• inspiration,  my view,  photography

    Looking up

    I’m so unhappy with my lack of reading time lately. I’ve been so busy that it’s been practically nonexistent and my normal bath reading time has been finding me falling asleep in the tub. I’m afraid I’ll wake with a wet book. I feel so off my game. Don’t you hate it when that happens? I find my reading is now relegated billboards.

    Funny (or sad depending on how you look at it) story. My normal blog hoppers will know I like the sayings on the little church that I pass often as I shuttle the DD to dance class. Well, there has been a particularly good but kinda long one (3 lines) up this past week. Too long for me to read the whole thing as I whizzed by at breakneck speed. I finally got the end of the saying today and it all came together:

    Sorrow looks back

    Worry looks around

    Faith looks up!

    Nice, huh?
    Best,
    Kwana

  • inspiration,  my view

    Alone

    Today will be my first day alone (well, for a least a few hours) in quite a while. Big grin from me. I find that I’m a very solitary person and am happy with my own company. At least most of the time. Of course there are times when even I get on my own nerves. Yep, I can admit that.
    Now I know I can easily fill the day with the the laundry list (literally) of coulds and shoulds, but I’m going to take a moment to be like this women and just BE.

    image: Edward Hopper

    Be Alone.

    Take some time to stop, breathe and think before I take that next step into this new season. Be in me for a while. Go in for a moment before I step out again.

    Please take a little time for you too during this season of change and renewal.

    Best,
    Kwana

  • inspiration,  my view,  photography,  sports

    Late Starry Night

    Sorry for the the late breaking post but it was a late night under the stars for me at the US Open last night. The DH and I were invited by friends and enjoyed a lovely night of exciting tennis in Queens.

    I hope you have a wonderful Labor day end of Summer weekend!

    Best,

    Kwana

  • inspiration,  my view,  politics

    Bittersweet Goodbye

    A bittersweet goodbye today to Senator Edward M. Kennedy as the rain came down around The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church where his funeral services were held today.


    The youngest son of Rose and Joe Kennedy is no more and it seems that a very special political era is over. One filled with a true commitment of public service and looking out for those that are downtrodden or may be different from you. Of course we truly are so very the same.

    But even in his own words

    “There is still a light…”

    Best,
    Kwana

    Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

    Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

  • art,  artists,  inspiration,  love,  my view

    Welcoming Kiss

    This is Marc Chagall’s Birthday done in 1915. I have it in a postcard stuck in my bedroom mirror among others. The colors are heavenly and perfectly balanced. The kiss and the present of a simple bouquet is divine. This seems to be the perfect welcome home from any mate. But what I love most here is the way the man is stretching, seeking, bending towards his wife. Yep, literally bending over backwards to get to her. Isn’t love grand?


    Best,
    Kwana

  • inspiration,  life,  motherhood,  my view,  stress

    Yes

    What’s Jack up to? Right now Jack’s chilling on the couch. You know, in his usual spot. Nothing new there. I’m happy for that.

    Things are a crazy right now over in Kwana land and I’m feeling the need for a break at the end of this very intense and non-rest filled summer. You know me, I try to keep it real, well as real as I can on a public blog, but in reality there is quite a thick filter on this here blog. Come on, I wouldn’t want to scare polite company away with the constant stream in my head.

    But as I was saying. I’m feeling the need for a break this week. I’ll have a few pics and videos up. Feel free to comment if you like I’ll be checking in on the Crackberry, And please enjoy these last days of summer. Share them with those you love.

    Right now while every fiber of my being is saying NO, I’m going to do the opposite and say YES. Or at least try really hard. I know there is still so much more that’s required of me. I hope today that you too have a spirit of YES in whatever you do.

    Best,

    Kwana

  • celebs,  inspiration,  my view

    Super Lady

    On Saturday a pioneer passed away. Naomi Sims died of cancer at the age of 61 in NJ. She is credited as being the first Black Supermodel paving the way for models such as Beverly Johnson, Pat Cleveland and later the likes of Tyra and Naomi Campbell.

    Here she is on the cover of Life in 1969.

    With agency doors being closed to her (some even telling her straight to her face that her skin was too dark) and not being able to go the traditional route, Naomi blazed her own path by going straight to the photographers to find work.


    Naomi left modeling after 5 years to become a successful business woman launching a wig company and beauty business. She also went on write a number of successful books including: How to be a Top Model and All About Health and Beauty for the Black Woman.

    Naomi led the way, showing how to get it done through adversity. Her star will be missed.

    Best,
    Kwana

  • inspiration,  my view,  stars

    WWAD-What Would Audrey Do?

    What’s Jack up to? Jack’s had a fun filled weekend. A little BBQ and with extra treats thrown in. Also plenty of wildness with the dear twins so now he’s ready for some naps and quiet time on this Monday. A little Jack chill time is in order. At least for a bit.

    While in Anthro world last week I came across a couple of delightful books that I really want for my go to library and one of them was this little gem: How to Be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life. Hence the title of today’s post WWAD (What Would Audrey Do?)

