April 23, 2020

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Writers

C. Imani Parker
Toni Delia
Veronica Bullard
Joan O’Bryan
Anikó Bognar
Eleanor Cyrus
Toya
Yvonne Hall

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C. Imani Parker

The photo on my wall welcomes me as I open the door . . . her eyes follow me, penetrating my inner soul, reminding me of who I was, am and can be . . . The photo on my wall is my She-ro, Ms. Sojourner Truth, a fighter for the rights of African Americans and Women. This photo was presented to me many years ago by the NYC Commission on the Status of Women at City Hall for my performance of Ms. Sojourner Truth.

For those of you who don’t know who she was, Sojourner Truth was born a slave in Ulster County, New York in 1797 where she endured, and eventually overcame the atrocities of enslavement of herself and others. When she was free from the chains of slavery, she changed her name Isabella Baumfree to Sojourner Truth which means, “The Traveler who Speaks the Truth.” Although she couldn’t read nor write, with the help of empathetic and kind abolitionists, she travelled all over the country speaking out against the injustices toward Black people and women. In 1851, she spoke at the Women’s Rights Convention where she made her famous speech, “Ain’t I a Woman.”

Approximately 40 years ago, I began a momentous acting career depicting the life and times of Ms. Truth. At that time, I was young and “good looking” but when I transformed my character to portray Sojourner Truth, I became an elderly, stately woman. It was indeed a shock when I removed the makeup and returned to my true youthful self. Today as I perform the character of Ms. Truth, I no longer have to wear makeup to appear elderly&emdash;I have naturally become that character with no makeup at all.

The photo of Ms. Sojourner Truth is valuable to me, because she reminds me of my paternal grandmother, a strong, resilient, determined woman with very little education, but one of the proudest and wisest women I’ve ever known. She instilled values in me that inspired me to become the woman I have become and the strong, resilient, courageous woman like Sojourner Truth, that I am striving to be.

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Toni Delia

The things I wear since the coronavirus hit us is: my pajamas. I always changed my pajamas everyday even before this happened. My routine even before this happened was to do my chores and then take a nice shower and get dressed and at night put on a clean pair of pajamas. But now I am not going anywhere except once a week to the stores.

7pm
I love that idea that they acknowledge all of our responders and we need them that's for sure!

how teenagers must be feeling
I was thinking about how teenagers must be feeling during this lockdown just the other day. Because I know when I was a teenager I used to meet my boyfriend every day because he only lived seven blocks away from me. After school he would come over and we would either watch tv at my house, or go downstairs and hang out with our friends and grab a bite to eat. This must be so hard for them. But what they have that we didn't is Facetime and other social media. But they still are not getting the physical contact with one another.

wearing gloves and a mask
I started wearing gloves and a mask the second week of March. I don't understand why some people are not wearing protective gear. It's crazy. Yes they can be a carrier and pass it on to someone else.
May God bless all of us and hopefully this will end soon and never come back. Toni

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Veronica Bullard

Starbucks my personal reward for getting on with chore

I haven't touched my iron in a while

Sweatpants and leggings don't need much attention

I feel beautiful a@7pm when it is alabout NY EACH NIGHT
I LOVE THIS VILLAGE

I have a can of roast beef in my pantry. a gift. who knew?

As a teenager i met muhammed Ali: he was gracious and gorgeous. he was soing an off broadway play at the time having been stripped of his boxing license.

lots of people don't wear masks. ? i asked one person who told me they don't need to they have a strong immune system! smh What about being a carrier of infection to someone who is compromised

How to zoom
No worries;
Not crazy about visuals in the AM
my texting sucks. I was hoping to get betterwit hpracticebut i am convinced
my phone hates me

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Joan O’Bryan

I have this modest painting on the wall which displays the top of a dark wood table that is partially covered by a white tablecloth. A large rusted tin bowl sits on top of the table in close proximity to a smaller metal bowl that has a pedestal. Sitting next to the little bowl, is a red piece of fruit and a corked square glass decanter containing a white grainy substance. I like gazing up at this painting because the artist pulls me into his scenario. I feel like the contents of the painting beckons me to make something with the ingredients that have been placed in front of me on the table. Therefore, I can make a scrumptious meal or whip up a potion that treats an itch which tells me that my ability to create something new is endless.



You Are What You Eat

One of the things that I actually learned this past month is to really appreciate the quote that “you are what you eat”.

Up until now, I have always felt a sense of pride in maintaining a fairly low blood pressure; however, recently, I decided to take my blood pressure with one of those mail order devices and was shocked to find out my reading was approximately thirty points higher than my regular reading. At first, I dismissed the reading thinking I had a faulty device; nevertheless I was alarmed by the high number and decided to monitor the numbers on these readings over the course of one week. Well, after one week, there was little or no change.

Although I am living through the trauma of the Pandemic, I did not feel that stress was the only factor in my rise in blood pressure. At that point, I decided to look at what I was eating. Although I was preparing most of my own food since the stay at home order, I was still eating processed items and I needed to examine the amount of sodium and sugar in my diet. After recording the food and snacks I was consuming on a daily basis, I decided to do a fast eliminating sugary treats for a week. Well, I missed my chocolate-covered almonds, my cookies and my breakfast bars; nevertheless, my blood pressure reading went down 20 points!

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Anikó Bognar

List of moments I felt beautiful:
when walking outside after 10 or so days on a bright, sunny morning, flooded by pure light,
feeling a sense of balance in my body,
sensing awe for Spring’s touch on trees, tulips, gardens, and beautiful neighborhood, and
soaking my eyes around the vastness of Flatbush Avenue with Manhattan on my right in the horizon.

Describe a photograph or picture on your wall and why it is there:

It’s impossible for me to choose any of my pictures on my walls. I like them all. As my mind is scanning around and around, taking time at each one of them I discovered something new. All of my pictures are connected to my life here, in NY to very dear people in my life. I feel warmth, surrounded with loving memories, unique worlds of my family members and our friends, all together creating now a circle of various dimensions, a kind of three dimensional spaces within my home created by the fabric of the universe of our lives.

Am I not the luckiest person for being surrounded with the beauty of my family members and friends shining through their arts, especially during this pandemic lock down time?

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Eleanor Cyrus

THINGS I HAVEN’T TOUCHED IN A WHILE

Staying quarantined in the apartment you see things that you have not seen in a while or paid attentions to. Case in point, I decided to dust my wall unit, it looked like it was overdue for a cleaning. Well when I began to dust the unit and rearranged things around, low and behold, guess what I found?

I found gifts my husband gave to me when we were first married (that was about 100 years ago)&emdash;it was a very decorated cigarette lighter and two ashtrays. That brought back memories.

Then I found a gift I brought when I visited Jordan and Egypt. These gifts were tucked in the back of the shelf, (out of sight out of mine) and could not be seen unless it was time for a cleaning. I discovered so many nice things that I had not seen in years.

What this told me was I should do more house cleaning.



THE STORY OF MY FAVORITE CAKE

I love pineapple upside down cake. I have never made one, but I had an aunt that could. Almost every weekend my family would visit my aunt’s house. My Aunt Lula was my mother’s oldest sister, she did not live far from us, we could walk the distance if we wanted to. My aunt always made a pineapple upside down cake and other sweets we all loved.

My mother was from a very large family, twelve children. The gathering place was my Aunt Lula’s Brownstone house. Almost every Sunday we would gather at her house along with my mother’s other siblings and their families; at times friends of the family would come over as well. We love visiting.

All of my mothers sisters had special gifts. My Aunt Lula, her pineapple upside down cake was the best. Aunt Sweetie, the best bread pudding in the world. My Aunt Essie, she could sew, she made beautiful clothes. She made my first roller skating outfit, skirt, pants and vest. I still have this outfit today. I was a size “0”. My Aunt Josephine, she made the best chocolate layer cake. She was so gifted, she could cook leftover scraps and made a wonderful meal. My Aunt Bessie, she love making sweet potato pie, they were so good. My mother, fried chicken was her specialty.

When all my mother’s sister and their husbands gather around special events they would bring their special dish. We had a wonderful time, all the food was so good.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED THIS PAST MONTH

I have learned more about the Corona Virus in this last month than I have learned about any disease in my life. Who it affects, old, young, it does matter. What this virus has done to the universe, the world is unbelievable. Because of this I need to know what I have to do to keep safe.

I am now taking off my shoes in the house, because this virus changed my life. Asians as part of their couture, take off their shoes at the door, then change to shoes in the house. The shoes you wear in the street should not be worn in the house. The many germs you pick up on your shoes from the street is staggering. I had never thought about that before. The Asians got it right. This is something that I have adapted.

Also, a good idea is wearing a face mask and rubber gloves in the street. Since this virus would be in the air if a person sneezes or coughs and you could be near that person you can be in the area of that germ. Germs could be on cardboard, papers, other surfaces, you touch the surface and touch your eyes, nose, you contact the virus.

The scientists tell us that we should wash our hands for at least 20 seconds, singing happy birthday twice. Soap kill the virus. Washing your hands 100 times a day make you aware of your surroundings, at first it was a nuisance, now it has been incorporated in my daily living , and it's okay. Staying safe and healthy is paramount, this virus is deadly.

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Toya

Good News hearing from Maria Baker was so exciting it made me want to say, "God bless" It's so much going on-while missing her physical appearance and the TEAM was like being together again. Sitting at the table taking turns expressing moments. Coronavirus we all are affected Family&Friends🇺🇸🙏🏾

Something I am observing every closely:

PEOPLE
1ST RESPONDERS
NYCHA WORKERS
also observing ALL persons that are not complying with wearing mask n gloves and say God got this❤️

So many Deaths so many many . . . I will do any THING like wearing gloves and mask People this is real 😢

😳WHEN PEOPLE 🦠⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️ wear your mask n gloves b safe n healthy Toya

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Yvonne Hall

DESCRIBE A CHILDHOOD DESSERT

My mother loved to bake&emdash;cookies, cakes, pies, and puddings. Our home was always filled with sweets for dessert. My favorite dessert she made was baked rice pudding. Her birthday was April 17th and I was missing her and thinking of all the wonderful desserts she used to bake. So, I decided to gather all the ingredients and make the baked rice pudding. All you need is rice, raisins, whole milk, eggs, sugar, nutmeg and vanilla. I didn’t have nutmeg so I used cinnamon instead.

I had never made it before, so I forgot how long it took to make. Since I had nothing but time to fill, it was all right. I cooked the rice, then turned the rice and raisins into a greased baking dish and poured the beaten mixture of eggs, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla on top. I baked it in the oven for forty-five minutes.

I called my sister, Marilyn, while the rice pudding was baking to let her know I had made mommy’s rice pudding. She drooled&emdashj;“Oh wow. Did you make it with the custard topping?” she asked. “Yes” I said. “Ummm”, she replied wistfully. I could tell she wished she could have some.

I realized later that it wasn’t very nice of me. But, I was so proud of myself for having finally made rice pudding the way my mother made it for us all the years she was alive.

LIST OF THINGS I HAVE LEARNED

When the story first broke in the United States about a coronavirus in Wuhan, China, I remember the television news showing the city feverishly building two large hospitals, almost overnight, to provide hospitalization for the infected population. Right then I knew something serious was occurring and would not be contained to Wuhan.

