Reclaiming the day… A year ago to the date, an unfortunate event occurred in my life. One that would leave me with temporary ambulatory and balance issues due to a significant head injury, impaired ability to walk, exacerbated PTSD, and unfortunately, permanent hearing loss in my left ear. At the time, I did not know …
SAY THEIR NAMES BY FORRET ROBERT STEPNOWSKI Say their namesNot because they are another news statisticNot because they are yet another young black man who was slain in the streets by mad menMad men whose bias and ignorance have “justified” their psychosis and unrealistic fearsDon’t let their deaths be another statistic lost in the headlinesHow …
(From Amazon): If you ever find yourself on the Strange Hwy—don’t turn around. Don’t panic. Just. Keep. Going. You never know what you’ll find.
You’ll see magic at the fingertips of an autistic young man,
•A teen girl’s afternoon, lifetime of loss.
•A winged man, an angel? Demon—?
•Mother’s recognition, peace to daughter.
•Danny’s death, stifled secrets.
•Black man’s music, guitar transforms boy.
•Dead brother, open confession.
•First love, supernatural?—family becomes whole!
You can exit the Strange Hwy, and come back any time you want.
See, now you know the way in, don’t be a stranger.
Beem Weeks here. I’m an indie author, blogger, blog talk radio host, Social Media Director for Fresh Ink Group, and reviews coordinator for Rave Reviews Book Club. I have written many short stories, essays, poems, and the historical fiction/coming-of-age novel Jazz Baby. I have also released Slivers of Life: A Collection of Short Stories and Strange Hwy: Short Stories. I live to create with the written word.
One of the many things I love about being a member of RRBC is the opportunity I get to read fantastic works by a variety of writers from diverse parts of the world. One of these talented author’s is the incomparable Beem Weeks. I recently read his collection of short stories, “Strange HWY” and found myself transfixed into a world where the “Twilight Zone” met reality television.
Mr. Weeks has a way of taking you on a path of enlightenment and honesty. No matter how twisted the tale may be in this beautiful collection, there is an element of realism I found breath taking. I loved all of the stories in this collection but there was one story, titled “Nick of Time” I could completely related to.
The main character in this perfectly scripted prose, named Bethany, is an 8-years-old little girl who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, upheld courage and strength as she was in the fight for her literal life. Through much treatment and struggles, she ended up in remission and lived for many years after. This was during a time where treatments for this rare cancer was still in research phases (1968), and she still survived; a miracle of her time.
Strange HWY” is filled with stories of the macabre and bizarre, as well as stories of hope. This collection is truly remarkable and will make any reader cry, laugh, tremble in anxiety, and become lost in pensive thought! To be frank, I found myself going back to reread many of the stories due to the intensity each and everyone of them had. Not only do I recommend everyone pick up their own copy of this amazing collection, I am honored to give Beem Week’s “Strange HWY” a profound 5-STARS!
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“Honestly, I never thought my books would make it to mainstream distribution but look what happens when you follow your dreams.”
Today’s giveaways for three special visitors are:
One (1) $10 gift card from Amazon
One (1) paperback copy of “Journey to the Rainbow’s End”
One (1) paperback copy of “BOUND”
And the winners are in…
(1) $10 Amazon gift card – Miriam Hurdle
(1) Paperback copy of JOURNEY… – Yvette Calleiro
(1) Paperback copy of BOUND – John Howell
That’s right folks! That’s three opportunities to win a giveaway just for visiting today and leaving a comment below!
Believe it or not, there were many discussions about LGBT relationships during the Revolutionary War involving our founding fathers. In fact, some of our founding fathers were tangled in same-sex relationships or identified as homosexual. Many evangelicals have debated these facts over the years in order to place their beliefs in the forefront of politics; however, these reports have been debunked by many historians and archivists. The truth is that there were ethical debates and family feuds due to some of our historic founding fathers‘ “close friendships” or “relationships“. In many historical reviews it is reported that George Washington has unofficially been named the first LGBT ally of our country.
In Victoria Brownworth’s article, she stated “Historians assert that passionate same-sex friendships were normative in the 18th century.” She also states that the acts of “sodemy and open homosexuality were punishable by imprisonment, castration and even death, both in and out of the military.” Although it’s true that being “openly homosexual” was deemed “illegal” during these times, founding fathers, like Washington, were noted in turning a blind eye when it came to others in their social circle.
Again, this information was never noted in my textbooks growing up.
Hamilton wrote passionate letters to John Laurens multiple times. One of these letters dated April of 1779 stated, “Cold in my professions, warm in [my] friendships, I wish, my Dear Laurens, it m[ight] be in my power, by action rather than words, [to] convince you that I love you. I shall only tell you that ’till you bade us Adieu, I hardly knew the value you had taught my heart to set upon you. Indeed, my friend, it was not well done. You know the opinion I entertain of mankind, and how much it is my desire to preserve myself free from particular attachments, and to keep my happiness independent on the caprice of others. You sh[ould] not have taken advantage of my sensibility to ste[al] into my affections without my consent. But as you have done it and as we are generally indulgent to those we love, I shall not scruple to pardon the fraud you have committed, on condition that for my sake, if not for your own, you will always continue to merit the partiality, which you have so artfully instilled into [me].”
More letters from Hamilton and Laurens can be reviewed on not-for-profit OutHistory.org.
Various historians have written articles on the love affair and relationship between Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens. It is also noted that George Washington was supportive of their friendship and even encouraged them to share a bunker together during the Revolutionary War.
Recruited by Benjamin Franklin, Baron Friedrich von Steuben is listed as one of the greatest Revolutionary War heroes of all time. In many reviews and articles, it is written that Baron von Steuben had multiple relationships with men. In fact these relationships were what caused him to move to the colonies after being chased out of Prussia and France. In an article from History.com by Erin Blakemore, it is stated, “During von Steuben’s lifetime, the concept of gay marriage, gay pride or coming out was unthinkable and there was no language or open culture of homosexuality. But historical homosexual relationships were actually common.”
The article goes on to say, “That doesn’t mean being gay was condoned: Sodomy was a crime in colonial America. But romantic relationships between men were widely tolerated until the 19th century, and only in the early 20th century did the U.S. military begin officially discriminating against people suspected to be gay.”
As you can see, these stories paint a different narrative than the history most of us were taught in high school and college. I could go on and on about stories from our past history that were edited or changed for various reasons, but I encourage each and everyone of you to look back out our history, especially about our founding fathers.
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