Great Grandma, Mamol, and Mama Wore Wigs

There are photos of my mother's grandmother in a wig. She was a church-going older woman who eventually succumbed to diabetes. I have no idea how long she had worn wigs, I just know she did. I never saw her real hair; and quite frankly, I was too young to even remember how she truly looked when she passed. I just have those snatches of images. You know the frame work of a big woman, a bossy woman, a woman who did not go out in public looking "any old kinda" way. A chestnut brown woman with those big and small moles that arise from aging. A focused on "what she wanted" kinda woman. I remember a lot of white dresses and missing legs... the smell of liniment and direction-giving. At least I think she was missing legs. My mother's grandmother on her father's side had diabetes, too. I remember for sure that she was missing legs, and that she also wore a wig. These black women wore wigs, pressed their hair, braided their hair, and hid their hair under wraps. I am sure they also at some time or another, these same women, let their hair down, let it kink up, took sissors to it, or just gave up on it. It struck me today that I wanted to think about what generational time structures kept confined those little ladies in the paradoxical apparatus that was "atop their heads," atop their own natural hair. My grandmother was born in 1920. Her mother was born in the late 1800's. My mother was born in 1944. Seemingly every 20 years or so, a generation of little black ladies passed on the cultural wearing of wigs to us in Waco. I was born in 1969, but I have never worn a wig unless it was for a play, film, or costume party. The closest I came to the act was braid extentions. Braiding in longer synthetic or natural hair to hid the length of my hair, but not necessaryily the hair itself was my variation on the theme I guess. My mother wore wigs when we were children. She had three of four of those styrofoam heads with bobby pins and place combs, and netting and all. She was a licensed beautician. The heads sat upon her dresser for many years, coursing in and out of different 70's inspired wig styles. I was more interested in playing outdoors, but I notice them there-, the wigs, partial wigs and other hair pieces. My mother still throws a wig on or hair piece in, even now that both her daughters have locs. She also still presses and curls. I think it makes her even more hell-bent on her wigs to see our carefree lifestyles. She likes to say, "Babydoll, I like what I have," and if we press her to change, she says, "no, no, no, no, no," and that's that. Why she clings to the wig, hair pieces, and press and curl is beyond me, but cling she must. I am talking specifically about my mother; my intent is not to disparage the wig, press and curl, or any other choice of hair style. Whatever you like, go with it. Please!!! I believe eventually she will resort to wearing the wig full time when out "in public." Our family has a history of slight hair recession and loss, especially around the forehead and temple. Right now I am beginning to see the recession around my temples. I have a triangular area on both sides of my forehead near the temple where it is just "hair too short to tussle with." I am not ecstatic about it, but I am about to hit my 40's, and these things are a part of aging. So, I can see Mama wearing her wigs more often as she approaches her mid to late 60's and the "in your face" realities of aging. My grandmother's hair was a soft and silver-white by the time she was in her 60's. She passed away at 67 of alzheimer's with that pretty lengthy hair of hers that was long on the top and at the sides, but noticeable shorter at the back nap and the temple area. Mama's hair is soft like her mother's hair, too. Her hair is also thinning at the temples and "kitchen." However, Mama will dye her hair until the day she dies (Ms. Clairol is recession proof). There will be no gray hair for her at all. And with that reality, I know the thinning hair pattern has been handed down to me. I wonder if in the future, if I live to be 67 or 87 or older, if there will be a season for me to share in what the women in my immediate past experienced, the wig. Blessings~

63 Months

March 13th made five years and three months having these locs. Mary bantu'd them two days ago, and I took them down this morning. She used light setting lotion on wet hair. I did spend twenty minutes under the dryer at one point, too.

The bantu knots were not too tight, but sleeping can be uncomfortable at first even when the knots are not tight. For the most part, they stayed in place. I spent some time re-wrapping or knotting a few along the way.

Because my locs are a bit larger, I don't get the curls I desire from Bantu knots, but the waves are nice. They last a good while. The fullness effect is bold. My locs go from flat to way full whenever I do this. My head seems "ge-normous," but I don't mind because the style is cool for me.

