THE CAT’S MEOW FOR WRITERS AND READERS

THE CAT’S MEOW

FOR WRITERS & READERS® EZINE

Issue 17, Vol. 06

© April 10, 2006

Published, Written and Edited by Rosanne Catalano, (a.k.a. R.C.Kayla)

Publisher/Editor and Writer/Author

Home of The Cat’s Meow for Writers & Readers Ezine and

Rosanne Catalano’s Author Website – www.rosannecatalano.net

Ezine: ISSN: 2237-65

Editor and Proofreader: Nancy Currie (formerly Peckford),

Editorial Production Assistant/Technical Writer/Author and Web Designer

Nancy’s Author Website – webwriterworx.50webs.com/

PLEASE NOTE: Our subscriber list is NOT made available to others, including companies. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. We are also NOT responsible for web site links that do not work unless they have been inserted into mine or Nancy’s columns; then we are responsible. And that is why we are apologizing to anyone who read a version of our March 10^th ezine in which the wrong link to respond was in my column. The correct link is now up on my author site and below in the publisher’s corner.

A LOVE, A LIFE

How did this happen to me,

How does life flip over

so quickly –

One day here, one day not –

a love – a life

What does it all mean?

How many senseless hours

must be spent –

Isn’t it enough to be

cursed with the feeling of

caring?

Must I live for it?

Must I die for it?

Written by Barbara Ann Hoover on 4-02-1980

IN THIS ISSUE:

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

EDITOR’S CORNER

OFF THE PRESS

COFFEE HOUSE 4 POETS & WRITERS

FEATURE ARTICLE

ARTICLES

PUBLISHER’S CORNER:

Rosanne Catalano – www.rosannecatalano.net

HAPPY SPRING, dear readers! I would love to wish the “ASPCA” a very Happy 140^th Birthday, which happens to be today – April 10^th!!! For ASPCA’s 140^th birthday, I told them that my two male cats – Tiger and Cordy – and I would wear orange (to understand what I’m talking about here, please do go to my author web site’s links page and at the bottom left-hand corner is the ASPCA’s cat logo, click on that to get to “ASPCA.org” and check it out). Unfortunately I’ve been sooo busy I almost forgot it was their birthday until this went to press… now since I’m not wearing orange nor are Tiger and Cordy, I’m ashamed to admit I am an animal-advocate and member of ASPCA (don’t like using the word “activist”) so do give me a slap on the hand, shame on me for forgetting until the last moment! But I do wish ASPCA a very Happy 140^th Birthday, and am forever grateful for all the help they give to our friends and companions, especially in times of hardship such as during hurricanes Katrina and Wilma, when pets were left stranded… “ASPCA” and “The Humane Society of the United States” helped rescue a lot of our pets! Btw everyone, those states hit by hurricanes Katrina and Wilma still need a lot of help in rebuilding so if you can spare a dime so-to-speak, please do give generously to all of the non-profit organizations I listed in our September 10^th, 2005 issue (Issue #10, Vol. 05)! The hurricane survivors including pets, do appreciate all the help you give them in keeping their spirits alive with hope…

Now onto another subject about two mistakes I made in the March 10^th ezine: Even though the weather was quite warm last month (yay, about time!), inside my office it was frazzled & busy and I need to extend my heartfelt apologies to Heidi (a.k.a.“Dizzy”) Metzger, one of our contributing authors, whose poems published in March’s ezine was edited to the point it was not Dizzy’s poetic voice anymore. To make it up to her, her poems will be reprinted in this issue exactly as Dizzy herself wrote them along with some new poems she submitted! Only minor editing for me from now on! I’m learning as a publisher because I started out as a published author before writing & publishing this ezine in 2004, so the learning process with publishing is still ongoing. And as an author myself, I do know how our writing is a creation from our hearts and for anyone to edit our work to the point it isn’t our voice or muse hurts us deeply… I did not mean for Dizzy’s poems to not sound like her, and it will never happen again.

