YOUR LIFE

Gordon Parks

(Photo credit-Ella’s Voice)

Gordon Parks, the famous Life Magazine photographer, composer, and film maker once said, “I think people can do a whole awful lot more if they just try.”

Powerful words from a powerful man.

When I read his quote, I asked myself, what about your life, Paul? What are doing to really make a difference?  Sure, I’m busy, just like everyone else. But how long was I going let my life go on without fulfilling what I truly wanted to do?

For too long I allowed my goals to be pinned up, pushed back, and put on the back burner. NO MORE!

According to Parks, the reason why people don’t do more is because “they just don’t have the confidence that they can write a novel, or they can write poetry, or they can take pictures, or paint, or whatever, and so they don’t do it.”

Wow! After reading that, I began my lifelong dream to publish my novel, LIFE: AS FRAGILE AS DUST, which I did this year. Bitten hard by the bug of effort, I invented a new board game. This year, I trademarked numerous phrases and started an office supplies and T-shirt business and we produced a short film.

If I hadn’t done this, I would have continued to put my life on hold. And I would have, as Mr. Parks said, been one of the many people who “leave the planet dissatisfied with themselves.”

For our GOOD FRIDAY, start the dream that burns in your heart today. We need your paintings, your novels, your inventions, your poems, your view of the universe.

Your life matters. I believe it and so must you. And as always, keep your head up.

Grub Street Reads

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, pop-eyed mosquitoes and bow-legged squirrels, step right up. Cop A Squat is proud to announce that one of our three books has won an award. That’s right, and not just any award …

Grub Street Reads has awarded Life: As Fragile As Dust its coveted gold seal.

Grub Street Reads specializes in reviewing independent published novels and endorses those who meet its quality standards based on the fundamental qualities of good storytelling.  Now my book is prominently displayed on Grub Street Reads shelves.

Here’s what the reviewer had to say, “ Life: As Fragile As Dust is a very interesting mixture of short stories. I appreciated the wry humor of ‘Doggone’ and ‘Bud’s Life’ and was touched by ‘Grandma’s Secret’ and especially ‘Melted Dreams’. You have a versatile voice, which I think is captured in these wide-ranging stories.  My favorite was ‘Melted Dreams’ which was able to convey a lifetime of anguish and regret in a very tight and minimalist prose.  ‘On the Dotted Line’ was a great final story – fun and wicked…”

I feel so honored to have found a place in Grub Street Reads library. If you want an honest review of your book then you must click on this link:

Grub Street Reads coveted gold seal is a testament of Life: As Fragile As Dust, ability to thrill.  You will laugh out loud.  Be moved to tears.  And you will begin to ponder your own life’s course.

Are you interested? Please step right up, click on the sidebar, get your book and read a short story collection like no other. Our print version will be available next week; it’ll make a good stocking stuffer… And Happy Friday!

For our GOOD FRIDAY, tell every author you know about this vetting service. And as always, keep your head up.

 

 

Time Travel

In a vast sea of stuff on the web, its really great to find something the whole family can enjoy. My nine year old son loves Angry Birds, so when I found this video I shared it with him and he loved it.

The kid in the clip has done a outstanding job and I hope you and your little ones will find it entertaining.

NEXT

It has been a privilege to work with Random Film Buff on her first film. She runs the best film blog ever. Check her out at RandomFilmBuff.

I tell my children, “Be careful what you eat, it just might be eating you.” When it comes to eating fast food, just about everything they sell eats away at your body.  Fast food causes gout, diabetes, strokes, mood swings, heart disease, tooth decay, and a desire to not exercise. The following short film demonstrates the destructive course of a lifestyle filled with poisonous fast food.

I present to you the best short film on the web.

‘NEXT’

For our GOOD FRIDAY share this helpful post (VEGANS) that leads to a healthier lifestyle and a more meaningful relationship with God.

WHAT’S for DINNER?

