by Summer D Clemenson | Nov 17, 2025 | About Summer, Chronic Illness
Today I am honoring the fact that I am depressed. Why do I use those words? Because I learned in my 30’s that being honest with myself was not negative but the first step in the right direction. If I recognize I am depressed then I know I need to either try harder or rest more. I have thought about why I might be depressed and it just comes back to the fact that I am chronically ill and I live in chronic pain and sometimes those two things make my life harder and I don’t like it and sometimes those two things impede on me more than I want them to and it makes me angry, so angry I lash out on me.
So I slept a lot today and then I made myself do my workout. I have been skipping my workout. Not every day but enough. I need my workouts. They are needed and I shouldn’t be skipping them unless I had surgery or I have a migraine. When I can think straight I know this. My workouts are not stressful. They focus on stretching and strengthening my muscles. They are not aerobic because my body doesn’t like those movements. However my rheumatologist has noticed how flexible I am and my oncologist has noticed my strength. These two characteristics are the foundation of stamina. I need them to support joints and nerves that often fail me. They have helped me not to fall countless times.
Since the day is almost gone I will not confuse myself with too much. I have a phone appointment or preop appointment with my oncologist tomorrow. I have to get up much earlier than usual so tomorrow I will get things done. Today I will spend some time in my bible. I will take a shower. I will go to bed early. I will take care of me.
When we are depressed it is wise to listen to ourselves and love ourselves. Often there is a reason and sometimes there isn’t. Or sometimes the reason isn’t one you can get rid of, but you can love yourself through the moment.
~
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.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
~
by Summer D Clemenson | Nov 13, 2025 | About Summer, Life, Opinions, Politics
I have struggled a lot during the campaign and the reign of Trump. I won’t say much on that because verbally bashing the president is redundant at this point. I do pray that God blesses him and that God finds glory for Himself in whatever God is doing in and through Trump. Any success Trump has is a success for us all and I would be a fool to not support this. I too am an imperfect human. I too can be judged by many. I too can be misunderstood. But whether I misunderstood him, or his imperfections caused valid fear in me, it has effectively persuaded some of my responses.
Jamie and Summer getting together and enjoying our time.
I am an independent thinking voter, who has never voted straight across a platform until Trump was being voted for because I was afraid of Project 2025. I regret my state level votes. However, our democratic governor has nothing to do with the fact that Project 2025 began happening the minute Trump took office.
As far as the government shutdown goes. There came a moment when I knew people were not getting their paychecks but were expected to go to work, that I felt like we had to stop playing politics and be humans. When people were worried about their SNAP and WIC benefits and it was no longer important to me if the republicans or the democrats won. When an airplane crashed into a building with workers in it and people died, it was time to stop listening to Trump be wish washy and be forced by judges to feed hungry Americans. Because The USA is made of people; hard working people. People who deserve to be paid for their work so they can pay their bills and that money can go into our economy and build us all. Just like the SNAP and WIC benefits don’t just benefit the families that use them, but the grocery store that gets them and all the truck drivers and gas stations and every other business that support and supply the grocery stores and their workers. I don’t care if you think one side caved. The government staying closed, hurts us all. Insurance is important, but it was never going to be fixed if Congress could not get together and work on it.
I am watching as more democrats are taking positions or announcing their candidacy in government. I mentioned Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s grandson, running for Congress to Karen G Clemenson when she stopped by between jobs. I don’t know anything more about him. I don’t know if he will be good at the position. But I recognize that it is normal that when we have a president that shakes us up, that belongs to one party, we tend to switch to the other side at that next election. Our current president has more than shook up The United States, but other countries as well. So soon in his run, I am interested to see what will happen next. I was scared at one point. But then I decided to detach and see if I could enjoy any of Trump’s audacity.
I will never understand his appeal to anyone but I do enjoy audacity. It’s my type of humor. So I guess if you see me laughing, you can assume I’m dealing with myself the best way I know how.
~
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.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
~
by Summer D Clemenson | Nov 13, 2025 | Letters to My Representatives, Opinions, Politics
Dear Representative,
I would like you to discuss with other democrat congress members to propose a motion to vacate the chair of the speaker of the house, Mike Johnson. I know you will need a total of 9 sponsors. Please find them.
I do not believe that Johnson is able to make wise decisions, but is only a puppet for the whims of the president, which are not always legal. Proof of this is the fact that democrat, Adelita Grijalva, was not sworn into her position as representative for Arizona for 7 weeks after she was elected. I understand that he believes that he is justified in making her wait because Nancy Pelosi did not swear in Julia Letlow in for 25 days when she was elected in 2021, but in that situation, the house was scheduled to be closed. In the situation with Grijalva, Johnson refused to call the house to order. Also republicans, Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine were both sworn in within 24 hours of being elected. This is biased treatment.
Johnson’s actions have caused chaos in our country and might have caused federal employees to go without pay and people needing food assistance to be worried and wondering, nationwide. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Summer D Clemenson
~
by Summer D Clemenson | Nov 7, 2025 | Letters to My Representatives, Opinions, Politics
Dear Representative,
It is Day 36. Google tells me this is the longest government shut down in our nation’s history. Republicans say it is the democrat’s fault because they wont cave to their wishes. Democrats say it is the republican’s fault because republicans wont open the house, Trump wont negotiate anything regarding the Affordable Care Act, and Adelita Grijalva has still not been sworn in. Here is the thing, even though Trump has been ordered by Federal Judges to make SNAP and WIC funding available he is choosing to appeal these rulings and break the law again. So guess who I think is wrong? All of you, especially the republicans.
The dems probably think they are stopping Trump’s administration from being completely lawless by keeping our government from functioning. I can see why they don’t want to give up any control they have because there are bills ready to be voted on to make voting very hard; which should never have been written because voting has always been facilitated by the states. Trump promised a lot of powers of the states would not be touched. But we know he is a liar. I am sending this message to many representatives, not just my own, so why are you supporting him? I understand that MAGAs support him, but they are not the only ones that you work for. Aren’t you tired yet?
I am exhausted. I am sick of the party fight too. Since we know the ACA is broken, why don’t you fix it. If that is your plan, why don’t you tell us? There are more poor in this country than there are wealthy. We count. We need to know that you are willing to stand for us. Why are you letting Trump starve the poor and gut Medicare? Why are you letting people go to work without paychecks? Why does Trump’s administration get to break the law without consequences? Why do you get a paycheck for no work, while our military, security guards and other federal employees don’t; while people die in plane crashes.
Please do the right thing. Please open the government and fight for all of us.
