The Importance of Being Human

I want to write something important. Something powerful. Not because I view myself as important or powerful, but because the subject I intend to write about is so very important to me. I want to write about people and their right to exist. Most people don’t question their right to exist. Existence should be a given. I am; therefore, I exist. It should be an inalienable right. Inalienable. Remember that. When orders are signed to make someone an illegal alien by people who are immigrants or children of immigrants, it is the worst sort of privilege. Getting honest, poor, hardworking people to buy into the rhetoric of fear is the worst kind of betrayal of the privilege someone has been given to help someone else in need. If one believes, as I do, that we are only made strong long enough to help each other, then one understands my dilemma. I can’t be too heavy-handed with facts and articles supporting my position. To do so is elitist. I can’t appeal to my own experiences. That rhetoric is anecdotal, and I can’t prove that my experiences are symbolic of the rule rather than the exception. I don’t have the money or the power to overwhelm a media outlet – much less all of them – with my version of facts. I can’t buy advertising that will repeat my words verbatim until they are accepted as truth no matter how outrageous they might be. But I have a laptop. And sometimes I think I can write a little. I have to try. If I were in a position of authority, especially if I could have been in such a position years (decades, centuries) ago, I would not allocate money to foreign defense. We live in a country a hemisphere away from the problems of Africa and the Orient and the Middle East. If people want to abandon those problems by coming to our shores, we should let them. We should take great care of them so that they want to bring their loved ones to the Utopia our country promises. We should not send soldiers to change their countries’ ways of life. Our soldiers should be here learning as much as they can about new immigrants, understanding their language and culture and helping us adapt to each other. In fact, if our soldiers only went overseas to protect people, and not cheap oil, I think we would be closer to living in a Utopia. And if we are going to invade a country for its minerals (oil and coal are not scientifically minerals, but legally, they are included as minerals in terms of mineral rights), the least our leaders could do is be honest about it. American employees are getting pulled off US oil rigs because foreign oil is so abundant and cheap. Instead of making the connection between foreign wars and cheap imports, people are being told to fear and blame immigrants for their joblessness and resulting poverty. Poor and tired – exhausted, really – people believe what is pounded at them by the people in charge. It takes a long time to start to question authority and power, even to the absence and abandonment of logic. So clearly, I have a soft spot for immigration. I happen to find people inalienable. Then I get hit by the two by four of how I can care about people but not be pro-birth. And the simple explanation is that I don’t consider every ejaculation or menstruation a baby. A more complicated explanation is that I’m not a doctor. I have, however, been pregnant. And the juxtaposition of those two informs me that I can not make laws to account for every pregnancy situation. Without looking at improbable statistics, I would wager that there is an unplanned pregnancy for every couple desperate to conceive their own baby. I don’t know why the world works that way. I do know that these unplanned pregnancies and childless couples cannot be paired together like some crazy TV reality show match game. I wish it were that simple. On top of that complication, there are wanted babies who cannot be saved by current medical advances. Abortion of these babies to save the mother and provide a chance for a viable baby to be conceived and born seems the most humane course of action. In the meantime, pitting two groups of emotional, vulnerable people -- the childless and the unplanned pregnant -- against each other is the very definition of cruel. Chances are neither has the money or the resources to help the other, if and when they are able to connect. Then disreputable people sweep in, hoping to profit from both sides – selling babies, stealing babies, keeping children from loving families, allowing children to stay in abusive households or squalid orphanages. This behavior is inhuman and inhumane. If we spent the time and resources fighting THIS instead of constant legal battles over reproductive rights, I believe we would have much better results. Because I love little people, I support