tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83300504523674239812024-03-18T05:47:45.631-04:00So close, but...Elliot's JournalElliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-81561295249459490382020-12-12T15:20:00.003-05:002020-12-12T15:20:32.601-05:00<p> </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>...what can I say, I'm surviving. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Crawling out of these sheets to see another day. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>"The Wedge..." </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>El</b></span></p>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-79025338816550926132020-11-28T09:49:00.005-05:002020-11-28T09:49:57.697-05:00<p> </p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Funny...you're the broken one, but I'm the one that needs saving..."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">"The Wedge"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">El</span></p>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-26729097643233157472019-03-03T16:37:00.000-05:002019-03-03T16:37:03.201-05:00...To A Dear Friend<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>It's been a month since your journey ended, and still we mourn.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>We rescued you from a puppy mill tucked away along a wooded and blossoming hillside in North Carolina. You were the strongest young stud in the litter. Boasting a broad chest and knobby knees shaped like small fists, your future appeared bright. During your first visit to the local vet however, we were offered a laundry list of future issues.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Care for him. Love him. Hold him close and you'll get eight years...ten if you're lucky."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>We loved you. We watched you grow. We cared for your ills. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>And you gave us fifteen years.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>We were a young family back then. There were grade school holiday concerts, baseballs launched from tees, trick or treating in small towns littered with billowing leaves turned a million different shades of autumn. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Baseballs matured to football helmets, voices deepened, there were first jobs at the local grocery store, teenagers with faces buried in cell phones. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>And through it all, you were there, at our side, adapting to whatever obstacle we took on without complaint.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Your trust in us never wavered. We made mistakes along the way, choices made that we'll always regret. Yet you forgave us every time. You never held a grudge. You were always there. Always. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Fifteen years. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>You helped raise our children. Every morning you followed me to the door as I grabbed my things and left for the day. You'd stand in the doorway, watch me leave, and I'd always turn and give you a nod. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Fifteen years. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>On your last day we all returned to say our good-byes. A four hour drive from college, a sick day called in to the office, a couple of missed morning classes at high school. But that was okay. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>On this day everyone put their cell phones away. We held you, we loved you, we thanked you...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>One month later, when I leave for the office in the early morning hours, I still turn around, hoping to see you one last time.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Thank you for being my friend, Dear Prince.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrZY-2uCOHgUsIyAuQ619TyrxBkIIPcyQCWoRf-QVvmVHONWXKGN4vJ23IDXaXjkDDQKwl7fnLa6r1O0raEMBOiR8_rUF_9G8Cc6ybuB5E59gy-jVjOZYx2zeSOkGzqxht-s9-iYA/s1600/002+%2528640x427%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrZY-2uCOHgUsIyAuQ619TyrxBkIIPcyQCWoRf-QVvmVHONWXKGN4vJ23IDXaXjkDDQKwl7fnLa6r1O0raEMBOiR8_rUF_9G8Cc6ybuB5E59gy-jVjOZYx2zeSOkGzqxht-s9-iYA/s320/002+%2528640x427%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...Elliot.</b></span>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-47748034552551997492014-07-30T19:24:00.002-04:002014-07-30T19:24:32.621-04:00...that 'ol book smell<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...did you know</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Lignin, the stuff that prevents all trees from adopting the weeping habit, is a polymer made up of units that are closely related to vanillin.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>When made into paper and stored for years, it breaks down and smells good.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Which is how divine providence has arranged for secondhand bookstores to smell like good quality vanilla absolute, subliminally stoking a hunger for knowledge in all of us.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...think about that before downloading your next read on the Kindle or IPad, and support your neighborhood bookstores.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Thanks for reading ;)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El</b></span>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-88163179032605060902014-05-28T20:29:00.002-04:002014-05-28T20:29:25.551-04:00...Another Seat at the Table ;)<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...introducing the newest member, (it's official now) of our family, </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Israel James ;)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Thanks for stopping by, </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-28871010760909115122014-03-23T19:43:00.001-04:002014-03-23T19:43:52.752-04:00...Much to Think about<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...jogging helps one to think. As fate would have it, I've been pounding the mileage these last few weeks.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Last autumn I was offered an opportunity to coach a group of young men, 6th graders, during the upcoming basketball season. Since the current local high school coach forbids parents from coaching their sons & daughters once they reach junior high, I figured taking on this challenge could possibly help my 7th grade son's eventual varsity team, when all of the most talented boys are lumped together for league play.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...one catch, however. The boys whom I was about to coach had yet to win a single game...in three years of competitive play. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Having a substantial amount of experience, this appeared to be a formidable task. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Once we hit the hardwood, back in mid-November, I came away thinking that maybe these boys weren't as troublesome as advertised. They yearned for knowledge, worked hard at drills, soaked up every last history lesson I offered, and begged for more. I was pleasantly encouraged. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Lightening struck during our first game. I promised the boys that if they followed my instruction, played as hard as they've ever performed on the court, by the time our opposition called their first time out, we'd be ahead by ten.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I was wrong. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Two and a half minutes into the game, when they called timeout, we were up by twelve. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>These boys won their first game by twenty-three points. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Despite a few hiccups along the way, we finished the season with 7 wins, knocked off our undefeated rival, and closed out the year with a third place tourney finish. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Not bad for a group of boys who'd been given up on far too early in their athletic careers. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>It wasn't long after the season, when the varsity coach came calling...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>He'd been receiving phone messages from the parents of the 6th grade team. They were already inquiring as to next season's coaching staff, and were requesting me for the honor. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"So...what do ya think?" I was asked.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Are you asking me to join your coaching staff?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"I can't ignore the parents. And you did some great things with those boys. If you want the job, it's yours. We'd have to talk money of course, cross the t's and what not, but absolutely, yes."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Up until this point, the locals considered me a dad, who knew a thing or two about basketball. What most of them didn't know, was that I was a coach years before my wife and I had our first child. Until that moment, they didn't realize that I was actually a coach, who was blessed with kids. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I wanted to blurt out "yes," and be done with it. Then just as quickly, realized my dilemma. Moving up to a position with the school meant that I'd get paid a salary, but in return, would lose every last minute that I'd been squandering for my writing. There was daily practice time to consider. Film sessions with the coaching staff. Sitting with the coaches during Friday and Saturday varsity games. Pep rallies. Hours upon hours, dedicated, and expected of me, in return for my services. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This would no doubt lead to spring AAU tournaments, and more coaching opportunities that I'd be expected to accept, as all up and coming coaching prospects do without batting an eye. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...moving on up, while leaving something behind. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Can I have some time to think about this?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Sure can. We can talk about it some more over the summer. I'm sure we'll see each other at open gyms."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Okay, sounds good."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"One thing to keep in mind, though. Coaching the 7th grade team automatically makes you the 8th grade assistant by default. This means that you'd be allowed some input on your son's team. Not to mention a front row seat. Just thought you should know."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...nearly a deal breaker.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"I'll definitely think about it. Thanks."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...and so, I've been running. A lot.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I truly love coaching. Shaping young minds, keeping our youth active. Too many positives to list. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The writing industry can be a troublesome bear, armed with claws and an unwillingness to negotiate one's passion, regardless of their achievements or work ethic. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>And yet...as we all know, walking away is simply out of the question. We stand tall, face the bear, and trudge onward. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>My thirteen year old son plays basketball almost every day. We send him to all the best camps. Allow him every opportunity to succeed. And he's pretty darn good.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>My daughter also plays. Her team won their championship this past season.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>My soon to be adopted one year old, (a story for another day ;) is already dribbling his ball around the house.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...and I'm still jogging, still thinking. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Opportunities are like tests of one's will. As if fate is asking, "How bad do we really want something?" "What are we willing to sacrifice in order to achieve our goals?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Tough questions...difficult answers to come up with.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>In the meantime, I'll keep jogging.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Thanks for reading ;)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El</b></span>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-48596814437064507032014-01-26T14:36:00.001-05:002014-01-26T14:36:50.746-05:00...So How far have We come, Really?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...call it one of nature's interesting quirks with a young person's coming of age...or perhaps not.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Our youth, upon reaching a year or two from adulthood, (my son very much included,) are enabled with an inborn trait, often released while biting into their birthday cake on their sixteenth birthday, of shaping their own opinions on our society's hot topics, and expressing those thoughts to anyone willing to lend an ear. ...for as long as it takes. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>They raise a subject of concern at the dinner table or during advertisements prior to a movie, whether appropriate for a younger audience or not, and go right into their personal opinions without stopping for air, or heaven forbid, rebuttal from a parent. If not mindful of an upcoming disagreement, such discussions can lead to a shouting match before the table is cleared of dirty dishes. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This past weekend, left all but trapped inside as Mother Nature dealt us yet another blast of winter, our seventeen year old made the most of the opportunity, speaking of everything from politics to the legalities behind criminal execution, to the upcoming Super Bowl being played in sub-zero New York City. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...and we listened, biting our tongues. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The new drug administered to a death row criminal in Ohio that failed miserably, leading to a lawsuit by the deceased inmate's family.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Suffering through one of our country's coldest winter's on record, as a result of global warming trends, all at the fault of us, the wasteful.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Abortion rights. (When this subject slips from my son's lips, I find an excuse to leave the room, knowing that for the next twenty minutes, the boy and his mother will make for an uncomfortable evening. They'll each look to me for backing each of their own opinion...and I won't be able to please them both.)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>And the violence of us, in modern society. Fighting over stuff, wants, not needs, bloodshed and a basic lack of common sense by those who should know better.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I'm proud of my son for his stand on many subjects, and question a few, but value his input. It causes a parent to wonder if bringing a child into this world was really the smart thing to do? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Or maybe, it'll be that child who will bring change. Perhaps he/she will be the person this country's been waiting for all along. Maybe...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"It's funny, despite all the amenities we, the modern consumers have achieved, how little we've actually grown as a society." </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>My son's words, not mine. And yet...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Young men still gather along the banks of the Feroe Island in Denmark every year, to slaughter hundreds of Calderon Dolphins with hooks and crowbars as a show of manhood. Friendly creatures, nearly extinct, lured in to the coast, and killed for show, the coastline brimming in crimson for days following. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> <a href="http://www.snopes.com/photos/hunting/dolphinhunt.asp">http://www.snopes.com/photos/hunting/dolphinhunt.asp</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Receiving a call from Social Services to accept an abandoned child who was birthed into a toilet and left behind. The mother? She's on welfare, but driving around in a two year old Kia, paid for with monthly checks from the state. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>And so I listen to my son's opinions, agree with a few, shake my head at others, and think, "Please do better than we have. Please." </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Thanks for reading, it's good to be back ;)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El</b></span><br />
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Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-53935042091075822172013-11-10T17:25:00.003-05:002013-11-10T17:25:36.813-05:00...The Unveiling, and Our Day in Court<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...following three months of construction, the family basement is finally resembling the image of an entertainment area worth boasting of. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>New flooring, new drywall, new plumbing in the bathroom, a fresh coat of paint, and a forest green sectional to wrap the room up nicely. It cradled two adults, two teens, and two 'tweeners with room to spare for last evening's Saturday night flick ;)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Not pictured is my future desk area, which is still in the works...but getting there. And yes, when complete, I'll most definitely share the goods.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I'll use the basement project as my excuse for not participating in this year's NaNo, but honestly that had nothing to do with it. I've written some fine fodder under far greater duress in my days. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Nope, the real reason for my NaNo NoShow was wrapped around November 6th, 7th, and the upcoming 12th. For those are, and will be our days in court for the custody battle over that little boy who first visited our home at four days old...and thus far, remains under our roof. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Regarding the first two days...testimony rolled on as expected, all witnesses arrived on time, cordially made their statements, and were duly thanked for their participation. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>My wife and I took the stand on day 1, were asked questions that we were expecting, and were prepared to answer. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The highlight of the day, coming when my wife was on the stand... "can the little boy in question speak yet, at fourteen months old?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Yes, Ma'am, he's been talking for some time now."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"What are some of the words he can say?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Typical baby talk, mostly. Dadda, Momma, Sissy, Bubba, Doggie, he meow's for kitty, and can say my son's name, Dylan, as well as you and I."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"When he says, Momma, or Dadda, who is he referring to?