A VIEW OF MONTPARNASSE BIENVENÜE - An invigorating feature debut from - + NEW SERIES - Lesbian News
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E W S
I A N N 0 18
B
L E S3 ∙ N O . 0 6 ∙ J a n u a r y 2
VOL. 4
A VIEW OF
MONTPARNASSE
BIENVENÜE
An invigorating
feature debut from
French female director
Léonor Serraille
+ NEW SERIES + PSIFF 2018 SHOWCASES
FALLING FOR ANGELS INTERNATIONAL CINEMA
LN Contributors Anne Laure Pineau At 32, Anne Laure is a Parisian journalist working for national magazines (ELLE, Paris-Match, Liberation) on many subjects, from the far-right and conservative movements in France, to the Angola Prison Rodeo in Louisiana. She has the absolute conviction that her job is political and can enlighten the human complexity. As a feminist, as an anti-racist and as a lesbian, she is working daily to give a space to the untold stories. (Photo: Juliette Robert). Beth Shipp is the first Executive Director of LPAC, the lesbian Super PAC that builds the political power of lesbian, queer, bisexual and transgender women by electing candidates who champion LGBTQ rights, women’s equality and social justice. She is a political strategist with more than 20 years of experience working for women’s reproductive rights, Democratic candidates and progressive causes. Prior to joining LPAC, Ms. Shipp was the political director for NARAL Pro- Choice and worked on a variety of federal and state campaigns throughout the nation. Carl Matthes is the current president of UGLA, Uptown Gay and Lesbian Alliance, an organization providing a support system for gay men, lesbians and education for individuals and the community He is a columnist on the Lesbian News, owned and published by his sister, Ella and her wife, Gladi. He was editor of the GLAAD/newsletter, and a GLAAD/LA representative on the Board. ln July, 2008, Carl was legally married to Carl Johnson, his partner of 50 years, by Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar. It was a unique gay/lesbian double ceremony as Carl’s sister Ella and her partner Gladi were also married by Jose. Carla Ferrer Russo, PhD is a Professor of Natural Medicine, a Registered Yoga Instructor, and a pioneering Behaviorist & Life Coach in the field of transformation and consciousness for healthy lifestyle living. For over twenty years, Dr. Carla’s work has focused on sharing both her personal and professional experience addressing the whole being, mind, body and spirit; empowering profound personal and professional break-throughs for individuals and organizations throughout the United States and United Kingdom (EU). Christin and Ashley Kelly-Brown are owners and wife team of LunaBella Makeup and Hair in Santa Barbara, CA. Originally from Oakland, CA. they met there at 17 years of age and have been together for over 12 years. Legally married in California on October 3, 2008, their company has since taken off. They absolutely love not only what they do but also how uniquely they work together. Dian Katz works a variety of arenas. With a background in Marriage Counseling and a history as a professional performer, she’s LN’s Entertainment Editor and Self Help columnist. Dian’s also authored a book entitled: Love Hurts· A Spiritual Journey to Wholeness. She sometimes works the motivational speaking circuit. Dian’s an award winning drummer with her own rock band. Out of all the many hats she wears, performing and writing are her biggest passions.
Dina Evan, PhD is a noted speaker and veteran activist for LGBT Women’s and Human Rights. She is a professional counselor and spiritual coach working with individuals, couples and organizations from coast to coast. She has authored three books, Inspiration Cards, Calendars and Meditation CD’s. She provides tools for creating successful relationships which she believes are the path to consciousness. Dina feels the highest assignment today is simply waking up. (602) 997-1200 • www.drdinaevan.com Gladi Adams, PhD is a native New Englander who was recruited in Boston by the Los Angeles Unified School District to teach English in L.A. She studied at Boston University, Cal State Northridge, California Western and UCLA. She retired as a secondary school principal after 35 years in the system. She is married to Ella Matthes, publisher, and they have been working on the LN together since 2005. John Esther For nearly a dozen years, Movie Editor John Esther has been writing for Lesbian News. Over time, he has written more than 100 articles for LN on film, music, theater, ~ and culture. His monthlymovie column, Eye C, is currently the longest consecutiverunning - movie column in LN. John also contributes articles to numerous other publications, plus his own blog. John is currently a Board Member of the Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (GALECA). Juno Parreñas, PhD has been a regular monthly columnist at the Lesbian News since 1997, when she was seventeen years old. Since then, she has lived in three continents, five countries, ten cities, and has three degrees: a Bachelor’s from UC Santa Cruz, a Master’s from the University of Amsterdam, and a PhD from Harvard University. When she’s not writing about sexuality, politics, pleasure, culture, desire, and social relations, she works on her research involving orangutans. Lynda Montgomery was born in Long Beach, a small town in Canada. She loves a parade, so she moved to Long Beach California, a big town, so she didn’t have to be all alone in the Gay Pride parade! She is an activist for animal rights and gay rights, giving priority to gay animals! As a stand-up comic she has survived many dive bars, festivals, and comedy clubs. She is currently trying to get booked onto the “Olivia Cruises” because she heard it’s a great place to meet women! Mona de Crinis grew up in a world without Xbox or Netflix, when tweeting was something birds did and “Pinterest” was a bad typo. She relied on her fertile imagination for fun quickly discovering that words threaded together could create a vibrant tapestry of expression. This awareness sparked a passion and subsequent career. For more than 20 years, she wrote and edited for regional and niche publications. She has authored over 100 published articles. Mona lives in Palm Springs with partner, Lori, and four furry kids. Mona Elyafi has been writing celebrity magazine profiles, entertainment news and lifestyle columns for two decades. She currently writes for the Huffing ton Post, and serves as the West Coast correspondent for Diva Magazine (Dubai’s leading Women’s fashion magazine) writing 1!11 pieces on Kim Kardashian, Kimora Lee Simmons and Denise Richards. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, raised in Paris, France, residing in Los Angeles, Elyafi has spent 20 years working in entertainment publicity, heading her own PR Company, ILDK Media. She holds a Master of Arts in journalism from New York University.
