Kansas Humanities Council announces new state poet laureate

Congrats to Wyatt. She's an amazing poet and spirit. Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg left some mighty big shoes to fill - Wyatt doesn't wear the same style - both nurturing, spiritual, fine poets.

Wyatt's husband Roderick is a terrific poet - and author of 15 children's books - in his own right (write!).

May 1, 2013 at 8:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

What is your favorite poem?

Wings of a Redbird
Ronda Miller
In loving memory of my niece
who would have turned 32 today.

Out of the corner of my eye
Your bright red wings spread
Catching me by surprise
Take my breath and use it
To lift yourself away
You fly on some higher plane
Encircling all you've loved
In one uplifting swoop
And now you're gone
I continue to hold my breath
Until I find
One lone feather left behind
To hold against my chest

April 20, 2013 at 7:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Vigil held to promote gun control

Good discussion everyone. That's generally the first step towards reaching an agreement.

Fred_mertz, I don't know that we are coming from opposing sides. When I said I don't want to take your guns, I wasn't referring to all guns. And it was my personal statement. Truly there are people on far left and right sides. It isn't about an all or nothing in my mind. Just sensible restrictions, laws, health care for AlL, preventative measures, societal awareness and responsibility.

Reality_check, I agree that registered gun owners are not responsible for committing most crimes - it, registration, helps make people more accountable. That stat may change once all gun owners are registered. Registration isn't the end but a beginning. It also helps track a stolen or gift gun...to assist in finding criminals.

Larry,
I disagree that this issue has come to the front in response to the ill person who committed the mass murders in Sandyhook. I think it's more about honoring lives of tiny bodies riddled with bullets. People have been fighting for these same changes for many years - our children being shot down has sickened a nation.

And, Larry, I grew up on a farm in NW Kansas. My grandfather didn't have a semi or automatic weapon. He shot coyotes for a couple of bucks for their ears, sometimes a rattlesnake, although my grandmother could use a mean hoe, and sometimes he put an injured animal - wild or tame - out if its misery.

I've shot guns for decades, am a former PD and enjoy target practice whenever I get the chance.

April 15, 2013 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Vigil held to promote gun control

Fred, I agree with your suggestion - then again that check shouldn't be just for people with health issues but former criminals too. Most of the murderers won't be stopped via checks though. That doesn't mean we should've stop those we can. And I absolutely agree we need health care for all - not only those with brain (it's an organ folks!) problems but fit ALL.

There are mental health vigils. Get out more!

Larry, honestly I do find it odd that the stats are low in deeming that people with brain dysfunction (it's an organ, folks), commit few of the homocides, read them for yourself, because I think anyone who kills anything has got something wrong going on. I appreciate their are so called crimes of passion - aren't these also referred to as temporary insanity?

Gun control, back ground checks, better health care for ALL, no semi automatic weapons, social conscious are all factors. it. with so many issues. isn't as clearly defined as some would have it.

April 14, 2013 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Vigil held to promote gun control

The real losers are the people killed each year due to gun violence, the additional sixty plus thousand who are wounded by gun violence, and the thousands upon thousands of parents, brothers and sisters, friends, children left to attempt to go on with their lives.

For those of you who were not among the dozen of us there last night, there is a difference between gun control and gun violence. We aren't trying to take anything from you, we're trying to give you something back. The ability to go to a movie or out to dinner without having to make an exit plan should a shooter with an automatic or semi automatic weapon appear.

And for clarity - there were at least a couple of republicans present last night. Caring about America the Insane's future is a bipartisan effort.

Additional clarity, very few people with brain illness commit murder. Are there statistics about how many people with high blood pressure or diabetes commit murder? We need to stop grouping people by political party and illness for starts. Once we begin to do that, maybe all violence will dwindle.

April 14, 2013 at 7:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Behind the Lens: A religious experience in Nicaragua

What an amazing trip and adventure, Richard! Thanks for sharing your story and, as usual, your amazing photography skills! Fascinating lifestyle and sights to see.

Retirement tiny home......

February 3, 2013 at 1:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

How do you start the new year fresh?

Lab, but with the snow and feel of winter starting some years as early as October, the years it doesn't (like this one) brings us much closer to a three month 'acting' winter as opposed to the possible six month one I've experienced here, in NW Kansas, and certainly in Denver and The North Pole. Get out your special lamps and up your vitamin D intake...... Survive.....winter.....

Roe, ifin ye spent as much time cleanin ur teeth (tooth) as ya do yurin weapons, it would stay in thee mouth longer. Those wooden tooths you were sportin last time I saw ya wernt tha pertiest.
Cousin autie cainnt kep carvin ya nuw ones fram his wooden duck coexscion

Ron, turn off the drums - they're driving me crazy!

Hope everyone is able to keep their feet (and teeth) where they belong tonight. Happy New Year!

December 31, 2012 at 4:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

How do you start the new year fresh?

Roe, nurf said......

January is good, lab. It's a downhill slide to spring!

December 30, 2012 at 8:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

How do you start the new year fresh?

I do make a commitment to myself about how many poems I expect to write and rehash publishing goals. Last year I made a resolution to run again - even once. I managed to do that several times and actively engaged in Zumba. It helps keep me moving when Roe is firing at me - even if they are blanks!

Israel was the end goal last year, I hope to go again in 2013 and Paraguay is screaming my name.

Ron, how do you know the calendar is fresh.... and do you keep it refrigerated?

December 30, 2012 at 8:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

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Ahhh, what a beautiful little snow fawn.

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2012 at 7:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )