Susie Duncan Sexton's Blog, page 27

their hearts are lumps of coal?

on facebook right now, my profile pic is of a 6 month old skinny little pup who was killed today in a shelter that has an 80% slaughter rate...c'mon, world, we have got to stop this sadness and madness NOW...please help in any way you possibly can if only to sensitize others to this second by second tragedy.



our nation is better than this...these "sheltered" animals are caught up in the world of politics i fear. epidemic proportions of daily deaths are unacceptable and need to be questioned. SHARE, ADOPT, RESCUE, CARE and thanks...thanks...thanks! let not the profiteers toy with even life itself...

my spirit gets squashed about 6 or 7 times per day? i cannot figure out people hardly at all. seriously. then i remember what i love...reading, writing, cnn, charlie rose, movies, books, don and roy and people like you, and my lovely cats and dogs...and they can't take that away from me! but sometimes at least i don't mind the prospect of dying. life should not be this lonely...people should not be this distant...we are all missing out on real time heaven. human behavior is beyond my comprehension.

maybe most people feel the same as we do but don't (or don't know how to)express it? and my problem, if it is a problem, is that i have never, nor have i ever wanted to, run with any crowd whatsoever...i am too much of an individual for my own good?

(and i agree there is a mean streak in this world...i have never known how to deal with that...except to try to avoid it if at all possible...but not when it comes to the crass and hateful attitude that too many people harbor about animals...lots of humans just talk a big game and pose...and some are just absolute swaggering creeps...i honestly do not consider those types of this earth...they are horrid...and whatever i can do to protect animals from those dicks i shall pursue to the best of my ability. i truly believe this psychotic political atmosphere is being taken out on animals...no doubt about it!)





...for these animals...for these sentient beings...for me, the ultimate test is does a person believe that killing is wrong? killing? no killing? nothing in between...not a little killing now and then. cannot fathom how folks do not realize this. i even wince when human beings complain about ingrown toenails or headaches or this and that and have seemingly no concept of the suffering of domesticated animals, farm animals, wild animals...and what we humans put them through without a second thought. cannot comprehend the disconnect, and the suffering of these beings is at our hands.



oh, this repetitious, constant, insane slaughter is not to be tolerated anywhere...but somebody somewhere is starting this week off jumping through a hoop for a pay-check...how about no more pay-checks for murder and sweeping away the cadavers? how about it? how about somebody asked to do this for a "living" saying NO!

all of this crap is for profit to the humans who have sold their souls to the devil..absolutely all killing is for profit one way or another...every time...EVERY ONE OF THESE DEATHS...it is all about money and seeing to it that the money only gets to humans one way or another...not to be tolerated.




i say that allll the time...to deaf, stubborn, red-neck, bible thumping masses of jerk-wads...i used to be polite...but wow, they gang up and pile on, screaming that we are eco-fascists who do not like humans? like those posturing thugs DO like people? they do not like those of us humans who are eco-fascists? ;D (shhh....do not tell anyone i told you that.) i shall share for sure...you bet i shall! <3!!!!!!!

my stack is blown...what has america degenerated to? miserable that's what? a miserable mess. this is a horror. tired of mincing words one more second...a horror...enough of the massacre mentality calling the "shots"! wrong wrong wrong.




have you ever seen farley mowat's NEVER CRY WOLF based on his novel...why are people playing cowboy via all of their weapons and equipment...as if they have seen too many of the wrong movies. and do not empathize with pain...with suffering...with the fear they are imposing on these wonderful animals? arghhhhhhh. certainly, people like that must be not operating with all their brain cells...either that or their hearts are lumps of coal?



(too bad half of america is copying that cute perky girl who was a vice-presidential candidate 4 years ago...i believe she was just posturing around and now males and females copy HER....yes males copying sarah.... and post every chance they get with their "kill"--i am so fed up with that insanity on the part of grown people who even teach their kids to 'hunt' which is actually not a sport...and they like to call it "hunting"? cowardly, mean, bullying, horrid and incredibly stupid...it is murder and for no reason...killing has no reason involved at all...just hateful and ... stupid...and hateful, did i say that?)

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from my publisher Open Books...

GREAT BREAKING NEWS!!! WOW!!! Open Books will donate $1 to the Symphony Animal Foundation for EVERY copy sold between December 6 and 9 ONLINE FROM ALL SITES (www.open-bks.com). [Click here for TalkbooksWorld/BroadwayWorld's coverage of this development...]



In the spirit of the holidays, publisher Open Books will be holding a special charity drive in honor of Hoosier author Susie Duncan Sexton’s paperback release Secrets of an Old Typewriter....Sexton, an ardent animal rights proponent dedicates a section of the book to the important role that animals and animal rescue have played in her life. Secrets of an Old Typewriter (ISBN 9781452414003) was released in paperback in early September.

Sexton remarked, “Animals are my heart and soul. Plain and simple. I am thrilled that my book is resonating so well with fellow animal lovers, and I am so grateful that we can do something with the book to help educate and support our animal friends.”

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from Rory Tipping: "I have seen the movie and just finished reading A WHALE FOR THE KILLING by Farley. Both great stories. Wonderful news about Open Books. Shared"

from Kat Kelly Heinzelman: "Hi Susie....How are you doing? I'm not over on Facebook as much so I try to keep up with you here. Give my love to Roy and Mr Sexton....hope all of you are great...Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I'm thankful this year because I have you in my life and your a great role model. Thank you so much. <3<3<3 your girl. Kat...Thank you, Roy, so very much for adding me with all your comments you add for Fans of Susie Duncan Sexton...you a lucky man to have such a great Mom. I hope you know that. You, my friend, I hope you and yours have a great and Happy Thanksgiving...someday I'm going to get to Columbia City just to say hi and paint your Mom's front porch so she and I can sit on it and drink a cup of coffee or a big glass of iced tea...LOL"

from Bob Wannberg: "ALL Online Sites!!! Outstanding! thank you, Roy & Susie! and Open Books!!"

from Shannon Basner: "Susie always speaks from the heart, that is her core and I adore that."

from Barbara Jane Sowak: "Thanks, hon, for helping try to save all these precious babies! They are God's children! They have love to give! Its not easy for us to do this, and I get very stressed out, but I am always happy there is a vast network of us with big hearts and warm sols who try to do what little we can. HUGS XOXOOXOXXOX"

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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter - print and ebook versions available (click the title to order from publisher Open Books' website). Also available in both formats at Amazon.com, or download from iTunes

Meet other like-minded souls at my facebook fan page

Visit my author website at www.susieduncansexton.com

Join a great group of animal advocates Squawk Back: Helping animals when others can't ... Or won't

all living beings matter...even those who are blocking progress...

in this 21st century, far too many humans are politicizing this issue of understanding our fabulous natural world which we should regard with reverence every second.



stubborn types are ignoring all the warning signs to honor what we are fortunate enough to be experiencing for a nano-second...this is heaven in real time. so tired of the bullying directed toward sentient beings and at those who understand and love them.

we are fighting a noble battle for the benefit of all who live...all creatures great and small. humans are just part of the mix...we must specialize in humility...we truly must.

all living beings matter...even those who are blocking progress toward animal rights...we must never give up on the obstructionists although many times per day i certainly grow frustrated with their cluelessness.



