I respect your right to be an a$$h*le and fly the confederate flag

Symbols have always been an important part of our history, and this past week there has been a great deal of discussion about one particular symbol – the Confederate Flag.  I know there are so many opinions on this subject, and yes, I have decided to add my voice to the increasing chorus of discussion around this topic. 

If you have not seen the movie, The Davinci Code, in the beginning segment of the movie the main character, Robert Langdon, gives a lecture about our history with symbols.   (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THWrno6lBUQ)

The conversation about the Confederate flag seems to be all over social media. Is it a symbol of racism and hatred or simply a symbol of southern heritage?

I responded to a Facebook post asking our opinion about “Do you agree with the movement to take down the Confederate flag?”

Here is my response:

I Love the fact that this pathetic shooter wanted to not only hurt black people, but start a race war and he has succeeded, but not the kind he envisioned. His actions started a tidal wave of public support for the removal of this flag. The confederate flag is a symbol of racism, and anyone who denies that has his head in the sand. The confederacy was based on a slave economy and the civil war was fought to preserve their way of life, which included slavery. Acknowledging that fact is important. We cannot as a people simply deny our history. In addition to that, various hate groups have adopted this flag to represent their cause, further cementing its racist symbolism. This is why this flag needs to be removed from 'official' Government buildings. If a private citizen wants to fly this flag, that's their right, but it is not acceptable to fly a symbol of hatred over any government facility. The fact that Walmart & Amazon have chosen to remove the flag from their sales inventory is their choice as a business, and it is a wise consumer choice in my opinion, since there is a clear public sentiment against the flag. A business has the right to sell the flag if it wants to, and if an individual wants to buy and or display the flag they also have that right, no matter how detestable some of us may find it, but that is very different that using the flag in any official capacity.

Naturally – I was immediately called stupid and ignorant.  I expected that, I had the audacity to express my opinion, but it still does make me sad that our society has degraded so much, that we cannot have any type of discussion without retreating into ugliness. 

I am neither stupid nor ignorant, I do have an opinion though and I don’t expect everyone to agree with me.  I know that as a person with Jewish heritage, I would react strongly to seeing a flag with a swastika.  Interestingly, if I were Hindu, the swastika would have an entirely different meaning.  Long before Hitler used and perverted that symbol, it was actually a symbol of prosperity to Hindus.  I do understand that we will all see symbols differently based on our own backgrounds. 

I can only imagine that if my heritage included former slaves, that I would react strongly to seeing a confederate flag, and especially if it was in a prominent position at a government building. 

The World of Fiction

After several months of writing, editing, and beta readers I am so excited to share that I have officially released my new short story, "The Locket". It is my first fictional piece and I couldn't be happier at the response so far.  It is intimidating to jump into fictional writing, so starting with a short story seemed like a great introduction to the world of fiction.    


"The Locket" is an interesting collection of connected short stories that follow five generations of women in the same family. It is a historical piece, but the central theme is hope and the love these woman share. I really love these characters, they are so courageous, each in their own way.  I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Available now on Amazon in both ebook and paperback - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TMWM7YO

You can win your own copy of "The Locket" by entering the Goodreads Giveaway - https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/142736-the-locket

A short story: Clear Sailing Ahead

I just entered a short story contest - and I wanted to share with my story with all of you.  The contest was to write a 400 word story using a particular picture of a sailboat as the inspiration.  Here is the story I wrote, but instead of their picture I am using the photo I took in Antigua instead

Clear Sailing Ahead

 Sitting on the deck I felt like I could breathe for the first time in weeks.  My head was clear and I could see a future. The ocean was healing.  The salty sea spray washed away the pain of the past month, filling me with strength and determination that I didn’t know existed inside of me.  

Out here, with the waves and the wind, I was no longer the poor widow.  I wasn’t just that lady everyone felt sorry for.  “Did you hear what happened to her family?” they would whisper as I walked by.  I don’t know which I hated more; their pity or their moral superiority.  

At first I felt crushed with fear, like I was underwater and drowning.  It was hard to think or even take a breath.  Family and friends tried to be supportive, but they didn’t understand.  How could they, when I didn’t even understand?  I had to get away, to think.  I turned on the laptop and there was the picture of our dream, my dream – the sailboat. 

It had to be a sign.  It had to mean something.  Suddenly I felt a clarity that I hadn’t felt in years.  I call Renee and listed the house.  It felt crazy, but I knew it was the right decision.  My brother told me not to make any big decisions right now, but he couldn’t understand.   This was the perfect time.  I jumped into action; cleaning out the house, selling and donating everything. 

Renee came by with a young couple and they loved it.  They oohed and ahhhed at every room, envisioning their future.  I knew that my future was now somewhere else.

Renee called a few hours later; the offer was good so I accepted it.  It was final now.  I had just cut the last ties to my past.  I got in the car and drove south, with no destination in mind.  I don’t even remember driving; I just knew I had to get away, to begin again, somewhere.  I needed gas so I got off the main road, and there it was.  The boat, the exact boat from my laptop picture.  I couldn’t help myself; I pulled the car over.  She was so beautiful. 

I heard someone clear his throat behind me.  “She’s for sale, are you interested?”

“Yes!”  I could see my future and it was clear sailing ahead. 

thats 397 words for those who were counting - Wish me luck!

I still do

This weekend marks my first wedding anniversary, so I hope you won't mind if I spend some time reminiscing about my wedding to my amazing hubby.  He can be completely infuriating, he forgets things, misplaces things and he is not very good with remembering details, but somehow he always manages to be perfect. 

 Marriage is never easy, but when you find the right person it is a lot easier.  I know I found the right person.

 We have so much fun together.  We have had to face challenges, but somehow we manage to get through everything with a smile. 

 This weekend we have both spent some time reminiscing about our amazing wedding.  Like something straight out of a magazine, we were married on a beautiful Caribbean beach.  We said “I do” to each other next to the most stunning turquoise water I have ever seen. 

It’s hard to believe that it was a year ago.  It was a year filled with activity, from new jobs and leaking roofs, to wedding planning and just relaxing by the pool. 

 In sickness and in health – we dealt with that.  For richer or for poorer – we dealt with that too. 

Weddings can be stressful events.  My daughter is planning her wedding and I know she wants everything to be just right.  I want her to have a perfect wedding, but I know that a wedding is only one day; the marriage is what’s really important.

Our wedding was perfect, at the perfect place.  Hermitage Bay was the best decision we could have made.  They handled everything for us.  As we look back at our wedding photos, we get to relive that special day, but no matter how perfect our wedding was, being with the right person is the most important part.

I am so lucky to be able to say that I have found the right person.  He makes me feel good every single day.  He gives me compliments all the time and he believes in me.  He is such a rare gift and I am so thankful he is in my life. 

As I think about when I was standing in my bare feet on that spectacular beach, I looked into Peter’s eyes as I said the words “I do” and I want him to know that I still do!

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband