I’m taking a respite from social media to finish Timber Lake. I post the book, chapter-by-chapter on one of my other websites. It’s a WiP, edited but not polished to a sheen. I am blessed with several readers who follow the story and provide valuable feedback.

To them, a tip of the chapeau and a hearty thank you. You give me encouragement and feedback, you are the reason I write: Susan, Catherine, Morgann, Sessha, Rebecca. I know there are more out there who “like” but don’t comment. Smoochies to all of you!

That respite from the negativity on Face Book, Twitter and other venues doesn’t mean I’m ignoring what’s going on in the world around me.

Those who know me even marginally realize I am an animal advocate. The plight of those animals who have no voice, who are in danger from greed and avarice, from the violence and pathology of trophy hunters, or from the casual disregard for the sanctity of life that applies to all living beings… I stand against anyone who threatens to destroy the natural balance of our ecosystems.

That also includes corporations that are poisoning our food (Monsanto), raping our groundwater supplies (fracking), hunting whales and other sea life to extinction (Japan/Norway/Iceland),  polluting our water and our arable land (list goes on forever), and otherwise decreasing the quality of life for all of us in the name of short term gain (I’m looking at you, 1%-ers).

I weary of consumerism. I weary of contentiousness and people taking umbrage for the most minor of slights and blowing them so far out of proportion it becomes ludicrous and energy-draining. I detest the Mean Girl Swarms, the trolls, and the censors who assert the right to deny me MY RIGHTS to view what I wish and to speak with whom I wish about topics mutually of interest.

I’m dialing social media back, because there are real issues and real people here in my own community with whom I can forge bonds of friendship and work to better the common good. I choose quality over quantity.

I had a full and fulfilling life before Face Book and Twitter. Without them, I still do.

You are never too old to learn what’s important to your life.