abortion. Not just choice, but abortion. I can’t prevent child abuse. I can’t prevent cults and sex trafficking and a lot of bad behavior. Ideologically, however, I can support the idea that if people only had babies they wanted, loved, and were ready, eager, and able to care for, then we would have additional resources to crack down on bigger problems that result from children who are uneducated, poor, bored, neglected, targeted, and abused. If instead of shooting people who walk into Planned Parenthood, or shouting Bible verses at them, people held signs –as my friend suggested – offering to pay expenses or adopt unwanted children or provide emotional support, I could believe in the goodness of the common person that I sometimes fail to see. Abortion is not the only reason people go to Planned Parenthood. The pregnant woman murdered in Colorado a little over a year ago was not there to have an abortion. She was murdered by a mentally unstable man who believed fake videos about Planned Parenthood’s only purpose. I happen to think that people supporting the actions of that mentally unstable man should reflect long and hard before proclaiming a pro-life stance. I tire of the rhetoric that Planned Parenthood’s only purpose is abortion. I especially tire of this rhetoric from craft stores who buy cheap goods from countries with mandatory child limits and forced abortions. It’s not about the money, either, people. I get that soulless argument a lot. Funny, I’m not supposed to complain about a portion of my taxes supporting war or the death penalty – but people can sure complain about paying for other people’s condoms, boxes of pills, IUDs, or abortions. Dollar for dollar, there is no argument. I’ve also seen enough parents complain about other people’s children’s behavior in grocery stores to know that if there was a free box of condoms that a judgmental shopper could hand a parent – well, let’s just say my grocery store trips could be a lot more interesting.  It is too about the money. If money weren’t an object, traffickers wouldn’t traffic. Not drugs, not people. If everyone had the resources to truly do what they wanted, we might all live on private islands and not give a damn about anyone else. There are rich people for whom the true value of money is as meaningless as Monopoly money is to me – but they need to keep score with their balance sheets. The acquisition of wealth is a great game, and there is little room for second place – no room for losing ground. If we eliminated money – as some stores and government offices have done, going cashless to prevent robberies – some people would still have more than ten cars, a private jet, and a yacht while others would only have the rags on their backs or maybe a couple trash bags’ worth of possessions. Overwhelmingly, the people living paycheck to paycheck with underwater mortgages and massive bills will give more of themselves to help those seeking handouts in soup kitchens. Equally overwhelmingly, a rich person could write a check for funds they would never miss that could do more good than a thousand poor people helping poorer people. Which is why we allow charities to exist. Which is why we should crack down on charity fraud, kickbacks, and related bad acts. Which is why we should be mindful of rich people eluding taxes and fine them heavily for not compensating their employees fairly and pocketing the difference. Which is why a college education should be freely available and not a requirement of entry level employment. And why we should crack down on and break up for-profit colleges that break promises they make to desperate students. Which is why we need a livable minimum wage that includes all medical care from conception to burial or cremation. And why such medical coverage should not be tied to a job or an employer whose ideology may differ from our own. And why it should be as easy to walk into a health insurance agency and establish a personal relationship with an agent as it is to walk into a car insurance agency or tax preparation office. When we are at our most sick and vulnerable, we are most human. We should not be beans counted in an office by people who only know us as numbers on a page. That we perpetuate this is inhumane. I believe that a person is strong to help someone who is not. I believe we can do more together than apart. I believe that self-care is important and self-sacrifice is admirable, but selfishness to the detriment of the common good is the reason the colonies overthrew the monarchy and the reason we should not allow ourselves to be ruled by a tyranny today. I believe in We the People and I believe in the American Dream And if you still don’t – why not? How can I help you address whatever fear is holding you back?

