i triked down the sidewalk. skinned-up, little legs spinning as fast as the tires on a car.i wore a pale, yellow sundress that was marked with grass stains.no bows in my hair. because i was a tomboy.a smudge of dirt was visible on my face underneath a sassy grin.my big brother was timing me by counting "one mississippi, two mississippi..." as i tore from one driveway to the next.all the way down to bobby johnson's house.i nearly crashed on the dare-devilish turn-around, but i had a record to... Read Full Story

"but what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?"- albert camusi sat across from her at lunch and pondered her question."how are you?" she had asked.i smiled.i smiled wider.i shrugged my shoulders and cocked my head to one side. my smile grew wider still."i'm happy. i'm just really, really happy."what can you say to a response like that? she smiled in return.we continued talking and time passed as quickly as it does when you're watching an engrossing movie... Read Full Story

i received the letter on a saturday.the saturday before memorial day.i would've called, but i knew the office would be closed over the long weekend.so i set the letter aside.somewhere it wouldn't stare at me like the menacing look of a headmistress.i kept busy.each time my mind would wander into the unknown, i forced it to detour to a more peaceful place.sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.i wish i could train myself better, my thoughts like a restless puppy in need of discip... Read Full Story

there are so many things that are out of my hands.i don't like that.i like knowing the questions and knowing the answers.i like understanding what i'm dealing with and eliminating the undisclosed.i like to be able to exert some sort of control over my life and rely on this.but that's not always possible.i heard some news the other day.it came in the form of a letter.it's so strange how one minute you're trying to decide where to indulge your kids with a cinnamon roll while... Read Full Story

"memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose."~From the television show The Wonder Yearswhen i close my eyes real tight, i can almost see my memories playing out in front of me, like sitting in the front row of my favorite movie.the color is crisp. the soundtrack - stimulating.i am lying on my back on a float. the sun is beating down. the waves rock me in a lazy fashion making subtle swishing sounds. and i am content.i p... Read Full Story

i have many morning rituals which i enjoy. laying in bed lazily, drinking a liter of water, taking my vitamins, going on a five mile walk and reading insidecandy.co.za. candy is a remarkable writer whose blog includes excerpts from her published poetry, political commentary, insight into how her mind works, and witty, goofy blurbs. it's mesmerizing.how cool was it to see that i am one of seven blogs she loves to read. she was kind enough to pass on the kreativ blogger award. and here'... Read Full Story

he walked around the grocery store in the affluent community wearing a long, black, gauzy skirt with a white three-quarter-length sleeve top of the same material.his hair was gray and pulled back into a ponytail. his beard neatly trimmed.his birkenstocks mixed with pradas and guccis as he navigated around the store, stopping now and then to smell a fresh pineapple or to study a tomato.to say heads turned was an understatement.women blocked traffic in the aisles as they stared at this man.was ... Read Full Story

his reply was as wet and as cold as a dog's nose.it left me devoid of words.so i remained silent. again.the baby began to cry in her crib.i turned and left the room quietly.unnoticed.communication was zero.and it would last another two years.alfred kadushin writes that "the relationship is the communication bridge between people."what if you have no relationship anymore?you have no communication.it took years for me to learn to trust again. to find the courage to open my mouth.i... Read Full Story

we need our starbucks.we need our laptops.we need our jamba juice.we need our gyms.we need our best friend's.we need our lovers.we need our gossip.we need our crises.we need our diet soda.we need our mcdonalds.we need our bmw's.we need our big houses....but do we need god? Read Full Story

"i think it pisses god off if you walk by the color purple in a field and don't notice it."    -alice walker (from the color purple film) Read Full Story