throwback: an uphill battle

NaPoWriMo #20 A Pictured Poem

an uphill battle. ©March 2016 Tremaine L. Loadholt

Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak about the most recent events with my place of employment as it pertains to racism and discrimination. I welcome your visit.

a day of self-love

NaPoWriMo #18 (3 6-word poems)

Birthday Shenanigans #1. Thursday, April 17, 2025 (in the morning)

the 45th gave birth
to smiles
.

Birthday Shenanigans #2. Thursday, April 17, 2025 (in the morning)
Birthday Shenanigans #3. Ugh! That stupid loc is out of place!!! 😒😒😒Thursday, April 17, 2025 (in the afternoon)

I conquered some
unwanted pesky demons
.

Birthday Shenanigans #4. Thursday, April 17, 2025 (in the afternoon)
Birthday Shenanigans #5. Thursday, April 17, 2025 (in the evening) Dinner from my favorite Japanese Sushi & Steakhouse restaurant.

God decided–another year is
necessary.

Birthday Shenanigans #6. Thursday, April 17, 2025 (in the evening) Dinner from my favorite Japanese Sushi & Steakhouse restaurant.

April 17, 2025, was my 45th birthday. The crush showered me with gifts from Sunday until Tuesday, and then a birthday text message yesterday evening. She said Wednesday’s gift will be late, but I am not concerned about that. NO ONE has ever given me a gift a day (and these are not inexpensive dollar amounts, either), leading up to my birthday to celebrate me. NO ONE! There are no words for that–I am still digesting it. I may have someone whose giving heart is bigger than mine. I don’t know how to deal with that because I am not usually the one receiving . . . I’m usually the giver. So . . . for at least two days, I was extremely emotional and told her so, and all she could say was, “Just enjoy it.” So, I did.

Of course, I told my very close people about this, and it’d gotten to be so much a part of my birthday week that messages were coming in with the question, “So, what’s today’s gift?” And I informed them of such. One of my friends said, “A gift a day leading up to your birthday?! BAYBAY, lemme holla at my husband!” My ex/very close friend said, “Now listen here . . . I did that for *insert his wife’s name here* for our 10th anniversary. Tre, as far as I am concerned, that’s your woman.” To which I responded, “Dude, I expect this from you. LOL. We’re not there yet. We may never be. Let’s remember, she’s straight.” One of my co-workers said, “She finna be your future boo, Tre! Who is out here giving folks a gift-a-day up to their birthday and they’re not together?!” *Sighs*

I do not know how the dating world works anymore. I’ve not been in it for Y E A R S. But apparently, people don’t hear you when you say, “No, we’re just opening up a bit more with each other since I shot my shot. That’s all.”

Karen and two of my cousins loaded my account up with money. I had so many text messages and phone calls that my heart nearly exploded from the love that poured all over me. I am beyond blessed. Therapy was a necessary thing to have, and I told my psychologist I finally let the crush know, as he was waiting to see if I could conquer that hill in my life. I did. And since that monkey has been off my back, I have been breathing a bit easier.

I think life is probably going to stop lifeing for just a bit. We’ll see how long that lasts.


Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak about the most recent events with my place of employment as it pertains to racism and discrimination. I welcome your visit.

Photos From This Past Weekend

Saturday morning workout: The Treadmill (my favorite!) Saturday, April 12, 2025. Video recorded by Tremaine L. Loadholt
Saturday morning workout. Feeling fit & fine. Saturday, April 12, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Hair day! It had been just over three months since my last wash & retwist/retightening. I was so happy to see my loctician and to have Ájá attended to! Saturday, April 13, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
I bought a new keyboard & mouse set for my desktop. The other set was white and clunky-looking, which didn’t match my bedroom colors and decor. I really love this set ten times better! Saturday, April 13, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Saturday dinner: chicken tenders and potato salad from TJ’s Deli. Saturday, April 12, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Sunday morning workout. Both my left knee and right ankle do not hurt nearly as much as they used to. But, each of them gives me occasional pain. It’s best that I keep braces on them when I workout or go for long walks. Sunday, April 13, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Street Tacos at home. Sunday night dinner #1. Sunday, April 13, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Street Tacos at home. Sunday night dinner #2. The tacos have a salt & pepper seasoning on them that’s to die for! Sunday, April 13, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Sunday night dinner. Street tacos at home. Seasoned tacos with ground beef, onions, fresh minced garlic, chopped spinach, shredded cheese, and sour cream. Sunday, April 13, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Another weekend has come and gone, and I am now stuck with Monday. LOL! I guess I will have to make the best of it. Here’s hoping all of you will do the same, too! Enjoy the week ahead as much as you can!


Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak about the most recent events with my place of employment as it pertains to racism and discrimination. I welcome your visit.

Peace and Blessings!

Pigtails: A Throwback Hairstyle

NaPoWriMo #9 A Senryu, 2 Parts

It was a pigtails kind of day yesterday. Tuesday, April 08, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

long hair — don’t quite care
flowing down my face today
slapped into pigtails

buried the old ways
of ponytailing my locs
convenient beauty


Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a space for healing as I speak about the most recent events with my place of employment as it pertains to racism and discrimination. I welcome your visit.

Peace and blessings!

Photos From This Past Weekend

Saturday morning capture: Basement flowers. Saturday, April 05, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Saturday morning workout. Saturday, April 05, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Caison hustling for the ball during his soccer game. Saturday, April 05, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Just a little hustle toward the ball. Caison Michael. Saturday, April 05, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Caison Michael: running down the field after scoring their team’s first goal! Saturday, April 5, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
A bit of hustle never hurts anyone. Lol. Saturday, April 5, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
THEY WON! 3-1. Good game! Saturday, April 05, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
I finished reading this book Sunday evening. It is a light read with an overall positive feel. I’ve reviewed it on both Amazon and Goodreads. Sunday, April 06, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Oh nothing . . . when you drop 19 lbs, you can’t help but admire yourself. LOL. Sunday, April 06, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Another breakfast photo of Zumi Tye. If Zuse isn’t eating, it’s sleeping. LOL! Sunday, April 06, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
The Birthday Girl had to nap after all the excitement of the birthday, which was one extra walk and a bit of playing with Mommy inside. Sunday, April 06, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
17 looks EXTREMELY good on her! The Birthday Girl once again while we were out for our Sunday morning walk. Sunday, April 06, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Sunday dinner: baked chicken, roasted Brussels sprouts, and chicken & herbs rice. Sunday, April 06, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Every weekend is a gift. I am enjoying each one as they’re handed down to me, and I look forward to them now so much more than before. I hope this week will be kind to all of you!


Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak about the most recent events with my place of employment as it pertains to racism and discrimination. I welcome your visit.

Peace and blessings!

Cousins

NaPoWriMo #6 An Acrostic Poem

My Little Munchkin Man, Caison Michael, and me. Saturday, April 05, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

carefree and happy in the glowing sun
our bond is an unbreakable one
united at every turn by blood and genes
safe in my arms – even as he ages
incredibly handsome – puts a smile on my face
never taken for granted
sure of his love for me — today and forevermore


Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak about the most recent events with my place of employment as it pertains to racism and discrimination. I welcome your visit.