In 1993, teenagers Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley, Jr.—who have come to be known as the West Memphis Three—were arrested for the murders of three eight-year-old boys in Arkansas. … Google BooksOriginally published: September 18, 2012
Author: Damien Echols
Genres: Biography, Autobiography
Nominations: Goodreads Choice Awards Best Memoir & Autobiography
This book may make you think twice.
Ever since she could remember, she tried to be a “good” child. Always obeying the rules, or trying to; she was a curious girl with a big imagination. She was perfectly happy going on small outings, making a bow and arrow out of a twig or bush. Growing up in a 200 acre country paradise, her adventures were enabled by a many faceted land. She could be Robin Hood, or Maid Marion, Sir Lancelot, or Guinevere, Naploeon, or Josephine.
She read a lot of books and imagined a hero’s life. Comic books were easily purchased then and Wonder Woman was her favorite female hero. The idea of not being perceived as a manly hero never occurred to her. Either hero or heroine, she was in awe. Those heroes, either from the cowboy or detective radio broadcasts, or a snow filled television’s Lone Ranger, were very influential, eventually shaping her naive mind into a dream. The dream was to what most girls in those days thought of as a perfect life, going to school and marrying your hero.
The idea of a knight in shining armor to whisk her away was prevalent, proposed by her parents and that time’s current media, harboring this concept in her mind. Over time, hearing and subconsciously absorbing this concept, the idea of being a hero herself dispelled, changing into finding the right man to complete her picture.
Of course she did marry at a too early age, without the benefit of experience but a mature attitude. She faired well for quite a few years, until the reality began disappointing her earlier fantastical dreams. Undaunted, she tried to become the perfect wife and mother, housekeeper, volunteer, all the expected routines fulfilled. She didn’t know that reality was much more harsh as it came to light, and that her unrealized dreams would not come to fruition. She never gave up trying to make the fantasies of childhood become real.
Note: In today’s world, I believe children are raised with less dreams and possibly too much reality. Who is to say if the pendulum has swung too far in another direction, certainly not me. If the world and parents were perfect? You decide.
I pretty much “shared” already with my noise complaint post, but here are my answers to ceenphotography.com‘s questions on this warm-62F October day. Thanks again, Cee!
1. If I moved to another country, it would probably be in the UK. I am fascinated with this area. If things don’t change in leadership here shortly, I might consider it more seriously–nah, America is my home.
2. My walls are white in my bedroom simply because I can’t paint them. My bedding is pink. Since my husband passed away, I have entertained many colors besides his staunch favorite–brown!
3. I am easily a happy person. After my last couple of (I am irritated) posts, you may not think that, but I am.
What makes me happy list:
1. My three grown children, their children–being in their presence, makes me the most happy of anything I could imagine.
2. A warm soothing cup of coffee in the morning.
3. Being able to read and write in silence.
4. A hot fudge sundae.
5. A call or note from my sisters.
6. Being in the forest, by a lake, listening to nature, ahhhh.
7. Envisioning my dream of living in a cabin with ^^number six ^^about me.
8. Hot buttered popcorn at a good movie theater with a very good movie.
9. Getting into a freshly laundered bed.
10. Hearing from old and new friends.
Only ten, there are more…
Inspiration for me this week was my 11 year old granddaughter. Her determination, strength, and ability are amazing. She’s also loving, lovable and kind…I could go on but will save for another time. 💓💗
http://ceenphotography.com/2017/10/16/share-your-world-october-16-2017/
This is an image I grew up with, and have great respect for. “On May 23, 1873 the Dominion Parliament passed an act establishing a “Mounted Police Force for the North-West Territories.” Its most immediate objectives were to stop the liquor traffic among the natives and gain their respect and confidence. On August 30, 1873 the NWMP was established.Mar 22, 2015.”
