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Piers Morgan Calls Lance Armstrong a ‘Bully,’ ‘World’s Biggest Sporting Cheat’

11:53 AM PDT 10/13/2012 by (((((((((((((Seth Abramovitch ))))))))))

A damning new interview prompts the CNN host to sign on to Twitter for a Lance-bashing spree.

Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Piers Morgan has little sympathy for Lance Armstrong, the American cycling icon who now faces being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles amid an ongoing doping investigation. 

Lance Armstrong to End Fight Against Doping Charges

Fox News Host Jokes: Did Lance Armstrong Take ‘True Blood’ Drug? (Video)

Lance Armstrong Invests in Social Networking Firm Mobli

Lance Armstrong’s ’60 Minutes’ Confrontation: Surveillance Tape Requested by FBI

“Nice guy that Lance Armstrong — a nasty, vengeful bully as well as the world’s biggest sporting cheat,” the outspoken CNN host wrote on his Twitter feed on Saturday morning, in a tweet that also linked to a front-page story in the New York Times.

In that story, Emma O’Reilly, an assistant who worked with Armstrong’s Tour de France team in the late-1990s, reveals specifics about the extent to which the cyclists were brazenly injecting and swallowing a wide array of banned, performance-enhancing substances.

STORY: Lance Armstrong to End Fight Against Doping Charges

O’Reilly describes in the interview how she was expected to procure the drugs for Armstrong and his teammates, dispose of syringes and other damning evidence whenever inspectors were near, and even used her skills with makeup to cover up the needle marks on cyclists’ arms.

“You know enough to bring me down,” O’Reilly says Armstrong once told her while she gave him a leg massage.

Four years after she left the team in 2000, she did reveal what she saw for a book called L.A. Confidentiel: Les Secrets to Lance Armstrong – an explosive tell-all that was also excerpted in The Sunday Times of London.  Armstrong sued O’Reilly and the Sunday Times, and, O’Reilly says, he described her to the media as “a prostitute with a drinking problem.”

In 2012, her testimony would become a key part of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s investigation into Armstrong, a case that seeks to ban Armstrong for life from the sport.

“He’s the biggest cheat in sporting history and those still lauding him as a ‘brave hero’ need to ssssshhhh. @lancearmstrong #LiveWrong,” Morgan later tweeted, referencing Armstrong’s hugely successful cancer research foundation, LiveStrong. 

STORY: Lance Armstrong Takes Down Anti ’60-Minutes’ Web Site

“Every penny Armstrong won, earned in sponsorship, or raised for charity is as tainted as his blood was from the drugs he took to cheat,” the angry talk show host went on.

Still, knowing a good ratings grab when he sees one, Morgan did extend an invitation to Armstrong to appear on his CNN show, Piers Morgan Tonight.

“Yes, I would LOVE to interview @lancearmstrong — but he hasn’t got the guts. Or have you, Lance? #LiveWrong,” he wrote.

The International Cycling Union will come to a verdict by the end of October as to whether or not Armstrong will be formally stripped of his titles. If they choose to do so, it will be an unprecedented blot on the 109-year-old sports event, leaving the Tour de France with no official winner from 1999 to 2005.

Piers Morgan

@piersmorgan

Nice guy that Lance Armstrong – a nasty, vengeful bully as well as the world’s biggest sporting cheat: nyti.ms/Q8iZ3Y #LiveWrong

13 Oct 12

Piers Morgan

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@piersmorgan

He’s the biggest cheat in sporting history – and those still lauding him as a ‘brave hero’ need to ssssshhhh. @lancearmstrong #LiveWrong

13 Oct 12

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Piers Morgan

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@piersmorgan

I suggest @lancearmstrong removes “7 times Tour de France winner’ from his bio. He didn’t ‘win’ – he ‘cheated’. #LiveWrong

13 Oct 12

Piers Morgan

@piersmorgan

Yes, I would LOVE to interview @lancearmstrong – but he hasn’t got the guts. Or have you, Lance? #LiveWrong

13 Oct 12

Piers Morgan Calls Lance Armstrong a ‘Bully,’ ‘World’s Biggest Sporting Cheat’ – Hollywood Reporter

Michigan teen targeted in homecoming ‘prank’ gets last laugh

By Chris Welch, CNN

updated 3:27 PM EDT, Fri September 28, 2012

Bullied teen speaks out on homecoming prank

http://cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2012/09/28/welch-michigan-bullied-teen-bts.hln

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Classmates pick teen as female representative of sophomore class royalty
• The 16-year-old later learns they picked her as a joke
• “I’m like, ‘Wow, I feel like trash,’” Whitney Kropp says
• She decides to attend the homecoming anyway, prompting an outpouring of support

____________________________________________________

West Branch, Michigan (CNN) — A Michigan teen is making the most of a homecoming prank that she says left her feeling suicidal.

Whitney Kropp, a self-described outcast with just a handful of close friends at Ogemaw Heights High School, was picked to be the female representative of the sophomore class royalty. It certainly came as a shock.

But hours later, the 16-year-old learned classmates voted for her as a joke. She spent the night in tears.

“I’m like, ‘Wow, I feel like trash,’” Kropp said. “I feel like I’m a little thing that no one really cares about.”

That night, she said, she contemplated ending her life “right here, right now.”

But thanks to a push from her family and friends, she decided to embrace what happened and turn the tables.

“I can just prove all these kids wrong … I’m not the joke everyone thinks I am.”

Worthy homecoming for bullied teen

The West Branch-Rose City Area Schools superintendent, Dan Cwayna, declined CNN’s request for an interview.

Opting to stay on the homecoming court was a tough decision, Kropp said. That bold move prompted local businesses to donate her homecoming gown and shoes, while a salon gave her hair a new ‘do.’ A Facebook support page created for her has more than 96,000 “likes.”

Sitting on her front porch in rural Michigan, Kropp held her head high with what her mom described as a new and overwhelming sense of confidence.

“It is absolutely awesome to see her stand up,” a beaming Bernice Kropp said. “And it’s so cool to see e-mails … we’re getting from parents and other students from all over the place telling her stories and how it helped them and it touched them. My daughter is out there as an inspiration to a lot of people, and it’s a really cool thing.”

The teen says the outpouring of support caught her off guard.

“I thought before, ‘Oh, no one cares about me,”’ she said. “I thought not even my own brother and sister care. But they’re proving me they do care. The world is proving they do, well not really care about me, but they care about the situation. So I’m happy. I’m really honored.”

WNEM: Community steps up for bullied teen

In fact, her sister, Alivia Kropp, was the first person to spread the word and encourage her to speak out.

“I told her … you’ve got the courage, you’ve got the strength to go do it, so go do it and have fun,” she said.

She said the night her sister spent crying was horrible.

“It’s very hard to see someone hurt and upset, and you want to do everything in your power to make sure they’re not that way,” Alivia Kropp said.

Homecoming coronation will take place at halftime of the football game Friday night, where the teen’s smile will be front and center as family, and an entire community, surround her with support. The dance, something she and her boyfriend have been looking forward to all year, is Saturday.

When asked where she got the courage to stand up unashamed in front of the whole world, she pointed to her heart.

“Right here.”

Michigan teen targeted in homecoming ‘prank’ gets last laugh – CNN.com

Fox News was forced to address yet another dishonest chart last week, which it aired to paint a misleading picture of President Obama’s handling of the economy. Fox has a habit of displaying error-laden and deceptive graphics to reinforce conservative attacks on the Obama administration.

Spurious Fox Graphic Accused Obama Of Exploding Government Spending

Fox Graphic Claimed Government Spending Increased From 3.2 Percent Under Bush To An Average Of 23.8 Percent Under Obama. In a graphic labeled “Growth of Government Spending (As A Share Of GDP),” Fox & Friends suggested that government spending increased from 3.2 percent of the economy at the end of the Bush administration to an average of 23.8 percent under Obama.

