Did you know?

The brain is made up of three different parts - the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brain stem. The cerebrum, which is the largest part of the brain, is responsible for thoughts, emotions, and senses like touch, taste, smell, and vision. It is what we use to think with. The cerebellum, which means "little brain," is what helps us keep our balance, and helps coordinate our body movements. The brain stem connects the brain to the spinal cord. It is also responsible for all of the things you don't normally think about (like your heart beating, breathing, and digesting food).

Did you know?

Second-Hand Smoke
Smokers aren’t the only ones affected by tobacco smoke. Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard for nonsmokers, especially children. Cigarette smoke contains more than Nonsmokers who have high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol have an even greater risk of developing heart diseases when they’re exposed to secondhand smoke.

Environmental tobacco smoke causes about 46,000 heart disease deaths and 3,400 lung cancer deaths. Studies show that the risk of developing heart disease is about 25-30 percent higher among people exposed to environmental tobacco smoke at home or work. Secondhand smoke promotes illness, too. Children of smokers have many more respiratory infections than do children of nonsmokers. Nonsmoking women exposed to tobacco smoke are also more likely to have low-birthweight babies. Excerpted and adapted from "When Risk Factors Unite," appearing in the Stroke Connection Magazine January/February 2005 (Science update May 2008)

These are just a few of the dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes; there are many more.  But you do not have to spend the rest of your life giving in to your addiction! Thousands of people kick the habit every year, and you can be one of them.  It may not be easy, but you can do it!

Did you know?

1. Hurricanes are large, spiraling tropical storms that can pack wind speeds of over 160 miles an hour and unleash more than 2.4 trillion gallons of rain a day. Hurricanes can be coupled with storm surges and severe flooding.

Did you know?

The primary functions of your lungs are to transport oxygen from the air you breathe into your bloodstream while taking away carbon dioxide, which is released into the air when you breathe out.

Did you know?

Every day, your heart beats about 100,000 times, sending 2,000 gallons of blood surging through your body. Although it’s no bigger than your fist, your heart has the mighty job of keeping blood flowing through the 60,000 miles of blood vessels that feed your organs and tissues. Any damage to the heart or its valves can reduce that pumping power, forcing the heart to work harder just to keep up with the body’s demand for blood.

Did You Know?

The first servings of Coca‑Cola were sold for 5 cents per glass. During the first year, sales averaged a modest nine servings per day in Atlanta. Today, daily servings of Coca‑Cola beverages are estimated at 1.8 billion globally.  One of the most famous advertising slogans in Coca‑Cola history “The Pause That Refreshes” first appeared in the Saturday Evening Post in 1929. The theme of pausing with Coca‑Cola refreshment is still echoed in today’s marketing.

A moment in history

Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play major league baseball. Jackie was a star in the Negro Leagues but wasn't allowed to play in major league baseball because he was black. He finally got his chance when he was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945. On April 15, 1947, he played his first major league game as the Dogers' first baseman. Many people booed and jeered Jackie when he took the field but by the end of the season, he won many of them over with his play on the field. He batted .297, led the league in stolen bases and was named the National League Rookie of the Year. More importantly, he broke baseball's color barrier and opened the door for other black athletes to participate in professional sports.

Read more: Black History Month | Facts | Events | Pictures | African American Sports History | Muhummad Ali | Jessie Owens http://www.kidzworld.com/article/3081-sports-moments-in-black-history#ixzz2oQtuMMn4

Did You Know?

Alexander Cartwright (1820-1892) of New York invented the modern baseball field in 1845. Alexander Cartwright and the members of his New York Knickerbocker Base Ball Club, devised the first rules and regulations that were accepted for the modern game of baseball.

Do You Know?

The tiger is the biggest species of the cat family and can reach a length of up to 3.3 metres (11 feet) and weigh as much as 300 kilograms (660 pounds).Rare white tigers carry a gene that is only present in around 1 in every 10000 tigers. Many subspecies of the tiger are either endangered or already extinct. Humans are the primary cause of this through hunting and the destruction of habitats.
.

Did You Know?

Frank Henry Fleer invented the first bubble gum in 1906. Fleer's recipe was later perfected by Walter Diemer, who named his popular product "Double Bubble."

Did You Know?

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, or NASCAR as it's more popularly known, is one of the most viewed professional sports in the United States, second only to professional football. Since its inception in 1947, NASCAR has expanded at a rate comparable to some of the speeds seen around the track, broadcasting in over 150 countries and holding 17 of the top-20 attended single-day sporting events in the world. In addition, it claims 75 million fans who purchase over $3 billion worth of licensed products annually—that's a lot of logoed mesh hats, my friends. And, all this sprang up from humble beginnings.

Recognizing a need and the potential opportunity that accompanied it, Bill France Sr., of Daytona Beach, Fla., held a meeting at the Streamline Hotel in December 1947 to discuss the problems facing stock-car racing. When the meeting adjourned, NASCAR had been born, with the points system written on a bar room napkin.

NASCAR was incorporated by France, Sr., a driver himself, on February 21, 1948 with the help of several of his fellow drivers. The original intent of NASCAR was to offer three distinct divisions: modified, roadster, and strictly stock. But as it turned out, fans couldn't have cared less for the roadsters, perceiving them as a Northeast or Midwest pursuit.

The first NASCAR "strictly stock" race was held at Charlotte Speedway and won by Jim Roper after Glenn Dunnaway was disqualified for altering his rear springs. The "Strictly Stock Division" was initially raced with almost no modifications to the factory models. Over the decade that would follow, modifications to things likebrakes and the muffler were eventually allowed for both safety and performance. By the mid-1960s, vehicles appearing on the track had a stock-car body and were built for the specific purpose of racing, with the addition of car accessories that included performance brake pads and catalytic converters.

