Laura Thompson Kiefert

How We’re All Getting Played and Don’t Even Know It

Welcome to America, where facts are optional, fear is currency, and everyone’s one meme away from a meltdown. I wrote this blog not just to vent, but to drag the manipulation machine into the spotlight—where it belongs. If you’ve ever asked, how the hell did we get here?… pull up a chair. You’re not alone….

The Words I Wish I Could Take Back

Some of us handle pain by talking through it. Others keep it close, private, protected. I should have known better. And in one careless moment, I crossed a line—and hurt someone I love. Everyone who knows me knows my life is an open book. Maybe even a little too open sometimes. I process everything—grief, joy,…

Trump’s $45-Million Birthday Parade Is the Most Expensive Midlife Crisis in U.S. History

On June 14, Donald Trump will throw himself a $45-million military-themed birthday party, paid for by American taxpayers. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when a narcissist uses a government like a mirror, this parade is it. Well folks, get ready to wave your tiny plastic flags and clap like trained seals, because…

Paradise Shaken: A Tribute to Man-O-War’s Strength

For decades, I believed Man-O-War Cay was immune to the harshness of the world—a little island of peace and purity surrounded by aqua waters and filled with good people. But after Hurricane Dorian, and now returning to witness the aftermath with my own eyes, I’ve come to understand the heartbreak, the trauma, and the unimaginable…

The Great Bahamian Bathroom Blunder

I don’t usually write fiction—but let’s just say this little tale was inspired by something that happened to me on my first trip to the Bahamas. I was a kid, full of nerves and full of ginger ale, and I may or may not have committed a minor bathroom faux pas that haunted me all…

Never Goodbye, Only See You Soon

A return to Man-O-War Cay stirred more than memories—it brought back the voices, the smells, the kindness, and the love that shaped my life. In this deeply personal reflection, I revisit the moments that made this island feel like home, the people who never let me go, and the powerful reminder that what unites us…

Grateful to Be Back in Paradise

After years away, I returned to the island that has always held a sacred place in my heart. What I found was a mix of heartache, healing, and the unshakable spirit of a place that still feels like home. I woke up this morning feeling every bit of the travel from yesterday—tight shoulders, a tender…

Welcome to Alcatraz, Mr. Trump—Your Suite is Ready

Trump wants to reopen Alcatraz for his enemies. I say let’s do it—so long as he’s the first one locked up. Donald Trump wants to reopen Alcatraz. Because of course he does. You can practically hear the theme from The Rock blaring in his head as he slobbers over this latest authoritarian fever dream. He’s…

Donald Trump Killed the Joke

I’ve always used humor to cope. It got me through heartbreak, illness, and all the usual crap life throws at you. But ever since Donald Trump hijacked reality and made chaos our new normal, nothing feels funny anymore. The joke’s over—and we’re the punchline. I’ve used humor to survive just about everything life has thrown…

Once You’ve Tasted the Fruit… Good Luck Spitting It Out

  We don’t miss what we never had—until we have it. Whether it’s dishwashers, cleaning help, or flying first class, once you’ve had a taste of life’s little luxuries, good luck going back. A funny, honest look at how we’re forever changed by comfort. I’ve been thinking lately about that old tale of forbidden fruit—not…

Trump’s America: Where Loyalty to Law Is a Crime and Dissent Is Treason

Governor Tony Evers did his job—and Trump’s goons threatened him with arrest. If that doesn’t chill you to the bone, you’re not paying attention. Let me say this as plainly as I can: What just happened to Governor Tony Evers is not only outrageous—it’s authoritarian rot, spreading from the Oval Office like mold in a…

Why I Will Never Travel Without Adequate Travel Insurance

My brother died alone in an ambulance in Jamaica after a nine-hour delay. I didn’t know how to help him. Now, I’ll never travel—or let anyone I love travel—without adequate insurance again. There are moments in life that divide everything into before and after. For me, that moment came with a phone call I’ll never…

Building the Perfect Kid—One Decade at a Time

After raising kids in the ’70s and watching four grandkids grow up in four different versions of crazy, I’ve figured out that every decade got something right. So what if we built a kid using only the best parts? Buckle up. The other day, I found myself watching my granddaughter scroll TikTok while doing homework,…

Donald Trump vs. The Deep State: The Delusion That Just Won’t Die

Ever since returning to office in 2024, Donald Trump has doubled down on his “deep state” delusion—firing civil servants, silencing opposition, and weaponizing paranoia. But the only thing more dangerous than the fantasy is the reality of what he’s doing with it.   Ever since Donald Trump clawed his way back into the White House…

Seven Steps Down and Right Back Into the Pain: A Fall I Didn’t See Coming (Literally)

I’ve spent years carefully avoiding another fall, but today, despite all my caution, I went down—again—right before our long-awaited trip. Same shoulder, same nightmare, different staircase. And all because of what I didn’t see coming. You’d think after everything I’ve been through, I’d have mastered the art of walking down a staircase without incident. And…

Let It Go… Or At Least Try Not to Lose Your Mind Over It

My mother swore by the Serenity Prayer, but like most of us, she was better at reciting it than living it. Turns out, learning to let go isn’t about serenity—it’s about surviving life without screaming into a pillow every night. Here’s what I’ve figured out, sarcasm and all. My mother used to throw the Serenity…

Excuse Me, Am I Invisible or Just Inconvenient?

Remember when customer service meant something? Me neither. After waiting 40 minutes with an appointment for a COVID shot, I started to wonder if I’d accidentally signed up for a social experiment in human patience. Spoiler: I failed. I’m not sure when it happened—somewhere between the fall of Blockbuster and the rise of self-checkouts—but somewhere…

Still Blaming Biden? Trump’s Excuses Don’t Match Reality

Donald Trump is back in the White House, but he’s still blaming Joe Biden for everything — from gas prices to crime to immigration. The problem? Much of what Trump criticizes was shaped by global events or began under his own watch. At some point, he’ll have to take responsibility — and the facts aren’t…

100 More Days of Trump: Lies, Cruelty, and Chaos

I’ve never supported Donald Trump, and after witnessing the first 100 days of his second term, my opposition has only intensified. His actions have been a relentless assault on truth, decency, and the very fabric of our democracy. This piece is my unfiltered, deeply personal account of the chaos and cruelty that define his presidency….