Posted this on Facebook but thought I'd put it here too, just for posterity...since no one reads it lol...
FUN WITH WILDLIFE!!!
This morning the dog woke us earlier than normal to go for his walk (or so I thought) and while I was moving around I saw an animal in our yard that at first I took to be a stray dog, which was odd because I always make sure that both side gates are closed. This thing proceeded to jump on top of the dog house that's out there (that our dog doesn't use), which is about a good three feet high...looked over both the back fence and into the neighbor's yard, paused, moved quickly to the side of the house and...disappeared.
After some extensive research (um, OK five or ten minues on google) it seems that the most likely candidate would be...a bobcat, which is the only native big cat still found in SC, and fits the size and coloring of what I saw (about two feet high at the shoulder, medium brown, splotchy/spotted coat), along with the fact that they've been known to not shy away from human-populated areas as long as there's sufficient habitat (we're basically surrounded by woods wherever roads and houses and stores are not present). AND Mt. Pleasant has a notorious mole problem, our yard being no exception, so it's prime hunting ground. Yay for being part of the ecosystem...
Oh, and as soon as I saw the other animal, our dog stopped making any noise. At all. Not a bark, a whimper, nothing. And sat behind me looking out the window.
Punk.
TL
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
OK So it's been awhile
All in all, things are going well. The weather has lived up to the hype (it's 81 degrees today--October 21st). School is going well, although both of the kids are now working a grade level above in math (which basically means they're doing some of what they did last year with a few new things tossed in here and there).
Aniyah's b-day party is this weekend and we're not sure how many people are coming. We invited all 12 girls in her class but a lot of them seem not to be able to make it. I hope she's not disappointed...it's at a place called Cupcake where they have baking parties (although in reality it's like a cooking show where they have the cupcakes ready to come out of the oven rather than wait half an hour---but the kids tend not to notice).
No school tomorrow, so we will probably have to shuttle them back n forth between our jobs for a couple of hours. But at least we're close to each other.....
Anyway, just felt like updating so this thing doesn't become completely lost in the sands of time.
Aniyah's b-day party is this weekend and we're not sure how many people are coming. We invited all 12 girls in her class but a lot of them seem not to be able to make it. I hope she's not disappointed...it's at a place called Cupcake where they have baking parties (although in reality it's like a cooking show where they have the cupcakes ready to come out of the oven rather than wait half an hour---but the kids tend not to notice).
No school tomorrow, so we will probably have to shuttle them back n forth between our jobs for a couple of hours. But at least we're close to each other.....
Anyway, just felt like updating so this thing doesn't become completely lost in the sands of time.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Charleston Dreamin'
This was a very interesting week. Many, many meetings. Some with very interesting folks, others not so much. I did have an extensive conversation with a senior gentleman by the name of James Campbell, who is truly remarkable. Mr. Campbell donated his papers and most of his extensive Marxist/African Liberation library to Avery some years back. Here's a guy who is committed to radical education-truly liberating Black minds. He went to school at the Bank Street teacher's college, way back when--he's 85 years old! He has trained teachers around the globe, and he and his wife raised their children in Tanzania. He has deep ties at Avery--is mother and aunts were Avery grads--so he comes from a Black family of affluence. Yet his privileged background did not deter his dream of teaching and truly liberating our people. We talked for a couple of hours about his work as a labor organizer ( he truly is a fish out of water here--we didn't even get Labor Day off!), and the ongoing struggle of our people. I truly feel blessed to have the chance to get to know him.
Meeting him truly lifted my spirits because I had just found out that my mentor and former Dartmouth professor, Professor W. W. Cook has been hospitalized with Alzheimer's Disease. Such a shame. This man is so amazing--so colorful and full of life. He taught me so much about the importance of being a good teacher, as well as scholar. That was tough to hear.
I am still at work now. The South East Virtual Institute for Health, and Wellness held their inaugural meeting here at Avery and it was a great chance for me to meet some of the key Charleston ( African-American) players. I look forward to working with them on some collaborative projects some time soon.
Avery is truly a special place. I know I have a dubious task, but I welcome the endless possibilities. Selah.
Meeting him truly lifted my spirits because I had just found out that my mentor and former Dartmouth professor, Professor W. W. Cook has been hospitalized with Alzheimer's Disease. Such a shame. This man is so amazing--so colorful and full of life. He taught me so much about the importance of being a good teacher, as well as scholar. That was tough to hear.
I am still at work now. The South East Virtual Institute for Health, and Wellness held their inaugural meeting here at Avery and it was a great chance for me to meet some of the key Charleston ( African-American) players. I look forward to working with them on some collaborative projects some time soon.
Avery is truly a special place. I know I have a dubious task, but I welcome the endless possibilities. Selah.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
2nd week of School...
...And the kids seem to be adjusting pretty well. We have them in the after school program (called Kaleidescope). They get their homework done, then play. They've been breathing hard and/or sweaty almost every day I've picked them up, which is great--it means they're active. Our biggest concern, which we somewhat expected, is that both of them are doing work they've already done...A while (like, at least a year) ago. It's one thing to let them settle in and other entirely to allow them to get intellectually lazy and "settle."
On a more social note, we made a friend!!! Of course it started with Patricia (as most of our relationships do). There's a Black woman (a Delta) with kids at Whitesides (her daughter is in 5th grade and her son is in 3rd) who lives "right across the road and down just a ways" from us in a different subdivision, very much within walking distance.
She actually picked the kids up from school this past Monday when Patricia and I both had to work late-ish (Convocation at the College). When we got to her house, Osayende and Aniyah didn't want to leave--and her kids didn't want them to either. So we sat and talked, started sharing life stories and perspectives, discovering commonalities etc...and it feels like such a relief to have even "just one."
On a more social note, we made a friend!!! Of course it started with Patricia (as most of our relationships do). There's a Black woman (a Delta) with kids at Whitesides (her daughter is in 5th grade and her son is in 3rd) who lives "right across the road and down just a ways" from us in a different subdivision, very much within walking distance.
She actually picked the kids up from school this past Monday when Patricia and I both had to work late-ish (Convocation at the College). When we got to her house, Osayende and Aniyah didn't want to leave--and her kids didn't want them to either. So we sat and talked, started sharing life stories and perspectives, discovering commonalities etc...and it feels like such a relief to have even "just one."
