Articles written by John Cargile

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About me - John Cargile

I am a professional writer, having spent 38 years in newspaper and magazine publishing. I am semi-retired and write weekly columns for two newspapers in Alabama and free lance as a news and sports reporter. I am writing my first novel "The Cry of the Cuckoos."

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Religion & Spirituality > New Age Concepts Reflections: Reincarnation experiences: 1 of 23

As I sit in my office, looking out my window, the redbird is perched on a limb outside, its head bobbing and weaving, looking for the next place to land. It has been constant in my yard for several months. It flies to my window sill, stays just long enough to peep inside. I guess it can see me because it flies away about as f... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Special Needs Living with and loving children with special needs: 1 of 18

It was heart-warming to read Sarah Palin's speech from the Republican National Convention as she spoke about special needs children. Politics aside, the Palin family appears to be "real" people who will be great advocates for children with disabilities even if her party wins or loses in the November election. Even with all th... More..
Religion & Spirituality > New Age (Other) Importance of dreams: 1 of 16
How many times have you heard someone tell you, "I had the weirdest dream last night?" Or, maybe you have even told someone the same thing.I am not an expert when it comes to dreaming; I have no theories. I do not know how dreams arise. But, if we meditate on a dream sufficiently long and thoroughly something almost always co... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Personal Morals & Values Struggles associated with an invisible disability: 4 of 39

Most everyone in today's society has gotten the feeling of being out of control, panicky or anxious about a situation. Sometimes those feelings become full blown attacks. Remember Bob in the movie, "What About Bob"? Movie producers have jumped on the bandwagon showing how serious panic or anxiety attacks affect one"s life. We... More..
Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Getting over it: 1 of 8
An excerpt from my new novel, The Cry of the Cuckoos, to be published by Eloquent Books of New York before Christmas.The phone rang six times before the maid answered. Al Falvey was impatient."Mattie, let me talk to Betty Jo," the voice on the other end spoke."Jist a minit, sir, yes sir.""Ms. Duke, it's your mister on the pho... More..
Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Suspense: 23 of 180
An excerpt from my new novel, The Cry of the Cuckoos, to be published by Eloquent BooksAnne asked the wedding planner to pipe music and the words from the ceremony into Donald's room where his comatose body lay, hoping any sound would arouse him. She spent hours reading to him. She had not given up hope he would awaken one da... More..
Health & Fitness > Emotional Health & Wellbeing Ways to express gratitude every day: 2 of 13
Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a traditional North American holiday, which is a form of harvest festival. The date and whereabouts of the first Thanksgiving celebration is a topic of modest contention, though the earliest attested Thanksgiving celebration was on September 8, 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, FL. Des... More..
Education > Education (Other) Are our schools preparing our children for the future?: 18 of 94
Recently while visiting a school in our area I watched teachers and students interact with one another. I couldn't help notice those students who appeared to have plenty of self-esteem and those who appeared to have low self-esteem.Building self-esteem is a slippery slope. Some people are born with it as part of their genetic... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Coping with hardship in today's society: 3 of 15

As adults we tend to look fondly on our high school years, occasionally musing "what if" in relation to academics, athletics, social activities, and friendships. Or we ponder what high school is like now for students.For some students, high school is a battlefield they must survive every day.With a granddaughter graduating fr... More..
Education > Educational Philosophy The missing ingredient in education: 14 of 59

The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Alabama filed a complaint in a class-action lawsuit last week charging Monroe County school officials with subjecting African American students at Monroeville Junior High School to the widespread use of racial epithets and slurs, racially-motivated discipline, and racially se... More..