Monday, December 22, 2008



Happy Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Froliche Weinachten!

To all my friends and family, wherever you are, have a wonderful Christmas!

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Can Change Come to America? YES it CAN!

Change, the Day After. Okay so here we sit, the day after the historic election of the first black US President. The history is being written now, today and in the days that will inevitably follow. There is hope for a new age, there is global goodwill and international support. Not since the Kennedy years has there been such hope, such faith, in the America that was envisioned hundreds of years ago, by one Abe Lincoln who said, that "government for the people by the people will not perish from the Earth." We have all felt, in the United States, in Canada and on a global scale that America, in the last few years had taken the wrong path, that government was not for or by the people, that other agendas, however dark, were being fullfilled. But now there is light where darkness once stood. Among other things Obama brings to the presidency is the unfaltering light of hope for change. Last night he said the words which we have long awaited to hear from the lips of an honest president, "to those who would tear the world down, we will defeat you." The United States under Bush has come under much scrutiny by the nations and in effect it has seemed that the world was, by forces we little understand, being torn down. Obama brings light and hope to the world again and promises to not tear down, but build up all peoples. He is Kennedy, he is Lincoln, he is everyman, he is us. If the dark times are upon us, Obama is the bringer of Light. He will not try, he will do. It remains to be seen if the dark forces do not attempt to bring him down. We will wait and see. But his strength is shining through. His speech last night is proof. This man is determined, this is a man of faith courage and strength for fair play, for justice for equality for all. But most importantly to restoring the America that has been lost for so long, since 911, the fall, with this election the light shines, the recovery is begun.

Sunday, November 02, 2008




Feliz Dia de Los Muertos




Or Happy Halloween. Today we celebrate the Day of the Dead or All Souls. Theretofore I offer these pix for both. My Sugar Skull carved pumpkin and my shrine. Enjoy!


Saturday, September 06, 2008


Revealing the Urban Landscape


My new project, "Sight Seeing" takes the reader on a journey through the "landscape" of a life. Life's landscape is our relationships, the people in our lives, the lovers, the colleagues, the famliy, friends and enemies. It is the physical landscape, where we live, the cities, the towns, the urban and country. The identity of our overall landscape is different depending on whether it is connected to the urban or to the rural, fortunate or unfortunate relationships. Landscape is how we relate to our world, our emotions our experiences, how we see things internally and externally to create our "landscape".


This landscape is not only portrayed and revealed in words, it is a photograph history in black and white that encompasses the physical and the emotional. To condense it to fewer words, landscape is the people, places and things we encounter in our lives.

Saturday, August 09, 2008


Lighting a Candle for the Lost Boys


On this weekend of all times when I'm usually commemorating those lost in Japan when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed, I just can't think of it as I think of the recent tragedy of Tim McLean killed on that bus, Craig McDougall shot down by police in Winnipeg, Travis Catellier and his family and all the other lost boys and girls who died under tragic circumstances whether by their own fault or no fault of their own. They just seem so much more important right now than a war that happened 63 years ago. In tribute I would invite readers to go listen to the song written for Tim by Chilly City Souljas http://www.myspace.com/pegcitysouljas and light a candle for these lost boys tonight. Thanks and God Bless you all. GOD IS LOVE, LOVE OTHERS.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

A Memorial

As the grisly details of the Greyhound bus slaying and the focus of media attention falls on the alleged killer, I think it's only right that we remember the victim. I myself find I am too in the thick of diseminating the facts and forming my opinions to actually write a poem about it all yet at this point. Simply the words of Jim Morrison echo in mind my as they have since the last days of April when my mother passed away and I think they say it better than anything. Also I want to remember the tragedy of Red Deer's Travis Catellier and his family.

For Tim and Travis, Rest in Peace

"Death makes angels of us all and gives us wings where we had shoulders smooth as raven's claws. "
From An American Prayer
Jim Morrison US rock singer (1943 - 1971)

Stay tuned, the memorial for the 63rd anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will feature original poetry from Beverley-coming August 8.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Why Don't They Just Shoot Them?

They do. In some cases. Regarding my most recent post about the bus incident, a friend brought up this question this afternoon. In Winnipeg just around the same time as we are all getting angry about the bus incident, Winnipeg police shot and killed a native guy, Craig McDougall, for reportedly brandishing a knife at police during a domestic disturbance and police shot and killed him. Hmm so then there's this guy holed up on the bus, police are called to the scene, it's a standoff of sorts since he is not getting off the bus and is surrounded by law enforcement and guess what, he is brandishing a knife and does not get shot or even tazered???
What's up with that. For some strange reason they shoot this Craig fellow who didn't do anything I understand and yet this other guy has already killed someone and is showing off his head and the police don't shoot him??? I don't get that. For heaven's sake even the family of McDougall made this same comment in their interview for the news story. Li should be dead. Poor Craig is and really, if you read the stories in the news, he did diddley, nada zippity. Some politician should try to explain this bizzare and rare incident to me-and soon because the faith I have in law enforcement is going into the tank in a great big hurry. Nuff said.
If Jesus Was on the Bus

