I'M BACK!

It's been awhile since I last posted. With time off for Christmas festivities in December and down with the flu in January, I can't believe we're into February. This makes me late with my best wishes to everyone for 2017. May you find happiness, peace, and love.

In a period where political unrest and uncertanty seems to dominate our thinking and social media, I've had time this past month to reflect on what's important to me. What's happening south of the border with our American allies and friends has impacted not only their own people, but those of us north and south of their borders and all over the world.

There are times when my husband and I have had to say: Enough is enough. Turn off the television news, stay away from social media and enjoy the day. On more than one occassion, I must admit, I've posted responses to what I think are ignorant or hateful comments, only to be ridiculed or told as a Canadian to mind my own business. In the end, I've concluded that anything I say to ignorant or hateful people, will not change their opinion. My opinion gets lost in the rhetoric. People get carried away with emotion and become irrational. I don't expect everyone to accept my opinion. Afterall, isn't that what democracy is? Freedom of thought and speech? I just wish it could be done with respect.

I've concluded what really counts, is action. I absolutely believe as the new administration of Mr. Trump moves forward, that what they do south of our border affects the whole world--it already has. I'm drawing in my horns on social media and turning to action. It's what we do that really counts.

So how does this politicized post tie into the fact that this blog is an Author site, usually dedicated to all things 'writing'?

Let me tell you. I'm an author who writes about women. Women who face tough situations and through all their struggles become empowered. This is my passion. How can I not be part of what I see as a wrongdoing, a deliberate attempt to put women back decades in their fight for equality.

In light of all the issues affecting peoples rights and women's rights in the US and with no idea of the eventual outcome and its effects, I intend to take action. Come March 8th, International Women's Day, I will join in a march, along with thousands of other people to support not only the rights for women, but for everyone, no matter their race, religion, or sexual orientation. I invite all of you to find a march in your neighbourhood and join in the fight.

During what will be tumultuous times with unforseen outcomes, I wish you peace for 2017.

And to all you writers, keep on keeping on writing.  Visit me at my Facebook page HERE.

Writerly Wednesday Picture Prompt - The More We Know, The Less We Know

The More We Know,

The Less We Know.

            My twelve-year-old daughter and I stood staring at the graffiti on the wall.

            “What does that mean, Mom?”

            “Well, I think it’s referring to this novel series called The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. A science fiction parody with this supercomputer that mathematically decides the answer is 42.”

            “What’s the question?”

            “What’s the answer for life and the universe.”

            My daughter snorted. “And the answer’s 42. That makes no sense.”

            I laughed. “Apparently, the computer malfunctions because of events that happen in the story. There’s no definitive answer.”

            She studied the wall and turned towards me. “Mom...that is the answer.”

            “What is?”

            “That there’s no definitive answer...at least for us. Why would we want to have the answer? We wouldn’t need to dream, or think, or learn. We’d lose the magic to life.”

            Sometimes we need to listen to our kids.

*** 

Flash fiction prompt provided by: 
 http://www.writerlycorner.com/writerly-prompts/writerly-wednesday-1272016

Visit me on my FB Author Page HERE.

Writerly Wednesday Flash Fiction Picture Prompt

Mrs. Chicken

After two nasty roosters, attacking anyone in site, ended up in a stew, badgers killed the chicks, no matter what we tried to protect them. A neighbour’s dog killed the hens save one.

One day, I looked out back and saw Mrs. Chicken racing around the side of the house, dog right behind. I grabbed my husband’s air pistol that resembled a forty-five revolver and ran to the front of the house, yanked the door open, jumped into the stance with gun aimed, my eyes scanning the right of the front yard. Nothing. I swung my body to the left, still in shooting stance, gun aimed and ready.

There stood a customer for our home-based business, flattened against his car in fear.

After explaining the situation minus one hen or dog to prove it out, he shook his head and laughed.

“You sure have an aggressive sales technique.” 

*** 

Flash Fiction Picture Prompt Provided by: 

http://www.writerlycorner.com/writerly-prompts/writerly-wednesday-1192016#comments

 Visit me at my Facebook Author Page Here.

