Reading by Woodrow G. Moore, II

Daffy's Rust by Woodrow G. Moore, II

One spring when Daffy Dill/ was dancing about/ and strutting her stuff-/ she looked down/ at her leaves,/ and saw some rust!/ The nurse from the house/ came by and said,/ "Oh my!"/Off she went, then came again,/ and sprayed some stuff/ that smelled like tin,/ all over Daffy and her leaves-/ Daffy began to cry and heave!/ she closed her eyes/ and her smile disappeared/ with a great big sigh!/ She slept and slept and then woke up,/ She stretched and moaned/ and looked about-/The rust was gone-/ she'd grown quite stout!

Point Pleasant Writers Guild Continues the Story

Members of the Point Pleasant Writers Guild shared their stories that began with the writing prompt, “The night I set fire to Mr. Wallace’s barn, there was no moon at all…” It was interesting how different plots developed with those words. [The Guild wishes to reassure the readers that this assignment was randomly selected on March 1 and has no connection to the fire that recently took place north of town.] Carol Newberry’s main character, an artist, had chosen the barn as the subject for a painting. Unfortunately, a storm came up and the owner’s Blue Heeler caused hernto lose her balance and she knocked over a kerosene lantern she had been using for light. In Marilyn Clarke’s story, entitled “Immature Reasoning,” Mr. Wallace used to beat his son in the barn, so in revenge, the son’s friend burned it down. Also using revenge as a plot, Will Jeffers wrote that a boy, who had been in love with Mr. Wallace’s niece, set fire to the barn after learning that Mr. Wallace had murdered her. According to Phil Heck, revenge was also the reason for burning Mr. Wallace’s barn by two fellows whom he had run off his property. Their attempts failed due to a heavy rain putting out the fire. In running away, with no light to help them see in the dark, both boys had the misfortune of falling into a deep hole on the property and were never seen again. The plot used by April Pyles to tell the story: The old barn was being used for criminal activity by one of the farm employees. When this was discovered by Mr. Wallace’s twelve-year-old daughter and a friend of hers, they feared that Mr. and Mrs. Wallace would be arrested. In their young minds, the only thing to do would be to get rid of the barn, so one of them set it afire on a moonless night. The employee was said to have left for another job the following day. Sue Underwood read her story on “The Unwanted Barn,” about an old barn overlooking the Ohio River Valley. Over the years vandals had stolen or destroyed most of its contents. She imagined that Civil War soldiers had used it for shelter and that secret rendezvous had taken place within its walls. When the owner asked for help in taking it down, all it took was a match and some loose hay. After all, what are friends for? Gary Grain wrote a bit of science fiction about how the moon had been removed by an alien force. His story related ways of what might happen after such an event. Grain also read “At the Beach” in which he described an annual holiday devoted to painting a lighthouse he knew about. He finds researching for his stories entertaining. Patrecia Gray shared an old article on the origins of the Point Pleasant Writers Guild, probably written around 2004, in which several names for the group had been considered, one of which stuck: The Wannabe Writers. After several years, John Patrick Grace, a guest author, suggested changing their name because by that time, books containing the writings of most of the members had been published, and they were “wannabe writers” no longer. Kris Moore wrote a brief history of her grandfather, who was stationed in France during World War One. She shared a picture of him as a young man. Woody Moore wrote on Stephen King’s “It.” Jeffers has had five new books published: “Sturgeon XI,” “Rectenwald,” a sequel to “Tuttle,” “Possession of Jane Doe,” “Realms of Gavenstein,” and “Finding Esque,” a Christian novel. More information on books written by Jeffers can be found on www.facebook.com/jeffersarchives and his blog, jeffersarchivefoundry.blogspot.com.

Members of the Point Pleasant Writers Guild Celebrate Christmas by April Pyles

At a recent meeting of the Point Pleasant Writers Guild, members celebrated Christmas with food, fun, and fellowship. The conference room of the Mason County Library was filled with delicious aromas stemming from home-cooked sausages and applesauce, beans and little hotdogs, and Italian meatballs in barbecue sauce. Other items included pickles wrapped in ham, veggies and dip, cheese ball with crackers, apple pie, chocolate brownies and other goodies too numerous to mention. For thirst quenching beverages, members provided iced tea, cold cider, and a punch bowl full of pineapples, cranberry juice and ginger ale. While everyone enjoyed the feast, Christmas music played in the background. Members who had written something since the last meeting shared their poems, short stories, and past assignments. Will Jeffers brought a copy of November’s edition of “Fresh Words International Literary Magazine” which features a piece written by him entitled “Just A Pen.” The essay presents the importance of a pen, or a quill as the case may be, in writing important documents and works of literary significance. Mention of this accomplishment and a list of books written by Jeffers can be found at www.facebook.com/jeffersarchives. Christmas cards and treats were exchanged, games were played. Taylor Roegner was the lucky winner of the door prize. Librarians Cindy Williams, Amy Thompson, and Karra Hatfield stopped in for a brief visit and took the group’s picture later in front of the library’s beautiful Christmas Tree.

Point Pleasant Writers Guild Covers Various Subjects by April Pyles

Members of the Point Pleasant Writers Guild met at the Mason County Library recently. Subjects which they shared included, among other things, a person in history they would like to meet and what they saw, heard, touched, tasted, or smelled while on their way from one place to another. Regarding the first subject, Kris Moore remembered Jesse Donald for the legend he was and also shared that Don Knotts was a distant cousin of hers. Pam Early, also known by her pen name, Pamela Bella, admired Carrie McGavock who oversaw the care of wounded soldiers during the Civil War and was responsible for having buried 1500 Confederates in a cemetery on the McGavock property. Sue Underwood wrote about her family’s property located at the Kanawha River and Rockcastle Creek, site of crossings by historical notables such as George Washington, Mary Ingles, and Daniel Boone, to name a few. Ilse Burris, true to her vocation as an English teacher, wrote about Emily Dickinson, famous poet. Newest Guild member, Taylor Groegner, credits Mr. Rogers of T.V. fame for the positive impact he had on her life. Will Jeffers paid tribute to his father. Carol Newberry wrote “The Flood,” a fictional account of Noah’s Ark, and Patrecia Gray followed up with her own desire to meet and talk with Noah. April Pyles made Jesus the historical personage she would like to meet. Phil Heck wrote about bad drivers and played an old song by Nervous Norvus called “Transfusion,” which he found on YouTube. Woody Moore read “Have You Ever Heard the Flowers Sing?” Look for it on the Guild’s Blog. On the subject of using our five senses to describe going from one place to another, Underwood wrote about a road trip during which she saw trees in glorious colors, boats on the river, and flowers along the highway, all while enjoying a cup of coffee as she drove. Burris also wrote about the beauties of Nature after seeing a small deer peeking from behind a bush, but she was late with an errand to run, and had no time to stop. Heck wrote about driving to the Guild Meeting from his home. He described the Cedar tree that now graces his yard. It was just a roadside twig when his mother had him plant it many years ago. Also, in his memory, he could still see houses, restaurants, a barn, fields, woods, a night club, and a junk yard or two where now stand a bridge spanning the Ohio River, Bob Evans, Bob’s Market, Aldi’s, more buildings and an airport. April Pyles read her poem entitled “Our Recent Trip to Amish country,” describing fields of corn, smells of apples and chocolate at their destination, and the sight of many mums and pumpkins around town. Gary Grain also wrote of the sights and smells and feel of October. Miscellaneous offerings included Marilyn Clarke’s “Unproductive Ramblings.” Newberry wrote of a household item that used to be a necessity, but not so much anymore, and is a subject rarely mentioned. Roegner wrote that one in three birds are now gone from the earth. She recommended everyone visit “Savage Ancient Seas” on display through December 31 (except for December 24th and 25th) at the Bossard Library in Gallipolis, Ohio. Kris Moore wonders where her Cat goes every night. She gives it three meals a day and a warm outbuilding to live in, but from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. it’s nowhere to be found. Gray wrote about certain observations made by her daughter when she returned an item to one of the stores the other day. While waiting in line, a perfectly groomed cashier was engaged in a phone conversation and was indifferent to her need to check out. Another cashier looked a bit frazzled, but waited on her as soon as she had finished with her customer. A male clerk who was neat, efficient, and pleasant, also finished with his customer and left for his break…in a wheelchair. Gray’s daughter made the observation that whereas gender and race do not have to mold a human being, manners and character do. For the Guild’s December 7 meeting, author and writing instructor, Sandy Tritt, will be the guest speaker. Her subject will be “The Legality of Publishing.” Tritt is the author of “The Plain English Writers Workbook” and “Laundry to Love, Everything I Know About Life.”