Larada Horner-Miller's Blog, page 32
October 4, 2020
I’m Stupid, I’m Satanic Because of Our Political Disagreements!
Two specific political memes on Facebook this week caught my eye and rumbled around in my head all week, demanding I address what this meant to me. One implied half of the country and I are too stupid because we disagree with one party’s assertions. I don’t agree with you; therefore, I’m stupid! The second claimed that it’s their candidate versus Satan which would include me because I support that person. I am a Christian and appalled at that supposition. Does the person posting this type of political memes ever think by saying, “(Fill the party name) is stupid or satanic,” they might be talking about his/her hairdresser, cousin, or best friend?
The logic behind these vicious memes escapes me, and I’m offended by these statements. I don’t comment on Facebook with everything I disagree with because I don’t feel it’s my place to argue with someone’s post. Maybe that person doesn’t realize how divisive and ugly this kind of political campaigning is, so I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt, talk about my feelings about this issue and offer a possible solution!
Recently, the month or so before an election, many people choose to stop participating on Facebook because of this sort of rhetoric! She innocently posts something political and positive then gets attacked by the other side, with dear friends throwing insults and verbiage she can’t imagine. So, the solution is to walk away and take a break, hoping all is healed after the election. I understand that tactic; however, I propose a positive alternative.
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I love this quote from Bob Ehrlich, “Thoughtful people of different political philosophies can disagree, but in a very agreeable manner.”
Here’s more information about Bob:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Ehrlich
So, can we disagree in an agreeable manner? That’s the question. Yes, I understand this election seems larger than life with both sides saying it’s the election of a lifetime, but can we dial back the accusatory posts?
People have noted that the current division in our country has torn families apart in a way like no other election. Personally, I abhor arguing politics because my Dad and I often screamed nose-to-nose, red-faced and veins popping, clearing a room anytime the topic came up. Neither of us won! Neither of us changed the other’s mind—wasted energy and wounded spirits!
The last big fight we had we were driving down in our canyon after the election, a beautiful fall morning. His candidate didn’t win. Up until this point, we enjoyed a light jovial conversation, then Dad stopped the pick-up in the middle of the road, glared at me and repeated this question, “Are you one of them?” (A member of the opposite party).
When I replied, “No, I really don’t like either party. I’m an independent,” that wasn’t a satisfactory answer. Then he wagged his finger in my face as if I were a little girl and hurled, “Did you vote for him?” (The opposite candidate)
I pulled myself up in my seat to my full height of five foot three inches and declared, “Yes, I did!” He lost it then with every insult he could think of! Did he really think that behavior would change my mind? After that I avoided any political battles with him. Often, he tried to lure me in, but I refused!
So, why did I tell you that? Today I do believe that we can “agree to disagree” in a respectful manner. I have witnessed intelligent conversations where opposing beliefs were shared, listened to and honored, and everyone walked away the better off for having participated. I believe in the two-party system of our country. We need both parties and their ideals to balance each other. Neither are Satanic or stupid. I believe in energetic and passionate involvement, but I also believe we have to be kind and loving, more than anything. On November 4, 2020, I want to retain friendships with those who disagree with my politics. I want no relationship fatalities!
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So, I present my Facebook challenge, starting today over the next thirty days—a halt to the ugly propaganda-style posts hurling insults at the “other” candidate. I encourage thoughtfulness instead. How about a post about the positive characteristics of your candidate? Celebrate your nominee with his attributes, his successful track record and his accomplishments.
I know that some of you are shaking your heads at me and saying, “This is pie-in-the-sky, Polly Anna mentality.” That’s okay.
To support your pessimistic stance, before an election several years ago, a friend of mine tried to have a positive forum on her Facebook page asking people to only share positive traits of their candidate, no bashing of the opponent. It lasted a short time before someone got on his/her soapbox lambasting the other opponent. Okay, I get it—that’s the easy way out!
But what I offer here might be difficult and unusual in these times, but I believe doable! It’s called a challenge because of its difficulty! I dare you to dig deep and think of me when you’re posting something questionable.
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So, will you take the challenge? I commend you if you do. Maybe we can make the Facebook world a kinder, gentler world over these coming weeks and be proud of our effort.
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~HAVE YOU ORDERED A PERSONALLY AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE FLIPPO BIOGRAPHY? AVAILABLE NOW! Go to the homepage on my website and pay for it there: https://www.laradasbooks.com
ALL FOUR E-BOOK FORMATS OF FLIPPO’S BIOGRAPHY AVAILABLE NOW:
Apple Books (US) – https://books.apple.com/us/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164203 Kobo (US) – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/just-another-square-dance-caller Apple Books (CA) – https://books.apple.com/ca/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (UK) – https://books.apple.com/gb/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (AU) – https://books.apple.com/au/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164(US)Amazon Kindle (US) – https://www.amazon.com/Just-Another-Square-Dance-Caller-ebook/dp/B088QS9RH8 Amazon Kindle (UK) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088QS9RH8Amazon Kindle (CA) – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B088QS9RH8 Barnes and Noble Nook (US) – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/just%20another%20square%20dance%20caller
~Visit my web site for all the information you need about me and my books: https://www.laradasbooks.com
~On Wednesday, August 12, 2020 I wrote my 200th blog post. Be sure and check it out here: 200th blog post
The post I’m Stupid, I’m Satanic Because of Our Political Disagreements! appeared first on Larada Horner-Miller, Author.