With a green light from highly-supportive fans, NASCAR's premier division took the lead in worldwide motorsports attendance in 1976 with more than 1.4 million spectators in the stands. Television soon followed, and the 1979 Daytona 500 becoming the first 500-mile race in history to be telecast live in its entirety. Corporate sponsorships soon followed, with Fortune 500 companies sponsoring the events, individual races and teams as well. Not bad for something that remains a family-owned business.

You don't have to be a NASCAR driver to upgrade your ride with the latest car accessories. Easy and affordable, do-it-yourself upgrades like exhaust tips or a muffler can provide huge gains in power and streamline the efficiency of your engine.

 http://www.autoanything.com/articles/the-history-of-nascar.aspx

A moment in history

Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

A moment in history

Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison, most of it on the famous Robben Island, as an enemy of the apartheid government of South Africa and was declared to be a terrorist and traitor to his country. However, he obtained a law degree while he was there and fought against injustice for his fellow inmates.

Thought for the Day

Deuteronomy 31:6-Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Quote for the Day

I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

                                                                                                                                                                                          -Maya Angelou

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

History to Remember

The Pilgrims who sailed to America were originally members of the English Separatist Church. Before going to America they had fled to Holland to escape religious persecution. Although, in Holland, they enjoyed more religious tolerance, but they eventually became disillusioned with the Dutch way of life. In the hope of a better life, they took the help of a London stock company to move out to America. Most of those making this trip aboard the Mayflower were non-Separatists. Only about one-third of the original colonists were Separatists.

They reached Plymouth in 1620. There, they had to face a terrible winter. Around 46 of the original 102 had died by the next fall. But fortune turned in their favor and the harvest of the next year was bumper. And the remaining colonists decided to celebrate with a feast, including 91 Indians who had helped the Pilgrims survive their first year. It is believed that the Pilgrims would not have made it through the year without the help of the natives. The feast was more of a traditional English harvest festival than a true "thanksgiving" observance. It lasted three days. Governor William Bradford sent "four men fowling" after wild ducks and geese. It is not certain that wild turkey was part of their feast. However, it is certain that they had venison. The term "turkey" was used by the Pilgrims to mean any sort of wild fowl.

On June 20, 1676, the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting to determine how best to express thanks for the good fortune that had seen their community securely established. By unanimous vote they instructed Edward Rawson, the clerk, to proclaim June 29 as a day of thanksgiving. It is notable that this thanksgiving celebration probably did not include the Indians, as the celebration was meant partly to be in recognition of the colonists' recent victory over the "heathen natives". October of 1777 marked the first time that all 13 colonies joined in a thanksgiving celebration. It also commemorated the patriotic victory over the British at Saratoga. But it was a one-time affair.

http://www.hellokids.com/c_9041/reading-online/stories-for-children/thanksgiving-facts/history-of-thanksgiving-day?pos=0#top_page

History to Remember

The author of "Mary Had a Little Lamb," Sarah Josepha Hale, was key in getting Thanksgiving officially recognized as a national holiday. She wrote recipes for turkey, stuffing, bread, cranberry sauce, mash potatoes,and pumpkin pies.

History to Remember

 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade began on this day on 1924. New York City's Macy's department store held its first Thanksgiving Day parade down a two-mile stretch of Broadway from Central Park West to Herald Square. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade marched through New York City every year .

History to Remember

The Japanese threatened to retaliate against U.S. steel export tariffs that were determined unfair by the World Trade Organization. One of the moves Japan planned on making is charging the U.S. millions of dollars in extra fees. Upon the implementation of this action, it would affect the steel, plastics, and clothing industries. Furthermore, the danger of breaching the relationship between Japan and the U.S. would be increased-two countries that are/were considered the biggest trading partners.

History to Remember

1789 - U.S. President Washington set aside this day to observe the adoption of the Constitution of the United States

History to Remember

Amber Hagerman was born on Nov. 25, 1986. Her kidnapping and murder in Jan. 1996 led to the development of the AMBER Alert system to notify surrounding communities when a child is reported missing or abducted.

History to Remember

On Nov. 25, 1963, the body of President John F. Kennedy was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery; his widow, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, lighted an "eternal flame" at the gravesite.

Curve Ball

     Most time life will throw you curve balls your way. You can embrace it as opportunities and grow from it or accept it as failure. The key to surviving it is patience and perseverance. Life isn't always fair, it's like a baseball field. You've got to learn how to knock the ball out the field. Not all curve balls will be the same, it'll be thrown in different way.Just learn to control it and guide the way you want it to go.

Words of Wisdom

Dignity—the word itself—has come to mean different things to different people, as many words do. It doesn't just mean always being stiff and composed. It means a belief in oneself, that one is worthy of the best. Dignity means that what I have to say is important, and I will say it when it's important for me to say it. Dignity really means that I deserve the best treatment I can receive. And that I have the responsibility to give the best treatment I can to other people.
                                                              
                                        -Maya Angelou-

History to Remember

The Sept. 15, 1963, bombing at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, was one of the most abhorrent crimes of the civil rights movement. Four young girls attending Sunday school—Denise McNair, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Addie Mae Collins, aged 11 to 14—were killed when a bomb exploded at the church. Twenty others were injured. The church was a center for civil rights meetings, and just a few days earlier, courts had ordered the desegregation of Birmingham's schools.

Read more: Birmingham Church Bombing - Civil Rights Cases | Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmjustice3.html#ixzz2ezb84o00

Let it go

You may going through something in your life and trying to keep it to yourself, but that's not a good idea. It can build up and soon or later you're going to explode. Keep holding the hurt can follow you into a relationship, then everything won't be good. You just have to let it go and be free. That's way to heal,and another way heal  is you've got to let some tears fall. It's going to be hard, but you'l get there it. you've got to believe and trust in God. Just know He can bring you through it. You've just got to let it go and move on. It's going to be hard, but with God help, it's possible.

Music

Music help people express their love for a special person or feelings for someone they like. It say more than we can every say to a person. It help people get through the hard or just to relax. Life without music is lifeless. Some people are music, the ones that speak the truth and others are just noise. It's a solution to any problems, you're going through. Music can help to focus on something or just loose yourself  and dance. Music has a beat like a heart. The heart is core and part of life without it we'll be died. That's just how music is. Sometime I wish life is like a radio, we can press play, stop/ eject, fast forward, rewind, rewind and pause.

Relaxin'

 Just feeling lazy and not wanting to do anything. Lay down and enjoying the day as it goes by. Listen to different noises, try to figure what it is. Image there's a  breeze, it feel warm, yet cool to the touch. Image you're looking at the sky, seeing different shapes being form in the clouds. Play some music to loosen up up a bit and get the mood feeling mellow. Light some scent candles, then put yourself in the dark and try to relax. Let the day and your body drift away for a moment.

Dream Big

Don't Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.

When care is pressing you down a bit.

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns

As every one of us sometimes learns.

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out:

Don't give up though the pace seems slow -

You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out -

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.

And you never can tell how close you are.

It may be near when it seems so far:

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Unknown Author

                                                                                                

                                                                            

Believe

    Believe until you can't believe no more. Whatever people say about you, don't let that get you down. Pack it under you feet and keep moving. At the end of the day it's just you and you alone, so why care what they say. People are going to hate until the day you die, so just ignore it. They is only talking about themselves and ain't got nothing else to do. You got to believe in yourself that you is going to make and nothing is going to get in way. You're going all the way to the top, you just have to believe in yourself. When you believe miracles happen, you just got to believe in yourself.

Life

   Life is a highway, you have bumps and turn while going the road.  You just keep going and make the best of it. Life throws all kind things at us, but up to us to let it destroy us or we push through it and make all the way. Life is journey, we're on. Many things might get in the way to stop us. It's up to stay focus and push on.  In the end the journey is something to look back on. you see all the things you did and how you learn from your mistake. Most time it show how we became the better person you are now and how you made through. The things life throws is a valley that we have to go through. In the end we'll make it through the valley with a testimony to tell.  Life is worth living for.

Nirvana

    Nirvana is whatever you love and hold dear to your heart. It's something that bring you peace, calm you down. It's something that'll put you in another place and some time you might forget about the whole day. You've very passionate and true about it, that no one can take it away from you. You might even want to make a dream job of your on. It might be your paradise, where you can relax and have your personal me time. Your nirvana might be in a garden, buying a Barnes and Noble or whatever it is, know it's something that can help you and relax you,who know, it might reduce your stress and cause of depression. Nirvana is the state of bliss.

Friends

   Friends are your true and real, that you known a long time. They're the ones that stand by your side and a shoulder to lean on. They make you happy when you mad, or just feeling down. They are the ones that tell you the truth and what you need to hear. It may hurt your feeling, but they don't mean it.  Friend will listen, love, care and laugh with you along the way. To tell who is your real friends is real simple, look for the one that stayed by your side through all your you had. True friends know the value of the friendship and never let it go. True friends are hard to find, but when you find one hold on to it. If you let it go, you'll be thinking about all the good and bad time yall went through and how she or he was always there for you. True friends is to pick up when you're down and be there when the world turn their back against you. True friends is all around us,  someone just have to stop and think about .

Love

   She is like fire and ice. The moment can be heated or froze. She send happiness, but never send pain. She is strong and passionate. She's all around you through family and friends. She is like the wind, you don't see her, but you feel her. She blows through your heart, whispering all your little secret. No hears them, just you. She'll comfort you when you need, but it'll pass to the next person. Love is like a kite, hold on to her tight and not let her slip through your hands. If you hold her lightly, she'll fly away on to the next one

