THE BEST IN LIFE, IS UP TO YOU

I am here to tell you this. If you just started out in a relationship and you are having a difficult time, then chances are you are not the main course in the relationship.  If a person is not trying to be with you, then understand why. There are many tell tales signs, that you are in a booty call relationship. Here are a few red flags; You are not meeting friends, family, or anybody intimate to your partner. You are a late-night date not to be seen or heard of. Then you are an undercover, off the scene, booty call.  I am not trying to hurt anyone’s feelings, but the truth is the truth. Don’t act coy, you know the deal, and you know when it doesn’t feel right.  Now there are some people that do not mind being a late-night/booty call because they are not looking to be in an exclusive relationship.  If that is what you’re into, then have at it.  If you have your head in the clouds and think he/she calls you late at night because they miss you, please understand that their person is either working all night or live in another city and they need the natural human thing (sex).  Understand and recognize the signs. If you are not receiving consistent calls, and being asked out on public dates, then chances are you are the late-night call. Ok if you think you are in a relationship, better take off the blinders.  Sit down and think about the nature of your relationship.  Does he/she call you on a regular basis? Does he/she he come over during dinner time or take you out to dinner? Do you plan events together? Do you know who his/her friends are?  If this is not the criteria, you are a late-night call. If you are willing and understand the role of your relationship, then the better off you are in your mind.  If you feel you have the potential for a real relationship, but your partner does not reciprocate those same feelings, it is basically a lost cause. Chances are, they have someone already.  If you understand your boundaries, then continue if you care to.   Just remember that what is done is darkness can sometimes come to light.  Understand and recognize what role you play in the relationship.  If you feel that you can be the main course, then you should.  Before you drink hot tea, just know you can be scorched.  Do not act like you don’t know, because you do.  As much of do not like to admit it, we have at one point or another, been the late-night call simply because we wanted to be with that person, and it did not matter how we got the company. So, if things are not panning out the way you think they should be, then if you look inside your soul. You know the deal. You probably are a late-night call.

Let me preface this blog by saying that the following is my opinion. I am so very saddened by the events that took place on Electoral Day. The day that Congress certifies the President Elect and Vice President Elect as the official next President and Vice President of the United States.  As I sat and stared at the television, looking at the horrendous siege of the Capitol, I began to cry in outrage at what I was seeing. That a sitting President of The United States not only allowed such a thing to take place but incited it as well. OMG!!! What is this madness?  Why is this being allowed to take place.  We in the United States have never seen anything like this before in our time. This sitting President has tried to undermine this democracy by saying we had a fraudulent election. Which was unfounded by every court that was presented by his lawyers in his lawsuits. It is not surprising that we have a divide in the country, but I love this country for its resilience, loyalty, and steadfast ways.  My heart is so heavy. I am aware that everyone has different opinions, ideas, and beliefs, but this is not how you express those personal beliefs. Threatening the lives of our Congress members because they disagree with the results of the Presidential election was an attempt at futility. The election was already certified. Electoral day at Congress was just a formality. The outcome would not have changed. I am not versed in political matters; however, I do know that as a citizen of this land, I have the right to have my voice heard by participating in the voting process to elect officials that I deem will do the job to help the people of this country, and to protect people’s civil liberties. What has this President done to us all?  What we saw was madness. These insurrectionists scaled the walls of the Capitol, broke windows, destroyed and stole property, and created chaos.  How could something like this happen in this country?  Do see now, what is going on? America, please wake up to being more humanistic.  We have got to respect each other's differences, but please let us not harm one another anymore.  Please stop the racism and disparity and treat people as people.  We are humans first. We cannot all be the same. God made us in his image, but he made us diverse. Living together as humans, not by race, color, or creed.  What I have seen in these past four years, more than anything is a great disparity in humanity and the treatment of people of color being extinguished because of their race and/or creed.  Will this sitting President be held accountabile for the violence he initiated? Will everyone associated with the debacle at the Capitol also be held accountable? Will the leadership of the Capitol police for its unpreparedness also be held accountable? The incoming administration already has a lot on their plate. I pray for them.  I want to thank my employer, the Metropolitan Police Department for their diligence in handling the mayhem and keeping their professionalism intact.  I would also like to thank Mayor Bowser, the DC Mayor, and the new incoming Police Chief Contee for their expertise, resilience, professionalism in keeping the citizens safe.  I pray for a new beginning.

