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In The Summertime (pop song, Donovan, '60s)

************************* Happy Quincentennial America Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is June 29, 2026 in my corner of blog land. Outside, summer is in full force with bugs, flies, nighttime mosquitos, chirping birds, children at play at a nearby park, The World Cup on television, baseball of course, romance and grilled dishes. I was brought back to a time in my life by the following observation by one Paula Hawkins. She writes for Electric Literature, and is voicing the praise of author, Emily Ruskovich. This post here, our visit, was inspired by the following: I grew up a long way from the northwestern United States, described so vividly in Ruskovich’s writing, and yet these stories stirred in me a fierce nostalgia for my childhood, for the boredom of long, empty afternoons in a time before the internet and 24-hour television, and for the self-reliance and imagination those afternoons demanded. The two songs appropriate for this time of year are by the singer, Donovan. Sunshine Came ...
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I Hear America Singing (by poet, Walt Whitman)

Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is Wednesday, June 3, 2026 in my corner of blog land. Weather mild, temperature in the mid twenties Celsius, (low eighties F), and contemplating this being the 250th birthday year for America. I recently purchased some coinage to honor this occasion and have it tucked away. I am doing summer reading, and two books on my agenda include: Return To Me, Lynn Austin, author Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, May/June '26. I have a story that is more a reflective essay, called Lucid and Present. It was originally a contest entry, but will be published in the print edition of New Authors Journal, Sumnmer 2026 issue, very soon. You can purchase this on Amazon, the journal that is. Price is reasonable. Please accept my invite to you to come join me at My Substack! So far, thirteen subscribers, and I post two-three notes per week on average. https://davidcrussell.substack.com In closing, I share with you the online version of a poem by Walt Whitman for which this p...
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Book: Human Being Human Doing (three years-old on May 23)

Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is May 20, 2026 in my corner of blog land. We had a taste of summer weather over the weekend, but as of today and through much of the upcoming holiday weekend here in the U.S., we'll be cooler with daytime highs in the mid to upper sixties, twenties C. I have a few things to discuss with you. First and foremost is my book titled, Human Being Human Doing. The stories are six in number and are about people who shared very challenging times in their respective lives. This includes: imposed genocide, chronic neurosis, dysfunctional royal family, marital discord, two past friends making amends, and a international symposium to celebrate Shavuot or Pentecost. Carley M asked I share the following take-away with you from her reading of Human Being Human Doing: What stood out to me most is how the book seems to explore the difference between simply existing and truly experiencing life. The title itself carries a thoughtful tension between who we are internally...
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Man In The Middle (Song, Michael Jackson, 1990s)

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is May 14, 2026 in my corner of Blog Land. How is your month of May going for you? It has been a busy month for me with some new things occurring in my life. I am learning to use the social site, Zoom Meeting online. This will help me be more involved with other avocational writers like myself. In addition to reading another Victoria Thompson novel, City of Lies, I am embarking on reading a theological/historic book by one Dr. Bart Ehrman. He now depicts himself as a historian of early Christianity rather than a Christian historian. His book titled, How Jesus Became God, is of interest and intrigue to me. With life influence in Lutheranism, I feel a bit 'out there' in being one to question things like God being One in Three Persons, the incarnation of Christ, infant baptism which Archaeology claims was instituted some centuries ago to answer response to a global plague. Most Lutheran clergy unlike Paul Harvey, only give their respective congregan...
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Descent Into Darkness (David C. Russell)

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is April 30, 2026 in my corner of blog land. Also, extending birthday wishes to my niece, and to anyone else celebrating a birthday today, this week, etc. I would like to invite you to read one of my newer stories for which this post is titled, Descent Into Darkness. The only cost is your time and if inclined, leave a like!   Link:  https://www.spillwords.com/author/davidcrussell Until next visit, may the Lord continue to bless and keep us. Mellow Rock David C. Russell, Author
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Dancing In The Moonlight (''70s song)

Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is April 21, 2026 in my corner of blog land. Early Happy Earth Day to you! Would that the cease fire continue in the current war involving Israel, Iran, United States, and anyone else who's up for fighting. I chose the song title for this post because it's spring in my hemisphere, and Fall or autumn in another. However, here in my part of the USA, we have had spring temps interspersed with continued winter temps too. Bring on the warm temps Mom Nature. How was National Reading Month for you? I had a book promo for my titles at Draft2Digital a couple weeks ago, and three titles were selected. Thank you, if you are one such purchaser! I am currently reading, Murder On Trinity Place, by the late Victoria Thompson. I have two more titles by her waiting in the wings; she is a very good story teller and entertainer! Have you visited with me at My Substack? It's still free to do so. https://davidcrussell.substack.com Until next time, may the Lord con...
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Happy Season of Refreshing Renewal!

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is March 30-, 2026 in my corner of blog lanbd. It has been a full month in my opinion. - I had an active crowd on St. Patrick's day afternoon at a local restaurant where I play piano most weekends. - The NCAA basketball tournament began on March 19, and ends next Monday evening, April 6. I have viewed several games and my wife too has joined me in this annual tradition. - Holy Week is in progress for Christians, and Passover for Jews and Hebraic Believers begins on Wednesday at sunset. Each share in common, celebration of freedom from slavery. Slavery to secret 'sins' and slavery from oppressive influences. Resurrection Sunday is starting to replace the pagan-based term, Easter Sunday. That occurs on April 5, which incidentally is the birthday of someone I knew earlier in life! For the past few weeks, I read a Christian Classic titled, The Knowledge Of The Holy, by the late A.W. Tozer. He, like most Christians, views faith from a Greek stance...
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