Sincerely,
Summer D Clemenson
~
by Summer D Clemenson | Nov 5, 2025 | Letters to My Representatives, Opinions, Politics
Dear Representative,
As you know, the government shutdown has been upon us for 5 weeks on November 5, 2025. At first, I was ok with it, I thought it was noble. I thought it was right to help out all families that depend on the Affordable Care Act. But as we kept waiting, it got old.
As Air Traffic Controllers, Active Military, Federal Employees, In Hospital Medical Staff, FBI Agents, Border Patrol, Prison Guards & Emergency Response Workers like FEMA missed paychecks, but still had to work, I started to flinch. And then SNAP & WIC benefits were stopped & now I’m just angry.
I am neither a republican nor a democrat, you might not know that because I have voted for you. I am a free thinker. I believe that when the main parties have strong platforms to stand on they balance each other out & help all United States citizens to feel heard & served. My neighbors & I don’t feel served.
I have been reading what people have been saying about the shutdown & learning that people getting insurance outside of the ACA don’t get any subsidies, because the ACA only benefits families similar to a family of 3 making $106,000 or less. So with the tax benefit that only a certain part of the population gets, this has helped cause prices for healthcare to skyrocket. This is why republican voters don’t like the ACA.
However I know people that make much less than $106,000 who still can’t afford the ACA & yet they work. So the ACA is not working for the very poor either. They still need healthcare. But the subsidies end in January and insurance companies are sending out notices now & this is why democrats want the subsidies made permanent & they are demanding $50 billion to do it.
Republicans say they have a new healthcare plan but they wont tell anyone what it is. They just want the government opened. Democrats feel like they have to stand strong. I can empathize with this but people need to pay their bills & buy groceries, & let’s be real, programs like SNAP & WIC also support the stores & entities that supply the stores so it isn’t just about feeding people but supporting people at all levels.
I read today that 8 democrats have been meeting with Senate Majority Leader John Thune. SNAP is the reason for the change of pace. “Allowing nearly 42 million Americans to miss food assistance would be a ‘betrayal’ of Democratic values,” said Senator John Fetterman.
I want you to join the 8 democrats that are willing to open the government. I want people to be paid to do their jobs. I want people to get their SNAP & WIC benefits. I also want both democrats and republicans to work together to fix the ACA to benefit all United States citizens. We all deserve to be able to go to the doctor. You all should be working for us.
Put down the egos or party policies and be humans that serve us. Please.
Sincerely,
Summer D Clemenson
by Summer D Clemenson | Oct 31, 2025 | About Summer, Opinions
I have been in a pit of depression for the month of October and I woke up feeling so much lighter and glad to be out of that pit today. I made it out and it feels so good to be able to move easier. Depression is painful, not only mentally but physically for me. It stops me from doing so many things until I process whatever it is that I need to get through. I am thankful I got through. I have been so worried about a lot of things, things I know I can do nothing about other than to pray and try to set my mind in order on but what a day to be able to wake up and say: Happy Halloween 2025!
I have been terribly worried about the victims of Hurricane Melissa. The people in Jamaica, Haiti and Dominican Republic have been ravished. They have lost loved ones, homes, hospitals, places of work, safe spaces. All I can do is pray but I am so thankful for the people coming to their aid from all over the globe. Times like these really show me what love can look like and it doesn’t just come from one place. Love is international.
Politically I have been destitute. I am neither a democrat or a republican. I wish either party had a platform worth standing on right now. I think they have both lost their footing. Socially I tend to appreciate some of the social justice that democrats offer. Financially, I usually like the tax beliefs that republicans align themselves with. However, raising taxes on the poor and cutting taxes for the rich makes absolutely no sense to me. People that work should be able to have health insurance. In fact I do believe in universal healthcare because humans get sick and sick people should be able to go to the doctor and prevention saves money in the long run, a healthy workforce can pay more taxes, sick people make more sick people, and people that can’t afford to go to the doctor, go to the hospital and leave bills for the rest of us to pay for anyway. Eating is necessary and so SNAP should not be something we are fighting about. The fact that the government has been closed for 5 weeks is ridiculous. Trump has chosen to let the government stay closed and this makes me furious. He has proven, he gets what he wants. Other presidents have conceded when it was necessary.
But! Two judges ordered that contingency funds be used to pay for SNAP and so people will get their benefits, in spite of the bull headedness of our politicians and everyone that gets those dollars, including all the entities that benefit from those dollars at the grocery stores will continue to benefit which means we all benefit and I feel like a huge weight has been removed off of my chest. Thank You Jesus!
I was thinking about a Halloween a long time ago. I was out with friend. I was old enough that it was just the two of us in our neighborhood. Oak Street didn’t have a lot of street lights and it didn’t have sidewalks but we made it out alive. We were about finished. There was a park a block from my house and Stephanie and I were accosted by two boys that wanted our candy. They grabbed my pillow case that I had been using to collect candy. It made me angry so I grabbed it back and hit them in the head with it and left for home.
This is how I was telling the story to Karen G Clemenson. She was laughing. She didn’t understand why I would do that. So I told her. First, the boys had masks on, but I knew it was Ty and Shad. Ty lived across the street from me and Shad lived down the street from Stephanie and I didn’t need to be afraid of them. Second, my mom had just bought me a new comforter and matching pillow case and I really liked that pillow case. It wasn’t about the candy, it was about the pillow case. Also, if they had asked for the candy I would have given them some. I just didn’t want anyone to steal from me. Too much candy has always made me sick. They could have even followed me home and taken some. I always brought my Halloween candy to school anyway to share with my friends because I was not used to eating a lot of sugar.
Karen just kept looking at me like she couldn’t believe what I was telling her. It was about the pillow case, not the candy…One time Mom asked me where the strawberry preserves were and I told her Ty asked to borrow it…so I had to go to his house and get it back.
My mom didn’t like Halloween. She had her own reasons. I didn’t necessarily care for the day but I loved dressing up. Sometimes I would play with my makeup. One time my mom called me out to ask me a question and I didn’t have enough time to remove my makeup. I had done a mosaic design on my face. It was fantastic, but in the dimly lit living room, it must have been frightening. I tried to stay in the dark so she couldn’t see me while we spoke. Eventually, she looked at me and screamed. That had not been my goal. I was just a creative kid.
I haven’t dressed up in many years. Mainly because as I got bigger it wasn’t fun to do it anymore. I was also sick and when you live in a hotel, all your money goes to living in a hotel and being sick. But I am shrinking. I am almost back to my high school weight. In the picture above, I am in my prom dress (this is not a prom picture though, it is a Halloween picture with the car my Grandpa Bill gave my mom, that she gave me because she was too short to drive it). We are also very close to moving and we wont be spending all our money on rent anymore and I can start thinking about things like Halloween costumes again, I told Karen that we are going to be Raggedy Anne and Andy some year or maybe a Seattle Seahawk and a Football. She isn’t used to this idea because we have had to be so practical for so long, but the idea makes me smile.
