Sam Hoffer is cooking

Sam Hoffer sends this announcment of the column she will be writing for the Cherokee Scout.

The column for the Scout, "From My Carolina Kitchen," will emphasize casual yet elegant recipes focusing on seasonal cuisine, "how-to" tips, and entertaining ideas. I like healthy, simple to prepare recipes using locally available products. Occasionally I will include a cookbook review, especially if it is one available at our local library. I chose to do a monthly column instead of weekly one for now.

We lived in the "Out-Islands" of the northern Bahamas in Abaco on a tiny private cay named Lubbers Quarters for ten years when my husband first retired in 1995. I wrote a food column for four years for The Abaconian newspaper, which is in Marsh Harbour, the hub of the Abacos. The column,"From the Kitchen of Lazy Days," came from our house name, which was Lazy Days in the islands. I am currently in the process of writing a book about our retirement there, Living on Island Time, Retirement Spiced with Food, Friends & Rum. It will be part memoir, part food & travel adventure, and will include crazy friends and some recipes.

When I first met my husband I couldn't cook a thing and he came from a gourmet family in the northeast. His father had a three martini expense account and ate in all of the fancy restaurants in NYC. The best description I have for my food background growing up in a sleepy town down south is Alan Jackson's country song Where I Come From, It's Cornbread and Chicken, definitely not gourmet. My Mother was an excellent cook and made her own bread, mayonnaise, and jelly but never let me in the kitchen. When I met Meakin he told me the old adage "if you can read you can cook" and cook I have since then. It has become my passion and I have yet to meet a food I didn't like. We even take food vacations. Spent two months last year in the south of France shopping in local markets, getting to know the locals and cooking their fabulous food in our very own kitchen there.

I have entered three recipe contests and was a winner in each:
-Won the state of Mississippi's Chicken Contest and received an all expense paid trip to participate in the 40th annual National Chicken Contest, one of the "big three" national competitions. It is the oldest contest of its kind and was the food highlight of my life.
-Winner for the Fall season in the National Catfish Institute's Four Season Recipe Contest
-Winner of The Pocono Record's Recipe Contest

My recipe for "Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Rolls" is in The Chicken Cookbook, 1993, a Dell publication.

We look forward to reading the delicious recipes and more in the Cherokee Scout newspaper in Murphy, NC. You can find them on the web.

Intrigue in Cherokee by Gary Carden

Forests of the Night by James W. Hall.
St. Martin’s Minotaur, 2005. 341 pages.

