Susie Duncan Sexton's Blog, page 39
January 4, 2012
Review of The Highway by Donald O'Donovan
Highway by Donald O'DonovanMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
THE HIGHWAY by Donald O’Donovan
Living in a dying town with few restaurants, we frequent an establishment which originated some 30 years back, propelled by an Amish-inspired bill of fare and once the haunt of the after-church crowd such as the well-dressed elderly and the tackily-garbed over-populated tribes of rural families. Then the truck-stop just across the road from this dining “palace” closed about six years ago now, and the checkered nature of the ever-loyal fundamentalists who exercised their narrow-minded control over the allowance of smoking (no lighting up until after 4 o’clock ) tentatively and awkwardly nearly blended with the disgruntled transplanted trucker crowd is an absolute hoot. For convenience’s sake, we pass the non-nicotine crowd as if we are porters shuffling down a narrow aisled netherworld to join the wicked smoking crowd.
We over-hear tales reminiscent of those of Donald O’Donovan in his novel, “Highway” -- nearly thrice per week. However, narrator O’Donovan speaks of “toothpicks dancing in mouths” and authoritatively of dysfunctional families (“foolish, funny in head, not right”) and lost opportunities and the seedier side of the vagabond’s life and references Dostoevsky, James Joyce, and Thomas Hardy while transporting us about the country. We have actually listened to one of his “fictional” phrases repetitively: “I’m a goddamn truck driver -- I’ve been to every town in the U.S. ” several times a table or two away from ourselves – simultaneously whining and swaggering in tone.
However, “schmeckle” and “propounded” and “lascivious billboards” or a “shimmering mirage of Dairy Queens and dissolving mountain peaks” would shock us to hear. We must read novels composed in a fictional style by those who have lived and endured such experiences and adventures and boredom on the road while navigating innumerable ribbons of highways and from the astute minds of those who possess observational skills coupled with the sheer genius to transport us beside themselves in the truck’s cab.
Nestled near a tiny “downtown” south of our HIGHWAY 30 which slices through the northern tip of our community and runs right past the WAL-MART which massacred all local business, we realize somebody HAS to deliver pianos, livestock, retail goods, but not until lately have we dined with such souls. Thus, rather well-armed to comprehend where this script-writing, womanizing, philosophizing dreamer may be chauffeuring us toward, the E-book seemed like a busman’s holiday to this reader.
About Tuesday, I shall return to the red-neck-tinged wannabe - “ Deerhunter ” (s)’ Algonquin Club knowing more about these fellows than even they themselves might . For example, tidbits stuck with me, such as: “99% turnover in the trucking industry” and “It’s no picnic out there—it’s a hard life” and that lawns CAN be visualized by guys , behind the steering wheels of rigs , as “absinthe-green”!
O’Donovan’s discussion of a Singer Sewing Machine controversy -- deeply imbedded within familial consciousness -- causing the droning humming of one tune only , “What might have been …”, seemed perfectly positioned near the story’s conclusion and explains the narrator’s perpetual youthful yet prescient quest to ride relentlessly on the back of his childhood friend, a treasured , wooden, red-wheeled toy named “Butchie Bear”! Shades of that fabulous classic “The Rocking-Horse Winner” by D. H. Lawrence! No fooling!
Susie Sexton (www.susieduncansexton.com)
View all my reviews
____________________
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
December 26, 2011
Latest Homeward Angle: "Pondering the Poffenberger twirlers"
Latest "Homeward Angle" column, entitled "Pondering the Poffenberger twirlers." I honor the life of long-time friend Marge Hollenbaugh, from the early days of Marge's baton-twirling tutorials to recent memories of more grown-up joys and occasional heartaches.
Below is the full text if you have trouble reading the scanned copy, which can be found here...
Passing the Baton … by Susie Duncan Sexton
“Live each day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find ‘tomorrow’ on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday’s defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow… Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day! Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.” ~ Og Mandino
Vivid, joyful memories of Nancy and Mary Ann Poffenberger and my sister Sarah, in their 1950s high school days, lock those three girls forever in my awe-struck mind as THE prototype of teenagers having a really great time. All three “valedictorian-salutatorian” material, the trio excelled at whatever got attempted.