I can’t remember how many times my mother had to answer that question. I do remember how hard she worked to bring wholesome meals to our table.

Rarely did she complain and rarely did she have the chance to enjoy a night out on the town.

Here is a Poie from my book, Poies: A New Beginning. It answers that age old question – what’s for dinner? This story is a tribute to all the women who answer this question without fail.

 

If you ask me what’s for dinner tonight

I guarantee you, there’s gonna be a fight

You asked me that last night, and the night before

Ask me again and you’ll be getting off the floor

Two nights ago we had chicken, the night before that, stew.

So don’t ask me what’s for dinner. Let me tell you.

(By AdSence by Unreal)

Tonight we’re going out to dine

So I can relax and have some wine

(Beautiful Nasty)

Later tonight, if you’re nice, I’ll do a little show

As for dinner tomorrow, don’t ask – I’ll let you know.

What’s for dinner on this GOOD FRIDAY? Tell us in the comment section below.

 

HIDING IN THE SHADOWS

Look at the above picture. Do you find it amusing?

What about this one?

And this one?

No? Then you are part of a small minority. There are many who find these pictures hilarious. Why?  The victim is a man.

Why is there so little attention given to this horrible crime compared to the massive attention given when a woman is beaten?

Could it be because a man is perceived to be weak if he becomes a victim of domestic violence? Yes, without a doubt.

Domestic violence against men is under-reported because of the stigma associated with men being abused by their female partners. Most men keep a low profile and do their best to escape the shame.

Consider this story: Susan towered over Dave like a building over a flower. He loved her, she him. They married and before long had a brood of three, a girl and two boys. They were happy.

Without notice their marital bliss came to a screeching halt. Soon Susan began to take out her frustrations on Dave. Daily he endured verbal abuse, before long she began punching him.

Her attacks increased and Dave began making excuses for his many cuts and bruises. One morning after many years of abuse Dave decided to end his suffering.

He waited for Susan to get home. As soon as she entered the house she tore into him with verbal attacks that were quickly escalated into a beating she swore he would not forget. As she slapped him throughout the house, it was into the kitchen that she finally met her match.

From the utensil draw, Dave pulled out a .357 Magnum and fired. The round hit Susan in the chest. She fell and with the last of his strength he dragged her down to the basement and hid her behind the furnace.

The screams of “Daddy!” came from the children upstairs.

Later, Dave stood trial on attempted murder. He lost everything as most victims of abuse often do.

For our GOOD FRIDAY let’s remind friends and family that October is Domestic Violence month for both men and women.

If you know someone who is a victim of domestic violence please share these numbers:

The Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men: 877 643-1120 and entering PIN number 0757

For women: The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Related post: DYING TO STAY ALIVE AND THE COLOR OF PURPLE.


FORGIVE YOURSELF

(Photo credit Paulette)

We are taught to forgive others, but rarely are we taught to forgive ourselves. No one can force you to forgive yourself; you always have the right to do so.

In our last post SOMEWHERE IN THE DARK, we encountered a flesh- eater. And just like that tiny creature, which slips in and causes damage to our physical body, we let the power of unforgivingness sink deep in our hearts and eat away at us with the same destructive results.

In not forgiving yourself, you stand to lose more than just an extremity. Your entire life is in jeopardy.

Case in point: A woman I knew many years ago led a life of debauchery. She experimented with drugs, had multiple sex partners and most of her seven children had different fathers. After living many years like this, growing older and starting to watch her children become like her, she took her life. Unable to forgive herself and seek the help she so badly needed so she could make the necessary changes, she thought death was the better choice.

We all are damaged. We all make mistakes and do things we regret. Just like that fence post, we have many holes in our lives. And no matter how much wood filler, sanding, and staining that fence post gets, it will always be damaged. So it is with all of us. No matter how much we cover up our flaws, the scars of our painful memories remain. And that’s okay, as long as we can face them, better ourselves the best we can, and then move on from there. We have to forgive ourselves to heal our hurt.

