Hiatus…

I’m taking a break…a sunny, beachside break and it’s driving me crazy! Tanned, relaxed, great food…comfort…got it all.

Yet, I itch to get back to work. Lot’s happening in our country, lot’s of writing to do.

I’m saddened by the death of the young man in Florida, out on a walk, soda and junk food in his hand, a cell phone not far from his ear, like my kid or yours.   Shot by someone on a mission of injustice?

The country is stewing because criminal charges have not been brought against the shooter. The media has turned Obama’s comment about ‘look alikes’ into a talking point for political purposes. We all should be outraged by this senseless death. To characterize this death as evidence of America’s racial divide only makes the ‘divide’ wider. Makes those who are angry, mean spiritied even meaner.  This tragedy occurred because of one individual’s wreckless action. One person pulled the trigger.

Some of us just recently learned of this boy’s death.  Our sympathies need to be heard by this grieving family.  Trayvon Martin, no doubt, is calling out to us…”help my mom and dad get through this”.

We need to stand together,correct injustices, vote for officials who will sharpen/refine present laws and defend victims.

It reminds me we too often bask in the sun, relax on the beach. Let others try to solve our problems, ignor what needs to be fixed. We shouldn’t let politicians and a careless media turn a tragic death into a political issue.

One individual acted wrecklessly. One innocent young man lost his life. Why not write the Sanford, Florida officials and ask for full disclosure on this investigation? Sometimes the law process is too slow. But patience and time can be good medicine if it allows investigators to gather the facts and do the right thing.  Ask for answers but give authorities the time to do good work.

No, now is not a good time to relax on the beach. We humans have a lot of work to do. A lot of care needs to be given to others whether they look like us or not. We’ve got to be together on this one….or the bad guys win again and lump us all into a racist pile of ill will and lazy misdeeds.

Forming an opinion

Health care, insurance, government excess are hot topics.  And should be.   But it’s wise not to assume somone forms their opinion based on a radio talk show host or the nightly news-entertainment.  You only have to understand the effects of socialized government to know where we are headed.  Greece, Italy, France—Englands in trouble, too.  What’s next?  Perhaps it’s really all about budgets and everyone should be forced to keep one.  Who would vote for that mandate?  If I’m paying the government (taxes) to defend our country, insure legal and civilized laws protect individuals and maintain our national institutions/infrastructure, I don’t need to pay for birth control (it is about sex) or viagra (it is about sex) and a slew of other luxury items.   My vote goes to economic growth, prosperity and individual freedom which includes personal responsibility.

 

 

Life’s a beach if you make the right choices!

It’s all about decisions. Read ‘Who Should Pay’.

Who Should Pay?

I’m perplexed….if I think about the issue too long, I’m outraged.  I’d like to stay perplexed to keep my heart rate in check. 

The ongoing debate is who should pay for birth control.  Just to make it clear about how I feel, I’ll be honest, totally blatant, upfront.  

I don’t want to pay for your birth control and I don’t want to pay for a child you can’t support.  No doubt about it, that is your responsibility…yours and not mine or any other taxpayer or non-taxpayer.  Honest.

The entire issue really is about the increasing problem with people who think they are entitled to ‘something-everything’.  And the spokeswoman, Sandra Fluk, who has so many people rattled about the issue is about the worst case scenario for the argument.  She believes I/you should pay for her birthcontrol.  How ridiculous!  She goes to a very pricey law school, she has parents who are not on the poverty list, she will soon have the opportunity to make more than six figures per year. (100K…nice money.) Like many people in college, she could even work while she’s in law school.  And she could do what many people do when pregnancy is a risk factor…Don’t indulge in Risky Behavior!!   Rich, middle income, poor—don’t indulge in Risky Behavior!

If we cave on this entitlement mind-set, give in to the demands of those who are irresponsible, what will come next?  Should everyone have $300 Nikes, a designer wardrobe, a luxury apartment?  Or how about cosmetic surgery, a nurtrition counselor who also serves as a personal cook, a luxury car?  Why not?  This gal, who’s begging for birth control pills, is also not paying for her pricey law school tuition.  Scholarship or public assistance?  Guess what, it comes out of taxpayers’ pockets.  Yours and mine.  

Bottom line…one thing leads to another.  At some point, taxpayers will run out of money.  And if they decide to quit working, too?  There will be so many irresponsible people on the planet who are entitled to everything, everyone will have nothing.  

Birth Control?  It is an individual’s responsibility.  Female, males….yours, mine.  And if birth control fails, it is not my responsibility to care for your child.  Yes, you may have to drop out of a pricey law school or say good-bye to your run-of-the-mill college or high school friends, whatever.  That’s a risk you choose to take! 

And if you don’t assume basic responsibilities and fall short of your goals….well, guess it means we all are NOT going to net the same advantages or opportunities in life.  That’s one of the perks of being responsible, working hard, sacrificing for your own personal goals.  A most wonderful aspect of life!  

Perplexed yes…why would a thinking, functioning individual be so irresponsible.  Expect someone else to pay for their birth control so they can be sexually active.

