A Sad Turn in a Long Story…

As many know by now, the remains of missing teenager 13-year-old Hailey Dunn were found in Scurry County, TX on 3/16/13.  This was confirmed after weeks of testing on the remains.  I am at a loss for words here.  As a mother, I am torn because I know how I would feel had my child gone missing, and at the same time, I also hope that justice has her way quickly in this case.  This girl deserves that.  More than that, I only pray she didn’t suffer too much at the hand(s) of the person(s) who killed her.

Please continue to keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.  Please keep this community of West Texas in your thought also. This entire community is heartbroken, to say the least.  This case resulted in a nationwide search. Thank God for all of those volunteers and those in law enforcement who never gave up on her also.

In their time of loss, let us remember the family of Hailey Dunn in our thoughts. Thank you.

Is There Any Way to Phase a Terrorist?

I am seriously so tired of all this experimenting our government does with these terrorists to get them to talk. I have the perfect solution to deal with terrorists both foreign and domestic–especially for those who come here from other countries to claim citizenship under false pretenses.  It will sound strange but it would work because they would receive no word…No news…Nothing of this country or their home country.  It would amount to solitary confinement on a prison ship at sea with NO visitors allowed aside from their cleric or the lawyers.

Regardless of their country of origin, they should receive no news from it. The logic being that if they renounced their own country and took an allegiance to this one and then betrayed it, they deserve no news  from either place.  Give them religious accommodation with a cleric from whatever religion they claim to be in–but do not let that cleric discuss news with them.

I think this would be a greater punishment than death or life in an American prison. Their actions would have real consequences. They would have no cause to support if they were stripped their countries, would they? I mean to the point to where there is NO television or radio either…

Their families would be notified of their well-being via a letter from them every week, but the offenders of this nature would only receive letters with notices of births, deaths and news of a personal nature–not anything that involves politics and such.  They would only be allowed on radio phone call with relatives after the death of an immediate family member, with clear instructions that if the family member tries to relay any news of either country, the call would abruptly be ended.

Does that sound too extreme?  Well…I wonder if they would be so eager to try to push their ideals and fear onto this country if they knew this would be the fate that awaited them…

I should give credit to the late Edward Everett Hale for this idea.  I really think as sad as the story “The Man Without a Country” is, it is far less tragic than the events we have seen unfold in this country in the past 13 years.  I think the concept of isolation and no news is worth some serious thought.  For whatever their cause is, it wouldn’t serve them well to receive this sentence.

At least I can honestly say it is an approach that has not been used before.  As long as they are fed, clothed and allowed their choice of whatever religion they want, a shower, and medical care  then they would be a lot better off than a lot of the American people are now. What do you think?

Well, that is my take on the subject and if it offends anyone, oh well…I’m used to that. If anyone has any other ideas that might ACTUALLY work, feel free to share them because after 13 years of crap, I’m open to something that might actually work as a solution.

Dear America: What Has Happened to Us?

I have watched things unfold in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing…I am not going to be any less blunt than normal and am only going to express this once.  Anyone who has malice in their hearts toward a group of people, and carries out an act of mass killing directed at that group of people for whatever reason is, in my book, a terrorist.  Whether they target military for being military, Americans for being American, etc…That IS a terrorist and not all terrorists are Muslim.

However it is my opinion that Homeland Security and the FBI dropped the ball.  IF people go to countries like Yemen and such and show signs of extremism when they return, that is obviously a problem.  If our government wants to make the population guinea pigs and become the “thought police” and try to disarm anyone, these are people they should start with.  Then they should disarm anyone with family members living in the household who have mental illnesses that can make them dangerous to others, too.

The saddest thing about any murderer, whether it be a terrorist or someone from any other background is that most of the time they do not realize the fact that they are not only destroying lives of the victims’ families but they are destroying their own families.  I wonder if when they are caught (if caught alive) and they see how distraught their families are if they really do begin to understand the magnitude of the fact they have accomplished nothing but destroying those around them they claim to love.

The families of these murderers suffer as much as victims’ families do and it is sad that we live in a society that after hundreds of years, there is a tendency to judge all for the actions of one…or two….All one has to do is read the comments under every story to see that the hatred from both sides of an issue runs deeper than the muddy waters of the Mississippi River.

When I was a sergeant in the correctional field, people would actually cheer if a murderer, especially a person who murdered a child was executed in turnout.  As the surviving family member of a murder victim, this type of mob mentality does sicken me. I do not understand it.  Even if they put this young man, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to death, it will not bring peace to the families of those who died and it certainly won’t change the fact that the lives of those who survived are forever altered.

These men took more than four lives.  They have brought our nation to a crossroads–a test if you will…The real question is, will we as a nation continue to let these people cause enough hate and resentment between two sides of a debate hate each other, or will each side learn to accept that things are as they are for a reason and try to work together toward a solution that will not result in further dividing the country?

This story is going to lead to more political wrangling.  We all know this.  However there are two sides to the argument that are clear…On one side, some feel that law enforcement are our protectors and our heroes–and for the most part, they are.  On the other side are those people who feel that they cannot protect us all.  That side feels that they are outgunned and out manned. Not all people who wish to keep the right to own arms want to own them for the sake of posterity or pride. Some truly feel that the American people are under threat and that our government does not recognize the threat and how serious that threat is–or they choose to ignore that threat.

A few of them feel that the government is indifferent to what they feel and could become a threat themselves. As a society that does care, do we really want to continue to feed that beast of a thought train? I can tell you this, those who worship the party they vote for while attacking the others with such open hostility, including hate, regional bias and the like, will only lead to further divisions…Both sides of the political extreme in the Democratic Party and the Republican Party would like nothing better than to force their agendas on the rest of the NORMAL members of society who do not agree with them.

They are the ones that must be brought into compliance with one ideal: We are all Americans. We all bleed red and we all need to realize one thing:  hatred never accomplishes anything.  There is an old saying I used to hear–and granted it is biblical, but I feel that there is more truth in it than what Americans want to admit.  “A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.”   Whatever your political leanings are, you will not win hearts and minds by all the hate-mongering and Bush bashing you do…You won’t win them by bashing the Obamas either.

It is time for this nation to act like adults.  This is something the American people have not done in some time.  They have not learned to mind their own business.  They have not learned to stop attacking others for not worshiping the political party that they do.  It is time to learn how to not stoop to the level of either side.  A good first step in accomplishing this would be to turn off the TV and stop watching the puppets in the media.  Yes, you read that correctly.  We don’t see a lot of good journalism anymore but there are a handful of good journalists out there.

These are the ones who actually report THE NEWS without injecting how they feel things should be into the story.  There was a day when personal bias was left out of journalism and unless the people stop allowing themselves to be sucked into this game they play, they will continue to do this type of shoddy reporting to sway the hearts and minds of America by injecting inflammatory opinions into their own writing. Those things are meant to upset the population and sell papers.  When the field of journalism began to take off there was a term for that phenomenon. It was called yellow journalism and it is done by emphasizing sensationalism–especially about wars and such.  Now there is a time and place to do this. Now is not the time or the place because much of the nation is still in shock at the horrendous nature of this crime.

That being said, the pundits need to stop calling this person a “boy”, a “kid”, etc…He is 19 years old. He is a young man. He was part of a criminal act–which means he is a criminal himself. The question is, to what degree?  It will not be up to the public to decide, but that is not what the media is trying to accomplish. Some journalists already try to evoke sympathy in one direction or the other to the point that if this guy gets tried by a jury, I do not think he can get a fair trial.  It is time for the media to back off now.  The families need to finish burying their dead and the communities need to begin to heal.

It is also time to let this young man’s friends and family come to terms with the death of a loved one as well. It is also not fair to judge them by the acts of these two brothers. Some of their family members are as shocked as the rest of the nation–save for the “auntie” who is going to get 15 minutes of fame with this.

