Have you heard the term Harlem Renaissance when describing the prosperous lives of negros between the Civil War and Desegregation? No, me neither, until son Matthew uncovered the term. Recently, I was reeducated and reminded of this era while watching Matt’s latest video.
“Thank you for letting us, all of us, share in your dream tonight.” That is what Dancing into Dreamland judge and actress Joey Lauren Adams said to the man who, at the end of a duo-dance routine, got down on one knee, pulled a ring out of his pocket, and proposed to his partner.
I am living my own version of Netflix’s “Seven Days Out” mini-series. If you haven’t seen this show, each episode is a documentary and witness to the excitement and drama in the seven days leading up to a major world event in sports, fashion, space, food, etc.; such as the Westminster Abby Dog Show, The Kentucky Derby, NASA’s Cassini Mission, or Eleven Madison Park Restaurant.
At least once a year, I need a little motivation and reassurance that I am on the right life-path. I find such encouragement in self-help books. Much of who I am today may well be accredited to the decade’s worth of self-help books I’ve read. Currently, I am reading Be Your Future Self, NOW by Benjamin Hardy.
In preparation for my Up in Your Business interview with local celeb Lisa Fischer, I listened to several of her Lisa Fischer Said podcast episodes and learned that Lisa is a sufferer.
It is not every day you hear “Help! Help! Help!” screamed from your basement by a workman. But that is what happened this week.
In 2007, I turned 50. For my mid-life crisis, I pondered a facelift, a boyfriend, or a new car. I opted for a used, 5-speed, convertible Mini Cooper. Driving it, with the wind blowing in my hair, it checked all the boxes: fast, fun, and dangerous.
Why is New Year’s Day so full of optimism? It’s just another day on the calendar; or is it?
On New Year’s Day we close the books on business, Christmas, and the Winter Solstice. Though the days from January through March are often cold and snowy, they are also getting longer and brighter, so it feels better; like a time for self-improvement, a time to plan for springing into action.
Like everything in my Libra life, there is the constant balancing of the scales. Before Christmas, I worked hard; during Christmas, I played hard; and afterwards, I crashed hard.
I didn’t just turn into a Grinch; I’ve always been a Grinch.
It is not the family and fellowship that makes me Grinchy; I love that part. But rather, it’s the consumerism and decorating pressure that feels burdensome.
In my COVID fever fog last week, I heard through an open window the non-mechanical hacking of Grady splitting wood for our fireplace.
Prior to emails and the internet changing our lives, English teachers worried that writing was going to become a lost artform. Ma Bell had turned all of us into voice communicators, making lawyers the only letter writers left. In this school of thought, typing classes were dropped from many high school curriculums. But alas, the power of the pen is back, big time, along with keyboarding. It’s time to dust off the old grammar books and learn some new tricks on how to write a good email.
Has your Christmas cactus forgotten how to bloom?
Though this may sound like a metaphor for one’s aging brain, it is not. It is a serious question, pondered by many persons this time of year.
Little Rock, Arkansas has a wonderful and long running non-profit called Quapaw Quarters Association (QQA). Founded in 1968, in response to urban renewal teardowns, the QQA has fought to preserve and save many of our town’s old buildings. Their mission statement is simple and near to mine and son, Matthew’s heart, “To preserve Greater Little Rock’s historic places.”
Many things are coming back; like the return of shopping catalogs in my overflowing mailbox, conventions are making a comeback, too.
Gran Ann and Daddy Mac are the grandparent-names given, by my children, to husband Grady’s parents.
Last week, against Daddy Mac’s objection, we planned and invited friends and neighbors to their house to celebrate his 90th birthday.
As the election grows nearer, like everyone, I worry.
People often think election years are good for the flag business but, in truth, most retailers (except media ad men) post low sales during the third quarter of these fate-filled years.
In past years, voting day has been akin to a neighborhood block party. Everybody knows everybody. As we all stand in line chit-chatting, we talk about dog-walking, the weather, and who’s renovating the house on the corner.
A “girl’s girl” is not a usual descriptor for me. But, one night a month, I attend a Girls Night Out (GNO). I have been dining with the same group of ladies for years, really decades. This one, in the above photo, I have known since 2nd grade: Kathleen Nowell-King.
Amazon is putting the squeeze on small businesses in ways you might not have thought of. Everyone knows Amazon sells everything cheap (remember when they only sold books?). But another big part of their schtick is selling shipping cheap or, better yet, giving it away for free. So, who is paying the shipping companies? The nice guys at Amazon?
