BS: Writers I have to thank, publicly

Subject: BS: Writers I have to thank, publicly
From: Peace
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 03:17 PM

I teach senior high English. Over the past few weeks I had occasion to message two people who wrote things I wanted my students to read. They were both kind enough to give me permission to make class sets of their writing and let my students read them. My students in turn wrote responses to the 'articles'. I will send them to the individual writers by message.

Big Mick: the kids got a feel for what you went through in Vietnam. I made clear to them that you didn't want to be defined in that manner--being a warrior--but rather as a peaceful person who saw no good coming from warfare. They admired what you wrote and the honesty with which you portrayed those years in your life. I don't have the words to thank you properly. That class will be watching "We Were Soldiers" as part of critical viewing. They will have read your statement again, and I know as a result will see the movie through different eyes. I think you will be a writer they remember, and your 'composition from the heart' laid bare much of the 'glorious war' crap that is shown on TV and in the movies. Thank you, brother.

Katlaughing: the grade nines and tens who read "All Horses go to Heaven" were really taken by the story. It touched their hearts, too. Many of my students could relate to the writing because they have horses of their own. You somehow captured the feeling in a person's heart when a loved one--animal in this case--passes from one's life. It is great writing.

I have messaged you for the address from which to purchase a book prior to publication. "WindWord of Wyoming" will be a welcome addition to the books I enjoy, and I will ensure that our school buys a few for the library. That will have to wait until they are published.

I hope that 'catters get behind you on this, because when you get your first Pulitzer, we'll be able to say, "Hey, I knew her when she was just startin' out." However, we'll just say that, because you are already an accomplished and excellent writer.

I am not heavy into being a fan. I only moderately like Shakespeare, but I am a big fan of Mick and Kat, as writers and as people.

Bruce Murdoch

Subject: RE: BS: Writers I have to thank, publicly
From: Big Mick
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 03:46 PM

Glad to be of help, Bruce. I have great faith that the young ones will get the right message, with such a great teacher to guide them.

Thanks for the very nice comments,

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Writers I have to thank, publicly
From: Amergin
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 06:14 PM

Yep, they're both very wonderful writers....I sure hope that Mick here does his memoirs sometime... ;) You should read his post about his late bandmate Jim who died sometime ago...very emotional stuff.

I remember Kat's All Horses post...It made me cry.

Subject: RE: BS: Writers I have to thank, publicly
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 08:53 PM

If I remember rightly, Amergin, you wrote a song about it, too, which I should have pointed out already. I believe it is in Aine's Mudcat Songbook?

Bruce, I am overwhelmed by your comments; you've given me a heart-smile. Really glad to hear how much the kids liked it and can relate to it. Thank you so much. You have moved me to tears of gratitude and hope and I am most deeply grateful.

I am also glad to hear you have used Big Mick's piece on Vietnam. IMO and that of many others who have read it, it should be required reading in every high school.

katgratefulandsmiling

Subject: RE: BS: Writers I have to thank, publicly
From: Peace
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 10:46 PM

Also, see the thread that speaks about the book:

BS: Presale of Kat's book, 'WindWords of Wyoming"

Subject: RE: BS: Writers I have to thank, publicly
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 09 Apr 04 - 11:15 PM

Any chance of posting a link in this thread to those pieces, so that those of us who are relatively new to Mudcat can read them too?

(Considered doing a search of the Forum for "Vietnam". but I have a feeling it would turn up *far* too many threads for me to wade through...)

Cheers,

YY

Subject: RE: BS: Writers I have to thank, publicly
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Apr 04 - 12:17 AM

Here ya go:

Big Mick's Vietnam posting
scroll down to his posting of 27 Feb 99 - 09:20 AM
Amergin's song

All Horses Go to Heaven

Thanks for asking.

Subject: RE: BS: Writers I have to thank, publicly
From: Big Mick
Date: 10 Apr 04 - 10:11 AM

I post this because Nathan (Amergin) mentioned it. I have just read it again. I sure miss that old man. I hope he and Rick get together, cause Rick will have a ball needling this wonderful old crank. And if Rick has any luck at all, there will be ovens where he is at and Darla will make him cookies ..... LOL. I remember the first time I saw her after her diagnosis. We were both feeling a bit edgy, so I walked up to her and hugged her and said, "listen, sweetie, I know you have some rough times coming, but every so often, could you still make me some cookies?" We both started gigglin' like a couple of kids.

JIM AND DARLA'S STORY

The link will take you to the post, but there is more to the story. If you want to know about Darla's diagnosis, you should read the first post in the thread. I think the thread handles it all. Our first CD was dedicated to Jim and Darla. Also, a wonderful blues harp player, and sometime Mudcatter by the name of Harmonica Buzz, wrote a wonderfu song for Jim and Darla, based on the thread. It is absolutely a wonderful tune, and is on his CD "Long Way To Memphis. Jim and Darla, I am sure, just love it. His website is HERE. And Here is a link to the CD Baby site with reviews of the CD.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Writers I have to thank, publicly
From: Art Thieme
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 01:04 AM

Great stuff kids. I must thank all of the above.

Art

Subject: RE: BS: Writers I have to thank, publicly
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 01:42 AM

I have to concur of course and happily do so. Excellent writing seems to be something we find a lot here and Mick and kat are at the very top along with others such as Peter T. and Lonesome EJ. Nathan had me in tears with the beauty of his words....and the rest often have had the same effect.

I am always awed at the raw emotion probed to great depth and the resultant understanding which comes from these people. I could list 25 and even more 'Catters who write at levels far beyond the majority of what is found on the shelves of book stores and libraries. I am in their debt for expanding my understanding while often touching my heart.........suddenly here, a few of Barry Finn's writings and one particular song come to mind...........

Bruce you could do no better than to allow your students these insights into contemporary writing and into the souls, hearts, and minds, of the authors.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Writers I have to thank, publicly
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 09:48 AM

Well Art and Spaw, you are two of my biggest inspirations, as well as the others Spaw has noted. There is something magical that sparks when all of that good writing is posted. It spurs one on to try to reach the same level of writing, to express as beautifully, etc. One could say Mudcat and its stellar writers have been my Muse, esp. PeterT.:-)

Now, just to prove Spaw is not always full of hot air, click here and scroll down to his posting of 02 Mar 99, 205AM.

thanks, kat

Subject: RE: BS: Writers I have to thank, publicly
From: Big Mick
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 01:40 AM

Thanks for that link to Spaw's post. That's my boy!!!

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Writers I have to thank, publicly
From: Amergin
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 02:17 AM

You know...I remember seeing some where about Pat (Spaw) talking about doing a play involving the stories from those times..the ones who went and the ones who didn't and so on...

Pat, in light of the fact no one has learned the lessons, maybe you should get writing....

And thank you everyone for the compliments regarding my own work...It means so much coming from such a good bunch.

Subject: RE: BS: Writers I have to thank, publicly
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 10:50 AM

Katlaughing & Big Mick,

Thanks for the links. Have been off singing most of the weekend, but look forward to reading these.

Cheers,

YY