South Carolina Woman Magazine Features Bloggers!

South Carolina Woman Magazine featured local women bloggers in their May issue (on sale now) and mentioned the Black Water Honey!

A big thank you to them and for all they do by showcasing the women of South Carolina. Other Blogs that were mentioned inclucde:


Kimberly Quinn Hill-writer of "Mouse Tales Travels" Blog -http://mousetalestravel.com/blog/
Melissa Byers-writer of "Myrtle Beach For Families" Blog-http://myrtlebeachforfamilies.com/

Dorien Morin-van Dam-writer of "More In Media" Blog- http://moreinmedia.com/

Meg Carter-writer of "Made By Meg" Blog- http://www.madebymeg.net/blog/

And Gina Trimarco Cligrow, Director of Training & Entertainment Carolina Improv-writer of "Carolina Improv" Blog- http://www.carolinaimprov.com/blog/
Check out these wonderful ladies and all the have going on! And don't forget to pick-up your copy of South Carolina Woman Magazine at a store near you, or you can check out their website here: https://scwomanmagazine.com/

To Be Continued...City Council Brushes Grannies Off, Hears From Public On Smoking Ban

 After the entire hubbub over the Yarnbombing grannies that took over laurel St. in Conway last week, the City Council gave them the brush-off at last night’s meeting.

According to a source the Council decided to wait until May 14^th to discuss the street art and hear from the public about its presence in the city. This is a little surprising, because during all the up-roar the council seemed more than willing to talk about it as long as the “grannies” or whoever else wanted to do some Yarnbombing got permission, therefore leading the public to believe that the council would talk about it at the meeting held yesterday.

I can see where the city would want to wait to address this issue seeing as how, as it stands, Yarnbombing is considered graffiti by law and apparently looked upon as vandalism by some. And therefore in order to give approval the council would have to re-classify Yarnbombing as something other than graffiti, but what would that be?

Street art would be the most logical but then that gets into what exactly is street art? Because for some a bag of trash artfully arranged is considered art while others would refer to it as litter and slap the “artist” with a hefty fine. So who gets to say what exactly art is? Isn’t all art (or is it beauty?) in the eye of the beholder?  It’s sort of a heavy issue if you think about it. But that kind of effort and thought seems to be a stretch for the current council.

Among topics that were discussed last night was the controversial “Smoke Free Horry” smoking ban proposal. The debate was finally opened to public opinion. And the public spoke with gusto; an overwhelming 20 people stood up and said “no” to the proposal. Only 4 people were in favor of the ban-counting the Mayor and the Mayor pro-tem Larry White. Welcome to the beauty of democracy people.

With these kinds of odds it is doubtful that the council will pass the proposal, because the council won’t be brave enough to pass it in the face of that kind of adversity. In this case the “council” only refers to the mayor and the mayor pro-tem, because the rest are all opposed. But of course, there was no vote in the issue and that has been put off until a later date.

So, what will happen to the grannies and their knitting? Will business owners be prohibited from smoking in the buildings/businesses at their own discretion? Tune in on the 14th and be un-surprised when the council yet again ends with a to be continued…

Can't Hold On, Don't Want To Let Go...

 This is for all you mothers out there: on a scale of one to gut wrenching: how hard is it to let your children go?

 Particularly when they are doing something or living in a way that you don’t really approve of? Now I am not referring to abusing drugs and alcohol, selling themselves for money, or gambling etc. It’s more like you don’t approve of their late hours or significant other. And I am also not referring to children under the age of 18.

I am talking about grown children. They are graduated from high school, maybe even college, have their own jobs, etc. And for the most part they are wonderful people. Responsible, voting, tax paying citizens, that watch over their money etc. but you just can’t get past a few things. Maybe you don’t like them spending so much time with their boyfriend/girlfriend, maybe you don’t like the boyfriend/girlfriend maybe you don’t like their job, maybe you don’t like their hours, or the fact that they don’t spend Sundays at home. You love them and you can be diplomatic about so much else but this one issue just pushes you over the edge.

