Carey Parrish's Blog, page 3

Tears Left Over

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
This line from the Declaration of Independence is perhaps the best known sentence in the English language. It perfectly captures the essence of equality and what that meant to the men who established this nation. These were people who were desperately trying to escape an oppressive and unfair existence under King George III and the British Empire. And in no manner does it separate people into classes or castes. It applies to ALL Americans, no matter who you are or what you believe or how you worship – or don’t – or who you love.
This has been a very important day in the evolution of the United States. Equality has once again been brought front and center and once again it has been upheld. In declaring the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and by declining to rule on the Proposition 8 challenge, the Supreme Court effectively said that same sex spouses are entitled to the same rights as opposite sex couples and that marriage is not just the union of one man and one woman. Same sex marriages may now resume in California and there will be little to keep this equality from spreading throughout the rest of the country. It’s already legal in twelve other states and the District of Columbia.
For a long time I’ve felt that once the Supreme Court was asked to rule on a same sex marriage lawsuit the matter would be dealt with and in a fair and just manner. And I was right. The Supreme Court has a pretty good track record when it comes to fairly applying the law. People who oppose gay marriage on religious or moral claims are wearing blinders when it comes to equality and the rights of the individual. They feel that it’s okay to vote away civil rights and to say that because their religion or their philosophy opposes gay marriage then everyone else must be held to their standards. And that isn’t equality. It’s oppression, plain and simple. This country was not built on that ideology.
Like millions of other people, I was very happy with today’s rulings by the Supreme Court. It paves the way for everyone to enjoy the same rights when it comes to love and marriage and the responsibility of the government to recognize these rights. Yet I still feel a great deal of sadness for all those who’ve been deprived of their rights who cannot now enjoy them because they passed away before the law enforced them.
I think of Thea Spyer, who felt that she was providing for her partner, Edie Windsor. It was Edie who brought the lawsuit challenging DOMA. Edie and Thea were married in Canada and when Thea died of ALS, Edie was informed that her tax burden due to Thea’s bequest would be north of $300,000. The IRS told her that her marriage was not recognized in the United States. It is because of Edie’s courage and determination that no other same sex spouse will have to go through what she did. But my heart breaks for all those who up to this point have been subjected to such unfair practices by their government and I am equally saddened by how Thea would have felt had she known that her wishes to take care of Edie would come at such a cost.
I think of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, who lived together as a married couple for over thirty years, and who were eventually allowed to legally marry but just a short time before Del passed away. That two consenting adults who love each other and want to be married had to go through so many years of being treated like second class citizens before their desire to tell the whole world that they were in love and wanted to be married could be fulfilled. And all the millions of other people who have been denied the right to marriage because an unjust society refused to recognize their right to love whomever they choose, my heart goes out to them as well.
For you see that’s what marriage is. It is the culmination of a union between two people who love each other and who are willing to make a public statement to that effect. All they want is what opposite sex couples can freely have. It is not for society to determine who someone should love or who someone should spend his/her life with either. Love is universal. In denying a person the right to wed because said person might be in love with someone of the same sex, society is in effect telling them that they aren’t as good as their heterosexual counterparts. And that goes against the Declaration of Independence where it stipulates that “all men are created equal.”
So while today is a landmark moment in the fight for equal rights in the United States, there are still so many tears left over for those who were not given the same consideration that the Supreme Court said today was due them. Those people will never know the freedom that today’s rulings extend to their descendants. Just as slavery once shackled millions of African Americans who did not live to see their emancipation, there are multitudes of LGBT citizens who will not know the joy that today has brought. At least we didn’t have to go to war to bring about the changes that are now unfolding.
Or did we?

Book Review - Moral Authority by Jacob Z. Flores

 Most debut novels quickly vanish after their release. Only occasionally does one stand out and receive the accolades it deserves. Such is the case with Moral Authority . Writer Jacob Z. Flores has crafted a story, told from three points of view, that resonates with readers because of its relevance to headlines of today. Mark, Isaac, and Samuel are three very different young men living in America in the year 2050. For more than thirty years, The Moral Authority has held considerable sway over the nation and is in fact a fourth branch of the federal government. Conservatism run amok, The Moral Authority exerts its controlling tentacles over society by requiring citizens to live according to its edicts or risk criminalization if they don’t. Mark is bold and daring. Samuel is corrupted by power. Isaac is remorseful of his past. As the story unfolds, the reader becomes entangled in their lives. One will find true love in a barren place. One will find a redemption for himself that he isn’t expecting. One is destined to fight to hold onto his way of life by any means necessary. Dominating each is the painful reality of either following the law of The Moral Authority or living in the perpetual jeopardy that personal freedom entails.With the question of equality unsettled in the world of today, Moral Authority is a book that gives its audience a look at what the future might be like if lawmakers of the present yield to religious and conservative pressures, restricting rights instead of embracing them. Echoes of Orwell permeate the story without overshadowing it, adding to the message that it conveys, resulting in a novel that is likely larger in scope and importance than it intended to be. Moral Authority is an impressive debut for Mr. Flores.4 ½ Stars.Amazon.com Link: Moral AuthorityCarey Parrish

