Book Review The Civility Solution

Book Review The Civility Solution
By LeeAnn Sharpe

The Civility Solution by P.M. Forni, published 2008 from St. Martin’s Press

ISBN 0-312-36849-6, has 166 pages.

This book answers many questions with an extremely civil attitude that common sense dictates to most people, but frequently seems to be lost in today’s world.

P. M. Forni, the award winning professor of Italian literature at Johns Hopkins University, has founded a Civility Institute. His 2002 book Choosing Civility has sold over a hundred thousand copies proving that what was once taught from childhood, has been lost for generations, and now must be learned by adults unaware that civility is what drives peaceful co-existence.

It’s no wonder we live in times where road rage and sideline parents at sporting events results in violence. Keeping one's cool in tense situations seems to be deemed as weak.

Forni’s book offers Eight Rules for a Civil Life that I find so simply elegant as to be words to live by.

1. Slow down and be present in your life. It sounds so easy but who among us isn’t guilty of rushing to get everything done. And isn’t that generally when civility flies out the window?

2. Listen to the voice of empathy. I know it can be hard when the creep you are trying to empathize with has just stolen your parking place, but it will do you more good to let it go.

3. Keep a positive attitude. No one likes a downer. Positive breeds happy and happy breeds joy and joy breeds… well you know.

4. Respect others and offer them plenty of validation. This goes exceptionally well for a child or spouse. But it applies to the rest of the world as well.

5. Disagree graciously and refrain from arguing. This is pretty much the most important chapter in this book in learning how to be civil. The book is worth it just for this one chapter!

6. Get to know the people around you. How many people don’t know their neighbors these days? There you are.

7. Pay attention to the small things. My Dad goes crazy when he works so hard to maintain his clean yard and the wind blows his neighbors unkempt leaves over. It may be a small thing but it leads to a loss of civility.

8. Ask, don’t tell. Wouldn’t we all enjoy a bit more civility in the world?

Retails for $19.95 at all fine booksellers today.
About the author: LeeAnn Sharpe is a freelance writer residing in Glendale, Arizona. Her love of the southwest and the western lifestyle have inspired her to a project called Keeping the Spirit of the Old West Alive. She also writes reviews on books and dining as well as several biographies of influential people.

