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Hey Fam! I shared my heartbreak with all of you; now here is my joy! Mom, my twin daughters' father, my oldest daughter, Cheyenne's (my daughter who passed away) childhood bestie, is in the family photo with us. I love her so much, and me sitting next to my oldest twin daughter! My daughter married the love of her life in August, and we all got to share in their transformative weekend celebration. Here's me getting ready for the wedding and checking my rearview . Yes, this is a very current photo!! And that's my gorgeous mom!!! Yep, she's in her 80s!!!

Yes. I voted. Dystopian executioner. For me, it's not about skin color, I just appreciate beautiful men, spiritually and physically, no matter what color or culture. However, as a Black women, I cannot help but to be drawn to beautiful men of African descent especially.

Computed by whom? NASA? Or the aliens who launched it and subsequently turned it green for "GO"!

@Delano: Read Mel's "essay" that proceeded pioneer's comments. She had some interesting things to say!

I knew the Black Panthers were a powerful movement when I learned they took care of the community in ways that embarrassed the government. Today, we need more of that ingenuity. Protesting in the age of smartphones and surveillance will only work against the protestors and aid those who control surveillance equipment. We have to create programs like the Black Panthers did and follow through with them. One of the many ways ICE could enter these dwellings is because the residents are renters, and impoverished renters at that. The first thing we need to do is develop cooperative housing where residents have ownership, even if it's in small shares that come with affordable payments.

Thank you for sharing. Lovely photos, I really like the last one. You have a really naughty elf look, and your Moms has that no you didn't look.

Every group of people on the planet seems to have folks who do whatever it takes to blend into the dominant society here in the US. European white folks put their ethnicity aside in order to reinforce the white population here in the US. White folks no longer identify themselves as [insert ethnicity here]-Americans. They are just Americans. Black folks from Africa and the Caribbean also lighten themselves with make-up. If they're too dark to hide it...they'll just conform to whiteness. Begs the question is it considered self-hatred when folks deny their ethnicity.

Nobody's saying it's in our blood not to marry. Just pointing out that neither Common nor Drake put a ring on Serena's finger. As we're pointing out...neither of them married her for whatever reason. The white dude came along and did it. Janet Jackson dated Jermaine Leprechaun Dupri for years. No wedding bells. The rich sand n8gglet married and gave her a child. Penny, er, Janet was walking around in the Middle East for a few years wearing a burka before they divorced and she came back to America richer than before she left. False equivalence bro. Regardless of color, humans belong to the same species. That's why they can procreate. If/when a Black woman runs to the jungle looking for a real ape and not a n8gglet who looks like one...that's a problem.

@Mel HopkinsGlad to get your input on this subject. I wish Chevdov would also contribute her opinions. Of course arguing with pioneer is an exercise in futility. Meglo-maniac that he is, he wants to make the world over in his image, and he views things through a warped lens. Tsk-tsk.

@Mel HopkinsI apologize for not being more verbal in my response to your latest post. It really is gratifying to see you happy again and I wish you and the newyweds all the best! Everybody looks great!

....yes, nice pictures. Your 80-something year old mother isn't bad looking either! Hey Mel, I have an idea If she's not seeing anybody..... Why don't you, me, ProfD, and Mama-Mel Hopkins....all meet up and go on a double date! I'm sure Mama Mel would find ProfD interesting! I'm sure he's a GREAT conversationalist.....LOL. PS....tell your White ex to take his hand off of her shoulder! We don't play that around here.

NO!

Now we know what kind of person "begrudges Serena her happiness". The usual opinionated blather and imagined scenarios, and obsessive, insecure attacks on white males and condescending assumptions about women. Put a sock in it! @Serena: kudos to you for getting your life in order. You go, Girl! Serena and her handsome 6'5" millionaire husband.

I know @aka Contrarian is not 100 yet, but this video made me think of her. Older people especially the ones with all their marbles really fascinate me. I met a woman, a sister, last week who is 96. She still drives and looks great! She graduated from Hampton in the early 50s. I think longevity like anything else is a combination of genes, environment, and good or bad luck. Out living all your friends is bittersweet.

Apparently, after a series of failed relationships, Serena Willians has finally found happiness. What does it say about a person who begrudges her this, and tries to steal her joy? Venus Williams just recently got engaged to the successful millionaire she is pictured with below.

'Just finished watching the local news to get the latest on the ICE demonstration rockin my town. Things have really escalated. Police from all the surrounding towns on the scene as well as state troopers. iCE agents clubbing and dragging demonstrators who are growing in numbers. Traffic tied up and being re-directed, the Mayor fumimg and saying she wants these goons gone! It's unclear why and how they just showed up and opened a facility and started arresting people! The latest casuality is a fast food Tamale place that has been raided and closed down, its owners taken into custody. UNBELIEVABLE! Oh, well. At least Illinois beat USC in a close game. 24 to 21 Let's go BEARS.

