Peeling the Onion: From Matthew Shepard's Murder to "Don't Say Gay"

This book weaves glimpses of some of the author’s experiences; intertwined with the experiences of friends, family and acquaintances; in his half-century journey to understand the impact of oppression and trauma on his life and the country. The author explores how the murder of his young friend Matthew Shepard, and being briefly thrust into the national spotlight, affected the direction and focus of that journey. The book chronicles his movement from the deafening silence of growing up in the “don’t ask don’t tell” environment of Wyoming; through that horrific murder; and into decades of painstakingly slow, positive, change toward social justice; accompanied by a growing negative backlash culminating in “don’t say gay” and other hate-based legislation.

Penny the Penguin and the Star that was Santa

It is finally Christmas Eve in Penguin Colony. Penny the Penguin has done her very best all year long with hopes of getting on Santa’s nice list.

She believes this is the year Santa will finally visit Penguin Colony. Unlike Penny, her sister Patty and brother Palo don’t always believe, but Penny never loses hope.

Will Penny’s wish come true? Will Santa and his reindeer finally visit the penguins? Will this be the year that Penny, Patty and Palo finally meet Santa Claus?

Join Penny, Patty and Palo on this fun Christmas tale about believing and siblings sticking together.

Playing Through the Break

In the early 1980s, young Chicago architect Phil Ashley and his live-in girlfriend, TV newscaster Alison Knight, find themselves locked in an unlikely love triangle with a neighboring temptress whose undraped window appearances trigger untimely, unfinished spiritual and emotional issues left over from the psychedelic sixties.

When Phil is offered an unusual architectural project set in the countercultural West Coast waterfront community of Samsara, the pair agree to temporarily part ways in hopes that a break will do them good.

Little did they suspect that their romantic recess would soon turn chaotic when Samsara’s pirate broadcast featuring aqua goddess Pearl explodes into international headlines. Could the untimely uproar help reunite the troubled couple… or bring a dramatic end to their relationship?

Poems from Within, Life Within

Throughout life, many grapple with the overwhelming feelings of depression, anxiety, and the disquieting sensation of losing oneself. Many yearn for a beacon, a guiding light to reignite the dwindling ember within. This book offers tales woven with poetic intricacy, waiting for your discernment and reflection. Designed to help you navigate life’s challenging waves, it shares narratives of love, addiction, and resilience – lessons crafted for every soul navigating the maze of existence. Remember, only you hold the power to rise, to realize your boundless potential. Believe in yourself, for you are cherished.

Poems on Eternity, the Endless Universe, and Me

Watterson’s musings press the limits of expression. Planck’s ultimately small 10^-35 meters expands to the Sufi mystic’s Nothingness. Feelings expand from Issa’s compassion for the fleas on his deathbed to a glimpse of God’s anguish at [having to permit] the Holocaust, the price of Israel.

In one vignette, Watterson pictures the cosmos, endless universes, as dust particles at 30,000 feet disappear in the troposphere.

What is the effect? The effect, he says, is something like finding a long-lost reference. Or of having stumbled on the right person just now to tell about a rare instance of moral bravery in his youth.

The effect might be that just now innumerable originals of Beethoven are dipping their quills in ink and starting the seventh symphony. One need only imagine and listen.

Poetry Collection

Delve into a poetic tapestry that weaves the myriad facets of life’s journey. This collection resonates with human emotions, offering solace to souls seeking comfort and connection. Inspired by everyday moments and the indelible impact of loved ones – both present and departed – these verses are a testament to the beauty and complexity of existence. Embark on a literary voyage, and may you find as much joy in these pages as I found in penning them.

Polly

Polly spent most days sitting alone, sadly looking at her reflection in the mirror. Countless lonely hours were spent trying to figure out why all the squirrels in the forest refused to accept her. In the mirror, she saw long curly eyelashes with huge eyes. Her fur was soft and silky with unusual highlights. It varied in color depending on how the sun beamed on it. The fur underneath her belly was as white as snow. Her tail was long, full, and bushy. As she continued to observe her reflection in the mirror, she became painfully aware of the striking differences between her and all the other squirrels. Just like all the other squirrels in the forest her mother had the same small black eyes, dull gray fur, and semi-short less bushy tail. Even her mother was baffled by her unusual features.