September 27, 2020
“Easy Does It!” But How Do You Do It?
“Easy Does It!” Sounds simple but really? This slogan stands as one of recovery’s many: First Things First, Think, One Day at a Time, Let Go and Let God and Easy Does It. This week “Easy Does It” continued to surface in my mind, so I thought, “what does it look like?”
Historically, I know what it doesn’t look like! I’ve been a workaholic my whole adult life, driven to overproduce! It started when I worked towards my Bachelor’s degree at 28 years old at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. During my first year, I attended classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I worked part-time as a beautician on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and did some babysitting on the weekends.
From my second year until I graduated, I dropped the babysitting and worked part-time as an English mentor in the computer lab where every Freshman had to use it for their English class. This work study job helped finance my degree but demanded more of my precious time.
As I added each additional commitment, I revved up more energy, more determination even though I had less time to do all of this. These four years of intense requirements set in motion a lifestyle I continued for the next 40 years+!
During my teaching profession, I worked hard at school and late in the evening, preparing for the next day or grading papers. I added committee work at my schools to this already busy schedule.
After I joined the square dance committee, I jumped in with several volunteer commitments locally and nationally—still working full time and chairing annual festivals.
Before I retired, many friends had already retired and I heard several say, “I’m busier now than when I worked.”
I uttered this curt response to my husband any time I heard that, “Shame on them! They’re in control of their lives.” Those words came back to haunt me.
My Mom became ill in December 2012 and came to live with Lin and me. I became her primary caregiver, still working full time as support staff for two departments at the district level of Albuquerque Public Schools. My boss allowed me to work remotely at home or the hospital as much as possible, so that helped, but I still had face-to-face training responsibilities.
When I retired in May 2013, my Mom had just died in March, and I became the executor of her will, dealing with probate in two states, New Mexico and Colorado. Now I had some open time, so I needed something to focus on—to fill the void. So, I pulled out a collection of poetry I had written thirty plus years earlier and published it. It fed my aching heart.
So, this ignited another phase of my working life in retirement: I have self-published five books and three cookbooks in the seven years of my retirement. Doesn’t sound like “Easy Does It,” does it?
Each book had its specific demands: the actual writing, research, formatting and publishing, promoting and marketing. But my last project went over the top! I wrote the biography of the most famous square dance caller in the world. It ended up being a nearly three year commitment from start to finish. I recorded forty hours of interviews, then I had to transcribe them all. The work continued with production of a paperback, a hardback and e-book and covers for all of them, collaboration with an editor and a total rewrite, lots of research, and final publication preparation. Currently, promoting dominates my time.
Whew! But for the last couple months I’ve exhaled and finally felt retired! Being home so much with the coronavirus pandemic has also eliminated our hectic square dance schedule and given me extra time.
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As I pondered what “Easy Does It” looks like, I’ve finally figured it out:
Leisure morningGet up about 7:00-7:30 amRead the national newsDo my Quiet Time of reading and writingEat breakfastPlay a couple games of CribbageSunbathe Enjoy Lin’s GardenRead my current favorite bookLeisure mealEat lunchWatch one of our favorite TV showsFocused afternoonCheck emailDo computer tasksPromote Flippo’s bookExercise (Lin has helped me with this because he has a rigorous exercise plan, so I do mine when he does his.)Leisure mealEat dinnerWatch one of our favorite TV showsGo to the hot tubShowerWatch one of our favorite TV showsPromote Flippo’s bookKnitPlay on iPad
Repeat daily!
So, what changed? The change for me has come through years of recovery work, facing my workaholism. I knew I had to deal with it—Mom and my brother often voiced their concern about the unrealistic schedule I kept.
Recently, a fleeting thought flashed in my mind—this is what retirement/Easy Does It looks like? I felt calm with no major demand forcing me to work. I chuckled and thought, “So, this is what it looks like!” After that moment, I questioned my conclusion—is this for real? Then it happened again, and I realized I had set something in motion.
What do you think? Do you know how to “Easy Does it?” Tell me your experience!
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~HAVE YOU ORDERED A PERSONALLY AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE FLIPPO BIOGRAPHY? AVAILABLE NOW! Go to the homepage on my website and pay for it there: https://www.laradasbooks.com
ALL FOUR E-BOOK FORMATS OF FLIPPO’S BIOGRAPHY AVAILABLE NOW:
Apple Books (US) – https://books.apple.com/us/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164203 Kobo (US) – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/just-another-square-dance-caller Apple Books (CA) – https://books.apple.com/ca/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (UK) – https://books.apple.com/gb/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (AU) – https://books.apple.com/au/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164(US)Amazon Kindle (US) – https://www.amazon.com/Just-Another-Square-Dance-Caller-ebook/dp/B088QS9RH8 Amazon Kindle (UK) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088QS9RH8Amazon Kindle (CA) – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B088QS9RH8 Barnes and Noble Nook (US) – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/just%20another%20square%20dance%20caller
~Visit my web site for all the information you need about me and my books: https://www.laradasbooks.com
~On Wednesday, August 12, 2020 I wrote my 200th blog post. Be sure and check it out here: 200th blog post
The post “Easy Does It!” But How Do You Do It? appeared first on Larada Horner-Miller, Author.