Rose of Sharon Part 6

    "Knock Knock. Is anybody home?"  Aliyah waited a minute before doing anything. "Man this house is quiet. Grandma ain't here cooking and Granddad ain't here reading the newspaper. Cedric at his friends house, so where is Samira. Well let me go see." While she walk down the hallway, she texts a few of her friends, but when she got to her sister room and open the door, she was in for a real shocker. "Oh my goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!! Samira get you ass up. What hell you thinking? I told you to stay away from him and what you do? You disrespect me?" "Shut up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We got clothes on, plus I didn't want to be in the house by myself. Any way grandma don't mind Jahiem spending the night her and you never had a problem with it until the day you left for college." "Ladies, what's going on with all this noise?" "Jahiem, just go back to sleep. My sister and I is just having a talk. We'll go in the living room, so you can sleep." "Hey Ailyah. N'all it's your room, I'll go, any way it's time to get up in the first." "Not real.. Oh, it's 11:30 in the morning." "Yeah you see my point." "Yep, I do. I hungry, are you hungry?" "Yeah, what you want you to eat?" "I don't.." "Um, don't y'all see me standing here. Whatever, Jahiem get your stuff and go. You've been here long enough." "Um, ok. Samira, see you later on, ok." "No!!!!!!!! Stay away from my sister." "You can't do him like that. He ain't no strange up in here." while the the two sister argue, Jahiem got up and prepared to leave, but when he got up. "Damn boy. You must work out or someone." "Samira, what? I didn't do nothing."
     Grandma Ruby  and Granddad Lorenzo walk in and hearing alot of yelling, and cursing going on. They they follow the noise until they got to Samira's room."What is all this fuss early in the morning? Jahiem put your shirt." "I walk in and called out, but no one answer me. I went to investigate where is everyone and i found them in bed together. Who know what they could be doing?" "Girl, you over look things to much. He always do that, it's normal. you know that." "Samira come here, please." "Ok." "Uh-huh leave them alone, let them talk. You come help us cook breakfast." "Yes ma'ma." They waited until everyone was gone and out of sight and hearing distance. "You must really exercise alot, cause you've got a body to die for. I see why you cover up alot." Yeah and no. I always wear a jacket cause am an anemia, so I stay cold alot. I take my medcine, but I still be cold." "Oh, I didn't know. It seem like there a few things that I don't know about you." "Yeah, but I'm going to tell you everything you want to know." "Aw, that's sweet of you. What you need to talk to me about?" "Come and sit down." "I think I'm going to stay until your sister is gone. If Jordan was here with her, they're would be a fight. I know she going to tell him, so I'm going to my cousin house on the other side of town. He won't find me there, so I know I'm safe at my cousin house, but it's a cousin he never met." "Ok, that smart. Give me your number, so I can call you." "You already got it. I know a lil short from yall garden to my cousin house." "Ok." They hug for awhile, then Jahiem kissed her for about ten minute. Afterward he left, she sat on the edge of the bed thinking about what just happen. Then she got up and wrote it in her diary. After writing in her diary, she fresh up and got dress and went to the dinning room.
     "Where is Jahiem?" "He left." "Just so you know, Jordan going to know when he get here, so Jahiem should be faraway from here by the time he get here." "You need to shut up. Now I think about it, you ain't been right since you came back Corrina and Regina sleepover party. I think that's the reason why you hate him, so much. I know they have similarities, but they ain't the same. You need to let the truth come out or you'll die with it." After Samira said what she had to say, the room went silent, then Cedric and Jordan came in. "Hey everybody. Let's eat or we miss something." "Jordan, I found Jahiem sleeping in her bed with her." "What? Are you out your mind?" "Hell yeah. I didn't want to be in the house by myself, so he stayed with me. we had clothes on. Whatever happen Corrina and Regina sleepover pary, you know the reason why and you need to let the truth come out or you'll die with it." Everyone was so shock with Samira repeating herself again that's they just sat and ate. After eating, Aliyah spoked up. "The reason why I hated don't Jahiem around, is because he laugh just like his father. At the sleepover and after the sleepover his molested me and I never told no one until yesterday and today. I was ten and I didn't know what to do, that's why I hated Jahiem." Wait, who you told yesterday?" "I told the police and they took a rape kit. I told them to, because I was here yesterday? They can't find him, but going to get him and put him in jail." "Oh, baby. Why haven't you told us before? We would have done something about?" "I don't know, I told Jordan cause we was close with each other." "Do your parents know?" "Well we know now. Aliyah, we love, but shouldn't hold something like this in eighteen years." "I had to, he said he'll killed everyone who love I love and he showed me the gun he was going to used, the whole nine yard, so I told the police everything until I passed out and didn't wait up until four hours later. They know where Grandma Ruby lives and got us in protective service right now."
   "Ok, well we should be safe for now then. Do everyone have 911 on speed dial?" "Yes." "Good" "Ma, when yall got here? I though we have until July 30 to go home?" "That still the date yall coming home, we came because I had a feeling about something." "Well that's wasn't a good thing to do. I told what I was going to do and now I have to for fill it." "How you got in the house?" While everyone was trying to figure out how Mr. Calhoun got in the house. She went through her sister contact until she saw Mr. Lovett number.Mr. Lovett was a detective that came out for career day and pass his information out and told them to used it for extreme emergency or emergency. She text Mr. Lovett about what's going on and replied back. "Help is on the way." She touch under the until she came across her granddad gun, she pointed it at Mr. Calhoun and shot about four rounds. The bullet hit him in the leg, arm, his back and the other scrape him across the headed. Then all the police came in and checked Mr. Calhoun, he was still breathing, so they took him to the hospital. Mr. Lovett walked over to Samira and touch the gun from her. She was in shocked she didn't realize what she did, people was calling her name, but got no answer. Then Jahiem walk in and just held her, finally she cried like a baby. Once she finish crying, Mr. Lovett said, "Samira, you did a brave thing. He really did have time to react, caught him like a deer in headlights. You've protected you family and just know her is going away for a long time. Ok." "Yes sir, but how you know it was me?" "I really didn't know, I just guess, because Ailyah had came to me yesterday and I notice how she freeze up quick. Anyway, your family is safe and protected." With that the only one in the room was the Lockett family and Jahiem.

