Inside the Most Sacred Parts of Your Being.

On Mogul

Writing is breath to me, blood pumping to sustain life. It is the air I breathe, the food that provides my body with strength, the desire and passion that keeps my soul alive. Writing is letting go and rebirth. It is release. 

Writing is healing.

Writing is a positive force and I am grateful I am able to write without fear of ridicule of what anyone perceives about the subject matter of my writing. In order to truly write, you must bare your soul to the world, allowing the public inside your heart, soul, mind and the most sacred parts of your being.

This is an immensely brave act.

Every writer knows that their secrets, desires, dreams, loves and letting go, can be found in their own writing.

Get it all down first, free form flowing thought, anger, sadness, happiness, love, every emotion you feel, every thought you think. 

Editing is for later. 

If you cease to document those very first moments the need to write strikes, you will lose what is instinctual and natural as a writer. 

So leave your pages bloody.

Leave them ripe with sweat, hard work, love, pain, grief, loss, light, warmth, enlightenment, rebirth, rain, fire, ice, ashes, matches, gasoline and lastly, most integral, life. Leave the pages of your mind drenched with the ink of the breath of every solitary subconscious thought.
 

Make sure your words set fire to cities and nations, to hearts and minds, to the very core of every human spirit who is paying attention. Make sure your words seep into the skin of the reader, leaving trace minerals that sustain the ailing human shell.

 The main purpose of writing is to make a point.

Your words must imprint the reader so deeply that they begin to create and form different thoughts; quite possibly, they may start to see, if they already do not, this crazy, beautiful, lovely mess of a planet we exist on with new sight. Anything less is selling your own precious soul. 

You experienced all of that love, loss, pain, grief and bliss for a greater purpose:   

To leave your pages bloody.

Look around you. What do you see? What are you ignoring? What are you grateful for? Use all six senses, and ones you do not know exist, and tell me, what do you hear?  

Try it. Then write about it.

To take the meat out of writing, the lymphatic fluid, the millions of veins, arteries and capillaries selflessly pumping oxygen and blood that berths within the lungs, to the heart of the artist, is quite simply, utter and irreversible, literary death.

Make them pay attention.

Set fire to the soul.

Anything less is an abomination to creation.

buzz-saw

Published On Mogul 

Photo © L.R. Heartsong

The buzz-saw
grits and grinds,
metal teeth rip skin,
chewing and spitting
parts of bones and marrow.

Fumes spew smoke-trails
for miles,
so all can see my death,
my demise.

And no one seems to mind
that each tear into flesh
is pain,
and that the dust
is my blood,
falling onto the grass,
laying there,
as if
it is nothing.

My cries are not heard by humans,
my voice is muted,
but the sound of the buzzing of the saw,
the heat of the blade
boiling in the sun,
the sweat of the hands
of the man,
driving that blade deep
into
my
very
soul -

The core of this Earth.

Someone stop this -
please, they are killing me,
someone hear me cry.

With each buzz of the blade,
my eyes grow more dim,
my breath is caught.

My God -
I am bleeding
right into the roots
of where I was born.

The grass holds me dearly,
- God bless the green -
the dandelions tilt their weary heads
and tears turn to puffs of cotton
flowing on Spring-times breeze.

And the hands that hold the blade
have mercy on them,
for they are but a vehicle.

And a lone tear escapes
from the eye of the hand of the man
cutting my limbs to pieces,
and it falls upon my shoulder
now bare, once covered in bark.

And my goodness,
the tears are hidden
beneath the cap of a hat,
shielding the human eye from sun
or perhaps,
from the stares of onlookers -

who may deem him mad
for having a heart.

***This was inspired by the first line in this article and experience written by L.R. Heartsong [River] called "Saving the Grandmother"

Photo © L.R. Heartsong
Words © Susan Marie
On Soundcloud HERE

DNA & Paternity : From a Child's Perspective With Live Interview

Published On Mogul
ON WGRZ  

DNA Testing can determine if an adult is the biological parent of a child. 

The non-invasive procedure involves collecting and examining the DNA [your body contains as many as 100 trillion cells containing DNA or Deoxyribonucleic Acid] of a small sample of bodily fluid or tissue from a child and potential parent. DNA testing can prove biological grandparents, maternity, and siblings. 

There are various terms associated with DNA Testing such as Paternity Testing, Relationship Testing, DNA Profiling, and Genetic Fingerprinting. 

The testing involves collecting cells found on the inside of a person's cheek using a cheek swab. The swabs have wooden or plastic stick handles with a cotton swab on a synthetic tip. The collector rubs the inside of a person's cheek in order to collect as many cells as possible. From there, the DNA from the cells are sent to a laboratory for testing. 

Paternity testing is the legal procedure that declares who the father of a child is by providing genetic proof. For paternity testing, samples from the alleged father and child are both necessary.

Paternity and other family relationship DNA testing results are legal evidence for child support, parental rights, inheritance claims, social benefits, immigration, adoption and other circumstances when proof of a blood relationship is required.

When experiencing all ranges of DNA testing, oftentimes the overall well-being of the child is not the first aspect considered. Adults tend to become absorbed solely in the rights of the parent and forget the emotional effects that biological proof can have on the child and/or children. 

With parental consent due to the child being a minor in New York State, a sixteen-year-old high school student in Buffalo, New York agreed to speak to me in a ten-minute interview regarding the diverse emotional and psychological effects DNA Testing, specifically Paternity Testing, has on the child. 

In this interview, which is informative and personal, yet confidential, we speak of medical, emotional and psychological effects of DNA testing versus non DNA Testing. 

Listen to the interview "DNA & Paternity : From a Child's Perspective by clicking this link and below:

 

After speaking briefly to a child, we addressed diverse situations that adults typically are not thinking of when they request and do not request DNA Paternity testing. We covered various aspects of DNA testing relating to medical emergencies, crime investigation and peace of mind.
Several key points from the interview are:

• Knowing who the father is, whether biological, adoptive, or step, is a truth that provides security for the emotional and psychological well-being of the child.
• Not knowing who the Father is can result in poor medical care in the long term if a child presents with a condition that may require the biological father to be of assistance.
• Finding out later in life who the biological father is, can be damaging, resulting in a feeling of betrayal of the trust of the child in the parents due to believing someone was their father who truly was not.
• Knowing the biological father can positively affect a child’s sense of identity.
• If a father did not want to be involved in the life of the child and/or mother, Paternity testing ensures that the biological father is legally accountable for supporting the child.
• In the case of a sixteen-year-old male, if a female told him, he was the Father of her child; paternity testing is necessary and the first step in establishing proof of responsibility, care and well-being of both mother and child.
• DNA Paternity testing is essential and the smartest time to do this is at birth or right after. This way, a child does not grow up believing a falsehood and finding out the person they thought was their parent is not.

Most of all, paternity testing can unite your family by giving everyone peace of mind. Distrust, unless addressed head-on, can hurt chances of having a happy and loving family. Rather than living without knowing, finding the answers you need can deepen family bonds and ensure that each child has what they need for a fulfilling life.

* * * 

With parental consent, this is a 10 minute audio interview with a student in Buffalo, NY, regarding recent studies conducted through Renovatio DNA Relationship Testing. In this 10 minute interview, we speak about the scientific, medical and emotional aspects DNA testing and non testing has on the child. This is informative and personal, yet confidential. 

For more information, to educate self, for further study and for testing please see: Renovatio DNA Relationship Testing that works with laboratories nationally to provide DNA testing. To schedule an appointment call 716-332-1633.

Earth Day With Olmsted Parks Conservancy

  On Mogul
On Buffalo Olmsted Conservancy  
On WGRZ

© Susan Marie/South Park Lake

“A park is a work of art, designed to produce certain effects upon the minds of men.” 

- Frederick Law Olmsted

Each year, Earth Day, April 22, marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement. 

The year, 1970, was a time of immense industry in America. Air pollution was at its height and there were few if any, legal consequences to harming the environment. During this time, a consciousness emerged that combined anti-war movements with environmental concerns. The national day of celebration, founded by Gaylord Nelson, was to focus on the environment. 

On the first Earth Day, 20 million Americans came together in streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. College students and universities organized protests. Grave disasters such as oil spills, toxic dumps, loss of wilderness, and extinction of wildlife became a matter for the public to consider. 

This movement provided people with the awareness to become active in the preservation of groups, societies and organizations fighting to keep nature safe. The first Earth Day led to the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

850 acres of magnificently maintained parks, circles and parkways is a result of the dedication of The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, the first nonprofit organization in the nation to manage and operate an entire urban park system. The mission is to promote, preserve, restore, enhance, and maintain the parks in the Greater Buffalo area. 

During the late 1800s, Frederick Law Olmsted came to Buffalo inspired by Joseph Ellicott’s street design. Olmsted created his first system of parks in Buffalo, calling the city “the best designed city in the country, if not the world.”