Being forced to stay at home for over four weeks because of the pandemic in New York, I became obsessed with learning as much as I could about this virus. I digested every morsel of news on the television and the internet. I separated my news sources into national, state, local and community. I listened to daily informed briefings that provided a plan and gave direction which helped to reduce the confusion and anxiety I was feeling, and was good for my brain and soul.

I learned that the virus that started in New York, the epicenter of the virus, came from Europe and not China but in reality it did come from China. The northern part of Italy, Milan, where the numbers were the highest, housed large numbers of Chinese who were recruited to work in their garment industry and had numerous flights back and forth to China on a daily basis.

I learned that South Korea had the best results for containing the virus because they used contact-tracing and extensive testing. Their method for contract-tracing was to use cell phones to identify potential victims, test, and or quarantine them. This was a state directed program and if we hope to do something comparable here (it can’t be the same) the people will have to approve it. Google and Apple have partnered together to create a non-intrusive app for our phones. ACLU is reviewing it now to make certain citizens’ rights are being protected. Massachusetts has hired 1,000 people to do contact-tracing as it embarks on reopening their cities.

I learned that many countries used different approaches to handle the pandemic for the safety of their citizenry. I am most fascinated with Sweden that did not close their facilities (society) and schools etc. They provided guidelines for people to practice safe distancing in public and that the most vulnerable in the society remain quarantined at home. Their infection and death rates are comparable per capita to New York without a disruption to the economy. I am fascinated with their outcome and keep track of their progress.

I learned that so many refrigerated trucks were needed in the city (including one uptown near Park Avenue) because so many bodies needed to be placed there. It takes ten days to have a body cremated. The funeral homes have wait lists for services and when they do take your loved one, you could only have ten guests. All the many unclaimed bodies have to be buried in mass graves in “Potter’s Field.”

I learned that there are several drugs in trial for possible treatment of the virus but a vaccine will not be available for more than a year. Laboratories all over the world are working on finding solutions. I am confident they will find them.

I learned that because this pandemic has totally disrupted our way of life, work, family, and social, this new normal will create something new. Another new normal will emerge. Small businesses that have survived for years, through wars, depressions will no longer be with us. What will be in their place?

I wonder what Myrtle Avenue will look like?

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Group

Today I will connect with all of my family and friends via telephone as I do on a daily basis
Today I plan to reach out to my spiritual self, calm down, count my blessings, and learn to trust in God to see me through so much uncertainty
Today, I will connect with someone to find out if a friend suffering with COVID19, has been removed from her ventilator.
TODAY I WILL CONNECT WITH MYSELF
it's too I can't 😖

Return

April 9, 2020

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Writers

Joan O’Bryan
Yvonne Hall
Veronica Bullard
Toni Delia
Eleanor Cyrus

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Joan O’Bryan

What’s On My Mind?

Two weeks ago, I felt I was living someone else’s life. I was a character actress in a movie that I had already seen a dozen times. I felt alone, frightened and a victim of my own imagination. I was playing the lead role in a movie about a woman who was imprisoned in her own home hiding out from an unimaginable plague where the infection was spread by contact with other people. I don’t know who in the population is infected since everyone was being forced to wear a face mask and gloves. If I was touched, by the sneezing, coughing or germs released from an infected person, this could lead to my death.

Today, I decided to leave the drama of this grade B movie and choose a simple script where the lead role is about a woman who lives her life with faith, courage and hope.

Sirens

The sound of the Sirens on an ambulance have become my Harbinger of Death as its piercing, unrelenting song wails through the city streets, passing by unchallenged both day and night while declaring that the Pandemic has another captive. In Greek Mythology, the Sirens were creatures who lured ships filled with men onto their death while they were seemingly held under the hypnotic spell of the Siren’s song. Every time I hear it, I think someone else may be dying since there were already at least 789 deaths reported today in the “city that never sleeps”. I personally know at least three people who have died from COVID 19 and several others who are sick. I can’t help but wonder how many more will need to be sacrificed to silence the Siren’s song.

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Yvonne Hall

ON MY MIND

Coronavirus. This morning I left my apartment at 7: 30 AM to go to the grocery store to get a few things - butter, eggs, walnuts, and mandarin oranges. The store is only five minutes away, but when I got there, a line had formed that stretched almost to the end of the block. Everyone was following the six feet rule spacing, so I went to the end of the line. It was a somber line. More like a line at a funeral home than at a grocery store. Almost everyone had on a mask but no one nodded in recognition of another person.

I am not usually out this early so it was surprising to see how calm and quiet the streets were. I looked around to see what else was opened. I assumed I would only see essential services opened. Well, there was John's, the corner restaurant opened for take out business; the convenience store across the street with the Lottery sign flashing in the window; and the Urgent Care Center with two people waiting for service. That was it. The bank on the corner hadn't opened yet.

The line moved very slowly. I finally saw the sign that said, "Sorry, No more than 30 people in the store at one time". Well, I was here now, so I would just continue to wait. Everyone coming out of the store was carrying at least two or three shopping bags or their shopping carts were overflowing. Everyone seemed to be making the most of their trip. I even saw two girls with a dolly filled with fruits, vegetables and meats. I wondered what kind of "army" they planned to feed. As I got closer to the front of the store I saw another sign that said "Instacart people must show their physical card". I wasn't sure what this meant and then I remembered they are a shop and delivery service. I decided, that's probably who those girls worked for.

I finally got into the store and quickly picked up the few things I came to get. The aisles were crowded with boxes waiting to be unpacked and the goods put on the shelves. The cashiers were wearing gloves and stood behind a piece of plexiglass. I guess this was for their health benefit as well as mine.

By the time I got home it was 9 AM. One and half hours for a trip that normally would take 15 to 20 minutes. I guess this is what they are calling "The New Normal." It's depressing and scary.

A PHONE CONVERSATION

I received a beautiful inspirational birthday card from my sister-in-law, Charlotte (truly my sister) that prompted me to call and thank her. I kept missing her and finally she called and I could hear the concern and worry in her voice. We were already into the "Stay at Home" and it was the lead story every night on the news, so I decided to be jovial and tell funny anecdotes about the house restrictions. Once she was assured that I was all right we could move on to talk about family.

We talked about her four children (my nieces and nephews) and what they were all doing and how involved she still was in their lives. I envied her that pleasure. Her grandson Elijah had competed and gotten accepted to a very prestigious High School, Central Catholic, in Pittsburgh. I shared in her pride as she talked about taking him to a "Meet and Greet" they had arranged. As always I reminisced how fast time flies. I remember the last time I saw him, we attended his martial arts graduation when he was 6 years old. I marveled at how much instruction was on teaching discipline. It seems to have paid off.

We had a big laugh when she told me her son, Jason, had bought her a book with Large Print. We laughed at how they must see us. So different from our own perceptions. But we laughed again. Laughter is so so good for the soul.

She talked about the masks she had made for all her children and that her son Jason's coworker had wanted one, too.

We talked for two hours. We agreed to stay in touch more frequently. Our conversation reminded me of the television series the Time Machine. It was 2020 but I easily went back to 2010 and beyond, as if it were today. Many, many wonderful memories. I felt warm and comforted at the end of our conversation.

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Veronica Bullard

I always felt as if I never actually had a childhood at all. My parents moved often. We were nomadic. When driving around Brooklyn I point out my old neighborhoods to my children and they respond, you used to live everywhere.
I resented my parents for their struggles. I am watching a series on Hulu about a single mom who drags her only daughter from town to town pretending it is some kind of game. It's called little fires; the daughter finally settles on a place where she might be happy and forces her mother to stay put.

I made a meatloaf. It was reasonable but not like the old days when I had more practice and was good at it! As a child it was my favorite meal.
Managed to consume a whole loaf of bread, something I almost never manage; even ate the end pieces while hearing my mom's voice "that's bread too!"
They were quite tasty too!
The depression left lifetime scars on parents; they never forgot being hungry; you could not throw away food in our house without permission.
And when they talked about bread lines and food rationing the pain and fear could still be felt. Yes the world will go on after this situation but we will be different.

@7pm each day I'm reminded that new york is a city with a big heart; like the legendary whore with a heart of gold, she can help you forget your troubles but you must pay for it!
I spoke to a person from my old job that I lost contact with. We worked together for a special project, a collaborative effort to improve the direct delivery of services to the public. She is an angel, and I was able to let her know
How wonderful I think she is. It helped to heal my heart in so many ways.

We lost two neighbors in this timeline; it has been challenging; I pray for their families to overcome these difficult times. We cannot grieve in the traditional way. But our creator made us resilient enough to survive this rough patch.

A little kinder less attitude and more gratitude. To my friends who whine over their lack of liberty; I remind them there are places in the world where children and families are being bombed out of their homes! By our own government. Let's bring back the light and save the world from darkness.

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Toni Delia

The meals that I have been making are basically the same as before all of this has happened because I love to cook. I made a yummy beef stew with potatoes, carrots and peas in tomato sauce. The other day, I made a lamb shank stew in butter sauce with onion powder, garlic powder and a touch of salt. It's a nice spring and Easter dish.

I feel we will go into a depression like 1929 but the only thing is we do have insurance for our bank accounts and unemployment so if we do, it will not be as severe. Hopefully, I am wrong.

We have to all work together to help one another and pray even more now to end this virus.

We are doing the rosary by phone and praying.



The way I am celebrating Easter this year will be all alone in my four room apartment. I will call my family and friends and watch mass from St. Patrick's. And I am making Veal chops with mashed potatoes and brown gravy and string beans.

Ever since my dad passed away in 2002, I have been spending Easter with my twin brother and sister-in-law's house in New Jersey. I am not a drinker, but they greet me with a glass of Bogle Merlot and I usually have two glasses of wine. I only drink socially. But after that long ride from Brooklyn to New Jersey with bumper to bumper traffic you really do appreciate that glass of wine. And, needless to say, I am not even the driver, I am the passenger. Then they put out the shrimp cocktail, Italian cold cuts, egg plant and salad. Then we all go outside and they have an Easter egg hunt for the kids and we cheer them on. The guys and girls play volleyball and then we all go inside and have dinner. Spiral ham, turkey, potatoes, and string beans. Once dinner is done, we all pitch in and help clean up. Then it's time for dessert. Pastries, cookies, etc. We also have a lot of laughs and great conversation and it always so nice to be around all of them.

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Eleanor Cyrus

The Sounds of Sirens

While New York City is on lockdown because of the Corona virus COVID–19; we have to stay in our homes in self-quarantine, I have become more aware of noises in the neighborhood. What is constant is the sound of sirens. This sound is very loud, maybe because I am paying more attention than before. And they are coming through my block more frequently.

As the news is reporting on every TV station, on many people dying from the virus, I have noticed the sound of the siren becoming more and more frequent in my neighborhood and in the block. I wonder if it’s someone in my housing complex, so far we have lost four people, and it appears that all died from the virus.

It is so frightening to know this virus is not prejudiced, it affects young people, old people, males, females, Blacks, whites, gays, straights, Democrats, and Republicans, this virus is vicious. As I listen to the news today, hundreds of people died, (10,465) in New York alone&emdash;that is a lot of people, a lot of people suffering from the loss.

How I am celebrating Easter this year
How is it different?