Someone told me, this last week, that I like to worry about things. It is a trauma response. I didn’t have all I needed as a child. I saw a lot of pain. I am aware of trauma and pain. I hate it and I hate seeing people hurt. I don’t see that it is a bad thing to care about others and not want them to suffer. Jesus told us that when we fed the hungry or clothed the needy we were loving Him. When we were taking in the immigrant or helping someone that couldn’t help themself we were helping Him. I have been that person. I am that person sometimes. We all are.
Halloween is a favorite holiday to some because it is only about fun. I was explaining this to Karen. She doesn’t really care about this day either. I was telling her what Stephanie had explained to me when I asked her. There were no traditional meals, no gifts that had to be bought, no expectations but fun. People need this day because life can be hard, it can be traumatic, it can be less than what we need. What I am experiencing today is a renewed hope that can carry me farther than this day can take me and I am thankful. I hope you have some of this kind of feeling, not just for this day but for as many days as you can carry.
Shannon, I have no other way to reach you. I hope you have a Happy Halloween. We can’t be sisters or friends, but I do love you.
~
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.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
~
by Summer D Clemenson | Oct 30, 2025 | About Summer, Opinions
I always gave my father lots of chances. I did that for lots of reasons. One was that it was easy to communicate with him. I was a lot like him, in that I understood what set him off. It was easy to learn the boundaries. He had the same violent streak that I had. There was a sadness and an intensity in him that I understood. I could understand the need to stay busy and not hear the voice inside that said mean things to me. He needed the validation that hard work brought. He had made himself after being the scapegoat in an abusive family. He had earned every advantage he had. I understood why money was important to him, although I never agreed, because I knew that all the money in the world could never fix the hurt.
I have always watched people. I feel a lot. I didn’t always have the words I needed to define what I felt, but I learned who was safe and who wasn’t. I couldn’t always keep myself from dangerous people, but I knew who I didn’t want to be like. I could eventually know when I was being lied to. Being a person that was easily stimulated by lights, sounds and emotions, was super hard for me. I didn’t know that was what my problem was until I was in my 40’s, but it was very hard to visit my father’s family when I was a child. There were so many of them. The history of alcoholism and abuse, although was not overtly present, was still there and I didn’t have words for it because I had been protected fiercely by both my father and my mom. I often would hide in a quiet room when it got too much for me and my father would find me and drag me out to join the noise.
I didn’t like my Grandpa Clemenson. It is hard to say that because I know it will hurt several people, especially my aunt. But I didn’t like him. My aunt has lovely stories about him and I think it is because she was his favorite, or maybe she chooses to remember him that way. But my grandfather’s eyes scared me. They were never soft; they were always hard and piercing. He always barked orders. I don’t remember hearing please or thank you from him. I don’t remember seeing love in his eyes toward my father and that scared me, because as I child, my father, was Superman to me. The only conversation I really remember having with my grandfather was when I heard him refer to black people as niggers. I was about 8 to 10 years old and I got in his face and told him that God made all people and He loved everyone and that it was wrong to use that word. I vaguely remember my father standing close by, maybe to make sure he could protect me from his father. My aunt has told me that my grandfather didn’t trust my father. This makes me sad. Because I know that my father took more beatings than his siblings. My grandfather created the monster inside my father. I don’t think it is fair that he didn’t trust him.
I had a hard time learning my name as a child. It was long. Summer Clemenson was so hard to learn that I didn’t learn to spell my middle name, Deanne until I was in 4th grade.
I was an angry child and teenager. People told me things they should never have told a child and teenager. Mom, in her desperation to keep us afloat told me things. Ms. Colvin, in her attempt to abuse me and hurt my mother told me things. My father, for his many reasons told me things he should never have told me. My anger is much quieter now, but there is still some left. I have learned to not feed the violent part of me. I want to be gentle and peaceful.
But as a young woman, I hated my name. I saw it as my grandfather’s name. I resented him because I didn’t think he loved my father. I never thought he should love me, but I knew I was loved by my parents and I thought parents were supposed to love their kids. This was not because of anything anyone had told me but what I felt when I was around him. I also didn’t like him because of the way his hands wandered when I was forced to hug him. Luckily a conversation among my father, Ms. Colvin and all my siblings, eventually made the hugging stop.
When I was in my young 20’s I was so angry that I used another last name. I got bills to the name Summer Dae. I wrote under the name Anna Stourmie Somre Dae. For a few years I was considering changing my name. But I was also in therapy at that time, and as things do, we begin to accept ourselves and I began to learn to love myself. I had not caused a lot of the negative things that had happened around me to happen and at some point I accepted my name. It was mine. Not anyone else’s. Yes, it connected me to a lineage, but in my mind, it was mine.
I remember the stress my mom was in when she divorced my father. She had decided to keep my name. She kept it, not because it was my father’s name, but because it was the name of her children. There was a month that Ms. Colvin wrote out the child support check to my mother’s maiden name. What a mess that made at the bank. What stress that added to our home. We needed that money. Ms. Colvin would do anything to hurt us. It wasn’t just my mom she was hurting, it was the children of the man she was supposed to love. The children she refused to allow her husband to co-parent their 3 children, one who was very difficult and needed more attention. No…She can’t have my name. I am Mrs. Clemenson now.
I go by Summer D Clemenson because at some point I was aware that I have a distant cousin named Sommer and before she was married, we had such a similar name that I chose to add the D. But this also was in honor of my Nana. She really wanted me to be named Summer Dee after the actress, Sandra Dee, but my mom wanted to make my middle name a little like her name so I got Deanne.
When Karen G Clemenson and I got married we were going to leave our names alone. We had been single for a long time. She was almost 50 and I was almost 40. We had lived a long time with our names. For me, I also didn’t like the name Gidderon. And the struggle it had taken for me to finally accept the name I had been born with was just too much to let go of it. But after a few months of marriage, I asked her, what would we do if we ever adopted children. We couldn’t curse them with the name Gidderon-Clemenson or Clemenson-Gidderon. We had to pick a name. So Karen’s answer was to take mine. Her father had died already and mine was still alive. Her parents had not given her a middle name so her last name became her middle name and she took my last name. Grandma Clemenson asked her once why she took our name and Karen explained it to her and Grandma thought that was the most practical thing ever.
