Crooked Creek by Sue Mattingly
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Mahatma Gandhi
A Book Review by Dianne Bynum I’m struggling with the rating for this book. It was fun and I enjoyed the characters but the writing really got it the way. I’ve read the expression, “This book could have used a good editor.” and I’ve never understood it until now. The plot was imaginative and interesting, […]
John Pavlovitz is a blogger who I follow. His latest post (the link is below) says a lot that is important during this time of physical distancing. I’ve been thinking about blogging about the issues he discusses. He does it so well, please read. Thank You https://johnpavlovitz.com/2020/04/01/dont-quarantine-yourself-from-life/
https://crookedcreek.live/2019/04/01/april-fools-day/ “Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the world hath more fools in it than ever.” Charles Lamb
“Close Friend Day”
Experts on the Coronavirus have warned that we need to remain six feet apart when we interact to prevent viral spread. This has been dubbed “Social Distancing” but I believe a better term would be “physical distancing.” We need to be socially close perhaps more than ever before. Our social contacts may be by phone, […]
If you were going to spend a week alone away from home and could only bring three things aside from your clothes . . . what would you bring and why? Let’s assume medication and personal items like one’s toothbrush are included in the “clothes” category above. The three items I would take are: iPhone, […]
In the past, we discussed end-of-life decisions. Please review some of the resources and information provided during that series on Death. https://crookedcreek.live/2017/01/25/death-decisions/ One of my readers made an important point in a personal discussion we were having today and I feel it is worth mentioning here. During the current COVID-19 pandemic many more patients are […]
All the world is experiencing unprecedented challenges. We are in a state of shock at what is happening and we have no idea what is next. Global pandemics like the one we are dealing with today are once in a lifetime phenomenon. Can We Still Laugh? Even though people are losing their jobs and lifetime […]
What is the one thing that you don’t eat that you really wish you could and why? My Answer: I really wish I could eat shrimp. Unfortunately I am allergic to crustaceans (shrimp, lobster and crab) as I learned in the 1980s while in Charleston, South Carolina. After eating shrimp all week I went into […]
As we age most of us expect our vision to worsen. We expect to wear glasses and to eventually have cataracts that require surgical removal. Some unfortunate individuals have eye diseases that greatly impair vision, such as macular degeneration. One thing that might blindside (sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun) seniors is color-blindness more accurately […]
Annoyed at what you ask? Some officials and other “experts” who hold press conferences about COVID-19! While they announce emergencies and give out advice regarding social distancing and other precautions they stand shoulder to shoulder and shake hands like they are at a political gathering. This is a pandemic and it should not be too […]
I will love the light for it shows me the way, Yet I will endure the darkness because It shows me the stars. by Og Mandino Image Credit: Pixabay
Do you have a bucket list? According to Webster a bucket list is “a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime.” That’s a more positive way of saying things I want to do before I kick the bucket. When I think of this I see an actual […]
This is the day set aside to catch up on the one hour lost when we sprang forward yesterday morning. National Napping Day began in the year 2000. I’ve celebrated today, have you? Cartoon by Pixabay
For me, it’s hard to get excited about International Women’s Day. In the United States, women have barely advanced in the past few years, if at all. While other countries have had women as leaders for years, the U.S. seems unable to accomplish this. How many more years will little girls here have to grow […]
A novel form of coronavirus originating in China late last year has spread globally. There is no vaccine for this particular type of corona, named COVID-19. I won’t list the morbidity and mortality statistics here because they are changing by the hour and news coverage is widespread and nearly constant. It is important that we […]
Cliches Do you speak using cliches? You might think the answer is “no” but what if I told you there are as many as 681? These are things we say often without really recognizing that we are using cliches. Because we have heard them our whole lives they come so naturally in our speech that […]
Crooked Creek blog now has 400 followers! This is a milestone of which I am very proud. There are blogs with thousands, but Crooked Creek is a more intimate blog and I appreciate each follower. I also appreciate all the comments and participation of readers. THANK YOU!
