Exercises in Grammar, Usage & Associated Press Style

 My favorite news source has become Open Salon. The viewpoints in OS represent a wider view of the real "news" in our country, our world. So it's no surprise that  I've been reading OS updates about Obama's appointments and the viewpoints and outrage/disappointment over Obama's most recent… Read full post »

My bank account is balding. I could only wish that my hairline would recede and the economy would grow.  Everyone in my family has BIG hair and small pocketbooks. Our family isn't rich and before this last economic downturn we were probably in the middle-middle income bracket...that is if you in… Read full post »

This dog was so excited to see us walk by and then couldn't understand why we didn't come in or why the woman in the store wouldn't open the door so he could greet us properly. The dog at the red door is not a rescue animal and right… Read full post »

Many argue that to label something or an event “good” or “bad” limits the possibilities of the spirit for growth, for learning. The older I get, the more I believe this is a large truth, that if only we can accept, we can grow exponentially rather than clinging to our old… Read full post »

I've never been interested in drugs. Didn't do them as a teen or in college. I think I was an addict in a former life and didn't want to go there no way, no how. I have such an aversion to drugs, I try not to take them even when I… Read full post »

As many of my friends here know, I’ve been trying to participate in the politics of our world; trying not to allow my apathy to crystallize into complacency. The more I read the great writers here on OS, the more I realize I’m out of my league.

Write what you know… Read full post »

Jorge Luis Borges’ character Yu Tsun speaks:

“I foresee that man will resign himself each day to new abominations, that soon only soldiers and bandits will be left”[1]

If the aim of fiction is as Chekhov claims, “…absolute and honest truth”, then Borges’… Read full post »

A month has now passed since I was fired. This is the longest I've been unemployed since I was 15 and working with a permit.  Our local newspapers' headlines read that unemployment is rampant for the US and our lagging economy promises only more unemployment. I think I could handle this… Read full post »

Today is Thursday, November 06, 2008 the second day after the US elected Barack Obama the 44^th President of the United States. Sunday, November 9^th, I am scheduled to preach at Living Waters Cherokee church. The text for Sunday is one of justice from Amos 5 where the prophet exhorts, “…l… Read full post »

My day started out by getting out there to get health insurance since I lost my job the other week. The first stop was the hospital where I still have a bill. While I waited two groups of children came in, got paper hats from someone at the front desk. As… Read full post »

First of all, I didn't get the memo about the Bastille Day protest recommended by Anne Lamott. It's not her fault at all. I was not part of the Salon group then and besides, I was working at a summer camp for children with learning disabilities and ADHD so there wouldn't… Read full post »

Ah, here I am hoping to write again and my breaking heart leaves me speechless. Not a good thing for a writer. Yet, somehow these new truths must be spoken and questions asked of those of us responsible (if only indirectly through ancestry).

I live near Qualla Boundary,the Eastern Band of… Read full post »

Due to the highly influential work of DogWoman, Buddy and Cedar concede their presidental territory (but not yard) to support Weasel for president. As a result they have been awarded along with the Weasel Cabinet the Western North Carolina endorsement. For more information on the Weasel Cabinet
Chec… Read full post »

"Going to the dogs" is an idiom often used to say that something is going downhill. We all know the damage dogs can do to furniture, carpets, gardens, yards and shoes (if they are chewers) or Audubon Bird books when mad at mom. Shredder without need for power, yes, dogs can… Read full post »

 Another thing...

My Heart

Activisim. Root word, ACT. While justice has been important to me in life, I am sad to say activism has not been part of my reality. For this post to make sense, I must share some history on what and who has moved me to choose activism over pacifism. I must… Read full post »