The Rules For Attending Cookouts

As we begin the season of “cookouts” please be mindful of a few things…

1) Do not show up if you were not invited by the host. I don’t care who you know!

2) If you were invited do not bring extra people with you.

3) Always ask do I need to bring anything.
Even if the answer is no, bring a bag of chips at minimum.

4) Should you bring anything at all, bring it with the intention of leaving it.

5) If you have not contributed financially to the event you “ARE NOT” entitled to leave with anything wrapped in aluminum foil or in a Tupperware container.

6) Everyone has rules at their house, be respectful or don’t come.

7) If your children are not well behaved, you must stay at home with your children. (Sorry, not sorry)

😎 The Saints will mingle with the Aints, if you can’t handle that, stay home!

9) This is not the time for you to learn the latest line dance.. Sit down somewhere!! You had all of spring and winter to practice!

10) If you smoke, idc what it is, sit yourself down in an isolated area . No one wants that stuff blowing in their face or over their food.

11) This goes along with #7… The cookout is not a free babysitting service. You brought your child YOU watch your child.

12) The food is not going to run out. Stop making these gigantic plates knowing you can’t eat it all.

13) Stop asking who made the potato salad. If I told you, you wouldn’t know any way!

14) Before you trip about the sodas not being “Name Brand”, ask yourself did you contribute one dime.

15) Before you open a fresh bottle of water finish the one you started.

That’s enough for now, please govern yourselves accordingly!

REMEMBERING Those Who Served

On Memorial Day, we honor our fallen heroes and remember the sacrifices made by them in defending our freedom.

These individuals share a deep love and loyalty for our country and have sacrificially chosen to lay their lives on the line in a myriad of different ways to protect our nation.

As we honor our fallen heroes, let us also commit to supporting those who continue to fight for freedom and justice around the world.

Motherhood: We Celebrate You

Thanks for being there with your hugs, words of encouragement, and endless patience throughout the years.

A person enters motherhood when they become a mother.

This most commonly happens when their child is born, but it can also happen through adoption or by marrying or becoming a partner to someone with children.

Motherhood is a gender-specific version of the term parenthood.

Being a mother is means providing that indescribable feeling of comfort, no matter the age of the child.

It’s being that person you call on that makes you feel better and doesn’t even need to say anything.

Nurturing includes meeting children’s physical demands, such as food, clothing, and protection. And it includes loving, cherishing, educating, and training them.

Motherhood expands your heart and fills it with more love than you have ever felt.

Children bring meaning to your life and you feel stronger with them.

Motherhood makes you feel complete, giving an added purpose to life.

God defines a mother according to purpose. Her purpose is one who “‘binds” the family together, holding them together individually and collectively through her love and actions.

Today and everyday, we celebrate mothers!!!

Prince – Call My Name (Official Music Video)

By now if you have been checking out my blog this month, you might have realized that every day I’ve presented one of my favorite PRINCE songs to celebrate his life and in remembrance of his passing.

Prince was singer-songwriter, musician and producer, is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of his generation. 

He was known for his flamboyant persona; his wide vocal range, and his skill as a multi-instrumentalist, often preferring to play all or most of the instruments on his recordings.

He wrote narrative story songs and playful nonsense songs. He was original and insightful in his use of metaphor.

💖 🙏 🕊 💜

I’m So Grateful

You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?

Give thanks to “The Almighty” … Thank You, Lord, for the blessings You have bestowed on my life. 

Congrats Cowboys

January 9

Those born on the 9th of January are the ones who walk on the path of self-confidence and success.

Equally, they are highly resourceful, tireless, caring, and known to influence and inspire people to greatness.

They are highly skilled learners who are always in search of knowledge.

January 9 individuals are complicated people who may seem to be at war with themselves.

Brilliant and philosophical, they strive for perfection.

They are tireless workers who will sacrifice a great deal to prove their worth to others — and themselves.

