“We are here on earth to groom ourselves to the best picture possible before our maker, whether it’s God or Nature.”

Thoth

Over a year on OS, I learned much about life and people. I express my gratitude to OS for giving me the chance to share my thoughts, and to the members who taught me much—all good writers with relevant issues.

First, I will start with those who beat me to the punch almost everywhere I went to comment: O’Really, the sharp witty professor of life; Michael Rodgers, the naturally funny man with unmatched common sense; Andy Heizeler, a rebel with a big cause; Owl_Says_Who, the one of humor and wisdom; john Blumenthal, the matter-of-fact, kind-hearted, hilarious Hollywood dude.

Then there those who supported me when I started and thereafter: LadyMiko, whose erotic poetry never fails to put a smile on my face, literally; WalkAwayHappy, the hopelessly romantic poet and most passionate; Outside Myself, who wrote about love and found love; The Wanderer, the wonderful family man who taught me much about family values; gracielou, the endearingly kind and pleasantly wise; Just Cathy, or Wonderwoman, who has the luckiest family and who beat me on two counts, wisdom and cooking; Mungular, the solid veteran; Buffy W, the sentimental soul who paints poetry; Kate Bishop, the great intellectual political writer who fights for truth; and Kind of Blue, the kind and the passionate. I will always be grateful to the support and kindness of the deep and truthful cartouche.

Then, more of the fine pens on OS: Chuck A. Stetson, the deep and fine poet, whom I find expensive to read (to really enjoy Chuck’s writing you need more than coffee); Scanner, the man who tells it like it is with courage, dignity, and awareness; Caroline Hagwood, the brilliant poet.

Then we have the intelligent critics with sharp pens: noah tall; Traveller1; Delia Black; Shannon Moon; MrsRaptor; Madcelt; Donna Carbone; Skeletnwmn; Julie Tarp, who will make you smile anytime; Robin Sneed, the secretly sentimental; Natalie Not Pedantic who ended a theological dilemma I had for years by writing one line: “…it doesn’t say they’re going to hell.” Then we have Paul J. O’Rourke and Steven Belvins, the passionate intellectuals; Roger Fallihee and Placebostudman, whom I recently had the pleasure of reading.

Yet more pens keep teaching me life, love and poetry: Leonde Delmare; rita shibr; Gwedolyn Glover; mypsyche; Lunchlady 2; Nikki Stern; sradi; Ardee; Karin Greenberg; hourglass figure; MiddleAgeWomanBlogging; fireeyes24; KyleD, whom I love even though she disagrees with me politically.

Then there are those who should post more often: markinjapan, the worldly intellectual; emma peel; Kerry Lauerman; we all miss his posts and pics; Zashin, the sensuous; Susanlivingkinky, the teacher; alexis james, the dark poet; Rutilus Extraho, the one who shares.

Then there are the new and not so new talents: Joan Wilder, the beautiful writer who doesn’t have time for us; FusunA, who redefines class and beauty with her fine taste; Jesse Mitchell, the fine writer who is looking for excellence; Jack Heart, a great new talent and a fine researcher; Dear reader I married him, another talented fine researcher; Lacey Driggars, a passionate writer; cinamingrl, a fine recent addition to OS; and last but not least, InZain the greatest video gamer on OS.

As I write this on the fly, I ask you to forgive me if I did not mention your name this year. To all the fine writers on OS, I would like to leave you with this:

Why do most people tell the truth on their death bed? Why do some old politicians risk getting fired by finally exposing corruption? Why do all people want to be remembered? Why do most people want to be remembered as good? It is a human universal, same as beauty, justice, pair-bonds (marriage), honesty, and dishonesty. History is in our genes; we make history.

"Whether you believe in God or not; whether you believe in Judgment or not; wherever your Hall of Judgment is, never get caught dead and… wrong."

Happy Holidays Everyone.

Thoth © 2009