Fourth of July - Independence Day - 2012

F-orward they went
O-ut into the unknown
U-nified in
R-evolution.
T-rue to their beliefs
H-eld in high esteem,

O-ur
F-orefathers

J-oined forces
U-nder God,
L-ovingly,
Y-ielding to none.

Without the Declaration of Independence and the Revolution, none of us would be here in the United States of America with the freedom and rights we all enjoy. Our country may not be perfect, but we do have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. May God bless us all and keep us independent.

MUSANS - AUTHORS - MUSA PUBLISHING CO.

This acronym expresses what I think it means to be a Musan:

M - means many genres of writings are published
U - shows unity between writers and the publisher
S - proves that satisfaction is insured
A - is for added perks
N - means nothing is withheld

Since I like to write in different genres, this is important to me. I also appreciate having a camaraderie with people at all levels of publishing and to know they want to satisfy both their authors and their readers. Other added perks include the Yahoo e-mail group where ideas are exchanged and blog sites are available. It's a plus, too, to have facts and figures regarding sales always available to authors.

Musa has already released two of my books--TIME WILL TELL (science-fiction) and TO CATCH A FISH (a novel, co-authored with David V. Wilton),  with a sequel, entitled BAITING THE HOOK, due for release November 30, 2012. I feel confident that my books are in the best hands with MUSA PUBLISHING COMPANY. Please see Musa's "About Us" section on their webpage for further information.

Symbol - Flag Day, June 14

It's been spit on and stepped on

And even burned,

But nothing can destroy

This symbol of freedom.

People being allowed

To desecrate it

Proves that the United States

Is a free country.

Those of us who care,

The ones with respect,

Pick it up, shake it off,

And hang it high again.

In the land of the free,

And the home of the brave,

Let our flag's red, white and blue

Forever wave.

Mary S. Palmer

6/1/12

THE FISHERMAN - from my novel TO CATCH A FISH

You catch more than fish, don't you?
In the waters of the bay
You seek, not just a bite on your line,
But, also, words shared with a friend
In a time of quietness and peace.

When you are lucky and a string of fish
Dangles from the side of the boat,
With a gleam in your eye, you forget the chore
That will be yours--the messy scaling and gutting--
And anticipate the pleasure of
Giving them to a friend.

Not many people realize, as you do
That what you really catch to keep
Is what you give away.
The form may be fish,
But the gift is love.

Mary S. Palmer

My play, MURDER MOST SOUTHERN, at the Mobile Carnival Museum May 26, was a sell-out and a huge success. The well-cast actors and actresses did a superb job as did the director Virginia McKean. All had a great time.

A TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO SERVE

The men and women who serve
In the military
Deserve our respect and thanks.

They give up "normal" lives
To protect us,
And keep us out of harm's way.

Whatever branch they choose,
The Army, Navy or Marines,
They guard the U.S. shores and interior.

They also fight on foreign soil,
Far from home,
Keeping the enemy from our land.

They secure our country's freedom,
Sometimes at the cost
Of their own lives.

Remember them Memorial Day
And say a prayer
For their safety as they serve.

Mary S. Palmer
5/23/12

Five members of my family served in the military, some during wars. Fortunately, they arrived home intact. They gave up some of the best years of their lives to protect our freedom in the United States of America. I honor them and thank them. I also salute all who have served in the past and those who are serving in these trying times. May God bless them and keep them safe.

To the Schumann Music Club of Mobile, established 1894. Member of the National Federation of Music Clubs dedicated to the preservation of classical music.
HEART AND SOUL

I raise my eyes to heaven,
And music makes my soul sing
When I hear the tone
Of violin strings.

My heavy heart is soothed
By a song
That's light and gay;
It shows the way.

And the playing of a piano,
In tune and sync,
Can quickly take me
To the brink.

Oh, what can so inspire,
Or lift our spirits higher,
Than well-presented music
That sets our hearts on fire?

Life has its problems
That all must face,
But music can refresh us,
And set such things in place.

In music, there is beauty.
In music, there is prayer.
It soothes; it offers comfort.
Let's keep it everywhere.

Mary S. Palmer
5/19/12