Don't Forget to Breathe

I have a post up on the website, Simple Answers for hearing and speech called, "Don't Forget to Breathe." http://www.hearingandspeech.net/dont_forget_to_breathe.html

My son's middle name is Mandela

Yesterday was Nelson Mandela's 93rd birthday. President Mandela is one of my heroes, a man of incredible tenacity, dignity and compassion. Someone who transcended their situation while incarcerated for 27 years. A man who was able to lead South Africa from Apartheid to a multiracial society. A man who brought reconciliation and the promise of hope to an emerging democracy.

His namesake, my son, is 14 1/2 years old. He has had his own personal battles with mental health and learning differences. When I look deep into my son's eyes, I see incredible tenacity. He has had to do a lot of emotional growing over the last 2 yrs, changing his approach to anger and relationships. As the result of my son's work, he now has a positive relationship with me. He has been able to connect with his father and half siblings. Now he is learning the stories of his father's childhood in Northern Ethiopia and learning more about his culture.

Another incredible part of a journey of the impossible becoming possible.

When all else fails, a Black woman writes about hair:)

Yup,

I haven't been blogging much lately. Twitter and Facebook have taken much of my Internet time. A trip to Puerto Rico for a month over the winter holidays diverted my focus. Details about my continued unemployment have also been a distraction. A few other obstacles have popped up- but going on would be TMI:)

I have been writing offline in bits and pieces with the nudging of writing workshops. Fragments are coming together.

I did submit a little comment about being happy to be nappy on MrsGrapevine's blog. The inspiration were "I love my Hair Sesame Street T-shirts." As a chocolate brown girl in the 60s I too had my issues about hair and how to wear it.

Here is the link, enjoy!

http://mrsgrapevine.com/2011/02/sesame-street-i-love-hair-t-shirt-daughters/

Big Mouth Recognition from Global Exchange...

Last week, I was recognized by Global Exchange, People to People Blog, Giving Thanks Series. The acknowledgment was for my social media work re social change and justice.

Glad to be called a big mouth!

http://www.globalexchange.org/blogs/peopletopeople/2010/11/17/giving-thanks-part-3-big-mouths-deserve-big-thanks/

How to Cure- free write from A Sea of Prompts

My writing instructor Stefanie Freele encouraged me to post this free-write. Blogger has been on the fritz all week. Glad I am finally able to post.

How to Cure

Thin your life neatly into short pieces. Keep some edges rough, some smooth. Season lightly with salty tears, pepper with wisdom. Toss in chopped hopes, filagreed dreams and secret wishes. Saute over a low flame. Let some pieces carmelize, others braise and a few soften. Lightly turn and spread over life rice. If a few pieces fall on the ground, no worries. There is always more to grow, to harvest to cook.

Remember it is good to save some in an open vessel to let the light and air keep it all fresh.

Eats well sometimes as snack, often as a meal. Great to nibble on after a long fast or a short nap.

Serves one well.

Enjoy!

Sonoma Scribes

Today I attended the first Meet-up for Sonoma County Scribes,http://www.meetup.com/Sonoma-County-Scribes/ in Santa Rosa. I met a group of interesting writers working in diverse genres. All had a passion for writing.

Some of us shared our writing. I shared two poems in progress. Also managed to scribble down more short lines in my "Print" and "Writing Journals."

Excited that I have found a new group of friends who love words.

My favorite writing teacher, Stefanie Freele,http://www.stefaniefreele.com/ sent out announcements for her next writing workshop in October in Healdsburg. Workshop is called "A Sea of Prompts." I am ready for more nudging and inspiration to write.

Next week, going to Redwood Writers http://www.redwoodwriters.org.

Recipes and more coming soon!

NaBloPoMo

Just found out that September is National Blog Posting Month http://www.nablopomo.com/ .
Also just noticed that my last blog posting was 7/15/10. Crap! Where does the time go?
I have been working on recipes, writing snips in my longhand journal and idea book (my writing teacher Stefanie Freele calls it a print book). Somehow nothing is getting onto my blog page.

Time to start... even if it is day 3:)