If you disagree, send Sandra $3000 for her birth control pills.  Bless You!  For the rest of you who want to buy birth control for just the ‘ordinary’ gal or guy, or yourself, you can get a variety of b.c. aides at your local chain drugstore for just a few dollars. 

No go do the smart thing!!    

The Faces of Angels

I reviewed The Faces of Angels and loved the book! It has been nominated for best paperback original –Edgar award. If you haven’t read this fascinating book, you’re missing a unique experience. Mystery, romance, philosophy and a trip to Florence, Italy. You won’t be disappointed.

Switched…by Diane Burton

In true fashion, a die-hard romantic should be captivated by author Diane Burton’s release of Switched which first debuted in paperback form.  For e-publishing, Burton has made revised Switched available for Kindle and Nook readers.  Those who’ve been waiting for Star Trek to adapt to Twenty-first Century fans will find a safe vehicle to travel from one world to another in this mixed genre of romance, paranormal and sci-fi renderings.

So you haven’t been to Serenia?  Well, climb aboard Captain Viator’s ship.  Burton has reserved a seat for you but, late comers beware–you’ll be left to fend for yourself if the Praetorians come hunting.

Plain but passionate Jessica Wyndom and masculine, unemotional Marcus Viator are thrust into universe and the venture begins.  Jessica is a self-employed mechanic-fix-it gal and Marcus captains a cavernous space ship whose wirings are a little dysfuntional.  Opposites attracts?  She’s been tossed into outer space because of mistaken identity or perhaps a brother’s practical joke.  Truth is, she’s been temporarily detained by the Captain in hopes of motivating his space ship crew whose sagging waistlines have his physically fit mind-set in a tailspin.  Viator isn’t necessarily at peace with himself, either.  His destiny has been arranged by the Elders of Serenian.  This pair is definitely butting heads right from take-off.  Although unnatural forces have brought these two together, neither one has any to desire to remain in the same stratosphere.  Ah, but what joins man and woman together, is not easily put asunder.

Jessica’s not a Cindy Crawford look-alike so has little influence over the crew that believes she is really Lieutenance Veronese Qilana, a Serenian, who shares her identical genetic markers.  Captain Viator, perplexed by this revelation, has his hands full and no feet on the ground.  He soon realizes a secret genetic experiment has been leaked and he’s equally disturbed by a looming desire to explore the bountiful curves of outspoken Jessica.  How can he focus on the welfare of his crew whose safety is jeopardized by a ruthless band of renegades, the Praetorians, when all these distractions swirl around him?  If the renegades prevail, the Serenians could lose their faithful leader and Jessica may never return to earth.  There’s a lot of unknown territory to explore before the reader breaches the horizon and clear blue skies return.

Burton’s knack at creating a New World exceeds the dreary plots of most paranormals, where shape-shifters and long-toothed lovers bring out the best or worst in eclectic profiles.  Her prose is filled with imaginative descriptions that guide the reader through darkened skies and lifts the inquisitive mind to other scientific realms of possibility.  You don’t have to be a sci-fi junky to enjoy Burton’s rendition of this made-in-heaven romance.  For plot and tension, you’ll find enough stimulation to root for strangers who slowly become familiar–whether they are devoid of emotion, have hairless bodies or tainted blue skin.

A little Avatar, Twilight, Star Wars, Gone With the Wind…Burton’s creative energy takes you on a weightless ride to Serenia and back to Terran soil–earth style, where happy endings are made.  You just might fall in love with this blended genre.  Star Gazers get on board with Switched by Diane Burton.  And for future travels Switched, Too is on the launch pad. 

Review: The Face of Angels

Author Lucretia Grindle has written a romantic mystery that takes you to Florence, Italy where love has no bounderies and murder rips at the core of the Catholic Church. Her protagonist Mary Warren returns to Florence after a two year absence to study art and let her wounds heal. New friends question her secretiveness. The man she loves, before and after her first trip, doesn’t understand why Mary is drawn to a series of crimes that mimic the man authorities believe killed her husband. But didn’t he, the assailant, die in prison? Then why are other young woman being slaughtered?
Grindle proves that writing is truly art. The scenes she creates, Michelangelo syle, are dramatic, compelling and emotionally charged. Her breathtaking strokes give you more than a terrace view of beautiful Florence. You’ll stroll through the piazzas, climb the steps of centuries-old monuments and smell the rush of olives and wine from the trattorias where protagonist Mary-Maria dines with her friends. Is an enemy watching? You’ll feel his breath on her shoulder. If you haven’t been to Florence, Grindle gives you every reason to go. but first finish her fine tale. She writes with polished grace yet her prose warns you to not take anything for granted. Eyes wide open, her art draws you closer and closer to the heart of a great city where ancient art and murder blends into the crowded cobblestone paths. This fascinating book explores the wonders of yesterday, the anxieties of modern day, the tribulations of the Catholic Church, questions global politics and yet causes you to shiver like a great mystery should. An award winner for sure. Don’t miss Lucretia Grindle’s masterpiece–The Face of Angels.