Essay
There are Days
There are days that I feel like doing what the dog in the picture is doing, but this is an article about some special days that seems to be like holidays. We all know and observe days like Mother's Day and Father's Day, but did you also know that there's a day for children and grandparents. There are the federal holidays of Veteran's and President's Day, which the latter is coming up very soon for there is also an Armed Forces Day and a Patriot Day, as well as days for particular people or groups of people as Martin Luther King Day and Juneteenth that are also federal holidays, and I almost forgot about Columbus Day and St. Patrick's Day even though they are not federal days but are still days that various groups celebrate every year even like the one that just passed Valentine's Day for all kinds of relationships. I know there is Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day and even Canada Day on the calendar, but these days are for everyone just about for the days I mentioned earlier are ones that usually do not get 'celebrated' quite as much with television specials and things like that. If any readers have anything that they want to share or want to mention a day I forgot please comment it would really be appreciated.
By Mark Graham11 months ago in Critique
What is a book?
What is a book? A book is an object by which learn as in a schoolbook. A book could also be a reference book when one needs to find interesting subjects to write about. Books are also meant to be enjoyed for there are picture books, fiction books, and poetry books to read for fun and enjoyment and still have fun reading. I still love the phrase I learned in Teacher education one learns to read then reads to learn. Books to hold in your hand or even eBooks are great places to escape from the world for a while.
By Mark Graham11 months ago in Critique
How many more people will the sea swallow, and how much europe will endure? . AI-Generated.
The Mediterranean Migration Crisis: Why People Risk Everything for a Better Life Every year, thousands of people from Asia and Africa embark on perilous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea, hoping to reach Europe in search of safety, opportunity, and a better life. These journeys are fraught with danger—overcrowded boats, treacherous waters, and the constant threat of exploitation by human traffickers. Tragically, many do not survive the journey, and the Mediterranean has become one of the deadliest migration routes in the world. Yet, despite the risks, the number of people attempting this crossing continues to rise. To understand why people leave their homelands and risk everything, we must examine the complex interplay of economic, political, social, and environmental factors that drive migration.
By Banik Sojib12 months ago in Critique
THE ASHES OF TOMORROW. AI-Generated.
The sky burned red as the distant horizon crumbled under the weight of war. In the war-torn land of Varkaan, two powerful nations fought relentlessly, each driven by deep-rooted religious convictions and the pursuit of dominance. Between them lay a third country, Eshvar, a land once fertile and peaceful, now a wasteland of starving souls caught in the crossfire.
By Banik Sojib12 months ago in Critique
What is a Pot of Gold?
Actually, what is the or a Pot of Gold? Is it an actual pot of gold or is it something else entirely. To me a pot of gold could be getting hugs from my many family members alive and dead. Another pot of gold could be that someone has actually bought my eBooks that I had published two months ago. The Pot of Gold could be the journey down the yellow brick road on the way to getting our ultimate reward in heaven or in some cases for some people who may go the other way one must wonder so.
By Mark Graham12 months ago in Critique
Trump's Pardons for January 6 Rioters
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued full pardons to 1,500 individuals convicted for their roles in the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Among those pardoned were prominent figures from extremist groups, including leaders convicted of seditious conspiracy. This unprecedented move has reignited concerns about the fragility of American democracy, the erosion of the rule of law, and the stark inequalities within the justice system. When viewed through the lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), these pardons further highlight systemic inequities and the disproportionate impact of justice decisions on marginalized communities.
By Dr William M White12 months ago in Critique
Grimm's Fairy Tales #9
The next really short fairy tale that I read for the very first time is entitled 'The Old Man and His Grandson'. This story is a story of love and respect for your elders. The child of sees how his parents treat his grandfather and shows them in another way that they should respect and love him still. This little boy does come up with a very interesting and poignant way to show his parents their wrongdoing in caring for their parent, his grandfather. This is also a story of how children can teach adults to be better in showing respect. We should all love each other no matter how old we are and become. Again, please share your thoughts on this and the others, and by the way there are still more of these I plan on sharing. Thank you.
By Mark Graham12 months ago in Critique
Grimm's Fairy Tales #8
Here is another Grimm's Fairy Tale entitled 'The Death of the Little Hen'. This is the story that could be about being greedy for the little hen did not want to share a nut with a friend. The friend did try help by trying to fetch some water, but when he went to ask everyone wanted something. The friend was too late to save the little hen, and she died. The friend cried for his friend so loudly that other animals came, and they built a carriage and helped him take the little hen to be buried. They came to a stream and to figure a way to cross. They all tried to help but in the end the friend was alone to bury the little hen and cried till he died. This could be a lesson on learning about death and coping and how one copes with a death of a friend. It did seem that the other animals wanted to help, but could their real reason be for helping the friend. Please share your thoughts and it will be greatly appreciated.
By Mark Graham12 months ago in Critique
Grimm's Fairy Tales #7
Here is another very short fairy tale from Grimm's Fairy Tales entitled 'The Water Nixie'. This a tale of two young children who were playing beside a well and fell in it. The nixie appeared and took them to her place and made them work using tools that made the jobs very hard. The children had to find a way to escape this magical place and get home somehow. They used a few tools from a brush to a comb to a mirror to keep the nixie from catching them. I am not sure of this one, but I think the lesson would be to be careful when playing around wells or any place where water is present for one never knows what may be lurking in the depths. This one could teach about trusting others as well as maybe teaching about 'Stranger Danger'. Please share your ideas on this one. I would appreciate it very much.
By Mark Graham12 months ago in Critique
Grimm's Fairy Tales #6
Here is a very short Grimm's Fairy Tale entitled 'The Fox and The Geese'. This tale is only a few short paragraphs yet to me very descriptive. To me this is a very short story for the power of prayer. The fox one day came up to a group of geese and told them that were going to die for he planned on eating them. Then one goose spoke up and asked for one thing before they were set to die and that was to say a prayer. The fox will be given his choice of the fattest goose but will he for the story is still going on for the prayer the geese are saying is still going. "Ga, Ga."
By Mark Graham12 months ago in Critique
Tin Cans?
What can one person or a whole group do with a bunch of tin cans? What good are they? To me there are a lot of good uses for these objects of various sizes. Looking at the picture they can be used for target practice. You could set up for a game of nine pin or something along that route. Tin cans can also be used for planting seedlings for some varieties of flowers and vegetables. Some have even used them to make alarm systems for various reasons. I just thought of this they could be turned into little lights of some kind. Maybe if a person is good with wiring, one could drill little holes in the bottom of the can and put a plug there and on the inside the fixings for the little light bulb. Who remembers the game of Telephone where two cans are joined by a string and a long time ago young kids would act like they were calling their friends like their parents do. As you see I have came up with a lot of uses for old tin cans. In a poem I just published here on Vocal I thought tin cans would make great planters for seedlings of some kind or another. One old idea one could always decorate them somehow for a pencil holder or some sort of holder for some various small objects. If anyone else has any other ideas, please share and if no ideas come to mind one can also take them to a recycling center to be smashed and sent somewhere to be turned into something else perhaps a part of a bike or even a part of a car or turned into a wagon of some sort the kids pull around. There are many options.
By Mark Graham12 months ago in Critique
