The Reader's Garden

Author Janet Salmons in Reader's Garden!

2010-02-10T05:08:00.000-08:00

Please join us for Interviews with Avatars: Online Interview Research in Second Life on February 18th at 6pm SLT in the Readers' Garden with author Janet Salmons aka Opal Zabaleta. Models, approaches and researchers' experiences and unique issues and dilemmas involved with scholarly interviews in world. Come share yourcuriosity-and your experiences!

For more about this book, please visit:

http://www.sagepub.com/booksProdDesc.nav?prodId=Book233088&level1=Course100

Hanukkah & Letter to Santa by Twain readings

2009-11-30T18:00:00.000-08:00

Please join us for two events, December 11th is the beginning of hanukkah at sundown, at 5 pm SLT we'll light a candle and read a traditional hanakkah poem or story.

Our next event is a reading of famous (and some funny) letters to Santa on Dec 20th at 11am SLT. Bring your kid's letters, famous letters to share! Twain is first on the list.

http://www.allthingschristmas.com/stories/LetterFromSanta.html

Second Life Book Events Oct 20-26

2009-10-20T04:31:00.001-07:00

BOOK EVENTS In Second Life-- OCTOBER 20-26 See notecard in Reader's Garden for locations and full list or IM Sonja Morgwain (Note Nov 22nd at 11am is our next Book Talk) and I'll pass you a notecard! Reader's Garden: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cybrary%20City/124/157/25 Or see our blog: http://readersgardensl.blogspot.com/ Autumn Writers Exhibit - ongoing through the month of October Guerilla Ghost Stories -------------------------------------------- Tuesday, October 20 *11:00 a.m. - Poets' Meet * Noon - Authors Cassandra Curtis and Cora Zane for readings from their books * 2:00 p.m. - Slice of Pie Poetry * 3:00 p.m. - Aianna Oh reads "Water Witch" * 3:00 p.m. - Reading at O'Casey's: Beautiful Stories for Evil Children: The works of Edgar Allan Poe part II * 5:00 p.m. - More Poe Stories! * 5:00 p.m. - Short Poetry Workshop * 6:00 p.m. Mike Stackpole's Office Hours/Writer Discussion * 7:00 p.m. - Aoife Lorefield with Kelly Link's "Travels with the Snow Queen" * 7:00 p.m. - Short Poetry Workshop -------------------------------------------- Wednesday, October 21 * 2:00 p.m. - Open Mic Poetry, Prose and Critique * 4:00 p.m. - 'A Wizard of Earthsea' by Ursula K Leguin read by Elegia Underwood * 6:00 p.m. - Poetry at Cafe de Muse * 7:00 p.m. - Elder Priestman & Derry McMahon with the Legend of Sleepy Hollow -------------------------------------------- Thursday, October 22 * Noon- Author Cassandra Curtis for readings from her latest book, Shifting Tides * 1:00 p.m. - Open Mic at the Village Theatre * 2:00 p.m. - Poetry: A Celebration of Life (Open Mic) * 4:00 p.m. - Poetry on the Half Shell * 6:00 p.m. - Inksters Open Mic Poetry * 7:00 p.m. - Emerain Rich reads Night's Knights * 7:00 p.m. - Shandon Loring with great Faerie stories and other fabulous tales -------------------------------------------- Friday, October 23 * 1:00 p.m. - Milk Wood Writers' Meet * 2:00 p.m. - Huckleberry Hax with NaNoWriMo Tips * 3:00 p.m. - Short Story Reading Group: Robert Louis Stevenson, "Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde" * 3:00 p.m. - Reading at O'Casey's: Lucis Haiku reads Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones * 7:00 p.m. - Haiku Workshop -------------------------------------------- Saturday, October 24 * 6:00 a.m. - The Poets' Plunder * 8:00/10:00 a.m. (times alternate each week) - Poetry Editing Workshop * Noon - Bookstacks Paper Chase * 2:00 p.m. - Science Fiction Saturday * 4:00 p.m. - NaNoWriMo Sprint with NYT Bestselling author, Mike Stackpole * 4:00 p.m. - Author Cassandra Curtis and special guest, author Karen Duvall for readings from their books -------------------------------------------- Sunday, October 25 * 8:00 a.m. - Poetry, A Celebration of Reading (Open Mic) * 11:00 a.m. - Book Discussion: Heart of Stone by CE Murphy * 1:00 p.m. - POE! A Reading * 1:00 p.m. - Author Cassandra Curtis and special guest, author Karen Duvall for readings from their books * 3:00 p.m. - Poetry Libre Open Mic * 3:00 p.m. - Reading at O'Casey's: Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk * 5:00 p.m. - Poetry Open Mic @ Blue Angel Poets' Dive * 6:00 p.m. - Caledonia Skytower in MagicLand with excerpts from Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book -------------------------------------------- Monday, October 26 * 1:00 p.m. - Milk Wood Writers' Meet * 1:00 p.m. - Open Mic Meanderings * 2:00 p.m. - Spanish Writers' Open Mic * 3:00 p.m. - The Sound of Poems * 4:00 p.m. - Story Session at the Falling Anvil - 4th Annual Ghost Story Night * 5:00 p.m. Writer's Symposium * 6:00 p.m. - Story Hour Open Mic * 7:00 p.m. - Bonfires & Broomsticks with Caledonia Skytower ------------------------------------------- Daily 8:00 a.m. - Writers' Dash -------------------------------------------- UPCOMING BOOK DISCUSSIONS * Nov. 1 - John Dies in the End by David Wont (Milk Wood Book Discussion) * Nov. 22 - The Second Jouney: The Road Back to Yourself (Wollestonecraft's Daughters) * Nov. 22 - The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa (Reader's Garden Book Discussion) * Nov. 29 - Memory and Dream by Charles de Lint (Paranormal Book Discussion)