I would also like to humble myself even further by admitting I jumped to conclusions when the assumption was made that the Ezine-Writer.com.au. web site had gone out of business due to the search engines not being able to find their web site… What actually happened is that Ezine-Writer’s web site was completely down for a couple of weeks due to technical difficulties, and could not reach any of the publishers who post on their site! The webmaster at Ezine-Writer was even kind enough to post our March 10^thissue on their site to make up for the problem with February’s ezine. The Cat’s Meow for Writers & Readers Ezine will continue to be published on my author web site and also posted on Ezine-Writer’s site. Jumping to conclusions without facts, also will never happen again. As a publisher, my lessons have been learned…

Now about the new look of The Cat’s Meow for Writers & Readers Ezine, I would love to hear from all our readers what you think of the new, new look…to let us know your opinions, please go to: www.rosannecatalano.net/feedback.htm, and drop us a line to let us know whether you hate it or love it; either way we’d love to hear what you think! Also please stay tuned for the unveiling of my newly redesigned author web site… coming soon!

The Christmas gift we gave to all subscribers in December 2005 can still be downloaded by clicking here. In case you missed this gift, readers too can download and read the all-new talking ebook, “10 Success Habits to Swell Your Bank Account In 2006,” which is written by Michael Green and Peter Twist, two very successful entrepreneurs. I’m positive that you will be as happy as I was to read their very informative ebook with the secrets to their success. The talking ebook is FREE so you have nothing to lose, but everything to gain! Please note again that for those of you who aren’t subscribers, you, too, can download our talking ebook for FREE by clicking here! And in case you’re not familiar with what exactly an ebook is, please go to the article in last month’s ezine (March 10, 2006, Issue #16, Vol. 06), written by one of our contributing authors Stephanie Martinez, in which she explains to you exactly what an ebook is, and why they have become such popular books.

If you would like to know how-to live a more positive life for you and your family, Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, a positive psychologist and happiness coach, tells you how to be more positive in everything you do. And how to set goals to live a more positive life! Plus she has great inspirational quotes, merchandise and books she has written that can be ordered right on her web site, The Enchanted Self.com. Her books and merchandise focus on you and everyone in your life and can be bought by clicking here. Her newest book, “Delight,” focuses on learning to love and enjoy yourself through life’s special moments, and is filled with emotional and delightful reminiscences that will charm you. To read more about her book, or to order Dr. Holstein’s beautifully, inspirational merchandise and other books, please click here. You won’t be sorry once you are at her web site; it comes highly recommended for anyone who wants to live a better life! And it will leave you feeling as if you just visited a wonderland of positivity.

Onward to all my wonderful contributing authors and writers; some new, some established …who have written poems, short stories and helpful informative articles for everyone to read and enjoy… And if you like what you read, please do visit the author’s web site or let the author know by email. Authors love hearing from their readers, and knowing that what they have written has touched or helped you in some way!

This Issue Is Dedicated To:

Carman Peter Catalano (my dad), Harold Clinton Welch (my stepdad)

and Barbara Ann Hoover (a dear friend)

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EDITOR’S CORNER

Nancy Currie – webwriterworx.50webs.com/

Another month has passed and we are working our way toward the new design of The Cat’s Meow for Writers and Readers—the ezine and the website.

I have been busily finishing up the semester at school (my exam is this week. Wish me luck.) While studying I’ve also been working on the new website design. As you can see this month Rosanne has changed the look of the ezine. What do you think of it? We’d love to hear your comments. Tell us what you think! (this link will take you to a feedback form where you can give us your opinion of this month’s ezine design.)

That’s all I have time for this week. Gotta get back to studying and coding!

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OFF THE PRESS

BRADY MAGAZINE has launched the ultimate syndication service for writing-related web sites: the online publication’s writing news, calls for submissions, and contest listings are now available for other writing-related web sites to post free of charge!

Launched as a way to help impact the lives of writers by providing networking opportunities, Brady Magazine’s web site content is available in three separate feeds; simply cut and paste the JavaScript onto your writing web site and their information will become yours. Feed content will automatically be updated on a regular basis as Brady Magazine’s site updates are completed.

“I don’t feel there is such a thing as competition between writing web sites, since we all have the same goal in mind,” states Krissy Brady, owner of Brady Magazine. “What I am looking to do is reach a wider audience, and what better way to do so than to network with web sites that have the same passion for the industry that I do?”

