Category: Life Changes

Hello September, You Sexy Thing!

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10-Day Weather Forecast for Winston-Salem, NC.

I am in love with weather that
pulls you into a tight
embrace and offers you time
to appreciate death & dying
for the renewal of strength
and life.

It is shaping up to be the
time of year when animals
scrape at the barrels of
nature to begin their pursuit
of unlimited rest; the time of
year when sun settles
into the clouds a little longer
and wind shimmies in,
performing its best act.

Our walks will be longer.
Our food will be hotter.
Our clothes will be warmer.

And everything that makes up
Autumn will sashay into
the rooms of our hearts, making
this state a bit more tolerable
in the weeks to come.

I will drink in the goodness
of a season that is always
on time.

The dog and the tortoise are
growing old and I am
an ancient soul trapped in
this aging body still yearning
for the Fountain of Youth
to offer its purity in life.

For now, I will take this
shift in weather as a
peace offering until
healing comes at the heels
of our feet.
We’re all eager to walk
this road of life temporarily
unscathed.

I long for Autumn when it is not around, and in just a few weeks, that will be a truth I will love to embrace. Happy September! And Happy Labor Day, if you celebrate. May today be full of rest, relaxing, and enjoying good food, friends, and family.

Peace and blessings.

Sisterhood Powers Through It All

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A Book Review

Single Black Female by Tracy Brown. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Last night, I finished reading the second of the three books by Tracy Brown, purchased for my birthday as gifts from my best friend, and I truly like this one so much more than Hold You Down.

Don’t get me wrong, both books are sensational and the author does a great job introducing developed and layered characters to us in each delivery. Still, something about Single Black Female will stick with me for many years to come.

Below is the Amazon review I submitted:

“I Got Emotional So Many Times

And I am not afraid to admit that. “Single Black Female” is the story so many Black women can relate to.

I love how the author, Tracy Brown, depicts each character. We get a full view of each of their personalities, and it’s a believable fictional tale. I found myself connecting with each of the four women: Ivy, Coco, Nikki, & Deja. I feel like there’s a sliver of each of them within me.

Their bond and closeness reminded me of true friendship and sisterhood. I got so emotional during several chapters and at the very end as well.

It is a breath of fresh air reading a happy and positive ending. One that showcases the women having a delightful conversation and enjoying themselves amongst the peace and somewhat quiet of Brooklyn for a “picnic.”

I teared up simply thinking about the women closest to me and about my brothers and my baby sister, and how hard I would war for all of them if I had to–be it against authoritative figures or their friends and loved ones.

The power and authenticity of love and its effectiveness of a genuine friendship know no bounds and can withstand any evil. And Tracy Brown does such an amazing job portraying that with this book.

I highly recommend it!”

If you’re looking to pick up a book that will stir something alive in you and make you remember just how grateful you are for friendship and love amid turmoil, this book will do exactly that.

Exploring New Worlds: Shonda Rhimes, Year of Yes

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I read the book and now, I want more!

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

I love the fact that I have family members and friends who recommend books or buy them for me when they KNOW I’ll love the content.

In the book, Shonda speaks about how a comment from her sister about her limitations of herself regarding fears prevents her from saying yes to anything, and that jolted something alive in her to change that.

A younger cousin of mine told me about Shonda Rhimes’ Year of Yes because she truly enjoyed it in its audiobook form. She gave me the gist of it and hyped it up enthusiastically, too.

I had to see for myself, and I’m glad I did. Here is the Amazon review for it:

“My Cousin Recommended This Book!

And I’m awfully glad she did! Firstly, I didn’t expect to read what I just read. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what to expect.

It’s Shonda Rhimes! Of course, I was thinking, in the back of my mind, the woman can downright write, so it ought to be good. But this was/is much better than good. It’s phenomenal!

Secondly, I hadn’t factored in the reality that she’d let us into her personal life just a bit with this book, and lo and behold, she did!

I felt like a member of her family thumbing through the pages, laughing, sighing, and crying. Not only is Year of Yes well-written, it is full of humor and grit and witty retorts.

I sank into so many scenes as they were told from the writer’s point of view and recollection. I connected with various happenings in her life as a writer, and her love life reminded me of mine as well.

There is so much to explore and unpack in this book, and I am happy to have had the opportunity to do so. I assure you, it IS a work of art that is worth your time.”

I absolutely adore it when a recommendation does not steer me wrong. And this book is now a favorite of mine!

stages

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many of us perform
on stages of our
own making which later
become our undoing,

yet we wonder why we
falter.

my new neighbor has
a funky attitude but
she owns a dog, and I
find that mysteriously intriguing.
how can you be callous and
care for something the
complete opposite of that?

I speak when I see her,
acknowledge her curt stares,
and nod to display kindness,
and that is the extent of
our exchanges.

I miss my old neighbor.

she moved about two months
ago to be on a stage
that life planned for her;
homeowner . . .
she doesn’t like her new
neighbors, either.
says they let their Pit
run amuck and loudly
bark at the comings and goings
of others.

she sends me text messages
saying she may have made
a mistake.
and I don’t want to agree, but
I don’t like this new neighbor,
so in my heart of hearts,
I secretly concur but instead
say, “Give it a bit more
time. It may end up surprising
you. None of us really ever
loves change.”

and on this stage I’ve
built for myself, I’m patiently
waiting for a future that
could lend me more
happiness.
of late, I’ve been searching
for it and it has been elusive.

but there’s always tomorrow.

My Youngest Nephew, Thyrie Says “Hello.”

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Thyrie (pronounced “Theory”) Torie-Devon, my youngest nephew, says “Hello.”

My brother TJ sent the above video to me last night, and I couldn’t help but to smile while viewing it. Thyrie sounds like a grown man and is my little “Uncle Grandpa.”

He’s only two years old yet one would think, upon hearing his voice, he’s older.

I haven’t seen him in person, yet. With them living in Jacksonville, Florida, that distance is a bit of a hike for me. But my brother and I agreed last night, we’ll have to make some time next year for us to all hang out together.

And honestly, I can’t wait for that to happen. It’ll have to be early spring or in autumn because I DO NOT do the deep South in the summer months. No, thank you!

I hope this video put a smile on your face just as it did mine.

Happy Sunday!

**Special thanks to my kiddo brother, TJ, for giving me permission to share this video.