tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87128252705440604302024-03-18T13:58:49.855-05:00Veronica Randolph BattersonAuthor ~ Photographer ~ Artist ~
(Actively Blogging Since January 10, 2012)Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.comBlogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-20890619106574281952024-03-02T12:09:00.001-06:002024-03-02T12:09:28.426-06:00Continuing from the Last Post...<p> <span style="font-family: Merienda;">She continues to trend. Karen Carpenter, born March 2, 1950.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SJmmaIGiGBg" width="320" youtube-src-id="SJmmaIGiGBg"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-55266543203377523432024-02-15T13:21:00.001-06:002024-02-15T13:21:10.534-06:00Karen Carpenter is Trending...<p> <span style="font-family: Merienda;">The late Karen Carpenter is trending on social media. Her voice, talent, and it being in the middle of her death (February 4) and birth (March 2) could be reasons; yet, I've read a younger generation is suddenly discovering her gift of a voice and talent as a drummer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda;">Her voice was beautiful and unique; I've heard it described as "if silk had a sound" which is a wonderful description of what it was like listening to her sing. All of the Carpenters' songs bring such nostalgia; her death in 1983 brought awareness to anorexia nervosa. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda;">I find myself suddenly telling Alexa to play music by the Carpenters...</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/__VQX2Xn7tI" width="320" youtube-src-id="__VQX2Xn7tI"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-81640181169784226712024-01-04T13:40:00.000-06:002024-01-04T13:40:04.721-06:00Twelve Years<p><span style="font-family: Merienda;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merienda;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdUrRzWk9jHvbidNMLj0xhSlp7NiIlGcLZLkDDua3eAklk8Qw9MlSwOIqCdWEw6hcS5JHTQ9SW-5xIVAV0yejBxa2-UdATyh7EbNLiYS477PNPj5qHB-eckxCpOUfN7RVjjftcS4pbiuSp7owRQ0gKB_ohKw5K6AxfgGyr1FP2NCavefgQdJkU3QCLiC_/s800/IMG_6727-SNOW.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdUrRzWk9jHvbidNMLj0xhSlp7NiIlGcLZLkDDua3eAklk8Qw9MlSwOIqCdWEw6hcS5JHTQ9SW-5xIVAV0yejBxa2-UdATyh7EbNLiYS477PNPj5qHB-eckxCpOUfN7RVjjftcS4pbiuSp7owRQ0gKB_ohKw5K6AxfgGyr1FP2NCavefgQdJkU3QCLiC_/s320/IMG_6727-SNOW.gif" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Merienda;"><br />Once again, January arrives bringing an anniversary. This blog was started on January 10, 2012 as a jumpstart to selling my books, short stories, words, art, and photographs. I've marked the anniversary every year here, mentioning that I genuinely never thought it would last long. However, I'm no longer surprised that it has. That's due to the self-confidence I've gained in what I have completed during this time. Five books, four of them published, over two-dozen short stories shared, two plays, essays, poems, art, photographs, and a great deal of words from the heart. A blog and three other websites, registrations with the US Copyright Office.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda;">What I've never celebrated is the fact I opened my Fine Art America account the same year. Twelve years and hundreds of images and photographs later for sale on that site...and here we are. Thousands and thousands, and more thousands of photographs taken but never used. I don't really feel intimidated using my cameras anymore and will take on most projects, except weddings. Again, experience brings self-confidence; it also allows me to turn down things I don't wish to do and admittedly can't do (weddings). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda;">Not too long ago, someone asked me what I did with my days. With it came a snide remark that I won't mention here, but it implied something that upset me. Because "what I do with my days" is reflected in the first two paragraphs above. And that's just the so-called icing on the cake of my life. While I would love to be able to snap my fingers and have magic happen, the simple truth is I've worked hard, and quietly done so for a very long time. I've really worked my entire life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda;">For this blog post, I decided to share my bio which is on my official website. A little unknown fact about my life is that in my twenties I started and owned a Communications, Public Relations and Advertising company. I also auditioned for small roles and bit parts on so many television shows and for movies during the 1980s that it's hard to recall them all. It's an "oh, yeah, forgot about that one" moment when I do. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda;">So below is the screenshot summary of my existence. Read between the lines. There is a lot more that isn't reflected. Thanks to all who continue supporting this little blog by reading what I have to say. As always, it's appreciated. </span></p><p><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><i></i></span><br /></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><i><span style="font-family: Sarala;">Veronica Randolph Batterson is an author, photographer, artist, and playwright. She has published four books, over two dozen short stories, and has worked as a freelance writer, proofreader, ghostwriter, and editor. Her photography is in private collections throughout the United States, and also in the United Kingdom. Frequently, she combines writing and photography for publications, has written two plays, and is editing her fifth book. After a long hiatus from painting, she is working with acrylics again. </span></i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><i><span style="font-family: Sarala;"></span></i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><i><span style="font-family: Sarala;">Her earliest memory of drawing is as a six-year-old sketching cartoon characters for classmates; a few years later, she won her first art competition. At age eighteen, she received her first single lens reflex film camera: a Pentax 35mm. Additionally, she obtained her own developing tank for black and white film at that time, and learned how to make prints in a darkroom. Her early career in front of the camera as a model later prepared her for what worked as she found herself behind the camera; however, most of her work today is comprised of landscapes, wildlife, and natural settings while using a DSLR camera.</span></i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><i><span style="font-family: Sarala;"><br /></span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><i><span style="font-family: Sarala;">She studied art at the University of Tennessee, and later graduated with a degree in Communications from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Her work experience has been in the fields of broadcast journalism, technical writing, creative writing, copywriting, and she has been a multiple business owner. While living in Michigan, she taught journalism classes for elementary-aged school children, and started the school's first student-written newspaper. </span></i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><i><span style="font-family: Sarala;"></span></i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><i><span style="font-family: Sarala;">Veronica is currently working on her next novel. While her two latest books, <b>Williamsburg Hill</b> and <b>Daniel's Esperanza</b>, can be found at Novel Bookstore in Memphis, and at select bookstores around the country, all four books are available via Amazon. A quote from <b>Daniel's Esperanza</b> has become the unofficial slogan for the state of New Mexico, having been used by numerous sources in publications, memes, books and on inspirational websites. Her photographs and other merchandise are for sale at <a href="https://veronica-batterson.pixels.com"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">www.veronica-batterson.pixels.com</span></span></a><span style="color: #ea9999;"> </span>through Fine Art America; she maintains a website at <a href="http://www.veronicabatterson.com"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">www.veronicabatterson.com</span></span></a>; and a separate blog via <a href="http://www.veronicarbatterson.blogspot.com"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">www.veronicarbatterson.blogspot.com</span></span></a>. She can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.</span></i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><i><span style="font-family: Sarala;"></span></i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><i><span style="font-family: Sarala;">A 30+ year volunteer in the communities in which she has lived, she created the <b>Mid-South Arts Against Hunger </b>annual food drive campaign benefitting the Mid-South Food Bank in Memphis, served as chair of the Art of Giving fundraising event which benefits Baptist Hospital's Camp Good Grief, and has served on the planning committee for the American Cancer Society's Imagine Ball. A former member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), as well as the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), she has been featured in such magazines as <b>Seventeen</b>, appeared in the movie, <b>A Winner Never Quits</b> and enjoyed an early career as not only a model, but also as an actress and spokesperson. In May of 2019, her photography was exhibited at WKNO's Gallery Ten Ninety-One in Memphis. In June of 2019, her work was featured for sale at Palladio Interiors, also in Memphis. She has made donations of her art to organizations such as the League of Chicago Theatres, Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, American Cancer Society, Baptist Memorial Hospital, Association for Individual Development, and the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis. </span></i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><i><span style="font-family: Sarala;"></span></i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;"><i><span style="font-family: Sarala;">After living in various cities, including Detroit, Chicago, and Denver, Veronica currently resides in Memphis with her husband. </span></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-39294502353478060662023-12-24T14:43:00.004-06:002023-12-24T14:43:50.115-06:00Christmastide<p><span style="font-family: Merienda;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merienda;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElyeahB83GdEuIwvVnzWquPuidJdJa3r8R7f8dkBZu_ptSY0r5Zlzhm5DH6YoBjfJIKG9nKONOrB9MYNyOKfKLxMR5ArY8-7hL7b-7_yWxNih4XwPEKJIyM-AmKQpJr6rgL8hvM7BSWwC1TvYV5KvbH-JbaBlws-xQZu-YWaHiZGfrC9Ks0-SPZk6O-Y6/s960/IMG_5319.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="960" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElyeahB83GdEuIwvVnzWquPuidJdJa3r8R7f8dkBZu_ptSY0r5Zlzhm5DH6YoBjfJIKG9nKONOrB9MYNyOKfKLxMR5ArY8-7hL7b-7_yWxNih4XwPEKJIyM-AmKQpJr6rgL8hvM7BSWwC1TvYV5KvbH-JbaBlws-xQZu-YWaHiZGfrC9Ks0-SPZk6O-Y6/s320/IMG_5319.