Florence Ditlow's Blog

I continue to endure the pressured pre-election build up, in which the concerns of the population are often manipulated by the media. I’ve been on a strict news diet, excepting the political convention coverage via internet, and the first presidential debate. I have no television or cell phone, using my computer. Freedom from these devices and toxic news allows me to lose stress and gain clarity.
Instead of news static, punditry and especially uncivil combatants in the media, I looked into the history and use of satire. This brings me back to humor; indispensable as a way to relieve myself of usual daily stress which has been increasingly compounded by graphic visual images of negative news reports. Political satire affects me like a nerve tonic, thanks to our current choice of nightly comedians.
Through satire, we the people may criticize unsavory political behaviors by poking fun at people who are in charge, yet be entertained and actually normalize the blood pressure. I agree with who ever said humor leaves us on a more level playing field with opponents- even the US congress!
I enjoy having my candidate roasted! I appreciate comedic perspective, and feel less serious as the masses grapple with an unprecedented campaign in which Steven Colbert in “Road to the White House,” described one candidate as a Wizard of Oz with smoke and fire and the other a seeker like Dorothy, trying to go where no woman’s gone before (except her role as the first lady, NY senator and Secretary of State). See video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daoU-...
My review of Alison Dagnes' "A Conservative Walks into a Bar" is here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... and on Amazon.com. for more insight into satire.
 

My sense is that Americans have extra stress as a side effect of the coming election. The stress you've handled may have been aggravated by media or others around you.

I am wondering if you turn to humor?
Satire is a time honored way to deflect stress from politics. Do you find satire a help, whether on radio, youtube cartoons or print?

I'll add more on satire next time.

I guess my urge to post kindled itself in the primary election. I saw all the confusion of voters from afar. I'm not going into all the players in this drama, but focus now on those who will go to the polls.
It seems we're at a crossroads, we have a decision to make.. and this will tip other decision "dominoes."
I welcome comments only as to your reflection, changes you'll make and humor perspectives.
I've turned to writers who have shed light on the power of humor and play.
I intend to be and have positive influence; me as stress tamer. More later!
Florence

It's always exciting to speak "in person" with my readers.
Tomorrow I will skype with the book circle at Kindred Spirit assisted living in Harrisburg.
Among their members is my former scout leader, who read "The Bakery Girls" when it was published!
Thanks to Jane Sallade, for organizing this fun meeting.
Many thanks,
Florence

My novel, "The Bakery Girls"is free for five days on Amazon. I based it on the real lives of my mother and her sisters, who deliver delicious desserts to Harrisburg, PA, before World War ll. Their special skills see them through the Depression, but their secret weapon was the ability to find the fun, no matter what. They reinvent bread, use pie as therapy and survive the war in style.
I hope you enjoy it.

Hi!
To write myself toward clearer thinking, I usually journal "at it."
I'm grateful to Anne Lamott for writing "Bird by Bird." She cautions us against perfectionism as an obstacle to creativity.
She goes on to say something calls you to write and that it's like smoke off a pie cooling on a windowsill, smoke in your nose that draws you to your writing desk.

I'll write now to help myself clear up a mystery. Less journaling, more draft writing.
Florence

Hi friends,
Librarians are so unique, to my way of thinking. I am a friend of a Goodreads Librarian, Kathy Hale, who has a wonderful book group at the Pennsylvania State Library, Harrisburg. We met in her group at the library, where we shared thoughts on womens' history, surviving World War ll, and sliced bread.
I had the pleasure of meeting the very librarians who cataloged my book, shelved and purchased it!
They displayed numerous interesting Harrisburg reads plus well preserved maps from their archives.
Thanks Kathy, for the chance to learn, laugh and love a library!

Hi readers!
My novel, "The Bakery Girls" is a free Kindle read beginning PST midnight Sept. 4th, until Sept. 6th midnight.
I'm attracting Twitter followers...will you be number 1000?
Enjoy summer and lazy reading outside,
Florence

Happy Holidays to all!
My bakery based novel is .99 this week, from 12/24-28.
http://www.amazon.com/Bakery-Girls-Fl...
The Bakery Girls is structured around three baker's daughters who survive WWll through using their special skills. Dot is like bread: necessary and important to the bakery's survival. Louise is a juicy enigma who has the gift to use cherry pie as therapy and Elaine is a precise problem solver, who slices her way into a cake mystery.
Though I wrote a novel, I assure you most of it is true. Read as a kindle deal and see why these tough cookies said, "Through enjoyment we endure!"
Florence

Hi Friends and history buffs,
I scheduled this Thursday as a .99 Kindle Deal, beginning 8am until Friday 8am.
So if you'd like to read a delicious bakery story, look here:
http://www.amazon.com/Bakery-Girls-Fl...

Enjoy whatever you read or write- as The Bakery Girls said, "Through enjoyment we endure."
Florence