I'll NEVER Accept It

I've seen a lot of things. But there are somethings that I refuse to accept, no matter how often I see them...

A few weeks ago I went to court with a co-worker and my stomach literally knotted when I saw a boy, no older than 16, in a prison jumpsuit and shackles. And I can't deny that I probably would have cried... in the car... had I driven myself. It's one thing to see it on television and something totally different when it's all up in your face. He was a baby... is a baby.

And I can't tell you that I wasn't seeing through a mother's eyes. I'm a mother no matter what my occupation is and it isn't a role you can just switch off and on. When I saw this child, something struck a nerve. I even put the entire situation in perspective... he wasn't there because he was 'child of the year'... broke the law in some way. Maybe he killed someone, maybe he cursed out the wrong cop, maybe he's a victim of racial profiling, maybe he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, maybe he beat up his mom... or sold drugs, was a pimp, was a runner, or just the cool guy who didn't flee....

I made up all these 'stories' about him, 'cause I didn't know him. But still... seeing a young person, in prison-issued garments... shackled wrists to hips, ankle to ankle... will never be something I can accept. Ever. 'Cause it isn't supposed to be that way...

Where are we failing? And what's working? When we begin to look at the things that are keeping kids out of juvenile detention centers, we'll be in a better position for really executing change.


Stay peace

5+2=7 But that doesn't make any sense....

My son came to me wide-eyed and jittery. As he held up two wiggly fingers on one hand and five on the other, he said, "Mommy, two plus five equals seven. And four plus three equals seven. But that doesn't make any sense." I couldn't tell if he was excited or confused, but I'm guessing it was a bit of both. "Baby, there are many ways to add things up to equal seven. And there are many ways you can subtract things from each other that equal seven. There is more than one way to get all numbers."

Even though he said, "Ok," I know this was not enough for him. But he scampered away holding up seven fingers and shaking his head. His innocent, six year-old thoughts gave me pause. How old was I when I realized there was more to reality than my perspective? When will he realize this?

He's at a stage in life where, though he recognizes black and white, grey doesn't exist. Either you're good or bad...right or wrong.

His perception made me think about a question my husband asked me before Obama became our President-elect; How can we tell our son Obama didn't win?

With such immature rationale, how would I have been able to tell him that without answering why questions in a way he'd understand? How would I have been able to show him that collectively, we can do ALL things under Christ? What would my proof have been? I can't put up fingers and 'show' him why Obama lost.

Not only will I not have to answer these questions (though I'm sure there are many tough questions to be answered), I will not have to prematurely cloud my six year old's mind with other perceptions he won't understand...yet.

But what he did understand was Obama was the only way to go. One day, he'll understand that since we've had our 'Obama' moment, there has to be many more ways that will equal (and surpass) the perception of our people and our nation. But it's up to us, it's up to our sons and daughters, and their sons and daughters... we make up this nation and it's only fair that we are represented.

So be mindful of where your children are mentally. Listen to what they know so you can build upon it; make it better. But don't wait. Today is the day. The older they get, the easier it will be for television, radio, internet, and their just-as-naive friends to infiltrate their thoughts and distort reality and for whose greater good?

Happy Sunday!


Obama - Luther King by *BenHeine on deviantART

That's what you get for thinking...

Learning that people aren't what they appear to be, situations are much deeper than what's on the surface, and visions are flawed is a phenomena that most of us encounter daily. And when faced with the opposite of what we thought was going on most times seem surprising, it really only informs us of our biases, preconceived notions, and the stereotypical nature that festers in all of us.

After I all but confessed my ignorance of some things, I can remember my father saying many times, "That's what you get for thinking." Though he never told me exactly what that meant. I get it now. Thanks daddy!

The Write Way #3 I Hear Voices

Yes, I hear voices and they aren't from dead people. But I'm not the only person who hears them. Every author in blank-pagedom hears them. They wake us from the most comfortable slumber. They speak to us when other people are speaking to us. Yes, they are rude little voices. And irritating, at times.

Our characters have a way of birthing themselves. And these aren't normal births where the newborn starts out at 8 lbs., 2 ounces and 19 inches long or even start as embryos in our wombs. Most time, we're birthing adults, the elderly, and even some speaking from the grave. Damn, I know I said the voices weren't from dead people. Guess I lied. They're coming into existences as bratty-ass teens, snot nosed toddlers...hell, they're even drug addicts and prostitutes.

The only thing we can do to stop these voices from overtaking us is to write them, the way they want to be written. But here's the trick....you have to also incorporate your own voice in what you write. Since these voices aren't about you, have nothing to do with you, and only want to use you, you better learn how to speak up for yourself and say, "This is how I will write about you." You have to come to terms that you'll have some dick-head in your story that you may not like. Or some whiny-ass woman who grates at your jugular. But you also have to find a happy medium between their voices and yours. A lot of writers make this mistake. Let's see if I can explain it.

When your characters speak (read: dialogue). It's their time to shine. But every other place in the work-in-progress is all about the writer's voice. Sure, you'll have to paint pictures of what your character is doing and how they're feeling, but this is where your voice comes in. This is where you make your mark. The voices you constantly hear know nothing about using too many adjectives and adverbs. They don't know when modifiers dangle... It's how you handle the in-between what they do know...

I'm still finding my voice so the only thing I can say to help you along is continuing writing how you write to find your own. What I know is you can't let your characters write your whole book for you. Don't depend on them for everything.

So what do you have to say about character's voices vs. writer's voices ?

Stay tuned for The Write Way #4 Tell me what you want, Gina, dayum!

Avoid the lines. VOTE early!!

Thursday Thirteen #6-The Name Game

The Name Game ( I borrowed it from Bizarre JC)

1.Your rock star name (first pet, current car): Dog Contour

2.Your gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe): Mint Chocolate Chip Sneakers (uggg...that's just trife and soooo not gangsta!)

3.Your Native American name (favorite color, favorite animal): Brown cat

4.Your soap opera name (middle name, city where you were born): Jacque' (and no, it isn't pronounced Jackie or Jackay) Cleveland

5.Your Star Wars name (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name): Fradar

6.Superhero name (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): Blue coffee (I guess you wouldn't want me to help you with that type of name)

7.NASCAR name (the first names of your grandfathers): Leon George

8.Dancer name (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy): Chloe Narcisse Sweet Tart

9.TV weather anchor name (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): Deadwyler Detroit

10.Spy name (your favorite season/holiday, flower): Fall Sunflower

11.Cartoon name:(favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now): Banana Nightgown

12.Hippie name (what you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree): Apple dumpling Bonsai

13.Movie star name (first pet's name, first street where you lived): Snowball Quimby

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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The Write Way #2 Editors

What does copyediting, proofreading, developmental editing, and substantive editing have in common?

Only that the individuals doing these things to your manuscript are going to point out something you need to work on.

AND you're going to piss them off, as the author, because of your poor use of the English language, your wayward inconsistencies, and your total disregard for grammar rules (they seem to have some sort of fixation on the latter). That's about it.

A simple internet search on any of these terms will yield a million results (all of which would be better than my explanation so I'll leave the definitions to the internet experts). But I want to discuss 'decisions' here. Now, I'm not published so there are some (read: alot of) things I don't know and hopefully some of you reading this can help me out (again...as I learn the craft...).

When your manuscript is returned with edits, don't always take the edits as written in stone. If your editor thinks a concept...a word...a scene should be a certain way and it isn't in your vision, ask them about it. Is this not your heart on paper? Would you allow someone else to tell you how to feel? I don't think so...or at least I hope not. And if your editor gets snippy, snotty, or doesn't and isn't willing to give you an explanation for their suggestions, I SUGGEST you find another one (I recommend Shonell Bacon, by the way). Why? Because you need someone who supports your vision. And if your editor is changing your vision, without just cause then they're borderline ghostwriting, IMO. I may be wrong and I don't know how much control over edits you eventually have, but I live in lala-writer-land and my hope is whomever edits my work, believes in my work enough to edit along my vision, if my vision makes sense.

