aka Contrarian

That harvest moon which recently loomed on the horizon, appearing like clock work every year in October, is as wonderous as our resident bee hive. Here it is overlooking the mall parking lot near me. Who's running this show???

Well Norway, home of the Nobel prize committee, is not white America. It's more aligned with the white European community which doesn't hold Trump in very high esteem. Awarding a peace prize to an American president who approved of his cabinet member changing the name of the Defense Department to the WAR Department would be a travesty but - we shall see...

HaHa. Trump was passed over for the Nobel Peace prize he wanted sooo bad because he's jealous of Obama who this great honor was bestowed upon during his presidency. Trump was sure the prize committee would recognize him for trying to negotiate a cease fire between Palestine and Israel. So glad this undeserving despot was denied this honor which went to Maria Corina Machado, a woman who has long been fighting for democracy!

You are who needs to mind their own damned business!! You have ZERO class. You have no right to ask Mel those questions!

How rude and insulting can you get?

Tall order is right. While you're sittin' back doin' nothin' but dreamin' about a miracle, make sure you got some good stuff in your pipe. Dick Gregory would approve.

In the worlds of Professional Sports and Entertainment, not everybody who strives to is going to become a star. The many who aspire to such success are, indeed, delusional when it comes to how innately talented they are.

The tranquility synonymous with Buddhism and stoicness , is my goal as I await my time to leave.

Nobody said Blacks didn't know how to survive. Unity, prosperity, and equality are the issues.

Where is our fearless leader? Still waiting for Troy to show up?

"He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool."

I'm on the brink of being OK with death...

@ProfDI see my Bears are scheduled to play your team this Sunday. If DA BEARS win, it'll bring me some serious relief! 😜 Who are the oddsmakers picking?

This country is currently on the brink of a civil war between white folks trying to initiate a fascistic white supremist take over and white folks who Blacks are luke warm about. Niggas aint even in the arena. And when the smoke clears, they may be worse off. Unity, hell. You may have to choose sides. Some Blacks already have.

At the root of the calls for unity Is the "misery loves company" mentality. Why can't black individuals just get in where they fit in and become financially successful? Money is the great equalizer."Each one teach one" is a more pragmatic formula for success. How obligated is a person of color to carry the burden of race on their shoulders? The message being sent by the absolute failure of the tired old suggestions mentioned is clear, and should be heeded.

I think that is unconsciously what I practice at this stage of my life. I've literally divested myself of everything but the clothes on my back, so I have no indebtedness. I do insist on helping my daughter out with utilities but I don't have to. She and I lead separate lives as do all my immediate family members. I have no extended family. I've never had the wanderlust, so I am content to stay put, and all activity is by choice. I've always valued my solititude which I now have plenty of. I am good company for myself, but reminiscence is my frequent and cherished companion. So, in the midst of not only what's going on in Chicago but also on a smaller scale, what's going on in the small town where I live, not to mention a whole country in the grip of Trumpism, here I am, - a spectator! And I'm only that when I choose to observe. I am, in my own peculiar way, a free spirit! Who knew??

@DelanoI didn't write these observations. I just thought they were semi-funny. This was a list that appeared on FaceBook.

Only in America ...do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front. Only in America .....do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke. Only in America .....do banks leave vault doors open and then chain the pens to the counters. Only in America .....do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage. Only in America ......do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight. Only in America ......do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering. EVER WONDER.... Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin? Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed? Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'? Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word? Why is it that doctors call what they do 'practice'? Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons? Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker? Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour? Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food? Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes? Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections? You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?! Why don't sheep shrink when it rains? Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress? If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport, the terminal? Author Unknown

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

@Pioneer1Why bother sending messages to Cynique? Since she only exists your mind, why not just think them?

Well, pioneer (who can't beget a family) has checked in and done his thing. The same ol, same ol. The usual comments with sexual innuendo and, of course, the stock photos of people who have nothing to do with who he's talking about. Sorry, but I only give his attempt one star.* He voided the scenario he came up with in his first attempt at being funny. @Mel be sure to check out Chevdov's comments that were posted at the same time I posted this.

Where is Troy? I miss his sensible input. I'm surprised he hasn't issued me a warning. 😛

There's a large segment of black folks who are not "going out of their way" to be "different", These wanna-bes make up the community of conservative Republican Negroes who are carbon copies of white folk. All skin folk ain't kin folk. Then there's the growing population of bi-racials who take from both cultures, forming their own unique vibe. And I'd be interested in knowing how you can codify something as fluid as the black mystique. Slaves to their imaginations need to be constantly reminded to catch up with the real world of 2025.

Well, as Delano once told me when I expressed confusion: "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear." I'm not quite ready when it comes to figuring out the nature of my existence. I have, however, separated myself from my name. I am simply "me". I mentioned before I feel as though I am still that same 18 year old who in 1951 celebrated her golden birthday. For me, Life remains a mystery. But I do think there is an answer to every question. We just don't know it...

Well , Trump is sending 300 National Guard troops to Chicago over the protest of everybody including the Governor of Illinois who is looking into ways to legally challenge this action. Public demonstrations are mounting and people are taking to the street. It might get violent. Meanwhile, my little town is making the national news as it fights back against the ICE takeover. We're holding down the fort agsinst the invasion of the storm troopers. How do I know? I saw in on the news. All this is taking place on the other side of town while it's business as usual where I live. Unreal!