Heidi McCrary

Is Anyone Listening?

One reason why people are fleeing Facebook

Recent posts on my Facebook newsfeed…

FB Friend 1: Have you noticed that Facebook has totally taken control of comments they don’t agree with? I think it’s high time to boycott!!

FB Friend 2: I’m one of the many that will be deleting my FB account. Catch up with me on MEWE, it’s very much like FB, very easy to learn!

There were more similar posts on my newsfeed, but this gives you a snapshot of the volatile temperature currently permeating throughout Facebook and other mass-social media platforms in recent weeks.

If America is seen as the melting pot of immigrants from across the world, our personal newsfeeds on Facebook can be viewed as the mirror of our individual neighborhoods—our own little virtual world, complete with former classmates, third cousins, professional associates, and the uncle who you pray you won’t have to sit next to at the next family gathering. But unlike assigned seating at wedding receptions, we can customize our interaction with our Facebook Friends with options like who sees our posts and the ever-faithful Unfollow option.

While many will attribute the vastness of Facebook as its downside, its size can (and should) also be applauded for what is right about a social media platform that doesn’t cater to any one belief. But this thought process is not currently being shared by those landing on the far-right of the political spectrum.

FB Friend 3: Going to Parler. Tired of the BS big FB brother restricting what I want to say.

FB Friend 4: The thing that bothers me about Facebook is that it is censoring the conservative voices.

But is there a difference between censorship and performing as a watchdog over conspiracy theories and what the conservatives themselves have penned as Fake News? While the world’s largest social media platform is now traded publicly, it is still a private company with a hands-on CEO who does not have to operate on the same standards as public institutions.

So as my newsfeed slowly shrinks from a wide spectrum of political voices to a more friendly common-voice, I mourn the loss of hearing from ALL SIDES. While these voices do not echo my own views, I believe it is important to hear opinions that differ from my own. And as my conservative friends move their battles to other social media platforms that support and encourage their principles, they are also fed a daily diet of sameness. It is bad for our country and dangerous for our future.

As temperatures cool as a result of time and distance away from the last general election, we must not think that the anger has simmered down—we just aren’t hearing it anymore. While we may all have a voice today, no one seems to be listening.

_{Heidi McCrary is a writer and a regular contributor to Moxie Magazine. Her novel, Chasing North Star is available now at Kazoo Books, This is a Bookstore, and online wherever books are sold. Follow Heidi at facebook.com/HeidiMcCraryAuthor}

Was There an Upside to 2020?

To say the least, 2020 has been a rollercoaster that seems to be traveling in only one direction…down. It might be easy to simply wish this year away, and hope that on January 1, 2021, we all wake up from what we can collectively call, “a year that sucked.”

But as I walked through my neighborhood this past autumn, a family pedaled past me, and the young boy laughed at his sister who was proudly riding a bike just recently void of training wheels. As I passed a house, I pick up a tomato from a table set in the front yard. On the small stand, read a sign, Please take one. An elderly gentleman waved to me from his front porch as I continued my walk.

Good or bad, this year has changed us all. While I don’t pretend it hasn’t come without serious consequences, it also came with a positive wave that we cannot ignore. We’re strong, and we will rebound from a global event that has knocked us off our feet. As I set down my rose-colored glasses, I can still see the upside to 2020.

This is the year families rediscovered their local golf course, introducing their children to an outdoor activity that had been on the decline in recent years.
This is the year neighbors reconnected, setting up chairs on the front porch and actually sitting in those chairs.
This is the year we elected our country’s first female Vice President.
This is the year many people found time to pick up a book again, and discovered the delightfully quirky Schitt’s Creek or enjoyed binge-watching all seven seasons of The West Wing on Netflix.
This is the year many women found their roots—literally. And decided to celebrate their natural grey.

Perhaps, as we look back, we can say, “I lived through 2020 and I’m a better person for it.” Here’s to 2021. Let’s all hope it’s a little less… surprising.

Heidi McCrary is a writer and a regular contributor to Moxie Magazine. Her debut novel, Chasing North Star is now available at Kazoo Books, This is a Bookstore, and Schuler Books. And online wherever books are sold.

Follow Heidi at heidimccrary.net and facebook.com/HeidiMcCraryAuthor

60 Second Book Review – ME BEFORE YOU

Published in 2012, I finally got around to reading the romance novel, ME BEFORE YOU by Jojo Moyes. It’s a good thing my friend placed the book directly in my hands, because the genre, Romance Novel doesn’t set off any MUST READ flags for me.

The premise isn’t complicated – and is a straightforward “Girl meets boy in wheelchair” story. While the road, ME BEFORE YOU travels down doesn’t contain many twists and turns, it does provide an ending that avoids clichés and an eye-rolling happily ever after. Instead, it lays bare what is most important for human kindness, and the difficult task of being selfless.

ME BEFORE YOU – An entertaining and thought-provoking read. Oh…and a romance.

Heidi McCrary is a writer and a regular contributor to Women’s LifeStyle. Look for her debut novel, Chasing North Star in September 2020. Follow Heidi at https://www.facebook.com/HeidiMcCraryAuthor

Golf and the Covid Equation

And why the death of golf has been greatly exaggerated

“Good morning,” I said as the door opened, revealing a young woman pulling her mask up over her mouth. She hesitated, looking at the variety of golf attire, clubs, and accessories in the pro shop. As she made her way to the counter, I could see the smile in her eyes. “Welcome,” I continued. “How may I help you?”

“Hi,” she replied. “My son and I needed to get out of the house, and we’re just glad that we’re able to come here. It’s been a while.”

small child 2020 IT’S BEEN AWHILE – The most spoken response in golf pro shops across the country. Well, in Michigan, anyway. While the Coronavirus has had a devastating affect on the economy at large, it has resulted in a surprising uptick for a select few businesses—one being golf courses.

Although, it didn’t start out that way. Back in early April, golf courses were on the same lockdown mandated by the Governor of Michigan, as most other businesses. But with the argument that golf is an outdoor activity that requires little to no physical interaction between players, the golf course industry was soon granted a refreshing pass by Governor Whitmer. As people rejoiced, owners of golf courses, quickly saw a return to business as usual. However, they were not prepared for what happened next…

GOLF EXPLODED.

Families that once enjoyed taking their children to the beach or bowling alley, or even the city park, were suddenly met with CLOSED signs and warning tape encasing park playgrounds. With limited options, Mom and Dad found their old clubs hiding in the basement, dusted off the driver, and said, “Kids, we’re going golfing.” And as bars struggle to remain open, young adults are finding that golfing with friends is a safe, healthy and entertaining alternative to the bar scene.

The golf industry had been declining in growth as the younger demographic chose different sports and activities from what their parents enjoyed. Many country clubs that once thrived, were struggling to remain open, and golf courses were quickly turning into housing developments.

And then came Covid-19.

Only time will tell if the growth of golf continues after the pandemic subsides, but as I send another family with young children onto the course already bustling with many other families and friends enjoying this great sport, something tells me we just might be growing the next Tiger Woods.

Heidi McCrary is a writer and a regular contributor to Women’s LifeStyle. Look for her debut novel, Chasing North Star in September 2020. Follow Heidi at https://heidimccrary.net/ and https://www.facebook.com/HeidiMcCraryAuthor