I am from a plate of cookies, from chocolate chip and sugar.
I am from the inner city of Cincinnati, a small three bedroom house.
I am from family cook outs every summer, and strong personalities, from my grandma Jessie, and my grandfather Robert.
I am from the always loving and giving women of my family.
From, remembering to share and always being fair.
I am from a Christian background, but did not sit in church every Sunday.
I am from a generation born in Ohio, from Skyline chili, and Graters ice cream.
From the stories my grandmother told me about her life and hard times down south.
I am from the living room in my grandmother’s home with pictures of family members here and some gone. The times we cherish and will always remember.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Where I'm From Journal 7 Jackie Lewis
I am from Cincinnati from Ben & Jerry’s and Baskin Robbins.
I am from the small two bedroom house where a lot of arguments and fights took place.
I am from the oak tree old as the century is long.
I am from the family gathering and where all the wise old women grandma and Shropshire’s and Lewis’.
I am from the sharing of tales and advice.
From the legends and tales.
I am from the Christian faith.
I’m from New Richmond, Ohio and apple and pumpkin pies.
From the shores of the Ohio River where my uncle died, the dedicated fisherman and the Olympic like swimmer.
I am from a small house in the country where self worth is measured by compassion
I am from the small two bedroom house where a lot of arguments and fights took place.
I am from the oak tree old as the century is long.
I am from the family gathering and where all the wise old women grandma and Shropshire’s and Lewis’.
I am from the sharing of tales and advice.
From the legends and tales.
I am from the Christian faith.
I’m from New Richmond, Ohio and apple and pumpkin pies.
From the shores of the Ohio River where my uncle died, the dedicated fisherman and the Olympic like swimmer.
I am from a small house in the country where self worth is measured by compassion
Limerick - Pauline Jones
There once was a boy James
Who always had someone to blame
He always told a lie,
With his bible at his side
And now his name goes down in shame.
Who always had someone to blame
He always told a lie,
With his bible at his side
And now his name goes down in shame.
From the Strong/Reggie Bines/Journal 7
I am from wood, from dark cherry and strong mapel.
I am from the Red Wood Village.
I am from weed, and the bud.
I am from hard work and strong, from Big B and Big S and The Davis.
I am from the surviror and partyer.
From the man who was hard and the soft and tender woman.
I am from sometime Baptist,sometimes hell.
I'm from Cincinnati,Fried Chicken,Rice.
From the Lincoln Courts,The Granma Whitcchee and the Dark GrandPa
I am from Richmond Village where the grandparents created me great,
And they brought me my green walking suit,
That I ripped on the frist day and they still love me.
I am from the Red Wood Village.
I am from weed, and the bud.
I am from hard work and strong, from Big B and Big S and The Davis.
I am from the surviror and partyer.
From the man who was hard and the soft and tender woman.
I am from sometime Baptist,sometimes hell.
I'm from Cincinnati,Fried Chicken,Rice.
From the Lincoln Courts,The Granma Whitcchee and the Dark GrandPa
I am from Richmond Village where the grandparents created me great,
And they brought me my green walking suit,
That I ripped on the frist day and they still love me.
Limerick -- Ms. Weiss
There once was a student named Jan
Whose hair got cought up in a fan
when she tried to get loose
that fan sure cooked her goose
And from now on she won't raise her hand.
Whose hair got cought up in a fan
when she tried to get loose
that fan sure cooked her goose
And from now on she won't raise her hand.
Journal 7
There once was a old man Doug
Oh, how he loved to boogey at the club
But, before he went he made sure to put on his rug
They had a dancing contest in which he won a mug
The mug read you are such a dead old ran out bug
Oh, how he loved to boogey at the club
But, before he went he made sure to put on his rug
They had a dancing contest in which he won a mug
The mug read you are such a dead old ran out bug
Man/Lady/Reggie Bines/Journal 7
There once was a pimp named Stink,
He stood on the corner in his mink,
He called on his ladies
who were all shady,
So he turned around and made his hat crink.
He stood on the corner in his mink,
He called on his ladies
who were all shady,
So he turned around and made his hat crink.
Where I'm From poem-Kelly Donnelly
I am from a water bottle, From Aquifina and Dasani.
I am from the yellow living room with cracks in the wall and an arch doorway
I am from the Daisy in the garden, The oak tree growing in the back.
I am from the annual family christmas party, and laughing from Gaige, and Dillon and Ava.
I am from the always late and forgetful
From don't stand up on that chair and be nice to others.
I am from a catholic church since I was 5, where the large cross is looking over the church
I'm from the southwest point of Ohio, origins of Ireland, Cupcakes and Pizza
From the time she gave me my barbie on my 6th birthday, the two dollars for Halloween, and the Ninja Turtle movie at the mall.
I am from the family scrapbook on the coffeetable, the senior picture hanging from the yellow, cracked wall.
I am from the yellow living room with cracks in the wall and an arch doorway
I am from the Daisy in the garden, The oak tree growing in the back.
I am from the annual family christmas party, and laughing from Gaige, and Dillon and Ava.
I am from the always late and forgetful
From don't stand up on that chair and be nice to others.
I am from a catholic church since I was 5, where the large cross is looking over the church
I'm from the southwest point of Ohio, origins of Ireland, Cupcakes and Pizza
From the time she gave me my barbie on my 6th birthday, the two dollars for Halloween, and the Ninja Turtle movie at the mall.
I am from the family scrapbook on the coffeetable, the senior picture hanging from the yellow, cracked wall.
Limerick Poem Charles Milton
My last job I disliked a whole lot
Me and my old boss had always fought
He would always want more
Do this, sweep that floor
But see him hard at work you would not
Me and my old boss had always fought
He would always want more
Do this, sweep that floor
But see him hard at work you would not
Limerick Tina Holmes Journal 7
There once was a girl who's namedSue
she liked to wear pennies in her blue shoes
she liked to eat green meat
she would never miss a beat
sometimes it seemed way too good to be true
she liked to wear pennies in her blue shoes
she liked to eat green meat
she would never miss a beat
sometimes it seemed way too good to be true
Sallie Mock Limerick apologies to the Irish
A man in the bar claimed he was a surgeon,
Though polite was his manner, he ordered a bourbon,
The women all jeered
But the men they cheered
"Honest," he said, his face turned red, "I thought she was a virgin."
Though polite was his manner, he ordered a bourbon,
The women all jeered
But the men they cheered
"Honest," he said, his face turned red, "I thought she was a virgin."
Pauline Jones- Journal 5
Journal 5
My Daily routine usually starts the night before with getting me and my kids clothing ready for the next day. I pull out everything down to their socks. Then I set the alarm clock for 5:30 am. When it goes off, I hit the snooze button so I can get that last 15 min of sleep. Then it’s a race from there. I am in and out of the shower before 10 after 6. By then the girls are just rolling over, but to their surprise it is time for them to get up. I start one by one, getting them dressed and doing their hair. My, my, my, is that a job. If you have never done a little girls hair, it is a job in its self. After that, it is around 7:00, now it is time for me to get dressed and quick because I only have to drop them off at daycare and make it to work by 8:00. So now I am dressed and headed out the door, but don’t forget to grab the “pop tarts” or they will have a fit. Now we are off, literally. It is only 7:30 and the fool in front of me can’t drive any slower. I seem to get behind this person every morning. Now, amazingly I make it to work by 8, but guess what, same process again tomorrow.
My Daily routine usually starts the night before with getting me and my kids clothing ready for the next day. I pull out everything down to their socks. Then I set the alarm clock for 5:30 am. When it goes off, I hit the snooze button so I can get that last 15 min of sleep. Then it’s a race from there. I am in and out of the shower before 10 after 6. By then the girls are just rolling over, but to their surprise it is time for them to get up. I start one by one, getting them dressed and doing their hair. My, my, my, is that a job. If you have never done a little girls hair, it is a job in its self. After that, it is around 7:00, now it is time for me to get dressed and quick because I only have to drop them off at daycare and make it to work by 8:00. So now I am dressed and headed out the door, but don’t forget to grab the “pop tarts” or they will have a fit. Now we are off, literally. It is only 7:30 and the fool in front of me can’t drive any slower. I seem to get behind this person every morning. Now, amazingly I make it to work by 8, but guess what, same process again tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Assignment Fryer/Reggie Bines/Journal 6
It was 7:00 a.m. in the morning when I awoke to a phone call from my headquarter leader. He said"RB its time to handle that assignment." I told Atron," I am up and ready to go to work and where is the portfolio." Atron said " the portfolio is already in your study and its been there for a week." I arose up from my king-size bed and went to the study and took the portfolio and read my assignment. The assignment should I take it,was to go to White Castle in Las Vegas and run the fry machine. I thought to myself, what a great assignment. I took the Megabus to Las Vegas with $100,000 dollars in my pocket,OH YEA, did I mention that I will make $200,000 dollars on this assignment. When I arrive in Las Vegas, I went straight to the poker tables and lost all of the $100,000 dollars. I then went outside with a tin cup and beg for bus fare to White Castle,but I had to walk instead. When I arrive at White Castle, I started the fry machine up and cook two orders of fries and told the manager,wheres my check and went back to the poker tables. I lost $100,000again,but I still had $100,000 dollars left. I got a suite and order a tasty treat and you know it was a good night. I rode the mega bus to Natti and waited for the next big assignment. OH YEAH, I AM RICH!!!!!!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Dating Dilemmas
I think the dilemmas of dating are a universal problem. Whether you are of the male or female persuasion I think we can all relate to the troubles you run into being single. I mean let’s face it, we are looking for someone to share our lives with, maybe not marriage, but some one to be there when we get lonely. This is the story of two of the most disastrous dates I have ever had trying to reach that point.
Date one
We will call him Julian. Now Julian was fine, he had a good job, drove a BMW and guess what, he didn’t live with his mama. First rule of dating, do not date a guy who is thirty years old and still lives with his mama. Sidebar: do check out the way he treats his mom though because this will be an indication of the way he will probably treat you.