But you hit a brick wall; your child is no longer a minor. They don’t have to take your word as final decree and they won’t. No matter what you say, what you do, they continue because they can. Because they don’t feel like, in the grand scheme of things, that these “indiscretions” are that heinous. They haven’t killed anybody, they haven’t gone on a three day drinking binge, and they feel it’s unfair that you crucify them for these small things when you’re not perfect and probably did them yourself at one point.You have always trusted them with making the right decisions and they expect you to trust them that they will be alright making this one. After all you don't always make decisions that they approve of and they don't rake you over the coals for it. They can't because you are an adult and they have to respect that weather they like it or not. And that's all they ask of you.Why can't you just do this?

But all you what them to understand is that you love them so much. You carried them for nine months, you made sure they didn’t off themselves during their first few years of existence; you stayed up late when they were sick, had a project due, or needed to talk. And you are the one that has to see them suffer when they make a mistake, that you feel could have been prevented had they only listened. Because just like when they were learning to walk, every time they fall, you fall too. When they hurt, you hurt and you would die before you would let something happen to them. They are yours; they are precious to you and special. You taught them the right way, not so they would be trapped in a convent like existence,   but so they could live good lives and reap the benefits of making right decisions, because in your eyes they are worthy of that.Why can't they see this?

And so you find yourselves in a gridlock. You think the child is wrong and they think you are wrong. You get mad, fight, call each other names, and finally decide not to talk to each other, going around in an almost painful silence. You try to talk about it but you can’t agree so you end up fighting again and alienating each other further. Eventually it gets to the point where you can’t take another second and your child would rather just not talk to you at all-exactly what you do not want.

You know you can’t force them; legally they have the rights to do what they want. It doesn’t change the fact that you cry yourself to sleep over it. And they know that they won’t ever get your support, but that doesn’t change the fact that they want it.

So what do you do? Give up and embrace the “indiscretion” to save your relationship against your deep seeded feelings against it? Refuse to budge and lose contact for a little while because of it? (Let’s face it children rarely leave for good, most often they come back after a while) Or do you try to find some middle ground, a compromise that would ease tensions on both sides?

If it all comes down to a tug of war, who lets go first?

Black Water Honey Must Read: The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers

 The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers.

Fetus. Termination. Women's Rights. Pro Choice. Pro-life. Abortion. We hear these “hot button” terms all the time, in today's’ culture. We hear about different cases, involving different people from all walks of life. But 98% of the time what we hear is only one side of the story.

Get ready to take whatever you thought you knew and whatever you felt about abortion and throw it out the window.  Francine Rivers strips away all the red tape, hype, and bogus lit, and simply tells the story of a girl faced with a life changing decision.

The book is told through the main character, Dynah’s, point of view as she goes through a horrific random act of rape and winds up pregnant by her assaulter. A devout Christian, Dynah is now faced with the unthinkable, carry a child conceived by rape or end an otherwise innocent life.

As the story unfolds, everything in Dynah’s world crashes down around her. River’s takes the reader on a gut wrenching journey as Dynah forges through everything to find grace in the darkest of times….

The Atonement Child is a must read for every woman, it gives an insight to the darkness that thousands of woman and girls walk through every year in the United States and abroad. Whatever you views are, pro-life, pro-choice, it doesn’t matter, we are all human and we all need to rediscover hope and grace in our lives….

Tell me what you think...have you read it? Give me your thoughts on this shockingly relevant story

You can find the book in bookstores near you or at Amazon.com by clicking the link below:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Atonement-Child-Francine-Rivers/dp/084230052X

Find out more about the author at her website here: http://francinerivers.com/

Grannies Send Message To City Of Conway

The Grannies are not taking things sitting down! Driving by Laurel St. this morning you can see that the Grannies have posted on their tree, tied with yarn, a sign that reads:

"BEWARE OF ARTISTS.

 They Mix With All Classes Of Society And Are Therefore The Most Dangerous"

Well, since the city "loved" the yarn so much it is very easy to see that they will just be head over heels for this sign.

That's what you get for messing with a bunch of Southern Grannies. They have effectively told the city where to stick it without even one ugly comment or loud remark. That would be completely un-Southern and un-elegant. They handled it with a simple tongue in cheek, politely worded message. 