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"My husband and I."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"If you were to be sitting in a room with the baby's birth parents, and he was asked to go to his mommy and daddy, who would he go to?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"My husband and I," spoken without hesitation.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Just one more question, Mrs. Grace. If given the opportunity, is your family prepared to adopt the child in question?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...deep breath, exhale. "Absolutely. We are all he knows, we'd be lost without each other..."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...the case will wrap up on Tuesday...I'll be in touch.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Thanks for reading ;)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El</b></span>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-31486690515859373422013-09-15T22:27:00.000-04:002013-09-15T22:27:51.552-04:00Busy Times, and another South of Charm Review...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...my apologies, dear friends, for my recent absence. No, I have not been taken hostage by my co-workers, in hopes of thwarting my latest writing project, (which of course means an overall lack of sleep, and a zombie-like appearance at the office ;) Nor have I been run over by an errant passer-by and left for dead like my tiger-striped feline from "South of Charm." </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Nope, all's well. Just busy. Very busy. There's a basement renovation project currently in the works, which, when complete, will house my new writing spot, where, with a little luck, "Ollie" will be penned. Pics will be forthcoming...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>There's also a court battle under way. Nothing illegal, but rather, justice residing over the possible permanent custody of a little boy who was placed in our care at four days old. A bouncing thirteen month toddler these days, whose fate rests in the hands of our precarious child welfare system. He calls her "Momma." When I arrive home from work, I'm known as "Dadda." For he knows no other. When he places his hand in mine, he never questions why his skin is darker then my own. He clings to us as if there would never be, and should never be, anyone else to reach for. We're always there for him, and will be, as long as we're deemed able...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What I'm currently reading...</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Thus far, another masterful performance by Roland Yeomans, in the ongoing Legend of Victor Standish series. Well done, my friend. I'll be leaving a review when complete. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>As for me...</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Check out my latest review on "South of Charm," from Lu Ann Worley at Rockin' Book Reviews. </b></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/2013/09/10/south-of-charm-by-elliot-grace-book-review-by-lawonder10/">http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/2013/09/10/south-of-charm-by-elliot-grace-book-review-by-lawonder10/</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Thanks so much Lu, for your time and honesty!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>So that's what I've been up to. How about you?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Thanks for reading...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El ;)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> </b></span>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-30195856606554452342013-08-03T16:13:00.000-04:002013-08-03T16:13:25.860-04:00Things I've learned while at the Beach...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...I always find it interesting how the ins and outs of life slow to a crawl during visits to those enchanting, southern beach towns, both along the Gulf Coast, and the Atlantic seaboard. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Those citizens who've managed to figure out a comfortable way of life along either coast, have also discovered the secret to an enjoyable life, even if it is a bit behind the times...which is not necessarily a bad thing. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>One can still rent VHS tapes at the local movie store. Wifi is often accessible in the town coffee shop, or occasionally on the upper deck of one's rental, as the tide permits. But only then.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Volkswagon vans still troll along Highway 17, rust free since 1963. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>When it rains on the coast, it really does pour, fearfully so. And within minutes, the clouds move on, the sun returns, and all's well once again ;)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Something I'm curious about...the demand for local reading material along either side of the coast remains high, and not so much of the electronic variety. Book stores in southern Florida and the Carolinas are a hot spot, their shelves stocked with actual books, some used, others hot off the press, smelling of ink, and bindings that creak when opened for the first time. Lord, how I've missed that sound. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Local writers are held in high regard, showing up at indie book stores for an afternoon signing and a cocktail, or three. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Everything slows to an idle pace, where tourists are not only welcomed, but anticipated. Smiles are addictive, which lead to glorious relaxation, forgetting those irritable to-do lists left miles behind, but waiting.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I realized how fun it is to shark fish in the Gulf...no worries, it was catch and release ;)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>In spending a week with the kids, I learned during one rainy afternoon that Robin is no longer Bat Man's trusty sidekick, but is now a relatively tough dude on Teen Titans, having left the Dark Knight in the dust...(at least on Nickelodeon.) </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>My wife and I realized that our youngest member of the family, the little boy we hope to soon adopt, not only loves the water, but is fearless of those choppy waves. Swimming lessons are on the docket. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>And while relaxing, I had time to think. To dream. To create. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>An idea took shape, one that tickled my fancy during last year's vacation to the Carolina coast, and returned with a vengeance. Something brewing over the past months that I considered an interesting thought to remember, has now moved to the top of my list of projects, a story that demands attention. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I call him "Ollie." Last year he was just an interesting character. He's now become a very special boy. A foster child buried in the system, struggling for peace, when he discovers a gift that he's been granted. Perhaps born with. One that will change everything. Everything...</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I adore those coastal waters and the many gifts they offer. Those of peace, and those of opportunity. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Thanks for reading ;)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El</b></span>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-33747086762950904752013-07-19T19:19:00.001-04:002013-07-19T19:19:11.425-04:00...Off the Grid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...sneaking off the grid for a bit, traveling South with the family for a little R & R in The Gulf.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>And perhaps if I can work a little "Charm," there may be a southern-style book signing in the near future... </b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'll be back in a few weeks!</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy Summer everyone ;) </b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">El</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-54516049194921785972013-07-07T18:46:00.001-04:002013-07-07T18:46:27.754-04:00Mark Cooper's Independence Day...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VprnojbTuz4" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...this past Wednesday, July 3rd, James David Myers, a convicted rapist serving a life sentence at the Mansfield Correctional Institute, (once the home of Andy DuFraine in The Shawshank Redemption,) celebrated his birthday by escaping from the prison and vanishing into the stormy evening. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>An all-points bulletin hit the airwaves shortly after. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Because my home sits less than 30 minutes east of the prison, we took notice. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>A twenty-four hour manhunt for the escapee turned up no clues as to the whereabouts of Myers. Many figured him to have departed the area, gaining as much distance from Ohio as possible. </b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</b> <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Only one day later, while many of us were celebrating our Independence Day with family & friends, James David Myers entered the Olivesburg General Store, a small locally owned market, eight miles north of the prison, and less than ten minutes from my home. </b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</b> <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He steps up to the counter, places a hand over his very own mugshot, taped to the glass only hours earlier, and asks the clerk to use the phone. </b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</b> <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Recognizing the escapee, the trembling store attendant hands Myers a cordless receiver.</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</b> <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At about the same time, Mark Cooper, his wife and son, enter the store and order ice-cream cones from the nearby freezer. Mark notices a man talking on the phone a few feet away, considers his appearance, thinking that he's seen him somewhere before, then makes eye-contact with the attendant behind the counter.</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</b> <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Realization dawns...</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</b> <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Remaining calm, Cooper ushers his family outside, dials 911 on his cell, then instructs his wife and son to stay outside. He fears that Myers may get away before the authorities can arrive. He thinks, what if that were my wife or daughter behind that counter? </b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</b> <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mark Cooper reenters the store, notices that Myers is no longer using the telephone, but remains at the counter, eyeing down the candy bars and packs of chewing gum. Cooper, standing over six feet tall, tipping the scales at three hundred pounds, and wearing a shirt donned in our country's stars & stripes, walks past Myers, hesitates, then grabs the escapee from behind, locks his arms into a full nelson, and pins him to the floor.</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</b> <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There they wait until the police arrive, guns drawn. </b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</b> <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In the time it took them to get there, really no more than five minutes give or take, their job had already been done for them. </b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</b> <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They found James David Myers tied up in banding wire, and held down under the weight of Mark Cooper, left with no choice but to stare at a United States flag until being escorted back to his cell in Mansfield.</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</b> <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now that's what I call, being a Patriot on Independence Day ;)</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</b> <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks for reading, </b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</b> <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">El </b>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-73771861338166199412013-06-26T22:11:00.000-04:002013-06-26T22:11:23.982-04:00...A Passage that would Change Everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1uSXXWPbfNH3oXthBYiW63TFChEfmC74OkhjOw_6MXiJre9oBF_JP8eesvUG8kZYEhZb2ljFrvJRiTlJ-b0RA2bMplukMobGr_KaEIXgMv4VypM_cmzuepikXJB5wX9hJ_8_uDnp/s1600/King.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1uSXXWPbfNH3oXthBYiW63TFChEfmC74OkhjOw_6MXiJre9oBF_JP8eesvUG8kZYEhZb2ljFrvJRiTlJ-b0RA2bMplukMobGr_KaEIXgMv4VypM_cmzuepikXJB5wX9hJ_8_uDnp/s1600/King.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...this past weekend my oldest son and I attended a local musical competition known as The Battle of the Bands. As the title proclaims, musicians from around the area, some from across the state, others peddling in from down the block, meet up at the fair grounds for a winner take all concert. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The concept...play four or five of your very best songs, offering musical sustenance to an impatient audience baking under clear skies, for a chance at winning some free recording time, their best tune played on the local radio station, and an hour long concert during the yearly Octoberfest. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>For an unknown artist of the lyrical tune, this is playoff time.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>My son and I sat toward the back of the grandstand, enjoying a taste of local flavor, occasionally offering support, at times yearning for the chorus to end.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Nearing the conclusion of the show, our true reason for being there ambled onto the stage.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I leaned toward my son, who'd never heard them play. "You're in for a treat."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Musical group Reddy Freddy, three brothers and their enthusiastic drummer, all born and bred less than a mile from the stage they now stood upon, eased into their first song. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I'm a fan of Reddy Freddy, have mentioned them in previous posts, and spend my days in a cubicle, (when not on the road), sharing thoughts and ideas with their base player.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The crowd, restless after endearing twenty minutes of bad karaoke, grew still, thinking perhaps they were listening to Dave Matthews, or Jack Johnson, as opposed to a group of fellas from across town.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Each song garnered wild applause. When they finished up their time in the spotlight with their best hit, "DNA," every last soul in attendance was on their feet.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Playing only their own work, Reddy Freddy swept the competition and took first place. Perhaps I'm biased, but in the end it really wasn't even close.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>When I introduced my son to the band members, including the talented base player who, during normal business hours, shares an office with yours truly, the first question out of my boy's mouth proved a bit forward, but nonetheless worthy of discussion.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Why are you guys still playing for pennies around here, and not on tour with The Lumineers?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The answer was really quite simple. "Because that ONE person hasn't heard us just yet." He then leaned forward, as if about to offer my son the secret to tuning a guitar in less time than it takes to slap together a ham 'n cheese on rye, and said, "But I'm pretty sure he will...some day."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>That conversation between my son, and my musical pal from the neighboring cubicle, has stuck with me since. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>When it's all said and done, musicians and writers are very much alike. Starving artists from opposing branches, yet stemming from the same thick trunk. So much talent, all those dreams, each of us waiting around for that ONE person that'll change everything.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>And from there, an idea struck.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What if, say...Stephen King were to somehow get a copy of my novel, South of Charm? And what if he were to be so cool as to read a passage of Charm on YouTube, perhaps even the first few pages of chapter 36, my personal favorite?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>And what if that simple download, just a guy reading a story, were to earn a hundred thousand hits during its infancy?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What then?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>All it would take is one person to change everything.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Just one.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Pass it on... </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>You can listen to Reddy Freddy's "DNA" on the link below...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> </b></span><a href="http://reddyfreddy.bandcamp.com/track/dna">http://reddyfreddy.bandcamp.com/track/dna</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>And in case you're interested in reading Chapter 36 from South of Charm...</b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/South-Charm-Novel-Elliot-Grace/dp/1590983637/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372298367&sr=8-1&keywords=south+of+charm+by+elliot+grace">http://www.amazon.com/South-Charm-Novel-Elliot-Grace/dp/1590983637/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372298367&sr=8-1&keywords=south+of+charm+by+elliot+grace</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Thanks for reading ;)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El</b></span>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-16802928386375152392013-06-12T21:26:00.002-04:002013-06-12T21:26:32.304-04:00Claude Anet's "Ariane"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cV-J-bOBrldo4v3s6n20JQUjL8A9FfxRiq0Z79NZhl0xIgkcFAq1h8J3aIK1ra0pt8len0vfXi2yg7m0HEzu0AaL8dATVAWU3SR3PXM1ZhUmIy6GT4HoEQsMIxPF9zZeUdt70N1b/s1600/IMG_4099+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cV-J-bOBrldo4v3s6n20JQUjL8A9FfxRiq0Z79NZhl0xIgkcFAq1h8J3aIK1ra0pt8len0vfXi2yg7m0HEzu0AaL8dATVAWU3SR3PXM1ZhUmIy6GT4HoEQsMIxPF9zZeUdt70N1b/s320/IMG_4099+(1).jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...while sorting through dusty boxes and the long forgotten relics left behind from my wife's recently passed mother, I pulled from the corner of the attic, a treasured classic.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"...A sky of almost oriental crystal, a lovely clear, luminous sky, blue as a Nichapore turquoise, hung over the houses and gardens of the still sleeping city. In the dawn and its silence, one caught only the call of the swallows pursuing each other across the roofs and the acacia branches, the luscious cooing of a dove on the tree-top, and far away, the harsh creak of the axles of a country cart approaching main street and the most fashionable of the town..."