Sorry to have disappeared on everyone like that, but as my post of my pup went up my mom went to the hospital. All precautions but will result in other medical intervention. I don't want to say more since my mom is a very private person but I have been trying to help her out more so I've been spending very little time online and I've been admittedly quite tired.

Other things happened... but they were quite minor, but it did add to the stress so I took a bit of time off. Anyone have extra energy to spare? I'll take it! (I'm sure I'm not alone in that) Hopefully I'll be back to visiting everyone's blogs soon. Just trying to find the brainage to spare. Unfortunately I'm not sure I had much in stock. lol

Will be posting a few reviews soon but things may be a bit spotty at best. Thanks for sticking around. I hope to be more interesting soon... or least try... 😜

😷

Ah, I've been silent again, but for good reason. 

I had a whole post on what my dogs put me through (they are all fine now but seriously dogs...), my health, and Charlottesville. While I was writing it out I realized I really didn't want to talk about all of that. Since Charlottesville I've been angry and tired and let me just say it... racism is bad. How do some people not get that? Even though I was not surprised that violence has happened but what did surprise me is that it has become personal in a way I didn't expect. I won't reveal the specifics but I will state that I have no problems standing with my convictions but it did make me angry. I only wanted to state that since I KNOW I'm not the only one going through it and I want anyone out there to know they are not alone. So many more people are speaking out against racism. Racism has always been there, it will be there after this section in history but we can do what we can to lessen it's impact for future generations. I have no problem believing it will happen because so many people are saying no. It is good to see and hold onto that. 

Now I'm switching gears (but know you just got a virtual hug from me)...

I just became a affiliate for Craftsy. 

I have used this site for quite a while. I often buy patterns or videos from this site when they are on sale. I can now let you know so if you are interested you can get in on the sales. Yep, I'm trying to do more crafting. I'm also previewing a lot of videos for them so hopefully I'll get to share those as well for you. I've been a bit behind where I want to be due to personal issues but hopefully will get to writing those things down.

I am also getting more involved in dog nutrition and training. I have to write some reviews on this and will hopefully have them soon.

It will be a bit before I'm back into full swing, but thanks for sticking around! I hope I end up having something here you will enjoy.

Hope your day gets better (even if it is great, I want it to get even better!) since I think we all deserve it right now.

💝

Because of the political climate in the US right now and also because it is a day we need to recognize now more than ever, I thought I'd dedicate today's post to MLK day. 

I think an important piece of history we often have heard about but most have not read in it's entirety is the Letter from a Birmingham Jail (link in title). He did struggle with what was happening around him. He was frustrated with everyone telling him to "wait" for others to either catch up or let others finally do what was right. For this he states: 

This "Wait" has almost always meant "Never."

are...

Grand prize:

Melissa from Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf! (confirmed)

Second prize:

Terri from Alexia's Books and Such! (confirmed)

No, you didn't have to have a book blog to enter, but if you haven't do check those great blogs out!!

👉Also, if you entered but did not get 1st or 2nd, do check your e-mail... just sayin'... 😉 (not everyone has gotten back to me yet...)🎁

Sorry it took me so long to get to the announcement, but I had limited access to my computer for a time and I didn't feel well over the holidays so I just decided to take the time off. However, now I'm playing catch up. 😷

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, I have a few things for this category... one positive and one not. I guess I'll go not first.

The Not

Simon & Schuster under the imprint of Threshold books has given $250k to Milo Yiannopoulos who is known for his racist and misogynistic viewpoints. In fact, that is what made him "famous". Won't give him anymore time here, but you can look him up if you are not familiar. The companies response was heartbreaking since they did the whole not condoning and multiple view argument and I also responded that statement.

Well, @SimonBooks @threshold_books @simonschuster this all sounds like a good answer, but when you normalize hate, you participate in it. 😞

— Melissa 🐝 (@BooksThings) December 30, 2016

What does this mean? Well, so far this year I have not reviewed a S&S book. This may become an issue soon for me and I'll have to weigh supporting the author vs the publisher since I know a lot of authors have no choice and it isn't easy to move. I can guarantee that I will keep it to the bear minimum if at all and perhaps this may be the key to getting out of book blogging (blog may turn into something else). I'm still considering.