Now, I'm not talking about if you're doing something dead wrong in your manuscript. If it makes sense to you and your book, then by all means do what they ask...with a smile. But there's nothing wrong with asking questions, right?

Am I too far off thinking this?

Tune in to The Write Way #3 I Hear Voices (and they are not from dead people)

The Write Way #1 Learn the Craft

What I hear most from published authors is (drumroll please)

LEARN THE CRAFT

I used to think what the hell whenever I heard it. I got so tired of hearing it, I started saying it to others. But what I didn't know was that learning the craft had everything to do with writing, and simultaneously, had nothing to do with writing.

While I'm 'learning the craft' and attempting to weave it into my writing, I'm finding out what I've learned and what my imagination conjures up, can't coexist...initially. Ahh, there was my problem. I'm typing (or writing) trying to pay attention to structure, flow, tense, pov, grammar, etc., etc., when, in essence, none of that shit matters. (Sorry mommy but I'm upset with myself right now) The only thing that matters when I'm putting pen to pad or fingertips to keys is my IMAGINATION. To hell with all the mechanics. Forget the comma I'm not to sure is placed correctly and, at this point, I'm loving my dangling modifiers.

Learn the craft of writing is a misleading statement. It led me to believe that the craft had all to do with writing right. But that isn't it. And I finally get it. Or at least I get a portion of it. The next time someone tells me this, I'm going to ask them what they mean. As of today, this is my process:

Write the damn story for me (imagination)
Rewrite the damn story for them (layer in the mechanics)
Send the hot mess to an editor (who can magically merge my imagination and the mechanics)
Decide if the merger coincides with my vision and make corrections

Hmm....looks like NaNoWriMo is on to something...

Tune in for The Write Way #2 Editors

Leave a comment, I'd love to discuss...

Free Books

Yeah, here you come a-running...lol I would to. As a matter of fact, I already have. Yasmin, APOOO founder, hipped her blog readers on to contests on the net where you can enter to win books. Below are the ones I've entered and you better hurry, they end soon. Click the title for instant access.

Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer

Testimony by Anita Shreve

Matrimony by Josh Henkins

Happy blog hopping

Change is good

I can't profess to be the champion of change, but I also can't say that I'm not. How two-faced of me, right? I'm experiencing a lot of change in my life; personal and professional. And I'm welcoming it all. With so many things on my to-do list in life, I'm at the stage where I personify the Nike slogan; Just do it (insert check here)!

All the changes I'm making are difficult. But not so difficult that I can't overcome them. For instance, I'm taking tap classes. Picture that. A 32 year old woman, slightly overweight (according to medical standards, but I really have curves for days), trying to perform riffs and scuffles... But I'm doing it. As a matter of fact, I'm so determined to impress myself, that I've just finished two hours of practice a minute ago, yet my official tap lessons are on Mondays. Persistence pays. And the few pounds I need to lose, will be lost doing something I'm growing to love. Lawd knows I'm allergic to exercise. (Hush, tap CAN'T be exercise...it just can't...lol)

On a professional level, I'm moving to a different position within my agency...working with teens. No, I'm not trying to kill myself. Just trying to grow a little. It's the only population I have yet to work with. But I'm all for it.

My mommy always told me to work hard for the things I want. And I want so many things for me, for my family, for my life... So I'm working it and there's never a better time than the present.

Stay peace

Thursday Thirteen #5...what was that u said?

This Thursday I chose to list 13 words people say that make me want to fight them

1. mouf for mouth
2. munf for month
3. teef for teeth
4. burf for birth
5. Egglanta for Atlanta (sorry mommy, but you know this URKS me!!)
6. liberry for library
7. Walmark for Walmart
8. fewt for fruit
9. ainchus for anxious
10. aks for ask
11. excape for escape
12. conversate instead of converse
13. perscription for prescription

And just for kicks I'm going to add two more: prolly/probly for probably and excetera for et cetera

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Thursday Thirteen #4...R.I.P

Since today is a day for paying respects to those who lost their lives seven years ago, I decided to pay respect to 13 celebrities that I've loved and lost. Rest in peace...


1. Bernie Mac


2. Aaliyah

3. Issac Hayes

4. Estelle Getty

5. Sean Levert

6. Heath Ledger

7. Pimp C (of UGK)

8. Tupac

9. Biggie

10. John Ritter

11. Anna Nicole Smith

12. Tim Russert

13. Eazy E

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen #3-- Oh so cute!

I decided to share with you the 13 male celebrities that only seem to look finer with time...IMO. I love 'em young and old...lol

1. George Clooney...how many ways can you say hott?

2. Morgan Freeman...you should have called me. Wouldn't have been any accidents...QQ

3. Eric Braeden..I don't even watch stories, but I've been a Victor Newman fan since I was a little girl. Can you say FYNE???

4. Kiefer Sutherland..I am attracted to the quirky types and he's just that type...lol

5. Denzel Washington...can get it!

6. Magic Johnson...can't get it but he's cute!

7. Harvey Keitel...age does him well.

8. Simon Cowell...I don't care what y'all say, he's on fyre! I'd snuggle with this ole mean behind any day!

9. Brad Pitt...speechless

10. Terrance Howard..stop drooling...it isn't over

11. Jamie Foxx..>DAYUMMMM...or Mm Mm good :)

12. Maxwell...can definitely get it! And get it again, and again, and did I say again???

13. Mark Wahlberg...he's so freaking adorable. Even when we knew him as Marky Mark...lol

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

People with something to say....

With a drop date of November 4, 2008, there is quite a buzz about Sister Souljah's sequel to The Coldest Winter Ever, Midnight: A Gangster Love Story.

And I'm one of the millions of people who'll pick this up hot off the presses. Not only because its predecessor is deemed a classic among street literature, but more because Sister Souljah has a message for ALL people and she isn't afraid to share it. She's a no-holds-barred type of sistah and someone who doesn't talk just to be talking or write just to be writing. I value her opinion and she gives good food for thought. Don't believe me? Check out these 90's video I found perusing one the the many Nings I'm a part of.

Is her POV still relevant in 2008?

The one below has a few parts, but I wanted to take you to church today. So here is Pt 1.




Pt. 2



Pt. 3



Pt. 4



Pt. 5

Wednesdays & Fridays Blog coming soon!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Check us out on September 3, 2008 at

http://wednesdaysandfridays.blogspot.com

For interviews:

published authors email whoareyouwednesdays@yahoo.com

unpublished authors email readytopublishfriday@yahoo.com


STAY TUNED!

Hot Fun in the Summertime

Head on over to APOOO's Hot Fun in the Summertime for the down low of why I love urban fiction.

Click HERE

Stay peace

I've been TAGGED!!!

Here’s the idea (you can copy this paragraph to use in your post):

I am going to list three categories of books. 5 MUST Read Books, 5 Books on Your Nightstand, and 5 Look For These Soon. Keeping with the theme, I am going to tag at least 5 bloggers. They should put these same lists on their blog but SUBTRACT one book from each list and ADD one of their own. Then they should tag at least 5 more bloggers. It will be fun to see how the lists change as it goes around the blogosphere. Please come back to this post and leave a comment so I can see how the lists are changing as they go around the blogosphere. Since this is Book Buzz…please keep your lists to titles released in 2007-2009.

