Regarding HB-2489

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 20, 2026 | Letters to My Representatives, Opinions, Politics

Dear Representative,

I am writing to you regarding HB-2489 which establishes statewide standards for how law enforcement regulates the use of public spaces for life-sustaining activities. From what I have read, this bill wants to make it illegal for cities to enforce laws that make it illegal for people to camp in city limits, unless they can prove that they have provided adequate shelter space at the time and place of the person camping.

As someone who is currently living in a hotel and has been in a a state of homelessness for many years, and also a person who had volunteered with Love Overwhelming and The Salvation Army, I have put a lot of thought into my viewpoint. I know there are people in need. But I also know there are people that take advantage of the system. While small business owners are victims of people who refuse services while they vandalize and torment them because they are on drugs and can’t be held responsible. I also know that not all cities are the same. Some cities are able to handle the needs of the homeless and some can not. Forcing cities to endure camping, without backup funding to pay for sanitation or mediation is not right.

Allowing people to camp in city limits is not the best way to answer rising housing costs, when you insist on raising taxes on hardworking people you only hurt the middle and lower classes of people, when the ones who own the buildings tend to have more money. So while I am telling you that I am so very much against HB-2489, I am also against anymore sales taxes. If you can’t balance the budget with the money you already have, you aren’t doing your job right.

It doesn’t make sense to hurt small businesses ever. Where I live, when homeless people harass my mother’s small business or threaten her, she is lucky if the police will charge the person with trespassing, however, if they break her window, she is responsible for replacing those windows, even though she doesn’t own the building. Why don’t you make a law that supports local businesses? When the drug-addicted homeless people left their paraphernalia in the bushes and my mom’s dog almost died, no one helped pay the vet bill or helped her take care of her dog. When she shows up to open her business and someone has pooped on her welcome mat, she is the only one to clean it up, but she isn’t the only business on her block that has similar stories. Downtown Longview, Washington deserves to decide that people do not get to camp in their business district.

We have shelters in Longview, WA. If you want services, you have to get sober. I used to think that was too hard for some people, but my wife works 3 jobs so we can live in this hotel. We are not eligible for help. We make too much money. I have worked hard to overcome mental illness. It can happen. I am better than I have ever been. I know some people can’t make good choices but I have to have faith that the right people will help those people. For the rest, they will have to choose to follow the rules.

Please vote no on HB-2489.

Sincerely,

Summer D. Clemenson

Regarding SB-5855

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 18, 2026 | Letters to My Representatives, Opinions, Politics

Dear Representative,

I am writing to you in regarding SB-5855. After reading the text of this bill, I would like to encourage you to vote for this bill. This Senate Bill further defines 10.116 RCW by expressing that while peace officers are allowed to wear:

A translucent face shield or clear mask that does not conceal the wearer’s facial identity.
An N95 medical mask or surgical mask to protect against transmission of disease or infection or any other mask or device including, but not limited to, air-purifying respirators, full or half masks, or self-contained breathing apparatuses necessary to protect against exposure to any toxin, gas, smoke, or any other hazardous environmental condition.
A helmet used to protect the wearer’s head during transportation on a bicycle or motorized vehicle.

Under any other situation and normal circumstance, face coverings are not allowed to be worn by Law Enforcement Officers, in accordance with 10.116 RCW.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Summer D Clemenson

Piano Music at 7 AM

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 14, 2026 | Poetry

There are Energizer Bunnies
wearing skates made of razor blades
running down my back while they pound on drums
they wear around their necks
More of them are populated between my shoulders and fingertips
And also my knees and toes
And sometimes my feet burst into flames

There are Crash Test Dummies
working diligently in my hips
and a Sumo Wrestler
squeezing my head with his thighs
Fibromyalgia sucks
Sleep has been a test
I am not sure I passed

I turned on some piano music
To lull the sound of life outside of this room
I want to chase sleep for a bit longer
Every joint ricochets in consecutive order as I
slowly turn over and place my ear over Karen’s heart
A sound that grounds me
Makes me feel safe because I am home

Broken by the bullets of notifications

“Honey, why do my friends send me messages at 7 am?
They are smart people
They know I am not up yet?
If I remember to turn my notifications off
I might not remember to turn them back on
And then I will miss them altogether”

She kisses my head
“They are just excited to talk to you”

Why Religious Freedom Might Be Hard

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 13, 2026 | Opinions, Politics, Prayers & Thanksgiving

I was doing my bible study today and it occurred to me while I was reading Deuteronomy 7:1-19 why countries where Judaism or Muslim is the primary or first religion and that religion shapes their culture, why religious freedom might be hard with the United States. On the flipside of that, our response to those countries from all the different glasses we wear in the United States, including a million denominations of Christianity and the many other religions we say we make room for, and even though I am truly ignorant and very naive, think I have a better understanding today.

In the Jewish Faith there are many sacred texts but the main book that they study is the Torah which is also found in the Christian Holy Bible. These books are called Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

The Qur’an is the primary text of Islam, revealed to the Prophet Muhammed beginning in the year 610 C.E. The Qur’an is required reading for anyone who wants to understand Islam. Qur’an means “The Recital” in Arabic; according to the story, the angel Gabriel commanded Muhammed to “Recite!”. Some Muslims do not believe that any text other than the actual Arabic text of the Quran (even a transliteration or an Arabic text with vowels) can strictly be called ‘the Qur’an’. This is because the Arabic text is considered canonical and there can be no other versions of it.

I met a Muslim woman, while I at the hospital once. I asked her about her beliefs and she said basically her beliefs were the same as Christianity, except she did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God. Now I know that isn’t entirely true, but there are some similarities.

Deuteronomy 7:1-19 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

So God says:

WHEN I bring you into 7 nations that are mightier than you, you WILL defeat them.
Make no agreement with them and show them no mercy.
Destroy all idols and high places.
Do not intermarry with them because that will cause you to become confused and turn away from Me and worship other gods.
If you worship other gods, I will have to destroy you.
I have chosen you and sustain you because I love you. If you are loyal to Me, I will keep My promise to you.
If you reject Me. I will reject you.
If you follow My laws, I will richly bless you.
If you doubt Me, I will make you like the countries I have already beaten for you.

I don’t take it lightly that Judaism, Muslim/Islam, Christianity are all Abrahamic religions because they are connected through one person. All three religions are monotheistic (they believe in only one God), they originate in the Middle East and they are all connected to Abraham, the first man to make a covenant with God, the father of Isaac and Ishmael. Isaac became Israel, the father of the Israelites, otherwise known as the Jews. Jews believe in God and Jewish prophets. They do not believe in Jesus or Muhammad.

Ishmael was Abraham’s other son. The son of the servant who was sent away, the father of the Muslim people. They believe in the prophet Muhammad who was inspired, divinely to write the teachings of the Muslim religion. They believe Jesus was a prophet, but not the Son of God. Islam sees Judaism and Christianism as earlier versions of their religion, and their religion as the final, complete and correct version of religion.

Christianity is an offshoot of Judaism. Many Christian Saints lived in the Middle East. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God that was foretold in the Old Testament or Torah. Christians believe that Jesus was born of a virgin birth, He was crucified on a cross and rose after 3 days ascended to heaven and left His Holy Spirit here to guide them, until He comes back. Christians do not follow Jewish laws and they do not accept Muhammad as a prophet. They follow a “love they neighbor as thyself,” type of teaching.

And then I read about the crucifixion. (I have done this before)

Mark 15:37-39

Matthew 27:50-54 said that there was an earthquake and dead saints came back to life and were seen by many.

Luke 23:44-47 said that there was an eclipse for 3 hours from noon to 3 pm and as the light failed, that was when the curtain in the temple was torn in two.

