Share Your World – 2016 Week 35

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Share Your World – 2016 Week 35

With your answers, please remember we are in the SYW world which may not always match our reality.

List 2 things you have to be happy about?

My brother Stephen
My Cat Sylvester
A measure of health and strength
My Blogging Family

As always I get carried away and can’t just list two!!

If you could take a photograph, paint a picture or write a story of any place in the world, what and where would it be?

Hawaii. It’s a place that I’ve yet to visit and is on my list of places to Travel when Retired.

Should children be seen and not heard?

Sounds like what my Dad used to say when we were kids, “That children should be seen and not heard!” Ha! Ha! LOL!! Well that did not work as I was always bugging him. I think he used to say that as a joke. Daddy would come home from work and even though he was tired he would get down on the floor and play with us if we were awake and he always took us places on the weekends to give my Mom a break.

I never had children but when my young cousins were little kids I took them many places and enjoyed their company. Child care can be challenging but I enjoyed babysitting them. I encouraged them to speak up to talk with me. In my opinion communication with kids is vital. Even if you disagree with the child or they say something completely off well that gives the adult the opportunity to explain to them about plants, animals, people and life in general. Always listen to children. They have wonderful unfettered imaginations!

List at least five of your favorite first names.

DeBorah
Stephen
Edward
Mable
Thelma
Helen
William
Eva
Gladys
Clarence
Hattie
Veronica

Yup!! These are all Family Names!! I know this list is more than five but once you get started!!

Family Photo_Collage (1) — Family Photo Collage

Rufus & Chaka Khan – Once You Get Started

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

Health
Well-being
A nice clean safe place to Love. I Love Brooklyn!!
My Cat Sylvester.
Wonderful co-workers with whom I laugh and joke with about the nuttiness on our job.

Dating and Cigarettes

On August 28, 2016August 28, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn cigarettes, Dating, Smokers, Smoking, Uncategorized, Undertaker10 Comments

Dating and Cigarettes for me is a non-negotiable. If you’re a smoker don’t even look my way. Bad breath. Yellow teeth. Stinky hair and clothing. Ugh!

I hate cigarette smoke as it aggravates my allergies. Many years ago when I used to go out to clubs and bars (Ladies Night Out) I’d always have to wash my hair and shower when I got home because my hair and clothing reeked of cigarette smoke! Yuck!! Ugh!!

New York City has banned smoking in most bars, restaurants, clubs, cultural institutions, etc…. but you still must negotiate city streets populated by dedicated smokers who must light up despite knowing that smoking will eventually kill them.

Unfortunately a day at the park can be easily ruined once a smoker sits in your vicinity and decides to light up. Then you have to get up and move because your air space is being violated!

On one note I do think it is an addiction because my Dad started smoking when he was 17, quit at age 50 but still died at age 65 (stroke & cancer). That was back in 1995 when he passed away. Now the price of a pack of ciggies is sky high. I believe almost $20 per pack but loyal smokers don’t allow the high cost to deter them. In my low-income neighborhood you can get “loosies.” Or buy them in bulk from Indian reservations.

As for me I stay as far away as possible from smokers as is humanly possible. I don’t date guys who smoke either because they are like walking foul ash trays. Plus I don’t want to be any man’s nurse. I’m not about to be pushing your around in a wheelchair or watch you gasping for air from an oxygen tank all because you refuse to take care of yourself. If you’re overweight, out of shape, smoke or drink Go Look for a Nurse/Undertaker because you will surely need one in the few years you’ve got left on the planet.

Portraits | Faded Photos ~~ Vibrant Memories

On August 10, 2016August 10, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn BILL WITHERS GRANDMA'S HANDS, DeBorah, DeBorah Ann Palmer, Edward G. Palmer, Edward Gordon Palmer, Edward Palmer, Eva Gordon Palmer, Eva Sophronia Gordon Palmer, Eva Sophronia Gordon Palmer -- Grandmother, Family, Mother Zion A.M.E. church, Sly & The Family Stone - A Family Affair, Uncategorized, William Junius Palmer, William Palmer13 Comments

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TheDailyPost

DISCOVER CHALLENGE

Portraits

Paint a picture with words, capture someone on film, sketch a face in the crowd — this week, share a portrait.