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Just a couple of quick observations for the day....
I--we--are learning a couple of things about Charleston in the summer, and I guess the South in general, but DEFINITELY Charleston. This is not an exhaustive list by any stretch of the imagination, but they're on my mind.
1) Yes, it really IS that hot. And humid.
2) Yes, it really DOES rain that much.
This morning, at approximately 7:15 AM, I was waiting with the kids for them to take their school bus for the first time (which never came, but that's a story for another day). Just by standing there for less than 10 minutes, I developed the need to change shirts immediately when I got home. Granted, I am mildly prone to hyper-persperation, but still...
On the other hand, I was told by more than one person (to which I have taken heed) that I need to carry a reliable compact umbrella at all times, and Mother Nature has seen fit to reinforce such sage advice. Earlier this week, either Monday or Tuesday, there was a downpour of quasi-Biblical proportions. My mother, who was still visiting and had plans to go the beach with the kids, was of grave concern because it meant she would be home all day with them with basically nothing to do except watch TV...but as it turns out, no such deluge was occurring near our house; a mere 10 miles away. They ended up spending more than three hours playing in the ocean. I, on the other hand, waited in line behind no less than nine people (part of a parent-student C of C campus tour) at CVS and finally bought one of only 4 umbrellas the store still had.
Blink, and you can get rained on. And an hour later, you would never know the difference, except that rain does absolutely NOTHING to cool things down. If anything, it makes the air thicker because the additional moisture has nowhere to go except to sit on your skin, almost as if you put on just a bit too much lotion.
And you know what? I am NOT complaining. Like I was saying during the past two or three summers in Chicago (including this year) when people would complain about how hot it was, "Hey, it ain't snowing."
~TL
1) Yes, it really IS that hot. And humid.
2) Yes, it really DOES rain that much.
This morning, at approximately 7:15 AM, I was waiting with the kids for them to take their school bus for the first time (which never came, but that's a story for another day). Just by standing there for less than 10 minutes, I developed the need to change shirts immediately when I got home. Granted, I am mildly prone to hyper-persperation, but still...
On the other hand, I was told by more than one person (to which I have taken heed) that I need to carry a reliable compact umbrella at all times, and Mother Nature has seen fit to reinforce such sage advice. Earlier this week, either Monday or Tuesday, there was a downpour of quasi-Biblical proportions. My mother, who was still visiting and had plans to go the beach with the kids, was of grave concern because it meant she would be home all day with them with basically nothing to do except watch TV...but as it turns out, no such deluge was occurring near our house; a mere 10 miles away. They ended up spending more than three hours playing in the ocean. I, on the other hand, waited in line behind no less than nine people (part of a parent-student C of C campus tour) at CVS and finally bought one of only 4 umbrellas the store still had.
Blink, and you can get rained on. And an hour later, you would never know the difference, except that rain does absolutely NOTHING to cool things down. If anything, it makes the air thicker because the additional moisture has nowhere to go except to sit on your skin, almost as if you put on just a bit too much lotion.
And you know what? I am NOT complaining. Like I was saying during the past two or three summers in Chicago (including this year) when people would complain about how hot it was, "Hey, it ain't snowing."
~TL
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Catching our Breath
I'm on lunch break at work (day 2) and thought I would try to write a bit for the three--excuse me, four of you---that we know follow us on here.
It's been a little over a week since we got here and things are slowly coming together. It didn't help that the movers just brought our "house" (stuff) yesterday--August 9, after picking up July 29. We've been "surviving" on air mattresses (or, more often, blankets on the floor, all in the same room) and two 7-inch portable DVD players with movies from Red Box. And even the kids are a little sick of eating out. Last night, I cooked pasta with sauce (from a jar, but it was a start) with veggie Italian sausage, and I haven't been so grateful for even an easy homecooked meal in a long time. This is despite cooking on an electric stove, which I'm not at all a big fan of, but it'll do.
I can't speak for my whole family, but this whole move still feels a bit...out of body. And I'm already at work (as of yesterday), catching up on the most immediate tasks at hand, but part of me still feels like it's somewhere else, or watching this whole experience unfold. Maybe it's not really knowing anyone, maybe it's living in a semi-gated community with no sidewalks, maybe it's driving almost everywhere (even more than in Chicago), maybe it's the uncertainty of where it all leads, or not having the things that look like "us" in place just yet...who knows. I think it just takes time, especially after driving for two days and then trying to get our house in order (literally). It's little things that make up a "real" life, like finding our favorite restaurants, and a good barber, and getting kids into activities they can partipate in with some longevity, and gradually experiencing our social network expand, one friend at a time. In a way, it's like being children, open to infinite possibilities...except with bills and kids of our own.
(As an aside, this place is veeerrry different when it comes to getting around. They don't seem to feel the need to mark all their streets in an obvious fashion, leaving us "come-ya's" wondering where the $%^&! we are every once in a while. We keep asking ourselves, "is this the right street?" as we travel throughout the Charleston Metro Area).
On a different note, we went to the beach the morning of our first full day here (last Monday) and spent nearly two hours in the sun and of course the waves, and the idea that the ocean is within a five-minute drive became very real...of course, we haven't been back since due to a jellyfish warning...but it's still there! Also took the kids to one of two rec centers with pools nearby and they were able to swim for a good hour and half, until everyone was called out of the pool because of a pending thunderstorm. Stopped at a local old-fashioned ice cream shop on the way home and both Osayende and Aniyah were unable to finish their double scoops. Score one for real ice cream (so says the semi-vegan, but at least they know for next time how much they can handle).
Speaking of handling...without going into too much detail, I would say Aniyah's proven to be a bit more flexible than Osayende, whose position moved to the "I don't wanna go" column just prior to leaving, so he's had his sullen moments. In general, he tends to share my skeptical side and tends to have a harder time with the unknown by nature, whereas Aniyah is a bit more adventurous. In general, watching the two of them together with no one else but each other has shown me that I have two strong-willed individuals who both are very capable of standing up for themselves and speaking up for what they want, which is a tremendous gift for anyone.
Our job in this new phase of life is let them be strong in a way that makes them better people and makes the most out of their greatest qualities. I think, I hope, that will happen.
Once they're actually sleeping in their own rooms again.
~TL
It's been a little over a week since we got here and things are slowly coming together. It didn't help that the movers just brought our "house" (stuff) yesterday--August 9, after picking up July 29. We've been "surviving" on air mattresses (or, more often, blankets on the floor, all in the same room) and two 7-inch portable DVD players with movies from Red Box. And even the kids are a little sick of eating out. Last night, I cooked pasta with sauce (from a jar, but it was a start) with veggie Italian sausage, and I haven't been so grateful for even an easy homecooked meal in a long time. This is despite cooking on an electric stove, which I'm not at all a big fan of, but it'll do.
I can't speak for my whole family, but this whole move still feels a bit...out of body. And I'm already at work (as of yesterday), catching up on the most immediate tasks at hand, but part of me still feels like it's somewhere else, or watching this whole experience unfold. Maybe it's not really knowing anyone, maybe it's living in a semi-gated community with no sidewalks, maybe it's driving almost everywhere (even more than in Chicago), maybe it's the uncertainty of where it all leads, or not having the things that look like "us" in place just yet...who knows. I think it just takes time, especially after driving for two days and then trying to get our house in order (literally). It's little things that make up a "real" life, like finding our favorite restaurants, and a good barber, and getting kids into activities they can partipate in with some longevity, and gradually experiencing our social network expand, one friend at a time. In a way, it's like being children, open to infinite possibilities...except with bills and kids of our own.
(As an aside, this place is veeerrry different when it comes to getting around. They don't seem to feel the need to mark all their streets in an obvious fashion, leaving us "come-ya's" wondering where the $%^&! we are every once in a while. We keep asking ourselves, "is this the right street?" as we travel throughout the Charleston Metro Area).
On a different note, we went to the beach the morning of our first full day here (last Monday) and spent nearly two hours in the sun and of course the waves, and the idea that the ocean is within a five-minute drive became very real...of course, we haven't been back since due to a jellyfish warning...but it's still there! Also took the kids to one of two rec centers with pools nearby and they were able to swim for a good hour and half, until everyone was called out of the pool because of a pending thunderstorm. Stopped at a local old-fashioned ice cream shop on the way home and both Osayende and Aniyah were unable to finish their double scoops. Score one for real ice cream (so says the semi-vegan, but at least they know for next time how much they can handle).
Speaking of handling...without going into too much detail, I would say Aniyah's proven to be a bit more flexible than Osayende, whose position moved to the "I don't wanna go" column just prior to leaving, so he's had his sullen moments. In general, he tends to share my skeptical side and tends to have a harder time with the unknown by nature, whereas Aniyah is a bit more adventurous. In general, watching the two of them together with no one else but each other has shown me that I have two strong-willed individuals who both are very capable of standing up for themselves and speaking up for what they want, which is a tremendous gift for anyone.
Our job in this new phase of life is let them be strong in a way that makes them better people and makes the most out of their greatest qualities. I think, I hope, that will happen.
Once they're actually sleeping in their own rooms again.
~TL
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
She That Finds a Friend Findeth a Good Thing- Proverb Adapted by Moi
Greetings Faith Blog followers ( all 3 of you!!!!)-Today is Tuesday and we are leaving in four days. I have spent the last four months looking forward to beginning my new job, and dreading leaving the safety of my community of family and friends. A real conundrum, right? As the youngest child in my family ( most of you know I was a "change of life baby"!), I longed for company--my siblings are considerably older, and had lives of their own by the time I really understood the value of friendship--say in pre-school. I begged my mother to allow me to have sleepovers, and she indulged me probably way too often for her sake. I looked forward to having a full house of girls, or cramming into the car to go skating or to see a movie.Yup, my love for all things cinematic started when I was a little "colored girl" growing up on the southside. I can remember watching and loving Payton Place, Gone With The Wind, Abbott and Costello, The Sound of Music, Claudine, A Hero Ain't Nothing But a Sandwich, Car Wash (though I probably should not have been allowed to see that one),and Grease, when I, like Oprah Winfrey fell in love with John Travolta. Had he met me when I was in my impetuous twenties, I just might be a Scientologist today. Seriously. Those Scientologists have that Success Mojo. But I digress...
A few of my gurrls and I have been trading posts back and forth via Facebook--sending hugs and and messages of love, nostalgia, and the overall impending sense of loss you feel when you miss your friend. Your true friends. To say that leaving my friends is hard is truly, truly an understatement. I have been so fortunate to meet and fall in love with such a dynamic, colorful, complex,devoted, loving, slightly neurotic, multi-faceted, classy, worldly, brillant women and men--my contemporaries and older, former students,past colleagues, and dedicated mentors--that the thought of meeting other people of your stature seems downright impossible.
But I will let you all in on a secret. Shortly after my mother's death I had a dream about her. It seemed so real and I was so comforted by seeing her again. She knew that I was sad and overwhelmed, not only by her death, but by having two small children, working, and being in graduate school. She also knew that I was beginning to really see the vision I wanted for my life, but that I did not have a road map for getting there. I could not reconcile the fact that while I had signed on to be an academic that I also longed for a very comfortable lifestyle--not necessarily one that junior faculty and administrator salaries could provide. Couple that with the fact that our growing family was strapped for cash, and I was a complete wreck. My mother was so calm and so sincere when she cupped my face in her hands and she said, "My daughter is going to be fine. Better than fine. My daughter is rich." And we hugged, and then it was over.
Initially I believed ( and hoped ) that she was speaking in monetary terms--would I win the Lotto or meet a rep for a big publishing company who just loved my book idea?? But as time has passed, I realized she meant that I have what money can't buy:real friends and that makes me the ultimate millionare. I genuinely love meeting new people and opening my heart to them, and sharing stories, experiences, and feelings.But most of all, I find pleasure in the love I share with my friends--be they near or far. It only takes one phone call for us to take up where we left off, whether it's on the beach in St. Thomas or South Shore, at The Beautiful Restaurant on Cascade BLVD, Fisk University Chapel, Nordstrom, The Landmark Century, New Buffalo, The Vinyard, The Conrad Hotel, Trump Towers, Happy Nails,Tailored beginnings, Hyde Park Learning Center, Power Circle Congregation, The Bing,The African Hedonist, Indestructible Consciousness, The Ethiopian Diamond, you get the picture.
Please friends, be sure to remind me of all this when I start balling. Umm, too late.
