The Writerly Digest on Facebook

     If you like a creative, engaging site that combines the "greats" with the electic and sometimes offbeat, have I got on for you!

     The Writerly Digest can be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UninterruptedPoetry/
Sometimes I think it has evolved more often than Proteus of Greek Mythology; for a time I was involved with it, now I read and learn. My friend and fellow writer, Stevie Lynn Weisend produces the WD, and does an outstanding job of producing readable, thought-provoking, and praiseworthy content. Find it, read it, like it, and let her know.

     Earlier on this blog I posted some of Stevie's excellent poems. She was one of a select group who received pre-publication galleys of Places and Times.In addition, she reviewed the book.  I can always ask her for an honest opinion, advice, and share a laugh or two along the way.

    Thanks for all you do and for you you are, Stevie!

The Grey Cup Results Are In.....

.... and the Edmonton Eskimos take their 14th Cup! Since it's been a decade since the last one, they have had time to make room. The green-and-gold Eskimos beat the Ottawa Redblacks (Rougesnoirs) 26-20 tonight. Making it to the Canadian Football League championship in their second season is quite an accomplishment.

     Why all this CFL information? I am following up a previous post. Additionally, I am covering up disappointment at the Steelers' loss in Seattle today and the abysmal Penn State loss to Michigan State on Saturday.   Not that I am doing a good job of it, I suppose.

     On the the next week! See you there!

A New Poet- at least to me!

     My life has been enriched by meeting all sorts of people from all sorts of places. Whether friends or not, they have often, knowingly or unknowingly, expanded my horizons in many ways.,. The Rev. Dr. David Seymour, fellow Lutheran colleague, sent me a book entitled The Poetry of Yorifumo Yaguchi- A Japanese Voice in English

     The poet was trained in classical Buddhism and Shintoism, was a child during World War II in Japan. As as adult he became a professor of poetry, and a Mennonite pastor. To my mind, he is unique several times over. I look forward to reading him,; this dovetails with my interest

in Chinese poetry, which has not progressed that much farther since my mention of it.

    Thanks, David! I shall get to reading this later! And I hope you are enjoying my Places and Times.

I Am Now on Twitter

https://twitter.com/DrTurfa

Now you can see what I do at school and beyond! A friend suggested I break down and join Twitter. Feel free to follow, and to invite me to follow you.

Auden's "Shield of Achilles"

    Auden's ability to integrate deep thoughts with everyday speech and subtle rhymes has always impressed me. I came to appreciate him during that pivotal senior year in high school when I was allowed to explore literature in our Instructional Materials Center (as our principal insisted we call the library).

    Recently I explained in class how Homer devoted about 200 lines in the Iliad to Haesphestos making Achilles' new armor at the request of his mother, Thetis. We also listened to Auden reading the poem, and look at the structure, with its alternating between the time of the Trojan War and the aftermath of World War II. There are parallels to the current world situation.

Here is a link to him reading the poem. The text is on the screen, so I do not have to re post it here. Who is the poet to chronicle what happens today?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpblaBb93fo

Almost Thanksgiving Day in the USA

     As a boy, I could not relate too much to the Pilgrims since my family came over much later on less famous ships. Turkey with all the trimmings, to include stuffing, we wonderful. Later a seminary professor explained how the Pilgrims had religious freedom in England, but were unsatisfied because others did not follow their lead.

     The hymn "Now Thank We All Our God" will be sung often during this week. But not many know the background of the story. Instead of being a triumphalist celebration of gluttony and much more, the origins  come from the utter devastation of Central Europe in the Thirty Years' War, were Catholics and Protestant fueled centuries of hatred and distrust which linger today unfortunately.

 http://www.hymnary.org/text/now_thank_we_all_our_god    Martin Rinkart certainly knew how faith could survive in horrendous times. I wonder what he would have to say now about people who bewail every little thing that doe snot go their way.

I add the original German text, with English translation.

http://cvgs.cu-portland.edu/history/music/lyrics/nun_danket_alle_gott.cfm

Be thankful everyday!

How I Wish Blind Faith Had Stayed Together

    I know, I know. I can hear you saying, "Don't you have anything else to think about?" Actually, I do, but yesterday Deep Tracks on Sirius XM played "Well Alright", Blind Faith's Buddy Holly cover, and I thought it would have been great if Cream at included Steve Winwood at the outset, or at least once Blind Faith formed, Jack Bruce and remained: noting against Ric Grech.

    The music not only was good when first released, but it has staying power. Oh well, at least we have what we have, and can enjoy that. Although I love history of all kinds, I do not dwell in the past.

    Here is a link to the studio album (the live Hyde Park performances are als

o awesome). The image is the original cover from the UK album, which was changed in the US.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHJXexCWREU&oref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DRHJXexCWREU&has_verified=1