those who came home, and were never the same; to those who did not come home, but are remembered and deeply loved. For this and for them, I stand. This has been my choice. I stand even when I am at home and it plays before a game, or at the olympics. And I sing. I always sing.

 But I must also consider what "the kneel" is about. I don't believe it is a mockery of our beloveds; what I see is a statement. A call to attention that this land of the free, for which our beloveds gave the last full measure of devotion, must be the land of the free for all its people. Must be fair for all its people. This is the platform on which this Country, this great country, was founded, and has been protected by its greatest natural resource: our young.

 Of all the things a person can do that might be considered disrespectful, kneeling is not one of them. Stop rolling your eyes and hear me out.

 When do we kneel?

 First and foremost, we kneel before God. We kneel to pray. To show respect. To humble ourselves. We kneel to a loved one when asking forgiveness or for a hand in marriage. To show the utmost respect; not to mock, belittle, degrade, dishonor, or treat with contempt. Kneeling is the highest form of respect one can offer.

 If we believe it's enough for God, how can it be less for us?

 There is a vile wrong taking hold in this country right now. I blame myself. I blame all of us who thought we had made a difference back in the 60s. We thought we had won the battle against hatred over skin color, ethnicity, religion, diversity. How could we have been so blind? So lax? We not only dropped the ball. We lost it. And then we forgot about it.

 So, for those among us, for those who are no longer among us, I hereby acknowledge every American's God-given Constitutional right to kneel if he or she sees fit to do so. I believe in it, and I will defend it with the same dedication and vigor with which I defend anyone's right to stand, as well as to disagree with my way of thinking about this. Because THOSE VERY RIGHTS are the thing for which so many have indeed given the last full measure of devotion to protect.

 It's not the kneel that insults our freedom; it's the forbidding of it that not only insults our freedom, but defies it.

 How can you do this? How DARE you?

 I close with some words from our first Republican Party President.

 (Some time) ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.

We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

 But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.

It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

 And that's all I have to say about that.

 Carol, who has opened, pondered, and changed her mind. *on my knees, I humbly ask* God, bless America. God bless her people. Amen

“What nobody tells people who are beginners… is that all of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years we make stuff, and it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not… our taste is why our work disappoints… We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this… It's only by going through a volume of work that we'll close that gap, and our work will be as good as our ambitions.” -- Ira Glass

Quote of the Day
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.". – Mark Twain


About Mark Twain
Samuel Clemens, the iconic American humorist and writer, is better known by his pen name Mark Twain. He was born in 1835 in Missouri. He worked at several jobs, including steamboat pilot and miner. He wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Prince and the Pauper, and other successful novels. His writing captured a very American vernacular and flavor, and helped create a distinctive American literature. He died in 1910.

Tennessee says:

March 08, 2012
Quote of the Day

"Make voyages! — Attempt them! — there's nothing else…"
– Tennessee Williams
About Tennessee Williams
Tennessee Williams was the pen name of Thomas Lanier Williams, the multiple-award-winning Southern Gothic playwright best known for his plays Streetcar Named Desire and The Glass Menagerie. He was born in 1911 in Mississippi, where he had a difficult childhood with an abusive father, a smothering mother, and a schizophrenic sister. His emotionally honest plays often feature sensitive souls who don't fit into a confining culture. He spent most of his adult life in New York City. He died in 1983.

Harder than rock or softer than water?

Todays Quote touched me. Just as I'm about to let frustration do me in, Wisdom shows up, in my Inbox...


March 05, 2012
Quote of the Day

"What is harder than rock, or softer than water? Yet soft water hollows out hard rock. Persevere."
– Ovid
About Ovid
Publius Ovidius Naso, the Roman poet known as Ovid, best known for the epic Metamorphoses, is considered one of the greatest poets of Latin literature. He was born in 43 B.C. in what is now Italy. He rose quickly in Roman government and was on track to become a senator when he chose to devote himself to poetry instead. His tale of Pyramus and Thisbe is the source for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Emperor Augustus exiled Ovid from Rome for unknown reasons in 8 A.D.; he died in exile in 17 A.D.

Carol, wisened up!

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"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men" -- Plato 247-347 BCE

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Don't mess with me; I'm a senior citizen!

A lawyer and a senior citizen are sitting next to each other on a long flight.

The lawyer is thinking that seniors are so dumb that he could get one over on them easily.



So, the lawyer asks if the senior would like to play a fun game.

The senior is tired and just wants to take a nap, so he politely declines and tries to catch a few

winks.