A few of my gurrls and I have been trading posts back and forth via Facebook--sending hugs and and messages of love, nostalgia, and the overall impending sense of loss you feel when you miss your friend. Your true friends. To say that leaving my friends is hard is truly, truly an understatement. I have been so fortunate to meet and fall in love with such a dynamic, colorful, complex,devoted, loving, slightly neurotic, multi-faceted, classy, worldly, brillant women and men--my contemporaries and older, former students,past colleagues, and dedicated mentors--that the thought of meeting other people of your stature seems downright impossible.
But I will let you all in on a secret. Shortly after my mother's death I had a dream about her. It seemed so real and I was so comforted by seeing her again. She knew that I was sad and overwhelmed, not only by her death, but by having two small children, working, and being in graduate school. She also knew that I was beginning to really see the vision I wanted for my life, but that I did not have a road map for getting there. I could not reconcile the fact that while I had signed on to be an academic that I also longed for a very comfortable lifestyle--not necessarily one that junior faculty and administrator salaries could provide. Couple that with the fact that our growing family was strapped for cash, and I was a complete wreck. My mother was so calm and so sincere when she cupped my face in her hands and she said, "My daughter is going to be fine. Better than fine. My daughter is rich." And we hugged, and then it was over.
Initially I believed ( and hoped ) that she was speaking in monetary terms--would I win the Lotto or meet a rep for a big publishing company who just loved my book idea?? But as time has passed, I realized she meant that I have what money can't buy:real friends and that makes me the ultimate millionare. I genuinely love meeting new people and opening my heart to them, and sharing stories, experiences, and feelings.But most of all, I find pleasure in the love I share with my friends--be they near or far. It only takes one phone call for us to take up where we left off, whether it's on the beach in St. Thomas or South Shore, at The Beautiful Restaurant on Cascade BLVD, Fisk University Chapel, Nordstrom, The Landmark Century, New Buffalo, The Vinyard, The Conrad Hotel, Trump Towers, Happy Nails,Tailored beginnings, Hyde Park Learning Center, Power Circle Congregation, The Bing,The African Hedonist, Indestructible Consciousness, The Ethiopian Diamond, you get the picture.
Please friends, be sure to remind me of all this when I start balling. Umm, too late.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Pictures of packed boxes (proof that we're making progress) and The Party
Starting with Sunset over Lake Michigan...
Crunch time!
It's hard to believe we've been doing this for basically FOUR MONTHS (well, at least three--since we decided to actually go ahead with the move and trust God to work out the rest). My internal goal was for us to be done by the 23rd. That, ummm.....didn't quite happen :o/ . But I feel good about everything. We have two days to do a lot of stuff: today is Sunday and the movers are coming on Wednesday to pack whatever we're having them pack, then loading up on Thursday. So we will be without a computer as of Wednesday. Just thinking it feels like someone is about to cut off my left hand. I can remember a time when I didn't feel that way but "this internet thing" is definitely addictive.
On a more personal note, I'm definitely feeling....loved. As detached as I can be sometimes, moreso when I first got here than now (I hope lol), and despite the fact that most of my connections in Chicago are through Patricia, the fact remains that it's been TEN "%$*&!-ing" years. That's a lot of time to go through stuff with people; to see their ups n downs, build a lot of common memories that I will definitely cherish. Not "will" --- that I DO cherish. A lot of people don't know that one of the reasons I'm kind of...guarded, or reserved... is that I actually get really attached to people. It may shock some folks to hear (or read) me admit that I feel very deeply. It's something I'm very protective of but this transition has put me very much face-to-face with myself in that regard. And it's one of the great lessons I've absorbed and assimilated into my soul from being married to Patricia--how to be more open, to accept people more readily.
This is the right move at the right time, but I am also very clear that it is only made possible by Patricia being the catalyst. This is her home, and I think it had to be her move to make so that she would have the support of the approximately 428,249.68 people she keeps in touch with on a yearly basis. Even if I had the dreamiest dream job, I know full well that I would have been grilled like a roasted red pepper every time I ran into someone we haven't seen in a while to explain why I was taking her away. And that's not a bad thing. But it's definitely easier this way :o).
I took some pictures of the lovely farewell party that was thrown in our honor just yesterday. I will put them in a separate blog in a minute...for some reason adding them to the text gets to be a bit much to load up all at the same time. I've tried 2x already today, so I'll do it separately. Enjoy (in advance).
On a more personal note, I'm definitely feeling....loved. As detached as I can be sometimes, moreso when I first got here than now (I hope lol), and despite the fact that most of my connections in Chicago are through Patricia, the fact remains that it's been TEN "%$*&!-ing" years. That's a lot of time to go through stuff with people; to see their ups n downs, build a lot of common memories that I will definitely cherish. Not "will" --- that I DO cherish. A lot of people don't know that one of the reasons I'm kind of...guarded, or reserved... is that I actually get really attached to people. It may shock some folks to hear (or read) me admit that I feel very deeply. It's something I'm very protective of but this transition has put me very much face-to-face with myself in that regard. And it's one of the great lessons I've absorbed and assimilated into my soul from being married to Patricia--how to be more open, to accept people more readily.
This is the right move at the right time, but I am also very clear that it is only made possible by Patricia being the catalyst. This is her home, and I think it had to be her move to make so that she would have the support of the approximately 428,249.68 people she keeps in touch with on a yearly basis. Even if I had the dreamiest dream job, I know full well that I would have been grilled like a roasted red pepper every time I ran into someone we haven't seen in a while to explain why I was taking her away. And that's not a bad thing. But it's definitely easier this way :o).
I took some pictures of the lovely farewell party that was thrown in our honor just yesterday. I will put them in a separate blog in a minute...for some reason adding them to the text gets to be a bit much to load up all at the same time. I've tried 2x already today, so I'll do it separately. Enjoy (in advance).
