Looking in the Mirror

The old Fireside has gained some dust since it was last started; thus I return like the old man winter who is fast approaching to welcome you back once again. I cannot promise any consistency over the next while, but I do want to touch base with each of you again as I have missed having my "Fireside Chats."

Thank you all who sent emails, finding me on FB, phone calls, helping us stay in touch through the various social media sites we find ourselves involved in. It has been such a blessing to know you are as you do.

It has been a busy time this past 6 months getting much accomplished around the house and yard. Everything on the to do list has been completed except for one task. Painting the dreaded fence. When this house was purchased 5 years ago, I was so very impressed with the fence closing in all of the backyard. Now fast forward 5 years and the fence has deteriorated with the harsh weather conditions of summers and winters and the many variations. It is a double sided 1x6 inch fence and just under the 6 foot height restriction. Now comes the hard part with the roller and brush, easy enough but with all the crooks and crannies well it has become a chore. So, the new sprayer will come out the first day the winds stop threatening to tip me over. I do want to get this finished and soon. You see the To Do list has started again... smiles.

So for you who find your way here welcome. The fire is crackling away in the corner and here we are again. I have plenty of seats and yes even a few snacks. The ever trusting Quigley is right here to welcome you, as well. Find a comfortable chair, if you have a chill grab a blanket and curl up with something hot to drink... know that you are each dearly loved. I hope you find a blessing here and please take one home with you.

With all the extras being done I still found the time, to publish 4 novels. The first is a three novel series named "Arctic Island Mist." This series was part of the Nano-write challenge last November, the challenge is open to anyone to complete 50,000 words or more in the month of November.

Well I sort of got ahead of myself with this series and completed a total of 170,000 words by the closing day. Rather than call it one book, it became three full length novels. They have been very successful and getting some excellent reviews. I have made contact with many great readers who have emailed with their opinions. Thank you any and all HP readers who have supported me.

The next book is called "Smoothwolf" a 2 book series. The first I have into print and the second is soon making its way to the publishers to be printed. Again well received. I have another finished called "Cross Claims" and another close to half finished called "Voices In The Stone."

I guess what I can say is I have been busy... smiles... Good to be back here again.

I have followed many of you over the period of the summer and reading the comments, and I see a growing trend where people are lashing out at each other. Some of the comments have been downright nasty and cruel. It concerns me what I read, are we not suppose to be a group of writers who are caring, loving and supportive.

Many have left here and other social media sites because of the inconsideration. I have seen it in the forums, but now I see migrating over to where people share from their hearts about things the passionate about. It is part of whom they are, do we need to be ashamed of what we write.

The haters write about hate and they do a terrific amount of bashing in their circles, but every once in a while they migrate out into their worlds. It is here they attack and run. What a shame to think of some of you wonderful writers spending hours creating what you do only to have it ripped apart by these one line writers.

It is happening all over social media where people hide behind keyboards and do their bid to break others. What a shame as people are feeling violated. I have had my share and find the best way is just ignore them. I wish I had an answer to the anger in the world today.

Back in my day this is the place you found yourself if you were rude and obnoxious with people. It is where justice was learned and whatever the behaviours were which earned you a coveted amount of time here with an authority figure. Did it hurt, certainly? Did you repeat the offence no. Trust me it would take a long while to forget a stout willow stick creating a red welt across your bare backside? Interestingly some very powerful lessons were learned, and you became very respect and very quickly.

Our justice system all across North America is being whittled down to a fraction of nothing these days. The Charter of Rights has overpowered common sense when we deal with the violators. The simple and easy route for them, only commit suicide after the deed. How spineless is that, I mean really do you really need to take out several other to be able to end your own life. What do you suppose sparks another to fly planes into buildings, walk into a school, a mall or a movie house and just open fire on the innocent. It is happening all over the world, and it is something that is hard to stop.

Yes, there is usually a note, a website left as a clue. Generally it is caused by a lack of love, parental guidance or simply a lack of acceptability by others. The media break everything down to the smallest detail. I was appalled after the Boston Marathon bombings that I highly respected anchor desk reporter posted links to website teaching others to make these things. Now how intelligent is that, how responsible is that.

All human decisions are to made with thought, taking others into the realm of what our actions will do to those around us. Far to often in our lives we see where angry and bitterness seem draw others into the controversy. Yet we as people it seems never stop to consider. We have become a Me-Me society. Fail to agree with my belief system and you react. Let a few wackos pull off playing judge and jury and they kill many innocents caught in the circle of death. All for what?

Please everyone and or anyone reading this think twice about what you say and do. Rather than create additional pain to others maybe take the time to do and say something nice to someone. Trust me in the long run you will be far better of a person by not attempting to be a hero in some cause that will get you nowhere. Play nice and you never know someone will someday show you what true love is all about.

Learn to love and you will be loved in return many times over and earn the respect you like all of us do.

© Rolly A. Chabot