This Easter was extra special why because New York is on lockdown because of the COVID-19 virus. I was able to watch Easter service Rev. Brawley at 8 AM a.m. ON ZOOM. Which was very nice. 10:30am I watch Resurrection Service with Bishop Youngblood, it was an awesome service. I miss the celebration after the service as I was not able to wish remembers of church a blessed day or hug them, knowing that I was practicing safety by being 6 feet away from people, in this case blocks away as I was in my home, my thoughts return to the Resurrection and what this day means. The day that Jesus rose from the dead.

Later that day I had a wonderful opportunity to zoom with members of my family scattered all over Brooklyn and other parts of the state, that was awesome. Some of them still in PJs, some didn’t look in the mirror before putting their faces in the camera, others laying down in bed, it was interesting to see how they presented themselves on camera. It was nice to see they were so relaxed. The purpose was to keep in touch and stay connected. This virus has us doing a lot of things we did not think of doing.

Eleanor Cyrus
The good Doctor

THE SOUND OF A BIRD’S SONG

One morning I was awakened to hear the sweet sound of birds singing. In my mind I thought the birds were saying good morning Eleanor. As I focused on the sweet sounds I felt the Lord was speaking to me through the birds chirping, letting me know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. With all the activities going on in the world with the Corona virus, Pandemic, raging havoc all over, and killing folks, You need to know there is hope, things are going to get better, I do believe.

I found it difficult to concentrate on God’s small creatures, birds. Everything in the world appears to be very gloomy, I believe there will be joy in the morning. Just got to believe. This virus is bad, all of the television stations are saturated with the COVID-19 virus, and how it is spreading, how many people hospitalized, how many people perished alone without their loves being with them.

I immediately refocused on the message that just came to me by God’s precious creature, CHANGE IS GONNA COME.

People I have been thinking about

I have been thinking about my friends around the globe, my friend in Las Vegas Georgia New Jersey and St. Thomas, Nova Scotia Canada my friends called me wanted to about how I was doing during this coronavirus crisis since New York appears to be the hardest hit. My friend in Nova Scotia was concerned although her area doesn't appear to have the same problem as New York but nonetheless no one is exempt. My Las Vegas friend, she's an ex nurse and she recognizes the situation we are in. She views the challenges and the risk for the front-liners. My friend in Georgia, although she can drive, chooses not to if she doesn't have to. She has lost a member of her family to the virus. I think I have not spoken to my friend in Bermuda so I don't know the issues there but my concern for them... as I don't know what they are experiencing. My cousin in Saint Thomas constantly keeps in touch with me by texting and she is sending me all kinds of things relating to the virus. So not only am I thinking about myself but I'm thinking about all my friends around the globe how are they keeping, and it's a sad situation where it's not just you in New York City, it is the entire world. The entire world is affected by the coronavirus that is so serious, and I pray for all of them.

The Sound of 7 PM

At 7 PM every evening the sound of clapping coming in from the terraces, private homes and people in the street, clapping very loud, hitting on pots and pans, they are saying ‘I appreciated the nurses the doctors, the aides, the cleaning people” all on the frontline in the hospitals helping so many sick people with COVID-19. These people are working 12 hours a day, and not eating properly or taking breaks when they should. These workers are stretched to the limit because of the dire need to help so many sick people; their dedication to the human need is commendable.

All over the city at 7 PM people are showing their appreciation to the frontline workers who have dedicated their time in saving lives. I thank God for these people.

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GROUP

Today I will pay particular attention to all the new habits I must do to stay safe and healthy. I will always wear my gloves and mask every time I leave my apartment&emdash;to dispose of the trash and to get my mail I will wipe down or spray all incoming packages and groceries that are delivered.

Today I will pay particular attention to taking more time to enjoy my surroundings.

Return

March 26, 2020

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Writers

Yvonne Hall
Toni Delia
Veronica Bullard
Joan O’Bryan
Anikó Bognar
Eleanor Cyrus
C. Imani Parker

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Yvonne Hall

THE VIEW FROM MY WINDOW

Every morning when I open the blinds, I look across at the building facing me to see it if the woman with the white turban is sitting at her table facing the view of Manhattan. I don't know why she has become so important to me. Why my eyes go to her window the first thing. When I see her sitting there it relaxes me and I am comforted that she is alive and well. I don't even know her or her name, but she is the first person I see everyday.

There is always activity to see at the other building or outside the complex. There is the lady on the top floor working out on her Gazelle freestyle strider on her terrace. Other people on their terraces are watering plants or sitting reading the paper with a cup of coffee. I used to get to see hundreds of students at Pratt going to school or walking through the complex to Myrtle Ave. There are always delivery people on bicycles, the UPS truck, the Fed Ex truck, the USPS truck.

Then I look to see who is moving about the sidewalks and the street. The same people are out: joggers running on the sidewalks along side the mothers or nannies pushing the babies in their strollers; several walkers keeping their six feet distance; the bicyclers. These are the regulars that must have fresh air to live. They make me feel guilty. I haven't left my building in 12 days now. I don't have a face mask and I have to quietly admit to myself that I am scared . . . I know for sure that if I were to get the virus I wouldn't make it. I am in the high risk group -age and preexisting illness. I know people that have died from the virus, people that have contracted the virus and quarantined themselves for fourteen days. So, today I have to go the get my medicines from the pharmacy. I will wear my plastic gloves, wrap my scarf around my mouth and nose on, take a deep breath and walk with God and pray that I will be safe from this horrible disease that has descended upon us.

THINGS I DO EVERYDAY (The new routine)

When I was ordered to "Stay at Home" and not go out except to get medications or groceries, I decided to make a list all the things I have started and never finished in my apartment. I was going to do something positive to counter the negative effects of the Coronavirus.

I, also, wanted to start a daily routine to stay focus - form new habits. They say if you do something for 30 days it becomes a habit. I decided my first goal would be to have all the dishes washed before I went to bed. This led to my cleaning the kitchen thoroughly everyday. Spraying the counters with my new solution of Clorox and water. It was only me, but I sprayed and wiped the counters, it seemed, every hour on the hour. I took to the bathroom with the same vengeance. Again, cleaning and spraying everything with a hard surface. I swept and mopped both floors daily.

When this new routine was finished, I had time to tackle my long list of unfinished projects. Some of which included, cleaning my closets and bagging things I no longer used or needed; straightening the drawers in my bedroom; tackling all the unfilled papers scattered in my office and sorting them into five different categories. I am still on this project. After I did this for several days, I found that I liked doing some housework. Keeping things neat and clean in these two rooms have become my new everyday habit. I am beginning to like doing domestic chores. These routine tasks relieve the stress and anxiety I feel and give me some feeling of control in my life that I don't have thinking about all the uncertainty and anxiety that the coronavirus brings.

---

Toni Delia

The new routine as we all know is temporary, but who would have ever wondered if this would ever happen to us. This will go down in the history books for all to read in the near future. But listening to our Governor is so soothing and informative. He is great and needless to say, is doing a lot to protect everyone.

Right now I wish everything was back to normal. Where you can go out and talk to your family and friends. Easter is just around the corner and we cannot celebrate with our family and friends. But once we get back to the way we were, we will really appreciate the things we had before.

I am relaxing more too since all of this happened. I do my chores in the morning and then watch movies, read and talk to friends and family via telephone.

I am going to the supermarket today and, yes, a few weeks ago I went to the drug store and there were no paper goods at all. I think about what our governor said, you don't need to buy 100 rolls of toilet paper.

I also miss attending this workshop. I love listening to everyone's thoughts and feelings and also expressing my thoughts and feelings. At least we are all communicating and socializing via computer for now. Besides missing the group, I miss the yummy chocolate cookies.

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Veronica Bullard

I have been enjoying the women's month programming
catching some great movies and documentaries

I would love to have faith
in the information provided by the government.
all of my conspiracy theory friends
have been driving me cray with
The who? what? whenandwhy? Frankly
history will be the judge.

Elbow bumps are sooo not satisfying.
Would love to have a hug about now.

A friend jokingly said Trump will be the last American President
it was funnier then but
now not so much.

I am working on quiet moments
like reading and exercising

I have been out a couple of times
some things are just not available
so don't be alarmed

I miss our group. I feel like my skills are getting rusty

Seeing bare shelves and empty streets is unnerving

I looked for alcohol (not drinking) yesterday
went to three pharmacies
nobody had alcohol.

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Joan O’Bryan

The Last Two Weeks

During the last two weeks, I have been living a surrealistic existence. Things that appeared to be important to me in the recent past no longer have the same value. For instance, I have no interest in purchasing new clothes, household items or the latest electronic devices; nevertheless, I am now obsessed with buying food and toilet paper. They are important to me because they represent necessities for survival and I feel that I have been thrust into a survival mode.

Yes! For the last two weeks, I have felt like one of the contestants in the television program called “Alone”, where the participants are dropped off in some of the most remote regions on the planet to see how many days they can withstand the challenges posed by a harsh environment with a paucity of selected items.

I am a survivalist in a strange and hostile territory preparing to fight an enemy whose nature I can’t fathom; I can’t see, smell or touch it but I know if it finds me first it could become a deadly encounter because of my age and underlying health conditions.

Thus, I am at War with COVID 19 and social distancing is the lone weapon that can be used to disarm the spread of this virus to myself and others. However, mine is not a solitary struggle since I am surrounded by ally troops who are also fighting this battle from their own foxholes.

Historical Events That Have Shaped My Story

As I reflect on some of the outstanding historical events that have shaped my story, it appears that I have witnessed several life-changing experiences. Nevertheless, the memory of the Civil Rights era which was characterized by civil disobedience, social unrest and violence remains foremost in my mind. During this epoch, we endured five years of assassinations coupled with unequally dark periods of mourning for President John F. Kennedy, his brother Bobby Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Thus, this struggle for equal rights resulted in Civil Rights legislation which desegregated the Southern States and gave African Americans the right to vote thereby changing the political landscape of the South. The Civil Rights Movement released the forces of change which culminated in the Women’s Movement, Gay Rights, Animal Rights and Human Rights.

While getting ready to go to work on 9/11, I turned on the television and watched the twin towers of the World Trade Center collapse into a pile of rubble. This was the first time in over 100 years that the United States had been attacked on American soil. The cry for revenge produced the War on Terrorism and this war marked the downfall of the U.S. as the leader of the Free World. This stretch of time gave rise to conservative forces that supported racial profiling, xenophobia, narcissism and Donald Trump.

Now, I bear witness to a global pandemic which is another life changing circumstance that will produce a major shift in how we view ourselves as citizens of an interdependent world.

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Anikó Bognar

The things I am especially grateful right now are that:

I can be a small person with infinite freedom to do good,

I can be a part of life on Earth amongst infinite goodness that I could enjoy and learn from,

I am a mother, a sister, a friend, a therapist, a dancer, and a learner,

I lived my life without war, and

knowing the power of an inner force towards opening up to become a kinder person.

The View



The smell of fresh baked bread:

It’s so wonderful! I received a letter from my grandma yesterday! ...

