Monthly Archives: September 2018

BAD, Bad Words

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Although it may never have been Graphically Said before today, this excerpt from one of dad’s short stories is pretty much spot on.  Referring to words “that demean or ridicule a person, or group of persons”, dad says, “These mindless racial and ethnic slurs are the only words I consider truly bad.  Aside from the hurt they cause others, they brand the user as a stupid, thoughtless, bigot.

If stupid seems a bit harsh, remember that the root of prejudice is ignorance.  Granted, fear plays a large part in the process, but it is lack of understanding, i.e., ignorance, wherein we become mired.”

His piece continues with these words…

Want to check out other Graphically Said posts?  Just Do It!

For Whom the Crow Flies

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Recently, I shared dad’s Pessimistic Optimism in the first issue of Bits of Bill and today, it’s all about birds; a particular crow to be more exact.  Could it be possible that these creatures know instinctively how to live in a way that could benefit us, if we learned from their flight path?  Read on to find out.

A number of yeas ago, my wife and I were adopted by a crow with a gimpy leg.  He arrived one day, took up a perch atop the big alder in our back yard, and refused to move on.  During the day, he would disappear occasionally; but, because he was there morning and evening, it appeared that he felt the tree was his.  This became obvious, later, when we heard the nestlings.

Now, I’m quite sure that the bird was perfectly capable of fending for him or herself; but, because of the limp, we began buying him generic bread and bulk peanuts.  The final assignment of gender was based solely on the bird’s arrogant attitude.

In a week or two, I suppose as a way of showing his appreciation, we were introduced to his three offspring.

We named them, The Twins, and Joe; the latter being the runt; and our enjoyment, in observing their march to adulthood, was well worth the extra loaf of bread and an additional bag of peanuts a week.

As the passage of time brought the youngsters closer to adulthood, the family became less and less individualistic.  Papa was the exception, because his leg, neither retracting nor extending properly, marked him, even in flight.

One morning, as the bird, I thought to be Joe, finished its snack, it squawked a few times, caught the freshening breeze, and lifted effortlessly into the morning sky.

Watching, I was chagrined by the superiority of this lesser of God’s creations; and by the ease with which it had adapted.  I was humbled by the knowledge that, although it might take a life, it would never do so in anger.  It would accept, with no need to know why, the size, shape and color of all God’s creatures.  When it became time, it would give of itself, whatever was necessary, to rear its offspring; and, barring the intervention of humankind, this bird, and its kind, would continue to live in the manner God set forth when creating them.

Papa spent several years with us, and with each season brought a new family into our lives.  That we gained a great deal from the experience was obvious.  In the editing and rewriting of this piece, however, I was beset by the niggling feeling that much of what was offered had been overlooked… or ignored.

An examination of that uneasiness revealed that there is good reason to question the manner in which humans, particularly the Christian variety, think and speak of themselves.  Granted, we are forgiven, but have we, by faith and adherence to God’s laws, maintained our assigned position above the crows; or, like them, do we flit about with little purpose, making a great deal of noise, while giving no thought to what lies beyond today’s allotment of bread and peanuts?

A Berry Scary Day

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One day recently, I found myself sitting opposite Jennifer Robles, better known to Rowena as Jenny, to hear about one very terrifying afternoon.

Scott: Can you set the stage for me Jenny…what was happening?

Jenny:  It was during the Summer of 1899 and we were on a church sponsored weekend outing.  “Although America, at least its rural segments, had yet to enshrine Summer Camp, church or otherwise,” these types of events “were regularly enjoyed by both youths and adults.  Simple affairs, they entailed moving the rudiments of home to the less comfortable, but more exhilarating domain of nature.”

Scott: And you were about to go exploring?

Jenny:  Yes.  “Two of the teachers brought together a group, including Rowena and” I, “for a nature walk.  Empty coffee cans, and the promise of a berry hunt, added a touch of extra excitement” for all of us.

Scott:  Then what happened?

Jenny: I remember Mrs. Hauenstein, the third grade teacher, saying, “All right, children; the berry bushes are just ahead.”  Rowena and I, “faithfully adhering to Mrs. Hauenstein’s admonition to” keep her in sight, “had stayed close— for awhile.”  Then we headed off on our own.  “Not to such a degree as to have forsaken the security of hearing” her voice, “but far enough to feel…excitingly, covertly, and wickedly alone.”

Scott: And how did your decision to distance yourself from the leader work out?

Jenny: Well, “true to Mrs. Hauenstein’s word, berry bushes were plentiful, but their offerings were meager” and our interest was beginning to lag.  Suddenly, I squealed with joy.  “Ween, look!”, I said and “pointed to a cluster of berry-laden bushes atop a slight rise, just beyond an outcropping of rock.”

With a joyous shout, we rushed forward.  “Racing ahead, Rowena clambered on a rock, the first step, of what seemed a natural stairway leading to the berries.  Leaning forward, she grasped the next jagged edge, and launched herself.”

Scott: Jenny, are you OK?

Jenny:  Yeah…no, not really.

Scott:  Should we stop for a while?

Jenny:  No, it’s something I need to share…it’s just hard because sometimes I still blame myself for showing her that batch of berries.

“For an instant both feet were airborne, as she soared toward her destination.  Then, in coming to rest on the rock’s face, her right foot settled on a cluster of pebbles.  The foot skewed sideways, throwing her off balance.  In a frantic effort to find support, her left foot became wedged in a crevice between the rocks.  Arms flaying wildly, she pitched to one side, and the captive leg twisted ominously.  Upon reaching the limit of its flexibility, the bones parted with a sickening pop, and Rowena crumpled to earth.  There was a moment of near silence, then a piercing scream, as she saw the blood soaked stocking stretched taught over shards of protruding bone.”

Scott: What happened then?

Jenny:  I ran?

Scott:  You left her there alone?

Jenny:  No!  I ran back to my teacher to tell her Rowena had hurt herself.

Scott:  That was smart.  And I know from reading two other books by my dad, that she made it out OK and grew up to be a pretty great lady and your best friend.

Jenny: Yep…I don’t think she ever blamed me a bit for what happened.

Scott:  Jenny, thank you for being so open and sharing this difficult story.  I hope it gives some people the encouragement to read more about you and Rowena.

Jenny:  That would be so great.  I really want to see her book do well.  Was that too obvious a plug for the novel?

Scott:  Well I don’t think anyone missed it but that’s what this blog is all about anyway, so I don’t see any harm done.

Jenny:  Then, could you add a link after our interview, so people could download “Rowena” and get to know us both better?

Scott:  I think that’s a great idea Jenny.  Thanks again for agreeing to be interviewed and for the great story you shared.  I’ll hide the link right here so it won’t be too obvious.

Jenny:  Very clever Scott and thanks for asking me to be part of your Character Confessions series.  I read the one you did with Rowena and really liked it, especially the ‘potty mouth’ part.

Scott:  One last question Jenny.  If people want to read about that Summer day, do you know what page in the book they should visit?

Jenny:  Of course!  Have them start near the top of Page 69.

Scott:  Thanks Jenny!  Well, that’s today’s Character Confession.  Hope you’ll find my next interview as exciting as I did this one.