The Positive

For those that don't think that calling (best) or mailing your statements to your representatives doesn't work consider what recently happened:

House Republicans drop efforts to gut ethics watchdog after onslaught of criticism

I know a lot of news outlets gave Trump the nod nod on this one, but if you really look, it was the astonishment of the number of calls they got that really took them by surprise. No one reverses a decision like that so soon after a tweet so there is no way I'm giving Drumpf the credit. He just knew what was coming and like he has been doing, taking credit for other people's work. 🙄 You can check out other sources for the same comments if you don't like HuffPo. I just happened to see it there first. Yes, calling does work.

One not within this one though... The House GOP snuck by a way to hide he cost of the ACA removal. Yes, the removal (especially without a plan to replace... costs more) will cost taxpayers money. I'm upset that they are doing so much to hide and be less transparent as possible. We need that transparency and I wonder what else they have planned when they are trying to be opaque as possible. However this hasn't gone totally unnoticed and Bill de Blasio and a few other politicians are outing the numbers anyway. Good time to call your democratic politicians. Light a fire under them. 😏

Btw, if you are upset at Paul Ryan trying to defund Planned Parenthood then there is an easy way to do that. Just to go Call Speaker Ryan and they even give you a script (you do get signed up for text alerts, but can opt out). Teen Vogue did a good article on how Ryan is locked in his office refusing to collect petitions and why this subject is important and why their reasons don't make sense. The article is HERE.

If you haven't seen this, I do think you'll enjoy...

The Trumpster quote #1#ANewJeersToast https://t.co/qZQEGU18r6

— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) January 8, 2017

Yep, Mark Hamill took Trump's New Years odd tweet into something magic... I don't get half the stuff he writes on twitter but it makes more sense in this context, sad as that is...

Yes, you may get sick of me doing these, but I want to do something so this is it. 

Now go have some fun... 

🎈

Ugh. So much loss. Not just in the entertainment group, but I noticed a lot of personal loss with people that were important to them. The election. Ugh again. Actually I sort of predicted who would win by a sort of joke. I was wondering if there was a reason for all this loss because Drumpf will win. WHY did I have to say that?

I have to also say one of the hardest entertainment losses was recent. Carrie Fisher was my big one. She was Princess Leia to most of us. That character was the first princess character I knew of to save herself. She was the first one I noticed to also save everyone else. She lost everyone important to her and yet she forged on and led a rebellion. That character was one of the main reasons I loved Star Wars. Plus, if you heard Carrie Fisher in her forthrightness and strength in what she advocated and revealed about her life, I'd have to now say she could be the only one to play that character right. She would be the only one to get that character. Her mom also had a bit of that so losing Debbie Reynolds was so sad too. Geeze 2016! I just needed to see more gumption coming from strong women like they were... especially in the 4 years to come.

Fave tweet:

Be Princess Leia in 2017.

Fight on the front lines. Strangle fascists with the chains they would have you wear. Be a motherfuckin' general.

— K O'Shea (@osheamobile) December 27, 2016

Hellz yeah!

Now for some hopeful laughter....

 I think we all feel a bit like this skit from John Oliver's show Last Week Tonight. Be warned that this is NSFW because of language. 😆

~🎉~

This one is VERY NSFW (probably more than the one above).. so be warned... 😂



🎉

Don't say I didn't warn you... 😜

2017 is already going to be a trying year for a lot of us. Instead of wishing you a happy new year I'm going to instead wish you lots of love in the year to come. Remember that this political climate isn't normal and you should fight, if not for yourself, then for your loved ones. Uplift each other and do not let people distract you from having your say (a tactic to watch for).

Now if you haven't done so, go and have some fun.

🎉

Heh... get it? 😄

Well, I'm still processing, still angry and still here. There have been some issues that have come about that I cannot be silent about. I apologize to those that find it triggering but I cannot stay silent anymore. The first part, if you missed it, about the election and why I'll have the puppy giveaway in Dec. is HERE.

Sore Loser?

With people being named for important powerful positions the fears of many people are now becoming real. This isn't about being a "sore loser" it is about REAL fear coming true. The #notmypresident protest is partially about not being able to support someone who ran on abhorrent ideals. They cannot say that the racist, misogynistic, and xenophobic rhetoric he spouted during the campaign is ok in any way at all. However there is real value in questioning (not demeaning) the protest and reminding people to not resort to violence. He is the president elect. We must now turn toward vigilance against demagoguery, racism, misogyny, and hate. Turn your energy toward that. Call your representatives.

Need more reasons people are afraid? Let's start with just a couple of the people that will be a part of his team. One member of the "transition team" under Pence that Trump has named. He is Kris Kobach. He penned one of the most racist legislation to go through AZ requiring that people looking a certain way to carry papers to prove that they are US citizens. Steve Bannon who has been named as the White House Chief Strategist is the other worry. He has been known to have had Trump's ear throughout the campaign. Both have been known to work with white supremacists (who have come out as happy for this appointment) and Bannon even has a website with white nationalist, anti-semitic, and misogynistic views called Breitbart. Even Paul Ryan (who actually seemed reasonable at times during the campaign but has recently refused to decry Bannon) has just decreed that Medicare will become privatized. And yes, there is still no solid plan to replace the ACA. No, I don't believe that parts of it will stay and I will not count on it. Those that he is moving into place want to eliminate it first and decide what to do about it later. I do still hope to be pleasantly surprised but don't believe it will happen. They won't allow it.

There are other reasons that are coming to light that have confirmed the fears of a lot of people. This is just a tiny bit of it. So, no, it is not the same thing as when Obama took office. He did not run on a campaign of exclusion (even if you felt that way, his campaign still didn't run with that rhetoric). He extended a hand, many people feel that Trump has already extended a fist. It is hard to give someone a chance when on the campaign trail people did give him several chances. They would try to correct him by telling him he really didn't mean "that", they tried to help him understand why what he said was painful. His response was to double down on his initial argument. As I said before in my last post, he has already hurt people.

There is also the social reasons to worry. This article also echoes some of my sentiments: It's Not Melodramatic to Fear for Our Safety.

And to those that compare one hate against another, know this: There is no contest to be won and anything done out of hate is just plainly wrong. That kind of comparison is used to distract from any real discussion. Any reasonable person would denounce any sort of violence. You already know that.

This is one of a million explanations, articles and social media statuses explaining why people feel this way. This should no longer be an unknown factor as to why people are reacting in this manner.

Also, I would like to address one thing that has been coming across from all sides of the equation. It is that the liberals were somehow silencing the radical conservatives. I want to make it clear, right now, that the predicament we are in is the fault of EVERY US CITIZEN even if the reasons for that fault are different. I also firmly believe that many didn't say who they were voting for because they knew that to side with the horrible things Trump was saying was wrong even if that wasn't why they voted for him. I think this tweet actually sums up how I feel about this issue:

Perhaps the most insightful political comment I've seen in the election aftermath from a very smart friend of mine. pic.twitter.com/uMjbm2LIOF

— skullsinthestars (@drskyskull) November 11, 2016

And still, I do think they deserve a seat at the table. I want them at the table. They are valuable because they are human. They deserve their non-hate fears and issues to be heard. I have heard that people felt bullied into accepting change, so let that be your topic but change your tactics. We can't force anyone to sit at the table and you can't force anyone else to accept what we see is hateful. Let me also make this clear: I've not talked to one person who believed that everyone who voted for Trump was racist, sexist or against LGBTQ groups (and yes, I know that person exists but they aren't the majority). However...

Hasan Minhaj on people who support Donald Trump despite his bigotry. https://t.co/QwlXtBf8fw pic.twitter.com/0MzJB2U6Lp

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) November 13, 2016

That is how many of us are feeling at the moment.

AND if you still don't get it, here is another way of looking at it: The Cinemax Theory of Racism by John Scalzi

Getting back into the Groove:

So, back to some reviews...