Julian arrives at my apartment around six o’clock one Saturday evening. He is looking pretty good in his black Guess jeans and I am feeling a little attracted to him in the physical sense. So I get into his car and he informs me that we are going to dinner. Well I never turn down a free meal.
We arrive at Don Pablo’s in the Rookwood Pavilion. Now, he didn’t ask me where I wanted to go, but that’s cool. I’ll just have to train him a little better. We enter the restaurant and the waiter shows us to our table. As I wait for Julian to pullout my chair I notice that he is already sitting and reading the menu. Yeah, boyfriend is going to need some real schooling in the art of how to treat a lady.
“I think we should get an appetizer?”
“That’s cool, what do you suggest?”
“How about Stuffed Mushrooms?”
“I’m allergic to mushrooms. How about Nachos?”
“I guess,” he said sounding annoyed.
“Look, why don’t you get the Stuffed Mushrooms and I will get the Nachos.”
“No, I’m not wasting money on two different appetizers!”
“Excuse me?”
“We’ll just get the Nachos.”
“Get the Stuffed Mushrooms.”
“No we’ll get the Nachos.”
When the waiter returned Julian told him to bring us the Nachos for our appetizer and to bring two frozen margaritas. Once again he didn’t bother to ask if I even wanted a margarita. Okay, I a going to try and stay cool, especially since I didn’t drive my own car.
When the waiter returned with our appetizer and drinks Julian gave him our dinner order.
“We will have an order of Chicken Quesadillas.”
“And for the lady,” he said as he smiled at me?
And before I could speak Julian says, “That’s what she’s having too. Just bring another plate.”
I cannot put into words the shock I felt. Now let’s clear a few things up. This man sweated me for weeks to go out with him. I didn’t want to go out with him because of his macho views about men and women. I am not one to hold my tongue, so I decided why put either of us through the drama of going out and having a miserable date?
So how did I end up here? Well, let’s just say he caught me in a moment of weakness? He asked me to dinner and I said yes. Can we all say stupid.
“So, let me get this straight. I am not getting my own meal?”
“Yeah, we are sharing a meal. There should be enough for both of us.”
“At what point did you decide how much would be enough for both of us? I mean you asked me to dinner and I don’t even get a meal?”
“I didn’t think you would mind. I mean it’s not like you won’t get enough to eat. I’m a little short of cash this week. I really didn’t expect you to accept my invitation. I mean you have turned me down so many times before. I’m not going to go into debt over a first and last date.”
“So your crude thinking is that we are not going to have another date so why go all out on this one.”
“Yeah, I guess it is. I mean you can be so hard on a brother. I guess I only came out of fear of saying no.”
“So we are on this miserable ass date because you are scared of me?”
“Basically, yes.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Then why on earth did you keep asking me out?”
“I don’t know, I wish I hadn’t asked again. I mean I like you and you are damn fine, but I am not sure you are worth the aggravation.”
“Ooh, such a big word for such a small brain, would you like me to ask the waiter for some ice so your brain doesn’t overheat?”
“See that’s exactly what I am saying.”
“No what you are saying is that you a cheap son of a bitch that can’t find his balls long enough to stand up to me. I am not the wicked bitch of the west. I am a strong black woman who knows what she wants. No I will not sit at home while the supposed man brings home the bacon. I will educate myself to improve not only my life but also the life of my family. Now if your weak ass can’t get with the program then I am sorry. Furthermore, don’t ever condemn a woman because she will check you on your raggedy shit. I will read you ass like a best selling novel when you are wrong. Today you are being read because today you my brotha’ are wrong!”
With that I got up from my chair and walked the hell out of that restaurant and away from that cheap ass brotha’. What the hell am I doin’ anyway?
Date Two
It was a cold and snowy day toward the end of January. I was sitting at home reading as I usually am and I got a call from a fine brotha’, Thomas. Now Thomas was not my usual type of brotha, he was not educated and he didn’t have sense God gave a gnat. But he had a body that would put most body builders to shame and I liked to look at him.
Thomas spent eighteen out of twenty four hours at the gym. He was an avid body builder and this was where his mind was. I usually got pretty bored with these types of brotha’s but Thomas was good eye candy.
Thomas calls and asks me if I’d like to go to the movies and to grab a bite to eat. I said yeah, I wasn’t doing anything and my son was visiting his father. Hell why not? I did want to see that new Wesley Snipes movie.
Thomas arrives promptly at eight. I am ready and we leave to go to the restaurant. Now keep in mind that Thomas was not the sharpest tack in the box, so he relied on me to make most of the decisions. I decided we would go to a small restaurant close to the show in case time got away from us. Really I wanted to be close to the restaurant so I wouldn’t have to spend a lot of time dumbing my conversation down to Thomas’ level. Also, I didn’t want to hear another boring story of what happened today at the gym. You see Thomas was fine and he was built, he did have a job and he tried to treat me like a lady, but Thomas didn’t know the Persian Gulf was over seas.
We ate dinner and then we went to the movie. While on the way home Thomas suggests we go back to his place. I ask for what and he in forms me that we will be going back to his place to screw.
Now don’t get it twisted I am by no means a prude. I am not above sex on the first date if I am truly feeling a brotha’. Now, until Thomas tried to bully the sex from me, he may have had a shot. I mean not at another date, that shit was out, but I may have given him a little taste. You know kept him by little black book of sex partners. Yeah, we women do that shit to.
So as I sit there, a little stunned, I ask him if he really believed that because he took me to a movie and bought me a hamburger, that I would really go to bed with him. He said hell yeah. Furthermore, if I wasn’t going to give him some I could just get out of his car right now. This fool put me out of his car in Fairfield, Ohio. I lived in Kennedy Heights. This was quite a distance from Fairfield. I had no car and no way home. He actually drove off, not once looking back.
After thoughts
Now am I bitter? No, I am just more careful about my dating habits. First, I always drive my own car. Second, I always have enough money to pay for my own food. Third, if they have somehow managed to offend me, I try to hold my tongue until I am safely at home, then I let there asses have it. And finally, I never let this dating shit bother me. I chalk it all up to life lessons and I just keep on steppin’.
I think the dilemmas of dating are a universal problem. Whether you are of the male or female persuasion I think we can all relate to the troubles you run into being single. I mean let’s face it, we are looking for someone to share our lives with, maybe not marriage, but some one to be there when we get lonely. This is the story of two of the most disastrous dates I have ever had trying to reach that point.
Date one
We will call him Julian. Now Julian was fine, he had a good job, drove a BMW and guess what, he didn’t live with his mama. First rule of dating, do not date a guy who is thirty years old and still lives with his mama. Sidebar: do check out the way he treats his mom though because this will be an indication of the way he will probably treat you.
Julian arrives at my apartment around six o’clock one Saturday evening. He is looking pretty good in his black Guess jeans and I am feeling a little attracted to him in the physical sense. So I get into his car and he informs me that we are going to dinner. Well I never turn down a free meal.
We arrive at Don Pablo’s in the Rookwood Pavilion. Now, he didn’t ask me where I wanted to go, but that’s cool. I’ll just have to train him a little better. We enter the restaurant and the waiter shows us to our table. As I wait for Julian to pullout my chair I notice that he is already sitting and reading the menu. Yeah, boyfriend is going to need some real schooling in the art of how to treat a lady.
“I think we should get an appetizer?”
“That’s cool, what do you suggest?”
“How about Stuffed Mushrooms?”
“I’m allergic to mushrooms. How about Nachos?”
“I guess,” he said sounding annoyed.
“Look, why don’t you get the Stuffed Mushrooms and I will get the Nachos.”
“No, I’m not wasting money on two different appetizers!”
“Excuse me?”
“We’ll just get the Nachos.”
“Get the Stuffed Mushrooms.”
“No we’ll get the Nachos.”
When the waiter returned Julian told him to bring us the Nachos for our appetizer and to bring two frozen margaritas. Once again he didn’t bother to ask if I even wanted a margarita. Okay, I a going to try and stay cool, especially since I didn’t drive my own car.
When the waiter returned with our appetizer and drinks Julian gave him our dinner order.
“We will have an order of Chicken Quesadillas.”
“And for the lady,” he said as he smiled at me?
And before I could speak Julian says, “That’s what she’s having too. Just bring another plate.”
I cannot put into words the shock I felt. Now let’s clear a few things up. This man sweated me for weeks to go out with him. I didn’t want to go out with him because of his macho views about men and women. I am not one to hold my tongue, so I decided why put either of us through the drama of going out and having a miserable date?
So how did I end up here? Well, let’s just say he caught me in a moment of weakness? He asked me to dinner and I said yes. Can we all say stupid.
“So, let me get this straight. I am not getting my own meal?”
“Yeah, we are sharing a meal. There should be enough for both of us.”
“At what point did you decide how much would be enough for both of us? I mean you asked me to dinner and I don’t even get a meal?”
“I didn’t think you would mind. I mean it’s not like you won’t get enough to eat. I’m a little short of cash this week. I really didn’t expect you to accept my invitation. I mean you have turned me down so many times before. I’m not going to go into debt over a first and last date.”
“So your crude thinking is that we are not going to have another date so why go all out on this one.”
“Yeah, I guess it is. I mean you can be so hard on a brother. I guess I only came out of fear of saying no.”
“So we are on this miserable ass date because you are scared of me?”
“Basically, yes.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Then why on earth did you keep asking me out?”
“I don’t know, I wish I hadn’t asked again. I mean I like you and you are damn fine, but I am not sure you are worth the aggravation.”
“Ooh, such a big word for such a small brain, would you like me to ask the waiter for some ice so your brain doesn’t overheat?”
“See that’s exactly what I am saying.”
