We have the long arm of the law and we have unspoken guidelines. We have the soft embrace of humanity and the harsh slap of reality. We muddle through rumors and hearsay but cling to hope and authenticity. We have politicians and ministers, news wires and gossip pages. We have the word of God, and then we have………Oprah.

Run James Run
Oprah, who is mighty and powerful has apologized to James Frey for publicly slaughtering him on her talk show. Well slap me silly and humble my opinions. I am impressed.
I was one of the few million who watched James first interview with Oprah when he was hailed and admired by her. I was also one of the many (many) million people who sat helplessly on my couch watching James Frey take a beating and slashing during his second interview with the Queen of Talk show. That was painful to behold.
I know he stretched his truths. I understand he ‘duped’ Miss Oprah and readers on various levels. He even blatantly lied about a few facts. I know. I get it. But honestly, I read his book long before Oprah kissed it with her golden lipstick and had my own doubts about the authenticity of many stories in the book. HOW, could someone not doubt the stories?? Seriously? How? Reading that book and believing every word is like reading the bible and believing every story written there. A bit of perspective people, really………
Stories…..key word. Memories…..Memoir……..a version of someones truth and lies. He wrote a book, a story, an interpretation of his experience, and it touched a cord with readers. His book should never have elevated him to Messiah or Prophet status, but Oprah christened it and he fell mercy to the circus.
Enter a Smoking Gun and his brutal fall from grace. When he was officially busted for his gray zone, he should have been able to live his disgrace out in blissful royalty checks and behind shuttered windows. Instead, he was called to the carpet by Mother Oprah. Through the entire second episode my mind quietly chanted, run James, run! The way I saw it, he was already ruined. He was nailed to the cross, thoroughly whipped, there really was no need for Oprah to throw the spear into his side.
I imagine some would disagree with me on this. That’s ok. To be honest, I wasn’t even routing for the guy until after Oprah smacked him around. Out the gate I didn’t appreciate his style of writing and felt it was cheating the basics of dialogue and punctuation. Some of his chapters were so outrageous, how could someone not disregard them as anything but imaginary fluff.
I think when it comes down to it, I expected more from Graceful Oprah. She put the man in the glaring spotlight in the first place. I doubt he had many choices but to go along with the ride and pray nightly his truths weren’t discovered. I know she was mad, I know she felt like she had mud on her face because of her endorsement, but the poor man didn’t commit murder, he wrote a book. Just a book……
Years ago I found her public slashing beneath her. It lacked grace, compassion and understanding. Today I find her apology admirable. What do you guys think?
During my daily rounds through the New York Times this morning, I came across an article that not only discussed my 
I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather all week. One of those, I’m not sick enough to claim “sick” because I can’t pinpoint what feels wayward, but I’m not feeling great. I’m running a low grade fever, feel weak, headache sporadic and just something……..is off kilter.
Winning is……11 books at my doorstep in a big box from Hachette Books.