Bob-o-Link 2

Writer

Robert Watts Handy

Two decades had passed me by
since authoring first book's try.
Vied publish two more eyed
years after storied pries.

Urge to write would not die;
slumbered til retirement's nigh.
Surged anew under Holland sky,
computer dumps laptop buy.

Soon found novel hypothesized
humanized family victimized.
Second scary fable maximized
good verses evil tramasized.

Non-fiction legend mesmorized
wartime hypnotize among POW guys.
Mobilized authoring books subsidized
about indigenous people ostersized.

Awaited publishers' critisize
of short stories itemized.

Klaske's Mystic Garden
Tears For My Father
Emmy's Colossal Turtles
Bryan's Lost Indian Cave
Gina's Get-Away
Michael's Seascape
Aunt Inge's Cosy Knuffels

symbolizing childhood's baptize.

Realized vent of past's cries,
pained glory of becoming wise. three books in one supplied...

shy dawning til ascent's stall,
resurgence til plunge's gall,
rescues til serendipity's call.

Images of reality's surprise,
hundreds of verses comprised.
Shared for lessons realized,
hereafter reading's goodbyes.

1992

SOMEDAY - Tale of Civil Bend by the River

Hardbound Book - ISBN 0-9600732-1-3
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 74-78063
(Printed in the United States of America)
Interstate Publishers, Inc.
First Edition Sold Out

Synopsis

Truth is indeed stranger than fiction. SOMEDAY, A Tale of Civil Bend by the River is history, concerned with great truths of human endeavors. Imagination can paint dazzling pictures, but real men and women have tasted depths of woe and soared to heights of glory such as never dawned upon the imagination of humanity. Located in southwest Iowa, Civil Bend is surrounded on three sides by a sweeping curve of the Missouri River. First inhabited by Native America tribes -- Iowa, Sac, Fox, Pawnee Pottawattami, Omaha, Otoe -- the broad flood plain's "alluvial soil is of the most fertile in the world." During the early 1840's this significant bend was settled by Euro/Americans, the Lester Platt, John Todd, and George Gaston families of Oberlin, Ohio to found a new college in the West. Their log church and school were integrated, and foundation completed for the "Commons" in 1849 before floods, storms, disease, racisim caused them to abandon Civil Bend for nearby bluffs where Tabor College was created to flourish a hundred years.

Adjoining the states of Missouri, Nebraska, and nearby Kansas, Civil Bend was an important nerve center for the "Underground Railroad" prior to and during the Civil War. Hundreds of escaping Afro/American slaves were brought across the Missouri River to the Bend where they found friends, compassion, food, shelter, rest, and safe passage to Tabor, Chicago, and Canada. Dr. Ira Blanchard, Lester & Elvira Platt, Rube Williams, Joseph Treat were devoted abolitionists who coordinated the courageous effort with revolutionaries John Brown and Jim Lane. "As to the charge, 'abolition hole,' it depends on what is meant by the epithet, whether we plead guilty or not. If 'slave enticing' or 'slave stealing,' we hurl back the charge with contempt. But if it is meant 'those who desire to cast off the chains of wretched slavery,' we freely own the name," was an angry response to an 1858 editorial by one Civil Bender.

War, border conflict, slave hunters, flooding, tornadoes, drought, malaria, cholera and the "great depression" did not prevent the Bend's rapid growth and development as a thriving agricultural community. This book expresses the tragedy and comedy, the despair and ecstacy, the love and hatred, the aspirations, dreams and realities of many men, women, children who were swayed by passions, touched by great emotions, prompted by a variety of motives; an outpouring of the minds and hearts of a multitude of people of different ages, colors, creeds, beliefs, interests who forged, marveled, fought, struggled, joyed, sang, wept.

Excerpts

"We plodded on our weary way through a sparsely peopled country where conveniences and comforts were few. No nobility to cringe to, no palatial residences to covet, nor any overflowings of wealth to envy; but everywhere a simple-hearted generosity that stands ready to help in time of need. Sometimes we found a friendly shelter at night, and sometimes we slept under the broad canopy of heaven, but in due time without any serious mishap we reached the hospitable home of Lester and Elvira Platt on 3 October 1848. They had been expecting us and our arrival was a mutually joyful occasion."

"The Missouri river bottom, with a width of eight miles, and extending north and south far beyond reach of human vision, was a magnificent level plain. The watershed's fertility was assured by the tall, rank grass which everywhere clothed its surface. Our family passed through the thick forest by the big bend in the river. We halted at what is known as the Blanchard farm. The log hut was covered with stakes and dirt. Not a rod had been turned and not a house was in sight. The Lester Platt shanty was a mile south and the Lamberts were to the north. A bevy of wild turkeys had been scattered by the deserted hut. It was a dreary outlook. The howling of wolves made night hideous."

