Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 127
October 5, 2018
Must We Tolerate Intolerance?
A lot of years passed as I developed the strength to both
determine and stand up for what I could and would put up with in life. What is acceptable or unacceptable? The answers are different for each of
us. Our tolerance levels also vary from
person to person.
Some things are simple.
For example, I reached my threshold for people yelling at me. I decided I didn’t need to take it anymore. If someone is yelling at me now, it better be
to save my life from an oncoming truck… not because they lack the personal control
to talk at an acceptable volume level.
Fair.
When we think, feel, speak, or believe differently from
someone else, I believe that is fine.
However, we all know people who are not interested in tolerating
different perspectives or ideas. That in
and of itself doesn’t make either side more right or wrong.
Where my interest disintegrates is when someone believes
they can and should shout down others just to squelch a dissenting thought,
voice, or opinion from being heard. I
tune out the screamers and “ranters.”
Their voracious volume levels and rabid rantings do not add validity to
their opinions, no matter how frequently they repeat them.
I get into this BIG time in “The Bimbo Has MORE Brains… Surviving Political Correctness.” I do not believe in suppressing dissenting voices. I believe in true dialogue, which includes speaking AND listening. I am grateful for having grown up with parents and educators who believed in us learning all sides of issues. They taught us how to think, not what to think. I feel most fortunate for that, among many other blessings.
Saddening, if not maddening is the feeling when I learn of
free speech getting squelched purely because someone else values a different
philosophy or opinion. Phooey. As I state in the book, repressing or
shutting down voices we may not care to hear dos not remove the thoughts, feelings,
or opinions they wanted to share.
The 44th President of the United States, Barack
Obama, expressed it well. He said, “The
strongest weapon against hateful speech is not repression. It is more speech.”
I believe our differences give us balance. Intolerance of our differences throws us off
balance. To tolerate someone else’s intolerance
requires a great deal of patience, confidence, and persistence. We sometimes need to stop and remember that
there just may be a lot of right in what seems wrong and a lot of wrong in what
seems right.
Cathy Burnham Martin is an award-winning journalist, published author, creative foodie, and communications geek. Her books and Audiobooks are available through all major book retailers, Amazon, and Audible.
October 4, 2018
People Can Be So Mean
Like all of us, I know we should use social media safely. More importantly, I wish we would all use it
responsibly and not as a weapon to hurt others.
Yet, we all know people, with increasing frequency, who have expressed
the need to unfriend or block someone who just can’t stop their negative rant.
When nastiness and volume levels go up, up, up, sanity
levels seem to go down, down, down.
Social media seems more like anti-social media. I don’t care how different our opinions
are. I care about how we treat each
other, especially when we differ.
We can and should do better.
We must if we are to survive as a civilized group.
In my book, “The Bimbo Has MORE Brains… Surviving Political Correctness,” I calmly note that there is no law against ignorance. The best we can do is to keep educating people. We need not waste one drop of anger on ignorance.
That said, my heart aches when I read painful expressions
from someone who has been railed against, especially on sites like Facebook. “Nastigrams” from naysayers and buffoons are
bullying. Cyber-bullying is hideously
ugly and cowardly.
I like to remind my readers and friends that when someone
else is being bitterly sour, we don’t have to drink from their cup. We must try not to let someone else’s lemons
sour our hearts.
Little supportive quips can help remind us, too. Devices and people work better when we turn
them on, not off. Do not ever feel trivialized by someone else’s
opinions.
People who think that screaming louder makes their way of
thinking more valid and profound should think again. They merely sound mean, belligerent, and
intolerant… at best.
Cathy Burnham Martin is an award-winning journalist, published author, creative foodie, and communications geek. Her books and Audiobooks are available through all major book retailers, Amazon, and Audible.
September 19, 2018
Just Released: “Bastions of Blood” — My Latest Audiobook!
“Bastions of Blood” (Kremlins 2) is the sequel to “Citadels of Fire.” As the 2nd book in a 3-book series, I do suggest listening to “Citadels of Fire” (Kremlins 1) first. This is a powerful (and rather graphically violent) historical romance novel by a learned Russian history major.
I am thoroughly enjoying producing and narrating these books and bringing the characters created by author L. K. Hill (writing her historical novels now under the name K.L. Conger) to life! Check them out on Audible.com
Here’s a little sample:
“Bastions of Blood” Sample
March 14, 2018
Survive and Thrive Political Correctness
Want to thrive, not just survive, in this whacky world that demands political correctness? (Or what I call political quackiness!) My latest book slams the bullies and counter-bullies, examines political spectacles, reflects on the great American opioid epidemic of the 21st century, calls for Testosterone Toddlers to behave better, and much more. I’m advocating for respect, attitude checks, and personal responsibility on many levels, along with empowering the independent spirit in all of us.
Recognizing friends and fiends on both sides of the political aisle, I am an equal opportunity offender… and mender. Thus, The Bimbo Has MORE Brains delivers the secrets for us all to lighten up, to be more tolerant and less easily offended.
It’s out now in paperback and digital formats… at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and everywhere else. Yahooo! (On Audible and iTunes by April 1st.)
If you read it, please serve up a review online… via Amazon, Good Reads, Pinterest, or anywhere else. Good or bad, love it or hate it… ink is ink and talk is talk. I love it all. Thanks!!
December 6, 2017
Enjoying Paradise and Helping People
If you like island living… or vacationing… Antigua offers a beautiful and relaxing escape. We just returned from a week of sun, fun, and superb dining, even a scrumptious grilled Caribbean lobster-stuffed lobster. 
This came as a big of a surprise. Consider this. 2017’s destructive hurricane season wreaked havoc throughout the Caribbean and U.S. mainland. We’d seen Southwest Florida looking far too much like a war zone after Irma left town. Islands in the Caribbean are still working to put basic life back together.
