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Causerie \kōz-'rē\

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

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A Premise of a Reasonable Reality

7/27/2015

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What if we secretly were the same smart? Would that change how we interact?
 

A Premise of a Reasonable Reality


I’ve come to believe that we are all deceptively the same.  
I, no smarter than you.  And you, no smarter than he.  
The simpleton on the street; the genius in the halls;
Everyone possessing an intelligence parity of type and degree.  
I realize, though, that intellectual ability is relative,
Considerate, not of what we are to receive,
But of that which we are to give.  
Nevertheless, I maintain that we, quite simply…
All know it all.

It is just that we are allowed to use our intellect
In varied amounts and for various purposes.  
Some of us use a capacity for hearing music that rings
So loudly that we must compose to quiet the sounds.
Others see with a mathematical vision for creating ships
That sail around to the moons and beyond.
And still others use a child-like cherub look
Calling forth a passion to serve humanity.
None of us being made any better or worse
By criticism or praise.  

And what if this truly were so?  All of us secretly same smart.
Would we not be better off to recognize this?
Aware that we are no more dull than those we envy?
No more sharp than those we pity?
Ah, yes, the answer.  Well, we know it,
One way or the other.  
Fellows, all endowed with the same great Knowing.
It would not be Wise for some to have more.
It would not be Love for some to have less.


Earlene Grey
04-2010
                                                                                     ☼

Audio and Author Comment-


 
What a long poem!  But, it does bear thinking about when you get through it.  What would happen if we recognized the individual intelligence in each person?  Golly, just imagine the respect that we would have.  Maybe we would get along better.  I don't think it would stop war and hatred.  That human characteristic seems pretty well ingrained in us.  However,  it is certainly something to think about.  skp


Portland, Oregon Book Show in the Rain

PictureSusan Patterson who writes poetry for the world.
Susan Patterson, shown here at the Northwest Book Festival last Sunday at Pioneer Place.  In spite of the steady rain, people came to browse the many interesting and unique books offered by our own Northwest writers. 

See the banner in back? Confused?   Remember Susan Patterson, has on occasion taken the liberty of writing under the name of Earlene Grey.  Now Susan's whole business is named Earlene Grey. 

A special hello and thanks goes out to  Timothy O'Brien who came looking for a copy of Unnoticed Moments.  "Hi there, Timothy!" 


Coming Soon! 

If all goes well and the creek don't rise, the Earlene Grey company will publish a new edition of our first and still very popular book, Musings With a Cuppa-The Poetry of Tea.  We will return to the original format and size, but still keep the same beautiful poetry and illustrations.  This book is a classic in the tea world and you will want to get your copy of the elegant new edition for Christmas.  Look for special offers in the late fall. 

▶Take tea. Take a nap. Then conquer the world.  Earlene Grey 

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Our very own Portland, Oregon with Mt Hood in the background. You gotta love Oregon!

Cheery-bye!  skp

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Physicians Among Us

7/20/2015

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One of the basic human rights is to have medical care. And, as in the picture, whenever possible, medicine is best provided with a smile.


Physicians Among Us

We all have the power
To heal.
It’s easy to do.  
Really.
No depth of experience, degree or
Great intellect is required.  

It is a touch,
A tone,
A look,
Hands and voices,
All, but instruments
Meant to unobtrusively
Strengthen the weak.  
Opportunities abound
For us to lavish health and 

Vitality upon others.

Is the question then,
When, not how?
Or who, not when?
If not who, then why?  

Not at all.
The Gordian’s knot
Seems to be,
Shall I heal 
myself, as well?   


Earlene Grey
07-2012

Audio and Author Comment-


Golly, I can get preachy!  My great grandfather was a Free Methodist minister and I think that part or all of him might have reincarnated in me.  Sometimes I tend to tell people how I think the world should be run .  😬

I have known people who can heal with the touch of their hands.   We all probably can do this in some way or another.  One of my points is that we should do it more often...or at least try.  There I go again!  skp


▶  Take time to care.  Your time will be well spent,                
                                                                        and you will be richer for it.
       
                                                                                                                 Earlene Grey



Join Susan Patterson at the best book show in town, NW BOOK FESTIVAL.    Booth 49!     

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http://www.nwbookfestival.com/


Earlene Grey - A Literary Company

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Who or what is Earlene Grey, anyway? For those who don't know,  Earlene Grey is the name of the company which publishes books written by Susan Patterson.  Please allow us to explain.

When Susan Patterson first started writing, she didn't want anyone to know what she was doing.  Crazy, yes.  Still and all, Susan Patterson took the pen name of Earlene Grey.  It was a play on the name of Earl Grey tea, you see.
  She wrote a lot of poetry with references to tea.  Clever?  Well, we tried. 

Eventually Miz Grey wrote less and less tea poetry.  And, eventually Miz Grey realized that a pen name was not necessary.  She accepted the fact that she was an author and a poet.  So, Susan Patterson took to writing under her own name.  Finally. 

However, the name of the company that produces the books and CDs that readers have discovered and love, is Earlene Grey, LLC.   Kinda like companies named after other women; Helena Rubenstein or Coco Channel or Estee Lauder.    It's a better name than Poems R Us, isn't it? 


Susan Patterson books available at http://www.earlenegrey.com/

Musings With a Cuppa-The Poetry of Tea
Heart to Heart-Considered Sentiments for Teatime
Tom and Irma-Chronicles of the 1950's
Unnoticed Moments, (Both the book and the CD)

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Oh, that we could all see beauty such as this every day!


Best wishes for a healthy and happy summer!
  skp


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Resting in Anticipation

7/14/2015

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"I have been told that there will be good times."

Resting in Anticipation

I have been told that there
Will be good times.
That the time for struggle has passed.
And the time to rest in now.
All will be taken care of.
Good things will come.

So if you please, my Dear,
Have tea with me and
Let us enjoy with confidence
And without cruel reserve
The anticipating of our peace.


Susan Patterson
05-05

Audio and Author Comment-


Okay, well, this is one of those early tea poems that is ever so uplifting and positive...and maybe a little sweet.  Nevertheless, it is a poem of balance.  Last week's posting talked about the agony of waiting.  Here we enjoy anticipating.  Further, we are bombarded with such horrific news everyday, that I thought I might be a voice that says, "Good things will come."  skp
                                                                                 ♨︎


NW Book Festival Coming Soon

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Mark your calendars for July 25th!  Come join Susan Patterson and hundreds of other NW authors and publishers for a fascinating day full of books, stories, poetry and more.  The NW Book Festival is a free family event at the Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland.   For those who still love the written word, this festival is for you.  From children's stories to mysteries, you will find it here.  Authors will be available to talk with, sign books and generally celebrate writing.   There will also be a whole host of companies representing the print and publishing side of books.  Come and get your writing and publishing questions answered.   Or come and buy some of the most interesting books available.   http://www.nwbookfestival.com/

You will find Susan Patterson at booth 49.  Stop in and have her read poetry chosen just for you.  She will have all four of her books and the new CD available to buy at sale prices. 

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Susan Patterson at NW Book Festival, 2013

▶ Writing is to your soul as nourishment is to your body.   Earlene Grey

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All of Earth's creatures enjoy the benefits of summer.

Happy summer days to you... with just the right amount of rain.     skp

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Coping is to Surviving As Waiting is to Living

7/7/2015

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"Waiting until our ducks are in a row."


Coping is to Surviving
As Waiting is to Living


One particular type of hell is
Waiting.  
Waiting for the right time,
The right person,
The right plan.  

Waiting until
He understands,
Until she learns the lessons,
Waiting until the answer
Is made known.

Waiting till the cows come home,
Until pigs fly,
Till our ducks are in a row,
Till hell freezes over.
Waiting until it is safe.   

It is coping
In a life of waiting for
The right something
To come along,
But living in a
Purgatory of patience.


Susan Patterson
2-2015


Audio and Author Comment-


This poem as you can tell, is about waiting and how difficult it is for some people.  It seems that we humans are often required to play the waiting game for a myriad of reasons.   There are lessons to be learned from waiting, just as there are lessons to be learned from action.  The trick is to know the difference between a lesson in life or the results of one's own processes.     skp

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Jolyn Plough, James Patterson, Susan Patterson, Harold Plough waiting patiently for the parade to start in Molalla, OR

▶Drink the best tea you can afford.  Living cheaply is not always living well.   Earlene Grey

PictureHeart to Heart-Considered Sentiments for Teatime

▶   Interested in purchasing Earlene Grey books or CD's?  It is easy!  Go to
www.EarleneGrey.com  and just start shopping. 

Questions?  Need a quote for wholesale prices?  

Then email
[email protected] or call 503.655.2809.  Thanks! 



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Tea plants waiting for harvest.

Happy summer days to you!     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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