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LinuxInsider > Archives from 02-Aug-18 through 07-Nov-18
Overcoming Your Terror of Arch Linux
Wednesday - November 7, 2018
A recent episode of a Linux news podcast I keep up with featured an interview with a journalist who had written a piece for a non-Linux audience about giving it a try. It was surprisingly widely read. The writer's experience with some of the more popular desktop distributions had been overwhelmingly positive, and he said as much in his piece and during the subsequent podcast interview. [More...]
LINUX PICKS AND PANS
Feren OS Delivers Richer Cinnamon Flavor
Friday - November 2, 2018
Feren OS is a nice alternative to Linux Mint and an easy stepping stone to transition to Linux from Microsoft Windows or macOS. I am a long-time user of Linux Mint, but I am falling out of love with it. Mint is getting stale. That diagnosis started me thinking about a suitable replacement distro that runs the Cinnamon desktop with a bit more innovation and flare. [More...]
Another Milestone Achieved: Run Linux Apps on a Chromebook
Thursday - October 25, 2018
Linux apps now can run in a Chromebook's Chrome OS environment. However, the process can be tricky, and it depends on your hardware's design and Google's whims. It is somewhat similar to running Android apps on your Chromebook, but the Linux connection is far less forgiving. If it works in your Chromebook's flavor, though, the computer becomes much more useful with more flexible options. [More...]
2nd New MakuluLinux Release Offers Flash and Substance
The MakuluLinux Flash distro is splashy and fast with a spiffy new look and new features. MakuluLinux developer Jacque Montague Raymer just announced the second of this year's three major releases in the Series 15 distro family. The Flash edition follows last month's LinDoz edition release. The much-awaited innovative Core edition will debut between the end of November and mid-December. [More...]
New Manjaro Beta Builds a Better Arch
Wednesday - October 10, 2018
Manjaro Linux offers the best of two worlds. It puts a user-friendly face on an Arch-based distro, and it gives you a choice of sensible and productive desktop interfaces. The Manjaro Linux team released its latest updates running the KDE, Xfce and GNOME desktops, Manjaro Linux 18.0 Beta 7, late last month. All three are solid performers and seem to be ready for final release. [More...]
Antergos Softens Arch Learning Curve
Wednesday - October 3, 2018
Antergos 8.9 is one of the better Arch Linux options. It is a powerful and modern computing platform, elegantly designed. It gives power users almost all they could desire. Arch distros are not for Linux newcomers -- but for seasoned Linux users who are new to Arch, Antergos has much to offer. One of the biggest challenges in getting started with any Arch distro is surviving the installation. [More...]
Software Security Best Practices Are Changing, Finds New Report
Tuesday - October 2, 2018
Independent software vendors, along with Internet of Things and cloud vendors, are involved in a market transformation that is making them look more alike. The similarities are evident in the way they approach software security initiatives, according to a report from Synopsys. Synopsys has released its ninth annual Building Security in Maturity Model, or BSIMM9. [More...]
New MakuluLinux Deserves a Spot in the Majors
MakuluLinux developer Jacque Montague Raymer on Thursday announced the first major release of this year. It is a whole lot more than a mere upgrade of distro packages. MakuluLinux Series 15 offers much more than new artwork and freshly repainted themes and desktop styles. If you crave a Linux OS that is fresh and independent, MakuluLinux is a must-try Linux solution. [More...]
The Future of Open Source
Linux and the open source business model are far different today than many of the early developers might have hoped. Neither can claim a rags-to-riches story. Rather, their growth cycles have been a series of hit-or-miss milestones. The Linux desktop has yet to find a home on the majority of consumer and enterprise computers. However, Linux-powered technology has long ruled the Internet. [More...]
Android Apps Riskier Than Ever: Report
Widespread use of unpatched open source code in the most popular Android apps distributed by Google Play has caused significant security vulnerabilities, suggests an American Consumer Institute report. Thirty-two percent -- or 105 apps out of 330 of the most popular apps in 16 categories sampled -- averaged 19 vulnerabilities per app, according to the report. Researchers found critical vulnerabilities in many common applications. [More...]
Cinnamon Mint for Debian Just as Tasty
Friday - September 7, 2018
The official release of version 3 of Linux Mint Debian Edition hit the download servers at summer's end, offering a subtle alternative to the distro's Ubuntu-based counterpart. Codenamed "Cindy," the new version of LMDE is based on Debian 9 Stretch and features the Cinnamon desktop environment. Its release creates an unusual situation in the world of Linux distro competition. Linux Mint developers seem to be in competition with themselves. [More...]
Enlightenment Has Limits in Bodhi Linux
Thursday - August 30, 2018
Bodhi Linux is an alternative to traditional Linux OSes that can change your desktop user experience. It is one of a very few Linux distros using Moksha, a forked version of the Enlightenment desktop. Enlightenment is a Compositing Window Manager and Desktop Shell. It is radically different from other lightweight interface shells such as Xfce and LXDE. [More...]
Quirky Linux: Pleasingly Peculiar
Quirky Linux is a classic example of what makes Linux such a varied and useful operating system. Puppy Linux developer Barry Kauler earlier this month released Quirky Xerus 64 version 8.6, which comes packed with the latest innovations for doing Linux stuff differently. This latest in the "Xerus" series is a must-try if you like to push your computing experience envelope. [More...]
Oracle Open-Sources GraphPipe to Support ML Development
Friday - August 17, 2018
Oracle has open-sourced GraphPipe to enhance machine learning applications. The project's goal is to improve deployment results for machine learning models, noted Project Leader Vish Abrams. That process includes creating an open standard. The company has a questionable relationship with open source developers, so its decision to open-source GraphPipe might not receive a flood of interest. [More...]
New LibreOffice Version Offers Fresh Take
Thursday - August 9, 2018
The Document Foundation has announced the availability of its second major release this year, LibreOffice Fresh 6.1, with enhanced editing on Desktop, Cloud and Mobile platforms. One of its most significant new features is Notebookbar, an experimental UI option that resembles the ribbon interface popular with Microsoft Office users. The Fresh release targets both early adopters and power users. [More...]


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Dunlop Systems and Components Saves Thousands with Markforged Carbon Fiber 3D Printing
WATERTOWN, MA - July 29, 2019 - Markforged, the leading manufacturer of metal and carbon fiber 3D printers, today announced UK-based automotive manufacturing company Dunlop Systems and Components utilized Markforged 3D printer solutions to produce custom tooling for their facility, saving tens of thousands of dollars.
Internal and customer tools would often be outsourced to third-party vendors, and the slightest change would result in significant delays. "You spend all that money and you wait two or three weeks for it to come in, and the customer then phones you up to tell you what they want changed," says Mark Statham, Production and Engineering Manager at Dunlop Systems and Components. This would, in turn, cause Statham's team to become a bottleneck.
Markforged's continuous carbon fiber reinforcing material is a key point of difference and one of the main reasons why customers choose Markforged 3D printers. After witnessing the abilities of the Markforged desktop printer, Statham was inspired. "As soon as I saw what the printers could do I thought, why can't we do our own tooling?" says Statham.
Since purchasing the printer, the division has seen an increase in tools available, lead times drastically cut, and a significant decrease in costs. Onyx and continuous carbon fiber have been a perfect fit for the company, providing strong, lightweight parts that can be easily printed on the team's Markforged desktop printer. Statham plans to replace all of his tooling with 3D printed Onyx parts, and has said the company has seen more tooling in the last six months than in the last five years.
When the company was contracted to help with the build of an electric vehicle for a large automotive company, Statham's team needed to fabricate custom tools for it. The team saved thousands on the tooling alone, simply by using their Markforged printer instead of outsourcing it. "There are parts we would not have even thought about doing and there are parts that we would not have been able to afford to do," said Statham. "We never say "no we can't do it", it's like "yes we can. We'll print it."
