Showing posts with label Covid19. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Covid19. Show all posts

Monday, December 14, 2020

2020 Election: Why I Voted for Trump

 From Norma Bruce (Facebook 12/14/2020):

In 2016, I was not an enthusiastic Trump supporter. But I saw results in his presidency I hadn't seen in my entire life.
1. Lots of presidents have claimed to be supporters of the unborn, the weakest and most fragile of all Americans. He's the only President who has been their advocate, both in supporting the larger political movements and organizations, but in attempting to reduce the demonic threat of Planned Parenthood. I'm a one issue voter, because without life, the other advantages of being an American don't matter. His was not just a campaign promise. He took action and provided moral support.
2. Being a Trump supporter is an education like we've never had before. He was not indebted to either party and we really saw the fangs and claws come out when he began calling out the good old boys' club that is DC politicking. We saw the unelected bureaucrats rise up and defend their lives at the public trough. We knew the legislatures at the state and federal level had become very weak, but we really took notice on how the most insignificant judge on the lowest court could take on the president and prevent him from undoing the shady executive orders of the previous president.
3. We began to see why his slogan "Make America Great Again" was such an anathema to Democrats, increasingly controlled by its left flank. Why the red hats had to be snatched from heads, and ugly arguments started. Why the pink hats had to make women look like blood thirsty baby killers.
3-a The United States has been horribly weakened by foreign infiltrators who fund and support Communist movements within. These movements rewrite history and try to destroy positive gains in the last decades in race relations, class distinctions, and age discrimination.
3-b Hard work and ambition were renamed by these demonic forces as "white privilege" even as blacks had become some of the wealthiest opinion makers and most powerful politicians in our country, and there are 2 full time cable channels (all white) devoted just the Spanish language programming.
3-c Every difference in culture or preference or speech was shouted down as microaggression and dog whistles.
3-d Minorities were demeaned by the Democrats and Never Trumpers as being helpless victims if they tried to leave the party or start a successful business.
3-e The police were caricatured as criminals even though statistics for police violence were at an all time low, and black on black crime was rising again. The leftists were so panicked that with the help of members of Congress, they began demands to "defund" the police and replace them with social workers, as though criminals were just misunderstood children.
3-f National pass times and leisure industries like sports, late night TV "comedy," social media, theatre, movies and the overwhelming liberal and classist academe industry joined forces to ridicule and finger point at the outsider in the White House, who knew a better way to reduce the size of government and raise incomes for all.
3-g While Trump worked quietly to get a better balance in the courts, he was very successful, and unless the new appointees lose their love for the Constitution, future Americans will not have the burden of a plastic ever changing law based on the feelings and personalities of the judges.
3-h The international events have been incredible. The Leftists gnashed their teeth when Trump soothed the little North Korean despot, and they swore it would be WWIII. Trump got us out of ridiculous international agreements which would allow China and India to move ahead, while we Americans paid higher taxes for their pollution. The accomplishments in the Middle East should be his biggest legacy and the previous presidents from Carter to Clinton to Bush to Obama, should hang their heads in shame for at least not moving the capital of Israel as they all promised and then "forgot" has their loyalty to Muslim dictators took over.
3-i The virus that began in Wuhan, China, and spread all over the world, the leftists finally had to blame on President Trump. They encouraged damaging lockdowns and then snarled when the economy rebounded in the summer. His operation Warp Speed they’ve tried to belittle and demean because it’s never been done before as a business man would tackle a problem. The Left can’t let this stand, and will blame every death on Trump rather than those politicians who continued well into March to welcome foreigners (especially Chinese) into their cities where it spread beyond control.
4. Perhaps we were most educated about the role of media in our culture and politics. Never (with the exception of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln) has a FLOTUS been so maligned or ignored, criticized for her accent, her good works, and even her Christmas decor! Never has a president with Jewish in-laws and grandchildren been so compared to Hitler (although they did it to Bush also)--but then, have we ever had a President with a Jewish daughter? The media criticized his business acumen and properties, while ignoring the clear criminal behavior of Joe and Jim Biden, and Hunter Biden. We saw a news media who were completely not interested in investigation, truth, history, the Constitution, or anything other than the commands from above, like Zucker on CNN. Although we have many more outlets for information, with hundreds, maybe thousands of podcasts, blogs, vlogs, "expert witnesses," independent researchers and writers, we also have a constipated traditional media begging for clicks on their websites, and being wolves in sheepskins. Anyone with an original thought is fired, or "cancelled."
5. We've seen how words that used to have meaning, like racist, Nazi, white supremacist, terrorist, have all been made meaningless by the new "woke" vocabulary, pieces of rope on garage doors, hoaxes perpetrated with great attention like Jesse Smollet's, when in fact President Trump has done more for minorities in education, prison sentences, rising income and lower unemployment than any president in my life time. And he's done it by NOT treating them as helpless victims who need government assistance. He's treated them as people worthy of respect--and for that he's called a Nazi. As an aside, as part of our education we've learned that half of liberal Americans don't know that a National Socialist (Nazi) and a Communist are brothers under the skin, one with local plans to invade and take over, and the other with global plans. Either way, Trump has done neither--hasn't invaded any countries with which we share a border, and he hasn't worked with China to infiltrated other countries.
And that's a few of the reasons I'm standing by the President. You can add your own thoughts for those programs or ideas that have educated you.

Wednesday, December 09, 2020

Living Well: How To Be Happy

My 12th poem of the year in the 12 Poems in 12 Months challenge was due today. The prompt was simply "two." I chose to write a poem composed of two-word lines. Here is my submission:

 Teaser: 

Everybody wants to be happy; but happiness is not a gift; it is a result of living well. According to the Dalai Lama XIV,  “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”


Living Well: How To Be Happy


Happiness is not a gift;

It comes from choices made.

It’s a fact: How you act

Makes lemons lemonade.

 **

Be present,

Look around,

Find beauty,

Savor sound!

**

Take charge;

Be well-read.

Make choices;

Think ahead.

**

Create more;

Consume less.

Practice thrift;

Avoid excess.

**

Encourage others;

Don’t criticize.

Show interest;

Meet eyes.

**

Be yourself;

Cherish you.

Love God;

Neighbor too!


Wednesday, September 16, 2020

The Why-nosaur

 The 9th prompt for a poetry submission at Deadlines for Writers was "Why?" Written at deadline time, here is the poem I submitted. I posted it with this teaser: My youngest grandson, Ethan, was a typical inquisitive three-year-old. Here's a day in the life...

The Why-nosaur

A three-year-old’s life is full of “why?”

And moms must have a ready reply.

Every morning, he’s up with the sun,

A day of questions has just begun.

#

During morning routine, questions abound.

I ate red and white; why’s my poop brown?

My teeth are not dirty; I brushed them last night.

Why is that lightbulb “way uppy high”?

#

The day moves on, and meal-prep looms,

And the kitchen is where the learning resumes.

Why do onions make you cry?

What makes clouds float in the sky?

#

Do I have to be nice to kids I don’t like?

Do you know if God has a bike?

Why does my tummy go up and down?

How can I see blue when my eyes are brown?

#

It’s getting late, and it’s time for bed.

But questions still fill that three-year-old head.

Did you really like that picture I drew?

Why can’t I stay up late like you?

#

 “Shhh, go to sleep, we must get some rest.

Why? Just because!  Mommy knows best!

No more questions now. Not one. No more.

Sleep well, my sweet little Why-nosaur!"


Wednesday, August 19, 2020

The Tree of Freedom

 The August assignment in the Deadline for Writers group was to write a poem about Freedom. This is my submission. It was inspired by "Freedom's Plow" by Langston Hughes. 


The Tree of Freedom

 

Labor-worn, I seek respite for my weary soul beneath a towering oak.

Its branches deflect the heat of the waning sun

And gentle breezes cool and renew my body. 

This peaceful sanctuary,

though a gift for me,

stands rooted in the toil of ages past.

 

Long ago, wishing only to live together in peace,

An enslaved people,

yoked together in this common cause,

Gathered the scattered seeds of freedom,

Turned their backs on ease,

and set their hands to the plow.

 

Furrow by furrow,

 the rocky hills gave way to their will.

They fed the soil with gritty virtue

and hidden tears.

When strength failed,

resolve alone bent their backs to the task;

As, furrow by furrow,

they dropped the seeds of respect and love.

 

Across the field of history, other laborers sprinkled the water of truth.

While the sun of knowledge shone on the growing seedling,

The calming peace of order held its roots secure and directed it ever heavenward;

‘til standing tall, Freedom spread her branches wide,

inviting me;

 welcoming you;

sheltering all.