I've not been reading although I do have some reviews of books I've read and reviewed but not posted. I just cannot find the ability to lose myself in reading. I needed more stimulation so I decided to binge watch Jessica Jones who just about everyone was praising.


Yea, this was fabulous. Just dark enough for my mood but doesn't drag you deeper. Jessica is the perfect anti-hero and the introduction to Luke Cage was perfect. David Tennant plays the perfect bad guy and it was also a series that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You won't get bored with this one. It had me from the first episode. Warning to some people who don't like it, it does have sex and violence in it.

Of course then I had to binge Luke Cage:

This was going to be a post about asking for help with my puppy giveaway. The US election has turned it upside-down so while I will still hold the giveaway but I will do something different. I've written this post several times and I hope I do make some sense. Also the election is why I've gone a bit MIA. Will try to come back but I may need more time to process. Also apologies to those that don't like to talk politics. I usually don't, but I did think it was necessary to give some things a voice. I also apologize for the length.

The US Presidential Election

Because people's emotions are so high, I've seen several calls for respectful disagreement. I agree with this. Unfortunately, I've also seen it used as a way to shut people up. Speaking to those that have used it that way and just want people to calm down and stop talking, you have to listen to the pain, the hurt and the fear before you can even start to change it. Yes, that is actually for both sides. It doesn't mean agreement but how else could we know what direction to take to get people to calm down? How else would we understand what road to take to change? Let me make this clear, this doesn't mean you have to tolerate hate. I do have one example where at least one person tries to start a real dialog in a real way. Take a moment to check out these videos if you like. It is Van Jones going into Gettysburg to talk to people with various affiliations but mainly Trump leanings. No one ends up agreeing but in a very small way some find a little common ground. It doesn't solve anything, but what becomes clear to me is that what is needed is mutual respect for the other and people need to hear the other's fear. Everyone is seems fearful. All are about 10 min and while there were no great epiphanies save one: we can still converse civilly.

The Messy Truth
All videos on his blog (go from the bottom to the top to get them in order) HERE

Please don't advocate for silence in this issue(s). I also think I and others should have the space to say why we are scared with this outcome as long as this is also done with respect. Remember respect does not equal agreement but does treat people as human. I believe we MUST acknowledge what harmful things have been happening both in the past and right after the election. To ignore it we go backwards and I refuse to do that. Hatred thrives in the dark where people refuse to acknowledge it exists. Also to those that have experienced more hatred of late, know that there are people who have your back. Who know this is wrong. For those that haven't experienced it, please pay attention. Do not be willfully ignorant at what is going on. Pay attention to everything. Listen. The fact that the whole presidential race was fought with Trump speaking with  misogynist and racist and hateful promises, speech, and horrible historical comparisons should also never be ignored. We need to acknowledge that his presidential race has already hurt people.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
―Martin Luther King Jr.

I've never been scared with an outcome from a US election. This election was the exception. Several things scare me but what scares me the most (and for the sake of brevity I'll only mention 2) is something I just spoke about. The fact that hate groups now have a solid and open foothold for political legitimacy again. However there is an easy way to combat this. Vote. There is one fact that people don't recognize: Politicians do not pay attention to "the people" they pay attention to voters. This is how groups get power. This is why it is important to VOTE in EVERY election from here on out. You need to make your voice louder than these groups. This is how to fight this now. VOTE. The presidential election is not the only important election out there.

Another scare turned reality? The downfall of the ACA. Not to get into details but this program has literally saved my life and others and has helped thousands of people no matter how you feel about it.  Yes, I am quite aware of the problems within the ACA and so we need to FIX it not eliminate it. I'm hoping there will be something reasonable in it's place, but I'm not hopeful. I've seen what so far has been suggested in taking it's place (and I'm not talking about the "best plan" but ones that actually have merit and also why I call for fixing it not eliminating it) and it does not compare nor cover everyone currently helped by the ACA. I have never felt confident that I would be able to keep this program since it has been constantly under attack and I was always aware that this may happen at some point, but I just hoped it wouldn't be so soon. And to be honest, I'm not so sure if  I'm scared at this point but resigned.

