The
B O O K S h e l f AUTHORS GUILD OF TENNESSEE MAGAZINE
FEATURED WHY THE DRUG PROBLEM IS COMPLICATED
Plus RICK’S STORY: HIS LIFE WITH MARIJUANA, COCAINE, AND HEROINE
SCIENCE AND FAITH THE EVER-PRESENT BATTLE BETWEEN THE HEAD AND THE HEART
THEORY 3 TEACHERS ARE ENTERTAINERS
ISSUE 3 | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2018
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ISSUE 3 | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2018
Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye!
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Inspirational Writings by Randall Carpenter SOMETIMES, THE BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES ARE HARD TO SEE. SOME HIDE BEHIND OUR DISAPPOINTMENTS ONLY TO BECOME SOMETHING WE REALIZE IN THE FUTURE WAS A BLESSING. TRUST ALL THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON, AND THAT REASON MAY NOT BE SEEN UNTIL WE LIVE ONE OF OUR TOMORROWS. BY RANDALL L. CARPENTER, AGT AUTHOR.
DON’T LET WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW CONVINCE YOU THAT YOU CANNOT LEARN WHAT YOU HAVE NOT TRIED. NO ONE IS VERSED IN EVERY SUBJECT AND KNOWLEDGE IS SOMETHING OBTAINED OVER TIME, NOT ACQUIRED AT BIRTH. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU SEEK TO LEARN WILL SLOWLY BECOME A REALITY.
Copyright 2017 by Randall L. Carpenter and RanCath Writings All Rights Reserved
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Spotlights
Hiking For Fun And Pain by David Curran Hiking and Camping (123 pages) $8.99 Ebook $3.99
Fiddler Of The Mountains: Attuned to the Life and Times of Johnny Mull by Eva Wike Biography / Family History (100 pages) $24.99
Frank Carver Mysteries by Russell Fine Mystery, Thriller & Suspense (237 pages) $12.95 Ebook $2.99
Best Seller List: A Dream To Die For by BJ Gillum Mystery, Thriller & Suspense (198 pages) $14.95 Ebook $2.99
A Leprechaun's Lament: A Sam Jenkins Mystery by Wayne Zurl Mystery, Thriller & Suspense (234 pages) $12.95 Ebook $5.99
The Bavarian Krisp Caper by Kaye George Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Short story (11 pages) Ebook $0.99
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Spotlights
Blue Fire: The Mendel Experiment Part Two by Susan Kite Young Adult Science Fiction (286 pages) $19.99 Ebook $2.99
The Gifts Of Man by S. M. McElligott Religious & Inspirational Fiction (455 pages) $14.99 Ebook $2.99
The Bit Dance by Tilmer Wright Jr. Science Fiction (388 pages) $14.99 Ebook $3.99
Behind The Smile: During the Glamour Years of Aviation by Bobbi Phelps Wolverton Non-fiction (219 pages) $14.95 Ebook $2.99
Reluctant Lieutenant: From Basic to OCS in the Sixties by Jerry Morton Military Life and Institutions (366 pages) $17.00 Ebook $9.99
Hopkins Goes To The Beach by Jennifer Hultz Children's Books (32 pages) $18.99 Ebook: $3.99
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028
1 Proclamation National Author's Day 2 Randall Carpenter Inspirational Writings
046
8 Sam Bledsoe Interview with Richard Cross
13 Adele A. Roberts My Mother an Extraordinary Woman 15 Jody Dyer Theory 3: Teachers are Entertainers 16 Bobbi Phelps Wolverton The Runt - Chapter one
28 Author Events Events where the public can meet AGT authors
AUTHORS GUILD OF TENNESSEE
The BookShelf is a quarterly publication of The Authors Guild of Tennessee
Nadine Richmond --Editor and Designer Linda Fitzpatrick--Assistant Editor
Advertising Bobbi Phelps Wolverton
President
23 INDEX OF SUPPORTERS 24
Cheesecakes + More Preferred Pharmacy
25
American Commissary Books By Bobbi
26
Union Ave Books Engraphics
27
UPS Store RanCath Writings
17 Susan Kite Editors 18 Tilmer Wright Jr. Science and Faith
Book Shelf
Editorial Staff
7 Richard Cross Rick's Story, His Life with Marijuana, Heroin and Cocaine
12 Patricia Crumpler Beta Reading
The
CONTENTS
NADINE RICHMOND Bobbi Phelps Wolverton SAM BLEDSOE
CONTACT US For Advertising Bobbi Phelps Wolverton at bobbiphelps1@gmail.com or 865-657-9560
Subscribe Online To receive The BookShelf Magazine by Email: THE BOOK SHELF www.authorsguildoftn.org
Email:
ON THE COVER Jim Hartsell author of 11 books tells us why the drug problem in the United States is not an easy fix. Like most things, It's complicated. Pg. 9
agtezine@gmail.com
Facebook www.facebook.com/authors guildoftn/
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EDITOR'S NOTE
Nadine Richmond agtezine@gmail.com
Opioids I believe each of us had been affected in some way by the drug problem we face in this nation each and every day. In this issue of the BookShelf magazine, you will read the heartbreaking story of Richard Cross a father who lost his son because of an addiction to drugs. Jim Hartsell another AGT author is very familiar with the drug problem we face because he has worked with teenagers who were on the fringes of society. He has seen their pain and struggles up close and personal. Jim Hartsell said, “Like most things, it’s complicated.” How did we get here? According to the National Institute on Drug abuse (NIDA), more than 115 people die each day because of overdosing on opioids. The NIDA reports that in the late 1990’s the medical community was told by the pharmaceutical companies that Opioid pain relievers were not addictive. Because of this doctors began prescribing opioids for pain, any type of pain. People have also been prescribed opioids for pain when they went to the dentist. Unfortunately, the danger was not realized until later when it became apparent that these drugs were highly addictive. According to CDC data, the death rate of drug overdoses due to synthetic opioids has continued to increase. This is sad news.