I hope every one of us learns to forgive ourselves and others from the heart. Don’t let your past rob you of the person you are today. On our GOOD FRIDAY, look into the mirror and say, I forgive you. Keep striving, keep hoping, and keep changing for the better. And as always, keep your head up.

PSA (Paul’s Service Announcement) SOMEWHERE IN THE DARK

Chances are you won’t even see it coming. Long before you can recoil, it has you. At first you make little of it, and why shouldn’t you? The pain, if any, is mild, so you brush it off as nothing, just a little bite. Big mistake.

Those old shoes tucked away in the back of the closet. That winter coat you put away last summer. Maybe it was when you lay sleeping and felt something crawling over your face. And when you brushed it away…WHAM! “Something bit me!” You turn on the lights, and you see this little guy.

(Photo credit-About.com)

You watch him scurry away. “Stupid spider.” No, not stupid – deadly, very deadly.

In homes these guys seem to favor cardboard. But have been found in dressers, toilets, clothes left lying on the floor, gloves, infrequently used beds, and etc.

(Photo credit eMedicine Health)

Its venom, according to eMedicineHealth, is more potent than that of a rattlesnake in ratio to its size. One bite, if left unattended according to the University of Minnesota, can in rare cases cause LIVER failure. Its bite can destroy tissue at an alarming rate. The following photos are shocking but very real.

(Photos credit- About.com)

In ten days this man’s life changed forever. The symptoms usually develop two to eight hours after a bite.

What should you do if the Brown Recluse bites you? eMedicineHealth advises you take the following step.

GET TO THE DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY!

The home kit pictured contains glue traps and a charcoal power to help soak the venom out of the tissue, thus preventing further damage.

 

(Photo credit: www.brown-recluse.com)

The states in the map below are where the brown recluse makes its home.

(Photo credit BrownRecluseSpider.com)

For our GOOD FRIDAY, inform someone of this dangerous spider. Have you ever encountered a brown recluse or any other deadly species we should be aware of? Tell us in the comments below. And as always, keep your head up and your eyes open.

DOGGONE

(Photo courtesy of Apertome)

In the last post, I introduced you to my dog Rex, the only dog I ever loved died when I was fourteen. When the story ‘DOGGONE’ came to me, I thought of Rex.

The picture above, although not Rex, reminds me of him. Rex was smart, cool, and he had heart; he didn’t take any mess, not even from me. But he loved me and I him. I like to remember him as a dog on a journey.

 This is for you boy.

 DOGGONE

“Hank, wake up, wake up!”

Hank woke with a start and looked over at the clock.

“Boy, it’s six o’ clock in the morning. What the fu–”

“Spare me the obscenities.”

“Okay, okay, what is it?”

“I’m dying.”

“What? How do you know?”

“Trust me, I know.”

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Thanks, but no. But there is something I want to do for you.”

Hank sat up.

“Take this map and this envelope. Promise me you will follow the map to the letter. And you won’t open the envelope until you hear the sirens, promise?”

“I promise, boy. Hey, Rex, maybe you’re wrong, maybe you’re not dying, maybe–”

Rex hit the floor with a slam.

“Oh, boy. Right again.”

Hank unfolded the hand-written map, which detailed the many places that Rex, during his lifetime, had buried money.

Hank, over the years, the many times money came up missing I was the one who stole it, not the few friends you chased away.

Now that you’re broke and I’m dead, I would like to tell you where I buried a small fortune in several places on our property.

“Why that lousy mutt!”

Hank! Hank! Calm down and listen!

Four feet from the oak tree in the back yard is buried five-thousand dollars. So get your shovel and bury me nearby – then get digging.

Hank buried Rex in two shakes of a dog’s tail, then went sniffing and dug up the money.

“Whoaaaaa, good boy, Rex, good boy.”