When I was growing up we called daffodils “March Flowers.” I don’t know it that was peculiar to the country or the era. Now I know they are daffodils and I look for them as soon as March appears on the calendar. I love this month when three of my four beautiful girls were born. […]
Today is February 29th, a day we only get to experience every four years. Those born today will not have a birthday for four whole years. All this so that the calendar harmonizes with the solar year. February has some fun dates like my brother’s and granddaughter’s birthdays. There is Presidents’ Day and Valentine’s Day and […]
“What does your music taste say about you?” I like just about all types of music but I love Rock & Roll! I love the beat. I love memories connected with it. I love the performers. What does it say about me? It says I am young at heart. How about you? What does your […]
only for a day sometimes i want to go back… to days gone by… to times held precious… now existing only in photographs and in my mind i long for those years, those days, those still frames of life that are such a part of me… but that i’ll never know again… if only […]
I’ve just finished reading a book that was very informative and inspiring. The title is “The book of Gutsy Women” by mother and daughter Hillary and Chelsea Clinton. When I first heard of the book I wondered how they would mesh their writing but it worked very well. Each take turns discussing the women they […]
Ever hear of a Pangolin? Me either, until recently. We might never have known about this unusual animal had it not been for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) sweeping China since December of 2019. These unusual mammals are scaly anteaters who curl into a ball when threatened. Various species live mostly in Asia and Africa. As potential […]
Time I remember when my mother at about my age talked about time being on “fast forward.” That was during the days of cassette tapes and when she said that I could picture time chugging ahead at full speed. I agreed with her that time was flying by. Sadly when she was a few years […]
Of my nearly four hundred readers I know there are all ages. While this post is about old age, please read on even if you are young. I’d like to hear from all demographics. At what age are you old? I’ve heard that 70 is the new 50. I’m not sure what that means but […]
“The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” This book was a fun surprise. My friend got me interested in this book when she asked me if I’d ever heard about the Blue people of Kentucky. I had, of course, I’ve lived in Kentucky my whole life. We’re known for moonshine, young brides and horse racing. The […]
Recently I attended three funerals in one week. Each deceased person was different in so many ways, e.g., age, interests and family unit left behind. But one thing was consistent, each left a hole in the hearts of those surviving. When someone we know dies we are usually shocked. We use words that mask the […]
I’ve said here on this blog that people are good. https://crookedcreek.live/2019/04/02/people-are-good/ Today I want to tell you about one of those good people. Recently, a neighbor called me who is having serious health problems, but she didn’t call me about that. She called to see if I still “go to the homeless shelter” and I […]
My family has teased me because I say that things always happen in threes. In general, I mean bad things, e.g., deaths, appliance and other household problems, etc. Well, today I strongly hope that I am right because I’ve had three mishaps with my new car. For as long as I can remember I wanted […]
Happy Groundhog Day He definitely saw his shadow here in Kentucky. What a beautiful sixty-four degree day!
“What TV show, past or present, do you wish your life was like?” I guess it would have to be “Mayberry RFD” mainly because of the innocence of the characters. Life was simple then, but there was also Barney and other foolish folks to keep things amusing and imperfect. What would be yours? Photos […]
“A Gentleman In Moscow” by Amor Towles I recently read this book and found it very interesting. I will remember this as one of my favorite historical novels. Here is an excellent review from Goodreads by Dianne Bynum: There is value in examining a life well led. The hero of our story leads a full […]
The coronavirus is all over the news today. It is important and it is wreaking havoc in China, but I wonder why it is of more interest in this country than plain old flu. Many people refuse to be vaccinated against the flu for various personal reasons. I think seasonal flu needs more respect in […]
Just when I think I’ve heard it all . . . I hear there is more ridiculous stuff to learn. Sourtoe Cocktail has an unbelievable ingredient: a human toe. I kid you not! You won’t find the Sourtoe everywhere, but if you are near Dawson City, Canada drop into the Sourdough Saloon and order one […]
The writing prompt today is, “What is your idea of the perfect summer?” I will share my idea of the perfect summer first and look for your ideas in response. The Perfect Summer First, there would be lots of sunshine, of course, but also rains. I love to hear it raining, whether a pitter-patter or a […]
the key to wisdom fresh and clean we’re born into the world… our hearts, open windows… our minds, empty slates we have an innate thirst for knowledge… making a perpetual effort to quench it… we muddle our way through adversity… pick our way past chaos… acquiring knowledge… gaining experience… developing judgement… creating a unique law […]
I love to write but once in a while, I seem to slow down to the point of having nothing to say. I’ve told other bloggers that I do not like to use writing prompts for my blog, but I’ve recently changed my mind. My Granddaughter gave me a book entitled “300 More Writing Prompts” […]
In My Experience Depression is a thief. It robs one of blue skies, the songs of birds, the warmth of authentic hugs and most of life’s simplest pleasures. It is more than a “down” day. It is life-changing and it is painful beyond explanation. All the medications, treatments and counseling in the world sometimes barely […]
Book Review My close friends, family and regular readers know I have a fascination with death which includes careful reading of obituaries. I don’t see it as morbid. I see it as a window into life, but be that as it may, it is no surprise that I received the book “Mobituaries” for Christmas this […]
Pitching Plastic Years ago when I traveled in my job, I was a frequent hotel “guest.” Like everyone I collected those little individual use toiletries. There were plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion and sometimes body wash. There was always more than one could use, so I’d cart them home in my suitcase. Pretty […]
“Little Women” 2020 Style Most women and girls have read the book “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott and many of us have seen the movies that followed. This past week, my daughter and I went to see the latest rendition of this popular movie. It was beautifully done with great acting. I recommend this […]
May your New Year be one of your happiest and most rewarding. Remember, 2019 is as yet “un-lived.” Choose each day to make the world a better place. Graphics by Pixabay
Faster Google Searches Searching on Google has become second nature for all of us but there’s still a lot we can learn about how to search faster and more effectively. Here are some of the key tips from an expert: Think an extra second about what it is you are really asking for Here is […]
Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas or some other special day, I wish you a very happy time with those you love!
