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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 10, 2012)
in other words The Road Not Taken By Lynn Berry Hello? Yes, you. Hello? I’m referring to you. Yes, you. You know who you are. You are the one who wants to reach so much further and shine so much brighter, but chooses to stay comfortable and compliant. Your spirit yearns to soar and spark, but instead, it feels trapped, imprisoned by your monotonous daily routine. It’s a New Year ya’all. It’s a new beginning. It’s a time to shed what we don’t want and a time to create what we do want in our lives. Change it up. Take risks. Research with senior citizens looking back on their lives, found that it was those individuals who took more risks, who were the most satisfied, content, and joyful with their lives, even when those risks failed or didn’t turn out as expected. Take responsibility for your path, and if you don’t like the path you’ve chosen, then change it. Begin. Create and savor every moment. Our daily perceptions, thoughts, and decisions eventually transpire into who and what we are. And we all are one. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood,and I- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. ---------- Robert Frost ---Writer’s Idea: Some argue that we have shaped our lives making only a few significant decisions. Think back to a crossroad in your life. You chose a path. Why? Would you choose differently today? Was that choice helpful or harmful? What do you understand differently today as a result of that choice? january10 2012 15 ---Writer’s Tip: Some of our most liberated ideas come to us while we are sleeping or what is termed “twilight sleep,” the state of mind just prior to awakening. Keep a journal by your bedside, and before rising, attempt to write one page a day for two weeks of whatever comes to mind. No worries about spelling, grammar, even staying within the lines, just write. And no judging yourself, just write freely, hence the term, “Freewrite.” I guarantee by the end of two weeks, you will have discovered not only new material for your artwork, but also a deeper part or yourself. ---Please send your original submissions to, (or if you would like a copy of any of the published poems) InkwellVernonia@gmail. com or by mail: PO Box 333 Vernonia, OR 97064. Please include your name and contact information. Write—Express-- Expand. Lynn Berry holds an M.A. in English, specializing in feminist literature and literary criticism. She has spent several years teaching Literature, Composition, Poetry, Creative Writing, and Critical Thinking at various school districts and colleges, and occasionally provides writing workshops. Mason’s Creations continued from front page ‘There has to be something neat there,’” says Parker. He says he also intends to paint the railroad tressel at Top Hill on Highway 47, and the Banks Lumber Mill. Parker begins his watercolor art as pen and ink sketches and then completes them by adding color. His website features such Portland landmarks as Powell’s Books, the Phone (503) 429.2617 Kitchen Countertops Fax (503) 429.0941 Fireplace & Furniture ABSOLUTE@AGALIS.NET Tubs & Vanities www.absolutemarbleandgraniteinc.net Mariolino’s Pizza & Grill Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner We have ice cream! Serving Vernonia since 1970 721 Madison Avenue, Vernonia (503) 429-5018 Laurelhurst Theater, the Steel Bridge, Union Station, and much more. Most of his Oregon Gallery features Portland sites although he also has watercolors from Scio, Oregon City, the Columbia Gorge, Eugene and now Vernonia. His watercolors are bright and colorful, full of detail, yet just a bit quirky and interesting. His glass art is spectacular and includes his signature garden art sunflowers as well as butterflies, mushrooms, dragon flies, orchids, irises, bugs and more. Some of the butterflies are as large as four feet across. He uses a technique called “slump and fuse” to create his glass art, letting heat and gravity do the work of shaping the glass. His work is available through his website and is also on display at a store called “Yesterday and Tomorrow” at 7506 N. Albina Street in Portland. Mason’s prints are available in several sizes starting at 17” x 11” up to 22’ x 30”. He also sells 5” x 7” notecards. He is also available to create custom, original watercolor scenes of your favorite street building, waterfall or other favorite spot. You can view Mason Parker’s work at masonscreations.com. You can contact Mason Parker at P.O. Box 15249, Portland, Oregon 97293 or 503-975- 8473 or sonofthespiralshop@yahoo.com Vernonia Computer Services Computer help is just a phone call away Housecalls Instruction/Training Virus/Spyware removal Mac – Windows – Linux Custom systems built Backups and data retrieval Software install/upgrade System problems diagnosed Hardware testing, repair, replacement bill@rangelights.com Bill Langmaid (971) 998-3705
