The Open Page

2009-04-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

April is Poetry Month!
Everyone!
Please submit your original poetry, art, photography, songs, and stories for display at the Mariposa County Library during the month of April. All entries will be included in our 2009 anthology. All participants will receive a copy of our book!
Entries should be suitable for all ages.

Also: Please come celebrate the 8th annual Cowboy Poetry Week at the Library on April 23 from 3:30-4:30. Cowboy Poet Wendy Brown-Barry will be performing and giving suggestions on how to write your own Cowboy Poetry.

TEEN GAME DAY AT THE LIBRARY

2009-01-08T10:24:00.000-08:00

Teens & kids!

Mariposa County Library is hosting an afternoon of food, fun and games every 4th Wednesday of the month from 3:00-6:00.

*Wii
*Dungeons and Dragons
*Pictureka
*Stratego
*Chess
*Checkers
*Life
*Risk
*Scrabble
*Clue
*Monopoly
*Movies

The teen coucil meets at the same time. If you would like to help plan upcoming activities and recommend items to be purchased for the teen section in the library, please stop by!

Bring a friend!

2008-05-09T11:40:00.000-07:00

Do you see her?
up in that tree
what she’s feeling
is alive and free.
Just sitting there
without a care,
wind flowing gently
through her hair.
Lots of people stop
and stare!
Look really closely
can it be? Yes! yes,
that girl is ME!

by Sadie Good

In Protest of Growing Old

2008-05-03T14:20:00.001-07:00

I do not want to grow old
I do not want to be told
“Granny, sit there in your chair.
Do not go anywhere!”
I do not want recyclable knees.
Or teeth that talk back when I sneeze.
I do not want draperies for skin
Or prickly steel wool on my chin.
Daughter, dear, with parts like
new
I’d rather grow young like you.

K.D.

Jackass Lake, Ansel Adams Wilderness photo by Ralph Nichols

2008-05-01T17:51:00.000-07:00

A Christian's Hope by Emily Croft

2008-05-01T15:25:00.000-07:00

The Lord will save me
And be my light.
Strength is my key
When I’m given to fright.

When I read Your Word,
Please deepen my sight;
Your truths will I gird;
It’s my deepest delight.

When Heaven’s gates will raise,
We’ll all go marching in.
His holy name we’ll praise,
Away with all our sin!

Easter - The Rhymes by AnnaRose Chaney

2008-05-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

This is the day
When Jesus was born
A joyful time
A loving rhyme.

This is the day
Jesus was crucified
A heart breaking time
An unpleasant rhyme.

This is the day
Jesus arose
a wonderful time
a singing rhyme!

Choices by Mrs. Melanie Rairigh

2008-05-01T09:11:00.000-07:00

We are but passing ships in
the ocean of life.
Greetings of love or
greetings of strife?
A single word or act of kindness
Can enlighten a heart
from blindness.

Just as ships send out ripples
as they move along.
Each smile or frown
that we pass on
Affects those who observe them around.

Who taught us of love?
The Almighty is He,
Who gave us His Son
To die on a tree.

Holiday in the Park by Darren Shull

2008-05-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

It is Monday morning and it’s Labor Day. Today is going to be all over-
time pay. I hop in my truck and off to Yosemite I go, But the traffic
is so bad you really got to drive slow. While driving in the Park there
are a few things you learn. You better watch out when you go
around the turns. For if you’re not careful, you just might find One
of those giant RVs across the yellow lines, And that’s not all, you
just might meet. You’ll find one of those stupid tourists stopped in the
street. They stop to take a picture or just to read a map. You wish
you can give them a giant slap. For they are all on vacation, and
they forgot to
pack their brains, It is enough to drive you totally insane.
About the time you want to go postal and run them all over
You got to stop and think it all over. If it wasn’t for those poor
unfortunate slobs You wouldn’t even have this job, So you take a
deep breath and count to ten, and then try to start all over again.

Sunrise in Yosemite by Darren Shull

2008-04-30T17:01:00.000-07:00

As I watch the night turns to day, The darken sky turn a bluish-
gray.

Silhouettes of mountain and trees, Are the only things at this time
you can see. Then an orange glow on the horizon appear, As the
stars slowly disappear. The meadow glistens in the morning light,
Like the start once did that earlier that night. Herd of deer graze
on the dew covered grass, As they drink from a river that is clear
as glass. Wild flowers of all kind, In colors that will blow your
mind. Just beyond the meadow stands Lambert Dome, Where
the yellow belly marmot makes his home. There he will be
sunning himself in the sun’s rays, Before he goes and hides the
rest of the day. People come from world wide, Just to hike it
country side. From the majestic water falls in the valley below, To
the high mountain peaks covered in snow. From the giant
redwood trees to Hetch Hetchy, You will scarcely find a prettier
place to be, Than a sunrise in Yosemite.

Arch Rock Cabo San Lucas Sunrise photo by William Brown

2008-04-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

Dolphin off coast of Cabo San Lucas photo by William Brown

2008-04-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

Maui Pineapple field photo by William Brown

2008-04-24T13:57:00.000-07:00

Puerta Vallarta sunset heading out to sea photo by William Brown

2008-04-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

Maui Sea Turtle photo by William Brown

2008-04-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

Hoof Beats of Life on Paper by Grace A. Cassady

2008-04-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

Hoof beats of life on paper galloping wild and free.
Hoof beats of life on paper, Oh! What a wonderful sound!
Hoof beats of life on paper; they are quickly covering ground.
Running so free like a madman.
As fast as the wind or the waves.
Galloping, galloping, galloping.
Coming around again.
Run for your lives, they are coming!
Stand still and watch the wake.
Galloping, galloping, galloping.
Heart beats as fast as hoof beats.
And now they are fading away.
Somewhere off in the distance,
Hoof beats are fading away.

A Tribute to Kara Perea by Sadie Good

2008-04-18T15:32:00.000-07:00

We are friends –
u cry … I cry
u laugh … I laugh
u goof off … I goof off
u smile … I smile
u jump off a bridge …..
I’m sure gonna miss u!

Joe the Black Bear Cub by Tracey Anthonijsz

2008-04-17T16:11:00.000-07:00

There was a black bear cub, he was afraid of the dark
He lived in a place called Yosemite Park

His mother would tell him, “Joe, you’ll be alright”
But that did not help, once it was night

He peeked from his cave, and saw the bright moon
He ran back to his mother, and prayed for light, soon

But mother was asleep, and Joe was not yet sleepy
And the sounds of the night made Joe get weepy

He heard a hoot owl and a coyote or two
Mother was still sleeping, what could Joe do?

He heard a loud crack, right outside the cave
And for the first time, Joe became brave

He decided to go look and see what it was
When he got outside, he saw giant paws

He followed them up to see to whom they belonged
He saw they were his father’s, for whom Joe had longed

“Father you’re back”, cried Joe in surprise
Mother awoke when she heard Joe’s cries

They hugged as a family, for the first time in awhile
It warmed mother’s heart to see her Joe smile

No longer would Joe fear the dark
And he felt right at home in Yosemite Park

The Twig by Geneva Callegari

2008-04-17T16:02:00.000-07:00

Tiny trusting fingers
Innocent eyes
Smiles of delight
Shrieks of surprise

Deep concentration
Learning to tie
Trying to be brave
Trying not to cry

Disappointment
Disbelief
Mothers arms
Sweet relief

Christmas magic
Santa’s beard
Overcoming
Childhood fear

The first friend
Learning to share
Treasured possessions
Learning to care

The first heartbreak
Lost hope
Bouncing back
Learning to cope

With life’s complexity
Innocence fading
Carrying on
Undaunted expectancy

In the year of the child

Meditation by Geneva Callegari

2008-04-17T15:42:00.000-07:00

In a garden of tranquility
Beyond the realm of time
In an inner glowing aura
Of the meditating mind

Cobwebs are swept away
And cares of the world
Are left behind

A lovely secret door
And nerves stretching taut
As a violin string
Can unwind
And allow the spirit to soar

To the pure white sand
Of a far away beach
Beneath the swaying Palms
And the slow heartbeat of peace
Is felt as a soothing balm

And fragrant Orchids bloom
In exquisite perfusion
Who is there to say
It’s only an illusion?

Celebration of Life by Geneva Callegari

2008-04-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

A subtle hint of first light
heralds the coming dawn
and with salient stealth
creeps across the eiderdown

Disturbing the pattern of brain wave
where dreams hold sway
and stealing away the night
to present a fresh day

A reluctant stirring of senses
and sudden awareness of the gift
what joy to view the morning light
the pulse of life full tilt

What joy, though aching bones protest
Will this one be like all the rest?
no, pure and untarnished yet
no bitter dregs of sad regret

What gift to offer in return?
What promises to keep
fulfilled at sunset, satisfied
praise be no call to weep

A virgin mountain to climb
with body and with spirit
The song of life can still be heard
with all who will to hear it

Oh not to waken on the morrow
With deeds undone and words unsaid
with bridges burned, no turning back
the hands of time for what we lack
and regret the loss with profound sorrow
of yesterday that’s dead

For a day in time, no greater treasure
so pay the debt in fullest measure
For the day is lost, we find in shock
in measured minutes counted by the clock

This day may be the last
for time is passing fast
So fling the window open wide
and bid the morning come inside

Me and My Girlfriend by Juan L. Gonzales

2008-04-12T15:05:00.000-07:00

Well, me and my girlfriend
We went up to the mountains
To play around a little
And do a bit of something
And before I knew it
She had me cutting some wood

Well at first I admit, I kind of liked it
Though my back was breaking
I couldn’t stop it
‘Cause my sweet mama, she was helping me too

Well, I was just about done
When my neighbor came over
He said “You’ve done a good job
Maybe someday you’ll come over.”
He had a lot full of trees
And he wanted them gone… yeah

Well, me and my girlfriend
We went up to the mountains
To play around a little
And do a bit of something
And before I knew it
She had me cutting some wood

Well, me and my girlfriend
We went up to the mountains
To play around a little
And do a bit of something

And before I knew it
We were cutting some wood
Yeah, before I knew it
We were cutting some wood……….end

Bunny Rabbits

2008-04-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

Bunny rabbits hop to
and fro.
If I were a bunny I
would go…

… to a hole. Celiana
…under a tree. Claire
… to the store to buy carrots. Atumn
… to a rabbit nest. Gabby
… to a video store. Landon
... under a lady bug. Ryan
… into my house. Brooklyn
…to a dance contest. Megan
… to the zoo. Skylar
… to a tree house. Jade
… under a bush. Madison
... into the forest. Raquel
… into my hole. Quenton

by Mariposa Kiwanis Preschool Academy
(adapted from the Mailbox, Circle Time Parade)

Ode to Lisa by Kirk Ramos

2008-04-11T15:08:00.000-07:00

Gentle as the zephyr
Brilliant as the sun
Absolute in its purity
Is that which flows from her soul

Bountiful as the ocean
Radiant as the moon
Sparkling as the mountain spring
Is that which flows from her heart

Captivating as the lightning bolt
Passionate as the flame
Resolute as the semperviren
Is that which is her love

My Pony's Nap by a. Kerkling

2008-04-11T14:08:00.002-07:00

Every day sun or shady
She lay in the spot where perhaps
The sun maybe would shine --
Taking her nap -- in expectation sublime.
If it happened to rain she might
rise fairly early from her nap
But -- she daily visited her spot --
to take her nap !

My Cat by d. chaney

2008-04-11T14:08:00.001-07:00

Pitter patter, Pitter patter
Pitter, pitter, pat
Velvet paws gliding silent
Leaping on my lap.

Arms outstretched, claws extent
Kneading me like dough
Piston action back and forth
Purring softly, slow.

Begging, pleading for a pet
Standing on back toes
Sidling up to nudge my face
Kiss upon my nose.

Stroking, stroking head to tail
Purring double time
Like a motor revving up
In ecstasy and rhyme.

So euphoric is my cat
Curled upon my lap
Gently purring as he sleeps
Contented little nap!

Golden Years by d. chaney

2008-04-11T14:07:00.000-07:00

For Grandpa Bill & Grandmas Bertha & Theresa

I’ve grown old, my eyes are dim
My hair has turned to gray
I may not hear distinctly
Sometimes I lose my way.
Time keeps on its forward march
My body loses strength
All the days ordained for me
Have drawn upon their length.

Yet what you see before you
Is just the outside shell
Beneath the wearing substance
there’s much that I could tell.
For I remember details
The child I used to be
And there are wondrous stories
In my mind’s eye I see.

Though my body’s lost its youth
My heart is as before
And all the things you dream of
are in my hopes still more.
I yearn to stay productive
Contribute to the end
I haven’t lost my need for love
Nor gentle hands to mend.

And there are words of wisdom
Because of all the years
I see the path before you
would spare you many tears.
Please look beneath the wrinkles
The crippled hands and feet
For I have much to offer
Each time we’re blessed to meet.

Worm and Butterfly by Judy J. Hanson

2008-04-11T13:06:00.000-07:00

There once was a worm all safe, snug and warm
Inside a cocoon shielded from harm.
One day it awoke feeling not quite “up to par”.
Yawning and stretching from near to far.
It was then that it noticed two bumps that were growing.
It needed to investigate so it could be knowing
Just what was up there. When on his back there was a flutter
Bigger bumps had appeared. This caused him to studder!
He spun his head around to see about those things.
Why, underneath those two b-b-big bumps were some
b-b-beautiful wings!
“Oh No!” said the worm now quite in a ponder.
“Do I stay here all safe? Or do I wander
Out in a strange world where I may not be happy?”
A decision is needed and it better be snappy!
It thought for awhile about the things it might miss.
Like the roar of the ocean,
the sun’s warm, yellow kiss,
The green grass of summer,
The sweet flowers in spring,
The fresh smell of rain drops,
and may more things…
It knew of these things but only in its mind’s eye.
So it took the BIG step and decided to Fly!
It spread those new wings, saw how strong they could be
Ventured out into the open to see what it could see.
The cocoon was in pieces falling down to the ground.
Leaving the worm exposed to new sights and sound.
It was rather surprised it felt comfort and ease.
The big world wasn’t that scary, why look at those trees!
Now in just a very short time, I can soar to the top,
See the world from that view and discover a place
That the rest of you knew
would be so safe, warm, fuzzy and fine.
A place I would love and cherish as mine.
So now you will know when you see in the sky
A butterfly flying you’ll know just why,
It decided to leave the cocoon safe and warm
Where it felt so secure, shielded from harm.
Cause it wanted to know about other places,
See the smiles on our lips and the look on our faces,
When we realized that what once was a Worm
Has taken the chance and made the right turn
To become all it could be, spread its wings,
dare to fly and is now the most
beautiful, brave
BUTTERFLY!

photo by Audrey Kee

2008-04-11T12:50:00.000-07:00

The Rose by Audrey Kee

2008-04-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

Life’s pathway is a bed of roses
Filled with sweet fragrances
Colors of every hue tantalize the eye
Soft and silky as the rose petal
And along the stem come the thorns
To prick your fingers.

Life has a way of planting special roses
Along one’s pathway
For one to encounter and savor
At those times that life
Pricks one’s finger.
As if to say “Look beyond the hurt
To see, to feel, to smell the beauty of the rose.”

Though the life of the rose may be short
Let its lessons be long lived
So that one may enjoy
The beauty of the rose forever.

photo by Audrey Kee

2008-04-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

The Magic Cape by Lydia Radonic age 9

2008-04-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

Late in the middle of the night I saw something flying over me. I felt a little weird. But after a while it was morning. I could see what had been gliding over me last night. It looked like a butterfly. It had glittery silver and gold wings that shimmered.
The butterfly said it had a beautiful present for me. She wanted me to look at my chair. So, I looked at my chair and on it was a cape. It had lots of butterflies on it that made it really appealing. I put it on as fast as a wink, it made me invisible. I was amazed and gasped, “Thank you!” to the butterfly.
I ran down the stairs and into the kitchen to tell my dad. He was making coffee. We both said good morning to each other. I showed him the cape I was holding. He exclaimed, “Where did you get that cape?”
“This morning a butterfly gave me a cape. I put it on and it made me invisible. “Isn’t that cool, dad?” My dad said it was very cool. My dad said, “I want one!”
So I asked the butterfly that gave me the cape if she could make one for my dad. She said she could. That night the butterfly knitted my dad a cape. In the morning it was finished. I ran to my dad’s bedroom to show him the cape. It had trucks and tractors all over it.
My dad said thank you to the butterfly. We all had fun being invisible.

photo by Audrey Kee

2008-04-11T11:17:00.001-07:00

My Freedom by Carol M. Graychik

2008-04-11T11:15:00.000-07:00

I love to look at the beautiful sky
And see the birds up there.
To see a sparkling brook roll by
And breath fresh mountain air.

To hear the whisper of the winds
Rush through the forest trees.
And stand upon a sandy beach
And smell the ocean breeze.

The glorious Rockies so majestic
them I also love.
Just to lay upon the earth
And count the stars above.

I love my children and my home
they give me so much pleasure
My husband whom I walk beside
To me he is a treasure.

