Riehl Life Village Wisdom for the 21st Century

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Aaron Belz? Poetics of Distraction: A technologically hip way to publish ou
2008-03-04 21:28:00
Sketch of Aaron Aaron Belz –website & blog logo–copyrighted Riehlife readers last heard from Aaron on January 23rd of this year when we enjoyed his poem “Swan Song” written just for us! You can read it again under Write Pen! Aaron is a modern man of letters, a university teacher, poet,reviewer, essayist, and organizer of St. Louis’ ...
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Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche on Mary Hynes ?Tapestry? program on CBC Radio tells
2008-03-03 17:39:00
The introduction to the interview reads, rather engagingly: If you were the reincarnation of a Tibetan warrior king, what would your life look like? Would you live alone, contemplating existence in a hidden monastery high on a mountain top? Would you be a figure like the Dalai Lama, with no family but for the millions who ...
More About: Radio , Mary , Program , Tells , Tapestry

William Steig?s Question as conversation starter: What Would You Rather Be?
2008-03-03 14:35:00
In today’s New York Times Connections section, Edward Rothstein writes a marvelous article: “Worlds Outfoxed by a Wily Inner Child” about the current exhibiton at the Jewish Museum (later to appear in San Francisco) titled ?From The New Yorker to Shrek: The Art of William Steig.” The catalog tells the story of from the artist?s ...
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Sorting upon the return home?Soyinka on my mind
2008-03-02 20:23:00
I have returned from a journey. This journey has moved me further along my journey. Winter Woods. Then creeks and ponds. Rolling Illinois borderlands. More winter wood flash past. Small Illinois towns where one could stop awhile and spend time in geneological research. I could say I got lost. I could say I missed the turn. ...
More About: Africa , Home , Mind , Return , The Return

Poets, Politics & Pakistan: ?Staying Safe: Signs of Attitude Change in My T
2008-03-02 20:23:00
I asked my friend Ernest Dempsey (pen name of Karim Khan) to write some personal notes about the recent Pakistan i elections. I was always so impressed that each time we corresponded, he was busily scribbling away on his poetry collection and other literary endeavors. His latest is inclusion in Howard Wu’s anthology “Random Thoughts,” one of ...
More About: Politics , Change , Signs , Poets

Wole Soyinka Symposia at SIU/Carbondale?Muse & Mimesis: Wole Soyinka, Afric
2008-02-28 20:35:00
Wole Soyinka So here I am at the Wole Soyinka Symposia at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, about as happy as a girl can be and still remain in her skin! The brainpower in this auditorium hooked up to electrical generators could solve the world energy ...
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Regenerate! Tweit-Riehl Blog Duet Continues?exploring
2008-02-27 22:05:00
Two weeks ago Susan Tweit and I opened a format I’ve termed a “blog duet” (a coinage for our exchange between blogs and mind-hearts). Susan’s blog Community of the Land focuses on spirit-infused ecology. My blog Riehlife seeks to gather and amplify village wisdom we can apply to our everyday 21st century conundrums. “Off She Goes ...
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?Getting to Know You? blogging Meme?ta-da-ta-da??Getting to know what to sa
2008-02-27 21:19:00
Sing along, now, everybody, all together: “Getting to know you, Getting to feel free and easy When I am with you, Getting to know what to say” That’s the essence of the “Getting to Know You” blogging meme which Isabella Mori of Change Therapy has just tagged me to participate in. Poinsetta, December-child’s flower DECEMBER 12 characteristics…one for each month of the year. 1. ...
More About: Meme , Blogging , Hungry , Yvonne Perry

?The Second Mile,? Erwin A. Thompson?s novel offers an intimate look at the
2008-02-27 00:31:00
“Going the second mile” was a catch-phrase in our family, and comes from the Bible, Matthew 5:4 41 ?Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.” [A Roman official could require any subject of the Roman empire to bear a burden, or carry a load for one mile.] ?Going the second mile? ...
More About: Offers , Thompson , Mile , Erwin

Riehl?s poem ?TREASURE CHEST? from ?Sightlines: A Poet?s Diary? tells fathe
2008-02-26 20:50:00
Janet Grace Riehl and Erwin A. Thompson, father-daughter writing team TREASURE CHEST by Janet Grace Riehl from “Sightlines: A Poet ’s Diary ” He labors in the grove of service. Remembers flat tires, repaired. Loans proffered for crises. Then his somber face glows with the light of a thousand-watt angel. Memories of good turns returned is a treasure he counts with care. His treasure chest of good deed ...
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?Veterans Voices Series?: Erwin A. Thompson?s Night Patrol story?transcript
2008-02-26 20:37:00
To read my father’s poem “Night Patrol” click here to access the Riehlife March 18th 2007 entry. To see Erwin A. Thompson tellling this story of bravery in action…matter of factly and with gentle humor…go to www.thetelegraph.com. Tip: To avoid problems in streaming this video, you may wish to press the pause button on the screen ...
More About: World War I , Story , Series , Veterans