After that, it will be for a judge and/or a jury to decide this person’s fate.  Can we not wait until all is said and done to play the role of “armchair expert”?

This is No Country for Old Racists…Seriously!

I am going to say this again and again until those of a collectivist mindset gets it right…RACISM in all forms is WRONG. It should not be allowed to be taught in our culture–whether it be  in academics or in society. To raise children to be this way is abuse and should be treated as such. It does not matter if it is a professor or a school teacher, if they teach anything like that, they should be permanently barred from teaching in all 50 states and barred from  setting foot on ANY campus, and if they are here on a work visa, it should be immediately revoked and they should be sent home.

Now what sparked this you ask? Aside from the fact that my ancestors were here long before anyone of European descent–including Spaniards set foot on the place?  It was one statement by this man:

There should be no tolerance for this type of teaching at ANY level of education in America and teachers/professors with these views should not be in ANY educational post in this country.  This is hate speech. It must be stamped out.

This gentleman, and I do use that term rather loosely for him, doesn’t seem to realize that not even his people–many of whom were also Spaniards who came to this continent are considered “white”.  Yes, he probably has them in his family tree…I have no tolerance for such bigotry. My grandson is part African American and I am part Comanche. For his information, my people were here long before anyone’s and yes there is Irish in my family tree but many were most likely indentured servants.

Anyone who supports this ilk is part of the problem in this country.  No artist in film or in the music industry should remain silent when these people are getting away with such hate speech. This is not about the parties anymore. It is about the people and these racists are like a cancer and must be weeded out and removed from their posts–period!  As long as these people have control of our colleges and children in the classrooms, there can never be unity because they seek to divide and conquer.

 

Want Proof America is Screwed Up? Here it is!

A little over 30 years ago, I gave birth to my first son, Eric.  I had worked from the time I was 15 years old–whether as a waitress, dishwasher, busing tables, cleaning toilets, etc…just to have the money to get what I needed or wanted.  I was never a party animal in my youth and am not really now.   However, when he was born all of my priorities changed…I found myself working 3 jobs and going to school at night. Granted, my sister Ruby helped me to take care of my kids–but it was still hard as hell to not have time with them for the sake of the almighty buck…

I could have been a “Welfare Mom”…You know, the ones most people like to bitch about, but I wasn’t.  I did draw public assistance between jobs and ADC once when my ex decided he wasn’t going to work and help pay for anything.  However, after that I was working 2 jobs and trying to finish up my degree.

If there is one thing that pisses me off it is when someone says, “I make more on unemployment than I can working at McDonald’s with my degree!”

Well excuse the hell out of me, but my taxes are supporting your ability to constantly sit on your ass so if you can make more, why the hell don’t you have a friggin’ job?  Seriously, that ticks me off. That is ego talking–not necessity.  There are places where McDonald’s pays $10-15 an hour starting (just like Wal~Mart around here) so you have no excuse anymore.  These are the type of people who would let their families starve before taking a job at ANY level. Well we weren’t born with the crown jewels on our heads and we won’t die with them there either…

My family ate a lot of beans, cornbread and potatoes, but that was paid for with my wages and sometimes (if I did get them)  food stamps.  NEVER would I turn down a job if I knew it would provide for my family. That is such BS.

I also have no problem with people who really need help. The elderly and disabled DO deserve help but not these people who use their degrees as an excuse to sit on their asses…I have a problem with those who say crap like this and refuse to work because they think doing labor or cleaning toilets is beneath their dignity and/or their education level. Having degrees does not make  us better than everyone else. It only guarantees an employer that we can read and write now. It is time to face reality. Nobody owes people like this a living.  

AND if necessary, I’d hide those credentials to get the job if times demanded it! A person who really wants a job and knows he/she can’t find one should NEVER disclose having a degree–especially if  they realize that they are in an area with a high rate of unemployment. 9 times out of 10 these employers come back with “You’re ‘overqualified.” which is more BS.  It is better to make that $9-10 an hour than to make ZERO dollars an hour. Get it yet?  