5 MUST Read Books:
Them by Nathan McCall
Orange Mint and Honey by Carliss Brice
Yellow Moon by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Conception by Kalisha Buckhanon

The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Soulja

5 Books on the Nightstand:
Song Yet Sung by James McBride
Pig Candy: Taking My Father South, Taking my Father Home Lise Funderburg
From Harvey River by Lorna Goodison
Trading Dreams at Midnight by Dianne McKinney Whetstone

Still Dirty by Vickie Stringer

5 Look For These Soon:
House at Sugar Beach by Helen Cooper
The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family
Midnight: A Gangster Love Story by Sister Souljah
The Hood Life: A Bentley Manor Tale by Meesha Mink and De'nesha Diamond
Red Light Special by Risque

The bloggers I’m asking to post the lists (and make one book-for-book change to each list if they wish):

Terra Little
The Moody Gemini
Gwenyth Bolton

Don't know who else I can tag!!!

Thursday Thirteen #2-- Where I visit...daily

I'm ALWAYS on the internet...always. Besides blogs, these are sites I visit nearly every day ( I didn't link them...sorry)

1. www.craigslist.com
2. www.mediatakeout.com
3. www.twitter.com (recently)
4. www.woot.com
5. www.cleveland.com
6. www.amazon.com
7. www.wikipedia.com
8. www.cpl.org
9. www.apooobooks.com
10. www.essence.com
11. www.soyouwanna.com (my favorite place to visit...I'm such a nerd!)
12. www.dummies.com
13. www.youtube.com

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Call for Authors

New WeBlog Alert!!

The upcoming Wednesdays & Fridays Blog’s main objective is to spotlight YOU

Authors, published and unpublished, who are ready to get their shine on

Who Are You Wednesdays will peek inside the minds of authors who have crossed the publishing threshold, offering information about their books, and give something back to the writing universe by providing valuable insight into this exciting realm.

Ready to Publish Fridays will feature authors who have complete, submission-ready manuscripts and would like to showcase their talent with the pen. These interviews will spotlight the challenging roads traveled and explore unearthed knowledge digested while trying to navigate the seas of the unpublished writer.

No worries. Our intent is not to have your story ideas stolen. Unpublished author's interviews will tap into the mind of the writer and give readers a chance to get to know you before you start gracing literary charts!

We consider all writing genres, including poetry and graphic novels. Wednesdays & Fridays Blog is home for all writers and one of the few places where writing is writing…period. It is a place where published and unpublished authors converse.

Wednesdays & Fridays Blog wants to interview any author who meets the following criteria:

Must be traditionally or self published
or
Must have a complete, submission-ready manuscript and never been published

All email inquiries will receive a response within three (3) days of request. Our response will include a deadline for interview answers to be received usually not exceeding seven (7) days, including weekends.

If you would like to be featured on the Wednesdays & Fridays Blog, email the correct address below for consideration.

Published authors email JC Martin at whoareyouwednesdays@yahoo.com
Unpublished authors email DJ Frazier (genesis) at readytopublishfriday@yahoo.com

Thursday Thirteen

When I was a teen, I can't remember a moment without music just 'being there'... I'd wake up, turn on the radio, pop a tape in the tape deck (yeah you know the ones we put the tissue in the corners so we could record over what's already on there), and start my morning. Then I'd come home, do homework (to music), do chores (to music), hang out outside (to music), and gawk over the muscle clad boys who walked around with their boomboxes on their shoulders... those were the good old days. Even now, as I write this blog there is music spending in the backgroud :) In no particular order are some of my faves.

Thirteen Things about my favorite songs of long ago 1. It's Over by The Gyrlz 2. I'm Bad by LL Cool J 3. Children's Story by Slick Rick 4. Ribbon in the Sky by Stevie Wonder 5. Missing You by Diana Ross (I think of my dad when I listen to this.) 6. La Di Da Di by Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh 7. Mary Jane by Rick James 8. Out On a Limb by Teena Marie 9. Real M********** G's by Easy E (uncensored, view with caution) 10. Where Do Broken Hearts Go by Whitney Houston 11. I Will Always Love You by Troop 12. D0 Me by Bell Bive DeVoe (BBD) 13. Remember The Time by Michael Jackson (no Michael jokes please, I'm a real FAN and will cut you over him!!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants



thursday thirteen

Saturday morning freestyle

I have a summer bug, complete with an extremely sore throat and sinus headache. I figured I'd do something I love and maybe it'll ease the pounding in my head. It probably won't, but it'll leave me with some degree of satisfaction. I'm going to write a poem, making it up at I tap on the keys. Whatever comes up, will come out so feel me...