The lawyer persists, saying that the game is a lot of fun...."I ask you a question, and if you don't know the answer, you pay me only $5.00. Then you ask me one, and if I don't know the answer, I will pay you $500.00," he says.

This catches the senior's attention and, to keep the lawyer quiet, he agrees to play the game.

The lawyer asks the first question. "What's the distance from the Earth to the Moon?"

The senior doesn't say a word, but reaches into his pocket, pulls out a five-dollar bill, and hands it to the lawyer.

Now, it's the senior's turn. He asks the lawyer, "What goes up a hill with three legs, and comes down with four?"

The lawyer uses his laptop to search all references he can find on the Net.

He sends E-mails to all the smart friends he knows; all to no avail. After an hour of searching, he finally gives up.

He wakes the senior and hands him $500.00. The senior pockets the

$500.00 and goes right back to sleep.

The lawyer is going nuts not knowing the answer. He wakes the senior up and asks, "Well, so what goes up a hill with three legs and comes down with four?"

The senior reaches into his pocket, hands the lawyer $5.00, and goes back to sleep.

I'm just sayin' . . .

*SNAP* I DID IT!

I did it! I did it! My fingers are in casts. My family and friends have abandoned me. I'm not sure where or who I am, but it was worth it, because... I did it!
(Of course this is partly complete fiction. I mean, I did DO it - that part's real, but my fingers are fine. As a matter of fact, they're downright "buff", and my family and friends were never neglected or ignored... Uh, well, okay, maybe they were a little ignored, but they still love me! Life IS Gooooood!

My NaNo Widget

Just thinking. . .

"Autumn has given way to a dusting of snow. Barren tree branches rise to a wintry sky. The sepia-toned landscape lends itself to the touch of a paintbrush or the writer's muse. What color shall we add today? What stories shall we spin while the snow drifts in dreamy spirals past the windows? Muse to muse, it's the perfect time of year to travel by tapping away at the computer keys and reviewing. Spin a tale for me to read. Let's weather the winter through wit and novel writing." mia

A New Christmas Tradition for savvy Americans

NOTE: I did not write this and cannot take credit for anything except passing along what I think makes a lot of sense.
Please give it a read and let me know your thoughts.

CHRISTMAS 2011
BIRTH OF A NEW TRADITION

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.

This year will be different. This year, Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes everyone gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamin's on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would love the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I know I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

Okay, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you really need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a better tip than you normally would.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

Consider THIS as a new American Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?

I'm just sayin" . . .

Comment and let me know your thoughts.

Carol

#

Pearls. . .

“To be kind to all, to like many and love a few, to be needed and wanted by those we love, is certainly the nearest we can come to happiness.” ~~ Mary, Queen of Scots.

I'm not gonna say it . . .

On the Home Front

Okay, so I'm going to do NaNoWriMo once again. I had a great time with it in 2009, skipped it last year because I was smitten with someone, which made me stupid and deamilazy; and now I'm back, all cylinders firing. Let's see how it goes.

What I'm most excited about is the prospect of meeting local writers with whom I can socialize and talk-up the craft. I'm always heading to the City for these meetings, and I'll be happier with a group closer to home. I'm really psyched about it!

In the meantime, I am looking forward to this three day holiday. Okay, well my plans have changed from the grammar school reunion I'd originally scheduled for this weekend; much as I want to see certain folks, especially some all-time favorite teachers, there is the need to make a living. The biography on which I'm currently working needs timely research so it's off to Gettysburg for me, which means I'll need to bag the reunion I was so excited about. Bah! I'll just have to experience it all from the safe distance of the computer screen as I meander through the photo albums.


From Lemons to Lemonade!

Since I need to be in that area to work, and since the work I'm doing will only take an hour each day, give or take, I've invited one of my favorite girlfriennns along. We'll go sight-seeing, out-letting and and antiquing. We'll drive for a few hours, take in some Civil War History, lunch somewhere wonderful and make home base at an elegant, hopefully haunted, B&B (My room has a fireplace, her's doesn't - hee hee.) I am SO looking forward to this! It'll be nice to be waited upon for a few days by innkeepers and, uh, waiters.

And then there is the shopping... Ooooo, I'm all a quiver.

All for now.
C.

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My Poem, CURSE OF THE SETTING MOON, won First Place!

CURSE OF THE SETTING MOON
A Shewolf's Lament
By Carol St. Ann



When echoed call of lonely howl
Replaces the longcase's chime,
Enchanted hooting of the owl
Cues emancipated time.

Human ways obliterated;
Four legs have I, instead of two.
Lustful urge is satiated.
With each full moon, I'm born anew!

Oh! Blessed rising of the moon!
Reclaim the bitch that was the dame.
Time opportune brings night's attune
And spites notorious defame.

In full moon's glow, I'm blessed to know
True pleasure at nature's own hand.
It grieves me so to have to go,
For, on two legs, I'm cursed to stand.

Some rue the rising dark of night:
Eyes, blind to see; ears, deaf to plea.
I crave the moonlit second-sight
And laud the joy she brings to me.

Perceptions pique, and toned physique,
Smooth silken fur, and pin-sharp nails
Create the aura, my mystique;
For at fang's length my charm prevails!

And lo, dear creatures of the glen,
I vow no hunters will harm you.
I'll force on them true fear again
And prey on their vernal menu.

Oh, woeful morn, I do so scorn
Your seemingly glorious wake.
To some the rose, to me the thorn,
As once more, hid'ous form I take.

This wretched thing that I become,
When golden orb does wake and rise
May fool the some but not the one
Who sees with wisened, open eyes.

Oh! Cur'sed setting of the moon!
At your leave, my torturous shame.
You rob me of my heart's attune
And smite with liar's cold disdain.

Until the hooting of the owl
Again steads human sense of time
I'll bow my head in anguished scowl
And long for freedom's cherished prime.


Carol St. Ann
August, 2011

*The contest: "The Enchanted Book of Poetry Contest!" August, 2011. The Artistic rendering is the prompt, and, indeed, the inspiration.

PLEASE HELP: If anyone knows the name of the artist who drew/painted this glorious work of art, please email me so I may give proper credit and send traffic to his/her website! Such talent deserves all the praise and credit!


.

But who'll read it?

Heard a funny story the other day:

Stephen King was in a grocery store one day and an older lady was in front of him in line. She kept looking back at him and finally spoke.

"I know who you are," she said. "You're that man who writes those terrible, disgusting stories. I don't like that kind of writing."

King said he just nodded, acknowledging the woman but not saying a word.

She continued, "I like decent stories real authors write like Shawshank Redemption."

King smiled at the woman and said, "I wrote that."

She quickly responded, "No you didn't!"

So you see, not every reader will like every single thing you write. But it doesn't mean you need to change. Just keep writing and your audience will find you.

CsA

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My poem, "THE BARRENESSES" won First Place!

The BARRENESSES
By Carol St. Ann


Circle, you leafless trees,
shed of autumn's dressage.
Lift limbs; embrace the breeze,
rapt with heaven's message.

Lay bare your naked bark,
and wave to passing clouds;
a shadow, cold and stark,
still standing ever proud.

Beneath the starlit skies
a gentle, rumbling sway
rustles like midnight cries.
Alas, it's how you pray.

The winter-sweet repose
fuels springtime's joyful burst
when green bud forms and grows,
and rains quench newborn thirst.


CSA, 2011
_______________________________

I am pleased as punch to share the news: This poem received First Place honors in the 76th Traditional Poetry Contest.

REVIEWS:


"The Barrenesses is a poem with a lyrical quality that aptly describes the trees in a wintry state, praising their creator. It is beautifully written and rolls sweetly off the tongue, leaving the reader with an enchanting flavor to chew on for a while."
~~ "Critic Quotes Review"

_____________________________

"In going through your portfolio initially, this was the first piece that caught my eye - the exceptional title, the multicolored preface, the stark yet beautiful photograph with the absolute perfect perspective for this piece.

The poem's structure itself is excellent, adhering to six-syllable quatrain stanzas in a 4x4 presentation. The tone speaks as if a call to arms from the author or the naturalist observer - one that has spent time among these trees and knows them well, appreciates them, beckoning them to new heights of poetic piety. Excellent development.

Your third stanza, "Beneath the starlit skies..." was most enjoyable for me, as I myself have found many a respite with Orion high in the sky, shining bright through the reaching limbs of these majestic, dormant titans of symbolic creation.

My only concern with a poem this eloquent, naturalist, perhaps even druidic in its equation of trees with holiness, is that it might find a very limited audience in the populace as a whole. If it were a work of mine, that would be all the more reason for me to go as far out of my way as possible to promote it...but I have a knack for finding and stubbing buttons when and if I can. I think in a specifically targeted setting, this would certainly do quite well, and it certainly performed well for this reviewer, indeed.
~~ "This is Why We Write, A Drew Review"

_____________________________

"Perfection in meter and rhyme, and a beautiful statement in reality and metaphor.
~~ Desi MacDaniels

_____________________________




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FOUR WAYS TO ATTRACT MORE READERS...

