HAPPY NEW YEAR! McFadden & Whitehead Ain't No Stopping Us Now (long Version).wmv

This is the song I am taking into the New Year 2014.  Yeah, it's old school, but baby this captures the sentiments... my vibe!
Ain't no stopping me now, I'm on the move! I'm leaving the negative people way behind!

Happy Kwanzaa!

The Seven Principles

Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African cultural holiday that is centered around seven principles (called Nguzo Saba in Swahili). They are:

Umoja (Unity)

Umoja (OO-MO-JAH) Unity stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, "I am We," or "I am because We are."

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)

Kujichagulia (KOO-GEE-CHA-GOO-LEE-YAH) Self-Determination requires that we define our common interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of our family and community.

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)

Ujima (OO-GEE-MAH) Collective Work and Responsibility reminds us of our obligation to the past, present and future, and that we have a role to play in the community, society, and world. Seven Candles for Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)

Ujamaa (OO-JAH-MAH) Cooperative economics emphasizes our collective economic strength and encourages us to meet common needs through mutual support.

Nia (Purpose)

Nia (NEE-YAH) Purpose encourages us to look within ourselves and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community.

Kuumba (Creativity)

Kuumba (KOO-OOM-BAH) Creativity makes use of our creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community.

Imani (Faith)

Imani (EE-MAH-NEE) Faith focuses on honoring the best of our traditions, draws upon the best in ourselves, and helps us strive for a higher level of life for humankind, by affirming our self-worth and confidence in our ability to succeed and triumph in righteous struggle.

A Special Version of Hallelujah With a Christian Twist

The Write Tribe Festival of Words. Day 6: People

The Write Tribe Festival of Words. This is an exciting blogging event from December 8th to December 14, 2013

 
Trashmen didn't get my trash today
Oh, why? Because they want more pay
Buses on strike want a raise in fare
So they can help pollute the air

But that's what makes the world go 'round
The up and down, the carousel
Changing people, they'll go around
Go underground, young man
People make the world go 'round

Wall Street losin' dough on ev'ry share
They're blaming it on longer hair
Big men smokin' in their easy chairs
On a fat cigar without a care

But that's what makes the world go 'round
The up and down, the carousel
Changing people, they'll go around
Go underground, young man
People make the world go 'round

But that's what makes the world go 'round
The up and down, the carousel
Changing people, they'll go around
Go underground, young man
People make the world go 'round

People make the world go 'round
People make the world go 'round
People make the world go 'round
FADE
People make the world go 'round

The Write Tribe Festival of Words. Day 4: Music

The Write Tribe Festival of Words. This is an exciting blogging event from December 8th to December 14, 2013


Day 4: Music (I missed Day 3 Books)

It is said that music is the soundtrack of your life. I agree. There are songs that take me right back to a moment, a feeling, a healing place at any period of my life.  Even songs that were a part of my broken hearts, music served me well.

My first album I bought was Earth, Wind & Fire... I remain a huge fan to this day, and I see them every time they are in CT.

Even now at 50 years old I am at my best when there is music wafting through the house, office, car. Sure I enjoy silence.  But music moves me to my highest self.  From Gregorian chants to James Brown I dig it all. I love secular and sacred music. I have room for it all.  I listen to it all. although Rap music after early 90s no longer holds any interest to me.  However, put on Public Enemy, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, RUN DMC, Kurtis Blow, Sugar Hill Gang I am on my feet bobbing my head.

Everything by Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Nina Simone, Carol King, Minnie Ripperton, Carly Simon, Melody Gadot, Adele.  And oh so many more, because music is like breathing to me.  I am no singer, but I can and do sing along with every song in my library.  I have music for any mood that suits me from Rock to Praise.

I love music. I'll let the O'Jays speak for me....





 
 

The Write Tribe Festival of Words. Day 2: Food

The Write Tribe Festival of Words. This is an exciting blogging event from December 8th to December 14, 2013

Day 2: Food

There are things that have to be considered when you adopt children, especially children who are older than newborns/toddlers.  I wanted to make memories that would carry them long after they grew into the marvelous people I believe they are becoming.

Birthdays are a big deal to any kid, but I wanted to give my kids something that would give them a real sense of specialness and tradition.  So while their friends were having parties at fancy play places, and gyms and pools and Chuckee Cheese. I drew from my childhood experience... my grandmother would come fro m where ever she was visiting and come to our house on each of our birthdays and bake us our favorite cake!  My mom would make our favorite meal.  There were four of us too and each of us got a specialty 2-4 layer cake lovingly made by Grandma Taylor. I took that tradition and and twisted it a bit... each kid got to make their own vegan birthday cake.  They could color it and make it however they desired.  We've been doing this for well over a decade now and they look forward to it every year.  You can tell when some one's birthday is close, because you begin to hear conversations about what kind of cake are you thinking of? What color? Have you seen the latest cakes in such-n-such magazine?

It's a family event, their Dad  and step-mom show up, uncles & aunts.  All bearing gifts and love.

Baking their own cakes for their birthday is personal and special.  I am sure when they grow up and get out into the world they will perhaps abandon this tradition or maybe they will introduce it to their friends and families they create. It is my pleasure to do this. and I am my most happiest at each child's birthday celebration!