The Antiguan Paradise group of islands is bouncing back, but it will take much more time. For example, their island of Barbuda suffered 90% damage to its buildings and totally lost all infrastructure, like water and power. After the September storm, Antigua had to completely evacuate Barbuda’s population, bringing everyone to Antigua. These families are still nowhere near going home!
English Harbor from Shirley Heights
Regardless, Antigua is firing on all cylinders. Famous ports like English Harbor and Falmouth Harbor, are full of action and mega-yachts. Festivals and regattas are all a full forward “Go!” Roads were horrid before the hurricane, so they’re more bizarre now, but don’t let it hold you back. Select a resort and go relax in the sun.
How beautiful is that??!!?
We can enjoy a vacation in paradise. In the process, help so many hard-working people and their entire economy at the same time.
Verandah Resort & Spa
Go for it and enjoy… with love and laughter.
November 24, 2017
Add Lobaciousness to Your Life!
My latest cookbook has just been released in paperback and digital formats. “Lobacious Lobster” is packed with 200 decadently delicious and super simple recipes, plus more than 100 color photographs.
I literally could not help but create a new word to aptly describe lobster. “Lobacious” says it all!
Enjoy this recipe from the collection!
Bodacious Bacon Lobster Bites
Bodacious Bacon Lobster Bites
12 (1-1 ½”) squares of cooked bacon
12 buttery crackers (such as Ritz or Pepperidge Farm)
12 slices (½“-thick medallions) fresh, warm lobster tail meat
¼ c favorite bottled “con queso” sauce, heated (or make your own by blending cream cheese, Jack cheese, & diced jalapeños)
At serving time, place a piece of bacon on each cracker; top with a piece of lobster, followed by a drizzle of warmed con queso. Serve immediately. Makes 12 bites.
Lobacious Lobster is available through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and more.
November 16, 2017
Cranberry Capers
Cranberry Bellini
‘Tis the season to add the tartness of cranberries to the menu. While I offer the Cranberry Cooking cookbook full of super simple recipes, I share here a yummy way to start a day with the zing of cranberries.
For a holiday brunch, a Mimosa is popular, but the Bellini is even yummier, featuring peach puree and prosecco sparkling Italian wine, plus a touch of raspberry, which is actually a formerly “secret ingredient.”
We’re bringing it forward now for the holidays as a Cranberry Bellini. Be sure to start with well-chilled ingredients.
Cranberry Bellini
½ c cranberry juice
1 c peach nectar
1 bottle prosecco (or other sparkling white wine)
Combine cranberry and peach; keep chilled till needed. Pour into tall flutes or martini glasses till just ¼ full. Top with prosecco; garnish as desired. Serve immediately. Makes 6-8 servings.
KISS Notes: I sometimes like to rim the glass with cinnamon sugar. Garnish
Cranberry Pearrini
with a wedge of lime, a slice of fresh peach, or “shrub”-style with a couple tiny scoops of raspberry (and peach) sorbet or sherbet. A nice variation for this drink is the Cranberry Pearrini. Make as above but replace the peach nectar with pear nectar. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a large fresh raspberry.
For other great cranberry recipes to take you from appetizers and tapas to entrées, side dishes, and desserts, check out Cranberry Cooking. 
It’s part of a series of 8 pocket cookbooks, all featuring easy recipes to help you star in the kitchen. They’re all available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more. (If you buy one on Amazon, you can also get the digital edition FREE!) Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
May 21, 2017
Sweet Thank You!
Our Maltipoo, Bandit, received the most lovely thank you note… from another dog, no less. Mr. Casey had just read Bandit’s book, “A Dangerous Book for Dogs.”
He said:
“Hi Bandit. The best book ever! You can tell, my humans, Judy & Ken wrote this for me. We loved reading your story and all your helpful information. I, too, am a Maltipoo, and my name is “Mr. Casey.” I weigh 16 pounds, and I have champagne color fur. I hope you don’t mind; I let my human Mom and Dad read your training methods so they would know what to do with me. I hope you can come visit me someday. I thank you again.”
Well, Bandit, with all his 7 pounds of fun, fur, and fury, is very happy to have gotten that missive. He says he is planning a visit with his newest fan very soon… even though Mr. Casey ignored Bandit’s warning to NOT share his secret tips for training your humans with ANY humans. Sigh.
Such is a dog’s life. Love, cookies, and belly rubs.
You can find Bandit’s “A Dangerous Book for Dogs” in paperback and digital (Kindle) formats on sites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, as well as in Audiobook from Audible.com.
April 17, 2017
Thank you!
I have received sooo many fabulous comments and positive reviews for my latest book, “The Bimbo Has Brains!” I am humbled and honored.
However, I must thank YOU for supporting or contributing to my life’s journey to not only learn how to survive and thrive, but to then become able to share the many life lessons I gleaned with others. I had no idea that so many people would find this book as helpful in their / your personal journey through life’s stereotypes, double standards, and relationship mazes.
Your feedback inspires me!
Please enjoy this code UP3LM59T which can be applied at “check out” directly from the printer by following this link: https://www.createspace.com/6497205
This scores a 25% discount for $5 off when you purchase the paperback edition of “The Bimbo Has Brains” from the printer! (Sorry, but neither Amazon nor Barnes and Noble give me any discount options.) This UP3LM59T code does not expire and can be used multiple times and shared with as many people as you’d like.
Enjoy! And thanks again!
March 28, 2017
“Bimbo” Rocking!
My latest book, “The Bimbo Has Brains,” made the Uncaged Book Reviews!
Okay… it’s on the last page of the March, 2017 edition, but it IS a 5-star review, so I am pleased to have been chosen as one of reviewer Amy Shannon’s favorite reviews.
