: About Me

My real name is Curt Smothers. I was born Curtis Jerry Smothers before the dawn of the nuclear age. I use the pen name Jerry Curtis on Helium so as not to be confused with one of the Smothers Brothers, who, with the possible exception of the Yo-Yo Man Dick Smothers, aren't usually taken very seriously.

I am a retired U.S. Navy officer, former Economic Development Analyst, ex-community college vocational education adviser, and erstwhile computer office software instructor. My wife and I live quietly in the south of Denver, CO, in the beautiful front range of the Rocky Mountains.

When we're not out exploring or traveling, I hang around the house and do contract tutoring on line for Tutor.com for grades K through 12 in English, Social Studies and Spanish. I also help adults with job searches and resume preparation through Tutor.com's Career Help service. (See My Links on this page. Click on "Tutoring Online" for further information, or visit http://www.tutor.com/apply.)

My degree is in Social Sciences with an emphasis on History. I also hold a Master Instructor Certificate from Microsoft Corporation. My writing experience is mainly in the expository (non-fiction and technical) field, although I have dabbled in poetry and short story writing. I have had articles published in trade magazines of the U.S. Navy and others, college publications, newsletters and press releases.

My current interests are literature, the Spanish language, history, politics, and computer technology. Helium has provided me a great outlet for my writing interests, which run the gamut of a wide variety of subject areas. I am delighted to be on Helium's team as a writer and benefactor of one of the greatest writers' sites I have ever seen.

I have also written on line under my real name for the technical writer's site Bright Hub. Come visit by clicking on my home page under My Links on the right. Please click generously, because Mom liked Tom and Dick best. (Heh-heh.)

My passion is ...

writing an article that makes me proud to read it.

I know too much about ...

The U.S. Civil War - Visit my Civil War Zone at http://www.helium.com/zones/show/1198.

My parents always told me ...

I would be a great teacher.

My childhood ambition ...

to teach and to write

My favorite memory ...

The sea voyage from England to America with my new wife and child.

Why I write ...

because it preserves something that would otherwise be transitory.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

adventure novels by Bernard Cornwell

My first job ...

paper delivery boy for the St. Louis Post Dispatch

My best moment ...

swearing in my son to the U.S. Army

My inspiration ...

Abraham Lincoln, who saved our Union and system of government.

Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Baseball

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As football's fights force winter's end And roundball dribbles out Spring brings beloved baseball As good weather turns about "Play ball!" the umpire bellows "Cold beer!" the vendor yells And we nosh those golden goobers And toss their tawny shells From bleacher steps to railings To outfield's grassy green Where fielders stare and focus Intent on infield's scene Where the batter and the pitcher Each ponder what comes next The un-hit strike or screaming hit Determine who gets vexed The bat that strikes the baseball The ball that snags the glove The screaming of the happy crowd Are baseball'...

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Writing:

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