Susie Duncan Sexton's Blog, page 35

To whom it may concern...

To whom it may concern:

How and why and under what circumstances has the slaughter of sentient beings to save plants and trees become acceptable to civilized human beings?

Rationalizations for this mass killing boggle the thinking mind. Awareness of this deer culling demands urging that this violence cease wherever it is being perpetrated -- in this circumstance and elsewhere in a rapidly developing brutish and apathetic world.

Please join the voices of those whose kindness and whose nurturing of living beings grows exponentially second by second. I include the letter, which has come to my attention today, below…and I am in complete agreement with its content.


The above is my response to the below message I received via Facebook...


[NEWS FLASH & URGENT REQUEST! 27 April 2012]

9 hours ago I received a reply from Aberdeen City Council to a 'Freedom of Information' request I made on March 25th. The main information enclosed in that reply is that Aberdeen City Council have killed 22 of the circa 30 ro...e deer that lived on Tullos Hill. That’s not a “management cull” to reduce numbers – that’s an out and out mass slaughter; a massacre of healthy, sentient deer to plant trees which are unlikely, deer or no deer, to reach maturity on Tullos Hill.

I would like all of you, wherever you live, to send a letter or email of protest to Aberdeen City Council and to 'The Woodland Trust'. I’ve attached a draft which you can copy and paste and add your own name and address before emailing. You have every right to be very angry but please keep the communications polite.

Please send your protest to the three email addresses below. I’m not 100% sure of the address for Sue Holden so please use the general enquiry one as well. Incidentally I know that a few of our supporters are also supporters of 'The Woodland Trust'. Did you know you are paying the wages of 8 PR and Media Officers?

If you are in or near Aberdeen the Funeral Protest on Tullos Hill is going ahead this Saturday. Contact Suzanne onsgvk27@aol.com for more info.

Forward this to anyone you think might be interested.

Cheers 4 now,

John

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Sample Message below:

Dear Mrs. Watts and Ms Holden,

I learned today that, in a late response to a request for information under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004, Aberdeen City Council have told the charity Animal Concern Advice Line that 22 roe deer have been killed as part of your joint initiative to create a new woodland on Tullos Hill in Aberdeen under the Tree For Every Citizen initiative and Diamond Jubilee Woods project.

As only around 30 deer lived on and around Tullos Hill this has been more of a mass slaughter than a cull or management programme to reduce numbers.

This massacre was conducted despite opposition from at least three local Community Councils, over 200 letters and e-mails, over 4,000 petition signatures and letters of protest from a number of animal welfare groups including the Scottish SPCA, Animal Concern and Animal Concern Advice Line.

These animals were killed for a planting programme on a hill where I understand an earlier planting scheme failed due to poor management, failure to control weed growth and use of inappropriate tree protection sleeves.

I think Aberdeen City Council should be thoroughly ashamed of their key role in this atrocity. As for The Woodland Trust, I for one will make a point of avoiding any of your appeals for funds or volunteers and I will have no hesitation in warning others that if they support your work they may well be supporting the killing of innocent animals.

What angers me most is that there was no need to kill the deer. If, unlike other experts, you truly believed the deer posed a serious risk to the survival of the trees, you could have protected the saplings using a mixture of the right type of tree protection sleeves and deer fencing to exclude deer from certain areas.

I understand that this is a long-term project and that the culling of deer on Tullos Hill is to continue for another five to ten years. I ask you to change your modus operandi from killing deer to physically protecting the trees.

