ODE TO SATURDAY MORNINGS<br /> <br /> Saturday mornings are meant for rest and relaxation….except in an African American household. Saturdays are meant for a deep scrubbing from the inside to the outside, usually to be completed by noon so we could go outside and ride our bikes and play until the streetlights came on, or in my case, piano lessons until early afternoon and THEN ride the day away all over the city of Columbus on my white 10-speed.<br /> <br /> Early mornings, we would wake to my mom’s homemade apple or cherry turnovers or Bob Evan’s recipe biscuits. My younger sister and I woud have the inside of the house and our brothers would have the outside. Once we all came together in the middle, we would eat, get dressed and head to piano lessons on 18th Street with the incomparable Vincent Walters.<br /> <br /> Music comprehension for one hour, hanging with some like-minded creatives (we really weren’t), and then home to Soul Train at noon and friends, kickball, garden hoses and Dixie cups and the creek for the rest of the day and night. Being a kid was so easy in the 80’s. My only stress was if the neighbor boy liked me more than he did Kim Cherry. That was it. That was all. Childhood and Saturdays was a blast! No cell phones, no child predators lurking the streets (we knew everyone who belonged). Just simple childhood fun.<br /> <br /> What is your ode to Saturday?<br /> <br /> <br /> <span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Family - in Blogs</span>

Morning with the Master<br /> <br /> Hey sisters and brothers! Welcome to my weekly devotional where we can share prayers, scriptures and reflection. <br /> <br /> When reading this morning, I came across the story of Athaliah, the first female crowned king who, when her husband and sons died, killed off the rest of her family line (her grandkids) so that she would be the only person left in her lineage and could rule until her death. I don't know about you, but there is nothing more important than my family--and the grandkids are extra special and precious to my very sight! To have that much greed and desire to have not only everyone answer to you, but also be the sole decision maker is completely out of bounds, and extremely ambitious. <br /> <br /> As a Christian woman, I don't want to be the only face that people seek for approval, answers and permission. That is too much weight for any one person to bear and its just unnatural. Who can you love? Who can love you? <br /> <br /> The divine God created the world and everything in it. Can any man or woman follow that? Not one! Can any man or woman have the right answer to EVERY question or concern? Not one! Can any man or woman create a permanent route for peace and understanding? Not one!<br /> <br /> There is a reason we cannot see or touch God. Because we might do like Athaliah and try to eliminate the almighty because of greed and idolatry. He oversees and has the end say to everything we do. That is a safety I can count on if I cannot rely on anything else in this world.<br /> <br /> Let me know your thoughts. Let's talk about it.<br /> <br /> <span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Religion - in Blogs</span>

So you are on your second time around the sun. The kids’ kids are your new entourage. You’re trading in your stilletos for cowboy boots and you and your girls are all boots on the ground! You have reached the 55+ club. What’s next? Could it finally be time to embrace no-line bifocals? Or maybe even embrace your silver locs as your inevitable beauty mark.<br /><br /> About six months ago, I decided to go all gray. Not a slight decision at all, but once I decided to replace the permanent dye with purple shampoo, my hair took on a whole new mindset of its own. And with that, I decided to do some research on becoming the new gray me. If you are steering the same ship I am, here are some fun, not faux, facts I found about what makes gray so beautiful and why you are getting ready to shine.<br /><br /> Did you know: gray hair is just hair that has lost its melanin. According to Healthline.com, it will be thinner, coarser and less manageable, but according to Tiya, it has a natural highlight that will help you have a different glow that color just can’t create.<br /><br /> Did you know: most people blame stress for the silver invasion. But that’s only one factor. WebMD.com says its mostly a genetic trait. If your mom and dad had gray hair, then you will more than likely follow their lead. Its gonna happen. Put your seatbelts on and get ready for the ride!<br /><br /> Did you know: your race may be an indication of if and when you will gray. Again, WebMD.com reveals African-Americans don’t usually start to gray until their mid-40’s, while white individuals start in their mid-30’s and Asians in their late 30’s. No, if you are Black and Asian, you cannot add 30 and 40 to get 70. You tried it!<br /><br /> Did you know: that hairs in our lower region do not necessarily gray at the same time as the hair on your head. Some people even notice those hairs graying sooner, and in uneven patterns.<br /><br /> Share some of your follicle facts and grayisms. Join the movement!<br /><br /><span style='display:none' class='DO NOT REMOVE - THIS CATEGORY CODE WILL BE HIDDEN - IT IS NEEDED TO BE FOUND BY CATEGORY AND ONE-CLICK SEARCH'>Category: Beauty - in Blogs</span>