In recent years an increasing number of writers have been drawn to the tragic history of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians as a kind of literary vehicle. Although the plight of other Native American tribes equals (and often exceeds) the shame and pathos associated with the Cherokee Removal, it is a kind of historic parable — a tale that reveals the hypocrisy beneath the Great American Dream.
James W. Hall, a successful writer of “crime fiction,” normally sets his suspenseful action tales on the Florida sun coast. Best known for his depiction of ruthless psychotics, Hall’s protagonists spend much of their time cruising bars and coastal inlets, alternately trolling for tarpons and ruthless drug dealers. Hall is at his best in familiar territory: sun, sand, sultry vixens, crisp dialogue and tequila in the Green Flash Bar. However, this time out, he opts for the foggy coves of the Great Smoky Mountains and a dark secret that originates with the death of T’sali, the Cherokee martyr.
Instead of Thorn, the aging beachboy, Hall’s protagonist is Charlotte Monroe, a dedicated Miami cop with a phenomenal gift for “reading faces” — the fleeting twitch or facial flicker that telegraphs a suspect’s intentions. Will he cower or attack? As a consequence, the FBI will resort to anything (including blackmail) to acquire Charlotte’s services in tracking down wanted criminals.
However, Charlotte’s life is complicated. She is married to Parker, a highly successful criminal lawyer (think Johnnie Cochran) who believes that everyone deserves a second chance, even if they are guilty. He is also a descendant of a noted Cherokee family. In addition, Parker and Charlotte have a schizophrenic teenage daughter, Gracey, who spends much of her time (when she is off her medication) discussing her future as an actress with Joan Crawford, Stephen Spielberg and Barbara Stanwyck.
Now, to this heady mix, Hall adds an explosive catalyst: a blond-headed Cherokee named Jacob Panther who is on the FBI’s “Most Wanted” list for murder and terrorist activities (blowing up banks) — and who just happens to be Parker’s son, the consequences of a youthful fling at a mountain retreat called Camp T’sali near Cherokee. When Jacob arrives in Miami with a lethal blowgun and a stolen truck, it appears that he has come to kill his father.
Instead he has come to (a) seek his legal advice, and (b) to warn him that his name is “on a list.” The eavesdropping Gracey learns that she has a half-brother. When Charlotte calls the police, Gracey warns Jacob and when he flees back to Cherokee, Gracey follows him, Charlotte and Parker follow Gracey and the chase is on!
The ensuing action may strain the credibility of some readers. It certainly strained mine. A lurid, fantastic story unwinds involving revenge and retribution. When Parker’s mother (who is a Ghigau or “Beloved Woman”) is murdered with a stone hatchet stolen form the Museum of the Cherokees, and the grieving son discovers a cryptic clue written in the Cherokee language (Sequoyah’s syllabery, no less!) the Monroe family descends on Cherokee with a gaggle of FBI agents in hot pursuit.
The investigation does not go well. The hallucinating Gracey ends up in a trailer with Lucy Panther (Jacob’s mother and her father’s old flame), while Parker and Charlotte check into the Holiday Inn. Cherokee seems to be a dreary place, filled with sullen people, doomed elders and sleazy craftshops. However, regardless of how stressful the search for Jacob becomes, the Miami duo has time to occasionally lift their eyes to the fog-shrouded Smokies and marvel at their beauty.
There is a visit to “Unto These Hills,” which is a disappointment, although Charlotte manages to shed a tear at T’sali’s execution. (Apparently, the author saw the pageant before it was “revamped” and T’sali’s martyrdom was edited out.) There is also a visit to a tribal nursing home to interview a tribal elder named Standing Dog, and a bizarre visit to a fanciful institution called Asheville Woman’s College where a mysterious guardian of the tribal rolls keeps the fateful “list” — the names of T’sali’s descendants who are marked for execution.
I won’t give away the final revelation about the assassins; however, I can’t resist mentioning the “killer poodles.” Yes, that’s right. White Poodles. They are a bit over-sized, of course, and have been trained to kill at a signal from their owner who just happens to be the Cherokee Police Chief, a white man and a really sick puppy in his own right ... with an Elvis hairdo. Believe me, this is all just too good to miss.
Promise not to laugh, now.

Gary Carden review of novel by Dr. Ben Eller

Dr. Ben Eller, lives in Cullowhee, NC. He has a distinguished background as an Associate Professor of Psychology at East Tennessee State and Professor of Behavioral Studies at the University of Alabama. Not surprisingly, he has published in the areas of child abuse, autism and educational technology

The Children of Sherlock Holmes by Dr. Ben F. Eller

Raleigh: Pendium Publishing House$14.95 (softcover) – 243 pages

Reading Dr. Eller’s novel, “The Children of Sherlock Holmes" is like passing through a secret door and emerging on a cobbled street in 19th century London – a squalid world that swarms with pickpockets, doxies, beggars and orphans. Eller’s concern is with the latter – the multitudes of hapless children who are forced to labor in what the poet, William Blake called “the satanic mills.” Eller’s novel reflects the author’s penchant for exhaustive research; consequently, many of the passages that depict the underbelly of Victorian England seem to glow with an eerie luminescence.
Such scenes recall theworks of William Hogarth – a painter and social critic who captured the deplorable conditions of the London slums in a series of famous prints with names such as “The Four Stages of Cruelty” and “Industry and Idleness” and “Gin Lane.” Hogarth’s work served as an indictment of an agegiven over to excess. It is especially alarming to note that even though Hogarth depicted London in the 18th century, the same conditions that he deplored still existed a century later. In fact, it had grown steadily worse. Despite the efforts of some of England’s most notable writers and social critics the “child factories” continued to flourish.
As Dr. Eller reveals, the factories were often owned by the wealthy and privileged, many of which were members of Parliament. Frequently, passages in Dr. Eller’s novel become as vivid as a Hogarth print.
“The Children of Sherlock Holmes” takes you inside a “tannery” in which children are trained to kill livestock, process leather and make shoes. They are denied access to the outside world, sleep in filth and are fed in accordance to how hard they work. Not only do they live without sunlight, they are denied a childhood. In such conditions, many wither and die like blighted flowers, while others are sold into prostitution in foreign countries. Under such desperate conditions, these helpless victims need a champion – someone willing to reveal their plight to “the higher courts,” including Parliament, Queen Victoria and God.
Eller’s cast of characters are vividly drawn. Most appealing are Terrence and Murdo, two young boys who are “apprenticed” to an inhuman butcher. This early experience shapes two very different destinies: Terrence feels compelled to relieve suffering and becomes a doctor; Murdo develops a cruel streak and a need to dominate others and becomes the owner of a “child factory.” In addition, the enslaved children are not “faceless victims,” but distinct personalities that are in turn, frightened, devious, trusting and endowed with a will to survive.
Sherlock Holmes retains his traditional character: rational, disturbingly insightful and committed to a need to serve justice. Watson is good-humored, devoted and dependable. Both are flawed and are sometimes at the mercy of their shortcomings. Together, these two old friends venture into a dark, uncharted world filled with terrors and daunting odds.
In conclusion, a few details regarding the author’s background might be enlightening. Dr. Eller, who resides in Cullowhee, NC has a distinguished background that includes an Associate Professor of Psychology at East Tennessee State and Professor of Behavioral Studies at the University of Alabama. Not surprisingly, he has published in the areas of child abuse, autism and educational technology – a background that influenced “The Children of Sherlock Holmes.”

