I Allowed My World To Shrink For A Little While....

Hi,




This is the view, right now, in this part of the world.



The serenity is in deep contrast with the images coming from other places that have been recently ravaged by Mother Nature.


I can't even imagine the level of devastation that has become your lives. I'm so sorry you are having to go through this, and hope that everything that was lost is replaceable. My hope of hopes is that everything that truly matters survived.

Coming back from this must seem like an impossible task. Rebuilding, an overwhelming undertaking. Hopefully, you receive more help than you can possibly use, and are somehow able to get back your normal soon.

Take Care

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Well folks, other than keeping an eye on some international weather, I've been trying to take a bit of a news holiday over the past week.

I allowed my world to shrink for a little while. It felt awesome. I highly recommend it.

Yup, had our girls and their munchkins under my roof for some food, laughs and catching up. Had a date night with my incredible hubby, took in some autumn air, watched some football and tried out a new theatre.

A week without drama, without witnessing human's inhumanity toward human, without polls or international trade deals.

Instead, I glazed and baked a ham, built castles out of lego, and chased grandbabies around my house. I watched my daughters prank each other, lingered around the dining table, and laughed until I cried.

Sometimes it's good to let your world shrink a little, even if it's only for a short while.


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Soooooo, I haven't shared a grandbaby story for a while,....


So, our 6 yr old grandson, Jake, was hanging out with his Grandpa at the shop, one day. A busy day of smashing boxes, drawing pictures, and learning about tools. As most days with Grandpa, there are some ice cream breaks involved. One such break had already taken place.

Jake's conversation with Grandpa.

G:  Well, time to shut things down and go home.
J:  I think we should go for ice cream first.
G:  It's getting pretty close to supper time, besides, I don't think I can do ice cream again today.
J:  If I can do it, you can do it Grandpa, get your money out!


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May you give yourself permission to allow your world to shrink, even if only for a short while.
May you let the bigger issues of the world go on without you for a bit, relax, breathe, smile.

May you feel your world brighten as what sits closest to you shines.
May you see the trees for the forest, spot the daisies among the pines.

May you take the time for an ice cream break, maybe more than one.
May you let the world fall away for a bit, pour a glass, have some fun.

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www.margyreidbooks.com

So Where Do We Go From Here....

Hi,



Your truths will sit with me for as long as I breathe. I will forever be humbled by your courage, and live in awe of the strength you show every single day.


So, where do we go from here.....


We march on. If our strength fades, we find it in the voices of others. If we refuse to be silent, they will eventually have to hear us. If we keep throwing the lights on, they will have fewer shadows in which to hide. If we stay steadily emboldened, they will no longer be able to say we are compelling and believable, then ignore us anyway.

I feel I would be remiss if I didn't talk about a narrative being put forth by some.


"It's a dangerous time for men"


I guess I just don't get it.

What exactly are men suddenly in danger of? Can it be as simple as they are in danger of being held accountable for their actions?

Do they fear they are in danger of a rash of false accusations?

Ask any woman, dude, finding your voice and giving volume to the whispers that haunt your dreams is not exactly a party. The truth is, false allegations rarely happen.


Do they fear that women are going to somehow try to "entrap' them into some kind of sexual assault?

Really? Get over yourself, what the hell would be the purpose? Why would we subject ourselves to that kind of trauma and danger on purpose when we spend our day to day lives trying to avoid it?

Do they fear that all women are suddenly going to construe everything as sexual harassment or assault?

Relax, this is not our first rodeo. We have not had our senses of humour surgically removed. All we ask is that you refrain from being creepy. Don't be a pushy prick, don't grab us, don't say things to us you wouldn't want somebody to say to your sister. Don't rub us with your junk on buses, or anywhere else. In short, don't assault us. Need a meter, some kind of gauge? Ask for permission instead of forgiveness. Accept the answer.  Problem solved.


Do they fear they will somehow accidentally assault someone?

Rest easy, this is highly unlikely. Assault is a choice, not an accident. We can tell the difference, trust me.


It kind of boils down to this. If you are a decent guy who treats women with genuine respect. You know, like people, you will be fine. If you are a guy who is suddenly rethinking past behavior and finding incidents that would piss off your Mom, straighten the hell up. If you are a guy that thinks that all the women are lying, that they are making things up to smear you, you are about to get a rude, and much overdue awakening.

For those who still think "It's a dangerous time for men"

The next time you have to think twice about what you're wearing, or are placing your keys strategically between your fingers, you can start the conversation about how dangerous it is for you.  When your body is consumed by that horrible, but too familiar feeling at the sound from behind you, the footsteps conveniently syncing with yours, you can start that conversation. When you can never let your drink out of sight, when you need to be on guard 24/7, when you need to not go out alone, when some random guy rubs up against and/or grabs your ass, you can start.

