“Hot” Topics

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Carol Early Cooney

This month I am trying to take the BlogHer challenge to blog every day with the theme “hot”.

I grew up in a family that did not discuss politics. To this day, I don’t have any idea how my parents voted. They did not think it was any one’s business but their own. 

When people talk about politics around me, I mostly listen. I am often astounded by the political rants that you find on Facebook. I do think that it is great to have an opinion and believe in your side of an issue. More power to you if you want to share that feeling. I do take exception to the personal attacks that seem to be so prevalent. The emotions seem to take the issue beyond where the focus should be. Too often, it seems that if you don’t agree then you are a racist or sexist or just plain stupid for not agreeing.

One of the current “hot” issues is gay marriage. In contrast to my nature, I will share with you my feeling on this issue.

I don’t want to know what ANYONE is doing in the privacy of their bedroom. As long as it is two consenting adults, it is NONE of my business. I don’t want to know anything about it. I don’t want to know about your whips, handcuffs, or frequency.

I have never felt that anyone except the two people involved in a relationship can judge a relationship. Look at some the marriages that we have before us in the news. Quite frankly, I wonder why Hillary has stayed with Bill. But it is because it is a relationship between them and only them. They have worked it out somehow and it is none of my business how they did it.

Based on the belief that it is none of my business what goes on in anyone else’s bedroom or in anyone else’s relationship, I don’t understand what should stop gay marriage. It is an issue of equally recognizing that a relationship exists. It allows a celebration of a relationship and the pleasure (no, I am not talking about sex) it brings two people.

I think that committed gay couples should be entitled to the same legal rights that other committed couples receive. They should be able to care for their partner with regard to healthcare issues. They should be eligible to receive each other’ social security and pensions. They should be able to provide health insurance should one of the couple be without. They should be able to inherit the same way other committed couples do. Why would you deny such things to any couple in a committed relationship?

If you thinking “God will get them” then let Him do it. We will all have to face Him and our sins. Gay people are first of all people. They are people for whom life is harder than it already is for the rest of us. Don’t add to the bias and prejudice they experience.

If you don’t want to marry gay couples in your church, then don’t.  You have the right to your feelings and beliefs. Don’t stop the civil institution of marriage because your religious institution doesn’t agree. You have your rights and they should have theirs.

In a Utopian world, we would be free of all prejudice. I do not think this will ever happen but I think we should and can make some things equal. Try to extend to all people the decency that you would like extended to yourself.

So much for “hot” topics! I think I will move on to something like “hot” peppers or “hot” wheels next. This “hot” topic business if pretty hard for me.

Have a great weekend.

Posted in Writing and Photo Prompt Responses | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

August is for Blogging about “HOT”

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Carol Early Cooney

This post is the beginning of a month’s worth of posts with the theme “HOT”. This challenge is from NaBloPoMo August 2013.

Yes, this is how I will start my month of August. I think that thinking of Johnny Depp with the word “hot” is appropriate.

Really really appropriate.

Some may go for Clooney, some for Fillion, I will start with Depp. This does not have anything to do with his acting or intelligence. It is simply a reaction to his looks.

I don’t go to the movies. I don’t know that I would intentionally go to his movies anyway. I have seen some of them. I will admit that the makeup that he seems to wear in a lot of them does not do anything for me.  I did think that the movie Chocolat was greatly improved with his presence.

If you have not seen it, you might enjoy it. It is not a movie to share with your husband. He probably won’t like it. You can watch it with a glass of wine and just enjoy the story. (I did like the book also. Come to think of it, the book might be improved with pictures of Johnny Depp scattered through it.  )

No, I am not a member of his fan club – I am sure that there must be one out there – but I do like to happen upon his image from time to time. I am quite sure that that happens because I am not alone in my belief that he has that certain something.

Come on, the guy is just hot.

I also find my husband pretty hot. He does not quite look like Johnny Depp but he has many better qualities. (Like I can see and talk to him…)

So, happy first day of August! Happy first day of 30 days of blogging on the topic of “hot”. And most of all, Happy Birthday to my friend, Karen. Wishing you the best!

Karen, I think he is better than Tom Cruise!

Thanks for stopping by!

Posted in Writing and Photo Prompt Responses | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Writers Tell All – A blog hop

Posted on July 28, 2013 by Carol Early Cooney

 

Hop, Sally, H O P!

I have been nominated by Jennifer Chow to be part of the “Writers Tell All blog hop. I feel honored. Thanks to Jennifer!

Participants are asked to answer three questions and then nominate three others.  Why is it that nominating three others is easier than answering three questions?

What are you working on? Trying to figure out what I am doing most of the time… Seriously, I am s l o w l y writing an ebook on “The Diabetic Foot”. (That will turn some heads, huh?) I am also working on some poetry and fiction pieces. The three blogs I write tend to keep me busy. I really love it – except when I am totally overwhelmed by the feeling that I have no idea what I am doing. I combat that feeling by making myself write something. Okay, the truth is that when overwhelmed, I usually think that having a coke will solve most of my problems. It doesn’t work and I talk myself out of it but it is my first response.  Then I write.

How does your writing process work? Uh, not well? Let me start again. My writing process starts first thing in the morning with my “morning pages.” As suggested by Julia Cameron in her famous book, The Artist Way, I sit and write three pages in long hand.  The pages are about whatever is on my mind. They can be  lists of what I need to do, many lines on  how much I don’t want to write the three pages and sometimes ideas will just arrive on the page.  I go to my office and start. Since I have a job outside of writing, I spend some time deciding that I should write rather than spend time on the other work. The other work is easier than writing, so it wins part of the time. When I am writing, I usually have to do some research as a first step. I do that and then start writing. I have paper everywhere and I constantly go back and forth. I am sure that there is an easier, more collected way but so far I am doing okay.  I am much better at producing really bad first drafts than I am at editing them. This is why my fiction and poetry haven’t seen the light of day. I have promised myself I will improve. After all, it is hard to win accolades from the masses if no one ever sees your work.

Who are authors you most admire? This is hard to answer. I admire anyone who was able to put together a story, get it out there and have it published. It is an amazing thing to have done. I read Anne Lamott like she will never write another book and it has to be slurped up before it evaporates. Madeline L’Engle wrote some of my all-time favorite books and I feel that much of her wonderful work is unknown. It makes me happy when Deborah Combie, Donna Leon, and Jacqueline Winspear have new books out. Jeanne Webster wrote a book, Strays, which really got me to work on my writing and I thought that Charles Duhigg’s, The Power of Habit was really good.  I have found Dinty Moore lately and like his work. (not the stew, the author) I could go on forever but I will stop here knowing I forgot to mention someone whose work  that I love.

And now for the three people that I will add to the Writers Tell All blog hop.

Bolton Carley – http://boltoncarley.wordpress.com/   Bolton makes me laugh. She has a wicked sense of humor and a great take on life. I bet she got “talks too much” on her report cards.

Khara House – http://www.kharahouse.com/  I think Khara is a phenomenally talented artist. I am always blown away by her. I could sit at her feet to assemble the pearls that drop out of her mouth.  Then again, she watches too many movies and television shows and doesn’t seem to sleep. If only she seemed to drink more…

J. Lynn Sheridan – http://writingonthesun.wordpress.com/  Janice is a poet with a great sense of humor. We share Midwest roots and I appreciate her sharing nature.

I am very grateful to Jennifer for nominating me. I will unabashedly admit that I am tickled that she thought of me!

IMG_1011 (2)

Posted in Writing about Writing/Working | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Wordsmith Studio Prompt – Water

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Carol Early Cooney

This week’s prompt from Wordsmith Studio (www.wordsmithstudio.org) is water.

