Shoutout February 28, 2026

Richard Rensberry, authorLeave a comment

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Off The Beaten Path ShoutOut # 5

This week’s shoutout goes to a bearer of the torch of truth; Lynn The Courageous Deen.  She has realized an abundance of integrity and strength by standing up for all that is honorable and right.  She does so, despite ridicule and attacks from those that cannot look nor perceive.  Lynn stands above the crowd, living with her head held high without compromise.  That is the reward and value of that priceless commodity of knowingness attained through self-certainty.

Un fortunately, the truth can often be a lonely place.  The constant want for agreement from friends and relatives can be like a knife whittling at your heart and mind.  It is easy to slouch, swallow your self-trust and repeat the same old social disguises just to get along.  Lynn does not do that.  She is certain of her truths.  She defies giving voice to the lies.

That takes courage.  The kind of courage that is rare in these days filled with corrosive noise, the constant barrage of half-truths and twisted meanings of subversive words like transgender, political correctness, democratic socialism, and “free speech”.  The media and morally corrupt seem to know no bounds.  The brainwashed cannot discern.  The Internet AI bots have no sentience, no common sense and no heart; but Lynn Deen and others like her do, and that is what counts.  

So a big shoutout goes to Lynn The Courageous Deen.  Her and her brothers and sisters in arms give hope to the resurrection and preservation of all that is truth and righteousness.  She is the face of America, a beacon, a bearer of the torch where reason resides. 

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Tune in next Saturday for another episode of The Shoutout List

The Vision and Sanctuary

Richard Rensberry, authorLeave a comment

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Seeds

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At sunrise

came Walking Tree

bearing the fruits

of life, the gifts

from generations

of the divine.

*

I am honored

to receive,

and I am blessed

to give

the knowledge

of the earth

and skies.

*

I bequeath

the sun’s liniment

and the tree’s

shredded bark

for healing.

*

I bow

in my thankfulness.

*

I bring seeds

from the future

that exists in

the generous,

*

in the vision

and the sowing

of the precious

*

from the beginning

and the end of night.

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Richard Rensberry, Author of “Sanctuary”, to coming to Amazon Books in the Autumn of 2026

Monday Poetry

Richard Rensberry, authorLeave a comment

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I hear my fishing poles stretching their muscles. My lures are rattling in my tackle box. My waders are singing the opening aria of an opera I can’t wait to attend.

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Shoutout Saturday February 21, 2026

Richard Rensberry, authorLeave a comment

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Off The Beaten Path’s Shoutout Saturday # 4 belongs to Michigan Artist and Entrepreneur Darcy Kann of Mio, Michigan.  She is the proprietor of Rusted Roots Art & Apothecary.   Darcy’s entrepreneurial reach touches the community in many heartwarming ways through her artistic talents.  She conducts art workshops for both children and adults throughout the year.  These workshops are generally available in-store or elsewhere in the town.  

So yes!  I want to give big shoutout to Darcy Kann.   



The term Apothecary is not a commonly used term around town, but it better describes the practical use of natural medicines, herbs, teas, salves and liniments you won’t find at the local Drug Store.  However, you will find an abundance of these items at the Rusted Roots Store in Mio, Michigan.  The shops proprietor, Darcy Kann has an assortment of herbal teas, rubs and pain relievers on her Apothecary shelves.  I for one am a firm believer in Natural medicines, especially since they helped me recover from my near death experience invoked while in the hands of our the modern medical model of corporate medicine.  You can even pick up a copy of the book I wrote about that harrowing experience off the store’s shelves.  


I, for one, am a firm believer in Natural medicines, especially since they helped me recover from my near death experience invoked while in the hands of our the modern medical model of corporate medicine.  You can even pick up a copy of the book I wrote about that harrowing experience off the store’s shelves.  

Other items in the store include a vast array of art, clothes, coffee cups, dog toys and jewelry. 

Of course art is an all encompassing theme.  There are paintings, sculptures and a beautiful array of handicrafts, including masterfully created quilts of many sizes and colors.


I personally have a pet peeve about shopping locally in support of our many talented artisans and local businesses.  The Rusted Roots Art & Apothecary is located in Mio, Michigan at 109 E. 10th St.  Drop by for some artistic and healing treats and say hello.

 

Children’s Book; Yooper Lights

Richard Rensberry, authorLeave a comment

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YOOPER LIGHTS is a children’s book about searching for the magical, glow in the dark yooperlite stones found along the shores of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Yooper stones are made up of mostly syenite rock, which is similar to granite, which means the rock looks like any other typical gray rock, but there’s a magical twist. Yooper stones are rich with fluorescent sodalite, which glows a vibrant orange or yellow under Ultraviolet Light.

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Get your copy of Yooper Lights Here

Monday Poetry February 16, 2026

Richard Rensberry, authorLeave a comment

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Sanctuary

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I have many rooms

in my heart. It’s a house

where only a few have been invited

to remain. Each room is occupied

by a kiss or a hug. So much happiness

comes calling, a special cat,

a playful dog. A begonia

or an orchid. The moon

and the stars, even the wind

and the smell of the rain

have a place at the table. I

am blessed with your presence

that still comes and goes

with the quiet dignity

only the deepest of intimacy

can afford.

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More Poetry

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Shoutout Saturday # 3

Richard Rensberry, authorLeave a comment

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The Number three spot on Off The Beaten Path’s Shoutout List goes to Robert F Kennedy Jr. for standing up and going to war against the mega-rich Big Pharma corporations. He has been working diligently to expose their poisons to the light of day. His courage and actions deserve an exuberant shoutout!

The pills and vaccines these criminal companies have foisted on the citizens of the world are finally being inspected and reined in. I can’t wait for the day I never see another prescription drug or vaccine advertised on TV. RFK you are a superhero for taking these drug dealers to task.

Hand in hand with this administration’s Maker America Heathy Again reforms, a shoutout goes to all the naturopaths and chiropractors that promote and practice healthy alternatives to the Big Pharma Industrial Complex. Thank you for all the excellent help and kindness you bestow on those in need. Thanks for demanding and producing the many natural supplements that help keep us out of the hands of corporate hospitals abd their satellite doctor’s offices.

For local residents, a special shoutout goes to the chiropractic office of Dr. Richard Olree of Hillman, Michigan. Another goes to Au Sable Chiropractic of Mio, Michigan. Finally, a shoutout to Naturopath Mysty Berry, Phd of Luzerne, Michigan. Very well done. You all deserve an Olympic medal.

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