While they shared intelligence and spirited outlooks, comparable heights remained a different matter. The probably 5 ‘ tall petite Poffenberger sisters looked up to my 5’7” sister who was smart enough never to entertain the pursuit of copy-cat baton twirling.
I, 5’9” at the tender age of 11, lacked such common sense and begged my dad for twirling lessons. He recruited the youngest 15 year old Poffenberger sister, Margie, as my instructor who met me in the alley as she walked from her Collinwood Avenue house. Off we strolled together headed to West Ward’s wide-open, mildewy basement where she, with great finesse, demonstrated repeatedly the fine art of flip/spinning a gleaming metal rod skyward, barely missing suspended light fixtures and then whisked the “scepter” beneath each leg as she leapt straight up nearly bumping into the ancient, worn ceiling. Next, how about something called “Left Backhand Release Double Knuckle Pop”?? I was to follow her lead.
Picture Mutt & Jeff! Abbott & Costello? The Tin-man & the Scarecrow? Thelma & Louise?
Her patient endurance of my awkward gymnastic attempts -- to be something and someone I was not -- would earn her a fiver from my indulgent folks several Saturdays in a row, no doubt.
I mastered sluggish figure eights with my relatively agile right wrist, then alternating from one hand to the other as creepily slow as molasses, finally attempting to roll the threatening weapon behind and across my bony shoulders, consistently clunking the back of my head. To this day, I maintain some residual ability to repeat successively exactly the same three moves -- only in agonizingly slow motion.
Those three girls, also peppy car-hops at Clarence “Cotton” Gall’s Eighth Wonder of the World drive-in “The Barrel” on Main Street extended, achieved local fame as major players. Yes, MAJORETTES! Perky! Plucky! Sarah and I became pretty proficient at Canasta, Scrabble, croquet and badminton, instead.
Marge, a tad older than I and considerably shorter, disappeared from my life until a quarter of a century ago. We reacquainted ourselves when she served as an exceptional teachers’ aide at Marshall Memorial, while I struggled valiantly as an addled substitute teacher.
We bonded one particular afternoon when I barked at a frisky, third grade, bespectacled boy who was so full of life he simply could not remain seated at his desk: “For heaven’s sake, Shane, sit down!” A horrid, boisterous reversal of initial consonants, involving the letter “s”, roared across the partitioned communal Marshall Memorial set-up, echoing throughout the over-sized room – from class to class to class! Instead, I thundered out the spoonerism: “For heaven’s sake, Sane, ____ down!”
Marge and I became adult friends for life at that precise moment.
We biked. We celebrated births of her grand-children. (Marge perilously approached accidental primitive midwifery when darling Erin entered this world!)
Marge served as a cheerleader for “Don Sexton, Mayor” every time he vied for that position. I drove her to pick up her husband’s truck at an Albion gas station the afternoon Jerry suffered a heart attack on his way to work and was rushed by ambulance to Ft. Wayne. “There for each other” we two…always!
She attended our Roy’s very special one-man summer concert in 1999 at our C.C.H.S. auditorium and became such an instant fan, so startled that absolutely every seat was not occupied, that she immediately decided to write a letter-to-the-editor chastising those not present in the audience! (She also revisited her twirling prowess during our backyard post-gig party that evening. Her age then? 57!)
She and Jerry drove miles to Roy’s once-in-a lifetime performance at Dearborn’s Ford Performing Arts Center for “Side by Side by Sondheim”!
Dropping by Marge’s whenever I walked home from Burnworth Pool, I’d beg for supper cuz I was famished and she’d feed me before I crawled allllll the way to my own house. Marge and I consistently defeated Jerry and Don at card-games. We spent some Christmases and New Year’s Eves together and Thanksgivings also. We compared heart-wrenching accounts of being misunderstood “baby sisters”, totally commiserating…always bursting into laughter instead!