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Moving and Blogging are Hard
So I was recently reminded by several of my dear friends that I had not updated the blog in a while. I "poo pooed" them stating how much packing and purging I was getting done, and that is very true, I have been getting quite a bit of my requisite packing in. But the real truth is that what started out as a fun, albeit quirky way, to chronicle the process of this journey, unpackaging my true feelings about leaving my family, friends--my home--has been challenging to say the least. The reality that I am leaving home--not just the house--but the place where I was born--the place where the formative seeds of who I am and who I am becoming were planted by my parents, teachers, neighbors, friends--even with all of its problems ( violence being at the very top of the list)--is daunting. This became more paramount when I realized that we were approaching July 10th--which would have been my mother's 80th birthday. Days before, I was weepy, emotional, anxious, slightly overwhelmed, but deteremined to push through. I don't think I said much to anyone, except for maybe the kids and the hubster, about it being Annie Ruth's birthday. The reality is that, more often than not, I find myself supressing my thoughts about her. I mean I can talk about her to other people, but it's the times when I am alone that I really force myself NOT to think about her. I know that sounds like such a sucker move, but it's true. And today, one week after her birthday, I finally decided to go through all of her business papers, which I have been dreading for weeks now. After going through the typical stuff--old check books ( mostly with checks written out to my oldest brother!!!!!!!!!!!), bank statements, bills, obituaries ( why do old people keep every single obit of every single person they ever knew????), I came across her birth certificate of "live" birth, as well as those of my father's and my two brothers. I also found my parents' marriage certificate ( yea! they really were married, we aren't a bunch of bastards!), her cerificate of baptismal, and each and everyone of my elementary school report cards from St. Sabina!. For those of you who are doubters, this kid has been a genius from the start!
I also found some of my more radical writings from college including an article entitled, "When the European Nations Crumble, Africans Will Lead," from The Third Eye magazine, founded by Jeff Carr, Monica Peek, James threekill, Jerry Ingram, Van Jones, and yours truly. We were a cross between X-Clan and National Public Radio, now that I think about it. We were some "down for the cause" Afrikans (yup, with a 'K")! Who would have thought that Van Jones would go on to lead the Green Movement straight to the White House, Monica Peek, is part of a star line-up of brilliant doctors at the "forefront of medicine" at U of C, Jeff Carr, Nashville's brightest thespian, and I would be heading down south?????
Thanks to my mother, I am able to look back at who I was and really trace the (often times askew) trajectory of who I am becoming. Give thanks for that. I do miss my mother, and I hope that by leaving Chicago, my memory of her won't become as distant to me, as I will be to home.
I also found some of my more radical writings from college including an article entitled, "When the European Nations Crumble, Africans Will Lead," from The Third Eye magazine, founded by Jeff Carr, Monica Peek, James threekill, Jerry Ingram, Van Jones, and yours truly. We were a cross between X-Clan and National Public Radio, now that I think about it. We were some "down for the cause" Afrikans (yup, with a 'K")! Who would have thought that Van Jones would go on to lead the Green Movement straight to the White House, Monica Peek, is part of a star line-up of brilliant doctors at the "forefront of medicine" at U of C, Jeff Carr, Nashville's brightest thespian, and I would be heading down south?????
Thanks to my mother, I am able to look back at who I was and really trace the (often times askew) trajectory of who I am becoming. Give thanks for that. I do miss my mother, and I hope that by leaving Chicago, my memory of her won't become as distant to me, as I will be to home.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The Story
I said I would come back and tell the story of why this whole thing is God Showing Off (or at least, why it's clearly meant to be). I cannot overstate how blessed we are that just about everything is is just...working out.
For starters, I had an "open schedule" during the time Patricia was preparing for her interview so that I could allow her to focus on that, especially in the first two weeks of January.
My "open schedule" allowed me to plan/coordinate her surprise 40th B-day party in February, along with some very crucial friends and family (thanks again)...which came right after she had been turned down for job (but was asked to stay in the running)
April 5...got the call to offer her the position
I went down to interview for a position at CofC as well on the 3rd Friday of May after having a phone interview 2-3 weeks prior. I was also turned down for the position (something else Pat and I now have in common), only to have it offered to me a month later (the Monday just before we went to go look for housing on the last weekend of June). Turns out the other candidate had, um, "HR issues" .... who says clean living doesn't pay off?
So...we looked at, like, 9 houses in two days working with a realtor. No dice. Everything we were interested in was truthfully either two high, had a contract already, or was too small (my mother called one place, which was our last-ditch back-up, "the doll house"). On Mon. June 28 (next to last day), approx. 3:30 PM, we went on Craigslist to see some other options and I just happened to be the one who saw the posting for the house we have now. It had been posted on Sat. June 26, the day we got there. We were able to get a 6:15 showing (squeezed in after a 6:00). The guy who looked at the house right before us came out after about 5 minutes, which was pretty encouraging....and left. (Turns out there's a 2-pet limit and he had 2 dogs and 2 cats. We have one of each. How convenient!).
So we went in, trying to act all non-chalant and detached (even though we had "cased the joint" an hour earlier to see if it was worth keeping the appointment). After we walked through, the only question was "how do we seal the deal?" .... which we did by signing the contract immediately after following the realtor to her house for the paperwork. Put down deposit, etc and signed the lease the next morning.
As an aside, for those wondering how soon theyd like to come visit, I want to point out that the drive to the beach is estimated at less than five minutes...not mention that the grocery store and Target are across the road (literally) from the entrance to our development. Honestly, if this place had 4 bedrooms and a den, I would consider trying to buy....but that's another chapter....
~T
For starters, I had an "open schedule" during the time Patricia was preparing for her interview so that I could allow her to focus on that, especially in the first two weeks of January.
My "open schedule" allowed me to plan/coordinate her surprise 40th B-day party in February, along with some very crucial friends and family (thanks again)...which came right after she had been turned down for job (but was asked to stay in the running)
April 5...got the call to offer her the position
I went down to interview for a position at CofC as well on the 3rd Friday of May after having a phone interview 2-3 weeks prior. I was also turned down for the position (something else Pat and I now have in common), only to have it offered to me a month later (the Monday just before we went to go look for housing on the last weekend of June). Turns out the other candidate had, um, "HR issues" .... who says clean living doesn't pay off?
So...we looked at, like, 9 houses in two days working with a realtor. No dice. Everything we were interested in was truthfully either two high, had a contract already, or was too small (my mother called one place, which was our last-ditch back-up, "the doll house"). On Mon. June 28 (next to last day), approx. 3:30 PM, we went on Craigslist to see some other options and I just happened to be the one who saw the posting for the house we have now. It had been posted on Sat. June 26, the day we got there. We were able to get a 6:15 showing (squeezed in after a 6:00). The guy who looked at the house right before us came out after about 5 minutes, which was pretty encouraging....and left. (Turns out there's a 2-pet limit and he had 2 dogs and 2 cats. We have one of each. How convenient!).
So we went in, trying to act all non-chalant and detached (even though we had "cased the joint" an hour earlier to see if it was worth keeping the appointment). After we walked through, the only question was "how do we seal the deal?" .... which we did by signing the contract immediately after following the realtor to her house for the paperwork. Put down deposit, etc and signed the lease the next morning.
As an aside, for those wondering how soon theyd like to come visit, I want to point out that the drive to the beach is estimated at less than five minutes...not mention that the grocery store and Target are across the road (literally) from the entrance to our development. Honestly, if this place had 4 bedrooms and a den, I would consider trying to buy....but that's another chapter....
~T
PICTURES!!
And now for the moment you've all been waiting for (OK, the three of you who actually read this)....the house.
The back door leads directly from the kitchen to the yard for ease of flow with those massive BBQ's for when you guys visit LOL
The multiple-space car port....(aka 2cargarage)
The back door leads directly from the kitchen to the yard for ease of flow with those massive BBQ's for when you guys visit LOL
Front entrance...
The left side of the yard...note that Coltrane has a complimentary studio apartment included in the deal....
Most of the yard....but not all
I'll put more up later.
~T
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Let the record show....
That my kids wrote their posts entirely on their own (including the typing) and in their own words. I just asked if they wanted to, and told them "say what you feel." You'll be hearing a lot more from ALL of us as the days, weeks and months roll by. Thanks for "tuning in" as we continue this process.
~T
~T
The day we're moving
Hi my name is aniyah. Its hard to move. I cry when its hard to do stuff.
Im going to move to south carolina. It relly hard for me. Im going to miss chicago.
South Carolina has hot wether. Im going to live by mount plesent. Were going to
Have a pool on our street. It will be fun.
Im going to move to south carolina. It relly hard for me. Im going to miss chicago.
South Carolina has hot wether. Im going to live by mount plesent. Were going to
Have a pool on our street. It will be fun.
Two and a half weeks to go!
Hey this is Osayende, son of Patricia and Talim Lessane. I'm really excited about moving. But i'm not excited about leaving all my family and friends! It's basically a lesson on what I didn't know I had until it was gone. And sure I can be cruel at sometimes but this time you don't want to see me cry! I'm crying almost every other day!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Celebrating the Legacy of European-ex patriots' Victory over the British Monarchy with Friends....Ahh, Priceless
So like all good, mixed-blooded Americans, we celebrated the victory of our European forbears, who were able to wrest their liberty from the hands of the British Crown--in true American style--the four "'F" way-friends, food, fireworks, and fermented beverages!!!!! Woo hoo! Down with the Crown! and no Taxation without representation! Give me liberty, or give me death!!! Yeah--all of that!!!
No, seriously though. This was one of the best Independence Day weekends I have had in a very long time. Maybe it's because I know it will be our last (here) for a while, that everything felt nostalgic and MEANINGFUL! One of my girlfriends--a member of the Sisterhood of the Spine Bookclub (real name)--Master Black Belt Barb (MBBB) had us all over for pre- 4th of July fireworks at her place in the South Loop, except, our beloved (NOT!) MAYOR, FORGOt TO SEND US THE MEMO INFORMING US THAT HE HAS RE-INSTATED SEGREGATION WHEN IT COMES TO CELEBRATING OUR NATION'S BIRTHDAY!!!!! so now, there are neighborhood pyrotechnic shows in designated neighborhoods throughout the city and not the annual, collective love-fest of patriotic bliss, gluttony, and drunkeness in downtown's Grant Park that we've all grown to love. Nonetheless, we had a great time, chatting it up, pigging out, and drinking like fish! BFF, La Dulce Fashonista Hoffenheimer and her new hubby, BILH ( Brother-in-law Hoffenheimer (hugs!) kept the bar going with the Stormy Night Martinis made with "Effen"? I, of course, had never heard of it, and was quite frankly a little "afeared" imbibing a drink that sounds like it"s code for a curse word. But since they had gone to such great lengths to make them...well you know how that ended!!! You got it--with gossip, debauchery, and laughter!
Highlights of the outing:
MBB Barb's greens, peach cobbler, and macaroni and cheese!!!! Oh and LDFH's Ambrosia!
Stormy Night Martinis
Spending time with two beautiful elder women--one, the mom of our new friend and very own, Charleston and Atlanta Peach ( CAAP); the other, her mom's BFF. They were so cute and gave Talim and I loads of advice about our Charleston adventure. You know how much I love mommas, so it was great spending time with them. Thanks CAAP for sharing!!!
On Sunday, we made it to church--we only have three more Sundays in Chicago, so we have to get our church on as much as we can. Then we headed to Hammond for a back-in-the-day picnic, hosted by BILH and his crew!! It was a cross btw a family reunion, the picnice scene in Poetic Justice and Love Jones. You know, young (ish?) urbane black folk doing the darn thing!!!! And the food did abound--big ups to Black Stallion Bruce (BSB) for the fish tacos--me for the pasta; and of course, my girl, LDF for the potato salad and THE AMBROSIA:) What a fabulous time!!!!!
So now, it's back to purging, and I am happy to say that I took six bags of clothes to the Pacific Mission today, and have more to go later this week. Pastor Davis will come pick up the donated furniture next week, so things are moving on. I spent a short stint at the Social Security Administration handling my name change b'ness, and have been non-stop ever since. How many more days til moving???---PWL
No, seriously though. This was one of the best Independence Day weekends I have had in a very long time. Maybe it's because I know it will be our last (here) for a while, that everything felt nostalgic and MEANINGFUL! One of my girlfriends--a member of the Sisterhood of the Spine Bookclub (real name)--Master Black Belt Barb (MBBB) had us all over for pre- 4th of July fireworks at her place in the South Loop, except, our beloved (NOT!) MAYOR, FORGOt TO SEND US THE MEMO INFORMING US THAT HE HAS RE-INSTATED SEGREGATION WHEN IT COMES TO CELEBRATING OUR NATION'S BIRTHDAY!!!!! so now, there are neighborhood pyrotechnic shows in designated neighborhoods throughout the city and not the annual, collective love-fest of patriotic bliss, gluttony, and drunkeness in downtown's Grant Park that we've all grown to love. Nonetheless, we had a great time, chatting it up, pigging out, and drinking like fish! BFF, La Dulce Fashonista Hoffenheimer and her new hubby, BILH ( Brother-in-law Hoffenheimer (hugs!) kept the bar going with the Stormy Night Martinis made with "Effen"? I, of course, had never heard of it, and was quite frankly a little "afeared" imbibing a drink that sounds like it"s code for a curse word. But since they had gone to such great lengths to make them...well you know how that ended!!! You got it--with gossip, debauchery, and laughter!
