Stand the Storm, A Review

River, Cross My Heart by Breena Clarke



Breena Clarke has presented a very good re-enactment of a time in history that has mostly been presented only in a negative and less than favorable light. She does not over simplify, or negate the hardships of slavery, but presents that time in history in a framework of hope. In Stand the Storm, Clarke takes invites the reader to take the journey to freedom with the Coats family. I was especially pleased to see that the Coats' were skilled in the field of textiles. Take a journey of hope with Clarke and the Coats' by reading Stand the Storm.

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A Natural Woman - A Review

A Natural Woman by Lori Johnson



A Natural Woman is the story of Aleisha Eaton a successful college professor who could be your next door neighbor, best friend or sister. Lori Johnson's sophomore effort is a must read if you're looking for a good solid story, complete with conflict, suspense and of course a solid love story. It is much more than a love story, it's really a life story and confronts some of the many issues that African American professionals face regularly, from classism to abuse.Johnson does a wonderful job with POV, and the dialouge moves you through the story with great ease. It's familiar and as is a trait of Johnson's it is lyrical and familiar.I highly recommend A Natural Woman.

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The Pursuit of Hair Happiness

Today I have spent a number of hours on the internet lurking on sites, playing Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook and reading about natural hair. The latter leaves me a little befuddled and confused, because you see I'm not really a hair person. What does that mean, well I like for my hair to look nice, but I am not into primping and constantly checking out how my hair looks.
A good hair day to me is one where I wake up, style my hair and that's the end of it until the end of the day. I don't want to have to keep combing, fixing or worrying about how my hair looks. I have found that this is really next to impossible.
Last August I found myself fed up with my hair. It was just limp, I had worn the same basic style forever and I just didn't know what to do with it. Ultimately, I longed to pull my hair into a ponytail and just go about my day. That however was not possible because it was only about ear length, and short styles weren't my cup of tea because it called for too much maintenance.
I had dabbled for a couple of summers with wearing it natural, but this year the ends just seemed so straight and would not curl, which I really didn't understand because I had not relaxed my hair in about two years.
My mom was attempting to loc her hair again, and I went to the salon with her and talked to one of the stylist who suggested I make an appointment for a haircut and go from there. So, a few days later I came back and cut my hair and started my journey. After that initial cut I could see a difference in the way my hair looked, the ends were no longer straight, but I'm not sure I was totally satisfied with the look. I kept my hair in its natural state for about one month and then had it styled for a wedding. Boy was my husband happy to see the transformation, and so devastated to see me go back to the curly natural state the day after.
Today, fourteen months after the fact I'm still getting used to my hair, but I'm also finding that there is no such thing as "no maintenance" hair. That is a bummer for me, because as I have stated I don't like fussing over hair.
So today I came across the blog Newly Natural, and all of a sudden a light came on. Here, KCurly writes about her journey to natural and she offers tips on products, styles and maintenance. I have read a number of blogs, but I think this is the first time I really had an "Aha" moment. Although I don't like to really play with my hair, in order for me to find satisfaction and achieve my goals I must. I also have to really get to know my hair, which I believe I have done in the last year, but I still have to spend more quality time with my hair and really understand all of the different changes that take place - primarily with the use of different products.
As much as I don't want to be a slave to my hair, I can see that I have a lot of learn and it's still a work in progress.
I'll keep you posted.

Standing Up for Education - Where is the Problem?

• so·cial·ism
• Pronunciation: \ˈsō-shə-ˌli-zəm\
• Function: noun
• Date: 1837

1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

The definition above is courtesy of the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, and I post it so that we can see first hand what this term that has been bandied about over the last several days really means. Now from what you read, where does education come into play? Where does advising children that the best path in life is one that includes studying hard, and preparing yourself for the future fit into that definition?

President Obama prepared a speech to give to Arlington, Virginia high school students, and the mission of this address is to motivate students to commit themselves to preparing for their futures. He wants them to take an active role in their own destiny - where then is there a problem? In reading the speech I was pleased to see this passage, which I think speaks volumes about the problems that we as a country face in schools, "I've talked a lot about your government's responsibility for setting high standards, supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren't working where students aren't getting the opportunities they deserve. But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world - and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed."

Helping students understand that they have a key role in their own success is a good thing. It is something that needs to be reiterated by parents, teachers and community members. Thinking back to my school days, I don't know if it was presented to me in this manner, but I was always aware that my "job" was to go to school and to do the best that I could. I wonder if this message is being communicated in enough households today, and if not - then I wonder how will this message be communicated?

One of my strong views is that we must first educate many of our parents. Unfortunately, we live in a society where a number of our parents were not prepared for the role that they took on at the birth of that infant, and they continue a cycle of that includes under-achievement, self-doubt and satisfaction with mediocrity.

To have a President concerned enough to speak to students about their role in their futures should be an event applauded by all, because if we work in a trickle down theory - the top is saying education is important and that should be spread throughout the ranks.

Criticism is a part of the job, but aren't we all interested in a better prepared and educated America? How is this a bad thing?

As always, I would love to hear your feedback, so if you have an opinion please post it in the Comments section.

~Peace

Baked Brussels Sprouts

There's a virtual party taking place this evening in honor of C. Beth's birthday and I've decided to bring baked brussels sprouts to the party. You take about one pound of brussels sprouts, clean them and then place them evenly on a baking sheet coated in bacon fat. Stick these wonderful green delights in the oven on 400 degrees and bake until they are nice and tender and the leaves begin to scorch just a little.

What a wonderful veggie dish to bring to the party. I hope you all enjoy, a new twist on one of the blandest vegetables out there.

To join the fun of jump-starting your muse, check out the One-Minute Writer here.

Today's One-Minute Writer Post:

Oh to have the youthful exuberance of a child again. Children have such vivid imaginations and even today they will hold conversations with "imaginary" friends. They see people as people and don't see color lines. Why if you put a group of children in a room and give them a few toys they will play and interact and make their new "best friend" in an inkling. If only we were all so open and free spirited in our beliefs, this world would be a much better place.

Trying Something A Little Different

About a year ago, I decided to free myself and most importantly, my hair, from my dangerous addiction to heat. Actually, I had been attempting for a couple of years to go free during the summer months, but the look really wasn't happening. I regularly had ends that would not revert to their natural state and this really boggled my mind, because I had not relaxed my hair; the only chemicals were coloring.
Then last summer it just seemed that nothing was working and I talked with a co-worker who had begun wearing her hair naturally and decided to take the plunge. I cut my hair and began wearing it natural and it really began to curl on its own. The only problem was humidity has never been my friend, and anyone who knows Cleveland summers understands my pain. Instead of the curly ringlets left after a shower or shampoo, the minute the air hit my hair I had what I called a curly 'fro. Not the look I was hoping for, but I stuck it out, only blow drying and flat ironing my hair once - for my friend's wedding.
The results have been wonderful. I believe my hair has become a little thicker and I know it is healthier, but I'm still not a fan of the shrinkage.
Fast forward to June and I receive an email from my friend and former writing group member, author Lori Johnson informing me and others that she is preparing a series on Natural Women as a prelude to the release of her next novel, A Natural Woman, and asking if we would like to submit a story. While reading her blog I came across a number of links on natural hair, maintenance and the journey to natural.
So, last week I decided to twist my hair as a change. The picture above is after three days. Not sure if it's the look I'm after, but the feedback has been great. What do you think?
Check out Lori's blog to hear more stories on the road to becoming a truly Natural Woman.