Sticks and Stones (Words)

Yesterday was a busy day! I didn’t get to post my poem for NaPoWriMo for Day 9. Make your words sweet like honey, for you will be the first to taste them!

Sticks and stones, may break my bones…

Were words that we were taught

To tamp down the pain

Of toxic words that sliced

Spirit, heart and soul,

But never held the verbal assailant accountable.

Stick and stones, may break bones,

But words can be a millstone,

Holding one down

Causing him to drown

For years under depression and sorrow.

Whether spoken or scribed

Words have the power to give life,

Or slaughter in the simplest phrase.

A harsh word can be a prison.

A kind word, fertile ground for growing.

May your words cause growth

Cast no stones with your speech.

Lest your words return to you

To fulfill their purpose.

Speak life.

Always, speak life.

Snowy Road Ahead

I was supposed to share my lesson with you yesterday, but I was beat! I needed to rest. So here’s what happened:

I woke up Saturday morning to discover that it snowed over night. I’d heard rumors of a named snow storm heading in my direction, but thought nothing of it after checking the maps. It was only supposed to touch the lower portion of the state. Apparently, Management has other things in mind. I was frustrated and in irritated because I had stuff to do! It seemed that this storm took the neighborhood by surprise. Nothing was salted or plowed. I slid out of the driveway and into traffic twice. Thank God there weren’t any cars coming when that happened.

As I drove my daughter to work, I noticed that the side of the road I was driving on was clear, but the other side was not. I pointed this out to my daughter. But as soon as I started to point this out, I stopped.
“What’s wrong?”
“I was about to get upset that the other side of the road wasn’t cleared yet, but I’m not on that side of road. I don’t need to worry about it. The side that I’m on is clear.” The side I was on was the only thing I needed to worry about.

That lesson smacked me in the head. HARD!!!  And guess what? By the time I got back on the other side of the road to head home, it was clear. I had nothing to worry about. 🙂

Photo Credit: Nike Writes

The Lingerers

I went digging in the archives and found this post from a year ago! I wonder what Ray is going to do next?!

 

Photo credit: Julie MissButterflies Ray sat in the booth sipping his coffee. His sneakers and the bottom of his jeans, from his knee to his ankles were soaked and sticking to him. The storm came ou…

Source: The Lingerers

When Lions Have Historians….

Today is Throwback Thursday. It’s also the 19th of February. February is Black History month in the United States. So, I’m sharing this post, which led to a great conversation about who gets to tell the story of black people. With the events of police killings of black citizens that felt very much like events from 1964, a fresh conversation has been opened about race relations in the U.S. Once again, this article feels relevant. Who should tell the story of black people, not just in the U.S., but worldwide?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Happy Thursday!

Nikewrites Blog

I just read an article on Tavis Smiley’s blog that raises an excellent question: Are Whites Entitled to Write Black History?

On the surface, some think the race of the person writing the historical event should not matter. For argument’s sake, let’s take race out of it. I suggest that we let scholars in Vietnam write American History. Oh…now that changes things doesn’t it? Certainly, the interpretation of why certain events took place would change. Or maybe we should allow the British to take charge of telling the American story. (I hear patriotic folks passing out all over the country.) So, why is this question of which race is able to interpret black history better such a controversial question? Why does this matter in 2011?

The proverb referenced in Alan Katz’ post says it best: “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify…

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Valentine’s Day….for Men

For this week’s Throwback Thursday post, I thought it would be good idea to pull this list back up.

YOU HAVE ONE WEEK LADIES!!! NO EXCUSES! GET MR. LOVEMUFFINS A MEMORABLE GIFT FOR VALENTINE’S DAY!!!

Nikewrites Blog

I had lunch with my daughter today and the topic turned to what we were getting our respective Boos for Valentine’s Day. Oddly enough, we both came up with the same gift idea. But then I wondered, “What would he really like to receive?” I’ve always had a hard time shopping for the men in my life. They either research and purchase what they want, or they respond, “I just want peace and quiet,” or “You don’t have to buy me anything,” when I ask them for specifics. Not helpful at all. So my daughter and I created a list of

Great Guy Gifts for Valentine’s Day

Now, I did run this list by my older brother and he added a few suggestions as well, so I feel like this is a pretty balanced list for all levels of romantic relationships.

Great Guy Gifts for Valentine’s Day

1. Music –…

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Coming Home

I have not done a Throwback Thursday post in a few weeks. I hope you enjoy this one!