Originally posted on Crooked Creek by Sue Mattingly:
Carol of the Brown King by Langston Hughes Of the three Wise Men Who came to the King, One was a brown man, So they sing. ? Of the three Wise Men Who followed the Star, One was a brown king From afar. ? They brought fine…
I’ve been making these cookies since the 1980s and they are still a family favorite. The recipe was given to me by a sweet elderly neighbor, Helen Peters. I think of her each time that I make them which includes today. They are easy. Give this recipe a try! Forgotten Cookies 2 egg whites at […]
at my feet in a postage stamp yard behind a small bungalow i have the world at my feet “my world”… of speckled starlings and common house sparrows… Carolina wrens and cardinals… chipmunks who scurry about beneath the fern fronds and boxwood… and families of gray squirrels who travel the branching highways of the mighty […]
The Good News Bees have been declared the most important living being on the planet by the Earthwatch Institute. Seventy percent of the world’s agriculture depends exclusively on bees for pollination which enables plants to reproduce. A study conducted in Chili with the support of the Foundation for Agrarian Innovation (FIA), concluded bees are the […]
Why Own a Dog The most obvious reason is that they are wonderful pets who bring immense joy to one’s life. As pointed out in an earlier post https://crookedcreek.live/2019/03/06/staying-alive/ owning a dog may help you to live longer. This is strongly indicated in a recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal “Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes” of the […]
Homemade Egg Nog For the past fifty or so years I’ve made Egg Nog every Christmas. Most of my family and friends love it. Once in a while someone says, “Oh, I don’t like egg nog” and I always assume they’ve never tried the homemade kind. What one buys in the store is nothing like […]
Thanksgiving has always been special in our family. We enjoy being together, we love to joke as evidenced by the turkey in the video below singing about his “mother-in-law.” Yes, it was a gift to me from Floyd one of my sons-in-law. And, I must say we also like to eat, but Thanksgiving, the American […]
Thank you to the readers who took the Haiku challenge! You did a superb job writing your Haiku and it was fun. Imagine if your dog could talk to you. Or even better what if he/she could write Haiku like you? One reader pointed out the book below written by Jamie Coleman. I took a […]
Sylvia Mattingly is my niece and friend. You know her from reading many of her poems on this blog. Syl jumped in with her Haiku which tells exactly who she is, a nature lover. Sylvia’s Haiku Lover of nature I venture through the woodlands And leave my heart there.
Thank you readers! The responses continue to the Haiku Challenge https://crookedcreek.live/2019/11/14/haiku/ The latest is about my Grand-dog, Hawkeye. Hawkeye’s name is bigger than he as you can see here. The Haiku is by my daughter. Dianne’s Haiku Tiny puppy dreams Little feet run, he squeaks, snores His dream squirrel is tiny too.