The back never seems to hold the curl or wave too well. I think I may just roll the back next time. I am always a bit disappointed when I spent so much time waiting in bantu knots only to have the back fall right back flat. Fortunately, the length of my hair is longer on the top, so those waves can cascade over the few unwilling locs in the back.

All in all, I am satisfied with the style. Next time I have a long break like this Spring break, I may just keep the bantu knots in for the entire week. After day two, I learned how to sleep with them a little better.

As far as the years of having my locs are concerned, I reflect back on my install, and I remember that my consultant, Imani, had just entered her seventh year with Sisterlocks. Today, she has had her locs for 12 years. They are still stunning, and time will tell where my locs will be in seven years.

Blessings~

Let It Ring

And those tiny black and pink flecks
littering a tiny desk
finding places on pint sized blue jeans
and upon earth colored carpeted floors
are they signs of starting over
of beginning anew
of dusting one's self off

oft times we forget that the past
comes trailing along
like the distinct smell of childhood
the remembrance of what it felt like to be
wide open and naive to the world
and the self and the other
continuations drawn out like hieroglyphics

and the lights were off because now we know
that the glow is as a horizon of heavy breathing and hope
the shoulders have fallen in relief
though the levee still is breached
and angels wail while others writhe
and love has pulled and tugged the tide
with lunar essence undefined

The gathering throngs of humanness
the swelling pride of hubris
the shackled minds of betrayed faith
and God is full yet of all grace
the turns and twists and storied plight
the bold new day a nation's blight
in one grand glorious vote of might we're staid

From one there are many reaffirmed
from one there are many scorned and burned
as history has a song of joy she sings of pain
let not it go that we no less shall suffer
each and every test, no not one shall be exclude
the strain; it is the people's time
let it ring; from every voice in time let it ring

Full of hope for this next chapter in our history, I am thankful to every voter who chose hope over fear~ Congratulations America! God Bless President Obama!

Being re-engaged in the political process has made me happy.

Endorsements Election USA 08

I was curious to see the list of endorsements for each candidate. It was striking in numbers, but also telling in names. One thing I noticed was that two (Ind/former R) Senators support one candidate while one (Ind/former D) Senator supports another. These folk sure do circle the wagons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obama_endorsements

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_John_McCain_presidential_campaign_endorsements



Back in Texas from my 30 day excursion. Had a restful and enjoyable time seeing the country and catching up with friends.


This month is the 58 month since install. Thank you, Imani for setting me straight. You are the best consultant, and I love you much! Get this, the woman has only gone up ten dollars on her services in almost four years. Still loving my Sisterlocks!

Big shout out to MARYEE... Happy 38th birthday! Love you, Sister!!!

Blessings~

Portland Has Water Pressure

By God had I known this hotel had such great water pressure, I'd have purchased a nice hue and colored my locs last night. Unfortunately, it's on to the hostel. I have to go from 80.00 a night to 22.00 and night. I like this city a lot. It has great energy, one of the best cities so far for me. I enjoyed Moscow, Idaho, too. Brillant place with good folk.

I like the fact that everywhere I have seen couples holding hands walking down the street. I have enjoyed seeing all the happy visitors and international communities, and I like the friendly people, too. Today's big event was the race for the cure. Tons of people supporting this event all over. Portland has a charming appeal.

Blessings~

Vancouver beautiful and growing

Blessings~

So Far So Good

The travel has been great so far. The best part is getting to see friends, but even better is I get to see my Consultant again at the end of the month.

Blessings~

Heading West

Tomorrow I hit the road heading to the Pacific Northwest. I have never been further than Sacramento. I am excited and hope to visit lots of friends and take lots of pictures over the next 30 days. If anyone knows of poetry venues or nice coffeehouses in Vancouver, Canada, Tacoma, Washington, Moscow, Idaho, and/or Portland, Oregon, please hit me up and let me know.