Have you been bothered by others trying to judge you for the decisions you make or do not make?  If you have, then, please ignore them. Do what grown folks do and that is making decisions about your own life.   I have recently been in a one-sided argument with an individual concerning my taking the COVID vaccine.  This person’s thinking has been influenced by conspiracy notions and theories. The assumption that anyone taking the vaccine will be part of a government deception trying to reduce the country or the world population. Others feel that the vaccine will ultimately turn those who participate into zombies. The influence of Sci-fi media. The Corona virus is nothing new, this virus is deadly and vicious.  The CDC Scientist have always had a vaccine for corona virus but had to speed up the process and make it more potent to fight against the current strain and strains of variants that are spreading worldwide.  Thank God we have infectious disease experts that understand viruses and are working every day to learn more about this strain of corona virus.

• I understand the fear of this vaccine since it seems that it was rushed. However, formulas for the vaccines are nothing new. Scientist have always been working on a variety of vaccines for various diseases that plague this world. All administrations are faced with the constant reality of a doomsday occurrence. I know many of us of African American decent are especially skeptical and cautious because of historical situations.
• It is your right to have skepticisms about things we are not familiar with.   All vaccines have been tested in the labs and then with animals. This is before humans are set up for test trials to see the effects of the medication. This is nothing new. This is how scientist discover what the side effects are if any.  Unfortunately, there will be some people who will suffer a negative reaction to the vaccine. However, that percentage is low in comparison to the entire population. To all the conspiracy theorists about the vaccine, I want to be safe and protect others in my mist.
• Anyway, moving on, I have had my vaccinations and I feel good about getting them.  I will still follow precautions until a time that we can feel safe to resume life without masks.  Our life will never be normal because there is always going to be threats of diseases, and other natural things that we have no control over. The FDA has approved all these vaccines for emergency use because so many people have succumbed to the virus.  If you are bothered by negativity surrounding these vaccinations, just tell them to do them and you do you.  Don’t entertain the question on why you took the vaccine?
•  It is a personal choice and before long it will be mandatory in many sectors. Might as well expect it to happen because it will. In the meantime, we must fight to let our voices be heard. To convince everyone to do the right thing to win the fight against not only the Corona Virus and the variants that follow, but the conspiracy theorist as well. We are all in this together.
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I love dogs, especially small dogs. Dogs bring a sense of happiness and love. I grew up in a household with a variety of dogs over the years and I loved each one of them. I own a dog now, but my dog is not living with me because he is keeping my momma company in another city.  He is a pedigree, Lhasa Apso. His name is Mac, and he is as smart as a whip. He is also very spoiled.  My family gives him all the attention he needs, and I give him more when I am around.  Whenever I go home, it is like he knows I am near. When I get to the door and turn the key, and open the door he is so excited, he runs all around the house and then back to me.  I go visit him and my mom as often as I can, I can tell he misses me and knows my scent because he wants mad kisses and hugs.  He also loves my husband, always showing him love and affection. Dogs are like humans, you must treat them with care, I mean from sickness and in good health. You must give them the right type of food just like a human would enjoy.  My dog does not eat whatever you put in front of him. He likes top shelf good tasting dog food.  So, my family buys him the food he likes.  He knows what his palate likes, and he will not settle for anything less.   If you are lover of dogs, you can understand what it’s all about.  Dogs are always your best friend if you treat them right. They are loyal and loving.  Please be mindful of giving human food to your dogs.  A variety of human food can be toxic to dogs.  If your dog does not like his dog food, try several different brands until your dog is satisfied with one or more brands. I know from time to time, we give our dogs scraps, but don’t make it a habit, it is not good for them.  Love your dog, but don’t put them in danger.   

