You Need to Read - September 28

Better a day late than a dollar short, right? (Though, come to think of it, I’m a dollar short too. Damnit.) I had to post this week’s list because there really were some good posts on it and I felt guilty for not giving them their due. And I know I shouldn’t feel guilty anyhow and that’s what I was trying to avoid by taking the break and all, but… what can ya do? I’m going to try to tackle this list a little differently than I normally would too. So bear with me. And thanks for your patience too. You guys are faboo.

First off, I have Let Flickr Take You On A Picnik! from Blissfully Domestic by Kayla Meow. Have you heard about Picnik yet? I played with it a little this weekend and I think it’s love. Best of all? Most of it’s features are FREE, you just need to sign up. This picture below is a good testament of what can be done with Picnik:

BEFORE and AFTER

Convinced yet? Go read that post if you aren’t and you will be!

Also on this week’s list is Trauma from loraleeslooneytunes.com by Loralee. This isn’t an easy post to read. Chances are, you’re going to need a box of tissues to get through it. I know I did. Her pain is so palpable in this post that you want desperately to be able to reach through the computer screen and hug her, bake her a lasagna, SOMETHING. I know enough of her pain to know how soul-shattering it is, but in the end, I have no idea the trauma she has experienced. She’s in my heart.

Next is an issue that is near and dear to my heart. Boys Will Be Boys? from Dutch Blitz by Angella. I take (and always have taken) large exception to the notion that all boys are rough, wild and obnoxious. If anything, I think what makes boys that way is their parents expecting that’s how they’ll be. And I hate it when people excuse rude/poor behavior by saying “boys will be boys”. That’s no reason not to have manners. Whether you’re a boy or a girl, you should be able to say you’re sorry.

This next post is just as awesome and is about a very important issue. Guest Poster: Bugfrog from Greeblemonkey by Aimee’s husband Bryan. He talks about how and why some people say they don’t or won’t vote and how exactly that line of thinking is flawed. We should ALL vote if we even remotely care about this country. Republican or Democrat. We need to make our voices heard.

I always love to see a new post from Y up. File this one under “afraid to hit publish.” from Joy Unexpected by Yvonne was yet another post from here where she lays it on the line. And this time, she lays it on the line about her thyroid, her weight and how it’s affecting her. And she basically says she refuses to let it affect her any longer. She wants to get healthy, darnit, and I want to get healthy right along with her. I just love her honesty. I wish we could all be as honest in our writing.

This next post is actually something I’m worried about. In the Voting Booth, No One Knows You’re a Dog from MOMocrats by Cynematic discusses the possibility of people getting to the voting booth and, though intending to vote for Obama, will not be able to for one reason or another. Mostly? Because he’s black. I am scared to death of this happening, people. That we would turn away from the best hope our country has right now simply because of the color of his skin. Prove me wrong, people!

And while I’m feeling all aggravated, here’s something that’s been making my brain bleed: High Fructose Corn Syrup Is Your Friend! from MamaPop. Have you seen these ads? They drive me CRAZY. I’m sorry, Corn Refiners of America (or whoever you are), but your campaign is stupid, insulting and DANGEROUS. I guess that’s my way of saying that I’m not convinced and I will still be looking for ways to cut HFCS from our diet. Because, seriously, I don’t need this stuff in EVERYTHING I eat. Do you?

And that, my friends, is the list. If you’ve seen my previous post today, we’ve had some strange happenings here at Casa de Porter. This morning, we heard a loud BANG followed by the sound of ice crackling in a glass of water. And lo and behold, our sliding glass door in the kitchen SHATTERED. Just like that. Why? Your guess is as good as mine. Some of the glass has already started falling out of it and I’m at a loss as to what to do. FIGURES. Sometimes, I really, really hate this house.

Get the word out: