Caw-Caw Ballads

"Readers who have contacted the genius of Wilson MacDonald through the heroic splendor of his Out of the Wilderness -- a book which has caused critics on both sides of the Atlantic to herald the arrival of a new Whitman on the North American Continent -- will rejoice in the quick, sharp satire of "Caw-Caw Ballads..." *

We leave it up to You, the Reader:

The Pepless Crow
A bearded old crow,
Who had lost his pep,
Said: "Clothes for crows
Is a very wise step."

So "Clothes for Crows"
Was the slogan planned
By the pepless birds
Of Caw-Caw land.

And they passed a bill
That was circumspec',
And ordered all crows
To be dressed to the neck.

And then, when a crow
Went bathing in her skin,
Ten young men crows
Came peeping in.

But the law was repealed
One September morn
For too many little
Black crows were born.

CAW-CAW BALLADS by Wilson MacDonald, (1880 - 1967)The Broadway Press, Buffalo, N.Y., 1930.
*Quotation from dustcover CAW-CAW BALLADS

Wilson Pugsley MacDonald

April 8 was the anniversary of his death in 1967. MacDonald lived to be eighty-seven. His books are now dusty and old. The pages and the dust covers are fragile. The text and vocabulary are not always politically correct.

Wilson MacDonald is recognized in this area long after his death mostly due to the efforts of a loyal community and the dedication of a museum to his life -- The Wilson Pugsley MacDonald Museum located in Walpole Township, Haldimand.

Born on May 5, 1880, MacDonald made a career of travelling and doing readings, signing books and promoting his writings through delicately illustrated pen and ink tokens. One of these single-page cards was a treasured item among my Mother's papers.

The reason that I give space to this dead poet is that he qualifies for the dubious label "a stub" on Wikipedia. In short, an article too short to include more than rudimentary information and "deemed too short to provide encyclopedic coverage." However, in the words of Wikipedia, "You can help Wikipedia by expanding it."

Photo: by Lorna. Gravestone in Vienna, Ontario. (Daisy P. is his sister.)

At first glance, the website of Defining Edge Fitness Inc. may appear to be aimed at only the hardcore power-lifter and competitive athlete. Take the time to read the various articles on nutrition and exercise and recognize that not only professionals can benefit but also those who simply want to enjoy life to the fullest.

Click on Resources/Articles, read how to overcome sugar-cravings, how to throw healthy family get-togethers, how to get "ripped in 2 minutes with a Burppee" (Who doesn't want to get ripped in 2 minutes?!) and how to visualize success and recognize myths. Most importantly, click on "Enjoy the Journey."

For those of us needing a nudge, this is a useful website. Krista Schaus, certified trainer and strength coach, is a life-time resident of Haldimand.
http://www.definingedge.ca/

Defining Edge Fitness Inc.

Every spring, The Neat Little Bookshop features books and photographs on health and fitness.

For information and inspiration on personal fitness and training, visit http://www.definingedge.ca/

Krista Schaus, Owner, strength coach and personal trainer, National Natural Body-Building Champion, has three words for us:

Aspire. Act. Achieve

Artwork by Scott C. Walker

Available at The Neat Little Bookshop

http://www.definingedge.blogspot.com/ Krista is a life-time resident of Haldimand.

Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart. Photo: by Lorna. For larger image, click on photo.

Your Smile for Today:

"Work keeps us from three great evils: boredom, vice, and poverty."

~ Voltaire, French Writer, Philosopher, (1694 - 1778) Candide, ch. 30.

The Big Black Smudge is an abomination to any book. It is arguably the most offensive act one can inflict upon a good book. What is the "big black smudge?"

The big smudge comes in several mediums: ballpoint pen, crayon, wax pencil ~ most commonly, it comes in a toxic, permanent black marker. Black marker damages several consecutive pages. A smudge is used in an attempt to obliterate a previous owner's name. (The irony is that generally the name is often still legible.) The result is that a beautiful book is defaced and rendered less attractive to the next owner ~ be that a collector or simply a book lover.

A lovingly inscribed book ~ and we don't mean an essay ~ can sometimes even enhance a volume; will certainly always be preferable to a defaced book. The previous owner's name is not always offensive.

We have come to believe that pencil is a lasting method of inscribing a book (if it must be done) and is reversible as we say in museum terms. There is something embarrassing about a book that shows up in used circles inscribed, "...lovingly always, until the end of time, my dearest, may this forever be a reminder of our treasured time together." And then to read the sentiment through a big black smudge?!