It means we have a lot of work to do to turn this around. Tennessee is also one of the states where the death rate is higher than the U.S. rate. Many people including teens have moved to illegal drugs after becoming addicted to prescription pain medication. Many people have also watched in pain as loved ones destroyed themselves and they were unable to change the situation. This issue is now a public health crisis and research is ongoing to find alternative nonaddictive ways to manage chronic pain. In this issue, you will discover a wide range of articles, from a very talented group of authors. You will read about an extraordinary woman who loved her children and did the best she could to provide for them. You will also read chapter one of the book, The Runt. Also included is an article about why science and faith do not cancel out each other. On a lighter note read why authors should help one another with proofreading, how teachers are entertainers, and why we need editors. Reference: https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugsabuse/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis
Visit our website, like our Facebook page and share with people you know. We look forward to hearing from you.
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RICK’S STORY: HIS LIFE WITH MARIJUANA, COCAINE, AND HEROINE
By Richard Cross
One morning last year (2017) after reading a newspaper article about the increasing opioid addition in Tennessee children, I received a calling from God to write about my deceased son Rick. His life is told in the first person as if Rick was living and telling his story in Rick's Story His Life with Marijuana, Cocaine, and Heroin. After Rick's murder in Miami, I prepared his tax return for the year 1999 and determined he was earning over one-hundred fifty thousand dollars a year at the time of his passing. God's message is: "Don't Do Drugs". More Knox Countians than ever before are dying from drugs. In 2016, Knox County saw a 31 percent increase in deaths caused by drugs – a higher rate than either our state or country as a whole experienced. In Tennessee alone, more than 1,600 people died from drug overdoses in 2016 ─ a 12 percent increase over 2015. Nationally, the number of drug overdose deaths is expected to continue to reach record highs. According to the Center for Disease Control, the number of drug overdose deaths topped 64,000 in 2016 — that’s more than the number of American troops lost during the Vietnam War. Most of these overdoses involved an opioid. Since 1999, the number of opioid-related drug deaths has more than quadrupled but deaths from heroin and methamphetamine are also on the rise. To learn more visit the CDC website
To learn more about Rick's Story visit Amazon.com
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INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD CROSS By Sam Bledsoe America is in the midst of a deadly drug epidemic and Richard Cross is on a mission. Richard Cross, the author of Lee Harvey Oswald - Rogue KGB Agent, has found it in his heart to share the true, heartbreaking story of his beloved son Rick, lost to his loving family through the insidious nightmare of drug addiction. In his book Rick’s Story: His Life with Marijuana, Cocaine, and Heroine, he tells the heartbreaking story of his son Rick’s long struggle with drug addiction. He and his wife were devastated by the violent and tragic death of their son at age 42 because of drugs. He believes no parent should have to suffer for the loss of a child the way he has. Even though Rick had advantages others could only hope for ─ a loving family, financial support, an impressive I.Q., and a good education, he was unable to resist the temptation of drugs. He started by taking marijuana, then Oxycodone and other prescription painkillers, and finally heroin and cocaine. His younger brother, adopted at the age of twelve months when Rick was six years old, had his own issues. Born with special needs, Kevin became easy prey for both the system and his so-called friends, finally succumbing to alcoholism as a young man. Both brothers had access to first-rate rehabilitation centers. Kevin would not stay for the program, in which he was enrolled, but Rick did. He had access to first-rate rehabilitation centers and stuck it out for the entire three years. After his release, he was able to find meaningful employment with a generous salary and finally began to live the life he had always planned. But sadly the temptation posed by a fiancée who was addicted to drugs and had access to prescription painkillers was more than he could resist. He met a violent and sad end.
In April of 2017, Richard received a letter from Senator Lamar Alexander concerning the book about Rick's life. He expressed his sympathy and resolve to tackle this crisis. On July 13, 2016, Congress passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act which gives grants to states and local governments to increase prevention and treatment and it also expands access to opioid overdose reversal medications. Richard said the drug epidemic is the greatest crisis our country faces. The drug crisis impacts all of us and is a threat to families in every community in Tennessee and across the country. When someone is addicted to drugs, their families also suffer. Richard’s fervent hope is that his book’s sobering and truthful look at the real life of an addict will help others to avoid the path his son followed. His book is written in the language of teenagers but it is also appropriate for parents as well. His goal is not to make money from selling his book but to spread the message wherever possible: “Don’t do drugs!” He gladly gives his book away to school librarians and will speak to any groups who will listen. He urges parents who are taking prescription drugs to keep them locked up so their children don’t have access to them and to know who their children associate with.
To learn more about Richard Cross's other books visit Amazon.com
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LIKE MOST THINGS, IT’S COMPLICATED By Jim Hartsell If you’ve ever seen an office worker huddled outside in the February wind and rain having a cigarette, or been behind a driver trying to get home and unable to keep his car in the lane, or stood in line at a pharmacy while the person at the counter shouted at the pharmacist about a prescription with no refills left, you have had a glimpse of the drug issue in this country. But only a glimpse. Many people have seen the drug problem from a distance. Some have seen it up close, maybe within their own family. A few have lived it, or are living it right now. There are many facets to this issue. Here is an incomplete list: access to drugs (legal and illegal), genetic factors, poor or nonexistent role models, peer and neighborhood influence, a history of failure in school, work, and social relationships, lack of effective consequences for destructive actions or poor choices, a habit of high-risk behaviors, lack of knowledge of available resources, distrust of formal authority, inability
to recover from major life crises, pain management that develops into something much different. And so on. The answer to the drug problem in this country, or any other country for that matter, would be easy if the source was only one of those listed above. But it isn’t. It is almost never a single reason, and that is why it’s difficult to speak with authority about how to “fix the problem.” At the core, it’s an intensely personal issue, and any attempt to imply that these stories are alike and will all be responsive to the same solution is disrespectful to those involved and counterproductive to finding a path forward.
was pain, often hidden even to the young person themselves. And underneath that was the core issue or issues.