Today, more than 1 million people use Buffalo’s award-winning Park System that includes Cazenovia Park, Delaware Park, Front Park, Martin Luther King, Jr., Park, Riverside Park and South Park as well as adjoining parkways and circles. More than 135 years ago, the first landscape architect in America, Frederick Law Olmsted, implemented the design and Buffalo’s Olmsted Park System is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

As a nature lover and resident of Western New York and the City of Buffalo, I am grateful we exist in a region rich with nature and wildlife along with those that diligently support the park systems so we can enjoy them in the busy-ness of everyday life.

When I am driving, I stop, park, and take a walk through the numerous tree and garden lined trails of our parks. Some of them are home to cranes and ducks, birds and squirrels, flowers and flora. There are lakes and creeks. The parks are family friendly and clean, well maintained, wondrous actually so much that oftentimes I am simply amazed that in the middle of a city, I find peace. Peace within the treasures found within the Buffalo Olmsted Park System. 

The Conservancy consistently requires our help to keep these efforts alive. There are simple, feasible ways to do this. One is becoming a member. There are different levels and each includes various incentives. Another is helping to save ash trees. Third is promoting the parks to others, write of them, photograph them, share your creativity with others. You can purchase a tree, rose bushes or bulbs. 

On a larger scale, you can purchase a bench to honor one you admire and for the comfort of others enjoying the parks. For festivals and corporate events, there are numerous levels of sponsorship available.  

Lastly, and most important, is volunteering.

Let us together, show the world, nature at our doorsteps.

Let us celebrate Earth Day, every day.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

– Margaret Mead

© Susan Marie/Cazenovia Park

DIY Art Tutorial: MatchStick Shield

This was one of the easiest projects. It is similar to putting a puzzle together, calming like that. This turned out to be more of a protective shield for me and it can be decorated with anything when you are done. I chose to leave it as is in my photo above. The only photo not showing is after I used canvas varnish on it. Above is without any clear coat.

Cost: 

• Nothing to me, supplies were at home. At most, $3-5. 

Supplies:

• 1 box of 2-inch Diamond Strike-On-Box kitchen matches [250 matches in 1 box]
• 4 boxes of 1 inch Diamond Strike-On-Box kitchen matches [32 matches in each box]
• All-purpose clear drying non toxic glue
• Some sort of clear, protective coat [optional, I used clear varnish for canvases]
• Anything that can be used as a hanger for the back  
• Flat cardboard or similar medium for backing

Directions: 

• Print this -->  Matchstick Star Pattern

• Cut the pattern out and lightly glue the 2 pattern sheets side by side to the flat cardboard so you see the pattern.

• Cut out the entire pattern dried on the cardboard. This way you have the pattern to follow and a hard cardboard backing for your star.

• Light and burn one matchstick at a time. Hold the matchstick at a slight downward angle, rolling the stick between your fingers to create an even charred tone around the match slightly beyond the tip. Quickly extinguish the flame and place the matchstick on a heatproof surface until it cools. Once you burn a few, you get the idea. This goes quickly.

• Work in a well-ventilated area and quickly blow out the matchstick to preserve the wooden part of the tip. To conserve matches, light only 25 matches and use those up before burning more as needed while you work. I also used small box matches for the edges instead of cutting the large matchsticks in half.

• Starting with the center with the clean ends of the match touching the center of the star, place the first six matchsticks onto the guidelines. Let that dry. 

The photos below I use for reference only. My pattern has the printed pattern visible. Much easier. I just forgot to take photos as I worked. I also tweaked this to my own liking.

• Move onto the "A" area on the pattern. Fill in one entire side of the star. Leave the edges for last. This way you can see what you are creating as you work instead of following the pattern blindly in alphabetic order. 

• I just brushed glue on each lettered area as I worked on that one area and placed the matches in line. The glue dries clear so you do not have to worry about making a mess or mistake. 

• Keep looking at the photos to make sure you are placing the matches in the correct direction. The only matches I placed in different directions from the rest is the center. It looked better this way. It gave shadow and a 3-d effect to one major light area.

Below, the photo shows you to reverse the small matches on the out-most edges. I chose not to. It looks better all going in the same direction to me.
 

• Keep going until you are done. If you mess up or do not like how something looks, it is easy to remove the matches and fix something. It is only white glue you are using.

• When you get to the edges, there may be extra cardboard sticking out. This is where small box matches fit perfectly instead of cutting the large matches in half. You will see as you get closer to finishing. This part needs to be last.