The Tabernacle and Temple were signs that God was with the Jewish people. This building was built on separation. There were many courts. The Outer Court was for Non-Jews, the ceremonial unclean, and women. The Inner Court was for men. The Holy of Holies, which was enclosed by a thick curtain, contained the Ark of the Covenant. This symbolized the manifest presence of God. Only the High Priest was allowed in there, after ritual cleansing, one time a year. (Hebrews 9:7) The tearing of the veil meant there was now no separation between God and man.

In the Old Testament, it was believed that people would die if they spoke directly or saw God. (Exodus 19, Exodus 30:20-33, Leviticus 10:1-2) But Jesus became the conduit between God and His people. (1 Timothy 2:5) He fulfilled all prophecies. (Genesis 3:15, Genesis 22:18, Genesis 49:10, Deuteronomy 18:15-18, Psalm 2:1-12, Psalm 16:8-11, Psalm 22, Psalm 78:1-2, Psalm 110, Psalm 118:22-24)

As a Jesus Follower (I prefer this term to Christian) I feel like this is the final revelation. The New Testament is full of what was taught by Jesus as the new covenant. We are to show love and compassion. Share what we have. Be honorable towards each other and hold each other up. I believe that Jesus died to free us from the law that is so important to the Jews but can’t save anyone. (Romans 7:4)

I also see that in the United States we have a lot of options that other countries do not have. We have a lot to have to try to shut out so we can try to focus on the teachings of Jesus and things that are good and pure and holy. There are a lot of temptations. There are a lot of freedoms that might even be seen as idols to worship. Even the idea of religion can be an idol if we aren’t careful. It is hard to stay humble on this earth, regardless of where we are. Even yesterday, I got angry and forgot to pray before I sent a message to someone, I should have never sent a message to. I have been praying ever since about how to attempt to rectify that. It is hard to be human on this earth. I can see why our judgement can get us in trouble and why others might think badly of us and even hate us, especially if we hate them. If I am having trouble with my religion, I can see how others might have trouble with there own and even mine.

Its a lot to think about and even more to pray about.

Be blessed.

10 Sacred Texts of Judaism by Menachem Posner for Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center
Chart of Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus by Ray Konig for About-Jesus.org, April 11, 2018, revised May 7, 2024
Global Connections: The Middle East by PBS Staff for PBS, 2002
Texts of Islam by John Bruno Hare, 2023
What Are the Five Books of Moses? by Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center.
Why Is It Significant That The Veil Was Torn in Two? by Britt Mooney for Christianity.com, February 12, 2024
Image Credit: Religion Vectors by Vecteezy

Feel free to leave your comments below!

My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.

ICE Protest in Longview, Washington

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 12, 2026 | Local Interests, Opinions, Politics

“Democracy will never be sold!” This could be heard from a man with a bullhorn on the corner of 15th Avenue and Broadway Street at the ICE protest in Longview, Washington today. There wasn’t a huge crowd. They remained on the sidewalk. They held signs. From the video clip shared on Facebook, there was even room for people who might want to access the crosswalk to be allowed to pass through the group to do so. In Longview we like order. It made sense to have the protest where they chose it, in front of City Hall, on a main drag of town.

>>>Click here to watch the video on Facebook.

The group that I am part of because we don’t have a local news station and our local paper is not actually local, is very conservative. More conservative than I aspire to be; although I am not entirely liberal. I am used to the name calling and total hateful comments towards democrats. I think all name calling is taking the easy way out. I say that because, I do call names when I am too tired to take the time to find appropriate words to describe why I feel what I feel about a situation.

If you watch the entire clip, which is very short, you can see that some signs and some people use the same phrase: FUCK ICE. I am not afraid of the F-word. My favorite comedians are from England. They say fuck a lot there. But when I told my mother, while we were Christmas shopping, after I had used the F-word, that I should really quit using that word so much, she did respond, that I should save it for special occasions. The problem with the word is that it is entirely universal, however it isn’t specific.

I was raised in Longview. I know a lot of people here. One of the commenters responded with one word: Stupidity.

I wasn’t wanting to fight with this fellow R.A. Long High School graduate of mine. I just wanted more information. I can understand why the offensive language was a problem. Children in cars or in strollers might hear those words and in a city with over 100 churches, we still care about that around here.

Another thing is, why is it ok for republicans to call democrats names and make terrible accusations against their beliefs, but when liberals complain about things that republicans are doing or call them names, they are evil? Name calling is not the best way to communicate but one calling the other out for doing what they are doing is hypocritical, at least. Everyone has a right to their opinion. I did not see any weapons out. No one was threatening anyone with their signs, bodies or their words. They were conveying that they are angry about the policies of ICE. If you have a right to your beliefs, shouldn’t you allow them the right to theirs?

I believe that the phrase FUCK ICE is not specific enough. I am not happy that ICE does not share their ID, they do not check IDs and they do not offer warrants. They have shot many people as they drive away and that endangers passersby. This is not how many agencies are trained for public safety. When President Obama was in office, ICE did not cause the issues that we are seeing now, but they were effective. I think we need to see change. This current administration encourages chaos and it is making everything worse. I am not trying to fight with anyone, I am asking you, what about these fellow United States citizens, voicing their fears is stupid to you?

32 people have died in ICE detention centers in 2025 because they didn’t get medical attention. 16 incidents in which immigration agents opened fire and another 15 incidents in which agents held someone at gunpoint since the Trump Administration has cracked down on immigration. At least three people have been shot observing or documenting immigration raids, and five people have been shot while driving away from traffic stops or evading an enforcement action. ICE has no trouble raiding people who are asleep and their children.

Up-to-date data on federal use of force is hard to find. Customs and Border Protection reports don’t include details about where incidents occurred, how many deaths or injuries happened and if victims were armed. There are also incidents were officials have used rubber bullets and pepper balls against people during protests or prayer vigils.

What this comes down to is that ICE and CBP are being used in a way that resembles the military towards communities. They are not responding to situations in a way the police respond to incidents because police are invested in the communities they serve; they live there.

According to census.gov Longview’s population is 82% white. I know these numbers are not perfect, but essentially 18% of our people are of color and according to their numbers 11% of our people are Hispanic and 11% or our people are Mixed. I can see why our people are concerned about what ICE is up to. We love our neighbors and our families. We want our children to feel safe and what we see on TV and online doesn’t make us feel safe.

So I don’t want small words that don’t say enough to be where we start and stop. I want words like:

Hold ICE and CBP Accountable
Retrain ICE and CBP
Restore ICE and CBP

I was never a supporter for defunding the police. I always thought they were underfunded. They needed money for better training, more time off, mental and physical support, boots on the street and governments needed more community dollars to build up youth programs, housing, education, healthcare and community resources. But people used the term Defund the Police and hoped that we would know that is what they meant. If you google that phrase, that is what you will find. The sad thing is that most of us don’t have time to stop and google every phrase and see where it came from.

But maybe if you know that now, Defund ICE and CBP makes sense. But that also means more taxes since everything that the government does whether it is state or federal is paid for by you and me, the tax payers. That might be another reason that people are angry about ICE. We are paying for what we are afraid of. Just a thought…

Be Blessed…

2025 was ICE’s deadliest year in two decades. Here are the 32 people who died in custody by Maavi Singh, Coral Murphy Marcos, and Charlotte Simmonds for The Guardian, January 4, 2026
How Many People Have Been Shot in ICE Raids? by Jennifer Mascia for The Trace, December 8, 2025, updated January 9, 2026
Longview, Washington for Census Bureau

Feel free to leave your comments below!

Regarding January 7, 2026 Memorandum

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 9, 2026 | Letters to My Representatives, Opinions, Politics

Dear Representative,

I am writing in regards to Trump’s January 7, 2026 Memorandum: Withdrawing the United States from and Ending Funding to Certain United Nations Organizations and Reviewing United States Support to All International Organizations.

