New Year; New thoughts

Twas the eve before New Year's Eve.
A Sunday night to be exact.
No school, no job to be at tomorrow.
But football games on tv was my sound track.

We end one year with a shudder.
We start another with hope to be better.
I sit at my blog and wonder
what will happened

Morgan Freeman's complete statement

MORGAN FREEMAN ON THE SHOOTINGS YESTERDAY: Tell us what YOU think.....

"You want to know why. This may sound cynical, but here's why.

It's because of the way the media reports it. Flip on the news and watch how we treat the Batman theater

 shooter and the Oregon mall shooter like celebrities. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris are household names, but do you know the name of a single victim of Columbine? Disturbed people who would otherwise just off themselves in their basements see the news and want to top it by doing something worse, and going out in a memorable way. Why a grade school? Why children? Because he'll be remembered as a horrible monster, instead of a sad nobody.

CNN's article says that if the body count "holds up", this will rank as the second deadliest shooting behind Virginia Tech, as if statistics somehow make one shooting worse than another. Then they post a video interview of third-graders for all the details of what they saw and heard while the shootings were happening. Fox News has plastered the killer's face on all their reports for hours. Any articles or news stories yet that focus on the victims and ignore the killer's identity? None that I've seen yet. Because they don't sell. So congratulations , sensationalist media, you've just lit the fire for someone to top this and knock off a day care center or a maternity ward next.

You can help by forgetting you ever read this man's name, and remembering the name of at least one victim. You can help by donating to mental health research instead of pointing to gun control as the problem."

Senseless Shooting leaves us wondering

    Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 –who is to blame for the senseless shooting of 20 children and 8 adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut?   It is not a matter of blame, it is a matter of grieving and letting the families cope with their life-changing  event.

     Yes, we should stop ranting about the politics of gun control, and look at the problem from another angle.

Today’s shooter was 20 years old, and mental problems.

NFL player shot girlfriend and himself. Was it mental or emotional issues?

Colorado Batman theatre shooter was 20s year old and had mental problems.

Arizona Senator Gabby Giffords shooter was 22 years old and had mental problems.

Virginia Tech Shooter was 23 years old. Did he have mental issues?

Ft. Hood shooter was in late 30s. Did he have mental or political issues?

Columbine shooters were teenagers. Did they have mental or emotional issues?

The list goes on, and each time society wants someone or something to blame it on.

None of them were licensed game hunters, one was in the military trained by our own government, so why do we keep pressing for stronger gun laws when the shooters are not following laws any way.

The day after I wrote this, actor Morgan Freeman posted a similar opinion on Face Book. He is more articulate, but the meaning was the same: Stop blaming the guns, look at the mental health of the shooters and the media coverage.

I say look at the political response as well.

We are all hurting from these events. We want to help ease the pain, but we are angry and want to lash out and stop future tragedy. So the officials proclaim, “More gun control!” “More safety procedures!”

Why doesn’t society quit blaming and posturing for the media, and start educating people about sensible gun control.

Dec. 7th-- Pearl Harbor Day

Did the Media forget today is Dec. 7th?
The only reminder of today's infamous history I have seen was on FACE BOOK.
So what is the lack of rememberance?
Yes, I know it was 71 years ago today that Americans came into WWII because of the attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor. It was "a day that will live in infinity." It changed the world for all.

Unfortunately, there are a growing number of unforgettable days in our world history:
9-11-01, Columbine, Oklahoma City Bombing, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, and so on.

Traditional Connections with Mom

      As I get older, each Thanksgiving Day moves further and further away from following the family gathering around the table traditions.
       This year our four kids are grown and cannot be home.
       I was tempted to send a Christmas wish list on Facebook telling them, "The best and cheapest present you could give your mom is to phone home every holiday and once a week. I don't care if we talk for hours or just a minute. It is just the sound of our voices mingling, the knowing that you remember me, and connecting with me across the air."
      But I didn't. Instead my loving husband took me out to dinner, I waited and felt sad all day until my 20-year-old baby boy called from Seattle.
      He has been working holiday hours all week to earn money for college expenses. He worked each night from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. so he was sleeping through most of the holi-days.
      "At least go out with your friends for dinner?" I told him.
      He just laughed and said, "All my friends are Asian.  They are too busy camping in front of stores, waiting for Black Friday."
      "So what are you going to eat today--turkey and dressing?"
      "Sort of. I'm fixing myself some Asian turkey."
      "What's that?"
      "Duck."
      "So how is duck, Asian turkey?"
      "You know,--Fri-rah, rah, rah, Rah, rah, rah."
      Instantly I knew his reference."Oh, the scene like in Christmas Story, the movie when the dad takes them out to the Asian resturarant after the dogs eat the turkey dinner?"
      We both laughed at the joint memory of one of our favorite movies. He was making the best of holiday away from family, friends or any of the traditions I had raised him to practice.
      My youngest son was making the best of the day. His call made my day even better.
  

“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” ― Robert Frost

Great Day for promoting the ZOO

Yabba Dabba ZOO! Grand Valley Zoo Quest had a great day at Fruita Fall Festival today.
At least that is what I think.

Hope you were there to see the bed race, the better than your average Parade down main street, and the events, booths and our Petting Zoo.

Tracy did such a great job designing the Bed Race prop and Float design of the GVZQ entries.

More pictures of the entire day coming soon.

"Yabba Dabba Zoo" coming this weekend

     In a town that adores its dinosaurs of course, their Fall Festival theme for the Bed Race and Parade is "Welcome to Bedrock." So the Grand Valley Zoological Quest decorates its bed race/float with a big paper mache head of a "Parrosauris" (pictures coming next week), and a banner proclaiming "Yabba Dabba Zoo."
     Get it? It is a play on Fred Flintstones' famous saying, "Yabba Dabba Doooooo."
     Two local Girl Scout Troops will be marching along side the float, carrying smaller papermache parrot images proclaiming "We want a Zoo. Don't you?"
    The whole Zoo Crew has gotten into the creative mode for this BIG fundraiser on Sept. 29th.
     We are going to have a petting zoo booth; for $5 donation any one can touch a snake or an exotic bird or reptiles.
     Other zoo items will be for sale--trinkets, tee-shirts, zoo-things, and lots of info about how you can join the Zoo Quest.
      Don't forget we will announce Shelledy winners in the "Wild About Reading" program.
     I'll have pictures after next Saturday. Don't forget to "like" us on FaceBook.

Will Shelledy Principal 'kiss a snake' this month?

Come to the Fruita Fall Festival Sept. 29 to see Shelledy Elementary School Principal Steve States “kiss a snake” on the Fruita Fall Festival stage if his students read over 50,000 minutes outside of class by that date.

That’s the big prize offered by the Grand Valley Zoological Quest, the non-profit organization, who kicked off its “Wild About Reading” after-school literacy program last week.

GVZQ Director of Education Tracy Barron and retired District 51 teacher from Shelledy, outlined the plan to students and teachers at a special assembly on Monday, Sept. 10.

Columbine Animal Hospital assistant Alicia
Finch holds Amora, the snake that Shelledy
Elementary Principal Steve States will kiss
at the Fruita Fall Festival on Sept. 29.

“It was an amazing kick-off!  We have such quality people involved as volunteers who brought the ZooQuest animals. And Steve States, the principal, was unbelievably great!” Barron said. 

Principal States says he is a little anxious about kissing a snake, but he explains, “I am anxious to see our students succeed in their reading and to celebrate with them. For that I will be anxious to kiss a snake. “

Two students in each grade level will be named “the wildest” and be awarded an official Zoo Quest tee-shirt from the Grand Valley Zoo Quest. These readers are the ones who read the most minutes

The gym roared with applause as the students were introduced to a few of the GVZQ education animals brought by the Columbine Animal Hospital: Bubbles, the largest tortoise most of the kids ever saw; Amora, a eight-foot long red-tailed boa, and a few exotic birds.

The audience cheered even more when Barron explained how they could become “Wild About Reading” and that their principal would kiss Amora, the boa, when the Shelledy readers completed the month-long reading quest.

After the assembly kicked off, Shelledy supporters were pleased with the first week’s reading results.

“The kids have already started reading and turning in their sheets. There is a cardboard snake in the lobby now to encourage and remind them to keep reading,” said Barron.

“They have read 1,920 minutes in just the first three days,” Principal States announced on Wednesday, Sept. 12.

“Wild About Reading” is Grand Valley Zoological Quest’s way of encouraging Fruita students to practice and have fun with reading while supporting GVZQ’s efforts to build a zoological center in Fruita. “We need a zoo! Won’t you help too?”

Get Ready to go "Wild in Fruita"

September is full of exciting fundraising events for the Grand Valley Zoological Quest.

Come support and help us build a new zoo in Fruita.

Upcoming Zoo Quest events

The Zoo Crew will be visiting Fruita two times soon.

On Sept. 29, Fruita Fall Festival fans can enjoy the exotic petting zoo at the GVZQ booth, and donate toward the new zoo building in various activities.

Show your support of the Grand Valley Zoo Quest when you buy a ticket to “Kiss a Snake.” (Don’t worry, it’s only a python.)

         On Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. join the Zoo Crew at Dinosaur Journey for “Boo at the Zoo.” This is a day we will bring out creepy crawlies & things that go bump in the night.

Dress up in your animal or “bootiful” costumes to get in the mood for having a local community zoological nature center.

         See you at the Fruita Fall Festival and the “Boo at the Zoo.”

Please do--Help us build a local Zoo. Thank you.

Title is a little blunt, but the Grand Valley needs a zoo.
We are a growing community of about 160,000 people with no zoo for 250 miles from us.
We have great museums, ball parks, festivals, schools (including colleges), and people who love children and animals.
So, I'm just saying, "We need a ZOO! The Zoo needs you."
Join our non-profit and donate, volunteer, or support in any way you can, so our community can build an excellent zoological nature center.

  Grand Valley ZooQuest

ZooQuest President's message

GVZQ has a dream. A dream where all children and their families will have the opportunity to explore, learn, and have hands-on-experience with native and exotic species.

GVZQ needs your donations today.

This is the shared dream of the Board of Directors, volunteers, members, donors and participants of our programming. The dream is close to fruition.

The building has been identified. The exhibit sketch models have been completed and the animals have been selected.

The business analysis and projections have been reviewed. The zoological center will be self-sustaining once the funds have been secured for the initial building and exhibit.

 What is needed now is a benefactor or group of benefactors who can invest in the future for many to enjoy. The name of the zoological center is available as a legacy.

Since January 2011, over 7,300 students have participated in GVZQ's educational programs. All of which have been free to local schools.

We are confident that once you review our information you will agree that this is a worthwhile project.

You will see your investment grow in the children as they become more competent stewards of their environment.

DONATE TODAY.

Local Author Spotlight . . . Starting Now

It's August. It is burning up hot, so why not write about some of my favorite writers?
Not those famous one that I never meet. I am going to write about the local writers who share their struggles and strive to get published, and they live, work or visit my hometown.

Writing becomes THEM, just like your writing becomes you.

Hopefully writing becomes me as I interview my friends, neighbors, club mates, and visitors in my writing life.

If anyone is reading my blog, send me names of your favorite writers that you have met or know personally, and I'll interview you or share your own story about a favorite.

I will attempt to run my Spotlight an Author once a week. Keep Writing and Reading.

New Grandchild coming: Time to Pick a Date

My first son and daughter-in-law are expecting their 5th child in December. Since it will be caesearian, they get to pick the date within the doctor's timeline. They had informed us that the doctor recommended Dec. 13th.

While reuniting with a former student who is the same age as my son, he surprised me by saying, "We are having our second child in December also, but we decided on Dec. 12th."
"For a special reason?" I asked.
"Heck yes. That date will be easier to remember: 12/12/12."

I immediately phoned my son and daughter-in-law, and mentioned that to them.
They are considering it.
###

This will be my first posting about my grandchildren. Beware, once I get started I may never go back to posting about writing, but then again as my title says, "Writing become You."

My family is very important to me, so why not write about their antics.

Old Story with pictures

In my hometown, we celebrate our favorites:
Palisade has its peaches.
Junction has it JUCO.

Fruita has its DINOSAURS!

Movie Theatre Massacre puts life in perspective

All day yesterday I ran around worrying about paying my bills, cleaning my house and pitying my situation in life. Then this morning when I heard about the Movie Theatre Massacre in Aurora, CO, my concerns seemed so minor.
One man dressed in full armor-like military attire killed 12 innocent people and 59 others.
For what reason? No one knows; he sits in jail tonight not talking to the media or the public.
The journalists keep telling us every little detail, and speculating that James Holmes will probably claim to be "insane."

He can't be insane; he had so many pre=planned details. But he will probably never go to trial; maybe, he will live in institutions forever.

Help wanted: New writing job for me. . . part-time.

Since July 2 I was "let go" from my last writing job. The news from the general manager bummed me out, but didn't make me mad or angry. I'm retired and was writing part-time for a local weekly for exactly two months. I didn't surprise me either.

I am a good writer. I have worked as a freelance and professional journalist at four or five different publications. Those I left because I got married, moved or took another job. This time is was not my choice to stop writing for them.

The production person was peeved at me for several mistakes she made. I wasn't working according to her system. Thus, they claimed that it was "all about the money." Of course, they hired the intern reporter in my place. Probably for my same salary. I knew that the publisher was tight with the funds, and given the choice of keeping me on part-time or hiring a rookie who would do anything she was told to (because it was part of her internship grade), he saved money over keeping both of us working. She is full-time while I was part-time.

Mentally, I compared it to an old TV sitcom I saw many, many years ago. Tommy Lasorda was hired to coach a new team after being fired again from the Dodgers. He wasn't doing what the owner wanted, so  a young manger had to fire Tommy. When he did, Lasorda wasn't upset or anger, he told the young manager, "This is part of the job. I get hired. I get fired. I'll find another job." Something like that.

That's my mental state of mind right now.

25th Dinosaur Days event: ‘Get onboard the Dinosaur Train’

      With the help of the fictional dinosaur star of PBS Kids TV show “Dinosaur Train,” Buddy the T-Rex will be helping and celebrating the 25^th Annual Dinosaur Days free events at Fruita on Saturday, June 30^th. From 9 am to 3 pm

      Starting at Dinosaur Journey Museum, kids and families can participate by visiting a dig site, watching episodes of the TV show, taking pictures with Buddy and learning lots about real dinosaurs.

From 9 a.m. to noon activities at the Fruita Paleontological Area:

     “Come early in order to get a seat on the shuttles from the museum parking lot,” advises ReBecca Hunt-Foster, director of the paleontology.

     “Be prepared for the hike and the heat. Bring water. Wear a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and good walking shoes.

     “The kids can join the Nature Trackers Club by completing four Dinosaur Train ‘Nature Trackers’ challenges (collecting, community, conservation and tracking that morning to get their membership cards.”

     Families can take an easy hike and see real dinosaur fossils while the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management experts will be on hand to answer questions.

From 10 am – 3 pm activities at the Dinosaur Journey Museum

    “This is a come-and-go time outside the museum. Kids can watch episodes of “Dinosaur Train,” take pictures on a cut-out Dinosaur Train or with Buddy the T-Rex, do activities with the John McConnell Math and Science booth, or visit the various vendors that will be outside the museum.” Hunt-Foster said.

     All Dinosaur activities are free. The Museum admission will be at the regular rates.

     Sponsored by the Museum of Western Colorado, with the support of Rocky Mountain PBS, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, Colorado Canyons Association and the John McConnell Math and Science Center.

      If you love dinosaurs or want to learn more about the dinosaurs that once lived in this valley, come enjoy the day-long, free activities starting at Dinosaur Journey Museum.

Two Days Later

Well, two days later, now I know why Fruita Times production person did not run my third dinosaur, she told my boss that I did not turn my stories in. So I was "let go" from my part-time free-lance job.

I didn't get angry, but I told them I was frustrated with their whole "publishing across the state, and the production person who thought she was "the editor, the copy editor, the layout person, everything all wrapped up in one person."

I feel sad that she would not run my stories about the 4-H Club and hometown interest stories.
But, now I can pursue other publishing venues.

Top 10 Dinosaurs Timeline

Tomorrow is Dinosaur Days in Fruita. I wrote this cute little story about the top 10 fictional dinosaurs through a generation timeline. I would post their pictures, but I don't know how to do that yet.
Too bad the Times didn't run this story, so here it is:

Fictional Dinosaurs for each generation: Who’s your favorite?

By Brenda Evers

This weekend June 30 is the 25^th Annual Dinosaur Day celebration in Fruita, where activities are set to honor the exploration, education, discoveries, research and preservation of the history of real dinosaurs at Dinosaur Journey Museum.

Dinosaurs have been fascinating since before homo sapiens stood up and walked on two feet, according to some scientists.

Hollywood and TV writers have created so many fictional stories about these extinct creatures that now each generation can remember its favorite.

What is your favorite fictional dinosaur?

Consider this timeline of the “Top Ten popular fictional dinosaurs,” plus the newest one:

1)  1950s – Dino, the dinosaur. There really were two: a symbol for a now-extinct gas company,

 and the family pet in the Flintstones’ cartoon show.

2)  1950s – Godzilla. Japanese movie favorite with multiple remakes.