    I’m a huge Audrey fan. Always and admirer of her style and grace. Funny Face is one of my all time favorite movies along with My Fair Lady. I even have a My Fair Lady Barbie done of in that dress from the races. Just to die for and we won’t get into the emotion from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. “Cat!”

    They just don’t make stars like that anymore.

    Here’s the synopsis from How to Be Lovely:
    On many occasions, she was approached to pen her autobiography, the definitive book of Audrey Hepburn, yet she never agreed. A beloved icon who found success as an actress, a mother and an humanitarian, Audrey Hepburn perfected the art of gracious living.
    More philosophy than biography, How to Be Lovely revisits the many interviews Audrey gave over the years, allowing us to hear her voice directly on universal topics of concern to women the world over: careers, love lives, motherhood and relationships. Enhanced by rarely seen photographs, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights from the friends who knew her well, How to Be Lovely uncovers the real Audrey, in her own words.
    While she would have been the last to say so, Audrey Hepburn was an expert in the art of being a woman. How to Be Lovely imparts whatever wisdom and insight she found along the way to the millions who grew up, or will grow up, wanting to be just like her.

    Published to coincide with Audrey Hepburn’s would-be seventy-fifth birthday, How to Be Lovely offers a rare glimpse into the woman behind the mystique and the definitive guide to living genuinely with glamour and grace.

    Who are some of your favorite stars from the past?

    Have a happy Monday!

    Best,
    Kwana
  • inspiration,  my view,  writers,  writing life

    Doubt

    “You need to learn to Doubt your Doubts.”


    These were the best words that I heard over this weekend. They were spoken by my pastor in church this Sunday. The sermon topic was: “Faith that conquers fear”.
    Fear. My own dear friend and late night snack companion. Then the question came up: well, what do you do when you have doubts?
    Doubts. Those insidious little creatures that seep into your head telling you that you: can’t write it, have no talent, it won’t work out, you won’t succeed, all is lost, your looks are gone, your body is shot, you don’t have the smarts, it’s over or whatever else your nasty little creature like to whisper.
    We all have Doubts. But a good way to deal with doubts is to learn to doubt them.
    Hmm… Doubt the Doubts. Put them on the defensive (eek I hope I used that term right DH). Break the paralyzing hold they have, making them less effective and faith more powerful. Tell that little creature critic to SHUT UP. Brush it off your shoulder and move on. There is work to do. I’m feeling powerful.
    Sidebar: Um, friends remind me to give this speech to myself again in about 3 or 4 days when I’ll no Doubt (ha) be needing it again.

    On another note: I was quoted in The New York Times from my earlier post on Frank McCourt. You can read the Times article here. Thanks to all the new visitors who have stopped by. Welcome. I hope you come on back or better yet follow me. Gasp.

    The best parts about being in The Times?

    1. Honoring Mr. McCourt
    2. It’s not that far a stretch from The Bestseller List.
    3. Being called a romance writer without a bit of snark or a ripped bodice. WIN!

    Best,

    Kwana
  • Frank McCourt,  inspiration,  my view

    Thank You Mr. McCourt

    I end this day with a heavy heart with the sad news that Pulitzer Prize winning author Frank McCourt had passed away at the age of 78. You can read about it here.


    He is best known for his Bestselling hit Angela’s Ashes and then the blockbuster movie that followed. But for me it is hard to think of him as Frank McCourt. You see he’ll always be Mr. McCourt to me. The Irish Lit and creative writing teacher from when I was in Stuyvesant High School. The 50 minutes of excitement and brightness to an otherwise dull day.


    His class was the class where my imagination would soar and my creativity would thrive. It was where I started to really love the written word and started to crave the writer’s life. Only Mr. McCourt could make suffering desirable. Hell, you were going to suffer in this life anyway you might as well do it doing something you love.

    I remember clearly the day I was coming down the steps in the old building, looking down and mopey, as I was often doing during that time, and he was coming up and asked what my problem was. I said I was broke (who wasn’t?). He told me to follow him to the schools job board. I did. He looked over the board pick pointed to a job and told me to call. He said, “You’re a smart girl you can do that job.”

    Well I did. And I kept that job clear through college. And also met my DH on that job. All thanks to Mr. McCourt.

    Years later my DH and I were taking the twins to the Museum of Natural History. The twins must have been about 4 or 5 years old. It just so happens Mr. McCourt was doing a reading and had a huge crowd, but I wanted to go and say hello. I had just left fashion design and had written my first hot mess of a book.

    The crowd finally parted and I went up to him. I asked if he remembered me. He did. I told him the story of the job board and the kids. I joked and said that he was responsible for my Dear Twins. To that he responded, “No Way!” with his infectious laugh.

    Then I told him that I was now writing and his eyes lit up. He asked what I had written and I told him quickly about my hot mess of a first romance. And this sweet man always looking out for his students gave me the name of his super high powered agent (no he didn’t frown at romance. Ha!). And told me to query her and say that he sent me.

    Also to keep writing.

    Well I will keep writing Mr. McCourt. Until…

    Thank you.
    Kwana

    P.S. you can read my past post where I wrote about Mr. McCourt here