Next Book Talk in the Garden

2009-10-15T10:42:00.001-07:00

Please join us for a discussion of or introduction to the book, The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa on Sunday, November 22nd at 11 a.m. SLT (PST) in the Reader's Garden in Second Life on Cybrary City 1.

See review and links here: http://www.complete-review.com/reviews/japannew/ogaway2.htm

or on BookBrowse http://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/2217/The-Housekeeper-and-the-Professor

You need not have read this book to attend or participate!

For more information, please leave a comment here or email sonjamorgwain@yahoo.com

Hope to meet some new folks!

~Sonja

The Forgotten Garden Book Discussion

2009-09-26T05:02:00.000-07:00

On October 11th at 10 am SLT (1pm EST), we'll be discussing Kate Morton's book, The Forgotten Garden in Second Life at our Reader's Garden in Cybrary City 1. The story spans several generations and the perpetuation of a family secret makes this story intriguing and mysterious. An element of fairy tales is woven in. As the secret of the garden unfolds, the reader comes to understand the importance of family, communication, and a sense of belonging. Here is a blurb about the book:

"On the eve of the first world war, a little girl is found abandoned on a ship to Australia. A mysterious woman called the Authoress had promised to look after her - but the Authoress has disappeared without a trace."

Please join us.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cybrary%20City/124/157/25

Next BookFix Discussion!

2009-08-26T06:20:00.000-07:00

Please join us on September 16th at 6pm SLT for a discussion of Steve Lopez's The Soloist! Read about friendship, homelessness, the redemptive power of music and mental illness combined in an unforgettable story. The author has a great website: http://stevelopezonline.com/ For more information about BookFix, please see the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library BookFix website at http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/westpage/bookfix.htm or IM librarian MusMuris Messmer.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cybrary%20City/124/157/25

2009-08-14T17:57:00.000-07:00

Next Book Discussion in the Reader's Garden!

2009-07-23T16:00:00.000-07:00

Please join us for another BookFix discussion in the Reader's Garden on August 12th at 6pm SLT!

Flickr

2009-07-18T17:45:00.001-07:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

New Book Discussion Group in the Reader's Garden!

2009-06-10T19:01:00.001-07:00

Greetings,

Please join us for a new book discussion group called BookFix in the Reader's Garden on Cybrary City 1 beginning Wednesday, July 15 at 6pm SLT. BookFix is a monthly book discussion group facilitated by a librarian at the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library. Librarian MusMuris Messmer will bring the book discussion online in the Reader's Garden every third Wednesday. To learn more about Bookfix, please see http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/westpage/bookfix.htm The July selection discussed will be The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne.

To stay updated on events in the Reader's Garden, please IM Sonja Morgwain, see the Reader's Garden Blog at http://www.readersgardensl.blogspot.com

The Reader's Garden is located on Cybrary City 1 at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cybrary%20City/124/157/24

Kind regards,

Sonja Morgwain

Coming Soon! Info on our May Author!

2009-04-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

Author of Wired for War, PW Singer

2009-03-03T06:02:00.000-08:00

Please join us in the Reader's Garden on March 22nd at 3pm SLt for a presentation, reading, and Q&A time with author PW Singer in the Reader's Garden. Presentation will be in voice. Please IM Sonja Morgwain with questions.

Cybrary City 1, Reader's Garden

Author P.W. Singer Coming Soon to the Reader's Garden

2009-02-03T21:03:00.000-08:00

Working out details, but author PW Singer is coming soon to the Reader's Garden on Cybrary City 1. Meanwhile, the date and place for his next appearance is shown below. More information coming soon.

Wired for War: The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the 21st Century by P W Singer

Feb 13, 1:30 pm PST

Space Studies Institute 130, 130, 30

DESCRIPTION

What happens when science fiction becomes battlefield reality?

An amazing revolution is taking place on the battlefield, starting to change not just how wars are fought, but also the politics, economics, laws, and ethics that surround war itself. This upheaval is already afoot -- remote-controlled drones take out terrorists in Afghanistan, while the number of unmanned systems on the ground in Iraq has gone from zero to 12,000 over the last five years. But it is only the start. Military officers quietly acknowledge that new prototypes will soon make human fighter pilots obsolete, while the Pentagon researches tiny robots the size of flies to carry out reconnaissance work now handled by elite Special Forces troops.

