Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Wednesday's Words for July 30, 2014

It’s been a different kind of week here in the Ashbury household.

Something happened last Sunday that hasn’t actually happened to us in a very long time.

 Our television went on the fritz.

Televisions used to be considered appliances, did you know that? I can recall the black and white one we had when I was a kid. Um, for you younger folks, black and white refers to the colors of the pictures the television produced, not the colors of the set itself. One day—and seriously, only ever one day that I recall—ours didn’t work, and my mom had to call the T.V. repair man.

Yes, just like you might today call a washing machine repair person, or a refrigerator repair person, you used to be able to call the television repair person.

It was quite the occasion, in my mind at least. I was just a kid but he let me watch him as he worked. He unscrewed the back panel of the television (they really were bulky pieces of furniture in those days). The inside of the beast was filled with one big picture tube, and several little tubes, elongated glass things with rounded tops and prongs on the other end. Thinking back, I guess you could liken them to fuses, because when they “blew” they’d have a black area on them, a sign of burn out.

Of course, it didn’t take the repair man long to find the tube that had blown. Fixing it was a simple matter of exchanging the burned out tube for a new one and then, like magic, the television worked again.

Well, in 2014 it’s not a television repairperson that gets called—it’s a television technician. You may recall that my beloved bought this monster set three years ago, the result of a bargain hunting adventure with our daughter that still gets recounted at family gatherings. Fortunately, at the time of purchase, he also bought the four year extended warranty.

Here I will digress for a moment and tell you, flat out, in as stern a voice as I can muster, when you buy anything electronic in nature, get the extended warranty if one is available. We have done that as a regular practice for years, and several times, collected on it. We have used, for periods of two to three years, and then received full refunds for a digital camera, a GPS unit, and an expensive one-cup coffee maker.

Not to mention that there will be no charge for the “adjustment” to our 54 inch brand name television. And no, I don’t feel guilty for any of that. Manufacturers don’t want their products to last forever. If they did, their sales would stagnate. Much better for them to plan, for example, that they can sell that expensive one-cup coffeemaker to you every three to five years or so, than to make it so good it will last ten to fifteen years.

My mother’s large freezer lasted twenty-seven years, I don’t recall she ever got a new fridge, and I just inherited her wooden ironing board that I used to iron clothes on as a teen.

Now, back to our broken-down television. I called the 1-800 number on the warranty brochure last Sunday—that is good innovation, call centers that operate 24/7—and after I recited all the warranty information, the young person on the other end of the call expressed appropriate sympathy that our television was “down”.

He promised to send a tech right out to us, and scheduled the service call—for this coming Friday.

My beloved gasped when I told him how long we would be without his TV, and looked for one moment as if his world was about to end. I even knew what question was coming next: “But what if I had planned to watch something good this week?”

Really? During summer re-run season when he only puts on the news, and even that only once or twice a week? Or catches the occasional episode of that one new series he’s watching on our cable provider’s “watch on demand” service?

Still, I didn’t want to seem unsympathetic to his concerns, so I gently stroked his cheek and said, “Then you can just plan to watch it on your computer, dear.”

This is the reason it’s been a different kind of week in the Ashbury household. Yes, every spare moment after dinner he’s been right here, in my office, just two feet away from me, doing just that.

Thank goodness for headphones.

Love,
Morgan
http://www.morganashbury.com
http://www.bookstrand.com/morgan-ashbury

Monday, July 28, 2014

Angelic Forecast ~ #308


I observe his underlying weariness, the toll his life has taken on him. "How easy is it to penetrate Earth's airspace?" I ask, twirling my glass.

"So far, our portal entry on Earth hasn't been compromised. Watch is maintained twenty-four seven," Reth adds, looking me square in the eye. 

Tingles chill me, and I know in that moment, I will be going on mission. "Anything to stop the psychopaths destroying life on Mother Earth."


"I hoped you would say that." Reth starts to grin, but his expression quickly becomes all too somber.

We gaze at each other, and our silence blasts around me. My mind is filled with scenarios of the tyranny wreck-balling Earth, destroying the innocent and good.

"Why don't we walk the grounds?" I suggest. "Dhuroth has created a garden paradise here."

"Ah, relaxation among the sounds and sights of Martian nature. Why not?" Reth stretches, bear-like in his movements.

"I find solutions are more easily found on my daily walks," I say, and rise.

"We do need solutions." Reth joins me, and we stroll toward the nearest path, and already the birds screech their warnings. "There are specific about 'the strikes' I would discuss with you."