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From wonderful Tressa Marie: "Love this quote Susie wrote 'we are fighting a noble battle for the benefit of all who live...all creatures great and small. humans are just part of the mix...we must specialize in humility...we truly must.' AWESOME! Thank you for sharing!" Thank YOU, Tressa, for all your good work and for your caring heart!

Tressa added, "Thank you so much for this! Honored to know such a caring, wonderful, compassionate, loving, giving person like your Mom, Roy! She is amazing and I always have much respect and appreciation towards her! Love what she fights for, believes in, and that she spreads the 'word' to help our animal friends. Thank YOU and HER so much for all you do!...I adore you and your Mom, Roy! Thank you so very much!!"

And darling Bob Wannberg: "Many or most Serial Killers begin as young children abusing animals; they get older and then abuse people; they may be; but for sure, they are sociopaths that have no feelings or regards for animals. I can't understand it. I couldn't do it. Reverse the roles and see how they feel and run and hide. Cowards. Preying on the innocent." You are an angel, Bob!

i've been defending beautiful deer for over a year (actually my entire life) to the best of my ability...the other "side" and their 7 strange debate points that get reworked from season to season speak for themselves and illustrate the point we make. wishing we could intervene and stop the weeding out of the herd in our state parks starting tuesday.

...just startling. learning to kill? teaching to kill? not to be believed. grateful that so many are speaking up. hoping that more and more object every second. we cannot look the other way. these days, it is a brave person who says NO to this tragic, brutal yet cowardly practice.

unbelievable...some but not enough of us are stunned. but then mr. mourdock is from indiana...remember him? ;D republicans and evangelicals seem to be working at hating animals. i do hope there might be a heaven and hell after all. certainly heaven on earth is out of the question. why?

please, whatever god there is, help human beings to stop treating animals like dixie cups...my friend kat gave me that idea of "dixie cups"...i can no longer argue about this issue...or try to persuade...i hope there is a heaven for all of the mutilated, murdered deer from our hoosier state parks' system CULL tuesday and wednesday...though i believe that dead is dead and murdered is murdered. and that murderers are murderers. how frightened those deer will be...how unbearable this fact is. i can barely breathe.

Christopher Jordan: "You're always there for me when I need a smile, & I'm glad and happy that I can provide one for you. We share a love of the theater & you've touched my heart with your stories. Thanks for being a friend."



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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter - print and ebook versions available (click the title to order from publisher Open Books' website). Also available in both formats at Amazon.com, or download from iTunes

Meet other like-minded souls at my facebook fan page

Visit my author website at www.susieduncansexton.com

Join a great group of animal advocates Squawk Back: Helping animals when others can't ... Or won't

my photograph is NOT something i like seeing everyday...

i used to feature homeless dogs and cats and all animals all the time via my profile pics on facebook...gotta get back to that...my photograph is NOT something i like seeing everyday...and besides i am not a jailed orphan, yet. i do have a home and warmth and food and security sorta? i want all the cages empty and a pet in every home. not too much to ask? ;D



my book is full of animal stuff...my primary reason for marketing the thing! but i would rather work for animals than for self-glorification...they matter more than i do. the only way to live life i believe. something mattering more than ourselves. you are one of those types of humans...i can tell...i can always tell!

ah, roger mudd was this guy's name...and we copied a thurber dog motif on his little baby gate there...we have never been without either a stray dog or a shelter dog...ever. cannot imagine LIFE without caring for and about all sentient beings and their well-being and their LIVES as well as our own.

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...either a human supports murder and killing or a human does not. we must ask ourselves which camp we are in and why? the arguments FOR slaughter are inane and sputtering and ugly and mean and often just false posturing. THOU SHALT NOT KILL."

[deer culling letter now in Southeast Michigan's Heritage Newspapers as well as the Pharos-Tribune]

the murders start this tuesday...to keep indiana "beautiful" (direct quote from a Hoosier DNR offical) and to humanely deal with manufactured deer populations by randomly murdering them so they do not starve???????? 4 days of canned killings in our state's parks...they plan to continue with this murderous plan i was informed.



the nutsoid "canned" letters i have received from the DNR and other bureaucratic entities about my criticism of hunting in Indiana's state parks all try to disguise bloodlust and cash addiction - they have just boggled my mind. and I am paying these dudes to hold these fluff-ass jobs down in indy. taxes - and the license fees from the sick dudes trying to prove manhood? - and the dead deer are their pay-checks. end of statement. and the wal-mart dynasty (DIE NASTY) has more money than the kingdom of god from selling hunting costumes and weapons alllllll day long every day.

a DNR "deer biologist" this week sounded about 12 and gave me umpteen manufactured/committee reasons for mass murder being so fine for humans and the deer with the holes in their heads as well? only in america! corporate america…

from the official responses i received i am so sad that gunfire and bows and arrows flipping about our state parks starting tuesday will keep "our parks beautiful" (a direct quote) with floral landscaping even though blood and guts will be spewing everywhere...and this action is much more "humane" for deer who might starve to death (though purposely over-reproduced for the autumnal slayings)...hey, it's a tradition in some under-developed states with primitive mind-sets. so watch out for deer flushed onto highways...unless they are fenced in for the canned kill.

write to mitch [click here] and protest the deer culling in 12 indiana state parks...the killings begin on tuesday, november 13...more murder on nov. 14....and then more on nov. 26...and even more on nov. 27... any replies received, feel free to post. also the office of environmental affairs, so to speak. the DNR, etc. when you click onto this link, fill in the blanks and go to it. we have had letters published throughout indiana...and made phone calls. be polite...but be ready for "canned reasons" for the "canned" massacre of sweet animals who have become accustomed to humans. please do this today and thanks!

so, thanks to DNR officials paid with tax dollars and gun licensing and bow and arrow fees and who highly populate desk chairs, we learned that the KILL, the "canned" kill, is still ON because we must maintain the "beauty of our parks" and that deer enjoy being murdered instead of starving to death ("pease, please, don't eat the daisies!") and that thanks to human intervention, deer mamas now deliver twin fawns (to prevent their own species' extinction, and that one deer fawn can be sold alive for 4-6 thousand "bucks" to keep the population artificially high -- for breeding purposes) so that these murderous "games" can continue for our own good? seriously. we pay people for this lack of thought/twisted thinking...that is why the slaughters occur annually. pay-checks!