FOUR WAYS AUTHORS CAN ATTRACT MORE READERS (AND BUYERS) FASTER
by Bob Baker


Attracting new fans. Admit it, that's what having a book published is all about -- getting more people to read your words, know about you and buy your books. And hopefully, getting a LOT more people to do those things.

Why else do you work so hard to craft chapters, paragraphs, sentences -- even individual word choices? For what other reason do you fight off sleep so you can finish just one more section before you call it a night? I don't believe you go through these things to amuse yourself and hone your grammar skills in obscurity. You work hard because you know you have something of value to offer ... and you want to reach as many people as possible with your ideas.

Marketing is the thing that helps you reach that goal. But marketing is also a subject that confuses a lot of writers. Whether they write fiction or nonfiction, are self-published or traditionally published, writers the world over know they need to promote themselves. But many don't know where to start, much less how to continue marketing effectively.


Does this describe you? If so, consider the following scenario:

Let's say you went to an average U.S. city and rounded up 1,000 people and gathered them in a giant VFW hall. These 1,000 folks would be randomly chosen and made up of people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Next, you'd distribute information about your book, talk to these people and even let them read sample chapters.

After this direct exposure, what are the chances that one person out of those thousand would be attracted to your ideas and personal identity enough to buy your book? Most writers, regardless of how obscure their subject matter is, should feel pretty confident about being able to win over at least one new fan from this group of 1,000. That's a one-tenth of one percent conversion rate.

Now let's multiply that reasonable formula by the entire U.S. population of 285 million people. One-tenth of one percent would be 285,000 people. That would be enough fans to make you a bonafide bestselling author. Right?

So how do you find and connect with those one-in-a-thousand buyers (without the use of VFW halls across the country)? Most likely, you can't afford the massive advertising budget of major companies. These corporations spray their marketing message over the masses, knowing that it'll only stick to a small percentage of the population.

The solution: You must find creative, low-cost ways to go directly to those fans who make up that one-tenth of one percent. Don't waste your time and money promoting yourself to people who will most likely never embrace your words.


Here are four steps to take to reach those new fans:

1. Define Your Distinct Identity

You must have a firm grasp on what your writing (or latest book) is about. And you must be able to define it clearly and quickly. What sets your book apart from others in its genre? What attitude or social statement do you (or your book) make? Generic self-help, romance or science fiction titles won't cut it. Dig deeper and discover your unique identity. When you do finally reach some of those rare potential fans, don't lose them by not being clear about who you are.


2. Describe Your Ideal Fan

Once you have a handle on who you are as a writer, it's time to paint a clear picture of your ideal fan. Can you articulate how your readers dress, where they work, what TV shows they watch, what they do for fun and who their favorite cultural heroes are? Observe the types of people who come to your public speaking engagements or readings, and note what they have in common? Conduct simple online surveys with people who visit your web site or subscribe to your e-zine. Knowing precisely who your fans are will dictate what avenues you use to reach them and how you communicate your message once you do reach them.


3. Determine How to Get Access to Your Ideal Fans

Once you know exactly what type of fan you're going after, start making a list of the various resources these specific people are attracted to. What magazines and newspapers do they read? Where do they hang out? What radio stations do they listen to? What retail outlets do they frequent? What web sites do they surf to? What e-mail newsletters do they subscribe to? For example, if your fans are mostly Harley riders, go to a search engine like Google and start entering keywords related to motorcycles. Evaluate the search results and compile a list of the many good sources you uncover.


4. Network and Promote Yourself and Your Book

Armed with this targeted list of contacts, get busy! Send e-mail press releases to niche media outlets. Contact the webmasters and editors of appropriate publications. Post messages in specialized forums. Visit and interact via the web sites of similar authors or reading groups. Contact organizations and charities related to your writing niche.

In short, go to where your ideal fans are. And market yourself through these outlets relentlessly. Why spend too much time and money trying to promote to everyone ... when you can save money and be far more effective by going directly to those valuable one-in-a-thousand fans?





Bob Baker is the author of "Unleash the Artist Within," "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook" and "Branding Yourself Online." Get a FREE subscription to Bob's newsletter, "Quick Tips for Creative People," featuring inspiration and low-cost self-promotion ideas for artists, writers, performers and more. Visit PromoteYourCreativity.com for details.



FREE Reprint Rights - You may publish this article in your e-zine or on your web site or blog -- as long as the author bio/blurb at the end is included.

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