Susie Duncan Sexton's Blog, page 5

Ball State University Honors College Alumni Magazine profiles yours truly

Thank you to Ball State University's Honor College for featuring me in their latest alumni magazine. I'm humbled!

Such fun to return to what was best about college days and in the company of a delightful interviewer like Olivia Power … at my advanced age, too.

Young people are so receptive and inclusive - bodes well for a happy universe. She made my day, and, miraculously, within her creative hands, my life seems interesting and maybe productive after all!

Olivia “restoreth-ed” my soul. The Honors Curriculum should be proud of talented students like Olivia to be sure.

Two additional professors who changed my life (not named in the article) are Dr. Alexander MacGibbon and Dr. Edward Strother, the latter having served as my advisor for my Henrik Ibsen Honors Thesis back in the days when I kept the “Liquid Paper” typewriter correction fluid industry in business!



Enjoy Olivia's article (below) - and don't forget that Ann Arbor Civic Theatre's production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood opens THIS Thursday, June 1 at The Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre on The University of Michigan Campus - tickets can be purchased at www.a2ct.org/tickets.

Here are some video snippets of bonus clips of the cast in full costume for “There You Are” and “Don’t Quit While You’re Ahead."

And, if you want a fun history on the show, check out Ann Arbor District Library’s Pulp article “The Audience Will Decide ‘Whodunit’ at The Mystery of Edwin Drood" by Hugh Gallagher.











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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter and its follow-up Misunderstood Gargoyles and Overrated Angels - print and ebook versions of both are available on Amazon (click the title).

The books are also carried by these fine retailers: Ann Arbor's Bookbound and Common Language; Columbia City's Whitley County Historical Museum; and Fort Wayne's The Bookmark.

And you can 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 Old Type Writer: FORWARD: USE AS YOU SEE FIT - plus, rehearsal video of Drood!

Latest Old Type Writer column! Talk of the Town publisher Jennifer Zartman Romano introduces the piece, "The Blue Bell building has always been an important part of columnist Susie Duncan Sexton's life. Now, the building has undergone a major renovation and was recently reopened as the Blue Bell Lofts in Columbia City. Check out Susie's coverage of the grand opening celebration …"








Click here: http://talkofthetownwc.com/oldtypewri...

Excerpt: "Four Score and -- Five Years Ago"...seems like only yesterday...and we are all still wearing our durable Wrangler jeans as we gather here today INSIDE A HANDSOME BUILDING CONSTRUCTED IN 1932! "Little" Roy Sexton --who provided the perfect tribute to or epitaph for my dad, his grandpa, in October 1983 -- co-created this short speech with me for this special day dedicated toward the official opening of BLUE BELL LOFTS!

PLUS, do you want a sneak peek of my son Roy Sexton in rehearsal as John Jasper in Ann Arbor Civic Theatre's upcoming production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood? Click here and here for “There You Are” and here for “Don’t Quit While You’re Ahead.” Video courtesy of director Ron Baumanis.

June 1-4: Ann Arbor Civic’s production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre on the University of Michigan campus – tickets at www.A2ct.org/tickets.



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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter and its follow-up Misunderstood Gargoyles and Overrated Angels - print and ebook versions of both are available on Amazon (click the title).

The books are also carried by these fine retailers: Ann Arbor's Bookbound and Common Language; Columbia City's Whitley County Historical Museum; and Fort Wayne's The Bookmark.

And you can 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

Quells the enigma

Trump is an aging, white male baby boomer. That is the unexpressed secret key to understanding the Donald. Nobody addresses it. That is how one can endure him: acknowledging what I just ... said ... er, wrote?

Baby, it is the answer to all of our questions. And I have many concerns about him, but he is no stranger, believe me. I grew up with these guys ... and still am!

Trump seldom shocks me...unfortunately!



I feel I know and have known him very well. And I never met the guy nor had any interest in him. Until now. He fascinates me.

Watch that new Comedy Central show which has been panned by some and adored by others. It paints a hilarious yet poignant picture of maybe the true Donald. Quells the enigma...and gets to the core of the person!


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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter and its follow-up Misunderstood Gargoyles and Overrated Angels - print and ebook versions of both are available on Amazon (click the title).