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Upon my first encounter with Ariane, I found myself enchanted with Anet's prose, a slower pace of poetic beauty. Almost mystical penmanship, shared with the world during a time of most proper technique.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I vowed to improve upon my writing, yearning to one day pen such admirable prose. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...still working on it, but someday perhaps ;)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>An Amazon search estimates the book's value at $49.95, this copy in particular, from the early 1920's. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I figure we'll be hanging onto this gem a bit longer.</b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks for reading,</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">El </b>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-73568510746689193762013-06-04T22:00:00.000-04:002013-06-04T22:00:49.092-04:00Awareness...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLSz8eMktaFBAXCwNXKpjOX0eMU3pan8oIgufvBrXvk03er0C8nygoye2kxJgvy6MR1cIJEjbeEdT1ABblBG9tuXiTTf0op0_rm0L6W_y9NGqTZh-KrCEbiiRCMiki_TQX5jiVv_B/s1600/girl+The+Fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLSz8eMktaFBAXCwNXKpjOX0eMU3pan8oIgufvBrXvk03er0C8nygoye2kxJgvy6MR1cIJEjbeEdT1ABblBG9tuXiTTf0op0_rm0L6W_y9NGqTZh-KrCEbiiRCMiki_TQX5jiVv_B/s1600/girl+The+Fall.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...here's what I know.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>At the age of five, a girl is taken from her mother, deemed unfit to raise her child. Mother suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, often seen ranting about on the front stoop. Neighbors complain to the authorities of her lewd behavior, tossing dirty laundry out of her second story window, screaming at alarmed families venturing by her residence at night.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>She refuses her medication, arguing that it makes her sleepy. Fights a court order to be hospitalized, and manages to scrape by, mentally unstable, yet savvy enough to live off her neighbors's tax dollars.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The young girl is placed in a foster home, her mother declared unable to ever care for her daughter for the remainder of her childhood. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The courts however, allow weekly visits to continue, despite terminating mother's parental rights.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This act alone dissuades any potential adoptive parents from offering the girl a chance at a real family.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Years drag on like grass clippings in a weary breeze. The girl ages to a teenager, bounces around from one home to the next, settling in, moving out...and continues to visit her mother.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>At fifteen, she finds a family willing to adopt, on one condition. No more visits with the birth mother.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mother hires a lawyer, goes to court, and wins. Visitations continue. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The girl lets her grades slide. Begins acting out in school, getting into fights, facing suspension. She tells her foster parents that she can't control herself, that she feels "crazy" at times. She tries to run away...is caught, demands to be moved, blows out of another home three months later...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>A year limps by, and the girl now resides in a therapeutic home, doors locked at night from the outside, constant supervision, no time for play.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>And the visits with Mom continue...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...I know of a young boy, three at the time, who is taken into care after his father beats him to a pulp for waking him up one night with a belly ache.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The boy spends two years in care, settling in with a family who adores him, yearn to have him as their son. They push Children's Services to fight for full custody. Hire their own lawyer, wage a custody battle with a set of birth parents struggling to sober up, to keep a job, to maintain a residence...and lose.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The boy is returned to his birth parents.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Three months later the boy is beat to death by his father, who now sits in prison. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I wonder if he ever thinks of his son...while he sits there, thinking.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...here's what I believe.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...in this world we live in, the majority of females, regardless of species, is at some point in their life, capable of reproduction. Gifted with the ability to create life.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Where we as a society continue to fail, is in the belief of motherhood. Giving birth to a child does not make one a mother. The title of Motherhood is a noble accomplishment...one that is earned, not granted. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>When will we learn? When?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> </b></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/South-Charm-A-Novel-ebook/dp/B005DJ945A/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_4_JED2">http://www.amazon.com/South-Charm-A-Novel-ebook/dp/B005DJ945A/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_4_JED2</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Fall-ebook/dp/B00AZBIM68/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_2_CA7M">http://www.amazon.com/The-Fall-ebook/dp/B00AZBIM68/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_2_CA7M</a>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-30606013012891206012013-05-21T21:15:00.000-04:002013-05-21T21:15:16.597-04:00...are you Reddy Freddy?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUszaPQFFk4RyKZL7nfKAC2VhKCmbBrLyQUCU2CDrER_YMwBxTiJ3Uo4PYn_JvUpNgfX2WAYZYMK4kEROPXDhHMiaZK6ndJ9jno8wpcWNmAmYneaKjqeAeA6YFGLttFAnHy8eywaZU/s1600/Reddy+Freddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUszaPQFFk4RyKZL7nfKAC2VhKCmbBrLyQUCU2CDrER_YMwBxTiJ3Uo4PYn_JvUpNgfX2WAYZYMK4kEROPXDhHMiaZK6ndJ9jno8wpcWNmAmYneaKjqeAeA6YFGLttFAnHy8eywaZU/s320/Reddy+Freddy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...as is the case every Spring, the calendar bulges from the seams with to do lists and endless tasks, leaving only minutes at a time, like loose change jingling in one's pocket, for working on the next project.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>When those precious moments do arise, the </b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">playlist I turn to for inspiration is locked and loaded with the usual suspects... </b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Muse and the like. A steady beat, some lyrical drawl, a steady tap tap tapping to the rhythm of fingertips on keys.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...and then there's these guys.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Reddy Freddy is a local band, their bass player and I are in neighboring cubicles at the day job, the two of us yearning for a little something more...just that one big hit.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I've added their latest release to my playlist, and considering it's mellow soul, thought perhaps my peers may want to do the same.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Give it a listen...Reddy Freddy with their latest hit, "DNA."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<a href="http://reddyfreddy.bandcamp.com/track/dna">http://reddyfreddy.bandcamp.com/track/dna</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Enjoy ;)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-59287294767785560102013-05-13T12:15:00.001-04:002013-05-13T12:15:27.460-04:00...an Interview with Donna<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...hey guys, I'm visiting with Donna Hole today, talkin' about The Fall and all things in and about the world of publication.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Hop on over & check it out!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<a href="http://donnahole.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-fall-by-elliot-grace.html">http://donnahole.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-fall-by-elliot-grace.html</a><br />
