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?