Wired for War takes the reader on a journey to meet all the various players in this strange new world of war: odd-ball roboticists working in latter-day “skunk works” in the midst of suburbia; military pilots flying combat mission from their office cubicles outside Las Vegas; the Iraqi insurgents who are their targets; journalists trying to figure out just how to cover robots at war; and human rights activists wrestling with what is right and wrong in a world where our wars are increasingly being handed over to machines.

Come meet the author and engage in a dialog about this topic.

SLURL to event: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Space%20Studies%20Institute/130/130/30

Book Website: http://wiredforwar.pwsinger.com/

Nerding Up the Nursery: How to Prepare Your New Little Geek's Room

2009-02-01T05:23:00.001-08:00

I found this fascinating quote today:

I think I need a vacation just to catch up on my reading. What books have you shelved that you wish you were reading?Nerding Up the Nursery: How to Prepare Your New Little Geek's Room, Jan 2009

You should read the whole article.

"All Things Coehlo"

2009-01-18T07:23:00.001-08:00

From Paulo Coelho's book, Eleven Minutes:

"The roller coaster is my life; life is a fast, dizzying game; life is a parachute jump; it's taking chances, falling over and getting up again; it's mountaineering; it's wanting to get to the very top of yourself and to feel angry and dissatisfied when you don't manage it." ~Coelho.

Join us for more, Wed., Jan. 21st at 2pm slt.

The Garden is decked out with posters, information, and Youtube video of an interview with this marvelous author. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cybrary%20City/124/157/24

~sonja

2009-01-08T09:34:00.000-08:00

Paulo Coelho Month of January 2009

2009-01-02T06:28:00.000-08:00

Greetings and Happy New Year. For January in the Garden, we celebrate the writings of Paulo Coelho. Perhaps best know for the Alchemist, we explore his works and life on Wednesday, January 14th at 6pm SLT. Please join us for a reading of selected quotations, a discussion of Coelho's works, and information about his life as a theatre director, lyricist, journalist, and writer. One of the most influential writers of our time. IM Sonja Morgwain in world or email pimelibrarian@gmail.com

Author Mark Budman in the Reader's Garden

2008-12-04T10:15:00.001-08:00

Please join us on Monday, December 8th at 1:00 pm SLT for a reading and discussion on Mark Budman's (AKA VestalReview Sparta) newest novel, My Life at First Try. Mark's novel is reviewed in Kirkus, Publisher's Weekly, People's, and Booklist. This semi-autobiographical novel is about Alex, born in Siberia in the 1950's and his quest to become a writer despite myriad challenges.

Capote's Christmas Memory

2008-12-03T08:08:00.001-08:00

Greetings, please join librarian Leeorie Alter for a reading and discussion of Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory, December 18th at 5pm SLT. Also....details coming soon about author Mark Budman's (AKA VestalReview Sparta) reading of his new novel. Mark was reviewed in People's Magazine.

Reader's Garden New Home

2008-11-10T12:26:00.000-08:00

The Reader's Garden is one of my most precious projects in Second Life. With over 450 members and scores of guests that visit this garden, attend events, and assist in its well-being each week, it is a tremendous asset to Second Life and Archipelago.

The relocation of the Reader's Garden from Info Island to Cybrary City 1 is nearly complete. This new location is larger and I believe will continue to serve Alliance and its users in many ways; bringing new folks to the Alliance Islands and keeping literature alive in Second Life, for examples. As the Alliance Library System responds to its continued growth and development, I see this change as an opportunity to better serve AVL and its patrons.

New SLurl for the Garden: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cybrary%20City/123/159/24

Warmest regards,
Sonja Morgwain

Egyptian Literature Discussion

2008-11-07T12:48:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 12pm SLT, Corona Anatine, creator of the Temple Library of Seshat in SL and real life Egyptologist and archeaologist will lead a discussion about the Goddess of Librarians, Seshat, and Egyptian literature in the Reader's Garden. Immediately following will be a tour of the Temple Library to see the resources on Egyptian Literature and history that she has in her collection.

2008-10-31T05:47:00.000-07:00

Keith Ainsworth, esq. (aka Poet Thriek Wilkinson in SL), leads a discussion & poetry reading in the Reader's Garden on Info Island http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/100/162/33, Thursday, November 6th at 2:45 SLT on the book, Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution -- and How It Can Renew America.
For more information, please IM Sonja Morgwain.

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Discussion

2008-10-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

Leeorie Alter leads a discussion on Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time the Reader's Garden on Info Island, Tuesday, October 21st at 5:00 pm http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/100/162/33

Next Reader's Garden Event

2008-09-08T15:52:00.000-07:00

Join the discussion, Thursday, September 25th at 6:00 pm SLT with Valibrarian Gregg as facilitator. IM Sonja Morgwain for more information.