Ben has been an active member of Gary Carden's writers' group for two years. He has two unpublished novels and a screenplay. In addition to his novel which is on Amazon, there is also a scholarly work there that deals with learning disabilities in children. He loves Kurt Vonnegut, breakfast at Ryans and horses.

Ben Eller will be signing his book at City Lights Book Store in Sylva

July 18th. at 7:00.

First book by Shirley Uphouse, dog show judge and trainer

My Dogs, My Friends written by Shirley Uphouse and published by Lulu Publishing, is now available. She has included in her book, 21 pictures of the many dogs she has lived with from the time she was a baby. Stories include several well-loved mixed breeds both owned and rescued by Shirley. She bred, trained and exhibited her dogs for forty-five years. For the last twenty years she has judged AKC dog shows from the east to the west coast and in Canada. She has judged more than thirty years for the Australian Shepherd Club of America.

Shirley shares some excerpts from the book which include this from the chapter about Molly, One Small Puppy…The air-cargo warehouse at the Atlanta airport was huge and noisy…iron-wheeled carts and the roar of a large machine was heard from somewhere out of sight. I hugged her once more holding her warm body close. With my face buried in her baby fur, I felt her soft tongue on my cheek.
Speaking to the attendant. “She’s just a baby” I said “can’t you put her someplace a little quieter until she goes out to the airplane?”

From Yogi, My Cinderella Dog…How could I let this gallant dog die for the lack of a good grooming? He had lived ten months in a box stable in a barn with no grooming. With mats six to eight inches deep, no one wanted to take him home.

From Tommy…The neighbor told Jim, at the shelter, that Tommy had been beaten with a hoe when he barked. He was the Keeshond that never knew a kind word or a gentle hand, that cringed leaving a wet spot should anyone walk within five feet from him. Tommy’s time at the shelter was up.

From the story when we wanted to check the herding instincts of our young Australian Shepherds…One glorious autumn afternoon we loaded the pups in the van and drove into the mountains in pursuit of the woolies…Suppose they showed no interest in the sheep? Suppose they ran from the flock? Suppose Jack sneered at these worthless show pets? There was no turning back.

Shirley has included several stories of dogs she and her husband rescued and have placed in good homes. Currently she lives with two Australian Shepherds. Books can be ordered from Shirley Uphouse, 316 Ridge Cliff Road, Marble NC 28905, shirl@dnet.net, 828-837-6007. $14.95 includes shipping.

Hendersonville Writers met with Ed Southern

At lunch, Ed and Glenda Beall met with Lana Hendershott, Susan Snowden, Nancy Purcell and Bob Greenwald to discuss writing in Henderson

County.

Ed Southern, Executive Director for NCWN, gave the Network a face for writers in Henderson, Transylvania, and Haywood Counties at a meeting at the Henderson County Library on June 16.

Everyone appreciated his answering the many questions members and non-members asked about NCWN and his vision for the future.

