My fellow friends, family…peers and countrymen…your girl D’Anne is back!
Yeah, it’s been a minute. Life …oh well…it has had its challenges, but not enough to ever keep this girl down. But I don’t want to go into that right now. Trust me…it will produce many of my later posts. Shoot, you could even say all of it is the inspiration for the new blog. Yep, even down to its name.
So it’s Christmas Day! Millions around the world will be caught up in the wrappings and trappings that are associated with this holiday. Phone lines will be tied up, and towers will go down because they won’t be able to handle the signal overload. Piles and piles of Christmas wrapping debris will decorate and transform each neighborhood’s curb appeal. And the food…man, there will be plenty, and so many will stuff themselves with delicacies that they will definitely regret later.
Family and friends will commune and love on each other locally and remotely to share in this joyous day! Hell, my smartphone…in spite of its signal deficiency in my current living arrangements…started chirping just after midnight with all of those greetings. Yep, thank the Lord for social networking. Now we can easily fit our socializing into our busy schedules simply by keying a few letters and pressing send. Hell, it doesn’t even have to be grammatically correct …LOL. Now that was a bit of sarcasm there, but shoot even I have been guilty. I mean, I haven’t bought Christmas cards in four years. That would pretty much correspond with my entry into Social Media Land.
So why have I chosen this day to begin blogging again? You might believe it is because of the significance of this holiday. Maybe I have something profound to add to all of the “He’s the Reason for the Season” posts that you have already been bombarded with this morning. Maybe this is another testament to His goodness and faithfulness.
Naw…that’s not it at all! Yes, He is the Reason for the season! Hallelujah! He has been so good and faithful to this little chick.
But no, I am doing this today because it was time. I mean… I have been planning to post since my personal New Year’s celebrations earlier this month. But various challenges with the Web site upgrade, my current living arrangements and the new job assignment have consumed a lot of my time. I now find myself in an area of the world that is the total opposite of all that I have ever experienced. Plus, we have had to really become comfortable with our entry into the Fabulous and Fierce zone.
I was awakened just before 5:30 a.m. this morning after tossing all night. Yeah, those dings on that smartphone kept invading my sub-consciousness. But I wasn’t ever to the point of sleeping deeply anyway. First of all, I was battling an attack from those pesky night sweats. I thought I had overcome that season. You would think the coldness of my room would have kept them at bay. I guess not.
But again, I wasn’t ever really sleeping deeply. I mean I may have snored a little bit, just because I needed rest and yesterday was a waste at work. I mean …why exactly were we working on Christmas Eve? I haven’t done that ish ever…I mean not once in all of the years I have worked. And I have been working in some form or fashion since I was 14.
And yes, I did play a few rounds of Sudoku, Ruzzle and Spades on my smartphone throughout the night. No, that had nothing to do with my Sudoku, Ruzzle and Spades addiction. I really was trying to relax and sleep, and a few games normally do the trick.
I just was in deep thought most of the night. Now…I will pause here…just to allow my boy Big Country to smirk and snort. Go ahead…get it out of your system Mr. Smartass! Okay, for those of you who have no clue what that little tirade was about…Big C swears I over-think everything. In fact, that was a post on my last blog platform. He swears you can smell my brain sizzling. Whatever!
Honestly, I kept hearing things in my sleep last night. No, I am not talking in the Sixth Sense kind of way. I just kept revisiting conversations I had in the last few months. It was three in particular. Two of them were with people that I knew. And the other was with a perfect stranger…a Good Samaritan.
There was the one with my G-ma Rosa Lee on September 15. That was a third Sunday at the home church. After service, I went over to her to give her the usual hug and kiss. As I pulled away from our embrace, she looked me in the eyes and simply said, “Be happy.” That wasn’t the last time I saw Grandma. She camped out at my mom’s house on the following Sunday, and we talked a little bit then. But that was mainly about my grandson. But that September 15 statement was the last bit of advice she shared with me before she transitioned home on Friday, Oct. 4.
Damn I miss my G-ma. Five days ago, she would have celebrated her 90th birthday. In fact, she would have been one of the first calls I made this morning. One of my counselors…a well of wisdom…has left my presence. I haven’t adjusted to that yet. All I have now is the memories…and her words.
The other convo that has played over and over in my head happened on November 14. Yep, that is the day we began our journey out to the Promise Land. Lord, we had no idea what lay ahead of us! (Okay, D’Anne…stay focused!) Anyway, we packed up the car, ran a few errands in the hometown, shot some heart-wrenching video at our old “home,” and jumped on the highway.
Okay, I am going to pause for a moment to deal with my use of the word “we.” Since I have added some friends and followers since I launched the first blog, I have to give an explanation of why I refer to me in the plural. Okay, there was only one person in the car, but that chick is comprised of three very distinct personalities. Now I don’t mean this in the schizophrenic sense. No medication is needed.
But these are distinct characters…spirits is how I usually refer to us. And you will hear more about us in upcoming blogs. First, there is D’Anne. That’s me…the vocal and high-natured one. I generally tell it like it is…straight with no chaser. Plus, I am the adventurous one and usually the one that gets us in trouble. Dana, the level-headed one…well, she is who the world sees most of the time. She keeps us under control…or appears to do so. And then there is little Deanna. That’s the fiercely loving one of us. She has this crazy habit of being the one that turns the other cheek and chooses to see the good in everyone. Right now, she and I are not really seeing eye to eye. But again, I digress….
Well anyway, we were driving along with our sight set on San Antonio…our Promised Land. And right before we crossed the Alabama-border, the serpentine belt that we had just replaced the weekend prior snapped. That stranded us by the road for about two and a half hours till the tow truck finally arrived. But we kept in control and didn’t allow this to rile us. That probably was the result of the Good Samaritan who stopped and stayed with us until help arrived.
Now, we had a few people to come to our rescue as much as they could. And I am ever so grateful. It just really shows that God does have a ram in the bush at all times. But this gentleman stands out because of what he said to me before he rode away.
See he was a preacher, and he and his wife were on their way from a session of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia. I was very familiar with the organization from our years of service with their sister organization in Florida. Well once he knew that we okay and in good hands, he turned, grasped my hands and prayed. Before walking off, he slipped a piece of money in my hand, told me to get something to eat while the car was repaired and then said the oddest thing. He said, “Little girl, God told me to tell you that when you get to San Antonio…stop running!”
Well the car got repaired quickly that evening, and yes, we dealt with an unplanned financial hiccup with the repair and the forced overnight stay in Mobile, Alabama. But we got back on the road early the next day and drove straight through until our arrival in San Antonio. Now I had forgotten about much of the dialogue I shared with the preacher that day…in fact, I don’t remember his name now. But I remember that final statement. In fact, I have dealt with it quite often since I arrived in Alamo country.
The other exchange that plagued me last night actually occurred before the others did. It was with my homeboy Dougie back in August…just shortly after he celebrated his birthday. Since our reunion on Facebook, we chatted periodically about the happenings in our worlds. He was so happy. The lady he was with had his sincere admiration. He was totally in love! Plus, he had a peace about himself that we all witnessed…either close up and personal or via Facebook…LOL.
Well, just after his birthday we were engaged in catch-up chat, and he asked about how I was really doing. I guess the response I gave wasn’t enough for him, because he called me and decided to give me his advice in true Dougie style. He chastised me for dragging my feet on a few things…my career and my writing…even dealt with my personal life. That was funny…since I hadn’t given him much insight into that area of our world. He told me that I had looked out for others way too long, and that it was time for his home girl to spread her wings. He closed that conversation simply by saying “do da damn thing girl…and do it big!”
That conversation has played over and over in my mind since Sunday. My friend is with us no more. And it has really affected me BIG time, for someone that I haven’t actually seen in a very long time. He has always been full of life…almost bigger than it. SMH…
So those are the thoughts that ran through my mind all night. They had me up early at 5:30 a.m. this morning…as if I had to go to work! Or like when me and Big C used to prepare to surprise the Three Blessings on Christmas morning. But it was just me when I woke up this morn.