2008-08-28T09:53:00.000-07:00

Next discussion in the Reader's Garden, Thursday, September 4th, 6:00 pm SLT!

2008-08-22T07:16:00.000-07:00

See our giant book in the Reader's Garden!

Thank you Leeorie Alter for leading another successful discussion in the Reader's Garden! Leeorie discussed Stephenie Meyer's The Host.

Please note the next discussion is scheduled for September 4th at 6:00 pm SLT and will be a discussion for Louise Erdrich's Plague of Doves.

~sonja

2008-08-17T06:25:00.000-07:00

Thursday, August 21st at 4:00 pm SLT, Join us for a discussion of The Host.

Plans are underway for discussion of Amy Bloom's novel Away sjometime in September. Valibrarian Gregg will lead this discussion. Look for group announcements and information here on our blog for dates and times.

September Selection for Reader's Garden

2008-08-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

September Selection! September 4th 6:00 pm SLT

The Host Book Talk Rescheduled

2008-08-15T02:36:00.000-07:00

Had some teleport problems last night so we are rescheduling our disccussion about Stephenie Meyer's, The Host to Thursday, August 21st at 4:00 pm SLT. See you then!

Sonja Morgwain

Reader's Garden Redux

2008-08-13T08:08:00.000-07:00

Greetings, The Reader's Garden is growing in membership (up to 438 members) and attendance at our programs and, as such, I've placed one of Krull Aeon's new Roman gazebos that allows for more seating. This Gazebo was inspired by a build by Carrie Pennell for the Harvard Library in Second Life.

Also, Lorelei Junot and Abbey Zenith have graciously expanded the Garden to better suit our needs. Please stop by to see it and I wish to extend a warm welcome to all new members.

Best, Sonja Morgwain

Reader's Garden Event August 14th 4:00 p.m. SLT

2008-08-07T13:55:00.000-07:00

Join us Thursday, August 14th at 4:00 p.m. SLT in the Reader's Garden for a discussion of Stephenie Meyer's novel, the host!

Welcome New Book Lovers

2008-07-30T05:55:00.000-07:00

A warm welcome to our newest members to the Book Discussion Club. We have 416 persons in our group and three more requests to join today. The next book discussion event, a led by Leeorie Alter on Stephanie Meyer's book, The Host, is Thursday, August 14th 4:00 p.m. SLT (notecard attached). If you have suggestions for programs or would like to facilitate a book discussion please do let me know.

Sincerely, Sonja Morgwain

Next Reader's Garden Event

2008-07-17T20:39:00.000-07:00

Please join Valibrarian Gregg in the Reader's Garden, Info Island, Wednesday, July 23rd at 6:00pm SLT for a book discussion on Neal Stephenson's novel, Snow Crash. Presentation will be in a combination of voice and text.

Sincerely, Sonja Morgwain

Next Reader's Garden Event

2008-06-17T04:55:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

Our next Garden event:

Thursday, June 26th at 6:00 p.m. SLT
in the Reader's Garden, Info Island

Our very own Leeorie Alter will lead a discussion about the book.....

Attention all would-be cowgirls! Or cowboys, for that matter...attention all those who have ever dreamed of a life lived on horseback, traveling across the priarie before the age of paved roads, TV and the Internet...June 26 we will be discussing The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss at the Readers Garden. This is a relatively short novel and a fairly quick read, but you are welcome to come to the book talk even if you haven't had time to read it. We encourage cowgirl/cowboy dress and those of you with horses are invited to saddle 'em up and ride on over! FREE cowboy hats to all who attend!
The Hearts of Horses" takes us back to the WWI year of 1917, to the Oregon country where a pioneer lifestyle was living out its last days. A young woman, barely an adult, rides into the foothills of the Wallowaa Mountains, looking for work as a "broncobuster." Only her methods are far from those associated with busting broncs and closer to what we have come to call "whispering." "In those days, even before the war had swept up all the young men from the ranches, there were girls who came throught he country breaking horses," Gloss tells us in opening sentence. An interview with Gloss and the first chapter of the book can be found on the National Public Radio web site at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=65096288 This a book that will appeal not only to horse lovers, but also to those who appreciate well-researched historical fiction and to those who yearn for an earlier, less complicated age. Leeorie Alter will be talking about the book and leading the discussion from her position in the saddle aboard her horse, William. Please join us at 6 p.m. June 26 at the Readers Garden!

Best,

Planning Committee for the Reader's Garden
http://readersgardensl.blogspot.com/

Reader's Garden Event Tonight :)

2008-06-12T09:25:00.001-07:00

Tonight, please please please join us at the Reader's Garden on Info Island for a discussion about J.R.R. Tolkien with Dare2B Wise 6:00 p.m. SLT. Contact Sonja Morgwain, Leeorie Alter, or Hollyjean Allen with questions, to join our group, or to volunteer for upcoming events. Reader's Garden Blog URL is below.