• Element: Earth (solid, stable, practical)
• Modality: Cardinal (initiation, leadership, action, drive)
• Symbol: Sea goat (half goat, half fish)
• Planetary rulership: Saturn
• Light energy: When happy and balanced, this energy is ethical, well-planned, concentrated, determined, disciplined, empowered, driven (strong work ethic!), ambitious, responsible and strategic
• Shadow energy: When out of balance, this can lead to rigidity, coldness/lack of emotion, pessimism and cynicism, work-obsession, restriction, judgment and materialism

January 9 individuals have a generous heart.

They are kind and never hurt anyone for their own benefit.

They always love helping others and encourage them in achieving whatever they want in life.

January 9 individuals vibe well with rational, hardworking, ambitious, passionate, and organized partners.

January 9 individuals are quite energetic, decisive, and restless souls. They achieve their life goals very quickly. They are born leaders with strong organizational and communication abilities.

January 9 individuals negative traits can be: stubborn and not easy to control, they can become a dictator if they are corrupted by the government, they are very intuitive and don’t always listen to other people’s opinions.

Plus, they often overindulge, so they’re always stressed, they are very cautious and often frustrated with their inability to have fun.

Those born on January 9 are generally suspicious of change so they often reject advice to accept change.

By nature, they are a workaholic who does not stop till they achieve their goal.

Also, it would be best if they always pay attention to their stress levels and take breaks from their routine often.

They should also be careful about their food as they are liable for diet-related health problems.

They always need to exercise their body to save themself from anxiety and frequent headaches.

It appears that they are impatient and constantly worrying about things; these often cause insomnia.

A balanced diet should always be taken to take care of their teeth and bone.

In conclusion, the elemental connection of those born on 9th January makes them relate better with other people and affects their collaborative spirit, sociability, desire for harmony, and creativity.

And also realized that the positive and negative traits of a Capricorn is largely due to their environment and experiences in life. Not all CAPRICORNS are alike. ♑

You Don’t Just Lose Someone Once

Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted … Matthew 5:4

Grief is love; a reluctance to let go.

Grief is the final act of love we give to those who have passed. 

Coping with the loss of someone or something you love is one of life’s greatest sufferings.

Often, the pain of loss can feel too much; an intense feeling of sadness and overwhelming sorrow.

The length of time someone grieves will depend on you, your circumstances, and the type of significant loss you’ve experienced.

Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.

On average, normal grief can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years or more or forever.

Depression is usually the longest and most difficult stage of grief.

The moment we learn of our loss, our brain triggers the fight-or-flight response.

This heightened state puts extra stress on our organs and bodily functions, and we would usually experience it for a few minutes to 48 hours.

But after bereavement, the effects of the fight-or-flight response can continue for months.

Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.’

Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything.

What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.

Imani (Faith)

Kwanzaa is a time of learning, family, and celebration.

On January 1st, the final day of Kwanzaa, celebrants light the last green candle for the principle of imani (pronounced “ee-MAH-nee”). 

Imani translates to “faith.” Remember that Kwanzaa is a non-religious celebration, but faith here refers to the family and community traditions as a spiritual center.

It is a belief in community leaders, teachers, and loved ones, past and present.

Out With The Old In With The New

❤  I Wish You A Prosperous Year Filled With Personal Fulfillment And Professional Success And Spiritual Enlightenment 🥂 ✨

Spread Love Wherever You Go

Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

Y’all, we made it to the end of 2023, thank God!!!

Simply aiming to spread love and treat others with respect and kindness in your daily life can create that ripple effect of positivity with everyone you come in contact with.

What not everyone realizes is that these acts can impact the giver in meaningful ways, too.

People don’t even have to be sad or suffering to spread our love and happiness to them.

We could use a little more kindness, love, and light in our lives … and this world.

Let us always meet each other with a smile, for our smile is the beginning of love.

I Wish You A Prosperous Year Filled With Personal Fulfillment And Professional Success And Spiritual Enlightenment

Kuumba (Creativity)

Kwanzaa is a time of learning, family, and celebration.

Kuumba (pronounced “ko-OOM-bah”) is the principle of creativity.

This can, of course, refer to individual creativity, but the focus is on improving and bringing beauty to your community through that creativity, whether it’s art, dance, music, or literature.

You light the last red candle for kuumba.

Nia (Purpose)

Kwanzaa is a time of learning, family, and celebration.

Nia (pronounced “NEE-ah”), which means “purpose,” is the fifth principle of Kwanzaa. 

Nia can refer to being proactive in setting your own personal goals, but it also encourages you to think outward and look at goals that can benefit the larger community.

It can mean purpose for your own future, the financial purpose of your family, or the collective purpose of your economic community.

To commemorate nia, you light the second green candle on the fifth day.

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)

Kwanzaa is a time of learning, family, and celebration.

Ujamaa (pronounced “oo-JAH-maa”) is the principle of cooperative economics.

This goes beyond the mass spending associated with the holiday season.

Ujamaa focuses on a concerted effort to pool resources (financial and otherwise) together to benefit Black communities and neighborhoods and essentially build a more communal sense of “profit.”

On the fourth day, you light the second red candle.

Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility)

Kwanzaa is a time of learning, family, and celebration.

Ujima (pronounced “oo-JEE-mah”) focuses on the collective responsibility for both achievements and setbacks in the community.

This principle reminds celebrants that building each other up is the best way to truly solve problems.

On the third day, you light the first green candle to the immediate right of the black candle.

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)

Kwanzaa is a time of learning, family, and celebration.

The second principle of Kwanzaa is kujichagulia (pronounced “koo-jee-CHA-goo-LEE-ah”), or “self-determination.”

Traditionally, you light the first red candle to the immediate left of the black candle.

Its focus is building your identity as a person and a community, both historically and in the present day, by asking the question, “Who am I?” Kujichagulia also encourages the question, “Am I all that I ought to be?”

Note that, although the black candle is always first, the order and color of the other candles will vary based on household traditions and personal choice.

Umoja (Unity)

Kwanzaa is a time of learning, family, and celebration.

Umoja (Unity)

On the first day of Kwanzaa (December 26th), members of the African-American community focus on the principle of umoja (pronounced “oo-MOH-juh”).

This principle emphasizes the importance of unity in all areas, including family, community, nation, and race.

You light the center black candle in dedication to umoja on day one.

Merry Christmas

The good news of Christmas is that even when the world or our circumstances change – the message of Christmas is timeless.

Because Christmas is about the birth of God’s Son – Jesus. It is about how he came to give us love, hope and joy.

The Meaning Of Christmas

Christmas is a time of spiritual reflection on the important foundations of the Christian faith.

It’s also a celebration. It’s when Christians celebrate God’s love for the world through the birth of the Christ child: Jesus.

To give up one’s very self — to think only of others — how to bring the greatest happiness to others — that is the true meaning of Christmas.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ~John 3:16-17

Christmas can be a season of great joy.

It is a time of God showing His great love for us.

It can be a time of healing and renewed strength.

Sure, enjoy the season but remember to rejoice as well!

After all, the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of God’s ultimate gift: the birth of Jesus, the Christ child.

Being Thankful

Richard Roundtree … 🕊 💖

(July 9, 1942 – October 24, 2023)

Transitioned –
He was 81

“The first black action hero”

For his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft, and its four sequels, released between 1972 and 2019.

For his performance in the original film, Roundtree was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor in 1972.

The cause of his death was pancreatic cancer.

Roundtree began his professional career around 1963.

Roundtree began modeling in the Ebony Fashion Fair after being scouted by Eunice W. Johnson.

After his modeling success with the Fashion Fair, Roundtree began modeling for such products as Johnson Products’ Duke hair grease.

In 1967, Roundtree joined the Negro Ensemble Company. His first role while a part of the company was portraying boxing legend Jack Johnson in the company’s production of The Great White Hope.

Roundtree was a leading man in early 1970s blaxploitation films, his best-known role being detective John Shaft in the action movie, Shaft (1971) and its sequels, Shaft’s Big Score! (1972) and Shaft in Africa (1973).

Roundtree also appeared opposite Laurence Olivier and Ben Gazzara in Inchon (1981).

On television, he played the slave Sam Bennett in the 1977 television series Roots and Dr. Daniel Reubens on Generations from 1989 to 1991.

Muhammad Ali

“Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights… But I have said it once and I will say it again. The real enemy of my people is right here. I will not disgrace my religion, my people or myself by becoming a tool to enslave those who are fighting for their own justice, freedom and equality.”

I love hearing him speak; so confident, wise, funny, and charismatic.

But not only did Muhammad Ali break records in the boxing ring.

Being the first boxer to win three world heavyweight title championship bouts.

He also was an advocate for us, standing up for social justice and espousing powerful messages of Black pride throughout his lifetime.

A Story Of Reflection

My parents were married for 55 years. One morning, my mom was going downstairs to make dad breakfast, she had a heart attack and fell. My father picked her up as best he could and almost dragged her into the truck.

At full speed, without respecting traffic lights, he drove her to the hospital.

When he arrived, unfortunately she was no longer with us.

During the funeral, my father did not speak; his gaze was lost. He hardly cried.

That night, his children joined him. In an atmosphere of pain and nostalgia, we remembered beautiful anecdotes and he asked my brother, a theologian, to tell him where Mom would be at that moment. My brother began to talk about life after death, and guesses as to how and where she would be.

My father listened carefully. Suddenly he asked us to take him to the cemetery.

Dad!” we replied, “it’s 11 at night, we can’t go to the cemetery right now!”

He raised his voice, and with a glazed look he said:
“Don’t argue with me, please don’t argue with the man who just lost his wife of 55 years.”

There was a moment of respectful silence, we didn’t argue anymore. We went to the cemetery, we asked the night watchman for permission.

With a flashlight we reached the tomb. My father caressed her, prayed and told his children, who watched the scene moved:
“It was 55 years… you know? No one can talk about true love if they have no idea what it’s like to share life with a woman.”

He paused and wiped his face. “She and I, we were together in that crisis. I changed jobs …” he continued. “We packed up when we sold the house and moved out of town.”

We shared the joy of seeing our children finish their careers, we mourned the departure of loved ones side by side, we prayed together in the waiting room of some hospitals, we support each other in pain, we hug each Christmas, and we forgive our mistakes…

Children, now it’s gone, and I’m happy, do you know why?

Because she left before me. She didn’t have to go through the agony and pain of burying me, of being left alone after my departure. I will be the one to go through that, and I thank God. I love her so much that I wouldn’t have liked her to suffer…

When my father finished speaking, my brothers and I had tears streaming down our faces. We hugged him, and he comforted us, “It’s okay, we can go home, it’s been a good day.”

That night I understood what true love is; It is far from romanticism, it does not have much to do with eroticism, or with sex, rather it is linked to work, to complement, to care and, above all, to the true love that two really committed people profess “.
Peace in your hearts.

George Wallace

Wishing American comedian and actor George Henry Wallace a happy birthday today (born July 21, 1952 in Atlanta, GA).

He starred in his own HBO special and has appeared on many television shows, including The Tonight Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show and Late Night with David Letterman.

Wallace became a regular at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood, California, which also featured artists including Richard Pryor, Rodney Dangerfield, Roseanne Barr, Jay Leno and Robin Williams.

Wallace also took his comedy show on the road, opening for George Benson, Diana Ross, Donna Summer and Smokey Robinson, among others.

Wallace was named the Best Male Standup Comedian during the 1995 American Comedy Awards.

Remembering Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson, often referred to as the “King of Pop,” was an American singer, songwriter, and dancer.

He was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, USA, and passed away on June 25, 2009, in Los Angeles, California.

Jackson rose to prominence as a member of the Jackson 5, a music group formed with his brothers in the 1960s.

However, he achieved even greater success as a solo artist. His breakthrough album, “Thriller” (1982), became the best-selling album of all time, earning him widespread acclaim and catapulting him to international superstardom.

The album featured iconic songs such as “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and the title track “Thriller.”

Known for his dynamic stage presence and innovative dance moves, Jackson revolutionized the music industry with his unique blend of pop, rock, and R&B.

His music videos, including “Thriller,” “Bad,” and “Black or White,” became cultural phenomena and showcased his unmatched talent as a performer.

Jackson’s influence extended beyond music. He used his platform to address social issues and promote humanitarian causes.

He was involved in numerous charitable endeavors, including supporting organizations focused on children’s rights, humanitarian aid, and the fight against HIV/AIDS.

While Jackson’s career was marked by tremendous success, he also faced personal challenges and controversies.

Accusations of child molestation tarnished his reputation and led to legal battles.

Throughout his life, he was both celebrated for his artistic contributions and subjected to intense scrutiny.

Despite the controversies, Michael Jackson’s impact on popular culture is undeniable.

His contributions to music, dance, and performance have left an indelible mark.

His influence can be seen in the work of countless artists who have followed in his footsteps.

Jackson’s legacy continues to be celebrated, and his music remains beloved by fans around the world.

The Man, The Legend, A King

Chadwick Aaron Boseman (November 29, 1976 – August 28, 2020) was an American actor. During his two-decade career, Boseman received two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a Critics’ Choice Movie Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award, among other accolades. He was also nominated for an Academy Award.

Chadwick Aaron Boseman was born and raised in Anderson, South Carolina. According to Boseman, DNA testing indicated that some of his ancestors were Krio people and Limba people from Sierra Leone, and Yoruba people from Nigeria.

In his youth, Boseman practiced martial arts, and continued this training as an adult. Boseman graduated from T. L. Hanna High School in 1995, where he played on the basketball team. In his junior year, he wrote his first play, Crossroads, and staged it at the school after a classmate was shot and killed. He competed in Speech and Debate in the National Speech and Debate Association at T. L. Hanna. He placed eighth in Original Oratory at the 1995 National Tournament.

He was recruited to play basketball at college but chose the arts instead, attending college at Howard University in Washington, D.C., and graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing.

Simone Ledward & Chadwick Boseman, who had been together for five years got married in a private ceremony just months before his death.

After studying directing at Howard University, Boseman began his career in theatre, winning a Drama League Directing Fellowship and an acting AUDELCO, along with receiving a Jeff Award nomination for his 2005 play Deep Azure. Transitioning to the screen, his first major role was as a series regular on the NBC drama Persons Unknown (2010) and he landed his breakthrough performance as baseball player Jackie Robinson in the 2013 biographical film 42. He continued to portray historical figures, starring as singer James Brown in Get on Up (2014) and as attorney Thurgood Marshall in Marshall (2017).

Boseman achieved international fame for playing the Marvel Comics superhero Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) from 2016 to 2019. He appeared in four MCU films, including an eponymous 2018 film that earned him an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. As the first black actor to headline an MCU film, he was also named in the 2018 Time 100. Boseman’s final performance as the character in the Disney+ anthology series What If…? (2021) earned him a posthumous Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance.

In 2016, Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer. He kept his condition private, continuing to act until his death in 2020 from the illness. His final film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, was released posthumously the same year to critical acclaim, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama. Boseman also received four nominations at the 27th Screen Actors Guild Awards for his work in Da 5 Bloods and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the most for a performer at a single ceremony, winning Male Actor in a Leading Role for the latter.

Time To Celebrate You

Time is never wasted that’s what I believe
I’m fine and alive so I might as well breath
I need a one way ticket to paradise
I never look back, I wanna celebrate life.

Start your day with gratitude. Setting a positive ambiance early on can significantly affect your mood for the rest of the day.

We should be enjoying our life to the fullest as opposed to simply going through the movements.

Exactly how this celebration manifests itself is different for everyone and their life’s experiences. 

Taking the time to be genuinely grateful for your life is celebrating yourself. It increases our confidence.

Many of us have limiting beliefs about ourselves in at least one area of our lives, which results in a decrease in confidence.

The more that you celebrate yourself, the more your confidence raises.

Why is self-worth so essential to happiness and our celebration of life? Because our views about ourselves not only affect how we feel; they also affect our thoughts and behaviors.

When we feel bad about ourselves, we unconsciously act in ways that end up confirming our beliefs.

Celebrating yourself is one of the best things you can do. It’s a great way to boost your mood and to recharge after a long day.

So don’t think twice about it, do whatever makes you happy. You deserve it.

Mississippi Born: Jackie Slater

Jackie Slater was born on May 27, 1954 in Jackson. He is a former football player who played as a offensive tackle for 20 seasons in the NFL. He played his entire career with the Rams franchise: 19 seasons in Los Angeles from 1976–1994, and one in St. Louis in 1995.

A graduate of Jackson State, he was a teammate of Walter Payton. Slater later credited Payton as the player who “taught him to compete in practice”. He was selected to the Southwestern Athletic Conference All-Star Game three times. After his senior season, he was invited to participate in the College All-Star Game.

Drafted in the third round of the 1976 NFL Draft, Slater seldom played his first few years before starting in 1979. Known as the most consistent member of one of the most potent offensive lines in NFL history, Slater was selected to seven Pro Bowls and broke a record for most seasons with one team. His jersey number was retired, and he was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

Mississippi Born: Gerald McRaney

Gerald McRaney was born on August 19, 1947 in Collins. He is a television and movie actor. McRaney is best known as one of the stars of the television shows Simon & Simon, Major Dad, Promised Land and House of Cards. He currently stars as Admiral Hollace Kilbride on NCIS: Los Angeles.

He was a series regular in the first season of Jericho and the final season of Deadwood. He appeared in a recurring role as main antagonist Mason Wood in season eight of Castle. Recently, he played Barlow Connally in the A&E series Longmire and had a recurring role in the NBC series This Is Us as Dr. Nathan Katowski, a role which earned him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.

Before finding success as an actor, McRaney attended college at Ole Miss and worked in the Louisiana oil fields.

Don’t Die With Your Dead

Did you know that when you cry for your dead, you cry for you and not them?

You cry because you “lost them”, because you don’t HAVE THEM by your side. You think it all ends in death. And you think they are NOT there anymore.

So if they’re dead no more, where are they?

Yes they have left, or they are now somewhere else, is that place better than this?

Yes, definitely that place is better than this; so Why do you suffer for their departure?

When you have finished accepting that they are no longer “NOT here”, but they are still in another place even better than this, for they’re where they are no longer sick, or suffering.

Then you’ll stop mourning them and you’ll get them back in memory so they keep accompanying you with the joy of all that you’ve lived.

If you truly loved them LOVE them AGAIN and this time with greater strength, with greater purity, with greater delivery.

Today, there will be no more reproach of any kind.

Only LOVE, will be the essence between you, between us, between them.

I respect your pain, and the way you express it. I know you cry and you will cry without comfort.

But .. Today I say to you:
Don’t die with your dead. Celebrate their life and cherish the memories.

Remember we are only seeing one side of the coin (death).

We are not looking the other way; we are not seeing the wonderful place of light where they stand.

What if we start seeing “death” as a Second Birth?

Second Birth we ALL will go through.

Don’t die with your dead, honor them by living your life as they would have wanted you to.

Let them transcend.

And you keep living.