It's Over...but is it?

My final word on the US Election for what it's worth. This isn't about whether Republicans won or Democrats won. This isn't about whether Hillary won or Donald won. And it isn't about that the people have spoken either. Because Hillary won the popular vote, and the archaic Electoral College vote is what put Donald in as President. What this is really about is that a country is divided in half. Families have been pitted against each other, friends have lost friends and those relationships will not heal themselves today and go back to normal because the election is over. This is about a campaign that ran on fear and fear won out. There are good people on both sides of this division, but fear brings out the worst in people. This derisive division between our US neighbours has fanned the flames of this fear with bigotry, violence and a lack of respect for their democratic right for their individual beliefs. This fear isn't going to end because the election is over, nor is the split. I wish the people of the US unity and healing however idealistic that may sound.

What this is really about is Humanity. And Humanity took a bad hit. And this saddens me and my belief in people.

I'm glad right now that I live on an Island surrounded by oceans, mountains and trees where mother nature can nuture me. I plan on hibernating for awhile to rejuvenate.

1^ST PERIOD AFTER LUNCH

I stared at the old typewriter in the second hand store reliving memories of high school typing class.

Once we learned the keyboard basics, we spent our forty minute class typing to music. The idea was to achieve a basic rhythm. Our first song was:

How    much    is    that    dog---gy    in    the    win-dow,    the  

     tap       tap     tap   tap     tap    tap  tap   tap    tap   tap     tap

one with the wagg---le---y     tail.

                            tap  tap  tap  tap     tap  tap   tap

By the end of semester, we were speed demons, grooving to the king, ‘Elvis’.  Anyone walking past the typing lab would hear the rhythmic tap tap tap to:

You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog

Cryin’ all the time

and

Let's rock everybody, let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the jail house rock.

WE were the cool kids. Typing class ROCKED!

***

Flash Fiction Prompt Provided By:

http://www.writerlycorner.com/writerly-prompts


Visit me on my Facebook Author Page HERE.

WRITERLY WEDNESDAY FLASH FICTION PROMPT - ANIMAL CRACKERS

Another Wednesday story - enjoy!

Animal Crackers

Moving day, I drove to Mom’s. She stood surrounded by hobby farm animals. The farmer who was moving the animals didn’t show.

I made some calls; soon realizing we were on our own. The new owners arrived, annoyed we were still there. An hour later, we headed out in my hatchback, the backseat tied to the roof.

Almost at the new farm, a police car pulled me over. The officer leaned through the open window speechless..

Barclay barked. The parrot shouted: “Hello.” The ducks quacked and Dickens, the goat bleated before leaning forward to grab the officers shiny shirt buttons.

“I’m sorry I missed the stop sign, Officer. The kitten ran under the brake pedal and I didn’t want to hurt him. We’re just a ways down this road.”

He pulled back, shaking his head and laughing. “I’m not even going to ask. Carry on and drive safe.”

***

This promp provided by:

 http://www.writerlycorner.com/writerly-prompts/writerly-wednesday-1052016

Follow me on my Facebook Author Page HERE.

WRITERLY WEDNESDAY FICTION PICTURE PROMPT - BY THE SEA

By The Sea

Kelly closed her computer, packed files into the box on her desk, and leaned back in her chair. She swivelled towards the left of her desk and stared at the full wall mural featured behind a sea green coloured couch. Fern trees flanked the sofa, centered on an oval rug with a cherry wood coffee table.

Her home office was her favourite place to sit and muse the seven months she lived and worked in the city.

The mural reminded her of New England—the sea, fish, waves, sea grasses, and snails.

Tomorrow, she was driving to Old Orchard Beach, Maine to her summer home. Five months of writing, visiting friends, sea food and walking miles along the sandy beach.

Kelly rose and stood in front of the mural. She smiled.

Thanks for keeping me sane until I return to my happy place by the sea.

***

Picture Prompt Provided by:

http://www.writerlycorner.com/writerly-prompts

Visit me at my FB Author Page HERE