http://lapapa.gather.com Recent Articles on Gather by JOHN BECK en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:56:57 GMT 2009-12-29T23:56:57Z en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 http://www.gather.com/images/header/logo_gather.gif http://www.gather.com/ http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977963110 It rained on our snow but not on our parade.  Both sons, both daughters, both sons in law and daughters in law and 5 of our 6 grandchildren were here with  Barbara and me.  Also . . . Sat, 26 Dec 2009 02:04:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977963110 JOHN BECK 2009-12-26T02:04:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977962358 His law is love His gospel:  peace The carol says.   Merry Christmas! Fri, 25 Dec 2009 03:49:15 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977962358 JOHN BECK 2009-12-25T03:49:15Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977949679   She sheepishly shielded her expressions as she recounted the tale of having dropped her hopes into the slush between the curb and her Oldsmobile.  A young boy had flopped in the snow . . . Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:23:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977949679 JOHN BECK 2009-12-16T11:23:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977923490 Almost because I used the cop-out of using the "x" sound instead of the first letter. Actually Benjamin called Darla every Friday Giving her intimate, juicy knowledge Leaning . . . Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:16:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977923490 JOHN BECK 2009-11-30T11:16:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977920636 Curt L. has entertained and educated us with puzzles about plants, flowers, shrubs.  I thought I'd try this and see how long it takes for a reader to come up with the answer. This early 19th . . . Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:41:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977920636 JOHN BECK 2009-11-27T21:41:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977918874 My son and daughter-in-law are hosting today.  Barbara has prepared some vegetable dishes and I thought I would make two cold soups:  a roasted red pepper soup with guacamole salsa and a zucchini . . . Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:49:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977918874 JOHN BECK 2009-11-26T11:49:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977917091 I give thanks for plenty of good food And pray for those who go hungry I give thanks for a comfortable home And pray for the homelesss I give thanks for clothes for all seasons . . . Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:02:52 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977917091 JOHN BECK 2009-11-25T12:02:52Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977907426 I am dead serious , no point in asking me Nothing’s more dangerous than such a trampoline That WalMart Superstore coupon will never be Used ‘cause it’s torn . . . Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:58:22 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977907426 JOHN BECK 2009-11-18T23:58:22Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977889861   My obsession for this prompt is one of my telescopes, a 1976 Tele Vue Renaissance 4 inch brass refractor.  It’s the Halley’s comet commemorative model. “I don’t . . . Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:14:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977889861 JOHN BECK 2009-11-07T14:14:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977886411   Always being confrontational Despite every friendly gesture, Her innate jealousy Kindled little meaningful  nurturance Or propitious quality response. . . . Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:31:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977886411 JOHN BECK 2009-11-05T12:31:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977881291   The beaver builds his dam and lodge While robin tends her nest The badger claims his earthly den While bees have hives for rest. An aerie is the lofty home Of . . . Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:09:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977881291 JOHN BECK 2009-11-02T13:09:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977881050   Astonishingly benevolent collaboration Defined effective fraternity generosity. Heueristic ingenuity juxtaposed kindness Lavished  manifestly not only pecuniary, . . . Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:10:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977881050 JOHN BECK 2009-11-02T08:10:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977871673   " This week's prompt is also a bit different. We're going to take Gatherland into a different place. There is no internet, no cell phones, no texting and no cars. We will exist . . . Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:39:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977871673 JOHN BECK 2009-10-27T04:39:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977871583 Utopia? She wonders Since her death Could this really be Heaven? Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:49:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977871583 JOHN BECK 2009-10-27T02:49:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977860704 Version II. “It was on Halloween night in 1948.  I remember because it was the year we celebrated Wisconsin’s Statehood Centennial.  And I’ve come back on Halloween every . . . Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:47:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977860704 JOHN BECK 2009-10-19T22:47:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977858263   Having missed the school bus, she decided to walk home.  She knew the way, but decided instead to try a short cut.  She had been in that woods before, but never all the way through.  . . . Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:36:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977858263 JOHN BECK 2009-10-17T23:36:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977856324 Where’s Wally? “Have you seen Wally?” “The last I saw  him, he was in Mrs. Medusa’s front yard, but he was a mess and he didn’t smell very . . . Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:16:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977856324 JOHN BECK 2009-10-16T12:16:48Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977854270 So Sarah snubbbed Ina And Susan as well. Then Ina dubbed Sarah A snob job from hell, Which rubbed Sarah wrongly Because she had flubbed it No snub was intended. Still Ina threw tantrums . . . Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:14:19 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977854270 JOHN BECK 2009-10-15T05:14:19Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977851923   1. Write a short piece with Halloween as the centerpiece.  It can be poetry, fiction, essay or other prose. 2. Incorporate into it recollections of your childhood memories . . . Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:10:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977851923 JOHN BECK 2009-10-13T21:10:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977846104 We're supposed to list 10 rainy day activities, the do a free write on one.   In no particular order: Gather Read Clean the aquarium filter Work on the Blue Moon Observer . . . Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:12:22 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977846104 JOHN BECK 2009-10-09T17:12:22Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977845197 He felt the “pop” as his 28 foot flat parachute opened and he experienced the expected opening shock. Although his ‘chute was open and he was gently falling toward the desert, . . . Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:35:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977845197 JOHN BECK 2009-10-09T02:35:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977837511 OK.  I didn't record it.  Maybe someday.  Anyway, here's my first attempt:   I am spirit Mishe-Mokwa Once a noble, peaceful black bear Thriving on Great Spirit’s . . . Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:46:49 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977837511 JOHN BECK 2009-10-03T23:46:49Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977829840 William Safire has died, leaving us with his tongue in cheek rules for writing: Remember to never split an infinitive. The passive voice should never be used. Do not put statements . . . Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:20:56 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977829840 JOHN BECK 2009-09-28T23:20:56Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977824287 Sarah has built a man, but not a man for her .  I think we as her friends can do better, and create a man for Sarah.  Lets begin: He’s young and gorgeous.  He has . . . Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:27:18 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977824287 JOHN BECK 2009-09-24T04:27:18Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977822993 Forty seven Year adventure Heaven sent her. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:00:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977822993 JOHN BECK 2009-09-23T10:00:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977822513   By the lonely town of Gravesend By the Church named for St. George Stands the brave and fair Rebecca Stands symbolic evermore Far from her Varina . . . Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:30:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977822513 JOHN BECK 2009-09-22T23:30:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977821635   Bottle gentian Attention to Mention autumn Each September Remember dogs Spread burdock seeds   Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:00:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977821635 JOHN BECK 2009-09-22T11:00:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977821394 Incredible Syllable play Noble poet Words well woven Tell adventure Even visions Lines with meter Won't deter from Sweeter slumber. . . . Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:42:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977821394 JOHN BECK 2009-09-22T04:42:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977783459 Ned Olson sang the old Welch hymn in his cherubic soprano voice, bringing tears to the eyes of the largely elderly congregation.  He could not know that in twelve years he would be facing a . . . Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:31:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977783459 JOHN BECK 2009-08-22T01:31:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977783438 Now that Warren Adler’s contest is over, I’m contemplating posting my short story, under the title “Decision”, on Gather.  I suspect that the story line is not compelling . . . Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:51:47 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977783438 JOHN BECK 2009-08-22T00:51:47Z