A blogger I follow is Christine Goodnough. I recommend that you take a look at her beautiful blog “Christine’s Collection” https://christinegoodnough.com that often includes poetry. Christine was quick to respond to the Haiku Challenge https://crookedcreek.live/2019/11/14/haiku/ with a meaningful poem. Christine’s Haiku lighthouse a steady glow in the darkness your friendship Christine went further and offered some advice and […]
Pat Bush is a faithful reader and frequent commenter on this blog. She was quick to answer the Haiku Challenge https://crookedcreek.live/2019/11/14/haiku/ with excellent poems. Here are Pat’s six Haiku. Pat’s Haiku The noise and the News. I long for quieter times. Silence is golden. Feeling cold. I’m old. Body aches and pains abound. Better sore than […]
More Reader Haiku Bill is a friend who I didn’t even know was reading Crooked Creek, but he quickly took the Haiku Challenge https://crookedcreek.live/2019/11/14/haiku/ and here are his poems. I love them, Bill! Bill’s Three Haiku Star hanging as fruit beneath the scimitar moon. The tree boughs in praise! Tried to write Haiku But decided […]
The responses to the Haiku Challenge https://crookedcreek.live/2019/11/14/haiku/ were many and I am so proud of each reader who has participated. You’ve done an impressive job and there’s some good poetry here. Instead of printing all the poems together I think they will be more appreciated if they are posted a few at a time. I’m […]
Okay, I did it. At least I think that I did. Below is my final poem, but first I’ll share some of my initial attempts. 1. My love of nature has grown slowly year by year. Now it is so dear. 2. Haiku is silly. No fun in this […]
Haiku Do you know what a Haiku is? Do you know what Haiku are? Both questions are grammatically correct according to the dictionary. I checked with Grammarly which does not agree. What can we depend upon? It seems with Haiku there are as many questions as answers. Surely someone out there can help! Poetry was […]
Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on November 11, to honor persons who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This holiday marks the anniversary of the end of World War I which occurred at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. This day was […]
“Fifty years ago, two letters were transmitted online, forever altering the way that knowledge, information, and communication would be exchanged,” wrote Joshua Bote in USA TODAY October 29, 2019. Those letters were “l” and “o” and perceived as “hello” when the system crashed before the word “login” could be typed. They were sent by a professor at […]
“One Hundred Years Of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez This is a difficult book for me to review. As so many of my favorites I’ve read it twice and still cannot say that I fully understand it. In 417 pages Garcia Marquez has presented one hundred years in the life of a prolific family living […]
Tuesday morning, I will vote. I’ll go by land, or go by boat. Whatever it takes, I’ll have my say. Wouldn’t consider any other way. I’ve studied hard, seen where they stand. (It’s always good to have a plan). No more questions or second-guessing. The choice is mine. I’m not stressing. It takes less time […]
A Poem by Mattie Stepanek Making Real Sense of the Senses Our eyes are for looking at things, But they are also for crying When we are very happy or very sad. Our ears are for listening, But so are our hearts. Our noses are for smelling food, But also the wind and the grass […]
Happy Halloween! Title Graphic by Pixabay
October is a month chocked full of special recognitions and celebrations not the least of which is National Cat Day. Celebrate with Zoe, Elliott and me!
Toni Morrison wrote her first book, “The Bluest Eye” in 1970. It was controversial and poorly accepted at first but later became a National Bestseller. Morrison was an American novelist, essayist, editor, teacher, and professor emeritus at Princeton University. In 1988, she won the Pulitzer Prize and the American Book Award for her book “Beloved.” “The […]
Violins of Hope Last night I had the pleasure of attending a concert by the Louisville Orchestra led by conductor Terry Abrams. That is always a delightful experience but last night’s performance was extra special in that it caused one to reflect on a dreadful past and to hope for a future that is free […]
the year of perfect vision fall colors have begun to seep in… staining the landscape and in places, leaving the trees to bleed… summer has lost its tenacious grip… ebbing now against the winds of change… receding into the depths of its own dusty shadows… the earth is releasing a bounty… sighing with the fall […]
Not Voting is Not a “Statement” by John Pavlovitz Please read this blog if you are even considering not voting in any upcoming election. https://johnpavlovitz.com/2019/10/22/not-voting-is-not-a-statement/
“You Can’t Keep A Good Woman Down” This book by Alice Walker is made up of fifteen short stories. The stories vary in content from pornography to the civil rights movement in the sixties. Her stories are about the poor as well as the successful, such as artists and academics. The main focus of each, […]
October day a placid stream meanders through an October day… quietly reflecting the autumn trees that line its banks… a sprinkling of fallen leaves floats upon its surface… casually drifting when nudged by a gentle breeze… collectively gathering along its fringes like thoughts along the fringes of our minds a wooden bridge spans the gap […]
We are bombarded with data and sometimes I believe we become indifferent toward predictions and warnings. When it comes to the loss of birds in our environment we do so at our peril. “Birds are important indicator species because if an ecosystem is broken for birds, it is or soon will be for people, too,” according to […]
Before returning to the dark side, I was a vegetarian for ten years. From June 1993 to June 2003 I ate no kind of meat. It was harder in those days, especially when eating out, but I managed to explain to many servers that indeed fish and chicken were meat. It seemed they understood better […]
Indigenous Peoples Day Also called First People’s Day, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Indian Day (Brazil), or Native American Day Observed by Various states and municipalities in the Americas on Columbus Day. Type Ethnic Significance A day in honor of Native Indigenous Americans on Columbus Day. Date Varies Frequency Annual First time October 12, 1992 Related to National Indigenous […]
What small, simple thing would you not want to live without? Notice the adjectives “small” and “simple,” so that doesn’t include family, friends, home, car, etc. Have you ever thought about something seemingly insignificant the makes you happier, makes your life easier? I have. I have thought of velcro for example and Windex. I would […]
Days, we mostly take them for granted Births are accompanied by celebration Milestones are heralded Years, we mostly take them for granted Birthdays are party time Rites of passage are commemorated Life, we mostly take it for granted Until approaching its end.
