Press Release: Denton Poets’ Assembly Monthly Meeting and Critique Session

 

Denton Poets’ Assembly will meet on Saturday, December 15 at the Emily Fowler Public Library in Denton, Texas. Visitors and guests are welcome.

We will begin our meeting at 10 a.m. by welcoming visitors, then members discussing chapter business and other related activities.

Following the discussion, we will read poems based on J. Paul Holcomb’s lesson, “Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology is a conceptual masterpiece.”

Following the assignment readings DPA plans to engage in a special time, honoring J. Paul Holcomb for his years of service to the chapter his sharing of monthly lessons of poetry, especially poetry forms.

J. Paul has announced plans to share his thoughts on his time with DPA. He is stepping down as our monthly presenter of lessons, but we hope to keep him around as an asset and resource.

Susan Maxwell-Campbell will distribute materials for a new Read and Respond series based on guidelines frequently used in academic circles. Members are asked to read supplied material and respond by writing according to supplied guidelines.

DPA also plans to set aside the meeting as a time of celebration of holidays during this season. Members are bringing food and beverages and plan to enjoy fellowship together.

Following our celebration members and guests will read a free choice poem.

We will adjourn the meeting at noon.

A critique session follows the regular meeting.

Diane Glancy Presentation
The program for the December 8 Poetry Society of Texas Monthly meeting was delivered by Diane Glancy a member of DPA and a treasured resource. Her program featured a presentation based on Prompts and Pathways, the theme of the 2019 PST Summer Conference.
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Merging Visions
Merging Visions 2018, following the exhibition at the MCL Grand’s Art Gallery and Recital Hall paired poems and art were moved to Denton Branch Libraries. The paired works can be seen during regular library hours. Take your friends and family to revisit many of the pieces and pairings from this beautiful exhibit. The last day of the extended exhibit will be Friday, January 18, 2019.

Denton Poets’ Assembly meets on the third Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. – noon at the Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland Street, Denton, TX 76201. Meetings are free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome. For more information, visit http://DentonPoetsAssembly.weebly.com

October 20th DPA Monthly Meeting & Critique Session

Denton Poets’ Assembly meets every third Saturday of the month at the Emily Fowler Public Library in Denton, Texas. ​ We will hold our next meeting on Saturday, October 20th. The meeting starts at 10 a.m.

Following a discussion of chapter business members will read assigned poems based on J. Paul Holcomb’s lesson, “Blank Verse Is Not Free Verse.”

Next, J. Paul will present his October lesson on “Ars Poetica.” Later in the meeting members and guests have an opportunity to read a free choice poem.
We adjourn at noon.

An optional critique session follows the regular meeting. The meeting room is available until 1:30 p.m.

Merging Visions
Merging Visions 2018, a collaborative exhibit of art and poetry, opens Saturday, Oct. 20, at the MCL Grand, 100 N. Charles St., in Lewisville. We will host a public reception Sunday, Oct. 21 from 2-4 p.m. in the MCL Grand’s Art Gallery and Recital Hall.

Merging Visions Exhibit is on display through Saturday, Nov. 24. The Gallery is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, closed Sundays and Mondays.

Denton Poets’ Assembly meets on the third Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. – noon at the Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland Street, Denton, TX 76201. Meetings are free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome. For more information, visit http://DentonPoetsAssembly.weebly.com

Reblog: Denton Poets’ Assembly July 21st Meeting Announcement

Denton Poets’ Assembly will meet on Saturday, July 21st. The public and guests are invited! Many of our members have just returned from the PST 2018 Summer Conference in Waco. I’m sure the enthusiasm and excitement level will be palpable.

A critique session will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 9:45. Our regular meeting will begin at 10 a.m.

After greeting visitors, members will discuss chapter business and related chapter activities.

Following the discussion, we will read assigned poems based on J. Paul Holcomb’s lesson on “Found Poetry.”

After the assigned poem readings, J. Paul will present his July lesson Later in the meeting members and guests will be given an opportunity to read a free choice poem.

At noon we will adjourn.

To view the entire Denton Poets’ Assembly post, click Here for remainder of DPA content.

Reblog: Denton Poets’ Assembly June 16th Monthly Meeting & Critique Session

Denton Poets’ Assembly will meet on our regularly scheduled meeting date, June  16th. The public and guests are invited!

A critique session will begin at 9a.m. and continue until 9.45. Our regular meeting will begin at 10a.m. 

After greeting visitors, members will discuss chapter business and related chapter activities.

Following the discussion, we will read assigned poems based on J. Paul Holcomb’s lesson, “Try an Exercise in Poetic Discipline; Write a Cinquain.”

For additional information about the meeting, please refer to link: Denton Poets’ Assembly blog

Reblog: April 7th Denton Poets’ Assembly Critique & Meeting

For the month of April 2018 only, Denton Poets’ Assembly will meet on the 1st Saturday of the month, April 7th due to a scheduling conflict at the Emily Fowler Public Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton, TX 76201.
A critique session will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 9.45.
Our regular meeting will begin at 10a.m.
After greeting visitors, members will discuss chapter business and related chapter activities.
Following the discussion we will read a round of free choice poems.
After the free choice poetry readings, Patrick Lee Marshall will deliver a presentation related to poetry judging.

For additional meeting details, refer to: DPA April 7th Meeting

Reblog: March 17th – Denton Poets’ Assembly Meeting & Critique Session

Denton Poets’ Assembly will meet for our monthly meeting on March 17th at the Emily Fowler Public Library in Denton. A critique session will begin at 9 a.m.

At 10 a.m. our regular meeting begins. We welcome guests and visitors, then discuss chapter business. Members will read assigned poems from J. Paul Holcomb’s February lesson on, “the Rhyme Royal.”

Following the assigned readings, J. Paul Holcomb will present his monthly lesson.

For the complete post click Denton Poets’ Assembly March Meeting

February 17th – Denton Poets’ Assembly Meeting & Critique Session

Denton Poets’ Assembly will meet for our monthly meeting on February 17th at the Emily Fowler Public Library in Denton. A critique session will begin at 9 a.m.

At 10 a.m. we welcome guests and visitors, then discuss chapter business. Members will read assigned poems from J. Paul Holcomb’s January lesson on, “Close Counts in Horseshoes, Hand Grenades and Poetry.”

For more information, please refer to the Denton Poets’ Assembly link. http://dentonpoetsassembly.weebly.com/blog

Review: Marriage before Death: WWII Spy Thriller

Marriage before Death: WWII Spy Thriller (Still Life with Memories Book 5) by Uvi Poznansky 

Book Description

After D-Day, her photograph appears on the most-wanted Nazi propaganda posters. Who is the girl with the red beret? She reminds him of Natasha, but no, that cannot be. Why does Rochelle step into his life when he is lead by SS soldiers to the gallows? At the risk of being found out as a French Resistance fighter, what makes her propose marriage to a condemned man?

My Review

Uvi Poznansky raises the stakes in a high stakes story, filled with uncertainty, drama and suspense. After landing on a Normandy beach during D-Day, Lenny finds himself separated from his unit. He is puzzled by a letter Natasha left with him. As far as Lenny knows, Natasha is on a ship bound for America but she reveals an awareness that he will be landing in France and knows of the invasion in advance.

Later Lenny approaches a hospital. He’s looking for a place to hide from the Nazis. There he sees an attractive girl wearing a red beret who he learns goes by Rochelle. Everything about her reminds him of Natasha.

Events coalesce to bring Lenny and Rochelle who it turns out is Natasha together. She has parachuted behind the lines in France to assist The Resistance. Eventually Lenny and Natasha are captured my Nazis. They will have to use their wits, wiles and a bit of good fortune to survive as a shadowy figure lurks to betray who they are. Fortunately, the SS commander develops a strong attraction for Rochelle. Rochelle works to buy time to delay an appointment with the executioner.

This book is a nail biter and one I found hard to put down. For me, this is Uvi Poznansky’s best novel to date.

Uvi Poznansky Author page at Amazon.com

Uvi Poznansky is a bestselling, award-winning author, poet and artist. “I paint with my pen,” she says, “and write with my paintbrush.” Her romance boxed set, A Touch of Passion, is the 2016 WINNER of The Romance Reviews Readers’ Choice Awards.

Education and work:
Uvi earned her B. A. in Architecture and Town Planning from the Technion in Haifa, Israel and practiced with an innovative Architectural firm, taking a major part in the large-scale project, called Home for the Soldier.

Having moved to Troy, N.Y. with her husband and two children, Uvi received a Fellowship grant and a Teaching Assistantship from the Architecture department at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. There, she guided teams in a variety of design projects and earned her M.A. in Architecture. Then, taking a sharp turn in her education, she earned her M.S. degree in Computer Science from the University of Michigan.

She worked first as an architect, and later as a software engineer, software team leader, software manager and a software consultant (with an emphasis on user interface for medical instruments devices.) All the while, she wrote and painted constantly, and exhibited in Israel and California. In addition, she taught art appreciation classes. Her versatile body of work includes bronze and ceramic sculptures, oil and watercolor paintings, charcoal, pen and pencil drawings, and mixed media.

Books and Genres:
Her two series won great acclaim. Still Life with Memories is a family saga series with touches of romance. It includes Apart From Love, My Own Voice, The White Piano, The Music of Us, and Dancing with Air. The David Chronicles is a historical fiction series. It includes Rise to Power, A Peek at Bathsheba, and The Edge of Revolt.

Her poetry book, Home, is in tribute to her father. Her collection of dark tales, Twisted, and her Historical Fiction book, A Favorite Son, are both new age, biblically inspired books. In addition, Uvi wrote and illustrated two children books, Jess and Wiggle and Now I Am Paper. For each one of these books, she created an animation video (find them on YouTube and on her Goodreads page.)

