An American’s declaration of shame – Reblog

Published July 5, 2017 by Nan Mykel

Go get ’em! I’m re-blogging.

Today is Independence Day in the United States, and across this great land we mark the occasion with the iconic images of parades, fireworks, waving flags and blackened weenies on the grill. But one thing you rarely see is the actual image of what this holiday is all about. There it is up above, the Declaration of Independence.

Penned in 1776, the Declaration of Independence set forth principles that should make every American proud.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

At 61, I’m old enough to have seen a lot of bad moments in my nation’s history. Like many Americans, I’ve endured politicians I disliked, along with policies with which I did not agree. But until the ascendancy of Donald J. Trump…

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F*** you Steven Fry

Published July 5, 2017 by Nan Mykel

Posted on April 15, 2016, but still sizzles: blackspotsite

blackspotsite

I’m going to have an angry rant. And I’m not going to apologise for it. Because a man I had nothing but respect and admiration for said some truly contemptuous things this week. Yeah you guessed right – I’m talking about Steven Fry.

I’d always held Mr Fry in high esteem. He’s a highly intellectual man who has made a stand for people with mental health issues. To me, it was admirable to see a celebrity talk openly about the hideousness of depression and disclose that it is something they have experienced. That’s why I was so impressed when I saw Ruby Wax give a talk on her latest book this week.

At the same time, that is what makes his moronic comments about abuse victims really sting. I don’t usually get angry about the stupid things celebrities come out with, but I was genuinely hurt by him trivialising the…

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Five Reasons NOT to Adopt (and Why You Should Ignore Them)

Published July 3, 2017 by Nan Mykel

Sometimes we need to be reminded of what we can contribute to human happiness.

Hypervigilant.org

Thirty years ago, families with biological children were unlikely to adopt. In our present culture, considering adoption has become almost trendy, thanks to celebrity endorsement, movies like Annie and educational campaigns like National Adoption Month. Individuals, couples and families with children (both young and grown) are adopting.

In spite of the increase in attention, 102,000 children in the foster care system alone wait for an adoptive family (adoptuskids.org). This number doesn’t account for children awaiting agency placement. So, should you consider adoption? Here’s why you shouldn’t (should).

1. “Adoption is too expensive.”

Cost is a valid concern. Our friends adopted from China; the total was well over $30,000. Agency adoptions in the US can be just as expensive. Shelling out that kind of cash is not an option for most people.

Here’s the good news: simply search “Financial help for Adoption” to find hundreds of available resources online. Private funds, special interest…

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Kitten Agenda

Published July 2, 2017 by Nan Mykel

I’m reblogging because it’s so lively and the rhymes as adorable as the kitty.

lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown

Kitten Agenda

Skittering upward,
Climbing my cape,
An agile kitten
Makes her escape.
Prancing the hallway,
Evading my grasp,
Rattling the padlock to
Swing on its hasp.

Scampering everywhere,
Chasing small bugs.
Acrobat tunneling,
Mounding the rugs.
Purring rapscallion
Explores with no map.
Rests at her day’s end
Secure in my lap.

The prompt today is scamper.

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I know you, momma!

Published July 1, 2017 by Nan Mykel

I’m sharing your tears at this moment and re-blogging

Mother that isn't...

To the momma who lost her child…

I know you. I understand you. I’ve been there. My son died – a year ago, today! When I should be waking up to his midnight cries, I was crying alone at midnight. When I should be by his cot and cradle, I was by his hospital bed. When I should be feeding him and playing with him, I was arranging for his funeral. I died a 1000 deaths everyday after. Please know that I know you. If I hugged you now, held your hands tight, you’d know that I know.

It’s been a year; it’s been a lifetime!

You are breathing, and there’s your child in every breath. Your heart is beating, and every beat yearns for that one more kiss & drool. I know, you wake up with the same thought that you sleep with. And, that thought, will last till…

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Dialogue: Poet to Poet

Published June 30, 2017 by Nan Mykel

“I guess I have been holding back some of my resentment. I’m in a nice normal poetry group on the outside and they love to laugh at my funny lines. This isn’t a therapy group–far from it. It’s a nice civilized friendly group, and I sure can’t let the cat (me) out of the bag there.” The above was posted on June 25, 2017 under Could I Re-Write My Childhood?

The above is kinda setting the stage for the following dialogue. Because P1 and P2 is boring, I’m calling the participants Me and You. but don’t take it personally. Remember, “You” equals P2.