Yours sincerely,


(Your name and country)


※ Email Adresses:
sueholden@woodlandtrust.org.uk, enquiries@woodlandtrust.org.uk, chiefexecutive@aberdeencity.gov.uk

※ Cc. Addresses:
press@wspa.org.uk, info@ifaw.org, epar@yunord.net, info@worldanimal.net, idainfo@idausa.org, info@spcai.org, a.erler@eurogroupforanimals.org, acal@jfrobins.force9.co.uk, info@thenokillnation.org, info@alleycat.org, s.vantichelen@eurogroupforanimals.org, b.krech@eurogroupforanimals.org, info@ad-international.org, info@aldf.org, general.info@thomsonreuters.com, awi@awionline.org, voanews@voanews.com, editor@medialens.org, news@itn.co.uk, letters@guardian.co.uk, letters@observer.co.uk , newseditor@independent.co.uk, foreigneditor@independent.co.uk, m.king@independent.co.uk, features@independent.co.uk, editor@mediaguardian.co.uk, news@bbc.co.uk, newsonline@bbc.co.uk, info@bbc.co.uk, editorial@dailymailonline.co.uk, news@dailymail.co.uk, news@mailonsunday.co.uk, dtnews@telegraph.co.uk, stnews@telegraph.co.uk, mirrornews@mirror.co.uk, FOXaroundtheworld@foxnews.com, fncspecials@foxnews.com, FNS@foxnews.com, newswatch@foxnews.com, Foxreport@foxnews.com, happeningnow@foxnews.com, Special@foxnews.com, voicers@edit.nydailynews.com, nytnews@nytimes.com, pressroom@turner.com, ctc-TribLetter@tribune.com, 48hours@cbsnews.com, bpc@cbsnews.com, evening@cbsnews.com, pma@cbsnews.com, 360@cnn.com, webb@metro.se, contactus@examiner.com, scoop@huffingtonpost.com, info@huffingtonpost.com, journalist@journalisten.no, 2400@db.no, tillysas@tin.it, info@animalieanimali.it, leser@welt.de, kompakt@welt.de, online@welt.de, redaktion@tagesspiegel.de, leserbriefe@tagesspiegel.de, info@cphpost.dk, news@perthnow.newsltd.com.au, leserbriefe@diepresse.com, weirs@sundaytimes.newsltd.com.au, letters@theaustralian.com.au, online@theaustralian.com.au, world@theaustralian.com.au,city@thestar.ca, kokusai@kyodonews.jp, Newsroom@globeandmail.com, calgaryherald@reachcanada.com,

******************************************************

Postal addresses:

Mrs. Valerie Watts,
Chief Executive Officer,
Aberdeen City Council,
Marischal College
Broad Street
Aberdeen AB10 1AB

Ms Sue Holden,
Chief Executive,
The Woodland Trust,
Kempton Way,
Grantham,
Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL


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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. Also available in both formats at Amazon.com

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

that's how life goes when life matters!

From Julie Fletcher, "Susie, you do such a heartbreaking task each day to help them all, I know why you do it but its so hearbreaking to see the abuse all the time, when God looked for the best Earth Angel, he didn't have far to Go before he found you...I don't know if you are ever told this... But you are the best my friend, and God walk beside you in your constant battle to save his Beautiful Animals...Thank you so much xxx"

From Sylvie Caltrider,"THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK FOR ANIMALS ..."

oh, julie and sylvie...how much your words do mean to me...thank you so much. actually, i am purposely staying awake all night with a stray cat who may have been in a close call with an automobile...babysitting until the vet's office opens. so your words of encouragement are indeed well-timed.

so many folks care tremendously such as you and i do...but there are many detractors and too many challenges and road-blocks and my heart aches much of each day.

but that's how life goes when life matters!

so i am trying to toughen up and maintain the same soft heart simultaneously which is verrrrry tricky, to say the least! ;D ♥!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! you are sweethearts!!!

furthermore, i was told by a vet that no dissecting of animals even necessary for veterinarians in training for years now. i cannot and shall not even come close to being apologetic for outrage over such barbarism in the 21st century or ever for that matter.

and i have signed so many petitions aimed at stopping such cruelty at U of M and Wayne state...plus letters ...that my fingers are numb. and i am totally not gonna argue with human beings about mutilation and torture and murder for one more second.

thanks for your wonderful spines/backbones...that is what it takes to eventually sensitize people and recruit them to help end the atrocities.

this sharing that we do is pretty wonderful...and one can only hope we gain some converts along the way who comprehend the magnitude of this epidemic of tragedies which can be turned around through knowledge and cooperation -- and yes, sharing! a-men! ♥!
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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. Also available in both formats at Amazon.com

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 love my pals - listen to the new "Colin Lively & Friends Show"!