We porch-sat, phone-chatted, bragged about our kids’ successes, and informed each other of local illnesses, births, and deaths. Marge bought a computer long before my brother-in-law Mac gave me one of my sister’s after Sarah died. Marge literally would sprint three blocks to present print-outs to me of wacky animal pictures…and also questionable jokes! I was a captive audience! Marge never ever missed sending us our first Christmas card of the season…for over 20 years.
All of this is just to say that when I found myself at Smith’s Funeral Home hoping to console her remarkable family last month, I recalled our adventures and wished to chat with HER. Marge honestly looked wonderful, only asleep. A fabulous mom, grandmother, wife, daughter and sister who served her community well…but best of all, a genuine, fun, funny, and one-of-a-kind person would be the very best characterization of my dear friend.
Hugging her soul-mate Jerry, I commented that Marge and I degenerated into “zaniness” whenever we got together. Jerry corrected me, “…Both of you behaved just as ‘zanily’ when separate as well!” Laughter in the funeral parlor…I am sure Marge approved!
____________________
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
Below is the full text if you have trouble reading the scanned copy, which can be found here...
Passing the Baton … by Susie Duncan Sexton
“Live each day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find ‘tomorrow’ on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday’s defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow… Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day! Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.” ~ Og Mandino
Vivid, joyful memories of Nancy and Mary Ann Poffenberger and my sister Sarah, in their 1950s high school days, lock those three girls forever in my awe-struck mind as THE prototype of teenagers having a really great time. All three “valedictorian-salutatorian” material, the trio excelled at whatever got attempted.
While they shared intelligence and spirited outlooks, comparable heights remained a different matter. The probably 5 ‘ tall petite Poffenberger sisters looked up to my 5’7” sister who was smart enough never to entertain the pursuit of copy-cat baton twirling.
I, 5’9” at the tender age of 11, lacked such common sense and begged my dad for twirling lessons. He recruited the youngest 15 year old Poffenberger sister, Margie, as my instructor who met me in the alley as she walked from her Collinwood Avenue house. Off we strolled together headed to West Ward’s wide-open, mildewy basement where she, with great finesse, demonstrated repeatedly the fine art of flip/spinning a gleaming metal rod skyward, barely missing suspended light fixtures and then whisked the “scepter” beneath each leg as she leapt straight up nearly bumping into the ancient, worn ceiling. Next, how about something called “Left Backhand Release Double Knuckle Pop”?? I was to follow her lead.
Picture Mutt & Jeff! Abbott & Costello? The Tin-man & the Scarecrow? Thelma & Louise?
Her patient endurance of my awkward gymnastic attempts -- to be something and someone I was not -- would earn her a fiver from my indulgent folks several Saturdays in a row, no doubt.
I mastered sluggish figure eights with my relatively agile right wrist, then alternating from one hand to the other as creepily slow as molasses, finally attempting to roll the threatening weapon behind and across my bony shoulders, consistently clunking the back of my head. To this day, I maintain some residual ability to repeat successively exactly the same three moves -- only in agonizingly slow motion.
Those three girls, also peppy car-hops at Clarence “Cotton” Gall’s Eighth Wonder of the World drive-in “The Barrel” on Main Street extended, achieved local fame as major players. Yes, MAJORETTES! Perky! Plucky! Sarah and I became pretty proficient at Canasta, Scrabble, croquet and badminton, instead.
Marge, a tad older than I and considerably shorter, disappeared from my life until a quarter of a century ago. We reacquainted ourselves when she served as an exceptional teachers’ aide at Marshall Memorial, while I struggled valiantly as an addled substitute teacher.
We bonded one particular afternoon when I barked at a frisky, third grade, bespectacled boy who was so full of life he simply could not remain seated at his desk: “For heaven’s sake, Shane, sit down!” A horrid, boisterous reversal of initial consonants, involving the letter “s”, roared across the partitioned communal Marshall Memorial set-up, echoing throughout the over-sized room – from class to class to class! Instead, I thundered out the spoonerism: “For heaven’s sake, Sane, ____ down!”