All things Tolkien with Dare2B Wise
Reader's Garden, Info Island
Thursday, June 12, 2008
6:00 p.m. SLT
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/100/162/33

Warmth,
Sonja Morgwain
http://readersgardensl.blogspot.com/

HollyJean Allen Memorial Day Program

2008-05-26T11:33:00.000-07:00

MEMORIAL DAY
Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.The ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns.
The following is an excerpt from General Logan’s Orders:
HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLICGeneral Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868i. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit. What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic. If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us. Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. JOHN A. LOGAN,Commander-in-Chief THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POPPYThis was the poem written by World War I Colonel John McCrae, a surgeon with Canada's First Brigade Artillery. It expressed McCrae's grief over the "row on row" of graves of soldiers who had died on Flanders' battlefields, located in a region of western Belgium and northern France. The poem presented a striking image of the bright red flowers blooming among the rows of white crosses and became a rallying cry to all who fought in the First World War.In Flanders FieldsBy John McCrae In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, fly.Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved, and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields.
A TRIBUTE TO THE VIET NAM WAR SOLDIERS“REMEMBER”, BY AMALIA BROOME, 2000
There's nothing different about the manas he passes you on the streeta few lines have formed along his browand he's slower on his feet
He smiles at children as they playfrowns at tattoes on a young teenan ordinary man you think?but you don't know what he as seen
jungle wet with rain and sweatrivers of mud and enemy bloodEyes in pain no loss or gainArms held back in mass attack
He won't tell you what he knowsnor why it haunts his dreamshe keeps it within, this secret pastthat hides behind silent screams
jungle wet with rain and sweatrivers of mud and enemy bloodEyes in pain no loss or gainArms held back in mass attack
Don't dare to say he never gavewhat his country asked him to givedon't tell him that you hate this placehis friends died so you could live
jungle wet with rain and sweatrivers of mud and enemy bloodEyes in pain no loss or gainArms held back in mass attack
A flag waves in bright sunlightBy soldier right, he should be proudBut he walks on by, no saluteHis patriotism is not allowed
jungle wet with rain and sweatrivers of mud and enemy bloodEyes in pain no loss or gainArms held back in mass attack
And when you come to understandThe freedom he fought to keepPerhaps it will be you my friendThat dreams the dream of soldier's sleep.
MEMORIAL DAY 1999From the US Army Memorial Day is the time for Americans to reconnect with their history and core values by honoring those who gave their lives for the ideals we cherish. Each person who died during those conflicts was a loved one cherished by family and friends. Each was a loss to the community and the nation.
The observance of this day was born of compassion and empathy in 1863. As the Civil War raged, grieving mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, and other loved ones were cleaning confederate soldiers' graves in Columbus, Mississippi, placing flowers on them. They noticed nearby the union soldiers' graves, dusty, overgrown with weeds. Grieving for their own fallen soldiers, the confederate women understood that the dead union soldiers buried nearby were the cherished loved ones of families and communities far away. They cleared the tangled brush and mud from those graves as well as their own soldiers' graves and laid flowers on them too.
Soon the tradition of a "Decoration Day" for the graves of fallen soldiers spread. On May 5,1866, when the Civil War was over, Henry Welles of Waterloo, New York, closed his drugstore and suggested that all other shops in town also close up for a day to honor all soldiers killed in the Civil War, union and confederate alike. It was a gesture of healing and reconciliation in a land ripped apart by conflict.
Sixteen years later, in 1882, the nation observed its first official Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember and honor the sacrifice of those who died in all our nation's wars.
For decades, Memorial Day was a day in our nation when stores closed and communities gathered together for a day of parades and other celebrations with a patriotic theme. Memorial Day meant ceremonies at cemeteries around the country, speeches honoring those who gave their lives, the laying of wreaths, the playing of Taps.
As Margaret Mead once said so well, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
You are doing an important thing, making a difference, by being here today. You are not forgetting the sacrifices of our soldiers. We in this country owe a great debt of gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives so that we could live free. We can start to pay that debt by not forgetting, by remembering what they did and what they stood for.
Listen to these words by Charles M. Province:
"It is the Soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us Freedom of the Press. It is the Soldier, not the poet, Who has given us Freedom of Speech. It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the Freedom to demonstrate. It is the Soldier, not the lawyer, Who has given us the right to a fair trial; And it is the Soldier--who salutes the flag, Who serves the flag, and Whose coffin is draped by the flag-- Who allows the protester to burn the flag."
Please join me in a moment of silence as we all remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Taps -(Note: there are no "official" words to Taps below are the most popular.)
Day is done,gone the sun,From the hills,from the lake,From the skies.All is well,safely rest,God is nigh. Go to sleep,peaceful sleep,May the soldieror sailor,God keep.On the landor the deep,Safe in sleep. Love, good night,Must thou go,When the day,And the nightNeed thee so?All is well.Speedeth allTo their rest. Fades the light;And afarGoeth day,And the starsShineth bright,Fare thee well;Day has gone,Night is on. Thanks and praise,For our days,'Neath the sun,Neath the stars,'Neath the sky,As we go,This we know,God is nigh.

Memorial Day Poem by Amalia Bloome

2008-05-26T11:31:00.000-07:00

A Soldiers TributeAmalia Broomeaka Poet deVine2000(c)

There's nothing different about the manas he passes you on the streeta few lines have formed along his browand he's slower on his feet
He smiles at children as they playfrowns at tattoes on a young teenan ordinary man you think?but you don't know what he as seen
jungle wet with rain and sweat
rivers of mud and enemy blood
Eyes in pain no loss or gain
Arms held back in mass attack
He won't tell you what he knowsnor why it haunts his dreamshe keeps it within, this secret pastthat hides behind silent screams
Jungle wet with rain and sweat
Rivers of mud and enemy blood
Eyes in pain no loss or gainArms held back in mass attack
Don't dare to say he never gavewhat his country asked him to givedon't tell him that you hate this placehis friends died so you could live
Jungle wet with rain and sweat
Rivers of mud and enemy blood
Eyes in pain no loss or gain
Arms held back in mass attack
A flag waves in bright sunlightBy soldier right, he should be proudBut he walks on by, no saluteHis patriotism is not allowed
jungle wet with rain and sweat rivers of mud and enemy blood eyes in pain no loss or gain arms held back in mass attack
And when you come to understandThe freedom he fought to keepPerhaps it will be you my friendThat dreams the dream of soldier's sleep.

Readings of Memorial Day

2008-05-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

Monday, May 26th, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. SLT please join us in the Reader's Garden for a brief reading by Hollyjean Allen on the nation's first Memorial Day, poems, and for an opportunity to make a difference by not forgetting the sacrifices of our soldiers. Join us on this important day in remembrance of lives lost and to reconnect with history.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island/105/176/33

Hope to see some of you there!

Best,
Sonja

New Reader's Garden Planning Commitee

2008-05-21T14:46:00.000-07:00

Congrats and thanks SO much to Leeorie Alter, Nuna Nishi, Franja Russell,Deane Oldrich, Hollyjean Allen, and Georgette Whitfield for being on our Reader's Garden Planning Committee! If there are others interested, it is not too late, please just IM me :). Our first meeting is tomorrow, Thursday, May 22nd at 6:00 SLT - this puts some folks unable to attend I know, but we'll take notes and get your ideas later.

Reader's Garden Poetry Reading

2008-04-28T05:42:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to the people that came to hear Poet Keith Ainsworth (in world as Threik Wilkinson) Sunday in the Reader's Garden. If you missed this event and wish to hear Keith (he IS really funny and affable and I'd listen to him anytime in a nano second), here are his scheduled events:

May 1, 3PM SLT-- Faeria

May 2, 3PM, -- Library of laputa

May 9, 3PM SLT,--UK Writer's Guild, Milkwood

SL Book Fair Events April 26th & 27th

2008-04-26T03:52:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

Please don't miss poet and environmentalist Keith Ainsworth reading from his newest book of poetry, The Courage of Intimacy, in the Reader's Garden, Sunday April 27th at 11:00 SLT. Hope to see you there!

Best,
Sonja

Here are other events happening:

SL Book Fair 200825-27 April Book Island and Publishing Island
EVENT AREAS: (stage sponsored by SLGuides, Virtual Learning Centre) (stage sponsored by Rez Magazine) (area sponsored by Third Life Books) (stage sponsored by sl-newspaper.com)

EVENT SCHEDULE:

Saturday 26th
6am discussion: Death Penalty, Right or Wrong? Selina Greene (Beach Area)7am tbc8am Nebbisk Oh - 'Fictionary' game where you make up definitions to fool your opponents. (Beach Area)9am Madddyyy Schnook - Marketing and Sales in virtual worlds (Book Island stage)10am Babu Writer - Amazon and POD - what's going on? (Publishing Island stage)10am Selina Greene - the RL Book publishing process - talk and Q&A (Book Island stage)11am Cricket Gears - How Art and Music Can Change the World (Cartland Court stage)12pm Trinity Dechou, Voodoo Buwan - Rez Magazine debate on inworld Publishing (Cartland Court stage)1pm Noble Charron - Characterization - the Soul of the Story - Lecture and Q&A by bestselling author, Michael A Stackpole (Beach Area)2pm Elan Neruda - Paying the Bills While Paying Your Dues: a partially practical guide to writing genre fiction for a living (Publishing Island stage)2pm-4pm Miriam Antonelli DJ (Cartland Court)3pm Madddyyy Schnook - Building for Beginners (SLGuides)4pm Diana Allandale - Promoting Yourself, from and Author's POV, workshop with author Diana Hunter (Beach Area)5pm Wilbur Rich - reading
Sunday 27th
6am discussion: What's SLove got to do with it? RL/SL relationship pleasures and pitfalls. Selina Greene (Beach Area)7am DJ Doubledown Tandino spins his signature blend of nujazz and house in a live turntable mix (Cartland Court)8am discussion - What makes a book a cult book, rather than just a good book? Selina Greene (Beach Area)9am Jilly Kidd hosts readings from writers in the Written Word group (beach area)10am Sean Voss - Author Sean Percival, The Second Life In-World Travel Guide talk, Q&A (Book Island stage) 10am Madddyyy Schbook - Building for Beginners (SLGuides)11am Simeon Beresford - Literary quiz (Book Island stage)12pm Poetry and prose readings from INKsters and ANON magazine (Publishing Island stage)1pm Kitumscheid Writer - the publishing process for illustrated books, based on experiences from her book, Pirate's Alphabet (Publishing Island stage)1pm-3pm - DJ Ravishal Bentham from Kona Radio (Cartland Court)3pm - Diana Allandale - The Ins and Outs of Writing Erotica workshop with author, Diana Hunter (Beach Area)4pm Arton Tripsa - The Writing Life: The Creation Of A Novel, a talk/Q&A with Jane Watson, author of the Hindustan Contessa (Book Island stage)5pm Closing ceremony and afterparty (Cartland Court)