Mark Everett Guardians of the Grain CD Review

Mark Everett "Guardians of the Grain"
 CD Review
by LeeAnn Sharpe
“Guardians of the Grain” by Mark Everett hit the market this month with 12 of the most delicious new tracks you could ever hear. Everett’s beautifully deep resonating voice brings life to articulately crafted lyrics telling stories in these ballads. Those with a love for history and bygone years will enjoy his nostalgic lines. Danceable and catchy, you will find yourself singing along in no time. He engages a theme of longing for the kinder gentler world of the past and offering hope for the future.
 Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Everett was raised all over Canada, with his guitar, a Christmas gift from his father in 1983, his constant companion. “I have always felt that old guitar has been there as my one truest friend...and music the truest form of my personal expression. I live for that!” he says.
 Beginning with melodic chords, “Guardians of the Grain” – (by Clyde Jorgensen, J. Watts, and Mark Everett) tells the story of grain silos on farms across Canada guarding the harvest in a time when farmers stood proud. The lyrics proclaim “Now the world has changed and those giants don’t rule.”  This number will really grow on you more each time you hear it.
 “Don’t Take it So Hard” – (by C.D. Lenard) has a crisp full life of it’s own. Try not to tap your foot to this song and you will not succeed. Your girl leaves “It’s not the end of the world” lyrics can be taken to heart in a number of ways; the lesson we all learn when a heart is broke.
“The Drive” – (by Mark Everett) is a slower paced heartfelt sorrowful ballad that came from personal experience of heartache and loss of his Dad. “Time will heal the pain I feel, they say. But I feel it will never be the same…” echo the same sense of loss that “Guardians of the Grain” and “Where the Mustangs Run Free” do. Each lyric speaks of a time when the promised land was ours and the recent changes in life aren’t always for the best.
 Everett grew up drawing influence from many different artists like Hank Thompson, George Jones and later Radney Foster and Randy Travis. “As I get older, I realize that only time brings life experiences that make for real personal artistic influence. For me, blessings and trials such as becoming a father, losing loved ones, and just plain old laughs and struggles down life’s sometimes hard and dusty road are ultimately the greatest sources of my music”, Everett commented.
 “Where the Mustangs Run Free”. (by R. Lane, Clyde Jorgensen, J. Watts, and C. Dunnagan) is, in my opinion, a musical masterpiece. With the longing for a past life, “Where the Mustangs Run Free” begins with crisp clear melodic finger picking guitar and strong bass that continues like a playful mustang running through at a good pace. A depth and dimension to the orchestration of this piece brings to mind the majestic themes of western movies and story telling that makes it an experience to be enjoyed time and again. You will see those mustangs and feel their hoof beats. And you too will long for a time and place where the mustangs run free.
 “Kiss My Ex” – (by Bill Turner) is sassy, humorous and upbeat, if I were to describe this ditty. Everett adds a little twang and character to his voice to a number that pretty much is explained in it’s title.  Everett met Clyde Jorgensen in 2001. He says. “He (Jorgensen) was the one who turned my idea of recording a CD into a reality. We took some material he had written, some I had written, and co-wrote a couple of tracks, putting them together to create the “Guardians of the Grain” album.”
 “When the Diesel Winds Down” – (by Mark Everett and Clyde Jorgensen) displays the collaborative power of this duo taking advantage of Everett’s voice and Jorgensen’s knack with lyrics. “Daddy drove rigs back as far as ’69…” Flashing back on memories again and how “When I feel sad I think about my dear old Dad”.
 “Welcome Home to Alberta” – (by Mark Everett) is a love song to the “true north strong and free, “It’s a place of wealth and beauty. It’s a place for you and me.” Everett’s love for Alberta rings true. “The beauty of this land is something everyone should see.”  Alberta’s Chamber should adopt this number real fast!  
“Truckin” – (by Clyde Jorgensen and C.D. Lenard) picks up the pace for an upbeat great dancing number.
 Work and family kept Everett travelling the highway between the northern Alberta family farm near High Level and his southern home near Lethbridge. He spent time in Phoenix working with Jorgensen, which as he says, “Made me feel like I have a third home there as well.”
  “Catherine’s Song (The Way You Love Me)” – (by Clyde Jorgensen) is a simple beautiful love song that showcases Jorgensen’s skill with words and feelings. He sings the harmony as well. He has one lucky lady. Although he would say it’s the other way around, that he’s the lucky one.
 “Would You Like to Dance” – (by Clyde Jorgensen and C.D. Lenard, B. Bailey) is upbeat and lively almost a Cajun beat. It makes a great dancing tune. “Would you like to dance or are you still mad at your Ex?” Can’t you just imagine hearing that at the bar?
 “Better Watch Out” – (by Clyde Jorgensen) Jorgensen makes this one a true duet with Everett. And the juxtaposition of Jorgensen’s rough gravel voice against Everett’s silky smooth voice is an interestingly successful contrast.
 “Once Again Your Love Surrounds Me” – (by Clyde Jorgensen) proves Jorgensen a true romantic with an ability to put words to music in a classic style. Yet each is fresh and new. Everett delivers the message with the feeling it deserves.
 “The success of this CD was made possible by Clyde and Billy William’s awesome talent and patience. These two veterans of the business made me laugh every time we were in the studio. So even though we put our all into it, it never felt like work,” says Everett.
 Also performing on this project were Billy Williams (guitar and piano), Mike Smith (steel guitar), Jerica Nicolaides (fiddle), Mike Brouchette (harmonica), Lycia Ware, Steve Parrish, & Clyde Jorgensen (background vocals).
Everett says, “I really hope my music connects with the folks who hear it. This first project has really opened up an exciting chapter in my life. I am already working on new material for another project. But first I’m very anxious to see the response to the “Guardians of the Grain”. I am really hoping everyone comes to enjoy these songs like I do.”
 You can learn more about Mark Everett at www.markeverettmusic.com “Guardians of the Grain” 2009 Daffy Dane Music, 10476 N Balboa Dr, Sun City, AZ 85351. Recorded and mastered at Billy Williams Studio in cooperation with Trails End Productions .