Yep. That's her dude. If it is any consolation to the brothas, Serena's husband was already rich before she married him. Made his bread in the tech industry. Serena is not being fleeced out of her fortune. My question is when is he going to hit the gym with her.

@Troy I found the video interesting and pretty much typical of what 100-year-old- people have to say. As far as age is concerned, I adhere to the old cliche about it being just a number. 92 - 29, whatever. Let's hear it for your 96- year-old acquaintence who's still driving! On August 18th, 1951, at the age of 18, I celebrated my "golden" birthday! And golden I was. Just graduated from high school and was poised to enter my first year at the University of Illinois where a whole new world awaited me. The most enduring lessons I learned there, however, were not in the books. I learned who I was, and basicsally I'm still that same person. I've never stopped being that 18-year-old who viewed the world through skeptical eyes, and preferred to do this from a place of comfort in a situation where I didn't have to exert myself too much. Hence, my 30-year job as a "flexible" clerk at the Post Office, - where I completed my lessons in life, penning a weekly newspaper column along the way. I married a guy who understood me, and who made me laugh. We shared a love of jazz and movie trivia and - each other. One month after our 50th wedding anniversary, he passed. I miss him every day. Every time I smell a particular cologne I think of him. Certain songs tug at my heart. A widow's pension is part of my monthly income. In addition to giving birth to 5 kids, after retiring from my job, I self-published 5 books - which obviously were not best-sellers. I am neither religious nor nurturing. No baking brownies for me, but Nana is still referred to as being "cool". I do miss my siblings and all my krazy friends who've passed on. They contributed so much to what was fun and unique about my life. I do not consider myself an inspiration, and I have no advice to offer any one, nor have I yet discovered what my purpose for being here is. I agree that longevity does have a lot to do with luck. I've never watched my diet, never given up sugar, red meat and have a heavy hand with the salt shaker. 'Smoked and drank up into my 70s. But here I am, - until I'm not...

@TroyOK. I forgot that things changed when FaceBook became META - and Zuckerburg dispensed with fact checkers after the last election. And, presumably "Facebook Jail" no longer exists My post was mostly in response to your saying you doubted if the average person would say bad things using their real name. Right now FaceBook posters in great numbers are saying bad things about Charlie Kirk - and each other and they are not doing it anonymously. The same goes for a lot of well known people. Kirk's death has sparked a great outcry btw, i'm not responsible for what I post here after midnight

Of course, our perspectives are shaped by a number of factors. The biggest factor is time. The people who are thriving would claim the world is a great place and these are the best of times. I'm non-religious but I believe what people consider heaven and h8ll are co-located right here on the planet. Again, just a matter of one's existence and experiences resulting in their perspective. @aka Contrarian, hang in there. Depending on your beliefs, there's really no other choice. Gotta ride it out.

One comment struck Troy as being on the money. I'm still waiting for more feedback. Yes I i have neen diving deeper into my understanding the quality of time. My energy is shifting. I have caught people's eye. Sometimes we smile at each other, say hello or have a chat. I also seem to he running onto more people and having conversations. Even in brief interactions a few people told me i was wise. My goal this year is to expand my social circle. Two people that were a major part of my life have returned. By the end of the month. I will have gone to three birthday parties. However I am finding it challenging to find deep thinkers. I have noticed that some people seem to not be able to focus or have a balanced conversation. My deeper dive into Astrology has resulted in more detail and crisp timely predictions. In one I was able to tell a Querent the date they had a doctor's appointment within a week. I have also fone back an found a chart within a month of when i met two significant partners. The planet in those charts had a relationship to my chart. In addition that planet described both partners fairly accurately . I have also been turning the lens inwards. I spent several hours looking at possible charts to forecast the next 8 years. If I'm correct the next the next year amd a half will be something of a rebirth. The other thing is that i shouldn't live with my next partner. The next paerner should be arriving in the next six months. However around the same time two attractive magnetic difficult women will be showing up around the same time. I have said it before you are an unconscious Magician. I feel that your hesitancy to reach into your magic bag is more due feat if your own power rayhe than something going awry. I practice Magic because it brings Wonder into my life. Which levens the banality of existence. Or I'm also doing aa magical Spell on the Solar Eclipse to march6the one i did on the Lunar Eclipse.

Many folks are born gifted and/or talented. White folks have the hardest time understanding or believing it. They want to associate hours or practice time and/or study to people being proficient. It works sometimes. That whole train of thought falls apart when a 7-year old prodigy sits down and plays a piano effortlessly by ear or a savant solves complex math problems without years or decades of education. Many Black folks regardless of the circumstances into which they were born seem to be *blessed* with talent and/or intelligence beyond their environment. Art is the best display of gifted and talented individuals.