Read more on Markforged and Dunlop Systems and Components read the blog and case study.
About Markforged:
Markforged transforms manufacturing with the most affordable 3D metal and carbon fiber printers capable of producing parts tough enough for the factory floor. Engineers, designers, and manufacturing professionals all over the world rely on Markforged metal and composite printers for tooling, fixtures, functional prototyping, and high-value end-use production. Founded in 2013 and based in Watertown, MA, Markforged has about 300 employees globally, with $137 million in both strategic and venture capital. Markforged was recently recognized by Forbes in the Next Billion-Dollar Startups list, and listed as the tenth fastest growing tech company in the US in the 2018 Deloitte Fast 500. To learn more about Markforged, please visit https://markforged.com.
Julia Dunlea
Director of Corporate Marketing
press@markforged.com

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Energy Financial
Markham on Energy
Jude on Alberta
By Jude Hislop September 15, 2016 Read More →
Ex-PM Mulroney urges Trudeau to act on Energy East in speech to UofC students
"The previous government refused to understand you cannot separate what's good for the environment and what's good for the economy"
Brian Mulroney, Former Canadian Prime Minister
Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney was in Calgary on Tuesday to give a speech to law students entitled "Role of a Prime Minister: Responsibilities and Leadership," and he took the opportunity to give current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau some advice on the contentious Energy East pipeline project.
The former Progressive Conservative leader urged Trudeau to personally take charge of building a strategy with First Nations, municipalities, provinces and the oil sector.
"The Canadian agenda under the Prime Minister's personal direction would provide hundreds of billions of dollars in new investments, millions of new jobs, bring East and West much closer together, and be as transformational and beneficial to the country as any major policy initiative undertaken in Canada in the last 70 years," said Mulroney, according to the Globe and Mail.
The National Energy Board review of the Energy East project is temporarily on pause after a small group of environmental protestors shut down a Montreal NEB hearing several weeks. Then the three panel members resigned after it was revealed they had met with a lobbyist hired by TransCanada, the project proponent.
A decision on the Energy East project is at least 16 months off. Trudeau is expected to approve the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline before Christmas.
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Robin Spears, Mulroney's spokesman, said there is no financial connection to the project, nor is Mulroney being paid by TransCanada to speak on its behalf, according to the Globe and Mail.
Mulroney praised Trudeau, saying the Liberal leaders has the "determination" and "skill" to get the massive pipeline project off the ground and all the various groups to the table.
Trudeau is facing staunch opposition from environmentalists, as well as pipeline boosters who have run out of patience, but has said he will approve responsible pipeline projects.
"There is no (change) in my thinking, my thinking has always been we need to get our resources to market but we need to do that in responsible, sustainable, thoughtful ways. The previous government refused to understand you cannot separate what's good for the environment and what's good for the economy," said Trudeau.
"It will make Canada one of the wealthiest and most influential countries on Earth, while vastly strengthening our sovereignty and our capacity for good and effective leadership in the world," said Mulroney, according to the Globe and Mail.
Posted in: Canada
American Energy News today
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Rick Hewat on Time for Canadian oil and gas industry to ignore Vivian Krause
Ruth Campbell on Robyn Allan's confusing – and incorrect – explanation for Trans Mountain Expansion job numbers
Reynold on California vs. Texas carbon pricing strategies: Notley, Kenney asking Alberta to pick one or the other
Rob B on Inter Pipeline's polypropylene plant near Fort Saskatchewan gets final investment decision
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Burglary suspects in surveillance video identified, HCSO says
2 men sought by Hinds County sheriff
Updated: 11:55 AM CST Nov 15, 2018
HCSO SOURCE: HCSO
The Hinds County Sheriff's Office has identified two suspects investigators say were shown on surveillance video burglarizing a home.The video was released Nov. 5 of a burglary near Raymond in which several central air conditioning units were stolen.Investigators received tips that helped identify Jeremiah Daniel Burton, 34, and Marcus Antonio Simmons, 42, as suspects in the case. Both men are being sought on grand larceny charges, authorities said.Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Burton and Simmons are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS (8477).
HINDS COUNTY, Miss. —
The Hinds County Sheriff's Office has identified two suspects investigators say were shown on surveillance video burglarizing a home.
The video was released Nov. 5 of a burglary near Raymond in which several central air conditioning units were stolen.
Investigators received tips that helped identify Jeremiah Daniel Burton, 34, and Marcus Antonio Simmons, 42, as suspects in the case. Both men are being sought on grand larceny charges, authorities said.
HCSO
Jeremiah Daniel Burton and Marcus Antonio Simmons
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Burton and Simmons are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS (8477).


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Home News Two south Dublin acts to shine on Ireland's Got Talent
Two south Dublin acts to shine on Ireland's Got Talent
Rebecca Ryan
Two young acts from south Dublin will be showcasing their talents on this weekend's Ireland's Got Talent.
Oisín McMullin (11) from Cabinteely is a contortionist and hopes one day to be in Cirque du Soleil.
He is in 5th class and has been doing gymnastics for four years then started doing callanetics in a local club called Bar Monkey.
He trains three times per week and has won various competitions and he is admired for his unique style and for choreographing his own routines.
Alana Fox (19) is from Ballinteer, currently living in Sandyford, and is hoping to impress the judges this weekend with her singing skills.
She is hoping that Louis Walsh might recognise her from her 2017 X-Factor appearance when she was in girl group Fae who made it to the six-chair challenge. She also appeared on The Voice in 2016.
Alana has been singing since she was eight and joined a stage school. She is a performing arts teacher and performs in pubs most weekends, often as a duo with her mum's cousin.
Dublin Gazette caught up with the singer who is hoping her appearance in this weekend's popular TV show will boost her music career.
"There is not much opportunity in Ireland for people trying to make it in the music industry so to be on Ireland's Got Talent is a brilliant way to showcase people's talent and hopefully someone spotting them.
"I absolutely love singing. It is all I want to do, so to be on Ireland's Got Talent was incredible and to be on the telly is a bonus!"
Alana's dream is to be a full-time singer and write her own music.
"I have a YouTube channel I only started up a few months ago so I post videos there to try and push myself," she said.
Oisin told Dublin Gazette: "I feel very excited to be on Ireland's Got Talent, and I was so happy to meet the judges, in particular Jason Byrne.
"I like him the best because he's genuinely funny. I was so nervous my knees were wobbling when I was speaking with the judges, but once I started my routine I felt more confident."