When asked the purpose of my blog I must admit that some of the posts are silly, some I hope are entertaining but most of all I want to teach. The main goal of “Crooked Creek” the blog, is to inform, to help the reader to learn something that might be new information or old […]
October is “Breast Cancer Month” Be Informed before you buy that pink ribbon or can of soup This writer expresses my long held beliefs regarding breast cancer awareness: https://thoughtcatalog.com/parker-marie-molloy/2013/10/breast-cancer-awareness-month-is-a-marketing-scam/ With so many organizations vying for your attention in October, it can be hard to know which ones are worthy of your support. Charity Navigator has developed […]
Today I met a woman who discussed art with me. She commented on the Hockney print in my office stating it reminded her of a Grandma Moses. I confessed I knew little of Moses’ style. I told her that I had bought the poster at the Metropolitan Museum of Art while attending a Hockney Exhibition, […]
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. There are several kinds but basal cell is the most frequent. More than four million cases are diagnosed in the US each year. Squamous cell is next, diagnosed in one million people annually. Both are easily treated either surgically or with special medications. Sometimes radiation or […]
The Walk Her walk was possibly her most impressive attribute. There was something about her carriage that was both authoritative and sexy. She commanded attention upon entering a room with confident strides. She never resorted to tiny lady-like steps yet her movement was anything but masculine. That stride with shoulders back, head up and chest […]
Everyone talks about cancer unless someone in the room has cancer and then the word becomes taboo. If a person has told you that they have cancer then it is okay to ask them about their illness, to show concern. Don’t be afraid you are bringing up an outlawed subject. You are not reminding the […]
Helping Baby Birds First, it is important to know it is illegal to injure or possess an indigenous bird. There are special facilities such as Raptor Rehab licensed to rehabilitate injured birds, but most veterinarians do not have the resources nor experience to handle injured wild birds. When birds first leave the nest they are […]
A California city voted to ban some gender-specific words in its city code and replace them with gender-neutral options. Berkeley’s municipal code will no longer feature words like “manhole” and “manpower,” and instead say, “maintenance hole” and “human effort” or “workforce.” The measure passed unanimously and replaces more than two dozen terms. Gender-specific references to […]
the cusp “a point of transition between two different states”… i feel it in myself along with the first falling leaves from the sycamores and poplars… and the desiccated brown umbels of Queen Anne’s lace i hear it in the shrill cicada song as it’s tireless droning runs through my head… and in the plop […]
It’s September and I am sitting at my desk looking out into the courtyard where I have a hummingbird feeder. I’ve seen one hummingbird off and on all summer, but today the air seems full of the little hummers as they dart from bloom to feeder and then to another bloom. They look so fragile […]
This is not my story. Unfortunately, though it is the story of too many nurses today. I left clinical nursing when administrative opportunities became available after over ten years. My heart aches for what many nurses experience today. This is a Re-Blog. Source: The Day I Realized I Didn’t Want to Be a Nurse Anymore
A poem by Pat Bush “Whatsoever you do, to the least of these, this you do unto me.” Matthew 24:40 Each night as I go to bed I find my thoughts filled with dread. Tuning out doesn’t lessen the pain. Will we ever be normal again? Deep inside I long to be Peaceful, calm, carefree. “Stay […]
Paris to Rome A few years ago my daughter, Dianne, and I had a delightful train experience. We traveled from Paris to Rome on one of the older trains, not the sleek bullet type so popular in Europe. We prepared for our overnight excursion by buying French foods. We purchased a loaf of bread, a […]
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) Written in 1937 by Hurston, an anthropologist, this book has become an enduring part of American literature. I have read it twice and enjoyed it each time. The novel is about a beautiful young fair-skinned black woman and follows her life through three marriages, each […]
How observant are you? It’s all in how we look at things. Billowing curtains Undulating hedges Lullabies Lingering Should I go or stay How long can I hold on It is time Time to go Thanks for all the responses. This is yesterday’s poem with a slightly different look. See it now? Christine did, but […]
Billowing curtains Undulating hedges Lullabies Lingering Should I go or stay How long can I hold on It is time Time to go How observant are you? It’s all in how we look at things. Are you missing something here? Let me know.