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Merienda;"><br />I thought I'd make this post an excerpt of the current book I've been working on. The chapter is titled "Christmastide" and I'm sharing a very small part of it here. It works for the season a bit. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda;">Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays...Peace and Light to all. </span></p><p><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i>Christmastide </i></b></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">By Veronica Randolph Batterson </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">©Veronica Randolph Batterson</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i>December 26, 1872</i></b></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><i><span style="font-family: Merienda;">The fire blazed in the hearth, warming the room while the flames licked the bottom of the pot filled with simmering potatoes and leeks. The aroma reminded Josephine that she had not eaten, but for some stale bread and moldy cheese, in nearly four days; the journey had been arduous and its secrecy nearly cost her everything. A much longer journey loomed. Was he safe? Or had he been discovered by those looking to do him harm? It had been over four months since she last saw him. </span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><i><span style="font-family: Merienda;">Hunger stabbed at her belly as she watched the woman ladle the soup into a bowl, sloshing the contents as she set it in front of Josephine. </span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><i><span style="font-family: Merienda;">“This’ll do ye well,” the woman started, “nothing good ever came on an empty belly.” Then she moved to serve the group of men two tables away. The driver, shotgun rider and scout ate ravenously, pulling apart bread and drinking ale, greedily waiting for the mince pies which would follow. </span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><i><span style="font-family: Merienda;">Josephine ate, relishing each bite as if it would be her last; unlike the men, she was certain to be tasting the food and not just inhaling it. Yet feeding extreme hunger was not the same as feeding for two. And Josephine had not kept much down over the course of the last few months, even though she, too, was hungry. The woman serving the food noticed.</span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><i><span style="font-family: Merienda;">“My mama always swore by honey. A spoonful here, a dollop there. Fixed most things that ailed a soul. Got some hidden in the back,” the woman whispered, sliding the pie in front of Josephine. “If that ain’t fixing ye, a good dram of whiskey never hurt.” </span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><i><span style="font-family: Merienda;">The woman’s kind eyes watched Josephine with concern as she moved to serve the other customers. The savory and sweet taste of the pie was satisfying and filling. It was not met with the usual waves of nausea that had plagued Josephine at most attempts to eat. </span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><i><span style="font-family: Merienda;">The front door of the establishment suddenly opened bringing bits of snow, colder air and a fur clad man the size of a giant through it. He shook his shoulders and stomped his feet, shaking off the outdoors before striding over to the woman at the hearth and giving her a hearty hug, lifting her from her feet. </span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><i><span style="font-family: Merienda;">“Oh, ye nearly scared me to death,” the woman exclaimed breathlessly, eyeing the wrapped parcel the man held out to her… </span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><b><i>(To be Continued…)</i></b></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-65901185644937100812023-11-07T11:50:00.001-06:002023-11-07T11:50:13.038-06:00I Like...<p> <span style="font-family: Merienda;">One of the best covers of any song is Katie Melua's version of The Cure's classic <b><i>Just Like Heaven.</i></b> It's shared below. While it has nothing to do with the words I've written in this post, I do like it. A lot. </span></p><p><br /></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">I Like…</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">A book that I don’t wish to end but can’t stop reading until it does</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">The smell of coffee in the morning and my need for it </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">The familiar things being comforting</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">My dog sleeping at my feet</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Snow falling in the evening when I’ve no reason to be outdoors in it</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">The nostalgia of hearing a song and what it meant to me a lifetime ago</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Wandering antique stores…remembering and imagining.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">The scent in the air announcing rain before it actually happens</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">The way the afternoon sun angles, hinting autumn is near while the calendar says summer</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Bonfires, and fire pits in crisp air,</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">And fireplace glow</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Scents of pine, and cinnamon, and nutmeg,</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">From candles burning and ovens baking</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">The way a grocery store smells weeks before Thanksgiving through Christmas,</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Apples and pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Leaves falling, carpeting the earth’s floor, crunching under our feet</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">That everything is haunted in October.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">I Like…</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Bookstores and public libraries</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Freshly baked bread, the smell and taste of it</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Drinking hot chocolate and finding different ways to make it</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Always learning</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">The joy of travel and the greater joy of returning home </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Sleeping in my own bed</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Finding art in everything…the way tea pours, the curve of a vase, the shape of a tree,</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Music and the peace of mind it gives me listening to it</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Writing…composing my thoughts, creating with it</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Wine in the evenings</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">My cameras, capturing magic, freezing time.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">I Like...</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Spruce trees covered in snow, the branches sloping from the weight of it,</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Strands of multi-colored holiday lights woven around it reflecting and muted through the whiteness</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments from my travels </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Holiday movies and shows of my youth, shown every year, watched every year,</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Wearing hats and jackets and coats, the more variety the better</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Anticipation…of good, of normalcy, and receiving it</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Daydreaming</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Never being let down</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Unexpected kindness</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Peace.</span></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X_mZofHHAOY" width="407" youtube-src-id="X_mZofHHAOY"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-75655354101578943042023-10-05T12:52:00.004-05:002023-10-05T12:55:49.332-05:00France<p> I recently returned from a trip to France that included visits to Paris, Versailles, and the Normandy coast, with stops at Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery. It was a wonderful, itinerary-filled time that I will never forget. </p><p>Below is a screenshot of some of those photos I took, in addition to a few others not from this vacation. In doing it this way, it will at least make it a little harder for the entitled bunch to steal them. </p><p>Honestly, I've gotten really tired of this. So tired that I've consulted an attorney. I will see where this takes me with the copyright and trademark violations, Intellectual Property theft of ideas, harassment and taunting (from the past and going forward). I have a right to this blog and to continue with it; I also own and have rights regarding content. Nearly twelve years of content. </p><p>I have written a few blog posts in the past about this problem. If you like something here, that's great and I appreciate it. If you want to use it, first ask permission. Then give credit and/or monetary compensation for the use of it, especially if you are going to make money from it and claim it as your own. It is what you would demand for your own work, and it's the right thing to do. </p><p>More photographs will be added to my Fine Art America and Pixels sites as I go through them. Please visit <a href="https://veronica-batterson.pixels.com" target="_blank">Veronica-batterson.pixels.com</a> to take a look. Thanks to all of the honest folks who do! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZArmDJHCAv0S0VXO-z56CE0fq75rL9MgVHZMIHtSRe1DEVKJvxmMamZkp0x1TwsfFnRIHA77hcS4O-aKeTO6NpQFp8jiDrrbp2-H20JvTSi-xoyDT2agHzpsLjWfoeYIygIrIlKf-hC9w7jl_coZLdecAX8z5YopQhYKKQnX-_7-IctSzQmjoy-0GEx4_/s2222/Screenshot%202023-10-05%20at%2012.17.46%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="2222" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZArmDJHCAv0S0VXO-z56CE0fq75rL9MgVHZMIHtSRe1DEVKJvxmMamZkp0x1TwsfFnRIHA77hcS4O-aKeTO6NpQFp8jiDrrbp2-H20JvTSi-xoyDT2agHzpsLjWfoeYIygIrIlKf-hC9w7jl_coZLdecAX8z5YopQhYKKQnX-_7-IctSzQmjoy-0GEx4_/w400-h258/Screenshot%202023-10-05%20at%2012.17.46%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-82401556782453681552023-09-04T12:22:00.008-05:002023-09-20T14:15:00.256-05:00It was 1986...<p> <span style="font-family: Merienda;">I love this song. Even though I'd forgotten about it until I heard it again on Sirius XM the other day. It was released in the summer of 1986, and I remember clearly what I was doing and planning when I first heard it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda;"> It was during a modeling job I had in Atlanta. I was being photographed for a bridal magazine; through the makeup applications and touchups, dress and hair changes, this song came on the radio during the shoot. It was a stop-everything and listen to this gorgeous song...and everyone did. I also recall it so vividly because I'd been asked to audition for a bit part on <i><b>Miami Vic</b></i><b><i>e,</i></b> so I was pretty excited about it. It's interesting how songs trigger memories, as do sights and smells. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda;"> <b><i>The Lady in Red</i></b> by Chris de Burgh</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T9Jcs45GhxU" width="320" youtube-src-id="T9Jcs45GhxU"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-37477348643257406572023-07-24T12:30:00.000-05:002023-07-24T12:30:00.044-05:00Release<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxqu0uzW3xbI1usxP_3DnJeOweuLLMy2YxBWxxe9kFj2fTgjyURouDadAAAJNuQkHOsfiJRJ1sb-mBBKTqHodkD_XhjyRW_oAsWxomhuWiMkcHo8iSp9ftRbrx8AX7Po7a938ztO7UlA83SnWre2Pz6BiGhjZMZW-VcZI2zZdSZ8mwyDsxb-zNNk9pZRL/s5409/2137edit%20copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5409" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxqu0uzW3xbI1usxP_3DnJeOweuLLMy2YxBWxxe9kFj2fTgjyURouDadAAAJNuQkHOsfiJRJ1sb-mBBKTqHodkD_XhjyRW_oAsWxomhuWiMkcHo8iSp9ftRbrx8AX7Po7a938ztO7UlA83SnWre2Pz6BiGhjZMZW-VcZI2zZdSZ8mwyDsxb-zNNk9pZRL/s320/2137edit%20copy.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda;">I attended the funeral of a dear old friend this past week. It’s always difficult to say goodbye, even though physical distance had made regular visits fewer than they had been in the past. Illness, too. The memories of nearly forty years of friendship being all that’s left, and knowing the years ahead are fewer than the years behind make life these days sobering. Too many good ones are leaving. It’s a fate for all of us. A sense of melancholy is hitting me pretty hard right now; I’m also very tired.</span></span></span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Into the Woods</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda;">(By Veronica Randolph Batterson; ©Veronica Randolph Batterson)</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>There’s an empty bridge</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Beckoning</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Offering what you will make of it.</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Into the woods</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>To escape the realities</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Of the somebodies using the nobodies.</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>To clear your mind</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Of the unfairness </i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>That “lesser” women and men</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Being used by the Big Man and Big Woman is the norm</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>That life doesn’t always give fair shakes,</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Regardless of how hard you work and sacrifice.</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>There’s an empty bridge</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Beckoning</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Offering what you will make of it.</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Into the woods</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>To take deep breaths</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>While getting angry,</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>And screaming with tears, cursing the skies above.</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Plotting revenge </i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Or reconciling acceptance,</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Acknowledging that Grace over spite</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Is being an adult,</i></b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>As is offering kindness to people who don’t deserve it.</i></b></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-85529054203461682212023-06-23T15:42:00.001-05:002023-06-23T15:42:37.223-05:00A Woman's Voice<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <i>"A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult." - Melinda Gates, Philanthropist</i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">I continue to struggle with finding my voice. Much of it has to do with self-doubt and allowing myself to be intimidated. The fear of making someone angry and the deep seated need to keep the peace, and that my silence will ensure it, controls me. I allow myself to be suppressed, even though I grew up full of questions about the world. I promised myself it would be different for me; sadly I failed at achieving that goal. I enable other people's insecurities and inferiorities into bullying me and controlling my actions. Silence is my accountability.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">My voice is loud in my published books and short stories. In this, I am proud. When I write, I'm unleashing the voice. Expressions. Stories. Feelings. Thinking. Questions. Descriptions. Loud. Soft. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">While I continue to work on the latest book, the four below remain available. My voice is heard through the many characters waiting to tell readers a story. I appreciate all who have read them and listened to their stories. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Williamsburg Hill</i></b>. <b><i>Daniel's Esperanza</i></b>. <b><i>Funny Pages</i></b>. <b><i>Billy's First Dance</i></b>. All are available on Amazon or can be ordered through your local bookstore. The short stories, and eleven years worth of blog posts here are my voice. Mine. Once again, thank you to those regulars and those who drop in every now and then. Shout-outs, shares, recommendations, and recognition are appreciated.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_p-MePlaixu58E8lBu47-B0mPoQdDHAvu0ycJCrHcGt8sUirguNLay_syxge_qDBBVvdaf-rODi_THQNPKT8plYE2iEi1ftdsEyYqHLwcvuGYLOgeM8SwpM5UvkF--Ih9JgBEPue8deUbzUuI5jKme5QOzsTPZUgvzEkgl1jKamGd4VVB5KHBOciyWek/s2500/Screenshot%202023-06-23%20at%203.01.46%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="2500" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_p-MePlaixu58E8lBu47-B0mPoQdDHAvu0ycJCrHcGt8sUirguNLay_syxge_qDBBVvdaf-rODi_THQNPKT8plYE2iEi1ftdsEyYqHLwcvuGYLOgeM8SwpM5UvkF--Ih9JgBEPue8deUbzUuI5jKme5QOzsTPZUgvzEkgl1jKamGd4VVB5KHBOciyWek/w400-h284/Screenshot%202023-06-23%20at%203.01.46%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-36415550111961540582023-05-24T10:01:00.000-05:002023-05-24T10:01:00.768-05:00More Music<p><span style="font-family: Merienda;">While there are so many things going on in the world, I'd like to "fire off" about them here. But I won't. Opinions. We are all entitled to them. We have a right to them. Suppressing, stifling and bullying someone because of a difference of opinion is nothing but fascist tactics. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda;">Sharing some more music instead. These particular blog posts are easy, less messy and are much better than reading the lunacy on Twitter, or any other social media platform. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda;">As always, thank you.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wmX8pwqlOpA" width="320" youtube-src-id="wmX8pwqlOpA"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x9edarQWzoI" width="320" youtube-src-id="x9edarQWzoI"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yTapoA5RQyo" width="320" youtube-src-id="yTapoA5RQyo"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gQ8O9SidZbs" width="320" youtube-src-id="gQ8O9SidZbs"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-50925673499532642062023-04-19T11:20:00.005-05:002023-04-19T11:22:47.166-05:00Latest Photos...<p> <span style="font-family: Merienda;">I'm trying to keep my photos updated on Fine Art America and Pixels. Below are screenshots of the latest ones. To see them and all of the photographs that I have to share, please visit my site at <a href="http://veronica-batterson.pixels.com" target="_blank">veronica-batterson.pixels.com</a></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2ibcC0P6DK-CaSTtL3Vh_0UtQPw6S1bZSqX5ouS0j2D_F64PuBFshcGT4w9pDxN6AkLaW7ucspGQJqpjDwOPta3qkx8PPSvEvd2Ci38tUzIwSyahWQAu9y3Yw9zdoUvDg25T1oJxstZM66xwggLpMSfOxgJfjgD3uu_HsKRdH7o01rxGPi8AgSJyCg/s1572/Screenshot%202023-04-19%20at%2011.09.35%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1328" data-original-width="1572" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2ibcC0P6DK-CaSTtL3Vh_0UtQPw6S1bZSqX5ouS0j2D_F64PuBFshcGT4w9pDxN6AkLaW7ucspGQJqpjDwOPta3qkx8PPSvEvd2Ci38tUzIwSyahWQAu9y3Yw9zdoUvDg25T1oJxstZM66xwggLpMSfOxgJfjgD3uu_HsKRdH7o01rxGPi8AgSJyCg/s320/Screenshot%202023-04-19%20at%2011.09.35%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1C1EU5HlLvz4AE2I21b0qVL2MmVfReYAYLMokRIVb776lWZeAZsBoiaa_1B6PMl1ilT9uNTSyME2I6LNeNzto3fl4Q6YKUSfvoQHGKkibsctMd84GHbhhHBkAiTmNAvmySVyzsapMOJpbWi_3eUK-_o4W6K6N9BC8-Fj3DpKrEEYJm-at2M9GHnKIQ/s1566/Screenshot%202023-04-19%20at%2011.10.19%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1566" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1C1EU5HlLvz4AE2I21b0qVL2MmVfReYAYLMokRIVb776lWZeAZsBoiaa_1B6PMl1ilT9uNTSyME2I6LNeNzto3fl4Q6YKUSfvoQHGKkibsctMd84GHbhhHBkAiTmNAvmySVyzsapMOJpbWi_3eUK-_o4W6K6N9BC8-Fj3DpKrEEYJm-at2M9GHnKIQ/s320/Screenshot%202023-04-19%20at%2011.10.19%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuUZyj1hK183FKdDKo2PmXwgXJilk51orzp4Jop4jSkKWxiZSD89eWQuOpuvg2JG26FtIdEr3GzvCYoAMNrZCmBe01oAUqnwo8BobOpdPbbdONrvnd_aCZk5IBjhll91sw9-YDpF5alikPsAiI4cBlFHvpX1-jPhF00Hg0k8bhnwO8M6kVHrdECDpTw/s1582/Screenshot%202023-04-19%20at%2011.10.45%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1398" data-original-width="1582" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuUZyj1hK183FKdDKo2PmXwgXJilk51orzp4Jop4jSkKWxiZSD89eWQuOpuvg2JG26FtIdEr3GzvCYoAMNrZCmBe01oAUqnwo8BobOpdPbbdONrvnd_aCZk5IBjhll91sw9-YDpF5alikPsAiI4cBlFHvpX1-jPhF00Hg0k8bhnwO8M6kVHrdECDpTw/s320/Screenshot%202023-04-19%20at%2011.10.45%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K3LorqZG_qPdPTlqWbuYEgSYyegUdQff-e5CP34vFM-d19aPNHcG3M0U4yZwN8fKOGXLk3swhyD27LiHAApbe_oBkk_fAHSSZ8JffWooR5l2hvBv78Lah-w7BsY-nI2aGpWk2t_x1hLFCKGD_rtfKXAgTH7Uy7bJHhPdBgD3ijwKjsf1eVHUnJupHQ/s1570/Screenshot%202023-04-19%20at%2011.11.11%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="1570" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K3LorqZG_qPdPTlqWbuYEgSYyegUdQff-e5CP34vFM-d19aPNHcG3M0U4yZwN8fKOGXLk3swhyD27LiHAApbe_oBkk_fAHSSZ8JffWooR5l2hvBv78Lah-w7BsY-nI2aGpWk2t_x1hLFCKGD_rtfKXAgTH7Uy7bJHhPdBgD3ijwKjsf1eVHUnJupHQ/s320/Screenshot%202023-04-19%20at%2011.11.11%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbCVbL7VNm5COtGZfKVdbwTbXaQmXeW8Pl9DP7u6ld0pRwHPhq5j2kuniESL6vp_Vw973qfIEC7lMeG9hs1jXsgzzSGv-1SW-FwpzkFhnv8TEx4WoduI2szoBXmKR-LeKzcaGafNnnfgpGVDiEZ_zl7RV4-T2MiKMs6CGCR5ygAOFBYE5ROTnTaevAg/s1814/Screenshot%202023-04-19%20at%2011.11.38%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1814" data-original-width="1472" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbCVbL7VNm5COtGZfKVdbwTbXaQmXeW8Pl9DP7u6ld0pRwHPhq5j2kuniESL6vp_Vw973qfIEC7lMeG9hs1jXsgzzSGv-1SW-FwpzkFhnv8TEx4WoduI2szoBXmKR-LeKzcaGafNnnfgpGVDiEZ_zl7RV4-T2MiKMs6CGCR5ygAOFBYE5ROTnTaevAg/s320/Screenshot%202023-04-19%20at%2011.11.38%20AM.png" width="260" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-1270803947648599712023-03-15T13:40:00.004-05:002024-01-10T13:23:33.839-06:00Women's History Month<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBfS9xWKFgybuplCyuqG52vYvTGT1SlcaQdSS7522bibd72z4JIj_ZflUF6ZI2GVlDHBvAKvzYHKvL-oxghuCRXw0Ss4XpFf_yL2qtgsoJleCNifBhy9J1tAJtt5DR95Tdyuf-QM8qa1Ef5OZO0gTRyUZanyTv_1rxw48UAd2wSwvFxRxs9eyT400ug/s6240/0828edit.