In his order Trump says that after hearing from his Secretary of State regarding the United States representative for the United Nations, he has decided that the interests of the United Nations are no longer aligned with the United States of America and he has decided that as soon as possible he wants us to cease our involvement in 35 Non-United Nations Organizations and 31 United Nations Organizations.

The mandate of the U.N. Security Council is to maintain international peace and security.

After recent events, including Venezuela and several shootings involving ICE and border security, I am feeling more and more as though we are not a peace-loving country. Comments that Trump has said in front of cameras or shared on social media where he threatened Colombia, Cuba, Mexico and Greenland have also made me feel more insecure in this world.

It seems as though Trump wants to remove us from the UN. I haven’t been able to find whether our relationship with the UN was created by Congress, however I did find that the UN was created after World War II. I don’t want to see WWIII in my lifetime.

I am terrified. I don’t believe this man has good intentions for the United States. Please help.

Sincerely,

Summer D. Clemenson

Sinus Help

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 8, 2026 | Essential Oils, Opinions, Wellness

Today I saw a post asking for help with sinus troubles. There weren’t details other than they wanted to put essential oils up their nose. I don’t recommend that. I have used Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils® since 2011 and I have used them alongside Western medicine. I recommend that you tell your medical team everything you take, as far as supplementation and that includes the oils, herbs and vitamins you take because even though, they might be natural, they can be powerful and they can effect the medicine the doctors and pharmacists are sending home with you.

The essential oils I use cannot heal my body, however they might relieve symptoms while my body fights what is making me sick. There are time limits that I will use natural supplementation and then decide that it is time to go to the doctor, if my body can’t deal with what is happening on her own. My body doesn’t tend to get fevers. I have had COVID-19 twice and never got a fever. This is important to know so time limits and level of suffering are important for me to keep track of.

As you can tell by the wear on the labels on the bottles in the picture, I have refilled the applicator and bottle many times. Both my wife and I tend to have seasonal allergies and this blend of oils is something I use to help us manage our symptoms while our bodies get through the sniffles, coughing, etc…

Recipe for Sinus Blend for Diffuser: 35 Drops of each Oil

Recipe for Roll On Applicator: 10 Drops of each Oil and the rest Carrier Oil of your choice

Eucalyptus
Frankincense
Grapefruit
Lavender
Lemon
On Guard
Oregano
Peppermint
Rosemary
Ylang Ylang

Some of these oils could be considered redundant, however they are here to help make the mix smell better, I mean Oregano is pretty harsh on its own and Frankincense is not my favorite either. Plus when I don’t feel well, my blood pressure can be high because of stress, so who doesn’t like a little Ylang Ylang. The thing about making your own blends is that you can customize it your person needs.

If you have any questions please Contact Me.

Feel free to leave your comments below!

The Late Show January 7, 2026

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 8, 2026 | Art, Opinions, Poetry

An armed attack against Greenland
is an armed attack against NATO
and we don’t want to attack NATO
because the United States is also
a member of NATO
and right now we are crazy

Proof being that ICE just shot
a 37-year-old single mother in the face
A United States citizen
who just didn’t want to be detained
without due process
for an unknowable amount of time
because she has a 6-year-old
But now her child is an orphan
And I don’t believe the words of Kristi Noem

Venezuela is still standing
however we are still stealing their oil tankers in the sea
Our Sex Offender and Chief is drooling over barrels of oil
that he is counting in his mind
while he is wondering when he will be impeached
And we are all laughing at the Food Pyramid
RFK Jr has turned upside down

Heck ya!
Things I never thought would happen
Are here
The Late Show
Is just trying to help us find a way to laugh
instead of cry

Constipation

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 7, 2026 | Chronic Illness, Essential Oils

I recently saw a question online about how someone could use Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils to help them with their constipation. The rules in the group would not let me answer the question the way I wanted so I thought I would answer it here.

Lifestyle is really important. You can’t just change one thing and keep doing unhealthy things and hope your problem will be solved. We are like an onion and all the layers are important.

Exercise

You don’t have to exercise a lot but you do need regular daily exercise that works for you. I do a 40 min anaerobic workout every day before I do anything else.

Fluids

No matter what you weigh all adults should be drinking at least 2 liters of water per day. If you are obese, than it should increase to a liter of fluids per 100 lbs per day. One fun note is that if you drink decaf coffee it counts as your fluids because caffeine causes inflammation and is a diuretic, when you drink the coffee that doesn’t have it in there, you get to count it is your fluids for the day. 🙂

Food

Americans generally eat too much. No matter what it is, if you are eating too much, you can clog up your digestive system. I have lost almost 100 lbs over the last 3 years. Most of it is because I have been diligent to drink a lot of water and tea and move regularly and eat a diet that is free from processed foods, fast foods and my meals have gotten much smaller.

I live in chronic pain so I literally cannot workout like my wife can, who needs a small meal about every 2 hours during the main part of the day. What works for her doesn’t work for me because she can walk 30,000 steps a day but I can usually only walk 1/2 a mile before I hurt too much. So I eat 2 small meals a day…

The clean plate rule does not apply in our house. I am a grown up and I know when my tummy is full. I stop eating when I am full. I can finish my plate later when I am hungry or give it to Karen G Clemenson, who has a faster metabolism and the ability to burn more calories than I do.

Oils

I do have IBS symptoms from fibromyalgia so I use a blend of oils nightly before bed. I call it my Gas Blend because I tend to get constipated and have trapped gas. This blend helps with both. In a roll on applicator bottle I use 10 drops each: Black Pepper, Ginger, Lavender, Zendocrine, Spearmint and DigestZen and the rest Fractionated Coconut oil.

I also put 2 drops in with a liter of water of MetaPWR each time I fill my water bottle.

I have been using Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils® since 2011, right alongside western medicine for my chronic illness and it has helped me have more peace in my mind and body. My doctors all know everything I use, which is what I recommend that you share with yours too.

Feel free to leave your comments below!

Regarding Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 5, 2026 | Letters to My Representatives, Opinions, Politics

Dear Representative,

I have written to you regarding my desire to see Trump removed from the presidency in the past. But now that I know that he has been working with his cabinet and other people in authority to overcome Venezuela and kidnap their president and his wife, while you were out of session, I want to see Donald Trump and his entire cabinet and any compliant government officials impeached and removed from their positions in our government. Not only have the actions that he has ordered since September 2025 against Venezuela killed at least 155 people but I have read articles that tell me that North Korea has tested nuclear missiles, in preparation for war. Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay have joined forces to criticize the actions of the United States as against International Law and any future exploitation of natural resources in Venezuela would not be in harmony with International Law and sovereignty. I have also read of adverse judgment from Iran, Russia and China. I don’t want to live in another 20+ year war.

Trump consistently says one thing and then the next day, he changes his mind. This is a paraphrase of the nicest way I have ever heard someone call him a liar, that I have ever read, as of yesterday. The actions of the Trump Administration has put us under scrutiny and possibly in danger. Under Article 11, Section 4, please invoke the powers of impeachment for treason, bribery, high crimes and misdemeanors as you and your colleagues see fit. We cannot afford to keep this administration in office. Their cost is too dear.

Sincerely,

Summer D Clemenson

Regarding H.R. 5722

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 4, 2026 | Letters to My Representatives, Opinions, Politics

Dear Representative,

I am writing to you in regards to H.R. 5722 Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act. This Act was introduced on October 8, 2025 by republican Representative Chip Roy. This Act is meant to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit entry of aliens who adhere to Sharia Law.