 

 

 

Merging Visions 2017 — PRESS RELEASE

Members of the Visual Arts Society of Texas (VAST) and the Denton Poets’ Assembly (DPA) will present an exhibition of art paired with poetry in the Lightwell Gallery in the University of North Texas Art Building, May 21 through June 27. This is the ninth year for this collaborative art and poetry exhibit entitled Merging Visions.  It is the first year the UNT College of Visual Arts and Design has joined as a co-sponsor and host of the event.  This beautiful exhibit contains 44 works of art and 44 poems. Each piece of art is hung beside a poem with which it is paired. Either the artist or the poet initiated the process of ‘pairing’ their works.  Various art media, such as paintings, drawings, imaginative fiber or textiles, prints, and photographs, comprise the works from 38 VAST artists. A wide range of poetry from 24 of the DPA poets completes the ‘pairings’ in the exhibit. The public is invited to a reception opening the Merging Visions Exhibit, Sunday, May 21, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the UNT Lightwell Gallery.  As an added feature during the reception, 15 of the poets will read one of their poems while an image of the art paired with their work is being shown.  The public also is invited to cast a vote for which of the poets and artists created the best ‘pairing.  A tally of the votes will determine which of the top 3 poets and artists will receive the “People’s Choice Award” for this year. To commemorate the works in the exhibit, VAST and the DPA have published a 100-page catalog, entitled “Collections,” in which all the exhibited works are displayed. This year the Denton Benefit League granted funds to assist VAST in the catalog’s production. A limited number of catalogs will be available for purchase at the reception. For the past 6 years, volunteers from VAST and DPA have accomplished the remarkable task of producing both an exhibit and its accompany color catalog.  The catalog also underscores the basic theme of this endeavor, that collaboration and new perspective benefit everyone. Through it, the artist, the poet, and the viewer continue to share the ‘voice’ these two forms of art lend to each other. The Denton Public Library and the Special Collections Department in the University of North Texas Libraries have archived single copies of each consecutive issue of the catalog. After the reception, those wanting to see the Merging Visions Exhibit can visit the UNT Art Building, 1201 W. Mulberry, Denton, TX, from May 22 through June 27th, during Gallery hours:  Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 10:00pm; Saturday and Sunday, noon – 8:00 pm. Please join us in celebrating these written and visual arts.

A Review: SITTING ON THE HAG SEAT A Celtic Knot of Poems

by Christine Irving

Paperback cover of SITTING ON THE HAG SEAT A Celtic Knot of Poems

Book Description

A collection of poems depicting an ardent connection with physical, historical and mystical Ireland. Blood feuds, cattle raids, cows, crows, and fearsome goddesses flow through the pages forming themselves into a Celtic lovers’ knot of poetry symbolizing the numinous union of past and present, Above and Below.

Review

Poet and award winning author Christine Irving felt compelled to write about intangible sensations, feelings and observations, about the sights, sounds and the ever-present legacy and heritage of the Emerald Isle, of Ireland.

Readers can expect a journey through vivid descriptions of the land, sea and sky as well as sights and sounds produced by humans, flora and fauna. Experience Ireland through the words of a lover of this land and a gifted poet. Learn how ancient Celts developed the Ogham alphabet based on rituals and appreciation for mighty trees that form much of the folklore of the land.

Join Christine on her personal journey through this mystical land via the language of poetry. Look for a source of inspiration into Celtic music, its toe tapping rhythms and harmonies.  Reflect on the troubles, the tenacity and resilience of the hearty people many of whom chose to immigrate to America.

These are my personal observations based on Christine’s talented work but to fully appreciate her work I encourage you to purchase your copy of.

SITTING ON THE HAG SEAT

A Celtic Knot of Poems

by Christine Irving

 

Reblog: April 15th — DPA Monthly Meeting & Critique Session

Denton Poets’ Assembly welcomes members and guests to our monthly meeting and critique session for April 2017.

A critique session starts at 9 a.m., regular meeting begins at 10.
We begin our regular meeting after an opening discussion, members will read assigned Minute poems from J. Paul Holcomb’s March lesson.

Following the readings, J. Paul Holcomb will present the April lesson on, “How do you decide between a form and free verse? Let the poem decide.”

Members and guests will read a free-choice poem during the last hour of our meeting.

For the complete post click, Reblog: DPA April Meeting Announcement

Reblog: February 18th — Denton Poets’ Assembly Meeting & Critique Session

Denton Poets’ Assembly welcomes members and guests to our monthly meeting and critique session on Saturday, February 18th.

Our critique session begins at 9 a.m., followed by the regular meeting at 10.

After an opening discussion, members will read Cinquain poetry assignments from J. Paul Holcomb’s January lesson.

Following the readings, J. Paul Holcomb will present the February lesson on writing Spoon River Poems.

Please click the following link for the complete post. DPA Post for February 2017

January 21st — Denton Poets’ Assembly Meeting & Critique Session

Members and the public are invited to the first Denton Poets’ Assembly meeting and critique session in 2017 from 9 am to noon.

We start the critique session at 9 a.m., regular meeting begins at 10.

After an opening discussion, members will read the Ottava Rima poetry assignment from J. Paul Holcomb’s December meeting.

For additional information, please refer to: Jan 21st meeting of the Denton Poets’ Assembly

Reblog: December 17th—Denton Poets’ Assembly Meeting & Critique Session

Denton Poets’ Assembly ends the year an a high note.

Denton Poets’ Assembly will meet on December 17th at the Emily Fowler Public Library, starting with a critique session at 9. The regular meeting will begin at 10 and end at noon.

J. Paul Holcomb plans to deliver a lesson on the Ottava Rima form.

Members have an assignment to write poems based on the use of color to express emotions recalling past events.

Please click here for the complete post.

Reflections on the Assassination of John F. Kennedy

Tomorrow November 22nd reminds us of the Assassination of John F. Kennedy. For those of us old enough to recall the event it burned an indelible image into our minds. Each memory is personal, yet poignant. Peace my friends.

Rich Weatherly - Author

by Rich Weatherly

For anyone old enough to remember the JFK assassination it’s one of those significant emotional events we’ll never forget. It’s much like our memory of the attacks on 9/11.

I began my day on Friday November 22, 1963 preparing to return home from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center north of Chicago. Having just completed the US Navy Class A Radar School, I’d packed my sea bag, taken care of last minute administrative details and found myself sitting in the waiting room of the dispensary over the Noon hour, getting ready to retrieve my medical records. Our school was one of many graduating classes at the training center; some returning home while others transferred directly to a new duty station. Conversations centered on plans for the transition. The room filled with the low hum of chatter. Each person waited for his name to be called from a clerk…

View original post 341 more words

Reblog: September 17th — Denton Poets’ Assembly Meeting

Denton Poets’ Assembly will meet on September 17th for poetry readings by members and guests at the Emily Fowler Public Library from 10 am – noon. For complete details regarding the meeting click the following link  Denton Poets’ Assembly Sept 17 Meeting

Reblog: August 20th Denton Poets’ Assembly Meeting

Denton Poets’ Assembly meets again on August 20th at the Emily Fowler Public Library from 10 a.m. – noon. We welcome members returning from summer vacation. As always, visitors and guests are welcome.

We have a change from our usual poetry assignments process. This month, members have two assignments. J. Paul Holcomb has returned and will be comparing non-rhyming poems from his, “Strawberry Soup” assignment which we will read. In addition, we will read sonnets derived from the that non-rhyming poem.

Click link below for the complete post

http://dentonpoetsassembly.weebly.com/blog/-august-20th-denton-poets-assembly-meeting

Reblog: April 15th – Merging Visions Reception

Every April, the Denton Poets’ Assembly teams up with artists from the Visual Arts Society of Texas (VAST) in a collaborative exhibit called Merging Visions in celebration of National Poetry Month.

The showing is free and open to the public. The Merging Visions reception will be held on April 15th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. to celebrate the exhibit’s opening.    All poems and artwork are originals created by members of the two groups. Some of the poems are created with the artwork as inspiration, and some are inspirations for the artwork.

Location Information

The 9th annual Merging Visions Exhibit will held at the Patterson Appleton Arts Center, 400 E Hickory St, Denton, TX 76201.

The exhibit will be free and open to the public during regular art center hours, Tuesday-Friday, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday 1:00 – 5:00. The opening reception — also free and open to the public — will be held on April 15th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Reblog: 30 Years Ago Today: Challenger by Bob Mayer

On this day in 1986 I setup equipment to record the Challenger launch for my employer. The company I worked for used Thiokol O-rings under extreme conditions. It’s an irony that O-ring failure caused the tragedy and the representative for O-rings warned weather for the launch was too cold to go ahead safely. NASA refused to listen and act on that advice.

 

Thank you Bob for sharing this poignant reflection.

The remaining post is from Author, Bob Mayer.

“My God, Thiokol. When do you want me to launch? Next April?” Senior NASA official on a conference call to the manufacturer of the solid boosters, when they recommended on the morning of the launch that it be postponed.
Click link for the entire post. Link

An Interview on The Captive Boy

By Julia Robb

Friends, I want to welcome author friend, Julia Robb. Her newest release is, The Captive Boy which is the topic of this interview. I hope that after hearing what she has to say you consider purchasing this compelling read.

 

Cover art – The Captive BoyJulia spent 20 years as an award winning journalist before becoming a novelist. Since July 2012 she has published four 5-Star rated books on Amazon.com all set in West Texas. This interview covers The Captive Boy, her newest book, released on December 17^th. The print version will be published next week.

Question: Julia, I’ve enjoyed reading your three previous western novels but found The Captive Boy exceptional. Why did you write this story?

First, I wanted to show readers that America’s frontier army was heroic, our troops served their country with courage and honor and did their best in a hard time and a hard place. They were tough. We have reason to be proud of them. I wish more Americans knew that.

Also, I wanted to write a story showing readers what happened to white captive kids. After they were recovered, they were emotionally unstable people who couldn’t maintain jobs or relationships. They didn’t feel at home in the white culture, the free-wheeling Indian culture was gone (living on the reservation was not like living with a nomadic tribe). Those kids were sad and never again found a real home. I was, and am, sad for them.