I don't think I need to introduce this topic do I? We all know by now the horrific events that transpired on that bus in Manitoba last week. The question that keeps running through my mind is what if Jesus was on that bus? What would Jesus do? You remember the story of the Good Samaritan who stopped to help a victim beaten by the side of the road when no one else would. Where were those Samaritans on that bus? Where was God? If God was on that bus he would have helped. Yes I feel the passengers, should have done something. If you believe in God you believe it's your duty to help others, even at the risk of your own life. The exact cliche/quote is "greater love hath no man...etc. You give your own life to save another person. God rewards you in Heaven for that. I believe that, I have to. Otherwise there's no point to life at all.
There's a lot of emotion going around right now about this incident. One comment I read said something about "welcome to the world where 98% of people only care about themselves." Gee, wouldn't I like to have been on the Titanic with these folks! But you see this is not new thinking. In fact if you read the history books, there were very few people who helped others during the sinking of that ill-fated ocean liner. If there had been more "Samaritans" on board, helping others get to those few boats, more people would have survived the sinking and we all know that c'mon! This was in 1912. I guess the world hasn't changed, just our perception of it.
So on the premise that faithful people would try and do what Jesus would do, I would have to say that if I had been on the bus I would have tried to help. Get the guy off the victim, even if he came for me. Common sense is he's one guy with a knife, and there's two of you say, you and the victim. I don't see how he could kill us both at the same time. Perhaps also if one person came forward, others would also be motivated to step in. The more people you have then of course the guy is going down, he can't get us all. Is it that "mob rules" only works if you are in the bad mob? Can't a mob of good people develop to stop an evil act?
This whole thing makes me quite angry. I thought these kind of things happen in countries like Afghanistan or Sudan. To have this happen in Canada on our blessed prairies is a real shocker.
People say " oh well you say this and that but you weren't there, you're safe at home saying you'd do something but what if you really were in a situation like that?" Well to those people I say just try me. I have been in some scary situations and I've reacted to protect myself and If you get on a bus with me you can be damn certain that I would help you. And if this was my child killed in this manner I would hnt the guy down myself and make him pay because let's face it, the Canadian government isn't going to do anything to him. Even if Li is found fit to stand trial and found guilty, he'll eventually be "rehabilitated" and set free in a shorter time than you think. Now you might think that's in conflict with my faith. Well I guess God will judge me too.
Another thing I keep thinking about is were there any children on the bus? Well of course it should always be women and children first. But someone could be getting them off while I help. Would it not be better for the children to walk away knowing that someone tried to help? I think it would be more traumatic for them knowing no one helped.
So what's the bottom line here? The worst part of it for me and I'm sure for the victim's family is not knowing why the attacker did this thing. My friend Ron Oswald was murdered not far from here and the same question haunts me about his death. Why did they do it? Does knowing the reason help the pain go away? Maybe not. But it helps us to understand the perpetrators. Perhaps if they turn out to be disturbed, we can have some sympathy for them. It's unavoidable that knowing the reasons for these acts changes how we judge them but it does not change the fact that we do judge them. Understanding makes it possible for us to heal and perhaps for us to take some action that will prevent these kind of things happening in the first place.
If Jesus were on the bus he would've done something and believing this I know that I would have to have done something too.
I'm almost done, hold on. There's another issue here as well. The police are getting it in the neck lately because they are only trying to do what I say I would do. The guy with the knife who won't put it down when the police ask him too, well they have to shoot him or tazer him. Well the tazer could kill but what if it saves someone elses life? My friend who is ex military says if you point a gun at someone you aim to kill. I don't think that's necessary. Just incapacitate. You don't know what effect a tazer is going to have on an individual so the chance of it being fatal is certainly there. I'd rather they shoot me in the leg and put me out of commission temporarily than kill me. The police should be good enough marksmen that they can aim to take you down without killing you. Obviously gun takes knife as long as the knife is not close enough to stop you from shooting. Unless a guy can throw a knife with accuracy, chances are if you shoot him in the arm or leg he is not going to get you. The assumption of criminals who carry a knife I think is that your victim is not armed. At least you hope not. But we all know what "assume" does.
Well it feels good just to get that all off my mind. I do want to say in closing that my heart and prayers go out to the young man's family in their time of need. I hope God can bless them and give them the strength to get through their ordeal. My prayers are also with Mr. Li's family because it's going to be hell for them too, living with what he did and because having some sympathy (for the Devil)well, that's just what Jesus would do.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Happy Father's Day!

Cool Caesar!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Muriel Louise Cousins 1920 - 2008

It is with great sorrow that we must announce that "Louise" passed away at the age of 87 years in Lacombe hospital April 12 after a brief illness. We send our special thanks to all the nurses of Units A and B, Dr. Darnell and all the friends who have helped us during this difficult time. There will be a Memorial Tea at the Lacombe Legion, the afternoon of Friday, April 18th (time TBA) to celebrate Louise's life. In lieu of flowers donations will be accepted on behalf of the Lacombe Palliative Care Society, Box 5576, Lacombe, AB T4L 1X2.

We miss you Mom and Grandma!
Ron, Beverley, Avalon, Rachel, Ashley, Leo and Alvin.

Thursday, April 10, 2008


We love you Mom!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Just a quick note to direct you to new art I've been working on. See beverleybeckley.blogspot.com Enjoy!

Sunday, February 24, 2008



I've got nothing. It's been too long since I blogged! Actually I do have some new poetry but it's not been typed up yet! I am a busy teacher so where do I find the time? I guess Easter/Spring Break would be the only time I'm going to get at the moment. I've had a cold for over a month and I can't seem to rid myself of it. I need some comfort; I need to take some time like this little cat here. The art show deadline is coming up too so I should go fill out my forms now I suppose. Happy Sunday!