She said that she discovered when she looks out of her windows on Grand Avenue and she finds herself staring at a rusty but brand new entrance door that her eyes could see much, much more than that. She for example sees the door’s rich brown and calming shades, its windows flickering towards her eyes a beautifully colored, shiny abstract painting. She finds it hard to take her eyes off that moving art. If she holds her gaze there long enough, sitting motionless, just looking at it, the memory of her grandmother’s brick oven emerges. She sees a giant white oven with a wide-open large mouth flaming deep down in the belly of the oven. The side of the oven has a ledge built for pots, baskets or for us, children to sit on, feeling the oven’s womb-like warmth at our backs. She used to just stare at the closed door with her sisters and cousins waiting for her grandmother open it and pull out a fresh baked big round bread carefully emerge on a large, wooden spatula. My grandma still remembers for the texture and flavor of the huge warm slice of bread.

She continued writing about how much she enjoys holding onto this precious memory, still gazing at that entrance door on the opposite side of her street from her window. Then suddenly, she sees something else. My grandma sees with her own eyes that little path she and her sister used to walk up to a nearby little village early mornings before everyone would be up to pick up fresh baguettes, smelling their heavenly aromas, almost tasting them, almost feeling her fingers breaking a piece from them as she held them tight to her chest on their return to the camp in the Pyrenees.

My grandmother thinks that I could be doing the same thing if I wanted to! I have eyes, nose, ears, mouth, and skin and because I have great imagination, she wrote to me. I knew I could do this, silly Grandma. When I am doing my homework I can see all my friends on a special screen in my mind right as I am looking at my math problem. I can feel in my body how good it is to be with them. It happens sometimes though that I lose everything from my sight when a young little boy cries up suddenly, his cry turns into a stubborn scream from the fourth Floor upstairs. I see myself entering into this boy’s home, stopping his dad’s anger with my strict look and smile at the little boy.

I love my Grandma. She is the best. I send her hugs all the time from my heart and she always receives it. She says that she does.

---

Eleanor Cyrus

Things on My mind
Today has been two weeks in my house, since I have been in my apartment obeying the law. And it's still nice to stay home. I had plenty of time to rearrange my house, clean up my apartment. Now that I have accomplished some of those chores I'm concerned about going outside to purchase groceries. I am trying very hard not to panic about going outside and wondering if I would come in contact with people with the virus who don't know they have it. I need a few things from the grocery store. Then I thought perhaps I can do without it, and then I thought if I don't go to the store the risk will be worse, then I'm thinking I should trust God, go and get what I need, take precautions and come right back home. Praying for an answer to all my concerns.

Things that are less or more valuable now than they were two weeks ago because of the cov19
It is part of our everyday life now. I value my friends and my family more so than I did before. I guess I miss doing what I want when I want. I value freedom and as I think about this world in which we live we are experiencing so much. Because of this virus I'm thinking God has a way of making the world sit up and pay attention. If you notice the whole world is affected by the virus.

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C. Imani Parker

THINGS ON MY MIND

The Corona Virus Pandemic is the worst catastrophe I have ever experienced in my life. Yes, the destruction of the WTC was devastating and many lives were lost. However, it did not shut down the entire world. Just a few weeks ago we were going about our business as usual, planning parties, graduations, entering college, weddings, vacations, and other big plans for the future. Then suddenly without a warning, the News broke: “A deadly disease called Corona Virus has struck and many have died from this dreadful disease throughout the world.“ People have been urged to stay home to minimize the spread of the disease. As a result, schools and businesses are closed. Many people are unable to go to work and are suffering financial hardships. All plans have been cancelled or delayed. Stores, restaurants, sports and social events are closed and people are forced to wear masks and can no longer touch or stand close to others. Unfortunately, life as we knew it has changed and no one seems to know when this disaster will end.

In the meantime, this experience has greatly affected my busy routine of romping and running every day, including exercise classes, meetings, shopping, and social & church activities; and most of all, visiting my Mother in the Nursing Home every week. Of course all of these things kept me very busy and were an important part of my life, I am now free to do things that I never took time to do before, like reaching out to friends and acquaintances, offering help and prayers where needed; and learning new technology, Zoom, Face Time and other social media. Most importantly, decluttering and cleaning my apartment. Would you believe, I finally got rid of 2 bags of old magazines and files that I didn’t know I had; and I’m finally resting more and exercising on my own.

Although I don’t believe that the Corona Virus is a blessing, especially since so many have been infected and affected by this disease, but I can now begin to complete some of my long overdue projects, and get my home and my life in order.

THE STORY OF MY SURVIVAL (THINGS I HAVE LIVED THROUGH)

During my lifetime I have lived through many tragedies, but I am happy to say that I survived and I am still here to talk about them. While I will not share all of the adversities which I faced during my lifetime, I will share a few that affected me most.

I grew up during the Jim Crow era, when “negroes” were being lynched, imprisoned, beaten and murdered. I remember going down south as a child seeing signs that read “for colored only,” and being hungry and not allowed to eat in restaurants that were designated for Whites only. Although I didn’t personally experience riding on the back of the bus in the south, the mere fact that the Jim Crow laws were able to exist had a major impact on my life. Thank God for Rosa Parks, a Black Woman, who was hand cuffed and arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man. This was the beginning of a bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama and protests for justice and equality throughout the nation. Thus, the Civil Rights Act was passed and the doors of opportunity were opened. Although there is still hate and bigotry in the world, I was able to take advantage of the available opportunities and yes, I survived.

I also survived domestic violence by my husband who constantly abused me, physically and emotionally. Fortunately, I was able to escape, but I was left to raise my son as a single mother. While it was challenging raising my son alone with very little support from his father, I grew wiser, stronger, and more determined to pursue my goal, not only to become a better parent, but a productive and positive individual as well.

Another situation that had a significant impact on my life was when I survived the first World Trade bombing in 1993. At that time, I worked at 2 World Trade Center on the 57th floor. On that cold, chilling snowy day, I was invited out to a function. I was reluctant to attend, but I later decided that I would go. Before going, however, I stopped at the bank on the ground floor of the building to get some cash. The line was so long that I decided not to wait, but would go when I returned from the event. When I arrived, the hostess asked me to pray, and while I was praying, someone announced that there was an explosion at the World Trade Center. I then called my office but there was no response, so I immediately ran back to the building where firemen, police and ambulances were surrounding the building. I was told that the bomb started in the basement and some people in the basement and ground floor were injured or killed. Thank God, I left the bank when I did, or I would have been one of those victims. I I asked the police if I could get into the building to get my belongings. Of course, they said no. I was devastated because I left most of my belongings in the office. Fortunately, I did have my purse and was able to get home that day.

With all of these adversities and others that I have experienced in my life, I am certain that with faith and good wisdom, I will survive the Corona Virus as well.

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GROUP

Today I take comfort
… in knowing that we are all in this together, we are not alone.
… in having our group together
… knowing my family and friends are all well!
… in knowing that I have met friends in this group
… in remembering this too shall pass, keep the faith!
… in knowing GOD.
… in knowing that when I communicate with God, my prayers are answered; and as always, I will survive.
… in knowing my daughter is getting the best possible treatment and care.

Return

May 7, 2020

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Writers

Anikó Bognar
Joan O’Bryan
Veronica Bullard
Toni Delia
Eleanor Cyrus
Toya
Yvonne Hall
C. Imani Parker

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Anikó Bognar

Describe an object around you and why you hold onto it

I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU WILL GROW TO BE

This is the closing contemplation from my son’s birthday wishes for my 55th birthday that he painted in black and white, colors reversed in mid-sentence, on a broken piece of bronze Wuhan cymbal.

I was surprised that he envisioned my future filled with change, exploration, and adventure. I felt in that moment that he’d expected me to and cheered me for staying on a path of constant expansion, suggesting that growth is a superb gift in our lives. He surprised me with a heart-felt reminder to celebrate the prosperity of life rich in new chances, new risks, new opportunities. His vision for my life profoundly touched me. I felt blessed by his loving words, caring heart, and encouraging messages. I felt so proud of him. I was the happiest mother, feeling so dearly loved, and witnessed as a whole person. This broken cymbal perhaps is a metaphor of my journey ahead, the unforeseen steps I’ll decide to make, completing some with success, others leading to failure, but each one creating a perception of comforting shifts into new places, in a mysterious way always with a sense of a completeness similar to a perfectly round cymbal. Even though, in reality there’s just a part of a cymbal in my bedroom.

I love this object leaning against the pure white wall in my bedroom. It’s been a shrine, a connecting space, an eternal flame warming my heart, a spiritual messenger, a light conversing with the sunlight during daytime and perhaps at night with the moon too for safeguarding my dreams.



After class thoughts:

The word Wuhan did not mean much to me before the pandemic. I did not ever register that this cymbal was made in Wuhan, China until I took these photos this afternoon. The same vision my son had for my future on my birthday couldn’t be true for our collective future post-pandemic times? Loving words, caring heart, and encouraging, down-to-Earth messages couldn’t be the kindest incentives towards new growth with one another?

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Joan O’Bryan

My First Memory of Myself

One of my first memories of myself was being strapped into a harness that was attached to my baby carriage. I was about two years old and my mother had just dressed me and changed my diaper. She had put on my little white shoes and socks in anticipation of taking me out for a stroll. She sat me down in the carriage and gave me my baby bottle making sure my harness was securely fastened inside the carriage. She then returned to the bedroom to finish dressing my sister. My brother who was approximately eight years old, sat at the kitchen table eating his breakfast. After popping his last spoonful of cereal in his mouth, he announced to my mother that he was ready to go outside and play with his friends. My mother told him to play on the sidewalk in front of our stoop so she could see him from the second floor window of our tenement. I stopped drinking my bottle and gave my brother a forlorn look. Instinctively, he understood my request and then volunteered to take me outside until my mother finished her chores.

The two of them took the carriage down the stairs and sat it by the stoop. I was delighted because my brother was singing a song with me while we clapped our hands. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day and since I was wearing a sun bonnet my brother let down the convertible cover on the carriage so I could sit up and enjoy the fresh air. I was so totally absorbed in playing with my brother that I didn’t notice that one of his friends walked up on us, carrying a pink rubber ball. Without the slightest hesitation. my brother left me alone to go throw the little pink ball back and forth with his friend. Well, I tried to stand up because I wanted to play with them; nevertheless, I couldn’t get out the harness. I yelled to get my brother’s attention stretching out my hands. He ran back over to the carriage and sat me down handing me a baby rattle. I took the rattle from him thinking he had come back to play with me. Sadly, I was disappointed when he returned to friends. At that point, I burst into tears. Frustrated with the hollering of his baby sister, my brother ran over to the stoop and called my mother to the second floor window. “Mama, come get this baby, she’s crying!” My mother looked out the window and shook her head. Immediately, she knew what had happened to her babysitter when she saw my brother standing on the stoop with two of his ball playing friends. My mother came downstairs with my sister in tow; she pushed my baby carriage to a nearby park where she sat on a bench under a large shady tree and I fell fast asleep.

What’s On My Mind?

Every evening at seven o’clock, I walk out onto my terrace and shake my colorful rattle to applaud the work of healthcare and other essential workers who have been willing to risk their lives in order to save others during this Pandemic. This is often the highlight of my evening since it gives me the opportunity to participate with other people in expressing our gratitude to this group of dedicated workers who preserve our inherent values regarding the importance of saving human life.

This evening ritual contradicts the belief of others in this country who are advising us that being your ‘brother’s keeper’ has a monetary cost that should be dictated by the needs of our economy. This second group is willing to accept a higher death count in order to obtain economic growth despite historical evidence which demonstrates that the growth or decline of a civilization is conditional during a crisis situation. Thus, we cannot trust our future to the capricious nature of economic forecasting because it will fail us. Our economy will only change as a direct result of the unique quality of our shared human experiences that promote unscripted lessons and timeless values.