I think Obama is right about ONE thing. We need to get our priorities in order. That means as individuals we need to take responsibility for our actions, our lack of actions, our apathy, our lives and OUR CHILDREN and families.  Life will not hand you what you want, you have to work for it, so to those people who have degrees while sitting on their fanny while the rest of us work our butts off:  GET OFF YOUR ASS!   America is screwed up and you aren’t helping it.

 

April 9, 1929

Kenneth B. O’Neill USAF Msgt. (Ret-1972) 1929-1995

 

On this day in 1929, my father was born.  I heard the story about how hard times were–to the point where my grandpa often stole chickens and such to keep the family fed.  They picked cotton. They worked the fields and they were very creative.  My grandmother, Mary E. O’Neill played an organ, Dad could write and Uncle Jackie could also–in fact, my uncle had a photographic memory!  He could read a book and remember it almost word for word, page number and chapter of what he wanted to tell us about.  In short, Uncle Jackie was a genius!

I”ll share some of the funny stuff at some point but for now, I’m just going to sit back and remember some of the fun things–like when we all went camping at Ringling Lake in Eastland, TX.

He’s been gone since 1995, but I think of him every year. I’m a little late tonight, but I was always late for everything when I was young–except school and work.  I drove my dad nuts if I didn’t call when I was supposed to, but today I wish I could call him…I miss him more than anyone can comprehend, but if I could call him, I’d introduce him to this little guy–his great-grandson!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=409471489133877&set=vb.100002130892797&type=3&theater

I see a little of Dad in him…Just enough to lemme know that that boy has the Irish in him!  I think his hair is going to be like Dad’s too, but it’s too early to tell…

Anyway, if my dad is out there somewhere with his arms folded across his chest wondering what the heck is going on around here, I just wanna say this:  “Happy Birthday, Dad! You can put your halo back on now. I remembered!”

😉

 

 

Gee…Ya Think?

Disclaimer: The following post is meant to be a sarcastic rant and nothing more. It is not to be taken seriously. If  you really believe that I mean this stuff in a serious context, please seek counseling on the big, brown ugly ass couch and you will feel better since  I will not respond to any post that tries to make this more than the piece of political dark-witted tripe that it is!  Of course watching certain political figures using certain tragedies and the victims of them for their own gain sickens me as much as anything else.  Both parties do it. That is my opinion…

In light of the latest attack on 15 people at the Lone Star College in Cypress, TX some fringe groups are beginning to lobby congress to pass requirements that box cutters, utility knives, sharp gardening tools, hatchets, machetes,   and such materials would  be sold only to those who are contractors in the State of Texas or those who are utilizing these tools must be in possession of a sales tax certificate that will enable them to sell arts and crafts that they produce.  Anyone else who wants these must take a 3 hour training course requiring safety rules be taught on where these can be kept and such.  There will also be a number on the limit of blades and such that anyone can buy for a refill.

Alright…I’ve already established that this is nothing more than dark witted tripe.  So now you are probably thinking, “What the hell is she going on about?”  It is simple. I will spell it out for you.  Whether it is a gun with a limited number of bullets, or a box cutter, they can both become “mechanisms for confrontation”. There is one thing people might want to consider in the gun debate though. With a limited number of bullets, it will take time to re-load, which will give people time to escape or take down the attacker.

On the other hand, a box cutter, utility knife, or other sharp items–like machetes,   can be used repetitively, relatively silently, and swiftly before anyone can take any action because those doing it can hide in a crowd if they get away, and the people who commit crimes using guns or this type of weapon are the exceptions and not the rule. More laws and such will not stop these killings.  The events at Lone Star College only serve to prove the point.

There are other points to ponder here.  Shouldn’t those who are known to be deranged enough to commit such an act have access to anything like this?  I am willing to bet that most will answer “no”, but the only way to stop this is to stop closing down mental health facilities and stop having more staff at the mental hospitals than beds available for the patients. People who are this far gone should not be running around loose and untreated in a free society. 

To continue to allow this will only endanger more people. And for those who have no record of mental illness who commit such depraved acts the answer is simple. When they kill, rape, and or cause grievous bodily harm, lock them up.  NO light sentences for violent crimes and such.  That will stop a lot those who can obviously tell right from wrong from going to the “largest hotel chain in the U.S.”–which is the correctional facility.

To think that outlawing or severely limiting ownership of any mechanism of confrontation, whether it be a gun, machete or whatever is going to stop crimes or reduce the numbers dying each year is, at best, erroneous thought.  Again, the people who commit these acts are the exception and not the rule and since they are the ones doing most of the violent acts, they will find other ways to carry out destruction regardless of what is taken away from society.

 

We ARE Mothers…

There are times I get really pissed at the way the medical profession and some magazine writers try to dehumanize the experience of a miscarriage.  One article said, “…We imagine ourselves as mothers…” Oh hell no! They did not just say that! I don’t care if it is a loss at six weeks or six months–I am still a mother who has lost my child–and my ex-husband is a father who lost his dammit!

Then they call it “products of conception” or “fetal tissue”.  All I can say to any medical professional who would use that type of terminology to a woman and her partner who has miscarried is a phrase not fit for this post so I won’t repeat it here.  I lost my child. When they acted as if I did not know what I was talking about, I switched doctors. If the difference between one mother’s child is that it was a wanted one and someone else’s was not, then save the terminology for the abortion clinics and read the frigging chart before you shoot your mouth off because if it is a mom in a very emotional state you are dealing with,  she might just come unglued on your ass…IN fact, I know several mothers who lost children who would. I know I would if I endured it AGAIN and was treated as if the being  carried inside of me was not worthy of being called a “human being” but relegated to being called “products of conception” or “tissue”.

NOTE: This post is NOT about abortion. However I think a lot of the people in the medical profession try to treat this  experience like one and that is what pisses me off.  Even the old term for it (if it is not in use now) was “spontaneous abortion“.  The experience of losing a wanted child is unique and personal and should be treated with the same care and compassion as losing a loved one would be treated had it been a stillbirth–including offering referrals to counseling for couples going through this. Support groups for grieving parents who have experienced this are amazing, I think. 

Losing a child is a gut wrenching, physically painful, horrible experience regardless of what stage of gestation and if people in medical profession are trying to help us by dehumanizing the experience, they are deluding themselves.  Those in psychology tend to do the same.  It is because of this lack of consideration for those of us who go through this that I am writing this.  I know there are places out there somewhere that don’t conduct themselves in such an android like fashion when dealing with that type of grief, and I would like to know where they are. I will gladly refer people to those from this blog. As of right now, our group is unique and in a class by itself. In short, we stand alone.

Now if you have family members going through this, just listen and show some empathy.  Don’t say things like “Well, you’ll have another one someday.” or “At least you know you’re capable of having a baby.”  These are very insensitive things to be saying and it is pure bullshit.  You will alienate anyone you say that to over time if you do this–especially if the event might have left them unable to conceive. Trust me. I’ve cut people off for this.  Why? Simple. One child will never replace another.  We don’t forget the pain of losing the ones we lost and I can tell you from personal experience that even after 27 years, there is still ONE empty space at my table I think about from time to time.  In short, if you want to keep your friend, and you are not sure what to say, just be quiet…PLEASE…

This was not the only miscarriage I had, but it is the one that stands out because it is my son’s fraternal twin. It is VERY rare to not lose both, but I didn’t lose Brian. They said two weeks later when I still had morning sickness and got into it with the nurses that it was all in my head and I was NOT pregnant…They were going to send me to a psychologist. I said get the test and we’ll settle it now–among a few other choice things…Voila! I was STILL pregnant with that one and they rushed to do a sonogram.  Brian’s sac was in tact but it was considered high risk because I lost the twin. It is also very, very rare to keep one twin after losing the other–especially as early as it was.