But most of all it’s you dear Lord
I really hope to see.
To stand before you in your Kingdom,
And live eternally.

photo by Audrey Kee

2008-04-11T11:09:00.000-07:00

Granite/ hawks by Daniel Williams

2008-04-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

Whatever this is
It certainly won’t fade
As a meteor death unless
With comet purpose it explodes
Itself into granite rap below

Perhaps this stone is frozen flight
Metallic as a thousand hawks their
Power poised and balanced
circling eternal in ice-gouged rock

Easy enough as crystalline cage terminus
Through which a smashing bird
Might join the flight of its brothers

Easy enough as wing slices air

Wafting these walls above the plane
Such simple grace within their bonds
Forgetting all they knew of pain
Carrying earth through heaven

photo by Kirk Ramos

2008-04-11T11:06:00.000-07:00

Frogs in a Swale near the Wawona Library by Daniel Williams

2008-04-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

Early spring they rivet
From behind granite boulders
You can’t see them
Encircled by tall sedges
At the end of the library
Parking lot

At first undecided
You stop in your steps
Trying to choose between
Two books of interest-
One the library
The other the natural world

If you step through glass doors
Serious tomes quiet with ideas
To be perceived
If you trudge over
To the frogs’ pond
rhythmic voices suddenly
Silenced
As your shadow or footfall
Precedes you

Silence
The green world’s wisdom
Protecting its creatures from
Coyote owl or hawk

In the library
Its books waiting to leap
Down from its shelves
a sign tells you
You must be silent
If you would fall prey
To them

photo by Kirk Ramos

2008-04-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

Basketweaver of Ahwahnee by Daniel Williams

2008-04-11T10:54:00.001-07:00

(hikah.molt.pok.su)

for Totuya

Your naked feet unaware
Flex in time with the work
Of your hands

Quick brown hands
Fleet as deer upon
Wicker hillsides

They too browse bracken
Bunchgrass redbud
Willow

They too move like wind
Selecting that which moves
Gently on water

Choose that which will bend
To lessons of
Your fingers

Will come to be richly woven
Words of ancient ones
Spoken in you

Through the mouths
Of your baskets

photo by Kirk Ramos

2008-04-11T10:52:00.000-07:00

A Journey by Cris DeHart

2008-04-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

Some days are just days. And some days you discover something special leading to a truly memorable experience. My husband and I were coming back from Madera one Sunday when I suggested we head over to Mariposa on a side road out of Raymond. We enjoy adventures and had a few hours, so we turned onto Ben Hur Road and started on what turned out to be a longer journey than either of us expected - a journey back in time.

As we traveled down this road, it narrowed and grew less civilized. We entered a country side breathtakingly peaceful in its simplicity, seeing trees, meadows, creeks, and dirt roads seemingly untouched by anyone over the years. The trees were those of the past; the kind you could almost see a tired cowboy standing under after a long ride, catching a bit of shade for himself and his horse, returning home after taking the herd up to the fresh, longer grasses of the higher Sierra.

The rolling hills where farmers had decided to homestead were civilly divided by miles-long stretches of fieldstone fence, staking claim to the pastures of the West. We looked upon this craggy, snaking line in the golden grass with amazement at the time it must have taken to clear the fields of these stones and to stack them so that they would remain as such for 100 years or more. We thought of the pioneers and their families, working so much harder than we could ever imagine, living for the day, while proudly building the future for their children.

Then we came upon the Pea Ridge Cemetery and stopped to see the names of the people who had been here before us. Erected at random were 15 or so gravestones, some still standing strong, some slightly askew, set by loved ones many years ago. The cemetery sat upon a hill and a slight breeze rustled the branches of the old oak overhead and the grasses underfoot.

I imagined a husband telling his wife as they rested here one day: “Wife, when it is God’s will that I return to His side, rest my earthly body at this spot. When you visit, you will hear my voice in this cool breeze and remember the love we shared.” She followed his wishes.

The tombstones told their stories. Some lived to the age of 87, some were babies, and some foreseers of the future. One stone bore an unforgettable epitaph:
“Remember, Man, as you pass by,
As you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, so you shall be.
So prepare for death, and follow me.”

As the breezes picked up, we found our way slowly back to the car, a vehicle out of context in this afternoon of exploring the past. We moved onward to Mariposa, and crept somewhat reluctantly towards 2008 as we journeyed forth, leaving the pioneers back in their peaceful valley. Perhaps we will meet again, somewhere down the road of time.

Circle 9 Ranch photo by Kirk Ramos

2008-04-11T10:45:00.000-07:00

Poetry Month

2008-04-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

Calling All Poets/Artists/Writers
Poets, writers, artists, photographers and song writers of all ages are invited to submit their work for display at the Mariposa County Library during the month of April, which has been designated National Poetry Month. The work will later be bound into a 2008 anthology, and each contributor will receive a copy. This year, a contest is also being held to select a title and cover artwork for the anthology. The winners will each be awarded a prize of a $25 gift certificate to Windows on the World Book Store in Mariposa.
The deadline to submit contributions to the anthology and the cover contest is Wednesday, April 30 at 5 p.m. Winners will be announced on May 5. Content must be original and suitable for all age levels to be considered. Written work, including short stories, memoirs, poems and songs, should be limited to 500 words and preferably submitted either by e-mail or on floppy disk or CD, although neatly hand written material will also be accepted. Scanned artwork is preferred; however, original pieces up to 11"x17" will be accepted, as well as photographs of original 3-dimensional art. For more information or to submit contributions, contact Katie Hertfelder at katie.hertfelder@sjvls.org or 209-966-2140.

Poetry Month

2008-04-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

April is Poetry Month!

Everyone!
Please submit your original poetry, art, photography, songs, and stories for display at the Mariposa County Library during the month of April. All entries will be included in our 2008 anthology. All participants will receive a copy of our book!

Entries should be suitable for all ages, please.

2007-05-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

MY DADDY
by Hannah Sizemore

My Daddy is big and strong
he’s always right he’s never wrong;
My Daddy cares for me all day long
no matter what comes along.
He’s there when I need him
and he’s there for all of us who need him too.
I love my Daddy.
My Daddy comes home at 4:00 each day. When he comes home he’s bright and gay.
He likes to tease and make us laugh.
He even likes to make fun of the big round calf.
I love my Daddy.

2007-05-17T16:51:00.000-07:00

MARIPOSA COUNTY LIBRARY
2007
SUMMER READING PROGRAM FOR TEENS

JUNE 20-
AUGUST 15

*PRIZES*
EVERY 200 PAGES:
*DELICIOUS TREAT

REACH A TOTAL OF 1000 PAGES:
*PAPERBACK BOOK

REACH 3000 PAGES:
*ENTER GRAND PRIZE DRAWING FOR A CHANCE TO WIN:

*MINI IPOD!
*GIFT CERTIFICATE
*HARDBACK BOOK SET

LIMITS:
200 PAGES PER DAY
3 PAPERBACK PRIZE BOOKS
1 TICKET IN DRAWING

PLEASE JOIN US!

2007-05-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

YOU WONDER WHO YOU ARE
by Juanita Vigil

You wonder who you are
For so long you've been a lie.
The only reality left-
Are the very tears you cry.

"I'm sorry" they all said.
But you knew they did not care.
And the moment you stopped laughing
They were no longer there.

You may fear the darkness,
But it is the light that you still flee.
The pain is so blinding now
That you can no longer see.

You pray it is not real.
But you feel it is too late.
You sit amidst the silence
Of your misery and self-hate.

You see through a haze of shame,
But you see another soul.
Trapped in the very demons
To whom you passed control.

You long to rescue them.
But the distance is too much.
And how can you touch a life
When you yourself cannot be touched?

2007-05-09T13:55:00.000-07:00

POSTER CONTEST!

Where?
At the Mariposa County Library
*Come up with the best Summer Reading theme for Teens
*Ages 12-17 years may participate
*Any size poster board
*Winner recieves $50.00
*Judges will be the Library Staff
*Posters must be submitted to the Mariposa County Library by May 31st!

*Your poster and ideas will be used as the theme for the 2007 Summer Reading Program for Teens - Good Luck!!

(The winner will be notified on June 3rd)

2007-05-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

PAINTED VALLEY
by Mika Pieper-White

There is a valley
filled with orange
That has no back road alleys
where little blossoms lay
behind a painted hill.
It only had one road
in and out
But that road had a heavy load
People would yell and shout
And disturb nature's serenity
You can call it the golden valley
or you could say
The valley of poppies
But as for me
I just call it the Yosemite Key!

POETRY MONTH

2007-05-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

April was Poetry Month at the Mariposa County Library.
This year, since we haven't yet recieved enough poems to make up a book, Poetry Month will be extended into May. There are still plenty of gift certificates left! Teenagers, please submit your poetry to the library in person or by email to katie.hertfelder@sjvls.org . Here are the excellent poems we have recieved so far:

MY REMINDER

by Derek Strock

Can you feel it

pulsating through your veins

Love - the purest form of life

meaningless words said

small looks spared

to find out in the end

you lost one of your closest friends

One action to another

You still want to wonder

If you couldn't have turned back

Would you have went forward

SOMEDAY

by Derek Strock

Here's to holding caskets of old friends

When the death of a new day ends

the sun will rise to all but your eyes

I wil be there someday

Laying six feet under souls can't be heard

standing atop such a shallow grave

Left inside such a deep place

the angels draw their swords

the demons pull knives

All at war for one soul

THE WORD LOVE

by Derek Strock

Love - what does this mean

so commonly used

yet so rare to find

a look of lust

when dawn turns to dust

The color of your eyes

mixed into the jet black sky

a couple of letters

a few dates

mixed with a passionate kiss

to walk on water

to walk on coals

to find your calling Love

I will fight even the heavens above

my body grows cold

my sight becomes dim

please lead me with your light

please take me in

GIVE

by Derek Strock

Give away your life

to better your heart

one final lament

our last chance

look up to a cloudy sky

Close your eyes

let out a forsaken prayer

A silent scream

all you hear is an echo

inside this hollow ground

the flood gates have opened

you feel your life pulse

with every beat of her heart

The center of our world

THE MEMORIES

by Amanda Adams

Memories flow

like the stream that flows into my hand.