Morag Hillsinger Reba Birmingham is our LN poet, writing until recently under the Nom de Plume Morag Hillsinger. She is also a practicing lawyer and an author with Regal Crest Publishing. Her debut novel, Floodlight, is now available on Bella Books, Amazon and Kobo. It is the first in a series about the LGBT characters that inhabit the fictional town of Merryville California. It is quirky and fun. The sequel will be released in 2018. Nat Burns is an award-winning novelist and journalist who lives and writes in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has authored novels in several genres for four different publishers and has just released her eleventh novel, a lesbian romance called Lights of the Heart. Her shorter works and essays have appeared in more than fifty publications and she’s been writing for LN since 2009. Burns is now writing full time after retiring from her career as editorial systems coordinator for a medical publishing company. www.natburns.com Nikki McCauley was born in Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated from Robert Morris University and spent ten years with Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, CA. Accomplishments: PilotGodless- 2010- 2012; CD- Spoken Word 2005; Warner Bros. Writer’s Workshop 2003/2004; Poetry Book- Inditing Poetry 1999. Scripts: Law & Order; The Practice; Cold Case; CSI Las Vegas. Robin Tyler is a pioneer activist in the LGBT community. In the 1970’s, she became the first ‘out’ lesbian or gay comic on television, albums and in concert. In addition to 25 Women’s Music and Comedy Festivals, Robin produced the main stages for 3 OD of the LGBT Marches on Washington. Robin and her wife, Diane Olson, were the first lesbian plaintiffs to file the lawsuit that brought marriage equality to California and were the first to marry in Los Angeles County. Sally Sheklow came out in 1973 and has been with her “wifey” for 25 years. They live in Eugene, Oregon with their two cats. Sally’s “Living Out” column first appeared in Lesbian News in 1999, and twice won both the Houston Press Club’s Lone Star Award for best magazine column and Best of Eugene’s “Best Writer” award. Sally teaches Queer Studies at Portland State University, performs with the all-lesbian improv troupe WYMPROV!, and makes art out of old buttons. Shawn Ryan is a lot of things. He’s an Actor/Singer/Writer/Director and Camp Director but fancies himself a Dancer/Poet/Lyrical Savant/Brother/Son/and Terrific Husband. His greatest wish is that someday Barbara Walters will come out of retirement and make him cry on ABC. He lives in a state of adoring bliss with his husband, actor John Ainsworth, and their furry children, Mr. Kitty and Gazpacho the Chihuahua. It seems as though things couldn’t get much better, but day by day, they to do. Follow him on www.shawn-ryan.com Sherron Mills, N.P. has been a lesbian health care practitioner and activist for many years. In 1980 she co-founded Lyon-Martin Women’s Health Services, the country’s first non-profit clinic to serve the lesbian community. She then went on in 1984 to launch Pacific Reproductive Services to provide sperm bank, fertility and insemination services primarily to Ill lesbians. Knowing that many of her clients would greatly value the opportunity for their children to meet their sperm donors, should they wish to do so, she was an early pioneer in recruiting men who would contractually agree to meet a child at least once after he or she reaches 18. As a result, PRS today has more
Stephanie Papadakis is originally from southern California. Stephanie knew she wanted to live in San Francisco from the age of 10 (but had no clue she liked women). When she’s not working at a lesbian travel company in SF, she spends her time cooking delicious paleo meals, climbing rugged mountains, exercising daily, researching random trivia knowledge, making “dream lists” on Airbnb, and planning day-, weekend- and weeklong dates with her partner, Sara. Sweet Baby J’ai is a writer, singer, composer, arranger, educator, and the Artistic Director ofthe Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival. A creative force on the music scene for over two ~ decades, she tours the world with her genre-defying work, which both embraces and expands - jazz tradition. She has worked in various capacities, including talent buyer for major music events throughout the country. She also serves as Creative Managing Director for the Educational Theatre Institute. Toni Hart has had many careers, including her favorite- freelance writing. Early on she was a child actress and after college, became a designer of women’s & children’s fashions. After a pause to have three children, she turned to Mortgage Banking, retiring years later as VP/Administrator of the mortgage Dept. She’s become a hard working volunteer for many venues. To support her wonderful gay daughter, her attention is now zestfully supporting the LGBT cause. Victoria Bearden has practiced astrology for over 30 years, with clients across the country and abroad. To set up a personal consultation you can call her at 760-634-1028 or visit her website at www.astrologervic.com
January 2018
CONTENTS
LESB
IA N N EW S COVER STORY
A VIEW OF
MONTPARNASSE BIENVENÜE
An invigorating feature debut from French female director
Léonor Serraille
By Joseph F. Nacino
FEATURE
FALLING FOR ANGELS
This new series depicts diversity, relationships,
and love in Los Angeles
By Michel Khordic
THE SEARCH FOR
INSIDE LN THE SWEETEST FRUIT
Fasten your seat belts
HOTSPOTS By Sweet Baby J’ai
START 2018
WITH A BLAST
FEMASTROLOGY BALANCING WORDS
JANUARY 2018 AND BASKETBALLS
POETRY Prolific writer, Lucy J. Madison takes a step back to focus on
what’s important in life.
STATUES
By Nat Burns
LIFESTYLES
EarthTalk®
JULIAN KENIRY’S
Follow Us Online!
‘WILD SIDE OF EDUCATION’
Pushing for change through environmental education
LESBIANNEWS.COM
By Hannah Davis
MoviesEyeC
Let us know
what you think.
PSIFF 2018 SHOWCASES
INTERNATIONAL CINEMA
Single women from afar
By John Esther
Notes From Nat
STEADFAST RELEASES AND
A NEW SOLO ARTIST
Hopeful holiday cheer brings some irresistible
music to the forefront
By Nat Burns
Spirituality
BREAK THROUGH
By Dina Evan, PhD
COLUMNS Words that Make Sense WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Each of us must do what we can to make our country whole again. By Toni Hart Queerly Questioning HOW TO ENACT JUSTICE IN UNJUST TIMES The hunger for knowledge needs to ultimately compel action By Juno Parrenas Positive Reflections KEEP THE FAITH Have you ever tried surrendering and having a little faith? By Dian Katz, MS Dyke Musing HOW TO ENACT JUSTICE IN UNJUST TIMES By Sue Moore
A VIEW OF MONTPARNASSE BIENVENÜE
An invigorating feature debut from French female director Léonor Serraille
W
By Joseph F. Nacino
hat’s in a name? as a juncture for the Paris Métro’s other lines. energy by actress Laetitia Dosch) to Orpheus
If it’s the title One can think of ways the title of French and how he gained the notice of the god Apollo
of the movie director’s Léonor Serraille’s charming debut while living on Mount Parnassus with his family.
“ M o n t p a r n a s s e feature film can apply-- except that Serraille’s After all, Serraille—who switched studies from
Bienvenue,” it can movie was originally released under the title, comparative literature to cinema—once said
mean a lot. “Jeune Femme.” This was later changed to its in an interview for the Festival de Cannes:
international title of “Montparnasse Bienvenue,” “Literature is also a big reason why I wanted to
In Greek mythology, Mount Parnassus was the a move that would definitely capture the attention make films.”
home of the nine Greek Muses of the Arts and of distributors worldwide.
Sciences. This later became the basis for the Likewise, the story of Paula’s journey through
name of Montparnasse, the Parisian Left Bank Still, it would be lovely to overthink the parallels the streets of Paris can be likened to a virtual
neighbourhood quarter of the city wherein the in the story of the movie’s protagonist, Paula odyssey that—while feeling somewhat aimless—
Montparnasse - Bienvenue Métro station serves Simonian (played with a refreshingly manic documents this part of her chaotic life. This iswhy, despite the generic-sounding original title, pick up the pieces of her life, she finds herself protagonist to decide what sort of person she
“Jeune Femme” (translated to ‘a young woman’) reinventing herself over and over again like a wants to become—if she wants to change, that
is quite apt. chameleon as she meets different people. is.
Ironically, Paula’s character is so well fleshed It doesn’t help that she’s quite willing to use Once again, it’s hard not reach for metaphors in
out and authentic, that she is sure to remind their assumptions about her and/ or acts of this movie. After all, Montparnasse - Bienvenue
us of that one friend who, while constantly mistaken identities to help her find her way. It serves as one of the crossroads of Paris and
remaining likeable, seems destined to always is this search for her identity—combined with before the film ends, Paula has definitely
fuck up before our non-judgemental eyes. (Hey, her struggle for survival—that shows us all the reached one of her own.
we’re friends, we’re not ones to judge, right?) fascinating facets of Paula’s character.
Ultimately, it’s gratifying to know that this movie
When photographer Joachim Deloche (Gregoire A chance encounter with Yuki, (Léonie Simaga) about the life of a young woman was informed
Monsaingeon), her boyfriend of 10 years, breaks gives her an opportunity to get back on her feet by a woman’s sensibility and brought to reality
up with her and kicks her out of his apartment again, and this leads to meeting her charge, by the touch of women. Bringing both insight
after she returns from a trip abroad, Paula finds 6-year-old Lila (Lilas Gilberti-Poisot), and and clarity to the film, Serraille was the director
herself at a loss both literally and figuratively. Ousame (Souleymane Seye Ndiaye), a single and one of the co-writers of the movie together
parent and mall security guard. with Clémence Carré and Bastian Daret.
On one hand, she has no money, almost
homeless, and seemingly no future. On the Obviously, Paula has to sort things out with In an interview, Serraile said: “The story
other, Paula has always defined herself as Joachim, who comes back sniffing around was based on my own experiences and my
“Joachim’s girlfriend.” So not only has she to her door, and this becomes the crux for our relationship with Paris. But the concept is firstand foremost based on examining a network of “Our equipment was stuck in the lifts and time story. How do we know that Paris is a woman?
different, tangible situations in order to capture was running out when Laetitia Dosch and To quote Angela Carter, “Cities have sexes:
the metamorphosis of a woman.” Grégoire Monsaingeon suddenly began running London is a man, Paris a woman, and New York
through their lines in the dark, and everyone a well-adjusted transsexual.”
Two of the more interesting facts behind this fell silent. In that moment, I felt that we were a
movie was that Serraille was pregnant while water-tight team coming together in rough times All of these combine to make “Montparnasse
shooting this film, and that young women were to bring a story to life,” she shared. Bienvenue”/ “Jeune Femme” a highly enjoyable
in nearly every creative role in the movie, from movie to watch.
manning the cameras to the sound and set Of course, it would be absurd not to mention the
design. superb acting of the French indie breakout star We’re not alone in this regard as the film was
Dosch, who provided a deep understanding of nominated for the Cannes Un Certain Regard and
“For many of us, this was our first feature film,” the complexities of Paula’s character as well as won Serraille the Cannes Camera d’Or award.
she related. “I’m thinking back to one of the her story. Furthermore, it has won a slew of film festival
scenes in a restaurant at the top of the Tour awards from Paris, London, Philadelphia, to
Montparnasse at night. Everyone was exhausted But we thought the other star of this movie was Stockholm.
and stressed.” Montparnasse itself, the Parisian quarter that
serves as the busy and vibrant backdrop of the And did we forget to mention that Lesbian News’FALLING FOR ANGELS
This new series depicts diversity, relationships, and love in Los Angeles
L
By Michel Khordic
OS ANGELES — Here TV, the Brother), Jason London (Dazed and Confused) (Bel Air), Billy Clift (Silver Lake).
nation’s largest LGBTQ premium and more.
television network, and Pride Each writer/director has a personal connection
Media, the nation’s largest premium “Falling for Angels celebrates the magic that to each distinct LA neighborhood - they each
LGBTQ publisher, launched their makes Los Angeles the city of angels.” says shares a real-life tie to the neighborhood they
original series, Falling For Angels, Award-winning Producer Paul Colichman inhabit, providing authenticity to themes of race,
on December 1. (Gods and Monsters/Shelter). “Here TV has gentrification, sexual health, love and sexuality.
engaged inspiring and diverse queer writers
The series takes a provocative and informative and directors, most of whom are queer men of Clift and Millbern also wrote and directed
look at same-sex relationships from love and color, to tell their stories. Each episode features Malibu, the final episode in the series. Each
sex positivity to sexual health, heartbreak and a romance apropos to a specific Los Angeles writer and director shares a real-life connection
more. neighborhood. Falling For Angels highlights the to the neighborhood they inhabit, providing
emotions and complex relationships that bind authenticity to themes of race, gentrification,
Inspired by six distinct neighborhoods in Los the queer community together.” sexual health, love and sexuality.