The Positives

• There has been people recognizing that there will be people who will feel forgotten once again, maligned and in physical danger. This is important to those who feel invisible in this country. It also hasn't happened on this scale before.
• These people are reaching out to others and are encouraging everyone to do the same. I am not listing groups of people as others have since I would eventually miss important groups by mistake. You don't need a list, just go out and reach out. I'm trying to do that here.
• Women have found their voice about sexual assault and are speaking up in record numbers. One conversation that caught my attention was on twitter about the FIRST time as a female you were groped. I think it is an important distinction that it doesn't say if or when but first. It shows how much prevalence there is in this type of sexual assault. Btw, I think I was around 9 or 10 years old. 
• I don't believe that we will go back to these hate groups in having the power they once had. I think this is more of a wake up call for a lot of people. Hate will NOT win but it has awoken people to reality.
• The anger of good people speaking out about why this is wrong, how it affects their self and others. Yes, anger can be a good thing.
• Things like this actually can create opportunity and bring factions of people closer together in the face of hatred. I've seen it in every situation in recent history. I've already seen it with what I've already stated.
• Those that have power are lending their voice to those that have less. 
• More people are paying attention. Know that what is going on is nothing new. People have been dealing with this kind of hate all along and have survived. This kind of hate cannot continue as long as there is light and knowledge shined on what is going on.
• There are people currently formulating plans on what to do to make the world around them better for as may people possible. Like I said, I think we were just handed a wake up call.

And this leads me to my determination to not let the negatives get the better of me and I decided to go ahead with...

🐾

I actually debated about talking about this. I actually almost never really talk about this unless I have to talk about it. I have lived with this my whole life and my extended family really has only recently become aware of it (I told you I don't talk about it). It was something that I could easily brush off to being no big deal. It was just something I learned to deal with and really was more of an annoyance rather than something that affected me to the point I had to be hospitalized. Granted it has affected me in a greater way now, but I still feel that I have been very lucky compared to some. 

My reason for talking about it now is that I've talked to people who have the same diagnosis and I saw that a few of them have problems that affect them in a great way. Some have been hospitalized or have had to find ways to accommodate their disability. One of the biggest problems are people around them that don't understand or even doctors who are not aware of these problems. Heard of the woman who was shamed for using a handicapped space where someone sent them a note on their car? At least one of those cases was a dysautonomia patient. So, I thought I'd shed some light on it and if you know someone who has a form of this (or yourself) you can find out how to be more educated. I'm just going over the fine points.

What is dysautonomia?

According to Dysautonomia International it is:

With everything going on there is too much to say and not enough. So much death and violence this year. Too much. In trying to keep the post as simple as possible I want to share several quotes with you. I believe that love is stronger than hate and that you cannot fight hate with hate or fear. I see that too often. So, I'm not just speaking to the violence in the world, but also to the everyday hate people seem way too comfortable with lately.

I do think that the only way to combat hate is to counter it with kindness, love or at least rational thinking. I'm not trying to say that the anger isn't appropriate at times, but people rarely see what is true and often succumb to fear if anger is not abated. We also don't listen in that state. It's also hard to say what you want when you are upset so often I use quotes when I have too much and not enough appropriate words to give the right feeling. Usually someone has said it so much better. This is my way of holding onto kindness. Kindness changes things and I'm spreading that shit everywhere. :)

Let it Be ~ (The Beatles) Across the Universe

Let go of hate, don't hold onto it.

Put A Little Love in Your Heart ~Annie Lennox and Al Green In all this hate, sadness, and horror, remember there is always hope.

“It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.” ― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl  

Need a internet hug? Some inspiration? Free Hugs Project is trying to do that. How about people who photoshopped a favorite toy elephant that a little boy lost. He was told that he was on an adventure around the world. A family friend hoped that people would help show the boy his toy was really okay. Go HERE for the story and some of the photos. Hopefully these will help you see that kindness is spreading. It exists.

From Bored Panda You really need to see those photos! :)

Please feel free to add any appropriate inspiration in the comments.

I'll end this as I did the last time:

"Kindness is free, sprinkle that shit everywhere" -TShirt