THE CAT’S MEOW for WRITERS and READERS

THE CAT’S MEOW

FOR WRITERS & READERS® EZINE

Issue 16, Vol. 06

© March 10, 2006

Published by Rosanne Catalano, (a/k/a R.C.Kayla)

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief and Writer/Author

Home of The Cat’s Meow for Writers & Readers Ezine – http://www.rosannecatalano.net

Ezine: ISSN: 2237-65

Editor and Proofreader: Nancy Currie (formerly Peckford),

Technical Writer/Author, Web Designer and Rosanne’s Assistant.

Nancy’s Web Site (under construction at this time) – http://webwriterworx.tripod.com

Cat Owner’s Prayer

Because I’m only human, it’s sometimes hard to be

The wise, all-knowing creature, that my cat (s) expects of me.

And so I pray for special help, to somehow understand

The subtle implications, of each proud meowed command.

Oh, let me not forget that chairs, were put on earth to shred,

And what I like to call a lap, is actually a bed.

I know it’s really lots to ask, but please, oh please, take pity;

And though I’m only human, make me worthy of my kitty!

- Author Unknown

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Our subscriber list is NOT made available to others. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy.

We also are NOT responsible for web site links that do not work; they are given to us by our contributing authors.

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IN THIS ISSUE:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’S CORNER

EDITOR’S CORNER

OFF THE PRESS

Barbara Deming—

“Growing up Barefoot in the South” (New book release)

RoseAnna Schoene—

“Absolutely the Last Resort” (New romance novel)

Midici Books—

“Midici Fiction, Potpourri #1” (Coming Soon!)

COFFEE HOUSE 4 POETS & WRITERS

Heidi L. Metzger (a/k/a “Dizzy Metzger”)—

“I Need Someone,” “In Search,” “The Naked Future,” “Gramma,” and “Lost Dream,” (poetry)

Kay L. Schlagel—

“Reflections in the Mirror” (poetry); also please see Kay L. Schlagel’s article, “Communicating With Your Children” in the Articles Section

Sandra Hoynacki—

“Yesterday’s Tomorrow,” “His Pain,” and “Dedicated to My Mother This Day” (poetry); also please see Sandra’s “Lost and Found” (a short story)

Tabitha Russo—

“Watching The Sun Awaken Upon You,” and “I Took You as You Came” (poetry)

Tammy Bruton—

“A Mistake” (poetry)

Vito Tribuzio—

“Rain Dance” (poetry)

Dennis Siluk—

“Poems from the Attic: ‘The Flower of the Field’, ‘The Dreamer’s Castle’, and ‘The Vision” (poetry)

Paula Gordon—

“Rise” (poetry)

Sandra (Sandy) Hiss—

“Forget Me Not,” and “Where One Weeps Without Tears” (poetry)

Michelle Antoinette Obie—

“A Love of Emily” (a short story)

FEATURE ARTICLE

Dennis Stack—

“Ethical Wills and Capturing Life Stories: Giving Something Worth More than Just Money”

ARTICLES

Michael Russell—

“Why Is Estate Planning So Important?”

Dr. Tony Fiore—

“How to Deal With Difficult People: Part 4 – The Aggressive Driver When He/She is a Loved One”

Charlie Cook—

“How Do You Know When to Change Your Marketing?”

Charlie Cook—

“What’s The Best Way to Increase Traffic To Your Web Site?”

Kay L. Schlagel—

“Communicating With Your Children”

Suzanne Falter-Barns—

“8 Mistakes That Can Kill Your Web Site”

Dr. Gary S. Goodman—

“Martial Artist Says Avoid Looking Into The Eyes of a Bad Guy!”

Amy Cross—

“Google -- #2 in Two Days Flat (On Top of 38,000,000 Sites)”

Shimon Sandler—

“Causalities Mount in Word Wars”

Marlene Chism—

“Drama at Work Hampers Productivity”

Shirley Ann Parker—

“Seven Reasons Why Sick People Drag Themselves into Work”

Stephanie Martinez—

“In Case You’ve Never Heard of An E-Book:

Have You Ever Heard of an E-Book?”

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PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’S CORNER:

Rosanne Catalano – www.rosannecatalano.net

Hello dear readers, welcome to our newly redesigned March ezine! I would love to hear from you all about what you think of the ezine’s new ‘look’ (how to respond is below). Besides the redesign of both this ezine and my author web site (coming soon…please see Nancy’s column below!), I have some great news to impart this month. In spite of New York’s frigid and snowy weather outside, inside I started off the beginning of the month with word that I got two short stories and one poem accepted and published. It is wonderful when an author hears they have been published rather than rejected, and this made the recent blizzard and frigid weather here so much more bearable! My first short story, “The Forgotten Child” is published in my wonderful friend Carol Roach’s Storytime Tapestry newsletter (Valentine’s Day issue) and also published on “Lit.org’s” web site; to read my story “The Forgotten Child” on “Lit.org” go to: http://www.lit.org/view/31580 or to read it on Carol Roach’s Storytime Tapestry newsletter go to: http://subs.zinester.com/98907. My second short story that was accepted and published is titled “My First Love – At Age 39!”, and not only was it published in Carol Roach’s Storytime Tapestry it is also going to be published in an upcoming book (more details below)…

My Book News: One of my recently published stories “My First Love – At Age 39!” will also be published in Midici Books’ book series “Midici Fiction, Potpourri #1” with a publication date set for October 31^st, 2006! Midici Books is a new, small press book publishing company. I will definitely notify you all when I hear that the book has gone to press! Then I will be able to tell you where you can buy the book on or after October 31^s^t; the book is titled “Midici Fiction, Potpourri #1.” And, yes, the contract has been signed and everything is all set to go! Midici Books’ publisher tells me they’ve received lots of very good stories with more coming in all the time. “Midici Fiction, Potpourri #1” is going to be a great book; a lot larger than the average paperback and wider and thicker than a normal paperback. Stay tuned for updates in April or May on how the book is progressing…

The publisher, CJ of Midici Books, also wrote in their acceptance letter to me: “Your story My First Love – At Age 39 is actually quite unique in our book, it’s what I call a ‘facty fiction’ instead of a ‘total fiction’ so that makes it extra special.”

My poor published poem was completely forgotten about above, but it does warrant mention here because it is a tribute poem written for my Dad. And it too was published in Carol Roach’s Storytime Tapestry’s Valentine’s Day newsletter. It’s titled “How We Remember Thee – In Loving Memory of Dad”. To get to Carol’s Storytime Tapestry newsletter, you can go to http://www.rosannecatalano.net/links.html and click on Storytime Tapestry’s link, then click on ‘back issues’ for the February 20^th newsletter or you can go to http://subs.zinester.com/98907 and click on ‘back issues’. And if you like what you read in her newsletter, please do subscribe so that you can continue reading Carol’s daily dose of heartfelt, inspirational short stories and poetry written by all of her contributing authors and new writers. Carol Roach created her newsletter to spread cultural awareness and love throughout the world, and now has a loyal following of readers and more than 1,000 subscribers! Carol Roach’s Storytime Tapestry newsletter embraces the reader with a family-like atmosphere…

I would love to hear from all our readers what you think of the new ‘look’…to let us know what you think, please go to: http://www.rosannecatalano.net/feedback.htm.

Also a reminder that the all-new Talking Ebook, “10 Success Habits to Swell Your Bank Account In 2006,” written by Michael Green and Peter Twist, two very successful entrepreneurs, can still be downloaded by clicking here. 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 by reading it. Readers who aren’t subscribers can also download the Talking Ebook for FREE by going to the above link.

Would you also like to know how to live a more positive life for you and your family? Well then, 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 visited a wonderland of positivity.

Now I’m giving the floor over to all my wonderful contributing authors and writers; some new, some established …who have written short stories, poems 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) and Harold Clinton Welch (my stepdad)

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EDITOR’S CORNER:

Nancy Currie (formerly Peckford) – webwriterworx.tripod.com (under construction at this time)

In the ongoing adventure that is web design, Rosanne and I have been working towards a redesign of her web site. Things are starting to come together. We have chosen the layout, the colors, the basic design and some new graphics. Before you know it, we’ll be announcing the Grand Opening of the new site!

All the fun and work of designing a new site has, unfortunately, cut into my writing time. And so, the article about author/editor relations that has been promised for several issues now is still in the working stages.