[read my letter in the Munster, Indiana paper by clicking here]

listen for gunfire tuesday..and if your car gets dented it's because these deer --whom hired biologists inform us wish to be slain -- are flushed into the roadways by the "gamesmen, the SPORTSmen, the daddies feeding their families, etc. etc. and so forth." that is, IF they are not penned/fenced in for the "final solution". phone calls and letters and caring do no good...their minds are made up. do not confuse officials and politicians with the facts.

it's all for everybody's good and to spare the deer...randomly...no interviews of the does or bucks or fawns as to which may be starving or diseased and which would prefer being murdered. arghhhhhhhhhhh. this is a multi-million dollar industry. do some research. and beware of bovine tuberculosis...a deer biologist reports that "experts" are uncertain as to whether eating the mammals called deer is a wise decision ... venison anyone?

i think about ignoring it all and being all happy and relaxed...but that only lasts about 10 seconds...all i need is another dose of noses in the air and people getting away with murder, completely in love with themselves, and i get back in the saddle again! and the game of politics is a sad marvel to observe...people have figured out in many many many cases how to walk right into office. ah, well. stepping on people and animals seems to be the american way these days. i love that "who's your daddy"...and some of them daddies behaved pretty shabbily...and the beat goes on. unreal. sick and tired of it all.



aside...

for the first time in MY life I am in the "sports" section? [read letter by clicking here]

just watched a segment on PBS of a lady who has a deer herd on her property and her black lab and a doe are best friends and look for each other...and the frolicking, playful doe just had twin fawns...deer are trying to adjust to their mass slaughter by suddenly giving birth to twins...and I am watching a sanctuary that takes in donkeys people have just dumped right and left. dunno if "sportsmen" will bitch about our letter or how I will know...but glad I did this.

and on another note...guns don't kill...people WITH guns kill...charlton heston lost my affection by the time he swaggered around believing he WAS god...god with a gun! "mentally ill" about covers it.. watch BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE...cowboy days are gone with the wind...oh, wait, i almost forgot the cowboy channel for revisiting guys in costumes playing with pistols and rifles. uh-oh, i guess i gave away how i feel about gun totin'! ;D shut my mouth!

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SKYFALL is one smart film! I sensed classic film twinges in my psyche about 19 times...hearkened back to CHARADE, REAR WINDOW, TO CATCH A THIEF, the first outing of DANIEL CRAIG as Bond, JAMES Bond in the trilogy of the best of the lot of agent 007, List of Adrian Messenger, Witness for the Prosecution, Stuart Smalley, Norman Bates -- I kid you not. Bardem fabulous, Craig the most perfect stunt mannish "I can fix your sink, lady" Bond one could imagine...a credible James? YES! Judi D. and Albert F. bumping into one another terrifically grounds the antics. Ralph Fiennes is fine! Loved it...dearly loved it! The surreal special effects-ish moments impressed as ART. Ian Fleming as produced by PBS...A+, baby!

[click here for my son roy's review...]

that is what i believe also...CASINO ROYALE is my favorite thus far in the Craig as Bond trilogy...and you have to understand that for me, javier can do no wrong, acting-wise!!!!! i adore Craig and Bardem and Fiennes and Finney...so I was in heaven!!!

i loved the atmosphere or some such phenomenon...i have been a film nut for as long as i can remember...and something i cannot quite describe was present in SKYFALL. (i miss the OLD movies!

true test? i am still loving it today...why not? the cast was/were MY PEOPLE all in one place at one time...craig and bardem for starters! i am feeling like both of them today...they got under my skin...great characterizations to say the least.

p.s. javier is darling in that julia roberts film eat, pray, love thingie...the film was insipid but he is precious...like as in i needed to bring him home with me...he wears plaid shirts and bermudas and looks and behaves like a regular person with OODLES OF CHARM AND PERSONALITY...that profile is classic...

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thanks, friends, for these comments!

Evelyn Fisher: "there is so much sickness and sadness that the two-legged commit daily on our poor innocent creatures...you are out there doing wonderful things and spreading your kindness so generously it overflows all the way out here to me. and i'll smile, because when i think about you, i just smile!"

John Staggs: "Thanks so much for the great work you do with animals. You are truly one of a kind!!"

Bob Wannberg: "More great press! thanks Roy and Susie!! This will be wonderful! The contribution gift for each book sold made in memory of my Brother, L.A. poet Scott Wannberg....Scott was an avid animal lover as his thousands of friends knew- never without a biscuit when working at Dutton's! He would be honored and I wanted his friends to know about this wonderful event! thank you, Roy & Susie!...We are gifted by your love and support of animals and animal rights everywhere; when people recognize that animals have feelings, give unconditional love, that they are not just property; then we will have a society that is much more cognizant that people have feelings and treat them as such; that unconditional love is not a mystery. We can learn much from our animal friends; and be better off because of it!"

David Rat: "Great! Susie is a treasure..."

Elaine Musick: "Susie, I worked in rescue 6 yrs, did transports once a month 8 hrs round trip to northern virginia. They terminated founding member/vol as she did 'not play well w/ others', I resigned in disgust.. now the local animal rescue is nothing more than a political action committee, Karl Rove style!!!!. I wrote half page editorial to the local paper to that effect which they printed verbatim. Higher Euth stats will also reflect this end of yr. The local yahoos in county admin do not care as the folks in rescue now have name brand, money, who's your daddy type of politics... it is truly egregious !! Their braggadocio is nauseating!!!"

Vickie Trancho: "Scott loved animals, Roy. What a beautiful way to remember him!"

Diane Shenkman Baumgarten: "Dear Susie, my Joe is a retired NYC homicide detective, and men especially are fascinated with him. When we go out socially with people we don't know one out of three will ask do you hunt or what do you hunt or what weapon do you use, etc. He is very tall, and has an expression when angered that can wither a person in one second. He very quietly says 'real men don't kill animals'. P.S. he is sitting with our rescue dachshund wrapped in his arms (her favorite place) trying to read while I write this. Keep up your good work; you are truly an angel amongst us. Much love, Diane"

Paul Clifford Schrade: "Salute this lady named Susie. While we are sleeping, she is prowling the earth as our conscience seeking ways to make us better! And she is finding those little keyholes of light!!...oh,how I do love Diane Shenkman's eloguent message! It warms my heart as I pray it shall for that gallant and besieged Susie Sexton!!! She is our Florence Nightingale...our St. Francis of Assisi..our pied piper of the animal world and her struggles have not been in vain!"

Dee Turner: "Wow... my thoughts exactly!! And Susie's love & advocacy for animals of every species is yet another reason I love her Goodreads blogs!! I think she is a true hero... speaking up, standing up, shouting out the truth no matter what toes she may have to step on to be a voice for the voiceless & vulnerable!! Everyone with a heartbeat could learn something to elevate their souls through her daily inspiration, and become a a champion too!!"

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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter - print and ebook versions available (click the title to order from publisher Open Books' website). Also available in both formats at Amazon.com, or download from iTunes

Meet other like-minded souls at my facebook fan page

Visit my author website at www.susieduncansexton.com

Join a great group of animal advocates Squawk Back: Helping animals when others can't ... Or won't

Try to learn something...

"Try to learn something about everything and everything about something." - T. H. Huxley, English biologist and author (1825-1895)



I JUST WANT TO DIE HALF THE TIME...i actually picked up the phone and straightened out a deer biologist with our state DNR and barely allowed him to offer up lame excuses for murdering deer in parks each november.

[see my letter to the editor on said topic here, and, at end of this blog entry, read a pretty absurd response I received from Indiana State Parks & Reservoirs]

...i am tired of people getting away with bloody murder. it is absolutely wrong and wicked. if i had studied biology i would love deer even more than i do now. these asses are making cash hand over foot and lie about why...such as IT'S KIND TO DEER TO SHOOT THEM...huh-uh! so tired of thoughtless zombie humans that i could spit...like a camel!

but my friends who love animals renew my verve to continue to speak up and even run through the parks ringing bells if i need to...i would also die for this cause...you bet i would. sick and tired of looking the other way while vain humans rule the world. phooey on the clueless and the self-centered.

...called flexibility...and evolution...and empathy...in this age of information it is shameful to look the other way and not give a damn. growing quite impatient with mind-sets that refuse to look and to care and to do something to correct all of these wrongs.



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such great friends!

Ann Parkes: "You are a wonderful woman, Susie - and I can't wait to get hold of your book!"

David Rat, fellow author: "Secrets of an Old Typewriter by Susie Duncan Sexton is also published by Open Books...she seems to me a fascinating woman and a tireless animal rights advocate....please check her out!!..."

Lotta Stenfelt: "I totally agree with Don and Susie, please stop the cull! There is no reason to kill healthy living beings just because it's possible and we do not own the right to their lives to do as we please...All my best to Susie. Night night!"

Paro Babu: "This is one of a finest articles...Thank you for sharing, Roy ♥ and we love you, Susie ♥"

Laraine Russo Harper: "Can't wait to buy my copy!!"

Bob Wannberg: "I will of course be buying the book and networking to all of my friends!"

Kat Kelly-Heinzelman: "Thank you Roy and you too Susie...I'm so happy to be one of your fans. I ♥ you both so much."

Mary Shaull: "I love the photos of yore! I know you're younger than I am, but our photos are so much alike. Little girls in dresses and hair ribbons, and always a dog as a focal point.Your blogs are drawing some mighty interesting comments. I think we'd all follow you anywhere."



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Response received from parklakeinfo@dnr.IN.gov...

Don and Susie Sexton-

Thank you for contacting Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs and allowing us to clarify our division's deer reductions. Our deer reductions are not a money making massacre for our properties. Generally, more money is spent preparing the property and hosting the hunt, then we make on the hunts. The hunters are very valuable helping us restore and maintain a healthy ecosystem.

Indiana does not currently have a top predator to help control the deer population. This might not seem like a problem, but without a predator to control the deer, population sizes have grown exponentially. This has severely diminished the quality of our forests and the overall quality of our state parks. Another result of a uncontrolled population, is a high number of diseases. We have seen a growing number of illness and starvation in deer on our property and throughout the state.

Our reduction hunts are done in a safe and controlled manor. Park staff, biologists, and our Chief of Natural Resources measure scientifically how many deer need to be reduced from each property generally in the spring or early summer prior to that year's hunt. Like you mentioned this year not all properties are participating in reduction hunts. These properties have deer populations that are a safe and maintainable level. Hunters must register prior to the hunt, and only a few hunters are drawn in accordance with the number of deer that need to be reduced. Ultimately our goal is to have each property's deer population reach a safe number, that can make these reductions hunts only as needed.

We encourage our hunters to help us control the property, and not trophy hunt. Simply removing a deer from the property will be more beneficial than having the hunter sit and wait for the elusive "trophy buck". By asking hunters to take smaller deer or doe, we are actually helping the population maintain better genetics, allowing those with more desirable traits (antler size and body disposition) to live and reproduce.

While we can't speak for all our hunters, most use this opportunity to deer hunt as a means to feed their family. Most hunters who kill a deer on our properties or elsewhere can fill their freezer with meat for their families, that would normally be very costly to do with meat from the store. If the hunters is successful in killing a deer, but decides he does not want to take it home, the hunter has the opportunity to donate the meat to the local food bank.

We have made available other information on website. Please visit:

http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/...

http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/...

http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/....

If we can be of further assistance or could answer any more questions, please let us know. At this time, we do not plan on discontinuing our hunts as they provide us with a valuable control method for maintaining beautiful parks.

Sincerely,

Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs



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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter - print and ebook versions available (click the title to order from publisher Open Books' website). Also available in both formats at Amazon.com, or download from iTunes

Meet other like-minded souls at my facebook fan page

Visit my author website at www.susieduncansexton.com

Join a great group of animal advocates Squawk Back: Helping animals when others can't ... Or won't

Media Hit: ALL Online Sales of SECRETS OF AN OLD TYPEWRITER Will Benefit Symphony Animal Foundation, 12/6-12/9

From TalkBooksworld.com - read the original article by clicking here...





In the spirit of the holidays, publisher Open Books will be holding a special charity drive in honor of Hoosier author Susie Duncan Sexton’s paperback release Secrets of an Old Typewriter. Open Books will donate $1 to the Symphony Animal Foundation for every copy sold between December 6 and 9 from all online retailers (www.open-bks.com). Sexton, an ardent animal rights proponent dedicates a section of the book to the important role that animals and animal rescue have played in her life. Secrets of an Old Typewriter (ISBN 9781452414003) was released in paperback in early September. The prior year, the book was released in a digital edition for all eReaders including Kindle and Nook. Join our event page by clicking here.






Symphony Animal Foundation (SAF) was founded by Laraine Russo Harper and was inspired by and is named in memory of her two St. Bernards, “Beethoven” and “Mozart”. Beethoven worked as a therapy dog for 8 years, and passed at the age of 14 1/2 years. Mozart died of bone cancer at age of 11. Symphony Animal Foundation is a no kill facility which provides a safe haven for all animals.

SAF board member Bob Wannberg commented, “This is so very appreciated! Our five acre facility just opened, and we should be able to handle at least 100 animals or so. Our ten acre permanent facility has pads already down, we already have horses at the five acre, one-year lease facility, and someone is living on the property full-time. This will help us tremendously as we need food, supplies, etc... what we had has been greatly diminished because of taking care of our fosters. We also are very short on spay/neuter. This support and awareness mean the world to us!”