 

Question: Tell my readers about your protagonist, Mac McKenna. I think he’s a compelling character and a respected leader by those who served under him. Is he based on a historic character?

 

Yes, Mac is based on Col. (later General) Ranald Mackenzie. Mackenzie was a hero, and he is my hero. He got the job done. He never gave up. He beat the Comanches. He didn’t want to kill, but he did his duty. I also see him as having been a lonely, isolated man who wanted to love and be loved but he never got the chance. I gave Mac many of these traits, including, kind of, Mackenzie’s fate. But Mac’s fate is a metaphor for what happened to Mackenzie.

 

I felt Mac on a deeper level than my other protagonists. He was inside me. I love him, which is natural, I guess, as I am the only person in the world who thoroughly understands him.

 

Also, I want to add, I have some of Mackenzie’s letters, written while he was commander at Fort Sill (the army fort and the Comanche and Kiowa reservation), and those letters prove Mackenzie was a humane and wise administrator. So, naturally I can tell you my Mac was both humane and wise, both as administrator and soldier.

 

Question: Tell us about the title character, August Shiltz. I suspect his definition of captive would be quite different from Mac’s definition.

 

Yes, August didn’t see himself as a captive until he was retaken by Mac’s troops. He was brainwashed. After all, his Indian parents were the only ones he could remember. It’s like being dropped on Mars and adopted by the natives. The trauma destroys previous memories.

 

I checked with a psychologist to find out what this kind of trauma would do to people, and then I used what the psychologist said. They have Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

 

But August did understand after…oops, almost had to add a spoiler alert.

 

Question: Julia, you used a writing style that made the events leap off the page for me. Your scenes were like reading from a current news story; like an anthology or journal. Would you care to comment on this choice, maybe set the reader’s expectation?

 

I just came to it by happenchance, by fooling around. In some ways, writing a novel is like growing a garden; you water the plants, you weed, you introduce new plants. One thing leads to another. Then before you know it, it’s harvest time.

 

Question: The Captive Boy must have taken an enormous amount of research. Would you like to give us some background on that process? It seems to have been based in large measure on historical events.

 

I read everything I could find about Mackenzie and his troops, about the Red River War, about the frontier cavalry, about the country and its terrain, about Comanches, about white captives, and I’d been doing this for years before I started formal research. I had compiled a 100-page research book before writing one word.

 

Almost everything in the novel, as regarding events, really happened. I changed some things for novelistic purposes, but not much.

 

Do you remember the scene where the Comanches attacked soldiers in the night and the horses panicked and went so wild they pulled the stakes (holding them) from the ground? The stakes then went flying through the air. That made those stakes lethal weapons. That really happened.

 

Of course, the scenes between characters only happened in my head. Except for the scene with Gen. Sherman, when Mac and Sherman found out the Comanches had destroyed a teamster train and killed most of the teamsters.

 

Question: We’ve touched on your main characters. Do you have anything to share about the supporting cast of characters?

 

I loved all of them so much, and I miss them. I loved Eliza who told her friend Jane about everything she saw and heard in Col. McKenna’s quarters, I loved Asha, August’ eventual wife and Asha’s relationship with Mac. I loved it that Mac loved August and he also desired his wife (that’s quite a three-cornered dilemma, isn’t it)?

I loved Sgt. Major Pruitt, who told tall stories and loved baseball and loved his baseball team, I loved Sam Brennan, Mac’s adjutant, who was a brilliant anthropologist and naturalist, actually a kind of Leonardo De Vinci.

 

Sam was based on a real soldier, John Bourke, author of “On the Border With Crook,” the all-time best frontier memoir.

 

Question: What would you like to share about the time and place; the landscape where The Captive Boy took place?

 

Tough country. The Southern Great Plains are not flat but rolling and covered with thorny plants so sharp they can cut your arteries open. Very little good water. The canyon country (as you know Richard) drops from level ground. First, you’re riding on level land and then the bottom just drops 1,000 feet.

Climbing from the base of the Cap Rock toward the rim. Photo by Julia Robb

Men went blind from riding in the sun day after day, and died of heat stroke, and dysentery (from drinking contaminated water), and snakebite, and, of course, war wounds.

 

The Comanche often used barbed arrows (which were nearly two feet long) and you couldn’t just pull them out. They had to be cut out. Not good. Wounded men often died from infection, and even lockjaw.

 

Question: This book is somewhat different from your western novels. Would you like to comment on its genre?

 

It’s an historical novel. Historical novels are supposed to educate readers on the time and place, and why things were as they were. I hope I’ve done that.

 

Question: Do you have any additional comments you would like to share, Julia?

Yes, you’re a good guy Richard. Thanks for the interview.

 

 

Thank you again, Julia! I appreciate your answers, your efforts to lift up the heroic soldiers, to humanize the Comanche and your dedication to presenting realistic events through fiction. I have found that it’s often easier to present truth through fiction as opposed to biased and alleged fact.

Click here for the Amazon.com link to: The Captive Boy

For my review of The Captive Boy, click here.

For a list of Julia  Robb’s biography, other books and purchase links, click here

Short Bio of Julia Robb

I’ma former journalist and editor-I spent 20 years in the newspaper business-

and I’m now a free-lance writer/editor in Marshall,
Texas. For fun, I drive across Texas, to the deserted corners, the wide spaces, heading west past Waco, watching the mesas float in the distance.

Reblog: Billy The Kid–To Hell on a Fast Horse

Friends, Julia Robb is a former reporter and active novelist who writes western fiction. In her latest blog, she interviews Mark Gardner and expert in western history about the events connecting Billy The Kid and Pat Garrett. Julia Robb begins with the following.

Readers, Mark Gardner is the author of To Hell on a Fast Horse: The Untold Story of Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett and Shot All To Hell: Jesse James, the Northfield Raid, and the Wild West’s Greatest Escape. 

 

begins with the following:Click the link below for the complete story. 

http://juliarobb.com/blog/billy-the-kid-to-hell-on-a-fast-horse/

In Memoriam – Attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941

I’ve shared posts about the attack on Pearl Harbor in the past. My Dad, A.C. Weatherly Jr. served aboard U.S.S. Raleigh CL-7. Attacked at 7:55 a.m. per the after action report, she was one of the first ships hit by torpedo in the attack on Pearl Harbor. An hour later, she took an armour piercing bomb that barely missed a ready magazine and aviation gas fuel tank for their catapult plane. He was getting ready for liberty when the torpedo struck.

In memoriam of the attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941. Please see the link following:

U.S.S. RALEIGH
December 12, 1941
From: Commander William H. Wallace, U.S. Navy,
Executive Officer.
To: Captain R.B. Simons, U.S. Navy, Commanding.

Subject: Engagement of December 7, 1941, Report on.

 

 

My author friend, Patty Wiseman’s father was also serving on the Releigh that day. As a matter of fact, that’s how we met.

The rest of this post consists of official U.S. Navy action reports concerning the timing, actions by the officers and crew and damage reports. The commanding officer had high praise for the dedication and heroism by the Raleigh crew.

Quotation from the commanding officer, R.B. Simmons —

“Upon my return I found all officers and men who were aboard at their stations, in high spirits, apparently only hoping that the enemy would return so that they could have another crack at them. The morale was exceptionally high.At this time the ship was in a precarious position due to the damage resulting from the torpedo hit and the bomb hit.”

The reports

1. About 0755 on the morning of December 7, 1941, I was in my cabin drinking a cup of coffee when I heard and felt a dull explosion in the ship. Looking out my airport I saw the water boiling amidships. I started up to the bridge and was met by lieutenant Taylor who reported that the Japanese were attacking the Fleet. All hands were called to general quarters and about five minutes later this ship opened fire with the anti-aircraft battery of 3″/50 caliber, 1/1″ and .50 cal. guns.

2. Ensign J.W. Werth, USN, was controlling the starboard battery and Ensign J.R. Beardall, Jr., USN, the port battery, both doing a splendid job. The guns were magnificently handled; all hands from chief petty officers to mess boys volunteering to fill out the regular gun crews and keep ammunition supplied.

3. The ship started to heel over to port and it was reported that an airplane torpedo had struck #2 fireroom, flooding it, and that #1 fireroom was the steaming fireroom, but all fires went out due to water and oil. The damage control party under Ensign H.S. Cohn, D-V(G), USNR and Carpenter R.C. Tellin, USN, was directed to counterflood to bring the ship on an even keel, and they handled their jobs to perfection.

4. It appeared, however, that the ship would capsize. Orders were given for all men not at the guns to jettison all topside weights and to put both airplanes in the water first. Both planes were successfully hoisted out by hand power alone, and were directed to taxi over to Ford Island and report for duty, along with all the aviation detail on board. The senior doctor was directed to report to the U.S.S.Solace, to aid in caring for the injured and wounded from other ships (we had no dead and only a few wounded on this ship). An oxy-acetylene outfit and crew were sent over to the capsized U.S.S.Utah to cut out any men in the hull. One man was rescued and this man, as soon as he took a deep breath, insisted on going back to see if he could rescue any of his shipmates. A signal was sent to send pontoons and a lighter from alongside the Baltimore to this ship, and they were delivered expeditiously and secured to our port quarter with steel hawsers under the ship and acted as an outrigger. Extra manila and wire lines were run to the quays to help keep the ship from capsizing.

5. Our torpedoes, minus their warheads, were pushed overboard by hand and beached at Ford Island. Both torpedo tubes, both catapults, the steel cargo boom, were all disconnected and jettisoned by hand power. Also, all stanchions, boat skids and life rafts and booms were jettisoned. Both anchors were let go.

6. Shortly after 0900 a glide-bombing attack came in which met with a warm reception. Many near misses fell about the ship. Only one bomb hit. This bomb hit #7 3″ ready ammunition box a glancing blow and went through the carpenter ship, then through an oil tank, piercing the skin on the port quarter below the water line, and finally detonating on the bottom of the harbor about fifty feet from the ship. In its flight this bomb went over the heads of the gun crew of #7 3″ gun and also passed very close to our two large tanks containing 3000 gallons of high-test aviation gasoline. This plane machine-gunned the ship also.