However, a promise is a promise and with the new site there will be the author/editor relations article and a spot on the site to provide feedback about the article.

Look for it. It’s coming soon!

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OFF THE PRESS

Author Barbara Deming’s latest book, “Growing up Barefoot in the South (Essays by a Southern Writer)” has been released!

She says about her book, “Those of you who know me well, understand that this is a book dear to my heart. I always say that I am a Southerner first and an American second--those Southern roots go way, way back and are very deep despite the fact that I now live in California--well, at least it's Southern California. This book will carry you back to a time and place when life was simple, to small towns where the only rule of law was that everyone knew what you were doing--just the place for a tomboy who loved to get into mischief as well as climb mulberry trees to write. Take a trip back to those "good old days" where love for family, country and church were the values learned.”

The book is available at: http://www.amazon.com or http://www.barnesandnoble.com or you can obtain an autographed copy from the author at tejasbabs@aol.com.

Barbara Deming, author (The Quilt Maker 2003).

“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 writers who does double-duty as a medical secretary for an M.D., and is also 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.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Midici Books is still currently accepting submissions for Short Fiction Stories, 750 – 1,000 words, to be included in their upcoming book called “Midici Fiction, Potpourri #1” to be released in a few months time! 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. A First Prize of US$1,000 will be awarded to the best over-all story submitted and accepted by their team of five well-known Judges. Deadline for submission has been extended to April 30, 2006. Places are filling fast; they have already accepted 190 stories for publication in “Potpourri #1”… they’re goal is to publish 501 writers! For full details, please go to Midici Books’ web site at: www.midicibooks.net.

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COFFEE HOUSE 4 POETS & WRITERS

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

I NEED SOMEONE

Written by Heidi L. Metzger

I need someone to care

To sit next to me

To hold me when times are tough

I need someone to love

To tell me they love me too

To understand what I have been through

I need someone to forgive

To forget my past and problems

To live a life so true

I need someone

And that someone

is You

IN SEARCH

Written by Heidi L. Metzger

Lately I have been in search

My search was long

and heartbreaking

Until you came back

Back into my life of hell

My life turned from worse

To better

My search is finally over

You hold the key to my heart

You and I are finally

Together

THE NAKED FUTURE

Written by Heidi L. Metzger

I lay here

Without a covering

Wearing only a necklace

A necklace of my future

My future is what I only see

for my future holds my heart

Cause it belongs to my future

My future is where my heart belongs

for I could not live without my future

My future could not live without me either

For my future is not an object

But my future means that

I love you and I want to be with my future

And my future is you

Just you and me

And our family-soon-to-be

GRAMMA

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 still

MY LIFE

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

Or so I feel…

LOST DREAM

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?

I can only hope

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

Written by Heidi L. Metzger

Think about love

Think about life

White as a dove

Or blood on a knife

One vicious circle

We all call life

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The author, Heidi L. Metzger (“Dizzy”), a mother of two beautiful sons can be reached at dizzi6794@yahoo.com.

Stay tuned for more of Dizzy Metzger’s emotional poetry to come…

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REFLECTIONS IN THE MIRROR

Written by Kay L. Schlagel

The reflection in the mirror is of what value?

The souls behind it are hidden from view

You look at me, and see just one

I look at me and I see none.

Inside my mind a meadow grows

A river of water gently flows

In my meadow are many faces

They all came from different times and places

They flee from memories terrifying to behold;

From a man who sought to steal their soul.

Together we fought hard to survive

Together we fought to stay alive

The man is dead. We still stand

His legacy of evil still commands

Our past becomes our present and on to tomorrow

We see the destruction; our hearts fill with sorrow.

We continue to fight his unholy grasp

Many faces, many names against the past

We will fight till the death and even beyond

We fight for ourselves and those in his bond.

We shall light up the night with sword of truth

Only then will we see my reflection as proof.

Our fight will be over, our mission complete

Our meadow shall be quiet serene, and replete.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kay L. Schlagel is the author of many self-help articles that discuss health and wellness in our fast-paced society in a pragmatic and easy to follow format. She is a retired RN who is now an author/artist. She maintains a dissociative disorder information and resource blog for adult survivors of child abuse at www.mdmkay.blogspot.com. She also works as a senior moderator on a writer’s forum and participates in many forums and groups. Kay resides in Nebraska and has two grown sons and two cats that keep her pretty busy.