[Fox News, Fox & Friends, 9/26/12, via Media Matters]

In Fact, Graphic Compared Two Completely Different Measures Of Government Spending. The figure for “government spending” during the Obama administration is in line with historical data for overall spending as a percentage of the economy, a figure that does not take into account federal revenue. By contrast, the 3.2 percent figure used to illustrate “government spending” under Bush and the figures for the 1940s are in line with historical data for deficits, which do take into account revenues. [Media Matters, 9/26/12] 

Government Spending Under Obama Increased Only Slightly Since 2008 And Dropped Since 2009. The actual figures for government spending (“outlays”) as a percentage of the economy would indicate that the number has increased only slightly since 2008 and actually dropped since 2009. They were 20.8 percent in 2008 but 25.2 percent in 2009. In 2010 and 2011, they dropped to 24.1 percent and are expected to be 24.3 in 2012 and 23.3 percent in 2013. 

[Media Matters, 9/26/12] 

A Few Days Later, Fox & Friends Admitted: “We Mixed Up The Numbers.” On September 28, Fox & Friends addressed the dishonest chart. Guest co-host Eric Bolling stated: “We mixed up the numbers on Wednesday, so we wanted to clear things up.” But Bolling did not explain how Fox made such an error or note that government spending as a percentage of the economy has actually increased only slightly since 2008. [Media Matters, 9/26/12]

Fox Routinely Misleads Viewers By Airing Inaccurate Graphics

EDITION: GAS PRICES

Fox Chart Showed Gas Prices Were Consistently Rising. On February 20, Fox News displayed a graphic that used three random data points to purportedly show the national average cost of gasoline over a year: One was the national average gas price from the day the graphic aired, the other two were chosen from the previous week and the previous year. From Fox News’ America’s Newsroom:

[Fox News, America's Newsroom, 2/20/12, via Media Matters] 

In Reality, Fox Cherry Picked Data To Hide Fact That Fluctuating Gas Prices Had Fallen From High Points. An accurate representation of gas prices over the 12-month period starting in February 2011 showed that gas prices in February 2012 — the highest point on Fox’s graphic — were actually down from their high in April-May of 2011. From AAA:

[AAA, 2/21/12, via Media Matters] 

EDITION: TAXES

Fox Chart Showed That Wealthy Would See Drastic Increase In Rate If Bush Tax Cuts Expired. Fox Business’ Cavuto displayed a graphic showing what the wealthiest Americans in the top marginal income tax bracket would pay if the Bush tax cuts were allowed to expire. The chart exaggerated the increase, which would go from 35 percent, the current top rate, to 39.6 percent — less than 5 percentage points:

[Fox Business, Cavuto, 7/31/12, via Media Matters] 

In Reality, Fox Graphic Used Distorted Scale To Exaggerate 4.6 Percentage Point Increase. Displaying the change in tax rates with the vertical axis starting at zero instead of 34, as the Fox Business chart did, shows that the proposed change in the tax rate for the wealthy is much less significant than Fox Business presented it:

[Media Matters, 7/31/12] 

EDITION: JOBS

Fox Chart Portrayed Job Losses In The Millions Per Quarter From 2007-2010. A Fox News chart claimed the economy was losing an increasing number of jobs per quarter, from 7 million in December 2007 to 15 million in June 2010. The chart cited the Bureau of Labor Statistics as the source of the data:

[Fox News, America's Newsroom, 6/28/10, via Media Matters] 

In Reality, Fox Used Arbitrary Data Points That Corresponded To Number Of Unemployed. Although Fox’s chart is titled “Job Loss By Quarter,” the data presented in the chart referred to the total number of unemployed Americans during those periods — not job losses. Moreover, Fox manipulated the chart’s scale to create a misleading impression of the 15-month span from March ’09 to June ’10, which somehow seemed shorter but more dramatic than the six-month span preceding it, September ’08 to March ’09. A realistic depiction of the chart mapping unemployment numbers through those random quarters would look like this:

[Media Matters, 6/28/10] 

A More Realistic Picture Of Unemployment Numbers Shows Jobless Rate Off Its 2009 Heights. As the following BLS chart shows, the simplistic unemployment picture that Fox presented, giving the false impression of a steady deterioration through June 2010, is incorrect. The BLS chart clearly communicates that the jobs situation in 2010 differed significantly from the jobs situation in 2009:

[Media Matters, 6/28/10] 

U.S. Job Losses Essentially Ceased At The End Of 2009. As BLS data show, job losses ceased at the end of 2009 and began recovering after that. A realistic chart mapping that data by successive quarter would look like this:

[Media Matters, 6/28/10] 

EDITION: CLIMATE CHANGE

Fox Graphic Claimed Most People Believe Scientists Falsify Research To Promote “Their Own Theories On Global Warming.” Fox cited a Rasmussen Reports poll asking respondents whether “scientists falsify research to support their own theories on Global Warming” and displayed a graphic claiming that 94 percent of Americans believed it was “very” or “somewhat” likely that scientists did so:

[Fox News, America's Newsroom, 12/8/09, via Media Matters]

In Reality, Fox’s Graphic Fused Together Different Poll Data To Arrive At 120 Percent Conclusion. To give the erroneous impression that up to 120 percent of Americans had an opinion on the matter, the Fox News graphic added together the “very likely” and “somewhat likely” numbers to reach 59 percent and called the new group “somewhat likely”; included the 35 percent “very likely” as its own group though it had already been added to the previous group; mashed together the “not very likely” and “not likely at all” groups; and omitted the 15 percent who were unsure. In reality, the Rasmussen poll data looked like this: 

• 35 percent responded “Very Likely”

• 24 percent responded “Somewhat Likely”

• 21 percent responded “Not Very Likely”

• 5 percent responded “Not Likely At All”

• 15 percent were unsure. [Media Matters, 12/8/09]

EDITION: RELIGION

Fox Graphic Suggested Republicans Mentioned God More Than The Democrats In Party Platforms. A Fox graphic presented evidence showing that the Republican Party platform for 2012 contained more references to “God” than the Democratic Party platform has in any of the last four election years. Fox was trying to draw attention to the fact that the word “God” did not appear in the DNC platform for 2012. From Special Report with Bret Baier:

[Fox News, Special Report with Bret Baier, 9/4/12, via Media Matters] 

In Reality, Fox Cherry Picked Data To Omit Republican Information From 2000, 2004, And 2008. The Fox graphic ignored that in 2000 and 2004, the Democratic platform contained more references to the word “God” than the Republican platform in those years; moreover, the 2012 Democratic platform had a section on faith. An honest comparison of mentions of the word “God” in previous party platforms would look like this:

[Media Matters, 9/4/12] 

EDITION: UNEMPLOYMENT, PART 1

Fox Graphic Claimed Unemployment Rate Stayed At 9 Percent In November 2011. Following breaking news that the unemployment rate had dropped from 9 to 8.6 percent in November 2011, Fox & Friends aired an on-screen graphic that read: “November Unemployment Rate: 9%”:

[Fox News, Fox & Friends, 12/2/11, via Media Matters] 

In Reality, Unemployment Rate Had Decreased To 8.6 Percent. During the segment, co-host Gretchen Carlson accurately described the rate as having fallen “down to 8.6 percent from 9 percent,” and the lower-screen text accurately noted: “Unemployment down to 8.6%.” Nevertheless, Fox still aired its incorrect graphic. [Media Matters, 12/2/11]

EDITION: UNEMPLOYMENT, PART 2

Fox Graphic Claimed There Was No Difference Between An 8.6 And 9 Percent Unemployment Rate. A Fox graphic that purported to illustrate changes in the unemployment rate in 2011 made it seem as if the unemployment rate had remained steady in November 2011 at 8.6 percent from 9 percent the previous month:

[Fox News, America's Newsroom, 12/12/11, via Media Matters] 

In Reality, Chart Had Grossly Distorted Scale To Give False Impression Of Unemployment Rate 11-Month History. The Fox graphic showed data that did not correspond to its own scale, putting the 8.6 percent unemployment rate in November 2011 higher on the chart than the March 8.8 percent rate, and at the same level as the 9 percent unemployment rate in October. The following chart clearly illustrates how Fox’s chart was manipulated to hide the decrease in unemployment from October to November in 2011:

[Media Matters, 12/12/11] 

BLS Data Show That U.S. Economy Saw Sharp Drop In Unemployment Rate In 2011. A BLS chart mapped to a similar scale as Fox’s graph shows that the unemployment rate sharply dropped in November 2011:

[Bureau of Labor Statistics, 12/12/11, via Media Matters] 

EDITION: UNEMPLOYMENT, PART 3

Fox Graphic Claimed The “Real” Unemployment Rate Doubled Under Obama. A Fox & Friends graphic claimed that the “real unemployment rate” had increased from 7.8 percent in 2009 to 14.7 percent in September 2012:

[Fox News, Fox & Friends, 9/11/12, via Media Matters] 

In Reality, Fox Conflated Two Different Measures Of Unemployment. Fox conflated two different statistics to distort Obama’s jobs record — the official unemployment rate from January 2009 (7.1 percent) and a separate measure of unemployment for 2012 (14.7 percent), which includes part-time workers, discouraged workers, and other categories that don’t fall into the official rate. This alternative measure of unemployment was 14.2 percent in January 2009 — 0.5 percentage points lower than it is today. An accurate depiction of the rate would look like this:

[Media Matters, 9/11/12] 

Fox Was Forced To Correct The Chart The Next Day. Following heavy criticism, Fox aired a correction to the graphic the next day, with co-host Brian Kilmeade saying he wanted “to clarify” the graphic displayed previously. Co-host Gretchen Carlson then noted that the unemployment rate had not, in fact, increased from 7.8 percent to 14.7 percent during Obama’s time in office. Fox aired this graphic:

[Fox News, Fox & Friends, 9/12/12, via Media Matters]

EDITION: GAS TAXES

Fox Graphic Claimed Gas Taxes Made Up A Large Portion Of The Price At The Pump. A Fox graphic titled, “Taxes At The Pump,” purported to show the size of federal, state, and “state & local” gasoline taxes. From Happening Now:

[Fox News, Happening Now, 3/6/12, via Media Matters] 

In Reality, Fox Graphic Double-Counted State Taxes To Exaggerate The Size Of Fuel Taxes. Fox News exaggerated gas taxes by double-counting state taxes, by placing taxes on top of the price of gasoline when the $3.83 average at the time already included taxes, and by exaggerating the scale of the tax figures on the graph. An accurate depiction of how much fuel taxes cost shows the much smaller impact of taxes on gasoline prices:

[Media Matters, 3/6/12] 

EDITION: FOOD STAMPS

Fox Graphic Claimed Obama Has Put More People On Food Stamps Than Any Other U.S. President. A Fox graphic reinforced the notion that “more people have been put on food stamps by Barack Obama than any president in American history,” as Bolling put it.

[Fox News, Your World with Neil Cavuto, 1/27/12, via Media Matters] 

In Reality, Fox Used Random Data Points To Answer A Different Question Than The One Being Discussed. The Fox graph seemed to have tried to select the year of each presidency with the highest participation and attempted to answer the question of whether there were more people enrolled in food stamps at the time than were enrolled under any other president — which is different than trying to figure out whether “more people have gotten on food stamps.” [Media Matters, 1/27/12] 

FactCheck.Org: More Recipients Were Added To Food Stamp Rolls During President Bush’s Tenure. FactCheck.org created a chart that determined whether the “food stamp president” claim was accurate, based on month-to-month figures, rather than the more confusing fiscal year data. The organization’s chart showed that more recipients were added to the rolls under President Bush’s tenure than under Obama’s:

[Media Matters, 1/27/12]

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Our research section features in-depth media analysis, original reports illustrating skewed or inadequate coverage of important issues, thorough debunking of conservative falsehoods that find their way into coverage and other special projects from Media Matters’ research department.

A History Of Dishonest Fox Charts | Research | Media Matters for America

When things are hectic, I increasingly look inward, trying to find meaning in the mess. I look for signs- in nature, in music, and most of all in the words of others.

Someone mentioned in a blog post last night that little things do matter. And I agree. When I feel I am being sucked into the vortex of a hurricane, I’ve learned to step back and look more carefully for the peace and beauty in my life.

The cup of coffee that I am able to sit and savor on a lazy Saturday morning. Looking out the window at my wild garden filled with hummingbirds, cardinals, and beautiful butterflies. Early morning sunrises that stain the sky bright pink, and gorgeous cloud formations. Spending time in my kitchen; filling the house with delicious smells. Curling up with a good book on a rainy day. Listening to my kids laugh and joke with each other. The warm security of my husband’s arms.

Focusing on the beauty and joy in my daily life keeps the chaos in perspective. There will always be trying times, but there will always something to be grateful for in each precious day.

© annettealaine-2012 

How do you make a perfect pot roast in these financially trying times?

Perfect Pot Roast Every Time

Believe me when I tell you I have made a few, ok several, “not so good” pot roasts, trying to reach the recipe or method to a perfect, tender, juicy, mouth watering pot roast.

Once you try this method, you will have achieved perfection in a pot roast, and it will not break the bank. Nope, you don’t have to take out a second mortgage or even hit a pay day loan establishment. A simple, inexpensive piece of beef becomes ‘perfection on a plate’!

• Chuck Roast at least 2 inches thick and very well marbled.
• Montreal Steak seasoning
• All purpose flour
• 1 lb of carrots
• 2 med or 1 lg sweet onion
• 4 cloves of garlic minced
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• baby potatoes (enough to feed your family)
• 3 stalks of celery
• 1 lb of button or baby bella mushrooms quartered and stems removed (optional)
• 6 cups of good quality low sodium beef stock (again I use Rachael Ray’s brand not only for taste, but price as well) There is approximately 4 cups to a box, you can add 2 cups of water to make your 6 cups
• 2 tsp kitchen bouquet (this can be found in the same aisle as the “gravy mixes” and canned or jarred gravy in your grocery store)

Dutch Ovens Are Perfect For Many Dishes

Pat roast dry and generously season all sides with Montreal steak seasoning and let roast set with rub until it reaches room temperature. You don’t want to put a cold roast in a pan to sear. Once the roast is at room temperature (takes about 30 minutes to reach room temperature) generously cover all sides with flour. No need to season the flour, your meat is already seasoned.

In a heavy bottom 3-4 quart Dutch oven, heat up about 4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, I usually say screaming hot oil, but not yet to the smoking point. Carefully place your roast and let it sear for about 2 minutes per side. This will give you a nice brown color on both sides and locks in the natural juices in the meat.

While your meat is searing, peel your carrots, and cut all your veggies, except for the potatoes, in about 2 inch chunks. Remove roast and set aside. Add a little more oil if needed and add veggies except potatoes.

Wholesome and Healthy

Let veggies cook just until onions are translucent. At this point, you can add in your minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stir to combine.

Add about 1/4 cup flour and stir into veggies, let cook until the raw flour taste is gone (about 2 minutes). Carefully add your 6 cups of stock, and the kitchen bouquet, stirring to combine all veggies, and making sure no lumps from the flour.

Put your roast back into the liquid carefully and nestle into pan making sure meat is covered with the stock. Place potatoes around the roast and let the whole thing come back to a gentle boil.

Cover pan and place in 350 degree oven, and do NOT uncover for 4 hours. I sometimes will add a pound of fresh green beans right into the roast also; that is personal preference. However, it is a full meal in one pot and makes clean up super easy.

Once the roast is done, pull from the oven, let it stand on stovetop for about 15-20 minutes leaving covered.

Mouthwatering Goodness

Carefully take a slotted spoon and remove veggies. Your meat should be “fall apart” tender and ready to serve to your hungry family. Gravy is already done, however if you like yours thicker, simply add a bit of flour and whisk until thickened.

Dinner is served!

Now don’t forget to let me know you dropped by! Don’t be shy, and leave me a comment in the form below!

I am able to join “B” at these conclusions, thanks to considerate friends, and join in her pronouncement ….”I’ve got this.”

Thanks “B”, for spelling it out for me!
Sometimes a friend is best on leading the way!

Melissa’s Musings received a phone call from a family member early this morning that a niece who was 28-year-old died today.  The caller asked me, are you alone?  I said,  I am never alone, I have God with me at all times, plus I am mom, are you kidding.  Then my family member told me that I better step outside.  At this I said “It’s bad, isn’t it?”  To which the reply was a simple “Yes”.   As I made my way outside without arousing the suspicion of my three little girls, I silent said a prayer.  So many thoughts were running through my mind.  Was it my brother?  Who was it?

