Author Archives: susan

CURRENT AFFAIRS: Spending Your Own Money

Posted on April 16, 2009 by susan

Interesting–but not surprising–article this morning regarding the tendency to not spend money in a bad economy even when your income/employment is considered relatively secure. The frugality of the Kimberlins and Scanlons and millions of other Americans who still have their … Continue reading →

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REALITY?: Change

Posted on April 15, 2009 by susan

I sit here with the cold remains of morning coffee–the way I like it–and look around at what’s turning into afternoon. The intense spring blue of sky appliqued with clouds; the yellowing of the willows and red tipped maple grays … Continue reading →

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REALITY?: Willie at the Warner

Posted on April 15, 2009 by susan

Willie Nelson’s going to be in town tonight; less than fifteen miles away from me. He’s playing the Warner Theater in downtown Torrington and while I’ve been there twice to see him before, it was sort of an ‘extra money’ … Continue reading →

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EDUCATION & REALITY?: More on the Dumbing Down of America

Posted on April 15, 2009 by susan

Ronni Bennett has an excellent post up at Time Goes By referencing Ralph Keyes, writing in Editor & Publisher, wherein he advises writers against retrotalk, that is, phrases and idioms that many young people or immigrants may not be familiar … Continue reading →

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POETRY: Truth

Posted on April 15, 2009 by susan

Here the light’s a different shade; veiled, a whore’s red scarf grown dusty on a lampshade paints the walls with sex to dim the glare. An aqua boa slinks coiled around the bedpost, feathers frayed at edges once sharp and … Continue reading →

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LITERATURE: Romance Turns 60!

Posted on April 14, 2009 by susan

Michael at 2 Blowhards reminds us that Harlequin Romance Novels turns sixty this year, and points out that romance has gotten a bum rap amongst the literati and filtered to an often elitist readership over the years. There are two … Continue reading →

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POETRY: Hope and Knowing

Posted on April 14, 2009 by susan

The morning feeds the cynical even as we shield it from the sun with hands held up in hope like leaves of the banana tree wide, long, thick enough to muffle shouting into whispers that, frail and fine, disappear in … Continue reading →

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POETRY: Scent of Memory

Posted on April 14, 2009 by susan

She walks on wind and leaves a footprint on the breeze that blows beneath my house. I wake and follow her, the trail like petals scattered round magnolia trees where only summer memory turns the silver branches back to blossom.

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CURRENT AFFAIRS: Focus

Posted on April 13, 2009 by susan

It’d be nice to think that this whole “change” thing in American politics was smart enough to recognize what may deeply delay any recovery plans. It’s a little thing about the Baby Boomer generation and how they’re getting laid off … Continue reading →

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CURRENT AFFAIRS & WRITING: Showing vs. Telling

Posted on April 13, 2009 by susan

We get several local weeklies and in going through one this morning, I see a story unfold that is more personal, more poignant than the news on TV, the internet, or big newspaper articles. It is the story of the … Continue reading →

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CURRENT AFFAIRS: Stimulus Greed in a Spendthrift Era

Posted on April 12, 2009 by susan

Typical misguided misuse of stimulus funds: Governor Rell (CT) wants a portion of those federal funds to go to a program designed to crack down on sexual predators. Is the program worthy and important?  Yes, of course it is. Was … Continue reading →

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POETRY: Morning

Posted on April 12, 2009 by susan

The day begins with a big yellow-toothed grin, snaps a branch off into a paintbrush, and strokes green leaves onto trees that cast doubt on the sidewalks still cold from the smothering night.

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LITERATURE: The Unconsoled – Humor

Posted on April 12, 2009 by susan

Haven’t given up on this book, but it’s clearly not a favorite. There seems to be “much ado about nothing” and yet I’m sure that if I could just reach that level of understanding the story would be more meaningful … Continue reading →

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CURRENT AFFAIRS: Economy Springs Forward

Posted on April 12, 2009 by susan

At least China’s, according to the Chinese Premier who claims it is showing “positive changes.” Yeah, well, it’s hard not to make money on foreigners willing to buy drywall that interacts dangerously with heat and humitity, toys loaded with lead, … Continue reading →

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LITERATURE & REALITY?: The Faith of Youth

Posted on April 12, 2009 by susan

“That’s stupid. How could Mighty Mouse beat up Superman? Mighty Mouse is a cartoon!” Man, that’s faith. This is from the wonderful “Stand By Me.”

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