Yep. Charlie Kirk said “I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational.” Kirk lived and died by his very own words. POTUS OJ has d8mn near hailed him a MAGA hero. Flags lowered to half staff. White folks won't be any more outraged about this killing as they are when it comes to mass shootings and conflicts where they kill each other. Thankfully, the shooter wasn't a Black man. This country would be on the brink of a race war. Let's see how long this situation keeps the news cycle busy before they go back to ICE chasing immigrants and the national guard occupying urban cities.

HAIR THEN HAIR NOW (What old ladies do when they have too much time on their hands.) ************* No National Guard troops have shown up in Chicago yet. Latest news reports a confrontation between 2 women in a black neighborhood ends with one shooting the other in the face, killing her. Three-year-old playing with gun, accidently shoots and kills himself. And Life goes on... Or does it??

You are a very kind and sweet person @Mel Hopkins with the ability to find the beauty in everyone. Thank YOU!

Right. Even during the Civil Rights movement Black folks weren't unified monolithically. As @richardmurray pointed out, Black folks have to build unity with like-minded folks...their tribe.

I haven't seen it but reads like the Super Moon dropped down and got its eagle on over your backyard.

A former client and now good friend. Gave me a reading and said not to give up hope. I also feel a certain dissolution. It is the first time in life where I don't have a plan or a goal. What I am seeing is a type of death to release from my old self and they accompanying painful losses. I enjoyed the photos. However it took me a couple of days to find the words. I feel as though I am stripping myself and what remains is what's truly of value. I feel you twin Thank you I hadn't seen the post.

On Friday, 3 October, the judge gave Diddy 50 months in the penalty box and a $500k fine. Diddy has already served 12 months or so. Remains to be seen which federal penitentiary he will be confined. Wherever Diddy lands, the next 38 months or so will be a breeze compared to the detention center he's currently housed. There's also the outside possibility that POTUS OJ could pardon Diddy before he gets comfortable in the fed pen. From the trial circus to the melodramatic sentencing, Diddy will be free before the next election. No need to feel sorry for Diddy. He's still a rich Black man.

YES!!! I agree, and understand why, but I've yet to come up with the how? Most people who are wealthy have borrowed and stolen from the future of others.

If she wants a ring and Black men don't come through with it...she will be happy with the man who does. Women don't have to marry them though. There must be something ielse in it for them. Right. At any point in time, a woman can decide she wants to be married. Tired of giving up the snatch box for fun without a commitment. Over time, for any number of reasons, it takes more than s8x to sustain a long-term relationship. Doesn't matter how she appears to be from a cultural or religious perspective. Having agency over herself especially as a rich and successful woman, Serena can decide what she wants. No sarcasm. Some men believe it is their right to have s8x with a woman of any group. You're giving men an excuse but it applies to women as well. Grown azz women are not being tricked or manipulated into having s8x with men. They know the deal before the clothes come off. Black men do not have enough power to dominate or infringe upon another group of people. N8gglets are only getting s8x from non-Black women because those women want and allow it. If a non-Black woman doesn't want to bothered...n8gglet ain't getting it. I understand the arguments you're trying to make but it is incongruous with the way the world has been spinning for quite some time.

I rest my case. But I do give you credit for being able to type with all those straws clutched in your hands.

Well let me HURRY UP and run along.... Cuz I heard that anytime a man is around YOU longer than 5 minutes, you start "grasping" at something ELSE. And it ain't straws....lol. "Lawd..... I'm glad I took my wig off."

Those dudes married their wives before they became successful. Dr. Dre didn't marry his 1st baby mama or a few of the Black women he dated including Miche'le. Dr. Dre eventually married a woman who could pass for white. Suge Knight claims Dr. Dre said he himself wanted to be white. Of course, Suge couldn't help him there. No woman wants to kiss a bunch of frogs hoping one of them puts a ring on her finger. Common and Drake and whoever else she dated could have left a bad taste in her mouth. People do not have to justify who they choose to bun up with or bang or marry. Black men certainly aren't in a position to be judge or jury either. Self-hate is very real. But, I don't believe that is the case with most Black folks who choose to kick it with non-Black folks.

Right. She was already trending towards a white guy.

True. Exhibit A would most famously be Sally Hemings who bore 6 children to Founding Father and POTUS Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson made Sally Hemings his concubine when she was about 16 years old. Hemings never married. Sally Hemings lived at Monticello until after Jefferson's death in 1826. Then, she lived with her sons until she died in 1835. This was back in the late 18th and early 19th century. No shortage of Sally Hemings over the past 235 years and counting. Surely, that resulted in millions of mulattos and quadroons and mixed-race folks running around in America.