When I was finally outside, I said go ahead.  My nephew told me that my 28-year-old niece had died.  I am not at liberty to say how she died, but it was horrible.  As I felt my knees buckle as I listened to the caller explain the details, I experienced deja vu.  I was so stunned that I could not speak.  My nephew asked me if I was okay, and I said I am here.  Then I found out since I live next door to my elderly dad, that I was picked to tell the news to her grandfather.  We decided that he did not need to hear this type of news over the telephone.

Melissa’s Musings will be taking a break from posting for a while given the news above.  I will be traveling to the funeral and I won’t be able to post while I am way.  Any reviews that I have scheduled for your product will be completed as soon as I return to my home and the grieving period is over.

I would appreciate any and all prayers.  Especially for my brother who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus.  For the rest of my family who are lost too.  For traveling mercy and for the grace of God to sustain me through this time.

Until Next Time,

M

Encased in white, encased by mother and brother.

Liquor and culture about; a jovial spread.

Eyes locked, avoided for the most part, pondering a predicament; this angel is heaven sent.

As not to draw attention, unwanted suspension of situation.

Something to mention.

Something to mention.

We wait…

Ducking down to create a sense of loss.

We did this before, a few hours back.

Hardly an instance of thought is put into the sleep that was lost.

The moments harden and crack to black.

Sat back and relaxed in the past.

Eyelids as rusted metal; oil maintenance is a necessity posthaste.

I am gone only but from the trivial times, coming out from the galley.

She has left-

Left me a souvenir, a created past; empty glasses on the table, plates removed by the able.

Staff wipes the evidence into a stained bleach-soaked towel.

Napkins rest crumpled with DNA of my lover, true fable.

Never before has there been such an intelligent and learned listener, empathy for we…

Empathy, you see.

Gone.

Rush out to the floor to observe what was before.

(Has this been the last sight I will see of her?)

Praying she hasn’t passed the doorway.

I explore.

Hands splayed at the side like a madman, but calculated.

I have two occupations presently.

Find her.

Straight ahead and to the right, she does the same but to the left.

She has not the latter.

Across the room, and we lock eyes again for the last time.

As she is looking for me.

Smile as long as the Nile.

True glee.

I raised an arm and opened my mouth as if to say, “Love!  Don’t forget, don’t go just yet.”

There is a lot to do, us two.

She ran back, as I, we met half way.

A hug, a kiss, and this I think of today.

She sits on a plane…

I watched her walk away.

If the family were a fruit, it would be an orange, a circle of sections, held together but separable – each segment distinct.  ~Letty Cottin Pogrebin

What consist of a family? Is it the traditional mom, dad and kids. Friends you have known your whole life? It is easy to define for some people. Other’s have a hard time with the concept.

For me – family is my first priority. I had a family I adored. We were a complete unit. But, as life does – it throws a curve ball and you lose something you took for granted everyday. The simple things like your love one coming home to work – and you being excited about it. Cooking dinner and eating around the table talking about your day. Helping the kids with homework and kissing them every night as they vanish to dream land. And cuddling up with your love one for at peaceful night of sleep.

My parents are going on 35 – 36 years of marriage. I grew up with a wonderful family unit. My parents always did the best for me and my siblings. I grew up with that instilled in my soul. That is what I want. I have been on my own going on 7 months on my own. Supporting myself I am beyond proud of myself and I know I can make it in this crazy world. But I am missing that important part of my life.

I just turned 34 yesterday. Yes, I thought I would be in a different area in my life 10 years ago. I never thought I would be divorce and not see my kids but a few times a week. Yes, this kills me. I have found out that I have the love – and I really have nowhere to aim it until now.

God has a funny way of working your life out. He has taught me a lot the last year and a half. I am a stronger person that I ever thought I could be.

I am not in a hurry to get married or engage – but it is something I do want in time when time is right.

I spent a week at my boyfriend’s house. I forgot how important family was. I cooked, cleaned and made sure the kids were happy and not ripping each other’s head off. My daughter helped me cook dinner – and the boys did the dishes.

I felt like I had a purpose again. I miss being a mom. I miss having someone to share life with. The cuddle and watch tv ( even the men shows). The best thing is getting in a soft blanket and tucking my toes under the man I love as he wraps his arms around me.

