Barbie Perkins-Cooper, Author

Tag: President Donald J. Trump

  • What’s Happening to America???


    Dearest Readers:

    Yesterday, January 6, 2021, I listened to Fox News while reading a book. Suddenly, there was complete chaos in the United States Capitol as rioters broke windows, rushing inside to where the final electoral votes were posted. In a flash, all the lawmakers were gone, overtaken by rioters. The news media called them Trump supporters. A woman was shot, later dying. Her name was Ashli Babbitt.

    https://cbsaustin.com/news/nation-world/woman-killed-at-us-capitol-was-air-force-veteran-from-california-01-07-2021?fbclid=IwAR11VPA0xuMsg4FpgyxUI7oMbDyz0cRrBlbyWoyYLwv0Z5QHkpkBiAaEBvE

    I watched these horrifying events overtake our country while the news media continued to call the actions of hatred — demonstrations. Let’s face the facts here. If this was a demonstration, the ‘rioters’ would not have overtaken the area — storming into the building interior and exterior like warriors ready for battle. One guy sat at the desk of Nancy Pelosi. Windows of the U. S. Capitol were broken. This building is supposedly ‘secure’ — with the exception of yesterday.

    In less than two weeks, Joe Biden will become the President of the United States of America. No. I did not vote for him. I voted for President Donald J. Trump. I can only imagine what will happen on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 while Biden takes the oath of office.

    I’m horrified there will be another Civil War happening in 2021. Antifa is supporting these movements. Read all about Antifa at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/01/07/antifa-capitol-gaetz-trump-riot/

    Years ago, I believed we had the right to protest; however, my belief has changed significantly. Meanwhile, I pray for the United States of America. We need to come together as a Nation. Under the administration of Joe Biden, I do not believe that will happen. The Biden family has a questionable history. He has ties to China, the Ukraine and other countries. I am horrified he will smugly lead our country into socialism. And. We. As. Americans. Do. Not. Want. Socialism.

    America, let’s stop the hatred. Let’s say prayers, asking God to guide us, not Biden.

  • My Christmas 2020 Wishes

    My Christmas 2020 Wishes


    This is a post for my “Family and Friends for Christmas.”


    Dearest Family and Friends:

    2020 has been such a depressing, unbearable year. At least I have life, a warm home, health, a husband, and of course my “Bratty Boys,” my schnauzers.
    In five days, December 23, 2019, to be exact, will be a year anniversary of breaking L-1 of my spine. Believe me when I say, if you’ve never broken your back you cannot imagine the excruciating pain I’ve endured for almost one year. Just imagine someone, or something twisting your spine, beating and squeezing it constantly. Imagine doing this on the day you are moving from a crowded suburb to the country. I’ve told some of my friends this: “Imagine the worst labor pain you can. Only this pain never goes away.” I’ve been asked, “Why don’t you have surgery?” Simple. When the spine surgeon said, “It can go either way.” Meaning: “You could be paralyzed, or in a wheel chair..”

    I chose to request a prayer chain and core exercises. Now, I’m able to walk. Sometimes, I must stop. Other times, like yesterday at the mall, I was able to walk the entire length of the mall, and back to my car. Stopping only once! I felt like a young child taking her first steps! At times, I limp from the pain. Other times, I still have my infamous swag, and now I can wear boots again. Only three inch heel styles. All of my really high heels are going to Goodwill and other charities, including the Kidney Foundation and domestic abuse shelters.

    If you are on my Family and Friends Christmas Card List, 2020 will be the second year I will not be able to send Christmas cards to you. Remember, this is the year of having my husband home 24-7, working at home. He constantly demands my attention, plus I haven’t finished unpacking the remaining boxes from our move to Serenity Oasis, our new home. Time has just about kidnapped me. Every time I think I finally have time for myself, something interrupts me. In November, Election Day, I drove Phil to the VA Hospital (Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center) to have his blood pressure checked. I was not permitted to go inside with him, so I waited…And waited…AND WAITED! For about two weeks in November, including Friday, November 13, I waited outside of the same hospital. Due to Covid-19, I was told to remain outside, although I had not been exposed, had no temp, and was and still is, his wife. Honestly, I wanted to scream at the nurses, but what good would that do??? I do understand the questions and hesitance of allowing someone with the patient; however, I am still furious how I was treated. I had to ask police officers to allow me to a restroom??? I have another story regarding those incidents at Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center – perhaps I’ll share after the holidays!