Angeles, including Boyle Heights, Koreatown,
Leimert Park, Bel Air, Silver Lake and Malibu, Producing alongside Colichman is Emmy- FALLING FOR ANGELS can be viewed for free
the anthology series features an all-star cast nominated actor-producer, David Millbern. on Here TV app: www.here.tv , available for
including Steve Grand (Country Singer), Daniel download via Apple, Google Play, Roku and
Franzese (Looking/Mean Girls), Alec Mapa Each installment of the six-episode anthology Amazon App Store, Here TV’s cable providers,
(Devious Maids), Kevin Spirtas (Days of Our series is helmed by a different writer/director, and on the website: www.fallingforangels.com
Lives), Blake Young-Fountain (The Skinny), including Nick Oceano (Boyle Heights), Steven where each episode will stream for free.
Johnny Kostrey (Aquarius), Calpernia Addams Liang and Steven J. Kung (Koreatown),
(Soldier’s Girl), Adrian Nunez (30 Days with my Waymon Boone (Leimert Park), David MillbernTHE SEARCH FOR THE SWEETEST FRUIT
Fasten your seat belts
By Sweet Baby J’ai
S
ome people may describe ruby good book. It’s sort of like being a time traveler Some people like filling the shoes of characters,
fruit as one of the sweetest delving into another universe. living and breathing their thoughts. Others enjoy
and reddest varietals of the I especially love reading lesbian books because being the objective observer trying to figure out
grapefruit family – a hybrid of they are mostly written by women and for the plot before it unfolds.
the Jamaican sweet orange and women. The protagonist is always a woman,
the Indonesian pomelo. Others and the hero of the story is most definitely a A good book can actually become a part of your
(those of us in the know) would describe it as woman. Can you say ‘woman power’! I get daily consciousness, so it’s important that you
Rita Mae Brown did in her 1973 debut novel, as tingly all over just thinking about all that female take a little time to seek out really great stories.
‘the purest symbolism of female genitalia’. energy popping off the pages of a good lesbian
read. There are many amazing novels out there in
Rubyfruit Jungle is Brown’s iconic coming-of- lesbian book heaven. Some are classics that
age autobiographical account of her youth and Lesbian books are not just romances (though have been tested over time and others are just
emergence as a lesbian author. those are my favorite, especially if they are waiting to be discovered.
served with a cup of erotica) they cover every
This explicit portrayal of lesbianism was her genre. And those of us who love to read queer I guarantee you that you will find books that will
first novel and was also the very first book that books are not just lesbians – we are all types. keep you captivated and may even make you
spoke directly to me as a reader. And though Gay, straight, men, and women, all fall in love fall in love all over again, and again, and again.
critics initially ignored the novel, it went on to with the incredible stories about remarkable,
sell over a million copies and is attributed to sometimes strange and amusing women. If you’re ready to visit another world and
my life long search for ruby fruit –great stories time—turn off the TV, pick up a book and heed
about lesbian women. Studies have shown that the physical benefits Bette Davis’ words, “Fasten your seat belts, it
from reading can reduce stress, increase calm, going to be a bumpy night!” From classic to
Reading is one of my favorite past-times, help the memory and stimulate the mind. Well, contemporary, there are a few novels that every
whether it’s a mystery, thriller, science fiction that sounds about right! Entering diverse worlds red-blooded woman-loving woman should read:
or (my favorite) a good old fashion love story. I can expand your knowledge and get right into
love to take a break from reality and jump into a your psyche.The Well of Loneliness They fall in love and set out across the United Stevie’s at times harrowing, at times hilarious
by Radclyffe Hall States, pursued by a private investigator who story, they will learn what it was like to be black
eventually blackmails Carol into a choice before black was beautiful.
‘As a man loved a woman, that was how I loved... between her daughter and her lover.
It was good, good, good...’ Stephen is an ideal
child of aristocratic parents - a fencer, a horse Considered to be the first lesbian pulp novel Tipping the Velvet
rider and a keen scholar. to break the pulp publishing industry-enforced by Sarah Waters
pattern of tragic consequences for its lesbian
Stephen grows to be a war hero, a bestselling heroines, The Price of Salt was published Nan King, an oyster girl, is captivated by the
writer and a loyal, protective lover. But Stephen in 1952 and written under the pseudonym of music hall phenomenon Kitty Butler, a male
is a woman, and her lovers are women. As her Claire Morgan by Patricia Highsmith–the author impersonator extraordinaire treading the boards
ambitions drive her, and society confines her, of Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. in Canterbury.
Stephen is forced into desperate actions. Ripley.
Through a friend at the box office, Nan manages
The Well of Loneliness was banned for to visit all her shows and finally meet her heroine.
obscenity when published in 1928. It became Coffee Will Make You Black Soon after, she becomes Kitty’s dresser and
an international bestseller, and for decades was by April Sinclair the two head for the bright lights of Leicester
the single most famous lesbian novel. Square where they begin a glittering career as
Set on Chicago’s Southside in the mid-to-late music-hall stars in an all-singing and dancing
The thinly disguised story of Hall’s own life, 60s, Coffee Will Make You Black is the moving double act.
it was banned outright upon publication and and entertaining tale of Jean “Stevie” Stevenson,
almost ruined her literary career. a young black woman growing up through the At the same time, behind closed doors, they
Civil Rights and Black Power movements. admit their attraction to each other and their
Published in 1995, the novel opens at a time affair begins.
The Price of Salt when, for black families, seeing a black person
by Patricia Highsmith on television was an event. Tipping the Velvet was published in 2000 and
adapted to a controversial three-part BBC series
The story of Therese Belivet, a stage designer Sinclair writes frankly about a young black in 2002.
trapped in a department-store day job, whose woman’s sexuality, and about the confusion
salvation arrives one day in the form of Carol Stevie faces when she realizes she’s more
Aird, an alluring suburban housewife in the attracted to the school nurse -- who is white --
throes of a divorce. than her teenage boyfriend. As readers followUnder the Udala Trees drawn to her powerful, twice-married, media
by Chinelo Okparanta mogul boss, Elena Bartell, who eats failing
newspapers for breakfast. As work takes them
Ijeoma comes of age as her nation does; born to Australia, Maddie is goaded into a brief,
before independence, she is eleven when civil seemingly harmless bet with her enigmatic
war breaks out in the young republic of Nigeria. boss—where they have to tell the complete truth
to each other. It backfires catastrophically.
Sent away to safety, she meets another displaced
child and they, star-crossed, fall in love. They Lee Winter is an award-winning veteran
are from different ethnic communities. They are newspaper journalist. With her latest novel,
also both girls. published in 2017, she gives us a lesbian
romance about the lies we tell ourselves.
When their love is discovered, Ijeoma learns
that she will have to hide this part of herself.
But there is a cost to living inside a lie. Also check out books by Xenia Alexiou and
Kim Baldwin, Georgia Beers, Alison Bechdel,
Inspired by Nigeria’s folktales and its war, Under Melissa Brayden, Emma Donoghue, Malinda
the Udala Trees published in 2015, is a deeply Lo, Audre Lorde, Shamim Sharif, Catherine M.
searching, powerful debut about the dangers of Wilson and Virginia Wolf to get you started.
living and loving openly. There are hundreds of books to choose from.
Happy reading!
The Brutal Truth
by Lee Winter
Australian crime reporter Maddie Grey is out of
her depth in New York, miserable, and secretlyBALANCING WORDS AND BASKETBALLS
Prolific writer Lucy J. Madison takes a step back to focus on what’s important in life.
A
By Nat Burns
t one time, Lucy J. Madison high school accomplishments as a three-sport LN: In your own experience, is poetry one more
worked in marketing and athlete, and Mount Saint Mary College inducted added facet to writing novels or is it a singular
public relations. Now, her into their Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015 for entity unto itself?
she’s a novelist, with two her achievements in basketball.
lesbian romance novels out, LJM: I think it can be a little of both. I enjoy writing
Personal Foul and In the Lucy lives in Connecticut and Provincetown and reading poetry on its own, but I also think
Direction of the Sun. with Dara, her wife of eighteen years and their novel writing can be incredibly poetic as well.
beloved fur babies. Books like One Hundred Years of Solitude by
She’s a poet, as well, releasing the collection, Gabriel García Márquez and And the Mountains
I.V. Poems, in 2016. Other short stories and Echoed by Khaled Hosseini come to mind to me
poems have appeared in magazines, literary LN: Your novel, In the Direction of the Sun, was as incredibly poetic prose.
journals, and anthologies. As a screenwriter, released in March of 2017. Beyond promoting
the Sundance Screenwriters Institute named that, what are you working on at the moment?
her a finalist, placing the script, Tell it Slant, LN: How important is including passion between
about the life of Emily Dickinson, in its top ten LJM: I’m almost finished with the first draft of your characters—beyond lovemaking scenes—
in 2011. It is currently in pre-production with a literary fiction novel entitled Raising Artemis. in your stories?
M.Y.R.A. Entertainment. This book has taken me many years because I
needed to be at the right point in my life, and LJM: Writing passion in my romance novels is
She’s also a sports enthusiast, winning the my craft, to be able to take it on. I’m also in the incredibly important to me, and an essential
Wesleyan University’s Rulewater Prize for thick of ghostwriting a non-fiction book. Beyond part of the storytelling process specifically in
her thesis project on women’s basketball. that, I’ve been working on pitching and editing romance novels. In the Direction of the Sun, there
The Middletown Connecticut Sports Hall of several feature film scripts and thinking about is a passage that begins, “What was passion?
Fame inducted her into their 2011 class for my next project. Passion reminded us that we were alive, that ourlives were fleeting because the more intense the LN: What one thing in your personal life you are technology dragging me down.
passion was, the more unbearable life became proudest of?
without it. If we were denied passion, we were
more than partly dead.” LJM: I’m not sure being proud is the right way LN: How did you meet Dara? Was it love at first
to explain it. I try to be a kind person, an open- sight?
I really do believe this, as I believe that all minded person, not quick to judge anyone, and
good romance novels must show that passion who is constantly willing to learn and grow. I’m LJM: I met Dara twenty years ago at a party. I’m
between two characters in order for the love constantly trying to be a good partner to my not sure it was love at first sight, but I definitely
story to be believable and authentic. wife of nearly nineteen years, as well as a good felt an incredibly intense kind of recognition
friend and daughter. I guess I’d have to say that when we met, as if I had known her for many
I am most proud to be the kind of person who years, lifetimes even, and we had finally found
LN: What one thing in your career are you has a constant desire to learn and grow. each other again. It knocked me totally off my
proudest of? feet and threw me for a loop! Actually, it threw
us both for a loop. All these years later, I can’t
LJM: I am most proud to be finally at the point in LN: Are you still involved in playing sports? Or imagine my life without her in it.
my life that I’m a professional writer. It took me do you prefer to watch these days?
many years working in higher education, and
being entirely unfulfilled, before I was able to LJM: Unfortunately, there are no adult women’s LN: You regularly work with Meals on Wheels.
take the leap and focus one hundred percent on basketball leagues near me so my ability to play How important is it to you to give back to your
creative writing as my career. basketball is limited. I coached basketball for community and why?
years and do take my ball to the local playground
Beyond that, I’m proud that I’ve published or gym when I can. LJM: I live an incredibly blessed and comfortable
fiction, non-fiction, poetry, short-stories, and life. As I’m getting older, I recognize that it’s
had a screenplay purchased. I enjoy writing I’ve recently taken up golf and am looking easy to throw money at a cause but it can be
in multiple genres across multiple disciplines, forward to taking lessons in the spring. I continue much more meaningful, and impactful, to help
and am proud to be a working writer, constantly to enjoy hiking and the outdoors and try to get another human being face to face. Plus, I find
trying to improve my craft. out into the woods often, without cell phones or it hypocritical to complain about the state of theworld or our country without lifting a finger to Provincetown, where we lived for almost a year I can’t imagine life without taking the time to
make it better. before we were able to purchase a house in step back and away from the daily rat race to
Connecticut, where we are both originally from. continually be with myself. I’m an only child, and
We now split our time between Connecticut and as such, I enjoy spending time alone. I enjoy
LN: Have you always lived in the Northeast? Is Provincetown. taking time out in the woods without technology
that where you grew up? Where else have you or noise to listen to my own inner voice.
lived? LN: Where do you see yourself ten years from
now? One of the themes I explore in Raising Artemis
LJM: Yes, I was born and raised in rural is the idea that many of us spend our lives
Connecticut. My parents have lived in the same LJM: I’m a big fan of vision boards and mapping asleep, like sleepwalkers, without being truly
house for more than thirty-five years. I attended out what I want or dream of. In ten years, I hope connected to our souls, and our hearts. Part
college in Newburgh, New York. to still be healthy and enjoying life to the fullest of the beauty of living, is learning that we are
with my pets and my loved ones. I hope to be still changing every moment of every day. And so,
When Dara and I first got together, I moved writing and improving my craft, and spending continual introspection helps me learn, and re-
to Weehawken, New Jersey, and found a job more time in my beloved Provincetown. learn myself.
working at a PR firm in Manhattan.
