In Honor
To those who serve and give so much.Thanks is not enough.
Happy Veteran’s Day and thoughts and prayers to all who have lost so much.Best,Kwanaphotographs from the Fort Hood memorialNana not NaNo
Good Monday to you and wishing you a good week ahead.
Thanks so much for all the well wishes on my Nano challenge. Speaking of Nano, today I’m talking about Nana, my Nana. All my regular readers know her very well. She’s a regular here on the blog and Jack’s best girl well everyone’s really. Sweet as pie and can bake a heck of a pie. Smarter than anyone I know she also has the secret mouth of a sailor and can bring a hardened biker to his knees with lash of her quick tongue so stay on her good side. She’s also been a caregiver for many years since I was first born until she retired taking care of many children mostly for single mothers in Harlem. Lots of time for little pay, just doing what she could to help them get on their feet, have a job and take care of their children.
Well Nana got a fright on Halloween. I picked up the phone to give her a shout and say hi see if she was all ready for her trick or treaters. She was out of breath when she picked up the phone and I could tell she was upset.Me:What‘s wrong?
Nana: I’m just back from my pharmacy and something has got to give baby.
Me: What happened?
Nana: Well you know I have to take 6 pills a day since I’ve had these stints put in.
Sidebar: such a scary time for our family when Nana was ill over a year ago and we’re so grateful for her continued improving health.
Me: Yep
Nana: I can’t take how these costs keep going up. My income is fixed you know. My one pill that was $38.00 last month has jumped to over $90.00 this month and there is no alternative medicine. I have to take it. I can see why these little old people skip pills or meals. Anymore of this and no one will have to worry about me needing meds. I’ll end up with a heart attack.
Me: Oh Nana don’t say that.
Nana: It’s true. I get so mad over all this heath care bull@#*$. People putting a price on lives. Without the little help from my family that I get I’d be dead now. This is just awful. Something had to give. They have to pass a bill and stop messing around. It’s always the little people that suffer.Well, that’s it people there was much more said, but I won’t go into it. I was pissed and so was she so the rating on the blog would have to go up. So this is all I have to say is that. Tomorrow is Election Day. Please go out and vote and remember to be good stewards over all.
Please.
Best,
KwanaMe Time
What’s Jack up to? Jack’s chilling after a fine weekend and being Just Jack. After a pretty dreary Saturday the sun came out on Sunday and Jack out in nice long walk with his buddy Bentley then just chilled and chilled some more. Oh the life.I had an odd weekend. Not odd really, but odd for me. Got to steal a little time for myself which is so very necessary to my sanity every once in a while.I found myself alone (well not quite, there were 2 other in need of peace moms there) in the movies. I was doing a little mom therapy and seeing Whip It which I just loved and highly recommend. A total girl power movie with tons of coolness and a rocking soundtrack. It also has the added bonus of being sweet as pie.Then I ended up on the West Side going to celebrate a friends B-day. Man there are lots of much younger peeps out having loads of fun at all hours. I’d almost forgotten that world. But still I adore NYC at night. It’s so in my blood, so home.
How was your weekend? Did you get in any U time?Best,KwanaConfirmation
What’s Jack up to? He is so needing a bath. It’s all rainy so that’s strike #1 against that bath deal. Also I don’t have the energy so that’s strike #2. And as for strike #3 see #2.
I don’t talking about my writing all that much here, well, maybe I do I don’t know where I am on the narcissistic writer scale but today I’m talking… a bit. It’s part of the story.
There are times when life gives you signs to keep pushing forward. A confirmation of sorts.One of my stories, book, novels whateves that I’m looking to sell is a YA (young adult) in which the heroine takes up gambling in order to save for the college of her dreams and in order to get money for her grandmother’s mounting medical bills when she shows signs of Alzheimer’s.
As a writer (well any type of artist) you put a bit of yourself out there with every submission. And yes. You know it’s all subjective and you keep that in mind but still you can’t help that twist in your gut every time you hit send and with every bit of feedback you get in return. It takes a lot to keep putting yourself out there day after day.
The other day I went to the doctor for a routine visit. Now my doctor has a lot of elderly patients that use his practice. I’m not sure why this is since he’s about 40-ish, but he does. Well, I’m in the waiting room wondering if I’ll get a flu shot, ouch (I did) when an elderly couple comes in along with a younger (about my age) woman. Now the older woman was, this is the only way I can describe it, full of piss and vinegar. She just about cracked me up walking in saying just how I felt about being there.