 

 Yet, we who rest in her shade dare not rest too long;

freedom’s tree needs tending still.

Generations yet to be will climb this hill seeking to be free.

Ever vigilant,

we must pledge to guard each person’s right to life.

Never flagging,

we must assure each person can speak his thoughts.

 

Shield, come what may, Freedom’s tree

from the drought of self and

the plague of comfort, security, and peace too dearly prized.

Preserve and enlarge, at any cost, this flowering freedom

‘Til every man can live as he will

in a land of beauty, love and liberty.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

The Man in the Arena

The July assignment in the Deadlines for Writers online group was to write a sonnet. Mine is based upon a speech given in Paris in 1910 by President Theodore Roosevelt.


The Man in the Arena


The man in the arena sweats and strains,
Lays bare before the world his life’s intent;
His every move, his losses and his gains,
Evaluated as his strength is spent.

And those who do not dare watch in disdain,
 “See how he stumbles,” comes the sneering voice;
Themselves untried, the critics loudly claim,
“I could do better, if I’d made the choice!”

The man who fights the battle stays the course;
His gaze, unbroken, focused on the prize.
Devotion to his cause his driving force –
He’ll stand or fall though thunder fills the skies.

 A life worth living calls for light and heat;
So armor up and dare to risk defeat.

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Tomorrow

The Poetry assignment for June in Deadlines for Writers was "blank."


Tomorrow

 

I sat down to write

A poem tonight.

Beautiful thoughts filled my head.

My fingers were set

On the keyboard, and yet –

Eyes drifted to window instead!

 

The sun was so yellow,

Red flowers so mellow,

Blue skies and green grass so loud,

How could I stay

Behind glass all day

Just lost in my wordy cloud?

 

So I tucked thoughts away

To spend another day.

They’re locked in my mental bank.

Tomorrow’s the time

To put them in rhyme.

For now, my paper is blank.


Monday, June 01, 2020

Little Pieces

The last assignment for the Keep Writing Challenge is to write a 180-word story using the prompt "glue."

Little Pieces

“How are you?” mumbles the tight-lipped clerk as I unload groceries onto the conveyor belt.
“Fine.” I recite my line and follow it with the obligatory, “And you?”

Later, loading my groceries into the backseat of my pickup truck I imagine how differently that encounter could have gone.

“Oh, thank you for asking, Ms Grocery-store-checkout-lady.  I noticed how rudely that last customer treated you, and I am sorry for that. I hope you can forget it and enjoy the rest of your day. And, since you asked, I’m not feeling very well. The arthritis in my left hand has made it almost useless this week. My Mother’s dementia has made a dramatic turn for the worse, too, and I am afraid I shouldn’t have left her alone to shop for groceries. My daughter’s family is really struggling to pay bills since the pandemic ended their second income...”

I start the truck and pull carefully out into traffic. Life breaks us all into little pieces. We pile the pieces up and exist until we are able to glue them back together and live.

Sunday, May 31, 2020

The Shutdown Sultan

The penultimate Keep Writing Challenge assignment is to write a 300-word story using the prompt "hex."

The Shutdown Sultan


The Shutdown Sultan surveys the landscape of Mindy’s mind. He has feasted and controlled here. For thirteen weeks he has reigned here. The once-lush valley surely lies spent and exhausted in the wake of the Sultan’s invasion. Surely the spark of creativity he forced from her is extinguished!

The Sultan’s eye lingers on the myriad colorful canvases littering the atelier of Mindy’s home. Landscapes, seascapes, field flowers (relics of the remembered Outside) dominate the room. Giant roses, tulips, lilies-of-the-valley, and poppies grow in abundance. Flowers of indeterminate origin, many cultivated only in Mindy’s mind, threaten to burst the walls. Colorful splotches and splatters mar the floor; half-finished and hideous abstracts dare the timid to enter. 

He sighs. A small doubt has pushed into his consciousness. Has the isolation borne fruit? Has the enforced creativity devastated as he intended, or has its hex turned on him?

Turning his back on the offending atelier, the Shutdown Sultan strides into the study. Surely here he will find affirmation of damage from Mindy’s hex-induced creativity. His attention centers on Mindy’s laptop, and hope reignites in his heart. The device languishes beside the reading chair, exhausted but maintaining a tight hold on the 70 little stories that bear witness to Mindy’s dogged adherence to the Keep Writing Challenge.

The Sultan scrolls through the vagaries of Mindy’s mind as shown in her fiction. She has visited far-off lands, enjoyed the company of family and imaginary creatures, found adventure, made friends, honed skills. She has lived in her words, her scenes, her stories. Mindy’s creativity has taken the Sultan’s restrictions and pushed her to write, compelled her to paint, forced her to pound the ivories.

My fortress was so strong!  He thinks. How can it be that a simple creature like Creativity subverted the power of the Shutdown Sultan?!

Saturday, May 30, 2020

Kids, Komputers, and Kolleagues

The Keep Writing Challenge for today is to write a 150-word story using the prompt "plunge."


Kids, Komputers, and Kolleagues


It had seemed so easy last month when I’d agreed to this! Now I was standing in front of my son’s first grade class and found myself unaccountably nervous.

This is crazy. I am a successful computer analyst. The state police trust me with their computer systems. I know this stuff backward and forward. These kids are 6 years old, for cryin’ out loud!

I had worked to simplify terminology to make my job understandable to children, so, smiling at the teacher, sitting all ears in the back of the room, I plunged in.

“I work at the police station, but I am not a police officer. My colleagues and I…..”

I continued, telling the children about how we study people’s computers to help the police punish the “bad guys.”

“Anybody have a question?” the teacher asked.

I quickly conceded abject failure when I heard the one question proffered, “What is a colleague?”

Thursday, May 28, 2020

The Masters

The Keep Writing Challenge for today is to write a 250-word story using the prompt "tripod."



The Masters

Frances and Tom held hands and prepared to see the results. They had been disappointed so often! Could their marriage survive another?

Tom put out a restraining hand, “Honey, remember, if it’s not positive, we can always try again. And I will always love you whether or not we have a baby.” They prepared themselves for the possibility of another disappointment.

They looked at the stick – and then at each other - in disbelief. “It’s positive!”

Frances threw her arms around her husband.

The pregnancy was a dream, even through the long quarantine, and Tom treated Frances like a queen. Soon it was only three weeks until their Thanksgiving baby would be here.

The Covid-19 virus had caused the postponement of Augusta’s famous Masters Golf Tournament, usually held in April. Their hometown’s big event had been rescheduled for early November.

Tom left home early on the morning of November 9, a full three weeks before the baby was due, to watch the scheduled practice rounds with his friend, Gary. Suddenly Tom’s cellphone rang and lit up.

“Fran’s mother?!  What could she want?” Tom exclaimed.

“Tom! Frances is in labor!  Meet us at Augusta Hospital. I hate for you to miss the Masters, but you’ll just have to ask Gary to video it for you. Hurry!”

Frances was resting between contractions when the door opened. “Oh Tom! Thank God, you made it!” she cried.

Fran was flummoxed to see Gary entering the labor room carrying Tom's video camera and tripod!

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

A Gift for My Mother


The Keep Writing Challenge for today is to write a 90-word story using the prompt "listen."

A Gift for My Mother


I concentrate on holding eye contact as my Mother talks. I’ve heard this family story – in these very same words – at least twice today – hundreds of times in total.

“Do you remember that?” she asks, expectantly.

I will myself to feel her enthusiasm. “Oh yes, he was such a prankster!”

I squeeze out a chuckle, light my face, and follow my script, “And, what was it Grace said then?”

Fire ignites in eyes often dull with diminished interest in life. There are so few gifts I can still give my aging mother.

I listen.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Steadfast Love

The Keep Writing Challenge for today is to write a 150-word (exactly) story using the prompt "font."

Baptismal Font at Cathedral Magdeburg, Germany 

Steadfast Love 


As their son’s wedding rehearsal ended and the wedding party filed out, Allison and Jim remained at the altar. Their eyes met. “Remember? Right here – seems like only yesterday!”

Allison stands at the baptismal font holding her baby son, Christopher.  Jim, standing tall beside her, rests one hand lightly on his wife’s waist while the other reaches around to tenderly cradle their son’s head.  Jim and Allison, forming a circle of arms around their child, present him to God and their faith community.

Christopher wears a tiny white cap that his father wore 30 years ago at his own baptism and a long white baptismal gown trimmed with lace from his grandmother’s wedding dress. He sleeps unaware that, for one breathless moment, the world has stopped to honor and offer thanks for his life. He sleeps as his community solemnly vows to surround his family with steadfast love.

Steadfast love.

Monday, May 25, 2020

The Decoy

The Keep Writing Challenge for the day is to write a 70-word story using the prompt "palm."


The Decoy


Wylena focused on the deputy detailing her part in the strategy. She rubbed her palms against her thighs. The walls inched closer, and the air supply in the room dwindled. She dug her fingertips into her palms and thought of Casey.

Fear would not stop her from doing her part to save her sister. Time to “put up or shut up.”

Legs trembling, Wylena stood.

Deep inhale. “Okay, let’s do it!”

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Life Goes On



The Keep Writing Challenge for today is to write a 100-word story using the prompt "huff." 

Inspiration: “Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein



Life Goes On

“Are you serious, Mac?!” Fran huffs, gaping at her husband.  “You quit your job?!”

Only a half-hour before, Fran, the first home from work, lay semi-dozing on the couch, contentedly musing Mac will be home soon…dinner’s in the slowcooker…good jobs…happy marriage…soon a house and kids… life is good…

Now a towering blackness obscures Fran’s tranquil daydream. The frightening storm intensifies; deafening cracks of panic rock her hopes; sizzling bolts of fear streak the dark sky of her vision, and a driving rain pelts her dreams, rolls down her face, and soaks her strength.

She breathes. 

She extends her hand.

He takes it.

“What now?” they ask in unison.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Lessons in the Park

The Keep Writing Challenge assignment for today is to write a 250-word (exactly) story using the prompt "following."


Lessons in the Park


The man leaned against a tree only twenty feet away from Claire, giving her a full view of his face. His tawny hair gleamed in the sunlight filtering through the pines. Even from this distance, Claire could see the intense expression on his ruggedly-handsome face.

“He was here last week – and before that,” Maria nodded in the direction of Clair’s gaze. “He was watching you.” 

The man was attractive in an earthy way that appealed to Claire, and she oddly felt little unease at the thought that he might be following her.

As the friends worked on Maria’s English, Claire ‘s attention drifted occasionally to the stranger, who had used a few peanuts to entice a squirrel , and was now feeding it from his hand. He looked up, as if aware of Claire’s scrutiny, and tossed her a smile before pushing off the tree and sauntering to the banks of the nearby pond. He pulled out a bag of bread and crouched down to feed the loudly-squawking ducks then threw his head back and laughed as they swarmed him for the food.

“Nice man, I think,” Maria said. “Animals like him. And he likes YOU.” She waggled her eyebrows. “That boyfriend of yours could use some competition. He takes you for granted.”

As Claire dressed for her date that night, she thought of Maria’s comments about the attractive stranger. She pictured him, his head thrown back in laughter, and wondered if he really was attracted to her.

She smiled. Maria was right. Fletcher needs some competition!

Friday, May 22, 2020

Tribute to a Graduate


The Keep Writing Challenge for today is to write a 300-word (exactly) story based on the prompt "excellence."


Tribute to a Graduate



My baby girl stood before me in a flowing blue graduation robe and mortarboard, bopping gently to make the tassel swing.

“What?  Why are you staring at me like that? Are you disappointed that I didn’t quality to wear a high honors sash?”

“Oh, Baby, absolutely not! There is no way I could be prouder, and you look amazing!”  I stood there trying to capture words to explain where my mind had flown, and my daughter rushed back into the kitchen to model for her Dad.

Unsettled by the aborted conversation, knowing I’d let a golden opportunity escape, I sat at my computer and began to tell my daughter what was in my mind when she thought she saw disappointment on my face.

My darling Arden,
You asked why I had no words for you as you modeled your graduation robe? This. A slide show of your life (past, present, and future) was playing in my head. My mother always said that you never lose all the ages you have been, and I was assembling all of YOU into one cohesive image.

You are a baby - bubbly, responsive, eager to learn and master new skills.

You are a toddler - inquisitive, usually successful on first tries but willing to learn from failures and try again.

You are a child - unbroken when faced with setbacks, knowing her own intelligence and importance while acknowledging the strengths of others as well.

You are a teen who knows who she is and what she believes in, who utilizes her strengths, who dares to dream.

You are a young woman blazing trails and setting examples, responsible, in charge of her own life and future.

I saw, standing before me today, a young woman of elegance and excellence, ready to take on the world.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

The Power of Love

The Keep Writing Challenge for today is to write a 150-word (exactly) story using the prompt "tick."


The Power of Love


I recline in the comfy treatment chair and watch the solution drip into the tubes and begin its journey into my veins. This is my last infusion in a long course of treatment for recurring cancer. Remembering the shock of the unexpected diagnosis and dire prognosis that had rocked my world five years ago and the stress of the myriad doctors’ visits since, I relax into this familiar routine.

My mother, wandering now in aging dementia, is unaware and needy – and loving.

My husband loves and needs his partner.

My children love and need their counselor.

My grandchildren, almost grown, still love and need their second line of defense.

I am loved.

I am needed.

Drip. Drip.

Drip is what my ears hear, but my mind hears Tick. Tock.

Tick. Tock. 

I don’t count the seconds of borrowed time that are dripping steadily into my life’s blood.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

The Partnership

The Keep Writing Challenge assignment for today is to write a 250-word (exactly) story using the prompt "running."

The Partnership



Al flashed a quick smile. She’d caught him staring just a little too long.

With her sun-bronzed, lightly freckled complexion and her brown pageboy haircut, his new tennis partner possessed, if not movie actress glamour, certainly the good looks of a girl-next-door prom queen. Nice to look at, sure; but would this girl be tough enough to compete in their league? Could this partnership work?

“Okay, then, let’s give this a shot. We’ve got two weeks to get used to each other before the tournament. Let’s go,” he suggested smoothly.

“Thanks for being willing to take on the newbie as your doubles partner,” Megan replied. “Coach said he thought you’d be able to adapt to the change better than anybody else on the boys team. I’ve played since I was a kid and played singles at my old school, but I’ve never played mixed doubles; I hope I won’t hold you back.”  

Al and Megan took the court to warm up opposite Janet and Jason, who’d played together since 9th grade.

Soon Coach called out, “Okay, let’s pick up the pace and see what you got!” and the foursome squared up.

Al began to relax as Megan delivered strong serves and made solid returns. He could see it now. She was supple and muscular without appearing masculine, always alert and running hard to be in position to make powerful returns. She met his eyes in affirmation when he made a good shot.

Oh yes! Coach was right. Good partnership!

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

On the Hardware Aisle

The Creative Writing Challenge for today is to write a 100-word (exactly) story using the prompt "screwdriver."

On the Hardware Aisle



My life begins!  I’ve never belonged before. I’ve always been different. But…
Finally! An end to long days of tedium observing life and watching friends find their niche, leaving me to wonder if I ever would. Gone are the brief moments of wild exhilaration and hope (“Will this one choose me? He’s smiling and studying me from all angles. Will I finally be taken home?”) and the sudden drop to despair (“Oh, his gaze is wandering!  He’s picking another!”)
But this one picked me!  He wanted a Phillips! A toolbox of my own! My very own carpenter!

Monday, May 18, 2020

Kindergarten Couple

The Keep Writing Challenge for today was to write a 200-word (exactly) story using the prompt "prompted." I adapted a true story that came from a conversation between my daughter and her son.


Kindergarten Couple


"How was your day?" I asked my 5-year-old son on the way home from school.

He sounded exasperated, "It was OK, but Maddie and I had to have a SERIOUS talk."

All year Maddie and Eli have been “boyfriend/girlfriend” – a relationship Maddie takes very seriously. My classroom is just down the hall from their kindergarten, and each time I see Maddie in the hallway, she yells, "Hey, Eli's mom! I'm Eli's girlfriend!"

Questions filled my mind now as I waited in the quiet car for Eli to continue. Had his teacher made them sit and talk because they'd interrupted class?  What had happened to warrant a SERIOUS talk?  What IS a serious talk to two 5-year-olds?!

I asked, "Who said you had to have a serious talk."

"Maddie," he replied.

"Really! Why?" I prompted.

"Well, I played with Ryder (a MALE friend of his) on the playground at recess, and she said I have to play with HER the most because she’s my girlfriend. I told her that I still have other friends and I AM going to go play with the boys sometimes!"

“Was that okay with Maddie?”

“She said she’ll still be my girlfriend.”

The training starts early!