LN: I read in your blog that you are working Knowing myself makes me a better writer
After September 11th, as my wife’s law office consistently on your inner self. What important because it allows me to be authentic. It allows me
was in the red zone, we moved up the Hudson facts have you learned about yourself from this to live in the moment and observe the details of
River to Nyack, New York and resided in a spiritual introspection? life without letting them pass unnoticed. I’m not
beautiful house just steps from the Hudson River sure how a writer can write three-dimensional
for almost twelve years until we were displaced LJM: Spiritual introspection is important for all characters if the writer doesn’t first know oneself.
by Hurricane Sandy. After the hurricane, we people, but I find it to be really necessary for For more information about Lucy, check out her
packed up our pets and all we could into our writers. Life can be so busy, and we can get so page at www.lucyjmadison.com
SUV and moved up to our second home in wrapped up in being consumers of everything.EarthTalk®
JULIAN KENIRY’S “WILD SIDE OF EDUCATION”
Pushing for change through environmental education
G
By Hannah Davis
rowing up in the busy city can get a whole country interested in composting Her second talk, attended by Catawba students
of Los Angeles, Julian and wind power, then why can’t the U.S? We and the community, centered on “The Wild Side
Keniry remembers that are the United States. We should be leading of Education.” Both events were held at the
fateful day in elementary this [environmental initiative].” Catawba College Center for the Environment.
school when she and her
classmates were sent Now, Keniry acts as a senior director of the Keniry focused her evening talk on the importance
home because of poor air quality. National Wildlife Federation (NWF), particularly of higher education institutions focusing on
immersing herself in higher education, such as teaching sustainability and creating sustainable
She recalls it as one of the turning points in her campus sustainability initiatives and a program initiatives for students to get involved in.
life when it came to her ambition to work toward called EcoLeaders.
a sustainable future. When Keniry first heard that she would be
It is with this career that Keniry found her way coming to Catawba College, she looked it up
The second turning point happened when she to the Catawba College campus on March 1, on Google Maps and was blown away by how
was studying abroad in Germany at the age of initially to attend and speak at the Mid-Year many solar panels she saw on the campus.
18, and she saw how sustainably advanced the Appalachian Energy Summit, which featured a
Germans were compared to the United States. whole day of activities on sustainable energy “We [the NWF] have worked with colleges
alternatives for over 130 people from North and universities all over the world, and never
She remembers thinking to herself, “If Germany Carolina universities and energy organizations. seen this before,” Keniry remarked, “so, bravo,Catawba College!” Keniry also believes that “we need to get equity and training.
right... because when we begin to highly regard
However, even though there are things that are one another, we will begin to regard nature in To end her talk, Keniry talked about the future of
going right in terms of environmental education a higher context.” Finally, she believes that our planet if we do not care for it and remarked
in colleges, Keniry still believes that there is everyone should take a “green hour” each day. on how the CEO of SpaceX, Elon Musk, wants
room to keep pushing forward with that change This is because with the increase in technology, to create a colony on Mars. To this, she said,
through education. such as smartphones and computers, our “What kind of future is that? That it’s actually
society is spending more time indoors, and “we safer to live on Mars?
One of those points was “to make biodiversity need to spend time doing hands-on experiential
central to education and to give the things that and project-based learning activities” outdoors, We have this beautiful planet” and all we have
you teach a bioregional context.” For example, in nature. to do is be committed to making a change in
if you live near the Chesapeake Bay, Keniry the way we talk about and take care of our
believes that you should focus your teaching One such program that helps people to create environment, and the key to that change, for
on the environmental issues happening in the projects for sustainability is NFW’s EcoLeaders Keniry, is the wild side of education.
Chesapeake Bay to truly bring these issues into program, which guides students and young
context for people. adults into career and leadership developmentMoviesEyeC
PSIFF 2018 SHOWCASES INTERNATIONAL CINEMA
Single women from afar
O
By John Esther
nce again, it is a new year, BPM the advocacy.
and that means the Palm
Springs International My favorite foreign film, so far, this year, France’s Putting the personal along with the political is
Film Festival is here. Oscar submission offers an exhaustive, poignant, the relationship between the “Poz” agitator Sean
Running January 2-15 lovely portrayal of activists and activism. Dalmazo (Nahuel Pérez Biscayart of last year’s
(my birthday, just saying), “Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe,” Austria’s
PSIFF is known for its reputation for showing It is the early 1990s and AIDS is killing off too Oscar entry and PSIFF 2017 film) and Nathan
more Oscar submissions for foreign language many of the French – to a higher degree than other (Arnaud Valois) who is not HIV “Poz-itive” and
films than any film festival in the world. This year Europe nations. Fed up with the government’s who is new to the activist thing. Against the
PSIFF is slated to screen 36 Oscar submissions response, a bunch of French men and women, backdrop of protests, arrests and death the two
for foreign language films, including eight out of both LGBTQ and allies, take their cue from fall in love.
the nine films which made the foreign language New York and organize ACT UP (AIDS coalition
Oscar shortlist – the one omission is Sweden’s to Unleash Power). Like most organizations Unlike most of our American puritan filmmakers,
The Square. of this sort, different members have different co-writer-director Robin Campillo portrays their
ideas about how to create awareness and get relationship with unabashed eroticism yet with
In addition to the PSIFF’s “Awards Buzz” a goddamned response out of an indifferent a personal consciousness which is relentlessly
section of Oscar submissions the film festival, government. Some call for peaceful resistance endearing. Their first lovemaking scene should
located about 120 miles east of Los Angeles, while others advocate for a more aggressive go down as a classic illustration of responsible
will showcase many other films from both here approach. These disagreements can sometimes sex without being reactionary about it. As the
and abroad. Below are just a few examples of cause great frictions within a group of people 140-minute moves on, the film moves from the
what to expect at this year’s PSIFF. devoted to a common cause. That members political to the personal as yet another member
of the organization are literally dying in the of the group slowly dies – thus reminding viewers
meantime only intensifies the arguments and why the vocal aggressive activism in most ofthe film is so crucial. is now raising a daughter, Ayuko Katase (Aoi And we are not sure she will have change for
“BPM” or Beats Per Minute is a winner. On a Itô), on his own. She also decides to open the the better. Is there anybody who does not know
“final” note, in the supposed year of “resist” this abandon bathhouse and, with the “nuclear” such a person?
staunchly left film did not make Oscar shortlist. family reestablished it becomes a big success.