Some quotes from those attending are " This was a good meeting. Maybe we can have another, maybe quarterly."

It was an excellent way for local writers to meet each other and make plans to form groups, readings and other events in the area.

Nancy Purcell who has been a Netwest Rep in Transylvania country for a couple of years, was delighted to meet possible leaders for Netwest in Henderson County. Her hope is to hold a couple of big writing workshops each year in Brevard and in Hendersonville.

What do you folks in those towns think about that idea?

Just click on comments at the bottom of this post and let us know.

Photos by Barry Beall

Betty Cloer Wallace's Tuckaseegee Chronicles

After a failed uprising against England in 1745, Scots Highlander exiles
emigrate to America where they operate a trading post and packhorse enterprise among Cherokee Indians. As Mairy MacNeill comes of age, she learns that the Cherokee are not unlike Scottish clans both culturally and spiritually, that war between the Cherokee and English is inevitable, that friendship and loyalty can cross cultural boundaries, and that loving a man, either trader's son Joe Buck Cheatham or Cherokee warrior Otter, can be elusive.
Mairy's Cherokee friends Redwing and Standing Wolf find each other, but
realize that unscrupulous traders and settlers coming into their homeland bring conflict that will forever change their lives and the future of the Cherokee Nation.
Set in the heart of America's first frontier during the early years of the
French and Indian War, TUCKASEEGEE is carefully researched for historical and cultural accuracy.



Betty Cloer Wallace is Macon County Representative for NCWN West.



CHRONICLES - Amazon book page and excerpt (free download of first three chapters) may be accessed at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011G9Y5E ....... Author's Amazon profile and blog may be accessed at http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A3PTVWHUZKB8R3 ....... Author's e-mail: bettycloerwallace@runbox.com

Jack Prather's Crime Novel has been accepted

We received this item from Jack Prather of Henderson County, NC.

The Day of The Knights is an epic psychological crime novel of 82,000 words. Book 1 is set in the Northern Italian Alps where a physically savaged boy evolves into a religious fanatic homophobic serial killer who deludes himself into becoming "The Black Knight" with a mission to be "God's Avenger" (whew!), first in Italy and then in the Bronx. A savant with a photographic memory, he is able to seamlessly become an Epicopalian deacon in service to his hated priest brother.

Book 2 introduces a noble inner-city American who becomes a star athlete, then a policeman shot in the line of duty, then a volunteeer firefighter, and lastly an investigative journalist on the killer's trail. Books 1 and 2 delve deeply into the families of the anti-hero and hero to unveil the whys of their development.

In Book 3, the main characters converge in parallel events on 9/11 at Christ Church in the Chelsea Section of NYC, with the protagonist going on to display remarkable heroism at Ground Zero.

The book has been accepted by the publisher of my book, Speaking Up in Poetry & Prose which came out in 2007. It consists of 50 pieces on issues on societal, religious, political and life topics important to 21st-century Americans. It is available at the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site in Flat Rock where my poem, Sandburg Homage, is on display.
http://www.jackjosephprather.com/

828-697-9547

Workshop for Becoming a Published Writer

On Saturday, May 17, at the Tri-County Community College, in Murphy, NC, Shirley Uphouse held a one day workshop on steps to becoming a published writer. Twelve attentive and interactive writers attended. Much of what Shirley covered could be found by surfing the net; however she handed out information to make the search a little easier and to expand on that information. Attendees were introduced to the Writer’s Market and its broad variety of publications, presses, and places to submit their work.

“To become a published writer, first one needs be a good writer,” Shirley told the group. She urged the writers to proof-read their work several times and read their work aloud to find unwanted word repetition. She recommended that the students attend writing classes, as many as possible, and to read…a lot.

After lunch, the instructor stressed the importance of publication guidelines - reading and following them explicitly. Shirley discussed the proper form for query and cover letters and for manuscripts. It was noted that the internet is a treasure trove of markets for writers.

Shirley’s work has been published in Smoky Mountain Living, Main Street Rag, The Rambler, the Appalachian Heritage and other magazines and journals. An AKC dog show judge for 20 years, she has published articles in magazines of interest to dog show enthusiasts: Showsight, the Chronicle, and for the last four years, The Australian Shepherd Annual.