It remains to been seen if the yarn will indeed disappear by 12 noon today.

The did take the yarn-bombing down from the light pole:

And it is back to its plain old self. It almost looked strangely lonely without its colors, but alas.

While this "War on Yarn-Bombing Grannies" is slightly chuckle inducing to some, there does lie a real serious issue at the bottom. Our city cannot pick and choose what is and is not acceptable based on their own personal preference or that of one complainer. 

This is a democracy not a dictatorship. Do not get me wrong I completely support our city leaders. I want them to be able to enforce our laws and codes and help pull us to a better future as a town. But I will not stay quiet when the use their positions of power to prey on innocent citizens, waste our time and money on ridiculous pursuits, and ignore our voices. 

I understand that no one is perfect. I am so far from perfect that its not even funny, but part of being a good citizen is standing up and holding our leaders accountable for their actions. That is part of what supporting someone entails.

Supporting someone does not mean always agreeing with them, or being a "yes man." It just mean s that if you disagree you have enough respect to stand up and make your concerns known in a non-combative, respectful, and humble way. Like the ladies and other citizens tried to do by calling the city.

But this world isn't perfect. So sometimes that doesn't work. In that case, just get your knitting needles out ladies....we're going to war.........

Black Water Update: Free the Grannies! Save The Street Art! The City of Conway Gives Grannies an Ultimatum….

It’s official. The City of Conway has given the Yarn-Bombing Grannies until 12’o clock noon-sharp- tomorrow-Wednesday. April 18^th, to take down the yarn bombing on the tree outside of Conway Glass and the light pole down the street-or else.

An inside source has confirmed that only one compliant has been made about the street-art- Only ONE complaint! And even though the same source has confirmed that several calls have been made by citizens to keep the yarn-bombing-the City of Conway still intends to rob Laurel Street of its creatively decorated tree.

Really Conway? After one little complaint you are really going to force a group of grannies to take down their beautiful (Biodegradable !) yarn that is hurting absolutely no-one, and draws tourist attention.

One thing that is so shocking to me is that it only took one complaint, and the city jumped on this like ugly on an ape. When has the city ever taken care of something so fast after someone complains? Never. It just took the right one, that’s all.

This is just going too far. When is enough going to be enough? Has the world become so politically correct and so darn callous that we would stoop so low has to spend preposterous amounts of time and energy on ridding one little tree of its colors? This is America for crying out loud!!

It’s ridiculous that this is even an issue! And that is why I am up-set. While the in-justice done to the grannies over this is just plain gawd awful, the real issue is the fact that the city is attacking our citizens and business owners when they should be focused on more important things- Like fixing the speed bump on the residential side of Laurel Street, one whole side of the thing is missing and it is a road hazard.  And that’s just the tip of the ice-burg.

I think the grannies should protest. Show the city just how silly they are being by choosing to spend time on taking something that brings interest, happiness, and creativity to our street.

You know, I seem to remember an organization that did not like color or creativity. Hitler’s Nazi Regime.

Watch out, next they will be saying that businesses can’t put up their own flags for Independence Day.-They will force everybody to use the same-city issued-flag-You wait! I bet you a quarter.

City Targets Grannies And Yarn, What's Next?

 The City of Conway is at it again. And this time their targets are a group of grannies armed with, GASP!, knitting needles. They are charged with having too much creativity and were notified today that they would have to stop it or else.

Ok, that might be a little overblown. However, the city did contact Conway Glass to demand that the knitting found on the tree outside of the store and the light pole down the street, a craft called “Yarnbombing,” be removed due to complaints.

The street art was designed and created by a group of ladies and the people at Conway Glass. The yarn has changed colors with the seasons and Holidays and compliments the always beautifully decorated store front that Conway Glass keeps looking so awesome.

Guess it was a slow day for our city leadership.  I really don’t see why the city bothered with a little yarn on a tree. I didn’t think that the city cared about such matters, seeing as how they have let the old “Booksmiths” building fall into horrible disrepair-complete with a graffiti adorned, busted, pay phone on the Laurel Street side of the building.