World War II: Gripping Story of Erwin A. Thompson?s ?Down to the Wire? Nigh
2008-02-25 21:33:00
“Even with his body ravaged by shrapnel, Erwin Thompson managed to drag one of his men back to safety. He didn’t know it, but th man was about to return the favor. “Thompson, now 92 and living in Jersey County, remembers a time during World War II when he was put in charge of a night ...
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Nobel Prize-winner Soyinka Comes to Southern Illinois and St. Louis
2008-02-22 02:07:00
Wole Soyinka defies categories and boundaries: Scholar, poet, playwright, actor, human rights activist, Nobel Prize winner, former political prisoner. Born in 1934 in western Nigeria. He studied at Government College in Ibadan. In 1973, he earned a doctorate from the University of Leeds. Dramaturgist at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 1958 to 1959. He went back to Nigeria to study African drama, and taught at universities in Ibadan, Lagos and Ife. Since then, he has been a visiting professor at Cambridge, Sheffield and Yale universities. A prolific writer, poet and dramatist, Soyinka founded two theater companies, and has written more than 20 works so far. In 1986, he won the Nobel Prize for Literature at a time when, according to the Swedish Academy’s press release, he was “in his prime as an author.” His most recent publication is his 2006 autobiography, “You Must Set Forth at Dawn: A Memoir.” In addition to living in a world of letters, Soyinka ...
More About: Illinois , Louis , Winner , Southern , St Louis

“Hungry,” by Alethea Eason reviewed by 13-year old Emily Robbin
2008-02-22 01:00:00
Here are two links to learn more about the wierd and wonderful world of my friend Alethea Eason’s book “Hungry ”. HUNGRY by Alethea Eason 1) Click here to read a review of HUNGRY by Alethea Eason on Reader Views by 13-year-old Emily Robbins. This review was just picked up by Reuters. Way to go, Alethea! How does the world look from Chile where she has recently re-located? Find out on Alethea’s new blog 2) Also, read the Riehlife post on Alethea’s book in 2007.
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Erwin A. Thompson?s new poem, ?Tears?
2008-02-20 15:53:00
My father loves womankind, and he is kindness itself to women. At 92 his current hobby is shepherding a family of adopted daughters through their tearful life moments…in extremely practical and tangible ways at times…in poetic ways at other times as in the poem we share with you today. This adopted daughter is my father’s ...
More About: Thompson , Poem , Erwin

?A Reason for Dying,? by Wilfred Bereswill, debuts Spring 2008, published b
2008-02-18 15:42:00
I met Wilfred Bereswill at a St. Louis Writers Guild talk featuring Qui XiaoLong, an author whose work I’m just coming to know and and admire. Qui spoke on Perspective and Distance, such as in his “Case of Two Cities” book (an Inspector Chen Cao book) Qui possesses that rare mix of charm, erudition, humor, ...
More About: Spring , Published , Reason , Dying , 2008

Wilfred Bereswill on ?China?s Spring Festival?Guo Nian?(Chinese New Year)?
2008-02-18 15:41:00
Wilfred Bereswill is an environmental engineer and author whose international travels take him regularly to China . His first novel, A REASON FOR DYING, a biological thriller, is due to be released by Hilliard & Harris on April 1st, 2008. Learn more about Wilfred Bereswill’s writing on his website and blog by clicking here. Wilfred wrote ...
More About: New Year , Spring , Chinese , Festival

40th Wedding Anniversary Hawaiian Tour for Gary & Patty Thompson (my brothe
2008-02-18 03:07:00
Forty years ago today (February 17, 1968, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois) my brother Gary Thompson and Patricia (Patty) Murrary wed to become Gary and Patty Thompson. They’ve stayed that way for 40 years. That’s no small feat in today’s fast-dissolving-of-everything world. They’ve founded a family of 3 children and 4 grandchildren (see Family Ties, below). Of ...
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Erwin A. Thompson?s 1936 song ?Girl in the Little Blue Hat? coquettes again
2008-02-15 20:57:00
In 1936, when my father was 21, he wrote a song for Sherman Bowen’s younger sister, Lucille, that came to be titled “The Girl in the Little Blue Hat.” Lucille was sixteen when he composed the song, but had been perhaps eight-years-old when my father started dancing square dances with her at Ben Hill’s dances ...
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Roses in the Refrigerator, Day After Valentine?s Day
2008-02-15 20:03:00
The day after Valentine ’s Day one bouquet of roses rises tall on my kitchen counter (the long-stems). The shorter-stems reside on a refrigerator shelf, extending their life (shelf life?) and making me glad everytime I open the refrigerator door.
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Acres of Roses arriving on Valentine?s Day doorstep 2008 made me weak and k
2008-02-14 23:08:00
Twice I responded to the summoning of my doorbell. Twice a grinning and harried floral delivery man handed me a huge bouquet of roses…not red, not pink, but peachy…my favorite color. A dozen times 2 = 2 dozen roses for 2008 Valentine ’s Day. I’m sure sometime in my life I’ve been sent flowers by delivery. But, it’s been ...
More About: Roses , Made , Acres