In short, if you don’t understand it, just be willing to listen and don’t say anything.  That’s really all we need is a listening ear and a good shoulder to cry on.  You don’t know if or when a couple will be able to have another child, so it’s best not to comment one way or another on THAT issue too.

 

Sarah Was Alone…

I have been lying here on the cold ground around here for a very long time.  I don’t remember why I was put here, but I remember I was being hit again and again all because I wanted a glass of milk.  Why would anyone leave me out here? I am only seven. I don’t understand them.  I thought Mommy and Daddy wanted me and loved me–Oh wait! Daddy is gone.  He wasn’t there. It was someone else who was there with my mom. Mommy said my daddy was not coming back and if he did, she’d leave with us again.

I don’t remember much after being hit on the head the third time. I think I was crying and went to sleep.  I had to pee but couldn’t move and I was having this weird dream.  I was looking down at myself but I wasn’t hurting anymore.  I was so afraid that I was going to be hit again but nothing happened.  Not for a while.  I felt like I was flying and saw a light, but I couldn’t leave my baby sister there. It didn’t feel right so I stayed.

Then I saw Mitch, my moms boyfriend come in. He started yelling things I couldn’t understand and had Mom take my baby sister out of the room…I watched him shake me but I didn’t feel anything. He was saying some bad words too, but he did say he was sorry and started crying.  I’m not mad at him. I just don’t understand why he sent me here. I don’t understand why Mom let him hurt me all the time either.  I know she got mad because I wouldn’t say he was my daddy at school so she hit me too sometimes over it.  I still don’t understand where my real daddy was and why he didn’t come.

Mitch turned on the big light and I saw blood on my head and nose.  My eyes were open but I couldn’t blink and my lips were a weird bluish color.  I think I threw up at some point too before I was in this place watching everything. Mitch put me in a blanket and a bag and put me in the truck while Mom kept crying.

I am glad you’re close to me now because talking helps me not to feel so lonely out here.  It’s like you can’t see me yet but I can see you.  You come out here a lot, picking flowers. I think we might be in the same grade. I want to play but I know you can’t seem to hear me so I’ll just keep talking and hope someone finds me soon.

It’s neat to watch you play, Little Girl.  I like watching people do things I couldn’t do anymore around here but there is a neat thing about this. I don’t feel stickers in my feet or bugs crawling on me.  I’m in a place where you can’t see me well but I can see you.

I’ve seen it rain and such out here a lot too.  The trees are pretty when that happens and the birds come out. I’ve seen it snow a lot out here too.  I think I’ve seen 10 springs and 10 big snows!  It’s all so pretty and I don’t have to be afraid here.  You have blond hair like me! And you like dolls too! That’s neat!  I do miss Mom but not Mitch. I wonder where they are. Why don’t they come back for me?  I’m in a blanket not far from where you are.  Maybe your mom and dad will come find me and get me out of here soon.

Here come’s someone! It’s a man!  Is that your dad? Man he’s tall.  Wait, he’s getting closer to me.  Can you see me?  I’m right here? Please don’t leave me again! I’m so tired of being alo–wait! He’s sending you away and looking down. He’s saying “Oh my god!” or something like that and pulling out a little black thing he’s talking into. Now he’s crying. Why? Oh wait…He saw my teddy bear. It’s really dirty.  I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make anyone cry! Honest–I–wait…

I can hear a bit now…Not much…

“Look Sheriff, you need to come. I found–”

Oh can’t make out the rest but he’s still here, crying and looking down where Mitch put me. Now there is a lady but he yelled, “Get them out of here! I’ll explain when the sheriff gets here!” and she left with you and a younger kid really quickly. He kept looking at my teddy bear, but he didn’t touch it. He just stood there crying. Why? I’m not hurting.

Oh please don’t cry! I’m really not hurting now! I’m just glad to not be alone…That’s the worst thing–alone at night even though I don’t feel hurt and such.