We were talking about it recently and the only other name I would have ever wanted to take was Henderson, which is my Grandpa Bill’s last name. We could have done that but it would have been an expense to change everything for both of us. I also think that it would have hurt Grandma Clemenson too much.
My father did not share his family with me very often. I don’t know why. He must have his reasons and I have made peace with that. But the time I had with my grandmother, let me know she was a strong and honorable woman. She was not perfect, but she worked to get better and she loved fiercely. You didn’t have to be blood to be family and you didn’t have to be family to be loved by her. She tried so hard to honor her children, even though she knows choices she made hurt them and for that she carried her sadness, but she also cherished their success. She remembered every name and birthday. She was thankful for every day she had, which taught me to appreciate getting old, because not everyone gets to. She wore the ugly scarves I made her as a child. I made one for her and for my grandfather and because they were too small, she wore both of them. I know she loved me.
So if anyone asks, I took Grandma’s name.
I know Ms. Colvin made Grandma cry and that is another reason I hate her. Another reason, Ms. Colvin can’t have my name.
Shannon be sure to share this article with anyone you want. You have my blessing. I am feeling more freedom from my pain but I am also wondering if by telling the truth if I am freeing myself from the secrets I was told to keep. Be careful with how you all respond, I haven’t told all the stories yet. But there are good stories too…
Ms. Colvin should not write anymore letters.
~
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.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
~
by Summer D Clemenson | Oct 28, 2025 | About Summer, Opinions
This time of year is always hard on me. Most recently, this is the time of year I got my cancer diagnosis and had my last fight with my father when I told him that I had cancer, instead of letting him hear it through the grapevine. This is the anniversary of when I knew I had to make the break permanent with him. I know one of my siblings will make sure that certain people will see this blog. That is what they do. They enjoy the chaos and competition of our father’s house. And I am glad to let them have it. I think part of my problem is that I haven’t found a name I want to call them. I don’t know if I want to refer to my father by his full name or more casual and I am Mrs. Clemenson now. His second wife can’t have my name. The only person I share that name with is my wife; my one and only wife. I guess my father’s second wife can be Ms. Colvin.
I still have lots of feelings about having to let some of my family go, especially my father. I am his first born. He chose his second wife over me so many times. That last fight, I am sure, was instigated by her. It was an old topic. It was stupid. But it made me choose me, because I finally knew he was never going to.
For the first time, my choice was completely about me knowing I had to choose peace over the chaos that comes with his house. I have spent a lot of my life scared because of his house. The constant competition was something that was confusing at least. It is something I am newly mourning because I am realizing that the voice of my father’s second wife and my own mother have been confused in my mind throughout my life and I am sad because I know, now, that I have held my mother accountable for things she didn’t do.
Without the chaos of them, without the constant pressure of competition that one sibling brought back to our home, with our mom, my mom and I are finding an ability to communicate like we never had before. I remember watching my mother with her friends and even telling one of her friends that I wish I knew that Joanne, and her friend understood me. But now I am getting to know her and she is my mom, and I know she likes me. I never felt that before. She was too busy and stressed out before.
She keeps saying she was a bad mom. I don’t respond because I can’t change the tape in her head; I have tried. But I know she was the best mom she could be. She needed help. There is a reason why it takes two people to make a baby. Children need lots of support and they aren’t supposed to be raised by one person alone. I know my father left her with 3 kids. I know he had quit paying the mortgage months before he left. I know he controlled all the money and he put my mom down all the time, I heard the fights on the other side of my bedroom wall. I know he was unfaithful to his marriage to my mom and to our family. I know we were on public assistance while he was taking his second wife to Disneyland every year and complaining about $600 a month for child support. I know his second wife hated my Grandpa Bill and Nana because they saved us from her abuse.
I know Ms. Colvin continued to abuse my mother when she got the chance. Because she is a bad person. There are things I have done, throughout the time I was 9 through 39, when I allowed her in my life, she didn’t understand and when she asked me why I did those things, my answer was because my mom would have done this, or my nana would have done this. Because my mom was taught to be a good mom, by her mom, my nana.
The last time I communicated with my father was in a letter. I apologized to him for my response to him, bringing up a topic that was outdated and none of his business, when I had called to tell him I had cancer. My anger was not wrong, but my words were and I felt he deserved an apology for my disrespect. I also told him I no longer wanted to be his daughter. I didn’t want to be in his will. I want nothing from him. I want no contact from him. Because he and I communicate in similar language, I expected him to respect my wishes.
A week or so after my Grandpa Bill died, I got a letter from Ms. Colvin. I didn’t read the entire letter. It was terrible. I tore it up. I did not respond.
I spent so many years trying to be a friend to Ms. Colvin. I don’t need to list any of her sins. If you know her, you know her. I do believe she encourages the worst in my father and her narcissism has attached itself accordingly.
In this part of my life, I am grateful to know what is important to me more than ever. My peace and health are paramount. Understanding that I get to choose, even when I am depressed, I get to choose, is an important tool. I get to choose people that want the best for me, people that help me choose positivity, health and joy are important. Major Depressive Disorder isn’t a death sentence or a punishment, for some of us, it is just a state of being, that we have to work through. My father used to emotionally abuse me for the entire trip from Longview to Yakima and then be angry at me because I was depressed during our visit. What a creep. Of course I don’t want to be around him. No wonder I have PTSD.
There was a trip where I had had enough and when he pulled over to get gas, I told him I was done. I wanted to call my mom and have her come get me. I wasn’t going to be abused for the whole trip again. Things changed a bit. Between my father and I, things got better but it got worse between Ms. Colvin and I. Maybe things got better because he didn’t have to pay child support for me anymore…Because money is very important to him. They must have known this day would come. They must have known that I would find my voice and I would tell the truth.
By the way, to all the people that have been told otherwise, I have paid back every loan I have ever got from my father. The last one I even paid interest on, which he didn’t ask for. When he offered to give it back to me, I told him to never talk to me about it again, because Ms. Colvin had made sure to abuse me and my nephew at the same time via text message and it was a terrible experience. They are the reason for my phone phobia.
Truth is important. Some things are harder to heal than others and I am honest with God.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” – Ephesians 5:8
I have forgiven a lot. But I have not forgotten. I still hate Ms. Colvin. My mom told me she likes the term “severe resentment.” That made me giggle a little because I know she was trying to help me feel better, when it means the same thing. I appreciate that she was not critical of me; that she understood that I talk with God about this a lot. That she knows that I am having trouble giving God my pain and not taking it back.