    So, now I’m hopeful you get a bit of an idea about my 2020. Personally, I’ll be thankful when Phil and I can listen to the ringing on the New Year, 2021. No doubt, we will be at home. No Christmas, New Year festivities for us this year. We wear masks everywhere we go – grocery store, Walmart, and on an occasional dinner out. For many years I’ve said “I do not cook on Fridays…” Those of you who’ve heard the story know what occurred when Phil refused to ear the dinner I cooked, so after his arrogance, I said: “That’s it. From now on I will not cook on Fridays again!” I’ve eaten bitter words many times this year. Isn’t it strange how a contagious Corona Covid-19 virus can change our world?

    It’s been a depressing year. I had hopes people would learn to slow down and appreciate life, but that hasn’t happened. If anything, many people are more short tempered and dangerous than ever. All of us need to appreciate one another, and believe in God. After all, our lives can disappear in only an instant.

    From our household to you and your family, I wish you a Happy and Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year 2021. I will do my best to continue my Christmas tradition of sending Christmas cards next year. Perhaps our lives will be better when the Corona Virus is eradicated under Operation Warp Speed and President Donald J. Trump.

    As for the “other guy,” I’m hopeful his son will take care of the situation and they will both go to prison. Of course, we all know, money talks, doesn’t it! I suppose it will be another year where the fake media rule. Thank God, I’m not a member of that media!

    Merry Christmas with My Love,

    Barbie Perkins-Cooper, Author

  • Coronavirus Updates


    Dearest Readers:

    Do you find yourself constantly watching social media for the latest information regarding the Coronavirus?

    If so, maybe you should train your brain to think of something else. Although I am a participant on social media (Facebook) I do not participate on Twitter or other devices. Understand, I am not criticizing any of these sites; nevertheless, I have spoken to acquaintances who were convinced, and I quote: “I read it on Facebook, so it’s got to be true.”

    Wrong answer!

    Do yourselves a favor. Focus your attention on the best sites regarding Coronavirus. For example, the CDC, Center for Disease Control at https://www.cdc.gov/

    or

    WHO, the World Health Organization — https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

    Other sites I am familiar with and research their links are:

    Mayo Clinic — https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20479963

    WebMD — https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200310/know-the-symptoms-of-covid19

    President Trump is conducting daily press conferences regarding the Coronavirus. Perhaps you should listen to his information too.

    Nevertheless, we all should stay informed – not freaking out to the point we rush to the grocery store, WalMart, Target, or other retail stores – just to stockpile toilet tissue, paper towels, tissues, handwipes, antiseptic wipes — and on and on.

    I understand some people may have several people (or families) living within their home, and some might be older or fragile. They could use these items. Some of us, including our family, do not need to stockpile. The only item we are missing within this household is antiseptic wipes. I confess, Saturday night at WalMart, antiseptic handwipes were out of stock, so I marched over to the baby aisles. There, I found Huggies handwipes. I bought one for each of our three bathrooms, leaving the remainder for other people to purchase. None of us had babies. Yes, I asked, please, if any of you have little infants, you need these handwipes more than we do.

    “No, we decided to follow you over and get whatever we could find. No babies within our homes.”

    These are frightening times, and the news media is really jumping on the bandwagon, after all, they believe “If it bleeds, it leads!”

    I want to stay abreast of the latest facts and information due to the fact that Coronavirus appears to be a virus that includes the respiratory system. I have asthma. A couple of weeks ago, I stayed inside my home due to a slight wheezing. I used my nebulizer. Now, I’m fine. I did not have a temp, nor did I feel ill, I simply did not want to share my coughing germs with others. I try to be considerate!