Rose of Sharon Part 5

   While sitting down with Jahiem, she calm down and relax a bit. "Whatever cologne he got on, it smell really good. I could be here all day just smelling him" "I wonder what she smiling and giggling about. I need to know what kind if perfume she got, cause it got me in a trance. I can be here all day smelling her. She still a lil shaken up form the noise, wonder what i can do to make feel safe? I got it." She felt even safer when he wrap his arm around her to stop her from shaking with him holding her she felt like she was on top of the world. As the day went on by, the two fell a sleep in each other arm. Cedric walk in and was trying to find where everyone is, but no one answer him. He walk around outside and saw one out there, so he came back in and look around to find someone inside the house. When he finally came to the living he was so shock at what he seen. He wanted to mad, but remember everything Ms. Rose had just said to him, instead he went to go get the camera and take a picture of them. Once it came out, he put the picture on the table and put the camera up. He wrote a note and let his grandma know he spending the night at his Kendrick's house He went out and played football with Kendrick and some boys he went to school with. Awhile later they wake up and saw the picture. "Who came in here and took a picture of us? Cedric is going to flip when he sees this." "You should worry what he's going to saw, you old enough to make decision on your with him telling you what to do. Do you still have the photo album with all the picture of us?" "Yeah, I'd put it in a special where no one can get, well except my grandma. Stay here and let me get it." "Why I cant come and get it for you?" "Cause I don't want you to know where it is. Now, sit down."
   She went and got the photo album. Before she went back into in the den, she look at the picture of her and Jahiem. She laugh at all the picture and was trying to figure why she wore certain outfits, after looking at the photo album, she went back to the den. "Sorry, I took so long. I had to think about where it was." "Yeah right. I think you was looking at the photo, before coming in here and was laughing how we used to look back then." "You sense all that form here, I guess I must keep it to myself then." "N'all, you here now, so let's look at the pictures." "You so mean, but ok." While the look at the picture, they talk and laugh at the pictures. They was trying to figure out why they wore what they wore, until they came to a an empty space. They put the photo in the spot. "Now it's complete. I notice every holidays or summer vacation, grandma take pictures of us. Most time she'll have people take them if she can't make it and send it to her." "How you know this?" "She went to the mail box and came back with a medium size box. She sat at the table and start putting pictures inside the photo album."
   "Wow, you're a detective, because no one see you, but you see them. You know some things, but not all things." "Yeah, you're right about that. I haven't seen your parents in awhile, where are they?" "They'll be back Monday, they're on a business trip." Your parents still an entrepreneur?" "Yep, my mom still have Nova and my dad still have Blue Creations Factory. I love going to both of the stores and with the company in 45 states, soon to 46 state is good. I have a peace of mind their even though one is clothe and one deals with craft." "Wow, that's alot. I understand all that, but my grandma is your first peace of heaven." "Yeah, you right about that. i got a secret and you're the first to know about it." While she waited, she turn on the TV to see what's going on. She stop at the news when she saw something that caught her attention. "There have been a hit and run on Highway 80. There's three dead and three in critical condition. Stay tune and tune back in at six."
   "Here you go." "Huh. Oh, I'm sorry. Thanks" "You alright, it seem like you seen a ghost or something." "No, there was a big wreck on Highway 80. Three people is dead and three is critical condition from a hit and run. I was just shock to find out something like that happen." "Oh, well I hope they get that person. That's just wrong and how he hit them like that?" "They was pedestrian walking across the street. No cars was coming and the light was red, so they cross after looking both ways." "Wow, that person miss be in a rush for something. Anyway eat." "Ok."  She took a bit and amaze with it. She really didn't know what to say, but she did after she finish. "Oh my goodness. Where have you learn to cook like that? It's so good and it's to die for. Why haven't you told me about this?" "I know, I always was in the kitchen with my mom and grandmas. I just sit there and watch everything they do and one day I cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner for everyone. They so shock and happy at the same time. I though it was cooling for boys to cook, so I never told one and the family ain't said nothing about." "Oh, well we have that in common too." "Yep you right about that. Do you have a phone?" "No, you must forgot. I hope I get one for my birthday. I want Apple IPhone, it came out last year." "Wow, I have a blackberry curve that came out in 2006, but I didn't get until last year."
      Ring Ring "Hold on, let me get the phone." "Ok." "Hello." "Hey, Samira." "Hey grandma." " What you doing?" "I'm doing nothing, but chilling with Jahiem." "Where Cedric?" "I don't know, but Cedric wrote a note saying he spending the nigh at Kendrick house." "Ok, I call to let you know me and Lorenzo won't be back tomorrow. We're with Ms. Carrie and we took a ride trip, but it went a little longer than we though." "Ok." "Bye baby. See you in the morning." "Yes ma'ma. Bye."  After the talking with her grandma, she went ack to the living room. "Jahiem, you got anything plan later on?" "No, why?" "I'm home alone and I don't want to be here by myself." "Oh, well come on. Let's go to my house and get some stuff I'm going to need." "Ok." The two out their shoes about on and walk to Jahiem's house. Once inside, he grab a few clothes and some stuff he's going to need, before he left he wrote a note about his where about. Then they walk back to Samira grandma house. Once inside, they locked the house up and went in the den and watch TV. One by one they got and bath, after they went to bed. Knock Knock "You asleep yet.?" "'No, I was until now." "Oh, that's dirty." "Whatever. Come in." "Ok, slid over it." "I said come in, not get in my bed." "Well, may I get in your bed?" "Well you already in my bed, so you got your answer." "Who you getting snappy with?" "The owl." "What owl it ain't one in here?" "You made the noise like an owl." "Oh, I guess did." The two talka dn joke until they fell alseep.
 