I’m telling my story not just for me, but for anyone else who needs to see what it looks like to learn how to choose life. It doesn’t look the same all the time. I have changed. My views and memories have changed, my hopes and aspirations and opinions have changed. There are things I have let go of and will let go of, as soon as I am able to because they don’t serve me. I am always changing. I don’t miss my father, his second wife and my two older sisters because in all their anger, nothing changes because nothing is forgiven.
I do ache for my nieces and nephews but maybe one day they will choose to remember their Auntie Summer. Not the quiet one that sat in the corner at family functions, but the one that played with them in their bedrooms and took them on adventures because that was the real me. The woman that is a good writer, a good speaker, a lover of people, even broken ones because I can empathize with people that hurt and have been left alone or hurt too much.
The people I left behind can’t possibly understand that I still love them and pray for them. That just because I don’t like them and know they are unhealthy for me, doesn’t mean I don’t want them to be happy and healthy. Mom and I were talking about that. I told her, I trust them all with God. He made them. He knows what they need and want. He can love them best because I can’t trust them…Especially you, Shannon.
I put a lot of thought into that last sentiment. I keep thinking of that time at the mall with Nana and Mom, when I was about 8 and you were about 4-years-old and you kept putting your head under that dressing doors to watch me change and no matter how I complained you kept tormenting me, until I stood on your head…You have always required me to go to extreme measures to get you to leave me alone.
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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.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
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by Summer D Clemenson | Oct 25, 2025 | Letters to My Representatives, Opinions, Politics
Dear Representative,
I am sitting in one of the richest countries in the world and yet people I know are being told they won’t get their SNAP benefits on November 1, 2025. I am trying to stay calm and think logically. $8 billion dollars cannot be found to feed people, families, children, disabled people and elderly in the United States of America and also support all the retailers that supply the grocery stores, but $20 billion was sent to Argentina. I don’t understand this. I thought Trump was all for America first. I thought he meant the United States.
Republican’s Big Beautiful Bill cut $186 billion from the SNAP program and then the USDA decided to not report on food insecurity anymore. Is that so that no one can see how big the need is, except for those who are starving? $300 million can be raised to build a ballroom in the White House, where we already had one, but we can’t feed families. The government can stay closed and you still get your pay checks while many other families are forced to work without pay. Why are you so special?
Honestly, I don’t know where to start. As a Washington State resident, I am shocked at the huge tax increases created by Governor Ferguson, especially during a time where we are also seeing huge tariffs, aka taxes, by Trump. These taxes on gasoline, businesses, sales tax, etc.. are making life very hard to afford. I voted for this man because I was afraid of what republicans were going to do and I see that democrats are hurting us too.
Every day there is something else that is happening that makes me wonder if you are working for me or against me and the people I care about, the people that might have voted for you. I need to see some change. I need to see that “We the People” are important.
By the way, when are you going to impeach Trump? Before or after he sells us to another country?
Sincerely,
Summer D Clemenson
by Summer D Clemenson | Oct 21, 2025 | Opinions, Poetry, Politics
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I am made in my Creator’s image
I am white
I am female
I am a United States Citizen
I am just like you
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Jesus turned over tables
where they sold offerings
for money
But He gave Himself on the cross
for free
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You are just like me
I am black
I am queer
I am houseless & I can read
But the freedom of my Spirit
does not match my Constitution
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Some say the government
should only provide the laws & foundation
That citizens must create
the opportunities they desire
But when taxes are so high we can’t dream
How do we free those that can’t breathe
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We are the same
I am disabled
I am a veteran
I am a tree-hugging peace-lover
I can’t do this without You
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Photo Credit: Aesthetic Aristocracy on Tumblr
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by Summer D Clemenson | Oct 16, 2025 | Letters to My Representatives, Opinions
Dear Representative,
This government shutdown has been exhausting. Thank you for fighting for healthcare for all United States citizens. In a country as wealthy as we are, it baffles me why we can’t offer universal healthcare so that everyone is cared for and premiums are not affected by people that can’t pay their bills. Please keep fighting. Let’s talk about money.
As a related item, I hear that SNAP benefits are on the chopping block. If the government stays closed through November 1, SNAP will be held back. Please do what you can to open the government, but if that can’t happen, please protect the families that depend on these benefits. My family doesn’t meet the standard for these, but my best friend does, and we help where we can, but we can’t replace what SNAP gives her.
Another reason for this letter, is that I saw Representatives Melanie Stansbury and Angie Craig, in a video they posted on Facebook, explaining that Trump had promised $40 billion to Argentina. Regardless of the reasons they gave for this, doesn’t Congress have control over the purse strings? I personally don’t want to bail out Argentina. I would like my portion of the tax dollars to pay for our national debt.
In fact, I think it is more important to pay down our national debt than to add a ball room to the White House, built an Air Force base in Iowa for the use of training Qatar troops, or to federalize our military to use our military against our own people. I don’t know everything, but I remember being told the republicans were the party of the balanced budget, this is not that.
I want to share something personal with you. I am chronically ill and disabled. I rely on social security and my wife works 3 jobs to pay our bills. We are not fancy people. We have one car. It doesn’t run right now, and we can’t afford to replace it, but we are blessed because we have a friend who has an extra car that my wife has made a deal with to drive for the time being. We don’t drink alcohol, use drugs or smoke cigarettes. We don’t travel. We don’t go to the theater but we might splurge 1-2 times a year to see a movie. I buy almost all our clothes second hand. I cook most of our food from scratch because I have a lot of food sensitivities. We have a very short list of restaurants (based on whether I have gotten sick or not after eating there) that we might visit once a week. Did I mention we live in a hotel? It is impossible to save money to move when all your money goes to your rent. I know my story is slightly unique but not impossible.
Since June I have had a radiation treatment, 2 surgeries, many appointments with all my specialists, and lost at least 30 lbs. I did not have bariatric surgery. I have also continued to watch Trump and his cabinet and MAGAs that have done everything to make sure Trump is comfortable. Yet my anxiety is high. Even while I don’t read the news as often as I like and I leave the tv off until my wife gets home late at night.
I think it’s normal that I am having trouble finding my motivation since I have had so medical episodes back to back. But maybe this works as a metaphor for The United States. I have 14 diagnosed illnesses. Only one can be cured. But untreated, the one that can be cured, can kill me. The 13 diagnosis that can’t be cured, can be managed and with the right lifestyle choices, I can have decent quality of life.
I think lobbyist, manipulation, and anything that is not honest and black and white and pitting republicans against democrats or visa versa is like my cancer. We’ve had it a long time, but if we don’t get rid of it, we are doomed to die. Most of everything else is chronic and we have to learn to manage it efficiently, which means we have to very honest with ourselves, we must stop fighting, we must stop hating, and we must return to respecting our Constitution.