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Veronica Bullard

in this era i have improved my tech know-how which is helpful;
shopping for groceries online is great but i prefer brick and mortar experience for food stuff

i truly miss my family and friends; i wonder if i will ever visit Broadway theatre again; or enjoy the streets of NYC again?

the few times i have ventured outside I have been overcome with much anxiety; and fatigue
walking around the block makes me tired; a neighbor said it is the mask and breathing carbon dioxide

what about our homeless population?

when i started working in NYC there was a man living in a cardboard box in front of my workplace

i wonder?

too many people choose to disregard wearing a mask in spite of everything.

there has been so much mis-information;
i am uneasy about a quick fix vaccine
in real time development can take up to 18 months.

i have an old underwood typewriter a gift from my father.
when my guests spot it they run over to press the keys
i ' m thinking of putting it in a glass box so that wont happen
anymore

i dreamed my neighbor’s dead husband walked up to me and started talking the way we used to do. I learned from their son that his mom has the virus

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Toni Delia

Interactions I Miss

The list of interactions that I miss is to be surrounded with my family and friends. We all keep in contact on a daily basis by telephone, email, text, Facebook and on occasion face time. But it's not the same as them physically being there. But I know this is temporary and I thank God that we have all of this social media so that we are not completely alone.

I also miss going out to eat every now and then. But, on a good note, I always cook. I enjoy cooking.

I also miss going to the movies and Broadway shows, and much more!

I remember back in 1973 when I first started working in Manhattan, this was the first time that I ever saw so many homeless people on 44th street and Broadway. The subways had a strong odor of urine.

They were out in all kinds of weather.

I often say that I wish this was just a nightmare and when I woke up there was no coronavirus. It was only a bad dream. But since we have no choice in the matter, we have to quarantine ourselves and just follow all of the procedures to keep ourselves and others safe. But as our Governor said, we have to stay calm and before you know it we will be back to the way we were before this mandated quarantine took place. Also, there is plenty to do at home, cooking, cleaning, communicating by social media, reading, watching movies, watching the news, praying and once a week I go out shopping. I try not to go out too often because of the mandated quarantine and I understand why this is important it is so we can bring down the numbers and hopefully they will have the vaccine for all of us to take.

Many are not listening nor do they want to listen to the proper precautions. They are crazy. I wear a mask and gloves when I go out.

The mask does not bother me. And I am taking this in stride because I know this will be over soon.

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Eleanor Cyrus

My Favorite Chair

I have a favorite chair in my living room. I purchased this chair about 35 years ago from Macy’s warehouse Queens. It was a Dark Blue Leather Chair with an Ottoman. The price of this chair was about $600. it was on sale for about $60-$100. Not really sure about the price. I really like this chair. But it was the wrong color, and it didn’t complement anything in my house. I was in deep thought, this was an excellent deal, a really big deal, from $600 dollars down to about one hundred. This was a big deal. I thought I couldn’t pass this up. I thought, where could I put this chair in my living room. I have all the necessary pieces of furniture in the room: a sofa, two chairs, two end tables and a coffee table. There was no room for another chair and an ottoman in my apartment. I kept thinking and thinking, this is a big deal, this is an excellent buy. Well, I thought long and hard, I can make this work, “I hope.” I purchased the chair.

When the chair did arrive, I looked at the chair and said, by no stretch of the imagination, did this Dark Blue Leather Chair match anything in my living room. Soon after the chair came I moved into a Coop. About a year later, living in the Coop, I decided to have the Dark Blue Leather Chair with the Ottoman reupholstered in fabric; a fabric I thought would blend with the rest of the furniture in the apartment.

This chair was extremely comfortable, I noticed. When I sat in the chair watching television or just relaxing, I soon found myself sleeping. Wow, what is going on here? Many times I didn’t want to go to sleep, but I couldn’t help myself. It soon dawned on me this is the best chair in the house. It was so comfortable and very relaxing. I began to notice if anyone came to visit me and they would sit in the chair instead of the sofa they would fall asleep immediately, without warning. Now everyone that comes to my house knows that if you sit in “that chair” you are bound to go to sleep. And I would avoid “that chair” for fear of falling asleep on my guest.

Sometimes when friends came over and they didn’t know about “that chair” I would suggest they sit in “that chair” and I watch what happened. “That chair” is like a lethal drug. They would fall asleep and wake up abruptly apologizing. I would laugh uncontrollably. I had a secret they were not aware of.

If this chair could talk, it would say, come, sit down, put your feet up, laid-back, close your eyes, allow me to relax you.

Eleanor Cyrus
Secret Drug
5/7/20


“Allow me to relax you.”

List of People I heard from Recently

Because of the Coronavirus pandemic the world has been forced to live a different lifestyle. Many are quarantined to their homes and only leave to purchase groceries or keep medical appointments. People are encouraged to stay home.

Being quarantined in your home, walking from room to room, you soon realize you have a lot of time on your hands. And what to do with all this time? I tried cleaning my apartment, I found treasures, things I had not seen in years. That was a surprise, but I didn’t want to do that again, cleaning that is. I decided I’ll do something I have not done in a very long time, sit down and write a letter to my friends. Most of the time I would call, it’s easier than writing. I’m going to re-invent letter writing.

Well, I started out writing to my friend in Chesapeake, Virginia. I had so much to say, wanted to know what’s been happening with her and her family, as it’s been sometime since we have spoken. As I thought about it the letter would’ve been 4 to 5 pages. I was not sure if I could hold her attention. So I rethought. In order to catch-up with all the news and gossip that I had to share and what I wanted to hear from her, I picked the phone and called her.

It was so good hearing her voice catching up on our families, activities, ”Who is doing what and with whom.” We talked about Covid 19, births, deaths, who graduated, who’s working, who’s married, who separated, divorced, children, grandchildren and Great-grands. I stayed on the phone for almost an hour.

After hanging out with her I decided to call another friend who lives in Richmond, Virginia. We went through the same thing I did with my other friend, catching up on all the family news, and I stayed on the phone with her for about an hour as well.

I didn’t realize until after I had finished talking to both of my friends that I really missed them. I miss attending church together, I miss having lunch after church together, I missed being together at special gatherings we had at the church. When these two ladies decided to move with their families, it was like losing a member of my family.

Eleanor Cyrus
Missing friends
5/7/20

What’s On My Mind

My day started with a telephone call at 8:03 am from Cumberland Hospital in Brooklyn. The person on the other end of the phone call identified herself and told me that the COVID-19 test I took on Tuesday came back negative. Hallelujah, wonderful, wonderful news music to my ears! I was not worried that I have the virus, but looking back on the many things I had done the past weeks had me concerned.

A couple of weeks ago I came in contact with one of my neighbors. She had the virus but did not share that information with me when I visited her home. Although we spoke at a distance in the hallway, I did not go into her apartment, (I had on a mask and gloves) she did not tell me she was infected.

I also went to Costco’s on Senior Day to purchase food. The people were spaced appropriately 6 feet a part. I was still among a lot of people. I had a mask and gloves that day as well.

I wear my mask and gloves wherever I go, whenever I go into the streets, to the laundry room, or to the mailbox in my complex. I try to be as careful as possible. Today the news I received was the best I could have received. It was like receiving the Lottery jackpot.

Eleanor Cyrus
Blessed News
5/7/20

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Toya

List of people I have not heard from:

A few seniors that are known throughout the housing development neighborhood where I live. I take the Coronavirus so so serious and I miss these women. As long as they say stay at home...unless you have to take care of business, running a few errands. That's what I am doing. When the government /state say we can carry on as usual and still social distance, I am doing that.
TOYA😷

A letter to my myself:
Thanking God every day. No more deaths🤔. Today I will try hard to listen very carefully to what someone else has to say "Expression." Respect it👍🏽

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Yvonne Hall

OLD DOG AND NEW TRICKS

There’s an old saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. It’s an expression that generally applies to older people namely, seniors. Well, this old dog, out of necessity because of the coronavirus, is learning new tricks.

Last week I had my first tele-med appointment with one of my doctors. The office called ahead of time and instructed me to log in fifteen minutes ahead of time. I agreed but was nervous and apprehensive that I would not be able to follow these new directions. I don’t do new things well. I told my neighbor that I was going to have a tele-med appointment and that I was very nervous that I wouldn’t understand the instructions. So she said if everything fails you will still be able to talk on the phone. That was so reassuring. I needed to have a back up plan.

So when the day came, I allowed myself the fifteen minutes to connect. It turned out that I needed an app to connect. I installed the app and waited. The phone rang, I answered, but there was no visual. I had done something wrong. My doctor patiently waited while I clicked a few more buttons and voila, I could see and hear her and she could see and hear me. We were on a vertical split screen together. She smiled at my success. We had a very successful consultation and she gave me two big thumbs up for managing this new technology. I was so pleased with myself.

So, today when my writing instructor, Maria, sent instructions for connecting to Zoom I felt competent. I downloaded the app, put in the necessary information, and voila there was my teacher, Maria. I had to go one step further to get in the room with the other four classmates. There we all were in the Zoom Room, smiling and chatting. I have learned that I can be resourceful and adapt to new situations. I like these new challenges.

WHO’S RESPONSIBLE

I am still consumed with gathering information about this coronavirus. How did it start? Who’s responsible? So this week the cry from many for answers led us to the Wuhan lab in China. It is a virology research lab that had received millions of dollars in aid from the United States government to conduct research on viruses.

Some are saying that the Chinese government knew in December 2019, that there was an epidemic in the town of Wuhan but they deliberately delayed telling the world for six weeks. They didn’t inform the World Health Organization and also underreported the number of deaths in their own country. Apparently, they wanted to complete negotiations and sign a Trade Agreement with the United States. They managed to include a clause that both parties agreed to that stipulated that if there was an act of God or a pandemic China did not have to make good on its commitment to buy goods from the United States. Is this criminal behavior?

Our country is facing 30% unemployment, The reopening of the economy will be slow, not swift. All segments of the society are being affected. Today, Neiman Marcus, a high end store, declared bankruptcy, following on the heels of J. Crew yesterday. The government has issued (printed) over four trillion dollars and counting for small businesses, unemployment compensation, and to give every adult $1200.00 and child $500.00. World wide close to four million people have been infected and over two hundred sixty thousand have died. In the United States, over one million have been infected and close to 75,000 died.

Has a crime been committed? Who will pay the United States for the devastating number of deaths and the shut down of our economy? It will take many months for the United States to recover from this huge devastation to life and livelihoods.

Is there someone or some country accountable for errors of commission or omission?

A FINAL THOUGHT

TODAY I FEEL GREAT AFFECTION AND LOVE for my brother Antonio and his wife Mara. They have brought beauty and joy into my bleak world, by announcing that their daughter Jazmine and her husband Julian had a baby girl Jada.

---

C. Imani Parker

A Quarantine Dream

Is this plague really happening or is it a nightmare? Will I awake and say “Thank God, this is only a dream.” However, as I open my eyes I realize that this is real. Punchie, the Governor of 175 (My complex) and his mother and sister are really dead. But how can that be? I just saw Punchie standing in front of the building the other day, greeting everyone when they entered the building, sharing the news of the day. But they said that Punchie definitely passed away. He will no longer greet me as I exit or enter the building. No longer will he share the good and bad news; no more juicy tidbits about my neighbors. In fact, the other night I dreamed that Punchie was standing in front of the building wearing a brown suit and a tie. It was the first time I ever saw him dressed. But when I woke up this morning, I realized it was only a dream.

Then I heard that my other neighbor, Larry had also passed away. I really pray that this is a dream. How can this be real. I just saw Larry the other day. We were walking down the street, both of us were wearing masks, but we recognized each other and started talking at a distance, reminiscing about Punchie, and now he, too, is gone.

I can’t believe that this Pandemic is infecting and affecting my world . . . I pray that this is only a nightmare and we will awaken to a beautiful and safe new world (Maybe I’ll even see Punchie, Larry, Richard, Glenda, Randy and all of my friends and neighbors again).

DESCRIBE ARTICLE(S) I’M HOLDING ONTO



One of the positive aspects of this COVD-19 Lockdown is that it has given me a much needed, long overdue opportunity and lots of time to get rid of the stuff that I have been holding onto for years.

As I continue to declutter my one bedroom apartment, I have discovered so many things about myself that I have completely forgotten.

The other day I found a box of greeting cards from my mother and other loved ones for various occasions. As I perused those cards, I saw the love pouring out from each of them. As I read each one of the cards, I couldn’t seem to get rid of them. As a result, I am still holding onto a box full of memories.

I also discovered a large box of photos from my Sunday School activities when I was a teacher and Superintendent of the Sunday School many decades ago. All of the little Sunday School children in the photos are grown now. Some may be married or unmarried with children of their own. Kayla who always said she wanted to be a doctor, actually fulfilled her childhood dream; and Arthur who aspired to be the President of the U.S., opted for the Marine Corps instead, but who knows, he may still achieve his dream. As I looked at those photos I couldn’t let go. There were photos of Christmas and Easter Plays; trips to the zoo; Sunday School outings; amusement parks; street festivals, Halloween parties, and so many exciting times that I enjoyed as a Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent. I just couldn’t throw those memories away because I truly loved those children as well as the dedicated and loving teachers, most of whom have passed away. Only 4 out of 10 are left and it is so difficult to let them go. So I’m still holding onto the box of photos. I guess I will leave it to someone else to shred and throw away my precious memories of long ago.

---

Group - Final Thoughts

- Toya

Today, I feel Love for
...for my brother Antonio and his wife Mara. They have brought beauty and joy into my bleak world, by announcing that their daughter Jazmine and her husband Julian had a baby girl Jada.
...the brave hospital staff for sacrificing their family to care for others
...the group - may God bless and continue to keep you strong
...for all of you.
...Life.
May GOD bless you and keep you safe.

Return

May 28, 2020

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Writers

Veronica Bullard
Toya
C. Imani Parker
Yvonne Hall
Joan O’Bryan
Toni Delia
Eleanor Cyrus

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Veronica Bullard

amerkka is an idea not a place

*

Today i mourn for Mr Floyd and the family of Ahmaud. Let's pray for a better future!

i did not sleep for 3 days; crying watching, praying finally turning off the television

*

Today I Imagine a world properly aligned with the universe fueled by God- lit love for each other

1%99% is a recipe for despair; I imagine a world where the rich will abandon the decimated earth for new horizons to plunder; leaving

99

*

I find it disturbing that so many parents do not mask their children; lively children running playing in good weather unprotected. A risky act of defiance.
You can't trust the things they say each day they learn something new about the virus. I saw a dog in a mask on Memorial Day

I miss smiling faces! It is a soulful connection to the universe i, we celebrated Eid by playing a family game using FaceTime

*

I looked up to my best friends mom ; single mother; two daughters 2sometimes 3jobs Always making it work and feeding everybody on Thanksgiving too! God bless her; she will be 86 this year.

I remember the songs

Mothers are never gone they live in the heart always

Each memory, every story gives her life

*

dearest brother thank you for taking my daughter for treatment when i could not help

*

i will take my time being social; i fear i forgot my social graces

Things i lost in the fire “good morning,” “hello how are you?” “Good to see you!” “Let's have coffee”

i love the 7pm shout outside

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Toya

This is the NEW NORMAL this is real people IT'S A NEW WORLD 🌎🌏🌍

*

I observe outside is scary: just walking by one another- no greeting one another-
I observe more NYCHA workers cleaning, starting at 6 a.m. appreciated-
No “Good Morning” maybe because of the mask that covers their mouths-
People going about their own business-
I observe Silence outside because of coronavirus
Now the new normal
It's a new world...

*

This memorial day was so different but a blessing spending it with my daughter and her dad, niece n great niece n few friends glad I was able to attend otherwise The whole family would have spent it in Davenport Florida as usual but...God bless America

*

Dear My girlfriend
❤️👍🏽sick after a stroke. I know you can hear me - since 1969 you know me and I hope you recover it's been severals years battling this condition - if you are tired God got you🌹👀

To my teammate
I feel you - I cry every morning for no reason- crying now - let it go "It's crying time again” “cry cry baby” who remembers these songs?

*

SOUND OF CONSTRUCTION: renew, clean, repair making it better from 7a.m. to 3p.m. It's going on
construction workers 1st responders 👏🏽 Appreciated
making it better for the community at the end

*

So I am sitting here with my hat ready to redeem my cash for my bottles
the meeting simply missed my mind -so I sat down with my hat on and ready to write
glad I tune in
beautiful 🤝👏🏽

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C. Imani Parker

Things on My Mind . . . A New Day
By C. Imani Parker

Days, weeks, months are moving so swiftly. It’s Thursday again? It seems that Thursday was just here a day ago. What is happening to the time? I arise at 9:00 am and before I know it it’s 5:00 p.m. The day is almost over and I haven’t accomplished anything that I planned the day before. Yes, I did wash my face, showered, ate breakfast and then talked on the phone . . . I guess that’s why my days go so quickly. I realize how much time I spend visiting my friends and especially my mother on the phone.

Sometimes I get tired of being stuck in the house, so I decide to go out into the sunshine. My building is quiet. No one walking in the hallway; no one riding the elevator. It’s deserted. When I get outside everyone, even little babies are wearing masks these days. When you see someone not wearing a mask, you wonder what’s wrong with them. Isn’t he or she aware that there’s a Pandemic? One day I saw a woman with four little children wearing no masks. I was appalled, but who am I to judge? Perhaps she couldn’t find any masks for herself and her children or maybe she’s crazy or just defiant…Who knows and who am I to judge?

As I continue to stroll down the Street, It’s warm and beautiful outside. I find a place to sit and bask in the sun, watching people strolling by. On their way Targets or Trader Joe’s. There’s no place else to go. All of the stores and restaurants are closed and unfortunately, I can’t sit down at Starbucks today. My mind begins to drift to a new day–After the Pandemic. What will I do? Where will I go? I know life will not be the same. I will not be able to jump up every morning and run to my exercise class at the Senior Center and eat lunch with my crew. Some of them may no longer be there. Will I be able to go dancing every Friday night like I use to, If so, it will be a long time before I can hug my friends and dance again. Church will not be the same. We will not be able to sit closely together nor will we hold hands as we pray.

Yes, I am certain that after the Pandemic, life will not be the same, but I look forward to taking off this mask, putting on my lipstick, getting a new hairstyle, dressing up and looking beautiful again–I am definitely looking forward to an exciting and brand new day.



To the Love of My Life:

It will be four years since you passed away. Although I miss you, I still remember you. I remember the day we met. I was coerced to come to the Jazz Club at the Senior Center Since I was under 60 years young at the time, I wasn’t ready to go to any Senior Center. But after my dear friend kept “bugging” me, I finally consented.

Everyone there seemed to be much older than I. The band was fantastic and I was truly impressed as I watched the old folks swinging to the music. Then I saw you across the room, a tall, handsome, well dressed, distinguished looking man with silver hair. You strolled over to my table and in your soft, melodious voice, you asked me to dance, remember? When we danced, I knew instantly that you were the one. We danced several times. After that night, I was hooked. I then became a bonified Senior, attending the Jazz Club every Friday night.

After a few months of dancing and romancing, we became an item–inseparable. We danced, we talked, we laughed, we travelled, we played, we prayed and we even wrote and recited poetry together. They named us “The Dynamic Duo” and we were. You were truly The Love of my life, my soul mate, my lifetime partner, my friend, my dream come true. Yes, I miss your smile. I miss your touch, but oh what wonderful memories, you left me with so much. I will always treasure the wonderful moments we shared and I am so grateful that God brought you into my life. Physically you’re gone but In my heart you will forever live on.
Forever yours,
Imani

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Yvonne Hall

Going Outside This Week - 5/21

While Governor Cuomo was being lauded for holding news briefings for seventy five days straight, all I could think of was that I had been in my apartment for seventy of those days. This week I had to pick up my medication from Walgreens. I could have had it delivered but, It was a beautiful spring day and the excuse I needed to get out of my apartment.

I decided to take the Myrtle Avenue bus to the pharmacy. While walking to the bus stop I realized I was overdressed. I had on my fall jacket and I saw guys dressed in shorts and flip flops. Oh well, next time I’m let out, I’ll know to leave my jacket at home.

When the bus came there was a big sign on the door that read “FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS ONLY”. I took that to mean essential business as well. Handicapped people boarded in the front of the bus and all others through the middle doors. There were no fees. The ride was free. The front of the bus is sectioned off from the back of the bus with huge thick yellow chains and sheets of clear plastic. The handicapped, the elderly were segregated from the rest of the people. I don’t know who was being protected the handicap or the bus driver. I missed this entire discussion. All I knew was the first time I saw this new configuration, I felt frightened. Today it was familiar, the new normal.

I settled in and looked out the window at the passing sights. I saw a woman walking down the street with a mask on and her arms extended outward. I saw two huge black and white signs “STORE FOR RENT”. All the shops that were open had signs that said “NO MASK”. “NO SERVICE”. I saw lines in front of a few stores and people were obeying the six feet rule. When I got to the pharmacy there was a line outside. Their sign read. “NO MORE THAN TEN PEOPLE INSIDE”. “NO MASK” “NO SERVICE”. They had hired a security guard to control the flow of people. Inside the store in front of the cashier lines were distance circles pasted on the floor-STAND HERE. It was amazing how orderly, how calm, how quiet everyone was. There was total acceptance of the new normal.

MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD

The senseless murder of a black man, George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minnesota is on my mind. I received so many postings on my Facebook page, people sharing their outrage in their own words or posting others’ words. I have four generations of family and friends on Facebook, but this was the first time the consensus was unanimous. One posting stood out among many:

When the Color of Your Skin
Is seen as a Weapon
You will never be seen as Unarmed.
Author Dolores Schilling

It seemed the coronavirus pandemic was claiming the lives of front line workers or essential workers who disproportionately were people of color, blacks and hispanics.

Now that the pandemic has seemingly slowed or moved on, it’s back to business as usual. The senseless murder of unarmed black men, the protests, the riots in the street, the police in riot gear. All tailor made for the evening news.

Will it ever stop? Do we have to keep repeating the same stories. In Georgia, three men attack and shot and kill one unarmed man, Ahmaud Arbery. In Minnesota, four policemen apprehend one unarmed man, George Floyd, handcuff him and eventually murder him. What’s missing? In each case we have a jogger, a check forger and four years ago, Eric Garner, a seller of onesy cigarettes. These are petty crimes. What’s going on? Where are we going?

SOMEONE I LOOKED UP TO

My mother was good at making new friends and keeping her old friends. One friend she never lost touch with was her girlhood best friend, Viddie.

They were both beautiful. There were pictures of them that they took in the Murphy’s photo booth, posing together and alone. Viddie, married and moved to Philadelphia, but they constantly wrote long letters to each other, sharing news about their growing families. Viddie visited Pittsburgh often as her husband still had family there.

I guess I admired Viddie and looked up to her because, after my father died, she always gave my mother wise counsel. “Now Earlene”, she would begin her sentence when she thought my mother was misguided about something. She did it in such a gentle firm way. I guess it is what they call an iron hand in a velvet glove. She could also be very playful. One summer, some of the family went to Asbury Park. My mother and Viddie were like teenagers again, non stop talking and giggling. I remember them wading into the water with their two hands slightly pulling their dresses upward. My mother and Viddie never wore pants. We all had a wonderful time that day. But, what I enjoyed most was watching my mother and Viddie laughing and enjoying themselves.

I think of their friendship often. Both have passed on, Viddie first and then my mother. I will never know what that feeling is like to have someone so close that you trust to share all your highs and lows of life; the births, Viddie had five children, my mother eight, the deaths of children and husbands. The joys and sorrow that living a life brings. But, I do know how much I admired Viddie. She laughed easily, she was wise, she was kind hearted. She loved and cared about my mother all those years. There was true mutual respect and admiration. I guess that’s what makes both of them admirable and special.

---

Joan O’Bryan

Things I Observe When I Go Out

Before I leave my home, I put on a mask and plastic gloves which makes me feel like a visitor in a foreign community. When I walk out my front door, there is usually nobody in the hallway or on the elevator; once I arrive in the lobby, I generally see at least one resident wearing a mask that I don’t recognize. The parking lot is silent and there are no sounds bursting from a nearby playground that appears to be haunted by laughing children. I momentarily stop walking and ask myself where did the people go? Quickly, I remember we are living with the Corona Virus and COVID 19 has sucked the energy out of this community.

Briskly, I walk along Myrtle Avenue seeing faces covered with masks. When I lock my eyes with the somber glance of a passerby, there is usually a sorrowful exchange of empathy. Our community is in mourning and we are passing each other with bowed heads as though we are members of a funeral procession. While walking by a wasteland of empty stores, I shiver at my own recent memory that these were once vibrant businesses with scurrying customers; now, their doors are closed and their lights are out.

I no longer enjoy walking in this community or greeting people on the street. I hurry to get my groceries and drug store items so I can return home to my sanctuary and escape from a community I no longer know.

The Sound of a Train Passing

As an ardent city dweller, I have enjoyed a lifetime of using the rapid transportation system in New York City. When I am on the subway platform, I often look down the darkly lit subway tunnel in anticipation of hearing the deep bellowing sound of the oncoming train. My anxious thoughts are shouting at the train “hurry up, don’t make me late, I need to get there on time!” Although the train cannot reply to my restless request, I usually arrive at my destination in a timely manner. This was how I viewed riding on a train in the subway before COVID19. Now, I truthfully dread the thought of getting on a train loaded with passengers recovering from the battle scars of the Corona Virus. I imagine that each passenger will be trying to change their seat in an effort to avoid being too close to a newly boarded passenger, while at the same time, an overhead loud speaker will be playing a message about practicing social distance. Although everyone will be wearing a mask, you will be able to see the plea in their eyes,” stay six feet away from me”.

During this Pandemic, I don’t think that we will be able to practice social distancing without limiting the number of people who can board the train. Therefore, I wonder how many trains will need to pass me by before I feel that it is safe to ride again.

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Toni Delia

I have been out a few times in the last two weeks and I noticed that basically everyone including myself, just do whatever it is that they have to do and head home. Also, I noticed that more and more restaurants are opening now for either delivery or take-out. Some restaurants have a notice outside their window stipulating that you must call your order in before you come to pick it up. You must wear a mask and gloves or you cannot enter. Also, when I was walking down the avenue the other day, one of the restaurants had a barbecue grill on the outside of their restaurant, which I think is a great idea. This way you do not have to go inside of the restaurant to place your take out order and you can stand 6 feet away from the cook and enjoy the nice fresh air at the same time.

*

The things I would do on the first day after the pandemic would be to sing the song "Happy Days Are Here Again" and then I would make arrangements with all of my family and friends to meet and have a nice dinner and great conversation in person, plus the hugging and kissing everyone that I am unable to do!

The way I spent Memorial Day this year was very quiet and peaceful. I miss watching the Memorial Day parade on T.V. Due to the pandemic and most of all, I usually get together with my childhood friends in their backyard and they have a barbecue. We always have a great time. After we eat, we play cards, either bid wisk or spades and then we play Dominos. Plus you are enjoying the great outdoors, soaking up the sun. But hopefully by next year we will be enjoying the Memorial Day holiday just like we used to, if all goes well and this pandemic is over!

*

The longest time I have gone without sleep was basically one entire night which was when my mom was in LI College Hospital. I always slept over while my mom was in the hospital. Sometimes I would get lucky and sanitize a recliner, but most of the time I slept on two chairs next to my mom and then I would shower at the hospital and go to work and at night go back to the hospital to sleep next to my mom. But this one night, my mom was awake the whole night and I would talk to my mom and assist my mom with whatever she needed. This happened right before my mom passed away. When I left for work my mom was sleeping. I then showered and I went to work only to get a phone call from my dad that my mom was not responding. So I immediately jumped into a cab from the city and went to the hospital and a few hours later my mom passed away.

The sound of construction is ongoing for almost a year from the house next door to me. They gutted out the six family apartments and it felt and sounded like I was going to have the construction crew fall into my apartment. All I heard was loud drilling, hammering and on one occasion, I went over to the house next door to find out what was going on. Because they were drilling in one area for almost an hour. Once I went in they showed me they were pointing between the bricks. I guessed they were going to leave that part of the wall exposed with just the brick exposed. But all of the apartments are down to the brick as well as the floor boards. I was trying to listen to my T.V. And I was being drowned out by all of that noise. But when the pandemic started the crew was away for a few months and now they are back. But so far, they are working quieter.

*

I remember as a little girl we used to have the Myrtle Avenue Elevator Train on the Avenue and on a quiet day you were able to hear the train coming in and departing from the station. I used to love that sound.

*

I love the smell of rain when it touches the grass. It has a sweet, pleasant smell, and you hear the pitter patter of the rain hitting the sidewalk. But it also makes the neighborhood very quiet because some people tend not to go out in the rain. As for myself, I go out in all kinds of weather, nothing stops me!

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Eleanor Cyrus

Things I Observed Outside

The Corona virus pandemic has caused the world to be on alert for everything. People must wear a facemask to protect any person you come in contact with. It's suggested people stand six feet away from each other. It is also suggested that people wear gloves. It is also suggested that people wash down with disinfectant packages received from the post office, UPS, Fed Ex and groceries. The authorities suggest that you wash your hands and wipe off the bottom of your shoes.

The authorities are asking people to stay at home, quarantine yourself. Only go out to get groceries or essential items. The time I was outside I noticed a stillness in the air. I noticed there were not that many people in the streets. This street (Myrtle Ave) always had a lot of people hustling and bustling about because there are so many businesses on the block. Now only one or two people on the street, going to only a few stores. Most of the stores on the block are closed, the barbershop, Brownstone Spar, Pizza shop, Deli restaurant, bike shop and Key Food.

It looks like a ghost town. People even look strange, they look lost, and scared. There are very few cars driving through the streets. What appears to be constant is the fire engines, travelling fast either going to a fire or going to the aid of a sick person with Corona. This is a strange town to be in at this time.

Ghost Town
Eleanor Cyrus
5/28/20

Things I Would Do On the First Day After the Pandemic

Things I would do the first day after the pandemic is to attend my church, hopefully the doors of the church would be opened.

I love church, it would do my heart good just to be able to praise and pray in the House of the Lord. I pray every day in my home and during my quiet time.

I want fellowship with other worshipers. I want to sign to our Deaf worshipers. I want to sing with or without the choir.

Praising Freedom
Eleanor Cyrus
5/28/20
A Face Lift for my Dining Room

I purchased a light switch dimmer for my dining room. I tried to install it myself. I turned off the electricity from the fuse box in the hallway. I do not have a circuit breaker which would have made it easier to turn off the electricity . In the fuse box were 8 fuses and I had to locate the one fuse that would cut off the lights in the dining room as they were not labeled, so each one had to be tested.

I opened the electrical switch box where the dinner was housed in the dining room. I noticed inside the switch box there were 2 wires, the new dimmer has 3 wires. I looked at the new dimmer and had no clue as to what to do as there were only two wires to be connected.

I decided to stop trying to put this dimmer together. It was getting dark, I thought it was best to put the old dimmer back together. If I continue to try I would be completely in the dark and not knowing where to put the fuse back. I did not have a flashlight and I did not want to be electrocuted. I had to put things back together in a hurry and call an electrician.

Eleanor Cyrus
5/28/20

Things I Now Purchased

Being quarantined in my apartment and enjoying my living space I took a close look around at my apartment and realized that there are a few things that needed to be changed living in a two (2) bedroom apartment.

One of my bedrooms is occupied by my two children. I noticed the bedroom floor had not been upgraded in many years. The floor is covered with linoleum tile. The floor has stood the test of time, the floor does not look good, plus it's so outdated and lacks style. I only recognized this since I have been quarantined. So I decided to look at wood and laminated floors. Trying to decide what I wanted, I looked at wood floors, the price ranged from expensive to very very expensive. I have champagne taste but I have beer money. So what I liked I could not afford. I traveled to the aisle that displayed laminated tiles of all colors and styles. The price of the tiles ranged from $50-70 a box to $11-17 a box. I needed seven (7) boxes, according to the employee that was helping me, the price varied.

I decided to purchase a laminated floor, now I had to decide on what style, color and price. The quality is important so I had to make a decision on what I had to choose from. My master bedroom I put down Prego laminate on the floor. I really wanted Prego ($50-70) for this room. It was expensive at the time many years ago. The price now has doubled. They had many styles and colors displayed. I saw several colors I wanted to consider. The more I looked the more I was beginning to consider this $400. Prego price. I had to rethink my situation. I had to consider the lower price and another brand. I decided on a nice style and a good color that would complement the rest of the furniture in the room.

The price was what my stimulus check could afford. Thank God for the stimulus check.

Stimulus Check
Eleanor Cyrus
5/28/20

Today’s Reflections

George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis Minnesota on May 25, 2020 by four police officers Derek Chauvin 44, Tou Thao 37, Thomas Lane 37, J Alexander Kueng 26.

Chauvin kept his knee on the neck of George Floyd handcuffed on the ground for 8 minutes and 45 seconds. Three minutes after he had lost consciousness. The other three men assisted in keeping this man down on the ground. A Deli worker called 911, accusing him of buying cigarettes with a $20 dollar counterfeit bill. The police came and arrested him without incident. Then they took the situation to a whole different level, put Mr. Floyd down on the ground and Chauvin put his knee on his neck and another officer pressed on his back and he lay on the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back, crying I CANT BREATHE. A seventeen year old female witness this and recorded it so the world could see. Had she not done this, the police officers would not be charged with any wrongdoing. The police report stated he resisted arrest. I wonder how that deli worker feels about what happen to Mr. Floyd.