Highlights of the outing:
MBB Barb's greens, peach cobbler, and macaroni and cheese!!!! Oh and LDFH's Ambrosia!
Stormy Night Martinis
Spending time with two beautiful elder women--one, the mom of our new friend and very own, Charleston and Atlanta Peach ( CAAP); the other, her mom's BFF. They were so cute and gave Talim and I loads of advice about our Charleston adventure. You know how much I love mommas, so it was great spending time with them. Thanks CAAP for sharing!!!
On Sunday, we made it to church--we only have three more Sundays in Chicago, so we have to get our church on as much as we can. Then we headed to Hammond for a back-in-the-day picnic, hosted by BILH and his crew!! It was a cross btw a family reunion, the picnice scene in Poetic Justice and Love Jones. You know, young (ish?) urbane black folk doing the darn thing!!!! And the food did abound--big ups to Black Stallion Bruce (BSB) for the fish tacos--me for the pasta; and of course, my girl, LDF for the potato salad and THE AMBROSIA:) What a fabulous time!!!!!
So now, it's back to purging, and I am happy to say that I took six bags of clothes to the Pacific Mission today, and have more to go later this week. Pastor Davis will come pick up the donated furniture next week, so things are moving on. I spent a short stint at the Social Security Administration handling my name change b'ness, and have been non-stop ever since. How many more days til moving???---PWL
Monday, July 5, 2010
Four weeks to go...
And it's starting to feel "really real." It occurred to me that we have a total of three weekends left in Chicago. Wow. Part of me feels like I should run around do and bunch of stuff...go to the museums one last time, eat at all of our favorite restaurants...and we've been doing some of that, within reason. We went to Ethiopian Diamond up on Broadway while my mother was visiting a few weeks back, which has been "our spot" for several years now, but it was probably the last time....and for anyone who's never gone, I don't mind putting in a plug. Great food, never disappointing. The kids even love it.
The kids both went to the Taste of Chicago (separately) for the first time, so at least they got to do that. Taking them to Lincoln Park Zoo today, which we haven't done for a while but for a few years was my "dad thing" to do with them; first with Osayende and then Aniyah as well, double stroller and all. Memory may be failing me, but I don't think Charleston has a zoo...although it has a lot more of actual nature surrounding it, which I'm looking forward to.
Speaking of "looking forward to" -- Even though I worry a little about the witness-protection program style change we're about to drop on the kids (they will be seeing everything for the first time, since they haven't been to their new home whatsoever), I think (hope?) that they will enjoy the reality of walking around their new neighborhood in the street (since there are no sidewalks), going to the "real beach" (no disrespect to the lake, I'm just sayin') frequently, and being about two minutes from their new school. I'm also planning/hoping to go camping with some frequency...not that Illinois doesn't have options, but you have to go a little further.
On the other hand, we'll have to go no further than our own town of Mt. Pleasant to pitch a tent or rent a cabin. I definitely have a mission of imparting my love of nature to my kids--to know about the flow of them, to get a better understanding (from actual experience) of how things work together, which I think has been done but this will make it that much easier.
Plus, I found out there's an Ethiopian restaurant in Myrtle Beach, about two hours up the coast...road trip!
~T
The kids both went to the Taste of Chicago (separately) for the first time, so at least they got to do that. Taking them to Lincoln Park Zoo today, which we haven't done for a while but for a few years was my "dad thing" to do with them; first with Osayende and then Aniyah as well, double stroller and all. Memory may be failing me, but I don't think Charleston has a zoo...although it has a lot more of actual nature surrounding it, which I'm looking forward to.
Speaking of "looking forward to" -- Even though I worry a little about the witness-protection program style change we're about to drop on the kids (they will be seeing everything for the first time, since they haven't been to their new home whatsoever), I think (hope?) that they will enjoy the reality of walking around their new neighborhood in the street (since there are no sidewalks), going to the "real beach" (no disrespect to the lake, I'm just sayin') frequently, and being about two minutes from their new school. I'm also planning/hoping to go camping with some frequency...not that Illinois doesn't have options, but you have to go a little further.
On the other hand, we'll have to go no further than our own town of Mt. Pleasant to pitch a tent or rent a cabin. I definitely have a mission of imparting my love of nature to my kids--to know about the flow of them, to get a better understanding (from actual experience) of how things work together, which I think has been done but this will make it that much easier.
Plus, I found out there's an Ethiopian restaurant in Myrtle Beach, about two hours up the coast...road trip!
~T
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Purging and Spending time with the Sisterhood!
Friday was a full and much-needed day of purging the house of children's clothes, winter accessories (stop hating), and junk piled up in the front closet, which is now down to the bare necessities! But I started the day at the YMCA at 5:30, where I was stood-up (again) by my trainer. It was still a productive workout, despite his ghost move. Then I headed to breakfast with the African American sisterhood from Roosevelt University. They are an amazing of women from different disciplines and departments at RU. Getting to know them has re-enforced my belief in affinity groups--namely ones that support women and people of color--on majority campuses. We need that reassurance that "somebody knows my name" when we are working towards tenure, or serving as the lone administrator working in our own silhos. Additionally, we are a unified force we have more power to help one another and the students we serve. So give thanks to you sistuhs!!!
I left there, and headed to spend the morning with my sweetie-friend-mentor-fairy-godmother-benefactor-sisterfriend--the Retired Wonder Woman ("RWW")-- to de-brief about our recent trip to Charleston. It was a wonderful afternoon! Our friend , Respitory Red, ("RR)stopped by with her daughter--our community scholar-thespian--L'il Dorothy Dandridge (LDD)--who just finished eigth grade and heading to Hawaii for the next ten days!!! Man when I graduated from eight grade, my mother cooked and my family came by. My how times have changed....