Alana Fox
ballinteer
Cabinteely
irelands got talent
Oisín McMullin
Sandyford
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Justia › US Law › Case Law › Federal Courts › District Courts › Alabama › Southern District of Alabama › 2015 › Barton v. Donahue › Filing 45
Barton v. Donahue, No. 1:2013cv00642 - Document 45 (S.D. Ala. 2015)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER, GRANTING Defendants' 30 Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by Judge Callie V. S. Granade on 2/6/2015. (copy to pltf) (mab)
Barton v. Donahue Doc. 45 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA SOUTHERN DIVISION LORI BARTON, pro se, Plaintiff, vs. PATRICK R. DONAHUE, ERIC HOLDER, LEANDER HARRIS, Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) CIVIL ACTION NO. 13-0642-CG-C ) ) ) ) MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER This matter is before the court on Defendants' motion for summary judgment (Doc. 31), Plaintiff's opposition (Doc. 33), Defendants' reply (Doc. 34), and Plaintiff's sur-reply (Doc. 35). For the reasons explained below, the court finds that Defendants' motion is due to be GRANTED. FACTS Plaintiff filed this action pro se on December 27, 2013, alleging that she was sexually harassed by her manager, Defendant Leander Harris, while she was employed as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service ("the Agency"). (Docs. 1, 4). The Amended Complaint asserts that the sexual harassment started in 2007 and eventually led to her latest EEOC matter which is based on Plaintiff being "put off the clock" on December 9, 2011, while an investigation was conducted concerning mail delivered to a complex on Plaintiff's route. (Doc. 4, pp. 2-4). Plaintiff had been delivering mail to a housing project that had been closed for more than two months, in violation of Postal regulations. (Doc. 31-5, ¶¶ 3-9). On Dockets.Justia.com December 9, 2011, Plaintiff's supervisor discovered that Plaintiff had been delivering the mail to the closed housing project and Plaintiff was placed on off-duty status without pay at the close of business that day. (Doc. 31-5, p. 22). Plaintiff initiated contact with the EEOC about her claim in March 2012 and filed a formal complaint on May 19, 2012. (Doc. 4, p. 9, Doc. 31-3, p. 70). On the complaint form the Plaintiff checked boxes for discrimination on the basis of sex and retaliation. (Doc. 33-3, p. 70). In the EEOC complaint she described the specific actions that resulted in her believing she was discriminated against as follows: MGMT. GAVE FALSE STATEMENTS. THE ATTACKS ON ME ARE BECAUSE OF OTHER EEO'S FILED PREVIOUSLY ON LEANDER HARRIS. THESE ATTACKS ARE ON-GOING. (Doc. 33-3, p. 70). By letter dated June 8, 2012, the EEOC acknowledged receipt of Plaintiff's formal complaint and stated that the investigation would include only the issue of discrimination based on retaliation. (Doc. 33-3, pp. 70-74). The letter also stated that if she did not agree with the defined accepted issues, she must provide a written response specifying the nature of her disagreement within seven calendar days of receipt of the letter. (Doc. 33-3, p. 72-74). The Administrative Law Judge found that Plaintiff did not establish a prima facie case of reprisal discrimination and that the Agency had articulated legitimate nondiscriminatory reasons for its actions which Plaintiff failed to show were a pretext. (Doc. 4, pp. 9-10). Plaintiff appealed the decision and the EEOC affirmed the decision. (Doc. 4. pp. 9-14). The 2 Plaintiff attached a copy of the EEOC's decision to her original and amended complaint in this matter. (Docs. 1, 4). The EEOC noted in its decision that on appeal Plaintiff had attempted to raise a claim of sexual harassment, but that it was inappropriate for her to raise the claim for the first time on appeal. (Doc. 4, p. 13).1 At her deposition, Plaintiff testified that the last incident of sexual harassment was in 2008. (Doc. 31-1, p. 5). Plaintiff appears to be confused about her claims, as she apparently believes she has been subjected to other harassment "stemming from sexual harassment." (See Doc. 31-1, p. 5 : "That's not sexual harassment. That's harassment stemming from sexual harassment. Because like I said, if I had had sex with him, I probably wouldn't have had no other problem." – The full context of these statements was not provided to the court.). Plaintiff initiated numerous other EEOC claims in the past. Since the alleged sexual harassment started in 2007, Plaintiff has initiated a total of five EEOC complaints: the complaint described above and four prior complaints.2 The first complaint, dated July 1, 2009, alleged sexual harassment and reprisal. (Doc. The EEOC's decision also informed Plaintiff that she could file a civil action within ninety calendar days from receiving the decision. (Doc. 4, p. 14). Plaintiff states in her Amended Complaint that she received the notice of right to sue on September 29, 2013. (Doc. 4., p. 7). Plaintiff filed the current action 90 days later, on December 27, 2013. (Doc. 1). 2 Plaintiff initiated four EEOC actions, from 1998 through 2006, which asserted claims of discrimination on the basis of race, sex and disability. 3 1 31-3, pp. 18-21). The 2009 complaint was not resolved and Plaintiff was informed of her right to file a formal complaint, but Plaintiff took no further action. (Doc. 33-3, p. 20). The second complaint, dated October 25, 2010, alleged disability and sexual harassment. (Doc. 31-3, pp. 27-33). The 2010 matter was settled by the parties. (Doc. 33-3, pp. 31-33). The third complaint, dated September 30, 2011, alleged sexual harassment and reprisal. (Doc. 31-3, pp. 34- 39). The September 30, 2011, complaint was not settled and Plaintiff filed a formal complaint with the Agency which was later dismissed by the Agency. (Doc. 31-3, pp. 36-37). Plaintiff appealed the dismissal and the decision was affirmed by the EEOC. (Doc. 33-3, p. 37). The fourth complaint, dated December 21, 2011, alleged reprisal only. (Doc. 33-3, pp. 2226). The December 21, 2011, complaint was withdrawn by Plaintiff. (Doc. 33-3, p. 26). DISCUSSION A. Summary Judgment Standard Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(a) provides that summary judgment shall be granted: "if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." The trial court's function is not "to weigh the evidence and determine the truth of the matter but to determine whether there is a genuine issue for trial." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 249 (1986). "The mere existence of some evidence to support the non-moving party is not sufficient for denial of summary judgment; there must be 4 'sufficient evidence favoring the nonmoving party for a jury to return a verdict for that party.'" Bailey v. Allgas, Inc., 284 F.3d 1237, 1243 (11th Cir. 2002) (quoting Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249). "If the evidence is merely colorable, or is not significantly probative, summary judgment may be granted." Anderson, at 249-250. (internal citations omitted). The basic issue before the court on a motion for summary judgment is "whether the evidence presents a sufficient disagreement to require submission to a jury or whether it is so one-sided that one party must prevail as a matter of law." See Anderson, 477 U.S. at 251-252. The moving party bears the burden of proving that no genuine issue of material fact exists. O'Ferrell v. United States, 253 F.3d 1257, 1265 (11th Cir. 2001). In evaluating the argument of the moving party, the court must view all evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, and resolve all reasonable doubts about the facts in its favor. Burton v. City of Belle Glade, 178 F.3d 1175, 1187 (11th Cir. 1999). "If reasonable minds could differ on the inferences arising from undisputed facts, then a court should deny summary judgment." Miranda v. B&B Cash Grocery Store, Inc., 975 F.2d 1518, 1534 (11th Cir. 1992) (citing Mercantile Bank & Trust v. Fidelity & Deposit Co., 750 F.2d 838, 841 (11th Cir. 1985)). Once the movant satisfies his initial burden under Rule 56(c), the nonmoving party "must make a sufficient showing to establish the existence of each essential element to that party's case, and on which that party will bear 5 the burden of proof at trial." Howard v. BP Oil Company, 32 F.3d 520, 524 (11th Cir. 1994)(citing Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 324 (1986)). Otherwise stated, the non-movant must "demonstrate that there is indeed a material issue of fact that precludes summary judgment." See Clark v. Coats & Clark, Inc., 929 F.2d 604, 608 (11th Cir. 1991). The non-moving party "may not rely merely on allegations or denials in its own pleading; rather, its response .... must be by affidavits or as otherwise provided in this rule be set out specific facts showing a genuine issue for trial." Vega v. Invsco Group, Ltd., 2011 WL 2533755, *2 (11th Cir. 2011). "A mere 'scintilla' of evidence supporting the [non-moving] party's position will not suffice; there must be enough of a showing that the jury could reasonably find for that party." Walker v. Darby, 911 F.2d 1573, 1577 (11th Cir. 1990) (citation omitted). "[T]he nonmoving party may avail itself of all facts and justifiable inferences in the record taken as a whole." Tipton v. Bergrohr GMBH-Siegen, 965 F.2d 994, 998 (11th Cir. 1992). "Where the record taken as a whole could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the non-moving party, there is no genuine issue for trial." Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574 at 587 (1986) (internal quotation and citation omitted). B. Plaintiff's Claims The claims asserted by Plaintiff in her Amended Complaint are not clear. The court notes that Plaintiff is proceeding pro se and this court will attempt to give her Complaint a very lenient reading. 6 Courts do and should show a leniency to pro se litigants not enjoyed by those with the benefit of a legal education. See, e.g., Powell v. Lennon, 914 F.2d 1459, 1463 (11th Cir.1990). Yet even in the case of pro se litigants this leniency does not give a court license to serve as de facto counsel for a party, see Hall v. Bellmon, 935 F.2d 1106, 1109 (10th Cir.1991), or to rewrite an otherwise deficient pleading in order to sustain an action, see Pontier v. City of Clearwater, 881 F.Supp. 1565, 1568 (M.D.Fla.1995). GJR Investments Inc. v. County of Escambia, Fla., 132 F.3d 1359, 1369 (11th Cir. 1998). Plaintiff "is subject to the relevant law and rules of court, including the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure," the same as any other litigant. Moon v. Newsome, 863 F.2d 835, 837 (11th Cir. 1989). The court concludes from reading Plaintiff's Amended Complaint and other filings that she may be attempting to assert claims of discrimination based on: 1) sexual harassment, 2) disability, and 3) retaliation. 1. Sexual Harassment Defendants assert that Plaintiff's sexual harassment claims are time barred because she admits that the most recent alleged incident of sexual harassment occurred in 2008. To timely exhaust administrative remedies, federal-sector employees must initiate contact with an EEOC Counselor prior to filing a complaint and must do so within 45 days of the date the alleged discriminatory act occurred. 29 C.F.R. § 1614.105(a)(1). The complainant must then file a formal complaint of discrimination with the agency so that the agency can conduct an investigation and attempt to resolve the matter. 29 C.F.R. §§ 1614.106, 1614.108. Plaintiff testified that the most recent sexual harassment incident occurred in 2008, more than three years 7 before she initiated contact with an EEOC counselor, in March 2012. To the extent Plaintiff is attempting to assert claims based on conduct that occurred in 2008 or before, those claims are clearly time-barred. However, the court notes that the Plaintiff appears to be confused about what constitutes sexual harassment. She stated in her deposition that other actions were not sexual harassment, but instead "harassment stemming from sexual harassment." If Plaintiff's rejection of her manager's advances was the basis for later employment decisions regarding Plaintiff, then such actions could constitute sexual harassment.3 Although Plaintiff is experienced in asserting EEOC complaints, she is not an attorney, has not been represented by or counseled by an attorney, and may not fully understand the legal definition of sexual harassment. As such, the court will not accept Plaintiff's legal 3 The EEOC defines "sexual harassment" as: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment, (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. 29 CFR § 1604.11(a). The above EEOC guidelines, "while not controlling upon the courts by reason of their authority, do constitute a body of experience and informed judgment to which courts and litigants may properly resort for guidance." General Electric Co. v. Gilbert, 429 U.S. 125, 141–142, 97 S.Ct. 401, 410–11, 50 L.Ed.2d 343 (1976) (quoting Skidmore v. Swift & Co., 323 U.S. 134, 140, 65 S.Ct. 161, 164, 89 L.Ed.124 (1944)). 8 conclusion by itself as a factual admission that she was not subjected to sexual harassment after 2008. Thus, the court finds that Plaintiff's testimony does not necessarily demonstrate that all sexual harassment occurred in 2008 or before. Defendants also assert that to the extent the Agency's December 9, 2011, action of putting Plaintiff off the clock could constitute sexual harassment, Plaintiff failed to exhaust her remedies because she did not properly raise a sexual harassment claim in her administrative proceeding. Prior to filing a Title VII action, "a plaintiff first must file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC." Gregory v. Georgia Dept. of Human Resources, 355 F.3d 1277, 1279 (11th Cir. 2004). "A plaintiff's judicial complaint is limited by the scope of the EEOC investigation which can reasonably be expected to grow out of the charge of discrimination." Mulhall v. Advance Sec. Inc., 19 F.3d 586, 589 n.8 (11th Cir. 1994). "In other words, judicial claims are allowed if they amplify, clarify or more clearly focus the allegations in the EEOC complaint, while allegations of new acts of discrimination are inappropriate." Russell v. City of Mobile, 2013 WL 1567372, *2 (S.D. Ala. April 12, 2013) (internal quotations omitted). "The purpose of this exhaustion requirement is that the [EEOC] should have the first opportunity to investigate the alleged discriminatory practices to permit it to perform its role in obtaining voluntary compliance and promoting conciliation efforts." Gregory, 1277 F.3d at 1279 (citations and internal quotations omitted). 9 In the instant case, the Plaintiff checked boxes in her form complaint indicating that she suffered discrimination on the basis of both sex and retaliation, but then described the basis of her complaint as attacks against her because she had previously filed EEOC complaints. There were no factual allegations in Plaintiff's formal EEOC complaint that would support a claim for sex discrimination. Plaintiff was also notified that the only basis her discrimination complaint was being investigated for was retaliation. Plaintiff was given time to object to the scope of the investigation, but did not do so. Although Plaintiff attempted to raise a claim for sexual harassment during the appeal process of her complaint, as the Administrative Law Judge correctly determined, Plaintiff cannot raise a new claim for the first time on appeal and she has now waived that claim. See Marathon Oil Co. v. U.S., 807 F.2d 759, 767 -768 (9th Cir. 1986) ("As a general rule, we will not consider issues not presented before an administrative proceeding at the appropriate time." citation omitted); Bechtold v. Massanari, 152 F.Supp.2d 1340, 1346–47 (M.D. Fla. 2001) (social security case finding that failure to raise issue before ALJ results in waiver of the issue before the district court). The court notes that Plaintiff is experienced in making EEOC claims and has asserted sexual harassment claims in the past. Any claim she has arising from these prior claims is time-barred for the reasons discussed above.4 Plaintiff has not Any conduct that occurred more that 45 days before Plaintiff initiated contact with an EEOC Counselor in March 2012 cannot be the basis of a claim here. 29 C.F.R. § 10 4 exhausted her remedies as to her non-time-barred claims and thus, the court finds that plaintiff has failed to assert a viable claim of sexual harassment. Accordingly, summary judgment is due to be granted in favor of Defendants on Plaintiff's sexual harassment claim. 2. Disability Plaintiff's Amended Complaint lists mental disability and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. § 12117, as a basis for her claim. (Doc. 4, p. 6). However, Plaintiff has not supported such a claim with any factual allegations and did not include the claim in her most recent EEOC complaint. Thus, the court finds Plaintiff has not stated a viable ADA claim and has failed to exhaust her administrative remedies as to any ADA claim she might have. 3. Retaliation The Amended Complaint does not appear to assert a retaliation claim, but the court notes that retaliation was the basis for her most recent EEOC proceeding and that Plaintiff attached a copy of the EEOC's decision in that proceeding to her Complaint and Amended Complaint. To the extent Plaintiff is attempting to assert a claim of retaliation, the claim would not be barred as to conduct she complains of that occurred within 45 days of her initial contact with the EEOC. To make out a prima facie case of retaliation, Plaintiff "must establish that (1) she engaged in statutorily 1614.105(a)(1). 