Listen to the new "Colin Lively and Friends Show" at this link...

Here is the synopsis of this week's show: "Colin and pals, Judy Stadt and Susie Sexton decide to do a little play called There is a Werewolf in Town… then Susie Sexton sticks around and talks about , perhaps, Margaret Mitchell did not write Gone With the Wind…and , perhaps, Harper Lee didn’t write To Kill a Mockingbird.. and she gives plenty of reasons to disbelieve the penning of each…Hmmmm…a whole show full of suspense and madness…" Enjoy!

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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. Also available in both formats at Amazon.com

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

Old Type Writer: And the envelope please... (A film fest for armchair critics)

My latest "Old Type Writer" column has been published in Jennifer Zartman Romano's popular Talk of the Town news blog. This new one is entitled "And the envelope please... (A film fest for armchair critics)." My son described it this way: "In Susie's inimitable style, this column is a comic and heartfelt overview of the great (and not-so-great) award-winning (and not-so-award-winning) films of the past few months. April used to be Oscar month, and Susie is taking this moment to turn back the clock to those days of yore when the best (and not-so-best) films were honored by 'the Academy' in this springtime month. Enjoy!"

You can find the original column (and photos!) here.

Here is the text of the column:

“Fabulous Fifties” inform my every thought, especially during the month of April. Comedian Bob Hope, spiffy in a tuxedo with tails as master of ceremonies, sparked each Academy Award ceremony televised in living black and white year after glorious year. Monday evening telecasts eased into Tuesday mornings as one glamorous presenter after another headed toward the podium to either award or receive the golden statuettes. No red carpet nor Joan Rivers nor competitive cleavage wars. Much more pizzazz than current coarseness -- and less artificiality than now – greatly impressed me in those bygone days as stunningly evident during the Golden Age of Television! And I sincerely wished I might not have to wake up and attend school the following day.

Fast forward to the present, lamentably devoid of Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Doris Day, Dennis Day, Gary Cooper, Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, and Clark Gable. The pageant and its hype flashed before our bi-focaled eyes in February…featuring the likes of Will Ferrell, George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

Our adjustment to this seismic shift kicks in as a winter festivity with its goal the absolute assurance that we have seen every film and star nominated, which we accomplished yet again in 2012 via trips to the Bones Movie House, Coldwater Crossing, the Rave, Cinema Center and via DVD purchases or rentals. We have substituted film marathons extraordinaire in a quest to reinvigorate half-remembered glitz, “class” missing in action, and fully developed plot lines and character development once characteristic of Tinseltown.

Reviews of the most noteworthy entries are in:

Our son Roy who is an actor in the Metro-Detroit area and who studied theater history and criticism at the Ohio State University wrote:

“ ‘The Artist’ is an exquisite but fresh homage to classic film. Both leads are enchanting, and the supporting cast, which includes John Goodman and Missi Pyle and James Cromwell and Penelope Ann Miller among others, strikes the perfect balance of stylization and believability. But the cast member who literally runs away with the film is little canine star Uggie, who, along with a sparkling musical score, provides the movie’s emotional center. The silent movie conceit is less a novelty than a means of refocusing an increasingly jaded audience on true ‘special effects’ like the dynamics of an actor’s physicality, facial expressions, and human interaction. The movie also offers subtle though poignant commentary on ageism, xenophobia, and what can be lost in our breathless pursuit of technological advancement. Highly recommend! “

