“The Ride” – The Run For The Wall – Story and Poem

While writing an article for a publication I freelance for, I had the privilege of meeting several riders on the Wentzville leg of the run on their journey to the Vietnam Veteran’s Wall in D.C.   They ride for many purposes, and their mission is selfless.

Here’s a link to my newest Patch article Wentzville Opens Arms to Run for the Wall Motorcyclists Making Trek to Nation’s Capitol

and

Here’s poem dedicated to them entitled

“The Ride”

They come from all over

To ride.

For the freedom of our nation,

They ride.

For those passed on,

They ride.

For Vietnam

And all wars,

They ride.

For brothers and sisters

left behind.

They ride.

For citizens

Like you and me,

They ride.

Crossing oceans, rivers

And streams,

They ride.

From California to D.C.,

They ride.

For school and hospital visits,

They ride.

For healing,

They ride.

For children, spouses and friends,

They ride.

For camaraderie,

They ride.

For the memory of those

Killed in action,

They ride.

The bond grows greater,

Several hundred thousand strong,

And they ride.

At their final destination

They honor,

They pray,

With pride.

At The Wall.

Another publication credit in Patch – Gardener Builds a Sustainable Backyard

Hi everyone,

Check out my newest published (with photos) published in Patch on April 25, 2012 on sustainable gardener Barb Stettner of O’Fallon, Missouri.

Click on the link Gardener Builds a Sustainable Backyard

2012 Missouri Writer’s Guild Awards Banquet

Last evening I attended the Missouri Writer’s Guild banquet at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center in Chesterfield, Missouri.

I made new acquaintances, ran into old friends, and met facebook buddies for the first time.  The food was good, the conversation was lively, and I was in special company – the company of others that share my passion  -  writing.

Especially surprised and elated, I won two awards, and I told Marcia Gaye she was the good luck charm at our table (and a big award winner at last year’s gala.)

I received Third Place for Best Poem, sponsored by Mozark Press.  My poem, Carolina Delight, reminisced about my love affair with Folly Beach, South Carolina and garnered publication in the Folly Current Newspaper at least two times in 2011.   Little did I know there were over 600 poems submitted in this category, so I felt truly blessed.

I received 2nd Honorable Mention for Best Newspaper Article or Column, sponsored by the Missouri Press Association, for an article I penned for AOL/St. Charles Patch in 2011 on master gardener Anne Tansey of St. Charles.   I swear, it had to be one of the hottest days of the year, and yet Anne kept her wonderful garden looking healthy and vibrant.   And if those plants could’ve spoken, I am sure they would have said “I love you” for all the TLC she showed them.  The article was entitled Garden Party: A Master Gardener’s Not-So-Secret Garden.

Sunday morning, I attended Christina Katz’s master class where I shared the company of ten energetic and exciting women writers.  I had a blast.

Anyway, it was a pleasure to be in the company of such creative minds  and hear about everyone’s projects, successes and even tribulations.   Inspiration surrounded me.

And if anyone has pics from the conference, please send them to me.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said -

Just published in “The Eleutheran 2012″ – “Island Girl”

I was pleased and excited to receive an email today.  My essay “Island Girl” graced three pages of “The Eleutheran” print magazine as well as their online publication.  The story is about a special golden retriever I met on vacation last year with hubby.

Click this link for the Eleutheran online publication version

Click this link for Eleutheran print publication

Use arrows to advance to page 51, 52, and 53

"Island Girl" Lucky ; photo by Maggie Kappeler

Enjoy!

Sheree

Whirlybirds

A vibrating engine sound fills the air -

Four pill-shaped tan helicopters

with double propellers

flying low

in two-by-two formation

penetrating the crayola blue sky.

They head west.

God bless our countrymen.

New publication in St. Charles Patch – Sheri Menscher Finds Creative Outlet in Her Garden

Check out my newest publication on Sheri Menscher, the 2012 President of the Jardin du Lac garden club in Lake St. Louis, published in Patch this morning.

Here is the link to the article in St. Charles Patch

“The Edge” published March 15 in “The Abaconian” – newspaper of the Abaco Islands

Please enjoy my essay about an encounter with a ten-foot reef shark in the Abaco Islands.  The photo credit is to Russell Nielsen, my husband, who fearlessly snapped the picture of the shark.

Click on the links below.  Essay is on page 11 and page 18 of the newspaper.

Mar 15, 2012 A 11 The Edge

Mar 15, 2012 A 18 The Edge