“This week, share an image that highlights a size relationship — make us pause and take a second look to understand the scale of the elements in your photo.”

I created this Mosaic Note Collage with the App, Pho.to Lab. I used random family photos as my interpretation of a scale of musical notes.

Freedom Friday – Black History Month: Part 1

February 1 marked the beginning of Black History Month; and, the theme for 2015 is a “Century of Black Life, History and Culture.”

On this Freedom Friday and for the remaining three Fridays in February, I choose to celebrate Black History Month by recognizing and celebrating my Hubby and BFF (Best Friend Forever) for all that he has endured, overcome and accomplished during his lifetime.

I am grateful to have this blog platform to tell HIS STORY, HIS HISTORY and IN HIS OWN WORDS by sharing excerpts from HIS published memoirs, “The Son of A Sharecropper Achieves the American Dream.”

“I am a 70-year-old black male who was born in Mississippi in 1941 to an 18-year-old unwed mother with one child. I did not know my biological father until I was 15-years-old. I grew up in dire poverty in the pre-Civil Rights south, chopping and picking cotton for ten hours a day, eight months of the year. I was a high school dropout and had my first child, out-of-wedlock, at the tender age of 17. One year later, I married my beautiful childhood sweetheart and by the age 26 I was the father of four children. By age 33, I had obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I overcame my difficult beginnings to become the successful person I am today.

My story and my family’s story is about being black in this country — an honest story about how much progress we have made but also about how much progress we still need to make. I faced many hardships and struggles as a poor black boy growing up in 1950s Mississippi. But my struggles and hardships didn’t end when I moved to the north and began my professional career in business and government service. While I was no longer chopping and picking cotton ten hours a day, I was still in many ways treated like a second class citizen. This book, then, is a cautionary tale for black people about attitudes that have not changed fast enough and the progress we still need to achieve.

At the same time this is not a memoir about an angry black man. Rather, it is a story of hope and perseverance — about how I overcame tremendous odds to achieve success and the American Dream. Despite the problems I describe, I’ve had many more victories, and I am thankful to my family, friends, colleagues and county for the opportunities and achievements that have blessed my life.”

James C. Thomas, December 2012

In next Friday’s post, I will share HIS STORY about HIS CHILDHOOD.

Wordless Wednesday – February 3, 2015

Writer’s Quote – Wednesday 2015

A special thank you to Silver Threading for the invite to this weekly blog event.

A quote by Nikki Giovanni is my choice for Writer’s Quote this week.

“There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well. And while I don’t expect you to save the world I do think it’s not asking too much to love those with whom you sleep, share the happiness of those whom you call a friend, engage those among you who are visionary and remove from your life those who offer you depression, despair and disrespect.”

Ms. Giovanni, a renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist and educator, has shared her gift of the written word with followers throughout the world for more than thirty years.

“Black Feeling Black Talk,” was her first book of poetry published in 1968; and, shortly after its publication, she was given the name, “Princess of Black Poetry.

Three decades of publications and lectures earned her the title, “National Treasure;” and, Oprah Winfrey selected her as one of the twenty-five “Living Legends.”

Nikki Giovanni’s Bio at:

http://www.inspirational-black-literature.com/nikki-giovanni.html

Weekly Photo Challenge – January 30, 2015

Depth

“Whether visually or emotionally, this week let’s dig (or dive) deep.”

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

Sending a huge thank you over to Lisa at Rebirth of Lisa for this second nomination to receive the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award.

When I get a “Like” or “Comment” from a new blogger, I always take time to visit their blog. And, this is how I found Rebirth of Lisa. Her About Page hooked me; especially, the second paragraph:

“You will find my inter thoughts and lessons I have learned about life, love and the world. I am open and honest and though I may offend some, my intent is only to tell my truth. Topics will vary depending on what’s on my brain at the moment and I will try to infuse a little humor.”

After reading the About Page, I immediately hit the “follow button”; and. I have not been disappointed.

Here Are The Rules

Thank the blogger that nominated you.
Put the award logo on your blog.
Answer the ten questions sent to you.
Make up ten new questions for your nominees to answer.
Nominate seven blogs.

Questions from Lisa

What is your favorite book? I love every word spoken or written by Maya Angelou, but my favorite is “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”
Michael Jackson or Prince? Having teenagers in the home during the 70s and 80s, my home was filled with music from both. But, in my opinion, Michael Jackson was a musical genius and there is no comparison.
Where is your favorite place to vacation? Six years ago, my two daughters gifted me with our first Mother-Daughter Vacation in Martha’s Vineyard. I love visiting the Island but, most of all, I enjoy spending quality time with the daughters and my grandchildren.
Who is your favorite writer? Maya Angelou followed by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
If you could have a super power what would it be? I would choose as my Super Power the ability to eradicate social injustice, discriminatory practices, and unequal treatment against those viewed as “the other” or “different” in our country.
What’s your favorite snack? Popcorn, popped the old fashion way is my favorite. But, I am not opposed to microwave popcorn.
What’s on your pizza? Vegetables only. Though, before moving toward eating healthy, it was either Pepperoni and, occasionally, The Supreme (everything).
Name three things you like about yourself. My Faith, Compassion, and Kindness.
Who was your favorite teacher and why? Over the years, there have been many teachers who advised and guided me through these many seasons of life. Of course, my mother was the #1 and there are far too many to name.
What’s your guilty pleasure? Lemon Meringue Pie. I only buy it by the slice; otherwise, I would eat the whole pie.

My Nominees for This Award

Here Are My Questions for the Above Nominees

What is one of your favorite quotes?
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
What was the last movie that made you cry?
If you won the lottery, what is the first things you would do?
Have you ever had a nickname, what is it?
What is your favorite holiday?
Are you an introvert or extrovert?
If you had to evacuate your house immediately, what is the one thing you would grab on the way out?
What is one food that you will not eat?
Would you rather use Facebook or Twitter?

Try It!

Thanks to Beverly of mywonkydonkeylife.wordpress.com for sharing this post. Since I began practicing meditation and mindfulness, my Christian values have been questioned by some. My response is always no. But, this post gives me better options.

Sunday Visit: Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens

Last year my friend, The Librarian, came down for a mini-vacation. One of our planned outings was a visit to the Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens . When we got there it was raining and the gardens were not open. So, we only toured the art gallery, sat in rocking chairs on the building’s screened porch, and looked out over the beautiful lake surrounding the grounds. Though, different than planned, we had a wonderful time.

Still determined, after her visit, I bugged Hubby for almost a year about touring the gardens. Surprisingly on Sunday he said, “Yes, let’s do it.”

We arrived shortly after the doors opened at 9:00 a.m. With cameras in-hand, we were off to relax and enjoy nature’s beauty.