But that’s a different article for a different day. This is about the city needlessly picking on business owners and citizens. I can understand about the light pole. That’s a steel pole and part of the town make-up like the street it sits beside. But what is the big deal about one tree? There are far more important issues that our city needs to address.

If someone doesn’t like the yarn then they can take another street. Or just not look at it when passing by. Besides, what’s wrong with a local business putting effort into bringing creativity to our community? Isn’t that what the city is always talking about? Creativity and community involvement?

The city sure doesn’t complain when business like Conway Glass by booths at the local fairs and arts shows and bring in money. Plain and simple they are trying to have control over something just because they can. It’s ridiculous.

What do you think?

Who’s The Adult here? A How-To Guide for Acting like A Grown-up during a Divorce

1.       Make decisions- and stick by them. Before you rush off and start talking about “papers” make sure that it is 100% over.

2.       Do Not try to force someone to come back- When it’s over it’s over. Harassing someone is illegal.

3.       Do not run your mouth. You should have a small group of people to lean on (like 3 or 4) and your lawyer. That is it. Remember, discretion is often the better part of valor. The less you say the less can be misinterpreted or used against you.

4.       Refrain from revenge. Your primary goal is to GET OUT and MOVE ON. Not payback

5.       Do Not put children in the middle. Your divorce is between you and your spouse. Your children are bystanders. Not allies. Do not force them to take sides.

6.       Do not discuss your spouse-with anyone. Especially your children. You may not be able to avoid talking about your spouse completely but never say anything more than the truth. Little smart or snide comments will only make you look melodramatic. And alienate your children.

7.       Avoid writing anything. Let all written correspondence come through your lawyer.

8.       Be Fair. Don’t try to cheat someone or swindle them. Give them what’s theirs and then get over it. You will have to do it in the end anyway, that’s just how the legal system works these days, so go ahead and get it over with and do it with dignity.

9.       Be Humble. No one takes a jackass seriously. Act your age and be respectful. It will only make things go smoother.

10.   DO NOT LIE. You will be found out. Always tell the truth. No matter how ugly. It makes things go easier and faster.

Divorce is hard. It sucks for every single person involved and it can make you feel less than human. But that doesn’t give you a free pass to act like an angry idiotic moron.  Society, your children, and your family-did not make your marriage fail. They may be factors but in reality, the problem is between you and your spouse and is no one else’s business. Keep it that way.

If you are an actual adult dealing with an angry idiotic moron, then God bless you. This road your on is a hard row to hoe. And I am positive you already know it. You find out if you’re dealing with a nut about two seconds after you finally decide to walk away for good. Remember that that person will have to find sanity on their own and as long as you hold yourself in the right, there isn’t any more that you can do.

Let me say that this article is specifically aimed at people who are completely sure that their marriages are 150% over. If you are still holding out hope that you can make it work, then you are in a whole other ballgame. But the same applies to you too. Be sane yourself and refrain from acting like a child. You will know soon enough if the other party is willing to do the same.

Love is always worth it. It’s just that humans do cruel things to it. That doesn’t mean it isn’t there, or that you won’t ever find yourself in a good relationship. It just means that you have to protect it, and sometimes the best way to protect something is to let it go.

Barbie For President 2012

Landing on the campaign trail at a Toys "R" Us  near you, Barbie has decided to once again throw her hat into the ring and run for president bringing some much needed class to the race if you ask me.

It maybe because this appeals massively to my patriotic side  or maybe because the outfit is just awesome, but the biggest reason I love this doll is this: What better way to teach girls that they are capable of serving their country in the highest form, and do so in a classic, professional, manner?

 Finally a toy willing to stand up and be unashamedly patriotic and instead of being campy or scanty (i:e wearing a red, white, and blue bikini to show this "patriotic spirit") this barbie dresses for serious success and with weighted shoes can actually stand on her own two feet.

The news is making the rounds and Candidate Roberts already has campaign materials that even rival ads from actual candidates..(of the non-plastic kind.)