Special Events

 

Special Events

 

Kids Book Club

Black Locust Hops Farm Brewery, 21305 Heathcote Rd, Freeland, MD

Sponsored by Night Owl Books, Hosted by local author Phyl Campbell

First Sunday of every month

 

March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, Aug 6, Sept 3, Oct 8, Nov 5, Dec 3

Different books shared each month!

 

Best for ages 4-14, all ages welcome

Kids will hear 2-3 books by local author Phyl Campbell. There will be an art project and possibly a game (created by Campbell). FREE event. No reservations required. Drop in & enjoy!

 

 

 

KIDS MAKE-A-BOOK Club

Blissful Bonita Art Studio and Gallery, 1047 E Market St, York, PA

Best for ages 6-12, all ages welcome

 

Thursdays 4-6PM

 

Participants will make a 6–8-page book from a single sheet of paper. Advanced groups can work on projects with larger word/page counts. First session free. Then $10/session. Reservations required due to limited space. Contact PHYLN@hotmail.com or 479.283.7114

 

 

 

Valentine’s Day Event for Adults

Night Owl Books and Collectibles, 12 N. Second Street New Freedom, PA 17349

 

Sunday 2/14 2PM

 

Local Author Phyl Campbell will perform a reading from her anti-romantic comedy, #25 Reasons (Why Charlie Should Never Read Jane’s Books to Jane), lead a Q&A, and sign copies of her book, which will be available for purchase. Drop ins welcome!

 

Free event. Book purchase encouraged.

 

 

 

Does your group need a special event? Contact Phyl Campbell for special appearance or workshop pricing. PHYLN@hotmail.com or 479.283.7114

 

 

Check out books by Phyl Campbell www.phylcampbell.com/store.html

Ending 2022 with 123 books published!

 

1.   Mother Confessor Book 1

2.   Mother Confessor Book 2

3.   Mother Confessor Book 1 ebook

4.   Mother Confessor Book 2 ebook

5.   Martha's Chickens and the Pirates (Yellow Junior Reader Edition)

6.   Mother Confessor 2 in 1 edition

7.   Mother Confessor 2 in 1 edition ebook

8.   Carley Patrol

9.   Carley Patrol ebook

10.             A Muse Meant

11.             A Muse Meant ebook

12.             #25 Reasons Why Charlie Should Never Read Jane's Books to Jane

13.             Confessions of a Grammar Enthusiast

14.             Confessions of a Grammar Enthusiast ebook

15.             I'm Not Writing a Book Today

16.             Just Sew Stories

17.             No Estoy Escribiendo Un Libro Hoy

18.             Martha's Chickens and the Pirates (Red Picture Book Edition)

19.             Halloween Scare

20.             Mermaid Overboard

21.             Mermaid Evolution Lulu Paperback

22.             Mermaid Evolution KDP paperback

23.             Mermaid Revenge

24.             Mermaid and Friends Coloring Book

25.             Harpsichord's Blank Book

26.             Evolution Blank Book Lulu Paperback

27.             Evolution Blank Book KDP Paperback

28.             Vegan Sandwich Maker

29.             Reverend Joan/ Red Roses Wilted

30.             Weird Pie: Story by 8-year-old Phyl Campbell

 

31.             Health Journal Black Plain 8x10

32.             Health Journal Black Plain 6x9

33.             Health Journal My Body is a Temple Dog 8x10

34.             Health Journal My Body is a Temple Dog 6x9

35.             Health Journal Yin Yang Cat 8x10

36.             Health Journal Yin Yang Cat 6x9

37.             Health Journal Dog Cat Heart 8x10

38.             Health Journal Dog Cat Heart 6x9

39.             Health Journal Unicorn Riding Dinosaur 8x10

40.             Health Journal Unicorn Riding Dinosaur 6x9

41.             Health Journal I'm Not Lazy 8x10

42.             Health Journal I'm Not Lazy 6x9

 

43.             Smart As Kids Series – Smart Girl Who Didn’t Give a Duck

44.             Smart As Kids Series – Smart Boy Who Didn’t Give a Ship

45.             Smart As Kids Series – I Don’t Give a Truck

 

46.             Cat Care Pet Journal (Cat Collage Cover)

47.             Cat Care Pet Journal (Plain Cover)

48.             Dog Care Pet Journal (Dog Images Cover)

49.             Dog Care Pet Journal (Plain Cover)

50.             dog book created and published as a gift, then removed from sale by PC

