All We Need To Do Is Go For A Drive...

Hi!




All we need to do is go for a bit of a drive, take in some scenery, and listen to a few people we don't really know.




These are three little things that can show us a lot.


Going for a drive...


I find that taking even a short road trip down an unfamiliar road has a way of adjusting perspective. Taking a bit of a trip absorbing the view others see every day, a way of figuratively and literally broadening a horizon. Making an effort to see the world from someone else's point of view is always worth the trip. Not everyone has the means to travel the world, but we all have the ability to really take in the part of it in which we live.


Taking in some scenery...


It's pretty amazing how the landscape can change in a matter of a few miles. One moment you can barely see the horizon for the trees, in another, you can see for miles, in yet another you are surrounded by lights, heading down a freeway. Somehow, when looking up you are instantly reminded of what connects all of it. We may live separately, encompassed by our unique landscapes, but we share the sky. We wish upon the same stars, see shapes in the same clouds,  get romanced by the same moon, warmed by the same sun.  No one person's position under that sun of more value than another.


Listening to a few people...


In this digital age, there is definitely no lack of voices. There are loud blustering boomers who do their best to demand attention, that get petulant when the spotlight has the audacity to land anywhere but squarely upon their shoulders. On the other end of the spectrum, there are those with no voice at all. Their fates lie in the hands of the blusterers, afraid of the spotlight because they inherently know that attention leads to heartache. If we take the time to connect and truly listen to a few of these voices, both the whispers and the booms, we can hear what lives beneath the surface of the words.  Fear. The difference? Blustering boomers lack the courage of the voiceless. Boomers rise stepping on the souls of the voiceless. The voiceless rise by lifting others upon their shoulders.



Give a voice to the voiceless. Help them be less afraid of the light. Show the blusterers that we won't stand idly by as they step upon the souls of those who can only whisper.


No one person's position under the sun holds more value than that of another.


**************************************************************


Thank you for taking the time to read these ramblings. Each week, a new country or two pops up on my "Top Ten Countries Reading This Week" list. Each week I have to remind myself that this is, indeed, real. Thank you.



*************************************************************


Our neighbours to the south are making some big decisions on Tuesday.

For them...

May you vote, vote for the values, vote for the character, vote for conscience.
May you vote for the truth speakers, not those who spout fear-mongering nonsense.

May you vote, for your voice matters, it makes a difference, many whispers become a booming choir.
May you vote for those who live in fact, free from the thumbprint of a perpetual liar.

May you vote.
May you vote.



*****************************************************************

And let the trolling commence....



www.margyreidbooks.com   

Happy Halloween

Hi!


'Tis the season for costumes treats, and straight up shenanigans.



Something awesome happens when people put on costumes. It's like in doing so, they give themselves permission to be less inhibited, their "give a crap" takes a small vacation.


The creativity, humour, and social observations that we get to see when we do Halloween shows never ceases to amaze.

I look forward to it every year!

This year is no different but for the fact that we get to do it twice!

Actual Halloween falls on Wednesday, so the bookend weekends are both fair game.

This weekend will involve a tradeshow followed by a Halloween party wherein we will get to hang out with family, friends, and music. Next weekend we put on our Karaoke host hats along with, as of yet, unknown costumes and do a show followed by a tradeshow the next day!

It's going to be busy, but a blast!


*********************************************************


Sooooooooooooooo


Today they arrested a guy for making and mailing homemade bombs to people the President has made clear he does not like. People he sees as "enemies."

He may not have given specific instructions to this obviously disturbed individual, or make and mail them himself, but to claim absolutely no responsibility? I don't know about that one.


As you know we have four daughters, all of whom are very talented, kind and awesome, each in their own way. One daughter is significantly gifted with the particular talents of persuasion and manipulation. These skills became obvious by the time she could speak in full sentences. She could talk people into doing things they didn't even know they were being talked into doing. She could manipulate situations to suit her desired outcome without a whole lot of effort.

The art of subliminal negotiation.

As she was growing up, we had many chats along the way about how just because you can, doesn't mean you should, and to be sure to use this specific superpower for good and not evil.

Thankfully, she has a big, warm heart, and understood.

Does that mean she didn't hold some responsibility for the things others did because of her superpowers of subliminal messaging?  Of course, she did.

Does the President? I would hope so.

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.



****************************************************


May your treats be sweet and your tricks few.
May your costume leave all in utter awe of you.

May you take the opportunity to let your hair down, blow off some steam.
May you have fun with the fact that, for this moment, you are not what you seem.

******************************************************


www.margyreidbooks.com

Gotta Nurture The Goofy...

Hi!


Well, I came back from my news vacation. For a day. For a very bad day.



The gruesome details of Mr. Khashoggi's murder were enough for me to extend it a bit longer.


Please don't assume it's because I don't care, or want to bury my head in the sand. Because it's not.


At this point, it's about emotional survival. The daily bombardment of corruption, violence, hate and the ever-expanding umbrella of cruelty under which we seem to be willing to live is beginning to drain my goofy.

I can't let that happen.

I'm now on a mission to replenish what's been drained, then nurture my goofy not only back to health, but grow it and share it with as many as I can. For as long as I can.

I can't promise that I won't still vent about things I can't shake off, things that grab me and/or piss me off. I'm just saying that, for now, I need to brighten it up for a bit. Too much darkness isn't good for anyone. 


It's Tradeshow season!!!


It still feels pretty surreal at times, that this is what I get to do. Meeting folks, and having them be willing to spend their hard earned money on words I've written is pretty incredible.

At these events, I sometimes get to meet those who are sitting at the edge of their own dreams. At times they are looking for advice, at times they are looking for encouragement, at times they are looking for some form of permission. Mostly though, I find they are looking for someone to listen, and hear them out without judgment.

Although a certain amount of common sense caution should accompany every dream, for the most part, all that stands between dream and reality is hard work, and the willingness to do it, obliterating any notion of comfort zones.

I'm pretty damn lucky.


Attending these events, getting to meet and hang out with so many shiny people, goes a long way to nurturing a person's goofy.


I highly recommend hanging out with the shiny people.


******************************************************

Well, gotta run, prepping for the show in Prince Albert tomorrow!



May you have ample opportunity to hang out with the shiny people, they are good for the soul.
May you allow yourself to look away from the trainwreck, for, over time, trainwrecks take a toll.

May you nurture your goofy, let it grow, let it shine.
May you embrace it, carry it always, let it out to play from time to time.

May you see that life is too short to take too seriously every single day.
May you give yourself permission, you still care, you just need a break from the weight.


***************************************************************

www.margyreidbooks.com

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

********************************************************************

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.


**************************************************************************
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!


****************************************************************************

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.

***********************************************************************


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.




*********************************************************************



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.


**********************************************************************

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.


**************************

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...

****************************************************************

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.


***************************************************


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?


******************************************************************



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.


*******************************************************************

until next time
www.margyreidbooks.com