Amazing Day.....

It has been a while since I posted anything in here. I found this pic in one of my files and it made me grin. Probably not the best quality, but it was taken the last day of a writer's retreat where the whole idea of Aunt Fern and the Cousins was born. Such a lot has happened since then. A couple of the cousins are missing, but the main naughty girls are in evidence. Isabella, Scarlet, Kennedy and Katie. These wonderful women make me smile, encourage me, and keep me writing.

An old friend of mine (She has known me for 20 years, so yes, we were in diapers together...ahem.)was a little shocked by my blog when she read it recently. I guess I might be shocking to some and vanilla to many. It feels interesting to be alive sometimes, when what I find to be middle of the road is considered to be "scandelous" to some and "boring" to others.

So this brings to mind: how and when do we censor what we read and think and do?
My mother was great at believing "Do as I say and not what I do." She would read a book and then hide/get rid/destroy it if she thought I shouldn't read it. Of course, her criteria for censorship was skewed. Sex was ok. Swearing was ok. It was NOT ok if performed by any member of the Roman Catholic Church. (Goodbye "Thornbirds") Nevermind. I read a copy, borrowed from my religious studies teacher. The "Thornbirds" didn't seem to scorch his RC dogcollar at all. Oh well.

So, here is my humble opinion. We censor what frightens us. We don't want to look at it. It scares us, since if we don't have a strong center, we might just be swayed. Hence all the book burnings, all the destruction of art that 'challenges morals.' To be honest, if I'm a secure person, no piece of art is going to change my inner moral compass. The same with a piece of literature.

I also want to know one thing: When did we give up the ability to turn OFF the television or radio?
People complain about TV shows or Shock Jocks. Again, turn the buggers off. I don't have to give them revenue by watching them or listening to them.

So, if my words are shocking, they are my words. If I rock your world just a bit, hold on. See if your compass moves. If it doesn't, see what else you can stand. You might see some amazing things in this big, beautiful world of ours.

Cheers
Kennedy