Genesis
By Special Guest Author
Anna Alexander

In the beginning

NOTHING

Vast emptiness, barren, bleak black space.
Black of the blackest black,
Deep, dark, densely black.
Intense black.
Painful black.

Not a star to shed a hint of light,
Only relentless, unending night.

Cold, freezing, frozen, frigid, airless space,
No sunfires to warm.
Only unfeeling, uncaring, dispassionate cold.

Dark so deep I am blind.
Cold so dreary I am mute.

Whatever I am, how infinitesimal,
Insignificant, however small I feel
Tetherless I move through endless space
Until I bump 'gainst Heaven's door.

Breathless, with no air to breathe,
Sightless, with no light.
Numb, dumb I hear a sound.
A deep, deep SNORE.

It is God sleeping.

From within I hear another sound,
A hundred, billion, billion, billion unborn voices SHOUT....

GOD?

God?

WAKE UP GOD!

LET US OUT...........

anna alexander
9/13/96©

Photo: Genesis by Alex Carrier

Special Note: Anna and Alex are mother and daughter. This poem is one of Alex's favorites.

If you like this blog, read more by these authors at http://www.vgreene.com/ and www.vgreene.com/greenelite where you can find information on all authors and more content.
© 2006 Virginia Greene

5-line poems

Two poems by our special guest author Anna Alexander

Rooster
Dawn announcer
Welcomes the day
Boasts of his conquests
However hens lay the eggs.

Dogwoods
Blossoms wait
For sunny days
To burst into bloom
Snow on green boughs soon

anna alexander
5/1/04©

Photo: Impressions of Dogwood
By Alex Carrier

If you like this blog, read more by these authors at www.vgreene.com and www.vgreene.com/greenelite
for information on all authors and more content.
© 2006 Virginia Greene

What do you do when the Almighty comes to town? Build an ark.
By Alex Carrier

Well, not the Almighty by way of heaven but the Almighty by way of Hollywood in the form of Morgan Freeman. And, it’s not the story of Noah per se, but the story of Evan.

Through divine intervention or luck or, most likely, a lot of work; the movie Evan Almighty is being filmed right here in Central Virginia. This is the first sequel to the hit comedy Bruce Almighty which starred (along with Freeman as God) Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston. In this incarnation, Steve Carell, of The Office TV show, reprises his Bruce Almighty role as Evan Baxter to become the star and the recipient of God’s will.

A newly elected Congressman, Baxter gets the order from God “Build an ark.” (Long time fans of comedian Bill Cosby may think at this moment –“What’s a cubit?”). Go figure – Baxter’s family, friends, colleagues and neighbors find this a trifle odd and the story unfolds.

So, you might ask, what’s in this for me? Aha! If you are in Central Virginia, this project could mean your name in lights. Well, not actually but perhaps your name on the credits – well, unless your part ends up on the editing room floor.

All right, it means divine intervention has offered you the opportunity to become AN EXTRA in the movie. Time and God wait for no one so find out about auditions this weekend Feb.25-26, 2006 by checking www.vgreene.com/greenelite

As for that cubit. Get the comedy recording Bill Cosby is a Very Funny Fellow Right! Yes, it comes in an audio CD and, even if you have no special reason, give it to someone you love or like just because it is nice to give a smile.

If you like this blog, read more by these authors at www.vgreene.com and www.vgreene.com/greenelite You’ll find information on all authors and more content.
© 2006 Virginia Greene

Bland music competition anything but bland
By Alex Carrier

Saturday was another example of why people love living here. The Virginia Lion’s Club’s annual Bland Musical Competition treated an audience of about 75 to the sweet sounds of music preformed by local students.

The 10 participants reflected the diversity of this area. Competitors ranged in age from 10 to 18 and were almost equally divided between those in public school and those in private school or home-schooled.

The afternoon began with plaintive sounds of a violin solo by the day’s instrumental first-place winner Marianna Cutright. The 14-year-old home-schooled student was accompanied by her favorite pianist – her sister Emily who came in second in the instrumental category. Marianna hopes for a career playing professionally with a national symphony.