    As a writer, I prefer to check my research, resources, and confirm all of the information before I publish. I’m definitely NOT a fake journalist or media!

    Please, during this Coronavirus epidemic, if you are sick, stay at home. If you have fever, you might consider contacting your doctor. If you have a cough or sneeze, PLEASE cover your mouth, nose, etc. and stay home. Yes, germs are everywhere, so we must be proactive!

    Maybe we should all visit an online bookstore, or watch TV, after all, DirecTV has movies available 24/7. Entertain yourselves and your family by remaining isolated if you are sick. Meanwhile, enjoy your life. Get to know your family members and let us all remain healthy!

    Remember:

    Wash your hands frequently!

    If coughing – cough into your elbow. If you sneeze, use a tissue. Discard!

    If you have a temp – stay home and call your doctor.

    May we all remain healthy. We have the methods to practice to keep us healthy. God bless us, Everyone!

  • Super Bowl Sunday – Let’s Go, Atlanta Falcons!

    Super Bowl Sunday – Let’s Go, Atlanta Falcons!


    Dearest Readers:

    After all of the hatred and the refusal of so many people to accept our new President, Donald J. Trump, I have decided to leave social media sites for a while. Yes, I will probably ‘stalk’ Facebook, just to scroll down to read posts from friends; however, I do not plan to post things. This post will arrive on Facebook, after I publish it. Nothing says I have to check to see if people are reading it.

    I have noticed my website is getting more traffic since the New Year. For that, I am pleased. This week has been another week of disappointment for me. While I do not watch the Today Show anymore, I do listen to GMA. I quit watching Today after the ‘reorganization’ of Today, when Ann Curry was terminated. Now, they have lost another great personality and talent – Tamron Hall. She resigned on Wednesday, I believe. I suppose Today needed more space for Megyn Kelly. Since I don’t watch Today, I do not know the politics of Today, nor do I care! Let’s face it, Corporate America does not care about its employees. Maybe Corporate America never cared. “Just work hard and don’t talk back,” is what Corporate America believes.

    When I worked in Corporate America, ‘reorganizing’ was a yearly practice. Those who worked hard were released. In a ‘Right to Work’  state, I was told Corporate America can terminate employees without a reason. And, if someone stood up to voice their concerns on ‘reorganization’ issues, they were shunned. Every year those of us who worked in this environment would wonder just when will my number be up?

    I am happy I no longer work in such environments. Working as a writer is so much nicer.

    So much for Corporate America!

    Tomorrow is the Super Bowl. I plan to make homemade chili for dinner, and I will grill pimento cheese sandwiches to compliment the chili. I made my first batch of pimento cheese a few days ago, so the Super Bowl will be a time for Phil and I to watch silly boys chasing a deflated, or maybe it’s actually an inflated football being chased, grabbed and scored while these football boys pat each other on the butts, and maybe other places. Can’t help wondering just how many of these players actually prefer being so close. I pray no one gets injured. I find football a violent sport, and men (and lots of women) actually get a bit too involved with this silly game. Domestic abuse increases during Super Bowl. And why wouldn’t it? Tickets for the game are an outrageous price, and I imagine alcohol and beer sales will escalate. The game will take probably half of the afternoon and late night activities on TV during Super Bowl Day. Personally, I’d rather watch a Hallmark movie!

    Who cares? It’s a game. I can only imagine the amount of money spent on football lotteries. Think I’d put my money on the Atlanta Falcons this year, but I’m not someone who bets.

    Reportedly, the Atlanta Falcons will wear the initials of fallen heroes on their helmets this year. http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Falcons-Paying-Tribute-to-Fallen-Heroes/70b5dff6-3d5c-48f1-8465-101df268c1e5

    Isn’t it about time? These fallen heroes gave their lives for their country, so these football players could play a silly game on Super Bowl Sunday.