11 protected activity, (2) she suffered a materially adverse action, and (3) there exists a causal link between the two." Smith v. City of Fort Pierce, Fla., 565 Fed.Appx. 774, 776-777 (11th Cir. 2014) (citations omitted). "If a plaintiff establishes a prima facie case, the burden shifts to the employer to proffer a legitimate, non-retaliatory reason for the adverse employment action." Id. at 777 (citation omitted). "If an employer provides a legitimate non-discriminatory reason, the burden shifts to the plaintiff to show that the employer's given reason is a pretext designed to mask retaliation." Id. A plaintiff shows pretext by "demonstrat[ing] that the proffered reason was not the true reason for the employment decision[,]" and by "introduc[ing] significantly probative evidence . . . that the asserted reason is merely pretext for discrimination." Brooks v. County Comm'n of Jefferson County, 446 F.3d 1160, 1163 (11th Cir. 2006) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). An employer's reason is not pretext for discrimination "unless it is shown both that the reason was false, and that discrimination was the real reason." Id. at 1163 (emphasis in original) (quoting St. Mary's Honor Ctr. v. Hicks, 509 U.S. 502, 515 (1993)). As part of the pretext inquiry, the court "must evaluate whether the Plaintiff has demonstrated such weaknesses, implausibilities, inconsistencies, incoherencies, or contradictions in the employer's proffered legitimate reasons for its action that a reasonable fact finder could find them unworthy of credence." Jackson v. State of Ala. State Tenure Comm'n, 405 F.3d 1276, 1289 (11th Cir. 2005) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). 12 A plaintiff is not allowed to recast an employer's proffered nondiscriminatory reasons or substitute his business judgment for that of the employer. Provided that the proffered reason is one that might motivate a reasonable employer, an employee must meet that reason head on and rebut it, and the employee cannot succeed by simply quarreling with the wisdom of that reason. Chapman v. AI Transp., 229 F.3d 1012, 1030 (11th Cir. 2000). Defendants assert that Plaintiff has not shown a prima facie case because she has not provided any facts to support a causal link between her prior EEOC complaints and the discipline she received. Even if Plaintiff could show a prima facie case, she has offered nothing to show that Defendants' proffered reasons for taking her off-duty was merely pretext. Defendants contend that Plaintiff was placed on off-duty status because it was discovered that she had been delivering mail to a housing project that had been closed for more than two months, in violation of Postal regulations. Though Plaintiff filed a response and a sur-reply to Defendants' motion for summary judgment, she has not contested Defendants' version of the facts with any facts of her own. Defendants have offered a legitimate, non-retaliatory reason for the action and Plaintiff has offered no facts to demonstrate any weaknesses, implausibilities, inconsistencies, incoherencies, or contradictions in the employer's proffered reasons. In her response to Defendants' motion, Plaintiff points to the fact 13 that in the declaration of Frank Carstarphen submitted by Defendants, the Edit Book5 of October 16 2011 was cited to and attached rather than the updated Edit Book from December 2011. (Doc. 33, p. 2). However, the October 2011 Edit Book was in effect for the months of October, November and early December 2011, when the housing project in question had closed and Plaintiff allegedly continued to deliver mail to the closed housing project and failed to update the Edit Book. Thus, Defendants submitted the appropriate document to show the status of the Edit Book at the time relevant to this case. In Plaintiff's sur-reply, she is adamant that the Defendants and their counsel are deceptive and gave false statements, but in support of her contention Plaintiff only offers a news article that reports of other postal workers who claim they were sexually assaulted and retaliated against by their manager in Albany, New York. (Doc. 35, pp. 4-8). The news article does not mention any of the parties in this case. Plaintiff has offered nothing to show that what allegedly occurred in Albany, New York to other individuals has anything to do with Plaintiff's claims here. Nothing in the article 5 Mr. Carstarphen explained in his affidavit that: An Edit Book contains a list of every address assigned to the carrier's route and which is in the carrier's line of travel. The carrier is required to keep this book updated with current information so that vacancies and inactive addresses are properly updated in the Address Management System. When the Edit Book is updated, mail for those vacant and inactive addresses are taken out of the carrier's route, thus making delivery to those addresses unnecessary. (Doc. 31-6, ¶ 11). 14 demonstrates that the legitimate non-discriminatory reason proffered by the Defendants in this case should not be believed. Thus, the court finds that summary judgment is due to be granted in favor of Defendants to the extent Plaintiff has asserted a claim of retaliation. CONCLUSION For the reasons stated above, Defendants' motion for summary judgment (Doc. 31), is GRANTED. DONE and ORDERED this 6th day of February, 2015. /s/ Callie V. S. Granade UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 15


Welcome to Main Character Monday. Today's guest is Nat Montgomery from Tie-Dyed by Amy C. Blake. Thank you for joining me Nat.
Before my grandmother Gigi left me enough money to cover tuition for my art history degrees, I would've said cash for college, because school is expensive! But now, I'd have to say a tour of the major art museums of the world.
That sounds like a lot of fun. Given your area of study, I'm sure it would be beneficial for you too.
The New Testament tells the story of two sisters who react to Jesus visiting in very different ways. Mary chooses to spend her time with him, while Martha chooses to see to the physical details of his visit. Are you more a Mary or Martha?
I'm a blend of the two. I'm willing to sit, read Scripture, and ponder God's Word, but I do have to call my thoughts back from wandering to all the things I need to do.
Focus is a difficult thing to achieve when the world doesn't slow down around you. "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." James 1:27 – Do you think this verse, lived out would have made a difference in your life? If so, how?
Absolutely. If my mom had lived the "keep oneself unspotted from the world" bit rather than indulging in drugs and live-ins, my childhood would've been so much better. Thankfully, Gigi as much as adopted my virtually orphaned self and lived out the gospel before me.
It's such a blessing when there are people in our lives to help make up for what we're missing. Your Gigi sounds like a wonderful woman.
What scripture verse would you claim as a life verse?
Romans 8:38-39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Gigi always pressed this passage on me, and I learned the truth of it more deeply during the difficult events of the summer.
Trust God and His great love, even when your life looks like an abysmal mess.
Indoors or outdoors: Outdoors—with my bow. I love archery, though I haven't found a place to shoot yet in DC.
Reading or writing: Reading, definitely. It takes a lot less effort than writing.
Apples or pears: Pears are my favorite!
Early bird or night owl: Did you read the tactics my roommate sometimes has to use to wake me up in the morning?! Night owl, no question.
Nat, please describe Amy C. Blake in three words.
Tall because she's 5'8, and I'm . . . far shorter than that.
Restrained because she doesn't usually make the smart-alecky comments that often land me in the doghouse.
Blessed because, unlike me, she has a set of wonderful Christian parents who taught her the love of Jesus from a very young age.
I want to thank Nat for joining me today. And thank you to Amy Blake for sharing her with us. If you'd like to know the rest of Nat's story, check out Tie-Dyed available now on Amazon. And while you're at it, keep reading to find out more about Amy and her books.
Maybe one day my books will be as famous as those by Karen Kingsbury or Melanie Dickerson. It would be amazing if a production company approached me about making one of my stories into the newest Hallmark movie. (I don't know if you know this about me, but I love Hallmark movies. All of them. Not just the Christmas ones.) I recently saw a social media post about another author on that path right now. Congratulations to her! I hope it's an awesome experience for her.
That could happen to me too. It would be wonderful if it did. But I can live my life as an author and consider myself successful even if neither of those things takes place. Why? Because that isn't why I write. I come home from my 8-5 job every day to spend my evenings working on marketing, blogging, and my newest manuscript until long after I should be asleep. My reasons are simple. I love to write, and I feel like God wants me to use whatever talent I have in that area to help encourage others in their faith. Writing is a way I can encourage and challenge others that I might otherwise never get to meet.
If my books never reach the popularity of Karen Kingsbury's books or get made into a movie, it's okay. I'm doing what I feel God would have me do with the interests and talents He has given me. I'm sowing whatever seeds of faith each story contains, and I trust that God will allow those seed filled stories to make it into the hands of whoever needs them and grow what He wants in their lives. If He chooses to bless my hard work with a best seller I'll be ecstatic. If not, I'll trust Him and keep writing.