Micah Griswold, 18-year-old winner in the vocal category, is working toward a Broadway career. Her musical choice from Barber of Seville gave her ample opportunity to show off both her voice and her stage presence.

From an original arrangement on electric guitar to a trumpet solo to the classic bluegrass tune Cripple Creek played on banjo, everyone in the audience could find a musical favorite. Now, they all wait to see how the local winners will be judged at the next level of competition.

For more about the winners, pictures from the event and information about the Bland contest, check out our website: www.vgreene.com/greenelite

Phot by Alex Carrier

If you like this blog, read more by these authors at www.vgreene.com where you will find information on all authors and more content.
© 2006 Virginia Greene

My Ancient Valentine
Posted by Lou Page


According to the History Channel, February has been a month of romance for a very long time. It dates back to ancient Greece, at least, and has been both a Roman and Christian tradition. Yet, according to the History Channel, it is a tradition still "shrouded in mystery."

See the History Channel's History of Valentines Day

In Ancient Athens, February was dedicated to the sacred marriage of Zeus and Hera, according to Wikipedia. It was called the month of Gamelion.

National Geographic poses a question for kids, Do Animals Love Each Other?

For a look at valentine cards of the past, visit the West Virginia Library's Vintage Valentine Collection and Indiana University's Victorian Valentine Cards.

Romance your Love with Alex Carrier's "I made it myself" heart healthy Valentine's Dinner"

Photo by Alex Cariier
"Feline Fancy"

If you like this blog, read more by these authors and find more Valentine links at www.vgreene.com/greenelite
For information on all authors and content, go to http://www.vgreene.com/
© 2006 Your Small Town, LLC

Anatomy of a winter morn

A poem by our special guest
Anna Alexander



No rosy rays to launch the day
Or announce the morn
But bright gray light to tell
Another day is born
From gray banks
Of endless clouds
Snow gently rains down
Silently, making it’s architect proud
Building a fairy land
In my back yard
Like a frosted wedding cake
It decorates my lawn
Mounds of snow blossoms
Transform the shrubs
Icing outlines each
Limb and branch and bud
Tightly closed waiting
For Spring to come
Birds and squirrels
Seek seed and nuts
Dropped upon the lawn
Bare beneath the trees
Where green grasses can
Still be found
No wind disturbs my fairy land
How long I do not know
Still I will enjoy it
Until weather warms
And south wind blows and
Melts my fairy land of snow...

anna alexander
January 9, 2004©

Anna, long-time writer and artist, claims special recognition and gratitude as mother of writer Alex Carrier

Photo by Alex Carrier
“Winter Silhouettes in Black and White”

If you like this blog, read more by these authors at www.vgreene.com/greenelite
For information on all authors and content, go to www.vgreene.com
© 2006 Virginia Greene

Go Snow, Go?
Posted by Lou Page

Looks like Mother Nature turned on her vapor diffusion chamber.
“What?!,” you may ask.
To make snow.


That’s what Kenneth G. Libbrecht, of Caltech, did to create beautiful snow crystals, all delightfully described at SnowCrystals.com. His website includes other recipes for snowflakes, describes the physics of snowflakes, has galleries of snowflake pictures, even shows movies revealing the delicate birth and growth of snow crystals.
To get hyperscience high on snow, blizzards, avalanches and much more, visit All About Snow, developed by the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado. The site was recommended by the National Science Teachers Association.
Can you imagine sculpting the intricate, sometimes baffling mobius strip with snow? The Science News article, Knot Divided in Snow, shows fabulous pics and describes just how it was done at the Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge, Colorado by mathematician Stan Wagon of Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota.
For the youngest among us, visit, A First Grade Snowy Day, by Mrs. Palmore's first grade class at Pocantico-Hills School in Sleepy Hollow, New York.
Go snow, go!

Photo by Lou Page of her "budding snow leopard" (cat) Cremey outside in today's snow.
See real snow leopards at the Snow Leopard Trust

If you like this blog, read more by these authors at www.vgreene.com/greenelite
For information on all authors and content, go to www.vgreene.com
© 2006 Your Small Town, LLC

Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice.
BEETLE JUICE!?!

By Alex Carrier



Reality bites.

I adore licorice. As a child, I loved taking those twists of black candy, tying them in knots and making them into odd shapes. I could play with this sweet edible and skip the whole “don’t play with your food” lecture. It was candy heaven.

The licorice sweetness turned my lips, teeth, tongue and mouth into a magnificent grossness that left adults disgusted.

Children love to disgust adults. It is power. It is fun.

As a teenager, I added ice cream to my licorice list. In our town, couples often ended dates at the local ice cream parlor.

The parlor served my two favorite flavors. The bubble gum was cold, creamy Bazooka in a bowl. The licorice colored my mouth and everything in it a delectable slate black hue for hours.

I found this most helpful when encouraging unpalatable dates not to me kiss good-night. Eating licorice ice cream rendered my lips ideally – unkissable.

As an adult, I fell for those lovely little bites of licorice deliciously hidden inside white and purple shells of candy goodness.

Which brings me to reality.

I was savoring one of those candy-coated licorice delights while watching the news. As cruel fate would have it, the featured story concerned the use of ground up beetles to add red color to foods. Yech!

Then reality (remember how cruel it can be) reared its ugly head to inform me that my beloved licorice confection (the one in my mouth at that very moment) was colored with ground up beetles. Yech!

What tragedy. Each crunch of candy reverberating through my head sounded like a stepped on beetle. Yech!

I am currently seeking another yummy variation of my licorice love and I have determined that next time reality bites – I am going to bite back!

If you like this blog, read more by these authors at www.vgreene.com/greenelite
For information on all authors and content, go to http://www.vgreene.com/
© 2006 Virginia Greene

SuperBowl commercials - you paid how much!?!
By Alex Carrier


A day of reviewing SuperBowl spots and I’ve reached several conclusions. Some commercials were aggressively forgetful. Some left me confused. Some left me annoyed.

I mostly dislike commercials that don’t identify the product up front. I wanted to like some but couldn’t. I’m a pushover for warm, fuzzies and like ads that make me feel good.

If I remember the commercial not the product, it’s a good vignette but a lousy ad.

With special mention for Bud Light’s “Roof Grill” (which resonates with every woman who loves her man) and Emerald Nuts “Druid” spot (because I wonder how long it took to come up with the tag), here are my top six.

Budweiser is a perennial favorite so, no surprise, Number 6 is the “The Streaker”.

Number 5 featured Kermit the Frog promoting Ford’s Escape hybrid. The spot showed you can be eco-wise and still enjoy adventures.

I love the subtle, simple message of Number 4 - United Airlines sophisticated, stylish animation “Knight”...

Number 3 is Dove’s “True Colors” effort to build self-esteem in girls – part of the female-beauty-has-many-forms campaign.

Hummer delivers a spot worth the labor in “The Monster” love story between robot and creature. Number 2 goes all mushy over the birth of a vehicle.

Number 1 bookends my picks with another Budweiser spot “The Barn.” I haven’t wanted a horse so much since I tried to convince my parents I could keep a pony in my bedroom closet. Budweiser excels at satisfying surprise endings.

If you want to see the commercials, go to AOL’s site at http://sports.aol.com/nfl/superbowlads. I am going to watch my favorites one – or more times.

If you like this blog, read more by these authors at www.vgreene.com/greenelite
For information on all authors and content, go to http://www.vgreene.com/
© 2006 Virginia Greene

A superbowl is a really nice container
By Alex Carrier


Down stuffs pillows and duvets. Tackle is used for fishing. Yardage is a piece of fabric.


Game time. Aaron and Aretha wow us with a stirring, soulful national anthem. Kick-off. Frenzied fans watch Seahawks fight Steelers for bragging rights.

