1963 brought us the assassination of John F. Kennedy. I was 14 and will never forget that day. I was dissecting a frog in Biology. We were sent home and the images of he and Jackie riding in the car and her blood-spattered suit and then baby John saluting as his father's casket passed by. Also, in this year, Rachel Carson publishes Silent Spring and Betty Friedan publishes The Feminine Mystique. Congress enacts equal pay for equal work legislation for women. Patsy Cline dies in a plane crash. Zip codes are introduced in the U.S and I Want to Hold Your Hand and I Saw Her Standing There are released in the U.S. Martin Luther King makes his "I Have a Dream" speech.
Welcome to Following the Whispers blog
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit. Hope you enjoy your stay. I blog here whenever I feel the need. This blog was created at the time my memoir came out, in February, 2009. Its motto was: creating a life of inner peace and self-acceptance from the depths of despair. Now, my focus is sharing this journey we call life.
“Only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth, and that is not speaking it.” Naomi Wolf
“We are called human beings, not human doings.” Wes Nisker, Buddhist teacher
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs…(And) if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” Theodore Roosevelt

Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Telling the Truth Tuesday: Thoughts on the 1960s: Part II
1963 brought us the assassination of John F. Kennedy. I was 14 and will never forget that day. I was dissecting a frog in Biology. We were sent home and the images of he and Jackie riding in the car and her blood-spattered suit and then baby John saluting as his father's casket passed by. Also, in this year, Rachel Carson publishes Silent Spring and Betty Friedan publishes The Feminine Mystique. Congress enacts equal pay for equal work legislation for women. Patsy Cline dies in a plane crash. Zip codes are introduced in the U.S and I Want to Hold Your Hand and I Saw Her Standing There are released in the U.S. Martin Luther King makes his "I Have a Dream" speech.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday Musings: Thoughts on the 1960's - Part I
Friday, August 26, 2011
Gloria Steinem
In the film, I caught snippets of marches on Washington, women burning bras, angry men, newscasters poking fun and misinterpreting statements, and it made me realize that the 60's had a huge impact on my psyche. It's easy to think of the 60s in terms of music--think folk songs like Blowin' in the Wind, and then the British invasion, and music was never the same again, and forget about the assassinations: JFK, Bobby, Martin Luther King, Medger Evers, the KKK. Civil Rights, women's rights, the Vietnam war, all happening in one decade. I was 11 in 1960.
I've written a lot about my dysfunctional childhood, the impact my parents' fighting had on me, the sexual abuse at seven. But I've never explored the impact growing up in the 60s had. It's got me thinking. Uh oh.
So expect a few posts on this topic over the next few weeks--maybe. We'll see if they develop, but it's definitely something that's on my mind.
What's on your mind today?
Karen
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Insecure Writer's Support Group
Blessings,
Karen
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Telling the truth Tuesday: At long last - Sugartime
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXpLxxQ_Xfg
With many blessings,
karen
Monday, August 22, 2011
Monday Musings: singing at the Veteran's Hospital
I didn't understand that until I was much older. I am someone who doesn't believe in violent solutions to problems, but that doesn't mean I don't have a great deal of respect for our military folks and their families. I am grateful to them beyond words for what they do to serve our country and protect us and best they can.
During the last three years of my dad's life, he lived here in Albuquerque so we could care for him. All his health care needs were provided by the Veteran's Administration hospital and the care was superb. His doctors were warm, friendly and knowledgeable, he didn't have to pay for anything, and he loved going there and seeing all the other veterans.
When I began singing and performing around town, I knew I wanted to give something back to the community who had cared so well for my Dad and whom he loved so much. Now, every few months, Sugartime hauls its equipment to the VA and sets up shop in the lobby. Hundreds of folks pass thru there, on their way to doctor visits or to pick up a prescription or to visit someone or for therapy. Waiting for a prescription can take an hour or more. So we have quite an audience. It has become my favorite place to sing, because the folks there are so appreciative. On Friday, an older Vet came up to me and said, "Thank you, your angel voices are so soothing to our old vet hearts." I burst out crying.
What are you musing about today?
Karen
Friday, August 19, 2011
The things we don't know
Blessings,
Karen
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Blog on Fire award

Thank you, Siv. She says I give her hope. I love that. Here are the questions I am to answer:
Are you a rutabaga? I don't even know what a rutabaga looks like, let alone act like one. I am more of an artichoke heart kinda gal.