The syndication feeds are available by visiting http://www.bradymagazine.com/content.html, and cutting and pasting the corresponding JavaScript onto your web site. Once Brady Magazine’s feeds have been added to your site, contact Krissy and she will gladly exchange links with your web site. For more information, or for interview requests: Brady Magazine, c/o Krissy Brady, Editor, 165 Old Muskoka Road, Suite 306, Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1N3 Canada; P: 705-687-3963, F: 705-687-8736.

“Absolutely the Last Resort” by Rose Anna Schoene is a novel of romance and suspense, set in the Catskill Mountains of New York, by one of America’s talented new authors who does double-duty as a medical secretary for an M.D., and is helping her husband battle cancer right now. Her book publisher, Seaburn Press says more copies can be ordered at www.amazon.com or you can use the direct link at: Amazon.com: Absolutely the Last Resort: Books. Seaburn Press, ISBN: 1592320600.

Midici Books is still accepting submissions for Short Fiction Stories, 750 – 1,000 words, to be included in their upcoming book titled “Midici Fiction, Potpourri #1” to be released on or after October 31^st, 2006! As the name of the book suggests, all normal genres are welcome. This is a great opportunity for new and established writers to showcase their work. The publishing industry is a tough business; new writers and even some established writers need a break; Midici Books is giving you that break. A First Prize of US$1,000 will be awarded to the best overall story submitted and accepted by their team of five well-known Judges. Deadline for submissions has been extended to April 30, 2006. Places are filling fast; they have already accepted 190 stories for publication in “Potpourri #1” (a short story of mine included!) … they’re goal is to publish 501 authors! For full details, please go to Midici Books’ web site at: www.midicibooks.net.

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COFFEE HOUSE 4 POETS & WRITERS CORNER

(Every Month Highlighting Artistic Talent – New and Established)!

Gramma

Corrected Poem

Written on 7-26-98 by Heidi L. Metzger

She lay there

pale and cold

But her warmth

came through

She told me that

She loved me

I feel as if she

Were the only one

For my birthday

We laid her to rest

But her soul didn't

At night I see her

I hear her voice

Still with me

Grandma…

I miss you

My Life

Corrected Poem

Written by Heidi L. Metzger

My life is confusing

My life is strange

My life is here

My life was there

My life is now gone

Lost Dream

Corrected Poem

Written by Heidi L. Metzger

When I was young

I wanted to find the right guy

and start my life with him

I am now an adult

and I think I found him

But I probably lost him

My knight in shining armor

Can I ever get him back?

For good again?

The Circle of Life

Corrected Poem

Written by Heidi L. Metzger

Think about love

Think about life

White as a dove

Or blood on a knife

One vicious circle

No One’s Amusement Park

New Poem!

Written on 5-28-05 by Heidi L. Metzger

You toss and turn at night

You can’t sleep

You realize why

Because someone has come in

And hurt a family member

As well as you

Your life has changed

Now you’re older

And things are still messed up

You can’t sleep

You toss and turn at night

But this time it’s cuz of a man

A man who said he loved you

Who held you every night before you went to bed

A man who comforted you

Like the someone who hurt you in the past

Then he rapes you

You tell him “no” and that it hurts

But he keeps going

All’s you think about is your ex-husband

Who did the same and how no one would do it again

Or they would be punished

For you are no one’s amusement park ride

For someone to get on and off of

So you run far away

And you never look back

There has been times

You just turn your head to the side

But that’s it

Your sleep is the only thing you miss now

What I Need Is Not Love

New Poem!

Written in early 2005 by Heidi L. Metzger

The Beatles sang “All you need is love”

and “Love is all you need”

Well in my life that is not all I need

I need two little boys

Those two little boys

Who brighten the world

Who brighten everyone around them

Who make everyone smile

Who love no matter who you are

That is what I need

That is all I need

I Know He Is Mine

New Poem!

Written 7-23-05 by Heidi L. Metzger

I know this guy

He is so sweet

So lovable

He is so cuddly

So romantic

He is thoughtful

So caring

He is so handsome

So adorable

He is so funny

So huggable

I know this guy

and he’s all mine

Sisters

New Poem!

Written 1-14-98 by Heidi L. Metzger

We found each other

Lying cold and alone

We didn’t know what to say

Didn’t know that our lives would change

but we did know that we’d be friends

We did know that we’d be sisters

forever

Right Now

New Poem!