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DEDICATED TO MY MOTHER THIS DAY

Written by Sandra Hoynacki

My actions have always been so clear

Don’t face the things that cause you fear

Inside my throat…muscles close tight

I watch the battle, I see the fight.

Her mind is wandering…slowly away

I beg her please…please try to stay

Read and write, and try to fight

Stay here with me…another night.

You must remember, he’s your son

Can’t you remember, he is the one?

That cried and cried…you walked the floor

His pain you soothed, and he cried no more.

I watch you leave me, every day

My friend, my mom…please don’t go away

I long to hear you call, just once more

And say, “Let’s shop…the nearby store.”

You now just sit, you’re lost in there

Please don’t leave, my mother fair

I seldom allow myself to cry

And now I watch you slowly…die.

My heart is breaking, no one should see

How bad it’s aching inside of me

My tears are falling…rain from the sky

I’ve begged him mama, don’t let her die.

I love you Mama; don’t watch me cry

I know you’ll leave, I know you’ll die

But on this day, we’ll sit and play

I know you’ll go, but for now you stay.

YESTERDAY’S TOMORROW

Written by Sandra Hoynacki

Walking through the corridors

Shadows of my mind

Sunshine suddenly appears

Quickly left behind.

Memories of those years

Gone without a trace

Many faces, many fears

The darkness in this place

I wander through the maze

Screaming “help me find my way.”

The wonder years of yesterday

All- gone away

A voice within me whispers

“Where is my mother”?

You are the answer comes

You are the mother

But I am little

I am crying

I am afraid, I think I’m dying.

Where am I going…thoughts in all directions

Someone hold me – look at that reflection.

The mirror whispers softly, “your hair has turned to grey”

Running through the flowers child of yesterday

Skipping – singing – soft winds blowing

Tears falling, gently flowing

Eyes once bright a world to behold

Now seeing nothing but dark illusions unfold.

They come to see me use strange words you see

Mother, daughter, son or wife

What is family?

I know not what these words all mean

Searching for the answers

Nothing there, just tangled webs

Unsolved mysteries

Something cold against my tongue, things you say I need

Food and drink, you make me eat what is that word feed

I cry inside but do you care?

My thoughts and wants

I try to share.

You think I’m ugly and so unfair

But if you really loved me, show me how you care

My words are gone and left me bare

Help me quickly, help me fast

Let me go

Back home – at last.

HIS PAIN

Written by Sandra Hoynacki

Surrounded by the deafening silence, he sits quietly, thinking back to yesterday

Her voice comes through to him like a mellow love song intertwined with his tears

His heartstrings playing the melody like a well-rehearsed play, over and over.

Every corner of their life is ever-present on the screen of his soul since her sudden death

Her presence sitting in every vase of water that holds her just-picked roses

His tears had slid on cold lips as he kissed her one last time,

Every silent room in the house longing for her laughter and blanketed in reverence

He stands tall like a giant tree that has lost its very roots.

His branches now withering as the tears run freely down his mask-like face

Clutching the remnants of yesterday as the reality of tomorrow sits on the edges of his mind,

He closes his eyes for one last glimpse of her as he steps out into the sunlight.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The author, Sandra Hoynacki, lives in “the hurricane state” with her second husband, who, along with her four (4) grown children and two (2) 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 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. To read more of Sandra’s poetry, please visit her web site at: http://www.poetrypoem.com/poetic2050;

or she can be reached via email at sandylh@cox.net.

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WATCHING THE SUN AWAKEN UPON YOU

Written by Tabitha Russo

I know you are sleeping because

The steady pulse of your heart caressing

The confinement that is your chest

Gains no fervor while the waking sun

Spills from the window above you.

And I ask what it is

You are dreaming of this moment

But you roll your face indistinctly to the side

As if I am no longer your lover.

Still I follow the form of your limbs

Groggy in its movement, yet still so beautiful

My eyes fixated on the

Immaculate cream that is your skin

That I imagine could create porcelain dolls in China.

And soon I am to your lips

Two timid brides who burnish with

An innocence that knows no sin

Other than knowing me.

