A Month of Black History: Day 29

This is our last day of A Month of Black History.  I hope that you have learned something new or were reminded of something that you forgot.  I know that I did.  Too often we walk through life consumed with ourselves...not thinking of those whose contributions of inventions, thoughts, accomplishments, blood, sweat and tears have built or brightened the paths that we all now walk.  This world is bigger than the small space that we as individuals take up.  We have to make this world better for those with us and after us.  The only way to do that is to keep hoping, dreaming and believing.  Yes, it sounds like lyrics for a new save the world song, but it's true.  So, I felt that the final post of this series should lead us into the new month with a challenge to make life better and more beautiful....

"In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope.  In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort.  In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream.  And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe."
                                                                                                                 ~Michael Jackson~
Are you up to the challenge?

A Month of Black History: Day 28

"We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive.  He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.  There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us.  When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies."
                                                                                                        ~Martin Luther King, Jr.~

A Month of Black History: Day 27

"Courage is the most important of all virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently.  You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage."
                                                                                                                         ~Maya Angelou~

A Month of Black History: Day 26

"You may fill your heads with knowledge or skillfully train your hands, but unless it is based upon high, upright character, upon a true heart, it will amount to nothing.  You will be no better than the most ignorant."
                                                                                                           ~Booker T. Washington~

Lesson From Loss Pt.2

While yesterday's loss was not the first that I have suffered, it is the first since I have been on this journey.  After every loss (whether close to me or by an extended relationship) I asked myself the same questions that I asked myself yesterday.  However, this is the first time that I feel at peace with my answers.  Everyone in my life knows how I feel about them.  I have made it clear to them who I am (whether they have come to full acceptance or not) and all but one grievance has been fully conveyed.  The person is aware that they are no longer apart of my day to day life and that their actions are the reason why.  For that reason, I still feel at peace.  I have made my final wishes known and while I am in no way done being a parent, I have instilled good morals and principles in my children.  My prayer is that those things will not be lost when I am gone.  BTW: I have threatened them that I will come back and haunt them if they do. : ) When I started my journey, I thought that it was only preparing me to live a more authentic life.  I now see that it has also prepared me to be able to rest in peace.

*I will be posting a more complete message with the details of my journey at a later date.

A Month of Black History: Day 25

Actress Hattie McDaniel won an Oscar for her role as "Mammy" in Gone with the Wind, on this date in 1940.  She was the first Black woman to win this award.
                                                                                                                                     (Yenoba)

Lesson From Loss Pt.1

I am truly saddened today.  Just hours ago I was informed that a family friend lost her battle with cancer.  While we knew it was coming, it still hurts.  I have told my self all the things that we always hear at a time like this..she's no longer in pain..she's in a better place...she's not suffering anymore...I know all of that in my head and yet my heart still hurts.  Death puts things in perspective.  I am sitting here thinking...if today was my last day, am I prepared?  Will I leave people with questions or at peace?  Will they replay memories of the real me or their vision of me?  Am I living today as though I have forever to resolve conflicts,  to say I love you or show that I care?  Life is to be cherished, but also respected.  We don't have control over it.  Don't waste time holding on to grudges or living a life that is not authentic to your spirit.  Live each day as though you have respect for life.  Robin did...and she fought hard to stay here........ Rest in peace Robin, you are already missed.

A Month of Black History: Day 24

"Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will."
                                                                                                          ~Martin Luther King, Jr.~

A Month of Black History: Day 23

Frank E. Peterson, Jr. became the first Black Brigadier General in the U.S. Marine Corps on this date in 1979.
                                                                                                                                (Yenoba)

A Month of Black History: Day 22

On this day in 1989, Col. Frederick Gregory was the first African American to command a space shuttle mission.
                                                           

A Month of Black History: Day 21

"Work like you don't need the money.  Love like you've never been hurt.  Dance like nobody's watching."
                                                                                                                        ~Satchel Paige~

A Month of Black History: Day 20

"If you don't understand yourself, you don't understand anybody else."
                                                                                                             ~Nikki Giovanni~

A Month of Black History: Day 19

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer.  Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."
                                                                                                                     ~Harriet Tubman~

A Month of Black History: Day 18

"Every time you win, it diminishes the fear a little bit.  You never really cancel the fear of losing; you keep challenging it."
                                                                                                                              ~Arthur Ashe~

A Month Of Black History: Day 17

"It is not our differences that divide us.  It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences."
                                                                                                                            ~Audre Lorde~

A Month of Black History Day:16

"Never look down on anyone unless you're helping him up."
                                                                                                                       ~Jesse Jackson~