Highly Recommended. Directed by Léonor Serraille and co-written by
As writer-director Ryôta Nakano’s film Serraille, Clémence Carré and Bastian Daret we
progresses, we learn to appreciate Futaba for first get a sense of Paula as she wails outside
Her Love Boils Bathwater all the secret sacrifices she has made while the apartment door of her boyfriend of 10 years,
watching her illness progress to death. Joachim Deloche (Grégoire Monsaingeon). He
Japan’s Oscar submission for Best Film has just broken up with her and kicked “a loser
Language Film starts off with a sign claiming Featuring a tight, conventional screenplay I still sleep with” out of his apartment.
“The owner vanished like steam. No hot baths for and outstanding performances – particularly
a while.” It is odd sign insofar as the protagonist Sugisaki’s, toppled with an awfully mawkish From the mental ward to the streets, Paula keeps
of the film will leave a lasting impression on score, I am a bit surprised Her Love Boils acting like a jerk. But jerks often get breaks
everyone in her milieu. Bathwater did not make the Oscar shortlist (as our current White House demon-strates)
about as much as I am miffed that BPM did not. and Paula’s comes in the form of Yuki, (Léonie
Futaba Sachino (Rie Miyazawa) is a strong, Simaga), a independent woman who mistakes
independent woman and mother who works the heterochromic Paula for somebody else.
long days at work and nights and mornings for In the Fade
her daughter, Azumi (Hana Sugisaki). Unlike Desperate and essentially homeless, Paula
her mother, Azumi is rather mousy. Germany’s Oscar submission for Best Foreign pretends to be that other person. Wait, did I
Language Film. See the LN December 2017 mention Paula has an adorable cat? Yeah, for
The target of bullies at school, Azumi hates issue for review. Recommended. the most part she is pretty good with the fluffy
attending her high school. We get the sense white cat, although she can barely take care of
that this is the modus vivendi for both mom her.
and daughter until Futaba is diagnosed with Montparnasse Bienvenüe
Stage IV Cancer – starting in the pancreas and Anyway, Yuki helps her “you prefer dicks; you
spreading outward all the way to her brain. This Paula Simonian (Laetitia Dosch) is one of the don’t know what you’re missing” friend out with
forces Futaba to make several life changes, most authentic characters to be found in a a place to stay and a job or two to do. One of
such as reaching out to Azumi’s estranged film. Sure, she is obnoxious, codependent, the jobs leads to a friendship with Ousame
father, Kazuhiro Sachino (Joe Odagiri), who ungrateful, uncurious and overall objectionable. (Souleymane Seye Ndiaye), another singleparent (seems to be running theme at PSIFF seizures are due to some sort of possession, journey from northern Mozambique where salt
2018). About this time Joachim begins to reach which allows what Thelma wants to actually is abundant to the south where precious sugar
out Paula, trying to get back together with her. happen. She is the ultimate manifester (and the is available.
Will Paula fall back into his arms? We really do ultimate fester of men – at least for her nearest
not care; she is not really a character to root for male family members). This power leads Anja For citizens who need to trade to survive the
in a text. (Kaya Wilkins) to fall in love with the titular ride is free, but they must obey the military
character. It also leads to some horrific murders. escort, which means a lot of work, subjugation
“Montparnasse Bienvenüe” (a public transit and humiliation. The military escort is necessary
system in Paris) is a path to one of the best So are we really going back to narratives where as the train will be attacked by guerrillas.
written female characters in today’s cinema. I lesbians are essentially witches who kill off men The attacks come in the form of gunfire and
can imagine how an American director would and seduce women supernaturally? Fortunately, sabotage. Despite the military protection those
change the ending to make viewers “feel good.” “Thelma” did not make the Oscar shortlist for who did not buy a ticket can be shot. As the
Recommended. Best Foreign Language Film. film progresses it is clear that many in the
Mozambique military are awful human beings,
especially Salamão (Thiago Justino) yet there
Thelma The Train of Salt and Sugar are a few good eggs as well like Sete (Antonio
Nipita). Sete and Salamão become archrivals in
Norway’s Oscar submission for Best Foreign Mozambique’s Oscar submission for Best the film, both second in command behind Taiar
Language Film, co-writer and director Joachim Foreign Language Film, co-writer and director (Matamba Joaquim), who has a mysterious and
Trier’s is a portrayal of a lesbian best left in the Licino Azevedo’s film is the kind of film which objectionable reputation for leadership.
distant past. Thelma (Eili Harboe) is a shy girl makes PSIFF 2018 such a vital resource as it
who has finally left the nest of her protective is unlikely this magnificent film will ever see a Filled with dynamic performances, showcasing a
doctor/religious man father, Trond (Henrik theatrical release in the United States. history foreign to most in the west, “The Train of
Rafaelsen), and distraught wheelchair bound Salt and Sugar” tells the story of Mozambicans
mother, Unni (Ellen Dorrit Petersen), for college. Set in Mozambique, 1988, during the country’s from the viewpoint of Mozambicans. There
civil war between the military and “the will be none of that white savior crap here.
Once there she begins to have seizures. These communists” the eponymous train is about a Recommended.Notes from Nat
STEADFAST RELEASES AND A NEW SOLO ARTIST
Hopeful holiday cheer brings some irresistible music to the forefront
M
By Nat Burns
aroon 5 Again, American Horror Story) and creator of listen and I highly recommend it. Overall, it’s
a business empire (fragrance, menswear and a a good album and, of course, still bears that
The soulful music of record label). Maroon 5 irresistibility factor.
