Ebola! Ebola!

 Forget the crucial, life changing mid-term elections that are just weeks away.  No need to concern yourself with voting out the people that have been screwing you and me daily.  Just keep your eyes riveted to your TV screen while the corporate news feeds you another helping of mass deception and distraction.

The mid-term elections are our only chance to throw the bums out. You know the ones I mean.  The self-serving, lobbyist worshiping, warmongering, treasury looting, don't give a damn about the poor, elderly, children or anyone else in the 99% so called representatives of the American people.

Our government has failed us.  How much money spent to overturn the Affordable Care Act?  Millions you say?  Yes.  How much money has been spent on immoral and illegal wars?  Trillions+? Yep, you got that right.  

We have to mobilize and turn of the TV, log off the computer, put the headphones down and get ourselves to the voting booth before our right to vote becomes a vague memory.  Its happening right before our eyes.  New, restrictive, discriminatory voter ID laws are in effect and more states are following this throwback from Jim Crow days.

Republicans, who now call themselves conservatives or anything other than republican because, let's fact it, the republican brand is beyond tainted and the only way they win elections is by cheating, lying about and stealing them.  They have spearheaded redistricting meant to disenfranchise as many minorities and women as possible. 

We have Koch brother money buying elections around the country as they try and turn the country clock back to a time when only old white men had a voice and women and minorities were brutally forced to be silent.

Our vote is our voice.  Don't let paid off politicians take away the only weapon you have against them.  Your right to Vote!  Let's get to the polls in record numbers and let them know that we are paying attention and We The People have the power.

My Testimony

Reveals GOD's good love in everyday life and the blessings that are everywhere if only we would take the time to look and see His mighty Hand at work.

I've spent weeks searching for a

contractor to modify my home to accommodate my dad's limited mobility.  I called several people, dealt with voicemail and answering machines and days waiting to hear back from the companies I called.  Frustrated doesn't even come close to what I was feeling.  

So, finally arrangements were made for the contractors to come to my home.  Some were late, while others didn't come at all.  Where are the professionals?  The first guy came out and I never heard from him again.  The second guy came out and gave me an estimate over $3,800.  The third guy came out and gave me a estimate of around $2,700.  

I was disheartened to say the least.  We didn't have that kind of money.  I turned to GOD in prayer and kept looking for a contractor that I could afford.  

While cleaning the front yard I saw that someone had posted a flyer on my porch rail.  I was all set to throw the flyer out without even bothering to look at it but the word contractor caught my eye.

I didn't think I'd be able to afford the badly needed modification for my dad but I couldn't not trust GOD when I had asked Him for His help.  I made the call and continued to pray that I'd find someone who would do quality work that I could pay for.

The contractor comes out and he's like an old friend.  I offered him water and he drank and talked to me about my dad and showed concern for us.  He went about measuring the house and dad in his power chair.

He shouted out that it would be 975.  I thought to myself, this guy is nuts.  I'm not gonna pay $9,750 for the work.  I know its delicate but come on!  One contractor said he'd need to send out three carpenters for 2 1/2 days in addition to painters and such.  I understood that the work wouldn't be cheap.

My heart sank.  I began to get the feeling that I'd have to save up more money which of course would take longer to get the needed job done.  Not to mention, trying to save money in this economy is like chewing air.  

The guy comes into the kitchen and I said, "Go ahead and write it up."  May as well see what the damage is, I thought to myself.  So he finishes the estimate and says, "Ok, that'll be $950.  We'll take $450 down and the balance you pay upon completion."  

I couldn't belief my own ears!  Here was a price I could finally afford.  I thanked GOD in my mind and couldn't wait to thank Him later in song and praise.  Tears have come to my eyes throughout the day as I think about the many ways GOD shows His love for me.  

GOD made certain that I knew that it was His supernatural power at work.  That is why I can take no credit for finding the heaven sent contractor. 

I'm a kept woman.  GOD keeps me.  GOD keeps my family.

Maya Angelou Will Forever Rise

    We have lost our Beloved Voice.  Our Sister in the Struggle.  A true warrior for justice and truth.  Maya Angelou inspired me to reach for my dreams and write the novel I fantasied about when I was a teenager with a typewriter in my parents home.  Rest well Beautiful One. 


STILL I RISE
   
You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise. 

Maya Angelou

JAY Z & Beyoncé "RUN" - Now That's What's Up!

Today's Truth by Violet Renee: Solange Needs A Man

Today's Truth by Violet Renee: Solange Needs A Man: Because Jay-Z is her sister's husband and she seems a tad bit confused about that simple fact.  If she wants to attack a husband it s...

Solange Needs A Man

Because Jay-Z is her sister's husband and she seems a tad bit confused about that simple fact.  If she wants to attack a husband it should be her own.  Her quickie marriage to Daniel Smith which lasted about three years leaves no doubt as to one of the reasons why it ended.  For her to attack a man who is not her husband so viciously and passionately makes you wonder what type of brawls went on behind closed doors in her own marriage.  Perhaps it's time she learned to keep her hands to herself like we expect men to do.

Beyonce would be wise to have a little talk with her little sister about boundaries and respect for her husband and her marriage. Could it be that Solange was feeling like a third wheel, frustrated that she didn't have a man with her for such an impressive night out? So, I've got to ask, where was Solange's significant other? Does she have a man in her life or is she content on being the odd woman out so she can soak up the rays of her sister's superstardom?

If she had a man of her own I truly believe that she wouldn't have time to claw at her brother in law.  No, she would be enjoying the highs and dealing with the lows of her own relationship.  She would want her man to be respected by her sister and family.

I applaud Jay-Z for the incredible restraint and excellent judgement he exhibited in the face of such a hateful attack.  The average man would have probably done something he may have regretted later (like kicking her butt).  Beyonce also showed restraint and should be commended.

Whatever happened that night it should not have ended with fisticuffs.  The last time I checked Solange is a female and could have easily been hurt had Jay-Z wanted to hurt her.  She got off easy but her reputation did not.

Solange is on the market.  Who's buying?