Events for Reader's Garden & Traffic

2008-04-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

Some events to keep in mind for the Reader's Garden and for Bookish Folk everywhere :).

The Second Life Book Fair 08 on Book and Publishing Islands on the 25th through the 27th. Don't miss this terrific event. For information, please IM Arton Tripsa.

In the Reader's Garden, April 27th at 11:00 a.m. SLT meet author Keith Ainsworth (aka Threik Wilkinson in SL), poet of The Courage of Intimacy.

In the past four weeks, our visitor counter recorded 228 avatars visiting the Reader's Garden.

Please IM me with any questions or if you'd like to use the Reader's Garden for your own event.

Best,
Sonja

Reader's Garden Enhancing the Already Lovely

2008-02-26T06:19:00.001-08:00

Oh my. I'm in love with the Reader's Garden on Info Island. The energy, the elegance, the location - all a fortelling of great potential and to walk it is a joy. It is my fervent hope that members will log on and visit and help to greet passerbyes, leave ideas for improvement, and offer sweet murmurings of support :).

Some terrific additions - tai chi balls (which I witnessed being used yesterday and curled my toes in joy), a fountain, some pillows with interesting sit poses, and some scripts to dispense notecards and URLs. There is an unobstrusive visitor counter too (23 people visited in the past two days). I'm hoping to get some library students to act as welcomers and to offer group membership to folks.

I'm just as overjoyed to tell you that Carrie Pennell is helping in this effort and is working on some landscaping at the moment. If you see her, please thank her.

Please stop by - I think you'll find the space interactive and peaceful.

Warmth,
Sonja

Welcome our new Reader's Garden Host!

2008-02-24T14:25:00.000-08:00

I am happy to announce that Sonja Morgwain will be assuming the responsibilities of the Reader's Garden, and the Book Discussion Circle. Please be patient as we make this transition. So far things have gone smoothly, so keep your fingers crossed.

Alphonsus Peck and I have enjoyed creating the Reader's Garden, and facilitating the activities held there. Due to RL issues, it is no longer possible for us to devote the time to it that it deserves.

You will find Sonja to be enthusiastic and friendly! I am looking forward to her programming and projects.

Best wishes to you all. You may see me float through giving the occasional book talk!

Princess Ivory

Our New Home is Official

2007-10-21T13:25:00.000-07:00

We have completely vacated our former home in Cybrary City II, and are now located on Info Island. We are still rebuilding sections of the Garden, but the patio is available for book discussions and other literary events.

Please come visit us in our new home!

Book Discussion Scheduled for Friday September 14, 2007

2007-09-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

Melissa Perreault will host a book discussion on A Thousand Splendid Suns by Kahled Hosseini. The discussion will take place on Friday, September 14th at 5pm SLT, in the Reader's Garden. We hope that you will be able to join Melissa and the members of her Virtual Book Group for the discussion.
Contact Princess Ivory or Melissa Perreault for more information.

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Afghan-American novelist Hosseini follows up his bestselling The Kite Runner with another searing epic of Afghanistan in turmoil. The story covers three decades of anti-Soviet jihad, civil war and Taliban tyranny through the lives of two women. Mariam is the scorned illegitimate daughter of a wealthy businessman, forced at age 15 into marrying the 40-year-old Rasheed, who grows increasingly brutal as she fails to produce a child. Eighteen later, Rasheed takes another wife, 14-year-old Laila, a smart and spirited girl whose only other options, after her parents are killed by rocket fire, are prostitution or starvation. Against a backdrop of unending war, Mariam and Laila become allies in an asymmetrical battle with Rasheed, whose violent misogyny—"There was no cursing, no screaming, no pleading, no surprised yelps, only the systematic business of beating and being beaten"—is endorsed by custom and law. Hosseini gives a forceful but nuanced portrait of a patriarchal despotism where women are agonizingly dependent on fathers, husbands and especially sons, the bearing of male children being their sole path to social status. His tale is a powerful, harrowing depiction of Afghanistan, but also a lyrical evocation of the lives and enduring hopes of its resilient characters. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Book Discussion Scheduled for Friday August 17, 2007

2007-08-10T07:19:00.001-07:00

Melissa Perreault will host a book discussion on The Kite Runner by Kahled Hosseini. The discussion will take place on Friday, August 17th at 5pm SLT, in the Reader's Garden. We hope that you will be able to join Melissa and the members of her Virtual Book Group for the discussion.
Contact Princess Ivory or Melissa Perreault for more information.