Shirley will hold another one day seminar at the Tri-County Community College on September 20, 9:00am – 4:00 pm with brown bag lunch break. $35.00 limited space. Call Continuing Education. 828-835-4313. The seminar: Nuts and Bolts of good writing to polish your work and catch an editor’s attention. Call Shirley Uphouse 828-837-6007 for more information.

The trials of Bodine include getting a bum rap
By Gary Carden

Several years ago, a merchant who operated a kind of novelty store in Bryson City offered to trade some of his unique merchandise for some of my storytelling tapes. Specifically, he offered me a multi-colored, stuffed German shepherd. I was charmed by the big dog, who sat in a corner staring benevolently at the world — he was life-size, chubby and had a quizzical expression that suggested that he had just seen something both puzzling and comical. We made the trade and I hauled my new pet (I had named him Bodine on sight) back to my car, where I finally managed (by turning him upside down) to cram him into the back seat.
Jack, my Jack Russell, who was asleep in the front seat, awoke to discover that the car had been invaded. Snarling and barking, he climbed into the back seat, and bit Bodine several times, tearing hunks of cotton stuffing from his hindquarters. I managed to haul Jack back to the front, but on the journey home he sat backwards, snarling and snapping at Bodine’s defenseless rear.
At home, I placed Bodine on my front porch where he has remained for the past three years. Jack remained suspicious for a while, but finally befriended “Bodie.”
From a distance, this fat shepherd appears to be a vigilant watchdog — a faithful servant devoted to protecting my humble abode. Visitors sometimes approach my front porch timidly, staring at the big mutt’s benign countenance a little nervously until they realize that “Bodie” is both harmless and lifeless. Eventually, Jack began sleeping between Bodie’s front legs, rising only to challenge the passing menace of cars, joggers, visitors and other dogs.
However, the years have not been kind to Bodie. The rains and snows of three winters have bleached his vivid coat: his black spots have become a kind of electric blue, his whites a dingy grey, and his browns are tinged with a pinkish yellow. Yet, he still stares doggedly (Forgive me, but I couldn’t resist that) out at Cherry Street. A few times, strong winds have swept him off the porch and left him under the nearby boxwood. I always retrieve him, brush down his matted coat, clean the spiders out of his ragged ears and return him to his post where he continues to regard Cherry Street with wry amusement.
Now, in view of Bodine’s character, you can imagine my surprise when I learned that he had been accused of murder and mayhem. According to recent reports, Bodine has been seen where he shouldn’t/couldn’t be. Eyewitnesses have given graphic accounts of a “killer dog” who resembles Bodie, and he is stalking the dark woods of Painter Knob ... a slathering beast with demonic eyes who preys on hapless victims: cats, chickens and other dogs.
According to one informed source that has seen the killer dog departing the scene of carnage, “It was a big German shepherd.” Several days later, this witness happened to drive down Cherry Street, and as she passed my house, she saw him. The killer! “There he sat on the porch of that old farm house — the very beast!” The eyewitness returned home and reported her discovery.
There was a general consensus that the concerned citizens needed to talk to the owner of this ravening beast. Me. Returning to Cherry Street, they drove slowly past. Yes, he was still there! They compared notes and discussed the best strategy.
Of course, someone finally mentioned that something wasn’t “quite right” about Bodie. One of the surveillance crew finally said, “Has anyone noticed that ... he never moves? He is always in the same spot and there is something ‘wrong’ with his face ...”
When I became aware of the details of this strange story, I decided that my neighbors’ suspicions were well-founded. I have been unwittingly harboring a killer.
Although some of Bodie’s accusers are beginning to have doubts, I can only say this: “Don’t let that innocent act fool you. I think you have got the killer, dead to rights.” Although the cars have stopped driving slowly by my house, I am eager to see justice done, but I’m not sure how to proceed. Should I take Bodine to the dog pound? Perhaps, we could do a lethal injection at one of the local vets? Whatever his victims decide, I would like to claim Bodine’s remains. I think it is only fitting that even though he is a convicted felon, I feel that his carcass can be rehabilitated. I would like to return him to his post on my porch. I would feel a lot safer knowing that he is watching the traffic out on Cherry Street.

Gary Carden is a storyteller, dramatist, playwright, writer and more who lives in Jackson County, NC.
Visit his blog: www.blogholler.blogspot.com

YOUR POETRY: LET'S HEAR IT

Nancy Simpson is teaching a special poetry writing class at John C. Campbell Folk School July 26 - August 1, 2008.

