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FREE OF RACISM DAY!

I was talking to a friend not too long ago about racism, racist attitudes, ugliness, and the scourge that it is on society as a whole and his remark went like this, “I don’t know about that. I’ve never experienced it.” He’s from Minnesota, white and proud of it.

This got me thinking. There are those who go about life thinking that just because they’ve never experienced it, racism doesn’t exist. Here’s the thing. Racism is a worldwide issue. It finds its foothold in societies and goes about its way calling it, business as usual. Then there are those who suffer because of it, their daily existence not just marked by irking a living like the rest of the folks do but with the additional burden of carrying that unnecessary load placed on their shoulders which is called racism, a heavy one that affects whole families including children as well and sometimes it makes “living” a living hell!

Does racism exist today?

“A huge number of people still don’t even believe that contemporary racism exists. Despite the mountains of empirical evidence confirming that racism is a part of almost everything, almost everywhere, almost all the time, people are still stuck in a conversation about whether or not it is even happening.”

I would like to invent a holiday and call it, FREE OF RACISM DAY!

It will be a worldwide call to arms so to speak and for this one day, global citizens will come together and boost each other up irregardless of race, religion, and or color. We will put our differences aside and celebrate as ONE people. There will be exhibitions highlighting achievements and we will celebrate each other’s uniqueness. It will be a call to stand together and to embrace each other as citizens based not on color, race or religion but as people who deserve equal treatment regardless of who or where they come from.

There is an International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which is observed annually on March 21st. It was established by the United Nations in 1966 to commemorate the Sharpeville massacre in South Africa and it is to raise awareness and to fight against racism and discrimination worldwide.

Have you heard about it? I haven’t either. So let’s get the word out and not pretend that it (racism) doesn’t exist. It is there, it is alive, it is doing well and it is spreading like wildfire in today’s society of Nazi salutes, racist satire and full blown hate and ugliness.

I say AMEN to that!

Daily writing prompt

Invent a holiday! Explain how and why everyone should celebrate.

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LOL!

This little old lady goes to the doctor and says, “Doctor, I have this problem with passing gas, but it really doesn’t bother me too much. It never smells and it’s always silent. As a matter of fact, I’ve passed gas at least 20 times since I’ve been here in your office. You didn’t know I was passing gas because it doesn’t smell and it’s silent.”

The doctor says, “I see. Take these pills and come back to see me next week.”

The next week, the lady goes back, “Doctor,” she says, “I don’t know what you gave me, but now my passing gas…..although still silent, it stinks terribly.”

“Good,” the doctor says, “now that we’ve cleared up your sinuses, we’ll start to work on your hearing.”

🤣🤣🤣

My Favorite Websites?

I really don’t have that many. Social media is not my thing, therefore, I keep my time online to a bare minimum. However, there are two websites that I do look at and spend time with.

One is a dating portal . Don’t ask me why I started it but it seemed necessary and a good idea at the time. Now, I get irritated every time I look at it. I do get invites and the problem is when I don’t answer, I get messages such as, “You are showing no interest at all!” or “Please answer!” The thing is if I don’t answer, that is answer enough right? So, I’m thinking of giving it a boot and shutting the door behind me. I don’t think I’m going to find what I’m looking for there.

The other one that I love going to and posting on is WordPress. It is a safe site, it does wonders as far as venting my frustrations is concerned. I can put it out there secure in the knowledge that no one knows me and so it feels liberating! If I have a problem, the tech crew are more than willing to help and for a Tech Klutz like me, this is an absolute must! I love reading what others have to say and the people I connect with are “nice” without any of the hassles.

These are two of the websites I visit, one I can do without and the other keeps me going and helps to keep my sanity intact! Thank you WordPress.

Daily writing prompt

What are your favorite websites?

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Book Review

A Teacher’s Perspective

As a teacher who reads to his class, I’m always looking for stories that capture attention, hold imagination, and open the door to meaningful discussion. The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie did all three. The dedication alone – “May you never lose your sense of fantasy because it is what dreams are made of” – sets the stage for what this book does best: keeping that spark of imagination alive.

My students were immediately drawn to Honey, the miniature greyhound, and her unlikely friend Hubie, the bold green frog. Together they explore a world that’s whimsical but surprisingly relatable. The fairies, Moppets, and talking woodland creatures kept the class giggling, but what stayed with them was Honey’s courage – especially when she faced her fears to cross the pond or help another creature in need.