3) 1960s -- Gronk . A family comic strip favorite was this generic dinosaur with a limited

 vocabulary.

4)    1970s -- Dopey, Land of the Lost movie

5)    1980s – Littlefoot, movie star of The Land Before Time.

6)  1980s – 1990s –Barney, the friendly Dinosaur, from PBS kids’ TV show

7)  1990s -- Rex from Toy Story

8)  1990s – Dinosaurs family, from the TV series Dinosaurs.

9)  1990s – Yoshi from Mario Brothers game

10)  2010s -- Bob the dinosaur from the cartoon strip Dilbert

2010 to Present -- Buddy, the T-Rex from Dinosaur Train, PBS Kids TV show, coming to Fruita, on June 30 for Dinosaur Day Celebration.

Everybody should ride a bike.

Sharon Wilcox rides every chance she gets, and she is already planning her next big road trip in July.  “I’ve been to Sturgis three years in a row, I plan to go again this year,” she insists.  

For many bikers Sturgis, South Dakota, is the pilgrimage every motorcyclist  should take at least once in a lifetime. “This will be my 4^th year to go. The Black Hills is the most beautiful country. We go to all the towns. We see all the sites. I enjoy doing all the rides and watching people as we drive through, in mass."

This tiny 51-year-old blond biker has put over 30,000 miles on her Harley since 2008 when she 

got her first “bike." That’s six thousand miles each year, not on the back seat, but riding and driving –everywhere.

“Mostly I have been to Reno, Vegas, Grants, New Mexico, and all over Colorado.”

“Since I joined the Western Slope Harley Owners Group Chapter, (HOG, for short) we go on two or three rides each month,” Wilcox said.“This is my 3^rd year as Road Captain and photographer for each ride we go on.”

This group of over 100 Harley owners sponsored by the local Western Slope dealer welcomes new members at its monthly meetings and rides.

“There are more and more women riders,” she noticed

“I’m looking for others who want to ride to Sturgis this year. So far only four have confirmed they 

will go with me,” Sharon said. She hopes others will join in the fun trip.

She didn’t start out on a Harley.

“For 13 years before I rode a 20-year-old Yamaha, and I rode dirt bikes with my ex-husband and 

my two kids,” she said with a smile.

The kids grew up, the ex- moved on, and Sharon Wilcox followed a friend’s recommendation

to go riding on a Harley Davidson.

That was enough to make her want to get her own “hog,” and she didn’t go small.

Sharon’s bike is a big 070 Heritage “Softail” Touring bike, “about 720 pounds, but she can handle it, 

“just fine, thank you.”

Her kids, 24-year-old son and 27-year-old daughter, “thought I was off my rocker with I first started,”

she admitted. One even told her, “That Hog chopper is taking over your life.”

It hasn’t really. She still has her other life, being a hair stylist who owns her own shop in her home 

in Paradise Hills, and her family, especially her 12 month old grandson.

Wilcox has started designing and selling jewelry and purses, especially ones that match her “leathers.”

   That is, her black leather pants, jacket, vest, complete outfit for going out on the road.

“I recommend riding highly. It is my freedom and therapy,” she says as she straps on her helmet, 

revves up her motor to head out. “You can be having a worst day, take a ride and it makes everything

 okay.”

Prickly Part-time job is good for you

      Oh wow, I have not posted since. . . feels like last month, but it was only this month. Good thing no one reads this blog.
For any one out there, I am still retired English teacher, but working part-time, full-time for two local weeklies. I love parts of it--writing the stories, meeting new friends, and learning more about the valley I live in.
      But I have to say, there are a few prickly points in the job, but what is the old saying: "With every rose there are thorns"? That must be true of all  jobs, conflicts and life.
      This is good practice and discipline for my memoir or novel writing plan. I must write almost a story a day; thus, for writing a major piece I should be writing at least 1000+ words on it a day. I need that motivation.
      I will probably start posting some of my stories and photos because I am learning how to do that, so this job is a good thing for me to do. How about you?

So Little Time, So Much to Write

Five stories a week! That's what I have been producing in my "part-time" freelance job for two weekly papers. I love to write, now that I'm retired from teaching high school language arts. I just never dreamed that I would producing so much writing.

That's good practice for me. I determined that I am usually writing about 1000 words per day, so if I focused one project I could write a book within a year.

So I'm going to keep writing my news feature stories, and writing my memoir writing, and I will put both together to have my book.

That's my plan for now. June 12, 2012