Learning to Embrace My Name
When you're young, the simplest thing can cause a great deal of angst. For me, it was my family name. It's quite unremarkable in the scheme of things but it took me a while to figure that out and even longer to embrace it. As my mother used to tell it, when I was little, whenever I met anyone, I’d always tell them my full name. As if that wasn't enough, I'd spell my last name, emphasizing the ‘y’ and the ‘e.’…
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Soulful Sundays – Cassandra Wilson
I could listen to Cassandra Wilson all day and not get bored. Her voice soothes, cajoles and stirs something deep within. I've been a fan for years but I've only seen her once in concert. [caption id="attachment_5674" align="aligncenter" width="361" caption="Cassandra Wilson photo courtesy of allstarshots"][/caption] A jazz singer, songwriter, producer and vocalist with an incredible range, Cassandra Wilson blends blues and country easily into her music. She has recorded more than 20 albums and soundtracks and has won several awards, including…
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On the Great Lawn, That’s Where I’ll Be
[caption id="attachment_5662" align="aligncenter" width="565" caption="Great Lawn, Central Park"][/caption] It's a beautiful day here in New York. Sunny, not too humid, with a gentle breeze. I can't think of a better way to spend the day than on a blanket in Central Park. I'm sure I won't be the only one there so I'll have to get there early and secure a nice spot on the Great Lawn. The Great Lawn, one of the most famous lawns in the world, is…
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A Goodbye and a Quick Lookback at the Space Shuttle Program
Watching the launch of NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis this morning almost brought tears to my eyes. I cheered as the jets fired up and the shuttle, untethered from its moorings was propelled into space. I thought of the ingenuity, courage and vision it took to develop the program and maintain it for thirty years. And I was thankful. As Atlantis blasted into space at speeds of up to 19,000 miles per hour, I recalled the first walk on the moon that…
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Travel Photo Thursday: Lunch at Makalolo Plains
I'm not what you'd call an animal lover so going on safari would not have been on my list of things to do on vacation. But when my friends and I decided to go to South Africa, we also decided we'd do everything on each other's lists. Since all three of us wanted to see Victoria Falls, our travel agent suggested we do our game-watching in Zimbabwe at Hwange National Park. She also recommended a lovely safari camp, Makalolo Plains,…
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Tasty Thursdays: Broccoli Grape Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
I was at the nail salon a few years ago when I discovered this recipe for Broccoli Grape Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette in a magazine. I figured since it had two things I love, broccoli and grapes, it would be worth trying out. I was also intrigued by the combination or broccoli and grapes and wrote the ingredients in my notebook. The next time I had family and friends over, I tried it. It was delicious! And the most important…
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Treasure Beach – Where I Go to Escape
Treasure Beach is small community on Jamaica's south western coast that prides itself with being friendly and very laid back. A fishing community with six miles of beach, rocky coastline and private coves, Treasure Beach it is the perfect place to get away from it all. I've been going to Treasure Beach for several years now, most times to attend Calabash, the international literary festival, which brings scores of lovers of the written and spoken word to this far off…
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The Places Bond Has Taken Me
One of the things I love about Bond is seeing the locations where the stories are set. So as I watched one film after another in the Bond marathon on Sleuth this weekend, I began compiling a list of places Bond’s taken me over the years. And it’s a pretty impressive list. (I got Wikipedia’s help in confirming some of the places of interest as well.) Dr. No (1962) I was still in diapers when this Bond, the first in…
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What, to an Immigrant, is the Fourth of July?
It’s July 4th, and after nearly 30 years of living in this country, I still don’t feel comfortable celebrating. I wasn’t born here. My independence came through another country, so what exactly am I celebrating? Do I have the right to celebrate? [caption id="attachment_5401" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Flag on the Gate House, Central Park"][/caption] I'm conflicted. I came to America as an adult, convinced that being here would afford me a better life, and it has. But like a child caught…
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Soulful Sundays: Nina Simone
Even though I've never heard her perform, I have a great deal of respect for Nina Simone, a woman who lived her [caption id="attachment_5225" align="alignright" width="298" caption="Nina Simone - photo from the Internet"][/caption] convictions and didn't seem to give a hoot what anyone thought. I admired her strength, her courage, her activism. Mostly, though, I loved her music. Mississippi Goddam, to me, is all Nina. I believe it sums her up as the civil rights activist she was. She was…
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