He is the master of everyman who has the power over the things which another person wishes, the power to confer them on him or take them away. Whoever then wishes to be free let him neither wish for anything nor avoid anything which depends on others: if he does not observe this rule, me must be a slave. Epictetus

Congrats to having a winning weekend in sports. The current administration will brag about being tough on crime and immigration in inner-cities. Yet, they cannot stop the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Nor can they get their arms around these mass shootings among white folks. The distractions are real. Target non-white folks for crimes and violence. Indicted former government officials on bogus charges. Meanwhile, the Epstein files have not be released. White folks are being slaughtered between mass shootings in schools and churches and pointless wars.

Only a fool looks for logic in chambers in the human heart

Of course that's a question only Serena can answer. Considering her dating history, this dude must have been *safe* on several levels.

RFK jr.'s own family believes he's a nut-job. He's had health issues in the past and a condition that rendered his voice marbalized. Some folks think there was or is a worm in RFK jr.'s brain. That would explain a lot considering how he thinks. Nonetheless, POTUS OJ has put RFK Jr. in charge of MAHA (Make America Healthy Again). Americans have to put up with this health foolishness for a few more years or until RFK jr. gets himself fired.

Thanks for the belated birthday greetings! I can't get over it ! There's a big ICE brouhaha going on in the town where I live, - demonstrations, cops, and arrests. helicopters overhead, TV camera trucks and reporters everywhere, and the only way I know about this is because I'm watching it on the local TV newscasts. I reside in this town but all these goings-on are not around my block! Where i now live is not my home town birth place, and was once a vast prairie land until about 50 years ago when all the vegetation was cleared away for housing development and a new sub division sprung up overnight.. Quite Quaint. Rows of similarly built ranch style houses separated by driveways. Lots of trees and shrubbery on neat lawns. I've been living here with one of my daughters since 2011 and I' ve always found it a rather strange place sorta isolated yet bustling. Tornadoes bypass it, rain storms and flooding often go around it. It's not unusual for the moon and the sun to be in the sky at the same time. My neighbors are a mix of Whites, Hispanics, Indians, and Blacks and we all pretty much keep to ourselves. There are no children on this block, only a lot of dogs who get regularly walked by their owners. Somebody joked that this area was once a native American burial ground. The latest thing to spark casual conversation among neighborhood residents is what looks like a huge beehive lodged in the tree in front of my house, even though there are NO bees flying anywhere around... Nobody can figure out what it is and where it suddenly came from. Everybody just casts leery glances at it, careful not to disturb it. I, of course, I think aliens put it there to monitor us. That would explain all the strange things always happening in my atmosphere.

Suddenly I've drifted into a crazy zone. I have nothing but time on my hands, and I live around the clock, only sleeping when I'm sleepy, only eating when I'm hungry, suspended in limbo. My Samsung smart phone is my ever present companion and it's like there's a connection between my fingers and its keyboard and I have a compulsion to just write long dissertations or crazy vignettes, my words and thoughts feeding on each other like i'm overtaken by a rogue AI entity that compels me to write about things I didn't know I knew, - like my subconcious mind is on overdrive. Like now. Fortunately, I'm not immobile nor in dire health. But I do tire easily, and like to curl up on my recliner, where i still set aside time to do patternless crossword puzzles that seem to work themselves and play Bridge on line with computerized robots - who seem to becoming more human by the day... Family relationships are normal, but there's this other world that I drift in and out of and when I sleep I have vivid dreams about all those who have gone ahead. In a recent one it seemed like my husband had hooked up with an old girlfriend. Why do I find this funny??? Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining, not lonely nor depressed, just curious about this weird state I'm caught up in. I still sometimes sneak out at night and look up at the stars... Now i'm about to gear up for my daily walk up and down the driveway. Stay tuned, - or tune out if you have better things to do than read the ramblings of a crazy ol lady. Hoping some winning POWERBALLnumbers will pop into my head. Nothing like a billion dollars to calm your impulses.

News media is reporting the death of screen icon and heartthrob, Robert Redford. He was 89. And, like me, he was born on August 18th. He's the second celeb born on this date to pass this year. Malcolm Jamal Warner was also born on August 18th. Oh, well... Rest in Peace, Bobby. "THE WAY YOU WERE"

@richardmurrayI @richardmurrayI picked the Cosmic Entity Awareness when you first posted this, - and nothing ever happened. ???

There never seems to be a shortage of n8gglets willing to cape for the very same people who h8te their existence. Ridiculous. In this instance, I hope white folks in the strongest terms tell that Black football player they have it covered and that his money is no good.

Sent to me by a New Yorker

I hope so, good buddy.

I figured you weren't rocking the 'rows out in them streetz.

To me, Language is a tool which can often be inadequate. Abstract ideas often dwell in the spaces between the lines. ZEN exemplifies this.