Me: I’m puzzled and frustrated by poetry sharing in my blog family.

You: You only post on your own blog and d’verse.

Me: Yeah, and I’m puzzled by that. I didn’t understand, and I recall giving advice on grieving, not realizing it was probably just a poem, not reality.

You: You were just a newbie, you didn’t know any better.

Me: I don’t have that excuse any more. I think it’s wonderful how most people praise each other’s efforts/poetry on d’verse.

You: Me too!

Me: But I have two general questions. Sometimes we respond to content (“I’ve had that experience too, in Florida…); sometimes we respond to the poetry form and metaphors; and sometimes we respond to the emotions which we resonate to. I guess the foregoing is not a question, just an insecurity about which is preferred.

You: So you do want to do the right, preferred thing?

Me: Well…yeah…I guess.

You: Okay, what is your next question or insecurity?

Me: Is the purpose of d’verse to make readers happy? I’m not saying it right–moved, enlightened, thankful, appreciative of life?

You: Sounds like a worthy purpose to me. I don’t like whining posts.

Me: Me neither, but when I attempt to write poetry I’m starting to feel a “should,” like I should write for its impact on readers, like I should brighten their day instead of “let the cat out of the bag,” that I’m feeling hurt, pain, jealous, vengeful, despair, unloved, rejected, cynical, bruised, hopeless, etc. (Not that I feel like that often, mind you).

You: d’verse isn’t a place for therapy, you know. There’s a survivor’s blog somewhere out there for survivors,

Me: But not a poetry blog for survivors. I guess I’m unclear about the difference between whiners and grieving and non-believers and reality.

You: If you’re not feeling love and thankfulness and joy, you don’t have to write a poem, you know.

Me: I’m already feeling misunderstood. I think I’ve been guilty of “arguing back” with some poets myself, instead of just accepting their words. And I do remember that the best gift you can give is to hear and accept. I remember Carl Rogers now and how precious it is to just be really heard.

You: You do realize that now you’ve made anyone who comments on your work self-conscious?

Me: Oh, I’m sorry!

You: I should think so!

LESSON FOR TODAY: People are just people and really accepting them means just letting them do their thing and follow their creative impulses. So there’s no other message from this navel-gazing post.

Juneteenth — BookingAnita

Published June 30, 2017 by Nan Mykel

Good Morning! Happy Morning! I know I’m a little late on this, but I’m still going to post my thoughts on Juneteenth. If you’ve never heard of Juneteenth prepare to be “schooled.” Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865 Union soldiers led […]

via Juneteenth — BookingAnita

Inherit their voice reblog

Published June 30, 2017 by Nan Mykel

Yes, yes, yes!

TheFeatheredSleep

2012610_1809d Sat facing away from the sun

an old man wipes years from his eyes

drawn over with cataract like milky bath water

he strains to see the outline of motion

where are all the old men? He thinks

once so barrel chested and neatly trimmed

with mustaches and shiny hair like Cover Girl teens

where are all the eighties queers who painted beaches

with tight abs and tiny shorts in tropical shades?

now half empty, the beach longs for color

only rotund women with bristly chins

unkempt hair chopped without thought

some with children or children’s children

placing sensible shades and thick UV factor 50

on slow-moving parts of themselves

in previous years you could

reach out and paint a rainbow

in their courage of being twenty

though lesbians and gay men do not

always a palate make

such contrasts in their expression

these women without restraint

mopping the brows…

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chopped : reblogged from Gorman

Published June 29, 2017 by Nan Mykel

Love it!

How Big Monies Is Strong Arming Recalcitrant Republicans Who Oppose Trumpcare

Published June 28, 2017 by Nan Mykel

Speechless. Too bad I don’t believe in hell.

Gronda Morin

The big monied backed Pro-Trump PACs went into action with negative TV Ads to pressure the republican Senator from Neveda, Dean Heller as soon as he announced on 6/23/17, that he could not back the Senate’s version of Trumpcare.

This is a perfect case study in how the billionaire folks like the Koch brothers, the Mercers and others exert undue influence over the republican legislators to where they are put at risk if they put the well being and needs of their constituents first before their’s.

Image result for photos of america first policies Trump Advisers Start ‘America First Policies’ Nonprofit

As per the 6/24/17 Washington Post article by David Weigle, “(Senator Dean) Heller, the only Senate Republican facing a 2018 reelection bid in a state won by Hillary Clinton last year, announced on Friday (6/23/17) that he could not back a bill “that takes away insurance from tens of millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of…

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