2014.
Christmas Eve.
Drinking my early morning coffee, just before beginning the last minute rush to get ready, pack the car and do the road trip toward Family ...
It's been a year of change, but then, aren't they all. And Blessings. Many blessings.
My mom lost her voice during one of those freaky illnesses where it looked like one thing and turned out to be something else. Two surgeries, 40 fewer lbs., and some therapy later, she can make words louder than a whisper. But as the doctor said, "Don't think about getting on stage at the Opry." Thankful that she has remained healthy through out. On the upside - shopping and a new wardrobe! Ron's mom spent a week in the hospital, a traumatic experience for a sweet lady who loves sleeping in her own bed at night. Thankful that she made the best of it, that it turned out as well as it could have, and that she's back home again, none the worse for the experience.
Our son and his family FINALLY got out of the FLOOD House ... the courts are slow to move, but the case was settled at long last, and they were able to move into a beautiful new home far away from creeks and low places. Thankful for this fine son of ours and his family.
Faking Normal. THE book. Debut! Dreams do come true. Courtney C. Stevens launched at Parnassus Books in Nashville on February 25th and Barnes & Noble in Bowling Green and the Grille in Mt. Pleasant. And people CAME and they bought. It's been a great year for Courtney ... learning how to sell herself and her book, book tours, school visits and writing workshops, library visits, book festivals, panels, writing retreats. In the midst she "channeled her brave" and wrote a second book; and sold more future books and taught her collegiate classes and learned how to BE. An exciting year. A difficult year. But in the end, she forged a new future for herself. Thankful.
Multiple trips to the beach ... it's our Happy Place. Just us. Immediate family. Extended family. Beach friends. Thankful for our love of a place and for the beauty and peace it brings to all of us.
Our beach is where Courtney set Book Two ... The Lies About Truth. It launches in October of 2015. Thankful for this girl-child of ours and her talent and kindness and wisdom. Thankful for the role she allows me to share in her dreams.
Our moms. We've both lost our dads in past years, the strong backbones of our childhoods. But we have our beautiful moms. There are health challenges for each, but they remain faithful and loving, always making the best of whatever IS. Thankful.
The two of us. The TWO of us! Forty-four years and we're like the Energizer Bunny ... still going! The road to aging can be a bumpy one, but we persevere. There's a hand to hold and love to share, and we're sticking together, no matter what comes. Thankful. Very thankful.
Friends. This year has brought a re-connection with old friends and the addition of new ones, and I'm grateful. Facebook has its little evils, but it also allows for connections, and for that I'm thankful. Also for the continued blessing of the friends who surround us daily; the ones who have our backs through the good times and the bad times. Thankful.
Church, also a year of change and growth within our close-knit church family. What would we do without our support group! Thankful!
And there's change with this holiday season, too. For the first time, we're going to my sister's for Christmas Day. It's either been at Mom's or at our house for the family for all of my life. Circumstances - the fact that our son has to work on Christmas Day (fireman) and that Mom is 92 - dictate a change. So this year, I'm not cooking or preparing the house for multiple guests and multiple days of meals. I shopped early, wrapped gifts early, decorated the house and sent Christmas cards and enjoyed watching the hustle and bustle from afar. The least stressful Christmas in recent memory. Thankful!
Today we will celebrate communion with our daughter at her church. We'll visit with family and add our gifts beneath a tree that isn't ours. Tonight we'll sleep in a bed that isn't our own. And in the morning, Christmas Day, we'll arise to share a meal and open presents and visit in a home,that belongs to other beloved family members. We'll share the day with extended family, including beautiful children who are full of wide-eyed Christmas excitement. And we'll be grateful and thankful for Jesus' birth and the many, many ways 2014 blessed our family. We'll put away whatever sad thoughts we had about this past year - its disappointments and failures and struggles - and we'll begin to embrace the new. We'll "channel our brave" and look forward with added strength to the start of another year with family and friends.
Thankful.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Sunday, November 23, 2014
First SNOW!
On Sunday evening, November 16, 2014, it started snowing. It was late, but Facebook exploded with posts about where it was snowing locally and how much was coming down. I stood at the window and watched through the trees where the security light made the flakes visible.
Because we don't live in the northwest or the New England states where an early snow is fairly common. We live in far Western Kentucky. We don't even see measurable snow every single winter - December, January or February - much less before Thanksgiving.
We knew it was coming. At least ... the weather experts said it was. But as we're all aware, they've been wrong before! Sometimes it feels as if the forecasters get it right about as many times as the folks who predict it using Woolly Worms or tree rings (locally, Dick Frymire used his Rooster named Jack). I remember many times as a teacher when forecasters were "certain" we'd get snow; I admit it, Snow Days were pretty exciting for me then. Unfortunately, the disappointment when the snow didn't come was greater than the sum of all the excitement and hype about the mere possibility! And we all remember at least one time when snow came as a big surprise even to the experts. It didn't even give us time to run out and get milk, bread and toilet paper! So, now days, I always take the forecast with a grain of salt (while secretly hoping that it WILL snow!)
This year the weathermen explained again about the Polar Vortex and how it works and why. They expounded on how unusual it was to reach so far south. But the predictions of our snowfall varied with as many different news sources that were available. All those weather computer models mean different things to the weather prophets, so by late afternoon on Sunday our snow predictions were anywhere from a dusting to five inches. As I went to bed, I wondered if the dusting we already had would dissipate overnight.
It happened while we slept, mostly unseen, so it felt magical to wake up on Monday morning to 3 1/2 inches (I measured!) on the ground.
There's just something about the first snow that harkens back to childhood snow days and going sledding down the hill with friends. I grew up on the best hill in our small town. Our house was in the middle block where the hill nearly flattened out, but the upper portion of the street was steep. With the proper ice and snow cover, a sledder could go all the way to my house and even further. Kids and adults flocked to our street when it snowed. Thankfully, the street was impassible to cars.It was always a cold, cold struggle to tramp back up the street after a dreamlike-over-too-soon journey down, but the moment we reached the top, all that huffing and puffing was worth it; and down we'd go again! Good times!
There aren't any sledding hills where I live in Western Kentucky, not even small slopes. I remember pulling my children on a sled in the yard when they were little and wishing they could experience the heart-stopping rides of my childhood snow days.
I love snow! Particularly, when there's nowhere I have to go. But these days I'm content to watch it snow and to stay toasty warm indoors!
Monday, September 29, 2014
Sunrise, Sunset ~2014
I'm enjoying my annual fall month at the beach with Mom. There are many things I love about my visit to the Gulf Coast, but one of them is re-uniting with the other "re-peaters." We come every year at the same time. It's usually the only time we see each other face-to-face, but friendships forged over years of these "once a year" visits are delightful. Today, many of us keep up with each other through Facebook, email and Christmas cards and letters. I loved how this year's group asked all about Courtney's book, remembering that it was launched between last fall and this fall. They had read it and loved it (so gratifying for Courtney's mom!) and even reviewed it for magazines. Loved introducing the book to more friends during this year's visit. So thankful for interested friends, especially those who understand as moms what an exciting adventure Faking Normal has been for me!
Another great joy is my daily, early morning walk. Some days I walk on the beach and enjoy the Gulf breeze, the warm temps even at six a.m. and the cool sand between my toes. I love finding "treasures," as my friend, Margo, calls them. Unique shells, pieces of driftwood, starfish, sand dollars. I have quite a collection. Sometimes, I add "memory treasures" to my collection - the friendly fisherman, Bernie, who comes early to the beach and exchanges Good Mornings with me, the herons who carefully watch over his shoulder for bait scraps, the occasional sea turtles, playful dolphins and more - even a scary shark exposed by the curling waves. Other days, I walk through the quaint bay neighborhood on the opposite side of the street. These pastel colored houses have become familiar "friends" over the years; I enjoy seeing the seasonal changes and home improvement projects among the dwellings; and rejoice when no recent hurricane forces repair and rebuilding. Two particular things come to mind.
The Dome house. In 2004, an angry hurricane named Ivan hit the island; we were privileged to arrive two weeks later. The destruction in property damage was horrendous. An unusual, white stucco, one-story house shaped like a dome did not fare well. It, among other less memorable architecture, was eventually torn down. Coming to the condo several times a year has allowed us to watch the rebuilding progress after the destructive storm. Today, there are still a few lots that are empty, but the blue tarps are gone and the island looks back to normal. Except for the Dome house. We have watched it's very slow progress each year. In 2014, it is still not finished. The owner decided to rebuild the exact same house, except for one major difference. Now the original dome sits on the second floor! The outside is complete, but there are still tools and ladders visible through the large upstairs windows as "finishing" work remains. This house deserves the title of Longest Time to Rebuild a Home! or possibly, Owned by Most Patient Man Ever. But one day we'll return, and the forbearing owner (who is doing much of the work himself) will have a light in the window!
The rock collector. One house I love to walk by features a collection of painted rocks on its curb. The rocks are all sizes (think an Irish potato) and are painted to portray an event in the life of the artist. Some are obviously painted by children, some by adults that are more skillfully rendered, but all represent sweet memories: births and birthdays, anniversaries, great accomplishments and other happy days. One year, as I was slowly walking by - reading the rock faces - the owner of the home came out. I learned that her eight grandchildren visit her each year at various times, and that this is their family tradition. During each visit, they celebrate by adding new rocks to the collection. What a wonderful idea! That year I started a painted rock collection for my daughter and son-in-law, giving them the first rock for their family, and they have kept it up. I search for special rocks to paint anytime I'm outdoors. Friends bring me rocks from their travels! This year, the owner added a new twist to her rock collection. She obviously knows it is a great attraction for the early morning walkers. There are small rocks painted with a letter of the alphabet,and walkers are invited to use the rocks to create a short message! What fun! I have enjoyed seeing the "message" change, and I am pondering what message I want to leave before we go back home!
Unique creatures. Each year, it seems, I learn of some new creature. From garbage lid-sized jellyfish to black and white jumping sting rays, to Satan's Purse pods (sting ray babies), to unusual shells (Penn). This year it was the cannonball jellyfish. The pictures were in the newspaper, but were taken locally. Incredible!
Among my greatest joys during my time at the beach are the beautiful sunrises and sunsets on the Gulf. Owning an iPhone means never having to say you didn't have a camera with you. I snap pictures nearly every day. Other, more skillful, photographers will achieve greater quality photos, but I rarely miss the opportunity to record a memory! I'm not alone. Though I meet fewer early risers, many gather on the sand at sunset to get a photo. I'm always struck by the different location of the sun over sand or waves between our spring, summer and fall visits.
Mom, in her 92nd year, enjoys the beach as much as ever!
Another great joy is my daily, early morning walk. Some days I walk on the beach and enjoy the Gulf breeze, the warm temps even at six a.m. and the cool sand between my toes. I love finding "treasures," as my friend, Margo, calls them. Unique shells, pieces of driftwood, starfish, sand dollars. I have quite a collection. Sometimes, I add "memory treasures" to my collection - the friendly fisherman, Bernie, who comes early to the beach and exchanges Good Mornings with me, the herons who carefully watch over his shoulder for bait scraps, the occasional sea turtles, playful dolphins and more - even a scary shark exposed by the curling waves. Other days, I walk through the quaint bay neighborhood on the opposite side of the street. These pastel colored houses have become familiar "friends" over the years; I enjoy seeing the seasonal changes and home improvement projects among the dwellings; and rejoice when no recent hurricane forces repair and rebuilding. Two particular things come to mind.
The Dome house. In 2004, an angry hurricane named Ivan hit the island; we were privileged to arrive two weeks later. The destruction in property damage was horrendous. An unusual, white stucco, one-story house shaped like a dome did not fare well. It, among other less memorable architecture, was eventually torn down. Coming to the condo several times a year has allowed us to watch the rebuilding progress after the destructive storm. Today, there are still a few lots that are empty, but the blue tarps are gone and the island looks back to normal. Except for the Dome house. We have watched it's very slow progress each year. In 2014, it is still not finished. The owner decided to rebuild the exact same house, except for one major difference. Now the original dome sits on the second floor! The outside is complete, but there are still tools and ladders visible through the large upstairs windows as "finishing" work remains. This house deserves the title of Longest Time to Rebuild a Home! or possibly, Owned by Most Patient Man Ever. But one day we'll return, and the forbearing owner (who is doing much of the work himself) will have a light in the window!
The rock collector. One house I love to walk by features a collection of painted rocks on its curb. The rocks are all sizes (think an Irish potato) and are painted to portray an event in the life of the artist. Some are obviously painted by children, some by adults that are more skillfully rendered, but all represent sweet memories: births and birthdays, anniversaries, great accomplishments and other happy days. One year, as I was slowly walking by - reading the rock faces - the owner of the home came out. I learned that her eight grandchildren visit her each year at various times, and that this is their family tradition. During each visit, they celebrate by adding new rocks to the collection. What a wonderful idea! That year I started a painted rock collection for my daughter and son-in-law, giving them the first rock for their family, and they have kept it up. I search for special rocks to paint anytime I'm outdoors. Friends bring me rocks from their travels! This year, the owner added a new twist to her rock collection. She obviously knows it is a great attraction for the early morning walkers. There are small rocks painted with a letter of the alphabet,and walkers are invited to use the rocks to create a short message! What fun! I have enjoyed seeing the "message" change, and I am pondering what message I want to leave before we go back home!
Unique creatures. Each year, it seems, I learn of some new creature. From garbage lid-sized jellyfish to black and white jumping sting rays, to Satan's Purse pods (sting ray babies), to unusual shells (Penn). This year it was the cannonball jellyfish. The pictures were in the newspaper, but were taken locally. Incredible!
This shows a dolphin tossing the cannonball jellyfish as if it were a beach ball!
Among my greatest joys during my time at the beach are the beautiful sunrises and sunsets on the Gulf. Owning an iPhone means never having to say you didn't have a camera with you. I snap pictures nearly every day. Other, more skillful, photographers will achieve greater quality photos, but I rarely miss the opportunity to record a memory! I'm not alone. Though I meet fewer early risers, many gather on the sand at sunset to get a photo. I'm always struck by the different location of the sun over sand or waves between our spring, summer and fall visits.
Sunrise on Okaloosa 2014
My faithful, early-morning companion!
Sunset on Okaloosa 2014
I love the sunlight reflected on the water.
I can't take credit for these, but they are also my views.
Through the dune grass.
A zoom view of the pier.
Our 2014 visit is now at its midway point. I am looking forward to a visit from Ron (!) and Courtney this week. Courtney wrote much of Faking Normal sitting on a beach chair outside our condo. Her second book, The Lies About Truth, which comes out in the fall of 2015, is actually set right here on Okaloosa Island!
More to come! I'll add to this post in the coming days.
Monday, August 25, 2014
The Tribe
This weekend I enjoyed thinking back over all the experiences we've shared since Courtney began her writing career. I've witnessed interaction between many authors who are at far different places on the path to publication: those who are just beginning to put words on paper to shape a story, those whose thought of attracting an agent seems an impossible dream, those with agents but no success with submissions, those who are in the two-year, seemingly forever process of preparing their book for print, debut authors facing their first signing events and tours, those who make the decision to self-publish, successful mid-list authors, those who have phenomenal success right out of the gate, and authors who have become household names due to an established and successful career with many books, honors and royalties behind them. They come in all shapes, sizes and personalities.
The publishing industry has evolved over the years in many ways, but it has changed drastically with the advent of social media. Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and Facebook have practically made obsolete the image of the author as a loner who sits for long hours hunched over a thick, yellow legal pad or typewriter (or laptop) at a desk in a remote room all by himself. Not that writers don't do this at all - they have to buckle down and put words to paper - but it is no longer just an isolated process that engages them in a terminally lonely place away from fandom and other writers.
As a child and even as an avid adult reader, I never dreamed of a time when I'd one day meet a favorite author of mine. Authors were not my heroes (they should be) because it never occurred to me to wonder about the people who put the magic in stories. Yet they allowed me to become the character in the book, they let me live between the pages and experience what I'd never know in reality, which was so important to me. Books and story were as necessary to me as breathing, yet I never met an author and never saw one (of my favorites) interviewed on TV or featured in magazines. In my childhood, there was no such thing as author school visits or writing camps for young writers where authors came to put dreams into the head of young aspiring writers. And there certainly was no internet to facilitate access.
