Hiatus...

Hate to be absent and not share with those who drop by that I'll be away for a while. Hope the fish are biting!

What Else Would I Post On Today!

Happy Easter Everybunny!!!

Easter - The Christian Holiday With A Pagan Twist

Ask any Christian what holiday or holidays are most significant for them. The answer will surely be Christmas and Easter. Easter is a day revered by mostly all Christians and is used to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For many, the fact that Easter has very strong ties with pagan worship is virtually unknown.

The name Easter comes from the term "Ishtar", which was a day celebrating the resurrection of a pagan god, "Tammuz", who was believed to be the son of the moon-goddess and the sun-god. It is said that Tammuz was very fond of rabbits. Therefore, rabbits became sacred to the ancient religion.

Ishtar was the queen and mother of Tammuz. After Tammuz was killed by a wild pig, Queen Ishtar declared a forty day period of sorrow each year to mark the anniversary of the death of her son, Tammuz. During this time, no meat was to be eaten. There was one particular Sunday during this period of sorrow called "Ishtar's Sunday". A huge celebration would take place with rabbits and eggs and since Tammuz had been killed by a wild pig, a pig would be eaten during the celebration.

Now, there are several different views as to how the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Christ and Easter became synonymous with one another all of which make excellent conversation pieces for those inquiring minds that want to know. However, for Christian believers and followers of Christ, the most important aspect is the celebration itself.

Christians believe Jesus Christ was born into this world to teach and share the importance of love, fellowship, good will, forgiveness and most importantly offer to those who choose to accept the gift of eternal life through his death, burial and resurrection.

What's more important to you: how it happened, why it happened, when it happened? Simply knowing it happened is enough for most.

Happy Easter Everyone!

....and please pass the ham!!

I Choose Me

I suppose I must be in my musical mode. After doing a bit of reflection, I've realized that my blog content is what I guess some might call cyclic. Sometimes I'm political. Sometimes I'm comical. Sometimes of analytical (about self, mostly). Occasionally I'll vent... rant... moan about this, that or the other.

And then there's my musical side. Music - the ultimate universal language. I discovered this song back in 2007 (shortly after my separation and subsequent divorce). Just thought I'd share it with whomever is in need of this simple reminder.

Love yourself above all others...

For when you love yourself everything else falls in place. Happy Good Friday!!

Last Night At Work!

Don't Fail Her

So often we, as parents... as educators.... as adults, fail our children. Our most valuable resource is exploited, abused, neglected and is expected to grow into a productive member of society.

In the last week, I met a brave beautiful child, who has been scarred for life. Her innocence ripped from her body by the most vile and vicious of monsters - a child molester.

Her saving grace was... not her family. not law enforcement. not child protective services.

Her's was a friend at school.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Her middle school spent this past month stressing the importance of reporting abusive behavior to anyone and everyone who'll listen.

Her cries for help fell on deaf ears until she shared the nightmare she was enduring on almost a daily basis with a friend at school. That friend shared the information with their parents. And those parents called the authorities.

LISTEN. TO. YOUR. CHILDREN.

PROTECT. YOUR. CHILDREN.

That is all...

The Challenge of A Life Time

Okay...(sigh)....the cat's out of the bag or it's about to be. I'm a smoker. I'm. A. Smoker. I've been a smoker since I was 20 years old. In the past four months, I've had two scares related to cardiac issues. Considering my family history which I was made privy to the same year I started smoking (what an idiot) I am terrified. And the hardest part of the whole thing is...

I did it to myself.
I did it to myself.
I did it to myself.

I've been on the wagon, cold turkey since yesterday at 10am. Yes. Tax deadline day was as good a day as any to watch my heart rate climb from 70 to 130 in a matter of minutes! No. I wasn't training for the upcoming 5k. I wasn't dancing to my favorite Beyonce tune. I wasn't doing anything other than showering after working 12 hours the night before.

Oh...I also chained smoked four cigarettes before getting in the shower.

I've attempted to quit several times before. I've chewed the gum. Used the patches. Sucked the lozenges.

Each time.... I've been unsuccessful.

Until now. I'm bigger than this.

My life is more important than this.

Jacob asked me to quit.

My mother has asked me to quit.

My body is my temple and I've polluted it far too long.

So. If you happen to read this post, a quick prayer, a positive thought, a dose of positive energy, words of encouragement.... are all welcome.

Art Imitating Life

Look Nikki! I did it!!!

25 Question Tag

an idiot on the beach in a dress!!

Hijacked from A Taste of Chocolate ....the questions, of course. The answers are original!

1. Do you have any pets?
Yes. Two cats, Seymour and Coco

2. Name 3 things that are physically close to you.
Cell phone, pen and blanket

3. What's the weather like right now?
Breezy @ about 66 degrees

4. Do you drive? If so have you crashed?
Yes and yes

5. What time did you wake up this morning?
1730pm (my night is your day)

6. When was the last time you showered?
A few weeks ago - DON'T worry. I bathe twice a day!

7. What was the last movie you saw?
Salt

8. What does your last text message say?
Good night Curtis

9. What's your ringtone?
It's set to vibrate

10. Have you ever been to a different country?
Yes. Jamaica (above photo)

11. Do you like sushi?
Not sure. I've never had it

12. Where do you buy your groceries?
Any nearby grocery store

13. Have you ever taken medication to help you fall asleep faster?
GOD YES!!!

14. How many siblings do you have?
 Not sure. 1 sister and 2 brothers.... and still counting

15. Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?
Laptop

16. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
42

17. Do you wear contacts or glasses?
Contacts

18. Do you color your hair?
Yes

19. Tell me something you are planning to do today.
Pay bills and sleep

20. When was the last time you cried?
About 2 weeks ago

21. What is your perfect pizza topping?
Beef

22. Which do you prefer-hamburgers or cheeseburgers?
Hamburgers

23. Have you ever had an all-nighter?
Yes

24. What is your eye color?
Dark Brown

25. Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coke?
Yes when I'm looking at the label

Government Shutdown

source

No Greater Love Has Ever Been Known to Man....

A recent text-sation between my son and I. God I love this man-child!

Me: Just checking in. How's it going?


(several hours later!)


Him: It's ok. Still lookin for work. It's getting depressing like I wanna give up


Me: Give up and do what?


Him: I dnt knw it just sucks to struggle


Me: U struggle now to not have to later. What have u done in preparation for school


Him: I talked to financial aid last week about housing. Still have to fill out the FAFSA


Me: Have you done the school enrollment application, requested that your High School transcript and ACT score be sent there


Him: I dnt thk my ACT will still count


Me: Have you done any of these things?


Him: No mom I dnt knw what to do. I told you I needed your help anyway


Me: How do you know you'll need my help if you haven't attempted? U live in a house with guys who've done this and you live near the school. Tried the ofc of admissions?


Him: No I'm trying to fill out this FAFSA online now. I'll check that out tomorrow


Me: Get your priorities straight son. Drinking, smoking, screwing are fine if thts what u do. But the folks ur doing it with r in school trying to complete their education!


This is life not a game. And it's easy to lose your way if you don't know where you're going


I love you. Never asked for anything but your best. I'm still asking. Stop getting depressed and get DETERMINED


(several minutes later)


H-E-L-L-O. Ignoring me? >:O


Him: No love you too mom


Me: If I can help, let me know. But check deadlines and all that stuff. Don't get lost son. It's easier to do than you think. Love you more than you know


Him: K mom love you too


Me: I'll go online and find out what I can tonight regarding enrollment, ACT, etc. I'll relay it to you via text or FB inbox


Him: Ok thank you


Me: And stay UP! You know what "Weezy" said! (a rapper I cringe about)


Him: Naw what did he say ma?


Me: I don't know HELL <~~~ (but I'm sure it was something motivational even if I don't like rap) :D


You make my heart smile. When u hurt I hurt. Your existence and success are my legacy.


Him: You knw how to make me feel better mom


Me: I think abt u EVERY day. I've loved you since January of 1991 and will always ALWAYS LOVE YOU more than anyone who has ever or WILL ever live



....than the love of a Mother for her child

"The Spirit of Co-creation" - Dear Woman (video)

Embracing your apology on this beautiful day for thousands of years of imbalance between masculine and feminine energy... thanks for this Lynette

Progress On The Natural State of Things Pt. #4

Okay so I'm well into this natural hair thing. Back in December of '09, I decided to say farewell to chemically straightening altering my hair. Updates have been posted here a time or two or three.

People of African ancestry have the most unique hair in the world... possibly the universe. What we refer to as a perm is actually what most would call a straightener. Even with that commonality there's a vast difference. A straightener only last about 6 to 8 weeks. Then you're right back to your mildly to super curly hair. With women of color, the hair is altered forever. It has to either grow out or be cut off.

I imagine conformity and a limited knowledge about caring for our hair is what turned so many people on to chemically relaxing kinky, coily, nappy hair. When one's identity and way of life is stripped away from them even the simplest practices (combing and caring for this type hair) are removed, forgotten, forbidden.

400 Years Without A Comb is a book I've not yet read. The author is Willie Morrow, a barber from San Diego. Morrow calls attention to the fact that black people were on this continent for 400 years and not one artifact representative of the type comb needed for our hair could be found.

That's a long damn time. I would have been jumping fences, hoops and draw bridges to get to a product that would alter 400 years worth of matted mess into flowing, easy to manage tresses like little Miss Abigail had.

(Tickled at myself)

Times have changed and people are realizing that nappy and kinky aren't bad words... they're hair types. Choosing to wear your hair this way makes you no more Afrocentric than those who don't.

It's just a choice.

I've never been fond of wigs or weave. I have added hair when I've worn braided styles to extend the length. But OMG!....some of these lacefronts, quick-weaves and hot mess wigs are enough to make anyone weak in the knees.

I don't love me any more than I did prior to this change. I don't have a problem with women who choose to continue to chemically relax their hair. And Lord, help me.... I'm working on the impulse to swat, smother, shoot or attempt to capture some of these awful lacefronts some of my sisters have been rocking....

I'm just doing me.

....and it feels good.