 

Books published by, but not written by, Phyl Campbell

51.             Cadence Moore's Doggie Dilemma (10)

52.             Bella Bond's A Lemur's Life: The Power Within  (10)

53.             Nicole Abram's Megan's Great Fear (10)

54.             Ian Litchford's Crystals of Light (9)

55.             Bella Bond's A Lemur's Life: The Royal Family (10)

56.             Ari Ford's The Mystery of Death Bridge  (11)

57.             Ian Litchford's Crystals of Light 2(10)

58.             Daisy Litchford's Tony Learns to Fly (7)

59.             Payton Ledford's I See a Rainbow (6 1/2)

60.             Kayden Ledford's The Three Best Friends (10)

61.             Willie Craddick Jr's The Life of a Boy With Big Dreams (16)

62.             Ian Litchford's Crystals of Light Book 3 (11)

63.             Ian Litchford's Dinosaur Land  (11)

64.             Elizabeth Forester's  Thoughts of Someone Just Like You (15)

65.             Emma Klimchock's Time Fears and Smiles (12)

66.             Joseph Ee's  Minecraft War  (11)

67.             James Ee's Jackson Carrot Defeats Boredom(11)

68.             Alyssa Murray's  Not Growing (11)

69.             Ayana Cruz's Dark Heart (12)

70.             Lauren Carletti's Trapped (11)

71.             Ben Waters Epic Elements (10)

72.             Willie Craddick Jr's They Counted Us Out(17)

73.             Keara Davon Notes to Self

74.             Anne Clark Messages of Hope (book 2)

75.             Anne Clark Messages of Hope (book 1)

76.             Anne Clark The Journey of Hope from an Urban Educator

77.             Sara Winick Herrington Bee Happy

78.             JL Mitchell Jingle

79.             Tracy Brown Unashamed Spirit, Untamed Heart

80.             Tracy Brown USUH Blank Book

81.             Kelly Sibol Buzz and Louise

82.             Rachel Myers Wild

83.             CHI Group Healing Together

84.             Ron L James A Year of Choice a Year of Change

85.             Abena Walker (reprint) Our Favorite African Adrinkra Symbols: A Coloring Book

86.             Geneva Politzer Words, Words, Words

87.             Laile Wilson To Be: The Journey of Finding My Authentic Self         (published, then unpublished at author request)

88.             Michele Pedersen Natural from the Start: Empowered Birthing from Conception through Postpartum

89.             Michele Pedersen Natural from the Start: Empowered Birthing from Conception through Postpartum (ebook)

90.             Julie O'Callaghan Past Due

91.             Sara Winick Herrington Love Always Wins: Poetry and Meditations from an Emotional Support Canadian

92.             Heather Ryland Step Into Sovereignty

93.             Heather Ryland Blank Book

94.             Michele Pedersen Your Embodied Soul Journey: Coming Home to Yourself and the Life You Were Meant to Be Living

95.             Michele Pedersen Your Embodied Soul Journey: Coming Home to Yourself and the Life You Were Meant to Be Living (Ebook)

96.             book in romance genre edited and reprinted after author rights reverted (book 1 in series)

97.             book in romance genre edited and reprinted after author rights reverted (book 2 in series)

98.             Kid author book published and later removed from publishing by request of parent

99.             Adult written kid story published and later removed from publishing by request of author

100.         book created but not published -- marketing issue [RJ]

101.         book created but not published -- marketing issue (different book, same author) [RJ]

102.         book created but not published -- content pertaining to a legal matter [RJBB]

103.         book created but not published -- author/artist revision issue [RJJR]

104.         book of poetry created but not published -- [redacted][GPZD]