7. Apparently the enemy planes had expected to find the Lexington and Enterprise near our berth and fired at the Utah and Raleigh, as the carriers were fortunately not in. When it appeared that the ship might not capsize or sink (the water was 45′ deep at our berth) Ensign J.H. COYLE, USN, of the Raleigh, was told to see if he could find an oil bottom that was free from water and to raise steam in either #3 or 34 fireroom, as water was getting in to the after engine room and #3 and #4 firerooms, and if they were flooded there would be little hope of keeping the ship afloat. This was done and the pumps started.

8. Meanwhile the gun crews on the top side kept up a heavy and accurate fire. Five bombing planes which this ship had under fire and on which hits were observed, were seen to crash close aboard, either in flames or in fragments.

9. It would be difficult to single out all individuals who acted above and beyond the call of duty, as the conduct of every one was magnificent. The commanding officer, however, was particularly pleased to note that the junior officers and non-rated men acted like veterans and their spirit and morale was only heightened by the surprise attack.

10. As this ship has been in the Hawaiian Detachment for over two years, many of the married officers and men live ashore when not in the duty section. When the attack opened, the acting gunnery officer, chief engineer, and damage control officers were all Ensigns. Those officers and men who were ashore reported back to the ship most expeditiously and participated valiantly in the last plane attack. After the attack and during the night of December 7th, the ship would vary in list from 11 degrees port to 8 degrees starboard without any apparent reason and was very tender.

11. The tugs Sunnadin and Avocet came alongside during the afternoon and furnished light, steam and food as fast as practical and their services were very helpful.

12. Damage to enemy: The following ammunition was expended on this vessel during the day:

    3″/50 caliber	266 rounds
    .50 caliber	9990 rounds
    1.1″	3270 rounds

    Many planes were taken under fire from time to time without apparent results. However, there were five planes destroyed which this vessel registered hits on and assisted in their destruction, namely:

    #1 – Bomber flew over stern from starboard to port, burst into flames over Raleigh and crashed on deck of U.S.S. Curtiss.

    #2 – Plane flew over bow from starboard to port and crashed near Pearl City.

    #3 – Plane flying north on our starboard beam crashed in water between Dobbin and Baltimore.

    #4 – Plane off our stern flying over air station towards Curtiss was hit by a 3″ shell and was blown to pieces in the air.

    #5 – A plane flying across our stern had its tail blown off and fell over by Pearl City without burning or great damage. The pilot may have escaped.

13. One torpedo ran between the bow of the Raleigh and the stern of the Detroit and apparently sank in shoal water at Ford Island without exploding and is still there.

14. The end of the bomb that went through the port quarter of this ship was recovered from the damaged fuel tank and was forwarded to Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet.

15. Damage control and salvage efforts are being continued successfully at the time of this report.

[signed]
R.E. SIMONS

Copy to:

CCBF

 

CCBF

 

CDF-1

---

A16	U.S.S. RALEIGH
		December 12, 1941

From:	Commander William H. Wallace, U.S. Navy, Executive Officer.
To:	Captain R.B. Simons, U.S. Navy, Commanding.
Subject:	Engagement of December 7, 1941, Report on.
Reference:	(a) Art. 948, U.S. Navy Regulations.

1. Being on authorized shore leave the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941, I did not witness the engagement between enemy planes and the U.S.S. Raleigh, I succeeded in returning to the ship about 1000, Sunday, December 7, at which time all enemy action had ceased.

2. Upon my return I found all officers and men who were aboard at their stations, in high spirits, apparently only hoping that the enemy would return so that they could have another crack at them. The morale was exceptionally high.At this time the ship was in a precarious position due to the damage resulting from the torpedo hit and the bomb hit. The ship gave every indication of capsizing. Although this fact was self-evident, o person showed any desire to leave his post or the ship.The Anti-Aircraft battery of 3″, 1.1 and 50 caliber, had been manned and opened fire with great rapidity. Most of the crews were firing for the first time. Despite this it was reported that the Raleigh was credited with three enemy planes and a probable fourth. Ammunition parties were quickly functioning and no shortage of ammunition resulted.

   Compartments were counterflooded promptly and in the proper sequence. The Damage Control Organization, directed by the Damage Control Officer, has worked constantly day and night to keep the ship afloat. Their efforts have been ably directed and should be crowned with success.

3. The Engineers, ordered topside, fearlessly reentered the after boiler and engine spaces. lighting off, with water over the floor plates, to raise steam and get pumps running.Coffee and sandwiches were prepared by the Commissary department and distributed to the crew at their station.Orders were carried out promptly and without confusion. The rapidity and good seamanship displayed in getting both planes over the side without damage, in jettisoning heavy topside weights, such as catapults, torpedo tubes, boat skids, etc., were all done without power on the ship, contributing materially in saving the ship.

4. Regular week-end shore leave and liberty had been granted over Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7. Liberty parties were unusually large as Friday, December 5, was pay day. The third officer duty section and the port watch had the duty. In addition to yourself and the officer duty section; which consisted of Lieutenant R.H. Taylor, USN, Lieutenant J.W. Geist, USN, Ensign D.L. Korn, A-V(N), USNR, Ensign W.H. Game, USN, Ensign J.M. Werth, USN, and Machinist G.S. Cummins, USN; the following officers were on board when the action commenced: Ensign J.J. Coyle, USN, Ensign J.F. Steuckert, USN, Ensign R.C. Collins, D-V(G) USNR, Ensign J.R. Beardall, jr., USN, Ensign J. Scapa, D-V(G) USNR, Ensign G.S. Morrow, jr., E-V(G), USNR, Lieutenant (jg) D.M. Fox (DC) USN, Electrician T.R. Tate, USN, and Carpenter R.C. Tellin, USN. All officers, except Lieutenant Commander H. Hains, on leave and not on the Island of Oahu, and men, except a few detained at the Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, by competent authority on other duty, returned to the ship promptly and as rapidly as means of transportation was available.

5. During the engagement and afterward, when steps were being taken to save the ship, no incident has been reported to me of any individual, officer or man, deserving of censure. On the contrary every report of individual action by officers and men has been of a commendable nature. The organization of the ship as a whole, especially the Gunnery Department and the Damage Control Department, proved their worth and functioned under surprise and stress. All officers and men, as they returned to the ship, picked up and helped carry the load. I am unable to pick out individual cases deserving of praise above others. I believe all officers and men on the U.S.S. Raleigh have the right to be proud of their behavior and their performance of duty. They were tried and found not wanting, especially those officers and men who were fortunate enough to be aboard during the action.

That concludes the official reports from the U.S. Navy Archives.

U.S.S. Raleigh following repairs inWashington

November 21st – Denton Poets’ Assembly Meeting

 Denton Poets’ Assembly welcomes members and guests to our November 21st meeting of at the Emily Fowler Central Library from 10:00 a.m. until noon.

After a short discussion covering chapter business, members will read Pantoum poems from J. Paul Holcomb’s October lesson.

J. Paul will present his November lesson on the Rondel form.

Members and guests will have the opportunity to read free Choice poems after the lesson.

​In DPA News

2010 Texas Poet Laureate Karla K. Morton presented a poetry reading and book signing, October 22nd at the Joyce Thompson Lecture Hall, TWU Library. DPA members were invited.

On Friday, October 30th Bob Schinzel and Richard Weatherly read seasonal poetry at the Good Samaritan Village in South Denton.

On November 21st Patrick Marshall and possibly other DPA members will attend the Marine Creek Creative Writing Conference on the Tarrant County College NW Campus. The keynote speaker for the conference will be Nathan Brown.

Kitchen Sync
When Monday 23th, 7:30 – 9:30
Where The Whitehouse Espresso Bar and Beer Garden
Description Kitchen Sync Open Mic sign up starts at 7:15pm. Every fourth Monday at 424 Bryan Street in Denton, Texas. For more info email poets4u@gmail.com.

Denton Poets’ Assembly meets on the third Saturday of the month, 10AM – Noon at the Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland Street, Denton, TX 76201. Meetings are free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome. For more information, visit http://www.DentonPoetsAssembly.weebly.com

Gathering of Authors Charity Event 2015

This year the Gathering of Authors gala has moved to a new venue. The organizer Tammy Holder Thompson will host the Charity and Book Signing event at the Texarkana Convention Center.  In the past I’ve had the pleasure of working with this group but have a schedule conflict this year. It supports great causes. If you live in northeast Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas or southwest Oklahoma, don’t miss it.

 

For more information see the poster below or the link at the bottom of the page.

For more information see the poster below or the website at: http://www.gatheringofauthors.com/

Following is reblogged from the Gathering of Authors webpage.

ABOUT THE GATHERING OF AUTHORS
Texarkana Literacy/Charity Annual Event

We started this very unique event in 2010, focusing on writers in and around our
area, but since has grown into something far greater.  We combine the importance
of literacy and giving into one.  Four years ago, we added St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital into our event as our Charity of choice to donate to, but later included Arkansas Children’s Hospital as well.  We bring in authors from all around to share their books, speak and do autographings at the event.  These wonderful authors have become like family to this event and together we all work hard to raise money for these two remarkable hospitals that do nothing but save children’s lives.  Please join our Gathering family and be a part of our event. ALL AUTHOR SPOTS ARE FULL FOR THIS YEAR, BUT PLEASE  SIGN UP AND  YOU WILL BE PUT ON THE WAITING  LIST SHOULD SOMEONE BACK OUT OF COMING TO THE EVENT…

2015 GOA Dates:  Friday Nov 20, and Sat. Nov. 21st – 
Texarkana Arkansas Convention Center

Reblog – Denton Poets’ Assembly July 18th Meeting

The Denton Poets’ Assembly, DPA will meet on July 18th, at the Emily Fowler Branch Library from 10:00 a.m. until noon.

