JPPENS

                                                                               In late Spring the forest trees of the Western North Carolina Mountains are serving up a buffet of impeccable green flavors... The darkened leaves of kale and asparagus, shadowed by the light leafy lettuces dressed with hues of cucumber and kiwi overflow onto our platters. Lime, mint and basil dusted with thyme are the completion of this sensual presentation.  All are invited and welcomed to partake of our seasonal menu.

  Loud Secrets... We all have our stories, our Loud Secrets of traversing the road of personal acceptance and then managing life the best we can...when I wrote and published my story (Loud Secrets A Memoir) I did it for my wellness, never expecting the outpouring of folks who contacted me sharing their journeys. That my experiences helped anyone was beyond my expectations. I post this to encourage other LBTGQ+ to share, to speak their truth when ready and grow in the joy and peace that was once never imagined. I am not able to hold and fight for  pride  in this country at this alarming and horrifying time. I will now and always fight for  pride  in who I am and who loves me. That fight cannot take place as a closeted LGBTQ+ person, or for someone who's native language is not English or are not Caucasian, or are physically or mentally challenged... staying hidden and quiet only continues our ongoing battles for self-esteem. People MUST ALL BE SEEN in this world, ...

                                                                          So, trying to be a respectful individual... I know how busy doctors offices are... I know if you don't show up or call to reschedule you can be charged a fee...I know how precious time is...I know how very valuable it is...I know all this... I call my doctors office...I go through a directory of statements that finely tell me to then "push # 0" for the operator...I listen to a voice telling me that "someone will be with you shortly"...I listen to every service they offer, who their newest physician is, all of their office locations all over the city and then hear that "someone will be with you shortly"...I hear a voice saying "We are still practicing our COVID rules of masking and distancing" and so this craziness continues. I don't...

  Absolutely for sure...I have never been a staunch Democrat or staunch Republican. I have been a supporter of social justice for all and know right from wrong and good from evil. I have always used that platform in my voting decisions. Our present government is not about a particular party, it has become a government of moral debauchery with the narrow focus of Us (with the power and money) and the them ( society left with the dredges of their bankrupt decisions) that in the end will only fill their personal bank accounts with absolutely no regard for WE THE PEOPLE...

                                                                         Sitting at our library table early this Easter morning, doing my usual laptop work when I look up to see the back of a grey haired  person sized bunny, erect ears, swinging a woven basket and urgently tugging on their bottom to keep from exposing its butt... it turns left upon exciting our driveway and I can see this is probably a geriatric bunny, its wearing eye glasses as it steps gingerly down the street...my smile is falling all the way to my heart as I whisper "the Easter Bunny really came". I open the front door to see a large orange plastic egg waiting to be discovered.  The joy and fun we experienced this morning all because a caring someone took the time to step outside of themselves ...it's just plain kindness in ...

                                                       As I stood by my bedroom window at 2 this morning and gazed at our brightly illuminated night sky that held an almost perfectly shaped moon the pause of awe I experienced...my breathless fear was palpable. The courage, curiosity, intelligence of the science involved, all based on facts and truth held by the crew of Artemis ll gives me continued hope that the WILL of humanity will continue to adapt, care for and protect the speck that is our earth world, all because of diverse scientific men AND women...how grateful we are to have humans like this...