This Week @ Monday Creek: TikTok Tango

The TikTok Tango: A Love/Hate Story

Ah, TikTok—the modern-day siren call of social media, where a casual five-minute browse can turn into a marathon of endless scrolling. Love it or loathe it, there’s no denying that TikTok has a way of sucking us into its vortex of never-ending content. Here’s a witty look at our tumultuous relationship with the platform that has us all doing the TikTok Tango.

The Love Affair: Informative, Hilarious, and Oh-So-Addictive

TikTok is like that charismatic friend who always has the latest gossip, the funniest jokes, and the best life hacks. Who knew you could learn how to de-stain your coffee mug with toothpaste or cook an entire gourmet meal in under 10 minutes? The platform is a treasure trove of creativity and knowledge.

And then there are the animal videos. Seriously, if you haven't laughed at a dog trying to fit into a cat-sized bed or a goat that thinks it's a yoga instructor, have you really lived? TikTok’s short, bite-sized clips deliver humor, delight, and sometimes sheer absurdity right into our palms.

The Hate Saga: Overload, Misinformation, and Time-Sucking Vortex

But, oh, the double-edged sword that is TikTok. One minute you’re watching a recipe for the fluffiest pancakes, and the next, you’re deep into conspiracy theories about lizard people running the world. Talk about a rollercoaster of content quality! The platform’s algorithm is a bit like that overly enthusiastic acquaintance who can’t quite distinguish between enlightening and alarming.

The sheer volume of information can be overwhelming. For every golden nugget of wisdom, there’s an equal measure of dubious advice. It’s a delicate balance between the educational and the entirely questionable.

And let's not forget the biggest culprit—time. TikTok has mastered the art of the time warp. You open the app for a quick peek, and suddenly, an hour has vanished. It’s as if the platform possesses the power to teleport us into a parallel dimension where time is an illusion.

The Dance Continues: Navigating the TikTok Tango

So, what’s the verdict? TikTok is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a whirlwind romance that offers moments of pure joy and occasional frustration. Like any love affair, it requires a bit of mindfulness to navigate. Set those time limits, double-check the facts, and most importantly, enjoy the dance.

In the grand scheme of things, TikTok’s charm lies in its ability to connect us through shared laughs and collective learning experiences. So, here’s to the TikTok Tango—let’s dance wisely, laugh freely, and maybe, just maybe, find a recipe for time management along the way.

The future of TikTok remains uncertain. While it's currently one of the most popular apps globally, valued at up to $200 billion, it faces potential bans in the U.S. The Supreme Court's decision and ongoing political discussions will play a significant role in determining its fate. Many influencers and businesses rely heavily on TikTok, so its potential removal could have a substantial impact. Please don't take it away.

Follow me on TikTok @ Monday Creek Publishing (while you can).

An Interview with Ohio Author C. Faherty Brown

 

An Interview with Ohio Author C. Faherty Brown

C. Faherty Brown’s writing transcends mere storytelling; it delves deeply into the heart of the human experience, illuminating the shared emotions and unique journeys that define our existence. A seasoned world traveler, she has journeyed along diverse paths, gathering stories that have garnered widespread acclaim.

Join me as I engage in a meaningful conversation with author C. Faherty Brown, exploring the depths of her understanding and the inspiration behind her captivating narratives. Her journey is one of connection and compassion, offering readers a glimpse into the beautiful tapestry of life that she so eloquently captures in her work.

Welcome, Colleen!

GM: How do you find the balance between crafting intricate plots and developing compelling characters?

CFB: I don't have a good answer for this. When I write it is more about telling a story. I cannot create plots and characters and weave them together. All of my writing, whether it is a short work of prose or a long work that becomes a book starts with an idea or a 'thought' that intrigues me. That thought gets developed when I put it on paper and just start writing.

GM: Can you share a pivotal moment in your writing career that significantly influenced your path to success?

CFB: I have yet to come to that pivotal moment. I am still on the path. At this time in my life I write because I enjoy it and I need to do it or I feel adrift. I suppose my 'success' comes from completing something that makes me feel an emotion I was trying to capture. Or I have a story in my hands and I like who that story is about.

GM: What kind of research do you conduct to ensure authenticity and accuracy in your books?

CFB: Thank goodness for the internet. It sure makes research 'easier'. Quite a few of my books are based on personal studies and events. Though they are not biographical they are influenced by my travels and/or experience.

GM: How do you maintain originality and keep your writing fresh after publishing multiple works?

CFB: I am intrigued by people. I live by the mantra that every human has an intriguing story. Some stories may not be told well, but they are still valid and valued. When I write a character I am invested in that character, that person. And I want to tell 'their' story with grace. So, with billions of people on earth, and billions who came before us, imagine the stories we don't know.  So I make them up. 

GM: What personal experiences or beliefs have most shaped your writing style and themes?

CFB: All experiences would be the short answer. My belief is in the value of all of our stories.

GM: How do you approach the process of revising and editing your work?

CFB: There is no question about it, I am NOT an editor. I want to write the story. I want to share the story. I struggle with the 'business end' of writing. Actually, I gave up that struggle. It has been difficult for me to obtain editor/editing services. So I write. I share. And maybe one day I will work on the business end of revising and better editing. At this point in time it's all me! There is room for improvement, as a matter of fact there is a mansion waiting to be filled with improvements.

GM: Are there any recurring motifs or messages in your books that you feel particularly passionate about?

CFB: I try to keep my writing positive. Though bad things happen, good can still be obtained or experienced through it or because of the negative. When I am feeling down or sad or just not great I don't want to exacerbate that feeling by writing something negative. Writing something uplifting is better for the energy I want to carry. And hopefully share with others.

GM: Can you describe a scene or passage from one of your books that you found especially challenging to write, and why?

CFB: No. Only because, like I said above, the writing is to bring forth something better. I have never sat down to write and felt a struggle to tell part of a story. I have never sat down to write without feeling better on the other side of the pen.

GM: How do you handle criticism and feedback from readers and critics?

CFB: I haven't had to deal with too much. I try to keep in mind that people will read what I write through their own lens. They may not see or feel what it is I was trying to impart. Plus, I keep in mind that not everything I write is spectacular. I am well aware that some of my works are brilliant! Some, not so much. And I'm okay with that.

GM: What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting their writing journey?

CFB: Write. Then write some more. Share it. In whatever format you prefer.

Connect with C. Faherty Brown…

Follow on Facebook @CFahertyBrown

See all of C. Faherty Brown’s Books on Lulu

Books by C. Faherty Brown

YellowDoor: The Journal of a Wish

Snow Night

Another Yellow Door

Words in My Coffee Cup

The Sentinel

When You’re Not a Poet

When I Go

Make Life Better

Barely Remembered

When I was Little

I Live, When

Ukko

There’s A Place I Will Go

 

 

Milliron Monday: Jody's Journals April - June 1974

 Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  

June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: 

April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate 

the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, 

Dr. Pete and Jody Smith.

A continuation of Jody’s Journals.

1974 April - June

APRIL

·        Jessie’s [Jody’s maternal grandmother] burial, Rev. Paxton, went to Hempey’s house afterwards, stopped at Red Barn near Upper Sandusky, dinner at Aggie’s [Jody’s sister-in-law]

·        Jerry Hartley picked up Maverick [horse], Brad Harter’s class at Dave Enterline’s farm

·        Aggie’s birthday > Maverick, dewormed, shots etc., x-rayed knees

·        Fed calf, picked up wildlife packet

·        Pat’s birthday > Communication Class, Dr. Rogers, took Dottie Wright

·        Puff, 1^st DHL in Columbus > ATC, Bill Jones here overnight

·        Herded reg flock down to clinic barn for shearing, Pete on calls, Brad’s Bird Dog class > Pat, Pete to Globetrotters

·        P. J. worked dogs, D. Wright here to work dog

·        Picked up traction device for Pete’s back > rode Cricket, J rode Maverick; many trees down on trails, saw 3 deer > Pat at Jan ad David’s

·        Episcopal Church, Pete ushered > Lunch, Frisch’s > rode Cricket, Pete rode Sailor, J rode Maverick, saw 2 deer lying down in hay meadow, high winds > Pete planned garden > Put up ‘special house’ in barn for horses

·        Planted trees > took corn in to be mixed, gave Harold O’Neal a ride > went to library

·        Planted spruce/pines from wildlife packet below old road below house > vacuumed dogs

·        Returned book to Booth’s > ATC

·        Planted dogwood/spruce from wildlife packet below house > rode Cricket, J rode Maverick, around thru woods over in Mathew’s ring, trillium in woods