"It was a brush with both hands about the face, then a hasty draw from the cow's udder; these rapid movements alternating with great regularity. Normal breathing was near impossible without inhaling mosquitoes. Indeed, in some calm afternoons, they would rise from the grass so numerous and dense as to cast a haze over the sun. They were of a prolific and sturdy species. During that first summer the building of a mosquito smoke toward an evening became a daily necessity. Nor would those sacreligious pests hesitate to break in upon our devotional hours. We often had to watch and fight as well as pray. Not infrequently would be heard between ascending petitions the sweep or brush of the hand to drive away the assailing foe."

THE KIDS IN US

Softbound Book - ISBN 0-8059-3543-6
(Printed in the United States of America)
Dorrance Publishing Company, Inc.

Synopsis

Deep inside every adult is a small and innocent child trying to make sense out of life. Although a parent or trusted friend may be able to provide guidance regarding the hows and why of our world, sometimes a person must meet these challenges on his or her own.

THE KIDS IN US, a joyous trilogy of short stories for children, explores these themes and many more. Based on my own personal experiences and interactions with young people, these tales touch upon today's most pressing issues, especially those affecting contemporary youth.

"Emmy's Colossal Turtles" is a spiritually uplifting story concerning cooperation, trust, and environmental awareness. "Bryan's Lost Indian Cave" is a warning against racism, the temptation of evil, and drug abuse while encouraging youngsters to help right wrongs. "Klaske's Mystic Garden" reveals the sensitive issues of family problems and self-esteem.

Demonstrating how perseverance and hard work can overcome adversity, the family is of utmost important in these tales, illustrating the belief that, despite conflicts and misunderstandings, families must work together in order to stay together. The subjects discussed in this edifying volume are universal in nature. Even wise and serious adults can learn something special from these truly sensitive stories.

Excerpts

EMMY'S COLOSSAL TURTLES

"In the Lowland of Many Rains where the sun seldom shines, a youngster stands atop the crest of a small sandy mound separating the merging Tiny Flood and Mightly Flood rivers. She enjoys glimmering moonbeams dancing on rarely placid waters. Being here is forbidden because the Miraculous Mirages of Folly Calm, Folly Wind, Folly Thunder, and Folly Lightning breed enormous thunderstorms. Torrents of rain cascade from surrounding Pumpkin Hills to create an enormous lake without escape. Each deluge submerges everything in its wake, except homes boldly built on grassy knolls."

"The broad expanse of Pumpkin Hills stretches as far as Emmy can see. A ribbon of light beams from her star in the sky standing by. Its shining exposes a huge, round mound from which a very long neck is stretched. Two tub-sized eyes glare from the wabbling head to dread. The creature's mouth with smacking lips could swallow a cow. Webbed toes of four loggy feet thrust to expose sharp nails to creep. The scaled, pointed tail extends to the next dale. Emmy is too stunned to run. Never has she imagined such a gigantic body waddling with a pack on its back. She rallies courage to ask, "Are you a Colossal Turtle?"

"Atop a turtle covered with shell,
crossing lowlands easy to tell.
Too much rain brings only grief,
sneaking away is a greedy thief.

First came wind to break the limbs,
lightning the crops to singe.
Thunder of dark clouds resound,
hail batters plants to the ground.

Along came Colossal Turtles so grand,
digging ditches and canals as planned.
Along come Colossal Turtles so grand,
saving earth from water and sand.

Floods of Tiny and Mighty rivers,
caused much ruin delivered.
Losses at high cost to farmers,
send them fleeing from harmers.

It will be safe coming home again
on rich land now dry to mend.
Streams flow placidly along,
lowlands where farmers belong.

Along came Colossal Turtles so grand,
digging ditches and canals as planned.
Along come Colossal Turtles so grand,
saving earth from water and sand."

Excerpts

KLASKE'S MYSTIC GARDEN

"A happy Dutch teenager, golden curls swinging free, skips barefoot from the seasoned, red-roofed farm house. Her feet splash puddles of mirrored rainwater abandoned by the summer's retreating thunderstorm. She jabs a hand skyward, green eyes gleaming, rainbow-etched dress twirling with each sturdy stride. The girl stops abruptly to marvel at the sunset's crimson rays imflaming nearby Wadden Sea. She also notices the barnyard's neglected patch of weeds. Above the tainted leaves and briars wriggles a single wildflower in the gentle breeze. Its pretty petaled face appears to beckon. The youngsger crouches in disbelief. Her fingers caress the delicate blossom beneath the stunted tree. She wishes for a mystic flower garden to sow where weeds now slowly grow."