Maroon 5, fronted by
Adam Levine, 38, should This new album, the band’s sixth release, Favs include:
be the sound track of featuring SZA, Julia Michaels, Lunchmoney
our everyday lives. His voice is so smooth, so Lewis and A$AP Rocky, varies somewhat “What Lovers Do” featuring SZA:
velvet, with inflections that carry us right there from their earlier work, being more thoughtful h t t p s : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m /
to where he is, without a moment of hesitation. and a bit low-key. The album also marks the watch?v=5Wiio4KoGe8
His songs seem important and very relevant to fifteenth anniversary of their quintuple-platinum
the emotionality, as well as the frivolity, of our 2002 debut album, Songs about Jane—which “Who I Am” featuring LunchMoney Lewis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkkp
days. won them a Grammy as that year’s Best New H P Z t e e 0 & l i s t = P L i m j 8 V v F r K j L P F D 5 v 1 S -
Artist. Band members Mickey Madden, James mxqFz7TjDsJT1
Take “What Lovers Do”, the second track on Valentine, Sam Farrar, Matt Flynn, Jesse
Maroon 5’s new release Red Pill Blues, for Carmichael and PJ Morton certainly hold up But I was also drawn to “Help Me Out”, featuring
example. You have to sing along, you have to their part of the work, framing Levine’s voice the vocals of Julia Michaels:
remember a similar time in your own life. It’s with their usual panache. By the way, note the h t t p s : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m /
unavoidable. Snapchat filters on this cover. Well, it is Maroon watch?v=MTlrT5wntzA
5.
Also, it’s easy for us to forget that he’s not © 2018 222 Records/Interscope Records
only a fabulous singer alone, he’s a television I’m not sure if the popularity of this one will top https://www.maroon5.com/home
personality (coaching The Voice), actor (Begin off as with earlier albums but it’s still a goodCamila Cabello Have you heard Camila Cabello yet? Omigosh, she’s amazing. Her new album Camila drops this month, so I haven’t heard it yet, but based on the sexy single “Havana”, it’s going to be amazing. You can listen to clips on her website, http://camilacabello.com Check out this “Havana”, performed live on the Tonight Show: h t t p s : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=7ptAX7nTX6s And here’s the fun, official video. Enjoy. “Havana” featuring Young Thug: h t t p s : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=BQ0mxQXmLsk Here’s one more, just for fun: h t t p s : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=0PHRxLJFZ-g Cabello, 20, is a singer /songwriter who was born in Havana, Cuba. She once helped form the girl group Fifth Harmony, releasing one EP and two studio albums with them. She left the group in 2016 and began collaborations with Shawn Mendes and Machine Gun Kelly. They did well, but the single “Havana” from the upcoming debut studio album has already reached the top five in the US and has become Cabello’s first number one in Australia, Canada, Ireland and the UK. Here’s a Cabello ballad, which, to me, seems reminiscent of Sia: “Crying in the Club” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlrYn_ dZdqk © 2018 Epic Records/ Sony Music Entertainment www.camilacabello.com George Michael I was saddened when huge talent George Michael, 53, passed away in 2016. But just the other day, I received a revival of sorts. His somewhat ill received second solo album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 was reissued in October 2017 as Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged. This new two-disc version includes the original remastered album as well as the
1996 MTV Unplugged concert. The second disc also features the 2017 version of “Fantasy”, reworked by composer Nile Rodgers. If you are lucky enough to find the deluxe edition, you’ll have two more discs: one with B-sides, remixes and rarities, and a DVD with a documentary and music videos. I was delighted to see it included “Happy” from the 1992 charity compilation, Red Hot + Dance. Here’s a great video collection, to the song “Fantasy”. “Fantasy” featuring Nile Rodgers: h t t p s : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=rWk7ykBdIA8 © 2017 Sony Music Entertainment https://www.georgemichael.com/ Always remember, if the links won’t open, copy and paste them into your browser. ‘Til next month— Nat
Spirituality
BREAK
THROUGH
By Dina Evan, PhD
Shhhh! Listen.
The heavely throngs
rise in mute applause
for those of you
who remain guided by compassion
and for those of you
who stand tall
and are not brought to your knees
by the misuse of will.
Thanks to those of you
who do not foster fear,
but rather offer love.
We will rise.
We will rise.
The future is not created by those
who misuse power and force.
It’s created by those who use
wisdom
and genuine compassion.Words that Make Sense
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
W
Each of us must do what we can to make our country whole again.
By Toni Hart
ell, we’re on the I’ve seen it and am just amazed at their number. Other people’s children are nuisances and not
cusp of a new And yes, I know we are disgusted, disheartened the happy kids who would be outside playing.
year… can we and discouraged by the scores of children How long has it been since kids play outside?
hope and pray it taking up arms and shooting and maiming their Most are inside on their phones or playing games
will be better than fellow students and teachers. This has become on the computer… games full of violence and
the year that is just commonplace and is so terrifying and so tragic mayhem.
ending? And what a year it has been. Hurricanes, to the parents of the assailants and their targets,
tsunamis, incredible rain storms, floods, famine, as well as anyone who hears about it. Car Pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV and you’ll
earthquakes and the terrible and all-consuming chases, robberies, and shootings hardly get a hear horrifying complaints about businessmen
fires? Thousands and thousands of acres of trees raised eyebrow these days. and the acts that they have been guilty of.
and foliage destroyed, hundreds upon hundreds Women have held these secrets for too long…
of homes left in ashes, animals running wild to What has gone wrong with our systems, with our afraid to speak up… but when some at last are
their death… and hundreds upon hundreds left parenting skills, with our schools and with our brave enough to come forward… other women
homeless. feelings for the country we live in? I remember come forward as well to tell their stories and
as a child, many, many years ago, that we were are at last being listened to and believed. Will
If you have never prayed before… please do always so proud of our country. We pledged this stop the crimes? With all the shame and
so now… the world is in serious trouble. Our our life for our land and our liberty. We were attention being paid to these crimes, maybe
leaders do not seem to be leading us in the all so united during World War II, that we would others will think twice before taking advantage
right direction or giving help where it is sorely do anything our government asked “for the war of a situation. Women are taking their power
needed. effort.” We saved, we did without, we didn’t back and that is good.
complain…it was OUR COUNTRY and we loved
We all feel that there are evil people all around it. So let’s hope and pray that the situation will
us and that the situation seems almost hopeless, improve and that people will again begin to
but that isn’t the case. It’s incredible how many But, it has been many years since World War II respect each other regardless of color, race or
good people there are in this world. Yes, there and the whole feeling of the country is different. beliefs. This country is here for all of us. Let’s
IS evil about, but the ratio of good to evil is We don’t feel united any more. Our neighbor take care of it and the people who live and work
staggering. is not necessarily our countryman but perhaps side by side with us all.
someone who is different and under suspicion.
There are so many kind folks about—people Strangers are strangers and not to be trusted. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
who step up and offer help wherever you are.You can also read