By the Book: What talents has God given you? Have you ever asked Him if and how He wants to use them?
Welcome to Main Character Monday. Today's guest is Lucy Dixon from Carolina Mercy by Regina Rudd Merrick. Thank you for joining me.
Oh my. I've been a lot of places already! Dad and I visited the British Isles a few years ago, so I can mark that one off the list! I was born in Atlanta, but my dad was a plant manager and we moved around a lot. Before we came to Kentucky, we had lived in Silicon Valley in California, and then in Chicago. We saw a lot of the US. Kentucky was home, though. It was where I went to high school, where I learned that being a Christian was more than just going to church, and where I met my BFF Sarah Jane Crawford! But if I could pick any place? Probably Australia. Mainly because it's the farthest away, and the idea of visiting the Southern Hemisphere in our winter – their summer – is intriguing. While I'm there, can I go to New Zealand, too?
I don't see why not. I'd love to visit New Zealand for purely geeky reasons. I'm a huge Lord of the Rings fan. But anyway, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Which of these traits do you find easiest to display in your life? Which of them is the hardest to display?
You're going to start meddling, now. Here are the ones I usually (can I underline that usually?) find easy to display: love, joy, kindness, and faithfulness. The harder ones? Peace, patience, goodness, gentleness and self-control. Not that I'm ANTI any of those things. They're just the ones I have to work on. Especially, right now, patience. Have you MET Tom Livingston? He's adorable, but let me tell ya, he'll try a girl's patience and self-control! I know he's got a lot on him, but seriously? To not call me for EIGHT MONTHS? Okay, now I'm having trouble with peace and gentleness, too. Grrr.
Eight months would try any girl's patience! What is your favorite story from the Old Testament?
I have two, actually, and they are SO not surprising for a girl. Esther and Ruth. Esther, because she didn't question what God had in mind for her, she just obeyed. I want to be more like that. Ruth? I love Ruth because she was loyal, and submitted herself to both God and her mother-in-law. I'd love to have a mother-in-law like Naomi. If a certain sheriff's deputy would get in line, I could have that. Don't get me started!
What is your favorite book in the New Testament?
Acts. For one thing, I'm a very active person, and the book of Acts is the story of how the church started. Reading about Pentecost, and Paul's conversion and missionary trips are fascinating to me. I guess I love it because it tells me that we're not supposed to just sit around and wait for someone else to share the love of God and the free gift of salvation that Jesus made possible, but we're to be out there, in our daily lives, showing and telling what He did for us! There are so many ways to do that!
If you could leave us with one message, what would you want us to know?
After my dad died in an accident, and my best friend had moved away, I realized that home wasn't a place, and that if I'm going to make major changes in my life, I need to seek God's guidance. I need to be fully engaged in prayer and scripture, even when I'm a little angry with God. God is good, all the time, and guess what? He just wants me to do the next right thing and trust Him.
Sunrise or sunset? When I'm visiting Sarah in Murrells Inlet, SC, I'm all about a sunrise. It's gentle, and the colors are muted. The smell of sea and marsh are so alive, but in a comfortable way. I love it here.
Pie or Cake? Pie. Especially pecan. Maybe I could make that for an event coming up . . .
Tulip or Iris? Tulips are interesting because they are pretty exotic and don't last long in the south, but I prefer Iris. They're stately without being too fancy.
Chocolate or Vanilla? Ha! Did I just snort? Oh, sorry! Uh, Chocolate!! The darker the better, and if you want to pile chocolate on top of chocolate, that's okay. When I get to pick sundae toppings, I'll pick chocolate ice cream (or fro-yo, or custard), then top it with hot fudge sauce and Heath bits. Death by chocolate!
What three words would you use to describe Regina?
Thank you to Lucy and Regina for agreeing to this interview. I've loved reading Lucy's story in Carolina Mercy, and it was a pleasure getting to know her better through this interview. Keep reading to find out more about Carolina Mercy and author Regina Rudd Merrick.
She's always gotten everything she's wanted. He thinks he has to give up everything.
Her best friend's wedding is foremost on Lucy Dixon's radar. Her biggest concern is once again meeting Tom Livingston, who has ignored her since an idyllic date on the boardwalk of Myrtle Beach the previous summer.
At least, it is her biggest concern until tragedy strikes. Where is her loving, merciful God, now?
When Tom Livingston meets Lucy, the attraction is instant. Soon after, his mother is diagnosed with an untreatable illness and his personal life is pushed aside. His work with the sheriff's department, his family – they are more important. He knows about the love of God, but circumstances make him feel as if God's mercy is for everyone else, not him.
Can a wedding and a hurricane – blessing and tragedy – bring them together?
Regina Rudd Merrick is a writer, church musician, wife, mother, former librarian, and grateful follower of Jesus Christ. Having lived most of her life in Western Kentucky, she dreams of the sound of crashing waves and sandy beaches. Married to her husband of 35 years, she is the mother of two grown daughters, and the keeper of a 100-year-old house where she lives in the small town of Marion, KY. She is the author of three books: Carolina Dream (Apr. 2017), Carolina Mercy (July 2018), and coming in Feb. 2019, Carolina Grace in the Southern Breeze Series.
You've probably heard the phrase "don't throw the baby out with the bath water". I recently heard that it dated back to a time in early American history when washtubs were used and baths were taken in order from oldest to youngest. This left the baby to be washed in murky water that could lead to mistakenly throwing out the baby when you emptied the tub. A quick search of the phrase's beginnings show this to be nothing more than the product of someone's imagination and the willingness of people to believe everything they read on the internet. Aside from it being wrong, this story is also quite disturbing. What mother would walk away from her baby in a washtub for a long enough time that when she came back she wouldn't remember the baby was in the tub in the first place? It doesn't make sense.
No matter its beginnings, the phrase does carry an important lesson, and one I have wrestled with this week. Usually on Saturday I post a devotional review of whatever book I've read during the week. Today, I finished the book I initially thought would be the focus of this week's post. I liked the book's story and characters. I would recommend it to fans of historical Christian fiction, but I wouldn't recommend it across the board.
I don't pretend to be perfect. I'm far from it. I've been told my own book is missing one word. I'm not sure where, but I trust the one who told me though she couldn't remember the passage either. As careful as I've been, I know there have been errors in my posts too. Mistakes happen. I understand that. I've found mistakes in books by my favorite authors which were published by some of the big publishing houses. It doesn't bother me.
But this one did. Aside from formatting errors, which happened a few times, there were also missing or incorrect words in various places. But even those weren't too distracting. What took me out of the story more than anything was the author's use of phrases or words that didn't seem to fit the time period of the book. A few I couldn't let go. I had to look them up. One actually could have been used, though I still have serious doubts. The others were words out of time and place.
So I have questions for you readers out there. Do you let the errors stop you from reading what would otherwise be a pretty good book? How would you want a book like that reviewed? Would you even want it reviewed?
Now questions for the authors out there. Would you want someone reviewing your book if they were going to include the above information? If someone had to say they liked the story but…? Would you want a reader to contact you with the errors? Keep in mind this would be out of a desire to help them become stronger writers, not to bash them.
And let's round it out with a life lesson for all believers. How many times have we been guilty of throwing the baby out with the bath water in our churches? When the going gets tough at church, and face it we are dealing with a group of people trying to function as one so there will be rough times, how do we respond? Do we pack up and move on? I'm not saying it's never God's time to leave a church, but it should not be our "go to" move every time something happens that we don't like.