It has been postulated by some that addiction starts out as an attempt to recover from pain, whether it’s physical, psychological, or spiritual. In my experience working with young people, I found that to be an argument with some validity. Certainly some of them started out just trying to make the pain go away, and their solution turned into a problem in its own right. In many cases these young people weren’t even able to say why they were hurting. There was usually anger there, right on the surface. Underneath the anger
In my book Pushing Back, the first in the Boone series, Boone at sixteen years old certainly doesn’t see alcohol (in his case moonshine) as a problem. His daddy drank it, Boone knows where it is hidden, and it very quickly becomes part of his life. I doubt that he sees it as a solution, either, even though Boone’s anger and insecurity are significant influences in his daily life. His daddy drank, his neighbor drinks, his friends drink, and so does Boone. Continued on page 10
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I have begun work on the fourth book in the series, and I’m curious to discover how Boone copes in this next stage of his journey into adulthood. In this fiction series, Boone is a good kid, growing up with the odds stacked against him and not much in the way of assets. When he can figure out the right thing to do, he usually does it, so I’m hopeful. As in the real world, though, there are a lot of factors operating, some of which are under Boone’s control and some of which aren’t. Which brings us back to the original point, that the drug problem in general and the opioid crisis in specific are complex, multifaceted issues that have proven resistant to single-minded solutions (Prohibition, the War on Drugs, Just Say No, and so on). Johann Hari said that the opposite of addiction is connection, not sobriety, and while this is a point of view worth exploring, the dynamics of connection are both too complex to yield to a simple solution and too personal to allow for a one-size-fits-all policy implementation. Connection within and among communities, on the local level, would be a large step in the right direction. Implied in the use of the word connection, and one of the
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reasons addressing this issue is so difficult, is that the effort must be ongoing to have any chance of success. I attended a church service a couple of years ago during which the minister pointed out that the theme of the day’s message was one he repeated every year and asked rhetorically about the necessity of such repetition. When I spoke to him after the service I told him that I thought it was because he was a kind of gardener.
discovering solutions, over and over. We can see that as a source of frustration, or as a series of ongoing chances to get it right. I prefer the latter view.
The communities in which we live and work and learn and play and struggle and mourn are more garden than factory, and the distinction is important. Factories need maintenance and repair; gardens must be nourished and tended, and every cycle of seasons is a new beginning. Of course it’s more complex than that; any time that human beings are involved, whether it’s an individual, a family, a classroom, a community, or a society, it gets messy and complicated and hard to pin down.
His career working with teenagers on the fringes of society has made him both sensitive to and appreciative of the complexities of character and the struggles, inner and outer, that we all wrestle with in one form or another. His writing emphasizes character development over action.
A local police chief speaking to the media just the other day said that the opioid problem in the community was being brought under control, but the heroin abuse issue was growing. That is why we can’t afford to say, when we find something that works in a particular situation, that we have the solution to the whole problem. We have to keep
To learn more about the author and his books visit his Author's page on Amazon.
A retired Special Ed teacher and lifelong East Tennessean currently living on House Mountain, Jim has been married 38 years so far and has two children and three grandchildren.
He has published 11 books and is currently working on the 12th. In addition to writing, he enjoys volunteer work at Ijams Nature Center, playing hammer dulcimer, and reading a variety of genres. It’s a good life.
Continued from page 9
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BETA READING
ISSUE 3 | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2018
By Patricia Crumpler
fantasy/adventure, memoirs, anthologies (one of ghost stories,) murder mysteries, thrillers, war stories, and science fiction.
I know a lot has been written about this subject, but I’m ready to put my two cents in. In the years I have been involved with the folks who write, I have encountered some amazing talent. I bow to their abilities. Since I participate in a few critique groups, I keep busy. Just about every week, one of my writing acquaintances contacts me with bits and pieces of their work to ask for my opinion. On occasion, someone will ask me to read a whole novel for my opinion. This is Beta Reading and I rarely refuse. For the most part, when read them I am thoroughly entertained. And I learn. What is remarkable is the breadth of subjects I encounter. The genres include young adult historical, vampires, gay romance, young adult
I like to read them through in a single sitting, which can be a bit uncomfortable plopped on the computer chair. Of course, when a really long one comes to me, I have to break it up. But I think beta reading works better in one fell swoop, using an old phrase. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that written—one fell swoop. Hmm, interesting. One night a writer friend—not just an acquaintance—sent me his completed novel and asked for a reading. This is a person who is on the short list of fine writers. I have enjoyed everything he writes. That night’s event was no exception. Even if my butt hurt after the second hour, I could not stop reading. It was a wonderful story. It had a few plot holes and unanswered bits, but I loved it. At 1:30 am I wrote my findings, and happily retired for the night. When I awoke, I read an email from him saying I had written exactly what he needed. I know he will be there for me when I need him to beta read. My reason for this piece is to encourage writers to help other writers by beta reading. If someone asks for your opinion, be flattered. If you have the time, do it. Be objective. Don’t be snarky with your opinions (story judges fill that role just fine, thank you). Think about what you would want someone to say about your work. Compliments are nice, but beware not to substitute a compliment for a needed repair.
Sometimes the writers make it easy by giving you a questionnaire. Consider making a questionnaire when you ask for the beta read. Be sure to include a page for extra comments and opinions. Beta reading is an important part of the revision. Remember also, not to ask for the beta read until after you’ve made your piece as clean as possible— meaning, free of errors and polished with the last coat of literary varnish. And keep in mind, if you help someone with their novel, when it’s your turn, Literary Karma will provide a beta reader for you. Patricia Crumpler is a retired high school librarian and art teacher. Her hobbies are painting, drawing, sewing, cooking, and of course, the hobby that owns her-writing. She lives near Boca Raton, Florida for part of the year and Reliance, in a wilderness cabin in the Cherokee National Forest of Tennessee at other times. Traveling offers opportunities to absorb new cultures, to learn about different people and nationalities, and to gather knowledge, which ultimately shows up in her writing. Patricia had a kidney transplant in 1992, donated by her sister. She is grateful to be alive and keeps that in her heart every day. Patricia has fifteen short stories and one book traditionally published, and five indie-published books available on Amazon.
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MY MOTHER – AN EXTRAORDINARY WOMAN By Adele A. Roberts When I was very young my friends would talk about their grandmothers. They told stories of what they bought them and what they did together. I sat and listened. I never really knew a grand mother. My dad's mother mother passed away when I was seven. She lived in a different state and only visited occasionally. I wanted to know about a grandmother and asked my mother about her mom. My mother and I would snuggle together on the couch. She would put her arm around me and would tell me stories about her childhood. My mother passed away at the age of eighty-eight. All the little stories she told me became precious in my memory. I didn’t want them to be forgotten. As you read this article you will see and meet a very extraordinary woman. Many of the memories are written as if she wrote them. I took each of these incidents and put them down as if she were talking to you. You can pretend that you are sitting next to her. I believe you will enjoy her journey through life as a young girl. She heard the knock on the door and wondered who it was. Her stepmother told her to go to her room at once. Hoping to hear every word that was said, she pressed her ear against the bedroom door and listened. “How is Emma,? I have so often wanted to stop and see her.”
The conversation was cordial and the tones of the voices were quiet and subdued. At times she couldn’t hear what was being said and she so wanted to open the door. It wasn’t long before she heard the ‘goodbyes’ and the front door opening and closing. She ran to the window to look out and saw a woman looking back. She knocked on the window and waved. She never knew if her mother saw her. Then the tears came streaming down her face. “Mother, I love you so and miss you.” That was the last time she ever saw her mother – my grandmother. There were four children in my mother’s family. They lived in a small two-bedroom above a grocery store. It was heated by a wood stove that was used for heat but also for cooking. There was not much furniture. My mother remembered a dining room table with chairs, a dresser, and a sofa. My grandfather worked at the Wabash Railroad Company in Riverdale, Illinois. He was a repairman/carpenter and worked on the boxcars. Mother said her father was a kind man and although he didn’t have much money, he wanted to give them everything they needed. She said that when he received his paycheck he would look at each one of the children and ask, “Whose turn is it for new shoes and clothes?” They were so happy to go shopping with him and felt they were the luckiest kids on the block. My grandfather seldom complained about not feeling well. He didn’t want to miss work as he was afraid of losing his job. He developed a bad cold and in spite of his objections, he visited a doctor. Continued on page 14
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He had developed pneumonia and despite all efforts to save him, he died within days of entering a hospital. My grandmother was left with four young children. She now had to make life-changing decisions for the family. There was no help for her financially and she was advised to put the children in a home for children. Mother told me that as soon as they entered the 'home' they were separated from one another. She said that she remembered seeing her younger brother in the hallway, wanting so much to talk and play with him, but it wasn’t allowed. My mother would visit the home when she could and saw how unhappy we were. She knew she needed to get us out. She was told by the court that if she could prove that someone could provide food and shelter for us, we could leave. One day a man came to the home and we were united again as a family. In order for my mother to make money, she began cleaning houses. I was ten and wanted to help her as much as I could. She taught me how to clean and make everything, “spic and span”. She was proud of the work she did and I was proud of her! At one of the houses we cleaned, there was a woman who was always very nice to me. I thought she had the most beautiful home! There were so many things to admire. I always looked forward to helping my mother clean her house. This woman knew my mother was having a difficult time providing for four children since my father had died. I knew we were poor and mother was doing the best she could to care for us. However, there was never any extra money. People who knew of our situation would often drop off food and other items that we needed. One day mother asked me not to go with her to
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clean this house. She said there was something the woman wanted to discuss with her alone. When mother came home she asked me to listen very carefully to what she was going to tell me. She had tears in her eyes and from the way she talked I knew whatever it was hurt her terribly. 'Emma, I love you dearly. You know that don’t you? What I did today was for you – for your future. Mrs. Dunbar wants to adopt you. I agreed it was the best thing for you. She will provide for you and take care of all your needs. You will have a good home to live in. However, there is one thing that she asked of me. I am never to see or talk to you again.' Mother put her arms around me and held me so tight. We cried together. It wasn’t long after that all my few belongings were packed and I entered into a life away from my brothers, sister and mother. I never blamed my mother, your grandmother, for doing what she thought was best for me. To this day I know she did what she did because she loved me. I was treated well, and I had a home to live in. My stepmother was a kind woman. My mother died early in life and my sisters and brother could not afford a real cemetery plot. She was buried in ‘Potter’s Field’, a place for the poor. I never went to the funeral and to the place where they buried her. I never talked with my mother after I was adopted. I only saw her from a distance - from the window in my bedroom.”
Adele A. Roberts currently lives in Oliver Springs, TN. As a former teacher and counselor, she has spent many years working with children and parents. As a storyteller, she began telling her make-believe stories to her students, and Sammy the skunk was one of their favorite characters. There are now six books published in a series about this little skunk named Sammy. She can be reached at: adeleroberts38@gmail.com sammytheskunk.com or crittersdontlitter.com Continued from page 13
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THEORY 3: TEACHERS ARE ENTERTAINERS BY JODY DYER student to come up front and stand in the heart “spotlight.” She chose a number that correlated to another student in the roll book. Then, my teacher spun his globe to determine where they would go on their fictional date. Which teacher stands out in your memory? My guess is that your favorite teacher stands out for one reason: entertainment value. Why do students always want to make teachers dance? And why is it that only the chubby teachers will dance? Schoolteacher dancing is tricky. They must show G-Rated proficiency, can NOT be suggestive, and stay with the times. Too many teachers do the Macarena.