So I got up. I was already dressed in the perfect uniform…my well-worn pajamas. So I just turned on the coffee maker and decided it was time for D’Anne to re-enter the blog world. Those three simple conversations combined to give me my clear orders to launch my next campaign. “Be happy, stop running and do da damn thing!”
So here goes! This next literary adventure will be a little different than the last time. We have a different edge to us. Recent events and past history have combined to produce some provocative topics that we shall explore. Unlike the last time, I am not choosing to be as “protective” and vague. I said “I” this time purposely, for I am the voice of the three. And I can no longer be silent. It’s against my nature.
But I can promise that this won’t be a beat up session for anybody. Our aim is not to maim or offend. This ride will have a little of RJ’s flavor. That’s my boy from the Hill…the Voice of South Florida…who challenges you to think. But we will try to keep it PG-13…sometimes RJ has a little potty mouth, and I did ask for God to deliver me from that. (Yes Lord, bridle my tongue!)
And then we are going to motivate you like my dear old friends the Motivator of the Millennium and my girl Ann from Boca Raton. Those two always have the right words for the right moment. Plus there will be entertainment…some of the cats in my corner are quite hilarious, and they rub off on me easily.
If you are looking for something of an exposé nature…oh well, you will be disappointed. Even though I can conquer and handle the drama that comes my way, I don’t choose to bask in it. That works for some people…they jones off of drama. I avoid it as much as possible.
And if you looking for something with a Joel, Joyce or Bishop T.D. slant, you won’t get that either. I love the Lord. I am secure in my relationship with Him. You will hear me talk about it, but it won’t always be my topic.
I just welcome you to this flight. For those of you brave enough to fly with us this time, your ticket has been upgraded, and we now have special seating for you in First Class. There will be a delectable menu to choose from along with a special screening of D'Anne's groundbreaking feature. Please buckle up and enjoy your flight! Welcome to Tickled Airlines....taking you to destinations beyond your imagination! All that we ask is that you be happy, stop running and enjoy while we do da damn thing. Trust me, we are about to do this big!
Yeah, it’s been a minute. Life …oh well…it has had its challenges, but not enough to ever keep this girl down. But I don’t want to go into that right now. Trust me…it will produce many of my later posts. Shoot, you could even say all of it is the inspiration for the new blog. Yep, even down to its name.
So it’s Christmas Day! Millions around the world will be caught up in the wrappings and trappings that are associated with this holiday. Phone lines will be tied up, and towers will go down because they won’t be able to handle the signal overload. Piles and piles of Christmas wrapping debris will decorate and transform each neighborhood’s curb appeal. And the food…man, there will be plenty, and so many will stuff themselves with delicacies that they will definitely regret later.
Family and friends will commune and love on each other locally and remotely to share in this joyous day! Hell, my smartphone…in spite of its signal deficiency in my current living arrangements…started chirping just after midnight with all of those greetings. Yep, thank the Lord for social networking. Now we can easily fit our socializing into our busy schedules simply by keying a few letters and pressing send. Hell, it doesn’t even have to be grammatically correct …LOL. Now that was a bit of sarcasm there, but shoot even I have been guilty. I mean, I haven’t bought Christmas cards in four years. That would pretty much correspond with my entry into Social Media Land.
So why have I chosen this day to begin blogging again? You might believe it is because of the significance of this holiday. Maybe I have something profound to add to all of the “He’s the Reason for the Season” posts that you have already been bombarded with this morning. Maybe this is another testament to His goodness and faithfulness.
Naw…that’s not it at all! Yes, He is the Reason for the season! Hallelujah! He has been so good and faithful to this little chick.
But no, I am doing this today because it was time. I mean… I have been planning to post since my personal New Year’s celebrations earlier this month. But various challenges with the Web site upgrade, my current living arrangements and the new job assignment have consumed a lot of my time. I now find myself in an area of the world that is the total opposite of all that I have ever experienced. Plus, we have had to really become comfortable with our entry into the Fabulous and Fierce zone.