Marge and I became adult friends for life at that precise moment.
We biked. We celebrated births of her grand-children. (Marge perilously approached accidental primitive midwifery when darling Erin entered this world!)
Marge served as a cheerleader for “Don Sexton, Mayor” every time he vied for that position. I drove her to pick up her husband’s truck at an Albion gas station the afternoon Jerry suffered a heart attack on his way to work and was rushed by ambulance to Ft. Wayne. “There for each other” we two…always!
She attended our Roy’s very special one-man summer concert in 1999 at our C.C.H.S. auditorium and became such an instant fan, so startled that absolutely every seat was not occupied, that she immediately decided to write a letter-to-the-editor chastising those not present in the audience! (She also revisited her twirling prowess during our backyard post-gig party that evening. Her age then? 57!)
She and Jerry drove miles to Roy’s once-in-a lifetime performance at Dearborn’s Ford Performing Arts Center for “Side by Side by Sondheim”!
Dropping by Marge’s whenever I walked home from Burnworth Pool, I’d beg for supper cuz I was famished and she’d feed me before I crawled allllll the way to my own house. Marge and I consistently defeated Jerry and Don at card-games. We spent some Christmases and New Year’s Eves together and Thanksgivings also. We compared heart-wrenching accounts of being misunderstood “baby sisters”, totally commiserating…always bursting into laughter instead!
We porch-sat, phone-chatted, bragged about our kids’ successes, and informed each other of local illnesses, births, and deaths. Marge bought a computer long before my brother-in-law Mac gave me one of my sister’s after Sarah died. Marge literally would sprint three blocks to present print-outs to me of wacky animal pictures…and also questionable jokes! I was a captive audience! Marge never ever missed sending us our first Christmas card of the season…for over 20 years.
All of this is just to say that when I found myself at Smith’s Funeral Home hoping to console her remarkable family last month, I recalled our adventures and wished to chat with HER. Marge honestly looked wonderful, only asleep. A fabulous mom, grandmother, wife, daughter and sister who served her community well…but best of all, a genuine, fun, funny, and one-of-a-kind person would be the very best characterization of my dear friend.
Hugging her soul-mate Jerry, I commented that Marge and I degenerated into “zaniness” whenever we got together. Jerry corrected me, “…Both of you behaved just as ‘zanily’ when separate as well!” Laughter in the funeral parlor…I am sure Marge approved!
____________________
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
December 22, 2011
Latest Old Type Writer: Happy Holidays from The Old Type Writer to fans of Talk of the Town
(Original column and photos here)
Thanks so much for following these columns, thoughts, and blogs
(And joining me in loving both kitty cats and dogs!)
How fun and fine it is to remember happy times,
Sharing moments of small town life in prose or in rhymes.
Memories flood into minds via our willing hearts;
One leads to another in sequential fits and starts.
Enjoyment of each other and old-timey places
Creates mental photographs of treasured, dear faces.
Continuation of past reflections I do vow --
Since yesterday’s much easier to recall than NOW!
Misplaced packages, tape, ribbons, car keys and glasses –
All forgiven because old age happens! Time passes!
Fortunate are we cuz Jennifer keeps us informed,
Our intellects humming, and each reader soothed and warmed.
“Talk of the Town” provides a grand opportunity
To revive spirits -- and pride in our community!
Merry Christmas and Happy 2012, friends! You are dolls!
____________________
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
Thanks so much for following these columns, thoughts, and blogs
(And joining me in loving both kitty cats and dogs!)
How fun and fine it is to remember happy times,
Sharing moments of small town life in prose or in rhymes.
Memories flood into minds via our willing hearts;
One leads to another in sequential fits and starts.
Enjoyment of each other and old-timey places
Creates mental photographs of treasured, dear faces.
Continuation of past reflections I do vow --
Since yesterday’s much easier to recall than NOW!
