A facebook/OS friend was joining the Hilary Rosen discussion about whether Ann Romney ever worked and if motherhood is a career choice.  I was not aware of the controversy and just thought that my friend had lost her mind when she asked if mothers work.

 This question is akin to those… Read full post »

The Savannah August 2007 was originally posted on Open Salon when I first began blogging in 2008. 

Savannah August 2007

I am on my way home down I-95 to Orlando from the rural north of Charleston where I visited a friend  who tries so hard but is so/… Read full post »

I have supportive and loving workplace mentors.  This is not about them.

This is to my bully.

 Back off.  Leave me alone. . . . This is who you are.

From http://www.kickbully.com/hidden.html

A bully misleads people by omitting significant information that… Read full post »

It has taken me a long time to learn how to avoid putting up with abusive people in my life.  I am happy.  I have work I like and am paid to do.  I have wonderful children.  I have many loving friends.  I am learning at 50 what I should have… Read full post »

First posted in 2008.

I was a Toddler Delinquent

My younger sister was born when I was two. She had a heart condition requiring frequent at home doctor visits and her care became paramount to my mother. We lived in Batesville, Arkansas where my father was the assistant prosecuting attorney.… Read full post »

I posted the following blog on December 7, 2010 at 6:26 a.m. detailing what I wanted for Christmas from the universe.

Thank you universe.  It took  364 days but you gave me all five.  I am thankful.

.......................................................................................… Read full post »

My boyfriend does not really like to take me to movies.   He does live on hope and takes me anyway hoping that someday I will learn the concept of suspending disbelief and just have a good time being entertained.

So far this is not happening.

 I cry during the sad… Read full post »

I was determined to get my youngest to school on time this morning.  So determined we made it to school an hour early.  I had not intended to get out of the car and was wearing bath slippers made of soft, fuzzy, blue shag carpet.  My youngest wanted breakfast.  We went/… Read full post »

I had been drifting towards atheism since 2007 after a year in the hospital for cancer treatment.  Barbara Ehrenreich explains her similar exasperation with the “have faith and think positive” proponents who would invade my chemotherapy treatment room every Friday for a year d… Read full post »

After 30 years of intimacy

not always

but often enough

late at night

in the dark

during the after talk

they tell me.

"My uncle"

"My cousin"

"My coach"

"My frat big brother"

"My sister’s boyfriend"

Always someone they knew.

Forget stranger danger.

Then their voices chan… Read full post »

I thought about going to the Occupy Orlando march last night and did not because my friend with whom I do such things was working.  This might have been a good decision since there were arrests last night.  Here is video of those arrests. 

http://www.youtube.com/w… Read full post »

I will be 50 in May.

I just figured something out and yeah time stood still . . .

I had been working on classes on the computer so handsome companion was out shopping until mid-Sunday.  I made sure to finish before I heard him come home announced by an/… Read full post »

When I told you I did not like your condescending manner towards me

You said "condescending" was never used as an adjective.

Like a priest in worship of the madonna you have engraved upon your heart and mind a litany of my sins.

Like a priest every sin I committed you… Read full post »

This past weekend I spent a day with a friend in Washington D.C. among the memorials as he described "doing all the dead presidents and wars." At every memorial the words of Wilfred Owen were in my head, "The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est /Pro patria mori." The… Read full post »

Read this poem by Frank Messina and more of his poems if you want to follow the link.

We are not just the good guys.  We ain't wearing white hats.  Messina makes that clear.

http://www.spokeface.com/disorderlyconduct.htm

Disorderly Conduct

To the people of the world

You’re al… Read full post »

Like a mortician preserving the dead

 Norman Bates exclaims, “Mama said! Mama said!”

 He deputizes the risen corpse with a ring and long white dress.

Together they will correct deficiencies.

Children borne must suffer for the sins of the mother.

Mama said.  Mama said. Read full post »

I am an old school feminist in that I believe the political is personal and the personal is political.  That is what today's little rant is about in three parts as prescribed for Western rhetoric and argument by the definitely non-feminist and sometimes downright sexist Plato through his te… Read full post »

I have been gone awhile.  #1 I am very happy and busy in part because I am spending the summer with time with my daughters as my priority.  #2 I am happy with work and everything else. 

I killed my cable because I could not stand the messages created… Read full post »

#1:

First on my birthday my brother arranged through a mutual friend to ask Robert Earl Keen to call and wish me Happy Birthday. 

It was the day after I posted grades and I expected grade complaints.  I was talking to a friend and saw an unfamiliar  Texas phone… Read full post »

Taken the night of my oldest daughter's graduation from high school.  The old lady in the middle is me and the short one is my youngest daughter.

  Read full post »

Dear Sarah Palin,

I am an immigrant studying for the civics portion of the naturalization test.  This has been very hard.  Yesterday I saw you explaining the significance of Paul Revere on the news and I was very impressed.  I know you are very busy going on vacation in a bus/… Read full post »

I never much cared for rollercoasters then had a companion for several years who lives to ride rollercoasters.  So for awhile I rode them to be with that companion.

Then after radiation three years ago I was advised to avoid rollercoasters for physical reasons.  Basically the ribs on my lef… Read full post »

I hit the end of the young demographic on Friday.

Providing the world does not end at midnight on Friday I will be 49.

 My sister once said that the reason I can function in a classroom so well and the reason children like me so well is I never grew… Read full post »

"If fascism ever came to the United States, it would be wrapped in an American flag." - Huey Long

 

My parents were not hippies.   I grew up in the 1960s and 1970s.

My father grew up dirt poor in Southern Arkansas where his father did hard… Read full post »