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca › article
The code below:
In an act of disrespect, I also grew up with this image:
Woke up this morning to some kind of music, banging around and general people voices at four AM. It’s Monday morning, I get it, but they were noisily up last night until two AM, so I’m about tired of this whole thing! Today I thought I’m going to fight fire with fire…
I have a new sound bar to use with my tv. My grandson recommended it and it’s great. It enables me to actually hear what is said in conversation more clearly than on my older tv. Does anyone else find the music in the (background) sometimes overtakes the spoken words? Apparently the speakers on flat screen televisions are installed pointing towards the floor so the sound is not clear. That is what a salesman said. The voices, especially with heavy accents to this American’s ear, can now be easily understood. Eureka! That’s not the best part…
This morning I thought, okay, I’m done trying to get smothering covers over my head to drown them out. I chose “ THINK” sung by Aretha Franklin (from the Blues Brothers movie) and turned it up as loud as possible, which wasn’t as loud as I wanted, but the best I could do in the dark. Their response was to continue the regular noise, music and then vacuum! When Aretha was done I put on “SHOUT” by the Isley Brothers as loud as I could. No change. Maybe they interpret my loud music choices as “let’s parrrtay!”
Their car is running outside my bedroom window and their door just shut, so I hope they’re gone for a long time. I understand they may work different hours, not nine to five, but then choose a downstairs apartment at least! I am a tolerant person but this is ridiculous. It’s an everyday/night happening. When I have visitors, we do not stay up late being loud, but that may change. Maybe I’ll download some screaming heavy metal for tomorrow’s early morning repertoire. I can see it now, Cheyenne newspaper headline: Old lady evicted for playing Brutal Death Metal music, accompanied by a picture of me being dragged out in handcuffs, wearing my pjs…
For those of you privileged enough to live in your own home or even blessed to live in the country, say thank you to the powers that be. Apartment living is not all it’s cracked up to be… I would gladly mow the lawn, repair my own appliances, haul my own trash, etc. if I had the peace it comes with. So yes, say thank you!
It is now 6:35am. I apologize to any other neighbors who endured my loud music this morning, but sometimes you have to go to war! The upstairs is now normal, but once again I’ll be tired all day.
There’s no use for me to pretend
Your love lifts me up, and I ascend
To a higher state being more aware
Of how life can be lived beyond compare
I couldn’t do it without your help
Without you I have less knowledge of self
I don’t really know what you see in me
But you bring out the best of what I can be.
I like Morgan Freeman and Clive Owen in most every movie they’re in and “The Last Knights” is no exception. It received mixed reviews, but if you like the stories of the knights’ code and these two actors, you’ll enjoy it. It is violent and a bit dark.
Wikipedia:Last Knights is a 2015 American drama film directed by Kazuaki Kiriya and written by Michael Konyves and Dove Sussman, based on the legend of the forty-seven Ronin. The film stars Clive Owen and Morgan Freeman …
I wrote a short story with the picture of castle ruins, below. After four tries of editing the spacing, I am beyond frustrated to do it again. 😤😤😤😤
https://rugby843.blog
He held her arm, steadying her as they climbed the steps. They hadn’t been here for fifty years and it was a difficult climb. The steps were now moss covered and a bit slippery. The grounds were slightly overgrown, but he was not deterred.
James and Mary met fifty-one years ago at a pub nearby. Both were in university and enjoying a much needed time to relax. The semester was over and both were ready for a new adventure. Everything was ahead of them, but on that night they wanted to just “be”. Introduced by friends, James and Mary immediately felt a need to know each other better. This relationship ended up in a lasting marriage.
After combining two successful careers and children, they managed a few trips to secluded venues. Their life was nurturing and complete. James decided to surprise Mary here where they had a special memory. “I remember this place” she told him.
At the top of the stairs, Mary sat down on the stonewall. James bent down on one knee. Mary asked if he was all right. “I am more than all right, my love. I want to ask you a very important question.” Mary’s face showed a knowing smile. “Will you marry me again, love of my life?”
“Here, now?”
“This is where I proposed the first time fifty years ago today, and I want to ask you again. Will you spend the next fifty years with me?” James reached into his pocket and hesitated before placing another tiny gold band on her left hand. Mary reached down and held his face in her hands.
“I want to spend eternity with you, my dear” Mary lovingly replied, and offered her hand for the ring.
Over the ocean
You have a vision
It’s blue above
And blue below
Sparkles on both
Create a shine
Its edge is shallow
Its fathoms are deep
Opposite descriptions do apply
Beautiful blues aptly implied.
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