When Speech is Threatened, Speak More

Speak or not censorship graphic

Wow, I didn’t get far writing this before I was already “corrected.” Just typing the title, auto-correct, speech-predicted algorithms thought the appropriate verb form should be “threatening” not “threatened.” And see what a difference that makes. The subtle, or not, assumption being that some speech is dangerous, rather than the censoring of it being dangerous.

As speech and expression in general has become increasingly under attack, to extreme lengths I honestly can’t believe are real, I have decided to start posting to my long-dormant blog again. Do people still blog?? Maybe I should start a Substack. Soon.

There are so many things that I think are wrong these days, it’s hard to even know what to write about first. But I think at the core of everything, is free speech, freedom of expression. If we can’t speak freely and share our thoughts, our ideas, our feelings, and our fears, what do we really have? To me, all other things can’t be either maintained or changed, if we cannot first speak. Other rights gained can be lost, and others never come to be, if only the in-fashion, officially acceptable narrative of the day is allowed space. And the pendulum always swings both ways. Something it feels like the extreme woke, censoring left of today has forgotten. Those of us who speak for free speech are fighting for that right for us all. As the saying goes, free speech isn’t for speech you like or agree with, it’s for speech you hate or disagree with. Continue reading

Flying Time

It’s been a while since my last blog entry. I’d forgo the cliché of saying “how time flies” except it’s obviously too late for me to do that now. But there’s a reason clichés are clichés, they often hold a certain truth that can be universally felt. And maybe they become annoying to hear for that exact reason: “We already know it’s blatantly true without bothering to say or hear it.” Hmmm…I don’t think I want to think about how much time just flew by as I typed these non-words of wisdom…

The events of the last couple of years have been very life-changing for me, in that big-picture, how-I-see-the-world-and-what-I want-to-do-in-it-while-I’m-here sort of way. Funny how dealing with the death of loved ones, or other challenges of life, can end up making you feel more alive than ever. Continue reading

Spring Cleaning for the Soul

More thoughtlessly abandoned couches and old entertainment units. More fragrant flowers amid baby blades of grass. More birds chirping in that distinctly fresh and vital way. Springtime. Whether it’s the cleared-out overaccumulations of stuff, both literal and figurative, or all the sensory reminders of the universe renewing itself, spring feels… Continue reading

Midwest Book Review Recommends Life’s Attic

Life’s Attic has just been reviewed by Midwest Book Review. Yay! They review less than a third of submitted titles, so I’m very excited that they chose to review mine. Established in 1976, the Midwest Book Review publishes a number of monthly book publications specifically designed for community and academic… Continue reading

What's Being Said About Life's Attic?

Award-winning actress Kathleen Gati has just said some very nice things about my novel, Life’s Attic. I feel truly honoured.   “Just finished reading your book. WOW!!! It is truly a beautiful study of pure love, devotion, life, death and so much more. I savored every word and truly enjoyed… Continue reading

Press Release for Life's Attic

Here’s the official press release for Life’s Attic. It’s available both as a PDF file and as a Word document.   Life’s Attic Press Release (10/23/2012) [pdf] [doc]   This best generic cialis medicine start reacting fast on the body in the long term. In uncommon examples, viagra sale buy… Continue reading

Life's Attic is Now Available!

I am very pleased to announce that Life’s Attic has now been released. Yay! Please visit the Life’s Attic page of this site for full details, including how to get an autographed copy. Gee, that sounds so immodest and weird to say, but it is a request I received from… Continue reading

Redesign of the Website

I’ve just launched an updated (and completely redesigned) version of this website. I hope you enjoy the changes and that everything functions as it should. If you find any problems, please let me know either via a comment or through the new contact form that sends messages directly to me.… Continue reading

Publishing of Life's Attic Getting Closer

My novel, Life’s Attic, is being typeset as I speak (or type), and the cover art is being finalized as well.
~In the fictional West Coast town of Clementine, Leanne Porter is about to meet Jay Hanson. There’s just one problem. Jay has AIDS. Continue reading