A Month of Black History: Day 15

"Find the good.  It's all around you.  Find it, showcase it and you'll start believing in it."
                                                                                                                          ~Jesse Owens~

My First Valentine

Ok, so let me start off by saying that I don't have dessert every night..although I do think about it every night.  (Especially something fruity or chocolate)...So when my boys got their speech together to debate their way into getting ice cream and a smoothie, they didn't get any opposition. After the fabulous dinner that I made last night consisting of pork roast, herb potatoes and broccoli, we deserved a sweet treat.  PS. I was quite proud of my first pork roast and will share the recipe at some point.  Anyway, back to the dessert.  So I made my first stop to get my 8yr. old a smoothie as ice cream just doesn't do it for him and then on to the ice cream shop..Yay!!!! So my 12 yr. old got this crazy concoction of flavors in a waffle cone and then.........it was MY TURN.  I was a good girl and got vanilla bean yogurt (Although, I don't understand how they can legally call that stuff yogurt when it tastes just like ice cream if not better.) I COVERED it with strawberries, pineapple and of course a few sprinkles of graham cracker crust.  While I was waiting to check out "Cupid" started playing through the speakers.  Some of you are going..."What?"... Cupid was written and performed by Sam Cooke (now some of you are saying, "Who?") in 1961.  To this day, it is one of my daddy's favorite songs and as I grew up hearing it alot, I know all the words.  I started dancing and singing to myself while waiting in line.  I could hear my dad singing along as he did on many car trips to my grandma's house.  When it was my turn to pay, the guy said, "You must be having a really good day." I smiled and said, "I sure am." He smiled.  Needless to say when I got home I devoured that poor dessert, but the best part was not the dessert...not this time anyway.  It was hearing that song and thinking of my dad, that made my night special.  He's my favorite man in the whole world. To this day my dad still sends me a Valentine no matter where I am and it always gets to me on time....So to my first and year round Valentine who comforts me, supports me, loves me and makes me laugh......Happy Valentine's Day, Daddy!....I love you....

A Month of Black History: Day 14

Frederick Augustus Douglass, orator, activist, and abolitionist, was born a slave in Tuckahoe, MD on this date in 1817.  He was commemorated on a US postal stamp issued on his birthday 150 yrs. later.
                                                                                                                                      (Yenoba)

A Month of Black History: Day 13

The Renaissance, the first Black pro basketball team, was organized on this date in 1920.
                                                                                                                                  (Yenoba)

A Month of Black History: Day 12

"Stumbling is not falling."
                                                                                                               ~Malcolm X~

Whitney Houston...A Legend Lost...1963-2012

Today at 3:55pm, we lost a legend.  I remember dancing around in my room (and sometimes in public, wink.wink) with an imaginary mic singing her songs.  It is true that Whitney faced many demons, but who hasn't or doesn't.  We just have the luxury of not having cameras in our faces everyday to document them or being famous enough that people are willing to sell our secrets for a small fortune.  She was just like us and yet so much more.  I will always be thankful to her for creating the soundtrack to many of my fondest memories.  Rest in peace, Whitney.....you will be missed.....

A Month of Black History: Day 11

"We allow our ignorance to prevail upon us and make us think we can survive alone, alone in patches, alone in groups, alone in races, even alone in genders."
                                                                                                                       ~Maya Angelou~

A Month of Black History: Day 10

"There is always something to do.  There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well.  And while I don't expect you to save the world, I do think it's not asking too much for you to love those with whom you sleep, share the happiness of those whom you call friend, engage those among you who are visionary and remove from your life those who offer you depression, despair and disrespect."
                                                                                                                    ~Nikki Giovanni~

A Month of Black History: Day 9

"Sometimes you've got to let everything - purge yourself...If you are unhappy with anything...whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it.  Because you'll find that when you're free, your true creativity, your true self comes out."
                                                                                                                        ~Tina Turner~

A Month of Black History: Day 8

"We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people."
                                                                                                          ~Martin Luther King, Jr.~

A Month Of Black History: Day 7

" I never thought of losing, but now that it's happened, the only thing is to do it right.  That's my obligation to all the people who believe in me.  We all have to take defeats in life."
                                                                                                                       ~Muhammad Ali~

A Month of Black History: Day 6

"We should emphasize not Negro History, but the Negro in history.  What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race, hate, and religious prejudice."
                                                                                                               ~Carter Woodson~
                                                                                                                        (Day 1)

The Big Game

Super Bowl XLVI features the New York Giants vs. New England Patriots tonight at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiana.  Advertisers have spent as much as 3.5 million dollars for a 30 second spot.  It is one of the major sports events in our nation which will be watched by millions of people.  Sports fans in general are known for their loyalty, dedication, and deep commitment towards the players involved and the teams they represent.  In many cases, fans will go to extreme lengths to follow or support their favorite player or team.  It has been pointed out that there are certain characteristics of fans: they arrive early, they don't care when they get home, will endure any kind of weather, want the best possible seats, never miss a game, memorize statistics, pay the price (no matter how high), and vocalize whose side they are on.
                                                                                                               ~Min. Steve Miller~

Do you exhibit this kind of loyalty when it comes to your faith..family..those in need..etc? or is just for "The Big Game"?

