Tattered and thin: our democracy is under fire
Americans are particularly vulnerable to propaganda. We live in virtual bubbles; we thrive on drama and seek it out at the risk of living in feigned realities (think about the stream of reality TV shows that are, in truth, staged and not real at all).
As a former teacher, I am deeply concerned about the future of our democracy. I will dig deep to uncover as much propaganda as I can. I will not back down. I will not flee from the problems we face. I will fight for America and I will never stop fighting for our children.
The Empty Nest: what now? (part 1)
How does one deal with a huge resume gap? How does a woman transition from the domestic, family life to the working world after a considerable absence? Inevitably, for women who have had the luxury to stay home with their children, or who were able to work part-time, getting back on the serious career horse requires further training and education. Often, tech skills are not up to snuff. The learning curve—in all arenas—can be daunting.
The Tunnel: from darkness into light
This year, the asymmetry of daylight and dark feels symbolic as our country emits a darkness of spirit in the wake of this past election cycle. Suspicion and hateful rhetoric lingers, and we remain divided. Friends “unfriend” me. Family members distance themselves; and I retreat, protected by “my clan.” It feels safer to surround myself with like-minded people even when I know this isolation causes tunnel-vision and I only see what is directly in front of me.
At the Base of the Founder’s Tree: a brief message
NOTE: If you’re still undecided about where to cast your vote, I encourage you to treat your indecision like a research assignment (a paper you might write for an advanced class in college). Do your homework! Go to as many different sources as possible to uncover as much reliable and unbiased information as you can. (This will be the hardest part, finding unbiased reporting.) Read it. Study it. And make your decision based upon what you believe is the best pathway for all people, not just those who believe the same as you do, but for ALL Americans (that’s tough, too, empathizing with people unlike yourself).
The Heart Knows
We called ourselves The Women of Chadbourne — one a newlywed, one a single mother, one an actor returning from L.A.; plus a south Texas girl whose boyfriend held a diamond ring in his pocket; and a mother of two boys who had no idea that in a few short months her husband would leave her.
Our gathering quickly ignited and stories poured forth as freely as wine — stories of marriage, bosses, children, lovers, and ex-lovers. Somewhere around midnight, we whittled down the conversation and focused our attention on one subject. We asked what is the one, most important trait to look for when choosing a mate?
Today’s Flood: a blessing and a curse
At this moment swift water flows across the lower level of our dock and the sky rumbles above me. From my desk I see a tiny swath of sky above the tree line, just enough to have an immediate view of what’s to come, not much else. The next wave dances on the radar and I long for a wide-open horizon, one that offers an expansive view (with plenty of time to take cover from the storm).
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“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean.
But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” – Mother Teresa