Ode to my Grandmother

Dedicated to our beloved, Grandmother McGowan
12/09/1922 – 12/31/2011

“The Chosen Flame”

Accompanying Arctic winter snows,
Blistering wind that fiercely blows;
Whose candle they dim, no one knows,
Bar those wearing angelic clothes.

When our Creator came to claim,
Our beloved’s luminous flame,
She was at peace and cast no blame,
For evermore her memory would remain.

Harmony

Endless days of perpetual rays-
Indolent ways this life portrays.

Fingers of grass from fragments of glass-
Corpses en masse the salinity has cast.

Ceiling and floor appearing Azure-
Internal core left thirsting for more.

Emotional state void of hate-
Inevitable fate when abandoned is weight.

An Attempt at Poetry

Frailty, a human trait,

her countenance does show;

a sign of her certain fate,

in the dreaded foot of crow.

Once a creature of angelic beauty,

who squandered a coveted gift;

caring only for worldly booty,

between her and God, forged a rift.

Conclusion of this wasted life,

consists of apt loneliness;

no friends or family to aid the strife,

vanity has deemed her odious.

Even in this time of sorrow,

Grim’s sickle shining in her eye;

she cares nothing of the morrow,

and fails to look up high.

For only God could save her soul,

from the pending punishment below;

where eternity with no parole,

her faults, will surely show.

Bringing Out the Creative Writer in You.

If you are like me, there is something inside calling you to write. Most of the renown writers that I have sought advice from through their instructional books have said that if you want to get good at writing, you have to write. Also, if writing does not seem to be enjoyable, find something else to do. Writing, especially something as complicated as a novel, takes years; this requires dedication. It would be very hard to complete such a task unless the writer enjoyed it. Check out writing.com. This free site lets you publish works online and others critique your work. You can also complete various exercises to improve you writing skills. They also have writing competitions in various categories in which you can winning prize money for your work. This site is a great way for beginners to hone their skills and obtain advice from the more proven writers out there. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Prov 27:17).

Why Be an Advocate

Why Be an Advocate:

'via Blog this'

Letter from President Obama regarding Humanitarian efforts in Africa

August 19, 2011

Dear Friend:

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Many Americans have written to me about human rights around the world, and I appreciate your perspective.

The United States was founded on the principles of freedom and equality, and our history is marked with triumphs and struggles in fulfilling these timeless ideals. Our task is never finished, and protecting these core values is a shared obligation and a priority for my Administration. No nation should be silent in the fight against human rights violations. When innocents in places like Sudan, Kyrgyzstan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are raped or murdered, it is a stain on our collective conscience. I am committed to reinvigorating America's leadership on a range of international human rights issues.

As the struggle for human rights continues around the world, we have witnessed an extraordinary change in the Middle East and North Africa. Country by country, people have risen up across this region to demand their basic human rights; too often, these calls for change have been answered by violence. The United States opposes the use of violence and repression against these men and women. Rather, we support a set of universal rights, including free speech, the freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of religion, equality for men and women under the rule of law, and the right of people to choose their own leaders. We also support political and economic reform in the Middle East and North Africa that can meet the legitimate aspirations of ordinary people throughout the region. While change may not come easily, America will stand squarely on the side of those who are reaching for their rights, knowing their success will bring about a world that is more peaceful, more stable, and more just.

As you may know, the United States has joined the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) and is working to make this body as effective as possible. My Administration will also advocate for human rights in other international settings. In our relations with other countries, the issue of human rights will continue to be raised as clearly, persistently, and effectively as possible. Among other things, we will continue to promote accountability for mass atrocities, respect for the rights of minorities and women, freedom of association and speech, and the freedom for people to live as they choose and love whom they chose.

Our commitment to human rights is an essential element of American foreign policy and one of our best national security assets. Through it, we will help to shut down torture chambers, replace tyranny with good governance, and enlist free nations in the common cause of liberty. To learn more about my Administration's human rights agenda, please visit www.HumanRights.gov<http://www.humanrights.gov/> or www.WhiteHouse.gov/CPo<http://www.whitehouse.gov/CPo>. Thank you, again, for writing.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

[http://correspondence.whitehouse.gov/media/email_visit_whgov3.jpg]<http://www.whitehouse.gov/>

Drought: Fighting Hunger with Sustainable Water Sources

Drought: Fighting Hunger with Sustainable Water Sources

This story makes me want to go to Africa and dig wells.