Special Events
53rd Daylong Birthday Celebration
Proving once again that I can have a meaningful celebration even if it’s midweek and for a day, I started off my birthday with a light breakfast at home, followed by a mango smoothie at one of the coolest coffee shops in town. As a matter of fact, one of my prolific poetry-writing friends had … Continue reading
Dad’s Home
Dad shattered his hip a few days after his 85th birthday in April and he returned a few days before Mom’s 83rd and my 53rd birthday in September. The time in between birthdays had been a long road to recovery. Welcome Home Hugs My childhood bedroom had been converted into Dad’s convalescence room, complete with … Continue reading
Alternative Housing
As a family, we’d kicked the housing can down the road until we’d just about reached the end. We’d been blessed with general good health until the complications of age and reduced mobility brought us to research and strategize alternative housing. My parents bought their current house in 1979 when they were still physically vibrant, … Continue reading
2023 Strange Family Reunion
This year marked our 82nd continuous Strange Family Reunion and the first time we were back in person after three years of virtually meeting during the pandemic. We essentially had two themes for this family reunion: “Back Down Memory Lane” and “Celebrating Our Second Generation Legacies.” What we meant by “second generation” was second freeborn … Continue reading
Upside Down Exercises
At some point in my pole fitness journey, I want to invert, which makes the difference between my current level and advancing to the next one, level 4. It’s a pretty daunting task to invert while on the pole. The fight against gravity is pretty gnarly when hanging on right-side up. What I’ve learned in … Continue reading
Another Reason to Celebrate
On days like these, the most authentic restaurants don’t care about cultural appropriation. Not that I attempted to dress or act like anything else that who I was: a hungry person who also drinks. My Mango Margarita We stood outside with the rest of the customers who waited for tables. The restaurant had placed all … Continue reading
Didn’t Congress End This?
I distinctly remember around this time last year, Congress made a lot of noise about ending Daylight Savings. They cited many reasons why it was no longer needed and even dangerous to continue the tradition of “springing forward” an hour, which robs us of an hour of sleep. Not to mention those of us who … Continue reading
Black History Dance Celebration
When one of my cousins invited us to an event as part of a monthlong black history celebration, several of us had different ideas about what it would be: a potluck, a dance, a play, or some other presentation. I knew for sure that it was a potluck because, once again, Mom had been requested … Continue reading
Auntie’s Surprise 80th BD Party
I’m always apprehensive to attend a surprise birthday party for an older person. I remember that scene in the movie, “Get Shorty,” where the surprised birthday person has a heart attack. I’d hate to be associated with such an unfortunate event, but my extended family has been smart. We lie to the unsuspecting birthday person … Continue reading
My Dapper Uncle’s Homegoing
Rest In Power, Uncle Floyd On Thanksgiving Day 2022, I had the pleasure to interview Uncle Floyd for an episode of Strange Family Folklore called, “Killing Santa Claus & Other Cascade Childhood Memories.” At the time, I knew what a blessing Uncle Floyd’s good spirits were. At 93, Uncle Floyd had reoccurring health conditions that … Continue reading