WHERE were you for Mardi Gras?

MOTION FOR MARDI GRAS!

Everyone loves Fat Tuesday. Everyone loves King Cake(gateau des rois)! Everyone loves gumbo and coffee with chicory!

Let's put our names to making Mardi Gras a national holiday!

The 44 Presidents and their wives...

This is quite the history lesson! Do you know who all the presidents are by face???

Their wives???

This video was shared by friend, artist, photo extraordinaire Frank Houston.

THANKS Frank!

M.I.A.

I am still researching what is exactly in the stimulus.

I am now at the juncture in my life where, like my parents before me, I exclaim at my child, "Whaaaat the H*** are you listening to????" "It sounds like "Manure".

Thankfully, I am still at the juncture in my life, where even if I don't like it, I check it out and am still pleasantly surprised (with no ego) if I need to change my view.

Watching the Grammys last week as this pregnant bumble bee stomped and stammered into the microphone, I had no idea that I would later be writing about how I now think she is a powerful voice as to why the stimulus should support the arts.

For one thing, women around the globe have a right to be educated about their options, their right to a voice and their right to be free.

Some are labeling Mathangi Maya Arulpragasam a.k.a M.I.A. a terrorist supporter, but in the current climate we are living in, that label could mean just about anything.

What she has done, for me, is bring to light international conversation that reminded me that what American's do is influence the globe.

We, as Americans, are so monophonic that it is embarassing. We do not encourage international discussion until much later in life while the rest of the globe learns about us throughout their lives.

Conservatives let us think that our input to the world is servitiude and that we should let everyone fend for themselves unless we decide we want something and then we should use "defense" to obtain it.

In the meantime, we should be afraid of everyone who doesn't look, think or act like us, don't ask questions and definitely don't learn.

Listen to how hip hop influenced this Sri Lankan's life and voice.

We need to be so careful of illusions. I am now an M.I.A fan! While I must continue to educate myself on her politics, I must say, giving Sri Lanka another thought would have been naught without her bringing voice to the plight there.

Congrats to her, her fiance and her new son. May he grow in peace and prosperity in a free and educated world.

Check out the krewe ~ have a beignet! NOLATIME!

AndreaMistretta









Andrea Mistretta






CAN'T make it down to New Orleans for MARDI GRAS? CLICK HERE FOR LIVE CAM VIDEO of all the krewes!!

Can't stop into Cafe Dumonde for a plate of fresh beignets? Visit your local market...due to so many New Orleanians still displaced, especially here in the Chi, many of Cafe Dumonde products are sold and you can make beignets yourself!

And if you are not lucky enough that your market brings NOLA to you, click here for the site of CAFE DUMONDE, ENJOY!

Today is a Hallmark day, but nonetheless, a day we should reflect on LOVE!

Here is a bit from our friend Tom Brennan. His reflections of love and parenthood ~ Dads and daughters * Moms and sons * Couples ----- Awwww, ENJOY!





My little girl – Stenson memory # 33
by Thomas Brennan

I’ve brought my trusty old Minolta to several of the “Christmas in July” gatherings at the old farm. Four or five years ago, the weather was absolutely perfect, and I captured some “fading afternoon sunlight” pictures that I liked a lot.
 
My favorite picture from that year, though, is the one I took of Pat Stenson’s daughter Sam, who was five or six years old at the time. I strapped on my wide angle lens, crouched down low, and took a heads-on-view picture of a little girl with big, brown eyes and a nice smile. I could still find that picture somewhere, but I’d have to dig through boxes and boxes of stuff way down in the basement. However, I DO know that Pat carried that picture around with him for quite a while. For all that I know, he still may be doing that today.
  
When we lived in Wisconsin, my son Brian and I joined the Indian Guides program. For a couple of years, we met at somebody’s house once or twice a month for some “creative activities”, and a couple of times a year, we would travel to Phantom Lake, the home of the oldest YMCA camp in the country. We spent our time playing games, singing around the campfire, having good old pork and beans, and watching old movies on Saturday night. Early on, I got elected the federation chief, and adopted the name “Horse Feathers”.

In our third year of participation, Kelly got to be old enough so that she could join the Indian Princess program, and she and some other little girls came camping with us in the fall of 1985.
 
As we sat around the campfire one night, my little girl got up, walked up to her dad, gave him a big hug, and said, “daddy, I love you”.
 
I’ve been in Toastmasters a lot of years, but I’m here to tell you that it’s REAL hard to talk if you have a lump in your throat!
 
A few years ago, I read that Gwyneth Paltrow’s father took her to Paris (just the two of them) when she was a young woman. His theory was that he wanted her to see Paris for the first time with a man who loved her.
 
Wow!
 
When I read that, I got ANOTHER lump in my throat.
 
In September of 2005, I put down on paper 25 goals that I’d like to achieve before I retire.  A few of the goals I’ve already accomplished (completing a 160 mile round trip to Milwaukee on my bicycle in one day is one of them), but number 4 on the list is to stand on the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower with my daughter. Neither one of us speaks any French, but we both speak another language that we both understand very well, and that language is love.
 
She may eventually grow to be old and gray and wrinkled, but as long as I’m still breathing, she will always be my little girl.
 
Tom
 
written 3/7/2007

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Thanks Tom, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ONE AND ALL (and to Anok who taught me how to make hearts ♥ ) !!!!!!!!!!
 

Healthy Heart Equals a Healthier, Happier You!!!!

Studies show that folks of color have a higher incidence of heart disease.

I would venture to say that our overall propensity to have lower incomes, less availability to quality healthcare and education and our diet that stems from a history of making do with scraps from the "Big House" are all culprits.

Growing up I had no idea the history behind our wonderful but deadly diet.

Our holiday meals, and everyday meals were centered around staples like rice and beans with pig feet, oxtails, neckbones, greens, cornbread, blackeyed peas, ribs...




Okay, it all sounds so good that I must stop before I get myself in trouble!

For years (at least 13) I have been on an adventure toward healthier living. Thankfully my immediate family and I have altered our menus to reflect heart conscious intakes. I hope that all of us, regardless of our race, will! If you have not already done so, please consider today!

You can start with just removing one bad thing from your diet...fast food is always a great start. Then move to eliminating things that are made with things you can not pronounce. Then eliminate something else, like dairy or only eat organic meats. Experiment with different heat soluble oils...visit JOSE CRUISE.

I have been completely vegan six months now and I adore it! I have never felt as energetic or clear.

This winter was particularly hard on my mental state, as I need light and air to reach my optimum energy, but I came through this winter with not one cold. I may have had a fever or two but I was never in full blown cold nor was my active sport enthused kid.

This is quite a feat seeing as though the population I work with has, on any given day, exposed me to HIV, Mercer, flu, and Tuberculosis, and my kid is a typical nasty teen.

I hate to be on my own soap box, but I can not say enough that we are definitely what we eat.

Having had not one piece of bacon (mmmmm) or drizzle of chicken soup, not one egg, glass of milk or piece of fish and I feel as if I could go toe to toe with Dwight Howard, speaks volumes!

Enough ranting. Vegans are not weird just concerned for themselves and all beings around them and with that brings a certain peace.

How attainable is it??

It is so easy. Sample of a days menu: A.M.* cup of oatmeal drizzled with agava syrup
mid-am snack * handful of nuts
lunch * faux chicken patty on sugar free
dairy free bun with vegan salad
dressing, relish, onion, tomato, mustard
dinner * veggie chili dog on vegan bun
with sweet potato fries smothered in
warm avocado oil

It really is easy, and in light of the peanut scare, I simply want to stress eating vegan, parve, kosher or halal. Check out our friend Gina's blog too. She is so much fun and her recipes are easy.

Here are the stats from the American Heart Association:


Heart Disease and Stroke Facts about African-American Women

African-Americans are at greater risk for heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases than Caucasians. The prevalence of these diseases in non-Hispanic black females is 49 percent, compared to 35 percent in non-Hispanic white females.

African-American males and females have higher death rates from heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases than white males and females.

High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke. The rate of high blood pressure for non-Hispanic black females age 20 and older is 46.6 percent.

The risk of heart disease and stroke increases with physical inactivity. Physical inactivity is more prevalent in women, African-Americans and Hispanics. For African-American females age 18 and older, 33.9 percent are inactive, compared to 21.6 percent of white females.

