Joy, Peace, Happiness of Soulful Struts

On November 30, 2015 By dancingpalmtreesIn Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, Brownsville, Edward G. Palmer, Edward Gordon Palmer, Edward Palmer, Grover Washington Jr - Soulful Strut, Pitken Avenue, Soulful Strut, Stephen Vincent Palmer, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized4 Comments

My little Thanksgiving mini-vacation is coming to an end. I’ve been off from work since Thanksgiving and I had a great time being with Stephen and my New Jersey cousins. That was lots of fun. Always great breaking bread with those we Love.

Friday Stephen and I spend a rather quiet day together and Yes I had him outside walking with me on a Soulful Strut. He rather enjoyed it. Stephen had a big smile on his face as the two of us pumped arms and legs strutting proudly like peacocks along Fulton Street in Brooklyn. I did not make him walk too far and we did stop so I could purchase him some much need clothing. So he got some goodies out of the deal as well as exercise. When I retire Spring 2018 I will be taking photos full-time.

I Love My Soulful Struts. Part of my inspiration for taking long leisurely daytime strolls aside from my doctor telling me to exercise was reading the book Wanderlust: A History of Walking by Rebecca Solnit. Excellent book. I highly recommend reading this book.

Every day I tell God and the Universe that I want to be able to do my Soulful Struts five days a week enabling me to not only get much needed exercise but present me with more photographic opportunities. As many of you know I have a Photography Blog called Roaming Urban Gypsy and that’s what I am, a Roving Street Photographer.

My Dad Edward G. Palmer was an amateur photographer. He used to have his photos made into Kodachrome Kodak slides. I still have the slides many dating back to the early 1950s in my closet. Let’s hope they are not dissolving!! Dad also specialized in Black & White photos. This was back in the days of film and having to get that film developed. Daddy had a great day of expertise and would have made an excellent photo-journalist.

I Love taking pictures of my Beloved New York City then showcasing them on Roaming Urban Gypsy. Whenever I’m in photo mode I feel so happy, joyful and centered. Anytime I’m doing either writing or photography I feel I’m in my Purpose, my reason for being. Also the walks exhilarate me. I can feel those endorphins pumping me up! Walking exercise and taking pictures gives me a peace of mind and a sense of creativity.

Allow me to share the gems of my photographic excavations!

Pitkin Avenue Mural Dreams

Pitkin Avenue Mural Dreams

Pitkin Promenade

Pitkin Promenade

The Daily Post ~~ Right to Brag| Stephen Vincent Palmer

On November 1, 2015 By dancingpalmtreesIn BeBe & CeCe Winans - Addictive Love - Music Video, BeBe & CeCe Winans - Love Said Not So, Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV), LOST WITHOUT YOU / BEBE & CECE WINANS, Stephen Vincent Palmer, Whitney Houston - His Eye Is On The Sparrow23 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Right to Brag.”

Tell us about something you (or a person close to you) have done recently (or not so recently) that has made you really, unabashedly proud.

Whitney Houston – His Eye Is On The Sparrow

My brother Stephen Vincent Palmer!! Back in 1963 when my parents took him to the doctors to see why he was not speaking those so-called medical professionals wrote him off as being “emotionally disturbed”!! How a then two-year old could be emotionally disturbed is beyond me but my parents said No we are Not going to institutionalize our son! During the 1960s nobody heard of or used the term Autism. Children like Stephen were put away institutions like Creedmor and Willowbrook where they were beaten, starved, abused and lay on the floor in their own waste. Sometimes people would lock “retarded” children away in their attics because of guilt and shame. My parents refused to listen to the doctors, took Stephen home and raised him as best they could. Whatever was in his ability to do he did it. Stephen had household chores just like me. My mother Mable Elizabeth Palmer suffered terribly because ignorant people blamed her for Stephen’s disabilities. I’m sure she cried many days and nights never quite sure how she could best help her son she loved so much. Mothers of disabled children carry heavy burdens. But at least Mom had Dad and together made a road where none had existed before.

All the while my parents Edward & Mable Palmer searched for what few programs and services existed in the 1960s for developmentally disabled children. Thanks Mom & Dad for never giving up on Stephen. I follow in their humble path. Truly Stephen is my and God’s prize and because of him I have pride and joy!

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

BeBe & CeCe Winans – Love Said Not So

But God said Not So!! I have a plan and a purpose for my Beloved son Stephen Vincent Palmer!

Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV)

¹¹For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

For those of you who have a developmentally disabled child or sibling keep in mind no matter what others say know that your loved one is made in God’s image and likeness. Special Needs means special in the Kingdom of God. My brother is the kindest, most caring and compassionate person I know on this earth. I am proud to be called Stephen’s Sister.

Stephen if you were to ever leave my side and if God should call you home before me truly I’d be lost without you. Dearest Brother you mean the world to me. I Love you so much! ❤

LOST WITHOUT YOU / BEBE & CECE WINANS

Stephen I would lay down my life for yours. Your happiness is my #1 concern and goal in life. Ours is an Addictive Love!

BeBe & CeCe Winans – Addictive Love – Music Video

Halloween and the Great Pumpkin

On October 30, 2015October 30, 2015 By dancingpalmtreesIn Charlie Brown, Costumes, Cracker Jack, DeBorah Ann Palmer, Halloween, It's the Great Pumpkin, Renaissance Faire, Sailor, Stephen Vincent Palmer10 Comments

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown — clip

Halloween Last Year 2014. Actually Stephen wore this costume for both Halloween 2013 and 2014. This year I decided he needed a new costume. Stephen went to see Renaissance Faire in upstate New York so we decided on a semi-Renaissance theme for this years Halloween. By today’s end or at least tomorrow morning Get Ready to see the Super Sibs become Ladies and Knights of yore!

Last year I went as a Black Panther, the animal not the radical group from the 60s! This year with Stephen’s input I decided to ditch the animal themes and Go Forth as a Huntress. Stephen will be a Robin Hood with Soul!!

Stay tuned photos of Halloween 2015!!

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/treat/

After You’ve Done All You Can Just Stand

On October 19, 2015 By dancingpalmtreesIn Ocean - Put Your Hand In The Hand (1971, Stand By Donnie McClurkin, Stephen Vincent Palmer16 Comments

Stand By Donnie McClurkin

Put in a call to AHRC New York City, got on their wait list and they will be mailing me out a list of Guardianship Lawyers. The woman answering my call said the wait is usually one to two years. Now that I think that through by the time I actually get a lawyer I’ll be retired!! Somehow this is a cosmic joke and Stephen and I are the punch lines. Ugh!!

In order to remain calm and somewhat stable I’ve been doing lots of praying. I’ve always been a woman of prayer but these last few months in fact since the end of 2014 I’ve been under extreme stress. Finally I’ve begun to fall back on my Baptist upbringing and put all my cares, fears, faults and failures in Jesus hands. Basically As far as my brother Stephen and I are concerned everything is in God’s hands now. I have exhausted all my options and sometimes it seems it’s never enough. I’m never enough. Not good enough. Not smart enough. Lots of shame and guilt. Many times tired and burnt out but still struggling because Stephen is relying on me.

So Lord Jesus I commit my troubled life to you. Let God’s Will be done in our lives. For only God sees the tears I cry at night, is with me through sleepless nights and by my side while I fake smile during the day at work all the while broken inside.

People who are atheists and/or non-believers probably laugh and joke about people like me. People of Faith but let me tell you something when you’ve back is against the wall, Mom and Dad are gone, no husband or boyfriend, friends and family have long left you behind that’s where your Faith comes in otherwise I’d go crazy. Truly Jesus is my only friend. The only one on whom I can rely. Jesus is there in the midnight hour when there is no one else who cares or will listen. One day I will find out why, my purpose and what this struggle all means but as for now I put my hand in his hand.

Ocean – Put Your Hand In The Hand (1971 – HQ) (Original Live Audio)

FMLA Inclusion Act

On October 6, 2015 By dancingpalmtreesIn FMLA Inclusion Act, Hakeem Jeffries, Stephen Vincent Palmer10 Comments

This act did not pass otherwise I would not be having my current troubles. Hopefully it will be reintroduced once again and pass this time. I’ve been working closely with my contact at my Congressman Hakeem Jeffries office as well as my union DC 37. These last seven years have been a real struggle for me and Stephen and I’m hoping that soon we can stop struggling and start living. We are ready for a breakthrough.

https://maloney.house.gov/issues/working-families/family-and-medical-leave

http://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-maloney-re-introduce-family-and-medical-leave-inclusion-act

http://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-maloney-introduce-family-and-medical-leave-inclusion-act

This bill brings some hope but it will not cover my situation.

http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Linda-B-Rosenthal/story/64303/