The books are also carried by these fine retailers: Ann Arbor's Bookbound and Common Language; Columbia City's Whitley County Historical Museum; and Fort Wayne's The Bookmark.

And you can 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

Old Type Writer: Stream of Consciousness Trapezoidal Haiku Riff/Rap

Latest Old Type Writer column! Talk of the Town publisher Jennifer Zartman Romano writes, "Join us today for a haiku poem by columnist Susie Duncan Sexton. A real treat along with her poem is a collage of spring photos -- including a photo of her at the Columbia City High School prom in the spring of 1952." Click the link below for Old Type Writer:

http://talkofthetownwc.com/oldtypewri...

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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter and its follow-up Misunderstood Gargoyles and Overrated Angels - print and ebook versions of both are available on Amazon (click the title).

The books are also carried by these fine retailers: Ann Arbor's Bookbound and Common Language; Columbia City's Whitley County Historical Museum; and Fort Wayne's The Bookmark.

And you can 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

Pippin (revival tour) at Fort Wayne's Historic Embassy Theatre

Originally appeared on my son Roy Sexton's blog Reel Roy Reviews ...

oh, god! PIPPIN [the Broadway touring production stopped at Fort Wayne, Indiana's Historic Embassy Theatre last night] was glorious! were extensive acrobatics part of original? and I hate gymnastics…but this was done in a completely acceptable, credible, amazing manner--trapezes and stuff like that…wondering if there was tampering…which probably served it well…surprising ending…I could not believe how much I dug it! the music for starters! not what I expected or recalled from the tv version?

More photos 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 and its follow-up Misunderstood Gargoyles and Overrated Angels - print and ebook versions of both are available on Amazon (click the title).

The books are also carried by these fine retailers: Ann Arbor's Bookbound and Common Language; Columbia City's Whitley County Historical Museum; and Fort Wayne's The Bookmark.

And you can 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

“A club of individuals” – my son and I appear with Terry Doran and Patty Hunter on “Patty’s Page” (Allen County Public Library TV)

Enjoy this freewheeling hour of me and my son Roy Sexton alongside Terry Doran and Patty Hunter on “Patty’s Page” (Allen County Public Library TV).

We discuss art and animals, free expression and individuality, writing versus authorship, movies, Columbus (Ohio!), advocacy and storytelling, as well as upcoming events including the May 9 (1:30 pm) grand opening of the Historic Blue Bell Lofts (dress code: blue jeans!) in Columbia City, Indiana, and Roy's upcoming appearance June 1-4 in The Mystery of Edwin Drood with Ann Arbor Civic Theatre (www.a2ct.org) in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Special thanks to lovely producer Bob Hunter for all his glorious behind-the-scenes work and to Don Sexton for the off-camera commentary.

View here: https://youtu.be/odbivWmG6J8







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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter and its follow-up Misunderstood Gargoyles and Overrated Angels - print and ebook versions of both are available on Amazon (click the title).

The books are also carried by these fine retailers: Ann Arbor's Bookbound and Common Language; Columbia City's Whitley County Historical Museum; and Fort Wayne's The Bookmark.

And you can 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 tired of checking TV stations...little monkeys

Trumpcare. TrumpDONTcare. Border walls. Russian entanglements. Deep state. Shallow state. Buy Ivanka's costume jewelry. But not at Nordstrom's. Fake news. Lazy news. Comically volatile Spicey. Somnambulantly evil Bannon. Lyin' Jeff Sessions. Lock him up? Executive orders. Unimpressive back-peddles. Xenophobia. Misogyny. Divisive rhetoric. Pepsodent photo ops. Wire taps. Tapped out public. Vanishing town halls. Preening local politicos. Social media run amuck. Vacuous tweets. Socioeconomic policy in 140 misspelled characters (or less). Aggravatingly flippant TL;DR sound bite culture.

Are all of the Republicans gone yet?



I am tired of checking TV stations to see if they have all...every one of them...been impeached yet and that they can feel free to return to the districts they fail to represent and are afraid to return to and face courageously the appropriate ire of angry citizens who scare them into hiding.

WHO votes for them besides the Russians? Not I!

Sad. Sad. Sad.

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said:
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Four little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said:
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Three little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said:
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Two little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said:
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

One little monkey jumping on the bed
He fell off and bumped his head
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said:
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Now there's no little monkeys jumping on the bed.
They`re all jumping on the sofa instead!

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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter and its follow-up Misunderstood Gargoyles and Overrated Angels - print and ebook versions of both are available on Amazon (click the title).

The books are also carried by these fine retailers: Ann Arbor's Bookbound and Common Language; Columbia City's Whitley County Historical Museum; and Fort Wayne's The Bookmark.

And you can 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

Old Type Writer: "Pet Peevishness...plus the redeeming glories of the cat in the box"

My latest Old Type Writer column: "Pet Peevishness...plus the redeeming glories of the cat in the box."

I think many of us are all feeling a touch "peevish" these days, and here is my take on the culture at large. Quote: "Climbing hills only to slide backward is a daily occurrence that connects us all...even with mythological concoctions named Sisyphus...who rivals any Biblical character I ever encountered in Sunday School. Is that name Greek to you? Sorry. I tend to allude to literature I have been forced to read or movies I usually happily attended for over half a century now. I climb hills...I always have...I never stop...I have no time for...pet peeve listing...nor pretensions. But peevishness is an entirely different beast...and some hot button perturbing issues encountered recently or throughout the 'tempus fugit'-ing years never go away...and they really should. IN MY OPINION, the natural emergence of peevishness follows as the night the day."

You can read the rest here:
http://talkofthetownwc.com/oldtypewri...



Thanks for this glorious feedback!

Beth Kennedy: "love that susie can pack a punch like no other. she's mad as hell and not going to take it anymore!"

Kat Kelly-Heinzelman: "awesome post - thanks so much"

Jo Powers Biddle: "Your latest 'Old Type Writer' column ... You were firing on all cylinders, girl! It must take you from completing one column to your self-imposed deadline for the next to write one. In other words, how do you accomplish everything else? Again and still, I thank you for your loyalty and persistence in caring for animals and for promoting greater awareness to their plights. In my book, you're among the best...just as in your photo with glorified company! Love you, Susie Duncan sexton! No, that is not a typo!"

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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter and its follow-up Misunderstood Gargoyles and Overrated Angels - print and ebook versions of both are available on Amazon (click the title).

The books are also carried by these fine retailers: Ann Arbor's Bookbound and Common Language; Columbia City's Whitley County Historical Museum; and Fort Wayne's The Bookmark.

And you can 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 know we animal enthusiasts are the luckiest humans on this odd nutsoid planet

We love you, Rumpy and Junebug and Rumpy/Junebug's mom Jen ...

In response to Rumpydog's When you're told your dog is dying...

Rumpy has taught us all so much. I have grieved so many times in my life for 70 years. To have had animals and a few humans, who have been so fabulous in my life that I cry when they seem to have vanished, means the good times outweighed the bad?

And that I would go through the sadness at parting all over again? They were all worth my allegiance.



I have been privileged to live with two Rumpy types in my life, and they were both angels from another heaven somewhere. One had diabetes, and the other had epilepsy and recurring tumors between the shoulder blades - eight surgeries for removal of nine huge lumps over the years. In the same exact spot.



Recently, my darling dogs saved from homelessness and certain death (one of whom survived heartworm) were victims of Trifexis which the vet no longer carries and which I only administered when Sentinel was no longer produced after ten years. When I revisit their deaths, I die a little.



My kindred spirit cat died the day I gave him permission? Could not believe it. I truly believe they know we need them, and do not wish to abandon US? He died when I vacated the room.

When I remember that I did my best and that they returned my loyalty and love and appreciation for their existences and that we had fun most of the time, I know we animal enthusiasts are the luckiest humans on this odd nutsoid planet.



Thanks to Rob Kates for sharing the following ...

We who choose to surround ourselves
with lives even more temporary than our
own, live within a fragile circle;
easily and often breached.
Unable to accept its awful gaps,
we would still live no other way.
We cherish memory as the only
certain immortality, never fully
understanding the necessary plan.

― Irving Townsend

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Thank you for this feedback ...


Sue Nelson: "So true..."

Mary Maday: "I know that feeling all too well."

