SNOW, NYC 2015

New York is learning by force what the south didn’t know they knew!

I grew up and lived in NYC until a few years ago enjoying the change of seasons and experiencing all of the challenges that comes with this.

 To experience a snow storm in New York is like nothing else. The challenges of maneuvering through the city streets, the buses and their routes, and the subways make for an interest to say the least day.

Most of New York is apartment life. People upstairs over or downstairs from you you’re never truly alone. Sometimes I miss this, [needing just one egg sometimes] if you’re lucky you live on the first floor, this is a whole other security challenge itself. One has to stock up on groceries, flashlights, batteries, first aid kits. You have to “gas up” the car in case the stations will be closed. Where are you going? Maybe to work or not, but just in case.

Let me speak a little about the work force in the Big Apple. For years the city never slept, something was always opened, except for the day after The 911 incident, New York never closes. Unless you are part of the emergency work force, stay home. Emergency includes Hospital staff, Fire Department “New York Bravest”: “The New York City Fire Department, officially the Fire Department, City of New York (FDNY), is a department of the government of New York City that provides fire protection, technical rescue, primary response to biological, chemical and radioactive hazards, and emergency medical services to the five boroughs of New York City.[Wikipedia]. Law Enforcement which includes: NYPD& harbor patrol “New York’s Finest” “the largest municipal police force in the United States.  Correction & harbor patrol The New York City Department of Correction “New York’s Boldest” is the branch of the municipal government of New York City responsible for New York City's inmates, housing the majority of them on Rikers Island. It employs 8,000 uniformed officers and 1,400 civilian staff, has 543 vehicles Hospital Police, Customs. [Wikipedia] My point, most of New Yorkers work in the civil service. There are the high paying Wall Street, finance jobs that at 5pm close and go home. There 5 boroughs in Greater New York with 8.4 million proud New Yorkers from all over the world.

Back to my point, The South has a habit of closing. Some offices close for lunch “BE BACK @2”. In the south they have stores that are actually closed on Sundays! New Year’s Day I was looking for gathering place to socialize, nope no such luck, every place was closed. This year New York decided to have people to stay off of the streets. It is mandatory unless you are Emergency personnel. At 1am one can drive through uptown Charlotte on a week day and there will be on one! This is why for one reason the south is safer. The other reason maybe is every other person has a firearm.

The quality of life is much less stressful. You can go home every day. If the weather is nasty the schools are either delayed or closed. This could be of the fact there are not enough equipment for an occasional winter snafu.

Go home, be with your family. Tomorrow is another day. Be safe, pop some corn, play Monopoly™ catch up on sleep. From the looks of it, at this time again the “storm of the century” will “side step” NYC and it will be business as usual.

Be safe.

..Pandora

THE BEDROOM

Once upon a time, there was "The Love Nest", the Boudoir.  It was decorated with satin sheets, and a shag area rug next to the bed. There were mirrors placed at the foot of the bed, next to the bed, sometimes they were on the ceiling with the Victorian chandelier.  Always incense burning to set the mood. There was the CD changer/player, the "state of art" VCR equipment. Just in case we wanted to watch or star in a risqué movie dancing in sexy lingerie with the "fish-net" stockings and 6 inch heels! You had to have the fragrance of the day that had the soap, lotion and au de perfume.  Don't forget something to drink...

OH has time changed!                             

First of all, nowadays, you have to call ahead to "see if I'm doing anything". Doing anything may mean one of the following: I am sleep and do not want to be bothered. My joints are cracking extra loud. The new medications for some reason have a side effect that releases fowl gas or slippage. This is not cute. You have to hide the medications, depending how younger your suitor is. If they are around your age they understand what Aspircream™ and Senokot™ are. These items are a staple in some medicine cabinet nowadays.

You may have to hide the following: CPAP machine, Humidifier, flannel night gown, the “fuzzy" socks, the smelly rubbing cream for the knees, the cord to an oxygen machine, the day glow green night cream, the head rag, the fiber "stuff" to take, the collection of prescription bottles {that are expired and or half empty}, find a complete matching set of sheets,

Then look for something tasteful. {That fits} to wear...

To be grateful at this age is an understatement. It is a privilege to reach a certain age that some have not made. I think the 50’s are called middle age. Half way to 100 is a milestone. You have lived a couple of lives with raising children [after growing up yourself]. Some marriages have lasted. Some partners have gone. There is a better you with all the growth and transitions. You have done well. Celebrate You the “Limited Edition”!

…Pandora

January 2015

LEGENDS THAT PAVED THE WAY

The OWN NETWORK and Oprah Winfrey did a fine in presenting the “Legends That Paved the Way” Pt.1

It reminded me of the movements that spanned for several years in the early 1960’s. My parents were very active in the support in this movement. As a child of that era whatever my parents were into, so was I [I had no choice].  The adults would gather and discuss the daily current events that were import in the Black/Colored/Afro community. Most of the names that were spoken on the program I am familiar with, others not so much. Last night I was reminded and learned a great deal of some of the true heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. A lady named Amelia Platts Boyton Robinson invited Dr. King to Selma..

…”Amelia Platts Boynton Robinson (born August 18, 1911) is an American woman who was a leader of the American Civil Rights Movement in Selma, Alabama and a key figure in the 1965 march that became known as Bloody Sunday. In 1984, she became founding vice-president of the Schiller Institute affiliated with Lyndon LaRouche. She was awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Medal in 1990.”…[Wikipedia]

..”Civil rights pioneer Amelia Boynton Robinson is perhaps best known as the woman at the front of the March 7, 1965 “Bloody Sunday” march in Selma, Alabama. Robinson was gassed, beaten, and left for dead that day on Edmund Pettus Bridge.

The protest organizers, including widowed Selma businesswoman Amelia Platts Boynton, had intended to march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama’s state capital, but were stopped by what was effectively a police riot as they crossed the bridge leaving Selma. While the Selma-to-Montgomery march did not take place until two weeks later, the international spotlight on the atrocity over the first attempt on March 7 swelled the marchers’ ranks to national proportions.” http://www.visionaryproject.org/robinsonameliaboynton/

This should spark a thirst for understanding again with our younger generation. Instead of the ratchet garbage that is being perpetuated on a daily basis and encouraged by the media [entertainment outlet], I commend the young people who continue to focus on the issues at hand. What that is wrong with today’s social issues whether it is police injustice or the economical gap in this society.

STAY FOCUSED! YOU HAVE TO BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE…

                                                            [To be continued]

…Pandora

HOLLYWOOD SNUB

Well well well, once again America shows its ugly side. The award shows that give recognition to outstanding movies and performances has snubbed the obvious, Selma. Americans have fought for equal rights for so many years and when you think the coast is almost clear there is another bombed launched. I for one have never been fooled by the notion that racism is dead in America or that we have come a long way. The fact that we have a true first African-American President still makes some people uncomfortable to the extent that a pivotal point in history albeit not autobiographical, was given the cold shoulder.

Hollywood would embrace Schindler’s List, Fiddler on the Roof, The Jazz Singer to name a few. No matter how much other people do not like the Jews, you will not disrespect any part of their culture. So why do we allow this level in our community? “They” hate the POTUS! To the point there is petty picking like the school yard bully. To not to have any mention of any actor or the name of the movie SELMA America hatred is noticed and I’m not scared! We are not scared.

America continues to show its true colors. Duke University just changed its stand on the “Call to Prayer” for Muslims sighting the concerns of the [stockholders] and Rev. F. Graham and their community.

To the statue award shows, keep your trinkets. We will show our spending power with not spending. Remember the extended Christmas black Friday sales?

To the statue award shows, keep your trinkets. We will show our spending power with not spending. Remember the extended Christmas black Friday sales?

…Pandora

I REMEMBER

Growing up in Saturdays was for house cleaning. Chore like dusting, laundry and cleaning my room again was the norm then watching some baseball game [The Mets] with my father. There was one particular Saturday I’ll never forget.

There was a phone call and all of a sudden the adults started scrambling around getting dressed to go out. My father who rarely moved from his “Archie Bunker” chair got up. My mom changed my outfit and we rushed out of the house. In the 1960’s children were seen and not heard when it came to adults and having no opinion of anything, just follow the instructions that were giving you.

I found myself at church. Church on Saturday strange for me who went on every Sunday? Our church had a balcony that rarely opened except on Mother’s day or Easter Sunday this is where we had to sit. I was amazed at the number of people that were here today. I was excited that we got to go up into the balcony. I was scared that I might have fallen crashing to the lower level if I leaned too far forward. I sat quietly with my mom squeezed in a seat looking down from the balcony on the preachers.

The church was so quite you could hear a pin drop on cotton. The preacher spoke in a harmonic soothing voice, not that scratching rasping preacher voice I had come to expect. It could have been 20 minutes or an hour and 20 minutes, I was not sure. My mom found some of the “pocketbook candy” and gave me a piece. I looked around the sanctuary and looked into the adults faces as they were transfixed on what the minister was talking about. Every adult looked hypnotized but content.

After the service was over we went outside and found there were so many people out there where the church and placed a speaker so the crowd could hear the minster. To my pleasant surprise my daddy was out there as well. You see my father was not the type to go to church every Sunday. He did believe in God but did not see the point to talk to God in a suit only on Sundays. I got into his car and rode back to the house with him.

When we got home there were so many people still outside talking about the day. We kids were playing outside while the adults were socializing. It was a memorable day.