“The term Sharia comes from the Arabic word meaning “path to the water,” which reflects the concept that Sharia is divine guidance drawn mainly from the Qur’an and Sunnah (teachings and guidance of Prophet Muhammad) for the purpose of helping humanity draw close to God and live in kindness and justice with His Creation.” A Closer Look at Sharia in the United States by ING

Muslims follow Sharia in the same way that people of other faiths follow their sacred laws and traditions. The First Amendment of the Constitution protects our rights to religious freedom as long as our practice respects other people’s rights. No religious law can supersede state or federal law. Sharia law commands that Muslims honor the laws of the land where they live.

I do not believe that H.R. 5722 is necessary and I am surprised that republicans would be for more laws, when they say they want less government. While reading the Immigration and Nationality Act from October 1965, in section 203 there are words regarding people from the Middle East and people from communist countries. In Statute 176, section 205, it states, “The Attorney General, at any time for what he deems to be good and sufficient cause, may revoke the approval of any petition approved by him in section 204.”

I believe that H.R. 5722 is a ploy to invoke fear and hate and is unnecessary because we already have given the ability to the Attorney General to remove immigrants who are not willing to follow the laws of the United States before they become naturalized.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Summer D. Clemenson

A Closer Look at Sharia in the United States by Intercultural Networks Group (ING) Staff, for ING, 2016
H.R. 2580 (89^th): An Act to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act, and for other purposes by GovTrack Staff, October 13, 1965
H.R.5722 – Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act by Congress Staff, October 8,2025

You Always Know What to Do

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 3, 2026 | Poetry

I am so thankful
that I don’t have to know what to say to You
You already know
that I am scared
that we are scared
that they are scared
that we don’t know what to do

You always know what to do

I haven’t lived long enough
to know what to do
I am comfortable with the fact
That You have always been here

You always know what to do

There are people that are hurting
There are people that have lost their homes
There are people who have been lied to
There are people who don’t have enough
Some of us need medical care
All I can say is
Please help

You always know what to do

I want You to shine
I want You to win
I want us to feel safe
I want us to know we are loved

Please help

Are We At War?

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 3, 2026 | Opinions, Politics

As we are about to come upon the first year anniversary of Trump of his second term as the President of the United States. I am now asking myself: Are We At War?

We were watching The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and suddenly we were interrupted by the news to tell us that Venezuela has been attacked. Venezuela has not done anything to the United States. Although they have condemned the military aggression and acts of international piracy our military has perpetrated against them as a violation of international law.

President Trump has increasingly conducted military and intelligence operations around and inside Venezuela. Since September 2025. These actions include:

Over 35 boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific have been struck. These actions have caused at least 115 deaths. Trump says these boats were smuggling drugs, however he has offered no proof.
CIA drone strikes on a port facility on Venezuelan soil in December 2025.
Sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers have been seized by the United States.
Significant U.S. military presence buildup in the region around Venezuela.

Just this morning on January 3, 2026, strikes have been reported on the main military base in Caracas. This has caused a blackout. It is presumed by Venezuela that these strikes have come from the United States.

The Associated Press has reported at least 7 explosions and low-flying air craft at the capital. There is evidence of smoke rising at La Carlota Airport.

Thursday, President Nicolás Madura said he would be willing to talk with Trump’s administration about combatting drug trafficking, however he has also said he thinks Trump wants access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves and wants to communicate through, “threats, intimidation and force.”

Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for an emergency meeting of Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations (UN) on Saturday.
The US Embassy in Venezuela has advised against travel to the United States and suggests that people should shelter in place.
Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez denounced “the criminal attack by the US on Venezuela.”
The United States Federal Aviation Administration has issued a NOTAM prohibiting US aircraft from operating within Venezuelan airspace today.

Trump has threatened for months that he intended to begin land strikes. At this time, The White House and Pentagon have not released any statements. CBS has reported that Trump, in fact ordered the strikes. I wanted to ignore their article because I wanted to have more proof, but since other countries are believing CBS’s reporting, that US officials have reported that it is true and the military actions has caused these catastrophes.

The thing I keep thinking about is that it sounds like Trump has decided that we are going to war. But that isn’t his job to decide this. And he has done it while Congress is not in session.

The president is Commander in Chief of the military. The president may deploy troops for limited actions without a declaration of war, in the case of an emergency. However, Congress is the authority over declaring war (Article I, Section 8, Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution of the United States of America).

Another thing that is bothering me, is how much time Congress is taking to act. I realize they have rules to follow, but by now, they should be able to anticipate what Trump is about to do. When I checked Congress’ website I only saw two Resolutions or Bills that refer to Venezuela.

H.Con.Res.64 was introduced to the House on 12/1/2025 by Rep. James P. McGovern, a democrat from Massachusetts. The resolution would direct the removal of US Armed Forces within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress. It was voted on, on 12/17/2025. It failed 211 – 213.

S.3344 Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act of 2025 was introduced on December 4, 2025 by Senator Jeff Merkley, democrat from Oregon. It was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations…before they went out of session.

They might be back in session on Monday. It is hard to say. When I look at Congress.org the January 2026 calendar is not listed, but January 2025 shows that they worked most weekdays, last year. Hopefully they will think this is important.

I am really trying to be fair and honest. If Venezuela has done nothing to us, I am really upset that Trump is sending our military to hurt them. I am sad that our military is obeying him. I am confused that our military is following Trump without the leadership of our Congress. But I am crushed by that lack of action of our Congress. They are simply not doing their job. They are letting Trump do whatever he wants, regardless of what the people want. I do understand that some of us voted him in and want him to do what he is doing. But not everyone likes what he is doing. And since when is it ok to kill people without a fair trial?

I don’t want to be at war.

Venezuela accuses US of bombing civilian, military installations by Al Jazeera Staff and News Agencies for Al Jazeera, January 3, 2026
Venezuela declares national emergency after US military strikes on capital by Reuters and Jerusalem Post Staff for Jerusalem Post, January 3, 2026
Venezuela’s government accuses US of attacking civilian, military installations in multiple states by Associated Press for ABC Eye Witness News, January 3, 2026

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5 Books for December 2025

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 2, 2026 | Book & Product Reviews, Opinions

Technically the holidays are over, but I suggest you hold onto the joy and peace, that I hope you found while the lights were twinkling and you were making merry. This is where books, especially children’s books can make this easy. The stories are easy to digest and the bright colors and happiness is generally easier to find, even in heavier topics. This year, I hope you open more books.

Now without further ado here is 5 Books for December 2025:

Rainbow Soup by Brian P. Cleary

Rainbow Soup: Adventures in Poetry by Brian P. Cleary
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have written poetry since I was 9 years old. As much as I like writing poetry, I often don’t enjoy reading it. However, I did get some enjoyment from this children’s poetry and rhyme book. This book as 83 poems in it. It also includes notes and definitions of the different types of poems which I found interesting and inspiring. I also found the colorful blends of styles of art by Neal Layton to be fun and captivating.

I checked this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Rainbow Soup by Brian P. Cleary on Amazon.

Balderdash! John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel

Balderdash!: John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Balderdash! John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel is British Literature nonfiction history book that has great timing and this book about books is kind of interesting but I don’t know if children would sit through this biography. The illustrations by Nancy Carpenter make this children’s picture book beautiful.

I checked this book out at the Longview Public Libarary. You can get your own copy of Balderdash! John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel on Amazon.

Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird

Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird is a great rhyming book. This children’s fiction picture book of fractured fairy tales has great humor, energy, and music. The illustrations that include animals, birds and nature by Andrea Tsurumi add great color and movement to the fun smashup of nursery rhymes to any story time.

I got this copy from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird on Amazon.

