It’s Quitting Time!

On July 17, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn 101st Airborne Division, 569th PSC, U.S. Army Veteran, Uncategorized, Wide World of Sports

When I was a child there was a program called the Wide World of Sports. A Man’s Voice transposed over a series of sports videos announced the Thrill of Victory and The Agony of Defeat. Well I have come to and must admit to the Agony of Defeat.

I am not the strong woman who I used to be and others might think that I am. My Life in particular my health is totally Out of Order and I’m Not Okay nor is my situation likely to get better.

First of all I want to Thank the 3,318 Followers/Subscribers who have stuck with me over the last six years.

As some of you who have been following my blog for the last four or five years might know sometimes I’ve alluded to my health challenges. I try not to dwell on my health challenges because I don’t want my blog to turn into one giant sob story. You’ve been with me during my attempts to better my overall health and perhaps heal certain conditions in my body. You’ve read about me changing my lifestyle, trying to improve my diet within the restraints of my budget, trips to the health food store, my limited time at the gym until my right knee gave out, my Soulful Struts (walking exercises) which have now come to an end, going with my Japanese Buddhist girlfriend to her temple in the hopes that mediation and/or mindfulness would help me (Nope, I’m way too hyper), Bible Studies, etc….

However now it is not just extreme joint pain but I’m also having difficulty breathing, going up and down stairs is torture, bending, walking, etc… is bodily punishment. Chronic pain along with chronic insomnia is not something I’d wish on my worst enemy. Plus problems with my vision still persist.

I can hear the voices saying I should go to the doctor. Been there. Done that. In fact since I had my stroke in Nov. 2008 I’ve been to the doctor and hospitalized over two dozen times. Nothing helps. In fact some of the medications they gave me in the past made things worse. Another negative factor has risen it’s ugly head. Cost. The prices for co-pays have doubled and in some cases tripled. Now I don’t even make $35K a year in a city where you need to make $70K to live comfortably. So if I must choose between going to the doctor or eating, paying my rent, utilities and transportation well the doctor loses.

Somebody else chimes in well DeBorah you are a Veteran why don’t you go to the VA Hospital? Well if you live anywhere in the U.S.A. you know that the VA hospitals have the worst reputation in the entire country. You either go on a very long waiting list, never get seen and die or they misdiagnose you and you die. Either way you die.

Basically health care in America is for the very rich and the very poor. Nothing for the working class. People who are married or have some family support can fair better during illness. I have neither. I’m forced to admit failure and defeat. Not a pretty picture but I’m a Realist.

Anyway I said all that to say this; More than likely I probably won’t be adding much to this blog. It will go into limbo because I don’t have the strength to keep it up. All Good things must come to an end. At first I thought about deleting it altogether but decided against that since I have some wonderful poetry, stories and commentaries going back six years.

It’s been a good run and thanks for the encouragement, support and memories. I might make an appearance from time to time but those will be brief, far, few and rare.

However I’ve decided to focus completely on my photography blog Roaming Urban Gypsy: https://roamingurbangypsy.com/

You can find me there.

I’ve Closed Comments for this post as there is nothing else to say and I do not wish to respond to any comments.

Gentle Ganesha Stomp

On July 13, 2016February 14, 2017 By dancingpalmtreesIn Gentle Ganesha Stomp, No Man is an Island, Poems, Poetry, Uncategorized3 Comments

When he died All the Elephants gathered at Human House Home. Outside in the red dusky hard clay dirt she beat the ground crying, sobbing, wailing, pouring out her heart in sorrow and grief. Her tears watered each newly formed altar as two more babes were planted within Gaia’s womb.

Each pachyderm delivered a gentle caress with tender trunks lullabying her to sleepscapes. Once bidden by Hypnos and Somnos their nimble trunks carefully placed pillow thatch with moss green bed under her ambient sailing form.

Forming a protective circle swaying tender Tuskers began their slow strange dance.

Gentle Ganesha Stomp.

DeBorah Ann Palmer

https://jennifernicholewells.com/2017/02/14/one-word-photo-challenge-elephant/#like-15119

FEBRUARY 14, 2017 BY JENNIFER NICHOLE WELLS

One Word Photo Challenge: Elephant

Part III: People, Places & Things

If you want to share a literal image of the actual word, do that. But if you’d rather play with word association, post something that reminds you of the specific word, or something you use the word for, do so. It only has to make sense to you. Have fun and keep on photographing!

owpc 2017

This week’s word is Elephant!

Ganesha Mantra to African Drums

‘No Man is an Island’

No man is an island entire of itself; every man 
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; 
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe 
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as 
well as any manner of thy friends or of thine 
own were; any man's death diminishes me, 
because I am involved in mankind. 
And therefore never send to know for whom 
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. 