From an educator’s perspective, the pacing and structure work beautifully for group reading. There are natural pause points, making it easy to discuss what’s happening and predict what might come next. The descriptive writing creates clear visual imagery – something that helps young readers connect words to imagination. I even had a few students draw their favorite scenes, and every one of them was different. That’s the mark of a story that lets kids think for themselves.

What I appreciate most is that this book doesn’t preach. The themes of bravery, empathy, and friendship emerge naturally through Honey’s journey. The story invites reflection without spelling out a lesson, which makes it a wonderful tool for teaching emotional intelligence and creative thinking.

The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie feels like a classic in the making – a story that could easily become part of a yearly classroom rotation. It’s warm, heartfelt, and sincere, reminding children that courage isn’t loud or perfect; sometimes it’s just taking that next small step into the unknown.

I honestly didn’t put that much thought into the story when I wrote it but looking at this, it blew my mind!

Thank you.

The Age of Innocence

I was about 8 or 9 years old and life at that time was filled with pure adventure, fantasy, magic, and a feeling that bigger things were waiting to happen. My long hair was braided into pigtails and my usual garb was a t-shirt that had seen better days and a pair of shorts. My feet were bare and life was free, easy, and wonderful.

If I had a chance to go back and re-live that part of my life, I would do it in a heartbeat! It was a time when boys were a part of my circle as friends and nothing more. We were “innocents” and life was centered around building tents, camping, fishing in streams, football and anything the boys could do, I could do better was my motto! We were at an age where none of the grown-up things mattered and we were at the stage where the boy girl thing was still shrouded in mystery waiting patiently in the far distance to be discovered at a later point in time. All that mattered at that time was fun. It was there for our taking and we indulged and reveled in it.

The neighborhood was filled with like-minded kids and since we grew up in a community where everyone knew each other, we didn’t have to rush the growing up bit. We could take our time. Time seemed to stand still at times and at other times, we knew that everything would change for us. It was just a matter of time. However, it was a time in my life that I still treasure today. I call it the age of innocence.

Daily writing prompt

Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live?

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The Strength Within (Archives)

It is there, it is invisible and it stays dormant until it is called upon to show you and the world that YOU are strong, you are undefeatable and you are a force to be reckoned with. Not all of us are that strong and when life throws those lessons our way, we crumble, we push back but after all is said and done and looking back at the past you realize that “strength” was always there, it just took a little time getting there.

Here are some quotes that speak to the heart of the matter.

“Sometimes the strength within you is not a big fiery flame for all to see, it is just a tiny spark that whispers softly, ‘You got this, keep going.” Unknown

“Courage is not having the strength to go on, it is going on when you don’t have the strength.” Theodore Roosevelt

“One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone else’s survival guide.” Brene Brown

“Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.” Steve Maraboli

I love this next one. It shows that the spirit is not easily won over.

“I wear my bruises and scars like armor. Marks of battles fought in silence and storms endured out loud.

My pain? It’s the fire that forges resilience, a testament to the strength that refuses to break. I’m still here, unyielding and undefeated.” Unknown

“You have within you, right now, everything you need to deal with whatever the world can throw at you.” Brian Tracy

“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.” Ernest Hemingway

The last two speaks of understanding and of acceptance and still having the courage and the strength to move on.

“Someone I once loved gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this, too, was a gift.” Mary Oliver

AND

“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” Maya Angelou

Have an amazing day.

LOL!

Photo by Mark Angelo Sampan on Pexels.com

A wife decides to take her husband James to a strip club for his birthday.

They arrive at the club and the doorman says, “Hey James, how you doing?”

His wife’s puzzled and asks if he’s been to the club before.

“Oh no,” says James. “He’s on my bowling team.”

When they were seated, a waitress asks James if he’d like his usual and brings him over a Budweiser. His wife is becoming increasingly uncomfortable and says, “How did she know that you drink Budweiser?”

“Oh, she’s in the ladies bowling league, honey. We share lanes with them.”

A stripper then comes over to their table, throws her arms around James, and says, “Hi James, want your usual table dance, big boy?’

James’s wife, now furious, grabs her purse and storms out of the club. James follows and spots her getting into a cab. Before she can slam the door, he jumps in beside her. He tries desperately to explain how the stripper must have mistaken him for someone else, but his wife is having none of it.

She’s screaming at him at the top of her lungs, calling him every name in the book. The cabbie turns around and says,

“Looks like you’ve picked up a real bi**ch tonight, James.”

BOOM!

Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.

A Wonderful Book Review!

Sure feels like Christmas! Every review is worth its weight in gold and this one sure is. Keep it coming!

“May you never lose your sense of fantasy because it is what dreams are made of.”

This simple yet powerful dedication sets the tone for the entire story of The Excellent Adventures of Honey and Hubie. It’s a children’s book that carries the unmistakable heartbeat of a parent writing not just for the world, but for their child. That personal touch gives the story a warmth and an undercurrent of care, imagination, and gentle encouragement to dream big. The story follows Honey, a miniature greyhound with an adventurous spirit, and her loyal friend Hubie, a bright green frog whose curiosity has made him something of a legend among the garden creatures. Together, they journey beyond their familiar world—through meadows, forests, and encounters with fairies, frogs, Moppets, and even a skunk named Twister. Along the way, Honey faces challenges, discovers courage she didn’t know she had, and learns the true meaning of friendship.

The pacing is well measured for young readers. Each chapter builds on the previous one, with just enough suspense to hold a child’s attention without overwhelming them. The language is descriptive and whimsical, painting vivid scenes that feel lifted straight from a child’s daydream—bubbling streams, dancing fairies, and bustling woodland creatures. The story respects a child’s imagination rather than talking down to it. The book’s greatest strength lies in its themes. Honey’s journey is more than a woodland adventure; it’s about overcoming fear, discovering inner strength, and forging loyal friendships. When she crosses the pond despite her fears, stands up to danger, and learns what real friendship means, the story delivers a clear and gentle moral arc.

The ending, with Honey reflecting on her magical day at a not-so-magical moment, feels honest and satisfying. Stylistically, the book leans into classic storytelling, evoking the feeling of a tale read aloud by lamplight. That timeless tone fits perfectly with the opening dedication and its sense of preserving childhood wonder. The story includes some quirks, giving it a certain charm. What truly stands out is the sincerity behind it—something children feel instinctively. This book delivers on its promise. It protects and celebrates the fantasy at the heart of childhood, inviting young ones—and parents—to remember the thrill of stepping beyond the garden fence and finding a bigger world waiting. A sweet, classic-feeling adventure that encourages courage, friendship, and wonder.

On Amazon

Something Everyone Should Know

Photo by Jean van der Meulen on Pexels.com

I couldn’t come up with something of my own but I did find some that made great sense. Some are surprising.

“When one door closes, sometimes we need to turn the knob to open another.” J.A. Tran

“When adversity hits, go out and learn something.” Julie Andrews

“If something is important enough, even if the odds are stacked against you, you should still DO IT.” Elon Musk

Surprising? I think so.

“No matter what you do, someone will have something negative to say. Try not to take it personally. People judge and criticize other people’s lives when they are not happy with their own.” Lori Dschene

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way, if you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” Unknown

“If you want to fly, you have to give up the things that weigh you down.” Toni Morrison

The last two are from the guy who surprised me, simply because I’m seeing a different side to him. One that I like.

“Patience is a virtue, and I’m learning patience. It’s a tough lesson.” Elon Musk

Tell me about it! I’m doing the same.

“I think it matters whether someone has a good heart.” Elon Musk

Hmm…..I agree 100%! Like I said, that clinched it. I’m getting a whole different perspective on this guy! Well, well, we shall see.

Have an amazing day.

Daily writing prompt

What’s something you believe everyone should know.

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WORDS (Archives)

Words have incredible power and they can either build or break someone down. The saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” is so far from the truth. Words have the ability to stay with you, work within you and long after all is said and done, it can still show up years down the road and still have the power to hold court if allowed to do so.

Flippancy with words comes easily to some and to some cutting you down to size using a few choice words is a daily affair. Choose your words carefully and be kind with what you put out there because unlike that quote, words do have the power to hurt and to break someone down.

Here are some quotes that hit the nail on the head:

“Words and hearts should be handled with care for words when spoken and hearts when broken are the hardest things to repair.” Unknown

“Before you say something to someone, always think about how you’d feel if someone told you the same thing.” Unknown

I like this next one a lot.

“If only our tongues were made of glass,

how much more careful we would be when we speak.” Unknown

“The world is full of hurtful words. It is full of hate. It is full of people pushing others away. Tripping them with words. Words have the same power to cause harm as a stick or rock. We need to be better than that. To learn, to understand, to refuse to be the hurt.” Unknown

“Be careful what you say. You can say something hurtful in ten seconds, but ten years later, the wounds are still there.” Joel Osteen

Have an amazing day.