December 1st, 2000
Table of Contents
Glimpse of the Past- John William Waterhouse
THAC- Response to Neil Armstrong
Marco Polo
and General Custer
The Night So Far Away by Amanda Meek
Ethereal by Linda Griggs
Haiku by Linda Griggs
Haiku by Linda Griggs
Rainbows and Butterflies by Merle Stephenson
Just Believe by Merle Stephenson
Fields of Ambrosia by Merle Stephenson
Shades of Autumn by Linda Griggs
Winter Requiem by Amanda M.C. Millard
"Life is a promise; fulfill it."
~Mother Theresa
"The reward of a thing well done is to have done it."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Success is never final."
~Winston Churchill
"I haven't failed, I've found 10,000 ways that don't work."
~Ben Franklin
Have you ever wanted to walk the streets of ancient Rome? Or maybe walk inside a Shakespearean play and meet the characters? Through paintings, you are able to do just that.
More than 130 years ago, John William Waterhouse began painting. He was born in Rome and that influence stayed with him and is seen in several of his paintings. Today, his paintings are still alive and accessible to everyone all over the world. Waterhouse is a personal favorite of mine. I found a website that is the greatest collection of his paintings that I have ever seen. Step inside his work for a minute and see what he saw:
CGFA's John William Waterhouse
(The Humorous Advice Column)
Dear THAC,
Did you ever look up into the night sky and wonder what it was like? And want really badly to see? That's my problem. I am VERY into space and the cosmos, and I want go up into space and onto the moon. But when I tell people this, they laugh in my face. They say space travel isn't possible. What should I do?
Regards,
Neil Armstrong
~*~*~*~
RESPONSE:
Dear Neil, Thanks for asking. If people laugh when you tell them about your dreams, that's because they have no imagination- they're running from Russians in a silly Cold War- I think that that may help you along. I say follow your dreams- the sky's the limit... or is it? Attach yourself to some bungy cord and swing from trees... it'll prepare for space when you get there. Believe me, you can be whatever you want to be.
Regards,
THAC
~*~*~*~
Dear THAC,
My name is Marco Polo. Today I went to the school playground, and someone called out "MARCO!" I answered with"WHAT?" They didn't answer. Then a group of kids yelled "POLO!" Do you know what they were doing?
From,
Marky Polo
~*~*~*~
RESPONSE:
Marco,
I'm afraid that your name is part of a very popular children's game, Marco Polo. The aim is that one person has their eyes closed and has to find the others. The one who is 'up' calls "Marco!" and the others call "Polo!" And this is how they find on another. Next time you here this, join in! It is a fun game to play, and I'm sure you'd enjoy it! And I'm sure all the other children will think your name is really cool! Everything will work out fine.
Regards,
THAC
~*~*~*~
Conscience Problems From General George Armstrong Custer, General of the Seventh Michigan Calvary
To whomever this may concern:
The most gravest of circumstances has come upon me and I feel that I have
nowhere to turn to. Hence this letter. I am a general in the United States
Army and serve in the calvary. I have distinguished myself in battle during
the rebellion between the North and the South. Now I am involved with the
Indian affairs out west where my problem has orginated. General Sheridan
has assigned me to literally exterminate all the Sioux in the Black Hills
due to the recent Fetterman Massacre and the atrocities being committed by
the Indians in the West.
I don't believe that these Indians are as villanous as they are being made out to be. I have spent extensive time with them, Sitting Bull included, and I don't believe them to be the savages our government depicts them out to be. But I have been assigned this case--to attack a large group of Sioux led by the rebel Crazy Horse. I have a grave feeling about this but I also carry a strong sense of duty. I would implore you to help me. Going against my government is treason but I don't want to impose on my own conscience. I am truly in need of guidance.
Your Humble Servant,
Gen. George Armstrong Custer
~*~*~*~
RESPONSE:
Dear Custer,
Well pass the peace pipe around to everyone!!! A little opium can work wonders on a belligerent crowd! And I'd have a grave feeling about it too, if I were you. Let's examine logistics...shall we? A smaller band of people attacking a larger band of people...who are on their home turf no less, aren't looking too good on the odds of winning. Unless you have mad big guns, I wouldn't expect much from a battle. Also...if you don't think the Indians are that villanous...may I suggest a big get together with the head honchos of government? Nothing brings people together like alcohol... Overall, Gen George, I don't think you have much to worry about. I mean, what's the worst that could come out of this conflict? The annhiliation of your entire calvary? I think not...
Regards,
THAC
~~*~~
The Night So Far Away by Amanda Meek
I remember a night so far away-
The nights when I would fall asleep in the car.
My curls fell flat and I took off my dress shoes.