Following announcements and a welcome to visitors, DPA member and guest speaker will be Diane Glancy. Diane is an award winning poet and author. She will share her experiences at the NFSPS convention in Florida, including the 50 categories for poetry and will share the contest brochures.

Please click LInk for complete post.

Memorial Day, 2015

A Tribute to Memorial Day-
Reblogged from Thomas Drinkard

This is, again, in memory of my friends and comrades who did not come home from Vietnam and for all of us who came home burdened with memories of our war and our losses.

***************************************************************************************************

OLD SOLDIERS

An aged man is but a paltry thing,
A tattered coat upon a stick…
W.B. Yeats

Pinnacle Writing

I looked at the records and see that I posted this bit of poetry two years ago, for Memorial Day. I can do no better, two years later.

This is, again, in memory of my friends and comrades who did not come home from Vietnam and for all of us who came home burdened with memories of our war and our losses.

***************************************************************************************************

                                                                 OLD SOLDIERS

                                                         An aged man is but a paltry thing,
                                                         A tattered coat upon a stick…
                                                                            W.B. Yeats

 Old soldiers from all our modern wars
crowd into the same slice of time,
-in Veteran’s Hospitals,
waiting together,
mutely bonded by losses,
-empty spaces that surround
and define us.

Sitting on an uncomfortable island of vinyl
awash in a surf-rolling susurrus of voices,
cocooned inside my silence,
untouched by misery and despair
swirling in the crowded air like cigarette smoke,
stinging exposed nerves.

View original post 494 more words

Announcing the May 16th Denton Poets’ Assembly Meeting

The Denton Poets’ Assembly, DPA will meet on May 16th  at the Emily Fowler Branch Library from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Following announcements and a welcome to visitors, members will read Englyn poems based on a lesson by J. Paul Holcomb in March. J. Paul’s April presentation featured a discussion of resources and procedures used to submit poetry to state and national competitions. After J. Paul’s presentation members and guests will share free-choice poems. As a way to promote National Poetry month, Patrick Lee Marshall, J. Paul Holcomb, Masood Parvaze and Richard Weatherly participated in a taste and talent event on April 25 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. at Byron Nelson High School to benefit their scholarship program. On April 23, The Merging Visions, Collections V, poetry and art catalogs were distributed at a reception in the Meadows Gallery, Patterson-Appleton Center for the Visual Arts, 400 E. Hickory, Denton, Texas. VAST collaborates with the Denton Poets’ Assembly, the Greater Denton Arts Council, and the Denton Public Library to create an annual exhibit of paired original art work and poetry in celebrating ion of National Poetry Month. Parts of the exhibit will be traveling to various library locations in Denton after leaving the Center for the Visual Arts. During the May Poetry Society of Texas monthly meeting in Dallas on May 9th, DPA members Diane Glancy served as  the Program Speaker, and Masood Parvaze, the Spotlight Poet. Diane read poetry from several of her books and gave ideas for key words and phrases that could be used to generate new poetry. Masood read several selections from his book and some new poetry not in the book. Denton Poets’ Assembly meets on the third Saturday of the month, 10AM – Noon at the Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland Street, Denton, TX 76201. Meetings are free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome. For more information, visit http://www.DentonPoetsAssembly.weebly.com

Back to The Original Purpose

Thomas Drinkard is an author friend and posted a new article on the writing craft. I enjoyed it and hope my followers do as well. Here’s ”
Back to The Original Purpose” by Thomas Drinkard.

Pinnacle Writing

The blog purports to be about writing, but I haven’t posted anything about that craft/art in some time. It’s time to get back to it.

A couple of years ago I attended the writer’s conference, in Nashville, TN, called Killer Nashville. I met several nice people and talked with three or four literary agents.  The featured speaker was the well-known novelist, Jeffery Deaver, who described his approach to writing—extensive outlining.

A speaker whose name I cannot remember introduced us to Christopher Vogler’s book, The Writer’s Journey.  That book explores the similarity of narrative patterns in fiction. It owes much of its background to the works of Joseph Campbell in The Hero With A Thousand Faces  These patterns, or archetypes,  exist in stories as dramatically different as Star Wars and The Wizard of Oz.

I decided to create my own story, using the the elements described by Vogler.  In…

View original post 2,705 more words

Poem: Galileo Galilei, a Defense of Heliocentricism

Dear Reader, this is the first time I’ve personally posted my new award winning poem It placed 1st in the Poetry Society of Texas Performance Poetry Annual Competition. Credits follow the poem. The poem is written in the form of a Dramatic Monologue.

Galileo Galilei, a Defense of Heliocentricism

Thank you my dear friend Ferdinando for the honor of your presence.  To think that only seven of the ten cardinals of the inquisition voted for conviction of near heresy with threats of torture, puzzles me. I know, it could have been much worse, this house arrest brings such a burden of loneliness. I miss my daughter Marie Celeste. Her encouraging letters bring me more comfort than you can know. My mission is to make God’s design of the cosmos known to all men. Would that my oppressors could see Jupiter’s moons move in such synchronicity. If only they could see how mathematics predict the future positions of those orbs. Instead, they placed my work on the  Index of Forbidden Books, and argue that my work violates scripture. I say not so! My theology agrees with Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. One cannot take all scripture to be literal. My work is built on those who came before. Men like Aristarchus almost nine hundred years ago. And recently Copernicus and Kepler have added to the body of work on heliocentricism. You must tell no one of what I shall tell you next. A friend has asked me to share my, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems. One day it will be my witness and a force for good my friend. No sir, I cannot publish it now. One day my friend, I will be exonerated. For now, I dare not risk being permanently separated from my darling, Marie Celeste. Her gentle spirit and kindness has given me a reason to live. May my detractor’s eyes one day be opened. Soli Deo Gloria.

Previously published in the Poetry Society of Texas Book of the Year 2015

© 2014 Richard L Weatherly

“To the Bully” by author & poet Rich Weatherly ( @richweatherly43 )

I’m honored that Belinda Witzenhausen posted one of my most recent poems, “To the Bully.” I want to thank Belinda and give my followers and readers an opportunity to read and comment on it if it resonates with you.

Thank you!

Reblog: Little Voices, Little Scholars

by Jenny She

I was saddened to learn today that social media friend Jenny She from Auckland, NZ lost her battle with cancer on February 11. I’m blogging Jenny’s last post as a tribute to this loving teacher and friend.

Little Voices, Little Scholars

As part of the Literacy learning process, Mrs She’s children over many years wrote stories and then drew pictures to illustrate their stories. This story writing was integrated with childrens’ Inquiries. Children also recorded their stories in movies so that they could share them with the world. We are proud of this work.

Farewell Mrs Jenny She

 This is the final post for Little Voices, Little Scholars.

Written by Russell Burt, the principal of Pt England School.

Mrs Jenny She, the creator of Little Voices, Little Scholars, a teacher of Pt England School, and a well known innovator with digital technologies in education, passed away peacefully this morning.

Jenny She was known for her cheerful smile, her ‘can do’ and ‘give it a go’ attitude, her indomitable courage and refusal to complain about anything at all.

She completed the 2014 year of teaching, refusing to give up and, although increasingly frail, never ‘took it out’ on others and unceasingly gave of her best until the last day of the school year.

She was steadfast in faith, gracious in adversity and she had friends and followers all over the world. We are all privileged to have witnessed her victory over cancer and the difficulty of her condition.

Well done Jenny, you have left us with an outstanding example of grace and courage. A rare quality of cheerful determination to persevere and serve, no matter what.

Farewell, we salute you. You have, in the words of a Pt England saying, “shown us what OSUM looks like!”

Truly well done Jenny She.

Click here for Jenny’s blog.

Reblog: A Poem for Holocaust Day, 2015 by Tom Drinkard

On January 27, 2015 survivors of the Holocaust and world leaders come together on this 70th anniversary in commemoration of  the liberation of the survivors. The rest of this post is by…

By Thomas Drinkard

While reviewing this before posting, I was struck by the years.  We spent an afternoon, in May of 1971, walking through the Dachau Concentration Camp. I didn’t finish writing this for four more years.  Now, twenty years later, reading it is almost painful. As everyone says, “Never again!”  I hope that’s true, but what I see in places held by ISIS and Boko Haram, as well as other—less well-known—terrorists, I wonder.  The quote at the beginning was actually on a road sign along the Autobahn in 1971.

***************************

ARTIST’S CENTRE

“Visit Dachau, the 1200 years old artists’ centre with its castle and surrounding park offering a splendid view over the country.”

§

 THE GASTHAUS

       “We have been silent witnesses of evil deeds . . ..” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

For the complete article by Thomas Drinkard, click here. 

 

 

Remembering the Attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec 7th, 1941

In recent years I have recounted the attack on Pearl Harbor based on accounts of the events shared by my dad, Andrew C. Weatherly Jr. He gave a first hand account of experiences that day while aboard U.S.S. Raleigh CL-7. Raleigh and its crew survived one of the first torpedo hits that day and took an armor piercing bomb about an hour later.

This year I would like you to read about the attack as presented by the American Legion an organization I am a member of.

Reblog

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor destroyed the U.S. Pacific Fleet, or so many Americans believe. But six months later, that “crippled” fleet defeated a massive Japanese task force at Midway.

Ninety-six ships were in the Navy yard at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Of these, the Japanese sank or damaged only 18, and 11 were back in service within a year.

The attacking Japanese fleet, led by Vice Adm. Chūichi Nagumo, had six aircraft carriers and two battleships, plus cruisers, destroyers and support ships. It arrived 275 miles northwest of Oahu, and at 6 a.m. launched the first attack wave of 183 aircraft; this was followed by a second wave of 168 planes. The first wave arrived over Pearl Harbor at 7:55 a.m., and the attack continued until 9:45 a.m.

– See more at: http://www.legion.org/honor/225354/pearl-harbor-what-it-meant-why-we-remember#sthash.QuOPcI6O.dpuf

USS Arizona Wreckage Library of Congress Photo

Link to complete article from the American Legion.

