I had to share this.
Excellent reading.
Dear GOP: You do know how pregnancy works, right?
Every time I see or hear about the GOP’s attack on women I get angry. Are they really trying to get elected/re-elected by denying women reproductive health care? They do realize that women make up a huge voting block, right?
Now this isn’t a political blog but I have to ask the question. What you believe is what you believe. I think everyone should live their lives with whatever beliefs they like. Just don’t try to legislate said beliefs on the masses. After all, God gave everyone free will. If God can respect a person’s choice, why can’t everyone?
I posted the link below on Facebook over the weekend.
Dear GOP: You do know how pregnancy works, right? | Angry Black Lady Chronicles.
Cover Story – Lie to Me
I am working on a short story that I plan to prepare for sell. Sort of like how musicians release a single in advance of their album. This short story will be my single. A major selling point for ebooks are the cover. That’s where you come in. I would appreciate any feedback on the effectiveness of this cover. Feel free to let me what you think. Thanks.
Synopsis:
When Andre discovers that his girlfriend/finance is cheating on him, he does what anyone would do. He pretends it’s not true. But when reality forces him to make a decision, will he simply walk away? Or will he make her pay for her transgressions?
School Shooting – A Parenting Moment
Everyone has heard about the school shooting in Chardon, Ohio. Seventeen year old T. J. Lane opened fire in the school cafeteria shooting five students. Three of those teenagers have died.
I am not here to get into a debate about gun control or bullying. My heart weeps for every family affected by this event. Especially those parents that have to do the unthinkable and bury their child.
No, this post asks a question. How can you protect your children in an increasing evil world?
As a parent, it is terrifying to admit one simple fact. We don’t have any control over what happens.
A good parent teaches their child how to behave. We illustrate values and establish rules. We correct with love. We demonstrate how to treat other people. A good parent tries to raise a responsible and considerate person.
Then we release our child into the world (a friend’s house, the movies, or school) and we trust them to make good decisions. We trust them not to text and drive. We trust them not to drink or try drugs. We trust that they won’t pick up a gun to solve a problem. Perhaps the greatest faith of all, we trust that they won’t get shot sitting in the cafeteria.
Here’s the parenting moment: This is what I told my girls, “If you know someone has a gun in school, tell. If you see or hear someone with a gun, run.”
I’ll have to continue to trust they will come home from school each day. And pray. I’ll be praying for your children too.
Any parenting advice to share? Feel free.
Musical Look Back – Loose Ends
(This is a new series of post where I share the music that I grew up listening to.)
Every generation thinks the music of their youth is better than the what’s being played today. In my case, it is actually true. First example, the band Loose Ends.
Loose Ends was a British R&B ban formed in London in 1980. The three members of the group reached #1 on the US Billboard charts with their hit “Hanging on a String” in 1985. They went on to have a string of hits until the 90s. See some videos below:
“Hanging on a String”
“Slow Down”
“Watching You”
“Stay A Little While,Child”
“Mr. Bachelor”
Enjoy!
(This artist was suggested by the Hubby. Good job, hon!)
This is a good idea. I think I’ll follow this advice and try my hand at publishing a short story.
How I Would Fix the US Postal System
I was watching television the other day and saw this commercial from the US Postal Service. Is this the best they could come up with?
This lovely ad describes how everyone needs that piece of paper (i.e. mail) to file away because “a cork board has never been hacked”. They seemed to have overlooked the fact that no one wants paper anymore.
That’s where I come in. Speaking as someone that has no inside knowledge of the postal service, I offer these suggestions to improve the mail system. This is at no cost to my fellow taxpayers. You’re welcome.
1. Raise the price of a stamp to 50 cents and be done with it. Why do they keep inching the price up in increments of a penny? I shouldn’t have to scrape up pennies to buy a stamp. Let’s keep the price divisible by five as a general rule.
2. Update those uniforms. The blue is not really working anymore. They should get with the new spring fashions. Add a sorbet color to the uniform or use some color blocking. I’m sure some fashion designer would job at the chance to design a new look.
3. No one actually wants to go to the post office. Make it an event. Have someone at the door (a la Walmart greeter) to offer assistance. Offer beverages while you wait on line.
4. Have an express lane so if you just need to pick up a registered letter you don’t have to wait behind some guy mailing six packages.
5. Actually have working stamp machines. (I know, too radical.)
6. And finally, stop delivering on Saturdays. It’s the weekend. Take the day off.
Any suggestions for the postal service?
Family Ties
This past weekend the whole family hopped a plane and landed in Houston to celebrate my grandmother’s 80th birthday. We spent four days catching up with family, eating homemade gumbo and watching the Whitney Houston funeral. Everyone left with the intention of staying in touch but it made me wonder. Is it possible to stay in touch with people you don’t see often and don’t know that well?
Now Grandma and I are close. I’ve seen her more often over the course of growing up. We used to write each other letters (remember when that was the preferred method of communication) and we talk on the phone. We are as close as two people who live 1,000 miles apart can be. My grandmother is the coolest 80-year-old I know. She is a wealth of old school wisdom with enough spunk to still drive her new Chrysler 200 and have wireless internet in her house. I just love to sit wherever she is and listen. The woman could have been a comedienne in a former life.
I also have an uncle, two aunts, a large number of cousins, their spouses and all of their children. Being around all of my relatives left me with a feeling of camaraderie but no real connection. We are all bound by blood as evidenced by the pictures that grace my grandmother’s home. I could even remember summers spend in Texas as a kid. But once we all grew up, life had a way of making us virtual strangers.
As we all know, relationships take time and effort to maintain. My question is who has time? Who has the time and energy to establish and maintain a real relationship (beyond Facebook) with relatives that you rarely see? Is it worth it?
Any advice? How do you keep in touch with long-lost relatives?
No New Post for You!
It’s my grandmother’s 80th birthday! Heading out of town to celebrate. New post will be up mid week.
Enjoy your weekend and take care.