"Klaske summons pets, Rockie, the stylish brown-spotted dog, and Funnie, a stray kitten, to accompany her outside. The girl, doll in tote, and animals moved briskly over wet grass to the mystic garden. Popke, the doll, is propped beneath red tulips. Klaske caresses petals of a wilted blossom. Tears swell to strew the dew. Sorrowfully, she pinches, severs the stem. The deceased treasure is buried with dignity. 'Stop it!' scolds a wee squeak. A miniature critter pokes from crusty soil. Klaske is both dazed and dismayed by its features -- sored, gordy head; mopped, cropped hair; loopy, droopy ears; taddy, flabby cheeks; twisted, whiskered chin; blitzed, blistered lips; jugged, bugged eyes; blimped, limped tummy; shorty, warty hands; cloney, boney fingers; scarry, barbed legs; taped, chapped knees; waggy, draggy feet; rotton, shockin' breath. No bigger than a mouse, the critter pushes from graved house. 'Hey, I'm a Cunning Smasher. Ya trying to deface my place, huh? Admit it. Well, you do have a tongue? Confess the mess!'"

"Klaske pauses in her tracks. 'Are you another whatchamacallit?' The critter responds, 'Cunning Smasher? No way. I'm Springer, a Zesty Doer!' The amazed girl repeats, 'Zesty Doer! You do sound and appear much better -- baby, lady head; stacked, black hair; perked, quirked ears; sunny, funny cheeks; fuzzy, nussy chin; tuckered, puckered lips; gleamy, weeny eyes; plump, lumpy tummy; smooth, soothed hands; strong, long fingers; hotin', totin' legs; lotty, trotty knees; neat, fleet feet. Could you move a bit closer?' Klaske nips a sniff. 'Flower power breath. How very spicy nice.'"

"Klaske devises a plan to kill herself. She hears the alluring drum beat and deadly chant of the Cunning Smashers. They entice her nearer the black abyss.

Freedom's call is a wistful cry;
none have it, although they try.
You're the wild one to be tamed;
join us where we're all the same.
Deliverance from misery is nice
if you'll only pay the price.
You're a sorry loner dangling there,
who was warned nothing's fair.
So take your life and be just fine
bathing forever in our cozy slime.'"

Excerpts

BRYAN'S LOST INDIAN CAVE

"The rising sun's veiled rays penetrated chilled dense clouds of early morning fog. An adventurous boy appears on summit of wooded bluff. His piercing, aqua eyes survey the wonderous spectacle of nature beyond and below. He is forbidden to be here. No matter. He again meddles with danger by descending the eroded abyss to brake abruptly, aglow at river's alluring flow. Fresh air of autumn's first frost sweeps the placid stream's warm swirls, rises as silver-tongued shifting mist. Bryan Brisk removes his shoes, imprints chilly sand. He explores the shore as never before, probing dense cover of saplings and vines for a trickling spring's origin. The shaded gush is followed to bluff's clay base. Water vanishes inside an obsure passage. Branches of rooted scrubs are swept aside revealing haunting mouth. The rift's faint beam unveils an immense cavity. Bryan bravely enters to explore the abraded chasm."

"At that moment, Bryan's left big toe collides with a shadowy smoking roach. 'Hey, stupid!' screams the huge ugly bug. 'I nearly croked from your jolt.' The shocked boy bolts right in fright. 'Yikes! Bugs don't talk.' Chokes the roach, 'This armor-plated beauty does.' A crudely rolled cigarette, half the reddish roach's size, dangles from gaudy, sickly thick lips. The roach inhales deeply, exhales weakly a ghastly puff in Bryan's face. 'Yuck! The boy ducks from toxic cloud. 'That rancid rope must be dope.' The smudged bug smirks, 'Ya guessed it, pretty boy -- seedy weed, LSD, cocaine, angel dust, and acid rain.' It dances a lame jig. 'All the same when tamed to shame.'"

"The imposing spirit of an Indian medicine man emerges instantly from the eagle's eye. His brawny face wrinkles from aging of a sage. Shadowed piercing gaze is ablaze. A single eagle feather rises skyward from braided gray flared hair. The adorned rawhide choker tightly encircles his sturdy neck. Suspended from broad shoulders is a warrior's boned breastplate. A bear-claw necklace rides astride bulky chest. The spirit's sturdy, lean frame supports traditional beaded buckskin attire. Beaded moccasins glow like fire. Silver rings of turquoise, jade grace fingers. A sacred pipe for ancestral rites is cradled, medicine wheel dangles from pelted belt, buffalo clan's blanket cloaks noble body. He smiles, speaks, 'Fear not, Bryan Brisk. My name is White Buffalo. I'm a Grandfather Spirit of the Pawnee tribe. The bones of my ancestors rest beneath your feet, as do mine. You are in the Lost Cave of Thunder Beings where the Slimey Whiners' Cavern of Selfish Bliss is amiss.'"

