The first thought that rolled into my brain when I learned that Ted Cruz had fled a Texas that had become Arendelle after Elsa let it go, was “of course he did.” Because, to skip all of the introductory banter, of course he did. Of course, he left his state and his constituents to soak up the Mexican paradise, without the family dog. The dog and the security guard could keep each other warm as they watched the Cruz family drive away towards the airport, without a single empathetic thought amongst them. As the reports continued to air, and were […]
The Constant Anchor
Every day begins the same. I wake up, feed my dog, and brew a pot of coffee. Then I cozy up on the couch and begin my daily Spanish lessons, sipping coffee while my mind and body power up and prepare for the day. At first, I simply wanted to brush up on all the high school Spanish I learned and later forgot after years of disuse. It was a fun and easy way to start the day, with the added benefit of seeing tangible progress both within the language app and in my new ability to understand and comprehend […]
Not an Advocate, Just a Devil
Watching the snow peacefully falling outside of my window this morning was a peaceful respite from the angry and exhausting debating I have been doing via social media for much of the later part of this week. You see, if you have been residing in a communication-free bubble, you might be unaware, but President Biden (love being able to type that name after that title) officially rescinded the very discriminatory practices precluding trans Americans being able to serve both their country and live as their valid and authentic gender. As it is when any minority/marginalized group is thrust into the […]
The Sound of Freedom
Can instrumental music be offensive? It’s an interesting question because most of our musical objections pertain to lyrics and controversial or objectionable content. Sure, you can think instrumental music is good, bad, or anything in between, but can it be offensive? It turns out the answer is yes. In 1944, Russian-born composer and pianist Igor Stravinsky received a warning from the Boston Police over his instrumental arrangement of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The police wrongly believed that there was a law against “tampering” with the national anthem, and Stravinsky pulled his arrangement from the program of upcoming concerts in compliance. […]
After the Dust Has Settled
When I was seventeen, I had an experience while white-water rafting. A brush with drowning that left me showering facing away from the stream of water for a solid decade, and an uneasy reality that comes from learning that contrary to what you convince yourself, the horrible things that happen to strangers across the globe, can happen to you in an instant. An eventful fourteen years later, I find myself feeling very similar to how I did when I was plucked from the water, and able to take the first deep breath of just air, after gulping down more river […]
Red County Blues
We did it. We survived what has been called the most important election in our nation’s history and it seems the whole country is having a lot of feelings. Some of us are elated; some are devastated. And there are people somewhere in between. We all have our opinions, and we are each entitled to these opinions. It was our opinions that resulted in the last four years and that have decided what the next four years will bring. The big question, though, is how do we move forward in a way that heals deep divisions and unites millions of […]
When We Meet Again
I hope that the next time you click on or pick up the publication that the air around all of us has changed. I hope that there is a definitive countdown on the end of our current dystopia, and a hopeful horizon inching towards us as we lean into the winter and January 2021. I hope that the pandemic that continues to inundate every facet of our society has suddenly shifted in trajectory to something we know we will triumph over, because we will soon have leadership that trusts science and rationale, and not literally a single person, thought or […]
The Haunted House’s History
The house has stood for decades. No one knows when it was built or what happened to its owners, whom haven’t been seen or heard from in our lifetime. Nature has reclaimed the land and house itself. What once was a porch is now a broken, sagging collection of boards. The beams of the roof have rotted, collapsing inwards to the heart of the house. A “No Trespassing” sign hangs on what is left of the front door. Perhaps the sign has served its purpose because there is no graffiti or any sign of vandalism to be found; or, it […]
4th Annual Keystone State Gay Rodeo – Wrap Up
After a fantastic weekend of roping, speed, and camp events, the Keystone State Gay Rodeo Association (KSGRA) celebrated its success of it’s annual rodeo weekend. The 4th Annual Rodeo was held Saturday, October 3 at Red Man Ranch & Arena in New Freedom, PA. This years rodeo saw new contestants and many new faces in the audience. On Sunday, October 4, Jackpot Team Penning was held. At this event, teams of riders on horseback sort cattle to pick out the numbers that they are assigned in 60 seconds and get them “penned” in a three-sided corral at the other end […]
I Don’t Forgive You
The closer we get to the election, the more the feelings of anxiety and dread creep into my mind. I remember a similar experience in 2016. While I never really expected the outcome of that fateful Tuesday in November four years ago, the sheer fact that America had not turned its collective back on the platform that supported bully-tactics and insults not appropriate for a playground setting; gave me an uncomfortable gnawing within my soul that a chasm within our societal conscience was opening. The rise of our current political predicament came at a time in my life when I […]