My day ended by making dinner for the fam--tacos for Talim, hot wings and Ramen noodles for the kids. What? That's what they asked for!
Later, I headed out to "club meeting" with LPD, OBB, and our sweet newly-wedded friend, La Dulce Fashionista Hoffenheimer--I know Hoffengeimer, seriously it's her last name ("LDFH") for an evening of Sangria and chicken wings. I know, such class! We caught up on our personal gossip and waxed poetic about our recent travels to st. Thomas for LDFH's nuptials and then her beautiful reception here in Chicago. We eneded by pledging to hook up next Summer in Myrtle Beach... I miss my girls already:(...... Signing off, gotta make breakfast. -Patricia
I left there, and headed to spend the morning with my sweetie-friend-mentor-fairy-godmother-benefactor-sisterfriend--the Retired Wonder Woman ("RWW")-- to de-brief about our recent trip to Charleston. It was a wonderful afternoon! Our friend , Respitory Red, ("RR)stopped by with her daughter--our community scholar-thespian--L'il Dorothy Dandridge (LDD)--who just finished eigth grade and heading to Hawaii for the next ten days!!! Man when I graduated from eight grade, my mother cooked and my family came by. My how times have changed....
My day ended by making dinner for the fam--tacos for Talim, hot wings and Ramen noodles for the kids. What? That's what they asked for!
Later, I headed out to "club meeting" with LPD, OBB, and our sweet newly-wedded friend, La Dulce Fashionista Hoffenheimer--I know Hoffengeimer, seriously it's her last name ("LDFH") for an evening of Sangria and chicken wings. I know, such class! We caught up on our personal gossip and waxed poetic about our recent travels to st. Thomas for LDFH's nuptials and then her beautiful reception here in Chicago. We eneded by pledging to hook up next Summer in Myrtle Beach... I miss my girls already:(...... Signing off, gotta make breakfast. -Patricia
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Packing and Purging
Ok so I started this post Thursday when I was purging the house of books and clothes. Who knew we had so many books? I know I'm not fooling anyone who knows us--we knew we had a lot of books. But they went to friends, former students and our church, The Power Circle Congregation, aka the Miracle on 93rd street. Honestly, I got a wee bit distracted from the process when one of my friends--I'll just call her, "La Petite Diva (LPD),"--said she had great seats at The Cubs game and could I accompany her? While I don't know (or care to know) a thing about one of America's greatest passtimes, but how could I let down a friend in distress? Nor could I pass up the opportunity for girl-time, since my days in the Chi are numbered...Plus my high school BFF--I'll call her "Hyde Park Honey (HPH)"--came to town to help me pack, so we needed a little R&R after two days of work, right?
So LPD, HPH and I headed to Wrigleyville to hang out with the die hard Cubs fans. But I couldn't help wondering if all those people had jobs they ditched to have fun in the sun. Could they all be crunchy,Boho leftist academics like me? I'm guessing, NOT! But the three of us had a ball for the 1.5 hours we were there--beer and hot dogs (LPD said to hell with heartburn and threw back an all beef delicacy!)
After our afternoon of fun, we picked up the kids from camp, and headed to an ice cream social sponsored by the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce. We were told that it was a FREE ice cream social by our firend--"Oak Bluffs Bambie" (OBB), who also brought her adorable toddlers. But it wasn't free, and we stayed anyway. The kids overdosed on gelato and dizzied themselves in the huge jumping thingie. My daughter and the toddlers mellowed themselves out by listening to the neo-folky sounds of two young women in Birkenstocks, playing miniature percussive plastic shakers and singing the likes of "Michael Rode Upon the Shore." By the time we left the park, everyone was in need of a shower, dinner, and a good night's rest. Ahhh, the dog days of summer:) xoxo, Patricia
So LPD, HPH and I headed to Wrigleyville to hang out with the die hard Cubs fans. But I couldn't help wondering if all those people had jobs they ditched to have fun in the sun. Could they all be crunchy,Boho leftist academics like me? I'm guessing, NOT! But the three of us had a ball for the 1.5 hours we were there--beer and hot dogs (LPD said to hell with heartburn and threw back an all beef delicacy!)
After our afternoon of fun, we picked up the kids from camp, and headed to an ice cream social sponsored by the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce. We were told that it was a FREE ice cream social by our firend--"Oak Bluffs Bambie" (OBB), who also brought her adorable toddlers. But it wasn't free, and we stayed anyway. The kids overdosed on gelato and dizzied themselves in the huge jumping thingie. My daughter and the toddlers mellowed themselves out by listening to the neo-folky sounds of two young women in Birkenstocks, playing miniature percussive plastic shakers and singing the likes of "Michael Rode Upon the Shore." By the time we left the park, everyone was in need of a shower, dinner, and a good night's rest. Ahhh, the dog days of summer:) xoxo, Patricia
First Entry, and welcome to everyone who wants to know what's up
Patricia will have to forgive me for starting this with no input, but I was feeling motivated and wanted it to get done....not join the long list of things that we could'a/should'a done earlier. Anyone that knows us...knows that we often have to jump on stuff while it's on our minds, especially right now. Today is July 1, 2010, which means we have exactly 30 days before "lift-off." Crazy but exciting and fun all at the same time.
We spent a GREAT long weekend "down there" looking for housing and that story is one I/we will have to tell at a slightly later time; suffice to say that we have our place and I'm pretty darn satisfied with it (especially 'cause I found it :o) ). We'll post pics once we actually have occupancy and get up n running--or at least after I get clearance from the realtor and property owner that it's cool.
I'll keep this one short, but I gotta say....this whole process from top to bottom has been proof beyond measure that God works in our lives...just have to trust, do what we can for ourselves, and let Him do the rest. It's been more than enough so far.
We spent a GREAT long weekend "down there" looking for housing and that story is one I/we will have to tell at a slightly later time; suffice to say that we have our place and I'm pretty darn satisfied with it (especially 'cause I found it :o) ). We'll post pics once we actually have occupancy and get up n running--or at least after I get clearance from the realtor and property owner that it's cool.
I'll keep this one short, but I gotta say....this whole process from top to bottom has been proof beyond measure that God works in our lives...just have to trust, do what we can for ourselves, and let Him do the rest. It's been more than enough so far.
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