Misplaced packages, tape, ribbons, car keys and glasses –
All forgiven because old age happens! Time passes!
Fortunate are we cuz Jennifer keeps us informed,
Our intellects humming, and each reader soothed and warmed.
“Talk of the Town” provides a grand opportunity
To revive spirits -- and pride in our community!
Merry Christmas and Happy 2012, friends! You are dolls!
____________________
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
The Dachshund & The Pink Pig (thx to Pat Heinbaugh for sending!)
Check out the photos here...
This Dachshund is fostering this little guy for another mom who couldn't take care of him. He had his eyes closed, but now they are open. He is just a little bigger than her other pups. She loves this little guy as much as the other puppies and she is nursing him back to health. He is the cleanest pig-puppy ever, because she licks him all the time! HIS NAME IS PINK....
(Thanks to Pat Heinbaugh for sending this!)
____________________
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
This Dachshund is fostering this little guy for another mom who couldn't take care of him. He had his eyes closed, but now they are open. He is just a little bigger than her other pups. She loves this little guy as much as the other puppies and she is nursing him back to health. He is the cleanest pig-puppy ever, because she licks him all the time! HIS NAME IS PINK....
(Thanks to Pat Heinbaugh for sending this!)
____________________
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
December 15, 2011
Symbolizing the chasm...some win big while others lose tragically
Greenville, South Carolina, is one of the cities which signifies something significant in my life...and I am disheartened that despite its recent spike in achieving opulence, the record number of discarded animals/pets is startling.
One wonders why, with the amazing dumping of living beings into the Greenville shelter, that a choice must be made between either destruction and addition of this animal into a pile of carcasses imminently OR a $3,000 price tag for medical attention. Very common lately -- and the gap seems questionable.
Either destroyed or those who care raise significant funds out of love and concern. A strange dilemma. Typical though. Opportunism clashes with the special bond between animals and people.
In that environment when some win big while others lose tragically we see a reflection of our society across the board. Time to speak up? These stunning animals symbolize that chasm.
So many of us have observed this for quite a lengthy time now, as we work to educate people to help reverse this trend in animal rescue as well as the world at large.
____________________
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
One wonders why, with the amazing dumping of living beings into the Greenville shelter, that a choice must be made between either destruction and addition of this animal into a pile of carcasses imminently OR a $3,000 price tag for medical attention. Very common lately -- and the gap seems questionable.
Either destroyed or those who care raise significant funds out of love and concern. A strange dilemma. Typical though. Opportunism clashes with the special bond between animals and people.
In that environment when some win big while others lose tragically we see a reflection of our society across the board. Time to speak up? These stunning animals symbolize that chasm.
So many of us have observed this for quite a lengthy time now, as we work to educate people to help reverse this trend in animal rescue as well as the world at large.
____________________
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
December 14, 2011
deer...the most dangerous animal alive?!?!
hateful, duplicitous, double-talking, snake-oil salesman letter in our little local paper today urging year-round deer hunting cuz "deers are the most dangerous animals alive" from a doc who says why pay the price of even one human life of a driver in a car getting killed...cuz his own cars get dented?
we have had bizarre hunting accidents and hunters have shot each other and another skinning a deer alive got maybe gored in the liver while mutilating the animal in the 21 park deer reduction festivals.
all this shooting all year long sounds like absolute craziness from someone purporting to cherish even one human life being enough to sacrifice to killer deers?
poppycock which our fundamentalist overpopulation will rally round as if they are all in heat again to produce even more of their own babies to go off to more cooked-up wars. damn, we are in trouble right here in river city.
this small town crud will multiply many times over. there is a campaign afoot to filter down to children that ANIMALS DO NOT MATTER NOR DOES THE ENVIRONMENT...GO TO CHURCH FOR MORE INFO.
link to the letter here...