Polly’s plight will illustrate to you how children today will take any characteristic or any physical differences and find fault to make fun, taunt, tease, and sometimes brutally attack you. This can be the cause of low self-esteem, fearfulness, and sadness all because someone dislikes you because you are different. I remember growing up in a community where my peers taunted me about the tone of my skin. Unfortunately, rejection, snubbing, teasing, and taunting still exists in the form of bullying and it’s even more prevalent today.

As you read Polly’s story you will see how one little squirrel gained respect and friendship from her peers through her selflessness, bravery, and courage. Her peers will learn a valuable lesson in pre-judging as it pertains to someone because of their nationality, physical appearance, race, or ethnicity.

Polly and Jessie Hunt for Lost Treasure

Join Polly and Jessie on their exciting quest for lost treasure! Polly the penguin and Jessie the elephant are best friends who love to go on adventures. When Jessie discovers an old treasure map, the dynamic duo sets out to follow its clues and uncover hidden riches. But their journey won’t be easy – they’ll face many challenges and obstacles along the way. Will their friendship and determination be enough to help them succeed in their quest? Find out in Polly and Jessie Hunt for Lost Treasure, a heartwarming and thrilling story that will capture the imagination of young readers. Perfect for children who love animals, mysteries, and exciting adventures!

Porter Brothers' Tragedy

The Porter brothers, Glenn and Steven, were in their twenties and had their whole lives in front of them.  They found jobs and worked at a business where the wealthy owners had two beautiful daughters. Glenn and Steven pursued these two girls with hopes of marriage. The Porters eventually quit working at the business, and everything turned against them. The two daughters labeled the Porter Brothers as runners, men who run away from the responsibility of marriage, while their rich parents put out a statewide man hunt alert for the state of Maine. The Porters were blacklisted statewide. Their story caught on like wildfire through the rest of Maine. Many people were jealous that they could become rich overnight by marrying these two wealthy daughters. There would be more than one murder attempt on the Porter brothers’ lives in order to prevent them from becoming rich. This is the Porter Brothers’ Tragedy, filled with romance, violence, and stories of torture and disappointed hopes. 

Powder River, 1957

“The year my mother left us, my father found a dog along the highway just outside of Powder River.”

Thus opens the beginning of sixteen-year-old Matthew Christman’s account of his senior year. Reeling from his loss, Matthew struggles to make sense of the adult world into which he has been forced to enter prematurely. He faces other losses, foremost among them his innocence, as he tries to figure out the difference between being a man’s man, or a good man like his father.

The threat of death is ever present for Matthew as he learns the value of love and friendship in his journey to find his way in a world fraught with unpredictable challenges.

Promises for Tomorrow

Rekha is a 12-year-old girl growing up as the eldest daughter of Indian immigrants in South Africa during the 1940s and 1950s. Despite her strong and determined nature, she is innocent in many ways and struggles with her life as the cook, cleaner, and caregiver for her family, all while enduring emotional and physical abuse from her mother. As an Indian female, she is controlled, abused, and marginalized, and is expected to fulfill the patriarchal role of a ‘suitable wife.’

When she discovers she is promised to a boy from a ‘good family,’ Rekha dreams of a life filled with love, financial stability, and freedom, in an effort to escape her current life of hardship. Through Rekha’s story, we gain insight into the unique South African Indian experience, including customs and traditions surrounding marriage, childbirth, and death, as well as the struggles of newly arrived merchant immigrants trying to survive and succeed in a colonial, racist, and apartheid society.

Puppy Pals Great Adventures

Zaphod and Cody are best friends. Adventures always get them into sticky situations. They are determined to look out for each other, even in the midst of encumbering circumstances. Can their friendship withstand the test of time? There is a new obstacle they must contend with: affairs of the heart. A new love interest has just moved into their hometown: Myra! She is so beautiful and just might be a diva. Cody is head over heels in love! Cupid has definitely shot him with an arrow of love.

Will their friendship survive and continue to be unbreakable so they can face all the adventures at hand? The River Pirates and the Motley Crew hope Cupid’s arrow will keep Cody in this trance. Will lovesick gazes break down their bond that has been in place since birth? Only time will tell as our Puppy Pals deal with each adventure each day. Maybe Myra will enhance their friendship and make them stronger. A stronger friendship could spell trouble for the River Pirates and the Motley Crew. Stay tuned as the adventures continue.