Home by Matt de la Peña

Home by Matt de la Peña
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Home is poetry, a lullaby, memories and emotions with loved ones, experiences, the people that make our life better, things we can count on, love we hold onto when there seems to be nothing else. Home is made of family, friends, teachers, neighbors and nature. Home is where we make wishes, where we see miracles and where find ourselves. Home by Matt de la Peña is a contemporary brilliant fiction children’s story. this picture book is brought to life by the illustrations by Loren Long.

I got this copy from Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Home by Matt de la Peña on Amazon

As Good As Anybody by Richard Michelson

As Good as Anybody: Martin Luther King and Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Amazing March Toward Freedom by Richard Michelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel had very different lives, yet their differences also made them brothers. King was the son of a Black Baptist preacher in Southern United States, where there were separate stores, bathrooms, parks and drinking fountains for Black and White folks. Heschel was from Poland. His father was a Jewish Rabbi. Heschel came to the United States as World War II was going on and Jews were being persecuted and killed by the Nazi Regime. Both men followed in their father’s footsteps in religion because they understood that the way things are in social justice, is not how it has always been and eventually all people will live in harmony. King and Heschel wanted to be part of the change.

As King was encouraging and supporting people in the fight for civil rights, he was planning a march for voting rights in Alabama. He knew they needed as much help as they could find, so King put a call out to all supporters and Rabbi Heschel answered.

On March 21, 1965, the march began in Selma, AL. 4 days later, King and Heschel and 25,000 people arrived in Montgomery, AL. 4 months later, the president signed the Voting Rights Act. King and Heschel remained friends.

As Good As Anybody by Richard Michelson is a nonfiction history book about working together for good of mankind. I really enjoyed this children’s biography. The illustrations by Raul Colon were inspiring.

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I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of As Good As Anybody by Richard Michelson on Amazon.

This year I beat cancer and I didn’t meet my books goal but I did met a lot of other goals. I am not someone that makes New Years resolutions. I try to do my best every day and a celebrate any goal I reach right away. I hope you find peace, joy and a few shareable stories this year.

Be Blessed!

Feel free to leave your comments below!

5 Books for November 2025…

by Summer D Clemenson | Jan 2, 2026 | Book & Product Reviews, Opinions

November is a wonderful month because we take the time to remember what we are thankful for more than other times of the year. We should do this every day and some of us do, but even the commercials and stores have reminders for us to be thankful, even it is rooted in their desire for us to spend money while we do it. But I must remain confident in my thankfulness for books. Books have helped me learn, they have helped me be distracted when I needed to put my mind in better places, books gave be tools to be a better person. This month, I didn’t plan it but my wife, Karen G Clemenson, and I chose a lot of biographies to read. What a rich history we have here in the United States of America. Yet another thing to be thankful for. We are not perfect as a nation, but we have come so far.

Now without further ado here is 5 Books for November 2025:

Abraham Lincoln A Photographic Story of a Life by Tarya Lee Stone

Abraham Lincoln: A Photographic Story of a Life by Tanya Lee Stone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. His family was very poor. Before he was an Illinois Senator in 1837, Lincoln had helped his father clear land and build a home, fences and outbuildings for his family, twice. Lincoln’s mother died before he was 10 years old and his older sister died while giving birth to her first child. Abraham Lincoln’s humble beginnings helped form him into the leader that American History needed.

Lincoln loved telling stories and reading. He was resilient and an overcomer. He loved to debate. He was a member of the Whig party. He became a self-taught lawyer in 1837 and served two more terms as Senator and then served in Congress before he ran for President as a Republican.”

President Lincoln is probably known most for his leadership during the Civil War, when many Southern states succeeded from the Union. The Northern states did not want slavery and the Southern states did. There were other political and financial reasons for the separation but President Lincoln believed that it was illegal for the states to leave the Union and he wanted to restore all the states.

The first 3 generals fighting for the Union in the Civil War were not effective. The Confederates (the Southern states) had more soldiers and their generals were more successful. People were getting tired of the war on slavery and the feelings against Lincoln were becoming negative. But in April of 1863, Ulysses S. Grant had success at Vicksburg. There was a Union draft. Many people wanted to preserve the Union but some were afraid that freed slaves would take jobs and others were angry that wealthy people could pay their way out of the draft. A riot broke out in New York on July 13, 1863. The draft office was burned down, stores were looted and more than 100 people died.

Frederick Douglass suggested creating black units of soldiers to help fight against Confederate soldiers in August 1861. The signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 encouraged black people to fight for the Union. The United States Colored Troops was set up by the War Department in May.

April 15, 1865, the 16th President of the United States was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Eight other men were also captured in relation to their plans. Booth was killed during capture.

The war was over. Slavery was abolished. But the South’s economy was in a shambles. 600,000 people had died and 300,000 were wounded from the war. Reconstruction would be slow, especially without President Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln A Photographic Story of Life by Tarya Lee Stone is a 15 chapter biography that is full of details that are easy to understand and follow with pictures that tell stories of our history as a nation, by themselves. I really enjoyed this nonfiction book.

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Abraham Lincoln A Photographic Story of Life by Tarya Lee Stone on Amazon.

On the Trapline by David A Robertson

On the Trapline by David Alexander Robertson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Traplines are where Native American people hunt animals and live off the land. On the Trapline by David A Robertson is a book about a boy and his grandfather traveling from the city to where is grandfather lived as a child in the Indigenous Cree Nation. This special book shares words in the Cree language that express their culture. Julie Flett’s art helped bring this picture book to life.

The boy and his grandfather visited his old house, the site where his school used to be, where he learned to speak English and would sneak off to speak Cree with his friends. They saw beaver dams and eagles on their way to catch fish. His grandfather told him how everyone shared chores with his family. The saskatoon berries they picked and ate were tastier in their nature environment, than any he had had from the store. The community had a feast before they were to head home and the elders were fed first before the children.

The boy was excited to think of future visits with this grandfather. I really enjoyed this fiction picture book.

I checked this book out at Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of On the Trapline by David A Robertson on Amazon.

Elvis is King by Jonah Winter

Elvis Is King! by Jonah Winter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and recorded his first hit, “It’s Alright,” when he was just 19 years old. Elvis is King by Jonah Winter is a fun and energetic memoir about the King of Rock and Roll. A shy southern boy that loved music and performed like none other before him created a place for himself in history but also inspired many musicians and artists to come.

The 3-D illustrations by Red Nose Studios really make this biography one of a kind. I really enjoyed this book and I think kids will love the bright art and the great details in this nonfiction children’s book that is sure to entertain the whole family.

I checked this book out from the Longview Public Library. You can get a copy of Elvis is King by Jonah Winter on Amazon.

Go Tell it How James Baldwin Became a Writer by Quartez Harris

Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer by Quartez Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

James Baldwin was born in Harlem, New York on August 2, 1924. Go Tell it How James Baldwin Became a Writer by Quartez Harris is an empowering memoir about how James Baldwin used art to speak for Black and LGBTQIA+ people and Civil Rights. This children’s nonfiction history picture book was brought to life by the art of Gordon C. James.

Baldwin loved words and he learned that words could heal. He used his words in writing and speaking for activism and teaching. This biography is both colorful and inspiring.

I checked this book out from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Go Tell it How James Baldwin Became a Writer by Quartez Harris on Amazon.

When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson

When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson is a beautiful story about the author’s experience while growing up listening to the wisdom, history, emotion, religion, and spirituality that is felt and heard in this beautiful songs, meant to carry Black history, tradition, culture and stories for a people forbidden to even learn to read and write; whose lives were not their own but through poetry and song they endured in strength, perseverance and even some joy.

The words in spirituals are simple, yet powerful. The art is colorful. I often wanted to clap my hands to the music I imagined. I really enjoyed this children’s nonfiction picture book. The art by London Ladd really brought the music to life.

View all my reviews

I checked this book out at the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson on Amazon.

