I read an usurp of the New York Times every day. I joined their email list to stay informed on current events. I haven’t watched the news in years. I think a part of me wants to remain ignorant rather than read of death and corruption, but that was a tiny part of my choice. In actuality, I stopped watching the news because I could no longer trust the information provided to be fair and exact, without being blemished by “big media” opinion. I subscribed to the Times believing a reputable newspaper wouldn’t influence its readers political or moral issues, but share the facts unbiasedly. According to the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), journalists strive toward exchanging information that is accurate, fair and thorough, to ensure that free press is guaranteed to protect our First Amendment. Then why do I feel violated? I feel violated when protecting the First Amendment means the media uses their rights to influence its readers’ minds. It is akin to brainwashing. I estimate this world is on a downward spiral, …

Family Vacation – Cedar Point My girls will soon be out of the house.  Now, when I say soon -one is a senior and the other a junior (high school).  Their about to turn seventeen.  Ready to move on, at least in their eyes. They wonder how I will handle the empty nest syndrome.  For a short span, I experienced being a motherless mother when my adult children graduated.  I won’t deny the emptiness of those years.  Especially, since I started over less than two years later.  Yet, my husband and I had fun (We were younger then).  I look forward to days without school demands, Teen PMS, the sleepless nights waiting for them to arrive home -safe and the mess -not only the girls but their boyfriends, friends and friends of friends.  Ugh! Still, when I analyze the time we have left, the days to create more memories, and arms filled with daily hugs, plus the moments left to sit side-by-side sharing our lives I come face-to-face with reality.  They will leave! This year, we are …