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No, not the movie – the occasion! And, yes, it’s a perfect day to reflect on our country and where we’ve been, where we are now, and where we’re going. And yes, of course I’m going to mention my books, ‘cause it’s MY blog!

To begin our brief history lesson: our country was founded on the principles of freedom and representation. I contend that while we still have some of the former, we experience very little of the latter.

We originally left England – nice euphemism for the Revolutionary War, yes? – because our rights had been cut, taxed, and we had no representation in Parliament. So we changed things, and grew, and improved.

Then something happened.

Our rights, our freedom, began to be severely curtailed by laws, ordinances, and regulations. Now, every civilization needs rules, points of order, and even the ubiquitously named “rules of law.” Ha. But soon everything was being taxed, regulated, and ruled upon.

For example – and this could get very long indeed, but it won’t: when we had our cleaning business, we were supposed to charge customers a “use tax.” What did this cover? The cost of cleaning supplies that were washed down the drains. True story. Let’s say we used, oh, a quarter cup of toilet bowl cleaner. First, we had to figure out the cost of the bottle, how many quarter cups were in that bottle, divide out the cost of the quarter cup, and then list it as an itemized tax on the customer’s bill.

What moron came up with that?

Whenever anyone has any kind of grievance, a new law is laid down. Don’t even get me started on the so-called “public safety” laws. And representation? Many, or most, of our representatives have law school educations. Not going to pick on lawyers (Bill, don’t read this part!), but there’s a local ad here on TV, late night of course, where this attorney is telling people that, if they are in an accident, call her – because YOU HAVE RIGHTS! YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO GET COMPENSATION FROM THE ACCIDENT!

No wonder we’re in so much trouble. Sheesh. It makes me cringe just to write about that commercial.

No, folks, you have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Well, unless you’re a baby in the womb. Sorry, had to throw that in. Liberty? I’ll let Webster be the arbiter here:

1: the quality or state of being free:

a : the power to do as one pleases

b : freedom from physical restraint

c : freedom from arbitrary or despotic control

d : the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges

e : the power of choice

And before anyone makes reference to the baby comment and the last part of Webster’s definition, let me remind you that a baby should have a choice too. End of soapbox.

So, do we have liberty? Within reasonable boundaries? This is a tough one, and hard to argue. We can mostly do as we please: we can sleep late, eat whatever we want (unless you live in NYC, sorry), work or not, go anywhere we want, etc., etc. Most of us aren’t physically restrained, unless we’re in prison and then, well, there’s that whole choice thing. You chose to break the law.

“Arbitrary or despotic control.” There’s a zinger! Let the comments begin!

“Positive enjoyment… ” Frankly, I think Webster’s lost his marbles – as opposed to what, negative enjoyment? But it continues with “social, political, or economic rights and privileges.” Yes to this – these should be available to all.

The pursuit of happiness – again, not to be confused with yet another Will Smith movie – is exactly that. The PURSUIT OF. Doesn’t mean you’re entitled to be happy. I hope you are, but there are no guarantees. Are we still allowed to pursue happiness? Well, yes, as long as we follow the laws, and we already covered the fact that are just plain ridiculous.

Think what America could accomplish if 1) our lawmakers actually knew what was on the books, and 2) they got rid of some of the BS. Wow!

This is getting quite long, but one more thing: where are we going in this great country of ours? I’ll leave you to answer that question, but I’ll tell you that my books are inspired by what I’ve seen, what I’ve researched, and what I know. And yes, it’s fiction. Or is it prediction?

I don’t typically officially review our house’s books, because, well – obviously I like them, or I wouldn’t publish them! I do give them a write-up in our local Patch prior to release, but never go on Amazon or Goodreads to post.

So here you go: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Just kidding, like I said – obviously I think they’re good!

REDUCED:

This is tough. I wrote it. One of the scenes near the beginning came to me in a dream and the next morning, Feb. 1, 2012, I started writing. Sure, it could be better – it was my first, after all, and no one’s perfect. But I like it. It gave me goosebumps while writing it. Plus, I got to view the world/new world through Abby, who is self-sufficient to the end and kicks some ass while she’s at it. Cool, huh?

REUSED:

Ahem. Again, my book. I’ve been told it’s better than the first one, but to me it’s just different, a continuation of REDUCED. I love my characters – and every so often, a new one pops into my head and tells me his story. I hadn’t really intended to write this book, and certainly not a third, RECYCLED.

SEVEN DIRTY WORDS:

I don’t write romance. I don’t read romance, any more. But this book really got to me. Author Charlotte Howard created Paige Holmes, an atypical romance heroine, and I just love her to pieces. There are some elements characteristic of most books in the romance genre: Paige is wealthy and has experienced trauma in her life, and she must make a choice between two men. The difference is that, while Paige is a tomboy of sorts, she also enjoys dressing up and well, romance!

DEBBIE:

This is a cute children’s book, primary to middle grade, and the story is narrated by Debbie – a ferret. There aren’t many books about ferrets on the market, and this one includes facts about and the care of ferrets, told from Debbie’s point of view. Author Conny Manero really did have a ferret named Debbie, and she knows exactly what she’s talking about – and Charlie the cat, Debbie’s new friend, was also a real cat who lived with Conny. DEBBIE has gotten some lovely reviews, some of them by the kids to whom this story is directed, which is high praise indeed!

INNSPIRING BREAKFASTS:

I’ll admit, looking at this cookbook, over and over, made me very hungry. Had a total craving for chocolate pancakes with strawberry sauce. Author Kriss Royer makes all the dishes in here for her B&B guests, and they absolutely love them! Her High Street Victorian Inn reviews never fail to mention the food. Plus, they’re fairly simple to prepare, and quick, and use everyday ingredients that you likely have on hand.

P.A.W.S.:

I first heard this book at our writers’ group – yes, heard! Author Debbie Kupfer was reading the first chapter of her WIP and every one of us was captivated by the story. One of the group said to me, “You HAVE to publish this!” So I did. The story begins in Vienna when the Nazis were coming into power and beginning to round up the Jewish citizens; Miri’s grandmother escapes, somehow, and the book goes on to tell Miri’s story. And it’s amazing! This book is geared toward younger teens, but even adults will enjoy it.

RECYCLED:

Okay, it’s not out yet, but I couldn’t resist a plug for my third book! And it WILL be released the end of this month. RECYLCED continues Abby’s story and brings it to a conclusion. When we last saw everyone, in REUSED, they were headed to Chicago. Jules is determined to return to St. Louis, and Abby and Alison have a two-fold purpose: rescue the children who were taken by the government for experimentation purposes, and maybe, somehow, bring about the destruction of Co-opCom.

So there you have it – RHP books, 2012-2013. So far. Stay tuned for more books being released each month!