Eva Sophronia Gordon Palmer -- Grandmother — Paternal Grandmother Eva Sophronia Gordon Palmer

Eva Sophronia Gordon born 1891. Married William Junius Palmer January 1919. First child Stanley born September 1919 died of Polio. Daughters Helen, Thelma and Eva all Lived. Eva’s twin William born 1922 also died of polio. Her last child my Father Edward Gordon Palmer was born 1930. He was the only boy to survive. His nickname was Precious.

I often wonder how my grandmother coped with losing two of her children but I suppose in those days there was little time to grieve plus eventually other children to care for. My Grandmother was a member of Mother Zion A.M.E. church so I’m sure that gave her comfort.

My Grandmother Eva was my Grandfather’s second wife. His first wife died and he needed a wife to care for him plus his first set of kids. My Grandmother needed a husband so as the story goes it was arranged for my Grandmother to cook my Grand Dad a meal. Must have been a good meal because they got married and stayed married until the early 1960s when they passed away.

Funerals tend to present you with unexpected family information on or about people you never knew existed. In May 1995 when my father Edward G. Palmer passed away I encountered some cousins I never knew I had. What shocked me was the man telling me that we were related was a tall white guy with blue eyes!! Then the stories of my Grandfather’s first wife began to make sense and the reason why he had a sudden departure from Petersburg, VA. His first wife was white! All during my childhood I had heard how my grandparents took in these kids, white kids but as I grew up that made no sense. Jim Crow was the law of the land and Miscegenation (whites marrying Blacks and vice versa) was a crime (Miscegenation Law was not abolished until 1968). I suppose my grandparents had to come up with some kind of story so that’s the tale I was told. It also explains why he never discussed his childhood or young adult years with my Dad. Some things are better left unsaid.

My Grandfather died when I was very young so I have no memory of him and very little of my Grandmother. I was around five or six when she passed away so my memories of her are faded, distant and dim but I always try to hang onto our trips into Harlem to visit her. This has imprinted on my mind. When I think back I can still see her apartment and envision the living room, kitchen one of the bedrooms and some of her furnishings. It’s very important to keep those Memory Portraits fresh in ones mind.

Again in 2010 when the last of the Greatest Generation my Aunt Helen Palmer Garcia made her passage to the other side I met more of these “hidden” cousins. Unfortunately even though at that time I exchanged information with them we have not stayed in touch and I moved in 2012 so it would be difficult for me to find them or them to find me.

As we gathered in Aunt Helen’s church for the repast someone took a photo of our Rainbow Family but like everything else on my hard drive it has decided to hide. When you see my relatives we truly are a mixed race mosaic of America.

Edward Gordon Palmer 1935 — My Dad Edward Gordon Palmer as a child in Harlem. This photograph was taken by famous Harlem Renaissance Photographer James Van Der Zee.

James Van Der Zees former Photo Studio

Grandfather_4kids_1926 — Grandfather William Palmer with his children 1922, Mt.Morris Park, Harlem, New York.

Grandma Eva's Music Sewing Box — Grandma Eva Sophronia Gordon Palmer — Grandmother Music Sewing Box

Memory Lane – Minnie Riperton

BILL WITHERS GRANDMA’S HANDS

Sly & The Family Stone – A Family Affair

Anger Mgmt 101

On July 30, 2016July 30, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn DeBorah, DeBorah Ann Palmer, Edward G. Palmer, Edward Gordon Palmer, Edward Palmer, LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out, Mable Elizabeth Palmer, Mable Palmer, Nubia, Nubian Ninja, Phenomenon - LL Cool J, U.S. Army Veteran, Uncategorized, Vietnam27 Comments

Today at work I had a good laugh. One of the male security guards actually went to one of our Lady Shop Stewards to complain that his feelings were hurt because I stop speaking to him. I nearly burst out laughing but I managed to contain my chuckles because dickhead knew very well why I stopped speaking to him.

