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Track and Transformation

Being athletic served as a powerful defense against children who were mean to me. My athletic accomplishments and successes made them reluctant to criticize me for fear that they would be labeled jealous, and certainly they were too slow to take me on so they left me alone. From as early as I could remember,Continue reading “Track and Transformation”

Because that’s what he would have done

In Toni and Slade Morrison’s retelling of The Ant and the Grasshopper the reader is left with the dilemma of how you respond to the needs of those who have given you non-tangible gifts. The Grasshopper, Foxy G in their tale, is driven by his craft to create music. He doesn’t reject preparing for theContinue reading “Because that’s what he would have done”

Of This, You can Be Proud

Ma Mildred, the woman who was like a grandmother to me, would boast that she had the cleanest trash on the block. She boiled chicken bones so as to remove the stench that might draw stray dogs and she wrapped them up before tossing them into her pristine, white plastic garbage pail, which had onceContinue reading “Of This, You can Be Proud”

Orange Sherbet

I never liked ice cream. My uncles used to ask me when I was young, “what kind of kid are you? How can you not like ice cream?” But I didn’t. I did, however, like sherbet. I still do. The other day, I was feeding my son orange sherbet and I was overtaken by aContinue reading “Orange Sherbet”

Walls

I want to decorate my walls with photographs. Instead of pining over the decorated walls that I grew-up admiring, I decided to concretize the joy that I once knew in looking. My dining room already has a framed photograph of my son hanging and I’m thinking of adding others that I have had printed atContinue reading “Walls”

Taking Pictures

From what I remember, my grandmother was our family archivist and this was the camera she used. My uncle Eric remembered my grandfather attempting to act as the family photographer, but whose efforts at arranging the family in time-consuming poses never produced an actual photograph; while my grandmother’s photos, taken with her “cheap camera” alwaysContinue reading “Taking Pictures”

Chores: Interview

1. Is doing housework ever a matter of inspiration for you? In other words, are there ever times when you find youself in need of inspiration for completing household chores? 2. What housework do you do daily? Weekly? Occassionally? How do you determine this schedule? 3. Why is it important to organize yourself and yourContinue reading “Chores: Interview”

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency

Initially, I decided to read Alexander McCall Smith’s series, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, because I saw an episode of the HBO series and had enjoyed it.I now read the series because I like feeling like I am a part of the lives of the characters. I find myself wanting to know what isContinue reading “The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency”