A Canadian Writer's Journey

 

Since 1981 the Saskatoon Public Library has had a writer in residence program. The 32nd incumbent is David Poulsen. Among the many accomplished writers in residence from the past are Yann Martel, the author of the Life of Pi, and his wife Alice Kuipers. They have… Read full post »

 

Enchanted by Quotes 

 

Quotes have always held a fascination for me. As a young lad growing up on a farm in a sparsely populated region of Saskatchewan, I could hardly wait for the monthly Reader's Digest to arrive. The magazine contained many concise and pithy aphorisms and sayings… Read full post »

In academia, cheating is euphemistically called academic dishonesty.
As the Director of Student Affairs for our college, I dealt with many cases of cheating, and other misbehaviours. Three cases, in particular, are etched in my mind.
 
One cold and snowy December day, just before the end of term
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A writing workshop entitled, The Creative Force - Art, Music, Literature was held at the Mendel Art Gallery in Saskatoon, Canada on March 10, 2013. The workshop leader was David Poulsen, the current writer in residence for the Saskatoon Public Library.

He started by saying, "writing well is like bein… Read full post »

On the evening of September 29, 1929 in Kansas City, Missouri, Myrtle Bennett shot her bridge partner husband, John, after he was unable to bring home a makable four spade contract. She called him a ‘bum bridge player’ and he slapped her several times and overturned the bridge table. The
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“She was struck by the simple truth that sometimes the most ordinary things could be made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people” ― Nicholas Sparks in The Lucky One.

For most, there is a longing for friends to provide understanding, acceptance, and love
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Medical Cannabis: Let's Get Stoned!

Many seniors today have survived the days of sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll are now using more pharmaceuticals than in their youth.  

During the sixties and early seventies, Woodstockers used marijuana and assorted hallucinogens as a way of expanding their consc… Read full post »

   
One of my missions in life is to become a better writer. For several years, I have been reading on the lives, motivations, writings and styles  of the following 17 highly regarded authors: William Shakespeare, England(1565-1616), Jane Austen, England(1775-1817), Charles Dicken… Read full post »

1. Swizzle Stick Sharon stirred her drink, took a sip, stirred her drink vigorously again, and drew the stick across her voluptuous lips.

2. Hair Flip Helen batted her eyelids at new beaus.

3. Coy Colleen smiled attentively at new playthings.

4. Lusty Lucy never wore the full complement of undergarments
…

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Dorothy Parker(1893-1967) was an American columnist, poet, short story writer, critic and satirist, well known for her wit and writing skills. She was a journalist for The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Esquire and Vogue.

She was an amazing woman and a co-founder of the Screenwriter's Guild in Hollywood, w
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"Oaths are words, and words are but wind." - Samuel Butler   

Nathan Naive and his cousin, Melvin Muddle, were in their early 20's when they pondered what attracts men to women and what produces successful marriages. They concluded the attraction was due to kindness, honesty, intelligence, b
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Inhumanity: I'm Right, You're Wrong

By Lyle Elmgren

As the years go by Nathan Naive has become increasingly disgusted with man's inhumanity. This includes lack of reasonable sharing in economic gains by all who contribute in some way.

Throughout history self-serving politicians and religious zealots hav… Read full post »

Checkout Line Jollies

By Lyle Elmgren

For most, grocery shopping is not an enjoyable activity. To minimize the time cost, customers usually have a well-prepared list and shop at a  familiar store.

Earlier in life, it annoyed Nathan Naive when a customer, aimlessly wandering around in the store, st… Read full post »

Leo The Great

By Lyle Elmgren

Leo Friman Kristjanson was the sixth President of the University of Saskatchewan(U of S) from 1979 to 1989. He was a visionary, a very caring person, a mental giant and stood six foot, eight inches tall. In 1990, he was made a Member of the Order of… Read full post »

On Evil Women - Who's to Know?

By Lyle Elmgren

Nathan Naive was attracted to women for their beauty and their apparent sweetness, kindness, wit and fun-providing ability. He was powerless in their company. This troubled him, so he consulted his older and wiser cousin, Melvin Muddle.

Melvin cautioned him… Read full post »

Charlie the Foul-mouthed Rooster

By Lyle Elmgren

King Strut was patrolling the barnyard in his usual abrasive style, saying cock-a-doodle-do to all who would listen. Although they were distant cousins, Charlie despised King Strut. He knew that although he was smaller in the size department, he was much… Read full post »

Senior Exhaustion

by Lyle Elmgren

Pre-retirement, Nathan Naive was the Manager of Academic Programs and the Director of Student Affairs at a large university. It was not that kind of student affairs, you sickos! To excel in this demanding position, Nathan prepared to-do lists and pursued the projects w… Read full post »

Political Wonderland

by Lyle Elmgren  

Once upon a time in a pasture not far away, Nathan Naive, a future head ram was born. He was told by his elders that politicians were elected to serve the best interests of the people and would actually do so. This revelation was very comforting. However,… Read full post »

Olympic Mattress Events

London, England news flash: 150,000 condoms to be issued to olympians at the 2012 summer games. This is a record of olympian proportions. British bookies are offering a betting line that additional visits to the pharmacy will be needed.

When 10,000 or so, superbly conditioned at… Read full post »

Murder at the Movies

Just after midnight of July 19, 2012 in a movie theatre in Aurora Colorado, a deluded young man, armed with an assault rifle, a shotgun and a handgun killed 12 innocent people and injured 58 more, some critically.  Makes you wonder how one could buy a ticket and… Read full post »

Working as Prostitution

Employees often bemoan the drudgery, the oppression and the servitude of work. Most often, employment is viewed as a necessary evil. Others endure the slavery of work to secure a sense of self-worth or to be thought of as other than a socio-economic pariah.

"I do not speak the m… Read full post »

The Sad Decay of the USA

Economically, politically and possibly socially, the USA is faltering. High unemployment, a high and growing debt and no real economic growth for over a decade are mega-issues that would be promptly addressed by any politicians who were governed by other than self-interest. I… Read full post »

A SPUTNIK MOMENT FOR DEMOCRACY

Over the last several years, many so-called democracies have demonstrated that they are irresponsible and incapable of serving the best interests of  the citizens they represent. A February 2012 Gallop Poll reported that the current USA Congress has a 10% performanc… Read full post »