After a prior incident where he not only insulted me but had nerve to do it in front of the visitors well I blasted him good. My initials stand for Don’t Play. This is a job where we are required to be professional. If you got beef with me you need to talk to me in private not in front of the general public. I warned him then and there that I don’t know who you think you’re talking to but you picked the wrong one. Unfortunately if you work in a department that’s mostly male you’re gonna have men who challenge you or attempt to intimidate you.

I don’t do challenge or intimidation. Just because you’re a man does not make you better or smarter than me. Since his dumb ass is not a supervisor you need to watch what you say to me. Even if you are a supervisor if you talk out of turn I’m gonna speak up for myself.

I’m one that once you mess with me unless you apologize I’m not forgiving you. Fuck Forgiveness. Fuck Feelings. Wrong Female. I don’t owe you anything. There is No Love nor Light. The only Light you will get from me is when I Light your ass up! And that’s not a Light you want to experience. I Do Not Tolerate any disrespect from anybody. It’s that simple!!

Mable and Edward Palmer did not raise me to be a doormat. In fact my parents told me not to take crap off anyone and that I had a right to defend myself.

LL Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out

Mr. Angry Asshole had offended several co-workers and many stopped talking to him. Many years ago he was demoted from a higher security position because of his temper. His anger has gotten the better of him to the point that he has had several heart attacks. At least one on the premises and he is not even 50 years old!

I think he feels I should and I must converse with him because we are both Veterans. Well I’m a Veteran all he is and was what we in the Military call Weekend Warriors. Meaning he was in the Reserves. One weekend out of the month and two weeks out of the year of actual service. I was in four years full-time, 24/7/365.

Just to show you how truly nasty Mr. Numb-nuts is we have a gentleman who is also a security officer who served bravely during the Vietnam War. This wonderful man actually saw action. He suffers from PTSD but goes out of his way to be extra nice to all our co-workers. He is a pleasure to work with. He follows the Catholic faith always with his prayer beads and follows Jesus teachings. Everyone Loves him. Except one person. Guess who? You guessed right! Private Jackass. The Lumpy Paleface Lunatic actually had the nerve to badmouth a great man who went through the trauma of seeing people killed and trying to save the lives of wounded soldiers (he was a medic).

As for Knucklehead most of the guards try to avoid him. He has very few friends. Not many will put up with his rude, nasty, sarcastic remarks. I’m all for humor, cracking jokes and laughter but making fun of people, insults, lack of proper communication skills and zero people skills are not acceptable.

I have not guilt nor shame in cutting ties with abusive co-workers. That person does not write my checks nor are they paying my bills. Forgive and Forget don’t work here. I will dismiss you and keep on stepping. I have no shame in my game.

I AM THE FEMALE PHENOMENON!! THE ORIGINAL NUBIAN NINJA!!

The Notorious D.A.P. has spoken!!

Phenomenon – LL Cool J

Moral of the Story: Don’t Let your mouth write checks that your ass can’t cash!!

The Good Fight

On July 26, 2016July 26, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn 2 Timothy 4:7-8 King James Version (KJV), Proverbs 31:10-31 King James Version (KJV), The Good Fight, Uncategorized9 Comments

When my Dad Edward G. Palmer passed away May 13th, 1995 this is the scripture I chose for his prayer cards.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

King James Version (KJV)

⁷I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

⁸Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

For my Mom Mable E. Palmer’s passing in August 1998 I selected the 23rd Psalm. The Virtuous Woman in Proverbs 31: 10-31 also describes my Mom perfectly.

I can only hope when my time comes and I pass from labor to reward both these scriptures will be used to describe my existence on this earth. I hope that I embody both of these character traits of my mother and father.

Neither of my parents was what you’d call religious. They were not church goers but they did believe in God, honesty, discipline, hard work and faithfulness. My Mom and Dad were married for 40 years. I used to be a regular pew-sitter but after my last Aunt died in 2010 I had to ask myself why am I going to church and what good is it doing for me? Or rather who am I fooling? Not God because the Creator knows the creation.

It finally dawned on me that God is not within the four walls of a building. For me personally I find God within Nature. When the weather permits I try to get to some green space to commune with God’s creation. If nothing else for whatever time I have left on this earth I want to be open, authentic and honest with myself if only for peace of mind.