If it were meant to be
we'd rule the world...
women would rule the world
stamp out violence while at early morning hair appointments
eliminate greed with Asian men pampering our feet
we'd rule the world
with red garter belts full of promises from late night romps
when Mother Nature consumes and syncs us
reminding us that we are much more... PERIOD
soft skinned, full breasted, love handles and all
callin' the shots and ballin' til we fall
ladies... we know how to do it
'cause the fluid that controls our hearts
constantly overflows
we'll allow no man to be without a bowl or a home
we'd swim in affection perfectly lining the curbs
crossing our T's and living our verbs
see what I mean?
war would evolve to be
like having no ham hocks for the black eyed peas
guns would spit messages like Cupid's arrows and controlled by children
killing the ills of whatever soul broke the woman-law
we'd pump fists in solidarity and our land would be clean
equality would exist and would clearly be seen
our kids would be kids
our men would be men
our sanity would be saved and we'd die with smiles on our faces
then placed in vaults surrounded by love
and hope
and satisfaction
...if it were meant to be
women would rule the world...

Stay peace

Another 'FIRST'

I was nine years-old, my sister was eight, and my little brother was three when we were grating on my father's nerves by jumping around in our bedroom. We also had a friend from across the street over; she was about twelve at the time. He and my mom had company. They were playing cards downstairs and all of the children were sent upstairs to play in the room above them.

I can't even tell you how many times we were warned to stop stomping. But it seemed the more times my dad told us to stop, the more empowered we felt when we stomped harder. My dad is like Homie the Clown. And as you all know, Homie don't play that. This was my first brush with a creative ass whooping...if I can even call it that.

The last time he marched up the steps, he had his black, leather belt in his hand; one end wound around his closed fist, while the other end dangled. Time freaking froze. My dad was a pro when it came to his belt game. I did not want another whooping. I was always first, since I was the oldest, and I felt like I always got it worse. With a voice deeper then James Earl Jones, my dad told us sit on the floor with our backs against the wall. He told us to remove our shoes and socks, and hold our legs straight out with our toes pointed toward the ceiling. Then he commenced to whipping our feet.

Do you know how hard it is to move in this position? We were stuck like chuck and up shit's creek without a boat or paddle.

I also remember a time when I had to wash dishes and everyone that knows me, knows I HATE to wash dishes. Well, my dad came in to get water and happened to get a glass that I half-ass washed. Oh LAWD! He was going to beat me. At least that's what I thought. But he didn't. He took every dish, out of every cabinet in the kitchen, piled them on top of the kitchen counter and table, and made me wash them all. He then told me, "if I find one dirty dish when you are done, I'm gone beat yo' ass." You would have thought I was doing a scientific experiment by the way I was examining each dish after I washed it. But it did the trick.

I think things like these are missing from child rearing today; Good ole fashion beatings, instilling fear in our children, and last but not least, DADS!!!

What type of creative punishments/whoopings have you ever had? And what else do you think is missing with the current generations when it comes to raising children?

Blog Hop

Hey Friends! Hope everyone is having a productive or relaxing Saturday.

Author Terra Little is blogging "The Passing Series" on The Official Blog-Zine of Author Terra Little

If you are interested or curious about self-publishing, you may want to head on over by clicking the link above.

Stay peace

Genesis

I couldn't help myself, but regardless...

WTH????



I know I'm ignorant at times. And my friend Aaq is just as ignorant for sending me this. She KNOWS how silly and goofy I can be.

Now for real, I know this is a woman and all...but how many of you would sacrifice your femininity for a body like this?