Hidden behind platters of snacks or settled between computer monitor and plasma screen, other fans yearn for a different play. They wait with quiet anticipation for their double delight: commercials and half-time show.

We are many, these fans who salivate for that conversational caviar of the water cooler and coffee klatch. We drool over every half-time mishap or malfunction. We chew our way through new commercials to find the ones that satisfy and the ones that leave a bad taste.

The commercials begin and we appear with platters of flavor to distract others from our attention to the play between the plays. Half-time arrives and we eagerly await the one moment of performance disaster that will fuel gossips, newscasters and tabloids for days or even weeks to come.

Some of us will suffer silently through color-commentary, second-guessing, instant replays and armchair quarterbacking. Many of us will simply hide far away from the broadcast blast.

But, late tonight, huddled expectantly over savory reheated leftovers; we will scan past our recordings of the game to replay, review and rewind every exorbitant, expensive second of new commercials and half-time entertainment.

Photo by Alex Carrier of Greene County’s William Monroe High School mascot – the Greene Dragon.

If you like this blog, read more by these authors at www.vgreene.com/greenelite

Weather lies and a GreeneLite
Posted by Alex Carrier

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? If a woodchuck can’t chuck wood, why is it called a woodchuck?

For that matter, why is it called a groundhog? It’s not a hog and, unless pigs CAN fly, they’re earthbound; so isn’t the name groundhog rather redundant anyway?


And why, with trained experts using scientific equipment informing us on meteorological conditions, are we cheerfully willing to a let a chunky, furry albeit cute rodent predict the next six weeks of weather?
The weather answer is logical. We will have six more weeks of winter because the season is approximately 12 weeks long and we are halfway through. Duh!

Punxsutawney Phil (and don’t you know I cut and pasted that spelling) is a nice enough looking fellow as are Jimmy, Willie, Dave, PeeWee, Birmingham Bill and General Beau Lee, PhD. And if you don’t mind bucktooth prognosticators, then, yes; Phil saw his shadow and has predicted another six weeks of winter. Go figure.

If you would like some sunlight at the end of your winter blues tunnel, think Greene and visit our new website www.vgreene.com/greenelite

You can find this blog there as well as pictures, articles and Lord-knows-what-else-strikes-our-fancy as we work to empower, inform, inspire and entertain our readers. Although our base readership is people who live in and around Greene County, Virginia; we think anyone can get a smile out of our positive look at life.

As for weather predictions, I have found that the most accurate accounting of today’s forecast is found during tomorrow’s weather report.

If you like this blog, read more by these authors at www.vgreene.com/greenelite

“Chinese – Year of the Dog – 2006,
Americans – Year of the Dog – Any year!”

Posted by Alex Carrier

Traditionally, I’m a rabbit – at least as far as the Chinese Zodiac goes. Personally, I am a dog and cat lover.

Like most Americans owned by pets (you are out there and you know who you are), my animals are pampered, spoiled and loved. Life is good – if you are one of my pets.

Country people keep pets for practical reasons. We have hunting dogs, mouser cats, guard-the-yard dogs and attack-if-you-enter-my-house cats. We also have a-member-of-the-family pets.

How people relate to pets is best explained in answer to this question. “Between people and pets, there isn’t enough room on my bed for comfortable sleep. What should I do?”

Non-pet lovers say, “Get rid of the pets.” Practical pet lovers say “Make the animals sleep on the floor.”

The “pets are people too” pet lovers say, “Get a bigger bed.” Which may be why manufacturers have created a 10 foot wide mega-bed. Just in time to celebrate the “Year of the Dog” by giving Fido and Fluffy and Rover more space to sleep.

Learn more about the Chinese Zodiac at
Chinese Culture Center's Children Web Class

Photo by Alex Carrier

Greene Primary School children celebrate

Chinese New Year with indoor parade.

Read more from the Port Dingle Diaries authors
www.vgreene.com/greenelite