I don’t want to get off the subject of loving my dog, Mac but I want to inject this story into my story about Mac.  My dog was stolen once, and he did not have a chip in him. Thanks to some neighborhood sleuths, my dog was found.  We immediately got a chip put in him. I was happy my dog was found.  So, if you have a beloved pet, please make sure you put a chip in him. If your pet is ever lost or stolen, you will be able to find him/her.  If your dog has a chip in him, when someone finds him and attempts to claim him as their own, they will have to take the dog to a veterinarian eventually, and they will have to present paperwork of the ownership of the dog.   If they cannot provide paperwork, the vet will see if the dog has a chip. If the dog has a chip, the veterinarian will inform the person who brought the dog in for a checkup, that the dogs do not belong to them. The vet will notify the nearest animal shelter.  The animal shelter will notify the rightful owners that they have their dog.  The owners will have to provide proof of ownership and the dog will be returned to them. There are so many stray pets in the world. Please don’t let yours be the next one. Getting back to the subject of my beloved dog, I love my “Mac” very much and he will never be a stray, as long as he has a family who loves him.  We will do everything that we can do to protect him. I hope you will do the same to protect your beloved pet.

Lately, I have been going through a lot in my life. So much so that it could make me break down in sorrow and I’d cry all the time. Life is challenging at times, but you must persevere through it. Sometimes you just want to give up and feel sorry for yourself. “NO” keep pushing and moving forward. I love peaches, but sometimes peaches don’t like me and if I don’t accept that, you’re not living life. Life is hard at times. The sunshine gives you energy and rain can make you feel blue. You must take the time to “WHOOSAH” and focus on the most important things that have you in a frenzy and making things so complicated in your life. I know complication is sometimes unintentional and it can’t be helped. There are many times things in your life that can be chaotic because you refuse to change it. We all make excuses for the things we don’t want to change. If you want to have a different feeling or outcome you must take charge of your existence. I have so many things that I changed over the years to make me feel better about the way I want to live, the way I want to share with others. Persistence, however, pays off and if you want to make changes in your life you should. Life can be sweet and challenging. Though I sound like I’m complaining about things in my life, it just gets tough. I must keep the faith and remain positive. I’ve had times when I could shout to the sky, but I had to do something with the shouting. I have come to the realization that life is what it is, but whatever it is, you must live and face it. I remember going to an interview for a job opening and I was turned down because I did not have a college degree. It was then that I decided I wanted a career not just a job. I decided I would never let any employer turn me down for a job, so I finished my bachelor’s and master’s degree, and said “what” I don’t think so. I now have a career, not a job. I managed my life, by enrolling in college and kept going until I finished both degrees. Manage your life in the way you see yourself, but only with positive vibes. Get yourself out of the rut of worrying about things you can’t control or change. Or trying to do things that are uncomfortable to you.

Our children represent the future generation that will influence the world, so their safety is vital. Their safety does not just denote shielding them from crime and criminals such as child molesters, kidnappers, rapist, street and gang violence and other circumstances in which they might be injured. The youth today need to be safeguarded of learning bad eating habits, such as eating fast food on regular is bad for their health. Youth need to be given knowledge about how to eat nutritious food and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Childhood obesity has significantly increased in recent years. Big industry contributes to swaying children to eat unhealthy food which packs on weight because of the high calories. This campaign of unhealthy food advertising poses threats to youth and the future of this country. If there are not enough people trying to help our children change their eating habits to promote healthy eating habits, there will no children of tomorrow. Youth are very vital to this society. They will be future leaders, doctors, teachers, lawmakers, etc. Childhood obesity is a big problem, and it must be addressed through advocacy and working together to protect children from further harm.

Embrace your age by taking care of you. Work with what you have and make it better to feel better. If you sit back and pick yourself apart or suffer from low self- esteem, you going to fall prey to damaging yourself. So STOP it, right now, there is no point in that. Just get up and help yourself. Beauty is in the EYE of the beholder as they say, but you are the beholder of yourself. Every age is beautiful, and every age comes with wisdom and experience. The aging process is about growing and progressing. Don’t worry about the kangaroo pouch, fine lines, crows feet or wrinkles, live in your age with each day. You are the master of you, and because you are, you can age with the comfortability of wrapping your arms around yourself and let the aging process be the pathway to the abundance of living.