Who is your current crush? The actor who plays Steve McGarrett on Hawaii Five-O - I think his name is Alex O'Laughlin.
a picture that makes you happy.
When was the last time you ate a vine-ripened tomato? Months ago. I can't eat tomatoes (sigh!) - acid reflux.
Name one habit that causes other people to plot your demise? Probably the fact that I have to eat at certain times and frequently don't eat with others because I do my own food.
What is the weirdest, most-disgusting job you've ever had to do? Hmm, can't think of a disgusting job, but the one I hate the most is filing.
Where da muffin top at? I'm an idiot - don't understand the question.
What author introduced you to your genre? Gosh, I don't remember the first memoir I ever read, but I remember how I felt reading someone else's life story and how I learned from it.
Describe yourself using obscure Latin words. Can I use pig Latin? Dang, I don't even remember how to do that....
I hereby pass this along to:
http://annbest-jen.blogspot.com/
http://girlwizard.blogspot.com/
http://pk-hrezo.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Telling the truth Tuesday -"Hey, it's good to be back home again..."
I've spent most of my life fighting the tide, rather than flowing with it. Today I am rolling in with the wave and flowing out with it as well. Wherever it takes me. I just have to stay afloat.
How about you?
Blessings,
karen
Monday, August 15, 2011
Monday Musings: Family reunions
I am an only child and only have a few first cousins, so being part of a big family has been a new experience for me. There is raucous laughter, lots of teasing, so many people talking at once it is quite difficult to get a word in edgewise. By the time you might have a chance to respond to something someone said, the topic has shifted to something else.
It was really wonderful seeing everyone - it's been about a year since we'd seen most of the family.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Blogcation
Wish you all well and will be back here on Monday, Tuesday, August 19. Till then,
Blessings,
Karen
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Telling the Truth Tuesday: Giveaway winner and: Hurt...Anger...Repression...Depression
Yvonne
Liz Fichera
Darlene
Melissa Sarno
I will be contacting each of you to get your snail mail addresses, so stay tuned. Thanks to everyone who participated in my first giveaway. It was fun.
And now here, Telling the Truth Tuesday: Hurt...Anger...Repression...Depression
I had another insight recently, one I'd like to share, because maybe some of you out there do the same thing I do. I was a "good" little girl. Did what I was told. Didn't question things too much. Because when I did, I got in trouble. I learned to keep my feelings to myself. Soon I didn't even know what I was feeling.
It took years to undo that negative training and become aware of my feelings as well as learn how to handle them appropriately. But the one feeling that still gives me problems is anger. It seems I don't allow myself to feel it. It manifests as hurt. Someone hurts me badly and all I feel is the hurt and betrayal. I never get to anger about it. But somehow the anger is there, burning inside me, but I am unconsciously suppressing it. The next thing I know, I'm depressed. Luckily, I now know when I start feeling depressed, to look back and see where or how I've been hurt. But now I need to learn how to deal with the suppressed anger.
I was joking around with an 86-year old friend the other day. We both were saying that we'd be on our deathbeds and reaching for a notepad to write down one more life lesson before we go. Then I realized, for me, it's probably not a joke.
How about you?
Karen
Monday, August 1, 2011
Monday Musings: Tectonic shift occurring
NOW, FOR TODAY'S MUSINGS:
No, we're not having an earthquake. But I'm having an internal one. Ever since I could walk and talk, I've been taking care of others. I felt it was my job to make my parents happy, for starters. Then, every relationship, every friendship, I made their well-being my responsibility.
A recent revelation showed me that there was an unconscious motivation for this: I wanted to be loved and that was my way of ensuring that would happen. Only it didn't and doesn't. I also realized that I don't like it when people step in and offer me unsolicited advice, so isn't it rather arrogant of me to assume others want mine?
This has been a mega part of my persona, and letting go of it makes me feel unsteady. Where I would normally phone or email someone I haven't heard back from to make sure they are okay, I'm not. If someone tells me their problems, I'm not coming up with solutions--unless they ask.
That is the key for me -- wait to be asked. Or ask if they want to hear my thoughts before bursting forth with my wisdom.
It is a delicate balance to recognize when I want to step in and assume responsibility for something that isn't mine and not do that -- and to remain a loving, caring person who likes to help others. I'll keep sharing as I figure it out.
What are you musing about today?
Blessings,
Karen