Such richness we have to look forward to in our history and our future. I hope you indulge yourself in it as 2025 has come to an end we look forward to a newness.

Feel free to leave your comments below!

The Best Gift of the Season 2025

by Summer D Clemenson | Dec 26, 2025 | Opinions, Wellness

This has been the best holiday season in years. The Best Gift of the Season 2025 wasn’t an actual present you can open but one that you carry in your heart; hope. For years Karen G Clemenson and I have been separated from my family as I healed and learned how to choose myself. Karen’s family is many miles away, but mine is right here, throughout the state of Washington, mostly.

Karen still worked a lot of hours. We didn’t have a lot of time to enjoy holiday events, but we did have a place with more space to do to holiday traditions in. We had a person to share time with. We had a reason to make a fancy meal for someone. We had someone to laugh with. It was nice to not have to cut the turkey in half so I could cook it in the crockpot. Because I had a kitchen to prepare it in, I could find my favorite way to cook a turkey. I am not embarrassed that we live in a hotel. I am proud that my wife works hard to pay our rent and she is successful in keeping us here and she pays what many people pay for their mortgage. But a real kitchen is nice. Seeing my mother happy was the nice.

Although I didn’t need any gifts; I was super excited that Jamie got a gift from someone that she really needed and Karen got a new pair of shoes that she really needed and I am so satisfied with what I have that those needs being taken care of were enough for me. Any gifts for me were not necessary. But I love the earrings and new bible and the new blouses that were under the tree for me. The flashlight is awesome and it goes great in the glove compartment. Karen loves her new socks, long sleaved T-shirts, and books. Mom loved her new kitchen knife, diffuser and soap. Ginger loved the organic pumpkin. It was nice to see everyone so happy. It felt good to laugh and to hear laughter.

This year the gifts came in batches. When I was contacted by my youngest sister and God told me it was going to be ok to read her message and then to connect with her and our mom, it was a practice in trusting in God. I had been waiting for Him to tell I was ready, and He was waiting for me to be ready. There has been opportunity for every conversation we never had been able to have. The healing is profound. The one person that brought chaos is no longer there to keep us separate and we all like peace and so that is what we enjoy with each other. We are not perfect. We are human and we love each other. It isn’t that we all agree all the time, but its ok, that is not a reason to be separate. We want the best for each other and we pray for each other, and even those that we don’t have anymore.

In all of this change I have struggled a bit. I have wanted to strike out at people that still talk about me behind my back. It hurts. When I asked my friend to pray with me about steps I could take to protect myself. [I have prayed. I have written to them that I want nothing from them; I have discontinued our relationship. I don’t contact them. I know they are mentally ill. I know they don’t understand, they need help and they don’t believe in therapy. I have heard and thought these things many times, but it took my friend saying it, this one time, for me to finally get it.] My friend said: People that continue to attack, without provocation are mentally ill.

I can have compassion on this. When I mentioned this to my youngest sister, she asked me if I had asked the people that tell me about them, if they would stop. Honestly, I had thought about it, but I had not done it yet, because the main person has been hurt a lot by them and I felt sorry for their pain and I was letting them vent. But the next time it comes up, I will ask them to stop. But the big thing for me is to finally have it click, that I am going to have compassion on them for their mental illness. The same kind I needed when I was not ok, before my psychiatric RN and I found the right meds and amounts, and my therapist and I had figured out the right tools for me and my brain had healed as much as it has.

Mental wellness is a process and journey and it is ongoing. Compassion is part of the process.

So wherever you are, I hope that you got what you needed. My biggest and most wonderful gift was more hope. More love. And more mental wellness. I am satisfied with my life but it is nice to celebrate relationships. I am not done. This coming weekend we will celebrate Jesus with my sister, Jamie Holloway. Next week will not only be New Years, but my birthday.

We have so much to be thankful for.

Feel free to leave your comments below!

I Wish You Joy

by Summer D Clemenson | Dec 24, 2025 | Poetry

Whether you believe Jesus is the reason
or you light candles on a Menorah
If you celebrate Enlightenment or Yule
You are preparing for Kwanzaa or you are an Zoroastrian
If you are a Muslim
or you just like the lights and presents
I wish you joy

Whatever your reason is to sing
or celebrate life
be thankful for your loved ones
Whatever reason you stop and
breathe in
the scent of your favorite food and drink
be merry
Know you are loved
You are valued

Wherever you call home
be there
No matter what gift
you give or get
make sure someone smiles or laughs
because you are there
Share your light
because yours is different from anyone else’s
You are special because
the breath in your lungs
is from your Creator

You are a gift

11 Holidays the World Celebrates in December by Sanya Mansoor for Time Magazine, December 19, 2022
Zoroastrianism by Joshua J. Mark for World History Encyclopedia, December 12, 2019

5 Books for October 2025 – Yep its Late!

by Summer D Clemenson | Dec 22, 2025 | Book & Product Reviews, Opinions

Sometimes books take us places we can only imagine. Sometimes our schedules can keep us so busy that we don’t realize that we have forgotten to do what we love best, which is why it is December and I am finally typing up my book reviews for October. I really loved these books. They were not my normal lighthearted stories. These books were historic and deep and I had to pay attention to them. That is how life is at times. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Now without further ado here is 5 Books for October 2025:

The History of We by Nikkolas Smith

The History of We by Nikkolas Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The History of We by Nikkolas Smith is stunning work of art and poetry and history. Smith’s paintings portray how the first humans began in Africa and lived and traveled as the population expanded throughout time. This nonfiction picture book is a joy to read.

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get a copy of The History of We by Nikkolas Smith from Amazon.

I Am The Music Man Illustrated by Debra Potter

I am the Music Man by Debra Potter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was stuck regarding this picture book with no author and so I was trying to find one. Originally I believed that I Am The Music Man Illustrated by Debra Potter may be based on the 1957 Broadway musical, The Music Man by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey, however I have also found that there are other songs, one being, The German Musicianer by Peter Kennedy in 1975 and The Wonderful Musician by Walter Greenaway in 1871. It seems that this is a traditional folksong across many cultures.

As interesting, or not, as that tidbit of knowledge might be, I find this fiction story to become a bit tedious about 3 pages in. Ms. Potter’s illustrations are fetching. I love the colors and whimsey are wonderful but I feel as though the chorus seems lost if you don’t have 4 other people to sing the parts of the musical instruments and keep up the vigor that the words suggest.

Maybe I should have found a room full of children to sing with me.

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of I Am The Music Man Illustrated by Debra Potter on Amazon.

Twenty-One Steps by Jeff Gottesfeld

Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by Jeff Gottesfeld
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Twenty-One Steps by Jeff Gottesfeld is a beautiful book that pays respect to the military and history of the Unknown Soldiers that have died in battle from WWI, WWII, the Korean War & Vietnam. There are Tomb Guards present with the Unknown Soldier at all times so they are never alone. There is a reverence that is portrayed grandly throughout the book, not only in words but in the illustrations by Matt Tavares.

I am not sure how children would enjoy this picture book. My wife and I enjoyed this nonfiction book, but I am not sure small children would have the attention span needed for this patriotic book.

View all my reviews

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Twenty-One Steps by Jeff Gottesfeld on Amazon.

Bearskin by Howard Pyle

Bearskin by Howard Pyle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bearskin by Howard Pyle is a very old fairy tale written by the same author of The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. Because it is a fantasy and not like today’s stories, you can’t appreciate it with the TV on our other distractions. This book requires your full attention and you wont regret letting your mind fall into the folklore.

The illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman are beautiful and bring the picture book to life.

I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your one copy of Bearskin by Howard Pyle on Amazon.