To participate in this event, order Secrets of an Old Typewriter in paperback from any online retailer between December 6 and 9. At the conclusion of the event, Open Books will tally the books sold during that period and send a contribution to the Symphony Animal Foundation. The gift will be made in memory of Bob’s late brother, the Los Angeles-based poet Scott Wannberg.

Susie Duncan Sexton grew up in Columbia City, Indiana. After graduating twelfth in her class at Ball State University (winning the first ever John R. Emens award for “most outstanding senior”), she returned to Columbia City where she has worked as a teacher, a museum curator, a publicist and a health lecturer.

Open Books publisher David Ross noted, “We are thrilled to be part of this effort, and I would add that Susie’s book is perfect for gift-giving. She covers the waterfront from classic film to Baby Boomer nostalgia to small-town American life to politics and celebrities as well as her first love: animal rights. This book of essays is fun reading for all!”




She currently writes monthly columns Old Type Writer for local blog Talk of the Town and Homeward Angle for the Columbia City Post and Mail newspaper. She has contributed to the literary journal Moronic Ox, and her poetry was selected by Wayne State professor M.L. Liebler to be featured in Poetic Resonance Imaging: Behind the Door. She also has been featured in Writing Raw and InD'tale magazines. Her first book Secrets of an Old Typewriter (ISBN 9781452414003) was released as an ebook by Open Books (www.open-bks.com) in September 2011, and the book has now been issued in paperback (September 2012).

Read more of Susie's work at www.susieduncansexton.com

Find out more about Symphony Animal Foundation at www.symphonyanimalfoundation.org

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neat comments!

Margaret Deardoff Stepp: "Met Ms. Duncan-Sexton in Fairmount at the James Dean Festival. Instantly loved her!!! Absolutely enjoying Secrets of an old Typewriter. Thanks, Susie!(She even signed my book!!!)"

Patricia Sheridan: "I can't wait to get my copy!!! I am looking forward to reading it! Thank you, Susie and Open Books!!!"

InD'Tale Magazine: "Yay!! Thanks, Roy! And, please send Susie our love!"

Bob Wannberg: "Roy and Susie, thank you so much for thinking of Scott and I and offering this fantastic event in his memory to Symphony, our 'No Kill' Animal Foundation; the help is so much appreciated and needed; and I thank you for all you do for the animals everywhere!"

Laura Papp Gater: "This is perfect! I knew I didn't buy your book Saturday night for a good reason (other than the fact that I had no money! lol) ... so I will buy it to benefit the animals!"

Colleen Martin Houston Landay, Director Of Volunteers for Symphony Animal Foundation: "Hey everyone, jump up and buy this book! What a great Lady for giving to SAF...Thank You, Susie!"

Scott Eggers: "Great cause! One of our products for 2013, Designer Skin 'Charmed' signifies our cruelty-free philosophy when building products. A portion of every bottle sold is going to a local Humane Society in the name of animal lovers everywhere."

Julie Jo: "I will definitely make a purchase on that date ♥"

Eddie Wyatt: "What a great photo! LOVE it."

Nancy Hartman: "Hi Susie, love your picture!"

Pam Wong: "Love this picture!!"

Mary Shaull: "Wow! She's famous! Proud of her and of you for being her main cheerleader....GREAT photo! Cool car. Cool T-Shirt, Even the shoes and jeans are exactly perfect. OMG we even dress alike!"

Laraine Russo Harper: "Roy and Susie: I can't thank you enough for helping Symphony's cause. I am anxiously awaiting the purchase of Secrets of an Old Typewriter. On behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves, thanks again!"

Trish McGinty: "‎...I just want to tell you I really appreciate all the amazing things you do... ♥"

Myla Ofima Sumabat: "You are the most, Susie Sexton!"

Stephanie Simpson: "Thanks for the post!! Beautiful message!!!!!!"


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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter - print and ebook versions available (click the title to order from publisher Open Books' website). Also available in both formats at Amazon.com, or download from iTunes

Meet other like-minded souls at my facebook fan page

Visit my author website at www.susieduncansexton.com

Join a great group of animal advocates Squawk Back: Helping animals when others can't ... Or won't

Open Letter: REGARDING THE DEER CULLING...

REGARDING THE DEER CULLING SCHEDULED FOR NOV. 13, 14, 26 and 27, maligning our state's parks' system (read the story by clicking here):

This truly needs to be stopped. We do believe fewer "state parks" are participating in this "operation" this year--we did our best last "season" to protest. We literally cannot believe this horror is allowed, encouraged, whatever...great money-maker for this state = the real bottom line. Certainly there are some Hoosiers besides us who are appalled at this "canned" plan and the false justifications for mass murder and slaughter.

Wow, Indiana...please reTHINK?

Congrats, Governor Mitch Daniels, on your pending presidency of Purdue University, famed college of veterinary science; please take a tip from New York's Mayor Bloomberg who called an almost instant halt to the marathon which would have damaged the reputation of his city at a crucial time for consideration of what is civil and kind and responsible.

Please prevent this heinous slaughter immediately, prior to the dates which have been publicized and reported for shutting down our parks for this profit-generating and profit-motivated mass killing -- a misguided, rationalized massacre.

Thank you in advance.
Don & Susie Sexton

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(informal) postscript...

wow...i am going to run through the forests ringing a bell and singing at the tops of my lungs..."the costumed hunters are coming...the costumed hunters are coming!" if it is the last thing i ever do...and it well may be.

CANCEL THE ST. VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRES...ALL FOUR OF THEM. help me to stop this "hunt"! thanks!!!!!! the reasons are so manufactured and inane for this selling of licenses and guns and bows and arrows and bee bee guns and squirt guns and cap pistols and other toys...these annual murder fests are huge money-makers for our state. wrong-headed staged terror.

no wonder these deer are crossing our busy busy highways...the thugs flush them out of their domiciles. damn.

last year i gladiatored this topic all by myself...the "hunts" were not as successful as usual...and i am pretty sure the number of participating parks is less this year...but damn, this is just sheer idiocy and mean and nuts. ashamed of indiana. i KNOW there are hoosiers who believe the same...where are they? shy?

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feedback on the above...view the scanned version that ran in the Columbia City Post & Mail here...

Sharon McCullough: "cruel, unnecessary and only funds the gun, ammo, hunt clothing and accessories and hunt clubs coffers. I hear the guns in the distance all day."

Madeleine Fisher Kern: "Misguided is a kind word. Heinous more like it."

Ron Vogt: "The non-human animals of Mother Earth have been literally culled to death/extinction, by humanity. Isn't it time we controlled ourselves instead of looking at it as though the animals are overstepping their bounds? One more reason why I love this quote, ~ The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men. ~Alice Walker."

Mary Shaull: "Good for you!!! So proud of you. I was a tree-hugger once. It would be more fun to be a deer-hugger. Keep up the good work. We so need more like you!!!"

Shannon Wright: "Thanks for the tag!! Fabulous letter, thank you Susie and Don for standing up and speaking out. Being a Hoosier myself, I find this appalling. YES, this NEEDS to be STOPPED!!"

Mina Bonita: "Thank you Susie and Don for the tag ~ Must be stopped!"

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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter - print and ebook versions available (click the title to order from publisher Open Books' website). Also available in both formats at Amazon.com, or download from iTunes

Meet other like-minded souls at my facebook fan page

Visit my author website at www.susieduncansexton.com

Join a great group of animal advocates Squawk Back: Helping animals when others can't ... Or won't

animals have sensitized my soul...

Thoughts from a cold Sunday evening in November...



i truly identify with animals...always have...and have not always been there 100 per cent of the time for all of them who crossed my path. a failure i am so sad about. animals have sensitized my soul and they are so tickled for one ounce of devotion. i try my best to extend that attention to humans...but humans seldom reciprocate. to the kind souls who have helped restore my faith in humanity, thank you (both pictured above and quoted toward the end of this entry)! across the miles, you are there for me...THANKS SO VERY MUCH for boosting my spirits so that i continue promoting the concept of people bonding with animals.

hell, people hardly bond with people...how in the world are the masses gonna reach out to these bajillions of suffering orphaned abused beautiful fabulous animals whom you and i care about so much? back to finding these animals homes...and back to stopping hunting and slaughtering. my mission in life.

kindness and patience with the clueless people among us always works...i am figuring that out (but sometimes i am silently counting to ten under my breath so that i can smile and keep on doing what i try to do...quite a challenge! i wanna reach people in order to HELP animals...i love that goal! and as a result, humans WIN...appreciating others...truly caring...is a TONIC!

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feral cats can be normal people! my theory holds up!!! yep...normal people! i really think they have gotten the wrong label with "feral"...what they become is self-sufficient when humans turn their backs on helping them. and i hold that with love and learning to trust they become ...normal people!

in my lifetime, i have dealt with some borderline kitties...and brought them around. not sure how feral they might have been, but certainly seemed that way. and wow, how they changed with stability in their lives. but it takes patience and huge understanding

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to my animal-loving facebook friends...

thanks, thanks, thanks for sharing these orphans every second, wonderful facebook friends! you're fabulous...and sharing CAN save lives...truly! ♥!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



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...i am looking forward myself to taking a break from facebook and book writing to CLEAN MY HOUSE..i think that will be therapeutic...i have neglected my own so-called life for way too long...i need to rediscover FUN!

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loving these comments about yesterday's blog entry (click here to read) - and about yesterday's appearance at the peabody library (click here for photos, courtesy Cheryl and Steve Wood)...

from Mary Shaull: "You are simply gorgeous! Love the Michelle Obama shot too! Way clever...I am so touched by Susie's devotion to animals. Two of our daughters have multiple dogs and cats - all rescued & neutered. I read the headlines and feel that a lot of human beings would be better off neutered. Can I say that?"

from Cheryl Robbins-Wood: "We really enjoyed being part of your book signing today....This was so much fun. Glad we were able to be there!"

from Evelyn Fisher: "I read your blog today! you are so sweet to include me! i'm touched! now i'll keep up with you daily, there and here! You really are something special Susie!"

from Mina Bonita: "I love black labs too ~ I saved my Daisy 8 years ago and she is a mix black lab ♥...I am just a compassionate human being who has saved one life"

from Dee Turner: "Thanks for sharing the pics & your story, Susie... I added a few friends of mine to Squawk Back and wanted to thank you for saving Billy Bob...one of the lucky ones!! What's not to love about Labs??? I'm 'overbooked' too Susie ... but what kind of world would it be without books!!!!"

from Nancy Hartman: "Congrats, Susie Sexton, on your Book.. You Are SPECIAL...Congrats to your mom, Roy, she looks so beautiful and very happy..."

from Julie Shawver-Sisco: "Congrats to your mom, Roy! She is so cute!"

from Paul Clifford Schrade: "This little lightning rod that goes by the name of SUSIE has earned all her laurels! Thank god the best of times will never die with her around!...Why is it I see a schooner battling an angry sea with SUSIE in her oil-skins at the wheel, a grim and determined look on her face as she steers in the right direction!"

from Laura Papp Gater: "I had a fun time at the library last night with my friend Susie Sexton! The occasion was her book signing event. We laughed and talked and had fun!"

from Jean Goodrich: "Nice job, Roy. Put mom out front! Got my curiosity flowing. Oh yes, and the web page is excellent. A great drawing card. Congratulations to you and mom."

from Corine Cathala: "It's a pleasure!"

from Yuka Yamashita: "Thanks to Susie Sexton, for always paying attention and spreading stories about these unknown precious babies, for their chance to be rescued and chance to be stay alive!"

from Lori Mola Rundall: "Roy, I appreciate having a copy of your mom's book. What a great opportunity for her to write about the things that she loves and is passionate about. How fun. Thanks again!!!!!"



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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter - print and ebook versions available (click the title to order from publisher Open Books' website). Also available in both formats at Amazon.com, or download from iTunes

Meet other like-minded souls at my facebook fan page

Visit my author website at www.susieduncansexton.com

Join a great group of animal advocates Squawk Back: Helping animals when others can't ... Or won't

i am quite overbooked...

Thoughts from a cold Saturday morning in November...



just watched four people seeming to speak greek about marketing books. did not understand one word except for an author who seemed to lament the e-book rage and he was very young, too. he fears that humans will not accidentally discover those magical books they never would have normally looked for. as when one browses among used books and sale tables and library discarded book sales.I sooooooo totally agree with him. ABSOLUTELY! some of my most treasured books I just fell upon while physically looking for something else. ask my son roy if you don't believe me…I have run out of shelves. I am quite overbooked!

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peabody verse...

hoping to see you at the peabody library this afternoon...at 5!
book chit-chat and laughter and reading out loud and just happy to be alive!
me in a library setting -- peaceful and quiet?
i'll speak softly, with dignity? shhhh -- should be a riot!

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REPLY ALL and REPLY ONE…somewhere in between I can be found floundering around…I am so facebook trained that I forgot how to e-mail somewhere along the way? ;D I believe that I read somewhere that someone willed the pain of psoriasis away…i like that plan…cary grant willed a mole away once…but my favorite cary grant story is that someone sent his agent a telegram asking HOW OLD CARY GRANT? cary grabbed the telegram and replied himself with this message: OLD CARY GRANT FINE. HOW YOU?