YOUR POETRY: LET'S HEAR IT.

The focus is how sound is made in free verse poetry. It will be especially helpful to you in the writing of narrative poems and mediative poems. Poetry must be pleasing to the ear, so no matter how free we believe Free Verse is, poetry cannot sound like prose. Learn specific sound related techniques.

How and where to publish will be discussed. A list of markets will be given.

Bring you poetry project and get feedback from the instrctor.

YOUR POETRY : LET'S HEAR IT will be held in the new writing studio at Orchard House and Harvest Room. The new computer lab makes it possible to complete more work than before. Each student has his/her own writing space. Sorry, the class is limited to eight students. Pre register now if you are interested, to be sure to reserve a place. The fee of $430.00 can be cut in half to $215.00 if you live in the folk school area and if you get your name on the list in time. John C. Campbell Folk School,
Brasstown, N.C. 1 800 FOLK-SCH. http://www.folkschool.org/

Thank you, Hendersonville Writers. It was fun meeting many of the Netwest members I've been conversing with by email. Thanks also to Nancy Purcell from Brevard, JC Walkup and John Malone from Haywood county, Gary Carden from Jackson County and Bob Greenwald from Henderson county who shared with our guests.
Today was a good day, not only for me and for NCWN and Netwest, but I know the writers who came, connected with other local writers will find their lives enriched in the future.
As writers we all need community. We need to talk with other writers, share with other writers and bounce ideas off each other. I see the writers in Henderson county coming together in future writing events. Netwest will be there to help make this possible.

WRITING FREE VERSE; SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

WRITING FREE VERSE POETRY: Some Questions and Answers

Nancy Simpson, Instructor

When talking with free verse poets, I tread lightly to see if we are on the same page. Many free verse poets believe there is no form in free verse poetry and that there are no rules. I do not agree with that. I believe writers of free verse must follow the essential rules of poetry. Free verse poets have a great amount of freedom, but it is a misconception to think we can write with abandon of rules.

Yes, we must break with traditional verse. We must shun rhyme, but after that, in my opinion, free verse poets must decide carefully which guidelines of poetry they will practice.

Some of the most asked questions from my students.

1) QUESTION: If there are free verse rules, what is number one?

ANSWER: Economy of Words is the first rule of poetry. The second is Use of Diction, choice of words, choosing the best word in regard to correctness. Poets of old followed these essential rules. Free verse poets must follow these rules.

2) QUESTION: Do I have to write in sentences?

ANSWER: Yes. According to the Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetics, poetry is written in sentences and lines. Poets of old followed this guideline. Free verse poets must do so. Why? Syntax of Sentence. A sentence has syntax, and it is syntax that gives your words meaning. No meaning, no understanding for your reader.


3) QUESTION: Do I have to punctuate?

ANSWER: No. This is your choice. Once in a while, in the literary magazines, I read poems that has no punctuation. However, it is as if the poem were punctuated and then the poet lifted out the punctuation marks. There is no rule, but caution would say, help the reader all you can. If there were a rule regarding punctuation, it would be: Do not lose your reader.

4) QUESTION: What is the rule for line breaks?

ANSWER: There is no rule. Line breaks are completely your responsibility and your choice. Some free verse poets work in unrhymed meter, some count syllables, some spoon feed the reader one thought on one line and the next bite on the next line. There are no rules, but there are a few guidelines.
A.) End the line with a strong word, not a weak word such as a, and, or the.

B.) Be aware of your one word lines. That one word you want to use will draw attention to itself. It had better be great, for it will provoke questions, and it will slow your reader.

C.) If your line is too wide for a narrow page, it will wrap, and you will lose what ever it was you were trying to accomplish. Editors shun the wide line that wants to wrap.

D.) If there were one rule to line breaks, it would be, work your lines.

5) QUESTION: What if I have a sentence that ends in the middle of the next line? What is the rule?

ANSWER: There is no rule against ending a sentence in the middle of a line. What you have is a caesura, a pause, and you have a golden opportunity. Caesura in a line can be a dreadful mistake, or it can be one of the most brilliant, most sophisticated moves in your free verse poetry. The guideline would be, make that line with the caesura stand alone as a thought. It is comparable to giving your reader a spoonful of something delicious that was not on the menu. You have the first sentence and the second sentence, and in-between you have a line with a period somewhere in it. Words on each side of the period should add up to something in itself. Guard against caesura lines that make no sense.