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<b>El</b>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-82659471078364892642013-05-09T21:17:00.000-04:002013-05-09T21:17:12.299-04:00New Releases!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...doubling up on this week's announcements, two pals of mine, and talented storytellers, Donna Hosie and Nicki Elson, are debuting their newest releases. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Check it out!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVrbZMgWvbwMGBA1FwsUgRfI822TA2DMcZevHqMprpe56IbINecTRsVGFUruZ2Uy5T8wfb5-z1WdoRSH_tfTeKZQ8NkFqbXN_-qrUtXEpWe_CLkCcVNaGfRDw259h6MaHRB0jPodc/s1600/designforwriters-dh-tson-cover-front-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVrbZMgWvbwMGBA1FwsUgRfI822TA2DMcZevHqMprpe56IbINecTRsVGFUruZ2Uy5T8wfb5-z1WdoRSH_tfTeKZQ8NkFqbXN_-qrUtXEpWe_CLkCcVNaGfRDw259h6MaHRB0jPodc/s320/designforwriters-dh-tson-cover-front-large.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Donna Hosie released the cover of, "The Spirit of Nimue," the final chapter in her Return to Camelot series. Her Amazon release date is scheduled for May 31st. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<u style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>BLURB</b></u><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">THE RETURN TO CAMELOT</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> trilogy concludes in </span><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">THE SPIRIT OF NIMUE</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Natasha Roth and her older brother, Arthur, have removed the magical darkness that had fallen over the land of Logres.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But all actions have consequences.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Nimue, the Lady of the Lake, is now a sworn enemy. Natasha realises that the only way the land of Logres will truly be at peace is if the sorceress is removed forever. So with her beloved Sir Bedivere, the feisty Guinevere, and a trusty brethren of knights, Natasha plots to free Logres from the malevolence of Nimue once and for all.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Yet Arthur also has problems. Now a father to Mila, he starts to witness a terrifying change over his girlfriend, Samantha, as she struggles to contain the awakened powers of Morgana.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">With dark magic coming at them from all sides, Natasha and Arthur decide to make use of the Falls of Merlin: a mystical landscape of waterfalls that connects 21st century England with the mystical world they fell into. A place that does not exist in the future.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And by the end, they will know why.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As Natasha finally discovers the truth about her past link to Logres a tragedy will strike at her very heart. Can Arthur get his young family back to the 21st century and still continue to be the king that Logres demands he be? What is the secret that Sir Gareth has been hiding all this time? </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And who is the true owner of Excalibur?</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">THE SPIRIT OF NIMUE</strong><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">is released on Amazon on the 31 May 2013. It is the final book in </span><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">THE RETURN TO CAMELOT</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> trilogy. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<u style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><a href="http://amazon.com/" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">AMAZON.COM</a></b></u><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Donna-Hosie/e/B00A49AN7M/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0" style="background-color: white; color: blue; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Donna-Hosie/e/B00A49AN7M/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGlUydjoxRIzZp7vvq1zCKSXtsSWVmWbW404h8QTzL5ahBdZYKKHIO-eFp_02oAyu7s0V1ZSdrdHwh3j5A7bsjjjXcZfeYqa2DKdJHwnqyU28NSRRasOkv5HHPw0oc3pCmz6ACR-D/s1600/Devine+Temptation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGlUydjoxRIzZp7vvq1zCKSXtsSWVmWbW404h8QTzL5ahBdZYKKHIO-eFp_02oAyu7s0V1ZSdrdHwh3j5A7bsjjjXcZfeYqa2DKdJHwnqyU28NSRRasOkv5HHPw0oc3pCmz6ACR-D/s1600/Devine+Temptation.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Nicki Elson's latest, "Divine Temptation," is currently available on Amazon...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Maggie Brock has everything under control. Even her divorce, though painful at the time, only registers as a minor blip in her carefully constructed universe. Her life in Prairie Oaks has once again returned to a smooth, predictable pace...until an angel shows up in her bedroom. The angel is just as bewildered as Maggie about why he's been sent to her, but their unsuccessful efforts to gain understanding of the mystery fade to the background as their relationship grows. Soon, Maggie's biggest problem becomes the angel himself, as her feelings for him develop into something less than saintly. While Maggie struggles to keep her desires pure, a nefarious being lurks in the shadows of Prairie Oaks, watching and waiting for the opportunity to fulfill his ambiguous purpose. Preying on her conflicted emotions, the demon manipulates her at every opportunity, but the one to deliver Maggie directly into his hands is the last person she'd expect.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1623420083/ref=pe_174270_28914430_nrn_lm">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1623420083/ref=pe_174270_28914430_nrn_lm</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Congrats to both Donna and Nicki on their latest releases ;)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El</b></span>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-12143392268907603602013-04-28T19:59:00.000-04:002013-04-28T19:59:42.497-04:00...Spillin' the Goods for the Liebster Award ;)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCIC2jAiRFDftn3bdh7wUx1GdRW0DaacuoW73Hvvrl_pBK0zjIJd_FSw4QF_HYNOxZJjpmldhonx4PWJZOW29l0_mQgVk1Y1Zmc9GQdb8wrPPQ-7zzDvDJMkvdMXulfjn2hRJNr7_/s1600/LIEBSTER-BLOG-AWARD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCIC2jAiRFDftn3bdh7wUx1GdRW0DaacuoW73Hvvrl_pBK0zjIJd_FSw4QF_HYNOxZJjpmldhonx4PWJZOW29l0_mQgVk1Y1Zmc9GQdb8wrPPQ-7zzDvDJMkvdMXulfjn2hRJNr7_/s1600/LIEBSTER-BLOG-AWARD.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...dear friend and fellow writer, <a href="http://nickielson.blogspot.com/">Nicki Elson</a>, recently tagged me with the honorable Liebster Blog Award, (German for sweetheart, beloved person. Nicki, the world needs more like you ;)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The rules are simple, offer 11 fun facts about yourself, answer 11 questions provided by Nicki, pass the award on to 11 blogger pals, answering 11 new questions from yours truly. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Alrighty then!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>11 Facts...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>1) I'm a father of three, married for 19 years...but after surviving the first ten, who's counting ;)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2) My wife and I are licensed foster parents, currently with a little boy who was delivered to us when he was four days old. (He's now 8 months, and doing quite well.)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>3) Once, while eating dinner at Outback Steakhouse with my wife, I recognized an award-winning author sitting at the table next to us, sharing a meal with a loved one, (whom I'm quite sure was not his wife.) Nope, never said a word to him.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>4) Having suffered through the discomfort of either breaking or jamming nearly every finger on both hands from my playing days in high school, writing for long periods of time can get interesting when arthritis sets in.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>5) A friend of mine once paid me a handsome sum to write a letter of admittance for him, that he attached to a college application...and was accepted.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>6) That friend is now the manager of a successful sports bar in Cincinnati. He owes me a drink.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>7) While my family resides in the Buckeye state, I'm formerly from Sarasota, Florida.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>8) I'm an avid bookworm, having devoured such monsters as The Stand, It, and Terry Brook's entire Shannara series by the time I'd hit my teenage years.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>9) My twelve year old son won a bet by sinking a half-court jump shot, and causing his sixteen year old brother and three of his friends to walk through town in nothing but their skivvies. Great shot, kid!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>10) I positively love movies by Quentin Tarantino, and novels that are too heavy to carry with one hand.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>11) I once saw a ghost, a pair of them actually, just as clearly as watching one's next door neighbor pushing a lawn mower through tall grass, and have sworn to write a story about it...some day.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Questions from Nicki...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>1) Les Mis, or Sweeney Todd?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> -Les Mis</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2) If you were a comic book super-hero, what would your name be?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> -The Typist</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>3) What are the toppings on your dream hamburger?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> -mushrooms, onions, pepper jack cheese, and mayo</b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4) What city (that you've never visited), do you most want to visit?</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> -Melbourne, Australia</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5) Favorite city that you have visited?</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> -Savannah, Georgia</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6) Which Disney character is most like you?</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> -Rafiki </b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7) Why? (from Q6)</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> -He's a wise old coot with all the right answers ;)</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8) Would you rather write a book that's a best seller, or one that's highly acclaimed?