Monday, January 2, 2023
The Rave Reviews Book Club has challenged its members to blog without fail for 30 Days. Accepting this challenge means I’ll be regaling you with my often mundane exploits; but this challenge has opened me to the possibility that with inspiration, and motivation, I can accomplish some very lofty goals in 2023. I’m eager to see how successful my blogs and other writings can grow to be. Please come along for the ride. Comment, cheer, critique and “like” these posts. Since I’m mainly writing about my life, I’m a little shy about you seeing the real me; but here goes!
I’ll begin with last night, Sunday, January, 1.
Earlier in the day I’d attended an exceptional church service. The choir was excellent, the prayer for the new year, very fervent, and the message was about Rebirth. Very similar to the word Renaissance that I’ve chosen for myself this year. Was this a message from God? You’ll discover that it doesn’t take much for me to turn somethings into a message from God, fate, the universe …
Saturday, New Year’s Eve, I’d cooked the traditional good luck dinner of black-eyed peas, collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread so that everything would be ready when we returned from church. While I got comfortable (you’d be surprised at what I wear to church including foundation garments, stockings, earrings that pinch), my husband deep-fried catfish and cut up tomatoes. The plan was an awesome meal and the rest of the evening catching up on my reading.
My daughter was originally hosting the dinner, but a pipe burst in her home, and we had to cancel. Not wanting to leave anyone in the lurch, I put it out that if people stopped by with containers, they could pick up their dinner here. (I may do this all the time because I didn’t have to make my home sparkle and shine, and I didn’t suffer on pins and needles waiting for everyone to go home.)
My sister-in-law picked up her plate first, followed by my niece, followed by my daughter. Think that was the end? Nooo! Daughter wanted her hair washed, conditioned and put up in French braids to prepare for the African ladies who would braid extensions into her already impossibly long and thick hair. (But mommy, you promised!) Deep breath here as I contemplate cutting ties with this particular child forever.
After what seemed like hours of blow drying and twisting up hair, but was really only about an hour, I sent her home. There would be no reading for me. So, I settled into the movie that hubby was watching, Don’t Worry, Darling. I have titled it Don’t Waste Your Time, Darling. The directors took an outstanding idea and after an hour of tension and suspension, sent the movie crashing downhill. It was a mass of confusion, unanswered questions, and an unsatisfactory conclusion. One where you frown at your fellow audience member and say, “what just happened?”
Finally, as I lay in bed contemplating what went wrong with this day, I determined that it hadn’t been about Renaissance. I was doing the same old thing. Picking up the slack, pitching in, and saving the day. Where was the time for me? Follow me on this journey as I learn to put myself first. I want to keep the promises I made to myself in 2023, and say no to the stuff that gets in the way.
I wish you all a 2023 filled with self-discovery, satisfaction, and love. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
It can be difficult to say no but practicing helps.
Thanks, Karen! 😄
What a fun start to this blog Linda. I am a big blacked-eyed pea fan on NYD. Glad you are too.
Thank you, Rox! Our NYD meal is a family tradition. Now my daughters have come to expect it and I feel sure they will continue it.
Great, Linda! If I had known you were cooking dinner and inviting all, I would have had you beam me some black eye peas and cornbread right to my dining room table.
I look forward to seeing how you keep your New Year’s Resolution of more time for yourself.
Shalom aleichem
And I would’ve beamed you up some soul food right away! Love you!😍
Linda, you are simply awesome. I think your family would love to see you clone yourself so that there would be another one of you to do even more for them! And believe me, I understand the daughter comment. Mine keeps asking me to “drop by and stay for a few days” while her husband travels for work–how does one “drop by” when she and her family live more than 500 miles away? And how does one give up one’s own life for a week? We’re supposed to be clones so that we can be in two places at once! LOL
I am so impressed with what you accomplished; however, I’d love it if you could take a breath and take some time for yourself. You deserve it. Happy new year! Your Renaissance IS coming! I can feel it!
Thanks for commenting, Wanda! I’m taking a cue from Nike and just saying “No”!🤗 Happy New Year to you,too.
Hi, Linda. I love your post! The meal sounds delicious, and I can imagine your frustration with your daughter’s hair. I look forward to hearing how you learn to put yourself first and say no to the things that get in the way. Blessings!
Thanks, Patty! I may backslide a bit, but I’m going to stay resolute.
You always have such a big heart, Linda! I’m sure your family appreciates you allowing them to come and pick up the food. You just might make a tradition out of the yet. And I LOVE that you are putting YOU first! If we don’t take care of ourselves, we are no good to anyone else. 🙂
Thanks, Yvette! Too big sometimes. Thanks for the advice.
Your exploits are far from mundane. Reading your blog is like having a cup of chicken soup, warm and comforting. Thank you.
Susanne, what a wonderful thing to say. I felt the same reading about your Nounous!🤗
I laughed at your post, but sometimes I feel the same. I think you will enjoy putting yourself first!
Linda, what a delightful post! I, too, have a daughter that I want to return at this time. As I’m typing this, she comes into my office and says, “I love you,” as she is walking towards me, puckered up. I, of course, am saying “Don’t kiss me, little girl” (she’s in her 30’s), as she is getting close enough to tickle me. They know that I cave when they tickle me. That’s not all that I do, but this is your blog and that is too much information! LOL!
I love the photo of your food — what a nice touch to the post, and how awesome that you picked up the slack for your family’s dinner. You’re such a good one! (Mommy, Sister, Aunt).
Can’t wait to see what you will share with us on Day 2. If you’ve “cut” the daughter, let me know. I might need the referral so that I can “return” mine there, too.
Great job!
🤣 Let’s keep the daughters a while longer. They may take care of us in our old age. I’m having fun. Thanks for the idea, Nonnie.
I had to laugh at your comment about cutting ties with your daughter. We had something similar, but it was my wife babysitting my daughter’s dog while she went to Dallas for a party. So just when my daughter left, the dog wasn’t feeling well, so my wife had a night of going outside every two hours. I think she would like to take the same tie cutting action. Happy New Year, Linda.
Funny story John. This same daughter gave me her dog by not returning to get her after a couple of weeks. Said old people die in retirement without something to do. SMH! Happy New Year, my friend!
Happy New Year to you, Linda.
Linda, this is just an excellent post and makes me regret my silly little comment that I made on mine (when I finally figured out how to get into and post on my blog site. Don’t ask! Anyway, I loved hearing about your night and look forward to following that journey with you, where you learn to take some time/attention for yourself. Good luck!!
So of course I’m going straight to your site to see the “silly little comment”. I’ll get back to you!😂
Hi Linda. I prepared the traditional dinner too; especially those black-eyed peas and cornbread. I like your photo. We used to add chitterlings but I don’t eat them anymore since they are not prepped well enough for my tastes. I’d rather clean them myself than allow the store to do it, as the job is not done well. Ugh!
For anyone reading this comment who is not African American, chitterlings are pig guts that used to be thrown to the slaves to make do for food. It turned out to be a delicacy over the years that more races discovered and now it is no longer cheap to buy.
I ate collard greens with mac and cheese and ham for Christmas dinner. We got a little tired of turkey.
Funny you should mention chitterlings, Shirley. My sister and I had to clean them as girls to prep them for my mother to clean. Those chitterlings had so many teardrops in them.🤣 Talk about a hated task. I NEVER made them as an adult. Thank you for commenting. Have fun with the challenge.
I rarely cleaned them myself. I left that task to my husband and mother. 🤪🤪
😆 funny!