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my billy bob is a black lab...saved him...he had heartworm at the time...8 years now as my baby boy. yep, sometime i have got to share the intrigue of billy's rescue...i kinda keep the story to myself...it is an amazing tale. he has lived another 7 years SINCE the treatment and he was in very bad shape...he is a miracle...i love black labs. i do!

from my dear friend Evelyn Fisher: "The animals are truly my heart! and I am truly blessed by the love of all the dogs i've had in my life. especially the little guy snuggled up by my feet; he'll creep up closer here in a bit! and catch me by surprise every morning with a kiss! the love of a faithful dog is not a love i would compare with any other human ! the trust i have of my little babies is undoubtedly deeper then ever with a four-legged creature. i like to think that i have taken on my qualities like my dogs have taught me. love, love deeply. i love them like that, right back. i wake them up with kisses, when they are napping. and i know they are overfed, but i just can't refuse them ! my little guy is from a shelter, we have had him 1 year this month. and our lab came from Texas three years ago, she was starving and covered with ticks and fleas. my boyfriend was down there working and brought her home to me when he came back home between jobs. middle of a Texas summer and she came down a gravel road to find him; she'd just had a litter of puppies, but they weren't with her.....she's fat and happy now, and spends most days chasing squirrels, (and to my horror this summer she caught a ground squirrel, which lived thankfully), and watching animal planet, and eating....Susie, you're all the things I adore in a 'Human'. you read, you write, you are kind, you love animals, especially dogs! you put the smile right back on my face! Thank You!"

and from wonderful Shannon Basner: "Susie, you are a true voice for the voiceless." wow! thank you, both!!

and more from these dear, kind friends...

from Jessica Karla Stovall: "Black Dog Syndrome is alive and well, especially in the south. Thank you for saving Billy Bob!"

from Mary Shaull: "Stuff and clutter make a house a home. Can't get my family to agree with me, but....I think it was James Whitcomb Riley who wrote, 'It takes a heap of livin' to make a house a home.'"

from Paul Clifford Schrade: "Someone must disrupt the profound silence sometime! Where better for the antonym of silence?"

from Cheryl Robbins-Wood: "It was great seeing Susie today...been way too long."

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quite a neat session at peabody library today...two classmates all the way from toledo, ohio!!!! looking like movie stars...steve and cheryl! some wonderful past neighbors...and ray and don. dinner with jeanne and earl, our adopted and brilliant kids!!!! thanks, laura!!!! loved the time spent with these special folks! wow!!!!! ♥!!!! what wonderful friends who have become family...yes, family. i am fortunate indeed!!!!! great day!




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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter - print and ebook versions available (click the title to order from publisher Open Books' website). Also available in both formats at Amazon.com, or download from iTunes

Meet other like-minded souls at my facebook fan page

Visit my author website at www.susieduncansexton.com

Join a great group of animal advocates Squawk Back: Helping animals when others can't ... Or won't

across the board. cannot argue one more second...

let's all vote correctly? so that peace and love and kindness and caring about those less fortunate all go the head of the class? starting to worry that the wrong decision will be a death knell for our nation. what an incredible pre-election week thus far...

obama has my vote...democrats in general have my vote...hopefully, obama can be reached on animal welfare...the folks who'll be surrounding romney absolutely do not care about animals...they all flaunt that every chance they get.

matter of fact, they don't care about human beings either.

all democrats will get my vote...across the board. cannot argue one more second...i know our only chance is to vote for democrats. all politicians are out for themselves...but i believe obama will be his own person in this second term and i am willing to bet on that.

...i've given this much thought...our only hope...we are on the correct path, certain of that.

...but the secret handshake for joining the republican country club is "MUST HATE ANIMALS AND SWAGGER AROUND SLAMMING THEM (or pretending to slam them) EVERY CHANCE YOU GET" or so it appears these days...but life begins with an erection?

no wonder then....i call that the "peter principle"...remember that? ;D

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love these responses:

Mary Shaull: "Oh YES! We must vote so that ALL of us are...Oh YES! We must vote so that ALL of us are looked upon as worthy and equal. Pray."

Paul Clifford Schrade: "Since we're of twin minds Florence Nightengale..we'll probably vote the same."

Irmgard Guters: "According to a recent survey over 90% of Germans would vote for Obama, me too. Conservative governments all over the world don't care for animals, the environment, the ordinary people. Romney wants to cancel emergency aid, at least that's what he said before Sandy hit the East Coast. Now he is collecting donations, what a hypocrite!"

Antoine Piroleau: "Absolutely! Would someone who wants to do away with FEMA give a rat's ass about animals? I think NOT! VOTE DEMOCRATS ALL THE WAY!!"
____________________

Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter - print and ebook versions available (click the title to order from publisher Open Books' website). Also available in both formats at Amazon.com, or download from iTunes

Meet other like-minded souls at my facebook fan page

Visit my author website at www.susieduncansexton.com

Join a great group of animal advocates Squawk Back: Helping animals when others can't ... Or won't

Latest Homeward Angle: REBEL…WITH A CAUSE

"You are who you are meant to be. Dance as if no one's watching. Love as if it's all you know. Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." ~ James Dean

[View scanned copy of column and photos here...]

Quirky dame that I am, I admit to never swooning over Elvis Presley…with one exception. His rendition of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" ranks as powerfully stunning! Instead, I wore out my sister Sarah's 1958 double LP, "Belafonte at Carnegie Hall", which she purchased at the Indiana University Bookstore prior to her spring break. "Oh, come, Mister tally man, tally me banana! Daylight come and me wan' go home…" Calypso style. I giddily sat three rows away from the handsomest gentleman in creation when Harry staged his concert at a Detroit Opera House 10 years ago. A smoothly exquisite performer! Fast forward to the recent present with me and my own particularly idolized spirits of Cal Trask/Jett Rink/Jim Stark all of us seated in folding chairs around a rickety card table nestling in the front yard of the James Dean Gallery in Jimmy's hometown of Fairmount, Indiana!

Picture a stack of soft-bound issues of "Secrets of an Old Typewriter -- Stories of a Smart and Sassy Small-town Girl" somewhat blocking our view of an impressive flock of passers-by anxious to enjoy the downtown mid-way rides, parade, craft booths, dance contest, Jimmy Dean Look-a-Like competition, and lemonade and cotton candy and elephant ear confections. Representative of the dreamscape of mankind, -- ranging from townsfolk as well as school chums of the legendary native son to toddlers in strollers or perched on their mamas' hips, miniature doggies peeking from shoulder-bags and pocketbooks, baby boomers, Generation X-ers, teenagers, infants OR white poodles in baby carriages, celebrities, authors, and musicians of every ethnicity imaginable and from around the globe--, humanity eagerly, reverently congregates annually to celebrate the amazing life of an iconic resident who died in 1955 at the age of 24.