Harry Potter: How Will it End? This Sat 7/14. Don't Forget!!!

2007-07-11T09:50:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to join us for this very special discussion about the conclusion of the Harry Potter series. Gather together with other fans, and talk about how you think the final book will end, and why.Scheduled for one week before the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Saturday, July 14, 2007. 12pm SLT.Reader's Garden. Cybrary City II (38, 244, 22)
Contact Princess Ivory for more information.

Please dress in costume if you'd like to!

Book Discussion Scheduled for Sunday July 15, 2007

2007-06-30T19:18:00.000-07:00

Zippedy Zabelin will present a discussion on Changeling : the Autobiography of Mike Oldfield. This discussion is sponsored by Tubular.net.
Contact Princess Ivory for more information.

Thrust into the limelight at the age of 19 with the success of his debut album Tubular Bells, Mike recounts the challenges of his life, including a difficult childhood, his feelings of being an outsider, and his mental and emotional struggles as he comes to terms with all of it. It is a story of courage, survival, acceptance and most of all, hope.

Book Discussion Scheduled for Friday July 13, 2007

2007-06-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

Melissa Perreault will host a book discussion on McCarthy's Bar: a journey of discovery in Ireland, by Pete McCarthy. The discussion will take place on Friday, July 13th at 5pm SLT, in the Reader's Garden. We hope that you will be able to join Melissa and the members of her Virtual Book Group for the discussion.

Contact Princess Ivory for more information.

Book Discussion Scheduled for Friday June 29, 2007

2007-06-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

Ira Hyun will host a book discussion on Conversations with God, an Uncommon Dialog, by Neale Donald Walsch.. The discussion will take place on Friday, June 29 at 5pm SLT, in the Reader's Garden. We hope that you will be able to join Ira and the members of the Book Discussion Circle for the discussion.
Contact Princess Ivory for more information.

How Will it End? Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007-06-05T21:39:00.000-07:00

Join us for this very special discussion about the conclusion of the Harry Potter series. Gather together with other fans, and talk about how you think the final book will end, and why.
Scheduled for one week before the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Saturday, July 14, 2007. 12pm SLT.
Reader's Garden. Cybrary City II (38, 244, 22)

Contact Princess Ivory for more information.

Book Discussion Scheduled for Friday June 8, 2007

2007-05-19T12:20:00.001-07:00

Melissa Perreault will host a book discussion on Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver. The discussion will take place on Friday, June 8th at 5pm SLT, in the Reader's Garden. We hope that you will be able to join Melissa and the members of her Virtual Book Group for the discussion.
Contact Princess Ivory for more information.

Book Discussion Scheduled for Saturday May 26, 2007

2007-05-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

Alphonsus Peck will host a book discussion on Lamb: the Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal, by Christopher Moore. The discussion will take place on Saturday, May 26th at 6pm SLT, in the Reader's Garden. We hope that you will be able to join Alphonsus and the members of the Book Discussion Circle for the discussion.
Contact Princess Ivory for more information.

Book Discussion Scheduled for Sunday May 20, 2007.

2007-05-17T21:37:00.000-07:00

Gardenia Mills will host a book discussion on the classic Chinese text, Tao Te Ching by Lao-Tzu. The discussion will take place on Sunday, May 20th at 6pm SLT, in the Reader's Garden. We hope that you will be able to join us for this special event as we celebrate the one-year anniversary of Alliance Second Life Library 2.0.

Contact Princess Ivory for more information.

Celebrate the first anniversary of Alliance Second Life Library 2.0

2007-05-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

Join us Friday May 18-Sunday May 20 for an open house here in the Reader's Garden to celebrate the first anniversary of Alliance Second Life Library 2.0. SL Author Mykyl Nordwind will have copies of her books and other free books available, and the garden will be open to the public to visit and enjoy.
Please stop by and visit with other book lovers of Second Life!

There will be events taking place throughout the library community. Notecards with landmarks are available at welcome centers on Info Island I and II, and Cybrary City I and II.

Book Discussion scheduled for May 11th

2007-04-25T19:23:00.000-07:00

Melissa Perreault will host a book discussion on Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver. The discussion will take place on Friday, May 11th at 5pm SLT, in the Reader's Garden. We hope that you will be able to join Melissa and the members of her Virtual Book Group for the discussion.

Book Discussion scheduled for April 13th.

2007-04-03T19:08:00.000-07:00

Melissa Perreault will host a book discussion on The Road by Cormac McCarthy. The discussion will take place on Friday, April 13th at 5pm SLT, in the Reader's Garden. We hope that you will be able to join Melissa and the members of her Virtual Book Group for the discussion.