Sunsets, waves, gulls, pelicans, egrets and hatchling sea-turtles all helped to make it a wonderful time at the beach. Even better was the time spent with my two daughters and one of my two granddaughters. “To escape and sit quietly on the beach – that’s my idea of paradise.” Emilia Wickstead
I’m taking some time off for family, relaxation and travel. I will return! I hope all my readers are having a great summer of fun, too! Photos by Pixabay
Originally posted on misselenka:
I usually post texts about the trips or cultural aspects in a light positive way. This post will be less optimistic, so if you want to stay away from negativity, just skip reading it. I want to go back to my childhood and tell you about post-Soviet Russia. When the Soviet…
Katie, a seven-year-old felt maternal for the half-naked starling that fell out of the sky and into her life one Saturday afternoon. Twenty-four hours later the bond was solid. Every thirty minutes or so she cautiously poked a hamburger “worm” down his throat with a tiny stick. He chirped, Katie poked. When Katie’s parents arrived […]
“OUR CRIME WAS BEING JEWISH” BY Anthony S. Pitch Followers of this blog have probably figured out I read a lot of books about the Holocaust and World War II. This book which I have read twice is among the most impactful for me. The author, Anthony S. Pitch has assembled the testimonies of Holocaust […]
A while back I read a blog post by Brandon Knoll which resonated with me. Knoll questioned why we talk about people being at peace after death rather than during life. The question was raised by this sign (taken from his blog post): Life can be so challenging we forget to live in peace or feel […]
Here in Louisville every year around Derby time, we hear a lot about “Human Trafficking.” But, what is Human Trafficking exactly? According to the Department of Homeland Security, Human Trafficking is the exploitation of a person through coercion, force, or fraud in order to obtain sex, forced labor, or domestic servitude. Human Trafficking happens everywhere […]
“Amelia’s Story: A Childhood Lost” by D. G. Torrens This book is a true story about a child brought up in the welfare system in Great Britain. It covers the little girl’s life for sixteen years in and out of foster homes and abusive situations. While the story is heartbreaking and is told fairly well […]
“All My Love, Detrick” by Roberta Kagan Most of my reading about the Holocaust is factual but I decided to try this best-selling novel and I’m glad I did. As the title indicates it is a love story. Detrick, an Aryan, falls in love with Leah, a Jewish girl, and their struggles to be together […]
Recently my youngest daughter and I took a drive down Crooked Creek Rd. The road winds along sticking pretty close to the creek by the same name. I’m sure I bored Allison silly with all my stories about things that had taken place here or there along the way back when this was a gravel […]
This is not so much a book review as a book discussion. I am unqualified to interpret the intricacies of “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding. Published in 1954 this book has been compared to the works of Orwell, Salinger, Shakespeare, and others. It has been explained as portraying psychology, religion, politics, and morality. […]
In 1997 after much thought and anguish I officially left the church I was raised in, the church I had served for my entire adult life. At times I have struggled to explain my reasons to those who didn’t understand. I should have let President Carter explain for me. He does so perfectly. I am […]
Another poem by Sylvia Mattingly 12/24/2014 the flutter of the butterfly my heart flutters and my soul sets sail to drift with the yellow swallowtail that taken by a current of air settles upon a blossom fair to sip of the sweetest nectar there my eyes brim over with sheer delight at the vision of […]
Bird Food Thieves Feed them and they will come! Recently I was joking about how much it costs to keep my five bird feeders supplied. I told my kids that the bird food bill was more than for my groceries. Well, on my birthday the family presented me with about 70# of different kinds of […]
Heat Wave It is thick and sticky and hot Like walking around in snot. The Ohio River Valley feels like walking on the Devil’s hills. I’ve heard of Hell’s front porch and here we sit and together scorch. We have had to learn the heat index because it trumps the temperature’s effects. About climate change, […]
My daughter, Dianne, and I signed up for a walking club that meets at our local zoo before opening each morning. I have ambiguous feelings about zoos. I know they save some animals even species and I love to see the animals that I would never see “in person” if not for zoos. On the […]
“DRIVING MR. ALBERT – A trip across America with Einstein’s Brain” By Michael Paterniti If you wonder what this book could possibly be about, read the title again. The author tells his tale of driving coast to coast with Albert Einstein’s brain in the trunk. I first read this book in 2000 and thought surely […]
