John Starley Allen's Blog, page 3
February 13, 2015
Neighbour Rosicky
I have not read anything by Willa Cather for several years.
But recently I decided to revisit her short story Neighbour Rosicky.
It is truly a masterpiece. So accomplishes sooooo much in so few pages.
What a great storyteller!
But recently I decided to revisit her short story Neighbour Rosicky.
It is truly a masterpiece. So accomplishes sooooo much in so few pages.
What a great storyteller!
February 1, 2015
True story...coincidence?
Strange things happen. And you wonder is it a coincidence or not?
One of my inspirational stories for young people, "The Soup Can Phones" was just recently published in a children's magazine.
My mother served as the inspiration for the story. She would recall to me how she and her friend next door would talk using soup can phones with the string running between their bedroom windows.
My mother passed away January 31 of last year. On January 31 this year I discovered on the internet that my story had just been published.
I thought it was fitting that on the anniversary of my mother's death a story based on her would be published.
That's "coincidence" number one. Number two concerns the illustration. When I saw how the artist portrayed the character representing my mom, named Elisabeth in the story, I did a double take. She looked just like my mom did in an old picture I recently found taken of her when she was 9 years old. The blunt cut haircut and the general appearance of the young girl resembled how my mom looked at that age. It was truly amazing because the illustrator had no way of knowing how my mom looked. (I didn't even know, until I came across the old photo.)
Coincidence...or something more? I don't know. What do you think?
One of my inspirational stories for young people, "The Soup Can Phones" was just recently published in a children's magazine.
My mother served as the inspiration for the story. She would recall to me how she and her friend next door would talk using soup can phones with the string running between their bedroom windows.
My mother passed away January 31 of last year. On January 31 this year I discovered on the internet that my story had just been published.
I thought it was fitting that on the anniversary of my mother's death a story based on her would be published.
That's "coincidence" number one. Number two concerns the illustration. When I saw how the artist portrayed the character representing my mom, named Elisabeth in the story, I did a double take. She looked just like my mom did in an old picture I recently found taken of her when she was 9 years old. The blunt cut haircut and the general appearance of the young girl resembled how my mom looked at that age. It was truly amazing because the illustrator had no way of knowing how my mom looked. (I didn't even know, until I came across the old photo.)
Coincidence...or something more? I don't know. What do you think?
January 24, 2015
OWH, Sr.--no slouch either
As almost everyone knows, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. was a remarkable person. But his father was no slouch either.
In my upcoming book, I want to introduce readers to the incredible life of Dr. OWH, Sr.
A poet, a popular lecturer, an essayist, a professor of medicine at Harvard, Holmes was truly a Renascence man.
In my chapter on Holmes, I just "scratch the surface." But my hope is that readers will be motivated to read the several excellent books on this great man's life.
(that is the hope I have for the essays on Jesse Ownes and Phil Farnsworth.)
In my upcoming book, I want to introduce readers to the incredible life of Dr. OWH, Sr.
A poet, a popular lecturer, an essayist, a professor of medicine at Harvard, Holmes was truly a Renascence man.
In my chapter on Holmes, I just "scratch the surface." But my hope is that readers will be motivated to read the several excellent books on this great man's life.
(that is the hope I have for the essays on Jesse Ownes and Phil Farnsworth.)
January 9, 2015
Philo, who...?
An unsung genius, Philo Farnsworth conceived the concept that would become television as a 13-year-old Idaho farmboy. Really. He did this while tilling a potato field, no less.
This is just one of the stories scheduled to be included in my upcoming book.
In many ways Farnworth's life paralleled that of Tesla.
I am anxious for people to learn more about this remarkable individual.
This is just one of the stories scheduled to be included in my upcoming book.
In many ways Farnworth's life paralleled that of Tesla.
I am anxious for people to learn more about this remarkable individual.
December 31, 2014
1936 Olympics
The 1936 Olympics were incredible for several reasons. Of course, when you think the Berlin Olympics of 1936, you think of Jesse Owens and his superhuman performance on the track field. But as Daniel James Brown recently chronicled in his book The Boys in the Boat, the US had an amazing rowing team.
And now the book and movie Unbroken …
All from the 1936 Olympics.
In my upcoming book, I pay tribute to Jesse Owens. What an incredible man. I am anxious for those unfamiliar with him to learn of his great achievements. I also highlight two other heroes of mine, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr, and Philo Farnsworth. Both of those individuals were amazing.
I also touch upon the lives of Lincoln, Kennedy, and Reagan.
I wish my book was available right now…but I guess spring will be here soon enough.
And now the book and movie Unbroken …
All from the 1936 Olympics.
In my upcoming book, I pay tribute to Jesse Owens. What an incredible man. I am anxious for those unfamiliar with him to learn of his great achievements. I also highlight two other heroes of mine, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr, and Philo Farnsworth. Both of those individuals were amazing.
I also touch upon the lives of Lincoln, Kennedy, and Reagan.
I wish my book was available right now…but I guess spring will be here soon enough.
December 24, 2014
Christmas....
Thank you for all the kind comments for my holiday song "The Spirit of Christmas." It was great hearing from so many of my friends!
With all the turmoil throughout the world, it's tempting to just throw your hands up and say, I give up!
Whenever I feel that way, there is an inner voice that says, cultivate your own personal peace and hope...then share that peace and hope with others.
And that's what I try to do in my everyday encounters. And I'm trying to do that through my music and writing. (In both cases, I don't always succeed, but I keep trying.)
During this special season, I pray that broken hearts can be healed, that people will reject violence and revenge, and strive to walk the difficult but ultimately rewarding path of peace and forgiveness.
May this new year be one of personal growth, and inner peace.
With all the turmoil throughout the world, it's tempting to just throw your hands up and say, I give up!
Whenever I feel that way, there is an inner voice that says, cultivate your own personal peace and hope...then share that peace and hope with others.
And that's what I try to do in my everyday encounters. And I'm trying to do that through my music and writing. (In both cases, I don't always succeed, but I keep trying.)
During this special season, I pray that broken hearts can be healed, that people will reject violence and revenge, and strive to walk the difficult but ultimately rewarding path of peace and forgiveness.
May this new year be one of personal growth, and inner peace.
November 25, 2014
Jesse Owens: What I'm Trying To Accomplish...
In my book scheduled for release late spring/early summer, I hope I can introduce a number of readers to the inspiring story of Jesse Owens. For some time, I noticed that if you wanted to read about Jesse, you had basically two choices. One, read short encyclopedia entry length articles about him. Or,two, read full blown 300 page plus biographies.
So I endeavored to write a lengthy essay/sketch on his life. Something that would fall somewhere between the short encyclopedia entry and the lengthy biography. Short enough to read in one sitting, but long enough to give an impression of the miracle of Jesse's remarkable life.
There are a few other personal heroes that are featured in a similar manner in my book.
And when I say personal heroes, that includes my mom.
--John
So I endeavored to write a lengthy essay/sketch on his life. Something that would fall somewhere between the short encyclopedia entry and the lengthy biography. Short enough to read in one sitting, but long enough to give an impression of the miracle of Jesse's remarkable life.
There are a few other personal heroes that are featured in a similar manner in my book.
And when I say personal heroes, that includes my mom.
--John
November 19, 2014
Another soul great passes away
Today we lost another great r&b singer--Jimmy Ruffin. He was 78. He is probably best known for the song "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted"
He was the older brother of Temptations lead sing David Ruffin.
He was the older brother of Temptations lead sing David Ruffin.
November 14, 2014
Sure Sign of Winter
I was writing at my computer this morning when I heard some leaves rustling outside. Must be a dog running loose, I thought.
Then I looked up from my computer and out the window. In the back yard, I saw a brown dog. A big brown dog. No, two big brown dogs. No..two regular sized DEER. (Because it was so unexpected, it took me a moment to process it all.) They must have sensed they were being watched. They looked over my way and we made eye contact, and then they sprinted off.
A sure sign that winter is here....
Then I looked up from my computer and out the window. In the back yard, I saw a brown dog. A big brown dog. No, two big brown dogs. No..two regular sized DEER. (Because it was so unexpected, it took me a moment to process it all.) They must have sensed they were being watched. They looked over my way and we made eye contact, and then they sprinted off.
A sure sign that winter is here....
November 2, 2014
Upcoming book
In my new book there is a big section devoted to Olympic track star Jesse Owens.
Researching his life gave me a renewed respect for Olympic athletes. They share common values of persistence, commitment, driving passion, sheer guts, optimism...
I recently had an opportunity to attend a speech given by an Olympic athlete (track). I was totally unfamiliar with him, but his talk--at least for me--was riveting. He spoke about faith, and the part it plays in any achievement.
Researching his life gave me a renewed respect for Olympic athletes. They share common values of persistence, commitment, driving passion, sheer guts, optimism...
I recently had an opportunity to attend a speech given by an Olympic athlete (track). I was totally unfamiliar with him, but his talk--at least for me--was riveting. He spoke about faith, and the part it plays in any achievement.
