Features from The Agora

Celebrate Life, a poem by Don Tubesing

Memories,

Uncounted – uncountable,

Thousands and thousands of tumbling fragments

Filling a life so worth celebrating.

Life is a kaleidoscope, truly an instrument of magic,

Shake it and look.

As random fragments mirror and magnify each other,

They order themselves

Into patterns of color and beauty.

Your mind, an even more powerful instrument of magic –

Let it become quiet

Invite it to wander

Prod it gently.

And remember the many random fragments of experience

That form themselves into a quilted pattern

Of shared memories and life-long love.

Yes, beyond thought,

Beyond chronologies of time,

Lightly dancing glimpses evidence

The full and beautiful life worth celebrating,

The conversations, adventures, challenges, ideas, feelings, commitments

That link us together over all these years.

Don’t be shy.

Go ahead and shake the kaleidoscopic cluster of memories.

Notice the patterns that emerge from the fragments of moments long-past.

Own the treasures.

Feel again their warmth.

Experience anew the magic.

And embrace the love that surrounds you.

Donald Tubesing is the author of 20 books on stress management, co-founder of two award-winning book publishing companies, and past president of the Independent Book Publishing Association. Passionate about stone carving, he is founder of Michelangelo’s Workshop, a not-for-profit initiative teaching underemployed post-release inmates the art and craft of sculpting stone.

Remember, a painting by Heather Williams

Heather C. Williams grew up in Watertown, WI; graduated in 1970 from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art; is a High Watch Mentor in The Prosperos School of Ontology since 1978; led drawing exercises around the world for the Louise Hay International Teacher Training; and is author of Drawing as a Sacred Activity. She is also a course coordinator for PLATO.

The Old Man and the Soil, a short story by William Eisinger

This work can be downloaded from here.

William Eisinger said growing up on a farm in Ohio wasn’t easy, but he learned to work hard and met interesting people. College biology was a natural fit—Bill was a professor at a West Coast university for nearly 40 years. He retired in the Madison area, then he and his wife moved to the St. Louis area to be near family. He served as managing editor of PLATO’s Agora for several years.

Slipping Away, a poem by Rick Larson

Rick is a Vietnam veteran who majored in journalism at UW-Madison, courtesy of the GI Bill. After 30 years at CUNA Mutual, Rick retired in 2005 and started writing stories about his life. Rick and his wife Frances have two adult children. Frances is Rick’s biggest fan and finest critic.

Mixed Doubles, a poem by Tim O'Donnell

Tim O’Donnell worked for many years as an interpreter and translator. Since retiring a few years ago, he has explored his love of words and language by writing short fiction and poetry. If his body would allow it, he would play tennis nearly every day.

Lake Monona, a painting by Julie Pretell

Julie Pretell maintained an interest in art throughout her career as an immunology researcher and practicing hematopathologist. After retirement, she earned a Visual Communications Degree at Madison College. Since then, she has happily exchanged writing grants for writing memoirs and shorts stories and is pursuing her artistic endeavors through digital photography.

Papa's Barn, a painting by Joanna Kutter

To view this entire painting, please see page 12 of  The Agora, Volume 8 here!

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Joanna Kutter holds a degree in Art from Beloit College. She has been creating art most of her life but only started writing seriously in the past few years. She finds inspiration in unusual places and everyday situations. Joanna likes the experimental mixed media process and therefore her final pieces tend to be more abstract than representational.

If I Were French, a poem by Susan Hoffman

When not creating art, Susan Young Hoffman spends time promoting literacy through her blog susanyounghoffman.wordpress.com, tutoring, and gardening. She recently published her second children's book Henry's Play on Words. Her work in acrylic and watercolor ranges from abstract art to realistic portraits.

Reflections and Deceptions, a photograph by Bill Eisinger

As a farm boy I loved to hike and explore nature. In college, biology was a natural fit for me and I was a professor at a West Coast university for nearly 40 years. After retiring, we moved to the Madison area to be near our daughter and family—Bill Eisinger.

Pintail Duck, a woodwork by Jim Albright

Jim Albright was born and raised in Wisconsin. He and his wife, Jan, returned here after retiring. He is an engineer by degree and spent his working career in industry, all the while pursuing his love of painting. Some of his works can be viewed at his web site: www.jimalbrightart.com.

Hanging Up my Laundry, a short story by Howard Bowman

This piece can be downloaded from here.

Howard Bowman is a retired college instructor in the areas of philosophy and theology, as well as a retired member of the clergy. He and his wife live in Madison, well-situated near his beloved Driftless area trout streams.

Kohlrabi, a poem by Kate Dike

This piece can be downloaded from here.

Kate Dike has lived in Madison all her life, including her college years at UW-Madison. She thoroughly enjoys the many local and state parks and natural areas and even discovers a new one now and then. Poetry has always been a part of her life.

Melrose, a short story by Allen Youngwood

This piece can be downloaded from here.

Allen Youngwood hails from LaCrosse, Wisconsin. After a long career in infrastructure planning and environmental studies, he took up creative writing, in particular, screenwriting. Much like a blunt instrument, the rigors of getting his scripts produced persuaded him to recast them as short stories and flash fiction.

Storm Approaching, a painting by Joanna Kutter

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Joanna Kutter holds a degree in Art from Beloit College. She has been creating art most of her life but only started writing seriously in the past few years. She finds inspiration in unusual places and everyday situations. Joanna likes the experimental mixed media process and therefore her final pieces tend to be more abstract than representational.

Yarn Dyers, a painting by Sherry Ackerman

Inspiration:

Sherry Ackerman is grateful for Mary Ann Inman, a wonderful teacher who inspired her to take painting to another level, which has honored her with many awards for her watercolors and acrylics. Sherry is the Chairperson for AWA's Tiny Treasures, an avid gardener, walker, pickleball, and table tennis player.