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBfS9xWKFgybuplCyuqG52vYvTGT1SlcaQdSS7522bibd72z4JIj_ZflUF6ZI2GVlDHBvAKvzYHKvL-oxghuCRXw0Ss4XpFf_yL2qtgsoJleCNifBhy9J1tAJtt5DR95Tdyuf-QM8qa1Ef5OZO0gTRyUZanyTv_1rxw48UAd2wSwvFxRxs9eyT400ug/s320/0828edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-family: Merienda;">March is <b><i>Women's History Month</i></b>, so I thought I'd share a select few poems written by women about women. I've kept the last several posts simple and stress-free, which has allowed me to continue with this blog. Balancing demands and life require cutting back a bit. The direction is going forward, and not in reverse (thank goodness!) with respect to the next book, but I'm taking my time with it. In addition to painting with acrylics, I've revisited using watercolors and remember how much I loved it. Slowing the pace with everything is needed. </span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-family: Merienda;">As always, thanks for checking in and reading what I share.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 40px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><i><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">A Suggested Campaign Song</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://poets.org/poet/alice-duer-miller">Alice Duer Miller</a></span> - 1874-1942</span></p><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">(“No brass bands. No speeches. Instead a still, silent, effective influence.”—<i>Anti-suffrage speech</i>.)</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">We are waging—can you doubt it?<br />
A campaign so calm and still<br />
No one knows a thing about it<br />
And we hope they never will.<br />
No one knows<br />
What we oppose,<br />
And we hope they never will.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">We are ladylike and quiet,<br />
Here a whisper—there a hint;<br />
Never speeches, bands or riot,<br />
Nothing suitable for print.<br />
No one knows<br />
What we oppose,<br />
For we never speak for print.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Sometimes in profound seclusion,<br />
In some far (but homelike) spot,<br />
We will make a dark allusion:<br />
“We’re opposed to you-know-what.”<br />
No one knows<br />
What we oppose,<br />
For we call it “You-Know-What.”</span></p></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 40px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><i><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Alice Paul</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://poets.org/poet/katharine-rolston-fisher">Katharine Rolston Fisher</a></span> - 1871-1949</span></p></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">I watched a river of women,<br />
Rippling purple, white and golden, <br />
Stream toward the National Capitol.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Along its border, <br />
Like a purple flower floating, <br />
Moved a young woman, worn, wraithlike. <br />
All eyes alight, keenly observing the marchers. <br />
Out there on the curb, she looked so little, so lonely, <br />
Few appeared even to see her; <br />
No one saluted her.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Yet commander was she of the column, its leader; <br />
She was the spring whence arose that irresistible river of women <br />
Streaming steadily towards the National Capitol.</span></p></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 40px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><i><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">I tie my Hat—I crease my Shawl (443)</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://poets.org/poet/emily-dickinson">Emily Dickinson</a></span> - 1830-1886</span></p></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">I tie my Hat—I crease my Shawl— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Life's little duties do—precisely— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">As the very least </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Were infinite—to me— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">I put new Blossoms in the Glass— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">And throw the old—away— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">I push a petal from my gown </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">That anchored there—I weigh </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">The time 'twill be till six o'clock </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">I have so much to do— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">And yet—Existence—some way back— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Stopped—struck—my ticking—through— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">We cannot put Ourself away </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">As a completed Man </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Or Woman—When the Errand's done </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">We came to Flesh—upon— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">There may be—Miles on Miles of Nought— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Of Action—sicker far— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">To simulate—is stinging work— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">To cover what we are </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">From Science—and from Surgery— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Too Telescopic Eyes </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">To bear on us unshaded— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">For their—sake—not for Ours— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Twould start them— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">We—could tremble— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">But since we got a Bomb— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">And held it in our Bosom— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Nay—Hold it—it is calm— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Therefore—we do life's labor— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Though life's Reward—be done— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">With scrupulous exactness— </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">To hold our Senses—on—</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 40px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px;"><i><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Oughta Be a Woman</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><a href="https://poets.org/poet/june-jordan">June Jordan</a> - 1936-2002</span></p></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">Washing the floors to send you to college<br />
Staying at home so you can feel safe<br />
What do you think is the soul of her knowledge<br />
What do you think that makes her feel safe<br />
<br />
Biting her lips and lowering her eyes<br />
To make sure there's food on the table<br />
What do you think would be her surprise<br />
If the world was as willing as she's able<br />
<br />
Hugging herself in an old kitchen chair<br />
She listens to your hurt and your rage<br />
What do you think she knows of despair<br />
What is the aching of age<br />
<br />
The fathers, the children, the brothers<br />
Turn to her and everybody white turns to her<br />
What about her turning around<br />
Alone in the everyday light<br />
<br />
There oughta be a woman can break<br />
Down, sit down, break down, sit down<br />
Like everybody else call it quits on Mondays<br />
Blues on Tuesdays, sleep until Sunday<br />
Down, sit down, break down, sit down<br />
<br />
A way outa no way is flesh outa flesh<br />
Courage that cries out at night<br />
A way outa no way is flesh outa flesh<br />
Bravery kept outa sight<br />
A way outa no way is too much to ask<br />
Too much of a task for any one woman</span></p></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white; font-family: Merienda;">And a favorite, which I shared here in 2016:</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><b><span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;"><i style="background-color: #f4cccc;">After A While (Comes the Dawn)</i></span></b></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><b><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">By Veronica Shoffstall </span></b></p></div><div><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">After a while you learn the subtle difference<br />
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning<br />
And company doesn’t mean security,</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts<br />
And presents aren’t promises</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">And you begin to accept your defeats<br />
With your head up and your eyes open,</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">With the grace of a woman,<br />
Not the grief of a child</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">And you learn to build all your roads on today,<br />
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans<br />
and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">After a while you learn that even sunshine<br />
Burns if you get too much</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,<br />
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;">And you learn that you really can endure…<br />
that you really are strong<br />
and you really do have worth,<br />
and you learn and learn…<br />