</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> -Highly acclaimed</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">9) What's your biggest pet peeve when it comes to grammatical mistakes in a published book?</b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> -Making the same mistake more than once. (Once is forgivable, twice...nope)</b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10) If you could live permanently in any decade, which would it be?</b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> -Eighties</b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">11) Who's your favorite fictional romantic couple?</b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> -Mulder & Scully </b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...and now, my 11 Blogger pals, tag, you're it!</b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1) <a href="http://piedmontwriter.blogspot.com/">Anne Gallagher</a> </b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2) <a href="http://www.catherinenoble.com/">Catherine Noble</a></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>3) <a href="http://tonjadrecker.blogspot.com/">T. Decker</a></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>4) <a href="http://clarissadraper.blogspot.com/">Clarissa Draper</a></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>5) <a href="http://donnahole.blogspot.com/">Donna Hole</a></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>6) <a href="http://bethrevis.blogspot.com/">Beth Revis</a></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>7) <a href="http://cejourney.blogspot.com/">Colleen Murphy</a></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>8) <a href="http://jemifraser.blogspot.com/">Jemi Fraser</a></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>9)<a href="http://judycroome.blogspot.com/">Judy Croome</a></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>10) <a href="http://morganshamy.blogspot.com/">Morgan Shamy</a></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>11) <a href="http://musingsofapennilesswriter.blogspot.com/">Donna Hosie</a></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>and your questions are...</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>1) What is your favorite genre to read?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2) Pizza or pasta?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>3) If you were to be stranded on an island and could choose one book to take with you, which would you choose?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>4) If you could choose to have dinner with one writer, in order to pick his/her brain, who would you choose?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>5) Who is your choice of musician for inspiration while writing?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>6) The Walking Dead, or Breaking Bad?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>7) If you could choose an actor to play the part of lead role in your book, who would it be?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>8) Do you prefer writing in the a.m or p.m?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>9) What is your best antidote for writer's block?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>10) When going on vacation...drive or fly?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>11) Name the city that tops your bucket list to visit.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Enjoy!</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El ;) </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-5984661739530169622013-04-21T20:33:00.000-04:002013-04-21T20:33:28.873-04:003 Year's since the Gulf Spill...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...in remembrance of the oil spill that left our Gulf Coast in ruins, and in honor of its recovery, I've republished, "Poisoning the Gulf," a short that I penned with heavy heart, following the disaster. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Enjoy, and never forget...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>A rogue pelican flutters thirty feet above the coastline bordering Louisiana's southern peninsula. No longer capable of spreading its wings to their full width, its movements appear awkward, its trajectory tilted as if the bird were attempting to fly at a ninety degree angle.</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>It hitches a ride on an ocean breeze, the winds pushing the incoming tide toward the deserted shoreline.</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Lowering its body to a foot or two above the rolling waves, the bird dips its head into the water as it veers into a glide. Submerged no more than a second, then rising, struggling to gain altitude.</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Its bucket-shaped bill, designed for scooping unsuspecting fish from the ocean's current, has captured only a mouthful of sludge, which slowly drains from either side of its mouth like a busted sewer pipe. Rotting sewage returning to its basin to ferment under a bayou heatwave.</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>The pelican hasn't fed in a week. While fish dot the water's surface in vast numbers, their silver scales resembling diamonds sparkling in a field of tar, they're floating with the tide, lost to the poison. The few survivors have gone deep, in search of an ocean free of disease.</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>A filmy layer of mucus blocks the pelican's vision, allowing it access to a world gone black, through a line of sight the size of a pinhole. And of course there's the added weight to consider. With every plummet to the water in search of food, a fresh veil of oil coats the bird's already failing wings. Unlike salt-water, the poison refuses to filter through the its feathers, but instead clings to anything within reach, forming a mold, slowly enveloping its victim like a spider's web.</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Hunger pains grab the bird's spine and clench. It calls out for assistance, but finds none. It is the last surviving member of its flock. And the weight continues to push downward to where the black sea awaits.</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>We've plundered our world's resources, pierced its core and released the bile within. It rose to the surface, its tentacles reaching for our shores, choking the life of every living soul in its path. A mass of slimy filth, polluting our ecosystem, turning our once green waters to mud. And all for a population bent on moving faster, on keeping our food colder, and our water warmer.</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>The Gulf lies in ruin. A sea of tar. Waves of poison splashing ashore and tainting our sands to a gelatinous ooze. The underbelly of our planet's core. A multitude of seaborne bodies floating atop an ocean dying, its curse spreading further with the current.</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>And unnoticed to anyone but the dead or dying, a once majestic bird, now nothing more than hollow bones wrapped in soot, releases a final screech before plummeting from the skies to its floating grave below. Swallowed up by the poisons set free by those held in charge of sustaining our planet.</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Us.</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
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Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-76250155402400418192013-03-27T20:12:00.000-04:002013-03-27T20:12:07.192-04:00...Words from the Recovery Room<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...the following conversation was shared between my son and I from the Cleveland Clinic recovery room, shortly after awakening from successful knee surgery. (Keep in mind, the young man was still climbing out of a sedative buzz ;) </b></span><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Hi Boo, how ya feeling?"</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Hi Dad. Your face is blurry."</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Do you want to go back to sleep for a few minutes?"</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Why? Is it bedtime?"</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"No. But if you need to close your eyes to keep the room from spinning, you can."</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Is my knee fixed now?"</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I smiled. "The doc says you'll make a full recovery."</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"So I can still make it to the NBA? Maybe play ball with Kyrie Irving?"</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Well Boo, going pro takes a ton of effort and a whole lotta talent, but who knows?" </b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The twelve year old closed his eyes a moment, considering his future, releasing a breath. Then, "I was pretty nervous before surgery." </b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"I know. That's okay."</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Thought I was going to puke."</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Well, you didn't, so that's..."</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Hey Dad."</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></b>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I giggled, the boy's thoughts now gaining speed. "Yeah?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Did I remember to say thank you to the doctor?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"For what?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"For fixing my knee."