I was awakened just before 5:30 a.m. this morning after tossing all night. Yeah, those dings on that smartphone kept invading my sub-consciousness. But I wasn’t ever to the point of sleeping deeply anyway. First of all, I was battling an attack from those pesky night sweats. I thought I had overcome that season. You would think the coldness of my room would have kept them at bay. I guess not.
But again, I wasn’t ever really sleeping deeply. I mean I may have snored a little bit, just because I needed rest and yesterday was a waste at work. I mean …why exactly were we working on Christmas Eve? I haven’t done that ish ever…I mean not once in all of the years I have worked. And I have been working in some form or fashion since I was 14.
And yes, I did play a few rounds of Sudoku, Ruzzle and Spades on my smartphone throughout the night. No, that had nothing to do with my Sudoku, Ruzzle and Spades addiction. I really was trying to relax and sleep, and a few games normally do the trick.
I just was in deep thought most of the night. Now…I will pause here…just to allow my boy Big Country to smirk and snort. Go ahead…get it out of your system Mr. Smartass! Okay, for those of you who have no clue what that little tirade was about…Big C swears I over-think everything. In fact, that was a post on my last blog platform. He swears you can smell my brain sizzling. Whatever!
Honestly, I kept hearing things in my sleep last night. No, I am not talking in the Sixth Sense kind of way. I just kept revisiting conversations I had in the last few months. It was three in particular. Two of them were with people that I knew. And the other was with a perfect stranger…a Good Samaritan.
There was the one with my G-ma Rosa Lee on September 15. That was a third Sunday at the home church. After service, I went over to her to give her the usual hug and kiss. As I pulled away from our embrace, she looked me in the eyes and simply said, “Be happy.” That wasn’t the last time I saw Grandma. She camped out at my mom’s house on the following Sunday, and we talked a little bit then. But that was mainly about my grandson. But that September 15 statement was the last bit of advice she shared with me before she transitioned home on Friday, Oct. 4.
Damn I miss my G-ma. Five days ago, she would have celebrated her 90th birthday. In fact, she would have been one of the first calls I made this morning. One of my counselors…a well of wisdom…has left my presence. I haven’t adjusted to that yet. All I have now is the memories…and her words.
The other convo that has played over and over in my head happened on November 14. Yep, that is the day we began our journey out to the Promise Land. Lord, we had no idea what lay ahead of us! (Okay, D’Anne…stay focused!) Anyway, we packed up the car, ran a few errands in the hometown, shot some heart-wrenching video at our old “home,” and jumped on the highway.
Okay, I am going to pause for a moment to deal with my use of the word “we.” Since I have added some friends and followers since I launched the first blog, I have to give an explanation of why I refer to me in the plural. Okay, there was only one person in the car, but that chick is comprised of three very distinct personalities. Now I don’t mean this in the schizophrenic sense. No medication is needed.
But these are distinct characters…spirits is how I usually refer to us. And you will hear more about us in upcoming blogs. First, there is D’Anne. That’s me…the vocal and high-natured one. I generally tell it like it is…straight with no chaser. Plus, I am the adventurous one and usually the one that gets us in trouble. Dana, the level-headed one…well, she is who the world sees most of the time. She keeps us under control…or appears to do so. And then there is little Deanna. That’s the fiercely loving one of us. She has this crazy habit of being the one that turns the other cheek and chooses to see the good in everyone. Right now, she and I are not really seeing eye to eye. But again, I digress….
Well anyway, we were driving along with our sight set on San Antonio…our Promised Land. And right before we crossed the Alabama-border, the serpentine belt that we had just replaced the weekend prior snapped. That stranded us by the road for about two and a half hours till the tow truck finally arrived. But we kept in control and didn’t allow this to rile us. That probably was the result of the Good Samaritan who stopped and stayed with us until help arrived.
Now, we had a few people to come to our rescue as much as they could. And I am ever so grateful. It just really shows that God does have a ram in the bush at all times. But this gentleman stands out because of what he said to me before he rode away.