With every goodbye you learn.</span></p></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-45923115213568389022023-02-28T18:41:00.000-06:002023-02-28T18:41:02.814-06:00Ireland by Megan O'Neill<p> <span style="font-family: Merienda;">I first heard this song by Megan O'Neill three years ago on Facebook, and thought it so beautiful. The video is lovely as well. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda;">Take a look and listen. </span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_jqtv2_j6zU" width="320" youtube-src-id="_jqtv2_j6zU"></iframe></div>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-80459661833987410202023-01-19T14:44:00.016-06:002023-01-19T15:01:28.742-06:00Taylor Swift<p> <span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">I know this small post won't gain much attention in the big picture of things since the world's eyes and ears are on Taylor Swift's upcoming tour and her multitude of accomplishments, but I'll share it anyway. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Taylor's song <b><i>The Best Day</i></b> was played for me by my daughter in 2009 as I drove her to college her freshman year. It was the first time I'd heard Swift's music. It seemed my daughter's message to me in sharing that particular track was an expression of love. For me, for our family, for her childhood years. It is a song that will always take me back to that day; one that I'll cherish forever because of my daughter's role in how I heard it. It goes without saying that the song is beautiful. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">In August of 2018, I almost lost my daughter. It is an indescribable feeling of despair; the yearly anniversary is unwelcome but it's one that I can't make myself forget. Perhaps some day it will be nothing; but for now it continues to be everything because it looms like a storm cloud, waiting to happen. Then it does.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Writing has always been a therapeutic way of healing for me. So in July of 2019 I shared a short story I'd written entitled <b><i>Precipice</i></b>. It is how I handled the helplessness of that time. It's fictional, yet it's not. A part that certainly isn't fictional is the way the main character heard Taylor Swift for the first time. If anyone is interested in reading or revisiting this story, it can be found here: <a href="https://veronicarbatterson.blogspot.com/2019/07/precipice.html" target="_blank">Precipice.</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">Below is the Youtube video of this beautiful song, <b><i>The Best Day</i></b>. I'm also sharing a couple more of Taylor Swift's songs that remain favorites of mine. There are many so it's hard to choose. As always, thanks for reading this blog for the last eleven years. It is appreciated.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KZeI9I875Ig" width="320" youtube-src-id="KZeI9I875Ig"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qsUK-BG5OQQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="qsUK-BG5OQQ"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QUwxKWT6m7U" width="320" youtube-src-id="QUwxKWT6m7U"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-77690939305985348492022-12-19T17:44:00.000-06:002022-12-19T17:44:42.338-06:00Merry<p> <span style="font-family: Merienda;">Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Peace, light and love to all.</span> 🕊🎄</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwQ2SVU23CFWapS13UD64TZ8Ysa8PVxOCl0gplDJ-qFmIV96a42E2NyWmcVnQ1rMkzLWN9ff8T0JKlHPr5692VHy4i8Qz7JtszFVZavcAXZkOK0VlnJybeou8Es1H4DfWcU771s9QIciWWfREm2Q-N6nY4oHXVY-pQX4KScuLNATW-AAaTCB4_VPz6Q/s960/IMG_8767.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="960" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwQ2SVU23CFWapS13UD64TZ8Ysa8PVxOCl0gplDJ-qFmIV96a42E2NyWmcVnQ1rMkzLWN9ff8T0JKlHPr5692VHy4i8Qz7JtszFVZavcAXZkOK0VlnJybeou8Es1H4DfWcU771s9QIciWWfREm2Q-N6nY4oHXVY-pQX4KScuLNATW-AAaTCB4_VPz6Q/s320/IMG_8767.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jF0FAxI7W3k" width="320" youtube-src-id="jF0FAxI7W3k"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L-rgYHSflFQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="L-rgYHSflFQ"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-89998878882822509942022-11-29T17:07:00.002-06:002022-11-29T17:07:35.163-06:00Ireland <p> <span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;">October.</span><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;">Pretty fall color and a long-awaited trip to Ireland. We stayed in Dublin at the beautiful Shelbourne Hotel (The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection) while enjoying sites in the city, the numerous tourist offerings, great restaurants, and took day trips to Northern Ireland, and to the western coast of the Republic of Ireland.</span><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">The Shelbourne is so lovely, and I think it’s one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in and fully enjoyed. It’s truly perfect, with its traditional architecture and furnishings, and plush and comfortable rooms; the restaurants are wonderful, attentive staff, plentiful bars, and a spa that offers an expansive relaxation experience. I highly recommend this wonderful hotel.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">If you’re looking to travel outside of Dublin, whether on day trips or multiple day excursions, please consider booking them with Little Gem Private Tours (<a href="http://littlegemtours.com" target="_blank">littlegemtours.com</a>). Our tour guide, Richard Ball, was highly experienced and knowledgeable. He went above and beyond in ensuring our travel itinerary was memorable, positive, flexible, full of historical anecdotes, and fun; the tour days we took with him were the highlights of our visit. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">In fact, if you aren’t making Dublin your vacation base, Richard and his wife, Barbara, offer lodging accommodations and tours via their family farm about an hour outside of the city. Known as Johnsfort House and built in the late 1700s, the property is located in the village of Clonmellon in the Boyne Valley. For more information on lodging availability and tour offerings, check out their website at <a href="http://irelandatyourleisure.ie" target="_blank">Ireland at Your Leisure</a>.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;">I’m still going through photographs and probably will be doing so for quite some time. Below are just a few. Please check out my website of photographs at <a href="http://veronica-batterson.pixels.com" target="_blank">veronica-batterson.pixels.com</a>.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiPk8ywPe4-aJyxSxtW_p3NNik2CsofQSq2f2FSn56M_RrVQ_fjPFPcchQhx_sqb38CPRTaA1AbGwMA9wQOB8a-S6LsJbjRcZLDsT4zsogg7GtlftRvLQc5270ERce2mpZUcKqqD27P2p5fVAm7asmZXVjtq2_pqqaaENByFmLBbu9ZO4jcxHvlXuGA/s4032/IMG_8030.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiPk8ywPe4-aJyxSxtW_p3NNik2CsofQSq2f2FSn56M_RrVQ_fjPFPcchQhx_sqb38CPRTaA1AbGwMA9wQOB8a-S6LsJbjRcZLDsT4zsogg7GtlftRvLQc5270ERce2mpZUcKqqD27P2p5fVAm7asmZXVjtq2_pqqaaENByFmLBbu9ZO4jcxHvlXuGA/s320/IMG_8030.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkIRo13SF-rNjLe8vOjEEORSNVqd5f6hWL_wL-wJ-60EQjUMGiZGhqHS14KZPy60kQTz6E0JXw76fhsmXOvRelH0A89waniBRpelYzsXnO9efGemZA-lFyLDQd6sFQFZ3BEQvbJsz8CwkQD47g647vfgekYWxkp4-Nj80FB3XIsqDwRtX42nLYb4QPA/s4032/IMG_7857.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkIRo13SF-rNjLe8vOjEEORSNVqd5f6hWL_wL-wJ-60EQjUMGiZGhqHS14KZPy60kQTz6E0JXw76fhsmXOvRelH0A89waniBRpelYzsXnO9efGemZA-lFyLDQd6sFQFZ3BEQvbJsz8CwkQD47g647vfgekYWxkp4-Nj80FB3XIsqDwRtX42nLYb4QPA/s320/IMG_7857.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJ83HCWh6dbC2BJ9O_OEcLdH2Gqc700_mWAMyEvIuose3GpSpkznv14owNqCXZtP6vFTUYY5QqYKq_uQ8Yq9g7rhfBcbEbo4e9mbSVdtE8pUmQOMcyeIY4SRe7HHluMy7_IhazwmxLMUsc1DaVAYGV4Ncz-5BeLRTAjy_fUyHXvRUPDPoDo3YvDan-w/s4032/IMG_7843.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJ83HCWh6dbC2BJ9O_OEcLdH2Gqc700_mWAMyEvIuose3GpSpkznv14owNqCXZtP6vFTUYY5QqYKq_uQ8Yq9g7rhfBcbEbo4e9mbSVdtE8pUmQOMcyeIY4SRe7HHluMy7_IhazwmxLMUsc1DaVAYGV4Ncz-5BeLRTAjy_fUyHXvRUPDPoDo3YvDan-w/s320/IMG_7843.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HY_ux0Akp7C7IS24kfjp4DyHzuDIoY85lMlEBwnVKnu7D--8L02_X2fbvA2iQpY-gcav6m189fTdZeAPoZwIc9bMJxzi3f2i607JO-2FK7kauMqK5KXhrrVt11CbGu35PzVF_mJ1rw2-LcpUQUNEtvG8pv4Za-HprBHl9OoKzpX3-vupJgUkbMmf-w/s4032/IMG_7837.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HY_ux0Akp7C7IS24kfjp4DyHzuDIoY85lMlEBwnVKnu7D--8L02_X2fbvA2iQpY-gcav6m189fTdZeAPoZwIc9bMJxzi3f2i607JO-2FK7kauMqK5KXhrrVt11CbGu35PzVF_mJ1rw2-LcpUQUNEtvG8pv4Za-HprBHl9OoKzpX3-vupJgUkbMmf-w/s320/IMG_7837.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGafrzSe4z8xy-kS3GlTOhWhuVRbrP9kpqAc-he1bUX9k2Pz0gAnmMFC5RK5j5zuwSdaf4NaX_gZqfW-iOa4rWwQZPQuSgONgGOQIdEfwOFrq7bMhLwT0lKAEX4VtsKf-9NvtaltBtGOE4q6XjWEDZHnxfRsV84b6i-2P8o7Ju50powEDFQcLPnjGkA/s4032/IMG_7833.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGafrzSe4z8xy-kS3GlTOhWhuVRbrP9kpqAc-he1bUX9k2Pz0gAnmMFC5RK5j5zuwSdaf4NaX_gZqfW-iOa4rWwQZPQuSgONgGOQIdEfwOFrq7bMhLwT0lKAEX4VtsKf-9NvtaltBtGOE4q6XjWEDZHnxfRsV84b6i-2P8o7Ju50powEDFQcLPnjGkA/s320/IMG_7833.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeFV9al-6NX4TBpGt-1IQMdMfxuqAtx2s5HD7uO00GiXVEfzigt7xZQ27ZPg8yI4Pce7Ivh25gBjyZwMVSMFmq1EKuc69BEDBQeNm2T0P4CzQc1XZ4xaSMDachqKrKX1q04n_vR0C5GXg5wADjsTJtebbvojrIvZqUDoLg6W9GwAt_6JBv0005S9dcw/s4032/IMG_7822.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeFV9al-6NX4TBpGt-1IQMdMfxuqAtx2s5HD7uO00GiXVEfzigt7xZQ27ZPg8yI4Pce7Ivh25gBjyZwMVSMFmq1EKuc69BEDBQeNm2T0P4CzQc1XZ4xaSMDachqKrKX1q04n_vR0C5GXg5wADjsTJtebbvojrIvZqUDoLg6W9GwAt_6JBv0005S9dcw/s320/IMG_7822.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhms8N0N2n_RwXMYSw3P4YC1mnTHTcCwvcUafuI99DZ1Yz7bjLdJmGt6F2IDORxzL8rju2xrHJ1EZmW53_5jgVe1Ha_ZAVwG1NXOQZ_wtEulrOAr-0MNAiAAcatLIhUTawYwRFRObP61De0UBzimMRI98QXGYn-Jnj_r_eAdzqRToK7DyYzYSvma6nLPw/s4032/IMG_7808.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhms8N0N2n_RwXMYSw3P4YC1mnTHTcCwvcUafuI99DZ1Yz7bjLdJmGt6F2IDORxzL8rju2xrHJ1EZmW53_5jgVe1Ha_ZAVwG1NXOQZ_wtEulrOAr-0MNAiAAcatLIhUTawYwRFRObP61De0UBzimMRI98QXGYn-Jnj_r_eAdzqRToK7DyYzYSvma6nLPw/s320/IMG_7808.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1576" data-original-width="1568" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKAjYFDSBp2X_ZXGfZTu649vhdUay1rUfRU0sMd6D25DN6bAI4DOsKZqepbZOJv2wO3kT5Chytr3JrJaDEEtnCKgbDEyUZA_ffAwJX-N-S__RJQqTEvetsE3kXQwFHmVJXon02RRQ09egwEAV8gBlft1em7MNEyjr_ym1irUH3j9U03vMSUJz24WWCQ/s320/Screenshot%202022-11-29%20at%203.48.00%20PM.png" width="318" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYBizalJ3ne7eEsxBZcD8_3h7I5e0v60x9OhucvzR9kPFInBQqeDMGL1Bkbs2EuyPvydznf-rAsKLHxZnjtVPTemJ6b8n2vZn3dvalWYEF9q0GXw9-tUnheMtyU5NpbUZ-B3hy6f4bldnBRr4iV_KCsBBk-Gx_Cr2XOvCBoHfG9gUlpp4nuI5i9oFlg/s1576/Screenshot%202022-11-29%20at%203.51.28%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="1576" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYBizalJ3ne7eEsxBZcD8_3h7I5e0v60x9OhucvzR9kPFInBQqeDMGL1Bkbs2EuyPvydznf-rAsKLHxZnjtVPTemJ6b8n2vZn3dvalWYEF9q0GXw9-tUnheMtyU5NpbUZ-B3hy6f4bldnBRr4iV_KCsBBk-Gx_Cr2XOvCBoHfG9gUlpp4nuI5i9oFlg/s320/Screenshot%202022-11-29%20at%203.51.28%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL15nusCqqOcCof-ZOTfrp1x85ah7MzdN-6gsh05dHs_0VS0tYs1g4ObYoxISU8a2dnmGgCk2-RQ7IxP1dxF9ymT3X4lXk-ZiE6y6SyiPMrJceY526JASp17H8NqXNGcF-RukAvsVbwpIkRnjzUN0YqPttyY8QiFRrNFaoIZgd-8a4zQlIAXrzJcb4bA/s320/IMG_7557.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOVQ7SPLu5x_BLZsWLsGsofIvMtwGBST7m6IPtiRSenQZvDAdm7Ec9r4PQgCrugR4YzB2MCjrQkzXBZOxRjlEqkLXBVS1cX-x3UUaPJwboWnK6Y226eYXcROFHqD3B50KpQZe9Ap7tOHxVkF4cebhI19LbWpf3FdFlgtgQFitIiL__DnDhZXcfoV4OA/s4032/IMG_7581.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOVQ7SPLu5x_BLZsWLsGsofIvMtwGBST7m6IPtiRSenQZvDAdm7Ec9r4PQgCrugR4YzB2MCjrQkzXBZOxRjlEqkLXBVS1cX-x3UUaPJwboWnK6Y226eYXcROFHqD3B50KpQZe9Ap7tOHxVkF4cebhI19LbWpf3FdFlgtgQFitIiL__DnDhZXcfoV4OA/s320/IMG_7581.