“No what you are saying is that you a cheap son of a bitch that can’t find his balls long enough to stand up to me. I am not the wicked bitch of the west. I am a strong black woman who knows what she wants. No I will not sit at home while the supposed man brings home the bacon. I will educate myself to improve not only my life but also the life of my family. Now if your weak ass can’t get with the program then I am sorry. Furthermore, don’t ever condemn a woman because she will check you on your raggedy shit. I will read you ass like a best selling novel when you are wrong. Today you are being read because today you my brotha’ are wrong!”
With that I got up from my chair and walked the hell out of that restaurant and away from that cheap ass brotha’. What the hell am I doin’ anyway?
Date Two
It was a cold and snowy day toward the end of January. I was sitting at home reading as I usually am and I got a call from a fine brotha’, Thomas. Now Thomas was not my usual type of brotha, he was not educated and he didn’t have sense God gave a gnat. But he had a body that would put most body builders to shame and I liked to look at him.
Thomas spent eighteen out of twenty four hours at the gym. He was an avid body builder and this was where his mind was. I usually got pretty bored with these types of brotha’s but Thomas was good eye candy.
Thomas calls and asks me if I’d like to go to the movies and to grab a bite to eat. I said yeah, I wasn’t doing anything and my son was visiting his father. Hell why not? I did want to see that new Wesley Snipes movie.
Thomas arrives promptly at eight. I am ready and we leave to go to the restaurant. Now keep in mind that Thomas was not the sharpest tack in the box, so he relied on me to make most of the decisions. I decided we would go to a small restaurant close to the show in case time got away from us. Really I wanted to be close to the restaurant so I wouldn’t have to spend a lot of time dumbing my conversation down to Thomas’ level. Also, I didn’t want to hear another boring story of what happened today at the gym. You see Thomas was fine and he was built, he did have a job and he tried to treat me like a lady, but Thomas didn’t know the Persian Gulf was over seas.
We ate dinner and then we went to the movie. While on the way home Thomas suggests we go back to his place. I ask for what and he in forms me that we will be going back to his place to screw.
Now don’t get it twisted I am by no means a prude. I am not above sex on the first date if I am truly feeling a brotha’. Now, until Thomas tried to bully the sex from me, he may have had a shot. I mean not at another date, that shit was out, but I may have given him a little taste. You know kept him by little black book of sex partners. Yeah, we women do that shit to.
So as I sit there, a little stunned, I ask him if he really believed that because he took me to a movie and bought me a hamburger, that I would really go to bed with him. He said hell yeah. Furthermore, if I wasn’t going to give him some I could just get out of his car right now. This fool put me out of his car in Fairfield, Ohio. I lived in Kennedy Heights. This was quite a distance from Fairfield. I had no car and no way home. He actually drove off, not once looking back.
After thoughts
Now am I bitter? No, I am just more careful about my dating habits. First, I always drive my own car. Second, I always have enough money to pay for my own food. Third, if they have somehow managed to offend me, I try to hold my tongue until I am safely at home, then I let there asses have it. And finally, I never let this dating shit bother me. I chalk it all up to life lessons and I just keep on steppin’.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Nekia Lewis (Journal 6)
There was an old haunted house that was located at the end of Kenny's street all the children in the neighborhood were afraid to go near it, becuase there had been rumors that severl of the children they went to school with had been eaten by the house and never to be seen again. On night Kenny and his freind Peter where leaving a baseball game and where trying to make it back to Kenny's house before Scooby Doo stated and before the rain had stated to come down even harder . As they were making their way to Kenny's house they noticed that a light was glowing in one of the windows in the old house. Kenny And Peter stood frozen not sure of what to do or say. Lets go check it out" said Peter. Why? said Kenny, you know what might happen to us. Don't be a chicken said Peter".
The boys made their way down to the house and noticed that the front door was opened. They stepped onto the porch and pushed the door opened a little more. They saw a beauiful glowing ball of light that had them mezmorized and frozen to the floor. They tried to turn and walk away because they felt uneasy. They realized that their bodys were paralized and the door was behind them now and had been shut behind them. The light came closer and blined them. That was the last thing the boys saw. They didn't see the old mad with the fangs standing behind them.
The boys made their way down to the house and noticed that the front door was opened. They stepped onto the porch and pushed the door opened a little more. They saw a beauiful glowing ball of light that had them mezmorized and frozen to the floor. They tried to turn and walk away because they felt uneasy. They realized that their bodys were paralized and the door was behind them now and had been shut behind them. The light came closer and blined them. That was the last thing the boys saw. They didn't see the old mad with the fangs standing behind them.
Journal 6 Tina Holmes
The young girl was rushing down the pitched black alley way. Her heart was pounding, pratically skipping beats, she could hear them getting closer. There was no where to go but up. She pulled down the fire escape ladder and began to climb, missing a step she let out a scream. She crawled across a ledge, seeing a dim light in a window decided to try to get the window up. She inched the window up as to not make to much noise. She fell in to the room, the curtains falling down on top of her! She felt hands upon her,"What the bloody heck do you think you are doing?
She looked up into a pool of aqua blue eyes, the most handsome man she had ever met, was looking back at her. "Must I repeat myself?" "I'm running from two man who killed my father and are trying to kill me!"
Trevor finally notice the woman, other than being a mess, she was the most beautiful creature he had ever encountered. They heard shouting, quick into the other room. They dim the light,run into the other room and lock the door.We must run, come this way!
Trevor was not sure where they were going, but they must out run them!
They jumped on to the back of Trevors waiting horse, and they galloped off...........to be continued.................
She looked up into a pool of aqua blue eyes, the most handsome man she had ever met, was looking back at her. "Must I repeat myself?" "I'm running from two man who killed my father and are trying to kill me!"
Trevor finally notice the woman, other than being a mess, she was the most beautiful creature he had ever encountered. They heard shouting, quick into the other room. They dim the light,run into the other room and lock the door.We must run, come this way!
Trevor was not sure where they were going, but they must out run them!
They jumped on to the back of Trevors waiting horse, and they galloped off...........to be continued.................
Journal 5-Tina Holmes
I work in a nursing home.I pick-up soiled laundry and take down to the laundry room. there I sort the laundry before I load the washer. Then while the washer is running I go and fold the linen that is in the dryer. I deliver the linen to differen units. If I have time in between I hang personal laundry. Then the process starts all over.
I work in a nursing home. I'm on my way to pick up soiled linen, big thrill! Once in the laundry room I get to sort it sometimes its so gross,think of it as smelly nasty diaper after about an halfhour you need a clothes pin for your nose! The nurses aides are so lazy! they put spoons, cups, gloves everything in the laundry! By seven at night I'm throwing things! just think another day another penny!
I work in a nursing home. I'm on my way to pick up soiled linen, big thrill! Once in the laundry room I get to sort it sometimes its so gross,think of it as smelly nasty diaper after about an halfhour you need a clothes pin for your nose! The nurses aides are so lazy! they put spoons, cups, gloves everything in the laundry! By seven at night I'm throwing things! just think another day another penny!
Everyday Bored/Reginald Bines/Journal 5
I get up at 7:00 a.m. in the morning and shave and shower for the beginning of my work day. I catch the 64 bus to go to work. I get downtown at 9:00 a.m. and I arrive to work at 9:25 a.m. and clock in at 9:28a.m. I grab my bus tubs and place them in different stations of the restaurant.
I set up my bus station with water pitcher,serving trays, and large glasses for iced tea for the day. I clean the tables and set the plates and silverware and plates for the incoming crowd. Then I finish up with the ice for the water and ice tea.
When I get up at 7:00 a.m.,I don't like it at all. I want to call the job and say no more. I shower and shave and catch that noisey bus with the lunatics and crying babies,I don't need early in the morning. Iget downtown to early at 9:00 a.m. and arrive to work at 9:25 a.m. to early nad clock in in at 9:28 to early. It's jus too early. I grab them dumb bus trays and place them where I really don't care where they go. I set up the bus station that I don"t need in my life. The water pichers,serving trays and large glasses the servers canget themselves. The tables should be cleanby the cleaning crew for all I care. When I place the silverware and the plates down,I don't know why I have to do it, they should hire someone just for that and the ice too. I should just come in and bus the tables and make 12.00 dollars an hour plus tips for 7 hours and go home.
I set up my bus station with water pitcher,serving trays, and large glasses for iced tea for the day. I clean the tables and set the plates and silverware and plates for the incoming crowd. Then I finish up with the ice for the water and ice tea.
When I get up at 7:00 a.m.,I don't like it at all. I want to call the job and say no more. I shower and shave and catch that noisey bus with the lunatics and crying babies,I don't need early in the morning. Iget downtown to early at 9:00 a.m. and arrive to work at 9:25 a.m. to early nad clock in in at 9:28 to early. It's jus too early. I grab them dumb bus trays and place them where I really don't care where they go. I set up the bus station that I don"t need in my life. The water pichers,serving trays and large glasses the servers canget themselves. The tables should be cleanby the cleaning crew for all I care. When I place the silverware and the plates down,I don't know why I have to do it, they should hire someone just for that and the ice too. I should just come in and bus the tables and make 12.00 dollars an hour plus tips for 7 hours and go home.
Nekia Lewis (journal 4)
I talked to my grandmother. The one thing she said that changed her life was getting married & becoming a mother at such an early age in her life. She was born in Cincinnati , raised by her grandparent. She was 16 years old when she got married to my grandfather and had her first child, my uncle and at the age of 17 she had my mother. She said times were hard when you are young and poor trying to raise a family, when you are just a child yourself. She was unable to complete school because she had to take care of her family. She divorced my grandpa and remarried she had two more children. After all her children finished school she returned to school to get her diploma and went on to get a job with Job and Family Services and retired
Journal 4 Charles Milton
I asked my grandfather if he could think of any one event that had comepletly altered the course of his life. He answered me without even having to think about it, "it's your mother." In his family there was always only one course for the men, the Marine Corps. Both of his brothers, his father, uncles, cousins, all the way back to the start of the Marine Corps had been in it. All serving forty years as career soldiers and retiring twice from the Marines. He told me "that was what men in our family did", thinking back he said, "there were no other options presented to us."
