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Causerie \kōz-'rē\

An informal chat or talk: a friendly discussion, typically on a literary subject.

Welcome to The Causerie

Summer of the Innocent

6/30/2015

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Picture
"Cows amble to the field." Maybe in Tillamook, Oregon? Cows are one the most gentle of our animal friends.


Summer of the Innocent

I walked today and went for miles
Cultivation that calls to be routine.  

It is early morning as we circle the sun.  
Roosters announce its rising and
Other creatures follow suit.  
Cows amble to the field.
Housewives steep their pots of tea.  
There is satisfaction in the day,
Even though it is just beginning.

Labor is plenty, pantries will soon be
Full to overflowing.  
There will be no need for scrimping.
Earth is sharing what is
Rightfully hers,
But what She gives,
She does so with consistent pleasure.  

I greet the day with all the life and
Verve that is allowed one person. 
My future waits.  


Earlene Grey, nom de plume for Susan Patterson
10-2011


Audio and Author Comment-


My good friend, Maria, told me that this poem brought memories of her childhood.  How cool is that!   I am posting this poem for Maria and all of those who appreciate and remember the rural approach to life.  

There is imagery in the verse, but there is also a question.  In the last stanza, the narrator greets the day.  Then she comments that her future waits.  Is it that she is living in the moment, and her future must wait until the beautiful summer is over?  Or, is it that her future is out there waiting any time for her to accept it, whenever she is ready?  Does it matter?   skp


Tom and Irma
Is Back in Stock! 

Picture
Even though Susan Patterson is dressed quite warmly, this is a summer picture.  Sometimes summer weather in Oregon isn't always warm.  However, it sure is these days!

Here is Susan at the Molalla Apple Festival selling one of her books, Tom and Irma-Chronicles of the 1950's.   The book talks about growing up in a small town in the 1950's in America.  This little collection of vignettes has proven quite popular from Russia to Australia and the many places in between. 

If you would like to purchase your copy of this book for just $10, click here.  http://www.earlenegrey.com/tom-and-irma--chronicles-of-the-1950s.html  

As always, for wholesale quotes on any Earlene Grey products, please email Susan Patterson at susan@earlenegrey.com

▶Be hospitable.  Angles visit.  Or, so some say.   Earlene Grey

Picture
Farmland which could easily be found in Oregon.

À bientôt!    skp

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String Theory Revisited

6/24/2015

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Picture
Who knows how many dimensions are represented in this unusual view of the heavens.


String Theory Revisited

My reality is
Not the same as yours.
Yours is
Not the same as his.

And her reality is so far out there,
Nary a one of us
Stands in a comparable realm.  

What I might see is not
What you might understand.
What you may hear is not
What I can feel.

Your breath does not usher in
My memories.  
Touching is beyond capacity.
Comprehension, a dimension
Away.

But what, in fact, does it matter?  
Really.


Susan Patterson
04-2014
Published in Unnoticed Moments
http://www.earlenegrey.com/unnoticed-moments.html



Audio and author comment-


In physics, there are always several ways to look at an object or a situation.  The universe is full of wonderfully different forms of life.  So, too, as in all creation, we humans are quite varied.  Thank goodness.  But in that vein, shall we not make a more successful attempt to come together on the critical issues that face us today?  To list a few, there is protection of the environment and of our fellow animals, universal human rights, and lest we forget, weapons control.   skp

New From Earlene Grey-

Picture
The poem you have just listened to, String Theory Revisited,  can be found in Susan's new book, Unnoticed Moments.

We at the literary company, Earlene Grey, have just published a CD which contains twenty one of the most favorite Unnoticed Moments poems. And, they are all recorded by Susan!  This CD is really special. 

If you wish to buy this CD, simply go to the web site, www.EarleneGrey.com.  You will find it listed with Unnoticed Moments in the book section, at the link here. http://www.earlenegrey.com/unnoticed-moments.html

Your new CD is available for only $10.00.  As usual, there is no postage fee.  Order soon for best availability.  Feel free to email Susan directly at susan@earlenegrey.com if you like as well. 