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Merienda; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><div><br /></div>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-41032795312265802052022-11-08T12:58:00.005-06:002024-01-08T11:36:47.350-06:00Appalachian Hands<p> <i><span style="font-size: medium;">"They think it's strange to see a woman carve. A woman can do most anything she wants to...puts her mind to." ~ Polly Page, in 2013, at age 94.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU81UoMkUV-V_EvcBr1_Svl8Z9k2vV3zq19D2ZDmytc0SksrdhCLiEnYnCRyfw_1WyatcYMhnAHYYSqUhxZV2ENAujzuccXvnUZ5wfwcBU0d402AE3iX8zfVETqQfgj_tD3VIlM4oyK29oRkEq3dqjg4ZnX5ymPnou9uLIUfvckxEHcQ-v1EJp3U0A4w/s1654/Screenshot%202022-11-08%20at%2011.45.18%20AM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1654" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU81UoMkUV-V_EvcBr1_Svl8Z9k2vV3zq19D2ZDmytc0SksrdhCLiEnYnCRyfw_1WyatcYMhnAHYYSqUhxZV2ENAujzuccXvnUZ5wfwcBU0d402AE3iX8zfVETqQfgj_tD3VIlM4oyK29oRkEq3dqjg4ZnX5ymPnou9uLIUfvckxEHcQ-v1EJp3U0A4w/s320/Screenshot%202022-11-08%20at%2011.45.18%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Polly (in her studio) with Dolly Parton </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />My aunt, Polly (Pauline) Randolph Page, passed away in 2020. She was 101 years old. She was a well-known folk artist, whose wood carvings were in the Smithsonian Museum and in Folk Art Museums around the globe. In 2013, she was awarded the Tennessee Folklife Heritage Governor's Arts Award at the age of 93. I own some of her wonderful wood carvings.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">She was a pioneer...independent, talented, opinionated, and (in my opinion) a feminist for her time. She believed that women could do anything they wanted if they worked for it. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Sharing a poem that I wrote with her in mind. As always, copyright applies. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Appalachian Hands</span></i></b></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By Veronica Randolph Batterson </span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">©2022 Veronica Batterson</span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 10px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The hands speak volumes</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As they cradle the wood</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Gnarled and misshapen</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Skin chapped, stained with blood.</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The wood is their infant</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Molded and created</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Delicately balanced</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Shaped between arthritic fingers.</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The knife moves swiftly</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cedar shavings cover the floor</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The slightest miss</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bears testament to scars she’s worn.</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As life emerges</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Directly from her palms,</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fingers move as if caressing</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Breath from shapes appearing.</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">An artist carves her creation</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With tenderness, with love</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Never hesitating.</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The knife and wood are one</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Under nimble fingers they work,</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Peeling layers away, skilled</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Twisting, turning until</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Forms of beauty are birthed.</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The life of this master</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Molding wood like clay,</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Deftly she moves</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Never flinching or pausing.</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She works until finished</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And carves shavings away,</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then as if releasing, a whisper</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Touches graceful artistry in Appalachian hands.</span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEWmSN3bnqYCJgfY6wtHQDn1pzGGvi-DhLKJG6lFF601ljSwaBz9uoV92l2BVkTs9nc-WsWRLZc_Tt8SYXesSh9ot-8xQvP12TlHtVGKuaaujHzgpeE7ZhlfU_ZLcBivsy6Kw6T0eFGcIgV4egw_w9qEEuouJR1pnxLhHKBjRE1Jn_8EbnXXI8ZQq8Q/s2664/Screenshot%202022-11-08%20at%2011.53.54%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="2664" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEWmSN3bnqYCJgfY6wtHQDn1pzGGvi-DhLKJG6lFF601ljSwaBz9uoV92l2BVkTs9nc-WsWRLZc_Tt8SYXesSh9ot-8xQvP12TlHtVGKuaaujHzgpeE7ZhlfU_ZLcBivsy6Kw6T0eFGcIgV4egw_w9qEEuouJR1pnxLhHKBjRE1Jn_8EbnXXI8ZQq8Q/w539-h301/Screenshot%202022-11-08%20at%2011.53.54%20AM.png" width="539" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p style="font-family: Monaco; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-34795803266771748552022-09-29T14:47:00.002-05:002022-09-29T14:47:13.534-05:00A Fogelberg Kind of Day<span style="font-size: medium;">It's been one of those days. Sharing some Youtube videos of the songs I've been listening to...all music by the late Dan Fogelberg. Amazon Music, Sirius XM, my old-fashioned iPod...I'd listen to my albums (vinyl) if my turntable hadn't died. </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Also worth sharing is a Youtube video of his former ranch that's for sale again, in addition to the link of the listing. The current owner/seller renovated and updated the property. As anyone will see, it's stunning. Known as <b><i>Mountain Bird Ranch</i></b> and located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, it is worth drooling over simply for the location. I've visited Pagosa Springs a few times and the area has breathtaking views and scenery; it's a wonderful place to photograph, as I've done. Oh, to be able to see and photograph this property, though! Eventually, the house and land will sell and the video and link will be deleted, but I thought it was worth sharing now.</span> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.jamesedition.com/real_estate/pagosa-springs-co-usa/mountain-bird-ranch-12122682">Mountain Bird Ranch </a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3oQk5tcgihE" width="320" youtube-src-id="3oQk5tcgihE"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ICIGXErvLpc" width="320" youtube-src-id="ICIGXErvLpc"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FCmGb7g-hvA" width="320" youtube-src-id="FCmGb7g-hvA"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oS9EEy4Hxc8" width="320" youtube-src-id="oS9EEy4Hxc8"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qUgUcVnT3NI" width="320" youtube-src-id="qUgUcVnT3NI"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p327wRYCuAY" width="320" youtube-src-id="p327wRYCuAY"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l1yAfGXzMlw" width="320" youtube-src-id="l1yAfGXzMlw"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LjYSrbLTifk" width="320" youtube-src-id="LjYSrbLTifk"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sQPH2k4JqhY" width="320" youtube-src-id="sQPH2k4JqhY"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-27782434888131679082022-09-15T17:00:00.001-05:002022-09-16T12:41:54.675-05:00Gettysburg, History and Folklore<p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3WVKCTbzWs01fSBwR7rUm6NprBh0djQZfN_TL3yhNvxdNufonb76HJ6Jd-wdh2jdWqam2oMeMtXYe2j0TrqI1247jbxAdqKtl9qe80yTGSU6oQV0yLiIFqjQZ2Aa3CT1LGHMbe8gNc__fI-tATq68NRZ90hh2vKGCEHpFVfPon2whkLTT4MRY6AL9A/s4032/IMG_7206.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3WVKCTbzWs01fSBwR7rUm6NprBh0djQZfN_TL3yhNvxdNufonb76HJ6Jd-wdh2jdWqam2oMeMtXYe2j0TrqI1247jbxAdqKtl9qe80yTGSU6oQV0yLiIFqjQZ2Aa3CT1LGHMbe8gNc__fI-tATq68NRZ90hh2vKGCEHpFVfPon2whkLTT4MRY6AL9A/s320/IMG_7206.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sachs Covered Bridge, Gettysburg</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A few years ago, I was taking photographs at various spots in Memphis and wandered through Elmwood Cemetery. Established in 1852, the 80-acre cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The dramatic entry bridge, the elaborate monuments and markers, and the beautiful landscaping (especially during the spring) provide stunning natural backdrops for landscape photography. It also offers inspiration.</span></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For some reason, historical cemeteries give me ideas for stories. I don’t intentionally look to them for divine intervention, it just happens sometimes. This was the case with my book, <b><i>Williamsburg Hill.</i></b> The basis of the story was set around Ridge Cemetery in southern Illinois. Now it seems Elmwood Cemetery has given me the same jolt of motivation to finally get started on another historical fiction novel. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When that “this could be it” moment happened, I had walked in front of a headstone for a man whose profession happened to be in the theatre. He had been a ‘Scenic Artist’ in the 1800s. For those who don’t know the relevance of this, my husband’s early professional career was as a Theatrical Designer. We live and breathe the theatre, and the business side of it. I don’t believe in coincidence, but I do think most things happen for a reason or for some purpose. The fact that I randomly saw this gravesite said something. It actually gave me a good shake and yelled, “There’s a story! Write about it.” </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I immediately attempted to find information on this man and documented all that I came across. Surprisingly, for the era and what he did for a living, there was more than to be expected. But there were plenty of gaps and holes to fill, dead ends, and dwindling trails that went nowhere. The more I couldn’t find, the more that I wanted to know. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then due to the pandemic and shut downs across the country, it became harder to find anything. Research was at a standstill, and my 19th-century Scenic Artist grew quiet. The muse wasn’t speaking. It seemed he was waiting for me to get it right. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Interestingly, it was a trip to Gettysburg that brought him back to life. For those who are still planning a visit, don’t pass up seeing the Cyclorama. To say it leaves a person speechless is an understatement. Painted by artist Paul Philippoteaux, the massive Cyclorama depicts Picket’s Charge, the final attack of the Battle of Gettysburg. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As I stood in the center of the room where the Gettysburg Cyclorama was housed, listening to the narration of the timeline, and viewing this magnificent art, I remembered. Philippoteaux had hired artists to work on the painting. The muse stepped out of the shadows; there he was again, reminding me that he, the Scenic Painter resting in Elmwood Cemetery, had been commissioned to work on a Civil War painting. Was I viewing his work? It was another good shake, a reminder, a path to take. Once again, I had direction and became excited to take on the challenge of writing this story. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizx588gxf-U86B6qDjyK0DRy0LdlX3S7t89h17p8nKYNMFsTWrMw5MZCc_LbUCKqilupOH6G7j6daioBIZE4CfWFo5sU7biDZOUh-3jCVY2uO8Xntm0wvnPnTZY0v6b1Lch0iS8-fm9yd0AbmF5XjTjd6i13K8g1_fus3cvQDiB5j64RuY-m4rnccikA/s4032/IMG_6554.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizx588gxf-U86B6qDjyK0DRy0LdlX3S7t89h17p8nKYNMFsTWrMw5MZCc_LbUCKqilupOH6G7j6daioBIZE4CfWFo5sU7biDZOUh-3jCVY2uO8Xntm0wvnPnTZY0v6b1Lch0iS8-fm9yd0AbmF5XjTjd6i13K8g1_fus3cvQDiB5j64RuY-m4rnccikA/s320/IMG_6554.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our lodging in Gettysburg</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Regarding Gettysburg, it was a trip that I’d wanted to take for a very long time, and it didn’t disappoint. We stayed in an historic house for the long weekend, walked the battlefields and the cemeteries, worked in getting to the museum (and Cyclorama), visited (and walked across) the Sachs Covered Bridge. The area is vast and overwhelming; I took a lot of photographs, but we only had time for the highlights. There’s so much history there. And yes, ghosts. It’s said that the Sachs Covered Bridge is extremely haunted. Our time there was during daylight hours and I got quite a few orbs and unexplained weirdness in a lot of photos; I can’t imagine how ‘visibly active’ it is at night. Since it’s rather isolated and off the beaten path, I think it would be a creepy attempt anyway, and one I would not do.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As for the research, the man in Elmwood Cemetery died before work on the Gettysburg Cyclorama began, but did paint a Civil War panorama in 1863. There’s no disappointment in that for me. The journey to Gettysburg brought the story back to me, and there are so many potential storylines. A local historian in Memphis has been generous in finding some information, as well. I also suspect, as I shared a few times regarding <b><i>Williamsburg Hill,</i></b> this book, too, will be based a lot on folklore rather than historical accuracy. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, I’ll give a few clues. I enjoy dual/multiple timelines to tie a big story together, so that’s the plan for this one. I’ll share his surname later, but the man in Elmwood’s given name is ‘Sam’…and that’s how the readers will know him. I will make him as true to his history as I can. But along the way, there’s a fictional ‘Josephine’ that will, perhaps, affect his life. Other plans in the outline include the Yellow Fever epidemic, the mighty Mississippi River, Memphis, famous actors of that era, and another Sam…Samuel Langhorne Clemons, also known as Mark Twain. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s the plan for now. But things change, stories evolve, and folklore will be a big part if it’s needed. As I always say and always mean, thank you to all who continue reading what I share. </span></p><div><br /></div>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-15182998691734882502022-08-15T12:21:00.001-05:002022-08-15T12:21:14.717-05:00"Mainely" Maine<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZW1jgLIW9EFTtuBy_c0otToJdOE5EY1ZfC98LHBNB3JHD1Cd05jBE5-Jlnbdm5tmlmqYv95L7UtdVsa7YgPcAjHaq5j0fa3mvfSOavQwaeRPUSb8fvlXPHlEb7-tNajAq99URoWnAXG6J03tb5my0qRiPG0BqXwISE6SCKp3acGO1q42YadU_BmXw0Q/s4032/664B7C28-6DCB-4457-BB97-46C5540751F0.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZW1jgLIW9EFTtuBy_c0otToJdOE5EY1ZfC98LHBNB3JHD1Cd05jBE5-Jlnbdm5tmlmqYv95L7UtdVsa7YgPcAjHaq5j0fa3mvfSOavQwaeRPUSb8fvlXPHlEb7-tNajAq99URoWnAXG6J03tb5my0qRiPG0BqXwISE6SCKp3acGO1q42YadU_BmXw0Q/s320/664B7C28-6DCB-4457-BB97-46C5540751F0.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: 18px;">In 2018, my husband and I completed a goal of visiting all fifty states together with a cruise to Alaska. The plan then was to revisit; go to places in those states we had yet to see, and to enjoy more International travel.</span><span style="text-indent: 18px;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 18px;">We were able to get to Lake Tahoe and travel the Pacific Coast Highway before life changed in the world and little to no travel could be enjoyed. Car trips across Colorado and Tennessee have been fulfilled in the last year, but I didn’t do any air travel for over two years. I eased into those again with quick trips to Chicago and New York, masked and cautious</span></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7doOXh2DC7kP4UnL_3krIFrt3R9OlXM2j1x16hGV7lA8DLs9rUv5aE332l2yhdrIsDrBKEWknROaYdKicZrl5lICcqJXd_MVFXV14UHNqib5jgug2FP38WBj6tqdGJpCNwmViPszBn5coDihCsi7EIztTfs5yI6oB_lLPl2hFbPWVp4Z4L5RBtXSW5g/s4032/75EE62F2-F2CB-44FA-B55D-33C9D101BAA1.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7doOXh2DC7kP4UnL_3krIFrt3R9OlXM2j1x16hGV7lA8DLs9rUv5aE332l2yhdrIsDrBKEWknROaYdKicZrl5lICcqJXd_MVFXV14UHNqib5jgug2FP38WBj6tqdGJpCNwmViPszBn5coDihCsi7EIztTfs5yI6oB_lLPl2hFbPWVp4Z4L5RBtXSW5g/s320/75EE62F2-F2CB-44FA-B55D-33C9D101BAA1.heic" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Last week, we enjoyed a vacation…the kind that isn’t worked around the job, or a visit to see anyone. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The kind that’s a destination, a plan, a goal, a bucket list check-off…the kind that you turn off the cell phones and enjoy, be in awe of beautiful scenery and amazing places. The pre-pandemic kind, the kind that says maybe we’ve turned the page and things will be “normal” again (whatever that means). However hard it is to breathe with those masks, and I was masked in the airports and on the planes and in certain places, it felt as if I could actually breathe life again just by embracing something I’d taken for granted. Travel. A real vacation and it had been three years. Living again. Deep breaths. </span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjP9mrj5_pijgJCmCcDexiM-5F_GTU8qsGfx2-eYeUG2x48ec5WjnQPBA1SbiQIg2DRIHgMBzItyUnC6MNZH5vqBlUw8jO1FFYkpD2s4kj-cleqKulh8c1pf9hOA5ETDiheKzCr_mhgWq6Hc1npS63bLX5rXSJghnCjarV7cnM1jdPTUqeNZgv3pK1hQ/s1440/92370EB4-25F6-4591-B246-0E4133A54FF5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjP9mrj5_pijgJCmCcDexiM-5F_GTU8qsGfx2-eYeUG2x48ec5WjnQPBA1SbiQIg2DRIHgMBzItyUnC6MNZH5vqBlUw8jO1FFYkpD2s4kj-cleqKulh8c1pf9hOA5ETDiheKzCr_mhgWq6Hc1npS63bLX5rXSJghnCjarV7cnM1jdPTUqeNZgv3pK1hQ/s320/92370EB4-25F6-4591-B246-0E4133A54FF5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Maine. Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor. Blue Hill. Stonington. Castine. Camden. Rockland. Rockport. Bristol. Boothbay Harbor. Portland. Cape Elizabeth. Freeport. State Parks and Lighthouses. Harbors and Mountains. Lobster Rolls. Lobster Dinners. Whoopee Pies and Blueberry Pies. Fresh Seafood. Ice Cream. The week was full but it was relaxed; I ate whatever I wanted and didn’t worry or care about the calories. Vacation. No worries. Appreciating life again…those calories can be counted next week, just as all of those missed calls and text messages can be returned when one gets home. It felt so nice to live again.</span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWByJEcoCCEoTrd_qw0tNvTUZvxGV98loDxYZc2LmR_cFR8005I2iq7vgBl72zqIiBB_faRU44Zi27pUeUxNd6YBFG_sIXQQDlayOiOTWXL5LsWlvSaHg7-_DupNAqlyrRmQEEdsUcNYAMwkUQPawkXXJ5iRBOhh8Pz4IERRMYrP5e7_EC1rySmsIzw/s4032/0DBF072C-4E4E-4735-ACD6-F6CC54B14D4C.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWByJEcoCCEoTrd_qw0tNvTUZvxGV98loDxYZc2LmR_cFR8005I2iq7vgBl72zqIiBB_faRU44Zi27pUeUxNd6YBFG_sIXQQDlayOiOTWXL5LsWlvSaHg7-_DupNAqlyrRmQEEdsUcNYAMwkUQPawkXXJ5iRBOhh8Pz4IERRMYrP5e7_EC1rySmsIzw/s320/0DBF072C-4E4E-4735-ACD6-F6CC54B14D4C.heic" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Finally, I’ll share a few iPhone photos of gorgeous scenery here, because I’ve yet to go through the photos I took with the Canon. That will take me a while, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m also looking forward to the next trip around Labor Day. A short one. Another bucket-list goal. </span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As always, thanks for reading everything I’ve shared here over the last ten years. It is appreciated. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-indent: 18px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-indent: 18px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-indent: 18px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-indent: 18px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-indent: 18px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcekSBdmpbmCB3X5Zc7JR_92j0nQw9sDnjJhAZXOfi3NBFSxsYG8-YSbOqdJBVKiJJON6iQzQLHaJx4w1R3EvZle7bxp0hABlCrGhXjbetlKdQYF7-WbmH65gIwaYZ9WFG9NEfIVouezmuI_Mlc3hkiF28t6UKD-9K8fWJvsgKHjJUX9No9IiHxBLvbA/s1440/01F39A86-7432-4076-A09C-098EF6C79C7B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcekSBdmpbmCB3X5Zc7JR_92j0nQw9sDnjJhAZXOfi3NBFSxsYG8-YSbOqdJBVKiJJON6iQzQLHaJx4w1R3EvZle7bxp0hABlCrGhXjbetlKdQYF7-WbmH65gIwaYZ9WFG9NEfIVouezmuI_Mlc3hkiF28t6UKD-9K8fWJvsgKHjJUX9No9IiHxBLvbA/s320/01F39A86-7432-4076-A09C-098EF6C79C7B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-indent: 18px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX2PPC4xn1kfvUN9YY8S3BEn5UIMEWXzvCbx-YfC0vVe1qrk5GxiBfcfaAxHWWIzBK2nko4DnV9d76mQddwNitebRJnxZ4IJ-JLf3dM5dehDBLAUu0SC88A0QAz_-ObbZvB3AeYknGiucrSrtYjqno6pNfSdvizTI4n8_0-zmhmgbGmqIjrE0VD2puw/s3601/E6E103B1-6374-4E06-B61A-5FA68CB5E422_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2701" data-original-width="3601" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX2PPC4xn1kfvUN9YY8S3BEn5UIMEWXzvCbx-YfC0vVe1qrk5GxiBfcfaAxHWWIzBK2nko4DnV9d76mQddwNitebRJnxZ4IJ-JLf3dM5dehDBLAUu0SC88A0QAz_-ObbZvB3AeYknGiucrSrtYjqno6pNfSdvizTI4n8_0-zmhmgbGmqIjrE0VD2puw/s320/E6E103B1-6374-4E06-B61A-5FA68CB5E422_1_201_a.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br />Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-81726608758333087682022-07-22T14:17:00.007-05:002022-07-22T14:24:36.281-05:00Photograph Updates<p> I think <i>Fine Art America</i> has finally fixed the issue that the majority of its users disliked: that the most popular/highest sales images were being shown first to viewers as a default option. We finally have the option now to show the latest uploads first...something that had always been our choice: to arrange the images in the way we wanted them shown, and one that I'd always utilized. Newest first. Hoping that it remains "working" with no more hiccups.</p><p>Sharing some more images here. They're simply screenshots with the higher resolution photographs available on the site. </p><p>Btw, as usual, I can't quite get the spacing between the images right. 