September 20, 2020
A Safe Birthday Celebration Today—How?
During the coronavirus, how do I safely celebrate my husband’s 80th birthday in a special way? I have wrestled with this problem as soon as the quarantine began. I had thought about an open house, a square dance in his honor, and a variety of other possibilities. Then the pandemic hit, and I realized I couldn’t do any of these.
I had been raised to go all-out for birthdays and have ever since my Mom did that for me repeatedly as a child and an adult. She felt a birthday had to be celebrated, and I have continued that idea, but the pandemic created a major obstacle.
When my husband, Lin, turned 75, I treated us to an Amtrak ride to Winslow, Arizona and two nights at La Posada Hotel, a restored Harvey House. Many people asked us what in the world did you do in Winslow for two days, and we laughed! We toured all the souvenir stores and visited a remarkable museum. Lin and I spent hours on a self-tour of the La Posada, a Harvey House, enjoying its remarkable history. We savored delicious food in the Turquoise Room at La Posada, unique gourmet meals. Also, we basked in our gorgeous room and balcony.
How was I to compete with that memorable birthday celebration? About a month ago, I had the pleasure of attending a family reunion via Zoom, and that gave me an idea—how about a Zoom surprise birthday party for Lin?
So, I had my plan. I emailed, called and messaged friends about two possible ways to join the fun:
Send birthday cards in the mailAttend the Zoom surprise birthday party
After that, I scoured a variety of email lists I have. I also went through my Contacts looking for people who don’t do email or Facebook. The list kept growing.
Successfully, I kept my secret. Lin started receiving cards several days before his birthday, and he kept saying, “Wow! I don’t normally get a birthday card from. . .” Then the stack of cards grew a couple days, and he eyed me, quizzing, “What did you do?”
I kept smiling, not disclosing the secret—how obvious it was!
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During the week before the big day, we planned his birthday dinner: scallops, baked sweet potatoes and a vegetable. Saturday was his birthday, so I went to Pastian’s bakery in Albuquerque for his birthday cake on Friday afternoon, a delicious carrot cake. I had bought Pumpkin Spice Blue Bell ice cream in the morning.
When I got up Saturday morning, I gave him his cards and gift and looked at the cards he received the day before. He again questioned me about all the cards he received. I almost said, “Well, there’s more to come,” but I didn’t, thank God.
The bad news—I woke up Saturday with a bad stomachache, so I spent most of the day in bed when I wasn’t attending a Zoom Recovery Retreat for the weekend. We enjoyed Lin’s delicious birthday lunch, cake and ice cream. After the afternoon session, I showered and got ready for the evening.
I had put on our shared calendar an evening session for the retreat, so I had a good cover-up, and Lin had the Nascar game to watch. After a light dinner, I went upstairs to my desktop computer to prepare for the party.
I got onto Zoom early, and two people had already signed in. One of the early birds, a Nascar fan too, asked how I was going to pull Lin away from the race. I wheeled his computer chair in front of my desktop computer ready for the birthday boy. Then I waited for a commercial and asked Lin for some help on my computer.
Reluctantly, he came upstairs to our loft to my computer, sat down and truly enjoyed the party. People came and went, and the conversation continued! We had friends from a variety of our interest areas: square dancers, people from a football pool, and travelers we met on our Costa Rica trip. Also several family members joined in the fun.
When the evening ended, I had surprised Lin with a truly wonderful celebration of his special 80th birthday, using the technology available to us today during these crazy times. It was a smashing success, and I continued the Horner tradition of celebrating a birthday!
How have you celebrated birthdays this year during the pandemic?
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~HAVE YOU ORDERED A PERSONALLY AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE FLIPPO BIOGRAPHY? AVAILABLE NOW! Go to the homepage on my website and pay for it there: https://www.laradasbooks.com
ALL FOUR E-BOOK FORMATS OF FLIPPO’S BIOGRAPHY AVAILABLE NOW:
Apple Books (US) – https://books.apple.com/us/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164203 Kobo (US) – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/just-another-square-dance-caller Apple Books (CA) – https://books.apple.com/ca/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (UK) – https://books.apple.com/gb/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (AU) – https://books.apple.com/au/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164(US)Amazon Kindle (US) – https://www.amazon.com/Just-Another-Square-Dance-Caller-ebook/dp/B088QS9RH8 Amazon Kindle (UK) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088QS9RH8Amazon Kindle (CA) – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B088QS9RH8 Barnes and Noble Nook (US) – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/just%20another%20square%20dance%20caller
~Visit my web site for all the information you need about me and my books: https://www.laradasbooks.com
~On Wednesday, August 12, 2020 I wrote my 200th blog post. Be sure and check it out here: 200th blog post
The post A Safe Birthday Celebration Today—How? appeared first on Larada Horner-Miller, Author.
September 13, 2020
During This Pandemic, Are You Zoomin’?
The coronavirus pandemic changed so much: shelter-in-place and no more face-to-face meetings. At the beginning, we had no idea how long the pandemic and the restrictions would last, but here we are six months later with limited access. So, early on, Zoom leapt to our collective consciousness as the answer.
I had attended a couple of Zoom meetings before the pandemic for training for my book promotions, but now I feel like a pro having attended several meetings and hosted some. Here’s my experience with the amazing Zoom app and its connectivity to the world!
Early in our isolation, the recovery communities jumped onboard and started zoomin’. So, this provided the opportunity to attend meetings all over the world any time of the day—truly taking advantage of technology.
On April 3 – 5, I attended a Zoom recovery retreat with 450 participants, the first major recovery event during the pandemic for me. The organizers dealt with a few glitches, but what a boost that was! The attendees came from all over the world! Monthly recovery retreats have kept many people connected through Zoom, and I’m attending another one next weekend.
Weekly I have attended two recovery meetings. I have so enjoyed seeing friends I haven’t seen for months and staying active in my recovery.
Some of my regular meetings chose to do phone conferencing, but I didn’t like that as well as Zoom. It seemed people talked over each other more, and I liked seeing attendees. I do understand not everyone has internet at their homes, and I think that was reason for this choice.
As a service for the Albuquerque Square Dance Center, I have hosted monthly board meetings since April. I provided a tutorial for the first meeting for many first-timers, but I still felt some reluctance. So, I scheduled a practice session and several attended, getting their feet wet! Since then, those fearful first-timers show up easily and participate.
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In the midst of the cancellation of all of our dance events, I faced doing a virtual book launch for my new book, Just Another Square Dance Caller: Authorized Biography of Marshall Flippo. At first, I thought I’d use Facebook Live for this event, but after research, I realized I could have a problem. We don’t have a reliable internet connection at our house, and that might cause an issue. Also, I wanted to interact with the attendees, and you can’t do that on Facebook Live.
So, I decided to Zoom instead. What a memorable evening we had! About thirty-five people attended, and I relished their participation and stories! We had people from all over the United States and one from Japan.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, we canceled our annual square dance festival, Hot August Nights. To keep our supporters connected, I hosted a Hot August Nights Zoom Party. Again, we had great attendance. My husband, Lin, and I were on from 7:00 PM until 10:00 with people dropping by, visiting and then more would come. Many appreciated seeing so many dancer friends.
Virtual square dances have taken the square dance world by storm during this crazy time. Lin and I attended a benefit dance for a caller who has been deathly sick. We hadn’t danced in six months and had never virtual square danced. We had to pretend we were dancing with another couple. At first, we struggled but improved over the evening.
Here’s a link to see a virtual square dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnRY_x_89FM&list=PLpOrf4KvYkjDwwsu0saQoJoYmvgbRDKnR
Again, we saw dancers from all over the USA and the world. Dancers attended from Australia, China, Japan and England.
[image error]Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels
There are so many possibilities with Zoom. I reconnected with a roommate who I haven’t seen in thirty years with a Zoom meeting. Then we added another friend we used to hang out with, and we laughed and talked non-stop last Sunday. I had to cut us off after a couple hours to write my weekly blog. After such a successful time, we’ve decided to meet monthly during this crazy time.
I made another connection with a cousin who contacted me after I did my DNA on ancestry.com last year. We had talked about a face-to-face family reunion in Arizona this summer, but that went by the wayside with all the restrictions.
So, my cousin invited me to a Zoom Family Reunion last month. Only four attended that meeting, but I loved seeing my cousins. The cousin who organized this fun event entertained us with stories of our heritage, sharing maps and other documents via Zoom with us.
With it being so much fun, we scheduled another session for yesterday, and I invited my cousins and my 92-year-old aunt to participate. We ended up with nine participants this time. I could see how much my aunt enjoyed this celebration of her mother’s side of our family, and she repeated a couple times how much my mom would have enjoyed this. During the 70s, my mom researched both sides of our family’s genealogy—she would have thoroughly loved all the new information and connections to add to her data!
In the future, I have more Zoom meetings planned—I so much more enjoy seeing people’s face instead of being on a joint phone call. If you have any reservations about doing a Zoom meeting, don’t!
To prepare for a Zoom meeting, download the app to your desktop, laptop, iPad or Smart Phone. Then when you receive the invitation for the meeting from the host, it includes all the connection information you need. You have two choices to connect on a computer: the easiest connection is a URL, so click on it and it activates the website and the app. The second option is a Meeting ID and password you input on the Zoom website after you select “Join a Meeting” on the menu bar.
If you’re using a phone, the invitation provides several phone numbers to access Zoom.
Once you arrive in a meeting, you can use the video showing you and your surroundings or you can choose not to show the video but you can still participate.
One caveat when you’ve entered the meeting is muting or unmuting yourself. There’s a button on your window or down on the left of the menu bar at the bottom of the computer’s screen.
I enjoy another Zoom feature, a Chat window where you can type in communication to everyone at the meeting or select individuals.
As you can see—it’s straight-forward. After a couple Zoom meetings, celebrate your newfound skills and partiicipate!
Have you zoomed yet? If so, how do you feel about zoomin’?