Sincerely,
Summer D Clemenson
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by Summer D Clemenson | Oct 7, 2025 | Opinions, Politics, Prayers & Thanksgiving
In my life I have walked with Jesus for almost 45 years. In the first half of my relationship with Him, I did not have as much control over where I learned about Him or what that meant, however, He saved me so many times. In much more conservative surroundings, my viewpoint on abortion was very set in stone. As I have learned more about humanity and a very compassionate Jesus, my views on laws have changed a lot. But today I woke and thought: Is Abortion Wrong?
I have always thought I knew what the bible said about abortion, however, today it occurred to me that I have not researched what the bible said with an open mind on this topic, or even in this decade, and probably not in the last 20 years. Today I did a search online about what the bible actually says about abortion and found several sites that were interesting and offered many scriptures and a couple viewpoints. I have shared a couple of the sites below if you are interested in reading them. I made sure to find more than one viewpoint.
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There were plenty of scriptures:
We can know that God planned our lives before He created us and He created us in His image. We know that God always knows us and He is always with us.
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Moses wrote in Genesis 1:26-27
Then God said,” Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
also see Genesis 9:6
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King David wrote Psalm 139:13-16
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
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The prophet Jeremiah wrote in Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
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Regarding violence Moses writes in Exodus 21:22-25
If men fight, and hurt a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
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But it should be known that the bible isn’t specific about who’s life they are replacing and in one article, it says the bible is not concerned with the life of the baby, but the mother.
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Moses writes in both Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17 say: You shall not murder.
I have no argument with this scripture. It is pretty cut and dry, however is it murder to have an abortion? There is no clear scripture about this in the bible. We know that there were abortion procedures in the days of the bible times, not anything like what we have now, but it was known how to end a pregnancy. Genesis 9:6 says whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood will be shed, however, who’s blood are you shedding by committing an abortion? The mother’s or fetus?
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It is important to stand up for those that can’t stand up for themselves. This could be unborn children, but there is no reason to believe that the bible is talking about this in the following scripture, but talking about civil rights for the people that are poor and not heard.
King Lemuel writes in Proverbs 31:8-9
Open your mouth for the speechless, in the case of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
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Paul writes in Galatians 6:1-5
Brethren, if a man is ever taken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall hear his own load.
So we know we are to carry each other. We are to love each other. We are to be mindful of our weaknesses so that we are not tempted to do wrong. But in the end, we are only responsible for our own life choices.
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Differences Between Christians and Nonbelievers
Nonbelievers are not to be held to the same expectations as Jesus Followers. Why should they be? Why should we have the same laws?
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Freedom of Choice
God gave us freedom of choice because He wants to be chosen and He respects our right to make choices and supports them.
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In Exhaustion
I walked away from the bible and the computer. I needed a break. As I peeled a sweet potato for dinner, I suddenly knew I wasn’t alone. God asked me if my choice regarding my opinion on abortion was based in love or the law. When I am trying to persuade someone to my side, am I considering their circumstances, their health, their ability to live with what happened to cause the pregnancy, the chance of their survival, if they were to give birth or do I just want to be right? When I am interrogating a medical professional, am I being professional, or am I being hateful, or murderous even? Can I only hear myself or am I stuck on being right?
Is my being right more important than Christ’s law of love (see the words in red above), because if that is the case, than that is what Jesus had against the Pharisees. Jesus was not intimidated by sinners. He knew He would forgive them.
In Mark 5:24-34 the bible tells of a woman with a gynecological issue. She had seen many doctors and spent all her money and been suffering for years, only to get worse. The word tells us that by Jewish law, her touching Jesus would make him unclean. But she believed in her heart that if she only touched His garment, that she would be made well. Because Jesus was here to love, He commended her for her faith. She had been healed.
I still believe that abortion is very personal choice. I still think that we have no right to make laws about another person’s body because I should not be able to make decisions about your body. That should be between you and your doctor. Do I think God is for or against abortion? I think God is for people. I think God is for healing people. I think God does things that we don’t always understand, for His good pleasure. I think He cares more about us loving each other, than our laws that we impose on each other. I don’t think God wants us to let women die because they couldn’t choose a life saving medical treatment. I think He doesn’t want us to treat medical professionals and women that need to make a choice about their own life, treated with hate.
Furthermore, I think that when you don’t know what to do with your life, you should ask God. He knows you better than anyone else. When you are concerned about someone else, I also think, instead of judging or criticizing someone else, you should pray for them. Again, God knows you and them, better than you do.
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James, the brother of Jesus, wrote in James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
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If you have had an abortion and you feel guilty you can always go to Jesus. He has already died for your sin. He has already forgiven you. He will show you how to forgive yourself. He will heal your wounds. Jesus came to show us the way to live a life free of law and sin. He came to show us how to love each other and ourselves.
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Paul wrote in Romans 8:1-2
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
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Our job on this earth is to learn to love. Not just that but to stop being afraid because perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). To sum up I will let Paul’s words finish up this article. His words seem to say it all:
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Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 13:1-13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice is iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. When I was a child, I spoke as a child. I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three: but the greatest of these is love.
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Read More:
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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.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
~
by Summer D Clemenson | Sep 30, 2025 | Book & Product Reviews, Opinions
Hi Everyone. September has been one intense month and I think it was about time to read some children’s books. These books were stellar and I am glad I had them to fall into. I imagine I will need to find more children’s books to disappear into as we wrap up 2025. I hope you find some time for the therapy of books and the peace that these colorful and simple books that we buy for our kiddos but can really benefit ourselves with as well.
Now without further ado 5 Books for September 2025:
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The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt is very creative. The story begins with a pile of letters to Duncan from each crayon in his box. Each letter is from a different crayon. They describe the types of characters and items that the crayons might be used for. I love that the layout is in a correct letter format, as letter writing seems to be a lost art form. In the end, Duncan responds in kind, by creating a beautiful and very colorful drawing for his teacher at school. I think this picture book teaches colors, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. The illustrations by Oliver Jeffers are fun.
I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt on Amazon.
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It’s Ok to Be Different by Todd Parr
It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It’s Ok to Be Different by Todd Parr is a super cute story time book. The illustrations are elementary and fun and full of great colors. The simple message of being different is ok, makes it so easy to talk about so many things, if for no other reason that to build confidence, vocabulary, emotional intelligence or many basic ideas around family and friends and even LBGTQIA relationships. I think this is such a great book.
I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of It’s Ok to Be Different by Todd ParrIt’s Ok to Be Different by Todd Parr on Amazon.