They seem so recent,

but they are so far away.

They're almost like dreams

but really, they are reality.

They make my heart flutter

but at the same time,

my heart breaks along with my soul.

At the time, I loved these memories.

But now, I loathe them.

My soul screams at these images

when my heart longs for them.

They call out to me

as if they are a human being.

A part of me wants to re-live them,

but a damaged part wants them to disappear.

The reflections I see

in this stream that flows into my hand are only

my sweet dreams that are true.

They are only

the memories.

MY STRANGE CLIENT

by Rebecca Adams

I have a giant for a client.

His name is Bryant.

He likes ice with rice

and a slice of dice.

He is not an early bird

but he is a

mocking bird.

He has a pillow that is an

armadillo.

He has a pet

pirhanna. Her name is

Donna. He gets

stage fright when

watching Snow White.

He can also do a cartwheel

while eating oatmeal.

If you ask me, I will

agree he is a strange client

but what can I say. He is a giant.

EARTH

by Alex Bauer

The Earth is a beautiful non-disgraceful place

Every minute, every second, cannot be retraced

Sometimes it is not fair, it can be really bitter

Just remember one thing......do not LITTER!

To be chosen to live here is a very special thing.

So grab some wings to fly along while you listen to the

birds sing.

It's not all about nature; it's about the people too.

We respect them, we protect them, and help them make it

through.

This big ball spinning round and round is filled with love

and care. Sometimes it has its ups and downs, but we

should never despair.

We want your stuff!!!

2007-01-26T16:31:00.000-08:00

If you have anything that you would like to be posted on the blog, just send it to gtphil@gmail.com. We'll take pictures, stories, movie reviews, news articles, etc.

Yale Update

2007-01-25T15:03:00.000-08:00

By Phil Vigil

After training Yale for 16 months, I had to take him back to Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. for testing. The testing by Guide Dogs, Inc. consists of 10 phases. Yale is currently in phase three. He passed phase one, which is just a physical exam. He then continued through phase two, which consists of distractions and basic training. Now he is being trained in shopping malls, on obstacle courses, and with new training commands. After phase three he will continue to be tested with sidewalks, busy streets, and different types of surfaces. In the final phases he will be working with an instructor, who will be wearing a blindfold.
Part of me hopes Yale gets to phase 10 and passes, but even a small detail could cause him to fail. I would love to have him back, so I am kind of hoping he fails. Yale was one of my best dogs. He had a great personality. He was calm and rarely distracted by other dogs or inanimate objects. He loved people and followed us everywhere. Sadly, I probably won't be able to raise another guide dog because I am getting more and more busy with school and 4-H All Stars.
Raising guide dogs has been fun and rewarding. I encourage anyone to do this, and you might get a free dog!

Enna, the Christian Witness

2006-11-16T15:21:00.000-08:00

A short story by Sarah Sizemore

There was a small Christian family, who had a teenage daughter named Enna, who had some hard times. Her class at school had a writing contest. The students who won would be able to go to camp. So, Enna decided to write a Christian story about her childhood. The very next day, she turned it in. After school, she got sent to the principal. The principal handed her a card. When Enna got home, she read the card, and she won!She started packing. Then came the time for Enna to leave for camp. She finally got there. When Enna got out of the bus, she saw a teenage girl crying on a bench.
Enna asked the girl, "What's wrong?"
The girl answered, " My daddy sent me away to this camp."
Enna replied, "I've been to this camp a hundred times. Maybe I could show you around. My name's Enna Blakson. What's your's?"
"My name's Lucy Nelson."
They took an hour tour, then went back to the bench. Something popped into Enna's mind, then she said it: "Are you a Christian believer?"
"No. My family isn't either," Lucy replied.
"May I tell you how you can become a believer?"
"Go ahead, if you like".
Enna read the Bible to her for an hour, then told her how to be saved. They prayed The Sinners Prayer.
Two weeks later, Lucy's parents came to pick her up. Enna told them that she showed Lucy how to become a Christian. They stood there for a second, then asked how they could become Christians. Enna read the whole Bible to them, then showed them how can they be saved. They finally finished praying when Enna had to leave for home. When Enna arrived at home, she told her parents what happened at camp. Enna decided to write an essay about what she did at camp.
Enna's birthday was coming up. Her mom said she could invite three friends and one family over. She chose her three best friends and Lucy Nelson's family.On Sunday morning, a missionary came to their church. He was a missionary to China. He talked about how the Chinese people have a thirst for everlasting water. Enna decided when she got older she would be a school teacher.
Two years later, while Enna was in college, Lucy got a really bad cancer. She had already had it for one year. Enna got word that Lucy passed away while opening Christmas presents on Christmas Day. Enna cared that her friend died. She was sad at heart but didn't show it. She knew Lucy was going to be with her Heavenly Father. (To be continued...)

Star Blogs Episode IDUNNO:Return of the Jesse

2006-11-09T16:19:00.000-08:00

by The Way

Y quef ioud! Jesse's back! Yes, Jesse Exum, creator of Jesse's Jokes, Twisted Twisters and Really Close-Ups, is back after a three-month absence (of course, everyone else was gone too). We were able to ask Jesse what he planned to post next week. And here's what: more Jesse's Jokes (finally at last), and a review of the music CD SpongeBob SquarePants: The Best Day Ever! All that, next week!

By The Way, Jesse Wrote This.

Yale Update

2006-11-09T16:15:00.000-08:00

By Phil Vigil

Yale, my guide dog, is almost ready to go back to Guide Dogs Incorporated for training. He will be recalled back to Guide Dogs on December 2. When he is recalled, he will be tested in 10 phases of training. If he passes all 10, he will be assigned to a blind person for training. When Yale and the blind person are fully trained, I get to go to a guide dog graduation ceremony and give the dog away.
Yale has been one of my best dogs and I really enjoyed training him. I have been getting really busy lately, ergo Yale will probably be my last guide dog.

Once Again Woody Undefeated

2006-11-02T16:31:00.000-08:00

By Sarah B. Sizemore

I Love My Curves

2006-11-02T15:54:00.000-08:00

By Elaine Leighton

I love my curves, the way people swerve
When they see someone like me
Not afraid of the hype, their definition of the
Beautiful type
If they don't like my natural look, fine, I guess
They got took
By those fake books rhyming like pretty with fame
In the city
I love my curves, the way people swerve
When they see me, big and proud
Of the way I am
Not changing the local scam

Energy

2006-11-02T15:44:00.000-08:00

By Elaine Leighton

I drank the potion of the stars
I kissed the lips of the moon
I flew on the runes of solar winds
I danced among the nebulas and suns

Yet there I was
Still mundane
Still wingless
And tired from cosmic aerobics

But God dipped me in a stream
Of energy
So when I spun on the Creaters hand
I sprouted starry wings

I danced lighter than space
With more than fighter's grace
And floated on winds higher than
The roof of the universe

140 Rock Slide Update

2006-08-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

By Phil Vigil

The rock slide that blocked Hwy 140 for 4 months has finally been spanned. After a long wait, a bridge has finally been constructed to get from Yosemite and El Portal to Mariposa. A second bridge has been finished and small school buses will be allowed to cross starting on the first day of school. Kellye Evans, a Mariposa High School graduate who lives in El Portal stayed with a friend for two months after the slide because driving was far too expensive with current gas prices. In El Portal gas costs about $4. To go around the slide to get to school it took about two hours and 45 minutes. Kellye says she usually did her shopping in Mariposa but after the slide she had to drive two hours to Oakhurst. Kellye is going to college this fall so she won’t have to take the bus or drive across the new bridges to get to school.

These bridges are just a temporary solution to a very big problem. A permanent solution is still a long ways away. We’ll keep you informed as events unfold.

When the slide first slid through the barrier and onto the road.

The Nicktoons Article

2006-08-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

by Jesse Exum

Yes, this article was adapted from “Pick Nick Picks! (Nothing to do with picnics),” my article that never really was. But anyway.