Until then, buckle up, Princess.


Time's up.



I hope you don't feel that I am making light of any of this because my smartass is showing a bit. I assure you, I definitely do not.

I'm just sick of crying, I'm sick of being upset, I'm sick of the darkness churning in the pit of my stomach, I'm sick of my chest being tight, I'm sick of not sleeping, I'm sick of it all. I'm exhausted.

When I have no more tears, my default is smartass. To be honest, it's not just when I have no more tears.





Your truths will sit with me for as long as I breathe. I will forever be humbled by your courage, and live in awe of the strength you show every single day.




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Until Next Time.........


May we create a world where we can walk around drunk in an unlit park unafraid.
May we create a world where we can be, wherever, whenever, never feeling like prey.

May we create a world where we are never on the receiving end of uninvited touch.
May we create this world for our daughters and granddaughters, it's not asking too much.


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www.margyreidbooks.com

Remove Your Hand From Our Mouths And Hear Us....

In the act, you work to stifle our screams, thereafter, you work to stifle our voice.


Remove your hand from our mouths and hear us...


When we tell you what happened to us, it exposes us.

It exposes us again, ripping open the soul-crushing wounds first inflicted at his hands.

Most times, we don't tell authorities, after all, it's our word against his. It's not like he did it in front of witnesses, it's not like he'll admit it.

Most times, we don't tell anyone. We have an innate instinct to somehow make it our fault. We must have been wearing the wrong thing, sending some sort of unintentional signal, went somewhere alone, went out at night, went for a run in a park. We wear the shame that was forced upon us, it's a heavy cloak of thorns we carry upon our shoulders.

If we do work up the courage to speak, if we are trusting you enough to tell you, hear us. Listen to us. Believe us. We wouldn't go through the pain of stripping our souls bear to pursue an untruth.

We know all too well the consequences that can come with speaking our truth. History has taught us well. We know we are looked at as a smear on his reputation. He's such a good guy. He's successful, he's good-looking, he's a track star, he's fill-in-the-blank. None of any of this means he is incapable of doing what he has done.

There are more of us than you know. We are your mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters and friends. We are the mostly silent warriors walking with the scars of mistrust, anxiety, and claustrophobia. These being the least of our wounds. Some of us come to suffer from depression, PTSD, eating disorders, addictions, and other forms of self-harm. Some of us simply don't survive.


Resist the urge to dismiss our voice, brushing it aside because we can't "prove" it. Resist the urge to reject our voice because we didn't tell right away. The paralyzing fear and humiliation that accompanies the telling, the courage it takes to do it anyway, deserves better, deserves sincere respect.


If you are among the privileged few who have been entrusted with someone's precious truth, tell them you believe them, and mean it.


We are failing our daughters because we are failing our sons.

There are some that still balk at teaching boys that empathy is strength, that nurturing is masculine, that a real man is sensitive, gentle and kind. They hesitate to teach that real courage is found in doing what is right, even if it's hard.




Dr. Christine Blasey Ford,

No matter what happens now, you were undoubtedly, by far, the most courageous person in that room. Your strength has reverberated further than you may ever really know, and will continue to do so long after the suits make their choices.

I heard you.

I believe you.


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In the act, you work to stifle our screams, thereafter, you work to stifle our voice.


Remove your hand from our mouths and hear us...

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May you remember that no matter where you are, or the time of day, they have no right.

May you know no matter what you wear, or what you drink, they have no right.

May you know no matter how you dance, or how you walk, they have no right.

May you see that no matter how you smile, or toss your hair, they have no right.

May you know, no matter if you are running, or sunbathing nude, they have no right.

May you remember no matter if you left your drink unattended, they have no right.

May you see that after a steak dinner, they have no right.

May you know that after unlimited dates, they have no right.

May you know that even after "I love you", they have no right.

May you see that even after a ring has landed, they have no right.

May you know that after an hour of foreplay, they have no right.

May you understand utterly and completely, they.. have.. no.. right.

May you see and understand, sir, you have no right, you may only ever enjoy the privilege with her complete consent.

May you see and understand, sir, even if culture screams in your ear otherwise, you have no right, none, her body, her choice, no is said, no is meant.


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www.margyreidbooks.com

Do You Want To Build A Snowman???.....Ummmm.....Nope

Hi!



Okay, I was pretty ready to sink my teeth into the whole Ford vs. Kavanaugh thing that is taking place a bit South of the 49th parallel.

It still might happen, the night is young, and I'm only a few lines in.


Anyway, I was pretty ready, then, I drove home.


Ahhhhhh, the last day of summer...

What better way to end the season than with a good old-fashioned snow storm?!

I know that I live in a climate where the air wants to flash freeze your lungs for a larger portion of the calendar year than seems humane.

I know I live where the wind can carry off a small child more days than it can't.

I know I live where you really can get frostbite and a sunburn on the same day.

Knowing all of this doesn't generally make it easier to accept snow in summer.

Just sayin'...


On the upside, the forecast is calling for October to be mild, and awesome, and warm, and sunny, and unicorns are going to migrate here for the winter.

You pick which sounds most fictional,

I really don't mean to sound whiny, as I know, as I do these other things, that there are others around the world surviving weather and its aftermath on a horrific scale.

Even knowing all of this, (and according to the fortune cookie that was the dessert to a leftover Chinese food brunch this morning, my wisdom is infinitely profound) I can't help but settle on the following conclusion.

Snow, at any point during the summer, sucks.

You're Welcome.


Now about this Ford/Kavanaugh thing...


First, I can't imagine a scenario in which someone would put themselves in the position of receiving death threats and harassment to the point they have to relocate their family, for a lie or for something they are unsure of.

Second, I can't imagine a scenario in which a person trying to carry out an elaborate lie would subject themselves to a polygraph test.

Third, I can't imagine a scenario in which a person who is trying to perpetuate a lie would beg for the FBI to investigate their allegations.

Fourth, I know, and so do countless other women, that when someone is holding you down with their body weight, crushing you, one hand over your mouth, the other trying to strip away your clothes and your soul, you don't forget the face. You don't forget who it was. You don't forget.

Fifth, I can't imagine a scenario in which someone who is capable of perpetuating an attempted rape, at any age, under any degree of inebriation, isn't also capable of denying it. What exactly would you expect him to say?


If you take away the fact that the guy accused of doing this is up for one of the best gigs in the country, if you strip away his privilege, are you as skeptical of his guilt?

If you take away the fact that she is a professor from California, if she is your daughter, your sister, your wife, your Mom, are you as skeptical of her?


When you strip away all of the noise that tries to drown it out, all of the political push and pull, when you strip it down and think back to a high school party in the early 80's, where booze was flowing, and not a parent is in sight, what do you see?


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May the warmth come back before we have to face that long stretch of cold.
May we get another chance for t-shirts, and flip-flops, and find little stands where lemonade is sold.

May we get a bit longer to soak in the sun even as its daily visits have begun to wander toward brevity.
May we have a few more boat rides, and bonfires surrounded by friends, s'mores, songs, and levity.

May we get to enjoy an autumn that longs to linger, that hangs out for a while, that stays at least until the calendar declares it's winter.
May Autumn be a leisurely stroller, a marathon baby stepper, a lollygagging doddler, not a record-breaking sprinter.


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until next time
www.margyreidbooks.com 

And Then It Rained....

Hi!

And then it rained.

First and foremost I want to send all kinds of positive thoughts to all out there who are fighting their way through these horrible storms that seem to be plaguing the earth, as of late.

My greatest hope is that you get to the other side of this still holding the hands of those you hold dear. I can't even pretend to know what you are going through. Please take care.


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Although the weather we will be dealing with tomorrow at Word On The Street Festival is basically a joke, and won't carry with it even a minute fraction of the havoc that these reals storms produce, it is going to present a few challenges.

There is a good chance that it could rain. I know that sounds pretty lame right now, but it can pose a bit of a problem when you are going to be outside all day with piles and piles of books. It's going to be a little tricky, but my hubby and I are working on a few different ideas to keep posters and books intact without making our booth look like the site of a disorganized yard sale.

All in all, a pretty cushy problem to have.


Pretty sure we'll survive.


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In conclusion, I would like to share a few pearls of wisdom from my favourite two-year-old--


Big girl panties should be designed with POCKETS!!!! Finding the pockets lacking in said panties make a twenty-minute meltdown completely reasonable.

The Mommies in books who wear their shoes in the house have no manners.


Watching a washing machine "rain" is a perfectly acceptable form of entertainment.


One should always be allowed to watch two movies simultaneously, and always in two different rooms.



You're Welcome.



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May the rains subside and the clouds clear, your sky, once again, shine brilliantly blue.
May you find all the support and help you need to get you through.

May you once again find yourselves within your home, surrounded by your familiar walls.
May you find yourself in a peaceful place as the last raindrop falls.


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Come and check out Word On The Street Tomorrow on Broadway in Saskatoon!

See you there!

www.margyreidbooks.com   

An Awesome Sampling Of Humanity!

Hi!



Well, kids are officially back in school, the first frost warnings have hit the airways, and the Fall tradeshow season has begun!