Among non-Hispanic black females ages 20 and older, 79.6 percent are overweight and obese.

Of people 18 and older, 17.3 percent of non-Hispanic black females smoke, putting themselves at increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

Source: American Heart Association Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2008 Update


For additional information contact American Heart Association at (888) MY-HEART (694 –3278) or visit AmericanHeart.org.



Bare Escentuals is launching a REALLY COOL INCENTIVE FOR HEART AWARENESS!!






I LOVE MY HEART AND I LOVE YOU! Let's be each other's VALENTINE and support one another today in healthier, happier living ~

A contributor over at Womenco posted this video and it is so timely and inspiring. As we forge onward toward healthier, happier living, keep these wonderful tips and ideas in mind!





And more stimulus notes! EDUCATION MAY HAVE ITS DAY!!!!

FIGHT FOR A....

healthier, happier you!!!! A laugh will do us good!

THE JETSONS versus THE FLINSTONES

Have we been under the haze of the Bush Administration so long that we no longer have brain cells????

I am so perturbed that this stimulus package is not getting the support it needs from we the people!!!

Conservative thinking is why our food is killing us, we all are getting sick with you name it, and the planet is in peril!

What say you! DO IT ALREADY! This is not pork spending, this is not democratic projects that need funding, this is paying attention to what we have not for 8 years and now we are all screwed.

SHAME ON US!


THE JETSONS VERSUS THE FLINSTONES

Republican Leaders John Boehner of Ohio & Mitch McConnell of Kentucky...

Without honey bees we don't eat!

Without wars we live and prosper!

Which one are you two going to support this time???

Better to get bees with honey than listen to you two...an educated society today!(Please tell me these two are just "playing" stupid for their constituencies and do not really believe the garbage they are spewing!!)

Who was it that said "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Why Franklin D. Roosevelt of course!

Take it away Vice-President Gore:





ALSO HERE IS A GREAT TOOL

Recovery Today!!

TODAY marks the 139th year

The United States Constitution was amended(Amendment 15, Sec.1)to allow all persons who were citizens, regardless of color and former servitude to vote.

I'd like to celebrate this great anniversary by sharing an Irish story of a good friend. Irish were also discriminated against and their hardships were greatly spoken about by the black leader Frederick Douglass. READ about this interesting connection HERE.


Here's to you and your dad Tom ~


************************************
My dad was born on February 3, 1909.

If he were still alive today, he would be 100 years old a week from next Tuesday.

Inevitably, that looming date will probably cause some type of story to come out of my fingertips, but it also brought to mind another story that I had written about two years ago on the anniversary of his death, which I titled "the ghost of Larry Brennan".

As we all get older, we come to the realization that the legacy of our parents lives on in us.

Through our business dealings, you'd probably agree that I'm an honorable man.

The story about my dad will help you to understand why.

Tom



The ghost of Larry Brennan


I always think of my dad at this time of the year, because he passed away on Halloween Day of 1994. As I reviewed today’s almanac, I discovered that another well known person ALSO breathed his last breath on October 31.

“Papa Bear” Halas, the owner of the Chicago Bears, expired on October 31 of 1983. Remarkably, he and my dad also came within hours of having the same birthday.
Dad was born on February 3 (the feast of St Blaise), 1909, and George Halas was born on February 2 (Ground Hog Day)of 1895. Another gifted athlete, George Herman Ruth, was born a day later, on February 3 of 1895. Even though my dad was far from a star baseball player, he shared the same birthday as Babe Ruth, arguably THE best player who has ever played the game.

October 31, 1994 was a miserable, wet, sloppy day. I had been on my new job at CIGNA Insurance Company for roughly two weeks. After a business lunch in downtown Chicago, I was drying my socks in the microwave (I’m dead serious) when my mom called from Minnesota. Dad had had another heart attack, while enjoying a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch, and never regained consciousness.(Ironically, the Bears had a game that same night. Since it was perfect Bears football weather, they beat San Francisco 23 to 13.)