"I had already been in the service for six years and went to Korea." he continued with his story. He was finally back home with my grandmother with plans to continue the family tradition of retiring from the Marines. "The best thing that has ever happened to me stopped me from leaving again.", he went on. My grandmother had become pregnant with my mother. My grandfather decided that being with his family was more important than continuing the tradition of becoming a retired Marine.
"I had already been in the service for six years and went to Korea." he continued with his story. He was finally back home with my grandmother with plans to continue the family tradition of retiring from the Marines. "The best thing that has ever happened to me stopped me from leaving again.", he went on. My grandmother had become pregnant with my mother. My grandfather decided that being with his family was more important than continuing the tradition of becoming a retired Marine.
Journal 5-2 Crystal Cook
Getting ready for work can sometimes be a nightmare. My morning usually starts with my alarm going off at 6:30a.m. I usually can't drag myself out of bed until 6:45a.m or even 7:00a.m. While stumbling to the bathroom I'm thinking to myself "Is it time to retire yet"? I make it to the bathroom and brush my teeth. I use the bathroom, wash my hands and run my bath water. I get in the tub and sit there for about five minutes just splashing the water around and trying to wake up. When I am done bathing I dry off and start to put on my makeup. As I look in the mirror I'm thinking to myself, "I'm gonna need more than this makeup today to keep me from looking like a Raccoon around the eyes, but I guess this will have to do. I go into my bedroom and turn on the television. I don't know why I do this to myself it's not like I'm going to be able to see the end of the show. Then the drama starts. Every time I look in that closet I wonder why I can't find anything to wear. Could it be because I'm in denial about the fact that I picked up weight and I'm still trying to squeeze into those little sizes. I must think I'm going to be able to get back into them one day. When that day comes they will definitely be out of style, I'm sure. I FINALLY find an outfit to wear and thank goodness it doesn't need to be ironed. I lotion myself up and begin to get dressed. Thank goodness I decided to go natural with the hair because Lord knows I don't want to have to fool with my head today. I go downstairs and today is one of those days that I decide not to eat breakfast at home, that normally happens about seventy-five percent of the time. I grab my purse and my keys and I am on my way out the door to go to work.
Journal 5-1 Crystal Cook
Getting ready for work in the morning can sometimes be a nightmare. My alarm usually goes off at 6:30a.m. and I turn it off. I get out of bed and go into the bathroom. I brush my teeth and use the bathroom. I run my bath water and then get in the tub. When I am finished bathing, I dry off and put my makeup on. I go back into my bedroom, turn the television on, pick my clothes out, lotion myself and begin to get dressed. I try to decide on breakfast and seventy-five percent of the time I don't eat any breakfast before work. When I do it's usually eggs, bacon and toast or it's oatmeal. I put my socks or stockings on, depending on the outfit, and then my shoes. I get my purse and keys and head for the door.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Journal 4
Both my parents and my grandparents are deceased. So I'm going to recall for you a story my mother used to tell us when we were young.My mother grew up on a farm. My mother and her sister use to go down behind the barn and smoke tobacco. Her brother got curious as to what they were up to sneaking off like that. So one day he decided to follow them, when he saw what they were up to he went to tell their father. Their father took them behind the barn the next day. He had them smoke till they were turning green, and losing their supper. My mother said," I never want to smoke another day in my life. She use to tell this story whenever she thought one of us was thinking about smoking, and kind of hinted as to what would happen if we did. Tina Holmes
Journal 3
When we were young my family lived in California, Ohio.We lived near my grandparents home,and within walking distance of Coney Island. In the summer my family would meet up and we would walk to Coney. Coney was beautiful back in the day.They had a beautiful floral clock, in the front entry way. the flowers were radiant. The flowers smelled of ornate phrases. Of course they had roller coasters, I was afraid to ride the "Come on ride it one time",said Cherrie, and of course they would get me on it. I would scream my tonsil's out every time. Coney used to have photo booths, do you remember those? You know the ones where you make goofy faces, then change places and make hideouse faces. We can look back at those photos now and laugh,those are good memories. Recalling the ferris wheel, the lights so dazzeling, in the night sky. How when you're a child it seems so hugh rising up to the starlit sky. They would have celebrities up ther and one time I got Nick Clooney autograph. My family has great memories of old Coney. That is why Coney will always hold a place in my heart. Tina Holmes
Journal 5-Kelly Donnelly
The process of brushing teeth is as followed; You walk into the bathroom, open the medicine cabinet, grab the long tube that has the word Colgate toothpaste written on it, then you grab the skinny colored stick that has a small brush at the end. Then you walk over to the sink and turn the handle to the left and make the water come out. Unscrew the cap off the toothpaste and set it to the side. Squirt some onto the toothbrush. Put the cap back on the toothpaste and set it on the side.
Then put a little water on your toothbrush and put it in your mouth. Move it around for a little hile then spit, do it again. Then clean off your toothbrush ith water and set it to the side. ash your mouth out with water then spit. Turn the water off then but the toothbrush and toothpaste back into the cabinet.
The process of brushing your teeth is not hard if you brush them. You walk into the bathroom obviously and open the medicine cabinet and grab the little thing called toothpaste but if your nasty and don't brush your teeth it's the soft shiny tube that when you squeeze it a paste comes out and no it's not candy. Then you grab the stick with a brush on the end and yes it's a toothbrush. Unscrew the cap because it would be kinda hard to get the toothpaste out. Sqirt the paste on to the brush. Next what do you think is next? No you don't brush it into your hair you brush your teeth silly. Then you spit the stuff into the sink, not the floor. Rinse your mouth out with wather and then put the toothbrush and paste away. Not very difficult.
Then put a little water on your toothbrush and put it in your mouth. Move it around for a little hile then spit, do it again. Then clean off your toothbrush ith water and set it to the side. ash your mouth out with water then spit. Turn the water off then but the toothbrush and toothpaste back into the cabinet.
The process of brushing your teeth is not hard if you brush them. You walk into the bathroom obviously and open the medicine cabinet and grab the little thing called toothpaste but if your nasty and don't brush your teeth it's the soft shiny tube that when you squeeze it a paste comes out and no it's not candy. Then you grab the stick with a brush on the end and yes it's a toothbrush. Unscrew the cap because it would be kinda hard to get the toothpaste out. Sqirt the paste on to the brush. Next what do you think is next? No you don't brush it into your hair you brush your teeth silly. Then you spit the stuff into the sink, not the floor. Rinse your mouth out with wather and then put the toothbrush and paste away. Not very difficult.
Journal 4-Kelly Donnelly
I talked to my mom and and asked to name one event that stuck out to her as a child. She quickly responded to the GE employee party/day when she was eight years old. Her dad worked at GE and they threw the employees a party at Union Terminal. They had food, games, and all kinds of stuff. My grandparents took all 5 of their kids to Union Terminal. One of the events was drawing names for the prizes. The emcee said they needed 2 kids to help pull the names out and asked for some volunteers. Out of nowhere mom hears a familiar voice
"Here! She will do it!" Grandpa shouted and and took my mom's arm
"I don't want to dad" Mom said almost crying
"Sure you do it will be fun" Her dad said.
My mom as already shy and hated crowds. She was mortified and nervous the whole time. She even showed me the picture of her up on stage and I could see the fear in her face. From then on mom hated talking in front of crowds.
"Here! She will do it!" Grandpa shouted and and took my mom's arm
"I don't want to dad" Mom said almost crying
"Sure you do it will be fun" Her dad said.
My mom as already shy and hated crowds. She was mortified and nervous the whole time. She even showed me the picture of her up on stage and I could see the fear in her face. From then on mom hated talking in front of crowds.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Journal 5
A daily activity that i do is putting on my wig and i do this everyday i might do this more than one time a day.
First you get a hairbrush and pick the hairbrush up with one of your hands and the you take the hairbrush while still holding it and go to your restroom, go to your sink and turn on the hot water faucet and let it run until the water gets warm because if it is cold then your head will be cold that's why to make sure you just use warm water and put your hairbrush in the sink under the water and wet the hairbrush from the top of the brush to the end. Then don't forget to turn the water off when you are done wetting the brush. Then you leave the bathroom and get your wig, but if you don't own one you can go to a hair store and buy one.
Then you get your wig while still holding the brush in your hand and go back to the restroom , make sure you are holding the wig in one hand and the brush in the other hand now walk back into the restroom, but before you do go to the restroom make sure you have the stocking cap on your head or if you don't have one you can get one from a hair store or a general store,like Family Dollar sells them for a dollar they are very cheap. So get your wig in one hand and the hairbrush in the other hand and go to the restroom but don't forget to turn to your bathroom light on and walk to the sink and take your hairbrush and brush it gently through your wig until your wig looks moist and not dry and then make sure your stocking cap is on your head and make sure it is secure on your head, now a wig should have combs already made in the wig which is suppose to keep your wig from falling off your head.
Take the front of your wig with the comb with the smaller amount and slide the comb of the wig a little on your stocking cap, then take your back of your wig and take the two combs back there and slide it gently in the back under the stocking cap make sure to have a mirror in your restroom and to be looking in it while putting on your wig, then look at your wig and brush the end's of the wig and make sure that it looks good and now you can make your way out of the door to wherever you are going.
First you get a hairbrush and pick the hairbrush up with one of your hands and the you take the hairbrush while still holding it and go to your restroom, go to your sink and turn on the hot water faucet and let it run until the water gets warm because if it is cold then your head will be cold that's why to make sure you just use warm water and put your hairbrush in the sink under the water and wet the hairbrush from the top of the brush to the end. Then don't forget to turn the water off when you are done wetting the brush. Then you leave the bathroom and get your wig, but if you don't own one you can go to a hair store and buy one.
