My Thoughts Exactly by Annette Kniola

I have been so thrilled in these past few months because all of the traveling I get to do and how much fun I am doing it!  Being a stay at home Mom for 18 years, I have been very lucky to meet someone who wants me to travel with him.  The kids are very cool with it.  They felt it was about time! My most recent trip was to France.  For most of the week we stayed in Montpelier as I swam in the Mediterranean Sea.  And boy that sea is cold!  It also didn’t help much on the terrorist attacks that came to be while we were there.  Shortly before we had left, a man was beheaded in Lyons, then sadly many more killed across the sea in Northern Africa in Tunisia.   Either way, I just made damn sure my eyes were wide open when I was there. Enjoying the beach and the cute little restaurants were very relaxing. I tried so hard to speak French before my trip, but I find it one very difficult language to learn.  Basically I ended up...

Over the last few weeks and knowing this bear hunt vote was looming over our heads, it put me in a different place.  A place where I don’t care to be. You all know I’m a big lover on animals as most are, but to have that Florida bear hunt vote pass yesterday just sickens me. And I will be posting some graphic pictures throughout my blog just to show you how sickening it really is.  We’ll start off with this one. How does this make you feel right now? I am a realistic person and I clearly understand bears have grown in numbers over the years, but if we could have been a bit more pro-active in a stronger sense, this forthcoming bear hunt would not be happening.  Should not be happening.  I am so saddened by it. Some may say we have been pro-active as to taking these bears and relocating them to different areas, but they just find their way back.  I understand it does not always work, but has the bears hurt anyone?  Is this new hunt ou...

What is forgiveness? : to stop feeling anger toward (someone who has done something wrong) : to stop blaming (someone) : to stop feeling anger about (something) : to forgive someone for (something wrong) : to stop requiring payment of (money that is owed) What is forget? : to be unable to think of or remember (something) : to fail to remember to bring or take (something) : to stop thinking or caring about (someone) For many years during my separation and divorce, I have been and still have been asked to forgive by close family and friends.  Why I say?   They say because when you forgive, you are actually doing it for yourself.  I still have pondered that very concept to this day.  Why should I forgive those that defied my sanctity of marriage?  Our future, our hopes, and our dreams to live the rest of our lives in harmony.  Sounds nice, doesn’t it?  Who doesn’t want the man/woman of your dreams, the house, that white p...

May 15, 2015   My little man Benjamin is on the far left with his percussionist group at Cypress Palm Middle School. First of all, before I even start this blog, I was at home frustrated as hell last night because Benjamin was not ready for this concert, I was starving just coming home from work (thank God I had a pot-roast cooking all day), Ben’s shirt was wrinkled, I lost my damn phone, and we had to leave already!  Oh, the stress! (But the worst thing of it all was, “Where is my damn phone!”) So I go to my son’s band concert last night knowing we have to be there 45 minutes early, so I figured I would drop him out front and hang out in the van to catch up on my emails on my phone.  Sitting in the auditorium on those cold hard seats can be boring.  And yes, I found my phone!  Oh, the relief at that moment of despair was priceless. Low and behold, as I go ahead and park, I realize and say out-loud to myself, “Hey, I’m at Cypres...