And did you catch the nipple action? LOL

ABC's

I learned a lot of rules from my mommy. And a few of, what I consider, the most important rules I've learned are:

(A) Mind Your Own Business

(B)God don't like ugly and He ain't too fond of pretty

(C)Think before you speak

So let's talk about A (in my world)... If you are minding your own business (busyness) then you have no time to mind mine. Point blank. Period. And when you try to mind my business, then my busyness begins to include putting you in your place, by any means necessary. And when I'm done, I'm sure you'll know that 'it wasn't none of your business in the first place'.

On to B, the 'ugliness'... Conniving, ignorant liars make me itch in unmentionable (and often unreachable) places. It itches so bad, I grin when these type of people are mentioned or are in my vicinity. I grin so wide, you'd swear the legendary Redd Foxx whispered a joke in my ear or something. Why grin? Because God don't like ugly and I know that...it's not for me to tell them about themselves. They KNOW how they are...trust me...they do. They may not know that I know and that's what makes me grin. I know how to handle people like that...when I understand how they are. And remember G.I. Joe's motto: Knowing is half the battle...

According to Socrates (via Plato), "False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil."

And a Persian proverb that got my favorite soulsistah an F on her college paper sums up how I feel, and think, about these type of people so well...

He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool, shun him;
He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a child, teach him;
He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep, wake him;
He who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise, follow him.

Now C...It's imperative to human existence for people to think before speaking. If you don't, more than likely whatever you've said (a) doesn't make sense, (b) makes you look like an idiot, and/or (c)is all the way wrong. There isn't too much more I can say about C...it speaks for itself because it is, what it is...

By now, you've probably figured out that someone(s) has rubbed me the wrong way (and for the last time, might I add). If you received an email from me about this blog, then it probably wasn't you. BUT if by chance someone forwarded this blog entry to you, then (a) it definitely is YOU(insert grin here), (b) someone wants you to learn some basic rules of life, or (c) someone knows that you know a person who needs this message.

Stay peace

Oh so relaxing...

What a lot of people don't know about me is that I have great admiration for natural things. Not particularly natural foods or the like, but the basics of nature. The way the wind sounds when rustling a tree's leaves, bird chirps, the way lightening bugs illuminate space at night, and...just about anything that occurs naturally...without effort. Those things that just are, because they are...

I recently spent a few days in Hocking Hills (Logan, Ohio) and had my way with nature. My husband and I visited Cedar Falls, which compared to what I've seen before amounted more to Cedar Trickle, but it was still beautiful. Here are a few pics I took:

My chocolate Ty



The way the sun highlighted the rocks was gorgeous!



Me (of course)

Cedar Falls

Gotta appreciate a good water pic!

Afterwards, we made our way up the road to Ash Cave. Though the cave wasn't what I expected, I still appreciated it in all it's man-made glory.



The wooden stairs to the cave seemed to never end


Yes, that's more water

Looking up from inside the cave almost made me dizzy

My baby taking in all the glory

Neatly tucked away in this picture is a deer we encountered. My husband called me a punk because I was about to take off when I saw it. I love nature, but I'm smart enough to realize when I'm not a part of the home team, kwim?


And this was our little home away from home. It's called A Stones Throw

That hot tube got a nice work out!

Sitting area where we drank and talked until we slurred (and played Playstation 2 games for as long as we wanted!)

One of the three bedrooms we had (would have posted a pic of our room, but we couldn't make the bed right...lol)


Full kitchen where we prepared each other lovely dinners

Partial view of the front yard

The well house (yes, they use well water...we were in the country...lol). If you look close enough, the sign above the door says HOE HOUSE. Pretty funny since historically outhouses were once used by prostitutes and their johns to do their business.

So this ends the part of the trip I'm willing the share. The rest will be between Tyrone, me, and that bomb azz hot tube ;)~

BTW...this was our eighth anniversary trip...big feat for a young couple. We don't have very many married friends, or friends whose marriages lasted longer than a hiccup. This trip went back in time for us. Our very first date was...yup, you guessed it, in the woods. I loves me some him...it's natural.

Stay peace

Genesis