As the day had ended, all presents were opened,
and hugs and love was done.
For the little girl I was Christmas day
at Nana and Papa's was so special.
Now Nana sits unable to move
and Papa is unchanged.
The family torn apart by days of fights.
No one to hug.
No one to love.
And I am no longer little.
There is no way to get back to that night
when I kicked off my tiny shoes
and fell asleep in the car as my parents drove home.
For now I have my own car and no where to go.
~~*~~
Ethereal by Linda Griggs
Scatter these dreams
among angels,
That somnolent eyes
might see beyond stars.
Creation’s light beaming
beyond night,
Giving birth to sight
no mind knows,
and fathoms more.
~~*~~
Haiku by Linda Griggs
Autumn leaves foretell
Of winter's shadow harvest.
Soft snowclouds enchant.
~~*~~
Haiku by Linda Griggs
Ice crystal sculpture.
Frozen lace laden landscape.
Sparkles in the eye.
~~*~~
Rainbows and Butterflies by Merle Stephenson
Kittens, Puppies, Mother Goose
Christmas, Glitter, Dr. Seuss
Bear hugs, Rainbows and Butterflies
See the world through children’s eyes
Take the time to stop and share
Tell someone how much you care
It’s little things that mean so much
Help lift a friend and be their crutch
Moon beams, Candy, Lemon pies
Stardust, Mother, Deep blue skies
Crayons, Trains and Bees that buzz
Can you remember how it was?
When you saw the world this way
Discovering magic every day
It’s not really hard at all it seems
In the realm of children's dreams
~~*~~
Just Believe by Merle Stephenson
Sit back, close your eyes and just believe
Take my hand, make a wish and just conceive
Release the passion in your soul and let it flow free
Exalt the spirit, open your heart and have faith in me
Embrace me entirely and feel my heart beat
Sense our souls fuse to become one complete
Press your lips to mine and hold me so sweetly
And know that I am yours so very completely
Have faith, just believe and it will be
Look into my eyes, melt my heart and just love me
~~*~~
Fields of Ambrosia by Merle Stephenson
There’s a crisp tingle in the mountain air
And a beauty for the eye beyond compare
Shades of orange, gold and green
Brush strokes on the canvas of falls noble scene
Amber leaves float from the heavens above
Soon to be covered by winters white glove
And my thoughts seem to wonder through the day
As blue skies turn to clouds painted gently gray
God’s hand softly brushes my cheek with a breeze
Water rushes by in a creek soon to freeze
Tiny creatures scurry about
Storing food to evade winters swift clout
I stroll down a pathway; I dare not talk
As through heavenly fields of ambrosia I walk
With splendor and majesty the seasons change
In a pallet of colors with such great range
The ghost of summer lingers in the mind
And the child of winter is not far behind
The sun leaves the sky and I reluctantly retire
To a cup of hot cocoa by a warm glowing fire
And as I reflect upon natures fall event
I feel a comforting peaceful wonderment
~~*~~
Shades of Autumn by Linda Griggs
Fall descends
with her brilliant lights
and frostbitten nights.
The blazing trees
ignite the hills
and burning leaves
perfume the air.
Our mums bloom
in crimson glory,
brave sentinels
of the season.
Hoarfrost sparkles
on their leaves,
glistening lace traced in
cold morning sun.
The sunflowers bow
before winterchill,
and snow flies in
an early squall.
Their gilded heads
sleep beneath
crystalline fields.
~~*~~
Winter Requiem by Amanda M.C. Millard
pt. 1: "funeral in white"
was winter not cold enough
that he must die
was i too happy
that i needed this sadness
was the sky not dark enough
that my light should burn out
was life too perfect
that something should change
was i finally so able
to overlook the snow
the ice
the black sky
the dead trees
that i needed for
my sun
my stars
my heat
my life
to leave
that i might see winter again?
pt. 2: "reminiscent"
death comes to remind us
not to take life for granted
to show us what
love hid from us
that was all i thought
when i hid from the scattered remains
of a duo missing one
i blamed passing on winter
pretending it was part of it's death cry
that he should die
along with the trees
and be buried under the snow
along with the flowers
death and winter
i saw them as the same
yet my sorrows did not leave me
when spring came
pt. 3: "hope"
as firey leaves
grace his bed
i await the torment
of winter dread
too many years have passed
since he drew breath
winter after winter
followed his death
and once again
i brace myself for fear
that every snowflake
will bring a tear
love has tried
to tame me again
yet it is winter
which i defend
the air becomes bitter
the lonely trees bend
but light will shine
i will find love again
a death so long ago
it's fingers now weak
has let my spirit go
new life to seek
~~*~~
Copyright by respective artists, 2000.