    To strengthen the connection between the players and these families, the Falcons will be delivering special tributes throughout the week.

    According to the website, “The Falcons will be hosting the families of these fallen heroes at the team’s walk-through on Saturday. Furthering their commitment to the military, the organization has also provided flag football equipment to each of the military bases in Georgia.”

    As you can see, I’m really not a fan of football. I might be sitting in my chair watching it, with a stack of magazines set aside so I can read while the steroids of football kick in for these football players. Personally, I’ll be glad when Super Bowl Sunday is over. Maybe we’ll not hear anything else about football until August, 2017. Something tells me football stories will continue while the players chase the silly ball – over and over again.

    When I started this freewriting episode, I had no idea what I would write. Looks like Super Bowl Sunday won the prize. At least I’ll be in the kitchen while the stories begin. Yes, the TV will be blaring, but I’ll just turn my music up and sing!

    I suppose you will watch the Super Bowl too. I hope the Atlanta Falcons win. Why? Simple. I am a native of Georgia, so I must root for the State, while those silly boys chase that silly ball. Let’s not even discuss how much money they make as Super Bowl jocks.

    Have a great weekend. Stay tuned. I’ll have more — next week!

     

     

  • Hatred…Negative Thoughts…Enough Of This…


    Dearest Readers:

    Have any of you noticed all of the hatred on your social media sites lately? Apparently, Facebook is filled with it now. Let’s don’t even discuss Twitter, etc. I’m simply not interested. I have a Twitter account, but I do not do all of the #######.??

    Years ago, I was the Type A Personality. Always anxious, competitive and just a bit impatient, I strived to take over a room whenever I walked in. Yes, I still have the personality of someone who enjoys attention and loves to be noticed; however, after watching my father battle esophageal cancer during 1997-1999, I learned to appreciate life — regardless what it throws my way.

    Although I still LOVE to be on stage, and to be noticed, it doesn’t matter to me if others decide they do not like me, nor do they want to be friends with me.

    My philosophy now is simple. If you don’t like me, or want to be around me — as a LOYAL friend, I consider it your loss, not mine. A bit presumptuous, but – this is my life. I know who I am, and what I am. It doesn’t matter to me if you choose to look the other way or socialize with me. I’m not a game player, nor am I a gossip.

    If you are reading this, you probably are familiar with the current events, along with the hatred spilling out of so many people’s mouths. Discussions of President Donald J. Trump. Discussions of wanting Obama back??? Really??? Sorry. America needs to move forward, not backwards! We MUST make America Great again!

    Personally, I like President Trump’s style. He does things His Way!

    There are many hateful discussions about immigration, and dare I say it, illegal immigrants? A few weeks ago, my nail technician stated he did not have a green card. My question to him was – how do you work here — a corporate discount store — and earn money when you do not have a green card?

    He smiled, refusing to answer. Maybe I don’t want to know how he does this!

    I suppose I’m just a bit too honest. I’ve never been known to lie with a straight face. My eyes reveal EVERYTHING about me, so I could not be ‘illegal.’ I believe that all of us in America were once immigrants. Our heritage reveals this. My heritage traces back to the 1600’s in England. My family has lived in America for generations, so being illegal isn’t something I truly understand.

    Please understand. I am not saying those who have crossed over the border are not legal, but there are many, many illegals running around our country, and I fully believe they need to walk the walk…talk the talk that most Americans do. I do not believe in working without paying your share of taxes — just like we do, nor do I believe in getting a free lunch, or free life. I’ve known many who have abused the privilege to live in America. That is a shame.

    I am proud to be an American citizen, and I’m proud to be considered middle class. How I would love to be rich, but that isn’t in my heritage, and so my husband and I continue to work to take care of ourselves. No one has ever given us a free lunch, or a free lifestyle. Everything we have and everything we’ve earned has been from working hard and being responsible.

    I’ve decided to take a break again from social media sites, especially Facebook. Yes, this post will be on my Facebook page. If you don’t want to read, simply move on!