Then you get your wig while still holding the brush in your hand and go back to the restroom , make sure you are holding the wig in one hand and the brush in the other hand now walk back into the restroom, but before you do go to the restroom make sure you have the stocking cap on your head or if you don't have one you can get one from a hair store or a general store,like Family Dollar sells them for a dollar they are very cheap. So get your wig in one hand and the hairbrush in the other hand and go to the restroom but don't forget to turn to your bathroom light on and walk to the sink and take your hairbrush and brush it gently through your wig until your wig looks moist and not dry and then make sure your stocking cap is on your head and make sure it is secure on your head, now a wig should have combs already made in the wig which is suppose to keep your wig from falling off your head.
Take the front of your wig with the comb with the smaller amount and slide the comb of the wig a little on your stocking cap, then take your back of your wig and take the two combs back there and slide it gently in the back under the stocking cap make sure to have a mirror in your restroom and to be looking in it while putting on your wig, then look at your wig and brush the end's of the wig and make sure that it looks good and now you can make your way out of the door to wherever you are going.
Journal Entry 5 Jackie Lewis
I am a Type II Diabetic. Every day, at least twice a day I have to check my blood sugar. This is a painful and time consuming process. I hate to do it. The first step is to check out my meter. I have to make sure I am using my good meter. I have a new one, it’s pink. I gather all of the essentials and load my needle and I put the test strip into the meter. After checking out my meter, I go to the bathroom where I wash my hands thoroughly. Then I wipe my ring finger on my left hand with alcohol, I wipe my needle with alcohol. I squeeze the tip of my finger to the top and I stick the needle in to get a sample of blood. I take the sample of blood and put it on the test strip careful not to mess the test strip up because they are very expensive. After the test strip has the blood sample on it the meter will begin to read the glucose level. The level for me should be under 120.
I am a Type II Diabetic. Every day, at least ten times a day I have to check my blood sugar. This is a lovely process. I love to do it. The first step is to check out my meter. I have to make sure I am using my bad meter. I have a new one, it’s pink. I don’t gather all of the essentials and load my dull needle and I put the bad test strip into the meter. After checking out my meter, I go to the bathroom where I wash my hands thoroughly with dirt. Then I wipe my ring finger on my left hand with rum, I wipe my needle with gin. I squeeze the tip of my finger to the top and I stick the needle in to get a sample of blood. I take the sample of blood and put it on the test strip to mess the test strip up because they are very cheap. After the test strip has the blood sample on it the meter will begin to read the glucose level. The level for me should be under 400. If my levels check out I reward myself with a two liter of Mountain Dew.
I am a Type II Diabetic. Every day, at least ten times a day I have to check my blood sugar. This is a lovely process. I love to do it. The first step is to check out my meter. I have to make sure I am using my bad meter. I have a new one, it’s pink. I don’t gather all of the essentials and load my dull needle and I put the bad test strip into the meter. After checking out my meter, I go to the bathroom where I wash my hands thoroughly with dirt. Then I wipe my ring finger on my left hand with rum, I wipe my needle with gin. I squeeze the tip of my finger to the top and I stick the needle in to get a sample of blood. I take the sample of blood and put it on the test strip to mess the test strip up because they are very cheap. After the test strip has the blood sample on it the meter will begin to read the glucose level. The level for me should be under 400. If my levels check out I reward myself with a two liter of Mountain Dew.
Journal5
When my mother was young she said life was hard for her and her mama, her mama had to be on welfare to take care of them and since my mama saw how hard it was for her mama she told herself that if she has kids she will make sure she can take care of them and not depend on welfare. So my mama meets this guy and she just has sex with him and gets pregnant with her first child which my mama knew then she would have to get a job so she gets a job as a warehouse worker and she does well on the job takes care of her one child and she did have a girl and name her Sandra. Then while on the job my mom meets this guy name John and he took such good care of her loved her and treated her like a woman and that made her felt so good. but then she start noticing that he works too much and he don''t have time for her and she does not appreciate that it makes her eventually feel as if she isn't important and then she meets this other guy who also treats him good but she told him that she was in a relationship but they can be friends and then she gets pregnant by john and have twins by him which were both girls and then she finally realizes that he don't spend no time with the kids either because his job, so she leaves him for the other guy name Andrew and they stay together for about two years and get married then she gets pregnant by him and have a girl which is me then later along the line she has four more kids by him which in total 5 kids by him but she has 8 kids in total; 6 girls and two boys and then he starts doing crack and mistreats her, he starts hitting on her and not coming home every night then his money was being spent fast and she finds out on prostitutes and then all this happen for years until she finally tells him that she is leaving and getting her own place for just her and the kids which she did and she kept her job and raised all eight of us by herself and she raises us up to not have kids with just anybody and to get married before we have sex and of course none of us listens to her and we have sex and kids and two of us get married and have kids by these sorry men and now we are working on our divorce. But as a mother she was very strict on us and loved us she tried to make our lives better than what she had and she did and i love my momma so much to this day she tells us of we need anything call her and that is my momma.
Sallie Mock Journal Five Bag Preparation
At the end of each day, I prepare my backpack for the next day. Even if the next day is a day off for both work and school, I usually have something planned for the next day that involves getting a bag together. The reason for this is that I am usually pretty out of it in the morning and the less need to pay attention to details the better. Also, I am less likely to forget something I will need to have with me the next day.
I begin this process by looking at my work and school schedules. Since I do not return home between work and school, I need to have everything I'll need all day with me. Depending on the class, I bring the appropriate books, notebooks, papers and homework. For work and school, I pack my lunch and my snacks that I eat throughout the day. The snacks are fruit, to keep my energy up during work. I also pack a light dinner/snack to have before my evening classes begin, so I can stay focussed. I also include something to read on the bus.
Like any good Obessessive Compulsive-type, I like to prepare my backpack for the next day.
First, I have to vacuum it out thoroughly to make sure there isn't any nasty bits of wrappers, apple cores, or vermin particles. I then have a "purification ceremony" where I swab everything down that is about to be put in my backpack with rubbing alcohol. I usually chant either Native American sayings or Gregorian style chants. It's very soothing. If time allows, I will wear a silly hat and chase my dog around the room as an additional ritual. It is only then that I can prepare for a night's rest with confidence that tomorrow will be swell.
I begin this process by looking at my work and school schedules. Since I do not return home between work and school, I need to have everything I'll need all day with me. Depending on the class, I bring the appropriate books, notebooks, papers and homework. For work and school, I pack my lunch and my snacks that I eat throughout the day. The snacks are fruit, to keep my energy up during work. I also pack a light dinner/snack to have before my evening classes begin, so I can stay focussed. I also include something to read on the bus.
Like any good Obessessive Compulsive-type, I like to prepare my backpack for the next day.
First, I have to vacuum it out thoroughly to make sure there isn't any nasty bits of wrappers, apple cores, or vermin particles. I then have a "purification ceremony" where I swab everything down that is about to be put in my backpack with rubbing alcohol. I usually chant either Native American sayings or Gregorian style chants. It's very soothing. If time allows, I will wear a silly hat and chase my dog around the room as an additional ritual. It is only then that I can prepare for a night's rest with confidence that tomorrow will be swell.
Journal 3
The most important place to me that holds a special place in my heart is my mother's house which i really don't go too as often just on holidays. My mother house is just so beautiful and clean she doesn't like people coming in her house and messing up but she do know that if you have kids she understands if your kids might make a mess she just want you to clean up after your kids or whoever is watching them. My mom lives in Madisonville on a street where there is nothing but houses. My mom has such nice furniture and she tries her best to keep it clean. When i first walk in her door i feel very excited knowing that i am going to see all my family members and that we are all going to get together and have so much fun. Everyone starts yelling hi and start hugging and holding each other kids and then we start cracking jokes on each other and start saying who is the smallest and biggest and just crack jokes on each other making sure we don't hurt each other feelings. Then our mother comes in and tell everyone that now we can eat and here it is when she say that everyone starts running and pushing for the food which is funny looking at them acting crazy over food and it is just so funny we watch movies together and dance and sing and eat some more.
Then the end of the day comes and it almost time for us to go our separate ways and we are all sad knowing we can't wait until the next time to see each other because even though we argue and fight we love each other so much and we will do anything for each other.
Then the end of the day comes and it almost time for us to go our separate ways and we are all sad knowing we can't wait until the next time to see each other because even though we argue and fight we love each other so much and we will do anything for each other.
KEYPUNCH OPERATOR/Reginald Bines/Journal 4
When my mother was working as a keypunch operator,she said,"she was one of the best in the city." She went to Taft High School and graduated and married my father,who was in the Navy.She went to Long Beach,California with him.She divorce him and moved back to Ohio and enroll in a tecnical school to leaen about keypunching.The frist job she got didn't pay as much as she wanted.By the time she left for a better job,she did raise her pay rate up because of her skill level.She work for three years and got the best ofer of her life from a warehouse company. She said,"on the first day on the job. The supervisor told her to go home because we don't work with Negros."Shesaid,"If she was thinking she would have gotten a private lawyer and could had some millions." She went to legal aid because her father told her too. When she won her case, she just got backpay and an offer to come back to work which she didn't. She said,"I don't hate no one for that hurtful experiense.
Journal 4 - Pauline Jones
I will always remember the story my grandmother told me about the time she burnt her eyebrows off. Although it happened a long time ago, she still remembers it like it was yesterday.
This incident took place about 60 years ago. My grandmother, who is now 70 years old, was about 9-10 years old when this all took place. She lived down south in Alabama and was the only child after her brother passed when he was a baby. Being that she had to have a lot of reasonability, she often helped her mother cook dinner and clean the house. On this particular day, her mother called to her, “Jessie, get the stove ready so we can prepare dinner before your father gets home.” She them yelled out, “ok mamma.” She said as she placed the wood in the stove and began to light if, as she had done many times before, the flames burst right into her face. She said she screamed out so loud and just patted her face. All she could think of was, “My face is going to be all burned up!” Her mother rushed down to see what all the fuss was about only to see her with her hands covering her face. As she looked in the mirror she noticed her eyebrows were gone.
We all still laugh until this day, even my grandmother!