It has been very hot and humid here in the Midwest.  Today was the day of change.  It was cooler and the humidity was gone.  Part of this weather change was that the wind came off Lake Michigan. The lake was turbulent.  There were warnings about staying out of the water due to rip currents.

As usual, there were those who didn’t listen.

Image

IMG_1153 (2)

In my town, there are many parks next to the lake.  In this particular park, there is a fountain.  With my first picture, you might notice there is a piece of wood on the side of the island.

IMG_1155 (2)

I thought that it looked tacky but as I got closer, I found out that the piece of wood had a purpose.

IMG_1161

IMG_1157 (2)

It is a ramp for the ducks!

IMG_1166Yes, it was windy

Posted in Writing and Photo Prompt Responses | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

What is on your shoulder?

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Carol Early Cooney

One of my writer friends, Bolton Carley, wrote a post yesterday about purses.  You can check it out http://boltoncarley.wordpress.com/.

Oddly enough, I have some thoughts about purses. I could have shared them in the comments section of Bolton’s blog but I thought they might be a bit long for that spot.

First of all, I am ASTOUNDED by the purses that are recommended by Oprah. This has gone on for years. Does she really think that most women spend $1,500 – $2,500 for a purse?  Do they? Do you?  I actually love to point these purses out to my husband. It makes my purse spending look so good. (I could go on a huge rant about the prices of the things on the “O” list each month. Really, am I cheap or just poor that I can’t comprehend buying that stuff – even though some of it looks pretty good.) If you don’t know what I am talking about, check out the “great buys of the week” here http://www.oprah.com/gift/Cropped-Jacket?editors_pick_id=31508.

For the first time ever, I spent over $100 for a purse last year. I seem to have a soft spot for Fossil vintage series purses.Most of the time, I hit up TJ Maxx or Marshalls to see what they have to offer.  This strategy is not working as well anymore.  They now have purses that are much more expensive – a lot of them are in the over $100 range.

Since I do not spend a lot of money on my purses, two things tend to happen. First, I have a hard time finding a new purse.  Since I really do not like to shop, this is not good.  And this is how I ended up spending more than the usual amount last year. The second thing is that I don’t keep my purses forever. Usually they are good for one season and then I move on.  I do not change purses during the season.  I am a one and done purse person.

The size of the purse seems to change over time.  Sometimes I go for the small purse and just jam (and I mean jam) things in there. This summer, I have gone for the large approach.Yes, I think that this summer’s bag might have been billed as a beach tote. I just seem to carry more than I used to and having a bag that I can throw a lot of stuff into is helpful.

Image

I have also found over time that I like colored items in my purse so that they are easier to find.  For example, I have a pink and orange cell phone cover, a red wallet, and a green, white, and black print business card holder.  I can find these things when I need to .  I also took a freeby makeup bag and put pens and lip gloss into it so I can find them when I need them.  Oh, there is also a pen light in there – doesn’t everyone need that?  Easily some of the items in my purse are because of work (pen light, business cards, notebook, camera) and may not be in everyone’s purse.  (or murse as it may be called)

IMG_1140

Lots of color in there, right? Can you spot the nook, the notebook, the phone, the makeup bag full of pens or the iPad?

I do have a case for my phone that I can keep my driver’s licence, some cash and a credit card so that if I am just going to the gym or someplace quick, I will just take that.

Image

So how much do you keep in your purse?  How much do you spend when you buy a new purse?  Do you change purses with your outfits?  Let me know – maybe I am just behind the times with the prices of purses.

AND I HAD MY FIRST WIN!- If you have been following this blog, you know that I started entering sweepstakes.  Okay, this is not exactly the same but I bought a book from a fellow writer and won his birthday pull for a surprise gift.  Yippee!  Who knows what I will win next?

I also was given a tip this weekend.  I don’t always look but it seems on the bottom on store receipts, there maybe a web site to go to and answer some questions to win a prize.  Walgreen’s seems to do this along with Panera and Dominicks.  You could be a winner, too!

Have Fun!

Posted in Miscellaneous Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments