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Writing Samples

Shawn's First Birthday with Mom and Dad
Del on Boat

The beginning for a writer is the journal. I say this because it is the testing grounds for all your styles and ideas. If you do not keep a journal, it will be hard for you to be a good writer in almost any field.

You should write a little every day if you want to cultivate your literary skills. That's the beauty of a journal... because you don't need a revolutionary idea or original thought to write a successful entry into your journal. Other types of writing are not as forgiving; when you write poetry when you don't feel poetic or a story when you don't feel inspired, you will likely not turn out highly artistic words.


Featured Articles

Adventures with Del

In Memory of Delwin Olson
Posted on Jul 22, 2023 | Last Updated Aug 1, 2023
Olson family photo 2023A Meal in MedoraAt the Medora MusicalCorrine flies a droneDel Drives DuaneDel and DuaneDel Fuzz and DuaneDelwin Laughing as Corrine gets SakeDelwin Secures BoatDel on BoatDel teaches Hayden how to run a riding lawn mowerDriving Lessons from DelwinEating in MedoraDog jumps on DelDelwin with HadleyDelwin and Jim at GardenDelwin and Kent Goof OffDelwin and PamDelwin and PamDelwin and ShawnDelwin and Shawn on Old BaldyShawn and Delwin on Old BaldyShawn and Delwin on mountain.Delwin OlsonDelwin Driving a BoatDelwin on PhoneDelwin climbs a rockDelwin on TractorDelwin on Killdeer MountainDelwin on a HikeDelwin on Killdeer MountainsDelwin sitting on mountainsideDelwin on Killdeer Mountain.Delwin Olson on Old BaldyDelwin and GranddaughtersDelwin rescues the kidsDelwin Scans the DistanceDelwin raises armsDelwin at StoveDelwin Cooking BreakfastDelwin with GranddaughtersDelwin with Kids on QuadOlsons in Medora 2022Delwin, Duane and ShawnDuane and DelwinFuzz and DelGroup photoDel and CorrineIce Cream in MedoraJim and Delwin with metal detectorLast hike on Old BaldyMeal at BuckskinMeal at BuckskinOlson Family PhotoShawn and Delwin on MountainShawn and DelShawn and Del on BoatShawn and Delwin in a truckShawn, Ethan and Delwin on Old BaldyThumbs Upfamily hike

Photos and tribute to my friend and cousin Delwin Olson.

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delwin olson, del, killdeer, north dakota, tragic loss

Latest Articles

Who is she

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

A poem about a father who abandoned his daughter almost 30 years ago.

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poem, poetry, absentee parent, absentee father, deadbeat father

The Call for Religion in Schools

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 26, 2011

An unpublished editorial on religion in the classroom.

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religion in school, science and religion, religion and education

My feelings on God

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

My personal views on God.

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agnostic, agnosticism, atheism, god, religion debate

The Forgotten Philosopher: A Look at John Dewey

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 26, 2011

An essay delving into the educational philosophy of John Dewey.

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educational philosophy of john dewey, john dewey education, education, philosopher, forgotten

The mind and body

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

Why we need to exercise both mind and body.

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mind body, dualism

Discipline in School

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 26, 2011

A strict look at the need for strong discipline in the classroom.

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discipline in school, classroom discipline, student behavioral problems

The Hurry-Stop Syndrome

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 26, 2011

This editorial was the last Chalkboard editorial Shawn Olson wrote for the Columbus Messenger.

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impatient society, red lights

The other end of life

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 26, 2011

An emotional editorial by Shawn Olson about old age originally printed in the Messenger.

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life and death, old age, nursing home, grandpa olson, grandpa himes, solitu

Human ability and prejudice

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 30, 2011

Prejudice is a part of our world fading, but never quickly enough.

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sexism, racism, prejudice

Educational Inflation

Posted on Oct 19, 2002 | Last Updated Oct 26, 2011

A critique of the value of educational diplomas.

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high school diploma, college graduation, intellectual certification, educat

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