105.         Nkechi Taifa (reprint) Adventures of Kojo and Ama

106.         Ani B and MAR Poems in a Minor

107.         Jason Prugar Chasing Betty

108.         Jason Prugar Chasing Betty ebook

109.         Teanna Byerts Grandma Swordwhale's Mermaiding Book

110.         Rillan MacDhai Wall of Thorns and Other Stories

111.         Rillan MacDhai Wall of Thorns and Other Stories ebook

112.         Rillan MacDhai Sympathy for the Living: A Tale of the Hawthorn Knights

113.         Rillan MacDhai Sympathy for the Living: A Tale of the Hawthorn Knights – ebook

114.         Angela Kot The Zephyr’s Coloring Book and Create Your Own Comic

115.         Teanna Byerts Fins

116.         Jeffrey A Brown Knight in Tarnished Armor

117.         Ron James: Un año de elección, un año de cambio (Spanish Edition)

118.         Ron James Un año de elección, un año de cambio (Spanish Edition) ebook

119.         Nkechi Taifa Reparations on Fire Paperback

120.         Nkechi Taifa Reparations on Fire Hardback

121.         Nkechi Taifa Reparations on Fire Ebook

122.         Nkechi Taifa Reparations on Fire Paperback (IngramSpark)

123.         Nkechi Taifa Reparations on Fire Hardback (IngramSpark)

100 books final result

 I hope I haven't forgotten any!  50 by me; 50 published for others!

Here's the list!!