(Barbie Trivia Moment: Barbie's full name is actually Barbie Millicent Roberts. Check out her Wikipedia page for more facts on this famous lady http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie )

If I had a daughter I would love to buy her this doll. It would be an awesome opener to discuss our national leadership, our responsibilities as Americans, and how she can do her part to help our nation progress into a better future.

But as with all candidates there will probably be some mud throwing and skeletons pulled from her closet before it's all said and done but I think that after 53 years, she can handle it. The Shine blog reports that,

"The I Can Be…President Barbie doll by manufacturer Mattel and in partnership with The White House Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit that aims to involve more women in politics, will be in mass distribution. Presale begins tomorrow, but Mattel expects it to hit shelves everywhere in August in four different races: Caucasian, Hispanic, African-American and Asian. "  


(You can check out the rest of the article here: http://shine.yahoo.com/politics/serial-career-changer-barbie-now-running-president-180500637.html)

So come election day the votes might be in favor of a more human candidate to sit in that oval office, but Barbie for President gets my vote for best toy, not just because of the hype but because somewhere, there will be a little girl holding her that will be inspired to believe in herself and her contribution to her our nation, America.....

Someone To Sit With

Usually when you accidentally take someone's seat nothing special happens.  There is the polite exchange when the seat's owner returns and you politely relinquish it with a "I am sorry, I didn't know someone was sitting there etc." It's not to often that taking someones seat might lead to something curiously astounding, but that's exactly what happened to me last Sunday.

I was visiting a local church to see their Easter cantata  and I arrived a bit early so I slid into the corner seat of the very last pew closest to the door. If you have never sat in a pew all by your self than it is really hard to explain the feeling. Its sort of like eating in a restaurant alone, and I wish i could say that I am such a confidant person that I wasn't bothered in the least by it, but to tell you the truth I was a little nervous. I was comforted a little bit when an elderly lady sat down across the aisle. At least now I wasn't the only person sitting in the church.

Then out of the corner of my eye I noticed an elderly gentleman come in and greet the lady and strike up a friendly conversation. A couple minutes went by and I heard him say "well, looks like I've got someone sitting in my seat..." He was a tall man, I bet he was probably 6 foot 3 in his youth, His white hair (or what was left) was very neatly combed and he had an air of dapper-ness  about him. He had an honest smile. From the twinkle in his eye I knew that at once that he was a character, so I said "Iam sorry, but I did not see your name on it" His smile broke into a grin and he laughed as I moved over to let him have his place. He said " I have been sitting in this seat for 28 years." "well then I laughed , I am certainly in the wrong taking it then"

I asked him if he had family that would be coming and he said no, that He had a daughter that lived in Nebraska and two great grandchildren, but that He did have two lady friends that "try to make it every Sunday, except Rose is on vacation in Florida so I don't know if she will show or not...." He asked me where I was from and I told him, He was originally from Maryland. As we talked my jitters went away and I forgot all about feeling nervous.He was quiet the life life of the party. Almost everyone that came in came over and spoke to him. He poked fun at the men and made one lady blush. This one lady swatted him with her bulletin and he laughed, winked at me, and said " see?, I get no respect around here."

Then just before the service started, we had been talking about the snowbirds (elderly people that come to the South for the winter and then return home in the spring) and I don't know if it was because I was young or maybe because he found me a good listener, but He told me a story about a snowbird couple that had sat in front of him all last fall and how they said goodbye the Sunday before they left to go back up North.

He said " I shook that mans hand and said goodbye you know, and then two weeks later the wife was in church alone and when service was over she told me she had come back to tell me that her husband had died from a  heart attack on the way home after that Sunday. He didn't even make it out of the beach." " That's awful" I said. I thought about that wife, now alone without her seat mate, and then mine looked at me and said "Yes, that's why you've got to live life everyday like it could be your last. And be right with the Lord."

He said this with such humbleness, and with all the experience that he probably has accumulated over the years.  Like he just wanted me to know how precious life is and to treat it like the gift it is. I felt blessed by his words and as we sat through the service (which was so beautiful, I cried) and on into this week. I find myself filled with the want to just live for life's pure sake. To live in faith and never take anything for granted. To be thankful for all the special things in my life. Like someone to sit with.