Related posts:

Previous posts that I shared in the past on the Pearl Harbor Attack and one by Patty Wiseman. Patty and I share a unique bond, both of our dads were aboard U.S.S. Raliegh CL-7, a light cruiser attacked on that infamous day in 1941.

Pearl Harbor: The Memories Are Forever, by Patty Wiseman

72nd Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor, by Rich Weatherly

Meeting Announcement: Denton Poets’ Assembly Meeting November 15, 2014

On November 15th Denton Poets’ Assembly returns to the Emily Fowler Public Library in Denton, Texas. The event will start at 10a.m and end at Noon.Our members will be read Minute poems, poems that are 60-syllables in length for their monthly assignment based on a lesson presented by J. Paul Holcomb, the Poet Laureate of Lewisville. In addition, we look forward to another poetry lesson this Saturday.

 Afterward, we invite members and guests to read free choice poems.

In August DPA members submitted entries to the Poetry Society of Texas Annual Awards competition for 2014. On Saturday, November 8th PST announced the winners. DPA did well!

Listed in alphabetical order:

•  Annie Neugebauer had first, second and third-place awards and many more in the top ten.
•  Beth Honeycutt received a first place award and three others in the top ten.
•  Cindy Wood garnered 2 second and one third place awards and one more in the top ten.
•  J. Paul Holcomb was awarded 1 first, two second, 1 third place awards and several other poems placed in the top ten.
• Robert Schinzel placed in the top ten.
• Richard Weatherly received a first-place award.

Former DPA member Jan Spence had three first-place awards and several others in the top ten.

Members and guests, we hope to see you there!

Denton Poets’ Assembly meets on the third Saturday of the month, 10AM – Noon at the Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland Street, Denton, TX 76201. Meetings are free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome. For more information, visit www.DentonPoetsAssembly.weebly.com

Click here for the complete post.

 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Cyndi Lord: Advice for Planning, Writing, and Marketing Your Book

I have had the pleasure of knowing Cyndi Lord mostly through social media. We are both participants in an annual charity event hosted by Tammy Thompson called Gathering of Authors and held in Texarkana. The event raises funds for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
When I learned Michelle Dalson featured Cyndi in an author interview I was determined to read it. Cyndi has leveraged experience as a private investigator and criminal justice professional to become a best selling paranormal mystery author.
This post discusses Cyndi’s background, providers writing advice and important information on marketing your book.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I.

Review of Behold the Dawn, by K.M. Weiland

Compelling and riveting historical fiction

Get ready for a novel by KM Weiland that will grab you and hold on until you turn the last of its captivating pages.

Behold the Dawn, by K.M. Weiland

Behold the Dawn opens in the year 1192 when Crusaders under King Richard I battled Saladin’s Muslim forces in the Holy Land in an attempt to recapture Jerusalem. At the same time, Marcus Annan engaged in deadly mock battle as a Tourneyer. Annan, “…fought today for the same reason he always fought: it was the only thing his life had left him fit for.” Under threat of excommunication, tourney participants such as Annan continued to ply their trade.

Excerpt from the tourney

The setting sun, burning gold through the dust of the field, glinted against the iron tip of a war hammer. Annan’s blood pumped heat into his muscles. The rules of this tourney banned the war hammer from competition; its lethal heft would crush armor and shatter flesh and bone alike. His fist tightened on his sword hilt, the leather finger of his gauntlet creaking against the steel of the crossguard. Marcus Annan wasted no mercy on duplicitous knaves.

After a day of dealing death, he’s troubled by the sight of a faceless monk, a face hidden within the shadow of a cowl. By the time the spark of recognition brought flashes of hidden memories from 16 years past, the monk disappeared. Annan collected his spoils and ransom from battle while a chain of unfolding events propelled him from Bari, Italy to the fields of battle in the Holy Land.

Annan and his sidekick Peregrine Marek, a Scottish lad indentured to his service, would face deadly challenges from former comrades at arms in addition to threats from avowed enemies. A onetime believer in Christianity, Annan now felt his soul beyond hope; a conscience seared from a life running away from a nightmare called St. Dunstan. Gethin the monk, also known as the Baptist, raged against the Church, the Pope, the Holy War and especially against Roderic the Bishop. These words resurrected memories of the tragic day as he had tried to forget all those years.

During an encounter with Roderic and men at arms allied with him, Annan agrees to kill a former colleague by the name of Matthias, but refuses to kill William, Earl of Keaton his former mentor, his wife Lady Mairead, and the Baptist. By doing so, events are set in motion that take Annan and Marek to the Holy Land.

Not long after landing on the beaches of Acre, Annan and Marek found themselves in the heat of battle, tasting victory as Crusader catapults breached the walls of Acre. Just when the battle appeared to be won, Saladin’s cavalry breached the flanks of Christian fighters. Annan took an arrow from a Saracen volley as it passed through his mail shirt. A Moslem blade disemboweled Annan’s mount. Annan fell, the world around him faded. When Annan woke, he found himself in a prison camp in the care of Knights Hospitalers and in the presence of Lady Mairead the Countess of Keaton, wife of William of Keaton. Annan is one of 2,500 prisoners. Eventually, Annan gained an audience with William after making a plea to Mairead. During that meeting, a dying William made a daunting request, a request to escort Mairead from the Holy Land to a convent in Orleans, France.

Annan accepts the request that will lead to a series of attacks on Annan and Mairead. The story progresses through a series of narrow escapes. Enemies abound. Friends die. Mystery compels constant diligence. Mairead, a deeply religious Christian, prays for Annan, not for his life only but that he accept God’s redemption. While doing so, barriers she had placed between them, fade. Her persistence causes him to question his lack of faith. Maybe there is hope after all.

KM Weiland thoroughly researched the period then used her amazing gift of expression and talents of turning the right phrase and delivering memorable quotes. Readers become part of the field of battle, experience thrilling suspense, and visualize colorful tapestries as she paints poetic word pictures of earth, sky and sea.

Excerpt, lyrical text

This was the fortress city of Jaffa, its repaired walls dark against the sunset red of the sea, pinpricks of early firelight just beginning to show through the window slits in the wall.

I’ve read and enjoyed other novels and short stories by KM Weiland and have a new favorite in Behold the Dawn.

In addition to writing wonderful fiction, Ms. Weiland has written back to back, award winning books on the writing craft, Outlining Your Novel and Structuring Your Novel.  Refer to her author biography for a complete listing of her work.

K.M. Weiland Biography

K.M. Weiland Author, mentor and blogger

K.M. Weiland lives in make-believe worlds, talks to imaginary friends, and survives primarily on chocolate truffles and espresso. She is the IPPY and NIEA Award-winning and internationally published author of the Amazon bestsellers Outlining Your Novel and Structuring Your Novel, as well as the western A Man Called Outlaw, the medieval epic Behold the Dawn, and the portal fantasy Dreamlander. When she’s not making things up, she’s busy mentoring other authors on her award-winning blog http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com. She makes her home in western Nebraska. Find out more about her fiction at http://www.kmweiland.com.

Why I write:
Stories are like breathing. Life without a story in my head is one-dimensional, stagnant, vapid. I love the life God has given me, but I think I love it better because I’m able to live out so many other lives on the page. I’m more content to be who I am because I’m not trapped in that identity. When I sit down at my computer and put my fingers on the keys, I can be anyone or anything, at any time in history. I write because it’s freedom.

Writing routine:
I set aside two hours, five days a week, to write, usually between four and six p.m. I’m a firm believer in Peter de Vries claim: “I write when I’m inspired, and I see to it that I’m inspired at nine o’clock every morning.” I spend the first half hour scribbling ideas in a writing journal, reviewing character sketches and research notes, reading an article on the craft, and proofreading what I wrote the day before. Then I pick a soundtrack, say a prayer for guidance, and dive in.

Process:
It takes years sometimes for my ideas to find their way onto the page. After the first kernel of inspiration takes root, I play with it and play with it, discovering characters and scenes and plot twists. Finally, when I think it’s ready, I dig out a notebook and start sketching ideas and outlines. Depending on the subject matter, I spend a few months researching, then take a deep breath and pray that all the work will pay off in a way that will glorify God.

Inspiration:
Most of my story ideas begin with a character and a place. An outlaw in the Wyoming Territory. A mercenary knight in the Crusades. A vigilante plantation owner in Kenya. A female spy in the Napoleonic Wars. A barnstormer in early 20th-century Kansas. After that, who knows? Inspiration is a gift from God: bits and pieces, tiny ideas that bloom into unexpected treasures.

Advice:
Writing is both a gift and an art. As a gift, it must be approached with humility: the writer is only the vessel through which inspiration flows. As an art, it must be approached with passion and discipline: a gift that’s never developed wasn’t worth the giving.

Website: http://www.kmweiland.com/

Writing advice: http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/

Amazon.com Author Page: Link

Smashwords: Link

August 16th Denton Poets’ Assembly Meeting Announcement

Reblog: Announcing the Denton Poets’ Assembly August 16th meeting – Join us from 10 a.m. – Noon at the Emily Fowler Public Library in Denton for readings of poetry based on  a lesson last month by J. Paul Holcomb on Heroes.

For the complete article click here.

 

July 19th Denton Poets’ Assembly Meeting Announcement

Greetings poets and lovers of poetry. Join us from 10 a.m. – Noon at the Emily Fowler Public Library in Denton for readings of poetry based on last months lesson by J. Paul Holcomb titled, “The Rondel,” a fourteenth century French form with characteristics similar to the villanelle and triolet.

For the complete post, click Here.

Denton Poets’ Assembly Meeting Announcement & Chapter News

Denton Poets’ Assembly will meet again 10 a.m. – Noon on June 21st at the Emily Fowler Public Library in Denton, Texas. Guests are welcome and encouraged to bring a favorite poem to read. Members will be reading a Stretched Sonnet based on J. Paul Holcomb’s lesson on the subject last month.
Members and guests will be given an opportunity to read a free choice poem.
We look forward to J. Paul Holcomb’s poetry lesson this month. Members will vote on DPA chapter officers for the year 2014-2015.
Lucinda Breeding, Features Editor for The Denton Record Chronicle recognized three DPA poets and their pairings in the days and weeks that followed the reception…
For additional information about the event, click here.

