Can’t Donate Money?? Well many Residential Homes for Disabled Adults are in need of Art Supplies, Board Games or your time as a Volunteer. Are you a gifted and talented photographer? Well many adults with Autism are eager to learn photography and would be delighted to have you as a teacher!!
People with Autism are very creative, talented and gifted and enjoy expressing their creativity. Please Observe my brother Stephen as Artist. Drawing and creating collages are just one of the many ways he expresses himself as an Artist.
Gideon’s Greeting
When the angel of the Lord found Gideon cowering in fear from the Midianites, the angel said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12 NIV). So say those words to yourself whenever you are afraid. Even when, like Gideon, you don’t feel anything like a warrior, say, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
I’m participating in a discussion on race relations with two other women bloggers one Black one white. These are my thoughts thus far. I’m starting in Media Res.
For my American Followers and Subscribers I want you to really think and consider those of us who are not white and who have helped build this country over the last 400 years then go to the polls and VOTE!!
If only more people were open minded and accepting. I’m fortunate to work in a multi-cultural environment and live in a diverse city, New York. Over the years I’ve had to let go of my old hard line dogmatic religious beliefs as I’ve met and gotten to know people of other races. Now I have friends who are Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim as well as Jewish and Christian friends. I know if I had been born in those countries my belief system would have been different.
Who am I to say who is better or best when I worship a Jewish Carpenter.
I agree when you say that some whites don’t want to understand. I work for a museum in an upper class rich and wealthy neighborhood and the days following the two Black men who were slain this past summer as I stood in the galleries I could not understand how these white people families women with children could smile, laugh and joke while so many Black families were and still are in mourning. Then it dawned on me. Black people dying is in a separate world. Not of their circle. For them Blacks only exist as servants, maids, Nannies, Home Health care workers, MTA (Transit) workers, Janitors or security guards like myself. We clean floors, bathrooms, drive the buses and subways, mind their kids but outside of that sphere we don’t exist as human beings. More and more as time goes on I get the distinct impression that white America wants to return to the days of slavery or at least Jim Crow. Something my mother, grandparents and great grandparents went through. There hope was that life would be better for my brother and me.
At least not to most white Americans. We are stereotypes and caricatures not real people. The particular neighborhood where I work is located in what is called the “Gold Coast” of Manhattan. Doorman apartments and upper class private schools. These people make a show of voting for Obama and Hillary Clinton however the comments I and my co-workers of color must endure reveal their underlying beliefs as concerns race. I wear a uniform that represents my museum yet white people consistently think I’m either a drug dealer or sex worker??!! How?? What?? Why?? It never occurs to them in a million years that I am a college graduate and an U.S. Army Veteran and so are many of my co-workers who are not only brilliant but multi-lingual who have taken a job well below our intellect and skills due to the economy, ageism and the road blocks of racism to better employment opportunities. We do these jobs to feed our families, pay our bills, educate our children, take care of our parents, buy homes, etc…. Keep in mind that immigrants of All Colors built this country. Fought and died for this country!!
If only I could be seen as a unique human being created by God but I know I will never see that in my lifetime. I never married nor had children but I hope and pray future generations get past and/or never experience some of the racism, discrimination or bigotry that is my every day life.
As one who is descended from African, European and Native American roots I leave you with this song.
I cry when I hear this song and I cry for my country. My country that does not want me. My country whose white citizens constantly tell me “Why don’t you go back to Africa?” How can I return to a place I’ve never been?? Why don’t the contributions of my ancestors count? Also part of me is Native American so actually This is My Country!! Yes white America this is my country whether you like it or not and I’m not leaving. Think on this song then make your decision Tuesday, November 8th Election Day
The Judds – Love Can Build a Bridge
Veterans Day for Americans is coming November 11th. Please keep in mind All the Veterans of Color who have served this country been loyal and faithful to this country only to be slapped in the face by our government and its citizens!!
Thanks goes out to the Navajo Code Talkers, The Japanese-American troops during World War II, Hispanic-Americans, Jewish-Americans and Arab Americans and those who are currently serving yet being ridiculed!!
Thank you Mr. Khan, your wife and family who gave the most!!
Khan Family Full Speech at DNC | Muslim Soldier’s Parents Challenge Trump
1978 Augsburg, Germany
Deborah Ann Palmer U.S. Army 1977-1981
William H. Halstead name as inscribed on the Colored Soldiers Monument in Washington, DC
Had my first B12 Booster shot Saturday morning. The offices are nice and clean. The gentleman who is a nurse who gave me my shot was professional and polite. He is also very good looking and easy on the eyes!! LOL!! Yes young folks I still look at men even at my age! LOL!!
I did feel energized afterwards. Also treated myself to a manicure and a pedicure. The way I figure we are not on this earth just to work and pay bills. I work loads of overtime and I might as well spend some of that money on me. Naturally I always make sure that my rent is paid. One must have a place to live and New York winters are brutal.
I was able to go on an extended Soulful Strut (that’s what I call my photography walks) along 8th Avenue in Manhattan. The pictures will be posted both here and on my photography blog Roaming Urban Gypsy. https://roamingurbangypsy.com/
Once I pay my landlord, purchased my Metro Card (bus & subway), utility and phone bills I try to buy myself a small treat. For those of you wondering I pay cash. No credit cards for me. Also Yes I am saving for retirement. That comes out of my paycheck automatically and goes into a Fidelity Savings plan that I cannot touch until I’m 59 or probably 60. As a Union employee I also get a pension. When I turn 62 God Willing I will apply for and collect Social security.