“War Horse” … emerged in 2011 as fine as “ Gone With the Wind” ever was and reminiscent of that 1939 war-themed epic and BLUEPRINT OF GUILTY PLEASURE which “nobody can deny”… but may not have been cool enough for the Preppie/Yuppie/Generation X crowd? I happily defy classification then! (Film-maker Frank Capra once got saddled with the snide reference “Capra-corn” resulting from his unrelenting messages of hopefulness during the Depression era and war years…yet his films rated as block-busters.) Joey the plow horse, transformed into cavalry hero, first appeared in juvenile fiction, moving to the stage by way of puppetry and ultimately into the loveliest adventure film I’ve ever viewed. I applaud the mastery of Steven Spielberg who recaptured American filmic grandeur within a British setting in a perfectly credible, harmonious blend of PBS artistry pulsating to the accompaniment of sweeping Hollywood cinematography. Yes, sheer genius.

“My Week with Marilyn” -- a weak attempt at recapturing a bonbon of a frothy moment in time when Monroe stretched to emote opposite Sir Laurence Olivier during 1957 in the U.K. The setting failed as somewhat askew and off kilter, but the Tiffany diamond -- who glittered as the jewel of “Seven Year Itch”, “Some Like it Hot ”, “Bus Stop”, “The Misfits” and the film which this year’s movie referenced, “The Prince and the Showgirl” -- shone brightly. “A+” for Michelle Williams’ re-creation of a unique yet tortured individual like none other, a grade of “C-“ for the movie itself. Dame Judi Dench operated in supporting actress over-drive this season as this production’s Queen Dowager and also as Leonardo DiCaprio’s (J. Edgar Hoover’s ) nagging mama.

“The Descendants” -- lame effort at dark comedy with Clooney performing the role of Dad about as well as I myself might have? Where? Ah, cutesy Hawaii—a sure-fire formulaic locale always successful in captivating those audiences with too little lushness and exotic daring in their lives. The script washed over me as not unlike one of those women’s magazine stories my mom and her sister Helen used to devour in their “Ladies’ Home Journal” or “McCall” sessions during long afternoons of housewives sitting at kitchen tables – packs of cigarettes and coffee cups scattered about. The ladies studied water-color “groping, grappling” illustrations while continuing from … page 17, flipping through advertising and recipes and knitting instructions, to pages 46-51 toward “happily ever after”! Eventually, those slightly suggestive, glossy, yet well-worn periodicals -- brimming with fictional romantic intrigue -- got bundled up with strings and tossed into garbage cans lining the alleyways.

“Iron Lady” -- a problematically simplistic “Reader’s Digest’s Most Unforgettable Character” study/profile allows us effortlessly to witness Meryl age from menopausal to an addled elder while channeling a Brit icon with the help of make-up expertise. One third of the story soared due to the casting of a superb English actress -- who surpassed the talents of Ms. Streep -- filling in as the younger, dewier version of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

“J. Edgar” – Leo never better… this entry impressed as atmospheric and informative and overlooked. Meryl should have loaned her make-up artist, though, to Hoover’s companion-assistant, the Jack Jones (a 60s heart-throb singer ) look-a-like who earlier portrayed the handsomer Winklevoss twin in 2010’s “Social Network”. Hoover’s assistant’s rubberized death mask , startling yet amusing viewers toward the conclusion of the saga, appeared to be melting under the studio lights, similarly to Charlie Chaplin’s fresh face-lift hilariously evaporating during the unforgettable nightclub sequence in 1957’s “A King in New York”!

“Hugo” boasts Sacha Baron Cohen as a French , 3D gendarme , his subdued but clever performance the singular reason for checking out this movie which otherwise laboriously delivers -- one scene after the other -- strangely contrived mobile illustrations straight from a (thick) kid’s book (which consists substantially of full page pen-and-ink drawings rather than text) as we wonder exactly what we might be watching unfold -- with a minimum of expectation or even tension – and why? Furthermore, Ben Kingsley will always, always, always be Gandhi to me no matter what role he plays. That is not his fault but mine.