 I'm not sure you could find a much better way to meet incredible people than traveling and participating in the tradeshow circuit.

You meet the warmest, most fascinating, creative, and entrepreneurial minds. You meet the bakers, the makers, the risk-takers, and small business shakers. You meet the serious shoppers, the booth hoppers, and the sample poppers.

It's an awesome sampling of humanity.


There are thousands of these types of shows that go on all around the world.

If you are one of the many that put in the miles, hours of effort, and painstaking labour necessary to participate, soldier on. There are shows where the profit is not money. The profit, instead, comes in the contacts and friendships made, and the future opportunities cultivated.

If you are someone who is toying with the idea of purchasing a booth, but are unsure for a plethora of reasons, find a small show and dip your toe. If nothing else, it will be an inexpensive way to run a marketing focus group. On the other hand, you may be sitting on the goldmine you dreamed you were! Likely, your experience will fall somewhere in the middle.

If you are a shopper, Thank You!

If you are entertaining the idea of heading out to one of these events, give it a shot. You are bound to find something you never knew you needed.

Where else can you have the experience of buying a piece of jewelry, some clothing, or a book, and actually get to interact with the very person who created it?

So, if you see a flyer, or an event pops up on your FaceBook page about a show that will be taking place in your neck of the woods this Fall, do yourself the favour of putting it on your calendar and checking it out, you won't be sorry!


With that in mind, time for a plug for the Word On The Street Festival! You can check out the details on their FaceBook event page and on the website   http://thewordonthestreet.ca/saskatoon

I'll have a booth, and will be there selling and signing books!


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Until next time......


May you find the courage to share your treasures with the masses,
May you take the chance, with time, the uncertainty passes.

May you find the medium that allows your creativity to truly shine.
May you unleash your imagination, let it soar, no rules, no limits, colour outside the lines.


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Check it out!!!

www.margyreidbooks.com

For The Big Brown Eyes...

Hi!

With August drawing to a close, and September stretching her golden arms to embrace us, a person can't help but let their thoughts drift to the upcoming school year.

Although I, personally, haven't had kids in the school system for quite some time, I now have grandbabies who are wading into their educational journeys, with countless recesses, spelling tests, and number 2 pencils in their foreseeable futures.

Along with learning about weather, decimals, what makes plants green, and dangling participles, this is where they will first learn how to make and cultivate friendships outside of family and/or daycare.

This, sadly, is also very likely the place where they will first experience exclusion, racism, and bullying, in its many forms.

"People hate people who are brown or black."

Where would a six-year-old get this impression?  Kindergarten.

Where would the little ones who spew this garbage get it from?  They absorb it from their surroundings,. Just like they imitate gestures and mannerisms, they soak in attitudes and beliefs.

That there can, in this age of limitless fingertip information providing the ability to research virtually every different culture of the world, still be those among us that choose to be ignorant to the fact that no one shade of human is superior to another, is utterly beyond me.

If you don't know better by now, it's a choice. If you are choosing to perpetuate that ignorance on to the littles in your life, that, my friends, is just every kind of wrong.

Judge people on their merit. Judge them by how they treat others. If you feel you must judge, then judge on the things that speak to who they are.

Making decisions about what kind of person someone may be by the tint of their skin, their hairstyle, how many tattoos they do or don't have, their height, weight, the labels on their clothes, their vehicle, or lack thereof, or any other superficial nonsense, is just that, nonsense.

It's unbelievable that in 2018, this crap still goes on. But, it does, and as long as it does, we have to acknowledge it, stand up to it, throw a light on it, and unteach these racist attitudes.

Teach your littles to be good friends, to be kind, to be generous, to be inclusive, to have empathy. Let's show their generation how to be better than ours.

Let's create a place where big, brown, sad eyes, perched upon the chubby cheeks of a six-year-old no longer have to shed tears that fall because of ignorant words. Words delivered through the mouths of babes, but planted and cultivated by those charged with the responsibility of teaching them right from wrong.



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For the Big Brown Eyes.....


May you cherish the gorgeous hue of your skin, as it exquisitely wraps the beautiful gift that you are.
May you discover quickly, that those who live through a warped filter are few, not worthy of your thought.

May you come to understand that every colour of the rainbow is needed, or it ceases to be.
May you find friends worthy of your kind and gentle soul, don't fear, you'll find them, you'll see.

May you embrace who you are, for you are so precious, so amazing, so many love you, from near and far.
May you cherish the gorgeous hue of your skin, as it exquisitely wraps the beautiful gift that you are.



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Check out! I'll be at Word On The Street in Saskatoon Sunday, Sept 16! On Broadway in Saskatoon.

Until next time...

www.margyreidbooks.com