Month: February 2016

Caucus

cau·cusOrigin

mid 18th century (originally US): perhaps from Algonquian cau’-cau’-as’u ‘adviser.’

In Iowa, voters are meeting by party all over that state in order to demonstrate their preferences for the 2016 Presidential election. Members registered to vote Republican cast a ballot with their candidate’s name on it making the process similar to what occurs in all other states across party lines.

Democrats, however, use a process that includes meeting with others of their party and breaking into groups by candidate. They powwow and campaign citing pros and cons of their chosen candidate.

I’ve heard the word caucus forever, and speculated that it had something to do with the Caucasus mountain range in Europe. The same root of the word Caucasian.

Wrong! Caucus is derived from caucauasu, a word from the Algonquin peoples of the North American continent, and means “adviser.” It’s a genuine made in the USA word. 

Some day I would enjoy participating in a political caucus; however, I have no desire to move to Iowa. It’s a great state, but they have some nasty winter weather. In fact, there is a storm headed their way even as I type this. Iowans are a hardy bunch, though, and will caucus their hearts out. 

As for me, I shall sit in front of my television, (on my porch in 70 degree weather), to find out who comes out on top in this first big political event of the year. I can hear the frogs caucusing down by the lake. Maybe they’ll let me join in.

Peace, people!

Goodbye, Friend

Just take a moment and read this beautiful piece. More at storyshucker.wordpress.com.

Stuart M. Perkins's avatarStoryshucker

One of my best friends passed away.

Over the years I’ve experienced the passing of people related to me and have attended quite a few funerals. I’m from a large family with an even larger extended family so deaths and funerals are part of that reality. Not until now have I lost a friend. The loss isn’t any more or any less, but it’s different.

With family, you love them all but treat only a few as friends.

With friends, you love them all but treat only a few as family.

Mary Dell Grey was family.

Mary Dell suffered a stroke several months ago and sadly things went steadily downhill. During those awful months she was watched over and cared for by her son Greg Eversole (my friend since fourth grade), her sister Brenda Taylor (my friend for years now), with help from their family and friends. When Mary Dell passed away everyone was understandably devastated.

A small group of friends and I knew Mary Dell for nearly forty years. In all…

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Last Night

Oh my! Please read more at poesypluspolemics.com. Paul is one of the finest poets you’ll encounter.

Paul F. Lenzi's avatarPoesy plus Polemics

(c) Diane Gallagher; Supplied by The Public Catalogue Foundation “Sleeping Child” by Archibald A. McGlashan

the child is me
returned to his morning
restored to his wonder
regained of his innocence

second chance
a rebirth unexplained
reimagined from
one dying dream

the child is me
become tabula rasa
receptive to imprint
of brand new ideas

treat him kindly
each person he loves
knows or meets a de facto
new teacher new mentor

to learn from their
patent unwitting example
from even their casual
passing connection

the child is me
soft and eager for life
fresh as spring in relief
of a long painful winter

what shape will
accrue to this new
iteration of character
carried to manhood

what better a
man will be manifest or
was the dream but a prayer
to endure one last night

the child is me
soul asleep in his peace
of departing as clean
as when he arrived

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One Lovely Blog

My friend Mitch at http://mitchteemley.com, authors a powerful, inspiring, often magical blog, The Power of Story. I’m a big Mitch fan, so imagine my delight to learn he’d nominated me for the One Lovely Blog Award! Thank you, Mitch. 

  
I confess I don’t often accept awards on WordPress, not because I’m not honored, but because I am just horrible at linking others’ blogs to mine. It’s an age thing. 

When I was a kid a link was one part of a chain and not some futuristic doohickey meant to convey one through space and time to another website. And a website had more to do with a spider….but I digress.

Part of accepting an award is following instructions. Let’s see how well I do, shall we?

