Month: November 2014

Writer’s Quote: Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In addition to being a world-renowned, non-violent civil rights leader, Dr.. Martin Luther King, Jr., authored four books::

  • Why We Can’t Wait
  • The Measure of a Man
  • Strength to Love
  • Where Do We Go from Here

Quotes from his books and speeches have inspired, motivated, guided and calmed me for more than fifty years.

This morning when I heard the verdict rendered against the police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown in Ferguson Missouri, I thought about this quote:

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In 1963, I heard Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech for the first time.  As I watched the March on Washington and two active toddlers determined to pull my attention away from our 12 inch black and white television; I thought, unlike me, my toddlers one day will “be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.”  I believed Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement would make the dream come true.   Unfortunately, it didn’t happen.

As I head into 2015, I feel there is a strong possibility my three grandsons (ages 24, 18 and 14) will be judged by the color of their skin.  And, it is possible, the poor judgment of a police officer expected to protect, but instead might reject because of the color of their skin and this could mean death.

Photography 101: Architecture

Beauty and Complexity of Architecture 

 Martha’s Vineyard

Oak Bluff, Massachusetts

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Victorian House

I took this photo while vacationing with the daughters this past summer.  Not the best shot, but thanks to Photo 101 the skills are improving.

Also, “Thank You,” Photo 101, I now know how to change a color photo into black/white with PicMonkey.  Whoopee!!

Blogging 101: Make A Prompt Personal

Assignment: November 17

“Publish a post based on your own, personalized take on today’s Daily Prompt.”

Daily Prompt:  Golden Key

“You’ve been given a key that can open one building, room, locker, or  box to which you don‘t normally have access.  How do you use it, and why?

Today is November 22.  And, the assignment is late but as the old saying goes, “better late than never.”

Golden Key:  Door to Beauty

With this Golden Key, I opened the Door to Beauty for all to enjoy; and, I chose to use The Free Dictionary definition of beauty:

“The quality that gives pleasure to the mind or senses and is associated with such properties as harmony of form or color, excellence of artistry, truthfulness, and originality.”

Color

“Nature always wear the colors of the spirit.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Artistry

“Because God created the Natural — invented it out of His love and artistry — it  demands our reverence.”
(C.S. Elliott)

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 Truthfulness

 “Be still and hear your truth. Live your truth and be true to your truth.” Boitumelo Phetia

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Originality 

“No bird has ever uttered a note that was not in some first bird’s throat.  Since Eden’s freshness and man’s fail, no rose has been original.” Thomas Bailey Aldrich

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“My Golden Key opened the door to see Beauty in all things, now my actions get positive reactions from all those who cross my path.”  (SeasonedSistah2)

Freedom Friday – November 21, 2014

On this Freedom Friday, I exercise the right to share:

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Several days ago, while meandering through Facebook, I came across a photo post with the caption, “Share If You Remember These.”  

Immediately, I pushed the share button for roller skating, as a teenager, is one of the few happy memories that I have about this stage in my life.

Throughout my teenage years, I lived in fear of the potential verbal, physical, and emotional abuse rendered by an absentee father, who randomly appeared, if for no other reason than to create havoc in an otherwise peaceful environment.

But, skating at the roller rink every Saturday afternoon was where I found peace and happiness.

I loved to skate and was one of the better skaters among my friends.  Beyond skating, the roller skating rink brings back happy memories of:

  • enjoying live organ music which, I now understand, was “especially tailored to the flow of rolling skating”;
  • practicing new dance routines;
  • watching skaters skillfully glide around the rink;
  • feeling emotionally secure in a safe space; and
  • participating in a fun and constructive activity with other teenagers.

Before closing out this post, I wondered if there were still indoor roller skating rinks with live organ music.  Why wonder, if you have google?

I googled and found Quad Skating Dot com’s listing of “Live Organ Roller Skating Sessions in the United States.”  Of the seventeen places listed, two were conveniently located:

  • one is within 1/2 hour drive of where we live in Florida; and
  • one is within 1/2 hour drive of where our children live in Wisconsin.

A roller skating outing with either Hubby and/or the children added to my 2015 Bucket List.

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Of course, since I last skated in 1959, I plan to watch and not skate.