All right, all right, let’s keep moving.

Near the back fence under that smelly bush you planted is ten-thousand dollars.

After some digging and cursing, Hank dug up the loot.

“Rex, you were the best dog. Ever. I miss you already.”

Yeah, yeah, let’s keep moving.

Four feet in front of my doghouse you will find fifteen large.

The doghouse was in a sad state of repair. Hank now wished he’d taken better care of Rex.

Three feet down, just as Rex had predicted, lay the dough wrapped in plastic like the others.

“Awwww, boy, how did you ever do this? Thank you, boy, thank youuuu.”

Hank! Get a grip. Onto the last stop.

Near the patio, four feet from that stupid rock you call art is twenty Gs.

Hank found it so.

“Oooh, Rex, I loved you so much, boy. Why did you have to die? Why? Why? Why?”

“Hey, Hank, are you okay?” asked the neighbor.

“No, Phil, as a matter of fact, I’m not! And for your information, Rex died.”

“Good! I never like that mutt, anyway.”

“Why you no good–”

Hank leaped the fence, grabbed Phil and punched him near to death. Phil’s wife came out screaming, and then rushed to call the police.

Within minutes, Hank heard the sirens then he remembered the envelope.

Dear Hank,

I knew one day you would do something stupid. Whatever it is, I hope the fifty helps.

And to quote the best quote you ever stole: ‘May the fleas of a thousand camels invade the crotch of the person that ruins your day. And may their arms be too short to scratch.’ I love you, my friend, take care.

Love and happiness,

Rex

This story is from the ‘LIFE: AS FRAGILE AS DUST’ COLLECTION. If you enjoyed this story, purchase this short story collection at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

For our GOOD FRIDAY, tell us your most heartwarming story about your four legged friend. And as always, keep your head up.

REX

(Photo courtesy of Apertome)

Ever since I could remember, I hated dogs.  I’m not sure how I felt about them when I was younger, but in my teens, a dog away from me was a good dog.

My mother inherited a dog when I was fourteen.  His named was Rex.  From day one, I hated the dog and he hated me.

He growled every time I passed him on my way out of the house.  And he barked when I returned.  Most nights he slept on the front porch.  Honestly, I think he did that to prevent me from coming in.  Stupid mutt.

The routine – I walked past, he cut his eyes and let out a low growl; I would do the same.  We understood each other.  There would never be any love lost between us.

One night, after two months of this routine, I passed him as he lay curled up on the porch – he didn’t growl.  Nope; he got up, left the porch and began following behind me as I rode away on my bike.

That dog…no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t chase him away.  I threw everything but the kitchen sink at him, he just wouldn’t go home.  So I jumped back on my bike and tried to outrun him.  He was way too fast.

When we got home Rex followed me up the steps and into the house.  I sat down to watch TV; there at my feet lay Rex.

From that night on, everywhere I went, Rex followed.  I soon gave up trying to sneak off without him – he was just too smart.

Every time I rode my bike, it was just me and my buddy, Rex.

One Saturday morning, Rex wasn’t sleeping by the front door or out on the front porch.

“Mama, where’s Rex?”

“He’s on the back porch.”

Sure enough, he was kinda sitting, kinda lying down.

“Come on boy, let’s go.”

He sat for a minute, turned those sad brown eyes at me and slowly crawled under the porch.

I called more times than I can remember, but he just wouldn’t come out.  Maybe he’s tired I thought.  So I let him be.  I rode off with my friends.

When I got home, Rex was still under the porch.

“Mama, Rex won’t come from under the porch.”

My mother’s eyes went soft. “Baby, I think Rex died.”

While I was out riding around, the dog I came to love died.  I will never forget that moment and I will never forget Rex.

For our GOOD FRIDAY, come back and read a heartfelt short story I penned and published for Rex.  For now, tell us your most heartwarming story about your four legged best friend.  And, as always, keep your head up.