My mother taught for 38 years. One day, as she strolled classroom rows and forced Hamlet onto juniors, a gaggle of girls giggled. Finally, one said, “You’ve got panty hose coming out of your britches.” My mother had dragged long, empty, tan feet around for three class periods. My principal bragged to a group of students that he could do a split. He jumped into the air and touched his toes. And split his pants wide open.
My biology teacher tortured ambitious honors students by offering an A+ on the entire fetal pig dissection project if we pulled the pig’s brain and spinal cord out, completely intact. My neurotic friend Tanya broke out in a cold sweat as she navigated innards with a tiny scalpel.
Teachers love food. Just like students, they’ll eat at any time. When I taught, I had pizza and cake before 9 a.m. numerous mornings. After I enjoyed three desserts during one late summer in-service, a teacher friend said, as she gobbled down her own sweet buffet, “I can’t start my diet until I have students.”
My geography teacher hosted a dating game. He cut a heart into notebook paper, laid the paper on the overhead projector, and cut the lights. He chose a female
Friends, as the school year begins and homework and school project stress build, remember that teachers are human. Teachers get tired. Teachers get punchy.
Teachers are over-stimulated throughout the day. But, educators care deeply for their students, deeply enough to play, dance, and diet to exhaustion as they impart wisdom and create lasting, funny memories young minds will cherish into adulthood.
Jody Dyer is a humorist writer and author of several works. Through her business Crippled Beagle Publishing, Jody helps clients of all ages share their personal or business messages through books, articles, marketing content, essays, and more. Visit her website at www.jodydyer.com. Find her on Facebook at Author Jody Dyer and Crippled Beagle Publishing.
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THE RUNT By Bobbi Phelps Wolverton and I didn’t necessarily follow typical behavioral patterns. Now I was about to become a rebel with a cause — to save this puppy from certain death.
Chapter one “Why are you going to kill her?” I asked, clutching the squirming black puppy closer to my chest. “Why?” I asked, my voice breaking as I repeated the question. “We just spent the last few months trying to save her.” “We don’t have pets,” answered David Laylin, coowner of the Iran Safaris Company. He was a slender man in his middle thirties, attractive in a rugged sort of way. We stood in the tiled entrance hall of the spacious home he shared with his wife, Jill. They had invited Ron and me to stay with them in northern Tehran while my husband worked for the Iranian government, focusing on its oil pollution problems. “We have only working dogs, and she’s not healthy enough to be one,” David said as he reached for the scruff of the small Labrador’s neck. “She’s a sickly runt. There’s no way she can retrieve ducks for hours on end,” he added. “One of our workers will drown her in the pond.” “No!” I exclaimed, turning my back to him as I smoothed the puppy’s soft fur with the tips of my fingers. “Let me send her back to the States.” It was out of character for me to address my host and friend with such audacity, but I loved this little dog and was determined to keep her alive. Despite my bellbottom jeans, colorful blouse, and long brown hair, I was not a hippie. Yet I did question authority
Months earlier when we first arrived at the Laylin home, one of their dogs had just given birth to eight black puppies, all of which were plump, healthy, and active. All, that is, except one. In my arms I held the runt of the litter. “OK. You can try. But call the embassy first to see if that’s even a possibility,” said David. “I asked about the rules when we were at the American Embassy in India,” I replied. “She fits the criteria. Now all I have to do is get health papers from your vet.” “Jill and I’ll help if that’s what you really want,” David responded as he crossed his arms. “But if the vet won’t give you the proper papers, you know what we’ll have to do.” BLACK EMPRESS describes Bobbi Wolverton’s four months in Iran in 1974 when she saved a throw-away puppy, contributing to the threatening and frightening challenges she faced in the Muslim country. She survived a terrifying police interrogation and an attempted rape. In this inspiring memoir, Wolverton delivers an exciting ride of terror, drama, and humor, not only in Iran but also in Nepal and India. Black Empress is an inspiring and educational book for travel adventurers and courageous dog lovers. Her book is an eBook and a paperback, all available from Amazon. Paperback $ 14.95, Kindle $6.99. You can also visit her website booksbybobbi
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EDITORS By Susan Kite
I love the editors in my life! When I first began seriously writing, I had this lovely, but unrealistic notion, that my stuff was perfect. Or at the least, almost perfect. Of course, I learned otherwise very quickly. When I look back at some of my early writing, I shudder. And one of my degrees in college was English. While writing fan-fiction, I had several beta readers. (The equivalent of editors. Like the authors of fanfiction, they do this for the love of the written word.) Some of them were very talented, meticulous editors, pointing out continuity problems, grammar problems, or spelling problems. All of them showed me how to improve. I realized editing is a layered process; something done with care and consideration. Definitely not a one-shot deal. Before my manuscript is sent in to a publisher, it has gone through several edits. I have belonged to several critique groups. I will send them several chapters at a time and they go through them. Their fresh eyes often find problems that my eyes were oblivious to. I carefully consider their comments and suggestions and make the changes that will make the story better. I have sent some of my work to contests where the judges determine if my work is worthy of a prize. Often, they will send me comments on my manuscript. I consider those as well.
As an author, I feel it is my responsibility to work with my editor and critically examine my words even as he or she is. My editor for my Mendel books, Eric, nailed me on a lot of grammatical and other issues. More importantly, though, he provided the impetus for me to go through my manuscript word for word. Twice, on all of them. And does that end the story? No, it doesn’t. When I receive my galley, it’s up to me to read through it and make sure things look their best. I neglected to do that with one of my books and for whatever reason, it had a serious flaw. It was pointed out by one of my readers. Embarrassment! I don’t make that mistake anymore. Pat, the editor for my first novel, My House of Dreams, went through the story many times. The novel, which was over 200 pages was pared down to 180 pages and it is a tight, well-flowing story. When I decided to publish it independently, she went over it yet again and found more issues. Maxine, my editor for Realms of the Cat, found grammatical, as well as logic errors when she was going through the manuscript. And it had been through critique groups as well as contest judges. So I thank you, Pat, Eric, and Maxine. God bless editors!