Unending Sentence

The unending sentence is a long stream of words for which there is no period as there is no end to the thought process which creates it as is the stream of consciousness that flows endlessly from the maker of the sentence whose thoughts are ever flowing and expressing themselves but sometimes not while the thinker goes on thinking and the words go on flowing whether spoken or left silent and still the thoughts go on and in the mind there are no periods to end sentences because the author is the brain and the brain knows no boundaries and the thinker is a captive of his own thoughts trying ceaselessly to put order to them and never quite succeeding only he thinks that he is and the train of thought goes on and on and on and on…

Copyright © 2008 by Carey Parrish

A Portrait of Nancy Green

 If you ask most people who Aunt Jemima is, most likely the reply will be a pancake mix and syrup. While this is true, it is also a generalization as the story of the original Aunt Jemima is pure Americana. The Aunt Jemima pancake story began in the 1880’s when newspaper man Chris Rutt and a friend named Charles Underwood bought the Pearl Milling Company and had the idea of developing and marketing a ready-mixed and self-rising pancake flour. The name “Aunt Jemima” was inspired by a vaudeville show that Rutt attended where he heard a song of the same name sung by a minstrel performer in blackface wearing an apron and a bandana. The product was met with favorable results and in 1890 the two men decided to expand the marketing of their product by employing a woman to personify the fictional Aunt Jemima. Nancy Green was 56 years old when she was hired by Rutt and Underwood to bring Aunt Jemima to life. She was known for her excellent cooking and for her warm, approachable manner. She began promoting the pancake mix at shows around the Midwest. Her rapport with her audience was a rousing success. In 1893 the popularity of both the product and Green was so great that the rechristened Davis Milling Company began an aggressive campaign to increase sales. They took Green and Aunt Jemima to the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago where she prepared pancakes before thousands in character as Aunt Jemima. Her appeal was such a crowd pleaser that special policemen were utilized to keep the masses moving through her booth. More than fifty thousand units of Aunt Jemima pancake mix were sold. Nancy Green was such a success at the Expo that she was awarded a medal by its organizers and Davis Milling offered her a lifetime contract.This amazing success belonged to a woman who was one of the first groundbreaking African-American women in history. Portrait of Nancy Green as Aunt Jemima by A.B. FrostNancy Green was born a slave on March 4, 1834 in Montgomery County, Kentucky. Not a lot is known about her early life. Following the Civil War and her emancipation in 1865, she moved north and worked as a cook and a housekeeper. She was married to a man named Hiram Green. The couple had two children who predeceased her and she was widowed by the time of her employment in 1890 by Davis Milling. With her sudden popularity in middle age, Green became one of the first African-American spokespersons and her portrayal of Aunt Jemima made her a living trademark. She became famous on a national scale and used her notoriety to expand her career. She was soon travelling as a storyteller along with her work as Aunt Jemima. Her shows were almost always sold out events and her warm persona gave her an enduring following with audiences everywhere she went. Nancy used her fame as well as the money she made from her work to bring attention to the plight of African-Americans struggling in poverty to survive in the years following the Civil War. She became one of the first black philanthropists and her efforts to improve the quality of life of her contemporaries would help lay the foundation for generations which followed her in what would become the Civil Rights Movement. Nancy Green died at age 89 on September 23, 1923 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Chicago. She was still performing as Aunt Jemima right up until the end. In the decades following her death, the Aunt Jemima character would be recast and portrayed by a variety of actresses. The logo would change as well but the warmth of the character would not be lost. Even in the sixties, when the Aunt Jemima characterization became reviled by civil rights activists in much the same manner as Uncle Tom, the smiling face and inviting demeanor of the trademark would not be tarnished. The legacy Nancy Green left for those who’ve followed her is one of courage, talent, and the indomitable strength of the human spirit. The success this woman achieved remains enviable. That this impressive distinction belongs to a woman who was born into slavery, worked her way through life in the bleak years for African-Americans that succeeded the Civil War, and culminated in one of the first celebrity statuses attained by a black woman is inspiring. Her name is inscribed in the annals of American history with dignity and with pride in what one person can accomplish no matter what odds they face.Nancy Green is a legend. And rightfully so. Carey Parrish

Book Review - The Mingled Destinies of Crocodiles and Men by Eric Arvin

Novelist Eric Arvin’s latest literary offering is nothing short of a masterpiece.
In a story that weaves together the worlds of fantasy, paranormal activity, and romance, the result is not only a highly entertaining read but also a tale that will resonate with the reader.
The Mingled Destinies of Crocodiles and Men is set in a time where mystics such as Minerva True occupy an exalted place in society. It is Minerva, who is a “river dweller,” that recognizes the danger situated in ancient lore that threatens her world on a hilltop which once hosted a chapel. Few people heed her prophetic warnings and soon there is only a small group who stand with her.
Leith, the handsome hero, and his lover Aubrey are locked into the coming struggle which Minerva has prophesied. There is also a mute boy called Deverell who is destined to play an integral part in the drama which will overwhelm them. And Calpurnia, Leith’s half crazed mother, is drawn into the plot mostly by her own ambitious agenda. For Calpurnia’s mission is a threat not to only to Minerva’s plight but to everyone who will play a part in the climax of this inspired fable.
The Mingled Destinies of Crocodiles and Men is a story which captures and captivates its audience from the beginning. The atmospheric essence is intoxicating on its own. Yet the tale itself is an exercise in sheer adventure and enthralling delight.
In a world filled with writers, few on today’s scene can be considered authors. Eric Arvin is among that special lot. Each successive story that flows from his boundless imagination is magic. 5 Stars.Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CV8IHRW/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img Carey Parrish

A Mission In Action

    Compelling entertainment is often a difficult find in the digital age. With so many choices both online and off, it can be discouraging to people who want more than fluff in the shows they watch. So when a series like Missions in Action comes along, it is a virtual breath of fresh air. Produced by Around The World Productions, the series is an uplifting experience following people from all over the globe who are in need of help, and who are getting it.
Featuring Alexander Boylan, star of Around The World For Free and winner of The Amazing Race , whose travels have taken him to many exotic locales, it was the plight of those less fortunate that he found along the way which inspired him to begin work on Missions In Action. Along with his production partner Burton Roberts, the duo put together this inspirational series focusing on their efforts to bring aid to the people whose lives touched them and to also bring attention to the ongoing needs of the very people whose stories they are sharing. Working with organizations such as Compassion International, World Vision, and ChildFund, among others, Missions in Action produced nineteen segments. Yet, as is often the case with quality entertainment, obstacles soon began popping up. Speaking with Burton via email, he explained the dilemma.
“As you know, we were able to film nineteen episodes last year to highlight people in need around the world,” he says. “While those episodes turned out better than we could have expected, we unfortunately were not able to get much distribution or traction anywhere.  “The lack of interest stemmed from the fact that the show has a Christian angle to it and our partners were mostly Christian based charities. Rather than continue to fight this challenge, we have decided to embrace the Christian aspect of it and reach out to friends and family to help generate more of a buzz and to give them a chance to be a part of this. “We are using a social funding site called Indiegogo to help raise funds, and we have created incentives for people to help out and be a part of it.  For example, after so much positive feedback from viewers about sharing the stories with others, we have created Daily Devotionals and Lesson Plans that people can get with the episodes so they can use those at home or in church and with families or small groups as inspiration and talking points. “Additionally, Burton and Alex have produced a video to help promote the work they’re doing with Missions In Action .


Mother Teresa once said: “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.” This sentiment is clearly present in the work of Alexander, Burton, and everyone else associated with Missions In Action . This is a superior show and the stories will both move and overjoy you as you watch them. It truly is a mission in action and this writer is awed by the dedication of the men who are so committed to keeping the work alive.

Indiegogo Link: http://igg.me/at/MissionsInAction/x/1556492
Carey Parrish

The Desiderata

Written by Max Erhmann in 1927, I first read these words when I was 14. Now, more than thirty years later, their simple yet profound meaning get me through all the rough patches life throws at me.

"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

 And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy."