Nikewrites Blog

Your letter said you were coming home.
I’m not quite sure how I should feel.
I’m excited about your return,
but worried things will be unchanged.
Things have been quiet since you’ve been away,
life has been calm,
but I have so missed your presence.
I missed the sound of you getting ready for your day.
I even missed the sound of the door slamming behind you
as you rushed to meet the day.
Oh, how your rushing made me nervous.
How your rushing made me pray.
Your letter said you were coming home,
and other than the bags you will have in your hands,
I wonder what other baggage you will carry.
I’m hoping you left it all behind,
In a place never to been found again.
My heart can’t take the ups and downs
of you going in and out.
I hope you’ve found your center.
Somehow I…

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Dear Diary

Today’s #TBT is about one of those moments when your entire life changes! Enjoy!

Nikewrites Blog

Saturday, June 11, 2011

My Wedding Day, 8:00 AM

Everyone will be here 9 o’clock, and the process of getting me down the aisle with begin.  I’m so nervous, and it almost doesn’t make sense! Cash and I have been together for seven years. We’ve lived together for the last year and a half. We know each other well, so I don’t think I should feel so nervous.  I guess I feel this way because that walk down the aisle is a long, public walk into a new life. My feelings, the love, excitement, jitters, the eagerness, are going to be exposed. It’s going to show on my face and his. I’m going to be walking into a new life. I am going to be a WIFE! I’m going to be Cash Harrington’s wife! I won’t be a “girlfriend,” or “fiancé” anymore. Today, I get my promotion! I get a…

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Crush

Time for another Throwback Thursday post! Let’s revisit a post from the A to Z Blog Challenge: Crush!

Nikewrites Blog

I watched out of the corner of my eye as he walked into study hall and casually approached the teacher. He was late. He had an easy-going manner, a suaveness that made me nervous when I was around him. Zander Bloodworth was roughly six feet tall, muscular, but not bulky. He had shoulder length dread locs, and skin the color of dark chocolate.  His eyes were bright, as was his smile. He must floss religiously. His teeth were white and even. Zander leaned against Mrs. Drake’s desk and said something softly that elicited a school-girl giggle from her. He was a skilled flirt. He offered her a charming smile and a wink and turned towards the class to find a seat.

Every female student looked up, eagerly willing him to make eye contact with her. Every male in the classroom watched the Master and took notes. They wanted to be like…

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Jericho

Ahhhhhh…..Rico! Tough-guy! There is so much more to his story. I can’t wait to tell you the rest! But for now, enjoy this Throwback Thursday piece! 😀

Nikewrites Blog

Jericho laughed. It wasn’t a happy sound.  His laughter dripped with pain and anger.

“He needs me? That’s not what he said when he threw me out!”

I really didn’t feel like participating in his bout of emotional constipation.  His bitterness was not my problem.

“Listen, Rico, you have to let that go.  He did what he did for your benefit. You probably wouldn’t have all of this if…”

“Cressida, don’t,” his said in a warning tone.

“Don’t you take that tone with me, Rico! Own your mess! You made the choices that got your tail tossed out.”

“Own my mess? Own my mess? He did the same things I did, and worse, and tells those stories with great pride! He just didn’t get caught! He didn’t have to worry about his life being on public display because of who his daddy was. He wears his sins like a badge…

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My insomnia is at work again so…

Check out this web series on An Insomniac’s Dreams! Little Brother Wil is a FANTASTIC writer and supporter! Make sure you check out his links after the story. He’s shouting out the talents of fellow writers and artists! Thanks Wil! 😀

An Insomniac's Dreams

Here’s a little snippet of what I’ve been working on. Take a look and tell me what you think folks.

*************

It was the late hours of the evening, and Jameson was lying in his bed listening to music. There was a knock on the door. Jameson glanced up. “Jameson,” came his father’s voice. “May I come in?”

“Sure, dad,” said Jameson.

Tom Smith opened the door to his son’s room. Tom looked like a mustached, middle aged version of his son—indeed, the thought that his father might be an accurate representation of himself in the future had caused Jameson to awake in a cold sweat on more than one night.

Tom glanced around the room at the various mystical accruements. “Nice décor…” he stated nervously.

Jameson nodded. “Thank you. I decided to give the Addams Family look a try…”

His father looked over at a bronze mirror. “That’s lying…

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