😕</p><p>Thanks, all.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbPUnE1A96Mty3WToA303xlPUEDYrIyBbymWP4UmZPEIiPRfD-Z21W62cwQlVjBsXhZ7rYTICE-tRTPsPZamqGRDHVLlI_NJZN9mFtSwT5M0vExaA3trVtGHNdAva-E-LrvCgrkVcfYMSsDwf_H_yMediouAa9MiPLUIIXjAawz1k89tkmZzDmZ4X4Q/s1652/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-22%20at%201.37.51%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1652" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbPUnE1A96Mty3WToA303xlPUEDYrIyBbymWP4UmZPEIiPRfD-Z21W62cwQlVjBsXhZ7rYTICE-tRTPsPZamqGRDHVLlI_NJZN9mFtSwT5M0vExaA3trVtGHNdAva-E-LrvCgrkVcfYMSsDwf_H_yMediouAa9MiPLUIIXjAawz1k89tkmZzDmZ4X4Q/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-22%20at%201.37.51%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpO9GAFENs9rZjaehC9VERNrpLuFTCfZs05R4iYn7-8vP1-JRUq2rpRl5z3WBRqaXDkvKXDTZ8onCj4noGtW82VYw_MNwEZoN53ss4u8TI1GJibbsNZ7PT4xeHU5uZ0Qb05qo0DR2he1FeNiatbhxkr8SH9yfSf_2Qoiukl0c0ukveeGA9g1Xf2V3fw/s1532/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-22%20at%201.38.13%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1532" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpO9GAFENs9rZjaehC9VERNrpLuFTCfZs05R4iYn7-8vP1-JRUq2rpRl5z3WBRqaXDkvKXDTZ8onCj4noGtW82VYw_MNwEZoN53ss4u8TI1GJibbsNZ7PT4xeHU5uZ0Qb05qo0DR2he1FeNiatbhxkr8SH9yfSf_2Qoiukl0c0ukveeGA9g1Xf2V3fw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-22%20at%201.38.13%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKfggPSW4XoTTW9RJpINXmxJoXX2ft6ODiRR29s2U6Tp9FO7gAHezHExLkE_fzdbuwmraK6TKIhA26e_jsmbaY2mD6qx20Q_kXz_NSlR3chwJJ8aeh9-IPA2Ool-w4jquFPVbjKTaUSGp3pYJXnTlgIvuKJjdJmhDoBhbiGp1xf3_QoCm6uOAge3o7A/s1540/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-22%20at%201.38.29%20PM.png" style="clear: left; 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1520" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyySOLtaY1GF6PUmnQmlxEeOLG6friEN2UbLg8DlHYew4c6aIWXhkrksAC-NsmYLGvKr6G_7fgDdpzIM3bTEAWbBVfhFAujS8K0_SheIxa4PjD-VO6Un4ISldooxvxKGZzQMdegvbqfKbrNW19hGswOiFdAyg8l-CBJz6dtceg4uuCkCgT1iDhCIOXw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-22%20at%201.39.20%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dRgIIEKM4SMY-mOwpYGven9ajDoNEQKeRSuLii07fhGoJQhVf_cun1PvuF2jyXQafgW4-wIsCMGwtDaYVtpWqE5RrG11I-7aiAhurFbqXRq9-2pEPN-GPmfUxwc28M7MaD3zCTlxGYuJoxgsfuG0sgwvOqedNnIF_aMLSI1CPPS9i3wG0XW1hjGVhA/s1538/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-22%20at%201.39.36%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1538" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dRgIIEKM4SMY-mOwpYGven9ajDoNEQKeRSuLii07fhGoJQhVf_cun1PvuF2jyXQafgW4-wIsCMGwtDaYVtpWqE5RrG11I-7aiAhurFbqXRq9-2pEPN-GPmfUxwc28M7MaD3zCTlxGYuJoxgsfuG0sgwvOqedNnIF_aMLSI1CPPS9i3wG0XW1hjGVhA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-22%20at%201.39.36%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRr9FsW1Zbhen-6ZPQreco7ceefYuckNNdly4uffnEydmU2_DFN-VOjUDYaSjlIT_EIRR3oWTssCxumoJCmIhe2aEvOVPB_DaBEf2rn14OLeHRYINWBZoNq9Bba8zQRgpkYfm58BoOYcFzWE4Kn2Q7jfmzt97iL27HtyovE4rAN5tXfEWUCG9X1sWNA/s1544/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-22%20at%201.39.51%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1544" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRr9FsW1Zbhen-6ZPQreco7ceefYuckNNdly4uffnEydmU2_DFN-VOjUDYaSjlIT_EIRR3oWTssCxumoJCmIhe2aEvOVPB_DaBEf2rn14OLeHRYINWBZoNq9Bba8zQRgpkYfm58BoOYcFzWE4Kn2Q7jfmzt97iL27HtyovE4rAN5tXfEWUCG9X1sWNA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-07-22%20at%201.39.51%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-3236370951436632002022-07-01T14:02:00.001-05:002022-07-01T14:02:50.602-05:00More to the Playlist<p> The following songs remind me of summers past. One hit the charts early in my college years, while another was released as I neared the end of my university years. They bring back memories of people, the University Center, an old beat up hand-me-down car, and a new stick-shift (manual transmission) I bought myself. I learned to drive it <b>after</b> I bought it! </p><p>The other songs came much later, and I've no idea the time of year they were released, but they remind me of good times during the summer. The 4th of July holiday, the beach (particularly Hilton Head or Kiawah Island, S.C.), fresh produce stands on the side of the road...watermelon, peaches, corn on the cob, tomatoes. </p><p>Adding to a very long playlist of great songs...</p><p><b>Youtube</b> shares: </p><p>The Motels - <i>Suddenly Last Summer</i></p><p>Kim Carnes - <i>Bette Davis Eyes</i></p><p>Sade - <i>By Your Side</i></p><p>Dido- <i>Thank You</i></p><p>Dido - <i>White Flag</i> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b9Ox-lGm-wA" width="320" youtube-src-id="b9Ox-lGm-wA"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EPOIS5taqA8" width="320" youtube-src-id="EPOIS5taqA8"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C8QJmI_V3j4" width="320" youtube-src-id="C8QJmI_V3j4"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1TO48Cnl66w" width="320" youtube-src-id="1TO48Cnl66w"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j-fWDrZSiZs" width="320" youtube-src-id="j-fWDrZSiZs"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-30535679583060546922022-06-10T13:39:00.004-05:002022-06-10T13:45:55.540-05:00Madeline<p><i>"In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines...The smallest one was Madeline..."</i></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkRMA5EgFeCvUORM92j3ScLxTx_AMCl1zM7xvsWnjCUa9bUD5jbwElxOv43Ct67cWkpCzuMo1-Uk4Ea3Y6URUdOdiU4R9rxRY6olkTHuLmbUGIkGExnmFCxueml5_veOXeZi_A9XzpJidPrGi26hu9AVs-5alNRwhKB5W0kc6MRl0XOzpTVm-uBBwiQ/s4032/IMG_3776.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkRMA5EgFeCvUORM92j3ScLxTx_AMCl1zM7xvsWnjCUa9bUD5jbwElxOv43Ct67cWkpCzuMo1-Uk4Ea3Y6URUdOdiU4R9rxRY6olkTHuLmbUGIkGExnmFCxueml5_veOXeZi_A9XzpJidPrGi26hu9AVs-5alNRwhKB5W0kc6MRl0XOzpTVm-uBBwiQ/s320/IMG_3776.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It seems I'm forever going through boxes that have been packed away. The latest, and hopefully last, has been sorting the original American Girl dolls (and all of the paraphernalia that goes with them) which belonged to my daughters when they were children. It's time for those things to be passed on to the adult kids to handle and do with as they choose. </p><p>As it always seems to be, there is a hitch of nostalgia along the way. Not only with those dolls, but I found some books that meant something to me early in my life. I later bought the series for my daughters. </p><p>I adored the Madeline books (by Ludwig Bemelmans) when I was a child, and the greatest memory of watching television back then was this little story which aired periodically. When? I can't recall. Perhaps it was on Saturday mornings when network cartoons aired until about noon; more than likely it was simply a special now and then that glued me to the television. I remember sitting mesmerized, reciting the words to memory. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeuJPvUDZBjkTP_MQkM8Bfz3xSg5xU7U2MQmsGRaWZ9jUZT91PNL6PNmfddAQ8ZHBPQ56jTTuM-RUF7UDjL6xJzZtLF2pM20Cwjd-GRQe8MzOCGFtzFY2w4hoG4nb4NOyjk8u6ZKt1STnrvZrwsTB_lleFF41pgaXvcn3gz49JBG7qrBmO4fVHPdarQ/s4032/IMG_3777.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeuJPvUDZBjkTP_MQkM8Bfz3xSg5xU7U2MQmsGRaWZ9jUZT91PNL6PNmfddAQ8ZHBPQ56jTTuM-RUF7UDjL6xJzZtLF2pM20Cwjd-GRQe8MzOCGFtzFY2w4hoG4nb4NOyjk8u6ZKt1STnrvZrwsTB_lleFF41pgaXvcn3gz49JBG7qrBmO4fVHPdarQ/s320/IMG_3777.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Of course, Youtube seems to be the source of opportunity whenever a memory or idea comes to mind; simply search and you're likely to find a long lost song, commercial or television show. Such is the case with the beautiful Madeline airing "back in the dark ages" 😊. With a little smile, I'm sitting at my computer this time, yet still mesmerized and reciting the words from long ago. </p><p>If you have a few minutes, take the time to watch this little Youtube share. Thank you, as always. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HHuQlcO7hyI" width="320" youtube-src-id="HHuQlcO7hyI"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-21458841563608693372022-05-17T16:57:00.000-05:002022-05-17T16:57:38.563-05:00Fine Art America Glitch<p> Lately, I've noticed there has been a Fine Art America glitch that affects the order of photos which can be seen by viewers visiting the site. This is the same for my Pixels website, which is through Fine Art America. </p><p>When I upload photos to my Fine Art America site, I allow the latest upload to be viewed on the first page. So the order is from the most current images to the oldest. With nearly 500 images, there are numerous pages. However, when simply typing in the URL of the websites, clicking on a link to the websites, or searching on Google or Bing, the first page on the sites shows photos that were uploaded around 2013. Since I have sold images on FAA since 2012, I'm uncertain just how much of my current (the last eight or nine years) work can now be seen by the public. That's a loss of potential sales. </p><p>I've reported the issue to FAA, and I hope the problem will be corrected. Below is a screenshot of what the first page should look like, in addition to screenshots of the last few uploads.. There are about eight other pages that aren't appearing. </p><p>Thank you.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYN_ZaM83gHP7wwi_0C_rrap0UdNcEjmTv7WpMONBxPDAL21SdyApI72b6usDjOGBQ2Iqu3fpiezSdqxJPCV1uvBBN7Szv6pKFBw2l_Z2b_pqgq89M6TA7bnX_Jw6NVRZHwhZcqeOIw1yLR8H_pMWjlHsk2psKCFclImh9ggTb7kjvrkrxvPs-nobNOg/s2764/Screen%20Shot%202022-05-17%20at%203.36.45%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="2764" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYN_ZaM83gHP7wwi_0C_rrap0UdNcEjmTv7WpMONBxPDAL21SdyApI72b6usDjOGBQ2Iqu3fpiezSdqxJPCV1uvBBN7Szv6pKFBw2l_Z2b_pqgq89M6TA7bnX_Jw6NVRZHwhZcqeOIw1yLR8H_pMWjlHsk2psKCFclImh9ggTb7kjvrkrxvPs-nobNOg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-05-17%20at%203.36.45%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1354" data-original-width="1586" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9rBjoNC1lmrnx9hM4yeWeWuzaCuKn6a27KP1VzHbQA33rYogVP0INlMX3K90hZEPTqRHz-vlIMzwG-4EXzrf6pGSzgGusxaHugiDG2nvLbzxZuaQ2C31DKGqpHIt_AEsKSJOG8b2TiW1poHBjVs6NZ0qZRmSqjjLdmPWccwAA7SfS9ZBf5ZrWs3ZDw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-05-17%20at%203.53.45%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8712825270544060430.post-24409511621970038172022-05-10T14:07:00.001-05:002022-05-10T14:07:26.070-05:00Forever Young <p> Music video #3 of good music from Youtube. I like sharing these, and this particular song meant so much to me as a parent when Rod Stewart released it. The words resonate, and nostalgia hits hard whenever I hear it now. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><i>Forever Young</i></b>, performed by Rod Stewart; songwriters: Bob Dylan, Jim Cregan, Kevin Savigar, Rod Stewart </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mwG6g5boyF4" width="320" youtube-src-id="mwG6g5boyF4"></iframe></div><p><br /></p>Veronica Randolph Battersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095570282922992848noreply@blogger.com0