Gone Fishing

~~~ First and foremost, I must thank all of those who have stuck with me. Especially, the followers that stop by to check for new posts. I was in the process of posting the April 16th issue when my world changed. And in honor of my mom I posted a tribute of blogs on May […]

Looking Back

~~~ Upon moving out of my parents home in September of 1991, I became very appreciative of my mom’s sacrifices. During my childhood I never realized we were in a low-income demographic. As a child I never was deprived of basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter. It was only later in adulthood did […]

By Yoga, By Faith

~~~ When we talked in January, I was all about new beginnings, new chapters, etc. I thought I’d finally “found myself” and was ready to embrace life – despite the sometimes tumultuous changes – once again. I was feeling positive, optimistic, in love, and at peace. That was then. This is NOW. And NOW looks […]

Friendship…Through The Storm

~~~ Though I greatly admire the Oprah/Gayle friendship, I stopped having a soul ‘best friend’ by the time I was 18. I was (and still am) blessed to have many dear women friends who complement, and enhance my life so profoundly, I couldn’t possibly choose the ‘best one’. But if I just HAD to pick […]

To My Parents With Love

~~~ From various people in my personal life as well as in books and television, I have heard the comment better to have loved once than not at all. I agree with this sentiment but what I think should be added is loving well. In the dictionary love is a noun defined as “an intense […]

Georgia On My Mind

~~~ “There’s Ma’s house!” My older sister, Althea, and I would scream in excitement as we approached my great-grandmother’s, Julia Dallas-Austin’s, house, 2247 Redwine Ave., College Park, Ga. I could always spot “Ma’s” petite frame sitting on her enclosed front porch, spitting tobacco, and overseeing everything. Ma looked like an Indian Princess: Flawless brown skin, […]

Silence

~~~ To my stepfather, Last October, I sat in the courtroom with my mother, witnessing the court put an end to your 32 year old marriage. Or as I refer to it, your 32 year reign of terror. I guess we appeared, as we always did, like a good family – despite the circumstances. So […]

Hibernation

~~~ Every year I put out my notice of Hibernation. I am not leaving the house for frivolous reasons during the winter. I was born and raised in the Midwest but I have yet to get a handle on winters. I don’t like to be cold. The ritual of adding extra layers of clothing and […]