He’s been here crying for a long time and praying too.  My grandma prayed a lot!  Now there are other people here.  They have brushes and such and tweezers, shovels…All kinds of stuff and a yellow tape. Why can’t they just get me out of here?  Wait.  Maybe they are trying.  The older guy is shaking his head.

“Who would dump their kid out here like that?” I heard him say.

“Mom and Mitch would.” was my response but he didn’t hear me.  None of them hear me.  Wait! This one older guy said my name–another guy with a badge.

“From what the grandmother told me years ago, it could be Sarah Hawthorne.” he said.

“That is my name! He knows my name! I”m so glad! Someone sees me and knows my name!”

Wait! There’s that light again and it looks like it’s gonna rain, too.  Hey! I see Grandma and two other people with her!  One’s in an army uniform! He says he’s my daddy!  The other one is an older guy. I think I’ll go with them now!  I’m just glad someone found me so I’m okay!  Thanks for hearing me! I am so happy now!  Bye! I’m not alone anymore! You’ll be alright now so don’t cry, okay?!

 

The Ebb and Flow of Life

“Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.”—Stella Adler, and she was absolutely right on that one.

If I could add anything to that phrase, it would be the word “still” after the word “that”.  Isn’t it odd that we can go through so much–both good and bad and the artists are the ones that motivate us or evoke tears?  When I say “artist” do you think I mean someone with a paint brush or a camera?  Then you are only partially correct. I’m referring to those who can create worlds with their pens as well–or the actor or actress that can allow a character to come through them like a shaman allows the spirits to breathe through them.

All of these can move us to tears, inspire us, make us angry as hell or even, for some strange reason depending on what is put out there, can cause us to tell the world to go screw itself for a day.  I love a good psychological roller coaster ride when I watch a film which is why a lot of the 80’s flicks for the teens didn’t impress me too much. However there are two exceptions: “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and “The Breakfast Club“.

Now what happens when the artists go through such crap that they don’t want to create?  It is not that hard to answer. Those closest to them and those who support them should rally around them and send them love. Yeah, that’s right–LOVE.   You know, that word society likes to associate with the “f” word a lot?  However it means so much more than that.  For those of us who love putting the word to paper, writer’s block is what happens to us if we fear not measuring up, or something has happened that has mummified our muse.

They key to the cure is to encourage the writer to keep writing, the painter to keep painting, the photographer to keep snapping pictures, the actor or actress to keep  acting and the singer/songwriter to keep on singing and composing.  Let them know what they have done for you and how they have inspired you.  Sometimes those who tell them their work is crap are nothing more than corporate “yes” men. If we are the ones buying the work, we should be dropping lines on occasion.

When they inspire us, they also do remind us that we STILL possess a soul as well, do they not?

A few of my friends are really going through some crap right now. They are always on my mind and in my thoughts. If I could reach out across the distance and hug them or let them simply be free to vent, I would.   I’ve been in places where nobody else would want to tread, that is for sure.  Instead of hardening me, I have become more empathetic  about many things. Given what I have survived and come out of, I would say that is a good thing because I could have easily become anything BUT empathetic toward my fellow-man/woman.

Some people have seen a few snippets of my life.  Some were there and watched me go through it.  I often get asked how I survived it all and kept my marbles.  The answer a simple. I grew up in an age where it was one thing to wish those who hurt you into the “cornfield” as depicted by the “Twilight Zone“.  It was (and is) quite another to send them there. No individual is worth the creature one would turn into if they actually carried out such thoughts–but then again, thoughts can become “things”, right?

Well they nearly did when I was 12–and the scenario was NOT a good one. Therefore I’ll save it for another story with another vile creature of a villain that will either get killed off in a horrible way and/or will learn what it was like for his/her victim to suffer.  There is nothing like the pen to describe these ebbs and flows in our life cycle–but it is so much more  fun to carry out our fantasies in fiction.

If your life feels more like it is ebbing than flowing, then maybe it is  time to pull out the pen again or the brush and go for it!  Have a good evening!