Paul Clifford Schrade: "The worst and only bad things about loving an animal or a human is, when they're gone, there's an arrow that strikes you dead center in the heart !!! ... And you can't pull it out! My best and inseparable friend, now that others have grown beyond me, is a big, black Retriever Lab, and we are closer than a band-aid!"

Drex Morton: "Those who cherish their animals can appreciate the joy of their being and the deep sorrow of the too-soon goodbyes."

Kim Elizabeth Johnson: "And extending one's enthusiasm for animals to include ALL animals then moves us to stop eating and otherwise exploiting them. Love to you, Susie!"

Kat Kelly-Heinzelman: "Susie is great every day of the year!"

Annie Gagnon: "I know, and I understand, Susie! Death is so difficult and heartbreaking - or friendships that were so close from back in school days or co-workers you became so close to and did family things together who then turn on you! I have had more of that than not! I'm not perfect, but, for the last 64 years, I, like you, have cried for long periods of time from people's actions! It is such a difficult, painful thing to deal with!"

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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter and its follow-up Misunderstood Gargoyles and Overrated Angels - print and ebook versions of both are available on Amazon (click the title).

The books are also carried by these fine retailers: Ann Arbor's Bookbound and Common Language; Columbia City's Whitley County Historical Museum; and Fort Wayne's The Bookmark.

And you can 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

Heart attack of the soul

"I believe in a passion for inclusion. ...I believe in the spirit of equality, and that the spirit of this country is one of love and compassion and kindness. My performance will uphold those philosophies. That kid that couldn't get a seat at the cool kids' table, and that kid that was kicked out of the house because his mom and dad didn't accept him for who he was? That kid is going to have the stage for 13 minutes. And I'm excited to give it to them." - Lady Gaga regarding her Super Bowl LI performance

Indeed, Lady G, that stuff can hurt so much...and nothing works. I figure some men fell on their heads when they were born ("born that way," Ms. Gaga?). No matter how much they try to make us feel unimportant and to blame us for everything, there is something (not us) that is really bugging their butts and makes them so "blameless" and condescending and superior acting.

At the moment, Congressional Dems are as disconnected from their base as they've ever been. The rank-and-file are terrified. As many as 5.2 million people joined Women's Marches worldwide because they're afraid of losing their health care, among other things. They're furious that the GOP effectively stole a Supreme Court seat that should have shifted the ideological balance of the Court for the first time in 45 years. And most of them at least harbor suspicions that Trump's election was a sort of soft coup, with an assist from Russian intelligence and the FBI. They're talking about fascism and authoritarianism and watching in horror as Steve Bannon tries to engineer a dramatic restructuring of the post-World War II international order. - "How Democrats Can Show Spine at This Critical Moment" in Rolling Stone

Yup, and we could have been headed in another direction. The correct direction, but here we are. What's that, Hillary?

"We need strong women to step up and speak out. We need you to dare greatly and lead boldly. So please, set an example for every woman and girl out there who's worried about what the future holds and wonders whether our rights, opportunities and values will endure. ...And remember, you are the heroes and history makers, the glass ceiling breakers of the future. As I've said before, I'll say again, never doubt you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and every opportunity in the world." - Hillary Clinton in New Video Statement: 'The Future Is Female'

When you try to hide the frustration over not being seen and heard, it just gives you a kind of heart attack of the soul! People are so judgmental and always blame the female no matter what, so we women just grow ulcers. I bet this feeling of hopelessness is more universal than people let on! I am sure of it.

My mama told me when I was young
We are all born superstars
She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on
In the glass of her boudoir
"There's nothing wrong with loving who you are"
She said, "Cause He made you perfect, babe"
"So hold your head up, girl and you you'll go far
Listen to me when I say"

I'm beautiful in my way
Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way
Don't hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way - Lady Gaga, "Born This Way"

And thank the heavens for Melissa McCarthy!



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Read about movies and nostalgia, animal issues and sociopolitical concerns all discussed in my book Secrets of an Old Typewriter and its follow-up Misunderstood Gargoyles and Overrated Angels - print and ebook versions of both are available on Amazon (click the title).

The books are also carried by these fine retailers: Ann Arbor's Bookbound and Common Language; Columbia City's Whitley County Historical Museum; and Fort Wayne's The Bookmark.

And you can 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