Written 4-6-98 by Heidi L. Metzger

Right now

I feel you holding me

Me afraid of what might happen

You knowing everything will be alright

Right now

I’m at home

You’re somewhere else

Right now

I miss you

You missing me

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The author, Heidi L. Metzger (a.k.a. Dizzy Metzger), is a poet and the mother of two beautiful sons. She resides in Omaha, Nebraska, and can be reached at dizzi6794@yahoo.com. Stay tuned for more of Heidi (“Dizzy”) Metzger’s emotion-packed poetry to come…

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Within

Written by Sandra Lee Hoynacki

Until the dawning of mornings kiss

upon the dew covered field

Fragile minds will wait to touch a new day

and all that it brings

Nostalgia greets the inner stirrings of the heart

awakening the haven of what was and is.

Locked doors swing open

The shadows are made light

Raw and torn

The picture drawn therein

Take the hand of hurt and pain

Gently soothe the scars

For solitude is a companion

just watching from afar

Let the door stay open and

sunshine float within

Nourish the seeds of life

until healing comes again

God Will Take It

Written on 2-9-2006 by Sandra Lee Hoynacki

Down to the river I must go

A bundle to heave way down below

Clean and pure God’s own creation

Stand up tall…just let it go

It shimmers with beauty

Sun kissed ripples

This river of God’s

Just let it go…

Colors of blue just throw it in

all that trash just let it go…

Must it be dirty with all this trash?

Sink it in—the river below

A shell of sorrow of hell and woe

Rid yourself and let it go…

Legs are weak and I can’t stand

Easing down now too weak to hand

it up to you, just throw it in

Help me God to just let it go.

My heart is broken—for far too long

Just hand it up—I’ll take you home

Please God, take it and keep me close

as you throw it in

And I let it go…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The author, Sandra Lee Hoynacki, lives in “the hurricane state” with her second husband, who, along with her four grown children and two grandchildren, is her very life. She is a retired nurse, who retired from the nursing profession to take care of her elderly mother, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, but still finds the time to write. Because as she, herself, has said: “I love writing, and hope to write for many years to come!” This very busy, new published author also attended The Institute of Children’s Literature at night and graduated. To read more of Sandra’s poetry, please visit her web site at www.PoetryPoem.com/poetic2050, where she recently won twice for Best Poet for her poems titled, “Dedicated to My Mother This Day”(published in our March 2006 ezine) and “The Proposal,”

Sandra can also be reached via email at sandylh@cox.net.

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What If It Could Be?

Written on 2-17-2006 by Debby Sorensen Carlson

How do you let go of a dream

when it fails to become real,

Do you just wish it away with the tide,

or tie a ribbon on its tail and wait

for it to fly?

Do you let it become the all or the end,

of where to go and what life holds,

can you really throw it away as trash,

or are you willing to keep its spirit

fresh and alive?

It could be like dancing in a pitch dark room,

not seeing just feeling your feet,

moving to music only you can hear,

and waiting for the next beat

It could be like faith, believing in things

you can not see, an illusion become live.

It could be your dream becoming reality.

What if it could be…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The author, Debby Sorensen Carlson, is a poet, a mother, grandmother, wife, sister, friend, and lover of life who is living in northeast Texas. She has traveled the USA from one end to the other, and has lived in 10 different states. She writes from this life. She has been published in several ezines, including “Detour Memphis,” “The PoetryStop,” “Hollar,” “TruePoet,” “The Writers & Poets Magazine,” “The Women’s Corner” and recently in a book of poetry. When she is not writing, she is a dietician.

Please feel free to contact her at www.PoetryPoem.com/debbysorensencarlson.

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All of My Being

Written on 1-24-2006 by Paula Gordon

The cat pawed my face at the reverberation

of the front doorbell ringing.

Instead of the package I was expecting,

It was a package of dark blue somber suits

with sickening, looks “of something’s happened”

No, no, “your son and mother are just fine”

A rush of adrenaline started at my feet and

stopped at my heart.

Clutching my chest, the somber suits steadied me

as I saw my mom walk up the steps behind them.

They handed me over to her as they mouth

mechanical, puppet-like “I’m sorries”

She spoke the words I have dreaded all my days,

“Michael died today, Cinnaberry”

Just a flash as I drifted down to my knees.