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Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty
Iggy Peck, Architect: A Picture Book by Andrea Beaty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty is such a fun fiction read. It has a poetry-like timing to the writing that makes it fun to read. The creative vibe of Iggy is so inspiring. I love that Beaty encourages children to consider following their dreams even when their teacher doesn’t see it, until Iggy proves his passion for architecture. The illustrations by David Roberts makes the story come alive. The story is a great collaboration for art and humor.
I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty on Amazon.
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The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn by Audrey Penn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is the most loving story. I have loved this story for years. Children often have trouble starting new things but The Kissing Hand gives them a way to leave home with a happy thought to carry the love they have with them while they are away. The illustrations by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak are precious and endearing and sure to open wonderful conversations about emotions, animals and fantasy. This is a sweet story to share with your favorite little one.
I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn on Amazon.
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Armadillo Rodeo by Jan Brett
Armadillo Rodeo by Jan Brett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Armadillo Rodeo by Jan Brett is a fun story about a young armadillo named Bo that gets separated from his mom and brothers. He spends the summer day following a pair of red cowboy boots that he thinks is a red armadillo, because armadillos have poor eye sight, at a western rodeo. Bo ends up having a day full of fun until it is time to go home and luckily his mom and brothers find him just in time. This story was a great adventure and the art is outstanding.
View all my reviews
I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of Armadillo Rodeo by Jan Brett on Amazon.
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I hope to hear from you. These books are great but I would love to hear from you about your favorite books. Maybe I can read your favorites too. Happy October.
Be blessed.
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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.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
by Summer D Clemenson | Sep 28, 2025 | Book & Product Reviews, Opinions
I have spent a lot of my time in the last 11 years mourning. This is the time that I have been dealing with my chronic physical and mental illnesses. I have 14 diagnoses and only one can be cured, so grief is part of my life as I have dealt with a lot of loss. Loss my physical abilities and loss of relationships that were not healthy and had to be removed from my life. Rising Strong by Bréne Brown is a nonfiction self help book about learning how to grieve loss in order to be better. It is a good book about psychology, personal development, leadership, mental health and grieving. Much of it was review for me, but there were several helpful elements too.
The Rising Strong Process
- Recognize emotions have been triggered and connect those emotions to thoughts or behaviors.
- Revisit, challenge and reality check our stories to learn who we are and how we engage with others.
- Fundamentally change our thoughts and beliefs to more courageous endings.
No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. — CS Lewis
Elements of Grief
- Feelings of Loss – Grief makes us reorient ourself physically, emotionally and socially
- Longing – Involuntary desire for wholeness since grief comes in waves, we cane be surprised by what can trigger or what can matter to us.
- Loss – Loss of normalcy. What we thought we knew about something or someone.
We can’t rise strong when we’re on the run. — Bréne Brown
To truly forgive we must be willing to grieve. We must bury expectations of relationship or dreams. We must give up on being right. We must give up on support and approval of others.
Shame, judgement, privilege, connection, need, fear and self-worth can all be part of the same coin. If you can look at another human in the eye, can it be our own fear of need? Can it be our own privilege not allowing us to see our similarities? We have not been taught to give, but to receive our really see who we are giving to as our equal. In a moments notice, our circumstance could change and make us equals, not just as we actually are, but as society measures us.
Blame kills relationships and organizational cultures because it is toxic.
Authenticity is required for healthy relationship because with it comes action, courage, honesty and the ability to make amends. When you feel like getting even, maybe you should get curious as to what feelings you are feeling. Why are you needing to get revenge? What has caused you shame?
To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing. — Aristotle
Find a list of memoirs that are encouraging on https://brenebrown.com/library/.
Books mentioned:
- The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
- The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World by Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu
- The Places the Scare You by Pema Chodron
- The Way We Never Were: American Families and the Nostalgia Trap by Stephanie Coontz
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I got this book from my personal collection. You can get your own copy of Rising Strong by Bréne Brown on Amazon.
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Read My Review on GoodReads:
Rising Strong: The Reckoning. The Rumble. The Revolution by Brené Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book by Bréne Brown I have ever read. Rising Strong was easy to read and understand. It was helpful and resourceful. I recommend it to anyone that needs help to find their own path through the hard parts of life.
View all my reviews
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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.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
by Summer D Clemenson | Sep 25, 2025 | Letters to My Representatives, Opinions
Dear Representatives,
I am writing in regards to Trump’s H-1B Policy. I am very concerned to hear that he has decided to add a $100,000 fee to this non-immigrant visa program which already costs business owners about $10,000 per specialized worker to take advantage of. There are already strict time limits, education guidelines and lottery to get through. There are government, attorney and processing fees, on top of promise to pay progressive wages to these employees while they are in the United States.
The benefits of these employers cannot be ignored. The United States does not have enough of these highly trained people to fill the kinds of jobs these people can help us to maintain our ability to be competitive with the rest of the world. These people pay taxes, buy houses and cars while they are here for up to 6 years. If we allow Trump to add a $100,000 price tag to this program, businesses will be priced out. New start ups that might see huge success will not be able to afford to hire the expertise they need. The United States will not be successful. Jobs will be lost.
Please stop this policy. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Summer D Clemenson
by Summer D Clemenson | Sep 25, 2025 | Letters to My Representatives, Opinions
Dear Representative,
I am very upset that Trump and Hegseth have illegally changed the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War. I recognize not only is this actually a problem because now they can use money set aside for the Department of Defense for other things than it was originally meant for and find other money for the Department of War. But I also know the power of words and I am afraid for what this literally means for our country, which has been able to keep war from our shores since 1942. I am upset that the Department of Peace has been gutted and de-funded.
I would like to see Congress sue the Trump Administration for violating the Appropriations Clause. I would like to see the Government Appropriations Office to issue a binding decision that spending under the name “Department of War” is unlawful. I would like to see the encouragement of contractors, states, or others directly affected by misallocated funds so they could challenge the legality in federal court, by our representatives.
Thank you for your time. Please do what is right.
Sincerely,
Summer D Clemenson
by Summer D Clemenson | Sep 24, 2025 | Poetry, Politics, Queer Community
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I hate the hatred God
How can they hate
someone they have never met
How can someone say they love You
but hate Your creation
The confusion makes me so tired
I hold onto You with white knuckles
~
It scares me so much
to look at my neighbors
and wonder if they hate me
because I have a wife
because I call her
my gingerbread cookie
or both
What if we adopt a child and
they’re born in the wrong body
I’ll have two parts of my heart
to be afraid for
~
I want to love my enemies
I pray for them like You told me
I fell like prey
I feel like it is a matter of time
before the ships surround me
My only strength is in You
so I will keep listening for You
even though my arms are so tired
~
PS: My 3 year old great-nephew took this picture with my phone. He is amazing!
~
by Summer D Clemenson | Sep 23, 2025 | About Summer, Opinions
I have been triggered. I have made blanket statement about people without asking any questions to clarify. I have been unfair to people that were mourning someone I never knew and will never understand.
I know it is my responsibility to manage myself but sometimes it is hard for me to recognize that PTSD is in play. The trauma I experienced as a child at the hands of specific people was and is real. I say is, because they are still telling people lies about me to people that have never met me. They are still abusing other people that are connected to me. I still hear about it. Even though I have removed them from my life, other people have not made that choice so there is still an inlet for their abuse unless I choose to cut off the entire Clemenson family.
Although I have my own beliefs about the message of Charlie Kirk, I do not want anyone to be murdered. I have been more vocal than I think I should have been or would have been, if his message did not remind me of how I was raised: speak hate in one room but live pretty in public. I am sorry. In a normal situation I think I would have been quieter. This is not an excuse. This is an explanation.
Right now, I’m fighting to remind myself who I am and what my strengths are while dealing with the nightmares. I oftentimes choose the side of the underdog because that is who I relate to. I empathize with the people who are misunderstood and have had things stolen from them. I have always hated a double standard because there was always that kind of presence in my family, before I was able to have my own.
I am truly ashamed if I have pushed you too far. I am trying to talk to God, deal with myself and will be able to talk with my therapist on Monday. Your prayers and good thoughts are appreciated. Thank you.
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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.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
by Summer D Clemenson | Sep 22, 2025 | Opinions, Politics
TO MY WHITE PEOPLE
I want to share something with you. I can talk about racism and white supremacy and privilege but my wife lives it. Quietly and with a smile. But sometimes the fear is real and I have seen it and was glad I was there to be white.
I would have never known that if I hadn’t married her. You can’t know until the rest of your heart is not just like you.
I don’t know the words for it. She doesn’t know the words for it. It is a carnal deep feeling. It is fear but it has a flavor all its own.
You can tell me you have struggled, you can tell me you have been abused, you can tell me that no one has helped you. Those statements can be true. But if you were white, they aren’t completely true. Because if you can put on the right clothes, say the right words and move in the right direction, you can get what you need or want, if you are white. In some situations, no matter what you do, the color of your skin has affected every part of your situation if you are brown or black.
I thought it was just part of history. I thought it was in books. I thought people were overreacting. But my wife doesn’t overreact. She is full of love, even when I can feel her fear.
~
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.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
by Summer D Clemenson | Sep 21, 2025 | About Summer, Opinions
To whomever is passing information onto my father’s second wife about things I post on Facebook:
I have blocked her and anyone who might be connected to her, that I know of, in order to block her abuse. If you are helping her by sharing anything about me, you are abusing me.
I have told my father I no longer want to be his daughter and I want nothing from him. This is a huge and complete statement to make. His second wife needs to leave me alone. They have abused and neglected me emotionally for most of my life and I have the right to say: Here and no further.
If they feel defensive, they should have dealt with their demons and become better parents and treated their children better. I didn’t get the worst of it. Luckily, I didn’t live in their house.
I have given up many relationships by cutting them off. This was not easy.
Three things you may share with them:
- It is a moot point to tell people that have never met me to not listen to my posts; you have stabbed so many family members in the back, we have already warned the newbies about you before you walked through their door. And they are surprised at our correctness.
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- Most real Clemensons are not perfect but always are trying to be better. They don’t tell people how to live because we know our imperfections and we appreciate hard work and honesty. My father and second wife have chosen to live with their demons and make everyone around them pay for them instead of seeking help. That is their choice but I must admit, I believe many times, they have been found guilty of behavior unbecoming of a Clemenson. See #1.
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- I still pray for my father and his second wife. I want them to be happy and healthy and receive their heart’s desires; just without me.
If you choose to be in relationship with my father or his second wife, that is your choice. Please keep them to yourself, and if they bring me up, please ask them to keep their stories to themselves because I have removed myself from their life. I do not visit, call or write to them ever. I have paid any money I owed them, with interest. I am done.
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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.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
by Summer D Clemenson | Sep 20, 2025 | Opinions, Politics
I live in a metropolis with at least 99 churches and 30 Christian nonprofits, per a quick search online. Longview, Washington has been where I have lived for most of my life. We are large enough to be interesting, but small enough that you don’t sit in traffic to get anywhere. Yet I don’t talk politics outside of my house too often, I fear for my queer friends that were born male, and being a woman has never been my strong suit. Did I mention that apart from paint colors, we don’t like change much around here.
When I did an AI search I got this quick answer about our demographics:
In 2020, Longview, Washington had a population of 37,818, with a majority being White (76.0%). The city has an older population than the state and a growing population of those with Hispanic/Latino origin, which made up 11.8% in 2020. In 2023, the median age was 39.1, and the cost of living was lower than the national and state averages.
So I wasn’t too surprised that our community would have a candle light vigil for Charlie Kirk, once I had done a search for him and watched some of his videos. He is the kind of conservative that the conservatives that live here, would be drawn to. Even though we are mostly a blue county and state, there are many conservatives here too and the ones that tend to be in Longview are truly red.
What did surprise me is that my people, who don’t like to part with their money very often, wanted to rename a street. Did you know it can cost $50,000 to change the name of a street? I support our tax dollars going to real needs, not frivolous spending.
After a few days of learning who Kirk was and what he stood for, if you weren’t just like him, I was not for his message. My message to people that wanted to have our tax dollars go to a ridiculous idea of changing a perfectly good street name. One that had served us just fine, for years was: If you want a memorial for Charlie Kirk, please start a GoFundMe and get something put together by people that want to pay for it.
I have been disgusted by the way I have heard people complain about the homeless people around here. This community refuses to be realistic about the need for a low barrier shelter and it is hateful and unable to be patient towards people with real needs and even organizations that try to meet them. Yet they want to put up a memorial to a man that never even came to Longview. I don’t get it.
Our community has no medical specialists, yet we have a hospital, so if you are chronically ill, you are forced to drive to Vancouver or Portland. If you are disabled, do you think that is easy to afford? Yet we don’t cater to doctors who might be interested in staying here, so they won’t. If you read the demographics above, this especially doesn’t make any sense. We are getting older people!
There are many real needs in this community. Changing a damn street name is not and should not be a priority. We need real change.
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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.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
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