·        Planted rest of Norway spruce (nearly 200 total), buried Hamp. Lamb #238 > looked at Jimmy Davis’ dog

·        Watered trees > picked up 2 rabbits > rode Cricket, P rode Blaze, J rode Maverick, saw 4 deer > took David back after bringing tractor back

·        Left for San Francisco > Good flight, Civic Center, Holiday Inn, dinner in China Town

·        Bus tour of city > lunch at Fishermen’s > rode cable cars, walked up Market Street to Holiday Inn

·        Civic Center, vet exhibits, ordered Brittanica, Library – Frost exhibit, Japanese Cultural Center

·        Redwoods tour, narrow gauge railing, winery tour, return by beautiful coastal drive

·        Cricket 13 years old > Alcatraz tour, State Park ship museums, ferry, walked back, rode BART, cable car, dinner Chinatown, walked to Hyatt Regency

·        Walked thru State Capitol building, city art museum, flew to LA, saw Virginia Arlo, flew to Ontario picked up “Puff” at Marti’s

·        Flew home from San Francisco

·        Episcopal Church, Dolen’s lunch > Puff’s 1^st DHL

·        Puff 9 weeks old

·        Frank Johnson shod Cricket, reset Sailor, Blaze, Maverick > cut gate out of fence > communications class, picked up Dottie Wright

 

MAY

·        Saw 3 deer at salt lick in alfalfa meadow > took “Puff” over to area behind pond pasture for “social attraction” lesson > goslings swimming in pond with 4 geese

·        Brad’s class cancelled because of rain > took Puff up to white gate in bottom, across creek twice

·        Took Puff up to barn > worked Pat with Kanga

·        Helped Pete put about 40 Western ewes in horse pasture > J lesson at Laird’s, went with Jan > sewing club wiener roast

·        Episcopal Church > met Hartley’s at Dolen’s > Teresa, Carl Fieler came home with us, rode > rode back over to Wright’s with Dottie, Heather > J fell off Maverick > put sheep in, went into town for pizza for dinner with J Hartley

·        Clayton Coffey sheared ewes, ewe jumped and knocked me back, bad bruise on chin and lower left jaw > Puff 10 weeks old > 4H Peppy Pooches

·        Voted > took J, Pam Brooks to 4H officers meeting, Dottie and I went to Communications class

·        Took Citroen SW in for checkup > drove Pete’s truck in to get trailer license for him > Shirley McNeal took me in after Cit on her way home > ATC > Bill Jones here overnight, went with P to motorcycle meeting

·        Brad Harter’s bird dog class here > visited Virgil Johnson’s training kennel near Oakhill

·        Pete planted tomatoes, cabbage, peppers > fixed gate > cleaned bridle, shepherd’s crook > churned butter > baked rhubarb pie > Pam Brooks here overnight > Maverick injured knee, rode Cricket double with J, Pam rode Blaze, saw grouse

·        Maverick penicillin > to Mansfield dentist checkup

·        Puff 11 weeks old > set out live trap for groundhogs

·        Drove over to see sheep, took Puff > worked Puff on sit, down, recall, retrieve, began “run” > Jerry, Pete to Charleston WV > drill team practice

·        Maverick 3 years old > transferred cow > J Hartley picked up Apple, Shah > ATC > 2 men here from Federal Land Bank, walked over pasture

·        Tried to move sheep, unsuccessful > Brad’s class

·        Apple 4 years old > took Jackie (shepherdess) in for errands/groceries > Shane killed groundhog, gave him antibiotics > Kanga, 2 shots for skin condition > Picked up J, Brent Chadwell after trip to Camden Park

·        Dog Show Columbus, Grand Novice, J 3^rd 196 ½ > took Puff to check fencing for cows

·        5 am to 11 herded sheep from Lowe’s down road through Joy

·        Puff 12 weeks > checked on sheep, took Puff > ran errands, took Puff, county home to check on lambs, J L’H’s office, courthouse, etc. > Left P at Brown’s for motorcycle meeting

·        Pete ill > Puff 15 ½” > Betty’s birthday > ATC, took Puff > Brad Harter’s class

·        Humane Society meeting

·        Harter’s here with go-cart

·        To Mansfield > stopped at Arabian Horse Show

·        Pete, Rome, etc., planted corn > Puff 3^rd DHL > Rode Cricket, P motorcycle over to club, saw large pilot black snake > Connors here to see “Gus”

·        Pete planted corn > Rode Blaze, P took motorcycle, met Dottie Wright at motorcycle club, rode down trail from Scatter Ridge to rifle range, down over to trail to Peach, back down > Pat and I staked tomato plants > Puff, Kanga, Shane in pond > Drive-in saw John Wayne movie “Hot Rock”

·        Drove to Amesville for blood test on Shane covered by hospital, tattooed Puff, 4H K9 Keepers and Peppy Pooches > Brad Harter bird dog demo, toured J L’H’s kennels > Marshall Adams here

·        Let Puff’s collar out a notch > Marshall left > John S here to check on brick work for chimney > ATC graduation

·        Puff 17” > began “tracking” > J L’H borrowed black show lead, practiced gaiting Puff > J and Pam Brooks to 4H Cloverettes meeting

·        Picked up P in Amesville, ball game rained out > gaited Puff

 

JUNE

·        Pete to Cincinnati, took SW > J Hartley here, went over crate with wire brush, sprayed it silver, got cedar chest, put woolens in it > practiced Puff on gaiting > ordered ribbons for 4H fair

·        1^st Christian Church

·        Took cedar chest back to house > Puff, Kanga swam on pond > walked Puff by trees just planted > Maverick bucked high, guess J fell off

·        I took lunch up to sheep camp, waited an hour, drove back to Jan’s

·        J rode Shah over to Jan’s, then Kuykendall’s

·        Took J to Ann McLaughlin’s for trip to mall to get 4H sewing material > helped in hay field > David worked on Pat’s motorcycle

·        Puff tracked 3 hot dog trails, bathed Puff > 4H Advisor’s meeting

·        Pete, Pat, herded sheep, loaded up feeders, etc., at Abdellas > AKC match Mt Vernon > dinner in Mansfield, visit to Gary/dentist

·        Episcopal Church > Pete, J took Maverick, Shah to John at sheep camp, herded sheep, took Sailor > Pat, Puff, me to match… Puff 1^st in working group over 7 pups, best in match with ribbon/trophy!

·        Hawk’s here, fixed Pat’s motorcycle, Tommy Hawk stayed overnight

·        Landmark truck, brakes failed, took out mailboxes/Messenger boxes > Pete rode looking for sheep

·        Puff tracked 3 hot god tracks > Shane blood test, heartworm neg > Pat to Fritz haircut > lunch BBF > Pat, Tommy camped out by pond

·        Took Tom Hawk home > herded sheep 10 miles or so down strip-mine, had heat stroke, terrible headache, nausea

·        Worked Puff in obedience, trot-stand, cars

·        Got plants, planted flowers by hospital, house, grass whipped down weeds

·        5:30 am got up to go sheep herding, dipped sheep, rode Shah, John rode Sailor, herded about 200 sheep down high wall, went back with truck and on foot for four ewes with young lambs

·        Rams out, herded them back from Matthews to our pasture

·        Picked up Junco > caught raccoon in live trap, Game Warden came after it > to Mansfield to Dentist/Gary

·        Rode Edwine at Rocky Fort Hunt ride with hounds, picnic supper, Mr. and Mrs. Monsarrat

·        Herded sheep, rode Sailor, J rode Shah, John rode Maverick, trucked them to new pasture, with Pete, Rome, Basil, etc., Don Norman > Pete, P, J, Basil, Rome, Clark Dewitt dinner at Oak Room

·        Checked dog trap >worked “Puff”

·        Jerry B here to survey > puppy class > Puff harness > drive to Mansfield > roads flooded here, water had been over our bridge, took 1 ½ hrs. to get home from Sugar Creek, went back over Peach Ridge

·        Checked fence, water gates in horse pasture damaged

·        Puff 4 months old > long ride home with Pete, delivered loading chute at Scotts, telephone company, etc. > Tom Hawk here overnight

·        Worked Puff

·        Dinner at Abdellas, took Herbie, Kay, Angela Everett

·        Took dogs for early morning walk, up ridge, Pete had to carry Shane partway back > worked Puff > Pete shot 2 young raccoons in alleyway of red barn

·        2 baby raccoons in hay > Pete rode Sailor, timberman rode Cricket

·        Episcopal Church > lunch Perkins > Pete worked on Junie > worked Puff, obedience

 

Please forgive typos, name or place misspellings; transcription from

vintage handwriting sometimes requires a magnifying glass and random

interpretation.

Enjoy the journey!

Connect with Gina

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.