1.     Mother Confessor Book 1

2.     Mother Confessor Book 1 ebook

3.     Mother Confessor Book 2

4.    Mother Confessor Book 2 ebook

5.    Martha's Chickens and the Pirates (Yellow Junior Reader Edition)

6.    Mother Confessor 2 in 1 edition

7.    Mother Confessor 2 in 1 edition ebook

8.    Carley Patrol

9.    Carley Patrol ebook

10.  Jack According to Facebook – I published to create gift, then unpublished

11.  A Muse Meant

12.  A Muse Meant ebook

13.  #25 Reasons Why Charlie Should Never Read Jane's Books to Jane

14.  Confessions of a Grammar Enthusiast

15.  Confessions of a Grammar Enthusiast ebook

16.  I'm Not Writing a Book Today

17.  Just Sew Stories

18.  No Estoy Escribiendo Un Libro Hoy

19.  Martha's Chickens and the Pirates (Red Picture Book Edition)

20.  Halloween Scare

21.  Mermaid Overboard

22.  Mermaid Evolution Lulu Paperback

23.  Mermaid Evolution KDP paperback

24.  Mermaid Revenge

25.  Mermaid and Friends Coloring Book (could count as 2 due to a cover change)

26.  Harpsichord's Blank Book

27.  Evolution Blank Book Lulu Paperback

28.  Evolution Blank Book KDP Paperback

29.  Smart As Kids Series -- might not count or might count as 3 -- these are the 3 single page foldables.

30.  Vegan Sandwich Maker

31.  Health Journal Black Plain 5x7

32.  Health Journal Black Plain 8x10

33.  Health Journal My Body is a Temple Dog 5x7

34.  Health Journal My Body is a Temple Dog 8x10

35.  Health Journal Yin Yang Cat 5x7

36.  Health Journal Yin Yang Cat 8x10

37.  Health Journal Dog Cat Heart 5x7

38.  Health Journal Dog Cat Heart 8x10

39.  Health Journal Unicorn Riding Dinosaur5x7

40.  Health Journal Unicorn Riding Dinosaur 8x10

41.  Health Journal I'm Not Lazy5x7

42.  Health Journal I'm Not Lazy 8x10

43.  Cat Care journal collage

44.  Cat Care journal plain

45.  Dog Care journal pictures

46.  Dog care journal plain

47.  Smart Girl Who Didn’t Give a Duck

48.  Smart Boy who Didn’t Give a Ship

49.  I Don’t Give a Truck

50.  Reverend Joan

Books Phyl Didn't Write

The young authors

51.  Cadence Moore's Doggie Dilemma 

52.  Bella Bond's A Lemur's Life: The Power Within 

53.  Nicole Abram's Megan's Great Fear 

54.  Ian Litchford's Crystals of Light 

55.  Bella Bond's A Lemur's Life: The Royal Family 

56.  Ari Ford's The Mystery of Death Bridge 

57.  Ian Litchford's Crystals of Light book 2

58.  Daisy Litchford's Tony Learns to Fly 

59.  Payton Ledford's I See a Rainbow 

60.  Kayden Ledford's The Three Best Friends 

61.  Willie Craddick Jr's The Life of a Boy With Big Dreams 

62.  Ian Litchford's Crystals of Light Book 3 

63.  Ian Litchford's Dinosaur Land 

64.  Elizabeth Forester's Thoughts of Someone Just Like You 

65.  Emma Klimchock's Time Fears and Smiles 

66.  Joseph Ee's Minecraft War 

67.  James Ee's Jackson Carrot Defeats Boredom

68.  Alyssa Murray's Not Growing 

69.  Ayana Cruz's Dark Heart 

70.  Lauren Carletti's Trapped 

71.  Ben Waters Epic Elements 

72.  Willie Craddick Jr's They Counted Us Out

The adult authors

73.  Keara Davon Notes to Self

74.  Anne Clark Messages of Hope from York (book 1)

75.  Anne Clark Messages of Hope International (book 2)

76.  Anne Clark The Journey of Hope From an Urban Educator

77.  Sara Winick Herrington Bee Happy

78.  JL Mitchell Jingle

79.  Tracy Brown Unashamed Spirit, Untamed Heart

80.  Tracy Brown USUH Blank Book

81.  Kelly Sibol Buzz and Louise

82.  CHI Group Healing Together (support role of editing and cover art connecting)

83.  Ronald James A Year of Choice a Year of Change

84.  Abena Walker (reprint) Our Favorite African Adrinkra Symbols: A Coloring Book

85.  Geneva Politzer Words, Words, Words

86.  Laile Wilson To Be: The Journey of Finding My Authentic Self

87.  Michele Pedersen Natural From the Start: Empowered Birthing from Conception through Postpartum

88.  Julie O'Callaghan Past Due

89.  Sara Winick Herrington Love Always Wins: Poetry and Meditations from an Emotional Support Canadian

90.  Heather Ryland Step Into Sovereignty

91.  Heather Ryland SIS Blank Book

92.  Nkechi Taifa (reprint) Adventures of Kojo and Ama

93.  Ani B and MAR Poems in a Minor

94.  Jason Prugar Chasing Betty

95.  Jason Prugar Chasing Betty ebook

96.  Teanna Byerts Grandma Swordwhale's Mermaiding Book (we actually made 2)

97.  Rillan MacDhai Wall of Thorns and Other Stories

98.  Rillan MacDhai Wall of Thorns and Other Stories ebook

99.  Teanna Byerts Black Horses

100. Barbara A Smith Our Shared Humanity

101. Adonia Holden Misprints of America Burke

102.  Adonia Holden Misprints of America Burke ebook

103. Rillan MacDhai Sympathy for the Living

104. Rillan MacDhai Sympathy for the Living ebook

 

 

Unpublished, uncredited, or other

1.     book in romance genre edited and reprinted after author rights reverted (book 1 in series)

2.     book in romance genre edited and reprinted after author rights reverted (book 2 in series)

3.     Kid author book removed from publishing by request of parent

4.     Adult written kid story removed from publishing by request of author

5.     book created but not published due to a marketing issue

6.     book created but not published due to a marketing issue (different book, same author)

7.     book created but not published due to content pertaining to a legal matter

8.     book created but not published due to author/artist revision issue

9.     book of poetry created but not published due to [redacted]

10.  gorgeous Sci Fi romance duology that the author completed but decided not to publish

11.  Rachel Myers Wild (completed on her own after attending my workshop and camp and getting some private editing)

12.  Every 5x7 health journal ebook that was rejected (3 titles)