"'Hear the prophecy of our defeated people--A bright boy with tanned skin of a white-tail deer, the sharp eyes of a wolf, the courage of a cougar, and softness of a rabbit, will perform a bold deed to restore the Pawnee's heritage and honor. He will be accompanied by three children; a native Indian girl, Hispanic boy, and Afro boy. It is they who will secretly enter our holy place beneath the bluff wedded to the Mother of Waters. The Grandfather and Grandmother Spirits will help the four children dislodge disgraced tribal spirits from the Lost Cave of Thunder Beings and pitiful Cavern of Selfish Bliss. The White Buffalo Grandfather will purify our Lost Cave. Pawnee people will then return from the four directions to celebrate around a Great Council Fire. There will be much feasting, drumming, singing and dancing. The sacred pipe will be smoked. The people will be happy and prosper in the land of their respected ancestors. A Great Cultural Center will arise from the grass. Our Mother, the Earth, will bless it. This shall be for everyone free to see and enjoy.' Bryan is entranced by his father's dream."

CONSENTING VICTIMS - A Myth of Reality

Softbound Book - ISBN 90-804122-4-4
Printed & Bound in Holland
Handy-Hawk Publishing

Synopsis

CONSENTING VICTIMS, A Myth of Reality, bares disfunctional family's naive trust, compromised commitments, shattered dreams; the enabling father's negligence, advocate mother's vulnerability, abused daughter's catastrophic addiction, devious confidents' violations, depraved counselor's exploitation. Victimization deprived, responsiblity reawakened, faith sustained, reconciliation resolved.

Within each human being is the instinctive will and courage to live regardless of circumstance or sacrifice. To survive self-destruction, a victim, real or imagined, might chose to decisively accuse another person or persons of his or her calamitous behavior and condition. When doing so, the egocentric victim cunningly attempts to victimize the second party without personal consequence or remorse. Furthermore, to survive, the real or imagined victim might also choose to falsely accuse an innocent second party; actually believing that alleged person or persons committed the disastrous behavior for which the accuser and/or a third party is responsible.

Herewithin simmers the crux of

CONSENTING VICTIMS

Excerpt

"Dan Hoorn frets. A dawning vision haunts him... Carli's face mires a filthy gutter. Misery smothers his daughter's scourged body. Death coils to strike. She has reached the absolute bottom of her mortal existence. The Pit. But wait! Her less swollen eye slivers open, blinks. Through the murk she sees a happy couple enter the nearby restaurant. The victim mumbles, 'Once more, God. Please. Give life a chance.' She struggles to rise. A stranger aids her wavering stance. Carli limps with burdened head upright toward the light. Dan's vision ceases. The gush of faith soothes his ladened heart."

HOMAGE RHYME

Three-Volume Collection

(Three-Hundred Sixty-Five Versed Scenes)

Incredible Instances

1931 to 1953

First Impressions of Being - Farm Family Venture
Thrilling Riverbend Wilderness - Touting Sprout
Astounding Tornado - Dust Bowl's Blastin'
Incredible Locust Invasion - Brothered Tangles
Boxed Ringer Thingamajig - Rural Electroing
Terrorized at Grandma's House - Lefty Corn Shuckin'
Mighty Mo's Shackling - School Bus Missin'
Hay Barning Antics - Buddies vs. Fuddies
Levee Breaking - Puberty's Wartime Farmer
Stiffing the Bully - Saturday Night Townin' It
Free Flickin' - Orchard War Games
Fanaticing Salvation - Fishin' with Clem Diditt
Asparagus Patch Enterprise - Uncle Buck's Hanging
Hack's Flak - Cow-Pile Baseball Field
Lucious Sloughing - Hyping Geese Migration
Huntin' 'n Trappin' - Pitch, Hit, Run, Slide
Bus Wreck Survivor - Cardiovascular Victim
Mayo Clinic - Aortic Coarctation Surgery - Recovery
Spoofed Seduce - Romance Welling
First Kiss - Bullfrog River Boating - Scorekeeper
High School Forty-Niner - Acting's Leading Man
Dating Steady - 4-F'ering - Collegiate Dreamer
Recruited - Signing Up - Orange & Green Beanie
Flash Flood - Winging It - Big Name Bands
Crisis - Flunkin' Out Rescue - College Sweatheart
Masquerading - Pledging Siggies - Center Stage
Student Recruiting - Tiger Baseball Coach
Twister Beating - '52 Flood Fighter - Class of '53
Alma Mater - Senseless Nonsence - Premiering