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~HAVE YOU ORDERED A PERSONALLY AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE FLIPPO BIOGRAPHY? AVAILABLE NOW! Go to the homepage on my website and pay for it there: https://www.laradasbooks.com
ALL FOUR E-BOOK FORMATS OF FLIPPO’S BIOGRAPHY AVAILABLE NOW:
Apple Books (US) – https://books.apple.com/us/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164203 Kobo (US) – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/just-another-square-dance-caller Apple Books (CA) – https://books.apple.com/ca/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (UK) – https://books.apple.com/gb/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (AU) – https://books.apple.com/au/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164(US)Amazon Kindle (US) – https://www.amazon.com/Just-Another-Square-Dance-Caller-ebook/dp/B088QS9RH8 Amazon Kindle (UK) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088QS9RH8Amazon Kindle (CA) – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B088QS9RH8 Barnes and Noble Nook (US) – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/just%20another%20square%20dance%20caller
~Visit my web site for all the information you need about me and my books: https://www.laradasbooks.com
~On Wednesday, August 12, 2020 I wrote my 200th blog post. Be sure and check it out here: 200th blog post
The post During This Pandemic, Are You Zoomin’? appeared first on Larada Horner-Miller, Author.
September 11, 2020
Where Were You on September 11, 2001?
September 11, 2001—This day is etched in my memory forever—the horror of being an eyewitness to this tragedy! Our world has never been the same since. Three thousand lives lost! Many injured and maimed. Families torn apart. Fear injected into the hearts of all Americans across our country on that day. Air travel interrupted with people strained helter-skelter.
My Mom had just flown to my brother and his wife’s a couple weeks early to take part in preparing for my nephew’s wedding on September 22.
My ex-husband lay in bed watching the morning news on the TV. I could also see the TV from an adjacent bathroom as I prepared for work, putting on my makeover and blowing my hair dry.
We both rushed nearer the TV as we saw the replay of the first plane crash into one tower of the World Trade Center. Trying to grapple with what we had just seen, the second plane crashed into the second tower, and we fell limp on the bed, trying to take this all in.
[image error]World Trade Center Before Attack
I raced to finish dressing and went to work. When I got to school and settled in my room, I turned on the TV to see that both towers had collapsed. Children streamed into my room silent, unusual for lively six graders. Shock permeated the room.
Military helicopters flew around Albuquerque, concerned about more attacks across the country because by now, we had learned another plane had cracked in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the terrorists had flown another plane into the Pentagon.
I taught no classes that day. The TV and the news became the focal point in my classroom. Later administration admonished us for letting the students watch such horror. I had faced nothing like that before. I wanted to keep up with the news of the day, and so did my students. No one cared about learning.
Several of my students had parents at Kirtland Air Force Base and feared for their parents’ lives. Cell phones rang, and I ignored the no cellphone policy, knowing parents needed to connect with their children.
The horror of that long day drug on—anticipation of the unknown. The United States had never faced a terrorist attack like this. Finally, school ended, and I sped home.
During the 6:00 PM news, Peter Jennings gave an emotional report and ended with, “Connect with your family, near and far, right now!” So, I called my brother and talked to him and Mom. Her voice cracked but as we talked, she reassured me she was safe, but I shuddered at the thought: what if she had traveled a couple days later to California? She could have been strained somewhere alone amid this craziness, scared to death, instead of secure with my brother.
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On this September 11, nineteen years have passed, yet the memory and the trauma linger. Children have grown up without a parent. That fateful day splintered families. Those of us who watched the planes crash into the towers, then saw the towers collapse and people running for their lives will never be the same. I live thousands of miles from New York City, but I felt like I was there. Time eases the pain, but the memory still lingers.
I shudder and sob today for our loss! I hope you do, too!
Here are some resources:
Where were you on that fateful day?
The post Where Were You on September 11, 2001? appeared first on Larada Horner-Miller, Author.
September 6, 2020
Coronavirus Reflection: Bitter or Better?
Bitter or better? Life hands us a curve ball every once and a while. Then we have the option of how we respond. I have had several of those opportunities in my life, and sometimes I grew bitter, but more often than not I became better because of the difficulty.
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The coronavirus’ impact continues to affect our lives six months later. Normal life activities came to a screeching halt. Yes, it’s been horrible for those 193,000+ who have lost their lives or families who have lost loved one. Also, people have lost jobs, and businesses have suffered extreme losses. For many, it’s been a psychological affront causing depression and anxiety. I have been one of the fortunate ones, not experiencing the extremes of the pandemic.
But many, like me, who have not experienced the dire side of this catastrophe have been impacted in our own ways. It seems people have reacted in two ways.
Some have become bitter over mandated requirements like social distancing and/or masks. People dubbed as “Karens” or “Kens” have violently erupted at various store clerks asking compliance to safety measures.
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Many worldwide bitter rebels have actively protested like one organized event on September 15, “World Antimask Protest.” Others continue to believe this is a hoax and vehemently denounce the virus and any of the safety requests.
Others have decided to look at this respite as a time to stop the crazy pace of a busy 21st century life, slow down and go deeper on a spiritual quest. That’s what I decided to do early on. Because I was fearful and anxious, I processed my feelings through poetry. I became proficient at Zoom and participated in and hosted a multitude of Zoom meetings which helped ease the isolation.
As the pandemic has lingered, I’ve written more and more poetry, and a friend specifically asked me to address the positive outcome this slow-down provided for me, so here it is:
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Coronavirus Reflection: Bitter or Better?
September 5, 2020
For six months
The coronavirus rages
Ebbs and flows
Never have I faced
Anything like this!
I remember
The polio-scare
As a child
But nothing like this.