Something Happened

I don't blog about everyday events much anymore because of the glut that's out there already. No one has time to read all of them and I haven't been writing much in the last few months because of family illness and obligations. Yet something happened this morning that I am going to share. Something that shook me up and reminded me that there are people who need help right in front of us, to paraphrase Mother Teresa.  I went out early this morning because I forgot something at the store when I went shopping after work yesterday. Once I'd picked that up, I decided to stop and get a biscuit for breakfast. The drive-through line was stacked up but it didn't look too crazy inside, so I parked and went in. Getting in the line, there was a young couple with a small child in front of me. The boy and girl looked maybe twenty years old and the little boy with them was perhaps two. They all looked skinny, not malnourished, but very slender and I noticed the child was playing with some sort of action figure. When their turn came they stepped up to the counter and the young man addressed the guy who was taking orders.  "Sir, can you help us out? We don't have any money and our little boy is hungry." I was shocked when I heard him say those words. I know so many people are struggling nowadays but to hear this kid asking for food for his child made me feel lightheaded. I actually felt my stomach quiver. Then I got a jolt I wasn't expecting when the guy at the cash register replied. "I'm sorry but we can't give away food." Excuse me? You've got three people standing in front of you who are obviously all in need but only asking for something for their child and you can't give them anything to eat?  Oh no, not on my watch. I didn't want to cause a scene and potentially embarrass anyone, so I simply put my hand on the young man's shoulder. He was trembling. I looked at this man who was taking the orders and then at the young man I was touching. "You kids order whatever what you want and get something to take with you, too. I'll take care of it," I told him. He smiled and his smile said more than any words could say. The girl with him was smiling at me too. I just winked and nodded at the cashier. They ordered breakfast and also some extra biscuits with sausage to take with them. I then ordered my food and paid for all of it. The man who'd said he couldn't give away anything didn't really make eye contact with me. I guess he was feeling humiliated or maybe just too sorry to look at me. Whatever, his feelings are his problem.  The food for the family came first and the young man thanked me with a big smile. The three of them took their order to a table and sat down to eat. My order was next and I still couldn't get the cashier to give me more than a glance. His demeanor was not offensive to me but I was taken aback that he wouldn't even say more than "thank you" to me.  As I turned to leave, I saw the kids eating at their table. They were talking and playing with the little boy. I had gotten a twenty from Walmart in my change when I checked out before coming to get something to eat. I took it out of my pocket and walked over to the table where they were eating and I just casually gave it to the guy. They thanked me again and the girl said: "God bless you." "And you," I replied. Then I left them to their meal and came home.  I'll probably never see them again. I don't even know their names. I don't need to either. I feel very disheartened that in today's society people can be turned away like that and I also feel lucky that I was there to help them. Maybe they will get on their feet soon but until they do I hope they run into more folks who are good hearted and will lend a hand. I've never been hungry in my life, so I don't know what that feels like. I've never felt hopeless either, and I hope they don't right now. But as long as I live I won't ever let anybody go hungry. It's just not the right thing to do.
C

Carey's Meatloaf Recipe

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2 pounds ground sirloin, 1 pound ground veal, and 1 pound sausage. Mix together using your hands to completely combine the meats. Set aside.

Chop one medium purple onion and one large red bell pepper. Saute in just enough extra virgin olive oil to moisten the onions and peppers. Add to meat. Add three large eggs and 2 tablespoons garlic salt. Next fold in one small bottle of A-1 sauce and 1 cup flour. Again, use your hands to completely combine all ingredients

Form your meatloaf and "hide" four boiled eggs within. Place the meatloaf on a lightly greased broiler pan.

To make the glaze, mix together one cup ketchup and one cup A-1 sauce. Apply as much as or little as you like on top of the meatloaf.

Cover the broiler pan completely with aluminum foil being careful not to touch the top of your meatloaf with the foil.

Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Enjoy!

C

Book Review: Cool Side of The Pillow by Gregory G. Allen

 The multi talented Gregory G. Allen returns with a new novel just as satisfying and just as entertaining as his past titles. Cool Side of The Pillow is Allen at his best. Writing from the point of view of Zachary Kleinmann, he takes us on a tour of one man’s psyche during a period of self discovery that is thrilling audiences. Zachary gave up his career to be a stay-at-home dad. His wife has a great job and he’s enjoyed the years of nurturing and watching his child grow up. But nothing lasts forever and when his tot enters kindergarten, Zachary is left with questions about himself and his future that he never expected to confront. A literary portrait emerges as Zachary finds his way through the changing landscape of his life. Growing as a person, he begins to rediscover who he is as he recalls the man he was before he chose to chuck it all in favor of a life of domesticity. Entering the world of Ginger Charman, a free spirited actress, he is drawn into the enigma she presents and the life he lived before may not be one he wants to return to. Gregory G. Allen is a storyteller of the first order. He doesn’t ascribe to one certain genre and in doing so he gives his audience something new, something fresh, and something completely different with each successive release. The award winning author of such popular titles as Well With My Souland Patchwork of Me gives his all with each offering and Cool Side of The Pillow follows in the tradition of Allen’s excellent work. It’s another masterpiece from a master writer. 5 Stars.http://gregory-g-allen.com/CoolPillow.html http://www.amazon.com/Cool-Side-Pillow-ebook/dp/B00B9JYQ1K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362357095&sr=8-2&keywords=gregory+g+allen Carey Parrish