You Laid The Foundation, But I am Still Working On The Building-Mavis Staples

    I just about see the tail feathers of this year of 2016.
    The things that I look back on are chronic pain ( my building needs repairs) ( working on some new parts) and heartache. I do not know when I have had such a year? I know their have been worse, but 2016 will stand out in my mind, for a huge supply of soft chew, cherry Tums and fetal position bouts of angst. ( I promise next year to concentrate on all the good!)
   The politics of the past year, and the idea that a maniac will be head of our country, has me at a loss for words. At least nice words. I hoped with all hope, that he would surround himself with decent, men and women, and that went up into a puff of crazy smoke. So I have had to let some of that angst go. I will continue to work for my party, and shake my head at all the people who voted for this man. I feel nothing but sorry for how the carnival act, took you down with him. My Father, Homer, would say, " A fool is born every minute." or was that P.T. Barnum??
    There is a 40% group of voters, that are happy. So I hope he does what you think is right. I do not wish for bad things to happen, to him ( the words PE get stuck in my throat) or you the voters.
    Believe it or not, we are in this together. ( I think)
    God Bless The Planet
 Now for more bad tidings,so many people have died this year. Too many of my high school friends, that left us and left a hole. Many famous people, in music, movies and literature, who have touched my growing up in monumental ways, my heart has hurt. There have been so many lives lost to guns and crimes, and stupid happenings that consume the airways. It seems to have been a banner year of sadness, all around. Maybe we just are more tuned into social media and hear more? I don't know, but I am a big giant sponge, and absorb all of this mayhem. Most of this stuff is not sponge-worthy! (Seinfeld people) but it has caused a ruckus. I work HARD to be sweet, joyful and attentive, but this combination in 2016 had me, on the night shift of the ER, after payday, on a full moon!!

Yes, there is always more good days, I just need to write them down!!
Wonderful books were read, my parents are good, got to see my brother during a hurricane, all children are semi-sane and loving humans. Bill retires in the coming year, so that is wonderful ( I think)
Animals are constant love muffins, friends are all doing fun things, Movies , Music continue to touch me. Art is my drug of choice, and my spirit animals still pop up all over the place. I live my life, Out loud, that is just the way I was put together. Good, Bad and Ugly is written about, sifted through, and thrown into the universe. 2026 was just testing me, and I made it!!!
  So 2017 come on in and stay awhile, I look forward to each second of this journey. Lord give me strength to handle all and the gift of laughter to just roll with it!!
  -B-

Paint It Black

  Nothing makes me happier than black clothes. Black on black, on black, wears me well.
  Black shiny shoes, black socks, black pants, black sleek, thin, turtleneck and to be in Paris!
  Even in Johns Creek, Georgia, black makes me feel a tad of Paris among the republican misfits.

 Now the day is wet and London looking, and I still feel sassy.
 I have a Bonnie theory, that you can go anywhere in black, dress in down or up. You look like you are "put together" all tight and sharp. All I know is, I like it, and I do not like to think about what to wear, so I wear my uniform.

My theory, came into play this week, when going to my bone doctor.
 I dressed for a night out, to go to the docs because I think, he thinks, I look and feel better and he is nicer to me. ( Yes I require a fair amount of stroking)
  I had an 8am appointment, (I like to be first!) ( for their full attention) ( and the germs have not all gathered at the party)
  All others in the waiting room looked like they rolled out of bed, hair not even combed. I thought, well...they hurt more then me...but then I would see them jump up, and I was walking like a turtle!
  The little nurse boy, with his Patagonia jacket on, because he had a chill, called my name. He had no eye contact, and walked way ahead of me. I called him back, explained to him, I may need his arm!! and personal conversation. He smiled.
 (I think you never feel old, until you are in an office where all are asking for new hips, knees and shoulders) I felt black strong, and the doctor came in, practically asking me to dance. " How are you Bonnie, you look great, you must feel better...Nicky Arnstein, Nicky Arnstein....."said the Dr.
" Well....I feel better, so can I wait for surgery, until maybe summer?? The medicine seems to help, and ..." said the lady in black. " Sure, get some blood work, the medicine can cause ulcers and kidney problems, but you are fine, you will be fine...summer??How about spring, let us check." Dr. spoke so sweetly in his wool jacket with elbow patches!  I stretched and agreed to maybe April, but I reminded him, that I will still be wearing black. He smiled, and did not know what I was talking about!

I was in Paris, minus a beret, and I walked out feeling taller. Knowing that the pain, was part of my life, but it would not define me. I may have old bones, but I am not old, why should I look all washed up!! Mercy, Paint it Black, with a pop of color on your ear bobs!! or a grand necklace. A scarf, or Jackie O sunglasses, go down fighting and looking beautiful!!
  We are beautiful creatures, in any color, or pure black! we have to own it, and let the love shine.
I sit here, with no make up on, ( that is a lie, you know I have lipstick on!) black, head to toe,( my sweater may be dark forest green? I have some color blindness!!) and A necklace made out of alpaca hair, twisted like a dread, with jewels hanging on it!!! Perfect, sitting on an ice pack and a sciatica pillow!!, its all good. Happy Saturday darlings, feel good about your sweet self.
  PAINT IT BLACK

Air Beads

    This time of year, filled with the excitement of children wishes, can also be heartbreaking.
    Of course I blame the cold, melancholy malady. The media also tries my patience, with poor hungry, sick animals blasted all over the tube. Crippled, cold children all over the world, wishing for food and water. I do not need a visual, at any time of the year, to want to help others. Christmas time can be raw for people in so many ways, with joy filtering in with each Noel.
   I gather my prayer beads, I need many!! and they help my wandering mind focus on prayer.
   Over the last two weeks, the same family has had two tragedies. ( How is that possible?)
   These are old neighbors of mine, growing up, in Norwood.
   Damon, 54, never woke up. I used to change his diapers. His mother and I sat on her bed, dressing him, in all kinds of cute outfits. My heart hurt for the loss. ( I asked Jesus how to pray, because you know I have issues, like GOD remember all those years I prayed for my Ward?? How can I trust you??)( there is no lesson in your baby dying, and the almighty will someday fill me in on that plan)
Now how do I pray for the family of Damon, His mother is filled with cancer, how do I pray?
   Then not even three days after the funeral, Derek, his older brother, whom I also babysat for! age 57, has a brain bleed and was flown for emergency brain surgery. He is, right now as I type, alive but do not know to what quality his life will have. ( I do believe in miracles) How do I pray? I want him to be healed, his frontal lobe with all his memories and skills back to our Derek. ( What are you doing? Baby Jesus) This is too much, I pray for strength for my family, to be strong each day, we never know what we are facing. I pray for Derek, to come back to us. I pray for Damon's sweet family to hold onto love. I pray for my Ward, to be near. ( where is he, I want him to be right here, but explore the universe, I will understand) All my kids to be kind to others, healthy and whole. So much to pray for, how can I in my heart pray for this country that was so broken, that they had to elect this Trump person to lead our great land. ( HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, you are testing me!) but I will.
   But...I pray better with beads!!! my ADD needs BEADS to pray.
   SO in a panic, after all this sadness, Hubs and I are in bed, toasty and I say, " I need my beads, Bill, I need my beads." ( you know they are on a table pretty near my side of the bed, but.....it takes me longer to get situated and asleep, he can go right back to sleep) ( at least that is kind of what I was thinking, he is very sweet to me) but this night, he was having none of it. ( I sleep with prayer beads,my burdens are huge!) I nudged him again, he told me, " You can pray with air beads." I sat up a little, "are you kidding me, just touch my fingers and pretend, I need to count the beads, feel them in my hands, and hope I don't poke an eye out with the crucifix in the night!" We both laughed, and neither of us got up.
   The next morning, barely leaving the bed, I said to myself, " I will fix this, I grabbed a handful of rosary, mali and any other kind of beads I had, and put them next to my bed!"
   I woke up this morning, clutching two pair of beautiful blue rosary beads in my hands, I told them, " I hope you did some good praying in the night, because I am out of words, I just have to have faith, and release this madness." " Oh and stop with all the sad media stuff, it is not helping."
   I walked downstairs, with a smile on my face, still laughing at "Air Beads", after all these years, Dr.Bill, makes me laugh and that is a Merry Christmas. ( OK, so some of my prayers have been answered, many. It will not stop me from asking questions Jesus!)
  I think I felt Jesus, Joseph and Mary smile, " We know you Bonnie!"
  I think God has a handle on things, I have to believe. 

Just Because You Find Yourself, Doesn't Mean A Thing

    Early birds hear the best music, that is how I begin my day.
     And I need to share, so who is up as early as The Barons? ( Not that I care if you are up, I just need to spread my joy)
     I know all Blackmans are up, so I text my brother B.
   
     B.Just watched a video, with Keith Richards, it was off the charts. I think it may be called Trouble, maybe it is off the new Stones album, don't know. You have to see it, will blow you away.
( time....maybe before 5, or 5ish)
    B. ( Both our names start with B,  so you will have to figure it out) Is it on you tube?
    B. I don't know, I was watching MTV, but probably, google it.
    Few minutes later
    B. I love Keef!! ( that was from my brother)

He could go to work happy, that his sister was thinking of him, and knew that he loved The Stones as much as, or more then me!!!( I think one year I gave him a framed picture of Keith Richards, to remind him that we still looked pretty good!!) ( I love my brothers)

   Around the same time, I text, my Hart, the same info, knowing that his love of music matches mine, or is over the top more in love with music! I did not think he was awake, but when he woke up, he would see this note from mom.

   He sent me back a Christmas Tree decorated in memory of Prince !!! No words were needed, his way of thanking me, and sharing his find!!!

My early am lesson, is, you have to wake up expecting wonderful things to happen.

You have to get up, and pay attention, look for it! This time of year can be so melancholy, heartsick along with the lights. Heck, looking at Keith Richards can be scary, his face tells a story like none other that I have seen. All those puckered, creases, wrinkled furrows, but all I saw was magic. Straight up blues magic.

You are the navigator. Will your day be full of joy, chances are slim to none, but there are moments that will sustain you, when the shit hits the fan.
AND it will, but you will be ready, because you witnessed a legend this morning.
If you get a moment and you need a little light, take a listen. I think it may be called Trouble by Keith Richards, and if it is not, google it. Magic!!!

What Is That Noise?

   One Morning this week, I woke to a strange sound.
   I asked the hubs, if he heard what I was hearing. The answer was, as always, "No".
   I got up from, the barge, (my spot) to see rain for the first time in forever.
   I told him to look, but he does not have my passion for weather and the entire universe. So he continued to look at his IPAD, as I gazed as if it were the second coming of Jesus! 
   We, in Atlanta ,have been a long time dry. Fires consuming our forest areas up north, dried up lakes, and fear with each leave that fell.
   For two days, I have listened to rain fall. It has a sound, like nothing else. A light rain, a single drop, a thunderstorm, a symphony of much needed water.
    We were parched inside and out. We need water, all of the earth. We also need to not waste it, for goodness sake.
     It is when things are gone, that we miss them so. 

     I have missed the rain.
     It washes away yesterday, and a new day is born. Nearly all the leaves are down, and blanket the yard. Beautiful.
     I just returned from letting , the lab, Lucy out and did not realize that the rain also brought with it a sharp crispness! Oh my, I will try and not complain. I went in search of a jacket, and had to redo some plans. I do not kid you, when I say, I don't function well in cold weather.
   So I decided to sit here and write a few lines, of my little ditties.
       I need to do Christmas Cards, they are ready to go, but........
       Was going to do a little shopping, but.......
       Turned Christmas music on.....I love it
       Two things I want to tell you about.....
                  1. Go on YouTube and listen to The Voice, Miley And Dolly singing Jolene!!and Pentatonix!!  I am convinced that, the song Jolene, is the best song ever! or at least one of them. Pure Joy Juice pulsing in every vein, sing along.
                  2. Read the Christmas edition of Oprah Magazine, on page 45 there is a story by Elizabeth Gilbert, whom I love. The title is called, Give Yourself A Hand. It is about doing for yourself. Being nice to yourself. You are her best friend, this self of yours. A very sweet article. We can only be kind to others, starting with being kind to yourself. A hard lesson for women, maybe men to, I can only speak from a female point of view. I do believe self worth is so important, and is not gender specific. However this article leaned towards the female reader. Men should read Oprah too!! I do know that much.   
   Guess that is about it for this morn. I am going to get a scarf, and head out for a twirl, get a few more gifts, and just look around. The day is beautiful, and I plan to be a part of it.
   Happy Thursday, its December, make your own joy! and spread it around.