TO BE CONTINUED...
~~~~~~


ANGELIC FORECAST ~

Sacred Are the Peacemakers, at this major crosspoint in human history/herstory. They come from every race, creed and culture, and now the peacemakers join together in mind, heart, and spirit. Now they traverse the world in a monumental effort to bring forth a lasting and true peace.

In opposition, the psychopathic War Beasts unleash more chaos-hell on planet Earth. All to spark a world war of epic and 'Sky Net' destructive proportions. Think Darth Vader meets World War Two, tenfold.

On the magickal, mystical front, this week the 'Mages of Ages Lost'... whirl their magickal lightblades, and the walls come tumbling down around the black-hearted Viper magicians. Or, those who have trauma-controlled humanity for century upon century. Watch the *scandal* headlines this coming week.

Also, the past continues to reveal itself at hyper-jump speed. HEADLINE-SNIPPET: Gobekli Tepe: the Temple of the Watchers ~ The mysterious stone complex of Gobekli Tepe in Turkey is one of the great mysteries of archaeology. This week, Andrew Collins reports on his findings at the site and discoveries nearby that suggest even more incredible ruins remain to be uncovered. ~unknowncountry.com/dreamland/latest~

On the personal front, a difficult busy week for most of us. Yet success in certain ventures will be highly rewarding.

Also, this could be a time when your intuitive-psychic sensibilities and powers become more obvious. This could be sparked by a certain incident, or merely 'show up' as part of your experienced reality.

Remember too, the times they are a-changin' at nova-burst speed. To balance yourself, slow down one area of your life, as you are able. Listen to music, and allow yourself more leisure time. 

On the paranormal front, the meteoric rise of the cryptid phenomena, including mini T-Rex sightings. Watch out!

HEADLINE-SNIPPET: Bigfoot & Southwest Cryptids
Dave Schrader was joined by cryptozoologist JC Johnson (youtube.com/user/cryptofourcorners), who shared his research and experiences with cryptids in the Southwest US. He recounted details from his 1999 bigfoot encounter at Blue Ridge Reservoir in the Mogollon Rim area of Arizona. Johnson and a friend were camping on a ten by fifteen foot rock on a lake when they heard a high-pitched shrill scream and the sound of something moving through the trees. "I saw a huge outline of a very large body in the moonlight," Johnson said, adding that the shrieking creature began throwing rocks and other forest debris from the ridge above the camp site. ~coasttocoastam.com/show/2014/07/25~

Also, the moon rises. HEADLINE-SNIPPET: Alien Artifacts On The Moon? ~ The notion of looking for alien artifacts on our own Moon may finally be gaining mainstream scientific traction. — Forbes.com

On the land changes front, the sun awakens once again, in the near future. For, now the Great Lion Star lashes the atmosphere of Earth, likely causing weather anomalies and communication disruptions.

From the prior forecast: "BOOM-SUPER BOOM-MEGA BOOM ... Earthquakes quicken, more volcanoes awaken worldwide and erupt on the sea floor. Superstorms strike one after another, strafe shorelines, and dump rivers of water causing floods. In other areas, wildfires rage out of control while the drought deepens. Mudslides, sinkholes, and in the coming months, there are likely to be mega windstorms.

In the meantime, land rises forming new islands. Within the center of the Earth herself shifts in energy are occurring, which, in part, are responsible for weakening the magnetic field.

However, the real danger: the weather and earthquake wars being waged between high-level factions of the dark-side controllers. Some of this will be mitigated by the Benevolents who are on the side of humanity." 

On the AWAKENING front, this week, the AWAKENING of humankind surges ahead on one front while decreasing among certain populations. This is the price of war as orchestrated by the dark-side controllers.

HEADLINE-SNIPPET: Weekender: Timeline Jumping - A Glimpse Into the Complex World of Selective Existence ~ Friday, July 25, 2014 ~ The message, displayed on Kenyon's website www.TomKenyon.com, suggests that our collective destiny is made up of a combination of individual choices, evolutionary forces and terrestrial factors, along with cosmic energies that impact upon us due to our position within the complex cosmic matrix. The Hathors say that more of us are now "awakening" and the Controllers are getting nervous; a sudden unexpected surge in elevated human consciousness could overcome them. ~unknowncountry.com/news/weekender-timeline-jumping-glimpse-complex-world-selective-existence~


THIS FORECAST IS CONTINUED AT *TITLE MAGIC* ~titlemagic.blogspot.com~

Angelic blessings from Volcano & Sedona
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 


Warning!!! The global elite [New World Order] does not want *you* to read this book. See ~ Powerful Dreams at my Kougar Kisses blog.

WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS

~~~ Where angels fear to tread, 2012 Earth ~~~

World weary and worn out, the incarnated angel, Sedona, who believes she is merely human, has three choices after her old van breaks down.

Let the Nazerazzi squad of the North American Union capture her and force her into a FEMA concentration camp.

Walk out into the Arizona night desert, let the wildlife have a good meal with the hope her death will be quick.

Or does she dare trust the mysterious stranger suddenly before her?

Handsome as sin and all in black, he emerges out of the darkness.

Sedona wonders if the stranger on a superspeed motorcycle is her savior from the brutal endtimes.

Or, is he a roving cult member of the New World Order, hunting his next blood sacrifice?

***

It’s only a few days before Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012 ~ The end of the Mayan Calendar.

Sent from heaven to help Sedona save humanity, Zerr Dann knows the Divine is playing its last card on Earth.

He also knows Sedona is about to find out Christmas miracles still exist.

[Angelic Fantasy Erotic Romance]
~~~~~~

~~~ EBOOK & IN PRINT ~~~ a former #1 on Siren-BookStrand’s bestseller list

Author Discovery by BookStrand author, Lindsay Townsend.
~~~

~ HAVE A MAGICKAL WEEK ~

Kisses from Savanna Kougar...

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

Siren-BookStrand Author of ~

All Shades of Blue Paradise
[World of the Blue Pearl Moon, Book 1]

When a Good Angel Falls ~ In Print
[Winter Solstice 2012, Book 1]

Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis ~ In Print
[New Atlantis Trilogy, Book 1]

Her Insatiable Dark Heroes ~ In Print
[Chrontropolis, Book 1]

Stallion of Ash and Flame ~ In Print

Branded by the Texans ~ IN PRINT ~ A Siren-BookStrand Bestseller!
[Three Star Republic]

Kandy Apple and Her Hellhounds ~  What happens when two of Hades’ most mission-accomplished Hellhounds find just the right witch for Halloween? ~ Ebook and In Print.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Wednesday's Words for July 23, 2014

So far, being 60 isn’t as horrible as I’d feared it would be. But then, I’ve only been 60 since Monday.

One of the things that has always amazed me—since my early 20s—is the realization that despite our age, there’s a part of us, deep inside that is, in fact, ageless. Think about it for a moment. Focus on the you beneath the physical. Don’t you feel like the same person, inside, that you’ve always been?

Sometimes that sense is so strong, that it can be a real shock, looking in the mirror. And I’m not the only one to experience that, either.

One day, a few years ago, my daughter was going through her wedding photo album. My husband was close by, knew what she was doing, and had a look over her shoulder. Then he frowned, and in all seriousness, pointed at one of the pictures and said, “Who’s that old guy? I don’t remember seeing him there.” My daughter just met his gaze and said, “That’s you, you fool.”

My husband mumbled something that sounded like “no way”. Then he sighed and said, “I was afraid you were going to say that. It’s why I don’t look in the mirror unless I have to.”

As we age, for the most part, it’s our bodies that change. We lose height and gain body mass (well, most of us do). Where we used to take a single vitamin in the morning, now we have those handy little pill organizers chock full of our daily doses of better living through chemistry. We use new and creative means and then resort to cuss words when we try to get our bodies to bend the way we need them to bend just to be able to put on our socks. One thing that doesn’t make any sense at all: why the floor has gotten so much farther away when we’re not as tall as we used to be.

We need afternoon naps much more than we ever used to—and earlier, too, beginning mid-morning. We used to walk for blocks, and now we just read the blogs, instead.

But it really isn’t only in the physical disciplines, or lack thereof, where our increased age shows. Some things that used to really annoy us don’t cause a single blip on our mental or emotional radar, while things that are really inconsequential in the overall scheme of things, are often causes for all out, bloody war.

We used to have no trouble at all with the concepts of tact and diplomacy when we were younger—yes you might have thought something, but you certainly never would say it. Now—for better or worse—our inner curmudgeon seems to have taken over. He—or she—isn’t so inner anymore.

I wondered about that last fact, and I decided that the real truth is, the emergence of our heretofore mute inner imp is, in fact, a reward to us. It is! It’s nature’s gift to us for our having lasted so long. It likely begins coming out around the age of 60 (imagine that!) but isn’t fully out of its cocoon and at full power until the mid seventies heading toward eighty.

Do you doubt me? Remember that friend who always asked you if a particular outfit made her look sallow and ugly? And you, being in your twenties or thirties would find creative ways of either not commenting, or telling one of those myriad little white lies to assure her she was beautiful? Because, really, what was the point of being honest?

Well, getting older seems to free people from the need to be quite so diplomatic. I can foresee a time when someone might ask me, “does this outfit make me look ugly?” and my response might be, “honey, the outfit has nothing to do with it.”

And no one will shush me because, well, I’ll be old!

One more thing getting older means is a slight change of perspective. When you’re older you look at the youth of today and realize they’re lazy, they have no respect, possess hideous personal hygiene, questionable taste in music and clothes, and are completely self centered.

Hmm. Come to think of it, I seem to recall hearing words to that affect from the elders of my day, when I was a twenty-something.

Love,
Morgan
http://www.morganashbury.com
http://www.bookstrand.com/morgan-ashbury

Monday, July 21, 2014

HEALING HER RACY DOCTORS - Racy Nights 15


I'm so pleased to announce a new release!! HEALING HER RACY DOCTORS is book 15 in my Racy Nights series!!

You can read more about the Racy Nights series on my WEBSITE, but for now, here is a brief overview for old and new Racy Nights fans alike...

Welcome to Racy Indiana, population 10,467 (give or take a few) and founded in 1898. Located in northwest Indiana, a branch of the Iroquois River runs through the town, and miles of wind turbines dot the landscape.

On Riverfront Drive you’ll find the Racy Animal Clinic, owned and operated by sexy vet Dustin Alexander, and where Annalise Kerr brought in her cat Shadow for a checkup. While backing out of the parking space after Dustin asked her out, she nearly collided with the unmarked police cruiser driven by Detective Chad Bristol.

Also now located on Riverfront Drive is Luke's Bar. It was in the original location on Market Street where gorgeous Luke Rodriguez spent most of his time, until he met Alexa Monahan, that is. Alexa moved to Racy from Manhattan, where she worked in a sex shop with Racy native Kari Tye.

If you walk along Riverfront toward downtown Racy, you’ll come to Market Street, the heart of Racy’s historic district. The buildings here were all original, and the business owners lovingly maintained them. They're nearly restored now after an EF3 tornado destroyed most of them last May.

Kari had been gone for fifteen years, but last October she returned. She and Alexa opened Tye Me Up just before Christmas, Racy’s first and only sex shop, out on Lawnview Drive.

Noah Wells, a research and development specialist at Notus Power, the company that owns and operates the wind turbines just outside of Racy, helped keep Kari safe from trouble that followed her home. And what he couldn't accomplish, sexy Adison Kincaid, head of security at Notus, certainly did.

As for Alexa, she not only has Luke looking after her, but also heroic Chase Taylor, the Racy Building Commissioner. He’s the reason Kari and Alexa were able to open their shop in the once-beautiful century home that had been scheduled for demolition. Now restored to its former majesty, the upstairs of the house is living quarters for Alexa and her Doms, while the shop is on the main floor.

Lawnview Drive is now the site of multiple homes being built to resemble Tye Me Up. They'll each contain an upscale shop to make this area of Racy the hottest new shopping district.

Around the corner from Market Street is Main Street, where you’ll find the courthouse and City Hall. J Lo lookalike Marisol Santiago is a court reporter who got more than she bargained for when she became accidentally involved again with old boyfriend Rafe Rodriguez, and Ellis McCree, the city building inspector, at the same time. Rafe is Luke’s older brother, and Ellis is cousin to Maddox McCree, who owns and operates the local BDSM club out of his mansion on Birch Lane.

Maddox’s mysterious and slightly shady past was the subject of much speculation among Racy’s residents, until psychologist Julie Carruthers attended a surprise birthday party for Alexa at Maddox’s club and chipped a hole in the armor surrounding Maddox.

Things really got interesting inside City Hall. Former mayor Bernie Crumb was indicted on charges of murder, among other things, and sexy Dom Zach Kincaid is now Racy's mayor. Former IT department head Gina Santori keeps Zach on his toes, and she keeps detective Harrison Kelly happy as well, serving as a sub to both men. She also is part of Giolanna Design Solutions, the company she, Annalise, and Olivia Kelly started last summer.

If you circle around Main Street over to Ash Lane and head for the river, you’ll eventually wind up back on Riverfront, where The Fit Bod, Racy’s gym, stands in stark contrast to the quaint old buildings in and around that area. It’s a bold, modern design that hunky Evan Rydell designed and co-owns with Thayer Denning. Evan and Thayer don’t mind sharing sub Cherilyn Barker, who now works alongside them.

And Olivia Kelly, Harrison’s sister and Cherilyn’s friend, had plenty to do outside being part of Giolanna Design Solutions once she met Racy Fire Chief Cameron Sinclair and Racy Fire Inspector Storm Jamison. Talk about things heating up!

So come on in and take a stroll through Racy with its spunky heroines and drop-dead gorgeous heroes. This is small town America, and Racy residents gossip as much as anyone, but when the crap hits the fan, they’re there for each other. From ex-Doms and serial killers, to ex-wives and AWOL soldiers, and all the way to tornadoes and arsonists, Racy has its share of trouble, but our heroes are on hand to make sure no harm comes to their heroines.

BLURB for HEALING HER RACY DOCTORS:

Siren Ménage Everlasting: Erotic Consensual BDSM Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, spanking, paddlng, cropping, flogging, sex toys, HEA]

ER nurse and submissive Loreen Newhouse has admired surgeons and Doms Adam Eastman and Travis Randall from afar for years, but she hasn’t dated since her fiancé was killed four years earlier.

Adam lost his fiancée to a car bomb three years earlier when he and Travis served together in Doctors Without Borders. Travis is afraid to give away his heart after watching the pain that Adam went through.

When a chance encounter leads to Adam and Travis pursuing a Dom/sub relationship with Loreen, all three believe they are on the road to healing. Until an ER victim who too closely resembles Adam’s fiancé is brought in on the anniversary of her death, and Adam bolts without telling Travis or Loreen where he’s gone.

Can Loreen overcome her own past grief and help Adam and Travis heal from their loss, or has she lost them both forever?



Angelic Forecast ~ #307

 
"Plus the slimy creep wimps likely have palatial bunkers. Some are even offworld, right?"

"Offworld, mostly. One reason we're studying access to their minions operating out of those bunkers."

"What about disabling their advanced weaponry," I pause, thinking. "Or, turning it against them?"


Reth's smile slowly spreads, and a wicked gleam enters his eye. "Right. Another plan we're working on. Can I count on you to fly a mission or two?"

I stop my words, thinking about Dhuroth... would I be separated from him more than now? Yet... "Yes," I affirm. My jaw tightens in determination. "You can count on me."

"Good." Reth indulges in more berries, scooping them up and tossing them into his mouth.

I observe his underlying weariness, the toll his life has taken on him. "How easy is it to penetrate Earth's airspace?" I ask, twirling my glass.

"So far, our portal entry on Earth hasn't been compromised. Watch is maintained twenty-four seven," Reth adds, looking me square in the eye. 

Tingles chill me, and I know in that moment, I will be going on mission. "Anything to stop the psychopaths destroying life on Mother Earth." 

TO BE CONTINUED...