“The Help” and “Bridesmaids” totally resonated with this movie buff, to maximum effect. “Midnight in Paris” qualified as a favorite, attributable to writer/director/soundtrack composer and Renaissance man Woody Allen -- and scintillating portrayals of literati Gertrude Stein and Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald and their chum Ernest Hemingway -- as well as appearances by artists Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali – with the crème de la crème provided by bewildered transplanted script writer Owen Wilson who never disappoints no matter what cinematic endeavor he graces.

Finally, I applaud a film which really should have been academy nominated -- adapted from a stage play and re-titled “ Carnage”… a real-time parlor piece featuring four faux sophisticates degenerating into battling childen -- within 80 minutes -- right before our eyes. But persona non grata Roman Polanski directed this improbable confection, so this delight shall never be heard from again. As a matter of fact (or taste), the Academy Award for female lead “actor” should have been a toss-up between Kate Winslet, who convincingly vomits during the tale’s progression, and Michelle as Monroe. Critic Roy wrote: “What a masterfully acted, suitably claustrophobic comedy of bad manners! All four principals – Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, John. C. Reilly, and Christoph Waltz – let it rip with rich material that plumbs the depths of superficial courtesy as well as the cruelty and competitive monsters lurking beneath parent-to-parent interactions. And the final third that lays bare the misanthropy and misogyny underpinning the relationships of even the most ‘sophisticated’ of couples is brilliant, troubling, and revelatory.”

The only tricky part of our adjustment to the whims, follies, foibles, and promotional shenanigans -- emanating from Hollywood in this 21 st century -- is not preference for Orville Redenbacher’s home-nuked popcorn over the movie palaces’ buttered variety -- which requires a bank loan -- but that at our advanced ages, we do become confused about whether we are seated inside a darkened theater or snuggled into separate recliners within our own living room. Conundrum? We cannot press the pause button to accommodate frequent visits to the “powder room” while totally mesmerized and “Spellbound” in some Ft. Wayne cinema complex…not that we haven’t tried searching for our remote control device once or twice nevertheless. Whoops!
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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. Also available in both formats at Amazon.com

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

RADIO BROADCAST: There’s a Werewolf in Town starring Colin, Judy Stadt, & Susie Sexton: 4-13-2012

Listen here

Back in the day our shows were on the radio, and the suspense and intrigue were as frightening as any Nightmare On Elm Street movie. Join Colin as he narrates his first live radio play, starring the amazing Judy Stadt as the Werewolf and Father, and the unpredictable Susie Sexton as various townspeople. Can this group stick to a script? If I were a betting woman, my guess is you’ll witness some fantastic ad-libbing!

Listen here

Later in the show, Susie will stick around to give her opinion on the state of our society. She is an unapologetic Liberal, an animal activist, a newspaper columnist, and interestingly enough, married to a Republican. Truth be told, he has some “attributes” she likes very much, political affiliation aside! She is not afraid to give her stance on a subject, and her sometimes controversial thoughts on many things long believed to be true. Take the book To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee…or was it really Truman Capote? Gone With The Wind written by Margaret Mitchell??? Or her newpaper/journalist hubby? What else will she say? Luckily it’s internet radio, so Dustin doesn’t need to keep his finger on a censor button!

So Join Colin and his cast of Merry Women as they take us back to a time when we needed our imagination to be entertained!

Listen here

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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. Also available in both formats at Amazon.com

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

Homeward Angle: A LITTLE TURTLE GOES A LONG WAY (or A LITTLE TRAVELER’S BIG TAIL/TALE)

On a crisp autumn 1986 morning seeming as if only yesterday, wood-carver Stuart Smith and his wife Ada, the premier cook of this or any other community and who might never be equaled nor surpassed not even by Paula Deen, approached our front door carrying a pail holding “Traveler” and “Snapper” who legally belonged to the Smith’s cute toddler great-grandchild Brandon. Tiny painted turtles, out-of-towners earlier crossing a Florida road, had transferred their citizenship to Columbia City, Indiana, and both basked in the sunshine while floating within a pond, gracing the south yard of Smith & Sons Funeral Home. Winter approached.

Referred to our “rent-free” aquarium by my mother whose house we recently had purchased, the couple asked us to board the two reptiles until the spring. Clinically speaking, each “Chrysemys picta’s” carapace measured the equivalent of a half dollar. Their room-mate, a Musk turtle resembling a tennis ball and named Franz Kafka, posed no threat and welcomed them to his world…”three’s company” his motto.

The Smith family and the Duncan family literally go back as far as I can remember --Terry and my sister Sarah belonging to the Class of ’57! We spent so much time at Stuart’s “stable”, converted into a cozy home, that Terry continually suggests re-viewing the oodles of 8 MM films of the three of us “kids” mesmerized by his electric Lionel train chugging repetitively ‘round and ‘round the extensive track constructed in their basement. Perpetually cheerful Charlie and Edna Smith, parents of Stuart and his brother Boyce and sister Louva, lived next door (in the upstairs rooms of the funeral home itself) beside the present-day Carriage House. Edna’s dream-like, white flowering Hydrangea shrubs I never shall forget. Both individuals stepped right out of central casting. Director Frank Capra would have adored them. I know that I did.

In 1935, Charlie Smith purchased that quarter of a block, Smith and Sons Funeral Home’s present location, for $5,500.00, including the realtor’s fee. Lumberman, philanthropist, and owner Simon J. Peabody had died at Daytona Beach in 1933, and his home remained unoccupied for two years.

Ada -- whose mom Mrs. Bessie Keiser rated as my sister Sarah’s favorite elementary school teacher -- became ill during that year when her turtles wintered with us. The couple never returned for the Floridian Chelonians. As time passed, only Traveler survived. In his loneliness he bonded with our doggies, Murphy and Bogey. At suppertime, this little soul – a replica of the first painted turtles roaming our Earth 15 million years past -- stood tall upon a rock imported impressively from California’s “Petrified Forest”. Stretching hind legs to full height with his teensy nose pressed against the fogged-up glass, he literally wagged his tail to beg for food. He never barked though -- as far as we knew.

Recently reminiscing with C. Taron Smith whom I’ve referred to as Terry all of my life (as differentiated from attorney Terry Smith, a more recent acquaintance), my sister’s classmate spoke of earning straight “A’s”, during his banner 3rd grade year, courtesy of “Grandma” Keiser! Ada, Stuart, and Terry (named for “Grandpa” Charlie and also Stuart’s Wabash College chum) moved into their home, refashioned from a building containing horse stalls (housing Simon J. Peabody’s famous racing steed) that same year of 1947. To install their basement, where we kids consumed many succulent meals and enjoyed countless home movies, Terry mentioned the soil being sufficiently hard enough that the ground beneath the structure had to be dynamited which rattled the windows of our local DX station while startling townspeople who believed an earthquake had occurred.

Drafted during World War II, Stuart departed for duty as a Laboratory Technician -- to be assigned “all over France” -- the exact day that his son entered kindergarten. Years later, in the 50s, we listened attentively spellbound by Stuart’s battle-stories whenever he chauffeured car-loads of us basketball fans to Terry’s high school “away” games. Stuart would roll down all four windows of his Buick as we approached every railroad crossing while cocking an ear to listen for distant train whistles, perhaps overly-diligent for the safety of his passengers. One Friday evening, the master-mortician gifted me with a Belmont Memorial Record Cylinder Tube probably to keep restless “little Susie” quietly occupied in the back seat. That bronze gadget gleamed in my hands as I repeatedly twisted off either end, fidgeting with the mysterious device. When my mom informed me that those indestructible instruments got placed into coffins with deceased folks, my enthusiasm waned just a bit.