Or maybe you're dealing with Christian people who seem to fail repeatedly. The temptation is to label them hypocrites. They aren't true believers, and we don't need to worry ourselves about them anymore. We spend our time and energy on those who get it right more often or at the very least fail in ways we find more palatable. There goes that baby again. Yes, there are true hypocrites, people who are willfully living in ways contrary to what they say they believe. They are nothing more than liars and fakes. But it's good for us to remember there are sinful strongholds we all face in our faith. There are sins we may fight for years before we finally learn to conquer it. This doesn't make us fake in our faith. It makes us weak. It makes us human. When we see someone struggling (and the key word is struggling) with a sin or question of faith and belief, let's not be so quick to slough them off. Let's extend mercy and grace and love. Let's help be the encouragement and example that can help them in their fight.
There are enough reasons to let go of certain things in our lives. Let's learn how to celebrate the good and deal with the bad in godly ways instead of running or pushing away so quickly.
Each Wednesday I share a writing quote that either encourages or challenges me in my writing. Today, I've invited author Amy Anguish to share one of the quotes that means a lot to her. After you've read her quote, keep reading to find out more about Amy and her writing.
As a girl just out of college with the dream of being an author, that quote resonated in my spirit. Over the last fourteen years, my goals have changed some, deepening along with my faith in God, becoming a bit more realistic in some areas, a little freer in others. But one thing remains. I love writing books.
I like to think I'm similar to her character Jo in Little Women, always a favorite of mine. Jo, when she starts writing, simply writes for the fun of it. It's a thrill to see her name in print, to get those few dollars for each story published. But by the end of the novel, she has realized she can use her writing for so much more. She can use it to tell a beautiful story that will touch someone's heart, and maybe even teach something.
When Chad Manning introduces himself to Jessica Garcia at her favorite smoothie shop, it's like he stepped out of one of her romance novels. But as she tentatively walks into a relationship with this man of her dreams, secrets from their past threaten to shatter their already fragile bond. Chad and Jessica must struggle to figure out if their relationship has a chance or if there is nothing between them but a love of smoothies.
Welcome to Main Character Monday. Today's guest is Charlotte Stanton from Under Prairie Skies by Cynthia Roemer. Thank you for joining Charlotte.
I've spent my entire life on the Illinois prairie. I can't imagine traveling too far. However, I would enjoy visiting the mountains I've heard about out west. The prairie is flat as far as the eye can see. But I love it.
I grew up in Illinois too, and I've never seen the mountains out west either. But I've heard they're beautiful. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Which of these traits do you find easiest to display in your life? Which of them is the hardest to display?
Oh, I could use more of all of these traits. Given certain circumstances, I can be gentle and loving. Patience and self-control are definitely not on the top of my list of virtues.
What is your favorite story from the Old Testament?
I love the story of Esther. Her courage and willingness to do the right thing, despite the dangers she faced, is so inspiring.
Doing the right thing even when it's hard. You're right. It's a great lesson for all of us. What is your favorite book in the New Testament?
I'm ever so convicted by the book of James. He gives such practical advice on how one should live. If only I could put it all into practice!
I want you to know that change it possible. That God can soften hearts and mold us into the people He wants us to be. Just as iron sharpens iron, he uses people to sharpen each other's lives.
It sounds like you know this from experience. I guess readers will have to check out your story to get all the details!
Thank you Cynthia Roemer for allowing Charlotte to visit with us this evening. Please keep reading for more on Charlotte's story and Cynthia Roemer.
Have you ever had a bad haircut? If you haven't, you're lucky. If you have, do you remember the moment of dread that comes before this experience?
You've signed in and are waiting for your appointment. Doubt flickers when the person who calls you looks like their own hair was cut with a weed trimmer. Still, you march bravely forward and sit in the chair. You show the stylist a picture of what you want. You've searched the internet for days finding the perfect style. You ask if this cut will work with your hair. You're assured it will, and the stylist rattles off some simplistic description of your holy grail of hairstyles.
As the stylist picks up scissors to begin working on your transformation, she mentions something that doesn't make sense. No, you don't want only an inch taken off. Your hair is down to the middle of your shoulder blades and the style in the picture barely grazes the shoulders. On what planet is that an inch?
The tiny doubt you knew when you saw the stylist blossoms into dread. That dread is multiplied as you watch your haircut's progression. How is this going to turn into the style in the picture? Can that even be possible?
The stylist you see in the mirror is the picture on concentration. And doubt. It's the doubt that takes your feeling of dread to near panic. You know this is going south at an alarming rate, but there is nothing you can do about it. You can't walk out mid-cut. And there's only so much hair you're willing to lose.
Why did you come to this salon? Why did you agree to sit in this stylist's chair? When are you going to learn? You give a weak smile. It's too late anyway. You pay and leave. Once in the safe confines of your car, you pull out your phone and google how long it will take the bangs that are now two finger widths above your eyebrows to grow back. Then, you reschedule your family pictures for a couple weeks later than that. Next time, you'll listen to that feeling of dread. Maybe.
Olivia, in A Desperate Love by Jessica McCarty, knows the feeling of dread that comes with poorly made decisions all too well. When her fiancé's ship is attacked by pirates, Olivia mourns his loss while still maintaining the hope that he lives. When her father and mother decide it's time she moves on into an arranged marriage, Olivia wants nothing to do with it. Desperation drives her to leave home in disguise. Her choice brings with it apprehension, but Olivia pushes through determined to do what she must to find her fiancé.
When her journey leads her to an inn filled with rough men, she feigns confidence and joins them in their gambling so she can glean information from them. She gets more than she bargains for when a strange offer is put on the table. Join the captain's pirate crew to help them with a job, and the captain will help find her lost love. Instinct tells Olivia this isn't a wise plan. She does it anyway.
In her time on ship, Olivia fights the demons of fear inside her, grows from skillful to masterful with a sword, finds bravery she didn't know she had, and learns what life can be like when you allow yourself to lean on friends. But these revelations don't keep the dread from popping up every time she's faced with a new, less than moral choice. Olivia does her best to limit her involvement in the things she knows are wrong while living up to her end of the bargain she struck with the pirate captain. Learning to balance the two is the only way she can hope to save her fiancé.
Olivia faces her moments of dread after each step down the bad paths laid in front of her. While we may not face impossible choices with life or death consequences, I'm sure we've all known that catch in our spirit when make a poor choice and veer from the path God intended. It's that feeling of heaviness that tells us we're making a mistake. It's God warning system for His children.
When Jesus was living on earth, He was able to show His followers how He expected them to live. When they made poor choices, Jesus dealt with it. When the disciples let fear steal their peace in the storm, He reminded them to have faith. When Peter denied Jesus, he went out and wept over his failure. When Jesus returned to them after His resurrection, He restored Peter. Jesus was with them to warn them and guide them back when they strayed.
We don't have Jesus walking the earth with us, but He didn't leave us alone. Jesus said He would send a helper to live inside every believer. The Holy Spirit would take up residence and work as our teacher, warning system, and the one to guide us back to the right path. When we make a sinful choice or a series of sinful choices, the Holy Spirit is there creating that feeling inside that tells us what we're choosing is wrong. It's a gentle nudge that if listened to can help us avoid painful consequences. That gentle nudge becomes a persistent sense of conviction when we stubbornly cling to our chosen path.
It's not pleasant, but it can't be. The Holy Spirit means to get our attention. He wants to keep us from sinful choices. It would be wonderful if we listened to the quiet prodding when we felt the first stirrings. Too often we don't. Then, it's the Holy Spirit's job to convict us of the sin we've let in. This dread or conviction is heavier because the situation demands it. But when we heed the warning and turn back from our sin, God restores and we are freed from the guilt and dread that weighs us down.
I have everything I need to write in my office. I have whiteboards to keep notes on. I have bookshelves full of the books I've read and my TBR pile. I've got a cork board with notes about potential reviewers pinned to it in a pleasing pattern of colored index cards. I even have a diffuser to fill the air with whatever scent I fancy that day. I have everything I need to write productively.
