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Reading, Writing, Pondering: Big Life Themes, Literature, Contemporary/Historical Issues |
 Welcome to the 14th century, in a farflung outpost of the Holy Roman Empire, and a new Convent outpost of the terrrifically powerful Roman Catholic Church. Sound historically dull? Hopefully not so--for this is NOT an ordinary 14th Century Convent. Back after a six-year hiatus.... From NaNoWriMo historical Supernatural novels in Scotland, Michigan, South Alabama and historical horror in Standwood Station, GA-to the Phantom Northern Woods-to singlehandedly refighting the American Civil War-to exploring Social Justice and standing for First Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution-we deal out horror, Supernatural, Historical, fantasy, mystery, and more. We do not fear outspokeness. And always, always, always, We Do History. Find it here. We write it. We read it. We hold strong opinions. We orate. Meanwhile, whether we're writing or just reading, we love to rave about books and authors right here!  |
| A few days ago I praised Virginia Governor Bob McDowell for restoring to the State Budget nearly $800,000 for mine safety that had earlier been cut. Governor McDonnell's actions followed in the aftermath of the Upper Big Branch mine disaster in West Virginia recently, with its tragic loss of lives. Yet now I must call attention to a serious omission by this same Governor, who declared April “Confederate History Month” and managed not to mention once the foundation of the Confederacy: Slavery http://hnn.us/roundup/entries/125338.html I read yesterday in the “Breaking News” alert email from History News Network of President Obama's rebuke to the Virginia Governor for declaring “Confederate History Month” without including the topic of slavery. I wholeheartedly applaud the President's comments. Gentle Readers, any study of the era will plainly show us all that were it not for the “evil institution,” there would have been no Confederacy, and there would have been no immensely tragic loss of life, of property, of homes, no dissolution of families, no kin pitted one against the other over what was purported to be a “politicial issue.” The very institution against which reformers and abolitionists such as John Brown of Harper's Ferry, Virginia fame, William Lloyd Garrison, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Julia Ward Howe battled is an ugly, graphic, horrifying component of U.S. History which must not be forgotten, overlooked, nor omitted in our rush to glorify the antebellum past. The Confederacy was not all about pretty antebellum architecture, rolling meadows, fine gardens, and hoop skirts, Gentle Readers. Slavery made possible the creation of an unmerited upper class in the Southland, just as did serfdom and later servanthood in England (remember “Upstairs, Downstairs”). The Confederacy was built on the backs of downtrodden, whipped, beaten, raped immigrants whose emigration to the New World was involuntary and compelled. Let us pledge to never forget that. I wrote a poem some time back entitled “The Confederacy Never Died,” and I pray and hope that if “The South rises again,” it will not be in order to become the American South of the 18th, 19th, and first half of the 20th centuries. Saints preserve us from that. George Santayana reminded us a century ago that ”Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Not only do I agree, I believe that oftentimes we who do remember still manage to repeat Historian Santayana also reminded us: "A country without a memory is a country of madmen." Compare that to this statement from Virginia Governor McDonnell in the original Proclamation: "there were any number of aspects to that conflict between the states. Obviously, it involved slavery. It involved other issues. But I focused on the ones I thought were most significant for Virginia." http://hnn.us/roundup/entries/125338.html http://hnn.us/roundup/entries/125521.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email... http://edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/09/obama.confederate.history/index.html?... |
| It's a pleasure to blog on some good news for a change. An 11-year-old girl with Asperger's Syndrome (the topic of the newest Jodi Picoult book, House Rules, was found unexpectedly by a searcher from her family's church, and was rescued after four days in a Florida swamp. She is reported to be doing well, remarkably well under the circumstances (alligators, insects, potential malaria, etc.) and that is indeed a miracle. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-girl-found14-2010apr14,0,61... http://www.jodipicoult.com/ |
| The last of the missing-and deceased-coal miners have been recovered from the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia; now investigators can enter and attempt to determine the cost of this tragic loss of life. I applaud Virginia's governor, who restored hundreds of thousands of dollars to the budget in his state for mine safety, even though the disaster did not occur there. Southwest Virginia is also a huge mining region. Let us, like the Virginia governor, observe a moment of silence for the miners killed, and for the loved ones left to grieve. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-mine-bodies13-2010apr13,0,6... |
| In another intriguing example of "Life imitating Art," Friday through Sunday I read a fascinating novel by accomplished author Connie Willis, Passages. The novel revolves around the conflict of viewpoints concerning the experiences of those who have "died" and been revived. Two of the characters are investigating NDE's as science-related (chemistry, etc.), and another strongly delineated character insists these are not "Near-Death" but "Near-Afterlife" experiences, providing glimpses into the Afterlife ("The Other Side") and opening a conduit for messages to the living from the departed. Today's L.A. Times recounts an article newly published in the medical journal "Critical Care" on this very subject, of NDE's as chemical components http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2010/04/near-death-experiences-can... |
| I grieve to report that the four missing miners in the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion have been located-deceased. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends as well as to the loved ones of the miners discovered earlier. Our gratitude also goes to those indefatigable rescuers-local, state, and federal-who went above and beyond the call of duty, despite severe and toxic conditions-to rescue these trapped miners. Although the outcome was tragic, at least the families know that all that could be done in terms of rescue was done, and although it is inappropriate to term this closure, the loved ones do know the outcome of their missing men. Such cannot be said for Massey Energy Company, whose total of violations in the last few years staggers a rational imagination. Something must be done, or this "worst mining disaster in nearly forty years" won't be the last one. And we never, never, want any more like this-ever again.  |
| More saddening news from West Virginia: the third rescue attempt in the Upper Big Branch Mine in three days ended due to another fire breaking out, and it is now believed by rescue workers that none of the missing miners had been able to reach the safety pockets provided for emergencies. This event has been labeled the U.S.'s worse mining disaster in 26 years; coincidentally (or not), this occurred the same week the EPA has ruled against mountaintop removal as an environmental hazard. Good news about MTR, tragic news for the people of Montcoal and their lost loved ones. We continue to grieve on their behalf. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-naw-coal-mine10-2010apr10,0,28... Yesterday was my youngest child's 27th birthday. I wrote 7 pages on the Stage Play, taking me to a total of 46, almost the half required, and only less than 1/4 into the month. So that's cool.:) First thing in the morning I wrote out a Timeline which will serve not only for the Play but for Book Three of The Yoruba Series, which will flesh out the characters and events of the Play, and of course add more. Then I wrote a long early scene. I also finished the remaining book of I.J. Parker's wonderful 11th century Japan series: remaining in the sense that this is the last I've received from the state library system. I've now read all in the series except the newest, The Convict and the Sword, and now I'm racing through the fantastic anthology edited by Peter Straub, Poe's Children. Superb stories, all. |
| Back in January, during the 12 Days of Blogging Challenge, we bloggers were asked to discuss the practice of mountain-top removal in mining. As a result of that research, I joined www.ilovemountains.org, and I have kept a wily eye out for mining practices and environmental and human consequences. Much to my dismay, this morning as I opened the headlines at www.latimes.com I discovered a huge loss of life has occurred in what is being termed "the worst mining disaster in the US in twenty years." Twenty-five miners are known dead, four are missing, at the Upper Big Branch Mine near Montcoal, West Virginia, thirty miles south of the captial, Charleston. Even though the four are unaccounted for, search was canceled this morning (Tuesday April 6). The only hope now is that they were able to reach any of the safety pockets. This particular mine is owned by Massey Energy Company, already cited by Federal inspectors a total of 6 different times since Feb. 21 of this year. Massey is reputedly noted for lack of safety protections in place in its mines. Our thoughts and prayers are with the missing four miners, and the families, loved ones, and friends of those and of the men who have died unnecessarily in this mining explosion. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-wva-mine6-2010apr06,0,12433... |
| On the play, 3 scenes, 6 pages. Into Act Three, but I expect some of the scenes in Act Two will need to be reversed into Act One, so I will actually at this point still be in Act Two. Had company all day (the grandkids's stepgrandmother) and because of that, spent the day outside reading and listening to her. Finally finished a library book but that means it's now 9 PM and I'm still over 1000 words short of my 2500/day. Just to get in the mood of the play (and upcoming novel Book Three of The Yoruba Series, which will be closely based on the events and characters of the play OBAX AND THE NIGHT-RIDERS here is a portion of my 2008 poem, which is quoted in part a few times in the play, as the Night-Riders' motto: “The Confederacy Never Died {The Pendulum’s Swing} Hey, fellow! You know the Confederacy never really died? No! It never ended, Just buried deep Down in the clay it’s waiting (chuckles) Waiting-the form and the beliefs And yes-all the important men involved: Lee and Davis Calhoun and Stephens Stonewall and JEB Oh, yes They’re all there you know Waiting And you know why? Because they know! They know the Confederacy never really died! (The Pendulum Swings) Deep in the Bedrock of Southern Soil lies The heart of the Confederacy Buried deep beneath Southern Skies True to heart and true to right Wandering through the Endless Night Our day will come One day will come And the South is gone rise again (The Pendulum Swings)” Here's the poem in its completion:
“The Confederacy Never Died {The Pendulum’s Swing} Hey, fellow! You know the Confederacy never really died? No! It never ended, Just buried deep Down in the clay it’s waiting (chuckles) Waiting-the form and the beliefs And yes-all the important men involved: Lee and Davis Calhoun and Stephens Stonewall and JEB Oh, yes They’re all there you know Waiting And you know why? Because they know! They know the Confederacy never really died! (The Pendulum Swings) Deep in the Bedrock of Southern Soil lies The heart of the Confederacy Buried deep beneath Southern Skies True to heart and true to right Wandering through the Endless Night Our day will come One day will come And the South is gone rise again (The Pendulum Swings)” Po’ white, trash white, lookin’ down, Step on backs of black and brown. Call selves better, call selves right. Must have someone to step on tonight. Southern economy built on pain Righteous might wreaks gain from pain Bottom of the totem Black and brown Just above them po’ and trash Beyond them stand middle-class And then Upscale masters Them’s rule it all Buried in the bedrock Pitch as night South’s gone rise again As well it might (The Pendulum Swings) Bigots black and bigots white, Bigots wrong and those not right, Always argue always fight, Never see what is or right. Never forward, always back. Never future, always past. Never work, but always laze Always critical and never praise Never future, always past. In this one thing they right The South IS gone rise again As well it might. (The Pendulum Swings) |
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