Olde English Version
No man is an Iland, intire of itselfe; every man
is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine;
if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europe
is the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, as
well as if a Manor of thy friends or of thine
owne were; any mans death diminishes me,
because I am involved in Mankinde;
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.

MEDITATION XVII
Devotions upon Emergent Occasions
John Donne

Joyful Childlike Qualities

On July 12, 2016July 12, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn Brooklyn, Brooklyn Museum, Halloween, Our Red Nose Diaries featuring Red Nose Alfresco Dining!!, Red Nose Dining Alfresco, Stephen the Transformer, Stephen Vincent Palmer, Stephen Vincent Palmer ~~ My Sibling Who Brings out the Wackiness & Quirkiness in Our Worlds, The Brooklyn Museum, Uncategorized15 Comments

Joyful Childlike Qualities

Join The Challenge

Tuesdays Trickles – My thinking corner.

I’ve always felt that my brother Stephen having Autism is a many layered Blessing revealing itself in more amazing ways as time goes on. Despite the fact that he is 55 his mind is about at the level of a eight or nine year old. Stephen may not be sophisticated but he is kind, loving, gentle, sweet, considerate and caring.

I suppose because his mind is mostly in the present and he does not have the capacity to worry about the past or the future Stephen remains “In the Moment.” This gives him the ability to partake of spontaneous fun & games as you can see in the below photos. Stephen balances me. I being the worrywart immediately think of various fun, exciting and adventurous activities that we can do together. Imagination and not being afraid to possibly make a total fool of yourself gives you a Freedom to explore new worlds. You can be a Super Hero or any character real or imagined!!

Stephen Vincent Palmer ~~ My Sibling Who Brings out the Wackiness & Quirkiness in Our Worlds

Stephen’s Special Olympics Days

My Brother Stephen standing next to a Kehinde Wiley painting at the Brooklyn Museum

Stephen, me and the Marvel Universe characters helped Save the World in 2014!!

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Stephen as Scarecrow. Me as Cat Woman.

Me channeling Cat Woman Halloween 2011

Halloween 2015

Halloween 2013 ~ Year of the Tiger!!

Me channeling Cat Woman Halloween 2011

My Avatar ~ Cat Woman

Stephen the Transformer

Stephen as Robin Hood October 30, 2015

DeBorah the Huntress Guardian of the Forest

DeBorah The Huntress & Protector of the Forest

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Our Red Nose Diaries featuring Red Nose Alfresco Dining!!

Barbarians Real and Imagined

On July 10, 2016July 11, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn A guide to debunking ‘black-on-black crime’ and all of its rhetorical cousins, America, Barbarians Real and Imagined, Uncategorized14 Comments

Donation Link

http://fusion.net/story/143613/a-guide-to-debunking-black-on-black-crime-and-all-of-its-rhetorical-cousins/

A guide to debunking ‘black-on-black crime’ and all of its rhetorical cousins

http://fusion.net/story/143613/a-guide-to-debunking-black-on-black-crime-and-all-of-its-rhetorical-cousins/

My mood is still somber. Even with the joy of seeing my brother Stephen on Friday to attend his progress meeting in the back of my mind Stephen even though he has Autism would just be a target to a white cop. A reality that was always there but now has smacked me dead in the face has set into my soul.

For the majority of white America seeing Black Men shot dead in front of their wives and children or watching those children sobbing with grief is just entertainment. They have the option of turning the channel and going on with their lives.

For me it’s personal. It could be my brother. My cousins. My friends. My co-workers. Or it could be me. Remember Sandra Bland.

There is nothing United about these states. No unity whatsoever. Yes we did have that very brief time of unity during 9/11 but as quickly as it came it just as quickly faded away with Black Americans once again being under attack. For the first time in my life I am ashamed to be an American. Shame and regret that I served in the military for what I thought was my country. Harsh realization that my military service in the U.S. Army from 1977-1981, my Dad’s Air-force service during the Korean war and my Great, Great Grandfathers service during the Civil War was in vain and meant nothing. They were not seen as valid Americans nor am I and especially any of the men in my family. America reneged on it’s promise. I actually considered getting my old Army uniform out of storage so I could either burn it or shred it.

I dare say basically to the rest of the world Africa, South America and Europe even with all their problems, America conducts itself as a nation of Barbarians. America. The Shining Example of Democracy?!!

White Americans before you say that All Lives Matter and we are all God’s Children where is the hue cry from white people against innocent Blacks being gunned down or choked by sadistic white cops!! Why aren’t you storming your local police stations and demanding equal treatment for Black people? I see none!! Is that because much of white America sanctions this type of violence?! Or is it the attitude as long as it does not come to my house I’m okay.

Friday attempted dialogue on Facebook with a white female blogger who is a photographer in California. I explained to her that there are no instances that I recall of Black Policemen gunning down innocent white American citizens. Whites have no Murder Roll Call as you see below. Since I had to attend my brother Stephen’s meeting I left the house not knowing what she was putting on my Facebook page. When I returned she had left a litany or ignorant, racist, bigoted, biased comments however one of my Chinese co-workers lowered the boom on her and gave her a verbal tongue lashing and body slam. Not with cursing or foul language but with knowledge, education, and understanding of Black history that was remarkable in one so young! This young Chinese woman was Dropping Jewels on her left and right. Well this white woman never thought she would be challenged especially not by a Chinese woman and she immediately Unfriended me for which I was grateful. I also made sure I Unsubsribed to her blog. Believe me when I see my Chinese co-worker in the locker room on Tuesday I will give her a big hug. She is my Shero!!

Point

In the last ten years think back on all the mass murders committed in the United States. The vast majority committed by crazy angry white men. Now for the most part excluding the ones who killed themselves these madmen were peacefully taken into custody despite that fact that they had just murdered dozens of people. Including the nut who murdered nine Black parishioners in a church!! Not even safe in the House of God! But again this psycho was arrested so he could be held for trial.

What appalls me is that my generation the Baby Boomers were once on the Vanguard of change, equality, equal rights, & civil rights but some of us have sank back into centuries old paradigms and thinking that race equals value. Meaning one of the white race has more value and rights that one who is Black. This saddens me greatly. On the other hand the Millennials ~~ white, Asian, Hispanic for the most part Get it! They will far surpass the Baby Boomers! The Millennials by working collectively with Black Lives Matter and other civil rights organizations are sounding the Clarion call for Justice.

White America should Donald Trump become president in November and fulfill his promise to Make America White Again. Should he enacted policies to expel or exterminate all Blacks, Browns, non-Christian and/or non-white Immigrants from our shores…..Tell me. Where will you be?

Talking About a Revolution

On July 8, 2016July 11, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn Black Lives Matter, DeBorah, DeBorah Ann Palmer, Stephen, Stephen Vincent Palmer, Tracy Chapman — Talkin’ bout a Revolution, Uncategorized4 Comments

This will be your opportunity to disengage, change the channel or leave the building. I know I’m gonna lose a lot of subscribers/followers with the following post but I don’t care.

More Legalized Lynching!! On my way back from the annex building to the main building my co-workers and I suddenly became part of the Black Lives Matter march/demonstration along 5th Avenue. Despite the sadness and anger all races were there for the demonstration, mostly young people but Black, Brown, white, Asian. Everybody is disgusted. Yes they stopped traffic but those cars did not honk their horns because they knew. We all knew. For if this evil continues we will be judged and the judgment will bring condemnation and ruin to the oppressors!!

My co-workers & I all being Black and Brown people were caught up in something powerful. Since I am old enough to remember the Civil Rights movement being enveloped in the demonstration brought back memories and ignited something within me. I still recall my parents talking about lynchings happening during the 1960s. Seems like we have not progressed. No change! History is just repeating itself except this time the police are militarized against Black People.

The song Talking about a Revolution by Tracy Chapman is on replay in my head.

Some fling in Black Folks faces All Lives Matter fully knowing that in this racist, bigoted American society that is not true. How many times have you heard or read about a Black officer shooting innocent white citizens. Name them! Can’t can you? So All Lives Do not Matter. Stop the Bullshit.

The murders of our Black Brothers occurred around July 4th so-called Independence Day. Independence for whom? That document meant nothing to Blacks captured, kidnapped and enslaved in 1776 and means very little to or for Black Americans today unless we force the issue. July 14th 1789 is Bastille Day, France’s Independence celebration. What did the French people do to their oppressors? Well as history has recorded the elite, the monarchy, the oppressors met their deaths via the guillotine. No I’m not condoning violence, war or uprisings but their is little choice for Blacks in America. Very little choice. We cannot stand idly by while our fathers, brothers, uncles, cousins, sisters, etc…are killed by KKK/Nazi demonic cops!! Would you allow your family members, your people to be used for target practice? No! I don’t think so!!

The officers killed in Dallas were really killed by their demented fellow cops who have been on a murder spree to annihilate Black people!! What did you think the response would be from people who are fed up. Protests, marches & demonstrations are great! Yes! Voices must be raised but as the French people did during the French Revolution, during WWII, the slave insurrections in America, the Native Americans who killed the settlers invading their lands, and every other oppressed peoples they fought against organized genocide. They fought for the right to peacefully exist in a nation hell bent on their destruction.

Read your Bible. Especially the Old Testament. The Battle Lines have been drawn.