Quarantined
Deaths
Shelter-in-place
Fear
Confusion
Who do you believe?
My life style drastically altered
NO dancing
NO traveling
NO interaction
With people
But the good news:
I’ve stayed healthy
My family has, too!
It’s reflection time
Has this focused time
Made me
Bitter
Or better?
Stripped
Of normal life
And activity,
I sat quietly
Listened
Breathed
I watched my husband
Gather his strength
In his garden
Working with his hands
His mind
His soul
Lin and I shared Cribbage games
Numerous TV nights
Watching mysteries
Each trying to solve them
Comparing our suspects
I celebrate this man
Who I was quarantined with.
I focused on
The Flippo biography
Which helped alter the horrible state
Of our world
I gathered strength
In words
Working with my hands
My mind
My soul
In this forced respite
I reconnected with
My God
In a time of needed solace
Myself
Exploring reactions and feelings
To this fearful situation.
My husband
A good person to
Be quarantined with
I cleaned out age old belongings
I connected with people on Zoom
I wrote poetry
Diving deep!
I had weekly phone dates
With hurting friends
Yes, I missed
Monthly visits to our ranch
And my brother
Family gatherings
Square and round dances
Travel
Friends
But today, I relish all of those much more
Hungry for their return
I savor what they
Brought into my life,
How they enriched me.
I had moments of bitterness
Hot August Nights weekend canceled
So, I scheduled a Zoom party
Labor Day square dance weekend
So, I scheduled a Zoom meeting
With long time friends.
I have flirted with bitterness
The vile taste of bitterness
Discourages
My lingering there long.
When this time of trial is over,
I will step up and say
It made me better!
And that feels good!
I savor this capsule of time
That I used to benefit
My growth
Bitter or better
The choice is yours!
Yes, I do have a choice anytime life deals me a blow—will the experience make me bitter, resentful and angry? Or will I take advantage of the opportunity present and plunge into a deeper relationship with myself and my God?
I choose better!
Here’s a poem to end on that is light, frivolous and courts with a genre of literature I love, magical realism, “. . .a style of fiction and literary genre that paints a realistic view of the modern world while also adding magical elements.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_realism
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I Sunbathed in the Roses
September 5, 2020
A petal floated on the breeze
Slowly
Settling on my forehead
Another landed on my stomach
Bright red in color
Matching my sunburned skin
A plush cushion of white rose petals
Gathered as my supple pillow.
Ivory-colored roses climbed
The trellis
Near my feet
And tickled my toes.
Salmon-colored roses
Guarded my heart
And created a
Vibrant crown for my brow!
Bright golden ones kissed
The sun
As their next-of-kin
And brushed my cheek
With their satiny lips.
Peach roses danced
In the gentle wind
A soft waltz
In a lavish gown
To sunbathe
In the midst of roses
Soothes
Every ache
Every pain
A galaxy of color
These flower friends lift me
To the heavens
A multi-colored celebration
Of life and love
Surround me by a deep connection
Hummingbirds dive bomb my head
Enchanted with the color
And the nectar
I’ve invaded their sanctuary.
Lay still!
I can’t!
I feel the prick of. . .
Yes, thorns
Slightly
Careful where I lay
But one foot strays
A little
And I jerk it back
A reminder
Sometimes pain hides in beauty
But mostly
A restful soul
A quiet spirit
Surrounded by
A circle of roses
My friends!
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Did you giggle? Absurd—sunbathing in a rose garden! Let loose and laugh!
I hope I leave you better today for the reading of this than when you came!
~HAVE YOU ORDERED A PERSONALLY AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE FLIPPO BIOGRAPHY? AVAILABLE NOW! Go to the homepage on my website and pay for it there: https://www.laradasbooks.com
ALL FOUR E-BOOK FORMATS OF FLIPPO’S BIOGRAPHY AVAILABLE NOW:
Apple Books (US) – https://books.apple.com/us/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164203 Kobo (US) – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/just-another-square-dance-caller Apple Books (CA) – https://books.apple.com/ca/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (UK) – https://books.apple.com/gb/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (AU) – https://books.apple.com/au/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164(US)Amazon Kindle (US) – https://www.amazon.com/Just-Another-Square-Dance-Caller-ebook/dp/B088QS9RH8 Amazon Kindle (UK) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088QS9RH8Amazon Kindle (CA) – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B088QS9RH8 Barnes and Noble Nook (US) – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/just%20another%20square%20dance%20caller
~Visit my web site for all the information you need about me and my books: https://www.laradasbooks.com
~On Wednesday, August 12, 2020 I wrote my 200th blog post. Be sure and check it out here: 200th blog post
The post Coronavirus Reflection: Bitter or Better? appeared first on Larada Horner-Miller, Author.
August 30, 2020
Where is Your Childhood Home?
Because of the coronavirus’ restrictions in New Mexico, I haven’t been to my childhood home in Branson, Colorado since the end of February. Finally, I decided I could come, and it has refreshed my soul.
[image error]My Home in Branson, Colorado
Currently, my husband, Lin and I live in a beautiful wooded area in the east mountains above Albuquerque, and I love it there, but my childhood home of Branson touches a deep part of me.