Tiny Stitches by Gwendolyn Hooks

Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien Thomas by Gwendolyn Hooks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tiny Stitches by Gwendolyn Hooks is a children’s biography about medical pioneer, Vivien Thomas. He was a son of a carpenter in Tennessee, who worked hard and saved his money to go to college to become a doctor. Unfortunately in October 1929, The Great Depression hit and the bank lost his money and he had to start over.

Vivien heard about a job opening at Vanderbilt University, an all white school. Because Vivien was black, he knew he could not attend classes at Vanderbilt, but that didn’t mean he could not benefit from experience at Vanderbilt. His interview was a success. While he was working, Vivien was reading text books, researching medicine, conducting science experiments, and learning surgical techniques. When the doctor that hired him got a position at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, went with him.

While at Johns Hopkins, Vivien researched and developed a surgical procedure for open-heart surgery on infants. He even designed instruments because there weren’t any small enough at the time. Even though he only had a high school diploma, his research and attention to detail, allowed him to create a procedure that has saved many children’s lives. This procedure was named after 2 doctors that Vivien worked with; the procedure is called Blalock-Taussig shunt.

Vivien coached Dr. Blalock through more than 150 operations. He also shared his knowledge and skills with other doctors. In 1975 Johns Hopkins University awarded Vivien Thomas an honorary doctorate degree and appointed him to the faculty as Instructor of Surgery.

I found this history book to be very inspiring and a positive illustration on culture and civil rights. The illustrations by Colin Bootman were beautiful and helped bring the this nonfiction picture book to life.

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I got this book from the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Tiny Stitches by Gwendolyn Hooks on Amazon.

As the weather is getting cold and dark it is the perfect time to grab a warm blanket and a cup of your favorite beverage and dive into a book. No matter what your favorite genre is, I hope you are reading. It is a great way to stretch your brain and travel to a place you might never have imagined.

Feel free to leave your comments below!

Dear Random Messenger

by Summer D Clemenson | Dec 20, 2025 | Opinions, Prayers & Thanksgiving, Queer Community

This week I got a note from a random messenger that saw one of my posts. I didn’t edit their message. This is what they said:

At first I was a little miffed. Who likes to be judged, especially by a stranger? I have never met this person. But as I began responding, I was also thinking…

How do you know? Have you done your own research with more than one book or are you relying on what other people have told you? How long have you walked with God? Does He talk to you? Has He verbally told you what you are saying is true? Our president is just a man, just like all the rest before him. He is not perfect. Have you read in the bible what a good leader is supposed to look like, because Trump is not that. (Exodus 18:21, John 13:13-17, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:7-14)

Also, when did I state that I am a Christian? I don’t use that word. I think that word has been morphed into something very sad. I am a Jesus Follower. It’s a very different thing. Jesus never said anything about sexuality but He said very specific things about adultery, selfishness, taking care of the poor, compassion… (Matthew 5:2-12, Matthew 5:27-28, Matthew 19:21, Matthew 23:25, John 15:13)

Another thing, who told you I am gay?

You might think I am angry with you but I’m not. I’m angry but not even at you. I’m angry at the system that taught us to judge each other and to think small. I used to think like you. I was raised in a conservative family and church. I was taught that homosexuality was an abomination. I didn’t know to ask questions. I never even met a queer person until I was 18 years old.

I had to meet several queer people to realize that each one was an individual with their own personality and dreams. I had to learn who I was to learn that it is not my job to tell other people how to live. Even the bible says, ‘judge not, lest ye be judged.’ (Matthew 7:1)

I know you are ignorant. The letters LGBTQIA+ all mean something special. I am old enough that I prefer the term queer, which is a blanket term for everyone. I’m not a Lesbian (women that only love women). I’m not Gay (men that only love men). I’m Bisexual (I have loved 2 men but I married my wife). I’m not Transgender. I’m Queer. I’m not Intersex (a person born with genetic markers or genitalia for both male and female sex). I am not technically A-sexual, however I am Demisexual which falls in that category. They added a + for any other groups people want to be in…

The far right republicans and conservative christians have spent years creating a platform to control people. Telling people that the media is fake and science is wrong and all kinds of propaganda. You probably can’t hear me, but I said it anyway. I don’t hate republicans. My wife is a republican. I don’t hate christians. Most of the people I know believe in some version of this faith. I myself, am a Jesus Follower.

But the word homosexual was not in the bible until February 11, 1946. You can research all of what I am saying. It is not hard to find. This translation was created to convince people to hate queer people who had quietly lived among us forever. There was no word for this kind of relationship in the bible because marriage was mainly a way to create children and provide inheritance; it was a business agreement. If you got lucky, you learned to love each other. People did not marry for love.

There are many books about this. I recommend you start with Bible Gender Sexuality Reframing the Church’s Debate on Same-Sex Relationships by James V. Brownson, if you feel so inclined.

I did not realize I was queer until I was almost 40. But I have lived through a lot of trauma and have been in therapy for years. The reason I am bothering with you is that, I know people who knew they were queer all their life. They were abused terribly and have many scars. I don’t have scars about my sexuality. So I feel comfortable expressing things that someone of my queer community might not be able to communicate clearly.

I have read the bible through and through many times. I talk to God everyday. I have walked with Him for 45 years. I have read lots of books and watched documentaries. I don’t believe that loving my wife is a sin. I believe God created her for me. We have found so much healing with each other and so much peace and growth that no one else was ever able to create. God guides us and helps us together. Our marriage is just like any other marriage that relies on God to inspire.

I really don’t care if you don’t believe me, but I do want to impress on you that there are people who have hurts because people judged them merely on who they loved; not on their character or deeds or aspirations and it is not right. Jesus told us to love our neighbor as ourself and He did not differentiate. I hope to inspire you to share the same kind of love the He gave to you. (Mark 12:30-31)

Even with the woman that was caught in adultery, He did not judge her. When all the men were ready to stone her, He advised that the man that was free of sin should cast the first stone. After they all left, He sent her on her way. (John 8:1-11)

We are not here to judge each other. We are here to learn how to love each other and to learn how to be loved.

This person never responded to me. I find this confusing because they cared enough to accuse me but they didn’t care enough to say anything to what I had to say. I don’t believe I was rude or even mean. I was sharing information I have collected over the years while I was learning who I was and meeting great people. But I think I can understand because the conservative right doesn’t teach us to question or study. They want us to stay ignorant so we are easily led. I am afraid this person expected me to either ignore them or respond with verbal violence, but that is not where growth is. That is not who I am.

In the end we can only grow through education. My hope is that this person learned something.

Feel free to leave your comments below!

They Have Not Chosen Me

by Summer D Clemenson | Dec 20, 2025 | About Summer, Cancer, Chronic Illness, Life, Opinions

Today was a special day. A birthday. They are hard. Days for special people that I love with all my heart that I can’t reach because they have not chosen me. Jamie Holloway suggested we have cake and sing, “Happy Birthday.” She was right. It helped a lot.

I have been trying very hard to not write about certain people. I want to be done with them but they still live in my dreams. They are still in my history. They still make me cry.

I recently texted something I needed to say to my mom, but I couldn’t say it to her. I don’t need an apology. I just needed to tell her. People can only give what they have. Most people don’t have the words I need. That is what Karen G Clemenson and Jamie and a few others that know who they are, are for.

Mom said that she thinks the blog is what really triggered these people. Whether that is what she meant, I felt some blame in that phrase. I am not angry about it. We don’t have to agree to love each other.

I never pulled all the heads off of someone’s dolls until they made Cabbage Patch Dolls and I couldn’t do it anymore so I outlined their mouths with blue ink. I have never chased anyone around a house with a knife on more than one occasion. I have never kicked anyone in the stomach over and over again while they begged me to stop. I have never stolen anything from anyone, especially their senior year, year book with messages from people they can never replace. I never helped someone buy their psych meds and then told everyone about it. I never told people I paid someone to do something that they did for free. I never poured river rock on top of the flower beds they dug out by hand and planted bulbs that they never saw produce. This is the short list. This is the list of only one person. This is the list that hurts the least.