But the smallest word in that sentence makes all the difference. I. My office is not set up for you. You might be completely uncomfortable in my office. You might stare out my window and fail to look back to the computer screen. You could fall asleep in my comfy chair. My office might not work for you, but it is amazing for me. It's one of the best tools in my writer's toolbox.
Some of my tools are meant for the writing part of being an author. I love the Write Track site. It encourages my competitive side and keeps me on target with my word counts. My tablet is great for researching information without coming away from what I'm writing on my laptop. I'm part of a writing group that encourages and critiques my writing. And I have shelves full of books dedicated to helping me become a stronger writer. I've found all of these tools helpful in my writing journey.
But there are other tools I use too. I discovered the importance of these tools after receiving a contract for the publication of Faith's Journey. These tools I'm less comfortable with, but my proficiency is quickly improving. These are the tools needed to market my book and grow my audience. My author page on Facebook helps me stay connected to readers and other writers. WordPress allows me to have my own web site and blog. Canva and Pixabay are amazing resources for designing publicity from social media advertisements to postcard invitations for book launch events. Social media sites I'd given little to know thought about before Faith's Journey was published are now easily accessible from my phone.
I need all these tools and then some in my efforts to be a successful author. And I can't just have them. I have to use them properly for each tool to be beneficial to me. It can be overwhelming. "I just wanted to write!" There are days that frustrated cry comes from my mouth. It's usually after I spend an hour trying to develop the perfect advertisement or post only to have it not work out at all. If I were more proficient with the programs I could accomplish my goals with ease. I'm not. But I'm not giving up either. I keep learning and as I do, each project becomes easier to create. I become more comfortable with the tools in my writer's toolbox, and they enable me to do exactly what they were designed to help me do.
There's a lesson here for living our faith too. We also have tools of the trade in our Christian lives. We have scripture, prayer, Bible study groups, small groups, church services, fasting, and fellowship. And this is by no means an exhaustive list. Just as the tools in my writer's toolbox can help me be the best author I can be, the tools of our faith help us be the people God would have us be. These tools can help bring us peace in our storms, encouragement for the days when nothing seems to go write, direction on what our next move should be, and correction when we stray from the path.
To grow as believers we need to find out what tools are available to us, and we need to learn how to use them. Some may feel more comfortable than others, but we keep learning and trying. Some tools may seem more useful for a time, but that doesn't mean the others aren't important. I can't use my thesaurus to create a social media advertisement. That doesn't mean my thesaurus is useless. It just means I need Canva for this project and my thesaurus for creating variation in my writing. Know which tool is best for which circumstance and don't be afraid to use them.
Whether in writing or faith, we don't have to rely on our meager abilities alone. To be the best we can be we need to learn and grow. We need to pick up the tools we're given and use them to get the job done.
As a probation officer, my husband has to dissect his clients' words in effort to find the truth in any given situation. Before that he spent years as an addictions counselor, another profession that requires carefully weighing what you hear someone say against what you see going on in their life. After over twenty years in these professions, this way of interacting with people has not filtered into his non-professional life. By nature he trusts. Optimism comes easily for him and with it a generally positive outlook on people and their motives.
I am my husband's opposite. Well, almost. I would argue I'm not a pessimist but a realist. I see the negative outcomes as possibilities while still holding onto hope for and working towards the good. It's a fine line, but that's a discussion for another day. When it comes to people, I freely admit, I don't trust easily. That task of weighing and dissecting words and their meanings that my spouse has had to learn comes all too naturally for me.
For some, like Nat Montgomery in Tie-Dyed by Amy C. Blake, experience teaches them not to trust. Nat's grandma is the only stable thing in her life. Her mother is a functioning addict who has been in and out of her life since she was a child. Even when she was with Nat, her motives were often selfish. Nat doesn't know her father. When her grandmother dies it feels like the only sure thing in her life other than faith has been taken from her. As she delves into a message her grandma left her, Nat if forced to question if she could even trust her beloved grandma.
Her grandma's story plunges Nat into a dangerous quest for answers. Pains from the past mingle with the present pushing those around her to questionable and sometimes illegal acts. Nat's lack of trust influences her to make poor decisions that could cost those she loves, and it keeps her in a state of confusion about those who seek to help her. When events seem darkest, Nat even questions the trustworthiness of God who has taken so much from her. For Nat learning to trust turns into a matter of life and death.
I doubt my instinct against trust will ever lead to a life or death situation. But there is another issue Nat faces that my own issues could lead me to if I'm not careful. When things go horribly wrong in her life, Nat doubts God's ability to love and care for her. Is she worth God's love and if not can she say for sure He does? For those who are a little less trusting, either by nature or because circumstances have taught them to be, the danger is in letting the storms of life erode your trust in the only One who is absolutely trustworthy.
How do you build trust that's unshakeable? Know the one you're trusting. God tells us everything we need to know about His nature. He gives us examples of times when He's miraculously rescued people from circumstances, but He's also shown us how He's remained faithful to His children even when the situations remained the same. These examples and hundreds of promises have been given to us in His word. When we spend time in scripture finding out who God is and burying His promises deep in our hearts, we strengthen our trust. As hard times come we can hold onto the things we've learned. We can pray them back to God, and we can rest knowing He is the same God in our lives that He's been throughout history. Each time He brings us through our faith is strengthened and our trust grows leaving it stronger for the next challenge of life.
By the Book: Try keeping a journal of God's provision in your life. Detailing His work in your circumstances will provide a tangible reminder of who God has been to you for your next dark time.
I tried a new dessert recently. In the spirit of summer, the restaurant created something they called a chocolate smore's cake or something equally as descriptive. I love a good dessert, and this restaurant has several. In fact, they have all my favorites. This was not one of them.
The moist, dark chocolate cake was a decent cake. But it was just cake. They added toasted marshmallows, a graham cracker, and chocolate sauce to it. The entire time I was eating it, I was developing the plan for how the restaurant could have made the dessert a winner. Instead, it was overly sweet just for being sweet. Really sweet, rich even, is great when the dessert's quality matches the level of sweetness. This one was simply too sweet for what it was, a chocolate cake.
Sweet can work the same way in our writing. When we create sweet characters, who always do sweet things, and everything about their story is sweet, well, it's just sweet. There's no substance to get a reader hooked on the story. There's no drama. There's no growth.
The darkness is where the story comes from. We don't have to delve into the twisted to accomplish this. Darkness can be defined as the thing that must be overcome. Maybe the character has been betrayed or abandoned. No matter what else is happening in the story their darkness to overcome is being trapped by those feelings. It could be a physical obstacle like the journey to find success. Maybe it's a lack of faith. The roadblock in your character's way can be anything, but it isn't going to be sweet. It's going to be difficult in some way, and through it your character will mature. They will learn about themselves and the world they live in. And just as importantly, they will become part of a story people want to read.
Trouble doesn't have to bring destruction to our characters, and it doesn't have to bring it to us either. While we may not relish going through the more dramatic parts of our personal stories, they are not without merit for the believer. Scripture promises us there is good for us in them if we let God work in us and through us. James 1:2-4 tells us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Pair it with Romans 5 which tells us trials leads to perseverance but then takes it further to explain that perseverance brings character which brings hope. Being mature, complete, of good character, and full of hope are things I think we would all say we want. But the path to have them is through the darkness. It's the testing of our faith that builds more faith in us.
Do I look forward to the next trial in my life? Not really. Most of the time they hit before the previous one is even finished. Sometimes I'd like a break in between. But that doesn't seem to be God's plan for my life right now. And that's okay too. Because one day I pray others will be able to look at the story of my life and see how the darkness shaped me for God's use. They'll look and see while the story may not have always been sweet, the end result was beautifully so.
By the Book: Do you fight God in the darkness or pray for Him to grow you through those times?