~~~~~~

ANGELIC FORECAST ~

This week's theme: The True Past of Humankind Dramatically Reveals Itself

On every front, the real history/herstory of our planet, Earth, and of the sentient races who have inhabited, built megalithic civilizations, and contributed to the genome... is being REVEALED nonstop. This, despite every attempt by the 'nefarious cabal' to control and crush THE TRUTH.

Blurb-snippet: "Are we really aliens? Was there a race of giants that once inhabited the Americas?" ~coasttocoastam.com/show/2014/07/19~

On the truth front, a mammoth-sized month ahead for the human race. As *TRUTHS* long denied to most of us, explode, then expand planet-wide. Now, turnpoint decisions must be made.

For the destiny of each one of us is on the proverbial doorstep. Do we progress and live among the stars? Or do we fall before the mass media lies perpetrated by those who have the most to lose -- those psychopathic puppeteers who are on the ultimate power trip.

On the magickal, mystical front, this week the 'Mages of Ages Lost' cast forth their collective and magnificent power to hyper-jump the evolution-revolution of humanity at this critical point in our cosmic timeline. Be aware of your potential as never before, and continue to tap into your own powers. Then take right action.

For, this is how the good among us will rise, and wing above the diabolically orchestrated CHAOS of our times. In truth, our strength is limitless, large as the greater universe. But we must grow into this grand power like children growing into a new set of clothes.

On the personal front, this week, likely there will be spikes of 'up and down'. This means both your emotional state and life events. Prepare to surf these extreme waves.

For the immediate future, it will become crucial to learn how to manage the troughs and the top of the wave. Grab those opportunities that *will* arrive, and hang on during those times of trial and scarcity.

Thus, at this time, all of us of like mind and heart need to come together.

On the paranormal front, TIME slips and slides, the strands and streams weaving together at lightspeed now. This will cause episodes of confusion among the populace, and some zombie-like behavior.

As well, these quick alterations in the time stream will cause the psycho, psychopathic Viper elite to make major mistakes. This will become obvious midweek to anyone *watching* for the signs.

For an understanding of the time dimension, listen to Whitley Strieber interview Starfire Tor. Blurb-snippet: "Toward the end of the program, Whitley Strieber springs a new timeslip on her. Something that he has possessed for years has suddenly and inexplicably changed. How? Is it because he has moved between timelines? If so, why does this happen? ~unknowncountry.com/dreamland/latest~

On the land changes front, BOOM-SUPER BOOM-MEGA BOOM ... Earthquakes quicken, more volcanoes awaken worldwide and erupt on the sea floor. Superstorms strike one after another, strafe shorelines, and dump rivers of water causing floods. In other areas, wildfires rage out of control while the drought deepens. Mudslides, sinkholes, and in the coming months, there are likely to be mega windstorms.

In the meantime, land rises forming new islands. Within the center of the Earth herself shifts in energy are occurring, which, in part, are responsible for weakening the magnetic field.

However, the real danger: the weather and earthquake wars being waged between high-level factions of the dark-side controllers. Some of this will be mitigated by the Benevolents who are on the side of humanity.

On the AWAKENING front, now in the human consciousness, oppression goes the way of the dinosaur. While this will not be universal, a tipping point is about to be reached. This means less and less of us will tolerate being suppressed-oppressed by the dark-side powers that be. 

For, within the sacred landscape of the soul, the desire to live free, to determine our own lives, becomes a greater part of WHO we are. Freedom beckons us, a shining beacon leading to a bold and beautiful future.


THIS FORECAST IS CONTINUED AT *TITLE MAGIC* ~titlemagic.blogspot.com~

Angelic blessings from Volcano & Sedona
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 


Warning!!! The global elite [New World Order] does not want *you* to read this book. See ~ Powerful Dreams at my Kougar Kisses blog.

WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS

~~~ Where angels fear to tread, 2012 Earth ~~~

World weary and worn out, the incarnated angel, Sedona, who believes she is merely human, has three choices after her old van breaks down.

Let the Nazerazzi squad of the North American Union capture her and force her into a FEMA concentration camp.

Walk out into the Arizona night desert, let the wildlife have a good meal with the hope her death will be quick.

Or does she dare trust the mysterious stranger suddenly before her?

Handsome as sin and all in black, he emerges out of the darkness.

Sedona wonders if the stranger on a superspeed motorcycle is her savior from the brutal endtimes.

Or, is he a roving cult member of the New World Order, hunting his next blood sacrifice?

***

It’s only a few days before Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012 ~ The end of the Mayan Calendar.

Sent from heaven to help Sedona save humanity, Zerr Dann knows the Divine is playing its last card on Earth.

He also knows Sedona is about to find out Christmas miracles still exist.

[Angelic Fantasy Erotic Romance]
~~~~~~

~~~ EBOOK & IN PRINT ~~~ a former #1 on Siren-BookStrand’s bestseller list

Author Discovery by BookStrand author, Lindsay Townsend.
~~~

~ HAVE A MAGICKAL WEEK ~

Kisses from Savanna Kougar...

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

Siren-BookStrand Author of ~

All Shades of Blue Paradise
[World of the Blue Pearl Moon, Book 1]

When a Good Angel Falls ~ In Print
[Winter Solstice 2012, Book 1]

Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis ~ In Print
[New Atlantis Trilogy, Book 1]

Her Insatiable Dark Heroes ~ In Print
[Chrontropolis, Book 1]

Stallion of Ash and Flame ~ In Print

Branded by the Texans ~ IN PRINT ~ A Siren-BookStrand Bestseller!
[Three Star Republic]

Kandy Apple and Her Hellhounds ~  What happens when two of Hades’ most mission-accomplished Hellhounds find just the right witch for Halloween? ~ Ebook and In Print.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Wednesday's Words for July 16, 2014

This past Monday was our 42nd wedding anniversary.

When we got married on July 14th, 1972 I was one week shy of my 18th birthday, and my husband was a much older man of 19. I don’t think many of our family members or our friends believed our marriage would last. I do know that a few of those who were the most critical of our chances of staying together, themselves married at more “socially acceptable ages”. They all have had at least one divorce.

