Kids say "No" To Drugs"

Greed – Children On Meds?

Rod McKuen & Merrie Lynn Ross

In my teens I wrote poetry and scribbled obsessively in a diary, questing for ‘who am I’ ‘where am I going’ ‘what is this life about’? Filled with mixed-up emotions, all mind bogglers; grappling with the mystery of ‘why’ and for ‘what purpose’ we dally about on Mother Earth?

Overtime several notebooks filled with poetry, aphorisms, and various topics and issues piled in folders at my bedside. A satisfaction oozed at the unlimited theories, philosophical rants, and amusing antidotes that poured out.

And then I discovered the likes of Kahill Gibran, Krishnamurti… and my secret intimate soothsayer, Rod McKuen. The more of his delicious thought-provoking, viscerally palpable, perfectly metered poetry I read, the more I was inspired to write.

During that period I was studying drama at a professional acting studio in New York and was befriended by several aspiring musicians from Julliard. Lo’ and behold two young men were enamored with my poetry and asked me to write lyrics for a rock opera. Who knew what was required, who knew that it could be arduous. Magical inspiration strikes when one is open and “Mother Goose Turn Me Loose” was created. The scenario touted characters like Humpty Dumpty, a sad-teen drug abuser, who fell off the wall, and all the kings men and queens could not put him back together again.

The Rob McKuen saga continued with my poetry writing. A sample stanza below:

Why do I see the sad and the lonely whenever I pass them by?

Why do I feel their hurts whenever I meet their eyes?

Will my Smile be enough to slightly ease their pain…  

Or is it just a flower… drowning from too much rain?                                                                      

A close friend was fond of my poetry and made a noble gesture to promote it to the world. He owned a brownstone in Manhattan and leased it to Random House. He set a meeting with the President to discuss publishing my poetry. After a short deliberation they came back with, “She is a young Rod McKuen in style and we publish his works. It wouldn’t be wise for us to cross-pollinate.” Amazing, without a previous mention they saw the likeness and reverence to him. The so-called rejection was a boon in my life. To have my name even remotely connected with McKuen was beyond my wildest dream.

Fast-forward 2012 – Los Angeles pre-Oscar party at the Chateau Marmont, a quaint hotel for artistic and famed residents, unfortunately, where John Belushi died. On an elevator ride to the party, a sophisticated gentleman joined us – it was Rod McKuen – in 3D, up close and personal.  Stoked, I quickly babbled my Random House story and he chuckled, fascinated. We became fast friends and shared hors d’oeuvres during the evening.

Before we departed I blurted a festering question, one that had haunted me from reading his deep insights, his astute observations of the trial and tribulations of human nature, and captivating the soul.

“Mr. McKuen do we have to suffer to write like you do?” He paused, thoughtful for a moment, and then with a twinkle in his eye he answered my ardent question.

Whether it was “Yay” or “Nay” I can never out-and-out what he said – it would ring like a kiss and tell. What do you think he answered?  I shall hold it dearly… a poet’s sacred secret, deep within my heart.

Merrie Lynn Ross’ revered book, “Bounce Off The Walls –Land On Your Feet” … How to Morph Havoc and Hassles into Harmony and Happiness… is currently on Amazon.com and in bookstores.

www.merrieway.com

Merrie Kisses Santa...HAHA

Little Johnny was fast asleep in his bed, dreaming of eating sugarplum cookies and sipping the warm milk he left under the Xmas tree for St. Nick. A roaring “Ho, Ho, Ho” bellowed and stirred him with a jolt. The belly laughter was unmistakably Santa Claus. Echoing so loud it was a wonder why it didn’t wake up the town.

Unsure if he was dreaming or not, Johnny crept to the step’s landing and caught a glimpse of jolly St. Nick, who chuckled. “Ah Ha, little Johnny, you tickled my heart munching my cookies and you did leave my favorite treat, the cherry on top.

My gift to you this year will take you by surprise, with that he began to laugh, “Ho, Ho, Ha, Ha, Ha.” Johnny caught the contagious laughter. He began laughing so hard he rolled down the steps, tears of joy flowing down his cheeks.

Eye to eye, St. Nick winked at him. “Spread your gift of Laughter wherever you go. The sad will be jolly, the jolly will Love, Heart’s will heal, and Peace on Earth will reign.” As St. Nick slipped away, Johnny’s “Ha Ha Ha’s” awakened his family, as they delighted in joy, their laughter tickled the neighbors, and one by one…the whole world shined Big Smiles.

www.merrieway.com

Reprinted BellaSparks.com “The Twelve Gifts of Xmas”,  ”Laughter” by Merrie Lynn Ross

www.merrieway.com

The cost of this Drone is $6,000,000.  7,000 + similar ones are good to go as compared with 240 ten years ago. The Iran intelligence was able to decode the secrets in the Drones system, giving them information, that even the best informant couldn’t produce. A gift from heaven, Free for the taking. If this were a competitive video game, we could see the next move and  play it now.

Just send it to China and rip- it off… and bargain for the price. Sarcasm abounds on this subject, because with all of this hi-tech equipment, our military reports critically wounded warriors, coming home in body bags, or without legs, mentally and physically disabled. And, then there’s the Drone game.

Fed UP?  I am beside myself. My nephew, had his legs blown off last week in Afghanistan…he had only been there four weeks. A courageous young man who was willing to sacrifice, for what he believes is our Freedom. He is a hero… soon to receive a Purple Heart.  More to come about Michael and his healing journey. Godspeed.

www.merrieway.com

Beyond politics let’s contemplate: What kind of world do you want to live in? Clearly it’s an inside job.

Who Am I?

Who do you want to show up as, a person with honor, integrity, compassion­, forthright­ness? Or do you want to lie to yourself, hide in fear, denying your true calling? My core question, “How can I honor and live my potential?­” Only when we dive deep within can that truth be known. From that eternal space of Knowing, we can then create a glorious world.

In the midst of chaos, we can steady the course by turning inward and asking the question, “Show me the best way to live my life.”  Listen-  the answer  may arrive as a vision, in a whisper, or a feeling that prods you forward to take action,  to take care of whatever you may have been avoiding. When we take charge of our own life, we can bring forward the courageous spirit to influence others. We will elect the best candidates…by demanding accountability. This is a time of great opportunity…a time to transform, to honor the best of who we can Be.

Enjoy excerpts from Merrie Lynn Ross’ enlightening book, “Bounce Off The Walls-Land On Your Feet   http://ning.it/bOWFRa