This incident took place about 60 years ago. My grandmother, who is now 70 years old, was about 9-10 years old when this all took place. She lived down south in Alabama and was the only child after her brother passed when he was a baby. Being that she had to have a lot of reasonability, she often helped her mother cook dinner and clean the house. On this particular day, her mother called to her, “Jessie, get the stove ready so we can prepare dinner before your father gets home.” She them yelled out, “ok mamma.” She said as she placed the wood in the stove and began to light if, as she had done many times before, the flames burst right into her face. She said she screamed out so loud and just patted her face. All she could think of was, “My face is going to be all burned up!” Her mother rushed down to see what all the fuss was about only to see her with her hands covering her face. As she looked in the mirror she noticed her eyebrows were gone.
We all still laugh until this day, even my grandmother!
Journal 3 Crystal Cook
I really couldn't think of a place that was special to me or one that I was fond of, and then I remembered...Panama City Florida.
I went on vacation one year with a girlfriend of mine and stayed at my manager's condo. It was absolutely beautiful. Everything from the condo to the beach to the scenery.
I remember walking into the condo and thinking " yeah I could do this" The floor was a beautiful ceramic tile. When you walk into the condo there is a bedroom to your left. It was huge with a king size bed, dresser television and walk-in closet with a bathroom attached to it. The bedspread was a beautiful floral print with matching window treatments. The bathroom was cream and gold. It looked like something straight out of a Home Decor magazine. I then went into the living room. It was the same beautiful floor as the entrance and it had a beautiful cream colored sofa with gold throw pillows. There was a flat screen television and an over sized love seat. But the most breathtaking part was the view. When you stepped out on the balcony the air had a totally different smell to it. It was fresh and crisp, nothing like it was when I stepped off of the plane. When you look out you can see the ocean. It was a beautiful sky blue color and you could see the ripples in the water. Well that was not enough for me so I had to make my way to the beach. The sand feels so funny under my feet. It does not have a gritty feeling to it but instead a soft, smooth feeling. Now when you're walking on the ground after walking in the sand then it does have that gritty feeling to it. When you're down there on the beach you could hear the water swooshing. It was a very relaxing sound. Between the condo, the view and the beach...it kinda makes one wonder why I came back.
I went on vacation one year with a girlfriend of mine and stayed at my manager's condo. It was absolutely beautiful. Everything from the condo to the beach to the scenery.
I remember walking into the condo and thinking " yeah I could do this" The floor was a beautiful ceramic tile. When you walk into the condo there is a bedroom to your left. It was huge with a king size bed, dresser television and walk-in closet with a bathroom attached to it. The bedspread was a beautiful floral print with matching window treatments. The bathroom was cream and gold. It looked like something straight out of a Home Decor magazine. I then went into the living room. It was the same beautiful floor as the entrance and it had a beautiful cream colored sofa with gold throw pillows. There was a flat screen television and an over sized love seat. But the most breathtaking part was the view. When you stepped out on the balcony the air had a totally different smell to it. It was fresh and crisp, nothing like it was when I stepped off of the plane. When you look out you can see the ocean. It was a beautiful sky blue color and you could see the ripples in the water. Well that was not enough for me so I had to make my way to the beach. The sand feels so funny under my feet. It does not have a gritty feeling to it but instead a soft, smooth feeling. Now when you're walking on the ground after walking in the sand then it does have that gritty feeling to it. When you're down there on the beach you could hear the water swooshing. It was a very relaxing sound. Between the condo, the view and the beach...it kinda makes one wonder why I came back.
Journal 4 Crystal Cook
When I originally sat down with my mom to talk about her childhood we were both confused on where she should start. She wanted to know if I had any questions and I wasn't sure what to ask. Once she got started I couldn't shut her up.
My mom said that for the most part she had a pretty good childhood. She was an only child but that was okay too because she was pretty close to her cousins. She said that she remembers always having to wear dresses. My grandmother did not believe in little girls wearing pants....I always wondered where she got that from, boy was I tired of wearing dresses in elementary school. She said that she would never forget the time, when she was 5 years old, that my grandfather came home from work and asked my grandmother if his income tax check had come in the mail and my grandmother told him no. A few days had gone by and my grandmother went shopping and came home and laid a bunch of new clothes all over the bed. When my grandfather came home from work he asked my grandmother, again, if his income tax check had come and she said "yes" that it was in the bedroom on the bed. My grandfather went into the bedroom and looked through all of the clothes and came back into the room and said "I don't see my check" and my grandmother said "all of those clothes on the bed are your check. I needed to buy your daughter some school clothes." Needless to say he had to leave for awhile and go to cool off.
My mom said, with the exception of meeting my dad, one of the hardest impacts on her life was when my grandmother left my granddad. Because my grandmother was not close to my grandfather's family she did not get to see my grandfather much once they left. She was 8 years old when they left and my grandmother left while my grandfather was at work. She remembers telling my grandmother that if they leave he won't have anyone to be there with him but it didn't matter to my grandmother, they left anyway. My mother remembers lots of tears after that.
My mom said that for the most part she had a pretty good childhood. She was an only child but that was okay too because she was pretty close to her cousins. She said that she remembers always having to wear dresses. My grandmother did not believe in little girls wearing pants....I always wondered where she got that from, boy was I tired of wearing dresses in elementary school. She said that she would never forget the time, when she was 5 years old, that my grandfather came home from work and asked my grandmother if his income tax check had come in the mail and my grandmother told him no. A few days had gone by and my grandmother went shopping and came home and laid a bunch of new clothes all over the bed. When my grandfather came home from work he asked my grandmother, again, if his income tax check had come and she said "yes" that it was in the bedroom on the bed. My grandfather went into the bedroom and looked through all of the clothes and came back into the room and said "I don't see my check" and my grandmother said "all of those clothes on the bed are your check. I needed to buy your daughter some school clothes." Needless to say he had to leave for awhile and go to cool off.
My mom said, with the exception of meeting my dad, one of the hardest impacts on her life was when my grandmother left my granddad. Because my grandmother was not close to my grandfather's family she did not get to see my grandfather much once they left. She was 8 years old when they left and my grandmother left while my grandfather was at work. She remembers telling my grandmother that if they leave he won't have anyone to be there with him but it didn't matter to my grandmother, they left anyway. My mother remembers lots of tears after that.
Sallie Mock Journal 4: Memories of MY Father
It's always interesting to talk with my dad. My father will be 82 this July, so this is his second round of Depression/Recession, call it what you want.
Growing up in early 1930s Louisville, Ky, my father remembers a very different way of life than what people have now.
"We had a milkman, an ice man, and a fruit and vegetable vendor who all came to your street," he remembered. "In those times, they had given up the horse and buggy and had early model cars. For the iceman, you put a card in your window with a 10, 15, 20 or zero. This was to tell him how many pounds of ice you needed for your icebox. There was no refrigeration then," he explained.
Now when I was growing up Chicago, we did have a milkman, so I knew about that. "During the Depression, "my dad explained, "most people didn't have cars, so the fruit and vegetable man would pull up to the curb in front of your house. His car had a scale and you simply made your selections , paid for them, and could place your order for next week's delivery. Different trucks had different bells so you knew which truck was entering your block. Even baked goods were occassionally delivered."
Streetcars were the most common mode of transportation for most folks, so it would appear that deliveries weren't such a bad option.
Two for the price of one:my father also offered to mention his memories of the 1937 flood. He was ten years old and lived on the west side of Louisville, which had to be evacuated. He recalls; "We had to move to higher ground, which meant moving in with my Irish relatives in Iroquois Park part of town, which was the south side of town. Some of my batchelor uncles weren't so found of kids and would retreat to the local pub for a growler. I got to know my cousins , who were also packed into this house."
For my dad, the flood wasn't so bad; his only bad memories of the flood was having to get shots for Yellow fever and tetanus, which he remembers to this day as very painful. He says, "We were refugees for 65 days, schools and businesses were closed except for those on higher ground." When the waters receded, cleanup to him and the other kids was fun," We enjoyed having mud fights and slopping around in the mess."
When my father tells my nieces and nephews about his childhood, they can hardly believe he lived without television, refrigeration, air condition, and God, forbid, a cell phone.
Growing up in early 1930s Louisville, Ky, my father remembers a very different way of life than what people have now.
"We had a milkman, an ice man, and a fruit and vegetable vendor who all came to your street," he remembered. "In those times, they had given up the horse and buggy and had early model cars. For the iceman, you put a card in your window with a 10, 15, 20 or zero. This was to tell him how many pounds of ice you needed for your icebox. There was no refrigeration then," he explained.
Now when I was growing up Chicago, we did have a milkman, so I knew about that. "During the Depression, "my dad explained, "most people didn't have cars, so the fruit and vegetable man would pull up to the curb in front of your house. His car had a scale and you simply made your selections , paid for them, and could place your order for next week's delivery. Different trucks had different bells so you knew which truck was entering your block. Even baked goods were occassionally delivered."
Streetcars were the most common mode of transportation for most folks, so it would appear that deliveries weren't such a bad option.
Two for the price of one:my father also offered to mention his memories of the 1937 flood. He was ten years old and lived on the west side of Louisville, which had to be evacuated. He recalls; "We had to move to higher ground, which meant moving in with my Irish relatives in Iroquois Park part of town, which was the south side of town. Some of my batchelor uncles weren't so found of kids and would retreat to the local pub for a growler. I got to know my cousins , who were also packed into this house."
For my dad, the flood wasn't so bad; his only bad memories of the flood was having to get shots for Yellow fever and tetanus, which he remembers to this day as very painful. He says, "We were refugees for 65 days, schools and businesses were closed except for those on higher ground." When the waters receded, cleanup to him and the other kids was fun," We enjoyed having mud fights and slopping around in the mess."
When my father tells my nieces and nephews about his childhood, they can hardly believe he lived without television, refrigeration, air condition, and God, forbid, a cell phone.
