or do I really think I have something worthwhile to say

As my husband, family and many of my friends will attest, I am not shy when it comes to stating my opinion and backing it up with facts, be they true or not. I’ve never been called an out and out liar but it has been noted that I play fast and loose with reality. But then, that is THEIR opinion.

Now a blogging challenge is set before me. Be clear, be accurate and be respectful – good virtues in every aspect of life. If I’m to open my big fat mouth or, in this case, launch into the blogosphere, it really should be backed by facts in the responsible, checkable sense. But then isn’t opinion just opinion…not, for better or worse, testimony with God or the law hanging over me? So maybe I can do this. I will endeavor to make sure my opinion is clearly represented and any factoid that happens to wander into it will be checked and notated. There, that is my disclaimer.

My blog, if it ever comes about, will be a smattering of poems, essays, short-stories and life observations, nothing too long, nothing too heavy, nothing too deep. I won’t be political because supercilious tirades bore me; but I may, on occasion, spout a libertarian thought when something political annoys me or conversely cheers me (that rarely happens in our current political climate). I would like to add there will be no sniveling or whining. That falls under the category of respect. My path in life is directly due to the choices I make either proactively or reactively by default when I am lazy, inattentive or stubborn. I reap the consequences of my choices and learn the lessons of the universe. The adage “change your mind and change your life” is very real.

My son suggested this blog be about books and movies, two of my favorite things. I’m sure those will pop in from time to time. I believe his suggestion may have been an attempt to circumvent any memoir inclinations that might include him. I trust I address his concerns below with proper deference.

I write mostly to entertain myself and I am easily amused. Anyone who wants to come along…enjoy!

I was cautioned, no threatened, not to use real names of any of my family under penalty of ostracization (Is that a word? Spellcheck doesn’t like it.). They are a very nice family so I will heed those warnings. See, already I am respecting. Therefore, when you see the name Rutherford B, know that he is my three year old grandson who is my life and breath. That is the name my daughter vowed to name her first son when she was 17 or 18 then chickened out when confronted with a real birth certificate application many years later. And that is the truth. My daughter shall be Athena since she is first in everything and a strong woman. She is Rutherford B’s mother. My other daughter shall be Calliope, since she is a wise muse and a lover of books. My son shall be Dionysus, because he multi-talented and unconventional. Wow! Being the matriarch of a family of Greek gods is heady stuff. (Disclaimer: I may or may not have characterized the Greeks properly but that is the way I remember them from dozens of years ago when I studied them. This is me trying to be clear.) Then there is my ever-loving, long-suffering husband of 48 years who shall be called Steady Eddy, because it is he who has kept me grounded all these years. Last, but not least, is our 7 year old yellow cat, Babbity Bowster. Even he has a pseudonym so as not be embarrassed around the neighborhood. I am the self proclaimed, Wonkagranny. I’m not quite sure where the name comes from; it just felt like a fit. Now you know the whole immediate family. There are many, many more characters who will appear from time to time properly disguised.

Thus you have my introduction, my intention and my disclaimers.