Category Archives: Scratch Pad

“It’s a Scandal! It’s a Outrage!”

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Allen Mesch

The Song from Oklahoma! It’s a Scandal! It’s a Outrage! is a song from the 1943 musical Oklahoma! Traveling salesman Ali Hakim has just been pushed into marrying Ado Annie Carnes by her father, Andrew Carnes. In the musical, Hakim is the … Continue reading →

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Letter to Mrs. Lydia Bixby

Posted on November 11, 2023 by Allen Mesch

In the autumn of 1864, Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew wrote to President Lincoln asking him to express condolences to Mrs. Lydia Bixby, a widow believed to have lost five sons during the Civil War. Lincoln’s letter to her was … Continue reading →

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Out of Control

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Allen Mesch

I am disappointed to be writing this post. I have held adjunct faculty positions at Texas Women’s University, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Texas at Dallas. I have also taught classes in the SAIL program at Collin College. … Continue reading →

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Holloween Greetings from Sasquatch

Posted on October 31, 2023 by Allen Mesch

Who is Sasquatch? Sasquatch or Bigfoot is a large and hairy human-like mythical creature alleged to inhabit forests in North America, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. Sasquatch is often described as a large, muscular, bipedal ape or human-like creature covered … Continue reading →

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Mailing List

Posted on October 23, 2023 by Allen Mesch

I would like to add your name to my mailing list. Why Should You Sign Up? By adding your name to my list, you will be eligible to win free copies of: You will also be able to access exclusive … Continue reading →

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David to Aaliyah

Posted on October 15, 2023 by Allen Mesch

David to Aaliyah (my soon to be baby cousin) Well Aaliyah, I’ll tell you: Life for me has been a retro video game. It’s had its golden moments, And it’s had its shooting stars, But it never ceased to change, … Continue reading →

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Liberty Ship Memorial in South Portland, Maine

Posted on October 10, 2023 by Allen Mesch

In the mid-1800s, the South Portland waterfront was a continuous line of bustling yards building and repairing ships. All along the Fore River master craftsmen were producing ships that spread South Portland’s name worldwide. By the end of the century, … Continue reading →

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Red River Shootout – UT vs. OU – Cotton Bowl – 10/7/23

Posted on October 8, 2023 by Allen Mesch

We attended our first big-time college football game and it was awesome. What a way to enjoy a “barn-burner” game than Texas-OU at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, October 7, 2023. While this is not my usual post, I wanted … Continue reading →

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Liberty Ships Named For Oil Pioneers Eluded Axis Submarines

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Allen Mesch

The four Liberty ships named for oil pioneers, SS Edwin L. Drake, SS Orville P. Taylor, SS Lewis Emery, JR, and SS Patrick C. Boyle, made many voyages across the seven seas during the war and all escaped sinking by … Continue reading →

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Artificial Intelligence Tackles Friday Night Lights

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Allen Mesch

Mason City Iowa school district ejects Friday Night Lights book from reading game. The Iowa Senate File 496 requires every book available to students to be “age appropriate” and free of any “descriptions or visual depictions of a sex act.” … Continue reading →

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