Want to get some of your favorite Nicktoons on DVD, but only have enough money for one DVD? No problem! There are eight Nicktoons compilation DVDs featuring four to seven of these 14 Nicktoons: All Grown Up; Catscratch; ChalkZone; Danny Phantom; Invader Zim; Hey Arnold!; My Life as a Teenage Robot; Oh Yeah! Cartoons; Rocket Power; Rugrats; SpongeBob SquarePants; The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius; The Fairly OddParents; and The X’s. The seven DVDs are NickToons: Halloween; Nickstravaganza! 2 (VERY LIMITED AVAILABILITY on Amazon.com from third party sellers); NickToons: Christmas; Nick Picks Volume 1; Nick Picks Volume 2; Nick Picks Volume 3; Jimmy Timmy Power Hour 2; Nick Picks Volume 4; and Jimmy Timmy Power Hour 3, plus Nick Picks Holiday (coming September 26)! Jimmy Timmy Power Hour 3 even has DVD-ROM features. And starting October 17, Nick Picks Volumes 1-3 will be available in a boxed set, Nick Picks Volumes 1-3!

Even if you only like one or two Nicktoons, you'll want some of these DVDs, because they're the only way to get some episodes on DVD! And if you're a fan of Catscratch; ChalkZone; Danny Phantom; My Life as a Teenage Robot or The X's, you'll definitely want one or a few of them, because (as of August 17, 2006) those Nicktoons aren't on any other DVDs!

Well, that's it for this long-awaited article. Stay (Nick)tooned!

Yale's Trip

2006-07-27T10:19:00.000-07:00

By Phil Vigil
Last week Yale got to go to Guide Dogs for the Blind Fun Day in San Rafel. Fun Day is where guide dogs and their raisers get together and do different activities including games, seminars and training. I was not able to attend, but a guide dog leader was willing to take Yale. At Fun Day he met many other dogs and many people. He got to go in many stores and restaurants and also got to ride a ferry across San Francisco Bay. Yale was very relaxed and calm in the Rainforest Cafe and in some stores on Pier 39. He did fine on the ferry ride; he probably didn't even know he was on the water.
In the hotel room he did very well; he just played with his toys the whole time. (When he stayed with me in a hotel room once, he went behind the floor length curtains and look out the window. All you could see was a lump in the curtain with a tail sticking out.) Yale did bark for no reason a few times. This usually happens when he is awakened by a strange noise. We will just have to work this out of him by giving collar corrections. (A collar correction is when we give the dog a quick jerk on the collar.) The only thing he was really scared of on the trip was an escalator. We are not allowed to take guide dogs on them, but I guess seeing it was scary enough.
Yale is still having problems with his ears. They are still a little red, but they seem to be getting better. Our vet says it's systemic and that we should take corn out of his diet. Guide Dogs says to flush the ears and that corn is not causing the problem. We really don't know what to do, so we are trying to sort this all this out.
Photos coming soon!

Picture and Story Contest

2006-07-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

You could win a portable TV or other great prize!!!
Do you have a favorite photo or piece of artwork? If so, enter it in the Open Page Picture and Story contest. Submit a favorite drawing, painting or photo and tell us about it in 100 words or less. You can email your picture and story to karen.dusek@sjvls.org or submit it to the Mariposa County Library. Be sure to include your name, age, address and phone number. Entries will be judged on quality and originality of the picture and story. You must be a Mariposa County resident between the ages of 12 and 18 to enter. All work must be your own. Entry deadline is July 31, 2006. Grand prize is a 5" portable black and white TV with AM/FM radio. Other prizes include books from the Harry Potter series, $10 Barnes and Noble gift card, and two $5 gift cards from the Mariposa Fruit and Nut Company. Everyone who enters will receive a prize!
(Computer display in photo is not a prize.)

Yale Update

2006-07-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

Yale at two months old.

Last time I wrote about Yale he was having problems walking on a leash. Now he walks perfectly on a training collar around our house. He still does not walk well on sidewalks or in stores on a leash. But we will continue to work until perfection.

Yale now at nine months old.

Google the Earth

2006-07-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

By Phil Vigil

In my search for the best free software, I came across an interesting program for Mac and Windows. Google Earth is a free program that lets you view satellite pictures of any place in the world. Some high resolution photos are even in 3D. It's fun to view interesting landmarks from above, like the Eiffel Tower, The Pentagon, the Grand Canyon, New York City and Yosemite.

Google Earth can even map out roads, addresses, and businesses. Google Earth does not work on all computers. You must have a broadband connection and a graphics card. For more information and downloads, go to www.earth.google.com. I recommend downloading the beta version.

Slide Rocks County

2006-07-13T11:20:00.000-07:00

The rock slide between Mariposa and Yosemite occurred May 25, 2006. It is currently about 11 football fields in area. Cal Trans is building a temporary bridge that will allow a small amount of traffic to pass through on Incline Road on the opposite bank of the Merced River. Bridge construction began around the beginning of July. Watch for the story next week on the impact the slide has had on teens in the area.

Get on Track--Buy a Mac

2006-07-06T10:57:00.000-07:00

By Phil Vigil
I have been a Windows user all my life: I never even considered using a Mac. The main reason was that Macs were never very popular and far too expensive for me. But, after using a Mac for about a month, I knew I would never buy another Windows-based PC! I like Macs better because they rarely get viruses and they run almost perfectly without crashing.

Apple Computer really started to make an impression in 1998 with the release of the iMac. The iMac was the top selling computer in the U.S. with a record of 800,000 units sold in one year. In 2001 OS X came out with cool 3D effects and a modern design that really brought Macs out into the open. By 2004, the iMac, PowerBook, and iBook had been released.

For those trying to save money, Apple has now made it quite easy with the new Mac Mini with Intel. The Mini is less than six inches wide and starts at just $599. (You must buy display, keyboard and mouse separately.)

You can also buy the new iMac with Intel. The whole computer is the size of a 17” or 20” display. If you want a desktop computer with a lot more power, you will want to buy the PowerMac G5. Like the Mac mini, you will have to purchase a display, keyboard and mouse separately.

If desktop computers are not your thing and you’re leaning toward a notebook, don’t worry–Apple has a fine selection of quality laptops. The newest addition to the Apple product line is the MacBook with Intel Core Duo. The MacBook starts with a double 1.83 processor, 512MB memory, and 60GB hard drive for only $1,099. The MacBook Pro features an aluminum case, MagSafe power adaptor, backlit keyboard, and built-in iSight.

If you’re a Windows user, you will have no problems switching to a Mac. Macs are compatible with many more types of hardware than Windows computers are, and Macs have their own version of Microsoft Office. If you have Windows programs or games that you want to run on your Mac, you can download a free version of Boot Camp Beta. Boot Camp allows you to run an entire Windows operating system on your Mac.

For more info on Apple Products go to www.apple.com/store

For more info on Mac games go to www.apple.com/games

For the best prices on Macs go to www.macmall.com

If you have comments please send them to karen.dusek@sjvls.org

Regarding "Pick Nick Picks! (Nothing to do with picnics)"

2006-06-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

by Jesse Exum

If you are looking for my article "Pick Nick Picks! (Nothing to do with picnics)," it has been deleted. In fact, it was posted by mistake; it was not the final version. I have decided not to write that article after all, and I won't be writing the other article I said I would write either. Sorry!

Picture-Perfect Pictures (Finally the Answers!)

2006-06-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

Photos by Jesse Exum

Really Close-Ups with Answers

They're over a month late (sorry!), but here they are, the answers to the Really Close-Ups in the last Picture-Perfect Pictures!

This...

...is a...

...calculator. (The close-up photo was taken with a bright light facing the camera.)

This...

...is a...

...cat.

This...

...is a...

...human with a cordless telephone.

2006 Teen Express Poetry Anthology "Part 2"

2006-05-25T10:26:00.000-07:00

JALOSTOTILTLAN, JALISCO

By Hector Joel MartinBig, wonderful with a good view
They tell me that you have good food
They tell me that you and I are good friends
I can see the sunset from a plaza
I can smell your food from a distance
when I’m hungry
Somebody told me that you have
a beautiful river
I hear the air singing
I hear the river flow
You have beautiful girls in town
You have the best pizza that I ever tasted
in my life
I can see your beautiful park
I can see the workers singing happy
I can hear the music made by
musicians from a plaza
They tell me you have a big,
wonderful church in town

CHEESE

By Krystal Jones

Cheese can be yummy,
Always delicious
Usually colorful
Sometimes smelly
It is a snack,
A meal,
A treat,
Salty,
Comforting,
Shape shifting
And uplifting.

LOS ANGELES

By Toni Miller

The smog in the air,
The violence on the streets,
The trash on the ground,
The street I lived on,
The house I once owned,
Is now a stranger to us all,
The place my brother lives,
Is a quiet little place,
My friends are only memories,
What we did was fun,
They no longer remember me,
For I am not the same one,
The cries I cry,
Is not because of hurt,
But because I want to go back.

ME AND GOD

By Elaine Leighton

Waving at the Earth
From the field of Space
Grinning like a fool.
Picking up stars
For God’s bouquet.

Dancing on Neptune,
Or one of its moons.
I can’t remember which.
Swimming in a cloud sea,
Looking for celestial bees.