Specific needs identified at Haven House Homeless Shelter https://crookedcreek.live/2019/07/10/haven-house-needs/ have been met by volunteers who learned what needed to be done and stepped up to do them. Some of those who worked on these projects are Allison and Stan Puckett of Stan’s Home Improvement, LLC, Bob Fred of Bob Fred’s Welding and Elizabeth Puckett, IUPUI […]
Haven House Homeless Shelter https://crookedcreek.live/2019/07/07/haven-house/ has many needs but used clothing is not one of them. After having taken clothes numerous times, I recently learned that clothes seem to be the easiest items for folks to donate therefore the supply is endless. According to the Executive Director, Barbara Anderson, staples for the kitchen are very […]
Haven House is the only homeless shelter in Southern Indiana to serve fourteen counties. It is set up to house around sixty-five people, men, women, and children, per night, but rarely is it not over capacity. Most nights there are eighty-five people sheltered and often as many as one-hundred and ten. Thirty percent of the […]
Several weeks ago we explored the subject of “Corrections” https://crookedcreek.live/?s=corrections here on Crooked Creek. Several readers had important comments to make on the subject. Recently I read a story about a prison in Mississippi which I may not have believed had it not been published by The Marshall Project. The Marshall Project is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news […]
Bill Bryson, a native Iowan, is a proliferative and award-winning writer of travel books. In “The Road to Little Dribbling” he writes of his travels from the south end of Great Britain to the north end along a route he calls The Bryson Line. There is no real place called Little Dribbling, but it is […]
Great time at the Palace last night when Trevor Noah performed. So nice of him to come to town for my birthday!
A couple of weeks ago we looked at the Bald Eagle which is the National Symbol of the United States of America. Today we explore other Birds of Prey, various types of Owls. Did You Know? Of all the types of owls the Northern Barred Owl has to be everyone’s favorite, because it is the “Hoot […]
I Will Remember Sometimes life seems too hard And sadness lingers too long. Often even memories are charred And everything is going wrong. When problems tower And solutions evade, When prayer has lost its power And I’m ashamed of the mess I’ve made I will try to remember this little flower.
I would like you to meet Patrick Litanga who in the video below explains what it is like to arrive in this country as a refugee. Patrick knows because he came here years ago as a young refugee from the Congo. Since then he has completed a Masters Degree and is currently working on his […]
Today is World Refugee Day, a day designated to consider the plight of refugees, the contributions of refugees and how we might make their transition to our own countries easier. For the past few years, I have volunteered in various capacities with the Kentucky Refugee Ministry (KRM). My jobs have been very insignificant, serving food, […]
Today is Juneteenth, a day that recognizes the Emancipation of enslaved Americans. While President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was official on Jan. 1, 1863 it was not until June 19, 1865, that all slaves were freed. The celebrated date of June 19 began when General Grover Granger rode into Galveston, TX with news of the end […]
This letter was published today in the Courier-Journal and I thought it was worth sharing. I found a wildlife baby – now what? Our native wildlife are having their babies. If you find a wildlife baby that might need help, what do you do? The best thing to do is NOT care for them yourself, […]
Who would believe that this young couple has rats in their home? https://crookedcreek.live/2019/06/13/rats-on-the-other-hand/
“Rocketman” If you are an Elton John fan, and I am, you have to like this movie. How much fans like it may vary. It had plenty of John’s music and more than enough of his outrageous costumes, however, I left the two-hour movie feeling a bit unfulfilled. Part of my disappointment was in the […]
The last post was about the menace of rats. https://crookedcreek.live/2019/06/12/rats/ Rats in the city, rats in the house or on the farm can be real pests, but as with most things in life, there is a flip side. Rats Make Affectionate Pets! My granddaughter, Kate, and her husband, Tom, live in a flat […]
I love all animals and, with the exception of spiders, all living creatures. They all have their places on this planet we share. I realize that some readers feel differently and I do understand, especially when it comes to destructive rodents. My birdfeeders are used by squirrels and chipmunks and I love sharing with them, but […]
Years ago I was invited to my Aunt Jane’s ninetieth birthday. The celebration was taking place in her hometown which I had not visited in many years. When I asked a relative for directions to the venue I received something like this: “Before you get to Lawrenceburg turn left. There used to be a REA […]
The Bald Eagle Did you know these facts about the national symbol of the United States. It is against the law to possess even one feather of a Bald Eagle. Bald Eagles build the biggest nests of any bird in the world. One nest in the state of Florida was documented as weighing over two […]
Eid al-Fitr blessings to all who are celebrating!