This is the substance of a system that I was not born into but it became as I grew older and things changed; while my family changed.

I was told by several therapists that I should leave my family. I loved them. Most importantly there were sibkids (kids of siblings) that I adored and I knew if I left, I would never see them again because the system was what it was, so I stayed.

But when I got really sick, the kind of sick that doesn’t go away, I realized I had to change. And when I prayed to God for a partner because I really didn’t want to live anymore, and I didn’t want to live alone because even though I was surrounded by people, none of them ever chose me, there was Karen. So we married and even though nothing got better right away, I had some joy. One day we came over for dinner and my mom even told me how beautiful I looked. I didn’t know what to say. Joy does that for you.

But we tried to be part of this system and Karen was watching me get worse. And one day after a visit when I was unable to stay awake or get out of bed, she came home from work and begged me to get out of bed and eat something and take my meds. She begged me not to let them take me away anymore. And when the depression subsided and my mind came back around, I realized I had to make a choice, so I called my mom and then my dad and I told them both that I had to take a break from them. I didn’t know where the pain was coming from and I needed a break. My therapists suggested a complete cut, but I didn’t want that. I had hoped that it would just be a break.

But my sisters heard about it and they cut me off and took their kids. My only pure joy.

Ms. Colvin, my father’s second wife remained who she is. My oldest sister remained who she is. My older, younger sister stayed who she is. My father chose who he always chooses. There were lots of terrible things.

It became permanent.

I cannot and will not apologize for my writing my truth. I cannot and will not apologize for living authentically. Abusers need to be outed. I deserve to be advocated for. I deserve to be my own hero. I have earned my freedom. I will never get back the love I wasn’t given and that I deserved.

God is a God of reconciliation. It is because He healed me so much that I could hear Him when my youngest sister reached out to me and He said it would be ok, that I read her message about our mother that I have had amazing moments with her. But I have fought hard to be able to stand in my truth. I will not sit down now. I will not be quiet and let things be.

I will not attack my abusers on purpose. They do not have to read my blog.

It is their love for drama that created my need for the outlet that sometimes my blog is. This is my 653rd article on this website. These articles that might bring them up might take up only >5-10% of all of them. I am a warrior. I have beat cancer. Jamie reminds me of that all the time. I may have spent most of the day in bed today, but tomorrow I will get up and have a great day.

I am free from the system that my extended family holds dear.

Oh BTW I beat cancer!

Feel free to leave your comments below!

RE:H.Res.353

by Summer D Clemenson | Dec 12, 2025 | Life

Dear Representative,

I would like to tell you how much I support H.Res.353. I believe Donald J Trump is guilty of abuse of power through unlawful detention and human rights violations. He has defied federal law and court orders. He has created corruption and used the justice system to retaliate against critics. Trump has also obstructed Congress and concealed information, stopping the balance of power. I also believe that he has endangered our national security through impaired governance.

I am not going to waste your time with lots of words. I know you are busy, however, I do post all these letters and other articles on my website at https://goodtimesalways.com/ if you want to read more, I would suggest:

Please do your job.

Sincerely,

Summer D Clemenson

Jayne Converse on Articles of Impeachment

by Summer D Clemenson | Dec 12, 2025 | Opinions, Politics

Today I was scrolling and watching videos and found Jayne Converse on Articles of Impeachment and I was so inspired that I decided to share her words. This is not a perfect word for word dictation of her video, but it is pretty close and I think it is a very good message. I hope it inspires you to write to your representative to support H.Res.353, articles of Impeachment for Donald J. Trump.

These Articles of Impeachment illustrate a pattern of abusive conduct that violate the Constitution, endangers the public, and undermines the foundation of our democracy. Al Green, lawyer and house representative for Texas’ 9th district, intends to file Articles of Impeachment before Christmas, but this responsibility does not fall only on members of Congress but on people who have made an oath to defend the Constitution. The Constitution belongs to all of us and so does the responsibility to defend it.

Article I. Abuse of Power Through Unlawful Detention & Human Rights Violations

As president, Donald J. Trump has directed federal agencies, including Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to carry out raids, detentions enforcement actions without lawful warrants, without probable cause, and without constitutional protections owed to every person under the jurisdiction of The United States. He has permitted the detention of U.S. citizens, the targeting of political protesters, the coercive deportation into foreign detention facilities and the expansion of detention centers where documented abuses have occurred. Such actions are abuses of the powers of the presidency and a violation of the 1st, 4th, and 5th Amendments.

The government has enormous power but not in a random manner, without cause, or to weaponize fear. When federal power is used against the people it is meant to protect, the presidency has crossed a constitutional line.

Article II. Defiance of Federal Law & Court Orders

Donald J. Trump has repeatedly refused to comply with federal court rulings governing asylum procedures, detention limits, access to counsel, medical care and due process rights. He has diverted federal funds without congressional authorization in violation of Article I of the Constitution and the Appropriations Clause. This conduct represents a sustained defiance of the judiciary and a failure to take care that the laws be executed.

Our system only works when each branch respects its limits. A president who ignores court rulings places himself above the law. A president who spends money without Congress violates one of the oldest checks on executive power. The Constitution does not allow a president to rule by force of will.

Article III. Corruption of Justice & Retaliation Against Critics

Donald J. Trump has misused the Department of Justice and other federal agencies to initiate or threaten investigations into political opponents, journalists, protesters, and state officials for the purpose of retaliation and intimidation. He had interfered in the federal prosecutions involving allies and pressured law enforcement to act, not in the interest of justice, but in the interest of the president himself. Such conduct violates the principle of impartial justice and constitutes a profound abuse of executive authority.

The justice system is supposed to be neutral. It cannot function when the president uses it to punish or shield his allies. When law enforcement becomes a political weapon, democracy is unravelling from the inside out.

Article IV. Obstruction of Congress & Concealment of Information

Donald J. Trump has stopped the lawful oversight responsible of Congress by refusing to comply with subpoenas, directing executive officials not to testify, withholding documents, impeding inspectors generals, and concealing medical and administrative information needed for Congress to assess the functioning of the Executive branch. This obstruction violates congress’s Article I authority and prevents the Legislative branch from carrying out its constitutional duty.

Congress can’t check the Executive branch if the president blocks every attempt at oversight. Transparency is not optional, its required. A president who conceals, obstructs and evades review threatens the balance of power itself.

Article V. Endangerment of National Security Through Impaired Governance

Donald J. Trump has exhibited repeated signs of cognitive and physical impairment, including disorientation, confusion, inability to remain focused during briefings, erratic public behavior and unexplained medical indicators while refusing to initiate procedures under the 25th Amendment or to transfer authority when unable to discharge the powers and duties of the presidency. Such conduct endangers national security and constitutes a willful dereliction of duty.

Health challenges are human. But hiding an impairment while making decisions that affect national security is not acceptable. The 25th Amendment gives the vice president and the cabinet the power to step in if the president if a president can’t do his job. They are the backup system the Constitution created for moments like this. If the president wont acknowledge the problem and the people who could use the 25th Amendment don’t act, then impeachment is the only tool left to protect the country.

These article taken together describe a pattern of conduct that threaten our constitutional order. A president who abuses power, defies the law, retaliates against critics, obstructs oversite and governs while impaired violates the oath he swore the the United States people.

Impeachment is not an act of hostility. Its an act of protection. A safeguard, written for moments like this.

>Watch Jayne Converse’s entire video.

Note: the link above is to a video on Facebook. I do not own the site and I do not manage it.

Feel free to leave your comments below!