▶Life is not in the minutes of what happens to us; it is in the seconds of our response.         Earlene Grey

Picture
In whatever reality you are seeing things, I would think that light through healthy trees is always good.

Cheery-bye!     skp

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The Open Opportunity

6/17/2015

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Picture
What an inviting pose! Dressing for dinner is a lost art.


The Open Opportunity

The dress fell luxuriously down, past the knee and
Onto the well rounded calf. 
It had buttons from the bottom to the top.
 
All was neatly packaged up, except one button.
For some reason it was forgotten.
Or maybe the button itself rebelled against
The containment of the beauty.

Through that single opening
One could see a glimpse of skin.
And it was that sight of beauty
That made one want to become very small,
Careen through the hole and wander shamelessly
Over the hills and valleys.

Oh, and may it always be so,
That we can have a
Glimpse of the forbidden
And know a hint of the sublime.

Earlene Grey
2004

Audio and Comment-


My husband likes this poem.  I think it is a bit 'trashy-novel' like.  But, it is summer.  If one cannot be a bit trashy and fun now, then when can one be?   Hubba-hubba.  skp



UNNOTICED MOMENTS  POETRY
NOW AVAILABLE ON CD

Picture
Now you can listen to the new poetry found in Susan's new book, Unnoticed Moments!
We have just published a CD which contains twenty one of the most favorite Unnoticed Moments poems. Best of all, they are recorded by Susan.  Those of you who have heard Susan read her poetry, knows what a treat it is!   This CD is really special. 

If you wish to buy this CD, simply go to the web site, www.EarleneGrey.com.  You will find the it listed with Unnoticed Moments in the book section.  This new CD is available for only $10.00.  As usual, there is no postage fee.  Order soon for best availability.  Feel free to email Susan directly at susan@earlenegrey.com if you like as well. 

▶ The calendar is man's way of keeping track of the works of God.  
Earlene Grey


Picture
Summer with a friend in the country. Can't get much better!

Best wishes for beautiful and carefree summer days!  skp

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Ode to the Summer Sun

6/9/2015

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Picture
Please forgive me, lovers of summer. But one might consider this drawing to be a rendition of a woman adjusting from spring to summer.


Ode to the Summer Sun

I opened the door and peeked out.
‘My God! What is that?’  
It’s only June!  Already the sun is
Here in full force.  

Bolt the doors, shutter the windows.  
Soon it will be too hot to bear.  
Hell has come to us in no uncertain terms.

When and if I go outside,
My eyes will squint shut.  
My skin will burn. Water will come out of
Places of my body that
I do not wish it to.  

Now that the sun is shining bright,
Children will frolic in the open air.
They will have to be managed.  

Workers will pound.  
Machines will whir. Odd music will intrude.   
All those sounds will have to be blocked,
Or muffled, at the very least.

It is all going to be overwhelming.
How is one to bear up under this
Season that Hades has delivered?  
I tell you, I can only grieve for our
Well-sprinkled earth as it follows
That soul poaching orb of summer.  


Susan Patterson
06-2013

Audio and Comment-


This poem is tongue in cheek.  Well, most of it is.  We here in Oregon are experiencing very warm weather at this time.  Most people revel and frolic.  That is good.  There are a few, however, who prefer the more subtle temperatures, and even a bit of rain now and then.  You know, it just takes all kinds!    skp


OPEN STUDIOS OF BEAVERCREEK - THIS WEEK!


Picture
Looking through the welcoming cedars at the Patterson's Open Studio of Beavercreek site. Come and enjoy yourself. Sit and relax with refreshments and the arts.

Bring your friends and please join us June 12, 13, 14th for the Open Studios of Beavercreek Art Tour.  We, at the Earlene Grey Studio, are back after a year's absence on the tour. And we hope that you will come by to say 'Hello'.  We've missed you! 

This year we will be joined by Chelsea Madison, leather artist. You will enjoy her special brand of artistry, especially the leather cuffs/bracelets.  Also the Earlene Grey library of books has been expanded for your pleasure.   There are new books,  CDs  and cards from which to choose.  AND we will have special pricing!  When you buy three books, you will get the fourth one free! 