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Well, I don't know. But you'll have a chance later."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Okay. Hey Dad?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Yeah?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"How long will I be on crutches?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"At least a month, maybe more. It depends on..."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Oh yeah, I forgot. But what do I do when I have to take a poop?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"We'll figure that out. It'll be interesting."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Maybe I'll just hold it."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"For a month?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>He shook his head. "Yeah, that would be tough. Hey Dad?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Yeah Boo?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"I can't wait to play ball again."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Me too."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"I think I'm going to close my eyes for a couple of minutes. Is that okay?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"That's fine. I'll be here when you wake up."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Don't let me forget to thank the doctor."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Okay, son."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"He Dad?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Yeah?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Can we get ice cream later?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Absolutely. Maybe even some for the doctor."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Okay. I'll ask him what flavor he wants when I thank him for fixing my knee."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0PFmWVkpoGBojkMnAVnyj4XX8U_4fhAWqgCxoNeIO_7i0yFD5Z9NiAfKXzOI7ZWOvufOr68Xd9Q8_NwS3t_eJachkhvtDRDcf3hFrpXvUDwWK399buiHh87A3aysZia41euC9OrS/s1600/IMG_3511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0PFmWVkpoGBojkMnAVnyj4XX8U_4fhAWqgCxoNeIO_7i0yFD5Z9NiAfKXzOI7ZWOvufOr68Xd9Q8_NwS3t_eJachkhvtDRDcf3hFrpXvUDwWK399buiHh87A3aysZia41euC9OrS/s320/IMG_3511.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Sounds good."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Don't let me forget to thank him, okay Dad?"</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"I wouldn't dare forget..."</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...happy to report that he's doing quite well. And yes, he thanked the doc for fixing his knee ;)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com243tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-31249432975740125622013-03-19T21:34:00.001-04:002013-03-19T21:34:25.746-04:00"History's Conspiracy"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPN1zzHNqAB4G7YJqYTtdFB8HOBLB8LwjNjAdIWICKKiLyOdcURIYj0tq1jT6i0CJNsjZpZaJq-JJ3JUgLPoECPCnfhZZ07EApJumBxKu9fI9SfYefokemcutVNGePf1ZSGD1t2mqc/s1600/Obama+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPN1zzHNqAB4G7YJqYTtdFB8HOBLB8LwjNjAdIWICKKiLyOdcURIYj0tq1jT6i0CJNsjZpZaJq-JJ3JUgLPoECPCnfhZZ07EApJumBxKu9fI9SfYefokemcutVNGePf1ZSGD1t2mqc/s320/Obama+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...someone apparently offered Glenn Beck their favorite wooden spoon just prior to taking the air a few days ago, along with the following advice, "Stir the pot, Glenn, my boy. Stir the pot and watch those ratings soar!" </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Without Hollywood's cosmetic additives, Moroccan actor, Mehdi Ouzaani looks nothing like our Commander in Chief. Throw in some special affects however, and the History Channel's version of satan in their highly acclaimed series, The Bible, has many accusing the cable network of wrong doing.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The show's producer, Mark Burnett, has denied the accusation, calling it utter foolishness. The History Channel's take on the subject..."we have the utmost respect for President Obama, and it's unfortunate how someone has made the false accusation."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The show really is fascinating. A series of epic proportions, with ratings currently shattering the competition. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>As for the resemblance...opinions remain widespread. Ask a strict Republican on their thoughts, and you'll receive their version of history in biblical terms, armed with enough drama to cause hair loss. Ask a Democrat, and you'll get something entirely different.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>How about some opinions from fellow storytellers? What's your take on the conspiracy? Was it all just a coincidence, or something more? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Thanks for reading ;)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El</b></span>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-29729199742109042682013-03-13T20:44:00.003-04:002013-03-13T20:44:40.573-04:00In honor of our loss...<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEi7GPkxfsE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEi7GPkxfsE</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">El</span>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-24258173318708108372013-03-13T20:34:00.001-04:002013-03-13T20:34:24.299-04:00To a dear lady...<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...our family lost a dear lady this past weekend, leaving us at far too young an age.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>She was a grandmother, a wife, and a friend for many years.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>She not only inspired the completion of South of Charm, but helped out in every aspect of the process. We are indebted to her...she will be missed.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>In honor of her passing, I'm posting one of her favorites.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Enjoy...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El</b></span>Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330050452367423981.post-23837427661911358582013-02-27T20:10:00.000-05:002013-02-27T20:10:43.981-05:00Game Day!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...I'm taking a break from touting The Fall & South of Charm this week in order to gear up for my son's tournament on the ball court. Big game on Saturday vs. my alma mater, and a game on Sunday afternoon that will make or break our season. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Therefore, in honor of his upcoming competition, I'm re-posting "Game Day," a short that I penned a year ago, stealing a few minutes that I shared with my son just prior to tip off. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>(Blogger has a tendency to misbehave when I republish past stories, so let's keep our fingers crossed ;)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Enjoy!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>...Saturday afternoon. On the road. Game day.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Despite the sun's distant grin, the recent freeze has resulted in an ice-packed layer of crust holding firm to our corner of the world. But the roads are clear, the traffic steady, the car's heater keeping the frost at bay.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Aside from the purr of tires, the world has offered us a moment of peace.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Glancing into the rear view mirror, I spot my son in the back seat, head tilted, eyes focused on the passing scenery. But yet, not really.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>His gaze seems to follow a row of naked elms as we cruise by, but if I were to ask him which one stood the tallest, he could offer me no more than a shrug. For while his eyes are aimed at the snow-covered landscape, his thoughts rest elsewhere.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Afterall, its game day.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I continue to watch him, an eleven year old now, a dusty blond, still wiry as a twig, but gifted with a burst that can't be taught. A set of thin fingers drum upon his thigh, as if feigning the play of an imaginary instrument. And if studied closely, one may catch the movement of his lips...thinking through the plays, the various scenarios he will surely face in less than an hour, when he steps onto the court.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I study his focus, the flush of his cheeks, and smile to the passing traffic, remembering my days in the game, so long ago.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The intensity of game day, of sweaty palms and twitching muscles. Pent up excitement, and those bursts of adrenaline. The magical sound of a leather ball slipping unscathed through an iron hoop. Swish!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Such fun that was, those days of competition. And yet, more than two decades later, the real fun is about to begin...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>We pull into the parking lot. The engine settles to a hum. I twist around in my seat. "It's time, Son. You ready?"</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>A pair of eyes, green like the sea, lift their gaze from the pair of scuffed Reebok's on the floor, and offer me a twinkle.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Let's do this."</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>El ;)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
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Elliot Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06319271528871804399noreply@blogger.com12