Grabbing galaxies,
Cosmic fireball in my hand
Or maybe just a spare basketball.

One on one game,
Me and God playing
On a spare court
At the edge the Milky Way.

FALSE JUDGEMENT

By Katie Morphew

Why does the pain and suffering hurt so bad?
Why do the secrets make me mad?
Does it truly subside?
Or do I just uphold a lie?

A mystery will remain a mystery unless found
I will wander and get lost,
forever in my mind to be bound.
Searching for the answers deep within,
only to find a pit that I am in.

I truly thought that you were Mr.Right,
only to feel my heart getting tight.
All the images in my mind,
fog my eyes and make me blind.

When you talk all I hear is a lie,
which surrounds my world and makes it die.
Your words mean nothing to me now,
but all I can ask is how?
How did my false judgment
get the best of me?

SANTA CRUZ IN THE SUMMER

By Sara Hawksley

Hot sand stinging the bottom
of your bare feet.
Cool ocean waves luring you closer,
welcoming you to cool off
from the summer heat.
Sun shining down on you,
burning your shoulders and nose.
Lying on the sand while you
squish the sand
between your toes.
Vendors bothering you
to let them braid your hair,
but it’s summer time
so you don’t even care.
Then the sun goes down,
ending your summer.
And you think to yourself,
“Boy what a bummer!”

X-men: The Last Stand

2006-05-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

By Phil Vigil

X-men: The Last Stand, coming to theaters May 26, is the third installment in the exciting trilogy adapted from the popular comic books. The story has not changed much. There is still the good side and bad side of the mutants. There is now a "cure" for being a mutant. The mutants must decide if they want to stay the way they are or become humans like everyone else. Charles Xavier and Magneto have two different views on the subject, which leads to a war between both sides.

I hope that this movie lives up to the standard set by the first two movies. It would be a big disappointment if X-men 3 followed in the footsteps of the third Matrix movie.

Tales about Yale 3

2006-05-18T10:20:00.000-07:00

By Phil Vigil

Yale, my guide dog in training, has gotten a lot bigger and weighs around 80 pounds now. He also has a lot of energy, which means I have to take him on lots of walks. I am now working him on a training collar. He's getting better but tends to pull and lunge on the leash when there are distractions like running kids or animals. We are trying not to use the Gentle Leader head collar on him because he hates it and gets depressed.

We recently took him to Redding with us, which was a six-hour drive. Yale did well in the car and slept most of the way. He was good in the hotel room, too. He barked only once, when the room service person knocked at the door. He liked sitting behind the floor-length curtains and looking out the sliding glass door onto the balcony. One night, Yale also went with us to the Sundial Bridge over the Sacramento River. The bridge was translucent and lit up from underneath. Yale didn't even notice when the bridge moved.

I think Yale enjoys new experiences and is practically fearless. He seems to take everything in stride.

2006 Teen Express Poetry Anthology

2006-05-17T11:08:00.000-07:00

SOUND

By Elaine Leighton

Listen to the sound
Of the music of the hills
They call out with the
Sighing voice of Ages

Play, play the music
This is the heart of your land
Play with finger light and quick
The heart beat of the land

Such happy strains of music
That does befall our ears
Singing the deeds of heroes
Gone and past

Dance with your music
Salute with your ale
Do a 180 on that slim rail

NEW ENGLAND LEAVES

By Shawnee Long

New England leaves fall to the ground,
Red, yellow, orange, and brown.
As the beautiful leaves fall to the ground,
It looks like a blanket all around.
The blanket is soft, smooth, and warm,
As it covers the rows and rows of corn.
When the beautiful leaves fall all around,
It looks like a rainbow down to the ground.

UNTITLED

By Nita Vigil

You ask where I am now.
I am here right by your side.
Had I been anywhere else
Your screams would be justified.

You say I do not care,
And over and over you cry:
That you’ve been left alone
To suffer until you die.

Those voices are not your thoughts,
But the whispers of darkest hell.
Despite what your friends may think,
You’re alive, but you’re not well.

I gave my life for you.
I know that you do not believe.
I see what you hold in your hand;
I feel the pain you’ll try to relieve.

Every time I reach for you-
Heal your wounds with my touch
You never can accept
That One could love you this much.

And here I stand right now,
And I hold you as you cry.
Though you do not love your life
I will not let you die.

Eternally Faithful,
~God

ONE TIME VISITOR

By Phil Vigil

I do not favor the weak,
Or pity the rich or poor.

I come unexpectedly,
In a quiet passing or a scream of pain.

I’m feared more than life itself,
But some long for me.

I’m praised when I touch the old,
But loathed when I find the young.

I can end relationships,
That were never meant to end.

Who am I?

I am Death.

See you next week.

LOVE

By Justin WryLove is caring for someone else.

Love is showing emotion for someone

Else that isn’t just a friend.

Love comes many different ways,
But love also takes time.

Love is taking time out of our busy
Lives to show someone else who
You really are inside.

Love is a very serious word.
It is a word that people use
To give a simple explanation
To the one they care the most
About of how they feel about them.

But love is also taken for granted.
People ignore what it actually is and
Think it is a word you can just
Throw around.

But love is more than that

It’s a word that actually
Means something real.

WONDERING SONG

By Elaine Leighton

Hearing words
Flow through
A wired chain,
Wondering whether
I understand
And whether I can
Dance to what I hear.
The voices of someone else’s
Rhythm and rhyme.

REMINDS ME…

By Ryan Delgado

Gasoline reminds me of fire
Fire reminds me of pain
Pain reminds me of being cut
by a knife
Being cut by a knife reminds me of
being covered in sticky blood
Covered in something sticky
reminds me of duct tape
Duct tape reminds me of
something at a construction sight
Construction sights remind me of
sandpaper
Sandpaper reminds me of
something rough
Something rough reminds me of
a relationship
A relationship reminds me of
being scared
Being scared reminds me of
being lost
Getting lost reminds me of
the remote
The remote reminds me of
being tired
Being tired reminds me of
losing remembrance
of ever being reminded

ODE TO RHYTHM

By Jeff LairdRhythm is the world’s own beat

It keeps us set with its marching feet

It stays in tune to our busy lives

Just like the bees inside their hives

But they have rhythm too

Everything does

From African drummers to Mariposa’s own

Their purpose is to make rhythm known

They stay on time with the world beat

Some people think they have no rhythm, when sitting in their office seat

But they have rhythm too

Everything does

Clank, Rattle, Boom, Bang!

Shake, Tat, Cling, Clang!

All the sounds the world can hold

All have a pulse, though yet untold

But they have rhythm too

Everything does

ODE TO CHOCOLATE

By Sheenie ChavezYour creamy, glossy texture makes my heart fly
My mouth is waiting for you to arrive,
Such a wonderful, tasty delicious treat
Just the thought of eating you, my heart skips a beat.

I wonder what flavor you will be
Nut-filled, caramel, or possibly raspberry?
May you forever be satisfying and sweet
Until someone decides to have you as a bite to eat.

Join the Teen Summer Reading Program

2006-04-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

By Phil Vigil

If you're between the ages of 12 and 19, then you're eligible to join the Teen Summer Reading Program, sponsored by the Mariposa County Library. If you like to read, imagine getting prizes for reading any book that is at your reading level. Every 200 pages, you get to pick out your favorite prize, and every 1000 pages, you get to choose from an assortment of new paperbacks to take home. The program will start June 21 and end August 16. Sign up at the Mariposa Library front desk.

Katie Hertfelder, young adult librarian, encouraged teens to take part by stating, "You get free stuff, and what else do you have to do?"

Picture-Perfect Pictures (Replacing Whatzis!)

2006-04-27T11:09:00.001-07:00

Photos by Jesse Exum

Really Close-Ups

Try and guess what these close-up photos are of! The answers will be posted next week, along with these photos. NOTE: This is replacing Whatzis! (although it's really the same thing. There isn't any change after all.) The answers will be posted in the next Picture-Perfect Pictures instead of in Whatzeez Are.

Library Annual Spring Book Sale on May 5-7

2006-04-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

By Paul Wilson (avid reader and library patron)

The Mariposa County Friends of the Library Annual Spring Book Sale is coming up on May 5-7. On Friday the 5th only members of the Mariposa Friends of the Library are admitted to the sale from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Individual memberships to the Friends cost $5 and are available at the door on Friday for those that would like to support the Library and get first access to the materials for sale.

The general public is admitted to the sale on Saturday the 6th from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Sunday the 7th from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Most books are $1 and on Friday and Saturday if you buy one book at any price you get one $1 book free. On Sunday, buying one book gets you two $1 books free. Rare and higher quality books are individually priced.

Photo by Paul Wilson

Whatzeez Are 7: The "Whatzis 7" Answers plus a Special Announcement!

2006-04-20T11:02:00.000-07:00

Photos by Jesse Exum

These are the answers to the previous post "Whatzis 7!"

This...

...is a...

...gourd in dim light.

This...

...is an...

...alarm clock.

This...

...is a...