Funny, a flash of a naked troll with blue hair

that you won for me at a carnival.

Who will do this now?

You joked and said our child would

probably look like him

You didn’t wait around to see, did you?

He has his hair, LOL

Upstairs, I hold my head in my hands

Studying my name and yours

Scratched into the desk

each tear that falls forms a puddle in the

opening of the A’s.

My lip quivers, as does the rest of me.

I cannot swallow this massive ache inside.

I want you to know so badly;

You took me as I was, young and fragile

delicate enough to break from the slightest look.

Who will do this now?

You enveloped me in a calm

Shouldering all the pain for me,

tipping my chin every time I let my head fall.

Who will do this now?

I sailed all your seas

you calmed my oceans;

I walked in your forests

you climbed in my woods

Who will do this now?

Ours was the greatest love story;

this I know, otherwise

I wouldn’t be sitting here

holding all of my being,

Drawn up to my knees.

You look so peaceful lying

in your fancy white box,

It doesn’t suit you

I would have chosen yellow.

Bye…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The author, Paula Gordon, is a 43-year-old mother of one beautiful son. She has been deaf/mute since birth. When Paula writes, she translates sound into colors, smells, and touch. She feels it makes people look at the world in a different way. Her son and she have their own special way of communication besides sign language. She just tries to convey what everyone else takes for granted. Paula is the Poetry Instructor on another web site. To reach Paula, you can email her at pdg2850@henderson.net

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Childhood Left Behind

Written by Darlene Ozley

When I was just a little girl

On my Daddy’s knee,

I thought he was my hero

and would always be there for me.

As time went on and I grew up

I was made to see,

That Daddy’s are not heroes

they are just like you and me.

The act of leaving my childhood behind

was traumatic at it’s best,

Of packing my toys and dolls away

In my old toy chest.

Soon I reached the stage where woman

leaves young girl behind.

I travel on to bigger worlds where

life can be so unkind.

As I enter the world of wisdom

that supposedly comes with age,

I realize that my life has evolved in

stage after stage.

Then I sit and think

of the things I did not do.

Of life that passed me by

because of fear of which I knew.

My parents are gone

my kids are grown

and here I sit and ponder,

Of what I should have done

I may forever wonder.

But one thing I know for sure

and that is “Life has been good”,

And I have accomplished much in

life, Just like my Daddy said I would.

So even though he’s no “hero” my Daddy

will always be,

Forever in my heart and always

a part of me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The author, Darlene Ozley, has always loved the written word. Her mother used to give her a new word every day to learn and use. She has poems written on slips of paper, stuck in books, in drawers, anywhere she might have been when inspiration hit her. Her poems were added to her school library when she was 14 years old, and she is currently working on a children’s book. When Darlene has free time, she loves to read, (Stephen King) and ride motorcycles. When she’s not writing, she works as a Sr. Tax Advisor and a Skills Trainer for individuals with disabilities. To leave comments for Darlene, she can be reached at ozleyonline@yahoo.com.

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Carmelite

Written by Leon Basin

Carmelite of the kangaroo majestic,

It’s the place I am beating

the eating, the teasing

not fighting but believing

to exist

In the controversial world

of licks and teases

It’s the visionary guided by the

lights of the torn away clothes of pain

Blot full tears of joys

come down the frontline stories

of kicking, screaming baby mothers

It’s the fondles that peace of

the mind cannot nor ignore

It’s staring at your door

Will you go away, or plea on your

hands and knees

Begging something up above

to forgive you for fleeing

under moonlit sky

You might not take

flight but choke on the ink font

that backstabbed your side view

Of magical trail stars up above

Skeptical Mind

Written by Leon Basin

Skeptical mind keeps dragging you

and myself into time

Wanting to turn the hands

of signs into decimal ties

I am begging on something that is greater

then its perplexing snitch

Who keeps on breaking down the lively hood TVs

That keep the ticking bomb from beating on

the tomb of lies

Keep the distant major from myself

Because of this emotional breakthrough

I am not able to gain insights into the future

but hoping to hold the hand of the card

is the point I am willing to make

When time comes

When minor skeptics keep ticking

the bombardment of the drum

Will I call state of emergency

or let this sit in and take over