When it did happen, it was rare and felt like a miracle. One of our friends credits her inspiration to succeed as a writer to a telephone conversation - the result of winning a grade school writing contest - with her favorite author. What an amazing experience for that time (it wasn't THAT long ago as our author friend is still a young woman). What a marvelous thing for her teacher to arrange (in fact, I can't imagine how she accomplished it). We, the general public reader, had no access to information about authors. The best we could do was send a fan letter to the publisher and keep our fingers crossed that it might reach the author. A reply was much more iffy. It hardly seemed worth the effort.
Today, it is more common, though none-the-less special. Many schools take advantage of literacy grants and provide students with author appearances, both personal and through Skype. Book festivals abound, and they are filled with authors who make themselves available for face-to-face conversations with readers. This past year I saw firsthand the excitement of a very young reader who got to meet the author of her favorite book series at a book festival; it was spine-tingling. Now, social media makes it simple to reach an author. I loved it when the grandson received a Twitter answer from an author to a question about the book he was reading; it was "cool," he said. I've seen many Faking Normal fans reach out to Courtney on Facebook and Twitter. She cherishes their responses to her words. She soaks up their appreciation and uses it to refuel her confidence and to refresh her excitement at being allowed to live her dream.
We can now match a face, a name, a family, and possibly a day-to-day routine to our favorite authors. We value their random observations. We get to "know" them the way we used to think we knew actors and actresses on TV as we saw their characters unfold week after week.
Authors are no longer invisible.
I see at least one difference when comparing writing to other artistic industries such as music and drama. In the writing world, a successful author - no matter at what stage in the publishing process- does not view himself as diminished or threatened because of another author's success. There seems no need for a cut-throat attitude, for arrogance and condescension and back-stabbing among writers. They know they must cherish their talent and share it on all levels and spread it around in order to grow as authors. Writers lean on their writer friends, those who are or have or will go through what they are going through at a given time. And they understand how hard it is. Strong, loyal friendships spring from the true sense of purpose and unity they share.
It does, as they say, take a village.
Authors call this The Tribe.
And it is a marvelous thing. I witnessed an example of sacrifice and unselfish giving between writing professionals last week; it made my heart full of gratitude for such caring friends. Authors share the joy when one of them gets that dream agent. They rejoice in that book deal, that award, that honor, and the recognition that comes to other writer friends. They post loads of congratulatory Tweets when one of them arrives on the NYT Best Seller list.They weep with authors who experience the frustrations of the revision cave or writer's block or when rejection rears its ugly head. They become cheerleaders,
encouragers, plot-fixers, and hand-holders as needed. And this is just among authors who are friends through the wide reaches of the internet. Among close, personal author friends, it is even more special. Though I am not a writer, I count it a privilege to see and to be a vicarious part of The Tribe through Courtney and her author friends.
encouragers, plot-fixers, and hand-holders as needed. And this is just among authors who are friends through the wide reaches of the internet. Among close, personal author friends, it is even more special. Though I am not a writer, I count it a privilege to see and to be a vicarious part of The Tribe through Courtney and her author friends.
Human nature being what it is, there are a few exceptions. I become aware of rare examples of this, as others do, through social media. Books are an art, and art is subjective. As such, books appeal differently to readers who automatically bring their own images, experiences and preconceived notions to the story. That is as it should be. But the author's words are the baby he has conceived and protected and nurtured and watched grow. The book is part of him, and it is painful to see it criticized, whether kindly or harshly. Unfortunately, some people (in any industry) exercise little control over a desire to spew seat-of-the-pants reactions, observations and/or defensive retaliations over social media. The very advantage of being accessible to so many then becomes the disadvantage when wiser heads do not prevail; the result is not pretty. Writers and publishing professionals would be wise to remember that the publishing world is small, and memories are long. And we should all - no matter the circumstance or profession - remember that the Tweets, Posts, Comments and photos never totally disappear, even when deleted, and could come back to haunt us.
The next time you are in a book place - be it library, chain, discount, second-hand or Indie - take a moment to appreciate the authors who make such magical places possible. And remember to be thankful for that amazing sense of community that they call The Tribe.
It is All the Feels, as book lovers say.
It is All the Feels, as book lovers say.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Little League Baseball
The Little League World Series.
It's that time again ... late summer. With twelve and thirteen year old kids playing in the "big" little league at South Williamsport, PA, The Little League World Series. It's something I'd like to attend some year myself. And once again our region is represented by the boys from South Nashville. I was so excited to hear that another "local" team would get to experience the excitement after last year's team won the American bracket and only lost to the Asian winner in the final game.
This year's team did not fare as well, but their run was exciting. They won in pool play but lost their first two games in the double elimination tournament. Both were exciting games for different reasons.
In the first game, a thirteen year old girl - one of only two in the series this year - was the pitcher who shut out the Tennessee boys at 4-0. She brought speeds of 70 miles an hour, and no one could hit her. The news media calls her a "Phenom."
Her name is Mo'ne Davis, and she pitches for the Taney Dragons, the Mid-Atlantic champions. She brings new meaning to "play like a girl." At 5 foot-4 and 105 pounds, Mo'ne has a wicked fastball and a curve ball that is amazing. She gets a lot of publicity and probably some teasing and laughter. The latter disappears once she walks to the mound and winds up.
"Don't let anybody stop you from doing what you like. Just keep dreaming and go for it," Mo'ne says.
She sounds like a great kid. Perhaps we'll see her in the Majors in a few years. Congratulations to Mo'ne, who also was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, another first for girls in sports.
South Nashville's last game was more exciting. The momentum see-sawed back and forth, and so did the score. A two-run homer gave Nashville a 6-5 lead with two out in the top of the sixth. Add to that a second home run by the son of friends to our Chattanooga cousins. I was so excited. Surely they would hold that lead through the remaining bottom of the sixth and win. But it wasn't to be. The other team put boys on the bases so that a walk-off line drive to center decided the game. Nashville lost 8-7. It was an admirable effort.
The outstanding good sportsmanship is one thing that impresses me every year. The coaches often wear mics - we can hear their rallying remarks, their encouragement, their explanation of what has to be done - and the players' every nuance is on camera for all to see. They show us how competitive sportsmen should act and how baseball should be. They make us "proud."
Thanks to all the coaches, all the parents, all the kids and the fans who do their best to entertain us for this short season every year. You let those of us whose children have grown up remember what the excitement was all about. You let us relive the joy one more time.
And we are thankful.
***Update. Mo'ne's team was defeated by the Jackie Robinson team who became the American winners (as South Nashville did in 2013). They were defeated by the team from South Korea to win the ultimate title of Little League World Champion. Congratulations to all!
It's that time again ... late summer. With twelve and thirteen year old kids playing in the "big" little league at South Williamsport, PA, The Little League World Series. It's something I'd like to attend some year myself. And once again our region is represented by the boys from South Nashville. I was so excited to hear that another "local" team would get to experience the excitement after last year's team won the American bracket and only lost to the Asian winner in the final game.
This year's team did not fare as well, but their run was exciting. They won in pool play but lost their first two games in the double elimination tournament. Both were exciting games for different reasons.
In the first game, a thirteen year old girl - one of only two in the series this year - was the pitcher who shut out the Tennessee boys at 4-0. She brought speeds of 70 miles an hour, and no one could hit her. The news media calls her a "Phenom."
Her name is Mo'ne Davis, and she pitches for the Taney Dragons, the Mid-Atlantic champions. She brings new meaning to "play like a girl." At 5 foot-4 and 105 pounds, Mo'ne has a wicked fastball and a curve ball that is amazing. She gets a lot of publicity and probably some teasing and laughter. The latter disappears once she walks to the mound and winds up.
"Don't let anybody stop you from doing what you like. Just keep dreaming and go for it," Mo'ne says.
She sounds like a great kid. Perhaps we'll see her in the Majors in a few years. Congratulations to Mo'ne, who also was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, another first for girls in sports.
South Nashville's last game was more exciting. The momentum see-sawed back and forth, and so did the score. A two-run homer gave Nashville a 6-5 lead with two out in the top of the sixth. Add to that a second home run by the son of friends to our Chattanooga cousins. I was so excited. Surely they would hold that lead through the remaining bottom of the sixth and win. But it wasn't to be. The other team put boys on the bases so that a walk-off line drive to center decided the game. Nashville lost 8-7. It was an admirable effort.
The outstanding good sportsmanship is one thing that impresses me every year. The coaches often wear mics - we can hear their rallying remarks, their encouragement, their explanation of what has to be done - and the players' every nuance is on camera for all to see. They show us how competitive sportsmen should act and how baseball should be. They make us "proud."
Thanks to all the coaches, all the parents, all the kids and the fans who do their best to entertain us for this short season every year. You let those of us whose children have grown up remember what the excitement was all about. You let us relive the joy one more time.
And we are thankful.
***Update. Mo'ne's team was defeated by the Jackie Robinson team who became the American winners (as South Nashville did in 2013). They were defeated by the team from South Korea to win the ultimate title of Little League World Champion. Congratulations to all!
Sunday, July 27, 2014
A List of Stuff I Don't Appreciate
This is a very trivial list; repeating the items won't change the world; it won't even change my world. These grievances rolled off my tongue in no particular order. If you think I stepped on your toes, don't worry ... It was only a random chance; I don't even know who you are!
Heights. Speed.
*Yep, I'm afraid I have The Fear Factor gene, and it grows in me. (yes, this includes roller coasters and crowded interstates).
Traveling
*Big city traffic.
*Cars that weave in and out on the interstate and cut into the path of other cars who must then brake in order to avoid an accident.
*Road rage (Practice some patience, you).
*Driving on the interstate in a heavy downpour (can you say hydroplane).
*Being blinded by the rain and steam rolling off big trucks as they pass during a heavy downpour.
*Being stuck between two semis (claustrophobic-ally speaking).
*The sign that says Roadwork Ahead or the appearance of construction cones that narrow three lanes down to one and cause a massive, time-consuming, stop-and-go event. (Particularly, when there are time constraints. Extra particularly, if I have to "go." Particularly when you see no work that indicates a need for one lane).
*Concrete barriers on the interstate that eliminate the inner shoulder by the median (it's that claustrophobia thing again).
Shopping and Eating Out
*Sale signs that are misleading to the customer (putting a 60% Off Sign on a table or stand where only a few selected items are on sale or where the placement of a sign is deceptive. (You only learn this when you stood in line at check-out for ten minutes (or more) under the mistaken idea that you can afford your choices).
*Rude service employees - the ones who act impatient or condescending or unkind to other employees or to customers.
*Stores who routinely hire and work less staff than they need (Where is that one clerk when you're ready to check out, not to mention during holidays. Walmart, anyone?)
*Employees who carry on non-work-related conversations with other employees while they are serving you. (I don't really want to hear who your ex-boyfriend is dating now).
*Employees who carry on work-related conversations with each other - while serving you - to trash their employers and/or the store policies or rules (TMI-I don't need to know which employees didn't do their job last shift).
*Adults who scream at their kids in public and make a scene (Even if children are doing something wrong, their behavior should be dealt with privately and quietly).
*Adults who yell hateful and hurtful things at their kids in public, things that tear down a child's sense of worth. (If parents verbally abuse their kids in public, I shudder to think what they say to them at home).
*Adults who "threaten" their children for wrong behavior over and over by making rash statements they have no intention of carrying out or can't carry out ("If you don't stop that we're leaving right now ... " and then never leave. "If you don't quit I'm not taking you to dinner ..." yet they do. "I'm not buying you that toy if you don't stop ... " and half an hour later you pass them with the toy in their basket).
*Adults who are so loud that their voices carry to your booth or table in restaurants (I don't want to know what your husband said last night).
*Adults who use profanity in public, particularly in front of their children. (Especially in front of my children!)
*Parents who claim their child has never told a lie (Seriously?! What's wrong with your child? All children make things up, either intentionally or un-intentionally).
*Parents who claim their child would never do that! (Ha! They probably already have!)
*Parents who make excuses for their child's wrong-doing and blame someone else or the circumstances (The 'devil' made him do it, right?).
*Parents who continually allow their small children to run around in a restaurant or place of business, compromising the safety of other people and/or merchandise (Our family rule when shopping was to clasp our hands behind our backs!)
*Parents who expect others to supervise their children while they have a grand time.
*Parents who act affronted when another adult stops their children from running around in a restaurant or place of business (What's your problem, Person? MY child is doing no harm).
Church
*Churches that welcome only people "like us."
*Churches that pretend to welcome people who are not "like" them, but don't want to deal with issues that arise when those people come.
*Churches that care more about their image than their ministry.
*Churches (and people) that don't separate the sin from the sinner (We ALL sin in some big or small way - some sins are just less private than others).
*Churches that don't change to meet needs (And I'm not talking about changing to become more worldly).
*Church go-ers who care more about their pride and/or feelings than the ministry.
*Church go-ers who must receive praise for all they do and get their feelings hurt if they are accidentally over-looked when the credits roll. (Well, humph, I deserve more recognition than they do!)
*Church go-ers who refuse to compromise when their own pet project doesn't find approval, so they withdraw all support ("I'll just take my toys (i.e. money) for what the majority choose and go home. Not talking heresy here; just plain old, sinful "I-want-my-way crap, and also, my favorite color for the carpet).
*Church go-ers who are so opinionated (about everything) that they can't fathom the possibility of being wrong (about anything).
*Church go-ers who refuse to change, who refuse to forgive or forget the transgressions of others - and act accordingly. (Yeah, that's a Christian attitude. I surely don't want to be held accountable for something I did or said twenty years ago; I really hope I've grown a little in that time and learned something from my mistakes)
*Church go-ers who start a sentence with, "I shouldn't say this, BUT ... "
*Church go-ers who start a sentence with, "Well, I heard that they ... "
*Church go-ers who complain about the preacher, no matter who he is and no matter what he does ... he can never measure up to their standards (Picky, picky, picky).
*Church go-ers who think they must hold the preacher (and/or his family) to a higher set of standards than they have for themselves or other members (The pastoral family already lives in a fishbowl, people. Don't make it harder for them)
*Church go-ers and preachers who overlook issues or behavior or unkindness because they don't want to "rock the boat;" or they're afraid to "upset" or create a problem with a long-standing member (especially if the member tithes in a mighty way).
*Church go-ers who gripe about the habits of everyone else's children ... but theirs can do or did no wrong (they're children, people. None of them are perfect little angels).
*Church go-ers who gripe about the habits of everyone else's children ... but never correct them when they see them doing something wrong (it's a church family ... family watches after Family. Family cares. Family has your back.)
*Church go-ers - alternately - who are furious when you do correct their children (they're kids ... how else will they learn?) Because parents can not be everywhere at once.
*Church go-ers who assume a "holier than thou" attitude.
That's All, Folks. For now.
(I'm afraid this list might not be comprehensive, but I feel lighter for having unburdened myself!)
.
Heights. Speed.
*Yep, I'm afraid I have The Fear Factor gene, and it grows in me. (yes, this includes roller coasters and crowded interstates).
Traveling
*Big city traffic.
*Cars that weave in and out on the interstate and cut into the path of other cars who must then brake in order to avoid an accident.
*Road rage (Practice some patience, you).
*Driving on the interstate in a heavy downpour (can you say hydroplane).
*Being blinded by the rain and steam rolling off big trucks as they pass during a heavy downpour.
*Being stuck between two semis (claustrophobic-ally speaking).
*The sign that says Roadwork Ahead or the appearance of construction cones that narrow three lanes down to one and cause a massive, time-consuming, stop-and-go event. (Particularly, when there are time constraints. Extra particularly, if I have to "go." Particularly when you see no work that indicates a need for one lane).
*Concrete barriers on the interstate that eliminate the inner shoulder by the median (it's that claustrophobia thing again).
Shopping and Eating Out
*Sale signs that are misleading to the customer (putting a 60% Off Sign on a table or stand where only a few selected items are on sale or where the placement of a sign is deceptive. (You only learn this when you stood in line at check-out for ten minutes (or more) under the mistaken idea that you can afford your choices).
*Rude service employees - the ones who act impatient or condescending or unkind to other employees or to customers.
*Stores who routinely hire and work less staff than they need (Where is that one clerk when you're ready to check out, not to mention during holidays. Walmart, anyone?)
*Employees who carry on non-work-related conversations with other employees while they are serving you. (I don't really want to hear who your ex-boyfriend is dating now).
*Employees who carry on work-related conversations with each other - while serving you - to trash their employers and/or the store policies or rules (TMI-I don't need to know which employees didn't do their job last shift).
*Adults who scream at their kids in public and make a scene (Even if children are doing something wrong, their behavior should be dealt with privately and quietly).
*Adults who yell hateful and hurtful things at their kids in public, things that tear down a child's sense of worth. (If parents verbally abuse their kids in public, I shudder to think what they say to them at home).
*Adults who "threaten" their children for wrong behavior over and over by making rash statements they have no intention of carrying out or can't carry out ("If you don't stop that we're leaving right now ... " and then never leave. "If you don't quit I'm not taking you to dinner ..." yet they do. "I'm not buying you that toy if you don't stop ... " and half an hour later you pass them with the toy in their basket).
*Adults who are so loud that their voices carry to your booth or table in restaurants (I don't want to know what your husband said last night).
*Adults who use profanity in public, particularly in front of their children. (Especially in front of my children!)
*Parents who claim their child has never told a lie (Seriously?! What's wrong with your child? All children make things up, either intentionally or un-intentionally).
*Parents who claim their child would never do that! (Ha! They probably already have!)
*Parents who make excuses for their child's wrong-doing and blame someone else or the circumstances (The 'devil' made him do it, right?).
*Parents who continually allow their small children to run around in a restaurant or place of business, compromising the safety of other people and/or merchandise (Our family rule when shopping was to clasp our hands behind our backs!)
*Parents who expect others to supervise their children while they have a grand time.
*Parents who act affronted when another adult stops their children from running around in a restaurant or place of business (What's your problem, Person? MY child is doing no harm).
Church
*Churches that welcome only people "like us."
*Churches that pretend to welcome people who are not "like" them, but don't want to deal with issues that arise when those people come.
*Churches that care more about their image than their ministry.
*Churches (and people) that don't separate the sin from the sinner (We ALL sin in some big or small way - some sins are just less private than others).
*Churches that don't change to meet needs (And I'm not talking about changing to become more worldly).
*Church go-ers who care more about their pride and/or feelings than the ministry.
*Church go-ers who must receive praise for all they do and get their feelings hurt if they are accidentally over-looked when the credits roll. (Well, humph, I deserve more recognition than they do!)
*Church go-ers who refuse to compromise when their own pet project doesn't find approval, so they withdraw all support ("I'll just take my toys (i.e. money) for what the majority choose and go home. Not talking heresy here; just plain old, sinful "I-want-my-way crap, and also, my favorite color for the carpet).
*Church go-ers who are so opinionated (about everything) that they can't fathom the possibility of being wrong (about anything).
*Church go-ers who refuse to change, who refuse to forgive or forget the transgressions of others - and act accordingly. (Yeah, that's a Christian attitude. I surely don't want to be held accountable for something I did or said twenty years ago; I really hope I've grown a little in that time and learned something from my mistakes)
*Church go-ers who start a sentence with, "I shouldn't say this, BUT ... "
*Church go-ers who start a sentence with, "Well, I heard that they ... "
*Church go-ers who complain about the preacher, no matter who he is and no matter what he does ... he can never measure up to their standards (Picky, picky, picky).
*Church go-ers who think they must hold the preacher (and/or his family) to a higher set of standards than they have for themselves or other members (The pastoral family already lives in a fishbowl, people. Don't make it harder for them)
*Church go-ers and preachers who overlook issues or behavior or unkindness because they don't want to "rock the boat;" or they're afraid to "upset" or create a problem with a long-standing member (especially if the member tithes in a mighty way).
*Church go-ers who gripe about the habits of everyone else's children ... but theirs can do or did no wrong (they're children, people. None of them are perfect little angels).
*Church go-ers who gripe about the habits of everyone else's children ... but never correct them when they see them doing something wrong (it's a church family ... family watches after Family. Family cares. Family has your back.)
*Church go-ers - alternately - who are furious when you do correct their children (they're kids ... how else will they learn?) Because parents can not be everywhere at once.
*Church go-ers who assume a "holier than thou" attitude.
That's All, Folks. For now.
(I'm afraid this list might not be comprehensive, but I feel lighter for having unburdened myself!)
.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Milestone
Yesterday was my 65th birthday - July 14, 2014. I consider it an "aging" milestone for a variety of reasons.
1. Sixty-five sounds a LOT older to me than sixty-four. It feels as if it should be a milestone.
Just sayin'.
But then, I've never bothered about my age. I turned thirty, forty, fifty and sixty without depression or anxiety (I've told my youngest "child" that it bothered me more when SHE turned thirty and when my oldest turned forty than any of my own birthdays). And so, my sixty-fifth birthday, though it represents a GREAT age, will come and go without causing me to lose sleep!
2. Sixty-five is a good time to stop and take inventory. Being realistic, I have more years behind me than I do ahead of me. I feel very blessed when I look around. My husband and my family (and grand kids, have I mentioned my grandson and granddaughter yet? :-), my home, my church, my friends. I need to step up my praises and thank Him more!
3. Sixty-five is older than my granny was when she died. One day all was well, she was with us; the next day she wasn't. I was in the sixth grade, and her death - the first family loss for me - was a life changer for our family. Being sixty-five reminds me that every day is a gift (the present) and should not be defined by complaints - petty or otherwise - or on the I Wants or the I Have Nots, and definitely not on Worrying about things I can't change. What can I do, what can I be in this sixty-fifth year to make a difference?
4. Sixty-five means Medicare. Oh, me. Don't let me get started on All The Feels about this and other government programs.
We've been fortunate; first, as teachers and then, as retired teachers, to have an excellent health care insurance plan. Affordable and extensive. So a few months before my 65th birthday, I began getting all the messages about how my plan was about to change. Wake-up call! Do I understand it all? Hardly, but since there was no choice - our insurance company hands us over to the government, like it or not - I had to do the paper work and comply. Part A, Part B, Part D: they're swirling around in my head even as I type (IS there a Part C and if not, why not?)! It has yet to be fully tested - hopefully, it won't need to be, and I'll stay healthy, BUT I've got that card!
5. Sixty-five is only FIVE short (the way they fly by these days) years from turning seventy ...
My conclusion?
I'm very blessed.
AND I NEED TO GET TO WORK ON THAT BUCKET LIST!
1. Sixty-five sounds a LOT older to me than sixty-four. It feels as if it should be a milestone.
Just sayin'.
But then, I've never bothered about my age. I turned thirty, forty, fifty and sixty without depression or anxiety (I've told my youngest "child" that it bothered me more when SHE turned thirty and when my oldest turned forty than any of my own birthdays). And so, my sixty-fifth birthday, though it represents a GREAT age, will come and go without causing me to lose sleep!
2. Sixty-five is a good time to stop and take inventory. Being realistic, I have more years behind me than I do ahead of me. I feel very blessed when I look around. My husband and my family (and grand kids, have I mentioned my grandson and granddaughter yet? :-), my home, my church, my friends. I need to step up my praises and thank Him more!
3. Sixty-five is older than my granny was when she died. One day all was well, she was with us; the next day she wasn't. I was in the sixth grade, and her death - the first family loss for me - was a life changer for our family. Being sixty-five reminds me that every day is a gift (the present) and should not be defined by complaints - petty or otherwise - or on the I Wants or the I Have Nots, and definitely not on Worrying about things I can't change. What can I do, what can I be in this sixty-fifth year to make a difference?
4. Sixty-five means Medicare. Oh, me. Don't let me get started on All The Feels about this and other government programs.
We've been fortunate; first, as teachers and then, as retired teachers, to have an excellent health care insurance plan. Affordable and extensive. So a few months before my 65th birthday, I began getting all the messages about how my plan was about to change. Wake-up call! Do I understand it all? Hardly, but since there was no choice - our insurance company hands us over to the government, like it or not - I had to do the paper work and comply. Part A, Part B, Part D: they're swirling around in my head even as I type (IS there a Part C and if not, why not?)! It has yet to be fully tested - hopefully, it won't need to be, and I'll stay healthy, BUT I've got that card!
5. Sixty-five is only FIVE short (the way they fly by these days) years from turning seventy ...
My conclusion?
I'm very blessed.
AND I NEED TO GET TO WORK ON THAT BUCKET LIST!
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Rant alert: Entitlement
Rant Alert! Proceed with CAUTION.
Have you heard this before?
"What is this world coming to? (followed by a complaint). Or If there's one thing wrong with people, it's (you fill in the blank)."
I hear similar statements from friends, on Facebook, Twitter and on the news. To varying degrees, what I hear falls somewhere on my personal list of Things I Don't Like. Sometimes I can see both sides of a particular complaint. Sometimes I "see" it but am not as passionately opposed as the person who voiced it. But maybe I don't agree at all. Nearly everyone has a pet peeve agenda, and I don't expect to agree with everyone, nor do I expect everyone to share all of mine.
Having said that, here is one I feel strongly about. If there's one thing wrong with people and our country, it is our ridiculous sense of entitlement.
This is no new rant of mine, so what sparked this particular one?
I read a Letter to the Editor in our local newspaper Monday morning that astonished me. Infuriated me actually. Those reactions are the inspiration for this blog post. Let me recap the letter.
Elderly travelers passing through our city, the mid-point of their destination, were stopped and given a $25 ticket due to a seat belt violation. Based on what the letter writer called a "decision" by the city policeman (to give them a ticket instead of a warning) these tourists will no longer make a stopover here, thus depriving the city of "their money." The letter writer acknowledged that her husband was wrong not to buckle his seat belt, but a warning would have done "just as much good."
Now, I know no one wants a ticket. No one likes getting a ticket even when they know they broke a law (speeding, anyone?). That's a given. But seriously? First, she infers that the policeman made a "decision" - all on his own judgement, apparently - to give them a ticket. Targeted THEM. FLEECED them of $25 just to INCONVENIENCE them. Because what, after all, does a seat belt law mean? (It's for others, right?) And second, they ran home to Missouri and asked their state trooper son to agree with them. Shame on him that he did (or at least, that's what she wrote. I find it hard to believe that a state trooper would actually agree).
This is wrong on so many levels.
It's like the old "if you don't play the way I want, I'll take my toys and go home" mentality. That may have worked for children in the sandbox, but that doesn't mean it's okay or right for adults. We're supposed to have gained some maturity and learned some values in the interval between the sandbox and the adult world. But the prevailing sense of entitlement we've developed (we're probably all guilty of it to some degree) gets in the way.
I can do anything I want, even if it hurts or affects others, because it's what I want.
I'm entitled to my own opinion ...
It's a free country, so I deserve ....
It's the other guy's fault (he did it first).
It's a stupid law, anyway.
Everyone else does it (so that makes it okay, right?)
The government should pay for it (as long as they don't raise my taxes).
It's not fair ...
There's a reason the word selfish begins with self!
We feel we are entitled to whatever it is that we want - that we deserve our wants - regardless of how that might affect other individuals, the group as a whole, or the community where we live. We see this attitude in all aspects of life, both public and private. Entitlement is the attitude behind racial prejudice and other kinds of minority biases. It's one cause of the current "rape culture" so unfortunately prevalent in the news headlines. It is the reason for bullying in our schools and the workforce. It's the foundation for politicians who misuse their power and position to push their own agenda, for evangelists who just preach a "name it-claim it" style of gospel, for parents who believe their child is the only one in the classroom and can do no wrong, and for husbands and wives who demonstrate little commitment to the marriage (do you know the definition of the word marriage? It's a BLEND, folks, a compromise). This growing sense of entitlement has induced a generation or more of kids and adults who have not learned to take responsibility for their own actions (we all make mistakes), and it is a vicious cycle. As our personal sense of responsibility ebbs, our personal sense of entitlement grows ... and eventually becomes a corporate problem.
Entitlement is the reason ridiculous law suits clog up court agendas. A woman spilled her hot coffee, it burned her, and she sued. The woman felt entitled. It was not her responsibility when she spilled her coffee. Well, duh. Engage brain here; coffee is hot. But McDonald's must now warn people in writing that their coffee is hot. Multiply that type of law suit a zillion times.
A good Samaritan stops to help an injured driver. He's not a doctor, just a person who sees a need and wants to help. He acts - perhaps trained medical personnel would do it differently, but none are present - he's sued for attempting to help someone. Result: pass on by when you see someone lying by the road after an accident. Turn the other way when you see a classmate bullied at school. Close your ears if a friend is teased or harassed at work.
Multiply that sense of entitlement a zillion times and you have what's wrong with our country today.
It is the reason a woman wrote a complaining letter to the local newspaper when a policeman ticketed her husband for not buckling his seat belt. She implied her reasons (i.e. justifications, excuses) ... they were "older now." They had just stopped and he forgot. They were going slowly. They were admiring the "lovely" city sites. They were tourists, spending money to boost the city's economy. They believe the policeman "decided" to ticket them, rather than seeing what he did as his job, enforcing a state law. Bottomline: we expect you to overlook our mistake because we were doing all these other good things. We expect you to let us get away with breaking a law: the policeman doesn't have to let others get away with it when they're caught, but we deserve special treatment because of all these "reasons" above.
By the way, Kentucky has had a "primary" seat belt law since 2007. This means a person can be stopped and cited if anyone in the car fails to buckle a seat belt. The ticket can not exceed $25 per person. The letter writer believes they should have only been warned. There WAS a warning period ... it was over in 2006. I looked it up and found that Missouri has a "secondary" seat belt law, meaning that a ticket can only be issued for being unbuckled if the car was stopped for some other cit-able offence, like speeding, for example. The letter writer may not know the difference. However, the law doesn't usually find "But officer, I didn't know" as an excuse. Attention travelers: most states have seat belt laws. It is your responsibility to follow the laws of the states you pass through and to understand that there are consequences when you don't! It might also be helpful - when whining on the editorial page - to remember that old adage: "Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Teach your children that they bear responsibility and reap consequences for their actions. It will help them grow into mature adults. Teach them that an entitlement mentality fosters a poor grasp on reality; the bigger the chip-on-the-shoulder, the ruder the wake-up call when their denial and sense of special-ness meet the real world. Teach your children the value of sacrifice and goodwill, of kindness and personal responsibility and compromise. Show them by word and deed that you believe it yourself. That will help break the chain in the increasing sense of entitlement spreading like kudzu in our country.
And maybe then they won't grow up to write whiny letters to the editor.
Rant over.
Have you heard this before?
"What is this world coming to? (followed by a complaint). Or If there's one thing wrong with people, it's (you fill in the blank)."
I hear similar statements from friends, on Facebook, Twitter and on the news. To varying degrees, what I hear falls somewhere on my personal list of Things I Don't Like. Sometimes I can see both sides of a particular complaint. Sometimes I "see" it but am not as passionately opposed as the person who voiced it. But maybe I don't agree at all. Nearly everyone has a pet peeve agenda, and I don't expect to agree with everyone, nor do I expect everyone to share all of mine.
Having said that, here is one I feel strongly about. If there's one thing wrong with people and our country, it is our ridiculous sense of entitlement.
This is no new rant of mine, so what sparked this particular one?
I read a Letter to the Editor in our local newspaper Monday morning that astonished me. Infuriated me actually. Those reactions are the inspiration for this blog post. Let me recap the letter.
Elderly travelers passing through our city, the mid-point of their destination, were stopped and given a $25 ticket due to a seat belt violation. Based on what the letter writer called a "decision" by the city policeman (to give them a ticket instead of a warning) these tourists will no longer make a stopover here, thus depriving the city of "their money." The letter writer acknowledged that her husband was wrong not to buckle his seat belt, but a warning would have done "just as much good."
Now, I know no one wants a ticket. No one likes getting a ticket even when they know they broke a law (speeding, anyone?). That's a given. But seriously? First, she infers that the policeman made a "decision" - all on his own judgement, apparently - to give them a ticket. Targeted THEM. FLEECED them of $25 just to INCONVENIENCE them. Because what, after all, does a seat belt law mean? (It's for others, right?) And second, they ran home to Missouri and asked their state trooper son to agree with them. Shame on him that he did (or at least, that's what she wrote. I find it hard to believe that a state trooper would actually agree).
This is wrong on so many levels.
It's like the old "if you don't play the way I want, I'll take my toys and go home" mentality. That may have worked for children in the sandbox, but that doesn't mean it's okay or right for adults. We're supposed to have gained some maturity and learned some values in the interval between the sandbox and the adult world. But the prevailing sense of entitlement we've developed (we're probably all guilty of it to some degree) gets in the way.
I can do anything I want, even if it hurts or affects others, because it's what I want.
I'm entitled to my own opinion ...
It's a free country, so I deserve ....
It's the other guy's fault (he did it first).
It's a stupid law, anyway.
Everyone else does it (so that makes it okay, right?)
The government should pay for it (as long as they don't raise my taxes).
It's not fair ...
There's a reason the word selfish begins with self!
We feel we are entitled to whatever it is that we want - that we deserve our wants - regardless of how that might affect other individuals, the group as a whole, or the community where we live. We see this attitude in all aspects of life, both public and private. Entitlement is the attitude behind racial prejudice and other kinds of minority biases. It's one cause of the current "rape culture" so unfortunately prevalent in the news headlines. It is the reason for bullying in our schools and the workforce. It's the foundation for politicians who misuse their power and position to push their own agenda, for evangelists who just preach a "name it-claim it" style of gospel, for parents who believe their child is the only one in the classroom and can do no wrong, and for husbands and wives who demonstrate little commitment to the marriage (do you know the definition of the word marriage? It's a BLEND, folks, a compromise). This growing sense of entitlement has induced a generation or more of kids and adults who have not learned to take responsibility for their own actions (we all make mistakes), and it is a vicious cycle. As our personal sense of responsibility ebbs, our personal sense of entitlement grows ... and eventually becomes a corporate problem.
Entitlement is the reason ridiculous law suits clog up court agendas. A woman spilled her hot coffee, it burned her, and she sued. The woman felt entitled. It was not her responsibility when she spilled her coffee. Well, duh. Engage brain here; coffee is hot. But McDonald's must now warn people in writing that their coffee is hot. Multiply that type of law suit a zillion times.
A good Samaritan stops to help an injured driver. He's not a doctor, just a person who sees a need and wants to help. He acts - perhaps trained medical personnel would do it differently, but none are present - he's sued for attempting to help someone. Result: pass on by when you see someone lying by the road after an accident. Turn the other way when you see a classmate bullied at school. Close your ears if a friend is teased or harassed at work.
Multiply that sense of entitlement a zillion times and you have what's wrong with our country today.
It is the reason a woman wrote a complaining letter to the local newspaper when a policeman ticketed her husband for not buckling his seat belt. She implied her reasons (i.e. justifications, excuses) ... they were "older now." They had just stopped and he forgot. They were going slowly. They were admiring the "lovely" city sites. They were tourists, spending money to boost the city's economy. They believe the policeman "decided" to ticket them, rather than seeing what he did as his job, enforcing a state law. Bottomline: we expect you to overlook our mistake because we were doing all these other good things. We expect you to let us get away with breaking a law: the policeman doesn't have to let others get away with it when they're caught, but we deserve special treatment because of all these "reasons" above.
By the way, Kentucky has had a "primary" seat belt law since 2007. This means a person can be stopped and cited if anyone in the car fails to buckle a seat belt. The ticket can not exceed $25 per person. The letter writer believes they should have only been warned. There WAS a warning period ... it was over in 2006. I looked it up and found that Missouri has a "secondary" seat belt law, meaning that a ticket can only be issued for being unbuckled if the car was stopped for some other cit-able offence, like speeding, for example. The letter writer may not know the difference. However, the law doesn't usually find "But officer, I didn't know" as an excuse. Attention travelers: most states have seat belt laws. It is your responsibility to follow the laws of the states you pass through and to understand that there are consequences when you don't! It might also be helpful - when whining on the editorial page - to remember that old adage: "Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Teach your children that they bear responsibility and reap consequences for their actions. It will help them grow into mature adults. Teach them that an entitlement mentality fosters a poor grasp on reality; the bigger the chip-on-the-shoulder, the ruder the wake-up call when their denial and sense of special-ness meet the real world. Teach your children the value of sacrifice and goodwill, of kindness and personal responsibility and compromise. Show them by word and deed that you believe it yourself. That will help break the chain in the increasing sense of entitlement spreading like kudzu in our country.
And maybe then they won't grow up to write whiny letters to the editor.
Rant over.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Book Fest!
I've been attending Book Fest in Bowling Green, KY for several years, dating back to when Court and Adam lived there and when writing a book was just one of Courtney's dreams. Each year there was a little more progress in her quest to become published, and we felt a little more optimism about her eventual success.
Finally, finally THIS year, Courtney went to Book Fest as a participant, rather than a by-stander. She made a school visit to near-by Allen County High School on Friday morning and taught a workshop on revision at the KY Writer's Conference that afternoon. And on Saturday morning Ron and I had the thrill of walking into the Knicely Center and seeing a table set up with Courtney's name on it and HER books in a stack ready for sales and signing!
It was very exciting to meet some of my favorite authors, to get personalized signatures on their books and to hear them talk about their stories and their personal journey to publication.
And it's very exciting to think that other people look at Courtney and feel the same way! Thankful!
I bought WAY too many books ...
TV interviews were taking place on the stage during the day.
What a thrill to see Court's spot among the author tables!
Court's panel - YA Debut Authors. Sarah Combs, Courtney, Amy Christine Parker, MG Buehrlen (Elizabeth Fama not present) and moderator Molly McCaffery. So interesting to hear their stories.
The panel in the auditorium.
Finally, finally THIS year, Courtney went to Book Fest as a participant, rather than a by-stander. She made a school visit to near-by Allen County High School on Friday morning and taught a workshop on revision at the KY Writer's Conference that afternoon. And on Saturday morning Ron and I had the thrill of walking into the Knicely Center and seeing a table set up with Courtney's name on it and HER books in a stack ready for sales and signing!
It was very exciting to meet some of my favorite authors, to get personalized signatures on their books and to hear them talk about their stories and their personal journey to publication.
And it's very exciting to think that other people look at Courtney and feel the same way! Thankful!
Reader fans!
He loves his *baby girl.*
Creative people have FUN when they're together!
Thankful for the Nashville friends who came! There was a joyful moment when one little girl met the author of her FAVORITE book! I would have loved that when I was her age!
It was definitely worth the long drive to and from Bowling Green!
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Teen Author Fest, Books of Wonder and Another Visit to Boston
March 19th-March 26th
Sure wish I could have experienced some of these events first hand!
Courtney and Faking Normal were honored to be a part of 2014's Teen Author Fest in NYC (March 19-22), a brain child of author/editor David Levithan. She also took part in a panel of authors who visited an area middle school and the mega signing on March 23rd at Books of Wonder in NYC. Then on to the Boston area with authors A.C. Gaughan, Tiffani Schmidt and Victoria Schwab.
Courtney had an opportunity to panel and sign her books and meet old and new friends.
TAF sent authors into many NYC schools during the week. Court was on a panel who visited Castle Middle School.
Courtney was part of the mega signing at NYC's Books of Wonder!
Adam was able to come, and he brought many friends from Circle on the Square Theatre to buy books!
On Sunday night Courtney and some of her author friends traveled back to the Boston area to Brookline Booksmith where she participated on a panel/book signing.
Leah Cypess, A.C. Gaughan, Tiffani Schmidt, Victoria Schwab and Courtney C. Stevens.
Our cousin, Helen, who lives in the area came. What a pleasure to see a familiar face among so many strangers!
The following night, this panel of authors spoke and signed books at Wellesley Book Store in another area of Boston.
Helen returned with her family and brought Court a specially designed handbag from her boutique, Helen's Handbags!
Home again on March 26th after a busy, fun, productive and exhausting week!
March Madness! 3-29-14
Nope, this time I'm not talking about the wacky winter and "spring" we've had - as in the effects of the polar vortex and snow and snow and snow - it is a generally held opinion around here that Mother Nature has bi-polar disorder and is off her meds!
But NO. March Madness is all about NCAA basketball, basketball and MORE basketball.