This is a birthday trip (39 on the 1st of Sept), but the next big trip for the 40th will be St. Lucia.

Blessings~

Historic Colors to Think About for 2008

Our United States of America has a great history. Here's a little to think about as the tide turns toward a new era.

Over 120 Million American citizens voted in 2004. Over 60 million of the voters chose the sitting President. It is not the candidates themselves who give me pause to fret, it is the voters. Get out and register a friend who may not have registered and do go vote.

Images from Wikipedia.

blessings~

Red, Brown, and Gray all over

It's in there. Can't wait until the gray is more pronounced. Right now I just want to cut those gray hairs down to the nub.

Loc count: 275 total.






Blessings~

It Gets Better and Better

Here are some update pictures. 51 months and still growing. The color is naturally two toned... Who knows? I don't try to figure it out.














I still enjoy my Sisterlocks. It has been a trip to say the least. At every stage of growth, I have been "undone" with enthusiasm... except for maybe months 2 and 3 when the slippage was common. At every stage of definitive growth (baby, toddler, teenager, and now young adult), I thought I was "too much for colored television." But it just keeps getting better.
















The downside... There are two issues I do not particularly enjoy: the speckles and the dry flaky scalp.

I am kinda stuck with the dry scalp. I have seasonal flaking/dandruff no matter what style or chemical or extensions, etc., I "rock"... But the speckles are annoying as all get out. Trimming helps a bit, but I suffer them because I love my locs (warts and all).















I am enjoying the tubular form of my locs these days. Because I have combined so many, the look has really taken the form I was trying to achieve when I first had my locs installed. This makes me very pleased that I followed my instinct to combine the smaller locs when the timing was right to do so.















Hands down, getting Sisterlocks, combining my locs, and sticking with my locs at every stage are some of the best decisions I have made concerning my hair... (with the exception of when I shaved my hair all off the very first time, lol!) That was a very bold thing I did back in 1995, but shaving my hair to the quick woke me up a little, and I needed that then. Now, I can say with a "big ol' grin"...

Sisterlocks has reinvigorated my attention to and joy in my natural hair. And this is what I need now.

Be Blessed~

Great PSA's (added post 8/19/08)

Blessings~

Tagged 2008

I have been tagged by n'Drea. Here we go~

Tag Rules

1. Link to the person that tagged you
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Responses

1) I love children's laughter

2) I very much enjoy chewing on the soft kind of ice (not the hard frozen kind)

3) Hummingbirds in Spring gathering nectar sooth me

4) Quarreling Squirrels in a park make me say, "Hey, cut that out..."

5) I have to whistle from time to time

6) For me... Big 10 cent words are fun to use when correcting teens and adults who just don't always seem to "get it" with small kind words.

I am tagging: NaturalistOne, Sunsail, Moosiko, Djt, Drea, and Cee

Blessings~

Paint My World Discovered poem

Paint my world in lovely colors
bursting boldly beyond borders
spilling over calm and rage
dripping slowly off the page

Paint my world in giant letters
giant figures, giant grounds
Paint my world so as I look
about it I can hear the sounds

Paint it brillant
Paint it stunning
Paint it sudden
Paint it cunning

Let the work both prowl and prey
let the work discover me
let the work be effortless
let the work be fully met

Let every color, let it free
Pour the grace that's given me
Fill the cracks and fill the pores
beget the painting open doors

Free the captive mind run dry
be that thing that catches cries
let the tears stream from the eyes
and mix in with the painting's rise

Paint my world discovery
paint my world so I may see
Dash the brush about the air
Let not the stroke remain impaired

Paint the world and paint the heavenlies
Fingers, hearts, and minds in revelry
Little laughters spring up suddenly
happy faces roundly clammering

Paint my world I ask, I pray
paint my world entirely
from this life I'll pass away
but make sure that Your colors stay

Paint my world discovered

blessings~

Bantu Knots Experiment

December 31st, Maryee fashioned a number of bantu knots in my head. She just twisted three locs together at a time and then bantu'd them. I kept them in about ten hours. They hurt my head too much to leave in any longer. She really did a monster grip job of placing them firmly into position.