Obviously due to my girlfriends death emotionally I’m still sad, distressed and upset but her passing has motivated me to take better care of myself physically. There is not much I can do about my feelings. Nobody feels happy or joyful when a close friend dies. However in light of all that has happened my faith and reliance on God deepens.
Of course one can take all the vitamins in the world, eat the right foods, exercise all day long and then get hit by a truck or bus but all things being equal and having no control over accidents I hope to outlive my friend, co-workers, my parents and many of my relatives who have died in their 50s and 60s. Since I turned 50 in 2009 I’ve seen, heard and been to more wakes and funerals than I care to admit. I guess the key is to make it past 65. My goal is to live to be 70 an age that neither one of my parents achieved. At least one can apply for social security at 62 and have a few years to enjoy oneself before traveling to the great beyond.
I never smoked. Rarely drink alcohol. Eat very little red meat and no dairy. I do some moderate exercise usually walking during the week. I’m open to new health technologies. Reviv | IV Therapy infusion is one that I shall participate in on a regular consistent basis as long as I’m able. Everybody wants to live a long life but living a long life without good health is worthless. Who wants to be a vegetable, in a nursing home or become a burden to one’s family members if you’re fortunate to have living relatives who even desire to care for you.
Since I never married nor had children the onus is on me. Also my brother Stephen is another great inspiration and motivation for me to be my Personal Best. Stephen is the World’s Greatest Autism Guy and in excellent physical condition. Only the two of us now so Stephen relies on me. Once I retire in approximately two years I want Stephen and I to be able to do fun activities and enjoy our Golden Years together.
Dearest Sister Friend. Last Saturday you stepped out of time and into eternity. You went from Labor to Reward. Your Loss was felt by co-workers, friends and family. I miss you smile. I miss you laughter. I miss your corny jokes while standing waiting for the Cross Town Bus. You were a Rose among the thorns. Softness in a bed of thorns. A Jewel who shined everywhere you went. Bringing Joy, Happiness, and Laughter to everyone who was Blessed to be in your presence.
Taken way too soon. You made your short time on this earth count. Beloved by many. Missed by all. Gone but never forgotten. Another Angel returned to God.
Rest in Peace My Precious Sister. Sunrise: November 29, 1958. Sunset: October 22, 2016.
We will meet again. I Love You Bernadine. You’re still my Girl! Wear that Heavenly Crown!
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
King James Version (KJV)
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
It’s a rainy Sunday here in New York. Chillier than yesterday. Neither good nor bad. Just is. Sunday a day of reflection and worship for many Christians. I’m not a regular church goer. My attendance in a brick and mortar building is a rare occurrence. Gradually the Baptist Faith of my youth has morphed into an appreciation and Liberation from the confines, dogma and doctrine of the traditional church. All faiths both traditional and indigenous for me have become one. All are pieces of the original stone. Yet I feel the call of my Ancient Ancestral beliefs calling me home. I Long for the Zion of Africa.
Psalm 137:1-4
New King James Version (NKJV)
Longing for Zion in a Foreign Land
137 By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion. 2 We hung our harps Upon the willows in the midst of it. 3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, And those who plundered us requested mirth, Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song In a foreign land?
Rivers of Babylon-The Melodians
For me I imbibe the magnificence of Creation more and more through Mother Nature herself. Even if I can’t be near a park or beach because of my heavy work schedule I see myself walking the beach early in the morning when there are only the seagulls flying overhead, the ebb and flow of waves lapping at sand. Or I’m at the park. Perhaps Central Park or Prospect Park. Touching the trees, heavy protruding boulders, taking off my shoes making that connection to land.
I crave Oneness with Gaia, The Goddess, Mother Nature. African and Native American prior to the Colonizer. Praises to Oshun!!
Any Green-space where Gaia has left her mark in millennium stones, rocks and boulders pushed surface up that speak of eons past.
One hand touches rocks and stones. Voices of Tribal past speak Wisdom into my Life. Feet Grounded within Earth, Sand and Seas.
All geological evolutionary eras merge as one.
I was there at the Jordan baptizing Jesus. My flowing locs once jet black now white with mystical waves. I shook my bountiful mane and the earth trembled. Oshun welcomes back her prodigal son.
Oshun pushed aside Neptune and gathered up her children drowned lost in Middle Passage. Watery graveyard. We search for each other. Shackled together. Far from the Motherland of our birth.
Brought on deck. Bound. Iron to Iron. Men. Women. Some pregnant. Children. Tossed like so much excess baggage from the good ship Amistad.
We cried out to the Goddess for Salvation. Swept away into the Abyss. Poseiden stepped on our necks and took our breath away. Only the Goddess of Our Royal Bloodline can redeem us. Our Orisha came and gathered our spirits into Her Bosom.
Meditate on Her. Meditate on Her.
I am She who was from the Beginning. I Birthed the Earth into Existence. All others who came after are just minor manifestations of true Grace. Manifestations of the Original Reigning Goddess.
She poured fragrant Libation upon our weary souls. She oiled the depths of our spirits. Deliverance was nigh. The New Sojourner Truth criss-crosses the Land gathering. Gathering. Sowing. Reaping. Transformation.
Psalm 137:1-4
New King James Version (NKJV)
Longing for Zion in a Foreign Land
137 By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion. 2 We hung our harps Upon the willows in the midst of it. 3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, And those who plundered us requested mirth, Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song In a foreign land?
Espiritu en Fuego/A Fiery Spirit 