 

Rose of Sharon Part 4

   Wow was all Jahiem could say, so she just waited and waited for him to say something. Thirty minute has pass on by and not a word said yet. She getting afraid the more she waited that her friendship might be over. She really want to keep her friendship and never mean for it to be over. "Wow, that deep and alot to take in, but I understand how you feel. I've got feeling for you too, that no one can compare to it. I always waited and tried to find the right time to you, but you beat me to it. I was ins shock to find out that you have feeling for me and I was just speechless. I liked you since the first time I saw you and every time I see you, I feel so happy and relax around you. I forget the problem I have at home. You're beautiful in your own way, you've got the big a smile that make a person day,and you have a bubbly, goof personality. You're smart, a body out the world, but most of all you're respectful, trustworthy, loyal, honesty and patience." "Aww, you know we said some of the same thing." "Yep." "There is something we got in common, we both go to church, adventurous, dependable, independent, fair, optimistic, helpful, and caring." "Yeah, we do have those things in common, but you missing some. We're crazy and weird in our own way, confident, encouraging, reliable, obedient, listener, persistent, courageous, humble and much more." "Well that's alot we have in common, plus both of us going to the eight grade. We got one more year before we be in high school."
    "Yep, you know you have a birthday coming up in two weeks or so. What you're going to do?" "I really don't know, but I know that when I got here, my grandparents was building something in the other acre we have." "Tell me everything that your grandparent have on the acres, because it's so big that I think we have everything a little could every want." "Well, ok you ask for it. Prepare for it. I'll start with acre one, it has my grandparents ten bedroom, eleven bathroom, because all ten bedroom have their own bathroom, so have an extra just in case someone get sick. They just go the hallway and put a right. Outside there is two tree houses, a pool in the backyard with slide, diving board, a waterfall, a Jacuzzi and it goes from two ft to ten ft. The pool look like a five star hotel pool with the chairs you sit and relax. We have a Napoleon Prestige I P500RSIB Gas Grill with Rear and Side Infrared Burners, a playground and the garden." "Wow that alot on the first acre, but what's going to happen to the second acre?" "I really don't know, but I remember two or three years ago, they ask what we want on the second acre. My brother said everything that deals with sports and I said a water park. Also, I forgot to tell you we have our movie theater with a hundred-fifty seats and a room where you can exercise, but both of them is in the building. We jut have two doors, on the left is movie theater and on the right is the exercise room. In the exercise, it has every equipment you can think of." "Well you have everything you need to have fun and not be bored."
  "Yeah, I know. My grandparent taught me and my brother how to drive. He'll get his licences since he'll be sixteen soon, but he's turn 15.  My birthday come before his since he's born in July and I'm born in June.Your birthday is May 30, so what you going to do for your birthday?" "I really don't know and I have twenty days before my birthday get here." "Well there is a new arcade and it just open May 02, a

Baskin-Robbins that open April 30, Southern Style Mall open in April 15, and Rockin' Sway open May 15, so you can choose either one for your birthday." "How do you know all this?" "I can't tell my secret. You'll have the best birthday ever." "Yeah you're right about that, I just have to wait and see what's going to happen." "What you going to do for your birthday?" "You just ask just that question and I told you I don't know." 'Yeah, I know, but I want to see if you change your mind since you gave me all that stuff that came out." "Oh, well I still don't know. I'll just have to wait and see what's going to happen." "Wow." "Yep."

   The two just sat and enjoyed each other company surround with nature.Boom Boom Bang Bang "Gasp What was that?" "I don't know, but I think it's time we go inside before it get close." "Yeah, that's a good idea." As they got up, it seem like the noise was getting closer and closer, so they ran faster until they was safely in  the house. Samira went around the whole house and locekd the doors. She ran down the hallway and knocked on the bedroom door of her grandparents. When she didn't get answer, she open the door and saw no one. She ran back down the hallway to call her grandparents, Grandma Ruby answer and said she and Granddad Lorenzo was at Ms. Louis house. After the phone call, she went in the den and sat with Jahiem. 

Rose of Sharon Part 3

     Before she went to bed, she though about everything her grandma said to her. She decided to take a risk and the tell him about her feelings. She got up and got in the bed. The next day Grandma Ruby was in the kitchen finishing up cooking breakfast, then she got a knocked on the door. "Who is?" "Jahiem." "Oh, come on in boy. How have you been lately?" "I've been good, how have you been lately." "Oh, I'd been good. i really miss when you used to visited even when Samira isn't here. Are you going to start coming again?" "Well, I've been away for a long time now and I think it's time for me to come back. I really miss you cooking, and I'm wondering what you cook today." "Now, that's more like. That's the Jahiem I know. How has the family been?" "Everything is good, I just wish my parents is home more, so I can see. I know I'll make with your help." "Yep, you got that right. You ate breakfast yet?" "No ma'ma. I left before anyone was up. I know you be up at early in the morning and getting ready for the day." "Yeah, you right about that. Now gone and wash up." "Yes ma'ma." While going down the hall, he then decided to turn around went to Smaira room. Once he got to her door, he went in and sat on the bed. She notice a change in her bed, so she turn over to what it was.
      "Jahiem, boy you crazy or what?  How did you get in here?" "Clam down, you're grandma let me and she let me stay for breakfast. I was going to go wash up, but I decided to come to your room. I want to be the first to tell you good morning. Now I must go wash up, see you in a lil bit." "Well then, good morning to you too. That's sooooooooooooo sweet of you to think of something like. Come here and give me a hug." "Ok." Before he hug her, he mad sure her brother was anywhere lurking around. When he saw no one and went in hug her. The hug lasted for about ten minute, once they let go Jahiem left the room. "OMG. I can't believe it. We had for the first time in years, and it was magical. No words can ever explain the feeling she just experience." She got herself situated and went to freshen up, then got dress. After getting dress, she headed down the hallway to the kitchen. "Good morning everyone." "Morning." As she sat down, glaze across the table looking at Jahiem. He look back and smile at her. Cedric said the grace and after the grace everyone dig in. After breakfast, everyone hang around in the kitchen and talk to one other.
     "Samira, I need to pick up some stuff from the stores  for me and Jahiem go with her to accompany her. Cedric, I need you go to Ms. Rose. She said she been wait for you to come and see her. Now everyone has something to do, so get to it." "Yes ma'ma." Once everyone was out the house and went about the chore they was sent on, Grandma Ruby and Granddad Lorenzo had the house to themselves. They enjoyed the quite and relaxed for awhile. "Is it normal that you're grandparents want privacy?" "Yes it's normal. My dad said he used to get put, or sent on chores. He said they only do it every once in awhile and it's their time to relax and rested up until we get back." "Wow, that's deep. They must have everything plan and ready for action." "Yeah, I think so too. Once we get back and put the stuff, let's go in the garden and talk. Ok." "Ok, is everything alright." "Yep." As they walk, they joked and talk about their lives. They finally reached the store and got everything Grandma Ruby sent them for. Samira paid for  the items and headed home. "Grandma we home, after I finish putting up the stuff, Jahiem and me going to the garden." "Yeah, ok." "Wondering what that was all about." "Nothing, she do that when one of us return early, but get happy when we leave." "Wow. It's you that understand your family like nobody else." "Yep, well I'm done, let's go to the garden." "Ok.
   While they walk to the garden, Samira though about what she's going to say to Jahiem. She remember everything her grandma told her, but she feel like she's getting cold feet. She just shook it off and prepared to tell him the truth."Well, here we are, let's go over here and sit." "Yeah, ok. How big is this garden because you've got everything in here. Anyway, what do you  want to talk about?" "Well, we've been friends for awhile now and I think it's time to true with each. I liked you for awhile now, you've the first person to make me happy, whenever I'm down or just to see a smile on my face. I like you personality, you're sweet, nice, a gentleman and you have respect, also you're trustworthy and loyal. You've the first boy to do that, I've had two other boyfriends in the past, but none of them can compare to you." "Wow."