“The Sunflower – On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness” by Simon Wiesenthal Mr. Wiesenthal, a Jew, was a prisoner in concentration camps during WWII. He was treated inhumanely and saw this family killed or starved to death. One day a dying SS soldier who had murdered Jewish families asked him for forgiveness. It seems […]
Trees Reach for the Heavens It seems that trees are abundant. There are so many kinds and sizes and they change predictably season by season. It would be easy to take them for granted and I probably did at one time. During the early 1990s, I had an experience that changed that. I now look […]
“Decades Behind Bars – A 20 Year Conversation with Men in America’s Prisons” by Gaye D. Holman This book is written by a professor of Sociology who spent decades teaching college-level courses to prisoners in Kentucky. She also teaches a “Corrections” course at Bellarmine College through the Veritas program. This is where I met Holman, […]
New Mexico, one of the “Four Corners” states, is a great place to visit. The climate varies from alpine mountains in the north to arid desert in the south. Santa Fe, the capital is full of history, like stepping back in time, while Albuquerque the largest city is very metropolitan. When we traveled the state […]
“All The Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr This book has it all. It is filled with science and technology, mystery and poetry. It is a story of survival and love. “All the Light We Cannot See” won a Pulitzer Prize in 2015 and the author has received other awards too numerous to list. […]
Kids Are Listening Never doubt that kids are listening to what adults are saying. They may appear to be in their own little worlds, but they hear us. An example of this (based upon contemporaneous notes) goes way back to 1993 when I was visiting the cemetery at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church with my daughter […]
Today Crooked Creek has 300 followers! Other bloggers have many more, in the thousands even, but this is a sweet milestone for me. Thank you readers and followers for your interest and your encouragement. It has kept me going when there were times I wondered if I would continue. Thank you! Sue
Kids and Grandmothers and Flowers The other flower that I distinctly remember from time spent with Mammy https://crookedcreek.live/2019/05/12/kids/ was the peony. The peony is a large bush with lush blossoms in shades of red or pink or pure white. They bloom in May and were always ready for Memorial Day, known as “Decoration Day” […]
Mystery Blogger Nomination I am so honored to have been nominated for the Mystery Blogger Award! Thank you to Sharvi who nominated me. Please check out her blog “Tips from Sharvi.” It will make your life easier. https://tipsfromsharvi.com/about/ Here are my answers to Sharvi’s questions to me: 1. What motivates you to blog? Exchanging thoughts […]
Kids and Grandmothers When I was a little kid my maternal grandmother, “Mammy,” spent a lot of time with me. Not only did I learn practical lessons about life from her, I subconsciously learned what it was like to be a loving and giving person. While I haven’t always followed her example, I know she […]
Each season has its attraction, but spring has to be the best as it attests to a future filled with beauty. I Love Spring! “Love is a springtime plant that perfumes everything with its hope, even the ruins to which it clings.” Gustave Flaubert Read more at:
Ramadan Mubarek (happy, blessed) Sunday, May 5, 2019, marked the beginning Ramadan. In Islam, this is a month-long sacred time when we commemorate Allah, the Arabic name for God, giving the first verses of the Quran, the Muslim scripture, to the Prophet Muhammad in the year 610 A.D. This annual observance is regarded as one […]
Murder I ask you to think about this terrible word, one that strikes fear in most of us. Can you imagine living near a murderer? What about having a person convicted of murder as a friend or family member? Should those who have committed murder ever get out of prison? Should they even be allowed […]
