This was the setting for a jazz concert. It was a part of the Mayflower Jazz Series hosted by Maxine Michaels. It was in a magnificent backyard which included several decks on the house, a fire pit. walkways through the woods filled with local flora and fauna including deer, a meandering stream, places to sit and just enjoy the surroundings.

The concert itself took place in front of a massive tent which was erected over a basketball court. There were other tents for beverages light refreshments and vendors. All the food and beverages were complimentary. The weather was perfect. It was easy to just sit and enjoy.

Left to right as seen in this picture: Vincent Bowen(sax), Marion Hayden(bass), Rqmona Collins(vox) and Michael Jellick (keys). Also present and not see in this picture were Dwight Adams(tpt) and Gayelynn McKinney(drums).

The musicians were all well known in the Detroit area. The…

Every week, the lovely Rochelle shares with us a photo that has been donated to her so we can use it as a prompt to write a piece of fiction in around 100 words.

WARNING
SOME PEOPLE MAY FIND THIS DISTRESSING AS IT
REFERS TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

© Jan Wayne Fields

“For three years I have put up with your drinking, your infidelity and your aggressiveness. I cannot put up with it any more. I am sorry. I loved you when we first met. I loved you when we started seeing each other, and I loved you when we married. I am sorry to say that I am unable to stay in this marriage. I cannot continue suffering the beatings at your hands. I cannot continue receiving the verbal abuse. I am sorry Hannah but I am leaving you.

Warren”

The letter lay on the bureau beside the…

Grasp the Nettle
Dean Puckett 2013

Film Review

As the 2008 downturn and subsequent austerity cuts push more and more families into unrelenting misery, there is growing sentiment that capitalism and our current political system (which is best described as corporatism or fascism*) cannot be reformed and need to be dismantled.

If capitalism is dismantled and/or collapses, it will need to be replaced. This is a major stumbling block for many activists. There seems to be wide general support for a system in which people govern themselves through direct democracy. However most of us feel a little vague as to how the mechanics will operate. How do you ensure everyone has an equal voice while simultaneously meeting their needs for food, shelter and protection from arbitrary violence?

The 2011 Occupy movement is the best known experiment in direct democracy, though some Occupy encampments were more “democratic” than others. People in…

Never thought I’d see

A tree dressed in camouflage

Hiding from someone

Blessitude

Lorrie

8/8/14

Photography by Deborah Simpson

The flute plays with the
Wind, birds sing a merry tune.
Dawn is coming soon.

At sunrise, Tian Tan Buddha
Welcomes,blesses the new day.