Journal Entry 4 Jackie Lewis
This is a hard journal entry for me. My grandparents are dead, well my father’s mother is still alive, but we are not in contact. So, I asked my mother for a family story. I was curious about her brother, my uncle. You see he was a bit of a strange bird and I always wondered why. It seems that my uncle Johnny was hit by a drunk driver when he was five years old. The way the story goes, my mother and her brother and a bunch of their friends were playing outside. They had gotten a game of kick ball together and they were playing in the field next door to my grandmother’s house. All of the sudden the ball went into the street and my mother’s brother ran out to get the ball and this big red truck came swerving and rushing down the street at a high speed. My uncle was struck and dragged under the car. The truck finally stopped and my mother’s older cousin pulled him from under the car. They rushed him to the hospital where they were told he had a brain injury and that he might not make it. They put a steel plate in his head and he was in a coma for months. He finally woke up but he was never the same. The injury did something to his brain that caused his personality to change. Not only did he change, but the whole family changed that day. The drunk driver was never caught and my uncle was bitter his entire life.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Grandmom's House/Reggie Bines/Jounarl 3
I was sometimes over my grandmother house for the weekends. I love when we talk about everything I was a young chap. When I was over my grandmother house, the smells of the food cooking was so fabulous. The smell of the food, I can just taste it in my mouth. She would bake a sweet potato pie that was so tasty, I can still see her peel the sweet potatoes and mix it together. When she cook her chicken and rice on Sunday, just before I go to church with her, I swear we just went outside and took the chicken out of the yard and wrung the chicken neck and pluck the feathers. She cooked the chicken until it was golden brown. The rice taste like we went to China and harvest the rice and flew back because it was cooked to a perfect white rice with a buttery flavor. The time I spent with her on the weekend, no one on this earth can never ever match. She was the one that could tell it like it is and still make you feel good and make you do more than you need to do. She would cooked you some veddles so tasty, spectacular and sophisticated, it had you hyopotized. It was the most tantalizing home cooking ever know to mankind.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Journal 2
My picture of my kids holds a special meaning to me they are all i have and i went through so much in labor having them. They are my hearts and they bring me so much joy when i am sad.
We are all standing close to each other in the picture all smiling and saying that we love each other, that is the only picture that i have of my kids with me and them period. I had a camera before and my son broke the camera destroying the film which i had to buy another camera and take more pictures and the same happened to that camera, but my one friend had took a picture of me and my kids and he gave it to me and i was so happy because i don't have a picture of them.
We all had on black and red , we were smiling, we were all yelling love you to each other and we meant what we said.. That day we was happy and we spent all day together playing games and talking and i will never forget that day.
We are all standing close to each other in the picture all smiling and saying that we love each other, that is the only picture that i have of my kids with me and them period. I had a camera before and my son broke the camera destroying the film which i had to buy another camera and take more pictures and the same happened to that camera, but my one friend had took a picture of me and my kids and he gave it to me and i was so happy because i don't have a picture of them.
We all had on black and red , we were smiling, we were all yelling love you to each other and we meant what we said.. That day we was happy and we spent all day together playing games and talking and i will never forget that day.
Journal 1
My name is Andrea Lindsay. I am 24 years old, i have 4 kids and i am currently attending this school . I am a writer and i like writing it helps me to get someone to understand my point of view and to explain what they don't understand, also it teaches me skills that i will further need in the future. Writing helps me to show what i feel and what i know.
I have a couple of strengths which are: 1) A clear understandable handwriting
2) I am a great speller
3) I have good knowledge on how to write any kind of papers.
I have a couple of weaknessses also: 1) Using words too many times
2) Not enough paragraphs
3) Not enough information when describing something
I would like more help in using more words,than continually using the same words that i use a lot.
My writing goals for the end of the quarter is too know more words to usue than the same ones.
Second goal is to know how to write an essay without looking in the book or asking.
My last goal is to hopefully write a story of my own and it being perfect.
My most positive writing experience is when i wrote a research paper im my environmental class and my teacher wrote that everything about it was good.
My worst experience is when i wrote a story in my english class and my teacher told me that my paragraphs were not structured right and the format was horrible, but i have been doing better on both.
I have a couple of strengths which are: 1) A clear understandable handwriting
2) I am a great speller
3) I have good knowledge on how to write any kind of papers.
I have a couple of weaknessses also: 1) Using words too many times
2) Not enough paragraphs
3) Not enough information when describing something
I would like more help in using more words,than continually using the same words that i use a lot.
My writing goals for the end of the quarter is too know more words to usue than the same ones.
Second goal is to know how to write an essay without looking in the book or asking.
My last goal is to hopefully write a story of my own and it being perfect.
My most positive writing experience is when i wrote a research paper im my environmental class and my teacher wrote that everything about it was good.
My worst experience is when i wrote a story in my english class and my teacher told me that my paragraphs were not structured right and the format was horrible, but i have been doing better on both.
Journal Entry 3-Jackie Lewis
When I was a kid I spent a lot of time in New Richmond, Ohio. That is where my mother grew up and my grandmother moved after her father , my great grandfather was chased out of Georgetown, Kentucky (a story for another day). I spent all weekends and summers in the country away from the concrete jungle I loved so much. My grandmother’s house was small. I spent much of the time there in the kitchen. That’s where all important discussions took place. I can vividly remember sitting on the floor in the corner of the kitchen next to the furnace. I would sit there for hours watching the hussle and bussle of the adults cooking and chattering about the local gossip or the day’s current events. My grandmother’s kitchen was small; it served as the room where we ate and the laundry room. As I stated earlier the kitchen also housed the furnace. Everyday my grandmother’s best friend Cora would come over and sit with my grandmother while she cooked dinner on the big wood burning stove. Every meal was an event. Mrs. Cora was a character and she would sit around the big oak table that barely fit into the small kitchen and spin tale after tale about the goings on in the small village of New Richmond. My grandmother would laugh and laugh at her stories. The kitchen was my grandmother’s base of operations. Everything stemmed from the kitchen and she spent the majority of her time in the kitchen. The walls were painted yellow and there were yellow flowered curtains hanging from the kitchen window. The floor was yellow and the kitchen cabinets were oak. In the far corner sat the washer and dryer. Across from the washer and dryer was the refrigerator. As a child I hated my weekly and vacations in New Richmond, but as an adult I miss the relaxed atmosphere of my grandmother’s kitchen.
Nekia Lewis (Journal #3)
Impressions
1.Food, 2.culture, 3.weather, 4.melting pot of people, 5.history, 6.mystery
New Orleans is the one place that I remember that is very familiar to me. I love the mystery, the people are friendly and I love the way they talk and the food which is unbelievable full of spices and flavor. I like the history and myths that the city holds all the mixed cultures. I've only been there one time in my life, this was before Hurrican Katrina. The weather is very humid and hot, but I didn't mind I was excited with just being there and trying to take in the enviornment and beautiful architecture of the building and homes. Its very differnt with how there graves are on top and not under ground like ours. I took lots of pictures. Being in New Orleans made me happy its a place where I would love to be.
1.Food, 2.culture, 3.weather, 4.melting pot of people, 5.history, 6.mystery
New Orleans is the one place that I remember that is very familiar to me. I love the mystery, the people are friendly and I love the way they talk and the food which is unbelievable full of spices and flavor. I like the history and myths that the city holds all the mixed cultures. I've only been there one time in my life, this was before Hurrican Katrina. The weather is very humid and hot, but I didn't mind I was excited with just being there and trying to take in the enviornment and beautiful architecture of the building and homes. Its very differnt with how there graves are on top and not under ground like ours. I took lots of pictures. Being in New Orleans made me happy its a place where I would love to be.
Nekia Lewis (Journal #2)
The one most important thing, to me in my life is my family. Family is very important because they help keep me grounded & focused on what life is truly about. Without family it would be hard to survive. They give me a since of stability and guidance. They offer unconditional love and understanding. When I need someone to talk to or need a shoulder to cry on, my family is there to give support and advise rather I want to hear it or not. They will never steer me wrong or do anything to hurt me. They might say a few things that may piss me off, but I know it's harmless.
My family consist of my Grandmother, mother, sister,niece and my son. These are the people I hold very dear and close to my heart, and without a question they will be there through it all. I am blessed to have them in my life. They make life worth living and a lot easier.
My family consist of my Grandmother, mother, sister,niece and my son. These are the people I hold very dear and close to my heart, and without a question they will be there through it all. I am blessed to have them in my life. They make life worth living and a lot easier.
Journal 3 Charles Milton
The side room in my grandfather’s basement has become my hobby cave. I don’t live with him anymore but he has allowed me to keep my things in the basement. There is nothing special about the room it just looks like the average basement. My favorite part of the room is the far right corner, my music corner. I have a section just for my ring making with all my supplies set up.
Besides all my hobby junk inhabiting the side room it just looks like an average eighty something year old basement. To get to it you walk down the painfully creaky staircase covered in an awful orange shag carpet. The room is carpeted in a pale blue indoor/outdoor carpet. It has an unfinished ceiling with all the support beams and piping running through it. White sealed walls. And a huge deep freezer that no one can believe still hasn’t died yet.
The far right corner of this room is littered with all of my instruments and accessories. I have six strings and a bass mounted on the wall. A violin, flute, and saxophone sit out on stands. And an end table sitting against the wall looks like a guitar threw up on it, it’s scattered with tremols, whammy bars, a few springs, various tools, and my stereo. This one corner of the room is my absolute favorite place to be. My instruments are like my best friends.
One of my hobbies is making rings and other jewelry from different metals. The corner diagonal to my music corner I have a little workshop set for making rings and such. A brick box sits on an old computer desk. I use brick so I don’t accidently set the house on fire. On a cork board I have all my different saws, grips, emery boards and other tools I use. One of my friends described this area once as looking like a torture dungeon because of the tools and torches.
Besides all my hobby junk inhabiting the side room it just looks like an average eighty something year old basement. To get to it you walk down the painfully creaky staircase covered in an awful orange shag carpet. The room is carpeted in a pale blue indoor/outdoor carpet. It has an unfinished ceiling with all the support beams and piping running through it. White sealed walls. And a huge deep freezer that no one can believe still hasn’t died yet.