And in the state of Kentucky, basketball starts with a capital UK. As in the University of Kentucky. Or alternately, it might (for SOME people, not me) start with a capital U and L, as in the University of Louisville. These two schools represent the last TWO NCAA Championships! Let me also plug my graduate school Alma Mater, Murray State University. It is riding high in the post-season as well, climbing the brackets of the CollegeInsider Invitational Tournament (CIT). At the time of this post, the news media claims that the state of KY is the only state with three colleges still in post-season play!
UK had a fairly frustrating season (for dyed-in-the-wool Kentuckians, a Big Blue Nation that EXPECTS GREATNESS EVERY TIME, ALL THE TIME from THEIR Wildcats), beginning as the pre-season Number One pick and ending with a number 8 seed for the tournament (ranking between 28th and 32nd). U of L, which began with a pre-season ranking of Number Nine, their highest to date, ended as a number 4 seed for the tourney (ranking between 12th and 16th). Both teams had winning seasons, but depending on your perspective perhaps, did not living up to their "expected" potentials. That may be more of a statement on the value of pre-season rankings than an actual prediction on the potential of either team. Be that as it may. Add the "coach factor" (Louisville's Petino used to coach the UK Wildcats and now coaches the Louisville Cardinals) to the mix, and you have the makings of a great instate rivalry.
There are always upsets within the seedings in any tournament. The 2014 NCAA Tournament has certainly seen its share of them. Including UK. The Wildcats beat Kansas St (they were a number 9 seed so it could have gone either way), but then they beat Wichita State who was seeded number one! Now THAT was an upset! A great game with some UK frustration and then last minute scrambling and excitement and a close, heart-thumping win.
And just like that, there is light at the other end of the bracket tunnel for the few fair-weather UK fans!
So. Last night. Your late-night TV entertainment! UK vs. U of L.
It started off predictably with UK struggling and eventually ending up 13 points behind. Then ... another case of "last minute scrambling and excitement and a close, heart thumping win!" UK, on the 22nd anniversary of that infamous loss on a last second basket by Duke's He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, had to endure the Slo-Mo arch of U of L's three-pointer attempt at the buzzer ... but it bounced off the rim and the Big Blue Nation collectively screamed across cyber-space for another Wildcat win!
What's next? Oh, man, it feels like THAT one last night should have been the championship game. But on Sunday, the Wildcats must persevere. They meet Michigan, a number 2 seed, to determine which team goes to The Final Four.
I'm assured that one of my friends will be wearing his lucky pants. I've got my fingers crossed. We'll all hold our heads right and prime our hope and eat our munchies and chew our Tums ... and not even try to contain our excitement or temper our trash-talkin'.
I'll try to squelch any doubt and the little voice in my head that quotes Coach Cal, "They're still freshmen!"
GO, UK! Let's keep that NCAA Championship in KENTUCKY!
P.S. updated post to come after April 7th!
Page By Page Courtney C. Stevens "Faking Normal"
Another book event, another signing in TN!
On March 27th, 2014, Courtney was invited to speak at the Maury County (Columbia, TN) Public Library. There was a small crowd - certainly not the huge one that came to The Grille in Mt. Pleasant (also in Maury County) - but a nice number for a second event located very close to The Grille. It was an opportunity for Courtney to discuss Faking Normal and to answer questions about the purpose of the book and what inspired her. There were teens and there were "middlers" and there were seniors there, a nice following, which I found interesting. Faking Normal is a YA book, written to target teens who are 14 and up. But it has found a substantial adult market. The questions were insightful and interesting. Courtney's talk about getting past pain and finding hope on the other side resonated with a senior member of the audience. He said he needed to hear her message and that he knew he was supposed to be there! It is so amazing and special when an author's work and words are affirmed, we we're allowed to glimpse the effect of our purpose.
This library is the main county library, not the smaller branch in Mt. Pleasant that I loved from childhood, but it is rich in history and has a wonderful following. Including a resident "ghost" who claims the Director's desk as her own! Though the "modern" building was built in the early 60's, those in the know wisely preserved the original neon sign!
It is always great to run into (unexpectedly) old friends.
Our family had before and after "eats" at Puckett's on the square in Columbia. It is conveniently located by The Old Curiosity Book Store, who sponsored book sales at the nearby library. Check out the bookstore, a wonderful "bookish" atmosphere in which to browse and buy your favorite books! Go "local" when you can!
Prior to the panel at the MCPL, Courtney was the guest on the library's cable show, Page By Page. The show, whose purpose is to promote literacy, airs on a local cable channel several times a week (check the Maury County Public Library's Facebook page) and is posted on YouTube, as below. Enjoy!
A Hometown Blessing!
There was probably no one more excited and happy when Courtney's book sold than her nana (okay, maybe except for Court's mother). We accused my mother of running up and down the beach telling anyone who would listen that HER GRANDDAUGHTER is an author!
It's exactly what we all felt like doing!
So it was only natural that Nana offered to host a book signing in Mt. Pleasant at The Grille, a local eatery located on the square. A wonderful book store, The Old Curiosity Book Shop in nearby Columbia, agreed to sponsor the sale.
The day before the signing, Courtney made an author visit to Mt. Pleasant High School. Originally, she was invited to speak to the school's book club, but the visit was moved from the library to the auditorium and expanded to include any of the student body who wanted to come. Between two and three hundred students came to hear Courtney encourage them to dream and to work hard - "Channeling their Brave" - to make their dreams come true. It was a lively event! Though I didn't attend, I enjoy an unexpected connection with the teacher who sponsors the book club. Her mother graduated from high school with me. Not from the present Mt. Pleasant High School, but the older Hay Long High School that closed about 1980.
A book signing is an uncertain event. There can be anywhere from "ten to ... a lot" of people to attend. An author might sell three or four books or many, many more! A lot of Mom's friends were excited to come, so we hoped for good weather and no last minute conflicts. I hoped my old friends would come, too. The bonus would be a chance to visit with people I hadn't seen in a long time. Courtney has no personal ties in the area other than through her mother and grandmother. So in the end, we just hoped and kept our fingers crossed.
Our expectations succeeded beyond the wildest dreams! At four-thirty on the dot friends began to come, and there was a steady stream for two hours - and a loud buzz that filled the back room at The Grille with laughter and excitement. A line formed and the books flew off the table. The book store owner, the grandmother, the parents, and the author herself inhaled one big sigh of relief! And enjoyed!
DREAM BIG!
It's exactly what we all felt like doing!
So it was only natural that Nana offered to host a book signing in Mt. Pleasant at The Grille, a local eatery located on the square. A wonderful book store, The Old Curiosity Book Shop in nearby Columbia, agreed to sponsor the sale.
The day before the signing, Courtney made an author visit to Mt. Pleasant High School. Originally, she was invited to speak to the school's book club, but the visit was moved from the library to the auditorium and expanded to include any of the student body who wanted to come. Between two and three hundred students came to hear Courtney encourage them to dream and to work hard - "Channeling their Brave" - to make their dreams come true. It was a lively event! Though I didn't attend, I enjoy an unexpected connection with the teacher who sponsors the book club. Her mother graduated from high school with me. Not from the present Mt. Pleasant High School, but the older Hay Long High School that closed about 1980.
A book signing is an uncertain event. There can be anywhere from "ten to ... a lot" of people to attend. An author might sell three or four books or many, many more! A lot of Mom's friends were excited to come, so we hoped for good weather and no last minute conflicts. I hoped my old friends would come, too. The bonus would be a chance to visit with people I hadn't seen in a long time. Courtney has no personal ties in the area other than through her mother and grandmother. So in the end, we just hoped and kept our fingers crossed.
Our expectations succeeded beyond the wildest dreams! At four-thirty on the dot friends began to come, and there was a steady stream for two hours - and a loud buzz that filled the back room at The Grille with laughter and excitement. A line formed and the books flew off the table. The book store owner, the grandmother, the parents, and the author herself inhaled one big sigh of relief! And enjoyed!
Mt. Pleasant supported it's "own" and we are so thankful!
DREAM BIG!
Three generations of "Book Love."
Hay Long High friends!
Friends who came from "afar" to chat and have a book signed.
Court's "Nana," who hosted the signing at The Grille.
James and Heather provided copies of Faking Normal from The Old Curiosity Book Shop.
The signing line was long!
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