A Month of Black History: Day 5

In 1821, Thomas Jennings became the first black person to ever receive a patent.  He invented a method of cleaning and treating clothes called "dry-scouring".  Today, we call it dry cleaning.

A Month of Black History: Day 4

"If you send up a weather vane or put your thumb up in the air every time you want to do something different, to find out what people are going to think about it, you're going to limit yourself.  That's a very strange way to live. "
                                                                                                                         ~Jessye Norman~

A Month of Black History: Day 3

On this date in 1870, The 15th Amendment was ratified giving Blacks the right to vote.

"The Water Bill"

Today, my boys were talking about things that they want to do in there spare time when they are adults. ( I have no idea why...for two silly boys they have alot of serious conversations.) My 12yr. old said that he would like to design video games during his time off and that he wanted my 8yr. to play with him and try them out.  My 8yr. old quickly responded, "We won't get to play much then, because we will have to be mature and pay a water bill." : ) I smiled and chuckled under my breath.  He was so serious and so cute.  Later, I thought.....I need to "play" more.  After all, there's more to being a grown up than "paying a water bill".  : ) Out of the mouths of babes...

A Month of Black History: Day 2

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

                                                                                                           ~Martin Luther King, Jr. ~
                                                                                                       

A Month of Black History: Day 1

Today marks the first day of what is known as Black History Month.  While, I believe that is important to learn about all cultures 365 days a year, I am thankful that this time has been set aside to focus on how Blacks or African Americans have impacted our lives in a positive way.  This month I will be including quotes, profiles and fun facts so that we can learn together.  I thought that it would be important for today's fact to spotlight how Black History Month began...

Carter G. Woodson, the "Father of Black History," initiated the first celebration of "Negro History Week" on this date in 1926.  In 1976, it was expanded to "Black History Month."                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              (Yenoba.com)

What are you waiting for?

We have all heard the saying, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.", but when is it time to stop planning and time to start living?  I was watching one of my neighbors load a cherry-wine leather sofa into a truck and was thinking of how beautiful it was.  Before I could compliment him on the sofa, he said "This couch cost us $****.** and we have never sit on it." I asked him, "Why not?" He said, "My wife won't let us." : ) That made me smile and reminded of the "off limits" room that was at my parents' house when I was growing up.  I remember trying to sneak in there and sit down or touch something without my mom finding out.  (After all, my dad didn't care if we went in there or not. This "special" disease only seems to afflict women. wink,wink) The way I would sneak around, you would have thought there were silent alarms or motion and heat sensors in there.  It was like my own covert operation on "Mission Impossible".  You may laugh, but you know what I am talking about.  You know someone that has a room that is off limits, or did, or that person is YOU! : )  I too, was that way for a while, just on a smaller scale ....special plates...special cups...special silverware neatly packed in a special place planning for that elusive special day sometime in the future.  Then, one day I was visiting my sister and she was eating off of a piece of china.  I was appalled! How dare she?!? What was she thinking?!?  "Aren't those your special dishes?" I asked and she responded, "Yes".  I then asked, "Why are you using them?" She said in a natural, simple, matter of fact tone, "Because I'm special, why wouldn't I use them?."  Just then, the light bulb in my head turned on and the angels started to sing. Okay, I admit that was a little dramatic. There wasn't any singing, but you get my point and I did think, "Wow,  how profound and yet so simple." You may have thought that my original thoughts in response to her using the china was ridiculous, but if you have a special room or special napkins or anything that is off limits for daily use, aren't you being ridiculous too?  There is nothing wrong with having nice things, but if they are tucked away in a vault, are you really enjoying them?  If you are living your life waiting for a special occasion, are you present in your life today?  Are you miserable and exhausted today, while planning for a spectacular relaxing vacation in the future?  Am I saying that you should wander through life without directions or plans for your future? No......,but don't spend so much time planning your life, that you forget to live.  So take the plastic off the couch, dust off the china....and start living.  : ) What are you waiting for?