By the way, she used a mixture of Jamaican Mango & Lime (Lock & Set Styling Lotion) and Lotta Body after I initially wet my hair. She could have used more, but she had somewhere to go; hence, she hurried to get through.

I sat under the dryer for about 30 minutes, but my hair was not dry. I just kept them in as long as I could stand it. As a result I have had waves for almost four days and counting. It is nice to have this big head full of waves to start off the new year. It seems the waves are not going to fall unless I wet them down. Pretty good staying time, I think.

Thanks Maryee!

Maryee also just purchased Soft Spikes, so this should prove to be a year full of exciting big hair, locs, curls, and waves... I am very excited about the soft spikes.

I am so tender-headed it is not even funny. That is one of the main reasons I avoid styling my locs... the pain... the pain... Another reason... this town doesn't motivate me to reach that high and my ever popular reason... "just choosing not to."

The last pics are from last night. The waves are still going strong.





Blessings and have a wonder-filled, peace-filled, and awesome new year~

Fisherman Lyrics

My Uncle Norah is in his 70s. He has been a fisherman all his life. Maryee and I recently visited him and he spoke of cooking turtle stew. Maryee and I must get by his house soon to try that stew one day. He cooks it for others from time to time, but he can't have it anymore. I have never tried Turtle stew.

This week I taught P.E. in North Waco and stopped in to Melvin's Convenient Store. Melvin's sells lots in stuff including fishing bait. My dad would stop by Melvin's to get bait when he would take us fishing down at the lake when we were children. Well, while stopping in to get a 50 cent cup of coffee I notice a picture or "three" of an 8th grade student I teach from time to time with this 25 pound turtle. This 12 to 14 year old with his big catches posted on the wall reminded me of my uncle and fishing and all the joy it brings.

Fishing Song

He’s done turned another corner
In his old brown station wagon
Everything he’s carrying and everything he’s dragging
Been round the block a time or two
And one thing he ain’t having
Is anybody trying to get a hankering to
Tell him he got’s to stop his bragging

He’s got his fishing tackle
His bottles of beer
And his tuna in a can
Got his bank poles
His rod and reels
And his itching money hand
Got his live bait
And his stink too
And his dispositions grand
He even got atop his head that double A blowing fan

He’s got a big old turtle he done caught
And those bobbing things you use
Got his travel bag
His medicine kit
And his old gray fishing shoes
Got some extra line and a heavy rope too
And his pimento cheese
By God this man might make a pretty good fisherman out of me

He’s done turned another corner
In his old brown station wagon
Everything he’s carrying and everything he’s dragging
Been round the block a time or two
And one thing he ain’t having
Is anybody trying to get a hankering to
Tell him he got’s to stop his bragging

He’s got his ice chest
His 10 foot boat
And his weights and anchors laid
Got his lawn chair
and his favorite cares
All sitting out the way
Got his frilly hooks
and his makeshift lures
And his ways of doing thangs
Got his place to park and his place to dock and there’s no sign of rain

He got his cheese and summer sausage
His sardines in a can
Got his cup of coffee
His return route
And the day is straight ahead
It's five AM
And it’s me and him
And my eye’s just cleared of red
He gives a grin and looks at me
And this is what he said

Got that great big turtle I done caught
And a little one right behind it
Got just about everything we’ll need
If I don’t we just revise it
But you looky here my darling dear
And I hope you don’t disagree
It’s been that station wagon
That fishing gear
And a life of you and me

Now nothings more important
Than us towing this here line
By God I think that now’s the time to tell you you’ve done fine
So if we don’t catch a dog gone thing
In this here river creek
Just know I love you
You’ve been the best catch this whole half century

He’s done turned another corner
In his old brown station wagon
Everything he’s carrying and everything he’s dragging
Been round the block a time or two
And one thing he ain’t having
Is anybody trying to get a hankering to
Tell him he got’s to stop his bragging

He’s got a big old turtle he done caught
And those bobbing things you use
Got his travel bag
His medicine kit
And his ole' gray fishing shoes
Got some extra line and a heavy rope too
And his pimento cheese
By God this man might make a pretty good fisherman out of me

Blessings~

2am December 2, 2007

So Many New Loc'd People

Please visit the Locked Blog Hair Exchange if you have a chance. There are so many new bloggers and fotki members to find out about. It is truly a blessings to have met and learned about all these loc'd folk. Keep sharing!

Happy Holidays~

Reconcile Poem of Sorts

The people are all gathered on their way displaced
war
torn
dirty faced
A soldier puts a shaky hand to face
tired
worn
nation state
A child is jumping round in awkward place
no
shoes
born poor
A neighbor takes his neighbor's fragile case
group
rule
two chords
A nation fights inflation as it beats
them
down
current see
A clock has stopped it's ticking
not a
sound
won't cease
The paint appears on faceless painted faces
sad
clown
feigns joy
I frequently bemoan my time and places
privileged
child
too spoiled
The churches are all filled with different issues
hope
hurt
some search
And on the island people stop to witness
big
waves
Each year
And in the mountains people burrow inward
now
cold
Each year
And in the desert people search for water
thirsty
dry
Each year
And on the oceans mariners do ride
rough
seas
Each year
Circumstances calling to the distant
help
us
Echoes back an answer in a whisper
Endure
All that's left is our responses to the answer
actions deeds dictated by splintered disaster
we all will wait and wait upon a master
and who we serve will give our final answer

blessings~

I guess I wrote this piece in part because I am struggling with discontentment and making requests... Contentment and Godliness equals great gain does not necessarily help me when I want to come boldly to His throne of Grace to ask "anything". Priorities being as mixed up as they are and knowing that God gives seed to the sower, I am somehow terribly conflicted on many levels. I am sure if I dissected this free verse poem, I'd spin several themes out of it that may lead to justifications or reconciliation.

Peace~

Later that evening... the truth is Devotion on one level or another... I need it~

Earth Wind and Fire

Thru devotion, blessed are the children
Praise the teacher, that brings true love to many
your devotion, opens all life's treasures
and deliverance, from the fruits of evil.
So our mission, to bring a melody,
ringin' voices sing sweet harmony

For you here's a song, to make your day brighter.
One that will last, you long thru troubled days.
Giving your heart the light to brighten.
All of the dark that falls in your way
You need devotion. bless the children
deliverance from the fruits of evil

In everyone's life, there's a need to be happy.
Let the sun shine, a smile your way.
Open your heart, feel a touch of devotion.
Maybe this song, will help uplift your day.

Make a better way
You need devotion

Bless the Children
Deliver from the fruits of evil
You need devotion
Bless the Children
~~~

Nina Simone

Just woke me up a bit today...



Blessings~

Music Front Update

***July 11th update*** The show went better than I expected on some levels and less than better on others, but I had a good time, and Jason was well pleased. We will play again on the 17th of August, so we have a month to get a bit more polished. Thanks for your support and encouragement!***

My sister is in Mexico, and I have the computer all to myself. So, I have to post this update regarding a show. Jason Millerd and I have been playing together for I guess it's getting to be almost 2 years off and on. We are finally going to do an extended set at the coffeehouse his parents own Beatnix. It is a pretty safe and receptive place for poetry and music beginners. The audiences are always very kind, so I am excited about this opportunity.

We have had a few four hour rehearsals. My fingers and voice are spent. I don't think I could do this for a living, but it is fun to go through this particular fire, nonetheless. I think back on some of my posts about writing and this music thing, and I see tons of growth and persistence. I dare say I am proud of the efforts that have been made. I literally have had no real income, job security, nor do I have training in the craft of song writing, but it is His Grace and His Mercy that is sustaining me. I give thanks and praises to the Most High God for all He has allowed me to experience and all His many gifts and blessings.

God is good!