The James Dean Festival…commemorates yet another anniversary since the boy wonder abandoned all of us star-struck fans still earthbound on that sad date of September 30th with our hearts broken and our eyes cast heavenward, wishing he would return and star in further films rivaling his three cinematic classics -- "East of Eden", "Giant", and "Rebel Without a Cause" -- released within one magic year. These movies offer mesmerizing, truthful, impacting, instructive stories sharing themes of forgiveness, coming of age, redemption, and the human need for inclusion. In our 21st century, this Hoosier figure continues to magnetize crowds with his amazing talent, devotion to craft, and poignant portrayals of credible characters with whom we can both empathize and identify.

Tooling down Highway 9 South, I quickly find myself only two counties from my Whitley County house. While lingering on the lawns and side-walks of Grant County, I have delighted in chatting with Texan/stunt man Bob Hinkle who served as Jimmy's dialect and lasso trick coach on the set of "Giant", Dean's high school speech and drama instructor Adeline Mart Nall, famous Hollywood sculptor/painter Kenneth Kendall, and I probably brushed right by George Stevens, Jr. and maybe Martin Sheen who often frequented Fairmount the final week of each September. I count as forever friends, from this year of 2012: novelist-poet Ted B. Guevara from the Philippines; Fan Club originators Sandra Weinhardt and her sis from Livonia, Michigan; Linda Levine and Kirk Shield from South Bend, Indiana; Professor Del Rae and his Hungarian wife from Akron, Ohio; author/Rock 'n Roll expert gorgeous Pamela Des Barres; a history buff/electrical engineer who drove from Alabama -- and a passel of Dean's "8th" cousins once and twice removed also from Akron --the Hausknecht family who share a common ancestry with Jesse James as well. Jesse and Jimmy and the Hausknechts! Who knew?

Supportive friend Lucy Langohr Grant, currently a resident of North Carolina, recently wrote to me, "Have fun with your writing projects -- turning 'pillars' into real, accessible people!" Speaking of that genre of gracious folks, I wish to thank Columbia City Library's Ray Ranier, South Whitley-Cleveland Township Library's staff of Renae and LeAnn and Darci and Virginia (whose mother-in-law once owned the house where my family rented an upstairs apartment when the Duncans first landed in town and which later Jim and Connie Rohrbach inhabited for many years --small world!), Whitley County Historical Museum's Dani Tippman and assistants, and the Churubusco Library for facilitating my appearances and book signings during October and November. A special bonus involved Deb Lowrance interviewing me, of all people, as a contributor to her astounding 42 part Whitley County Oral History series --we filled two tapes! South Whitley's (windy) Souper Stompin' Saturday I shall never forget not only because several readers added my memoirs of local history to their personal libraries -- but also, two "intellectual" llamas, a half dozen ponies, and a couple of sheep expressed an animated interest in digesting my bound recollections as well.

Dean's genius reached an entire generation which included my two sisters…and spoke to me a tad when I viewed "Giant" as a nine year old, squirming in my Columbia Theater seat about fifth row back. I genuinely discovered the psyche and depth of this young man when I reached middle-age, via my favorite of his films, "East of Eden". Simultaneously, I also became fast friends with David Loehr, originally from Massachusetts, who established the James Dean Gallery with his photographer pal Lenny Prussack. Fairmount boasts two museums, the other being the Fairmount Historical Museum -- many of Dean's high school friends hang out there--to this very day! Marcus Winslow --who resides in the perfectly preserved farmhouse where the freshly, tragically motherless Jimmy arrived at age nine to be raised by his (paternal) Aunt Hortense and Uncle Marcus Winslow (the parents of Marcus) -- speaks so lovingly and proudly of his older cousin's global influence and his impact upon a continual stream of America's youth since the early 50s: "When 'Giant' premiered in 1955, Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor received top billing, but today my cousin's name, even though he is featured in just 35 minutes of a three and one half hour movie with intermission, appears above theirs on marquees and posters. Jimmy genuinely wished to leave his mark, and he certainly did just that."

"Jimmy gave expression to the discontent, the unhappy, the suppressed, the latchkey kids, the spiritually starved. Jimmy up on the screen and hundreds of like-minded in the darkness, sprawled in their seats chewing gum and eating popcorn. The identification worked for both boys and girls. For the girls he was an ideal figure of the courageous yet sensitive friend. And the boys felt the way (novelist/artist) John Dos Passos had described : '…they still lined up… before the mirrors in the restroom… to look at themselves and see James Dean…' " ~ Axel Arens, writer and journalist

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thanks for these comments on the above column...

Tara Hullinger: "Thanks for sharing it with me, Roy!"

Neil J. Simon: "'Jimmy genuinely wished to leave his mark, and he certainly did just that.' He did on Susie and many others. She is great with words and images!"

Tressa Marie: "One of my favorite quotes! A quote everyone should strive to live by. Love the article! Great work! Thank you so much for sharing this with me. Much respect, love and appreciation to you!"

Drex Morton: "My son, Joe, aspiring actor is reading a bio. of James Dean right now. I'll invite him to read your reflections...Susie is a treasure!"

Barb Nicholson: "Roy, I just love getting these from you. Great way to start the weekend! I enjoy reading your mom’s columns. They always give me a warm feeling. Photos are terrific! Easy to see your mom loves animals! Have a great weekend!"

Myrna Bailey: "Good job, Susie!"

Christopher Jordan: "What a wonderful story!!!"

Mary Shaull: "I just reread the amazing James Dean column. Great work. Great alliterative use. Impressive! The Belafonte part intrigued me too. I Adored Harry! I have an old 78 record that I cannot play, as I have no turntable, but I will keep it always. My favorites were Try to Remember and Scarlet Ribbons. I saw him in Birmingham, MI many years ago. When he sang Try to Remember, there was a huge fellow just off to the side of the stage, in the shadows. When the word, 'Follow' was sung by Harry, the other man echoed the word in a pure high tenor/falsetto, that to this day causes chills of emotion to travel through my body. I couldn't hold back the tears. Pure, pure beauty. I feel nearly the same thing with Scarlet Ribbons. We were lucky to have known him when. East of Eden hit me with a powerful agony. It was almost more than I could bear. I think I identified with James...Thank you, Roy, for sharing Mom's essay. She's a remarkable writer. Loved the pictures too. Now I feel I know you, having seen the photos. Lovely woman, awesome hair!!!"

Paul Clifford Schrade: "Susie is a true historian of the America we loved so dearly and took for granted. It never occurred to us then that someday that America we loved so much might start slipping away from us..but Susie held on grimly and rode out the storm and now we can thank her for it! We can be kids again and live it all over again and America is not dead. America may never return to the gallant lady she was...but if Susie has her way about it,she will!!"

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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter - print and ebook versions available (click the title to order from publisher Open Books' website). Also available in both formats at Amazon.com, or download from iTunes

Meet other like-minded souls at my facebook fan page

Visit my author website at www.susieduncansexton.com

Join a great group of animal advocates Squawk Back: Helping animals when others can't ... Or won't