(oh, and we'll feed these mean deer to the poor and we just discovered that the republican administration rediscovered a multi-million dollar slush fund at our state capital and did not share the wealth with even our school system...but geese can now be shot until february and deer all year round so docs cars do not get dinged and the poor can contract tuberculosis?)
postscript.......needless to say, we wish to either move from a state shooting guns and arrows all year long for our "safety" or attempt to have rational voices soar and be heard by these types who murder for fun if the truth be told...thinking they are jocks instead of serial killers with dangerous expensive weapons off which somebody is making a huge profit.
not to mention licenses and costume apparel and DNR jobs to cousins, etc. deer populations can be controlled naturally...no one even tries that because those who label themselves "huntsmen" enjoy the unbalanced "game" as if they are on reality tv...how bitchy and ill-equipped these lost souls actually are, not to mention insecure jerk-wads. hunting a sport? ha!
____________________
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
we have had bizarre hunting accidents and hunters have shot each other and another skinning a deer alive got maybe gored in the liver while mutilating the animal in the 21 park deer reduction festivals.
all this shooting all year long sounds like absolute craziness from someone purporting to cherish even one human life being enough to sacrifice to killer deers?
poppycock which our fundamentalist overpopulation will rally round as if they are all in heat again to produce even more of their own babies to go off to more cooked-up wars. damn, we are in trouble right here in river city.
this small town crud will multiply many times over. there is a campaign afoot to filter down to children that ANIMALS DO NOT MATTER NOR DOES THE ENVIRONMENT...GO TO CHURCH FOR MORE INFO.
link to the letter here...
(oh, and we'll feed these mean deer to the poor and we just discovered that the republican administration rediscovered a multi-million dollar slush fund at our state capital and did not share the wealth with even our school system...but geese can now be shot until february and deer all year round so docs cars do not get dinged and the poor can contract tuberculosis?)
postscript.......needless to say, we wish to either move from a state shooting guns and arrows all year long for our "safety" or attempt to have rational voices soar and be heard by these types who murder for fun if the truth be told...thinking they are jocks instead of serial killers with dangerous expensive weapons off which somebody is making a huge profit.
not to mention licenses and costume apparel and DNR jobs to cousins, etc. deer populations can be controlled naturally...no one even tries that because those who label themselves "huntsmen" enjoy the unbalanced "game" as if they are on reality tv...how bitchy and ill-equipped these lost souls actually are, not to mention insecure jerk-wads. hunting a sport? ha!
____________________
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
December 12, 2011
i do not discuss harry potter or vampire sex...I DO discuss animal advocacy!
my modest little book, lamenting the state of the world and extolling my happy childhood which made me the liberal soul i am to this day here in the dull midwest, can be accessed at www.susieduncansexton.com ...only an e-book and floating in the air. my little book is NOT a hit with 20 somethings because i do not discuss harry potter or vampire sex...and people my age do not rely on computers or believe in e-books or give out their charge card numbers. rock and a hard place for sure.
i have loved working for animals...to me, one of the noblest purposes of this world called facebook and life in general. and you humans who strive on their behalf and care have impacted my soul and revitalized my purpose, but my spirited outlook needs a boost because it's in the toilet. more than a little. way too often, animal advocacy is the last concern of folks...i am having difficulty watching that fact of life. i do not feel at all productive...i have faith that i'll figure out how to convince others how sobering this environmental issue is and how necessary to address.
i have experienced this "feeling" before but this time logic is adding its influence. i am baffled by those who do not give one damn...not one. nothing to be done i assume to change this course, but as i wrote, watching "it" is not good for my soul for awhile. too dismaying, too disappointing. what is IS but i gotta learn to accept it...or somehow help to change what appears to be utter apathy...the epidemic proportions of disregard for human as well as animal suffering are sure indicators.