76th Anniversary of D-Day, the Normandy Invasion— A Day to Remember

June 6, 1944

A LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel) from the U.S. Coast Guard-manned USS Samuel Chase disembarked troops of the U.S. Army’s First Division on the morning of June 6, 1944 (D-Day) at Omaha Beach. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It’s been said, “Freedom isn’t free.” The Normandy Invasion, commonly called DDay, signaled the beginning

of the end of Nazi tyranny and freedom in Europe. Of those who fought there, few remain to tell their stories. It is fitting that we continue to honor their sacrifices and heroism.

Allied forces consisting of American, British and Canadian troops made up the main invasion force of over 160,000 ground combatants. Allied Navy and merchants ships numbered more than 5,000. Ships provided transportation and gunfire support during the invasion. At midnight before the amphibious assault, Allied Aircraft and gliders inserted almost 8,000 paratroopers behind enemy lines. This represented the largest armada and invasion force in history. Weather and timing were critical to the success of the mission, so was deception. It had taken nearly five years to reach this point in a war that began in September, 1939 with the invasion of Poland by Nazi  forces. This truly was the start of the liberation of Europe. Total Allied casualties were approximately 12,000; again, freedom isn’t free. At  Pointe du Hoc, German 155mm guns threatened assaults on Utah and Omaha beaches.

There’s a Texas connection to the Normandy invasion that can’t be ignored. I am quoting an article from the Texas State Historical Association about the Second Ranger Battalion commander, James Earl Rudder. This battalion played a pivotal role in success at Omaha and Utah Beaches:

Rudder’s Rangers fight with distinction on Normandy beaches

James Earl Rudder commanded the Second Ranger Battalion on DDay, as it achieved one of the

Modern day view of Pointe du Hoc, Normandy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

great feats of arms of the Normandy invasion. Rudder, a native of Eden, Texas, had served in the army in the 1930s and was recalled to duty during World War II. He became commander and trainer of the elite Second Ranger Battalion in 1943. On D-day Rudder’s Rangers stormed the beach at Pointe du Hoc and, under constant enemy fire, scaled 100-foot cliffs to reach and destroy German gun batteries. The battalion suffered higher than 50 percent casualties, and Rudder himself was wounded twice. In spite of this, he and his men helped establish a beachhead for the Allied forces. In later life Rudder became president of Texas A&M. In 1967 he received the Distinguished Service Medal from President Lyndon Johnson.

Ronald Reagan’s Speech on the 40th Anniversary of D-Day
Delivered at Pointe du Hoc Youtube Video, Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, D-Day 6/6/84

Related Handbook Articles:

RUDDER, JAMES EARL

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

WORLD WAR II, TEXANS IN

Other Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normandy_landings

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointe_du_Hoc

§

Allied invasion plans and german positions in the Normandy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Preinvasion bombing of Pointe du Hoc by 9th Air Force bombers. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Convoy on its way to support the Normandy invasion. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Related articles

• Memorial Day Weather: D-Day Forecast and the Sands of Normandy (wjla.com)

Special Announcement: Poetry Society of Texas Anthology

Purchase link from Denton Poets’ Assembly webpage.

Reblogged from the Denton Poets’ Assembly website.

Poets and lovers of poetry,  
I’m honored to announce the publication of A Texas Garden of Verses: An Anthology,
an e-book celebrating poems and poets from  the 2013 PST Summer Conference. It is the product of contributions DPA made to the conference. Eight DPA members are in this anthology; Karona Drummond, J Paul Holcomb, Beth Honeycutt, Chris Irving, Angie Kimmell, Annie Neugebauer, Jan Spence and Jervis Underwood. Chris Irving also helped edit the e-book along with the summer conference committee.

For the complete article with purchase information, click Denton Poets’ Assembly webpage.

May 17th Denton Poets’ Assembly Meeting Announcement and Chapter News

Denton Poets’ Assembly will meet again 10a.m – Noon on May 17th at the Emily Fowler Public Library in Denton, Texas. Guests are welcome and encouraged to bring a favorite poem to read.

Denton Poets’ Assembly last met on Saturday April 19. During the meeting, members read a Cinquain poem based on our March lesson. J. Paul Holcolmb presented a lesson on the sonnet. He will present a lesson on the “Stretched Sonnet” this Saturday.

Quoting J. Paul, I wanted to do it this month because Roberta Bowman came up with the innovation and her funeral was last week. This will be remembering her in a literary way. Also, it will follow the lesson on sonnets so folks should have something to stretch.

Members and guests also read free choice poems in April.

Continued: For the complete post, click here.

A Tribute to Mothers Everywhere

A Tribute to Mothers Everywhere on this Mother’s Day Weekend − It is all about recognizing the love and sacrifice by the one who gave us life, to our spouses and our daughters. To all mothers in my family and friends who are mothers, I want to honor you with this tribute. May you have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day Tribute

Thoughts on The Resurrection

My friend and author, Thomas Drinkard posted an article with compelling arguments for the Resurrection and Christianity; arguments well worth sharing. I hope you read and give it thoughtful consideration.

Pinnacle Writing

I’ve posted this before, but now—on Good Friday—it seems appropriate to think about the Resurrection deeply. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

After the Resurrection, the Romans—as well as those in the Jewish hierarchy who opposed Jesus and his ministry—said that his disciples had stolen his body away from the tomb.  It came about when the chief priests bribed the soldiers who had guarded the tomb.

Matthew 28 tells the story:

¹ After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

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April 19th Denton Poets’ Assembly Meeting Announcement

Denton Poets’ Assembly meets again on Saturday April 19th. Members will be reading a Cinquain based on our March lesson.  J. Paul Holcomb will present a lesson on the Sonnet. 

Be sure to bring a poem in any form for our free choice reading. This includes members and guests. It’s a great way to celebrate National Poetry Month.

For the complete announcement click Here

For Veteran’s Day

A fitting tribute to Vietnam Veteran’s Day by my friend and former Special Forces officer, Thomas Drinkard.

Pinnacle Writing

This is the first poem for Veteran’s Day.   This one is especially for Vietnam Veterans.  The Wall was paid for, not out of government funding, but from veteran’s organizations.  The poem tracks a soldier from his earliest days to his return to America.

The Wall

For the Vietnam Veterans of America

I. Roll Call

Arrayed in perfect ranks and files,
row on row,
gleaming metal and polished black,
sharp straight edges cutting the wind,
they stand
in static silent formation.
Only their nameplates speak…
a voiceless babble of American families,
no other speaks, or spoke, for them.

Soldiers should not make their own monuments

Away from this place of silence,
this place of unheard voices,
(where a limp flower hangs,
pushed into a crevice of the black stone),
the nation erected proper monuments of heroism:
sinewy white marble demigods with laurels;
or helmeted bronze men, thrusting a flagpole upright.

These…

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Denton Poets’ Assembly March 15th Meeting Announcement

Members and guests, join us from 10 a.m – Noon at the Emily Fowler Public Library in Denton for readings of poetry based on last months lesson by J. Paul Holcomb titled, “Close Counts.” Our assignment is to take actual events, experiences or other truth and apply a bit of creative, or poetic license to write a new poem.

Denton Poet’s Assembly meets again this Saturday, March 15. For more information, checkout the link below:
DPA Announcement

Book Review — Del Norte by Julia Rob

review by Rich Weatherly

A gritty story about life on the southern plains in 1870 San Angela

Del Norte book cover

Del Norte may be Julia Robb’s best book yet! Del Norte, a saloon near San Angela, Texas and Fort Concho. The people living there in 1870 have a legacy of hard times and difficult circumstances. This story draws upon a cast of characters from diverse backgrounds. Remote outposts like San Angela make earning a living easier than crowded places farther north and east. Magdalena Chapas and partner Thomas Lamb run the Del Norte Saloon. Ray Cortez is Magdalena’s ex-husband. It wasn’t her doing. As it turns out Ray is a womanizer, and this is just one of his many character flaws. Magdalena cares for her disabled son, Benni. She looks to Dr. Wade Pitney for help in making Benni’s arm functional. Thomas wants to marry Magdelana.

Thomas and Wade had both arrived from a Union prisoner of war camp back east. Thomas became the camp adjutant after taking a bullet in his thigh. Wade was a Confederate doctor charged with stealing food from the prisoners. He denied the charge saying his brother was dying from consumption.

Captain Thomas Lamb described camp conditions. “During fights, he saw artillery behead soldiers, he saw men die holding their intestines in their bodies with their hands, saw them die with dysentery, spilling their evil-smelling waste at army hospitals, or in their own tents, or on the ground under cold skies. Nothing ever shocked him compared to Elmira”

Sing Kum arrived in San Francisco after being sold by her father. A girl’s life was cheap in Canton. Lan, a former Chinese pirate rescued Sing when she was deathly ill in the back of a box car. She grew to love Lan but did not know of his dark past. Lan is ambitious. He’s determined to become a big shot. To him, Sing is just a woman.

Julia Robb brings in other characters, warts and all, to create a compelling story. Her characters are complex; some likeable, other’s seemingly have little redeeming social value. This frontier town populated by a diverse array of personal backgrounds makes conditions ripe for conflict. Racism and bigotry brings dark consequences. Nothing is sugar coated. Expect a well written, gritty portrayal of life on the frontier that moves toward a shocking climax.

Try Del Norte. I’m sure you’ll learn a lot about life on the southern plains in 1870.