Dad had always been proud of his Irish heritage (as I am), but he also came from a generation that always got a lump in their throat when the sound of “God Bless America” came through a loudspeaker at some public event. At the funeral a few days later, the organist played “Danny Boy”, and I found myself REALLY fighting to maintain control of my emotions.

I didn’t present dad’s eulogy (although I DID do the eulogies for my mom and my father in law), and I really don’t remember too much of what the priest said that day. However, what I DO remember is a comment that my cousin Jean said at the wake, and it’s stuck with me ever since:

All she said was, “you know, he was a really good guy”.

Dad was shaped by two world wars and the Great Depression, and he managed to instill in his kids (my sister and I) the values of thrift, honesty, and compassion. He also stressed the importance of always having the courage to do the right thing, even if that meant making some difficult choices, and he led by example.
To dad’s credit, he really didn’t have a lot of vices.

I watched him turn green a few times when he tried to smoke a cigar, and he enjoyed a couple of Hamm’s beers on occasion, but that was about it. I always smile when I remember the look on his face when he tasted his first Rusty Nail, when he came to visit me in Virginia shortly after I completed my basic training.

THAT was a look of a man in ecstasy!

Dad never made a pile of money, and nobody is ever going to erect a building in his honor, but in today’s world, we’d all be better off if there were a few more people whose highest accolade was that they were “a really good guy”.


written 10/31/2006

Unforgettable

That old black magic
contributed by Thomas Brennan




That Old Black Magic is a song originally written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer in 1942. Over the years, it’s been recorded again by a number of performing artists, but the best know version was done by Louis Prima and Keely Smith in 1958.



Apart from the fact that it’s a fun song to listen to, it also provides a tie into Black History Month, and the February birth and passing dates of two very well known black performers.

The origin of many forms of popular music in America can be traced back to music that originally came from the black community. In a sense, you could say that the music was the “black magic” that changed America.

The songs that were sung on the plantation during the days of slavery became the Negro spirituals that are still used today by virtually all of the “mainstream” religions in the country.

Grouped together as a musical genre, the songs would be categorized as “that old time religion”:



The Emancipation Proclamation and the end of the Civil War didn’t magically improve the lot of black Americans. For more than 100 years after the end of the Civil War, the struggles that the community went through led to the development of “blues” and “rhythm and blues”.

Otis Rush is just one of the many musicians who popularized the music style, and one of the many prominent blues musicians who came from Mississippi.

Mr. Rush himself was born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, the site of the 1964 slayings of three civil rights workers, which inspired the 1988 movie,
“Mississippi Burning”.

Over time, the evolution of rhythm and blues inspired other musical styles, the most prominent of which was “rock ‘n roll”, first popularized by Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed in 1951.

On occasion, blues music and rock and roll came together, as evidenced by Eric Clapton’s “groaning the blues”:



Eventually, Eric Clapton and Otis Rush performed together:



The black community also developed “rap” and “hip hop”.

Although I’m not a fan of either, the fact that the President of the United States likes the music means that it would have to be considered “mainstream”.

Nathaniel Adams Coles was born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1919, and passed away on February 15, 1965. His death at the age of 45 was due to lung cancer, caused by his three pack a day cigarette habit.

He performed professionally as Nat King Cole, and he was the first black American to host a television variety show. His music is still popular around the world, more than 40 years after his death.

Cole’s first marriage, which ended in divorce in 1948, produced no children, but his second marriage, on Easter Sunday of 1948, produced five (two by adoption). His daughter Natalie, born on February 6, 1950, was the first child born to the couple.


When I watched Tim McGraw sing “My Little Girl” in the clip from the movie Flicka, it evoked a “damn, that’s pretty” response.



Although there are a number of other songs that have had the affect on me, the song that REALLY tugs at my heart strings is this one:



Black History month has actually been celebrated since 1926, but has been largely ignored by a large part of the population until recently.

With the election of a black President, Black History Month this year will definitely be...

Unforgettable.


Tom

Congrats to the Steelers...

Cardinals, you played a hellava game.

And Jennifer, well, she blew ~

GO HEAD ON GIRL!

Through a mother's joys and pain...

This is an important post from a fellow blogger.

I have been reading her story off and on for about a year. Her story is moving...

Now she has posted a call to action and I just feel compelled to support it.