"....those that are so passionate in their spirit and belief that they DO make a difference and help those of us who do have compassion maintain our sanity." yes, what a perfect tribute to the massive amount of great human beings who do care...perfect! ...maybe i'll bounce out of this attitude that about strangled me a few hours ago.
does my heart good that there are angels out there for animals...there is hope for them all with such strong convictions on their behalf! animals are worth as much time and love as we can extend their way.
since alec baldwin is currently my facebook profile pic, i am beginning to feel like coming out of the bathroom to continue to play my word-game on an american airlines flight. this animal stuff is relentless...we can never do enough to turn these atrocities around, to educate those who need to pay attention and help, and to march right into hell to save these fabulous innocents from second by second tragedies which are beyond belief and all comprehension.
i am exhausted from not only a lifetime of caring so intensely...but from nearly 7 years of advocating for animals via computer and getting smacked in my damned face quite a lot. this matters to me more than life itself and i do not accept apathy or snotty scorn happily nor easily.
it does my heart and my mind good to know that there just have to be more human beings who care than those who do not give a fig. i truly love that all of you are urging me to continue playing my "word-game"...me and alec! (who by the way is an animal lover and also the prince charming to kim basinger...she forgot how special that guy is--he saved her from a sad situation when they began dating...he is constantly mis-judged which our country excels at lately...)
postscript...working on development of the magic and inspirational words which might reach other human beings...feel free to add your own philosophy of the value of life over imposed death. enlightenment is long overdue...this collision course we are on with other species and races and religions is frightening for us all. never accept mass murder/ final solutions under any circumstances for any other living souls.
(Read more at www.susieduncansexton.com)
____________________
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 have loved working for animals...to me, one of the noblest purposes of this world called facebook and life in general. and you humans who strive on their behalf and care have impacted my soul and revitalized my purpose, but my spirited outlook needs a boost because it's in the toilet. more than a little. way too often, animal advocacy is the last concern of folks...i am having difficulty watching that fact of life. i do not feel at all productive...i have faith that i'll figure out how to convince others how sobering this environmental issue is and how necessary to address.
i have experienced this "feeling" before but this time logic is adding its influence. i am baffled by those who do not give one damn...not one. nothing to be done i assume to change this course, but as i wrote, watching "it" is not good for my soul for awhile. too dismaying, too disappointing. what is IS but i gotta learn to accept it...or somehow help to change what appears to be utter apathy...the epidemic proportions of disregard for human as well as animal suffering are sure indicators.
"....those that are so passionate in their spirit and belief that they DO make a difference and help those of us who do have compassion maintain our sanity." yes, what a perfect tribute to the massive amount of great human beings who do care...perfect! ...maybe i'll bounce out of this attitude that about strangled me a few hours ago.
does my heart good that there are angels out there for animals...there is hope for them all with such strong convictions on their behalf! animals are worth as much time and love as we can extend their way.
since alec baldwin is currently my facebook profile pic, i am beginning to feel like coming out of the bathroom to continue to play my word-game on an american airlines flight. this animal stuff is relentless...we can never do enough to turn these atrocities around, to educate those who need to pay attention and help, and to march right into hell to save these fabulous innocents from second by second tragedies which are beyond belief and all comprehension.
i am exhausted from not only a lifetime of caring so intensely...but from nearly 7 years of advocating for animals via computer and getting smacked in my damned face quite a lot. this matters to me more than life itself and i do not accept apathy or snotty scorn happily nor easily.
it does my heart and my mind good to know that there just have to be more human beings who care than those who do not give a fig. i truly love that all of you are urging me to continue playing my "word-game"...me and alec! (who by the way is an animal lover and also the prince charming to kim basinger...she forgot how special that guy is--he saved her from a sad situation when they began dating...he is constantly mis-judged which our country excels at lately...)
postscript...working on development of the magic and inspirational words which might reach other human beings...feel free to add your own philosophy of the value of life over imposed death. enlightenment is long overdue...this collision course we are on with other species and races and religions is frightening for us all. never accept mass murder/ final solutions under any circumstances for any other living souls.
(Read more at www.susieduncansexton.com)
____________________
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
December 6, 2011
Authors' Open Mic: "Marriage of Minds"
Authors' Open Mic is a series of readings by Open Books authors. In this episode listen to Susie Duncan Sexton read "Marriage of Minds" from her memoir Secrets of an Old Typewriter: Stories from a Smart and Sassy Small Town Girl 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
____________________
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
December 3, 2011
HERstory...