...small waterfall in blue light. (Actually, both photos were taken in normal light, but the camera made them blue for some reason.)

The Special Announcement:
Whatzis will be changed next week, so be sure to check back then! It will be retitled Picture-Perfect Pictures: Really Close-Ups.

Teen Express Poetry Anthology

2006-04-13T11:54:00.000-07:00

By Phil Vigil
Art by Patrick Edwards

For those who did not know that April was poetry month, well... it is! If you want to get into the spirit of poetry, there is no better way than submitting a poem to the Teen Express Poetry Anthology.

The anthology is for anyone ages 12-19. Just e-mail your poem(s) to katie.hertfelder@sjvls.org or bring them to the library. The first 10 people who submit poems get a Barnes & Noble gift certificate. All poems will be accepted as long as they don't contain any objectional material (must be appropriate for all ages). This is not a contest! You must submit your poem(s) by May 1st.

The poems will be displayed in the library and the participants will recieve a book containing all the submissions. If you would like your poem(s) to be posted on the The Open Page teen blog, then just let Katie know submit them.

Look below for more poems already posted on the blog.

Video on the Go!

2006-04-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

by Jesse Exum

MY APOLOGIES. SOME OF THE ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE, AND ALL ARE HARD TO FIND!

Are you about to buy a portable video game system but having trouble deciding between a Nintendo DS and a Sony PSP? Do you like the Nintendo-exclusive Mario, Metroid, Pokémon and Zelda series but also want to be able to watch video on the go (a prominent feature of the PSP)? Then get a DS! Although the video quality isn’t as good as that of Universal Media Discs on a PSP, Game Boy Advance Video Paks let you watch video on your GBA, GBA SP, GBA micro, or DS! You can’t watch them on your TV using a Nintendo GameCube with a Game Boy Player accessory, but even if you could, the video quality would be terrible. You also can’t save video to the system like you can with UMDs on a PSP, but a lot more TV shows are available on GBA Video than on UMD. (However, a lot more movies are available on UMD than on GBA Video, so it kind of evens out.)

More than 20 different TV shows (all of them cartoons, except for one computer-animated show) have at least one episode available on GBA Video, and some of them aren’t even available on DVD or VHS! TV shows available on GBA Video Paks include The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius; All Grown Up; Brandy & Mr. Whiskers; Codename: Kids Next Door; Courage the Cowardly Dog; Danny Phantom; Dora the Explorer; Dragon Ball GT; Ed, Edd n' Eddy; The Fairly OddParents; The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy; Johnny Bravo; Kim Possible; Lilo & Stitch: The Series; Pokémon; The Proud Family; Rocket Power; Sonic X; SpongeBob SquarePants; Strawberry Shortcake; Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Yu-Gi-Oh; and even three feature-length computer-animated movies (all rated PG): Shark Tale, Shrek and Shrek 2! Can’t pick just one? Some GBA Video Paks contain episodes from multiple TV shows! In fact, some of the shows listed above are ONLY available on GBA Video Paks with episodes from multiple TV shows on them!

There are more than 30 different GBA Video Paks. They usually cost $10 or $20 each. If you look for GBA Video Paks online, note that some websites (including the official GBA Video website and even Nintendo.com) don’t list all of the GBA Video Paks. So if you don’t see any you like, try searching somewhere else!

Whatzis 7!

2006-04-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Photos by Jesse Exum

Try and guess what these are close-up photos of! The answers will be posted next week, along with these photos.

Untitled

2006-04-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

By Nita Vigil

You ask where I am now.
I am here right by your side.
Had I been anywhere else
Your screams would be justified.

You say I do not care,
And over and over you cry:
That you’ve been left alone
To suffer until you die.

Those voices are not your thoughts,
But the whispers of darkest hell.
Despite what your friends may think,
You’re alive, but you’re not well.

I gave my life for you.
I know that you do not believe.
I see what you hold in your hand;
I feel the pain you’ll try to relieve.

Every time I reach for you-
Heal your wounds with my touch
You never can accept
That One could love you this much.

And here I stand right now,
And I hold you as you cry.
Though you do not love your life
I will not let you die.

Eternally Faithful,
~God

Whatzeez Are 6: The "Whatzis 6" Answers!

2006-04-13T10:47:00.000-07:00

Photos by Jesse Exum

These are the answers to the previous post "Whatzis 6!"

This...

...is a...

VCR.

This...

...is a...

... shriveled-up old kelp (seaweed) bulb in blue light.

This...

...is a...

...balancing metal sculpture.

This...

...is a...

...speaker.

One Time Visitor

2006-04-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

By Phil Vigil

I do not favor the weak,
Or pity the rich or poor.

I come unexpectedly,
In a quiet passing or a scream of pain.

I’m feared more than life itself,
But some long for me.

I’m praised when I touch the old,
But loathed when I find the young.

I can end relationships,
That were never meant to end.

Who am I?

I am Death.

See you next week.

The 100-Word Article

2006-03-30T10:37:00.000-08:00

By Jesse Exum

I’m going to keep writing until I reach 100 words, not counting the title or “By Jesse Exum.” I wonder how many words I’ve written so far? Let’s see...29 words! I’d better count them again to make sure...Huh? Now there are 39! Okay, I’ll count them a third time...What the heck? This time I counted 51 words! What’s going on here?! I’m going to count one last time, and if there are any more words than the last time I counted, I’m not going to keep writing this! I’ll count now...94 words! That’s it, I’m stopping!

Whatzis 6!

2006-03-30T10:36:00.000-08:00

Photos by Jesse Exum

Try and guess what these are close-up photos of! The answers will (hopefully) be posted next week, along with these photos.

Whatzeez Are 5: The "Whatzis 5!" Answers!

2006-03-30T10:35:00.000-08:00

Photos by Jesse Exum

These are the answers to the previous post "Whatzis 5!"

This

is a TV set.

This

is a waterfall.

This

is a computer monitor displaying the screen saver Mystify.

This

is a cat.

"Sound"

2006-03-09T11:27:00.000-08:00

By Elaine Leighton

Listen to the sound
Of the music of the hills
They call out with the
Sighing voice of Ages

Play, play the music
This is the heart of your land
Play with finger light and quick
The heart beat of the land

Such happy strains of music
That does befall our ears
Singing the deeds of heroes
Gone and past

Dance with your music
Salute with your ale
Do a 180 on that slim rail

Whatzis 5!

2006-03-09T11:16:00.000-08:00

Photos by Jesse Exum

Try and guess what these are close-up photos of! The answers will be posted next week, along with these photos.

Way-Cool Websites

2006-03-09T10:17:00.000-08:00

Homestarrunner.com
By Phil Vigil
There are many Flash-based websites, but one stands out more than the others. Homestarrunner.com is the funniest and most clever Flash animation site. Mike Chapman and Craig Zobel created Homestar Runner when they were in college in 1996. The website didn't really take off until the summer of 2001, when they created Strong Bad e-mails (Strong Bad is one of the many interesting characters on the site.) Homestar Runner now has a huge fan base consisting of mainly college age students and young adults. After watching some of the short cartoons, you will be an instant fan of all the characters. When you first go to the site, be sure to click "characters". This introduces all the different characters that are a part of Homestarrunner.com. Also check out "sb emails" where Strong Bad will answer your questions. Even if you have a slow connection, Flash animation loads fairly quickly. You can go to the site here: Homestarrunner.com

Whatzeez Are 4: The "Whatzis 4!" Answers!

2006-03-09T10:10:00.000-08:00

Photos by Jesse Exum

These are the answers to the previous post "Whatzis 4!"

This

is a hairbrush.

This

is a computer keyboard.

This

is a trackball computer mouse.

This

is the Open Page.

Dear Jesse

2006-02-16T11:17:00.000-08:00

Dear Jesse: I am a big fan of “Dear Jesse.” I read it every day, even if a new edition hasn‘t been posted. I have always wanted to get a letter answered in “Dear Jesse,” so I have a question. How urgent does my situation need to be to get my letter answered?
-Number One Fan in the Middle of Nowhere

Dear Number One Fan: I don’t have a specific level of urgency necessary for a letter to be answered. I simply answer the most urgent few of the letters I have, with the most urgent of all first.

Dear Jesse: My friend thinks that potato chips are too crunchy, and that purple isn't a very good color, and that tires can't be inflated enough, and that the Open Page teen blog at http://yaopenpage.blogspot.com is the best website ever. Should I agree with him?
-Unsure in (location unknown)

Dear Unsure: Stay neutral on the subject, except for the part about the Open Page. You should agree with your friend about that.

> “Dear Jesse,” written by Jesse Exum, sometimes appears on Thursdays. Please don’t write to him, because the whole thing is completely fictional.

Mariposa Storytelling Festival

2006-02-16T11:05:00.000-08:00

By Paul Wilson

The 19th Mariposa Storytelling Festival will feature six storytellers, Bill Harley, Kala JoJo, Bil Lepp, Leeny Del Seamonds, Clara Yen, and Dovie Thomason. Each have their own unique style of delivery and their particular subjects.