Several years after Ada’s death, our neighbor and attorney Earl Tison, his four-year-old son Ben, and I carried Traveler down the alley to visit Stuart. Secretly, I entertained the idea that this funeral director, whom I had known all of my life, would consider turtle re-adoption? I did not wish to force the issue. Result? We returned home to Line Street with Ben still gently swinging the water-filled Ace Hardware bucket containing Traveler happily sloshing and skidding to and fro, remaining a Duncan rather than a Smith.

As seasons passed, our pup-turtle increased his circumference many times over while matriculating at Wabash College and subsequently the Ohio State University as well; hopefully beer parties never factored into his weight gain. Would have to quiz big brother/ guardian Roy on that score! Traveler’s girth demanded a more representative name …a kind of tribute to the portly method-actor “Marlin” Brando…answering to simply a shout-out of “Brando!” for short!

Currently, having attained the dimensions of Tom Hanks’ “Cast Away” volleyball dubbed “Wilson”, this terrapin rivals the famous, legendary “Beast of ‘Busco” and has yet to locate “Stella”.

Once again, Traveler/Brando has followed his dreams and now inhabits the college town of Ann Arbor, and by the time his periphery measures that of a basketball, he may have earned his MBA (Michigan’s Biggest Aquarium) from U of M!

Brando’s longevity astounds us! Edging toward 30, his name –with a slight adjustment-- should be included in the Guinness Book of World Records because a painted turtle’s life expectancy reaches an expiration date of approximately age 20. We extend an overdue apology to Brando whose first and only trip, last spring, to a veterinarian -- practicing in the “Wolverine” state -- resulted in a surprise diagnosis. Brando’s new name is now…Brandy!

“…There's a port on a western bay, and it serves a hundred ships a day. Lonely sailors pass the time away and talk about their homes. The sailors say ‘Brandy, you're a fine girl. What a good wife you would be. Yeah, your eyes could steal a sailor from the sea.’ “ ~ Looking Glass

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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. Also available in both formats at Amazon.com

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

their magic intimidates the clueless!

cats are too special to be explained or compromised for popular consumption. their magic intimidates the clueless! ;D thanks for that! ♥ =^..^= their sophisticated presence causes those -- who pride themselves upon insensitivity -- to squirm. felines are other-worldly yet grounded in the importance and possibilities of happy reality. they introduced me to my own capability to accept other beings whom i might not otherwise completely understand.

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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. Also available in both formats at Amazon.com

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

probably we need some "jerk whisperers"...as animals are more difficult to advocate for than can possibly be imagined

so tired of all the thuggery in our country. this is the 21st century and not the dark ages...and no longer a primitive world. disgusted with bullying and weaponry and sheer stupidity. time for punishment of those who seem to enjoy killing and have forgotten how to think and to reason and to empathize.

...i find all of this information which i discover online and through social media so fascinating, but more than that we need to improve this world of ours...yes, i do mean improve. peace is a top priority and sometimes we've gotta say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH--cruel and brutal actions are no longer approved of and ignored...look at what we have done without thinking for way too long...the 21st century calls for an evolution in thinking.

we must insist upon logic and resultant empathy -- and boldly. bless your heart and your brilliant mind! i often feel i am losing...my mind! ;D this should be an easy task...but it hardly ever is.

"animals" are more difficult to advocate for than can possibly be imagined. very odd but true. the next front for advocacy...maybe should have been the first from the moment manKIND and animals met face to face. our EARTH would be thriving had that first human understood all that live have a right to live.

...i care about the innocents...those who should know better and are mean to innocents better watch out...a lot of us are speaking up and taking action...and i am certain A LOT OF US are no longer intimidated by the creeps getting away with bullying murder--totally mindless and horrible.

we need way more "dog whisperers" in this world...the other night i posted the sentiment..."hey, i am not a jerk whisperer"! probably we need some jerk whisperers to stop the bullying brutes who react in their idiotic knee-jerk fashion while armed with weapons and proceed emotionally to snuff out innocent beings. geesh!

...we have the ability to stop this kind of activity because we care enough to acknowledge its existence. brutality is unacceptable, mindless. no matter what.

most human beings are kind and empathetic and gentle and persistent and bold in their caring. i love the term "brave heart"....i prefer peacefulness...but if we have to shout for peace and NOKILL occasionally we must do that and not back down. hopeful that such consistency speaks for itself. peace should be the preference of and for all. live and let live. that can happen...truly. ♥!!!!

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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. Also available in both formats at Amazon.com

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

Review of "Secrets of an Old Typewriter" from Dr. Mary McCormack

New review of Susie Duncan Sexton's "Secrets of an Old Typewriter" from Dr. Mary McCormack:

"I received this book as part of the Early Reviewer's program but I have to admit I would have been attracted to the cover immediately if it were in a book store. It's a sweet, short novella filled with reminiscences about growing up in a small town....The e-book format is not my favorite but I think it's a great idea in order to get this book into as many hands as possible. I think some people will find it quite quaint (not meant pejoratively). I enjoy that tone myself. The author is a progressive thinker and the flavor of the book reminds one of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, a book I admire. She's irreverent regarding the small town mores she grew up with."

Find out more at ... http://www.open-bks.com/library/moder...

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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. Also available in both formats at Amazon.com

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

SYMBIOSIS – Mutualistic or Parasitic

Ever on the outside gazing toward the inner circle of life – or death –
Through windows, open doors. O’er fences established to prevent such inclusion,
Raspy purrs, odors of sour earth matting my coat, I pause to catch my breath
Skittering higher approaching the clear blue heavenly sky. My conclusion?

Freedom’s within reach. Where? Sunlight’s barely warming my heart. Chill in the March air.
Softness awaits somehow, someway. Deep sleep uninterrupted. I shall not prey.
Itchiness. Thirst. Ears raw, protracted claws dig out mites. Ne’er stroked by some who care.
Turn tail? No, climb further up. Watch. Close eyes against the wind. Open them…and stay.

Nicks, scars, wounds oozing slime. Spring’s ‘round the corner. Daffodils? Ah, Pussy Willow.
Baths for cars from water hoses. Cycling this way and that. Shopping. Deserved trips.
Stirring, tickling sides bulging. Sliding, clinging, scooting down the scratchy trunk though.
No spot for cat with kittens in a SPOTless house. “Ferals shit. Dig up tulips…”

Darkness falls. Headlights glare. Dogs howl. Shrubbery beckons. I prowl. Dusty alley.
Sloe-eyes gleam at me from the blackness. My shoulder bleeds onto the cold, moist ground.
Slash. Hiss. Pfffffffffft. We tumble about and onto the street’s pavement. Sheer agony.
Slouching. Crouching. Hugging the Earth. Licking. No moaning. From me. Never one sound.

Patterns. Surprises. Evenings. Afternoons. Wetness. Fleas. Puking feathers and bones.
Nothing. Sirens. Exhaust fumes. Stillness. Firecrackers. Thunder. Vulgar voices.
Guns. Toys. Driveways. Lawn chemicals. Condoms. Snow blowers. Drugs. Church spires. Cell phones.
Pleasure. Folly. Booze. Foolish arguments. Mirrors. Retirement homes. Choices.

Neither here…nor there.
Orphaned kits huddling.
YOUR feelings to spare?
Abstain from cuddling.

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(Subject: based upon and inspired by Marrilynn Ready’s photograph of a curious cat, with the distinctive coloring of a marshmallow/caramel sundae, who perches within the branches of a leafless tree at the start of spring)

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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. Also available in both formats at Amazon.com

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