Susan Kite is an Army brat; which means she grew up everywhere. She didn't begin to settle down until her dad did. She earned two degrees at Utah State University and began dabbling in writing. However, she didn't get serious until her children were grown. Now it is a contagious disease and she doesn't want to be cured! Her first novel, My House of Dreams was written after several visits to the Mission San Luis Rey. A fantasy short story was included in an anthology published in 2013 called aMUSEing Tales. Another short story won second place in an online contest. A science-fiction novel, The Mendel Experiment, was published in April 2015 by World Castle Publishing.
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SCIENCE AND FAITH by Tilmer Wright Jr.
Blaise Pascal once said, “The heart has its reasons, of which reason knows nothing… We know truth, not only by reason, but also by the heart.” Pascal was a genuine polymath – a genius in multiple disciplines – who lived in the 17th century. To cover his accomplishments and body of work would require volumes, which have already been written. I want to focus on the concept he so poetically illustrated above – the ever-present battle between the head and the heart. Specifically, I want to talk about the rift between science and faith that seems to pit theologians and other persons of faith on one side and scientists on the other. I contend, as did Pascal, that this rift is without purpose and devoid of foundation. I believe in Almighty God, Creator of everything that exists. Like Pascal, I am Christian, so the definition of my faith goes a bit farther than that singular statement, but I need go no deeper to make my point. If God created everything, then He also created the human mind – complete with the restless curiosity that drives humankind onward to scientific discovery. Therefore, science is a gift from God. It is meant as a tool for us to learn more about His creation. Slowly, He lifts the curtain. As we become more able, we are given more to see. It is a never-ending parade of incremental revelations about the universe in which we live. The unfortunate rift I mentioned earlier is the result of humans who fail to understand the nature of the gift of science and how it is related to the Giver. Many worship the gift rather than the Giver. Others reject the gift because they don’t understand how to use it to understand the Giver. So many times, we will hear the trumpeting of a new scientific breakthrough along with some pronouncement that science has finally settled an argument about the origin of the universe once and for all. That’s it! All arguments must cease! The matter is settled because, after all, here’s the proof in some publication. The trouble with that kind of attitude is that it shuts the door on any further revelations – and even on faith itself. One could argue that faith is the expectation that more will be learned in due time. The same thing happens in the other direction. People will resist newly imparted wisdom because they feel like it contradicts their current library of maxims. True wisdom will not contradict any real truths. Rather, upon further examination, new truths will bolster existing truths and add to their veracity. In other words, a little learning may challenge your faith, but continued learning will only strengthen it. I contend that both science and faith are headed for convergence. A day will come when all the theologians and all the scientists will find themselves standing awkwardly in the exact same space, exchanging furtive glances before finally embracing each other – finally realizing the harmony in which our Creator intended from the beginning. Tilmer Wright, Jr was born in Kingsport, Tennessee, the youngest of three and the only boy. Since graduating from Florida State University in 1987 with a degree in Computer Science, he has gotten married, fathered two beautiful daughters and worked in a variety of Information Technology roles across the southeastern United States. Today, he lives in Knoxville, TN. He loves music and plays the piano and guitar. When not busy with his day job, he manages to write a paragraph or two. Tilmer’s first novel is entitled Motes. It is a story of family, faith, duty and incomprehensible scale wrapped around a backdrop of firstcontact science fiction. The Bit Dance, Tilmer’s second novel, is a technological thriller balanced between science fiction and science fact. Both books are available in paperback and Kindle formats at Amazon.
FROM
MY MOTHER'S KITCHEN
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PAPAW GILLUM’S SECRET HILLBILLY OM-LIT RECIPE Submitted by BJ Gillum You gunua need; One Hot Stove - lit 1 10’’ non-stick fryin pan with a lid (means ten inches across) 1 Table spoon to stir with (clean stick will work) Some Olive oil (don’t use motor oil) Some Salt Some Black Pepper (some folks call sneezing powders) 3 medium taters (city folk call ’em potatoes) 1 medium sized onion (yaller is best) -—And - don’t forgit Some Fake eggs (Eggbeaters) or 3 whupped fresh eggs (by whupped
When my granddaughter was in the fifth grade, her elementary school, Due West, of Kennesaw Georgia, asked for recipes from parents and grandparents as a fundraising project. My granddaughter, Kinzie, asked me to submit a recipe, so I came up with “Pawpaw Gillum’s Hillbilly Omelet” (recipe attached.) It was published in the book and came out in 2014-2015. Now, it is a mandatory part of our visit that I prepare “Pawpaw’s Hillbilly Omelet” every time they come to visit.
I mean stirred with fork ’til the yaller and white parts turn into a gooey mess in a small bowl) (Don’t use the egg shells.) Set this aside fer later. Sum shredded sharp Cheddar cheese- Try sayin that as fast as you can 5 times (sharp means the taste is very ’sharp’ - not that the cheese can cut you) Set this aside too. Turkey sausage crumbles (Caution: Do not try to crumble a live turkey! He will get mad and try to peck your eyes out! Get this stuff at the big grocery store instead.)