1. Thank the person who nominated me and include a link to their blog. (check)

2. List the rules and display the award. (So far, so good)

3. Add 7 facts about me. (Seven seems reasonable, but honestly I could go on and on.)

4. Nominate 15 other bloggers. (Wish me luck on the linkage part!)

5. Leave a comment on one of their posts to let them know they have been nominated (Alrighty then! Again, wish me luck.)

7 Facts About Me:

1. I’m a lousy cook. My entire repertoire  consists of dishes that can be made in the crockpot using five ingredients or fewer. Sometimes I still mess up.

2. As a child I was a compulsive liar. The facts were never quite exciting enough, so I was forever making stuff up. Kind of like I do now.

3. I ride a motorcycle, and took a solo journey from central Illinois to Dallas, Texas, to celebrate turning 50. I’ll be 60 in October and need a way to top that trip. Suggestions?

4. I’m a native Texan, having been born in Buddy Holly’s hometown of Lubbock. I grew up in Floydada, Texas, home of the Floydada Whirlwinds. I just enjoy saying Floydada. You should, too.

5. My husband, who I affectionately call Studly Doright, was my high school sweetheart. In July we’ll celebrate 40 years of marriage. 

6. I’ve seen Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope over one hundred times. I still fantasize that one day Han Solo will come to propose and we’ll fly away together in the Milennium Falcon. Studly’s given his ok.

7. I’m affectionately known as Nana to five brilliant, beautiful, and spunky grandkids. Best fact ever!

I nominate these fine bloggers to receive The One Lovely Blog Award. Please check them out, send them some love, maybe bake them a muffin.

Sanseilife writes haiku, reflection, and shares her art through her wonderful blog: https://sanseilife.wordpress.com/author/sanseilife.

The mischievous Anna is a poet and an artist. http://themischiefmemoirs.com/author/themischievousanna.

Bunkaryudo writes one of the funniest blogs out there. If he doesn’t make you laugh, there’s something seriously wrong with your laugher. http://bunkaryudo.com/author/bunkaryudo/

Miss Crumpett focuses on the humorous and often touching antics of the students in her classroom. https://thecrumpettfiles.wordpress.com.

Mike Bizeau is a nature photographer who gets me as close to the great outdoors as I’ve ever been without leaving the comfort of my own living room. http://naturehasnoboss.com.

Mike Steeden pens the most incredible poetry. He makes me laugh and think simultaneously. The thinking part is the hardest, for me anyway. https://mikesteeden.wordpress.com.

My friend and fellow Words With Friends aficionado, Andy Garrabrant, is a poet whose beautiful soul shines through in every piece he writes. https://aroilinpain.wordpress.com.

The author of the blog, Windmills of My Mind, writes reflection pieces that’ll make you smile and maybe shed a tear or two. https://contemporaneousquixotic.wordpress.com

The blog, A Not So Jaded Life, is a great pick-me-up with timely quotes and stories of every day life. https://anotsojadedlife.wordpress.com/author/anotsojadedlife

The Joys of Joel is a poetry blog, and oh so smooth.  https://joysofjoel.wordpress.com.

One of the loveliest and edgiest blogs I’ve recently discovered is https://scottishmomus.wordpress.com. I’m seriously crazy about her poetry.

Laine Ann Jensen writes real from-the-heart romantic poetry on her blog, http://frommidnighttodawnlight.com.

If you’re into edgy fashion and photography, I highly recommend that you check out http://grungeandart.com. 

Jan Wilberg is one of my all time favorites. She’s honest and witty and insightful. Her blog, https://redswrap.wordpress.com is a must read.

Rounding off my fifteen is the blog https://eurobrat.wordpress.com. Certainly worth your time, eurobrat is both thoughtful and thought-provoking.

The worst part about these nominations, other than the linking thing, is the number of folks I’ve left off! If I follow you, I do so because you’ve got something important or funny to say or display, like https://juliepowell2014.wordpress.com/

And https://bhharned.wordpress.com/

Oh, and http://inesemjphotography.com

Ok, I’m not all that good at following directions. So sue me.

Peace, people!