Happy Valentine?s Day, Black History Month!
2008-02-14 22:11:00
As I’ve met wonderful African American couples during the months since I’ve moved from Northern Califronia to St. Louis, I thought it would be fun to introduce you to three couples and their love stories today…to celebrate the confluence of Valentine ’s Day in the Middle of Black History Month. You’ll meet: –Linda Jones Hawkins and Charles Hawkins –Sylvia ...
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Linda Jones Hawkins and Charles Hawkins? cuddled prayers makes the couple?a
2008-02-14 22:03:00
I met Linda Jones Hawkins and Charles Hawkins at the 2007 Kwanzaa celebration in St. Louis . Linda showed me her beautiful poems and paintings, while Charles stood by, beaming. They shared their love story with me (Linda speaking): “And the story goes? She found a handsome King and he found a beautiful queen, while playing in ...
More About: Prayers , Couple

Carlos & Sylvia Jenkins
2008-02-14 21:35:00
Carlos & Sylvia Jenkins I met Carlos & Sylvia Jenkins at the Missouri History Museum evening featuring Ron Himes. Carlos and Sylvia run CJS Vision 500, LLC, a travel agency together (click for website), and must be away today on a Romantic Get-away. They have a great Love Story to share with you when they get ...
More About: Louis , African American , Carlos

Howard and Vickie Denson?s Shared Passions = Longlasting partnership on all
2008-02-14 21:20:00
Howard and Vickie Denson: Shared passion keeps them together, and fun. Photo by St. Louis Magazine Click here to read a great story about Howard and Vickie Denson in St Louis Magazine, February 2006, article: “Happily Ever After.” “Howard and Vickie Denson pack their life with shared passions? business, travel, church, art and jazz…. Now the kids ...
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Tweit & Riehl begin ?Blog Duet?: How do we nurture ourselves and still nurt
2008-02-14 04:32:00
Susan Tweit, began our blog duet yesterday,Tuesday, February 12, 2008, with her post on “Community of the Land,” titled “Finding your balance: outward and inward.” Susan J. Tweit telling plant stories in Colorado Janet Riehl performs “Big Butts Are Beautiful” As a journalist, memoirist, blogger, and speaker I’ve known Susan through two organizations: Women Writing the West and ...
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St. Louis Black Rep Company?s Fireside Chat #2: August Wilson?s ?Radio Golf
2008-02-12 23:54:00
The Black Rep Company ’s website describes August Wilson’s “Radio Golf ” like this: The final installment in Wilson’s cycle of ten plays that examines the African-American experience in 20th century America, and the tenth to be produced by The Black Rep. The epic tale centers on Harmond Wilks, an Ivy League-educated lawyer who plans to declare his ...
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?Iron Ladies of Liberia? airs on KETC in April?Sneak Preview of Independent
2008-02-08 20:17:00
Alex Detrick pulled together another fine evening last night at the Missouri History Museum, featuring Independent Lens film “Iron Ladies of Liberia ” which will later air on KETC/Channel 9 April 6th at 11 p.m. Click here for video clip and political background on Liberia and the film. Click here for 2005 Washington Post article written before ...
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Writers in the Sky February Newsletter presents Riehl?s poem ?Window Frame?
2008-02-08 19:15:00
Yvonne Perry of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services asked me to send her a poem for her February newsletter. Click here to read the entire newsletter. I sent an excerpt from WINDOW FRAME originally published in “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary” and dedicated to my mother Ruth Evelyn Johnston Thompson (January 4, 1916-May 1, 2006). ...
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Happy Losar! (Tibetan New Year)
2008-02-07 23:43:00
Happy Losar ! Happy Tibetan New Year ! To read the story of Losar from Namgyal Monastery (Personal Monastery of H.H. the Dalai Lama) click here.
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