Incredible Instances

1953-75

Preluded First Career - Recruiting Students
Coped Alone - Sandhilled Folly - Discrimiation Victim
Secluded Illusion - Grad Assistant's Leap
Surprised Launch - Courting Future Mrs. H
Summer's Stew - Spoused Fusion
Opps! Daughter One - Apple Blossom House
Mom Hosts Bennett Cerf - Capitol City Concerts
Have Talent, Will Travel - International Film Festival
Our Garbageman, the Murderer - Pathetic Mutiny
Escorting Eleanor Roosevelt - Melancholy Cheer
Opps! Daughter Two - Grand Opening I
Outstanding Nebraskan - Career Opportunity
KC Town Bound - House of Stone - Kayoed
Good Ol' Boys Plus One - Kangaroo Court
Grand Opening II - Elmer P's Gift - Enter Mr. Wrong
On-A-Roll - Opps! Child III, Son One
Once-In-A-Lifetime-Chance - Yellow Brick House
Health Crisis - Aortic Coarctation II - Lessoned Death
Sameless Pursuit - Stunned by Assassination
Dream House Reality - Classic Red Square
Dad Died Last Night - Birth Of A University
Racism - Rights & Responsibilities - Human Rights
Snapped Rope - Coffee House Mugs
Ballerina Daughters - Superlative Grand Opening III
Campus Rebellion - Mississippi River Festival
Son's Grand Slam - World Premiere, JC - Superstar
Coaching Cougar Nine - Color Blind Program for Kids
Passing of Mom - Sabbatical - Research - Writing
Publishing, Someday-Tale of Civil Bend by the River
Executive Committee - Eye-Of-The-Storm Gang
Stumbled Falls - College Union Retirement
Swan Song - Movin' On

Incredible Instances

1975 to 2000

Coming Home - Restoration of Civil Bend Farm
Charity's Place - Horsebackin', Omaha to Big Apple
Patriotic Endeavor - Heartless Hearsay - Tryst Rerun
Spoused Reconciliation - Bicentennial Celebration
Embracing Grandfather Spirit - Vision Seeker
One Small Root - Abiding Among Native Americans
Give-Away I - Give-Away II - Grand Children
Sweat Lodge Cleansing - Handy Hawk Productions
World Premiere, Symbolic Americana on Tour
World Premiere, Black Elk Speaks on Tour
Broken Promises - Back Of The Pickup - Bankrupt
Plug In The Jug - Easy Does It - Gift of Sobriety
Desperate Decree - Estrangement - Depression
Six Directions, Six Tramas - Good Road
Movin' On - Directing Chore, Drug Abuse Center
Camping Director, Call Of The Wild - Courageous Act
Enabling Escape - Primeval Yearn - Medicine Clan
Rendezvous I, Son, Rendezvous II, Daughter
Give-Away III - Sacred Journey - Flowering Tree
Last Give-Away, Campfired Farewell
OK Outlet, American Indian Theatre Company
Carradine & Sampson - Heart by-Pass Surgery
Tipi-ing With Sandman - Raven Feathers, Spouse II
Tribal Drums, Producing Plays - In Limbo
Development Chore, Bravo I - Indian Town
Pacemaker I - Consenting Victim - Judged
Condemed - Spouse Betrayal - Welcome Divorce
Movin' On - Development & Marketing Chore, Bravo II
In Dutch Resignation - Dutch Treat - Movin' On
Dutch One, Spouse III - Miss of Death, Pacemaker II
VE Day's 50th - Publishing, The Kids In Us
House-Spouse - Family Rendezvous In America
Publishing, Afina - Publishing, Homage Rhyme
Publishing, A Handy Family In America
Eve Of The New Millennium - Eclipse in Europe
Serendipity

MY HOMEPAGES 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ARE LINKED TO BROWSE

SACRED HOOP of Links

Angelfire - My Home Page Provider
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My Home Page 5 - Writing/Publishing/Excerpts
My Home Page 6 - Writing/Publishing/Excerpts
My Home Page 7 - Serendipity
Earth Beseen - My Guest Book
International Library of Poetry
Ancestry Family Genealogy
Legacy Family Tree - Online Genealogy Program
Cyndi's List - Genealogy
USA After - Genealogy Posting
Rootsweb Family Genealogy
Family Tree Maker - Genealogy
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Email: handy-hawk@gelrevision.nl