• There may be edges left bare where you have to cut the small matches in half to cover cardboard. I made my own design and just rolled with it at the end.As long as all cardboard is covered and you like it, that is all that matters.

• Be careful to not get the sticks themselves dirty. This turned out so amazing, it looks astounding on my wall. 

Have fun, enjoy and get creating! 

Check out my other tutorials below:  


Up-cycling Glass: Stamp Candle Holder 

Acrylic Arabic Peace Dove/Chinese Peace on Wood

Up-cycling Glass: Glass Beads Candle Holder

Preserving & Framing Autumn Leaves   

Buffalo Minority Business Owner Launches New Business/Website

On Buffalo Rising 

 

WHO:     Yves-Richard Blanc, founder and CEO of YR Blanc & Co. LLC, dba Renovatio DNA Relationship Testing.

WHAT:    Minority owned business focusing on the psychological, scientific and medical need for DNA testing in this region with specific calls to action and a main focus on the health and well being of all involved, especially the children.  

WHERE:  Renovatio DNA Relationship Testing, 1275 Main Street, Suite 120, Buffalo, NY 14209, 716-332-1633. 

WHY:      Basic Focus: Father's Rights and child abandonment, Psychological aspects affecting children, Rights of the unwed Mother, Paternity Fraud, Science, Calls To Action. 

WHEN:    April 2016

Yves-Richard Blanc, entrepreneur and consistent supporter of community, first came to Buffalo in 2004 after hearing Mayor Byron Brown give a speech in New York City about minority business owners and opportunities in Buffalo. 

Yves came to the U.S. at 8 years old from Haiti, his family moving to Montreal, then Brooklyn. Yves attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan studying commercial photography and advertising. For the 30 years, he has worked in sales and management 15 of those years in health care.

Yves- Richard Blanc learned how to set up companies and help them become profitable. Renovatio DNA Relationship Testing is his current endeavor. 

Today, Yves-Richard Blanc is a forerunner in providing not only services needed for Western New York and Buffalo communities, but as a minority business leader creating opportunities for employment, education, health and well being for our families.

Please contact: Yves-Richard Blanc: 

Email: yrblanc@gmail.com

Website: www.whosmydaddy.net

Private Line: 716-800-3999

Renovatio specializes in DNA paternity testing for legal and private use, offering a wide range of DNA relationship tests. 

They provide testing to private individuals, law enforcement and legal representatives to resolve paternity disputes, establish child custody, assist with immigration claims, identify rightful heirs, assist with the adoption process and much more. 

Their mission is to educate donors about their rights and provide them with resources necessary through the DNA collection process by providing excellent family centered service through compassion, competence and in an environment that meets or exceeds the expectations of those we serve and educate.

 

Up-cycling Glass: Stamp Art Tutorial

I absolutely enjoy experimenting with different mediums of art and creativity. I attempt various tutorials in order to share with others diverse ways to be artistic, Eco-conscious, feasible and most importantly, fun. 

Most supplies necessary to create can be found within your own home. 

For this tutorial, I spent nothing. I used a tall glass container that was leftover from a candle. Before I used this container for up-cycling, it was holding a small bamboo plant that outgrew the container. 

Supplies:

• Any kind of glue [tacky glue, white glue, modge podge, anything that dries clear, non toxic.]
• Glass containers [I found that slimmer, upright types of glass are more pleasing to the eye than shorter, rounder containers.] 
• I used stamps. I collect them and the ones I used are "used" stamps. You can use whatever you want to decorate the glass. 

Directions:

• Make sure the container is clean and free of any labels, glue, or residue. 
• Use an old paintbrush, any type, brush on a small area of glue onto the glass. Use a small, thin amount of glue.
• Start having fun and attaching the stamps [or whatever you choose to put on there.] 
• Let the stamps dry for about 10 minutes. Brush on modge podge lightly to put a final semi-gloss coat on all.   
• Be careful to not use too much glue in both steps depending upon what you are using. Some forms of paper buckle and tear easily.

The stamps were fun to use because it was like putting a puzzle together. Each stamp signifies a different nation, era and important part of history. Last night, I lit one up with a tealight candle and it looks beautiful. 

Right now, this same container is holding all my pens and pencils. 

It still can be used for a starter planter for certain kinds of plants, like bamboo, cactus or a new root. 

You can literally use this for anything because the stamps look that good. 

Have fun, enjoy, create and check out other tutorials I have done below.

Acrylic Arabic Peace Dove/Chinese Peace on Wood

Up-cycling Glass: Glass Beads Candle Holder

Preserving & Framing Autumn Leaves