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-—you dun found everything. Let’s make us a Hillbilly Om-lit!-— Put the pan on a stove (turn the nob to medium heat). Pour in enough olive oil to cover half the pan’s bottom. (I mean the inside bottom, not the bottom bottom!) Peel taters and onion an be quick bout it! Chop the taters and onion and put ’em in the pan with hot olive oil (You could just use bacon grease instead of olive oil if n you kilt a hog lately and have sum bacon handy.) Put in some salt and back pepper too. Fry ’em until they, I mean the taters, gits some brown on ’em. Then, turn the heat nob down to ’low.’ Toss in a handful of turkey sausage crumbles and stir ’em into the other stuff. When the whole mess starts smellin reel good, pour in some fake eggs or the real eggs you already whupped and set aside. Stir onct in a while till the whole mess get hard (firm) - won’t take long! Sprinkle cheese over it (don’t be askeered to use enough cheese to cover the whole thang.) Then turn the heat off and cover the pan with a lid for jist a minute or till the cheese melts. Take it off the stove—and be quick about it so it won’t burn the egg stuff. Best to take it off the burner right after you sprinkle the cheese on! Best you serve this on a plate with a fork or spoon—it’ll shore be too hot to hold in yer hands or eat with yer fingers. Garnish (decorate) with a slice of ripe red t’mater and piece o’ dry toast.
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Lamb Curry - serves 6 Submitted by Stephanie McElligott
This lamb curry recipe developed because of a friendship between my mother-in-law, Dolores McElligott, and her friend Mickey Gerardi. They had known each other for many years and delighted in sharing meals like this one with their husbands. Mickey had gotten the recipe from a British couple who lived in India and adapted the curry to American tastes. The women came up with the idea of each contributing various condiments to augment the flavors and Voila! Lamb Curry.
3 lbs. lean lamb - cubed and floured 5 tbsps. butter 1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion 1/4 cup finely chopped celery 2 cups chicken broth 2 cups consommé 2 tbsps. curry powder 1 tbsp. salt 1 bay leaf crumbled 1/4 tsp. thyme or oregano 2 tsp. garlic minced Dash of pepper 1 cup diced peeled and cored apple 3/4 cup seedless raisins 1 ripe banana mashed 3 tbsps. chutney 1/4 cup heavy cream 3-4 tbsps. flour 1) Flour the lamb lightly and brown in butter in large pot 2) Add onions and celery 3) Stir in chicken broth and consommé 4) Add curry powder, salt, bay leaf, garlic, thyme, pepper, raisins, banana, chutney and apples 5) Cover and simmer 2 - 2 1/2 hours 6) Mix 3-4 tbsps. flour with cream, stir well and gradually add into pot of lamb cooking til thickened Serve over rice with additional chutney as a table garnish
NOMADIC
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LIST OF SUPPORTERS
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CHEESECAKES + MORE “Quality you can taste!” Our mission is simple. We want everyone who tries our cakes and cookies to become a customer. To accomplish that we use only the best ingredients in everything we make. All of our cakes and cookies are made by hand. Just one taste and you will know the difference.
We are not a Cheesecake Factory Russ Fine, Author and Baker Crossville Outlet Center, 228 Interstate Drive Crossville, TN 38555 Telephone: 931-250-5354 or 865-208-6809 Email: cheesecakesplusmore@gmail.com www.cheesecakesplusmore.com
PREFERRED PHARMACY “Prescriptions, Boutique items, and Books” At our family of Preferred Pharmacies, it is our mission to provide our customers with the highest quality medication and medication services. It is our goal to offer personalized, knowledgeable medical advice in a caring and professional manner. We also strive to offer prompt, courteous, and reasonably priced products and services to improve quality of life to our customers. Pharmacist: Jeremy German 101 Cheeyo Way (near Food Lion) Loudon, TN 37774 Telephone: 865-458-1113 www.preferredpharmacybenton.com/
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American Commissary The American Commissary, is a small General Merchandise Store with a big goal – our goal is to help create jobs by buying and selling products made in the United States of America. We have been asked why the store is called “American Commissary”. First of all, the “American” stands for so many wonderful things – freedom, liberty, and justice for all – the country where anyone, willing to work, could have a job and could achieve the “American Dream”. The “Commissary” is a part of the store name because it symbolizes, for us, the achievement of the American
Dream. America is a relatively young country however, in the past few years as we have looked around us, we have seen many of our friends and neighbors who have been unable to find and/or keep jobs because our economy has suffered greatly and our proud values have not been exploited.
1211 East Broadway (2 blocks east of light at Hwy. 321) Lenoir City, TN 37772 Telephone: 865-816-3519 www.americancommissary.com
To try and help, we decided to set up a store front to buy and sell USA made products.
Books By Bobbi
“Humor, Adventures, and Worldwide Cultures.”
Telephone: 865-657-9560 Email: bobbiphelps1@gmail.com Website: www.booksbybobbi.com
Bobbi Phelps Wolverton grew up in Darien, Connecticut. She joined the airline industry after graduating from Pine Manor College and Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School. She enlisted in World Airways after working as a secretary in San Francisco. Her writing career begins with the book Behind the Smile. Eager to taste adventure at age 23, Bobbi Wolverton became an international flight attendant in 1965. It was a more innocent and glamorous time of travel, when passengers dressed formally, smoking was permitted and the captain allowed in-flight visits to
the cockpit. But there was another side to her profession. It was also hard, sometimes unglamorous, and often dangerous work. In this memoir, Bobbi shares fascinating true tales that shocked her friends and parents. Behind the Smile takes us on a roller coaster ride of laughter and drama, giving us a behindthe-scenes look at the joys and heartaches of working in the airline industry during its most glamorous era.
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Union Ave Books We’re a locally owned independent bookstore with a great selection of fiction, non-fiction, young adult and children’s books, all chosen with you in mind. And because our booksellers know books we can help you find the right books for you, your family, and your friends.
