realtalknic

In the wave of public discourse and debate about everything and anything I have come to the conclusion that people really struggle with being wrong......about anything. You hear things like, "I'm not an expert, but..." or "even though this never happened to me let me tell you how....."  It's really interesting. And sad. And, well, dangerous. At least if we are looking for progress. I am forever grateful to my cherished friend who taught me how brilliantly things can turn out if being right is not your primary motivation; that would be saved for making things right. Imaging agreeing to meet a stranger that had publicly called you out, by name, in the middle of the newspaper! Imagine initiating the meeting. I can't. But she did. Years ago I I found myself especially frustrated with local school politics. I mean anybody with no training could sit on a board of education that is responsible for millions of dollars in tax money. (ummmm, this is still th...

While one man was found not guilty I was overcome by shock and disbelief not only at the verdict, but the divide that still exists. And how close the dissension is to my own heart. Just like social media was used to draw attention to a teen being murdered and the shooter not being arrested folks took to FB and Twitter to share their reactions. This is where it became personal and painful. National news is one thing and Florida law is one thing but personal friendships is quite another. Giving space for hurtful and racists comments? Hmmmmm, does that make you guilty of sharing the same thoughts?  Do you hold everyone guilty by association? Time for me to delete some and take an inventory on the rest. But 1st.......... When faced with disregard and flippance from those I care about I don't immediately charge it to racism. In fact, in most cases I charge this bad behavior to privilege. This invisible backpack of privilege we all wear, some fuller than others. An inv...

There's a party going on right here....a celebration....to last ..ok, ok, you know the words. And it seems like I am singing that song all the time. We love to entertain. Any occasion is a good enough occasion to celebrate. Sunny day? Let's party. Rainy day? Let's celebrate. The more the merrier. But this holiday had me feeling anxious. The list was growing longer, folks I didn't know. And I am a worrier. I worry about things that may never happen but I cannot turn it off. Like a pesky leak it just doesn't stop and it seeps into the corners of my mind. A few years ago we readied the house for a party, our 1st in this home. It was picture perfect down to the napkins and flowers and scented candle in the bathroom. Sometime during the evening the candle was dropped and the toilet seat burned. (even a reader here for the 1st time knows that I cannot make this up) Yes, the brand new house toilet seat cover marred with brown burns! I found this the next day doing my a...