Tag: Two Things Thursday

Two Things Thursday #25

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1. The Sheltering. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
2. Teddy Pendergrass, Latest, Greatest Inspiration

1. The Sheltering by Khaya Ronkainen is a book of poetry I read recently. I knew I would love every minute of this read, and I DID!

Below is the review I left for the book via Amazon:

“Not Fooled By the Cover

At first glance, regarding the cover, I didn’t know what to expect. My first thoughts were, “Will the poetry be gentle and childlike?” Or, “Will I actually need to take cover from its power once I’ve read it?” And after reading this work of literary art, it’s clearly the latter.

There is nothing lacking here. Every poem is a hard-hitter, dragging you down a rabbit hole of reminiscent recollections of pandemic’s past while battling the many paths we walk with grief.

A few haibun and visually structured poems struck several chords with me.

I knew the author would share something poignant and superb, but “The Sheltering” is practically flawless.

At just under 80 pages, there are various opportunities to connect and be alerted to spend more time with one’s thoughts while devouring the words shared in this book.

I agree with another commenter, “The world should read this book.” We were all there, and we still are.”

2. Teddy Pendergrass‘s Latest, Greatest Inspiration is such an incredible song. It’s the second share for this post, and if you listened to it via the YouTube video above, you’ll understand why I chose this song.

First off, I am a huge Teddy Pendergrass fan. I really hate that he’s not still around anymore to belt out beautiful ballads such as this one.

He died in January 2010 at the age of 59.

Why do I love this song so much? It is in the lyrics, the melody, and Teddy’s “Smooth-Like-Buttah” voice. One particular part melts my heart every single time,

Things never looked clearer, peace within never felt nearer
My burden’s gone, it’s turned to a song
Tender as a baby’s touch, I needed you, oh, so much
At last, my load is so light.

Now if that doesn’t connect with you, I can’t help you.

Latest, Greatest Inspiration will always be a top contender on my favorite songs list. I hope you’ve enjoyed listening to it just as much as I do each time I hear/play it.

You inspire me,
Inspire me!
Don’t you know it?
My latest, my greatest inspiration.

This concludes the Two Things Thursday series. Thank you for joining me every week for it.

Two Things Thursday #24

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1. Small Hours by Amber Navran via YouTube
2. Jamaica Kincaid Quote

1. Small Hours is a short mix of nothing but goodness from Amber Navran, lead singer of the group Moonchild. Even though she isn’t a wailer or a singer with deep lungs like Jill Scott or Algebra Blessett, she can definitely hold her own against them.

She is a beast behind massive beats and stellar production with her variations of scatting and rhythmic tuning and vocal tones. I love how she can interchange jazz vocals with a bit of pop and bop, too. When I listen to her, I can hear so many vocalists chiming in through her voice from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

It’s odd to see/hear her performing alone. Apparently, she has dropped an entire solo album recently, and I am so far behind on this, but I shall be sitting down one day to give it the listen I’m sure it deserves.

I hope you enjoyed the above YouTube video share of Small Hours. I love everything about it! I just hate that it’s not long enough. A song like that should LEGIT be three minutes (at least), IMHO.

2. Jamaica Kincaid Quote is the second share for today. Jamaica is an author, gardener, and a Professor of African American and African studies. She is the author of the following books: Annie John (one of my favorites), A Small Place, and Lucy. And this list does not even begin to cover her achievements in the writing world. I own all three books and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I’ve read Lucy and Annie John twice.

The above quote hit home so hard that I had to share it. Many of us believe we know who we are. We believe we have gotten ourselves down to a TEE. But really, do we? As human beings, we are constantly evolving and growing, so it’s almost impossible to truly know who we are. Therefore, emerging as this mystery Ms. Kincaid refers to.

The question is really, how many of us are willing to admit this?

Two Things Thursday #23

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1. Petals of Haiku: An Anthology. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
2. Weekend Scenery for “casual weekend.” Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

1. Petals of Haiku: An Anthology, edited by the incomparable Gabriela Marie Milton is an illustrious work of phenomenal haiku by 160 writers, mostly from the WordPress community.

Below is the review I left on Amazon:

“As a writer and lover of haiku, Petals of Haiku: An Anthology, is one of the best compilations of the form I have seen come to fruition in a VERY LONG time.

Each writer understood the assignment and brought vividly beautiful and breathtaking haiku to this book. From petals to swallows to sunsets, heartache, love, and a deep yet fulfilling showcasing of all things nature, I fell in love with the turn of each page.

It is moving and an aromatic blend of allure. I am inspired and motivated and taken aback all at once. This anthology is one you will thoroughly enjoy on so many levels. Mark my words. You will not be disappointed!”

2. casual weekend is my 3-part haiku that was written from my being inspired after reading the above anthology.

the dog snores lightly
summer’s heat breaks through windows
casual weekend

mockingbird patrol
a selfish crow does not win
attack of feathers

balcony garden
thriving vegetables sprout
clean eating begins

Two Things Thursday #21

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1. Monday Night Dinner. Photo Collage Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
2. Maxine 4th of July Funny Quote. Image Credit: Pinterest

1. Monday Night’s Dinner was incredibly delicious and was as follows: kale with onions, cherry tomatoes, yellow peppers, and various seasonings, an open-faced baked potato with dairy-free cheese (one thing I hate about the dairy-free cheese is that it takes FOREVER to melt) & butter, salt & pepper, and a mouthwatering steak.

I was so happy to have leftovers of this meal, and if I were completely okay with it, I’d slap myself for how good it was!

I stuck my whole foot in this meal (if you or your relatives are from the South, you’ll know what this saying means)! And I am happy it turned out the way it did–super YUMMY!

2. Maxine 4th of July Funny Quote . . . because, why not?! I love this character and her sassiness and quick-witted retorts! I thought it would be cool to share a funny quote for today and Maxine is a great go-to for this!

For those of you who celebrate, please be safe, have fun, enjoy your family & friends, and also have some great food, too. Please do not let me read about you in the digital papers/magazines or see you on the news!

Peace and blessings.

Two Things Thursday #20

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1. Three Sisters. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
2. Jernee Timid, the Princess. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

1. Three Sisters is a photo of my laptop wallpaper featuring my best friend’s three dogs. The puppy, Riley-Blu (she decided to go with “Riley” instead of “Misty”) is the newest addition. I love this photo of all three of them watching the Amazon delivery person drop off their mommy’s package.

Because there are now three of them, I had to change my laptop wallpaper to feature them. When I launch my laptop and enter my password to get to my main screen and their little bodies are sitting/standing before me, I cannot do anything but smile. You are looking at (in this order) Riley-Blu, Bella-Rue, and Stacey-Lou.

Baby girl is already feisty. My best friend sent me a video of her playing with her oldest sister, Stacey-Lou, and she was holding her own. LOL! Stace was trying to pin her down at one point, and I heard my best friend’s voice sternly say, “Stacey, don’t do that. Get off her.”

And Stace hopped up and backed away quickly. That little one, though?! She lunged toward Stacey like, “Um, don’t back away now!” LOL! I cannot wait to see her and shower her with treats and gifts!

I’ll probably take a day trip to see them in the next two to three weeks. And of course, I’ll share a few photos and maybe a video, too.

2. Jernee Timid, the Princess is a photo I snapped of Jernee while she relaxed in my new chair! Now, for those of you unaware, I purchased this chair for me because Jernee insists on commandeering my other chair and sitting in it. This DIVA likes this chair, too. She has a whole couch and my other chair in which to sit, yet she wants this one as well.

I cannot win for losing with this Little Monster! I told one of my friends about it and showed her the picture and she calmly said, “Well, what’s yours is hers anyway, so what’s the problem?” LOL! I guess she has a point!

I just go on over to the other chair (my first favorite chair), sit in it, and keep it moving. Happy Jernee Timid, happy life. LOL!

Two Things Thursday #19

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1. A Poem for Eustace R. Conway, IV created with Canva by Tremaine L. Loadholt

trapped trauma for the mountain man

a poem for Eustace R. Conway, IV

boy blue’d and black-hearted
made by a stubborn man
found himself peacekeeper
of the wild.

so sick of torture and
pinged for disobedience, he
trekked the world outside
his father’s home and made
love to the Carolina forests.

with nature as his mistress,
there was no place too
remote for this young man
trapped in his traumatic past
struggling to build a present.

he had loves who loved him
but he didn’t understand the
rules of falling in love, and
suffered heartbreaking consequences,
instead.

when fame found him
and plastered his noble features
on nationwide television, he
remained humble.
journalists, writers, and nosy
women wanted a piece of
Boone-infused pie.

his father’s namesake and his
mother’s favorite, he managed
to live up to his expectations
more than anyone else’s.

and even I, in my soon-to-be
mid-40s, can appreciate the
pain of childhood trauma when
it shapes and molds a
man into one who is
probably five times better
than his father.

or, that’s what I’d love
to believe to be true.

2. Lenny Kravitz. Photo courtesy of Essence.

1. I am enjoying the book I’m currently reading so much and the subject/character of interest, Eustace R. Conway, IV, that I was moved to write a poem about him.

My reading of the book led me to a few Google searches about him, and he’s really an incredible human being! I had no idea he was one of the most influential and liked characters of the no-longer-running show, Mountain Men on The History Channel.

Apparently, he’s uber sexy and intriguing to a lot of his fans and the envy of many men longing to learn more about mountain living and gaining sustainability in remote areas among nature.

2. Leonard Albert Kravitz, lovingly known as Lenny Kravitz, is a singer, songwriter, actor, father, and all-around beautiful human being.

He has had many musical hits and a signature, distinctive sound.

When you hear Lenny Kravitz, you know it’s him.

Here’s a YouTube video of my all-time favorite song by him: “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over”. Enjoy!

It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over