Rose of Sharon Part 2

   After Samira and Jahiem, told each other good night, she walk in and wash up with for dinner. Once she came out the bathroom, she bump into her brother Cedric. "Oh, there you is. I'v been looking for you all day and now you want to pop up. Tell where you been all day and don't lie to me." "Ugh!!!! You ain't my my parents nor you're my grandparents, so you can forget. I can do whatever I want 'cause I don't own you no explanation. I only own one to my parents and my grandparent. Now move out my way." "How are you going to disrespect me like that? I asked you and I want an answer now and not later." "Whatever." After her agruement with her brother, she went to the kitchen to see what she can help with." "Samira, why do you and your brother argue like that for? It seem so pointless and I don't want nothing to happen to yall because of all this bittering yall doing." "Grandma, he used to the coolest brother to hang around, but before Aliyah and Jordan left for college in July, they told him to keep a close eye on me, because they think I'm sleeping with Jahiem. Every since then, he'd did  just that and I'm sick of it. I moved back down here, where it's calm and quite. I want a place where I want to get away from it all." "Oh, Samira. Come here. There's a problem we have to figure out why they want Cedric to do that. Do you know when they coming back." "They didn't say and hope they don't come back." "No, don't say that. They're your family and you need to love them regardless. Ok?" "Yes Ma'ma." "Now let's set the table and eat. Grab those two bowl and put them on the table." "Yes ma'ma. We'll be eating good as a I see." "Yep and you know it." Once they got the table sit, Samira called everyone down to eat. Once everyone was down and at the table, Grandma Ruby prayed over the food and everyone ate.
   "Honey, you put your foot in all this food we have on this table. We got enough to last until next time weekend. We got mash potato, mac and cheese, fried and baked chicken, green beans, corn, cornbread, pot roast,  roast beef and a green bean casserole." "Lorenzo, you're crazy. I make enough to last, because we've got the grandkids with us and you know they can like they ain't eaten in days." "Grandma, we ain't had none of your good home cook meal in awhile."said Cedric "Boy you just love food period, if women can't cook and clean like me and your ma, you don't want them. I remember when you was ten years old, you can breakfast for everybody and everything was good and perfect. We was so full and sleepy, we all went to sleep in the den and didn't wake up until it was afternoon. I remember when Samira was six years old, she cooked everything from breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all that last us a whole month. We had so much, we had to give it to the neighbors. They was talking about it for weeks and wanting to get my recipe, but I told them Samira cooked it all. They was so shocked to find out a six year old cooked it all and Cedirc you was so mad, you hid from us for a hold week. I didn't worry, because you was in the tree house that Lorenzo build you."
   "Yeah, I was mad, that she had all the spot light and gotten all the attention." "Cedric you couldn't be mad at me, you was two years older than me older than me. You was the one that inspired me to cook for everyone." "Really?" "Yes, really. I mean it from the bottom of my heart." "Thanks." "You welcome." "Well, that went swell. As I see, everyone is done with their plate, so let's get it in the sink. You kids get ready for bed, while Granddad and I clean the kitchen up." "Yes ma'ma. Good Night." said in unison. Once grandma Ruby and Granddad Lorenzo finish up in the kitchen, they went in their room, bath and got in bed. Smaira couldn't sleep, kept thinking about the day she spent with Jahiem. Sh was thinking, "The day just better when Jahiem came around. I like him, but I don't he'll like me back and our friendship might be over. I really don't know what to do. I'm going to need some help with this situation I'm in. I wonder who can help me? .............. Oooh, Grandma Ruby can help me, I just hope she ain't a sleep.
  After thinking, she got up and knocked on Grandparents doors. "Yes? Come in." "Grandma, I'm sorry to wake you, but can we talk in private." "Yes sure. Come on and let's go in the living room." They walk down the hallway into the living. "Now, what seem to be the problem?" "You know Jahiem from down the street." "Yeah, what about him." "Well, I like him and I'm afraid it's going to ruin our friendship we have." "Well, honey, sometime you've got to step out the box and take a risk. Plus, I think he like you too and he took it pretty hard when you left, so tomorrow tell him." "Ok. Thanks grandma. Good night." "Good night."

Rose of Sharon Part 1

   It was an afternoon, a little girl was reading in the garden that has every type of flowers you can think of form lilies, roses, lavender, lilac, etc under her favorite tree, an oak tree. While reading she heard a soft, but sweet humming sounds coming form somewhere. She got up and follow the sound until she saw something flew past her like a road runner and almost fell over. Once she got her balance back right, she continue the hunt for the sound. "Hey, Samira what are you doing?" " Oh, hey Jahiem. I'm looking for a humming sound I heard while reading." "You know it might be a humming bird that you hear." "A what?" "A humming bird, it's called that because when it flap it's wings it sound like a hum." "Oh, what do it look like." "Well it's small and colorful with a long beak. Let follow the sound so you can it for yourself." "Oh, ok." The two continue on the hunt for the humming.
  "Avery, where were you when you heard the humming?" "I was sitting under the oak tree reading The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Why you asked?" "I asked to see where you was and now we can go back where you was and listen for it again." "Oh, ok. You know my grandparents own a two acre and we might be in the middle of the land." "Well, that's a trip I'll do with a friend of mine." "Aw, Jahiem that's so sweet of you." "What can I say, that's what friends are for. Tell me how long we've been friends." You so silly. We've been friends since pre-k through now." "Yep, you right. That's make us friends for about nine years." "Wow, that's a long time of us being friends. Let's get back to finding that hummingbird." "Yeah that's a good idea." While they continue on the journey, they continue to talk until the reach the oak tree. Once they got to the oak they sat and listen for the hummingbird.
   "Jahiem, you hear that. It seem very close."  "Yeah, it do. It sound like it's coming from my right." "Yeah, it do. Let's go follow it." "Ok, let's see who can get that tree first." "You're on." "On your mark ,get set, go.!!!!!" "See, you can't beat me. I'm too quick for you." "Yeah, you're right about that. Wait, listen it's coming for your garden." "Oooh, I hear it too. Want to get closer?" "Yeah, come on." The two went through an opening to the garden following the stone path. Once the got there they seen so many hummingbirds along with butterflies. "Oh, Jahiem it's so pretty. I never image this in my life and you're so right about the humming birds. They're colorful and small, also the butterflies add to it too." "Yep, you're right about that. Well, it's getting dark and about time for dinner."
   "Yeah, you're right about that, plus I don't want to hear Cedric mouth when I walk in the door." "You know he's very protective of his baby sister since he's going to be a tenth grader." "I know that. You know that we have two older sibling that are twins, Aliyah and Jordan,." "Yeah, I remember them. What about them?" "They're went off to college, but told him to watch out for me, because I was always around you. They was so good at persuading our parent that they moved out the country and into the city but was willing to move if it was five miles from my grandparents, so we can be close to them. That's why we moved that day and didn't tell no one, but our grandparents.  I went crazy so i can at least spend holidays with my grandparents." "Wow, that's alot to hold in for the past two years. I understand, but that's to the extreme to do something like that. That's good you've made a fuss to get to spend holiday with your grandparents." "I have my grandparents on my dad side and ma side in the country. I'm at my grandparents on my dad sides, my grandparents on my ma side used to lived just past Dew Drop Store. My grandparent on my ma side passed away two years apart. Granddad Aaron past away in 2002 from heart arrhythmia and Grandma Charlotte passed away in 2004 from breast cancer." "Well that was a ten minutes walk, and you had the best of both world. No matter what your sister and brother say, I'll always be here for you. Always remember that." "Ok, I will."  "Let's get back to the front." "Ok." The two walk in silence until they reach her grandparent front door."Well, here you are. Good Night." "Good Night."

Paradise

When feeling down, image you're on an island with crystal blue water and pure white sand. You're surrounded with all sort of kinds of trees with bird of all colors flying above.The waves rushing over the sand from the sea and you taste the salt water on your lips from the breeze. You see the waves lashing against the rocks and hear the dolphins cries. Lushes of tropical green, overlapping with kiwi green and kelly greenery, bright fushia flower of paradise.

Free

Be free like a butterfly that you are. Don't let no one tell you any different, because they only want you on their level. When they see you do good and trying to make something  out of your life, they get jealous and start to envy you. Don't let that bother you, you're in good hands. God is on your side through it all and the only thing for you do is to call on His name. Don't try to fit in or be cool, because it's not you. Be who you are and true to yourself. Be free like a butterfly that you are.

Fly Away

Fly away. Fly Away. Trying to fly away from your trouble, but seem like you can't get away soon. You want to break free from whatever you're going through.  It seem like you're in a quick sand, slowly slipping in. Screaming for help, but no one hears you or sees you. It seem like your in a bullet proof room, where no sound come in or goes out. Spread your wing and prepare to fly. Prepare to feel the wind in your hair. 3 2 1 Lift off. Fly away. Fly Away

Butterflies

Butterflies represent every girl and boy in the world looking for a change. Once the change come, you'll have a new prespective of thing. You feel like you can accomplish anything, and nothing will get your way. You're deteremine to go all the way to beyond the skies. You're a butterfly trap, just waiting to be break free. Just know your day is going to come, be patinet and hold on.