Vendor booths at the Festival open on Friday, March 10th at 6:00 p.m. All six storytellers will perform in the Mariposa County High School auditorium from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Then at 10:00 p.m. they will tell spooky tales until 11:30 p.m.

On Saturday, March 11th, the booths and breakfast will be available at 8:15 a.m., with the hour-long storytelling periods starting at 9:00 a.m. with Bill Harley in the auditorium, and Kala JoJo in the High School library. At 10:20 a.m., Leeny Del Seamonds will be in the auditorium, and Clara Yen will at in the High School Library. At 11:40 a.m., Dovie Thomason will be at the auditorium, and Bil Lepp will be in the High School library.

During the lunch break from 12:50 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Mariposans will have a chance to display their own storytelling skills at the Story Swap in the High School library. Those who wish to participate should sign up at the information booth at 8:40 a.m. After the lunch break, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the auditorium, Leeny Del Seamonds and Kala JoJo will perform stories targeted at a younger age group, while Dovie Thomason and Clara Yen will tell stories for a bit older audience in the High School library. At 3:20 p.m. until 4:20 p.m., Bill Harley and Bil Lepp will be in the auditorium telling more of their stories. A dinner break will be taken until 7:00 p.m., after which all six storytellers will be in the auditorium to share some more stories at the end of a day filled with lots of imagination and some outright lying.

Sunday, March 12th, the last day of the Festival, will start with a chance to meet and speak with the storytellers from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. during a free reception at the Mariposa Museum and History Center. From 3:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the Cliff Room at the Yosemite Lodge in Yosemite National Park, all six storytellers will perform together again, telling the last few stories in this year’s festival.

For a brochure with all the rates for entrance, additional information on each storyteller, and a map of the locations, go to the Mariposa County Arts Council located on the left behind the Pizza Factory on 5th Street and Highway 140/49 or visit their website: http://www.arts-mariposa.org/storytelling.html

Whatzis 4!

2006-02-16T10:59:00.000-08:00

Photos by Jesse Exum

Try and guess what these close-up photos are of! Regular photos of the same objects will be posted next week.

Biking in the Mariposa Skate Park

2006-02-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

Foot plant

Sunset transfer

Photos by Emily Wilson

Cirque du Soleil’s “Corteo” (kor-tay-oh)

2006-02-02T10:59:00.000-08:00

By Paul Wilson

Cirque du Soleil’s shows are simultaneous auditory and visual performances that are characterized by a blend of tradition and imaginative new acts created by Cirque. Most of the time so much is happening that one person usually cannot take in all that they are seeing and hearing just during one show. While watching something on the stage close to you, for example, a clown may briefly appear across the stage, do something and disappear before you have seen them, leaving the laughter of those who did notice them.

“Corteo’s” main character is the Dead Clown, whose dream of what his funeral would be like is the setting for the story. Before the show, two curtains are lowered all the way to the round stage creating a hallway between them, where the Dead Clown’s bed is placed.On the semi-transparent curtain that shrouds the center of the stage, angels painted on the curtain seem to draw up the edges to show you the Dead Clown’s life. A procession of those who knew him file past in his dream, and when the curtain finally rises, you are drawn into that dream, the Dead Clown’s dream about the time after his death, when those at his funeral remember and celebrate his life in a series of acts…

Acrobatic ladders

Performing acrobatic feats on various ladders, the artist tries to reach the angel above him. Finally he climbs to the top of his highest ladder to reach his goal and flies away, leaving his ladder to his friend.

Adagio duet

The two little people perform on, and within, a rotating vertical ring set, watched over by the head angel.

Bouncing beds

Resembling children playing on their beds, six artists bounce, flip, and balance on two beds, set up with the foot of each bed facing the other. At the end of the act, one of the characters jumps from bed to bed, bouncing up to balance on the head board only to fall back into the bed and bounce to the other bed.

Chandeliers

Aerial acrobatics are performed by four women on three chandeliers high above the Dead Clown as he lies on his bed during his dream.

Clown acts

As in most circuses, the clowns perform their comic acts interspersed with the other acts, but these clowns have many talents as well. The acts range from playing golf, to performing as small horses, to a juggling act that rivals the other jugglers, but is interrupted by a rain of stuffed chickens from above.

Cyr wheels

A simple metal hoop, the Cyr wheel (a Cirque invention) has the performer balanced inside the circle, rotating, balancing and moving around the stage. At times, the act has four such wheels on the round stage, moving in intricate patterns and showing amazing balance and precision.

Juggling

Four siblings show their skill at simultaneously juggling their own props and helping the others with their props at the same time. One character may be juggling clubs with his sister and at the same time juggling a different set of clubs with his brother. The other two jugglers also add their props, which include hoops and smaller rings, to the flurry of objects in mid-air. The act ends with one character juggling with his brother on the ground while his sister stands on his shoulders, and also juggles with the same brother.

Paradise

This is a Cirque combination of a trampoline-like net and three Korean frame stations that join the two into a seamless blend of ground and aerial acrobatics, sometimes joining the two, with artists jumping up to join those on the Korean frames, or those in the air falling down to bounce up to a different station.

Teeterboard

Urged on by two groups of artists, acrobats place themselves on either end of a long flexible board that is propped up like a teeter-totter. They start jumping on their end alternately until finally both are flying high in the air in their turn. Once high enough, they start flipping and turning only to land back on the board to launch their counterpart.

Tightwire

This is one of the more traditional circus acts, but this tight-rope walker is given in turns a unicycle and a set of hoops to perform with by the angels who hover all around her. Finally, she walks up a sloping wire out of sight to the top of the tent.

Tournik

This is a set of eight facing horizontal bars, with four bars arranged in a square in the center and the other four bars parallel to the four center bars about 8 feet away. The act gains intensity and complexity as more and more acrobats join those performing until eight are swinging around the bars, changing positions without stopping and working with the others perfectly.

Cirque du Soleil’s performances can be seen without buying tickets to the Cirque, but the actual show itself should be experienced at least once. Most of their shows (all but the newest ones) have been filmed and are available for sale only on their website (www.cirquedusoleil.com) which also has information about each of their shows. For those who want to see what Cirque du Soleil is about with out buying something, the videos can be checked out of the Library system. Currently the Mariposa Library owns two videos of the Cirque. “We Reinvent the Circus” was Cirque’s first show, and contains some hilarious clown acts among other things. “Saltimbanco” is another early Cirque show that demonstrates their goal of taking traditional circus acts and changing them, inventing new acts or equipment, or finding new ways to use traditional equipment. The “La Nouba” and “Dralion” videos are also in the San Joaquin Valley Library System along with “Cirque du Soleil: Fire Within,” a TV special that shows some of the behind the scenes work that went into making the show “Varekai.” There are also some books about Cirque and its’ performers that are available to be checked out.

Way-Cool Websites

2006-02-02T10:47:00.000-08:00

By Phil Vigil

Probably the coolest and most productive computer program is 3DNA. 3DNA consists of different 3D worlds that you can use as an alternative to your boring one-dimensional desktop. You can even have your own pictures hanging on the walls of the world. It's kind of hard to explain, so just download it and see for yourself. Even though 3DNA is shareware, you get to use it as long as you want. You will
be able to download four more add-on worlds, and have an unlimited amount of world themes.
Go to the Site Now

Winter in Jerseydale

2006-01-19T11:48:00.000-08:00

By Phil Vigil

My house.

A view from my front yard.

Whatzis Iz 3: The "Whatzis 3 plus Special Bonus!" Answer!

2006-01-19T11:24:00.000-08:00

Photos by Jesse Exum

This

is fire & wood.

Phil's Movie Previews

2006-01-19T10:28:00.000-08:00

By Phil Vigil

Underworld Evolution- Coming to theaters January 20th

Annapolis- Coming to theaters January 27th

When a Stranger Calls- Coming to theaters February 3rd

Firewall- Coming to theaters February 10th

The Pink Panther- Coming to theaters February 10th

X3- Coming to theaters May 26th

Tales about Yale 2

2006-01-12T10:26:00.000-08:00

By Phil Vigil

Yale, my guide dog in training, has been having fun socializing. Since he is a guide dog, I get to take him in many stores and places a normal dog cannot go. On my last adventure with Yale, I took him to Target. He pulls a lot while on a leash, so I have to put a "Premier Gentle Leader" on his head (a Gentle Leader fits around the dog's muzzle to keep him from pulling, as you can see in the picture.) It controls him somewhat, but he hates wearing it. He always tries to rub it off on me or on other people we pass. Anyway, as if taking him in a store with a "gentle leader" on isn't enough of a nightmare already, he poops right in the middle of Target. Before I went in I took Yale to do his "business" and he would not go. My other guide dogs also have had accidents in large stores. It usually happens not because they have to "go," but because they get overly excited in crowded environments. I still have to work on Yale's on-leash behavior and get him used to going in stores.