    There appears to be such hatred now on these sites. People disagreeing…writing in CAPS, as if they are shouting. People who think their opinions are the only opinions we should agree with. PLEASE. Grow up! Negative thoughts equal negativity. I’m not a negative person. Honest? Yes. Opinionated? Yes. At times!

    So for now, to those who follow me, I will be posting more on my website/blog. I will be writing on my book, and I will be taking a much-needed break from negativity to enjoy life. I pray for our new President, Donald J. Trump. I must say, when he revealed he would run for President, I laughed, thinking he was just a bit eccentric and arrogant. I remember saying to my friends I would never vote for him.

    Never say Never!

    Just from my perspective, I think he’s doing a great job. Yes, some people find him arrogant, and at times, he is; nevertheless, I admire him and his tenacity. We must step back and see what all he accomplishes within his ‘first 100 days.’

    I must say, the more I learn about Melania Trump, the more I believe she is a true and classy lady. She knows how to move, how to speak and how to make an impression. Yes, she’s made a few mistakes along the way. Haven’t we all? I certainly have! The beauty of making mistakes is if you do not learn from your mistakes, then there’s a problem.

    I imagine I’ll get a bit of a backlash from many readers, just like a recent question I asked on Facebook created a few ugly comments. Someone called me negative? Imagine that! All he wanted to do is fight on Facebook. I basically told him to get a life and move on!

    No, I’m not a negative person. I am intense. A bit opinionated, but willing to open my eyes and heart to hear the comments of others. I am a positive person. Willing and able to reach out to others. In a disagreement, I am the first to apologize — unless, I truly believe in the issues of the disagreement. Then, I stand my ground! I believe in Civil Rights. I believe in Women’s Rights, and no, I was not one of those wearing those, shall I say, interesting(??) ugly pink costumes around their necks and bodies during the Women’s Rights Walks. I found that offensive! Somethings in life should be kept private! I was a feminist. Not certain I am now, since I do not advertise on my body!

    I debated if I wanted to walk in the Charleston walk, but something kept me back. I was busy on that day, and after seeing a few of the photos, I was happy to remain at home. Still, I am an advocate for women’s rights, animal rights, children’s rights, and I will stand tall and speak up, and sometimes stop a domestic dispute between women and men. I do not believe, nor do I promote violence of any type. If someone uses the “F” bomb around me, I interrupt – nicely, letting them know I find their language offensive.

    I’ve been called a prude. According to Webster’s Dictionary, a prude is:  “a person who is excessively or priggishly attentive to propriety or decorum; especially : a woman who shows or affects extreme modesty.” Yes, I am a bit modest, at times, but I certainly enjoy being a woman, and acting/behaving like a lady, and I can dress up or glam up with the best of them!

    I’ve been described as Pollyanna: Merriam Webster describes Pollyanna as: “Someone who thinks good things will always happen and finds something good in everything.”

    Nope. A Pollyanna I shall never become. I do look on the positive side of life, and I do not like to argue; nevertheless, I do not always find ‘something good in everything.’ Life can be a challenge sometimes. It is how we cope and move forward that makes us good humans. Good citizens. Good neighbors, friends and extended family members.

    Also, I’ve been called a snob. Imagine that! And here we go again. According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, a snob is: “Someone who tends to criticize, reject, or ignore people who come from a lower social class, and may have less education.” Oh please. Believe me, I am not a snob. Growing up in the projects, and in the mill towns, who was, or am I, to criticize others? I do not criticize others, or reject those from a lower class. When in a social setting, I sit back, watching others, and do not think I do not see them looking at me, then cupping their hands to the other women sitting around. Sometimes, from their actions, I know they are talking about me because I do not sit with them. I do not participate in their “Chatty” “Gossipy” ways. I enjoy being a Lady! Simple put, I know who are my friends, and I certainly know who isn’t a friend. And so I keep my distance. Let them talk. They’ve just lost the best friend they would’ve had.

    I do not hate. I do not feed negative thoughts. I live my life — MY WAY!