See he was a preacher, and he and his wife were on their way from a session of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia. I was very familiar with the organization from our years of service with their sister organization in Florida. Well once he knew that we okay and in good hands, he turned, grasped my hands and prayed. Before walking off, he slipped a piece of money in my hand, told me to get something to eat while the car was repaired and then said the oddest thing. He said, “Little girl, God told me to tell you that when you get to San Antonio…stop running!”
Well the car got repaired quickly that evening, and yes, we dealt with an unplanned financial hiccup with the repair and the forced overnight stay in Mobile, Alabama. But we got back on the road early the next day and drove straight through until our arrival in San Antonio. Now I had forgotten about much of the dialogue I shared with the preacher that day…in fact, I don’t remember his name now. But I remember that final statement. In fact, I have dealt with it quite often since I arrived in Alamo country.
The other exchange that plagued me last night actually occurred before the others did. It was with my homeboy Dougie back in August…just shortly after he celebrated his birthday. Since our reunion on Facebook, we chatted periodically about the happenings in our worlds. He was so happy. The lady he was with had his sincere admiration. He was totally in love! Plus, he had a peace about himself that we all witnessed…either close up and personal or via Facebook…LOL.
Well, just after his birthday we were engaged in catch-up chat, and he asked about how I was really doing. I guess the response I gave wasn’t enough for him, because he called me and decided to give me his advice in true Dougie style. He chastised me for dragging my feet on a few things…my career and my writing…even dealt with my personal life. That was funny…since I hadn’t given him much insight into that area of our world. He told me that I had looked out for others way too long, and that it was time for his home girl to spread her wings. He closed that conversation simply by saying “do da damn thing girl…and do it big!”
That conversation has played over and over in my mind since Sunday. My friend is with us no more. And it has really affected me BIG time, for someone that I haven’t actually seen in a very long time. He has always been full of life…almost bigger than it. SMH…
So those are the thoughts that ran through my mind all night. They had me up early at 5:30 a.m. this morning…as if I had to go to work! Or like when me and Big C used to prepare to surprise the Three Blessings on Christmas morning. But it was just me when I woke up this morn.
So I got up. I was already dressed in the perfect uniform…my well-worn pajamas. So I just turned on the coffee maker and decided it was time for D’Anne to re-enter the blog world. Those three simple conversations combined to give me my clear orders to launch my next campaign. “Be happy, stop running and do da damn thing!”
So here goes! This next literary adventure will be a little different than the last time. We have a different edge to us. Recent events and past history have combined to produce some provocative topics that we shall explore. Unlike the last time, I am not choosing to be as “protective” and vague. I said “I” this time purposely, for I am the voice of the three. And I can no longer be silent. It’s against my nature.
But I can promise that this won’t be a beat up session for anybody. Our aim is not to maim or offend. This ride will have a little of RJ’s flavor. That’s my boy from the Hill…the Voice of South Florida…who challenges you to think. But we will try to keep it PG-13…sometimes RJ has a little potty mouth, and I did ask for God to deliver me from that. (Yes Lord, bridle my tongue!)
And then we are going to motivate you like my dear old friends the Motivator of the Millennium and my girl Ann from Boca Raton. Those two always have the right words for the right moment. Plus there will be entertainment…some of the cats in my corner are quite hilarious, and they rub off on me easily.
If you are looking for something of an exposé nature…oh well, you will be disappointed. Even though I can conquer and handle the drama that comes my way, I don’t choose to bask in it. That works for some people…they jones off of drama. I avoid it as much as possible.
And if you looking for something with a Joel, Joyce or Bishop T.D. slant, you won’t get that either. I love the Lord. I am secure in my relationship with Him. You will hear me talk about it, but it won’t always be my topic.
I just welcome you to this flight. For those of you brave enough to fly with us this time, your ticket has been upgraded, and we now have special seating for you in First Class. There will be a delectable menu to choose from along with a special screening of D'Anne's groundbreaking feature. Please buckle up and enjoy your flight! Welcome to Tickled Airlines....taking you to destinations beyond your imagination! All that we ask is that you be happy, stop running and enjoy while we do da damn thing. Trust me, we are about to do this big!
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