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The Best Worst Blog Post of All Time

The Best Worst Blog Post of All Time

Published by Rhetorical Redhead on April 20, 2018

This is, undoubtedly, the best worst blog post of all time. (Why? Who even says that about their blog?) I do. Because I’ve spent over 14 months drafting it. No one in their right bloomin’ mind would spend so much time on something so small and insignificant in the grand scheme of life. It’s like obsessing over a 14-month-old band-aid. Just rip the damn thing off already. (And seriously…you’re disgusting for leaving it on that long. Ew, Jess. Just…ew. #shameshameshame) So here we are. Where to begin. Tiny Head-Voice squeaking: “Start at the beginning and go to the end!” (NO.…

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Mother’s Day Pop Up Shop

Published by Rhetorical Redhead on May 4, 2016

‪Mothers Day‬ is HERE! I’m delighted and honored to be collaborating with Olive & Ivy Botanicals and Broadway Coffeehouse for this weekend’s holiday ‪pop up‬ event to offer some wonderful homemade gift options for Mum (Saturday May 7th & Sunday May 8th, 9 am – 1 pm). The beautiful and talented Sarah runs Olive & Ivy, which is an organic and raw, small batch botanical apothecary located here in ‪Salem, Oregon‬. I will be creating custom ‪#‎PopUpPoetry‬ on demand, and hopefully offer custom greeting cards for the first time! Sarah will offer her handcrafted, organic skin & body products. And…

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“Poetry Has a New Name”

“Poetry Has a New Name”

Published by Rhetorical Redhead on March 22, 2016

 “Salem’s art scene is untapped. Portland—forget about it. It’s like elbowing into a crowded sardine can. But not here. This is a river you can leap into, and create a great literary scene.” Henry Hughes, in an interview with the Salem Weekly Click here to read my recent article in the Salem Weekly‘s Art section, discussing our local poetry community. The article weaves through an insightful interview with the ever gracious poet and author, Henry Hughes, who has just released a new collection of poetry, Bunch of Animals, as well as a memoir, Back Seat with Fish. Hughes’ writing continues to capture his ongoing love affair with fishing,…

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The Christmas Story

The Christmas Story

Published by Rhetorical Redhead on December 24, 2015

THE CHRISTMAS STORY

by Jessica Murdoch, Rhetorical Redhead ©2015 All Rights Reserved

As written and performed by Jessica Murdoch for the Christmas Eve Services at Salem Alliance Church on December 24th, 2015

(Spoken Word & Art Collaboration introduction begins at the 23:32 time stamp in the LiveStream Video)

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INTRO

‘Twas not the silent night of old

tradition leads us to believe;

perhaps the greatest story told

is the ‘Unspoken Christmas Eve.’

Both fully-God and fully-man,

fulfilling holy prophecy,

the Rock on which the Church would stand

bore humble birth and ancestry.

Come sit, come hear the Tale of Times

retold in careful word and script;

there’s much to read between the lines

revealed anew each year, for it’s

beyond the text, beyond the page,

these people, places, feeling, thought,

define a Faith that’s without age

because of Love, because of God.

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‘Tis the Season: Spend More Time, Spend Less Money

‘Tis the Season: Spend More Time, Spend Less Money

Published by Rhetorical Redhead on December 11, 2015

‘Twas the eve before Christmas and all through downtown, not a single soul resting—no time to slow down! With twinkle lights hung (precarious in the rain) in hopes that next year this won’t happen again. The wish lists were gripped, e’en taken to beds, while visions of bright price tags danced in their heads. Our customs, traditions—how stressors do climb! This season merely asks: “Spend less money; more time.” – Written by J.M. Murdoch (c)2015 – [This imperfect poem is a nod to “The Night Before Christmas,” first published anonymously on December 23rd, 1823 in the Troy Sentinel newspaper in upstate New…

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Cheers to Willamette Valley Wine

Published by Rhetorical Redhead on November 28, 2015

My most recent article, as published in the Salem Weekly Thanksgiving issue. The Wine Country Thanksgiving spread is a great resource for this weekend’s festivities in Salem and the surrounding areas. Click HERE to read the article online, or pick up a copy of the Salem Weekly at one of 700+ local drop sites and businesses. Cheers!

Coffee with a Cop

Published by Rhetorical Redhead on November 14, 2015

What an incredible event. The Salem Police Department hosted their first‪ #‎CoffeeWithACop‬ at Broadway Coffeehouse this morning. I couldn’t help but have a glad heart to see our community come together to support our local law enforcement…what a perfect way to foster healthy relationships between our officers and the people of ‪#‎SalemOR‬. Thank you to everyone who had a hand in planning this event, and to all who came to pack the house! ❤ ‪#‎PopUpPoetry‬ by ‪#‎RhetoricalRedhead‬ of ‪#‎SalemOregon  

“Salem” – a sonnet

Published by Rhetorical Redhead on November 7, 2015

“Salem” is an original poem written by Jessica Murdoch, published in the Salem Weekly newspaper on September 3rd, 2015. As requested by #PopUpPoetry customer, Christine, the poem is a sonnet (specifically a Shakespearean-style sonnet) written in iambic pentameter, with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEFGG. © 2015 Rhetorical Redhead All Rights Reserved  

“Is Anyone Thirsty?”

Published by Rhetorical Redhead on October 28, 2015

On Wednesday, October 28th, John Stumbo, the Alliance Board of Directors, and Salem Alliance Church hosted the The Alliance’s fourth Livestream Praise and Prayer event based on “Is Anyone Thirsty?” Isaiah 55:1 (NLT). Area churches were welcomed to attend in Salem, Oregon, while the entire Alliance family around the world was invited to participate online. The livestream video can be viewed here. (Poem performed at the 11:30 time-stamp.)

The following original spoken word poem was written and performed by Jessica Murdoch for the aforementioned event.

Spoken Word 54
Murdoch performing her spoken word at Salem Alliance on October 28th. Photo credit: CMAlliance.org.

“Is Anyone Thirsty?”

Written and Performed by Jessica Murdoch, Rhetorical Redhead
©2015 Rhetorical Redhead All Rights Reserved

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Salem Weekly Articles (by me…to date)

Published by Rhetorical Redhead on October 22, 2015

This post includes links to my articles published in the Salem Weekly newspaper. (For those of you who are able to snatch a physical copy from one of our 700+ drop sites in the Willamette Valley, awesome. For those who are sadly out of the area, online will have to do. However, if any of you really like one of the articles online–mine or not mine–I would be more than happy to mail you a physical copy of the newspaper. We have extras at the office.) Thanks for reading! Articles are listed in reverse chronological order: “Poetry Has a New Name” (An interview with local…

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