You can just download the map at www.OpenStudiosofBeavercreek.com and start the tour anywhere on the drive.   Our stop is number eleven on the map, 18882 SO FOREST GROVE LOOP, OREGON CITY.  There will be refreshments and places to sit and relax.  Orange cats abound!   Susan Patterson will be reading from her new works.  Do stop in and let us have the pleasure of your company. 

▶ Summer is the best time for reveling in Earth's comforts.  Earlene Grey

Picture
I don't know if this is Oregon, but it sure looks like it could be. I know the desert has beauty, but in my mind there is nothing more gorgeous than fir trees, water and blue sky.

Happy halcyon days of summer to you!    skp
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The Cry of the Obvious

6/3/2015

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Picture
The Earth in a quiet moment.

The Cry of the Obvious


I am just one voice
Crying for humanity.
Raging in the world of
Anger and pain and violence.

There are many more voices,
Louder than mine,
Who come from wealth and power,
Who will tell you
That the way we live is right.
I am just one voice,
Crying for humanity,
Saying, it is not.


Earlene Grey
03-2003


Audio and Comment-


Whew!  This is pretty heavy stuff.  I wrote this particular poem when the US invaded Iraq in 2003.  It was such a depressing episode in our history.  We, citizens of the US, were being convinced of something that wasn't true.  We were told by our leaders that war was the right for our country.  But, those actions were a power play and one way or another that war has continued until today. Change we must. 

I was talking with a dear friend yesterday and we commented about how wretched the world is these days.  (Not very nice tea talk, I must say.)  Mankind has made it bad and in many ways continues to do so.  If you read my writing at all, you will know that i think we humans are a pretty sorry lot.  But, to counter that, I always write that there is hope.  And, I believe it. 

Here is also what I'm going with.  We are getting better.  Ever since the Homo sapiens started beating up on the Cro-magnon, man has taken what he wanted and destroyed that which was in the way.  Mankind has used up resources, waged war almost constantly and taken over the planet in a way that is despicable.  Much of man's actions were performed in the name of God, for heaven's sake.  But yes, I do think there is hope.

Allow me to point out the bright side of things.  Most of these advances have come in the last 200 years.  And, I figure that since these are very recent changes in man's belief system, I think that we are improving quickly at this point. 
  • For the first time in our history, we humans believe that slavery is not right.
  • The great majority of us believe that women and children are not property.
  • The great majority of us believe that women are equal to men.
  • The majority of people believe that homosexuals are not evil sinners. 
  • The majority of us believe that democracy is the best way to govern.
  • Our education is better than ever. 
  • Our health is better than ever.
  • Our technology is better and more helpful than ever.
  • Knowledge can be universal. 

I could go on, but you get the idea.  We humans have a long way to go before we are mostly nice to each other, the animals on this earth, and the earth itself.  But, a better way of living can be part of us.    skp



Open Studios of Beavercreek - Coming Soon!


Picture
Open Studio shopping at the Pattersons.

Bring your friends and please join us June 12, 13, 14th for the Open Studios of Beavercreek Art Tour.  It is a wonderful scenic drive in the country where local artists open their studios for customers who are looking for that perfect piece of art that will enhance their lives. 

This year we will be joined by Chelsea Madison, leather artist. You won't want to miss her special brand of artistry, especially the leather cuffs/bracelets.  Also the Earlene Grey library of books has been expanded for your pleasure.  You might like a special reading of the new work.  There are new books,  CDs and cards to choose from.  AND we will have special pricing!  When you buy three books, you will get the fourth one free! 

You can just download the map at www.OpenStudiosofBeavercreek.com and start the tour anywhere on the drive.   Our stop is number eleven on the map.  There will be tea and cookies, of course!   We would love to see you there! 

▶Art is anointed imagination.   Earlene Grey 

Picture
The blues and greens of the cedars in the Patterson back yard during the Open Studio tour.


See you and your friends at the Open Studios of Beavercreek.  skp
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    If you would like to email Susan, click HERE.

    Author

    Susan Patterson is a published author of three books of poetry and a book of memoirs.  She is heard regularly on RKWP podcast-radio. She also speaks at private and public events. Find out more at the website below.

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