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our Casey PADOLLO Teaches Creative Writing

At the outset, I must say how delightful Miss Casey is!  It was easy to do whatever she asked us to do as far as assignments.  Matter of fact, we generally had an in-class discussion wherein you could tell that Casey will willing to get off her prepared notes and explain very well what the concept was and how we can approach the subject matter. I was also stunned by the fact, that as we were writing, she often came to each one of our desks to help make sure we understood the concept she was teaching.  Many times I was off the beam, and I do appreciate the one on one.  She certainly didn't leave us on our own, but, rather, participated in what we were working on. My dad and mother (really) were very critical of the dreams I had for myself growing up, an actor and creative writer, but Casey opened up my mind.  She gave me the confidence that maybe I did have a story to tell When my classmates would give me their remarks on my work, it was a bit terrifying. But I s...
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Toxic Relative Story

There is so many stories I could write about my toxic sister.  But for one, Melanie moved to Mangum after I had been here a few years helping mother.  I knew she wasn't interested in living in a small city, but I came to realize that she primarily relocated to be around when mother dies.  This would be for mother's will and not to care for her at the end.  For that, she has shown no proclivity! One evening, Melanie's son (the only child who speaks to her) came to Mangum from Tulsa.  I've never been a fan of his (nor Melanie's) but I agreed to go to dinner with them.  Driving to Altus, my sister asked me, "How's that Cayman Jack coming, Kim?"  Cayman Jacks are a margarita drink which I enjoy.  I found it rich that she would ask about my drinking as if it were anything to be compared to her own.   My sister then proceeded to mention a video she took of me at home applying my mother's make-up.  At the time of her taping this event, I w...
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Toxic Relative

My sister's name is Melanie. My sister is 4 years younger than me.  Melanie has 3 children, two of whom  have blocked her from their telephones.  Melanie is good with numbers and has a good job.  Melanie drinks 6-8 beers per night.  After around 7 pm, she is drunk.  When she is drunk, she likes to send cruel texts to whomever hasn't blocked her calls.     Melanie is  filled with venom about the past when, in fact, she was the most loved and cared for sibling in our family.  Melanie moved to Mangum 5 years ago, after I had been here 6 years.  Melanie is waiting for mother to die so that she can retire from work and live off of her inheritance.  She told me  this. 
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Analysis of a Song

Unfortunately, I did not catch  the  name of the song we listened to in class which was accompanied by a video. The video showed a young girl with braces being bullied by the other girls in school. The fact that she was a pretty girl was undoubtedly one reason for making her an outcast of the group. When the young girl ran home and started crying on her couch, her dog approach her and started licking her  At that point, her sadness went away.  However, before long, this girl's dog became sick and had to be 'put to sleep', which caused her great distress. Fortunately, this young girl had a family which took the time and energy to find a way to make her happy again.  They gave her another dog to love for her birthday. What struck me about this film is how long bullying has been around. At 66, I still remember being the object of bullying. I had hoped that as a people we would have become more civilized by now.  Obviously, that's not the case. I guess there wi...
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What Makes Me Happy

In the choir -nestled between 2 sopranos- I'm as happy as can be. Despite my own scratchy sounds, the gorgeous sounds wafting through the air have whisked me to the heavenlies. The tenors are tender, the basses are strongly moved as together we explode the air with music. Companions along the way are the violins- who are talking back and forth to one another. The drums underline the passionate moments of the piece and make their presence known. Looking out into the audience, I see approval as our voices run through the room as if they  had feet. Finally, the patrons smile, clap their hands and (some) eventually stand. As I travel home, I feel like I've touched God's hem and pray I can stay afloat! Singing, for me, is a transcendental affair; it's where I'm happiest.
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Paperwork left along the way

 Eleanor sits on edge of a raft as two men slept, one is a patient of hers and another someone who has attached himself to Zach - for some unknown reason - since Zach escape.  Eleanor decides to pull her case notes out of her handbag and begins to write in her case files by the moon's light.   "Subject (Patient) Self! It was just over a week ago that I had a comfortable position with the retirement home as social worker.  I enjoyed the patients whom I worked with at the nursing home and was convinced that they were all in the place where they would be the safest.  Everybody but our Down Syndrome patient, Zack, agreed with us that they had reached maximum capacity for 'normal' living and needed the structure.  I was good  at my job.  Having made straight A's at Smith College in the social work field.  I was one of their best employees. By that I mean, I followed rules. Unfortunately, Zach made up his own mind that by living in this 'cage'...
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A Film Noir Story of Greed, Murder, Ankle Bracelets and Love

“The whole messy business began on Tuesday, 3:45 PM, in May .  I forg e t the date .  I had driven out to Santa Monica to deliver a policy on a dairy truck and a lemonade stand when I remembered that Mr. Diesel’s auto policy had expired .  I headed to his house in Glendale .  As I pulled into Diesel’s drive on Boca Diablo Loco, I remember thinking how these Spanish houses had cost plenty of money before they went out of style and folks defaulted on their loans .  Everybody was nuts about these houses except the Spanish.   The maid , Nettlesome, answered the door .  It was a nice enough home .  Sunlight passed through the venetian blinds bathing everything in horizontal stripes reminding me of a prison cell .  Nettlesome, a fussy, stout woman was reluctant to allow a stranger into the house, but I oozed confidence and reeked of pomposity , and brushed right past h er .  I told her I needed to speak with Mr. Diesel .  B...
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