Amazon Purchase link: Del Norte

Author’s Bio

Julia Robb- Author

I’m a former journalist and editor-I spent 20 years in the newspaper business-and I’m now a free-lance writer/editor in Marshall, Texas. For fun, I drive across Texas, to the deserted corners, the wide spaces, heading west past Waco, watching the mesas float in the distance.
I began writing “Scalp Mountain” in 2009, when I saw images in my mind; a man kicking his horse into a gallop, racing away from a crime, two men fighting in a Texas valley, a woman hugging an Indian baby, refusing to let him go.
Buddies in the Saddle said about “Scalp Mountain,” “This is a fine novel. If you drew a line between “Lonesome Dove” and “All the Pretty Horses,” you would find “Scalp Mountain” somewhere along the way…..there were times when this one had me and refused to let go. For anyone who likes their westerns well grounded in history, this is one you don’t want to miss.”
I published “Saint of the Burning Heart” in February, 2013.
Saint is about a half-Hispanic child who is left homeless and alone in small-town Texas. A powerful rancher, Frank Kendall, and his family, adopt Nicki and give her a life of comfort and position.
But family intimacy leads to a obsessive, violent love affair between Nicki and Frank. Nicki is forced to leave town and when she returns finds the town at war with itself, with Anglos pitted against Hispanics. And two of the people she loves best are struggling against each other. Frank leads the Anglos and Nicki’s best friend, David Rodriguez, leads the Hispanics.
I published Del Norte this month, in December, 2013.
Del Norte is a novella about San Angela, Texas, which is a rough place in 1870, and Magdalena Chapas knows all about it; from the men who shoot holes in each other while drinking in her saloon, the Del Norte, to the man who loved her, married her and left her without a word.
Now Ray Cortez is back, and Magdalena doesn’t know what her ex-husband wants.
Does it have anything to do with the gravestone she leaned on the Del Norte’s back wall?
The stone says, “Americo Chapas, 1823-1868, Asesinado, Dios Lo Vengara, Murdered, God Will Avenge Him.”
Sing Kum knows about men.
She was freezing to death in a boxcar when Lan found her and nursed her back to health.
But Lan has a past and ambitions Sing only discovers when it’s too late. She already loves him.
Dr. Wade Pickney knows what men can do because the Yankees locked him up in a POW camp during the war and almost starved him to death.
Then they accused him of the unspeakable.
Thomas knows what men can do because he was adjutant at the camp which imprisoned Wade.
Thomas, Magdalena’s partner at the Del Norte, also knows Ray Cortez is going to be the death of somebody if he, Thomas, doesn’t stop him.
Thomas tells Magdalena that Ray was not a good man but she can safely trust him, she can love him.
“Shut up,” Magdalena says, fending off the drunks, slipping the cards from the faro box, raking in the money, and waiting for her world to explode around her.

72nd Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor

7 December 1941, America enters WWII

“A day which will live in Infamy!”

 By Rich Weatherly and Patty Wiseman

 It’s hard to believe that 72-years have passed since the Attack on Pearl Harbor by the Imperial Japanese Navy. On the tenth anniversary of this infamous event, I had just turned eight years of age when my Dad, A.C. Weatherly Jr. first shared his memories of the event with me. I’ll share them after a brief introduction.

The nation was shocked and dismayed by the loss and devastation that occurred at Pearl Harbor. The day after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt opened his address in to joint session of congress with these words:

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

To read the complete address, refer to http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/fdrpearlharbor.htm

English: :Photo #: 80-G-19938 :Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941 :USS Raleigh (CL-7) is kept afloat by a barge lashed alongside, after she was damaged by a Japanese torpedo and a bomb, 7 December 1941. The barge has salvage pontoons YSP-14 and YSP-13 on board. The capsized hull of USS Utah (AG-16) is visible astern of Raleigh. :Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. :Large original file cropped to focus on cruiser, brightened and some artifacts removed (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A warm Sunday morning; about 7:45 a.m. to 8 a.m. Church bells, laughter a day of peace and rest. My dad, A.C. Weatherly Jr. is shaving and about to step ashore but on this day that would not happen. Klaxons Sounded, Squawk Box Screamed, Air Raid Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.

A crash of steel upon steel from an enemy torpedo struck amidships on the port side. A deafening roar and concussion shook Raliegh as the torpedo detonated. The hull rose, fell and began a to port. USS Raleigh (CL-7) became one of the first casualties at Pearl Harbor that Day.

About an hour after the torpedo  hit, an armor piercing bomb crashed through bulkheads and explodes a short distance beyond her hull, barely missing an aviation fuel take; a fuel tank used to service the catapult patrol plane on the fantail. Amazingly, no one died aboard Raliegh that day… a tribute to the heart, training and dedication of all who fought bravely to keep her afloat. Dad shared the following anecdote. He told of being a member of a bucket brigade passing water to a machine gun on the mast because the torpedo disabled the water pumps that supplied water to the water-cooled guns.

She was kept afloat by jettisoning everything not permanently attached; barges supported, pumps counter-flooded and breaches in bulkheads were shored. Raleigh made it, survived and continued to serve for the duration of the war.

The following link includes the official US Navy after action report by the commanding officer of the Raliegh: http://www.history.navy.mil/docs/wwii/pearl/ph73.htm

Recently my Aunt Sallie Weather Hebisen shared a background story about events during that weekend. At the same time as her oldest brother’s status remained unknown because of the attack, their dad Andrew Claude Weatherly Sr. had been hospitalized after a bad car accident. They learned eventually that my dad was safe and my grand-dad had a severe back injury.

Vigilance must never fail. Thanks to that Greatest Generation, so few now but always honored and yet we pay tribute and go on to fight our wars and win the peace for future generations.

I’ve invited Patty Wiseman to continue this tribute.

Award winning author Patty Wiseman is a friend and we share this event in common through our fathers. Both were aboard USS Raleigh (CL-7) at the time of the attack. The article that follows is her story about the Raleigh during the attack as she learned it from her father.

REMEMBERING PEARL HARBOR

By Patty Wiseman

Patty Wiseman, Author
Author of An Unlikely Arrangement
Author of An Unlikely Beginning
Author of An Unlikely Conclusion
Amazon Author Page
http://www.pattywiseman.com/

I am the daughter of a Pearl Harbor survivor. My father, Calvin C. Dawes, was a gunner’s mate on the USS Raleigh, a destroyer, when the attack commenced. I had not been born…yet that day impacted my life as no other.

My dad was a month away from turning18 on that day. His mother had signed to allow him to join the Navy. He became a man the day the Japanese attacked.

I wished I’d known the fun-loving boy, the adventurous youth he was before that day. I was never to know him in that way. Oh, his life went on after the war, he married mother, his high-school sweetheart. They had four children over the course of time, I was the second born. Yes, life went on. But not for dad. He recounted the moments that stole his youth, those moments seared in his brain forever. We heard the stories, lived through it with him. It was real to us, as if we had been there with him.

O700 hours. A dull explosion hit the ship. All hands were called to general quarters and 5 minutes later the anti-aircraft guns on the Raleigh opened fire. The ocean water was boiling. Dad did his job as he was trained, with no time to think, no time to be afraid. Men hollered orders, ran back and forth with ammunition. Everyone did their job to perfection.

Calvin C. Dawes

The ship started to list toward port. An airplane torpedo struck #2 fireroom and flooded it. #1 & #3 were reported flooded, too. It looked as if the Raleigh would capsize.

The noise was deafening, the smoke rising. Taste of burning oil was in the air. The gunfire was steady and accurate. Dad saw several Japanese planes fall out of the sky as a result of his mates and their training. A bomber flew over the stern of the Raleigh, burst into flames and crashed on the USS Curtis. Thank goodness for the training these men went through, that in the heat of battle, they could perform their duties without hesitation. Dad found out later that the Raleigh was responsible for the downing of five Japanese planes, all while listing severely. Proudly, he remembered everyone on board stayed at their posts and finished the job.

The Raleigh survived the attack, no one on the ship was killed. A miracle, since the Utah and USS Raleigh were the first ships attacked. They were mistaken by the Japanese for the Lexington and the Enterprise.

Even at his tender age, dad performed valiantly, as did all the men on the Raleigh, as stated in numerous reports. Dad would be in several other battles during the war, but none impacted him as much as that attack.

He’d just begin telling the stories, over and over, as if they played like a movie in his mind. He was prone to fits of anger, weeping, emotional upheaval he tried to drown in drink. Back in that day no one heard of post-traumatic stress disorder, much less knew to treat it. Dad lived with it. A seventeen year old boy caught in one of the biggest naval battles in World War II history, forever to live with the extreme memories.

I lost my dad about twenty years ago to a heart attack, but I always felt I’d lost him before I ever really knew him. The last two years of his life he would tell me he was sorry…sorry for the memories he forced on us. He seemed more at peace then. I held his hand and wept with him.

Patty, thank you for sharing your father’s personal experiences with us. Both of our families owe our lives to the heroism on the Raliegh that day.

English: The U.S. Navy Omaha-class light cruiser USS Raleigh (CL-7) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California (USA), on 6 July 1942, following repair of the damage sustained at Pearl Harbor and an overhaul. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rich Weatherly aboard USS Brister

Rich Weatherly, 1964 aboard USS Brister (DER-327)

Re-blog: The Problem of Special Needs Siblings

A guest post by Jennifer Janes

Many of you who follow my blog did so as a result of posts on autism. I want you to  know that my support and advocacy for those affected by autism has not diminished. One of the blogs I follow is authored by Jennifer Janes. Jennifer is the parent of a child with autism. Jennifer and I met at The Gathering of Authors in Texarkana, Texas during the first weekend of November. I’ve since learned she is a prolific blogger who recently posted this article on addressing problems between special needs siblings.

Welcome Jennifer!

Jennifer Janes

The following content is from Jennifer Janes’ blog.

My older daughter is a great kid. After she turned three years old and finally began sleeping, she’s been a pretty easy kid to raise, overall. She is loving, kind, understanding, funny, and smart. So what’s the problem?

The problem is that she’s the sibling of a child with special needs. It took me a while to realize it, but that means she has special needs of her own. As I talk to other special needs parents, I’m beginning to realize this is not unusual.

To read the rest of this post, click here The Problem of Special Needs Siblings