Post any questions or comments to www.netwestwriters.blogspot.com

Nancy Simpson is the author of two collections of poetry.
She is Resident Writer at John C. Campbell Folk School.

Assimilation
By Jim Cox

From the west side of crooked creek
You can see long stretches of meadowland
Past the narrow waterway, abruptly ending
At the steep ascent of hills covered in white pine

Along the banks mole tunnels make the soft
Soil lumpy, turtles rest beneath the tangled
Vines and foliage of dozens of plant species,
Some so rare they make you laugh

Early mornings when I walk the gravel road
Cut in for the campground near the creek
A great blue heron rises from her nest
Flying to the topmost branches of a hickory

She watches me go by and then returns
To the thicket grown dense on a shallow bend
Such is the joy of the morning: What grave
Trials can alter the peace of this land?

On the east side of the creek the chainsaws
Topple trees; the big machines’ backward beeps
Signal the change – fairways eight and nine
Will line that side right up to water’s edge

The new golf course by the Eastern Band of Cherokees
Will bring the fat rich tourists to the mountains
Empty their pockets as empty as their eyes
A right recompense given the tribe’s history

Now the Indians can truly say, “I know the cold
Hand that hides the anguish in your heart;
Because of that my eyes have lost their glimmer,
Their stars dying, my vision grows dimmer.

I have been these four hundred years and more
Taking in the white man’s way, I know the tongue,
The fear and arrogance that has gone beyond
The awareness of respect or redemption.”

Still, the moles are driven from their homes,
Two wounded ones that crawled out to cross
To safety lie dead at my feet, the turtle’s cracked back
Suffers the sun, the great blue heron gone.

Brenda Kay Ledford's latest poetry chapbook, SACRED FIRE, will be printed by Finishing Line Press in September. You may go to http://www.finishinglinepress.com/, click on "New Releases" to pre-order the book.

Brenda Kay's first two chapbooks won awards from the Paul Green Foundation.

Reading at JCCFS is FOURTH Thursday this month

POETS AND WRITERS READING POEMS AND STORIES AT JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL, BRASSTOWN, NORTH CAROLINA
Glenda Barrett of Hiawassee, Georgia and Robert Kimsey of Mc Caysville, Georgia will be reading original works in the Keith House, June 26 at 7:00 P.M. The event is sponsored by Netwest and the community is invited for an hour of original poetry and prose.
Glenda Barrett is not only an artist of brush and paint, but a literary artist

as well. Glenda sold the first essay she ever submitted, and her work has appeared in Woman's World, rural Heritage, Kaleidoscope, Farm and Ranch Living, Muscadine Lines and numerous other magazines and journals.

Her chapbook “When the Sap Rises," published by Finishing Line Press became available this past April. Glenda is a “home grown girl,” born and raised in Hiawassee. Her writings are humorous, heartfelt, nostalgic and pure magic.

Robert Kimsey’s writing provokes deep feelings and is often colored by the past of Eastern Kentucky where he was born. He is the winner of the Lee Pennington Award, the R. J. Lutske Memorial Award and placed second in 2005 in the President’s Prize of the Kentucky State Poetry Society’s contest. He is author of chapbooks, “Paths From the Shawnee Spring” and a limited edition “Readings”. Robert spends much of his time volunteering and teaching writing to children in the Fannin County schools. The following was published in Southern Ocean Review.

FAMILY PICTURES
I see them standing side by side,

the walls separating them invisible

yet as strong as an oak door.

Not touching and never a kiss or

smile between them, only

outward to the camera -to the world.
Those who would speak have long

since passed.

There are no concrete stories,

only ghosts that linger on the paper

Pictures do not tell it all,

just smiles and pressed suits.

None of hands soiled with earth

or blood of Sunday chickens.

None of sideways glances,

full of mistrust and hurt.

Now only time knows.

The paper holds the shadows

until the light burns them away.

This evening will be a delight for anyone who enjoys poetry and good writing. Both Netwest members are also excellent readers who will hold your interest so tightly you will be surprised and sorry when the hour has ended. Take their books home with you and you will be able to continue to enjoy their words long after this night is over.