My time here has been filled with seeing friends (I social distanced and wore a mask) and reconnecting. I saw a 93-year-old friend who still lives by herself and is a live wire for sure! Finally, I met her five-month-old great-grandson and marveled at this little sweetheart.
My brother knows how much I like to visit our parents’ graves in Trinidad, so one morning we drove there and put out new flowers. It’s always a solemn event but so heartwarming.
[image error]Looking at water in a reservoir & Mesa De Mayo
During my stay, my brother and I have visited our family ranch each day—a couple days in the morning and one day in the evening. We’ve seen a plethora of wild turkeys, a few deer and antelope. What we’re looking for is elk and bear! I take my camera, and we search the prairie and canyon land for wild life on any trip out.
[image error]A Storm Brewing Over Saddle Rock
Memories of so many years here with dad, mom and granddad flood my mind as we drive along the rutted dusty road.
“Remember when. . .” starts many statements, then we are whisked away to a time long ago:
Our horse herd got struck by lightning one summer day, and it killed one mare and damaged two.We watched a rain storm on a beautiful summer evening then jump in the pickup and drove out to the ranch to see how much it rained. We always celebrated rain!Those good ole Branson dances where we all learned to dance to Eloy Gonzales & the Troubadours or Bob Jeffreys & the Nightriders.
So many good memories. Sadly, I leave on tomorrow, Monday—I arrived on Thursday afternoon. It’s never long enough!
I’d like to leave you with a couple poems I wrote in my first book, This Tumbleweed Landed, about my childhood home and life.
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Horse Herd Struck by Lightning
One summer afternoon
after a severe thunderstorm,
Granddad, Grandma, and I
found several horses struck by lightning.
It killed Flicka, Sue’s mare,
by throwing her into
the barbed-wire fence,
wrapped up in the wire.
It hurt two of our horses:
Rusty, Dad’s favorite cutting horse.
It looked like someone had taken
his neck and twisted it out of shape
and
Prince, my 4-H gelding.
He was stuck in his tracks,
and his eyes were glazed!
Prince was never the same!
A devastating disaster
to our horse herd.
Nature’s cruel hand!
Branding Day
Branding day began early
with rounding up the cattle,
the cows, and the calves.
We had a cow/calf crop operation.
First, we brought the horses into the corral,
brushed and saddled them.
Then we rode out after the cattle
And herded them into the corral.
A quiet time of communion
And community.
We separated the cows from their calves
to work the calves;
that created a lot of noise.
The calves bawled the whole time,
wanting their mamas!
Dad and Granddad worked
like a team;
Dad branded and castrated on one side;
Granddad vaccinated and earmarked on the other.
At the branding table
I was Dad’s little assistant.
The smell of singed hair and
the sound of the calf squalling
filled my senses.
I held the rope tightly
that held the calf’s leg up.
I took my job seriously.
At times,
Bub and I played—
heated up irons in the open fire
and branded our imaginary brands on
the wooden boards of the chute.
Once I got sick at the branding;
I wrapped up in a blanket
and slept by the fire—
warm and comforted
by the familiar smells and sounds!
A step away from routine to this quiet village and familiar faces and surroundings has recharged me. Can you still go to your childhood home? Do you? If not, where do you go to get recharged?
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~HAVE YOU ORDERED A PERSONALLY AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE FLIPPO BIOGRAPHY? AVAILABLE NOW! Go to the homepage on my website and pay for it there: https://www.laradasbooks.com
ALL FOUR E-BOOK FORMATS OF FLIPPO’S BIOGRAPHY AVAILABLE NOW.
Apple Books (US) – https://books.apple.com/us/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164203 Kobo (US) – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/just-another-square-dance-caller Apple Books (CA) – https://books.apple.com/ca/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (UK) – https://books.apple.com/gb/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (AU) – https://books.apple.com/au/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164(US)Amazon Kindle (US) – https://www.amazon.com/Just-Another-Square-Dance-Caller-ebook/dp/B088QS9RH8 Amazon Kindle (UK) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088QS9RH8Amazon Kindle (CA) – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B088QS9RH8 Barnes and Noble Nook (US) – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/just%20another%20square%20dance%20caller
~Visit my web site for all the information you need about me and my books: https://www.laradasbooks.com
~On Wednesday, August 12, 2020 I wrote my 200th blog post. Be sure and check it out here: 200th blog post
The post Where is Your Childhood Home? appeared first on Larada Horner-Miller, Author.
August 23, 2020
Do You Want More About Marshall Flippo?
The post Do You Want More About Marshall Flippo? appeared first on Larada Horner-Miller, Author.
August 16, 2020
How Do We Age? How Did I Get Here?
How do we age? How did I get here? This last week, a phrase haunted me, “Age crept up on me.” I turned 67 years old this summer—not old in today’s world, but. . .. So, naturally, I wrote a poem.
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As I look back over my life, I remember my mom and dad in their late 60s, and I was in my 40s and 50s when they were my current age. They were active and full of life but appeared much older than I feel today—interesting.
Going back another generation to my grandparents when they were in their 60s, they seemed ancient. So, it’s all perspective, I guess.
I do know today, I have arthritic aches and pains and troubles with my stomach, but I don’t feel 67. So that begs to ask, what does 67 feel like?