I remembered that day not only because it was the first time I saw my daddy come to church, but it was the day Rev. Dr. martin Luther King visited the church and I was there.

…Pandora

I REMEMBER. 

The Weather outside is frightful

The Weather outside is frightful.

It is freezing, brick, bleeding whatever the terminology is, it’s just plain cold. Some people are not happy with it but “Mother Nature” sees fit to have it cold at the time. I feel that the cold ground kills some of these germs. I believe it does us some good. I get it that what is happening in the Midwest is a tragedy. However I live in the southern United States and hear complaints about this weather.

News flash, It is January it is supposed to be cold in the areas that get change of seasons.

 Stay warm, stay safe
...Pandora

RAMBLINGS AND OBSERVATIONS OF A 50 YEAR OLD: BUGS

RAMBLINGS AND OBSERVATIONS OF A 50 YEAR OLD: BUGS: I grew up with two brothers and raised two boys and I know a little something about bugs. In college I studied biology dissecting frogs,...

BUGS

I grew up with two brothers and raised two boys and I know a little something about bugs. In college I studied biology dissecting frogs, grasshoppers, whatever and knew I wanted to become a zoologist. So nature came natural for me. I loved the outdoor experience of plants and small animals including bugs.

Nowadays, I have granddaughters and grandsons. My grandsons were playing in the yard one day and one was a little apprehensive about touching, the other just looked and the third sang the “ewww” song. This is when I sprang into action and became The ENTOMOLOGIST-at-large. I taught them to be gentle with handling the stick to pry and turn over the “ginormous” caterpillar. To look at the color and the fuzzy skin on the caterpillar had them amazed. To see their Grandmother right there with them and the look on their aces was priceless.

I constantly enjoy my grands and their thrust for life and all things new, reminding me of when my children were young and innocent taking my house apart by the screws. I have granddaughters as well, with their interest in fashion and make-up is another story for another day.

…Pandora [who used to catch butterflies]

The New Year..[so far]

It's only the third day of the New Year and no I did not break any of my New Year resolutions! Yeah! Not so fast, I found the secret of keeping my resolutions. NOT TO MAKE ANY! I decided many years ago to stop making them. Every start of the New Year I like the rest of the procrastinators, either never made any or it was March before I decided what I would or would not do. This saved me tons of grief. For the last 15 months I completed and won a battle with breast cancer. I rediscovered what it is truly important to me. The usual suspect is always on the top of the list. My family, my children and grandchildren to name a few. What I realized how much time I didn't take for myself. How I neglected myself and needed to rectify this.

Most women who have a family put themselves last when it comes to care taking. One gets into the habit of doing this for that person, doing that for this person by the end of the day total exhaustion. Before you know years have gone by, the children who you mind to the point to clean their nose have become adults in their thirties. You may be in your forties or fifties with the same habits of treating these people as you did for thirty years, enough already.

My first priority is my wellbeing. I have to do what feels right for me. The concept of holistic healing makes sense. The mind, body and spirit working together for your greater good are a key to healthy living. This is a learning journey, constantly changing scenery as you travel through life.

Which brings me to every New Year for the past few years, if I live my life to the fullest during the year I need not to resolve any choses that I have made for the past year or regrets. Please don’t get me wrong, I have made mistakes, major mistakes some I regret. I continue to create errors or bad judgments. I have learned to love myself through it. Learn through the examples or lessons so I don’t have to repeat them again then move on.

So, I start my New Year with a fresh page, new chapter and a desire to live. I cannot wait to see what the new, now, next has in store for me.

Happy New [Every] Year!

…Pandora

Watch Night, New Year's Day

I grew up going to church on New Year's eve.Sitting and reflecting on the year that past. As a child I didn't have much reflecting to do. It was enough for me just to sit still in church. As an adult I continued this tradition bringing my children because this is how I was raised.I wanted answers and I began questioning everything I did specially when it came to propaganda and advertisements. My research led me to the south, land of my American ancestors. The service was called "Watch Night". What are we watching?

"The Watch Night service can be traced back to gatherings also known as “Freedom’s Eve.” On that night, Black slaves and free blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation actually had become law.  At the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863; all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free. When the news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as many people fell to their knees and thanked God."

http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/first-watch-night-service-occurs

There slaves in Texas how found out they were free in June 19, 1865 two years after the Emancipation. This is celebrated June 19 of each year mostly in the south and southwest states. [We in New York City had no idea of this celebration growing up in The Bronx].

We as a community have been gathering in churches every since as a tradition. I now understand the importance of traditions and strive for the true meanings to pass on to my futures. My grandchildren are my futures, my investments, the legacy of the family to carry on forever.

My you and your family have a healthy prosperous New Year. Leave all heavy dead weight, and useless energy behind!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

...Pandora