We often are asked what the secret is to staying married. The answer is both simple and complex. If you want to stay married—then you stay married.

We have no illusions, either of us, about the state of Holy Matrimony. It’s not sunshine, lollypops and rainbows all the time. It is damn hard work, and sometimes living peaceably is not easy. If asked, we will both tell you that neither one of us has ever seriously considered divorce. Murder, on the other hand...

We do have a list of things we have learned both to do, and not to do.

We don’t live in each other’s pockets. We each allow the other to have personal interests, opinions, and a life. We don’t tell each other what to do, as we are each of us adults, capable of making our own decisions about things. On the other hand, we don’t either of us make major decisions without discussing it with the other first.

Do you know what else we don’t do? We don’t expect each other to assume responsibility for our own individual happiness. It is not my husband’s job to make me happy—that is something I must accomplish for myself. It’s not my job to make him happy, either. However, it is my job to be there for him, to be his main supporter, the one person he can count on to have his back. He can and should expect that I will listen to his problems, and give him the best advice I can, if he asks for it.

We both understand the concept of compromise. Neither one of us always gets our own way. Sometimes one will seem to bow to the other’s wishes more often – for a short period of time. And then the trend reverses.

Love changes over time. It doesn’t stay the new, thrilling, exciting emotion it was at the beginning of a relationship. It grows to include children and grandchildren. It weathers the trials and tribulations of living, and of coping with disappointment and heartache, tragedy and loss.

 Love endures even as it evolves, and remains steadfast even in the quiet times.

This year, we did nothing special to celebrate the day. My beloved went to work, and I stayed home and worked. I made him his favorite dinner, and we exchanged small gifts. We sat side by side for a time in the evening, relaxing in our new power love seat, and read. We do this often – or are side by side at our computers. We don’t talk a lot some nights. We don’t have to.

Just as I always do most of the cooking and the cleaning, in the evening, if I need a cup of coffee or some water, he gets it for me. If I need my feet rubbed, he rubs them for me. Sometimes I’ve been too busy with this career of mine to have made the bed that day. On those occasions, he makes it for us.

My husband could probably give you a long list of things that I have done to tick him off. Believe it or not, I could do the same. But we will also tell you that there is one thing we’ve both done that’s right, and returns to the original question of how we’ve stay married so long.

We haven’t quit—not the marriage and not each other.

Love,
Morgan
http://www.morganashbury.com
http://www.bookstrand.com/morgan-ashbury

Monday, July 14, 2014

Angelic Forecast ~ #306


"Sad but true," Reth nods. "We're in deep doo-doo, as they crudely say." He helps himself to more berries, neatly tossing them into his mouth.

I observe him from beneath my lashes, and sip on my replenished glass of juice. Reth is mulling over what he wants to say next. I wait impatiently, but I wait.

"Squads are being formed," he begins, then hesitates. "Squads to remove the Vipers' head."


I take a few moments before responding. "Gee," I snark, "where do I join up?"

Reth cracks a slow smile, and leans forward. "I have a team in the making. The real problem is selecting targets."

"Which head of the Viper psychopaths would cause the most damage to their operations... is that the problem?"

"Only one part of the problem." Reth eyes me intently, with a seriousness I feel down to my toes. "At this point eliminating their key minions could be more effective. That is part of our ongoing analysis."

"Plus the slimy creep wimps likely have palatial bunkers. Some are even offworld, right?"

"Offworld, mostly. One reason we're studying access to their minions operating out of those bunkers."

"What about disabling their advanced weaponry," I pause, thinking. "Or, turning it against them?"

TO BE CONTINUED...
~~~~~~


ANGELIC FORECAST ~ 


The Rise of the Artist Within Us All... now comes an ever-spinning starburst of creativity.

Tune in to tune out. That is, resonate with these Aquarian Age vibes to overcome the soul-killing messages that now pervade society.

On the magickal, mystical front, this week the 'Mages of Ages Lost' slice and dice their way through a slew of parasitic entities. These inter-dimensional entities were loosed by the Viper magicians upon humankind.

Also, along with the rise of artist soul, paranormal abilities continue to increase. You may notice certain intuitive sensitivities, especially within the next three weeks. For, a wave of cosmic frequencies is resetting, revitalizing the human genome.

On the personal front, likely another contentious week ahead for most of us. Go with the immediate flow, but watch where you step. The waters could far deeper than they first appear. Metaphorically dip a toe in first, and this is especially true when dealing with any controversial issue, or an on-the-edge relationship.

As well, a huge time ahead to improve your current relationships, every type of relationship, from personal to working. However, a distinction must be made. If you're about a closer and more wonderful relationship, you must first determine if the other individual is truly on the same page. Then proceed with emotional caution.

Further, a great week ahead for business opportunities and decisions. Just remember to look before you leap.

On the paranormal front, with the super moon energies intensifying the supernatural realm, watch the explosion and variety of cases that will be reported on alternative media sites. Inter-dimensional phenomena will likely top the list.

At this time, interest in the moon herself will heighten dramatically. So much of the truth has been hidden, that when the real facts emerge, what is called 'future shock' is tidal-wave through the population. However, be advised the gatekeeper lamestream media will either not report the truth -- or will play down anything of real significance.

On the land changes front, from this point forward, Earthquakes and superstorms quicken and strengthen on the planet. As well, the jet stream goes even more wonky. This will cause more catastrophic weather extremes, and more frigid winters in some areas.

Also, of notable concern, the Yellowstone National park area. While the debate continues about the severity of the ongoing land changes, areas of the park are being closed. Bottom line: the super caldera is becoming more active, and 'the area' will become ever more dangerous. Watch the animals.

HEADLINE-SNIPPET: "Yellowstone road melts in 'hot spot' created by supervolcano heat and rising temperatures: Naturally changing thermal features often damage Yellowstone's roads and boardwalks. Steaming potholes in asphalt roads and parking lots..."


THIS FORECAST IS CONTINUED AT *TITLE MAGIC* ~titlemagic.blogspot.com~

Angelic blessings from Volcano & Sedona
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 


Warning!!! The global elite [New World Order] does not want *you* to read this book. See ~ Powerful Dreams at my Kougar Kisses blog.

WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS

~~~ Where angels fear to tread, 2012 Earth ~~~

World weary and worn out, the incarnated angel, Sedona, who believes she is merely human, has three choices after her old van breaks down.

Let the Nazerazzi squad of the North American Union capture her and force her into a FEMA concentration camp.

Walk out into the Arizona night desert, let the wildlife have a good meal with the hope her death will be quick.

Or does she dare trust the mysterious stranger suddenly before her?

Handsome as sin and all in black, he emerges out of the darkness.

Sedona wonders if the stranger on a superspeed motorcycle is her savior from the brutal endtimes.

Or, is he a roving cult member of the New World Order, hunting his next blood sacrifice?

***

It’s only a few days before Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012 ~ The end of the Mayan Calendar.

Sent from heaven to help Sedona save humanity, Zerr Dann knows the Divine is playing its last card on Earth.

He also knows Sedona is about to find out Christmas miracles still exist.

[Angelic Fantasy Erotic Romance]
~~~~~~

~~~ EBOOK & IN PRINT ~~~ a former #1 on Siren-BookStrand’s bestseller list

Author Discovery by BookStrand author, Lindsay Townsend.
~~~

~ HAVE A MAGICKAL WEEK ~

Kisses from Savanna Kougar...

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

Siren-BookStrand Author of ~

All Shades of Blue Paradise
[World of the Blue Pearl Moon, Book 1]

When a Good Angel Falls ~ In Print
[Winter Solstice 2012, Book 1]

Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis ~ In Print
[New Atlantis Trilogy, Book 1]

Her Insatiable Dark Heroes ~ In Print
[Chrontropolis, Book 1]

Stallion of Ash and Flame ~ In Print

Branded by the Texans ~ IN PRINT ~ A Siren-BookStrand Bestseller!
[Three Star Republic]

Kandy Apple and Her Hellhounds ~  What happens when two of Hades’ most mission-accomplished Hellhounds find just the right witch for Halloween? ~ Ebook and In Print.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Team Taste The Rainbow Blog Hop Giveaway

WARNING:  The links contained within this post will take you to sites with content for mature readers only.  However, this post is suitable for a PG audience.


10363870_10154231020825414_329776315743846878_n
Welcome!  I am a participant in the Team Taste The Rainbow Blog Hop.  Don’t forget to visit all of the other participants in this hop by visiting the links at the bottom of this post.  The event runs from July 12-18, 2014.  
The blog hop, sponsored by Draven St. James, celebrates the one year anniversary of her joining the LGBTQ author community.  In addition, Draven wants to acknowledge all the love and support she has received from authors and readers.  She has invited others writers and bloggers to share what they have learned from their involvement with the community.  
To celebrate this event, I am sharing a personal message with all of my readers about my own experiences as a ManLove erotic romance author. Also, I am sponsoring an e-book giveaway of my latest release, Something Beautiful. The title, published by Siren-BookStrand, is a MMM erotic romance with content for mature readers only.
akk-somethingbeautiful3To be entered into the drawing e-mail me at: authorandrewjericho@gmail.com. The subject line should read:  Blog Hop Contest. International participants are also welcome to enter. One winner will be chosen at random on Friday, July 18, 2014 at 7:00 PM CST. The winner will be notified through e-mail. Also, an announcement will be made on my Website and Social Media platforms.

****

My experiences as a ManLove erotic romance author began when I subbed my first manuscript to Siren-BookStrand Publishing during late summer, 2012. I received an acceptance e-mail stating that Ripped would be published in November of the same year. Now, almost two years later, my backlist includes five books, and a sixth is expected to release September, 2014. Also, I’ve had numerous short stories, published as featured free reads, by Siren on their Website, ManLove Authors.
As a long supporter of  the LGBTQ community, I was thrilled to be able to reflect this in the publication of my books and short stories that explore the lives of gay men in real situations of life and love. My writing proves that love and erotic attraction are the same regardless of gender and/or sexual orientation. Readers who are familiar with my work, know that the men I write about, while facing different circumstances, have one commonality. They want to experience the deep soul-affirming emotions that loving another human being provides. While my books contain romance, they also contain sexuality, interwoven into the lives of my characters.  
In the past two years, I’ve not only had the opportunity to work with a great publishing company, but I have met a number of talented authors and dedicated readers.  Many of whom, I not only consider acquaintances, but friends.  These individuals have shared not only in my life, but in my work. Humanizing myself has always been an important part of my social media presence.  I have enjoyed interacting with not only those who enjoy my work, but those who have chastised my writing.  Those people keep life interesting and scandalous.  All authors have received negative reviews.  
I look forward to what my life and career holds as  a ManLove author.  All of it would not have been possible without the support of my family, publisher, and readers.  I have been humbled by the experiences.  The LGBTQ community that I have experienced is one of tremendous love and encouragement to all those who cross their path.  

****

Visit other authors and bloggers in this hop:

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Wednesday's Words for July 9, 2014

It doesn’t seem that many years ago, that I would plan my weekends, during the growing season, according to what local crops would be available at the market.

Weekends were for canning in the spring and summer, and for freezing produce in the fall.

I worked outside the home, except for when my two youngest were babies—I went back to work after my daughter started school. All through those early years, we did whatever we could do to outside of earning pay checks, to help feed ourselves. We had a massive veggie garden that the neighboring farmer would plow and disc for us every spring.

When the kids were small, my poor husband had a stretch of time when every job he got ended just before the three month mark. In those days, with so many people looking for work, it was common for companies to hire people for the short term—without telling them that, of course. This meant anything we could do to stretch those pay checks, dollars, we did.

 I don’t know if the practice of using newly hired employees as unsuspecting temp staff is still in vogue, or not. But if you hear me grumbling about “big companies” at least now you know where that’s coming from.

Each year while my family was growing, I would make jams—strawberry from end of June to first of July, and from berries we’d pick ourselves because they were always a lot cheaper that way; blueberry from mid July to August; and then finally, also in August, peach.

Also in August would be a good time to go to the farmers market to get small cucumbers to make baby dill pickles, and bread and butter pickles. The larger cucumbers were good for making green pickle relish. Then in late August, early September the preserve and pickle making would give way to produce processing. We’d buy bushels of broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and, of course, sweet corn. I copied my mother’s method, and instead of putting those first four veggies into “meal sized bags” I would spread the pieces out on cookie sheets, set them in the freezer and then as soon as they were frozen, we’d put them in larger storage bags. I would do that with my pork chops, too. It was a savings to buy the very large pack of pork chops. Freezing things that way meant if you needed a couple more or a couple less for any given meal, you were able to take what you needed out of the freezer without wasting anything.

My husband helped me a fair bit for most of these activities, except when it came to the jam. He loved nothing better than fresh warm jam on fresh warm bread. I’ve never made my own bread from scratch nor have I ever had a bread-making machine. But I used to buy the frozen unbaked loaves. That was easy enough. Let them thaw, and rise, and then bake them.

So when it came to the jams, he used to help by eating them.

Of course, that was a few years ago when I was in my 20s and 30s. In slightly under 2 weeks I’m going to be 60, and let me tell you, I don’t have nearly the stamina I used to have. In those younger years, I would make all my own because it was cheaper. These days, when I make my own, it’s for the love of doing it, of remembering those days when it was a way of life, and so that I have fresh jam to give to my loved ones, friends in Texas and family alike.

Last weekend my beloved and our daughter went to the St. Jacobs Farmer’s Market. I’d given them a list. I knew the strawberries were ready, and I’d heard it was going to be a short season this year so I wanted some of those. And I wondered about the blueberries. I never can keep it straight in my head when they’re ready. So I asked them to let me know what the status of the blueberry season was.

Apparently we are in blueberry season now, because husband and daughter came back with more than six quarts of them.

Yes, I spent a good deal of Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning making jam. I still get a sense of pride when I look at all those finished jars—10 one cup jars of strawberry jam and 14 one cup and 2 two cup jars of the blueberry.

But like I said, I’m nearly 60 and that shows. I am almost, but not quite, recovered from the experience.

 Love,
Morgan
http://www.morganashbury.com
http://www.bookstrand.com/morgan-ashbury

Monday, July 7, 2014

Angelic Forecast ~ #305


Reth nods, his expression solemn, deep. "The shining prize in the universe. Originally. And attacked from every angle by those who believe they will be replaced... eventually."

I sigh and swipe my hand through my hair. "The grand universe experiment is about to fail... if..." Scenes flash before my mind's eye, interrupting my despair.

"What is it?" Reth encourages moments later.

"The careful infusion of genetics from many races to see if the soul could hold such a being... in the flesh. It worked... but..."


"But," Reth prompts, his gaze intense.

"The genetics are being hijacked. You know, the abductions by Grays. Worse, humankind is being destroyed by those who are, let's say, outclassed. Or, in fear of being replaced. Ultimately, this isn't necessary. Compassion, caring was bred into us." I sigh deeply. "That doesn't matter, though. Survival has become the ruling force in this sector of the galaxy."

"Sad but true," Reth nods. "We're in deep doo-doo, as they crudely say." He helps himself to more berries, neatly tossing them into his mouth.

I observe him from beneath my lashes, and sip on my replenished glass of juice. Reth is mulling over what he wants to say next. I wait impatiently, but I wait.

"Squads are being formed," he begins, then hesitates. "Squads to remove the Vipers' head."

TO BE CONTINUED...

~~~~~~

ANGELIC FORECAST ~

The Superstorm Winds of Change Are Upon Us ... the transition into the Aquarian Age becomes ever more intense.

From a previous forecast: "That is, the 'rule of law' cannot and will not be re-established. It is gone with the superstorm winds of these times.

The coming times are about 'being your own boss' while 'working alongside' each other for the GOOD of All."  

On the AWAKENING front, a paradigm shattering week ahead for many  as they AWAKEN and arrive at new, ah-ha 'realizations'. What seemed like the wildest sci fi and/or dystopian scenarios to them will now become all too believable. Because it unfolds before their very eyes.

At this point in the timeline, old belief systems shatter like plate glass windows attacked by raging, non-stop tornados. Mentally, many will now be severely challenged by their AWAKENINGS. Offer a helping hand, a listening ear whenever you are able.

On the magickal, mystical front, this week the 'Mages of Ages Lost' roam far and wide seeking ALL those who are ready to elevate and escalate their magickal powers. For, the time has come.

Now humankind must step up into their supernatural powers. We must mightily swing our lightblades of 'truth', our emerging super awareness. Out of this, the enshrouding darkness cast by the Viper magicians, is dispelled. And ultimately defeated.

On the personal front, contentious, rambunctious, acting up and acting out... this week could be interesting from that standpoint. This will be due to the massive influx of new cosmic energies, plus the super rapid changes occurring all around us.

However, on the opposite end, passivity or resignation could set in for some. To stay on a more even keel, look to the immediate and mundane -- the stuff that must get done everyday. This one step at a time will get you through and on to better and bigger things.

This is also a week where financial concerns 'could' develop from several different directions, including a bank failure. Think your way through the situation, then take quick action.

On the paranormal front, the demonic side of the supernatural realm is being shoved in our faces at this point in time -- through both big-media entertainment and the usual paranormal information venues. Beware of this dark-side push to place humanity in a deeper state of fear. As a countermeasure, laugh at whatever strikes your funny bone.

As well, the UFO phenomena continues to go into hyperdrive. Keep an eye out for your own sightings this week. Further, that tricky topic: UFO disclosure, is being unofficially 'leaked out' by the Media Industrial Complex.  For, this is a multi-pronged attack on the human psyche, and preparation for the arrival of the so-called 'alien gods'.

On the land changes front, the monstrous, collapsing sinkhole in Louisiana worsens significantly, and 'could' cause even more emergency evacuations. As well, a major destructive tsunami 'could' happen with the next three months. In the meantime, the bigger, badder earthquakes continue worldwide.

This week... HEADLINE: CALIFORNIA UNDERGOING MASSIVE SWARMS OF EARTHQUAKES -

HEADLINE-SNIPPET: "Very strong’ quake hits New Mexico border — Seismic data spikes at WIPP nuke site — Emergency declared at nearest nuclear plant —'Larger magnitude event could still occur'"

HEADLINE: "Big earthquakes double in 2014, but scientists say they're not linked"

From a prior forecast: "supercharged weather and land-change events, some catastrophic, are in the near future. For, the Earth is energetically accelerating toward reinventing herself.

Also, the Sun, the Great Lion Star, is altering the solar system. The cosmic time is here. Prepare for massive changes on the planet down the road."


THIS FORECAST IS CONTINUED AT *TITLE MAGIC* ~titlemagic.blogspot.com~

Angelic blessings from Volcano & Sedona
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 


Warning!!! The global elite [New World Order] does not want *you* to read this book. See ~ Powerful Dreams at my Kougar Kisses blog.

WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS

~~~ Where angels fear to tread, 2012 Earth ~~~

World weary and worn out, the incarnated angel, Sedona, who believes she is merely human, has three choices after her old van breaks down.

Let the Nazerazzi squad of the North American Union capture her and force her into a FEMA concentration camp.

Walk out into the Arizona night desert, let the wildlife have a good meal with the hope her death will be quick.

Or does she dare trust the mysterious stranger suddenly before her?

Handsome as sin and all in black, he emerges out of the darkness.

Sedona wonders if the stranger on a superspeed motorcycle is her savior from the brutal endtimes.

Or, is he a roving cult member of the New World Order, hunting his next blood sacrifice?

***

It’s only a few days before Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012 ~ The end of the Mayan Calendar.

Sent from heaven to help Sedona save humanity, Zerr Dann knows the Divine is playing its last card on Earth.

He also knows Sedona is about to find out Christmas miracles still exist.

[Angelic Fantasy Erotic Romance]
~~~~~~

~~~ EBOOK & IN PRINT ~~~ a former #1 on Siren-BookStrand’s bestseller list

Author Discovery by BookStrand author, Lindsay Townsend.
~~~

~ HAVE A MAGICKAL WEEK ~

Kisses from Savanna Kougar...

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

Siren-BookStrand Author of ~

All Shades of Blue Paradise
[World of the Blue Pearl Moon, Book 1]

When a Good Angel Falls ~ In Print
[Winter Solstice 2012, Book 1]

Murder by Hair Spray in Gardenia, New Atlantis ~ In Print
[New Atlantis Trilogy, Book 1]

Her Insatiable Dark Heroes ~ In Print
[Chrontropolis, Book 1]

Stallion of Ash and Flame ~ In Print

Branded by the Texans ~ IN PRINT ~ A Siren-BookStrand Bestseller!
[Three Star Republic]

Kandy Apple and Her Hellhounds ~  What happens when two of Hades’ most mission-accomplished Hellhounds find just the right witch for Halloween? ~ Ebook and In Print.


Thursday, July 3, 2014

Lindsay Townsend: Forever his - slaves in my fiction

Roman woman and her slave
(Photo Giovanni dall'Orto, Peiraius
Museum (Wkimedia Commons).
Writing about the ancient and medieval worlds as I do I often encounter slavery as a fact of life. I explore this dynamic in some of my stories, in a careful way. Slavery was often utterly cruel and the harsh realities of life on the latifundia farms of Ancient Rome could be terrible.

For some slaves life could be a little easier, especially in personal, one to one relationships. So we have the tombstones of former slaves such as Regina (Queenie) at the ancient Roman fort near South Shields. Regina was a former slave, freed by her master who had married her. I explore that kind of hopeful dynamic in my novel Flavia's Secret and my shorter stories, Escape to Love and Silk and Steel.

I show the grimmer side of slavery in my epic adventure romances, Bronze Lightning and Blue Gold. In Bronze Lighting the heroine, Sarmatia, is captured and enslaved for a time by her enemy Carvin, the brutal king of the lands around Avebury. In Blue Gold, several characters are enslaved and must fight to regain their freedom.

Sometimes I explore aspects of submission and dominance in my stories. In my historical romances, I find this works well, fitting into the beliefs of the time. This is especially true in my medieval romances The Snow Bride, its sequel A Summer Bewitchment, and my forthcoming novella, The Virgin, the Knight and the Unicorn. Now with 10% off at Bookstrand until July 8th

I also have one light BDSM novel, Asking Too Much, set in a future where men or women can sell themselves into a consensual 'slavery' for a time.

The dynamics of acceptance and trust inspire me to explore such themes in my work. Bullying does not appeal at all to me but a situation where a man and woman come together in love, trust and respect where the heroine allows the hero to take care of her in masterful ways - that works for me.

You can see my slave and other fiction on my Amazon Author Page here and here

You can also see my slave and other fiction at SirenBookstrand at my Bookstrand Author Page here. This page also links to excerpts and reviews.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Wednesday's Words for July 2, 2014

I don’t actually spend a whole lot of time on social media sites—well, not unless I am having one of those days when my self-discipline fails to show up.

But I do spend some time there each day, because next to writing there is nothing I enjoy more than interacting with my readers. Many of them I count as friends, and aside from posting things that might be of interest to them, I like to see what all they’re interested in themselves. But it’s not only my regular readers whose postings I see. For better or worse I have more than 2500 “friends” on face book, so, as you can imagine, I end up getting all kinds of different stories in my news feed.

I love laughing at the funny things—cute animal videos, clever “signs”—some so clever I “share” them on my own time line. I enjoy sarcasm as much as the next person, and I do have a bit of a warped sense of humor.

But there’s been a trend lately that makes me uncomfortable. And I guess in a way—if you read my last week’s essay—you could call what I’m about to write here “Karma, part 2”.

In the last few weeks especially, I have been seeing way too many signs, sayings, pictures with captions, that I would class as hate-speak. And I have to ask the question, why are we letting ourselves take up that destructive emotion? Why are we letting hateful words and thoughts have time in our lives?

Yes, there is such a thing as freedom of speech and it is a precious, precious right. I would never consider curtailing someone’s right to express their opinion. I’m not suggesting that people don’t express opposition or dissension. We can be against something, we can disagree with someone, but do we have to hate?

Hate is the king of negative emotions. It is a seductress, but a false one. When we begin to indulge in it, it floods us with a sense of righteousness. When we post hateful things, striking out at those people or ideas we don’t like, we are rewarded with a sense of accomplishment: Boy, I really let them have it. We get a sense of well being: Glad I got that off my chest. That’ll teach them. And we get a sense of importance: I bet everyone wishes they had said that.

The only trouble is, these “rewards” are false. What you really get, for feeling hate and spreading hate, is more hate building up inside of you! It’s true. Love and hate are polar opposites, but the rules for each are the same. If you show love and feel love, you get more love within; and if you show and feel hate—yep, it gets multiplied, too. Hate will build up inside a person, filling them with darkness, and obscuring any light that was there—preventing any new light from entering in.

Have you ever been filled with hate, and it’s near cousin, anger? I have. Years ago, that was me. I was filled with hate, anger, envy...and quite frankly, I was miserable all the time. What a hellish, horrible feeling that was. I cannot now, all these years later, even imagine being a person devoted to hating, the way I used to be—the way some people seem to be, today. The most dangerous thing about hate is that it is a progressive disease—a kind of cancer of the spirit.

You yourself know this is true. I think most of us have one person in our news feed who begins with the odd hate-filled message, and then escalates. They can’t help it because, yeah, hate breeds hate.

Is there anyone reading this who truly believes that their hate-filled message to an organization or a leader will affect change? I’m not saying one person can’t make a difference. What I am saying is allowing hate and anger to grow inside of you and spewing it out for everyone to read is not the way to affect change.

You affect changed by getting involved and working for change. You don’t like the way your school is being run? Get involved with the PTA, or run for the school board, and help to create a better reality. You don’t like the way your government is run? Join one of the political parties, and have a say in their platform, and work to get them elected.

Spoiled brats playing in the park kick dirt and throw stones when they don’t like how things are going, when they don’t get their way. If it can’t be their way, then they leave.

But we’re not spoiled brats. We’re adults, living, here in North America, in countries where there is rule of law, and where we have democracy—blessed democracy. Everybody of legal voting age who qualifies through citizenship gets the same thing everyone else gets: one vote. Implicit in that vote, is the acceptance of the outcome of the election, regardless what it may be.

That is what democracy is all about.

Love,
Morgan
http://www.morganashbury.com
http://www.bookstrand.com/morgan-ashbury