We are going over some mountains now. We are getting our gears where they fit and work in tune. We talked and we are both ready for the next step next year. I am determined to get through this year just to build the confidence of surviving on my own.

I think what is the best part of this blog – is the man I love wants the exact same thing. He is the most caring loving man I know. He is a good worker. He needs help and encouragement as I do to. We make a good team. No, we make a good team.

Our hearts are the same – together we are whole. It just amazes me how we feel like we are made for each other.

We both want what are parents had – a complete life and to grow old with each other. And I can’t wait till the day … and where do my kids fit in.. they are the missing puzzle piece.  I want to provide them with mommy having a great happy life. To have an older brother to look out for them. Mommy is going to do the best for them to have what my family had.

Movie nights and pizzas – big birthday parties – family trips.. family to me is a unit that has unconditional love…

Oh, the hours I waste
wondering what to do.
This life, I have but a taste;
just enough to get me through.

There must be a way I can be freed
from the pinning of this wall.
Your softness is what I need,
you holding me as I fall.

My days are far from done
as I’m learning to ride with the wind.
This isn’t easy for a stubborn one
who doesn’t know how to bend.

I’m looking for a cushion of air,
a place to catch my fall,
I don’t want to care.
I’m not listening for the call.

It is lost, this rest, this sleep,
for those of us who fly high
and plunge into the deep
while we continue asking why.

There must be a way I can be freed
from the pinning of this wall.
Your softness is what I need,
you holding me as I fall.

Demons wander through the night.
I shudder. Life is not fair.
But you, you fill my life with light;
You are my cushion of air.

Time seems so wide
when I feel so small.
Yet, you are at my side,
because you hear my silent call.

You, soft as a song singing in the night,
cradle and smooth my every fall.
You hold me until the world is right
and I no longer feel so small.

     This poem was one of my first attempts at writing and was written during those most trying times for us back in 2009, I find it as relevant today as when it was written. I do believe that I posted it before, but it bears repeating I think.

     I am hoping that you will like it,

Jake.

THE CENTER ROAD

Hurt me not,

                                                                       my mind again,

I have no wasted,

time to spend.

On feelings pierced,

with no intent,

by perceptions arrows,

skyward sent.

*

                                                                      I have wish not,

    to be involved,

in that of which,

I can’t resolve.

Nor that of trite,

or petty pride,

I have no care,

to line a side.

*

                                                                    But seldom does,

the center road,

ease the journey,

or the load.

For when the winding,

paths converge,

that traveler’s seen,

as more the scourge.

*

                                                                    So from the heart,

I do implore,

hurt me not,

my mind, no more.

***

 Jack Downing

                                                                          May 2009

Copyright© Jack Downing, aka Jake @poemsandponderings.wordpress.com. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or disseminated in any manner without the expressed written consent of the author. JRD 8/14/12

This is what’s left of my formerly-green backyard after this summer’s heat and drought. Not pretty, is it?

I’ve been in a blue funk as of late: down, drained, restless, out of sorts, and unfocused. There’s lots of stuff to blame this on. We’ve experienced a summer of extremely hot temperatures and drought in our area. We’re at the end of Patty and Sam’s summer vacation and money is very tight during our one-income summers (Patty works for a local school district and is off work during the summer). Both the family cars will need replacing—period—in the next few weeks (we’ve been planning on replacing one, but not two). And not the least of these funk-inducing reasons is the fact that I’m going through a ridiculously [way too tame a word] challenging period at work. There’s been lots of stuff to deal with—and all at once.

My brain is low on fuel right now; bear with me if I slow a bit in order to conserve energy.

Whatever.

Now onto what concerns us and whoever else might find themselves, somehow, reading of my daily toxic thoughts.

If my friends were as good as most of the times I imagine they are, I’d be set for funtimes and more. The very sad truth, I’m afraid, is how insignificant I seem to be, and how invisible I truly am.

No one wants to be forgotten, no likes being forgotten, and unfortunately finding myself in such dire situations is of common occurrence.

How I hate group works, how I hate how they make me feel.

How I hate that I let myself go down in your ungodly triumph.