Heading out. Saturday, December 20, 2025. A little pose before going to see Caison play basketball, and then visiting Jernee’s burial site. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Second shot: Because Wakanda Forever! Saturday, December 20, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Trees and Sky #2. I love how the sky and trees look on my boss/friend, Karlie’s land. Jernee has such a beautiful resting place. Visiting Jernee Timid, Saturday, December 20, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Trees and Sky #3. A different view. I can stand out here for hours if my legs allow it. I visited with Jernee for 4o minutes before Karlie came out with her dog, two other kittens, and then all the chickens started coming toward us, too. I ended up spending an hour and fifteen minutes total out in the country (East Bend, NC), instead of just 30 minutes. And you know what? I needed every second of it! Saturday, December 20, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
I never thought I’d see antique bicycles paired together like this, but here we are… Art in the hallway of my building, on my floor. Saturday, December 20, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Is this a big enough compass?! There’s something vaguely intriguing about this, and I have yet to put my finger on it. Artwork in my building, in the hallway: This is becoming a theme, yes?! Saturday, December 20, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
BIG FAT JUICY HEART is the debut book of poetry by Deanne (Dee) Dennis, a writer I follow on Substack, and it’s well worth the read. For her first book of poems, it held my attention, gave me hope, and made me smile; I imagine any future follow-ups will be five to ten times better. This writer is one to watch, seriously. Saturday, December 20, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
A Reindeer Christmas Card: A fellow writing acquaintance, Sherry, sent this lovely card to me for the holidays. It’s delightful, and I have it displayed on my kitchen bar. Tuesday, December 23, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Another Christmas card, but this one is from my dear friend, Candice Louisa Daquin. She actually has another book out, The Cruelty, published by Flowersong Press, and you can find it at all major book retailers. She’s pretty dope. Tuesday, December 23, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
My Christmas Meal: BBQ shoulder lamb chops, baked beans, and collard greens with onions & cherry tomatoes. Thursday, December 25, 2025. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Have you gotten your copy of Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction at Lulu in E-Book& Paperback versions, or Amazon in Paperback(only) yet?
I am on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing, as I discussrecent events related to my previous place of employment, including racism and discrimination, the growth I experienced after resigning from that company, and the foibles and overall experiences of life. I welcome your visit.
AI-Generated Image: A Black woman with locs, wearing glasses, sitting on her bed, writing in a journal.
cold-turkeying a love
I’m cold-turkeying a love I should have left when I first realized it was time to leave before I become cold-hearted.
As Christmas Comes To an End
I am locked into Broncos and Chiefs, and Prime was glitching earlier, no rhyme or reason to the delay, but I remain tuned in; first quarter took a while To warm up — old Buick, winter weather… breathe, you’ll get it.
My cousin’s text message breaks my attention, and I see the preview for a photo and a video, and instantly, I’m reminded of how much fun we used to have as children — “Popcorn Loving” our way down the block.
New Edition was a drug of choice. 7 and 9-year-olds shouldn’t know anything about crushes, but we were latchkey kids, raising ourselves from the hours of 3 PM to 8 PM. We were curious, and curiosity was meant to kill us, but it didn’t. We survived the block.
And even though we’re so far removed from the neighborhood that reared us through grade school, pieces of it still breathe life into us.
Christmas is ending, and I remember the past while braving my present. What does the future have for me to live through next?
I guess… we’ll have to see.
Have you gotten your copy of Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction at Lulu in E-Book& Paperback versions, or Amazon in Paperback(only) yet?
I am on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing, as I discussrecent events related to my previous place of employment, including racism and discrimination, the growth I experienced after resigning from that company, and the foibles and overall experiences of life. I welcome your visit.
My best friend and I went to see The Grinch in theaters in 2018. This particular scene made me guffaw loudly in the theater, and I just couldn’t stop laughing. My tickle-box had been activated, and I laughed for at least fifteen minutes.
Mook (my best friend) looked at me with red in her eyes at first, but after hearing me laugh for so long, she started laughing, too. She finally said to me, “You so damn silly”, and we laughed some more.
To this day, I cannot watch this scene without laughing until I cry.
It’s the screaming goat for me every single time! 😆🤣😂
I hope this holiday allows you to reach into your heart and let your inner child be free. Today is a GREAT day to do so.
Bonus funny clip:
Sing 2: Meena Falls in love with Alfonso
Have you gotten your copy of Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction at Lulu in E-Book& Paperback versions, or Amazon in Paperback(only) yet?
I am on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing, as I discussrecent events related to my previous place of employment, including racism and discrimination, the growth I experienced after resigning from that company, and the foibles and overall experiences of life. I welcome your visit.
Another year is almost here, another one is almost gone.
Christmas Season 2025 (Zumi Tye Loadholt and Tre L. Loadholt). It feels so peculiar without my baby girl… but here we are. I know she’d want me to be happy instead of being sad, so for her, I’m pressing on. Image created via Canva.
I wish the very best for you, your family, and anyone else you may come into contact with for this holiday season and beyond.
Have you gotten your copy of Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction at Lulu in E-Book& Paperback versions, or Amazon in Paperback(only) yet?
I am on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing, as I discussrecent events related to my previous place of employment, including racism and discrimination, the growth I experienced after resigning from that company, and the foibles and overall experiences of life. I welcome your visit.
Our Christmas Card: Tre, Jernee Timid, Zumi Tye, & The Little Red Christmas Tree. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
holiday spirits fester in the winter breeze money’s not the cause
missions accomplished all across the globe last night poor old Santa Claus
blended families tackle the hard questions now no more pressing pause
soothsayers bend words only to save broken hearts we all have our flaws
To those of you who celebrate, may this Christmas be full of love, joy, strength, and peace for you and yours. I wish you the moon and its powerful glow, too.
Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?
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