I’ve seen 6 decades plus come and go—a multitude of advances. The TV was just coming in when I was a child, so I’ve always had a TV. We didn’t get a phone in our home until I was about ten years old, so I’ve had some sort of phone for most of my life. I touched my first computer in 1981 when I was a student at Colorado State University and have had access to one ever since—39 years!
And that phrase, “Age crept up on me” caused me lots of wandering through my life.
[image error]Photo by Nadi Lindsay from Pexels
Here’s my poem that came out of this week’s musings:
Age Crept Up on Me!
August 12, 2020
Only yesterday, I was 16
It seems
You may laugh
My age shows
In wrinkles
Years lived
Dyed red hair to hide the grey
With white
Escaping near my eyes
Something happened!
An acceleration
Of time
Of minutes
Of years
Recently
Is it a side effect of the coronavirus?
Too much time on my hands?
Pondering my existence
In uncertain times?
I remember 18
High school graduation
Four students in my graduating class
Started kindergarten together
Trinidad State Junior College
Fifty miles from home
Anxious about my future
And how my dreams
Would play out
I remember 20
Newly married
With life and dreams
Spread out before me.
Hopeful and positive
I remember 30
Divorced and devastated
At the university as a student
And
Starting over
With dreams of being a teacher
I remember 40
In sexual trauma treatment
For incest
Uncovering and recovering from
Childhood pain
And dashed dreams
I remember 50
Celebrated at
The National Square Dance Convention
In Oklahoma City
Serenaded at our After Party by
Jerry Junck
Mike Hogan
Lanny Weaklend
Still dreaming
About possibilities
I remember 60
Mom had just died
A feeble celebration in Branson
With Bub, Lin and Jackie
My dreams diminished by the pain
The loss
Yes, you see
I’m not 16
But 67!
I look in the mirror
And recently
Somehow
Age crept up on me
In that reflection
I see years
Life
Experiences
Received no warning,
No alarm,
I see an older woman,
A matured lady,
A seasoned Larada
Where did the years go?
Fast living
A rich life
A multitude of adventures
Yes, age crept up!
Quickly
Relentlessly
Quietly
Without warning
So be aware
It can and will
Happen to you!
[image error]Photo by Edu Carvalho from Pexels
My hope and prayer is that I continue to age gracefully and with spunk! I hope to redefine any concepts you may have about older adults.
What are you thoughts on aging? Has it crept up on you, too? How do you handle it?
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~HAVE YOU ORDERED A PERSONALLY AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE FLIPPO BIOGRAPHY? AVAILABLE NOW! Go to the homepage on my website and pay for it there: https://www.laradasbooks.com
ALL FOUR E-BOOK FORMATS OF FLIPPO’S BIOGRAPHY AVAILABLE NOW.
Apple Books (US) – https://books.apple.com/us/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164203 Kobo (US) – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/just-another-square-dance-caller Apple Books (CA) – https://books.apple.com/ca/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (UK) – https://books.apple.com/gb/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (AU) – https://books.apple.com/au/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164(US)Amazon Kindle (US) – https://www.amazon.com/Just-Another-Square-Dance-Caller-ebook/dp/B088QS9RH8 Amazon Kindle (UK) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088QS9RH8Amazon Kindle (CA) – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B088QS9RH8 Barnes and Noble Nook (US) – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/just%20another%20square%20dance%20caller
~Visit my web site for all the information you need about me and my books: https://www.laradasbooks.com
~On Wednesday, I wrote my 200th blog post. Be sure and check it out here: 200th blog post
The post How Do We Age? How Did I Get Here? appeared first on Larada Horner-Miller, Author.
August 12, 2020
Two Hundred Blog Posts! Yahooo!
Two hundred blog posts! Welcome! As I was writing the biography of Marshall Flippo, the thought kept occurring to me—this is a movie in the making!
Now that I have finished the book, I remain convinced that Marshall’s story should be told in a movie. Nothing may come of this, but I want you to know that I will actively pursue this project.
I thank you for your continued patronize of my blog and I look forward to the next two hundred! I started in 2014 haphazardly for three years then I became committed to it in 2017 and have posted weekly since then. My topics range from childhood memories, square dancing, poetry, our hilarious travel stories and Marshall Flippo.
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~HAVE YOU ORDERED A PERSONALLY AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE FLIPPO BIOGRAPHY? AVAILABLE NOW! Go to the homepage on my website and pay for it there: https://www.laradasbooks.com
ALL FOUR E-BOOK FORMATS OF FLIPPO’S BIOGRAPHY AVAILABLE NOW.
Apple Books (US) – https://books.apple.com/us/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164203 Kobo (US) – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/just-another-square-dance-caller Apple Books (CA) – https://books.apple.com/ca/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (UK) – https://books.apple.com/gb/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id1511642036 Apple Books (AU) – https://books.apple.com/au/book/just-another-square-dance-caller/id151164(US)Amazon Kindle (US) – https://www.amazon.com/Just-Another-Square-Dance-Caller-ebook/dp/B088QS9RH8 Amazon Kindle (UK) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088QS9RH8Amazon Kindle (CA) – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B088QS9RH8 Barnes and Noble Nook (US) – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/just%20another%20square%20dance%20caller
~Visit my web site for all the information you need about me and my books: https://www.laradasbooks.com
The post Two Hundred Blog Posts! Yahooo! appeared first on Larada Horner-Miller, Author.