The far right corner of this room is littered with all of my instruments and accessories. I have six strings and a bass mounted on the wall. A violin, flute, and saxophone sit out on stands. And an end table sitting against the wall looks like a guitar threw up on it, it’s scattered with tremols, whammy bars, a few springs, various tools, and my stereo. This one corner of the room is my absolute favorite place to be. My instruments are like my best friends.
One of my hobbies is making rings and other jewelry from different metals. The corner diagonal to my music corner I have a little workshop set for making rings and such. A brick box sits on an old computer desk. I use brick so I don’t accidently set the house on fire. On a cork board I have all my different saws, grips, emery boards and other tools I use. One of my friends described this area once as looking like a torture dungeon because of the tools and torches.
Pauline Jones - Journal 3
I have not traveled around the world but I have visited a few places. The place that holds the most enjoyable memories to me would have to be my trip to Gatlinburg. Me and a bunch of friends took a long weekend on summer and drove down to Tennessee. Before we reached our chalet, we stopped and took a helicopter ride that lasted about a half an hour. Once we reached or destination, we had so much fun. The chalet was amazing. It had about eight bedrooms, a wrap around deck, and a hot tub. The master bed room was to die for. It had a large “King sized” bed and a hot tub in the center of the floor. It also had an arcade room with the best game of all time, Pac Man.
The one thing I hated most on the trip was that for two mornings we woke up to a bear walking around on the deck! The first morning someone had left the door cracked and I knew for sure that he was going to walk right on in. I almost wet my pants when I saw that!
All in all I really enjoyed that trip, and it is definitely one I will remember.
The one thing I hated most on the trip was that for two mornings we woke up to a bear walking around on the deck! The first morning someone had left the door cracked and I knew for sure that he was going to walk right on in. I almost wet my pants when I saw that!
All in all I really enjoyed that trip, and it is definitely one I will remember.
Journal 3-Kelly Donnelly
Six years ago my sister, her mother in law and sister in law, two of our friends, and myself took a 3 day weekend trip to Gatlinburg. My favorite spot was The Great Smokey Mountains. It was my very first time and so far only time being up in the mountains. We went in May and it was pretty hot outside. When we drove up to the mountains it was very cool and comfortable. I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere. Everywhere I looked was trees and rocks. Not a single building in site. The air up there was so fresh. I could smell the trees and when we got near a creek I smelled the fresh water. The water smelt so clean and the air didn’t feel so polluted.
The trees were so big, green, and full. Not a single dying tree in site. I am not a big nature lover but it was simply breathtaking. We were dressed in normal summer clothes and we were all a bit chilly up there. It was kind of breezy but it was the shade from all the trees that cooled us down. The small creek we stopped at was beautiful. There was big and little rocks lining it and the water itself was cold. We got to step in it and collect some small pebbles and rocks for souvenirs. On the way down we stopped off at the famous Great Smokey Mountains sign that’s in the commercials and posed for pictures. It was a great trip. I have yet to return but hopefully one day I will.
The trees were so big, green, and full. Not a single dying tree in site. I am not a big nature lover but it was simply breathtaking. We were dressed in normal summer clothes and we were all a bit chilly up there. It was kind of breezy but it was the shade from all the trees that cooled us down. The small creek we stopped at was beautiful. There was big and little rocks lining it and the water itself was cold. We got to step in it and collect some small pebbles and rocks for souvenirs. On the way down we stopped off at the famous Great Smokey Mountains sign that’s in the commercials and posed for pictures. It was a great trip. I have yet to return but hopefully one day I will.
Sallie Mock Journal Three Farmhouse
Having done some traveling around the world, there have been many places that have left some strong images in my memory. Despite this, there is one place in this country that I still revisit in my mind on a somewhat regular basis. Some of my earliest memories are of this farm house we rented every summer in Door County, Wisconsin. It was owned by a family named Bly, who were from Iceland. This area of Door County was known for its cherries. Our farm had cherries, but also grew what was called "Indian corn," apples, and regular corn. I'm sure other foodstuffs were grown but those are the ones I remember.
I remember our farmhouse as being a very open and bright place. There were lots of windows where the sun spilled into the rooms. It had to be a decent-sized place to accomodate me, my parents and my nine brothers and sisters. Yes Nine. I mostly remember running and playing in the fields, jumping around in the hay, being thrown around in the hay by my brothers. My brothers would swing from ropes inside the barn and land safely in hay. There were little shacks that you had to climb a short set of ladder steps. I think they were storage sheds. Anyway, we use to play "Jail." "Jail" was basically "Hide and Seek," but after you were found, you were thrown in "jail" until everyone was found. It actually was never a sinister thing. It was fun.
Every morning we took eggs from the chickens and saw the Bly boys milking the cows. I would always try to pet the cows. Somehow it wasn't like petting our dog, Mickey. The Blys were a funny group. Whenever you asked them a question, you usually got a "Nope" or a "Yup" answer. They were very nice people, just not very big on conversation.
Because we were there in the summer, it was usually warm enough to swim in Green Bay. There was a beach nearby the farm where we went swimming. Having spent my time there in the warm months, I have nothing but positive memories of the place. If there was one sort of "traumatic " memory for me of the farmhouse , it would have been the Pump House.
Plenty of you are too young to remember such places. A Pump House was literally a small building, barn, house, etc.,that kept the electricity running for the entire property. There was a constant, loud thumping sound emanating from it. Basically, it was like an engine room. Being little, I wasn't allowed in there. My brothers told me that the thumping noise I heard was of people getting their heads chopped off. And I believed them! Nevermind , I had no idea who these "people" were. I think they would just vaguely say "bad people" were getting their heads chopped off. That was enough for me to stay out of there.
It's funny in a sense: I haven't been to the farm in Door County in probably 32 years, but I still have fond memories of the place and think of it. Perhaps like everyone else, it is sometimes nice to remember innocent times.
I remember our farmhouse as being a very open and bright place. There were lots of windows where the sun spilled into the rooms. It had to be a decent-sized place to accomodate me, my parents and my nine brothers and sisters. Yes Nine. I mostly remember running and playing in the fields, jumping around in the hay, being thrown around in the hay by my brothers. My brothers would swing from ropes inside the barn and land safely in hay. There were little shacks that you had to climb a short set of ladder steps. I think they were storage sheds. Anyway, we use to play "Jail." "Jail" was basically "Hide and Seek," but after you were found, you were thrown in "jail" until everyone was found. It actually was never a sinister thing. It was fun.
Every morning we took eggs from the chickens and saw the Bly boys milking the cows. I would always try to pet the cows. Somehow it wasn't like petting our dog, Mickey. The Blys were a funny group. Whenever you asked them a question, you usually got a "Nope" or a "Yup" answer. They were very nice people, just not very big on conversation.
Because we were there in the summer, it was usually warm enough to swim in Green Bay. There was a beach nearby the farm where we went swimming. Having spent my time there in the warm months, I have nothing but positive memories of the place. If there was one sort of "traumatic " memory for me of the farmhouse , it would have been the Pump House.
Plenty of you are too young to remember such places. A Pump House was literally a small building, barn, house, etc.,that kept the electricity running for the entire property. There was a constant, loud thumping sound emanating from it. Basically, it was like an engine room. Being little, I wasn't allowed in there. My brothers told me that the thumping noise I heard was of people getting their heads chopped off. And I believed them! Nevermind , I had no idea who these "people" were. I think they would just vaguely say "bad people" were getting their heads chopped off. That was enough for me to stay out of there.
It's funny in a sense: I haven't been to the farm in Door County in probably 32 years, but I still have fond memories of the place and think of it. Perhaps like everyone else, it is sometimes nice to remember innocent times.
Journal 2 Charles Milton
My most prized possession is my violin. I’ve been playing since the third grade but I received my current violin on my eleventh birthday. It was a present from my late grandmother, she left it with instruction to be given to me on my birthday in her will. It is a 1921 Italian Robellie. It’s a beautiful dark brown stained wood without a gloss finish. As a wood instrument ages the sound matures. It’s smooth to the touch hand crafted and sanded still without a chip or scratch in eighty eight years. From being eighty eight years old the sound has matured greatly, when bowed the violin produces the most beautiful rich sound I think I have ever heard. I try to take care of it as best I can so when I’m playing it I can always smell the wood polish. Since it was a gift from my grandmother it has great sentimental value to me. By playing it I feel close to my grandmother, connected. Music has always had a coming affect on me. Playing my violin helps to clear and center my mind.
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Ring/Reginald Bines
The ring my wife gave me for last year Valentine's day; it meant a lot to me because it has been a
long time since gotten any thing on Valentine's day. The ring was 1 carat and 14 kt gold. The ring
face was one big looking diamond. I love the way the ring fit and felt on my finger. The feel of the ring was exquisite because at the time it was very special to me. The ring made me think , there
was some love . The ring is something that I love to wear when I go to different events. The ring glitter when I clean it to wear. I love the ring because it is worth some money. One day I will
give it to my grandson when he reach 16 years old, which will be about 11 more years. The ring
is something special until my grandson reach 16 years old. I am grateful that I did get the ring.
This ring is the only that I have that come close to something special. I don't have nothing else
that is special to me.
long time since gotten any thing on Valentine's day. The ring was 1 carat and 14 kt gold. The ring
face was one big looking diamond. I love the way the ring fit and felt on my finger. The feel of the ring was exquisite because at the time it was very special to me. The ring made me think , there
was some love . The ring is something that I love to wear when I go to different events. The ring glitter when I clean it to wear. I love the ring because it is worth some money. One day I will
give it to my grandson when he reach 16 years old, which will be about 11 more years. The ring
is something special until my grandson reach 16 years old. I am grateful that I did get the ring.
This ring is the only that I have that come close to something special. I don't have nothing else
that is special to me.
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