“Bringing Community to Book Lovers” 517 Union Avenue Knoxville, TN 37902 (865) 951-2180 mail@unionavebooks.com http://unionavebooks.com/
ENGRAPHICS “Sign making, apparel printing, name badges, and award engraving.” Turn to a reliable sign and awards company for your signage and engraving needs. Engraphics is the company to beat when it comes to sign making, apparel printing, and award engraving. Expect quick, honest, and reliable services from our experienced design team. 560 highway 321 North Suite B Lenoir City, TN 37771 Off Snyder Rd, next to Buddy Gregg RV Lenoir City: 865-988-8383 knoxville: 865-288-7058 engraphics@en-graphics.com www.en-graphics.com
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THE UPS STORE “Printing copies, business cards, posters, etc. Graphic Design and Shipping.” The UPS Store in LENOIR CITY is a locally owned and operated small business and we care about all of our customers. Our staff has the knowledge and expertise to handle all of your mailbox, packaging, shipping, printing and other small business services and we are passionate about what we do.
Stop by and visit us today. We're confident you'll be glad you did.
875 Hwy 321 North, Suite 600 Lenoir City, TN 37771 Telephone: 865-988-5526 Email: store4526@theupsstore.com www.theupsstorelocal.com/4526
We are certified packaging experts and only The UPS Store® has the Pack & Ship Guarantee.
RanCath Writings "Books of Inspiration, Motivation, and Appreciation" Randall L. Carpenter has been writing since he was young teenager. He has written over 1700 separate writings, nationally published four books and writes a daily inspirational writing read by several thousand people every day. Most of his writings are on deposit in the Library of Congress. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He became a Stephen Minister several years ago and his insights have helped many people better understand themselves and the world around them. Lastly, he served for over 10 years as the Senior Lay Leader for one of the largest Methodist churches in the United States. His words, observations, and insights will open your heart to the love of God. Telephone: 865-254-7405 Email: randallcarpenter@rocketmail.com www.authorsguildoftn.org/authors/randall-l-carpenter
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AUTHOR EVENTS OCTOBER 2018
NOVEMBER 2018 CONT.
Randall L. Carpenter: October 4 - 9th 2018. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair, 811 East Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN. Booth number 503
Randall Carpenter, Don Pardue, Jim Farmer, Samuel (Heather) Wilson, Naomi Miller, Laura Derr, Jody Dyer, Carol McClain, Bobbi Phelps, Art Stewart, Eva Wike: November 3, 10am - 3 pm. PSCC Young Writers Workshop. Pellissippi State Community College, 7201 Strawberry Plains Pike, Knoxville, TN. Strawberry Plains Campus
Naomi Miller, JC Morrows & Macy Morrows, Bobbi Phelps, A.D. Asher: October 5th & 6th. Friday and Saturday. 9 am to 6 pm., New Midland Plaza Fall Festival, 232 S Calderwood St. Ste. G, Alcoa. Sam Bledsoe, Bobbi Phelps, Dick Cross, Kaye George, Don Pardue, Cheryl Peyton, Denise Sherriff, Eva Wike: Oct. 6, 8:00 - 1:00, Farragut Lions Club Classic Car Show, First Baptist Church, 11704 Kingston Pike, Farragut, TN Kaye George: October 19-21, Magna Cum Murder, Indianapolis, IN Two panels, one on 10/20 and one on 10/21.
Stephanie McElligott: November 7, 2018. 12:00 pm. St. John Neumann Women's Guild meeting in Farragut, TN. Interested women should contact the Women's' Club President, Gina Inklebarger at 865-635-8164 Jon Dalvy, Jim Hartsell, Carol McClain Stephanie McElligott, Joan McIntee, Don Pardue, Cheryl Peyton, Denise Sherriff: Nov. 9, 10 and 11. (Fri. 2-8. Sat. 10-8, Sun. 12-5) Christmas Fair, Knoxville Expo Ctr. 5441 Clinton Hwy., Knoxville.
DECEMBER 2018
NOVEMBER 2018
Stephanie McElligott: December 3. 10:30 a.m. GFWC Ossoli Circle Book Club, 2511 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN.
Authors of AGT: November 1, 2018, National Author's Day, 10:00 am -12:00 pm. the Bearden Branch Library located at 100 Golf Club Road, Knoxville.
Beginning November 5th, AGT Authors will do an individual presentation at the Lenoir City Library on the first Monday of each month. For more information contact the library at (865) 986-3210
AGT meetings Faith Lutheran Church, 225 Jamestowne Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37934. Meet and Greet at 10:30 a.m., Meeting at 11:00 a.m.
October 04, 2018, 10:30 am - Speaker: Jerry Morton: learning how to make podcasts recordings and getting it "out there."
November 1, 2018, National Author's Day, 10:00 am -12:00 pm. the Bearden Branch Library located at 100 Golf Club Road, Knoxville.
December 06, 2018, 10:30 am - Nadine Richmond: Will be publishing her second book and she will talk about some of her struggles and how God has blessed her to overcome them.
Books by AGT authors are on sale at these locations American Commissary 1211 E. Broadway Lenoir City, TN 37771 (865) 816-3519
Locally Grown Gallery 109 Towne Rd.(Greenwich Mall) Oak Ridge, TN 37831 (865) 361-0197
The Book Rack 325 Gill St. Alcoa, TN 37701 (865) 983-7323
Preferred Pharmacy 101 Cheeyo Way, Suite A Loudon, TN 37774 (865) 458-1113
East Tennessee Discount Drugs 721 Hwy. 321 Lenoir City, TN 37771 (865) 988-0000
CitiFid-O 429 Union Avenue Knoxville, TN 37902 (865) 219-5127
Farragut Pharmacy 11424 Kingston Pike Farragut, TN 37934 (865) 966-9728
Ricki Pet Depot 11505 Kingston Pike Farragut, TN 37934 (865) 392-1151
Knoxville Soap Candle & Gifts 714 S. Gay St. Knoxville, TN 37919 865-689-6545
Dandridge Mercantile 149 E. Main St. Dandridge, TN. (865) 230-4225