Please share my new E-book this holiday season with those folks who may remember a gentler, happy time when fun and laughter prevailed...if you're young, HISTORY (HERstory) can be a wild and informative trip and if you're a tad nearer my age, memories are meant to be shared and compared and chuckled over!
P.S. The 21st century is also included from one whose eyes have been WIDE open ALL the time : )
Info for the book available by clicking onto this web-site! ♥!
Animals included of course...to the max! =^..^="
____________________
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
P.S. The 21st century is also included from one whose eyes have been WIDE open ALL the time : )
Info for the book available by clicking onto this web-site! ♥!
Animals included of course...to the max! =^..^="
____________________
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
December 2, 2011
Life Lessons from Best Friends
(“What important life lesson have you learned from your companion animal(s)?”)
How do fortunate, appreciative Homo sapiens properly capture, in mere words, the loyalty, joie de vivre, serenity and adaptability and acceptance as well as general all-around heaven that “pets” demonstrate and provide?
Aside from daily moment to moment co-bonding in both enjoyment and endurance of the highs and lows of existence, animal children have instructed and informed our family that LIFE, meaningful LIFE, includes others…others who provide endless fun but also sobering lessons.
Presently, as well as intermittently in the past, we extended -- to the best of our capabilities -- healing and assistance to handicapped or suffering dogs and cats—a three-legged, severely crippled stray kitten most recently, three epileptic dogs during these past 40 years, and a blind diabetic Husky whose mothering of our “mixed” menagerie presciently taught us how to (somewhat awkwardly) administer two daily insulin shots to her as she willingly, gratefully cooperated.
Attempting to inhabit this Earth without a respectful acceptance of the benefits from those who arrived before us as our master teachers – of their essential skills of both patience and achievement of glorious one-ness with this world -- strikes those of us, who rapturously observe the animal kingdom, to be unimaginable.
As poet Walt Whitman most aptly, aptly, aptly expressed, “ … animals are so placid and self-contained”, and their universal ability to blend harmoniously and gracefully with the magnificence of nature should be emulated by absolutely each one of us at every turn.
Peaceful co-existence with all forms of life ranks as the zenith of life lessons … for this skill, I thank all of the pets who have owned me and also those many others whom I have merely observed and admired along life’s journey.
____________________
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
How do fortunate, appreciative Homo sapiens properly capture, in mere words, the loyalty, joie de vivre, serenity and adaptability and acceptance as well as general all-around heaven that “pets” demonstrate and provide?
Aside from daily moment to moment co-bonding in both enjoyment and endurance of the highs and lows of existence, animal children have instructed and informed our family that LIFE, meaningful LIFE, includes others…others who provide endless fun but also sobering lessons.
Presently, as well as intermittently in the past, we extended -- to the best of our capabilities -- healing and assistance to handicapped or suffering dogs and cats—a three-legged, severely crippled stray kitten most recently, three epileptic dogs during these past 40 years, and a blind diabetic Husky whose mothering of our “mixed” menagerie presciently taught us how to (somewhat awkwardly) administer two daily insulin shots to her as she willingly, gratefully cooperated.
Attempting to inhabit this Earth without a respectful acceptance of the benefits from those who arrived before us as our master teachers – of their essential skills of both patience and achievement of glorious one-ness with this world -- strikes those of us, who rapturously observe the animal kingdom, to be unimaginable.
As poet Walt Whitman most aptly, aptly, aptly expressed, “ … animals are so placid and self-contained”, and their universal ability to blend harmoniously and gracefully with the magnificence of nature should be emulated by absolutely each one of us at every turn.
Peaceful co-existence with all forms of life ranks as the zenith of life lessons … for this skill, I thank all of the pets who have owned me and also those many others whom I have merely observed and admired along life’s journey.
____________________
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