Lady loudly and not happy: Why do I have to come so far?
Husband: It’s not that far.
Lady: Well too far too me. They should make house calls.
Husband: Nobody makes house calls anymore. You’re not going to find that.
They both sit.
Husband: Well, you don’t have to come back for 3 months.
Lady: I’m not coming back!I’m thinking I hear ya, Lady.
The younger woman comes up after giving their info to the front desk and stands in front of the couple. She has a gentle way and starts to talk about someone calling the lady.
Lady: He doesn’t have to call me every day!
Husband: Shhh… Please don’t be so loud.
Lady: Don’t Shhh me!
Younger woman: Mom I thought you’d just like to see how he is. He’s doing so well and loves to speak with you.
Lady looking up at the younger women: Now softly: Are you my daughter?My heart wretches and I start to blink fast. Must keep back the tears.
Younger woman softly and with so much love: Yes, Mom I’m your daughter.
I think of my book and what the granddaughter does to get the overpriced meds for her grandmother to keep her Alzheimer’s at bay. I’m still submitting and tweaking the story. Anything to make it even better. Anything to get it out there. Health care is so important. Love is so vital. Perseverance is life.Best,
KwanaBittersweet 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,
KwanaVisit 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
Mr. Weaver is a winner!
Thanks to Beatrice.com’s Ron Hogan for pointing me in the direction of this video.
In this age of screaming, fear and intimidation being used to supposedly get points across, check out 11 year old reporter Damon Weaver interviewing President Obama on the tough issue of education. He shows how to get it done with class.
I hope your weekend is going well and you are enjoying some quiet and thoughtful moments.
Best,
KwanaWhat Looks Like Crazy
Thanks to Pearl Cleage for the title of my post today. If you’ve never read her book What Looks Like Crazy On An Ordinary Day, it’s been many years since I’ve read it, but I highly recommend it.
Happy Friday. I hope you made it through the week without too many scars and lots of smiles. I’m sure there was some crazy thrown in. All you had to do was turn on the tv or maybe walk out your door and not be too careful but in that I may be bordering on the cynical. So to put a funny spin on it I’ll leave it to Jon Stewart.The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c The Born Identity Daily Show
Full EpisodesPolitical Humor Joke of the Day Have a happy!
Best,
KwanaCrying in Argentina
I would have probably written about something else today, but this story stopped me in and tracks and saved me from thinking of a topic so, um, thanks? Not.
It’s just too much. And he’s running an entire State while just running off without a word and on Father’s Day weekend no less. And we wonder why we’re all in a hot mess. Cut to me shaking my head.
One of the most interesting things I found about this video of South Carolina Gov. Republican Mark Sanford confessing to his affair and subsequent strange disappearing act was the Dow index in the corner. Just watch the DOW. Very telling.
Best,
KwanaFirst 100 Days- Wordless Wednesday
I’m Still Hopeful and Optimistic
If you have time please view the full slide show of Pete Souza’s photos from White House.gov. It’s beautiful Here.Best,
Kwanaimages thanks to whitehouse.gov and time.com
Protests, Finances and Fashion Oh My!
What’s Jack up to? Jack has been his usual scamp of a self. Getting into everything, barking at everyone and causing general chaos while being as cute as can be. There is no sign of it slowing down with the Dear Twins being on spring break this week. It will be a bumpy ride.I hope you all had a good weekend. So far I’ve had my fill of, “what are we gonna do todays,” and it’s only the beginning of the week. Sigh.I did take in my fair share of The President and First Lady’s travels with the G20 summit.There were the protests as there are at every summit with the world on a horrible economic downturn they are all the more justified.
Finances were tops on every one lips with a the big wigs. Work people work!
And although this was most important to me I’ll admit to being the ultimate girl and having the best time following the First Lady’s every move. What Grace, What style and to top it all off with so much substance. I get chills at the opportunity of hope that was not there before. I want my own daughter to feel it and believe. I’m so grateful for what has happened and sincerely hopeful for a better future for our young people of the world.
Thanks to the fab blog Mrs. O for the wonderful images. What fun for the Michelle Obama fan like myself. You can check it out here.
Have a great Monday!Best,Kwana