And though I more than long to touch, to caress

The brilliance that embarks on the meeting of our lips

I am more than satiated in this quiet moment

Of watching the sun spill from the window above you

As it awakens on your lips.

I TOOK YOU AS YOU CAME

Written by Tabitha Russo

I took you as you came –

broken and spoiled –

disassembled and weak

I helped put you back together again.

With credulous patience

I created the world for you.

I became all that you knew,

I strengthened your feeble soul.

I took that tainted heart

she had so giddily damaged,

its remains charcoaled and charred –

The being of you unrequited, unrecognizable.

With perky lips of undaunted care

I caressed your wounds.

I drank your blood,

in hopes to ease your mortal self

of your humanistic pain.

But your cries echoed deeper

than I was capable of traveling.

The explorer in me weakened,

my own soul now diluted.

I thought I could save you

I thought I could train you to love again.

But your instructions were so messy,

and now I’ve put you together all wrong.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The author, Tabitha Russo, is a 21-year-old new writer.

Not only is she our recent new contributing author, but she is currently working on a novel and is also an avid poet.

Tabitha can be reached at tabitha.russo@moosylvania.com.

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MISTAKE

Written by Tammy Bruton

A mistake I made ten years ago,

and I’m still getting dirty looks?

Don’t you think I’ve paid enough

Through the years?

Why do you have to stop and stare?

I don’t think I look that bad.

But you make me uneasy,

with those piercing eyes.

If I wear something nice,

that covers up my mistakes

You smile at me when you walk by

with a nod of your head and a warm hello.

But if I show my arms and legs,

You stare at me with disapproving eyes.

I can see your disgust;

it makes me feel worthless

I’ve even got phone numbers,

from people who think I’m cute.

But as soon as they see me without a uniform,

They don’t want to give me a chance.

Why do you keep judging me?

I’m the same person no matter what I wear.

Why do I have to keep paying for a mistake

I made ten years ago?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The author, Tammy Bruton, is originally from Aylesbury, England. Her mother and biological father divorced when she was 2 years old, a few years later her mother remarried a military man. They moved around England to different bases, until the last one took them to Lakenheath Air Force Base, where her stepfather then got shipped to Plattsburgh, New York. It was in New York, that she began to write poetry at school; she had joined the P.A.L. group to be a teen counselor at the ripe age of 13, and found that writing cheerful poems to the ones who came to her for help, helped them out a lot. She enjoyed seeing a smile on the faces of the children she helped. With her parents she moved again – to Fort Worth, Texas, and graduated from high school in 1993. Though Tammy has been married, divorced and remarried with six (6) wonderful children, she continues to write her poetry because she feels her life is complete and full of excitement now.

She has settled down in Fort Worth, Texas with her current husband (whom she married in 2004) and six children,

and can be reached via email at tamanddavbruton@sbcglobal.net.

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RAIN DANCE

Written by Vito Tribuzio

What bait appears before my eyes

On such a clear and starry night,

luring me with enchanting lies

Toward that dark and ghastly sight?

The stars all seem to be on guard,

the moon has drawn a silver tone,

and in the middle of the yard

I see her shiny marble stone.

What makes me wish for April rain

and wintertime in vain bemoan

when rain has taken my sweet Jane

Beneath that shiny marble stone?

She knew that life was only time

and that a lifetime travels fast,

so when she had an extra dime

She took a trip and made it last.

She drove the spike deep in her vein

and heard a loud thunder rumble;

She made her body dance for rain

till she knew that it would tumble.

Now in the heart of night I dare

to pass the graveyard all alone,

to see if Jane is dancing there

Above her shiny marble stone.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The author, Vito Tribuzio, was born and raised in Mola di Bari, Italy, but has lived in the Midwest USA for the past thirty-five years. He attended the University of Wisconsin while working as a construction contractor and eventually graduated with honors in 1999. Fluent in several languages, Vito believes in the power of the written word or the belief that the word is mightier than the sword. He has recently taken a leave of absence from work to focus full-time on writing.

He is presently writing his first novel, compiling a book of poetry and a short story collection.

Vito, another new contributing author, can be reached at Dolcevito2@aol.com, and please stay tuned for more of Vito Tribuzio’s poetry and writing…

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POEMS FROM THE ATTIC:

THE FLOWER OF THE FIELD