Riots broke out in all 50 states protesting the killing of George Floyd, 13 countries joined the protest, Britain, Germany, France, Mexico, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Syria, Brazil, New Zealand, Canada, Poland, Australia.

I always said the Lord has a Master Plan with Trump. Was this the master plan? George Floyd lost his life for the world to see, being killed by the hands of racist cops. It opened eyes and created global protesting to let the world know Black People are tired of Police Brutality and inequality.

NASA Space X launched a rocket to the International Space Station on May30, 2020 in Orbit. A historical launch. It cost $81 million per seat. Astronauts Robert L. Behnken and Douglas O. Hurley. Can you imagine how many American people could be fed with $162 million dollars. We are living in this pandemic, coronavirus, 40 million people unemployed and hungry as they do not have money for food.

President Trump: Peaceful protesters were dispersed with tear gas because he wanted to have a photo-op. Trump posed holding a Bible in front of Episcopal Church for a photo-op he did not mention George Floyd. Trump did not pray, he doesn’t attend the church. Bishop Mariann Budd, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington. “He did not mention the agony of people who have been subjected to this kind of horrific expression of racism and white supremacy of hundreds of years. The people who gathered outside the White House to protest police brutality spent Monday waving signs and screaming for justice. They watched as police officers and National Guard units flooded Lafayette Square, delivering on a threat made by President Trump and just before the City’s 7 pm Curfew went into effect they were hit with flash-bang explosions and doused with tear gas. It was because the president who spent part of the weekend in a secure bunker” NY Times.

President Trump's reaction to the killing of George Floyd created a worse situation by sending police on horseback and firing tear gas into a peaceful demonstration. President Trump never addressed the killing, never spoke his name, never addressed police action. What he did do was to try to be a dictator.

Corona Virus, Over 100,000 people have died from this virus. The President of these United States refuses to give us the resources needed to help, we need testing equipment, and we need PPE.

The President was very slow (about two months) recognizing this virus when it came to the US and he was warned. Had he acted sooner, thousands of lives could have been saved.

President Trump is the most racist President in the history of the United States. He lies about everything and everybody and the Republicans will not take action to remove him from Office.

Thousands of people protested all over the world, a lot of them with masks, will this ignite the Corona Virus again?

The election is coming! I am looking forward to Donald J. Trump going to jail for tax evasion, sex abuse and so many other charges they could accusing him of doing.

Eleanor Cyrus
5/28/2020

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Group

Today I Imagine

- a world properly aligned with the universe fueled by God- lit love for each other
- all was well and everyone who is opening up their businesses are doing so with the pandemic gone and out of our lives.
- a world without COVID19
- my girlfriend’s daughter calls me to say, "MY MOTHER IS COMING HOME AND SHE CAN WALK AND TALK then my sister's father-In-law can be reborn but 🎼ITS JUST MY IMAGINATION🎼 - that Trump be put out of office immediately. - being with my family again. Enjoying one another’s company, laughing and hugging one another.

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Cover image by George Floyd rally in Grand Army Plaza by Wikimedia author Rhododentrites

Return

June 4–16, 2020

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Writers

Joan O’Bryan
Veronica Bullard
Yvonne Hall
Toya

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Joan O’Bryan - 6/10

Unmasked

The events surrounding George Floyd’s death, the Protests and the Pandemic have led me to think about a poem that was written in 1895 by Paul Lawrence Dunbar called, We Wear the Mask. Following the Civil War and a period of Reconstruction, African Americans males were routinely lynched, forced to work on chain gangs and they lived and worked throughout the South in an agrarian form of servitude called sharechropping. Under the Sharechropping system, the landowner permits a resident farm worker and his family to farm on a parcel of his land and the landowner keeps most of the harvested crop. If you were able to escape from the South, you tried to work your way to the North or far West where you could find a job and earn a living wage doing some type of menial labor.

In the poem, the poet describes wearing a mask in order to cover up the pain that can be caused by racism, oppression and inequality. The poet implies that all of us hide behind the mask; some of us choose to hide from the pain we are now feeling while others choose to hide from a pain whose existence they fail to acknowledge. In the past, I thought that this poet was speaking solely to an African American experience; nevertheless, great art like great poetry speaks to a Universal “Soul”. George Floyd’s tragic death is a prime example of our public lynching history and the ongoing legal execution of Black men and women in this country. Without hesitation, the Black Lives Matter movement seized this opportunity to galvanize people from all ethnic groups to protest against this type of systemic racism and promote the fight for social justice reform.

Thus, in the middle of this COVID19 Pandemic where we continue to wear masks and other protective gear, we cannot shield ourselves from attacks by institutionalized racism which is an inherent part of our national character. We are forced to unmask ourselves to a virus in order to change our culture so future generations can breathe.

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Veronica Bullard - 6/4

brooklyn honors George Floyd; fallen soldier



know justice know peace

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Yvonne Hall - 6/16

Black Lives Matter

Day ninety-five of the Coronavirus lockdown in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, New York and the sirens I hear are not those of EMS ambulances taking sick people with Covid-19 to the hospital or the dead from Covid-19 to the morgue. They are the police sirens calling for order. Riots had erupted a block from my complex. Residents were notified that the gates were being locked and stay inside. The police sirens were loud and urgent and went on for almost two and half hours. My mind went back to 1968 when Martin Luther King was murdered and Pittsburgh rioted, as did many other cities. In the morning I found out that a protest that had started peacefully had turned violent. Violent protestors had charged the Clinton Hill, 88th Police Precinct Station. Several hundred police officers were rushed to the 88th precinct where protestors tagged police cars with profane graffiti, set police vehicles on fire and some of the group tried to rush the police precinct doors. Several officers were hurt and at least 200 arrests were made.

My mind went to eight months ago, in November 2019, when the 88th Precinct hosted a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner for Seniors at a local church. The police officers cooked, served the food buffet style, had a DJ and line danced with the seniors. It was a real party. I enjoyed myself immensely. I’m glad the protesters did not destroy the 88th Precinct.

On May 25, 2020, a 46 year old black man, George Floyd, was murdered in Minneapolis, Minnesota for allegedly passing a counterfeit twenty dollar bill. A white police officer held his knee to his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. I could only watch for less than a minute. The world got to see this murder thanks to a seventeen year old girl, Darnella Frazier, who stood five feet away and recorded the entire event. She has since been traumatized by online hateful accusations for her recording the event.

When the Police Chief fired all four police officers and the mayor of Minneapolis denounced the police officers actions, the cries from the citizens called for their arrest. Soon the cries started coming from different cities as well. “NO JUSTICE NO PEACE” were the shouts from the protestors. Talk shows had engaged experienced expert prosecutors to explain that making charges would take time and were urging caution, take it slow. It might look like a slam dunk but it might not be they said. People gathering in the streets did not want to hear history and legal analysis. They had just seen a man murdered before their very eyes. Someone had to be arrested and charged. “NO JUSTICE NO PEACE.”

The number of cities protesting got larger and the crowds kept swelling. Something was different. The confluence of events, the Covid19 pandemic, the lockdown, people not working, and the television showing the murder of a man, seemed to create a spiritual moral awakening of all Americans. The same rage, that united the country in 1962 when the television cameras showed Bull Connor in Birmingham, Alabama using fire hoses and police attack dogs on the civil rights demonstrators, appeared to be reborn. The outrage was there, but it was different. I kept watching and looking at the crowds. They were younger more diverse. In some cities the blacks were in the minority. There were more whites, Asians, and Latinos calling “NO JUSTICE NO PEACE.” The protestors wanted those officers arrested and were not going to stop protesting until they were arrested. There were families, everyone seemed young, earnest and full of energy.

The dead man, George Floyd, had become the symbol for all that was racially wrong in this country. The protestors added the names of two recently murdered, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor to their chants. The people sworn to protect and serve were not protecting, they were killing. All the television networks had reporters on the streets, querying people as to why they were protesting. I kept looking for their leader, their spokesperson. Who’s in Charge? What’s the platform? None of my answers were coming. I heard from one eloquent young person after another. My heart became full, I cried. Who are these young passionate people who spoke with power - we are not taking NO for an answer. They had decided that they wanted to live in a better society. One without constant fear and apprehension. Whites, Asians, and Latinos agreed and protested alongside.

The rage had turned to all police. “NO JUSTICE NO PEACE” to some meant rioting, looting, stealing. Martin Luther King said a riot is the language of the unheard. Two days later the Third Precinct in Minneapolis Minnesota was abandoned and burned to the ground. One of my Facebook friends suggested that someone should have spray painted the looters.

I kept thinking about the protest I had been involved in the 60’s fighting for jobs, for equality in the trade unions, and for fair housing. The crowds were predominantly black people of all ages. These protestors are multiracial and multigenerational. We had a leader, one message. All the protests were in keeping with Martin Luther King’s principle of non violence, patterned after Mahatma Gandhi.

Meanwhile, I am still looking for a leader to emerge. George’s brother Terrance arrived in Minneapolis on June 2nd, at the site where his brother was murdered. After kneeling, crying, and praying he stood up tall and spoke passionately to the crowd that had gathered. He said, “My brother was a man of peace. He wouldn’t want all this violence. That’s not going to bring my brother back.” He spoke with such poetry that the crowd listened and obeyed. They wanted to honor his brother’s memory.

The next morning there were two young people on one of the morning shows, talking about Federal Police Reform that they had been working on for the last few years. They had uniform recommendations for the 18,000 police departments. At last a platform-Federal Police Reform.

I later learned that there is not one leader, one voice, one platform. The organization, Black Lives Matter is the main group driving the protests. They had formed in 2013 after Trayvon Martin’s murderer was acquitted. It is a member led global network with more than forty chapters. Their goal is to support the development of new Black Leaders, as well as create a network where black people feel empowered to determine their destiny in their community. So many voices, addressing the systemic racism in our society. George Floyd and his family had become a symbol for addressing racial disparity in our society. The fact that the peaceful protestors had not allowed the anarchist to high jack their movement speaks volumes for these young focused people. It’s a new day. Their truth, their passion caught fire across the pond. I saw one One Parisian woman on television holding a sign that said, “America stop killing Black People.”

They had the final funeral for George Floyd in Houston, Texas and befittingly, Sam Cooks’s song written in 1964 was sung A Change is Gonna Come.
Lyrics: I was born by the river in a little tent,
Oh just like a river, I've been running ever since
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change's gonna come, oh, yes, it will…

Yes, indeed. I am seeing it with my very eyes. Not just here but the whole world wants this change. It has become a global movement. What do they want. An end to systemic racism in the country. One mother said she doesn’t want to have “the talk” with her son. She wants to fight now so she won’t have to fight later.

Everyday, something new unfolds. Statues that had been erected to Confederate Leaders were being taken down. Those objecting, saying they are part of our history, were told that there are no statutes of Hitler and his generals in all of Germany. Statues of men involved in the Slave Trade here and in Europe were coming down. Nascar has prohibited the display of the Confederate flag at their events. State Governors and Congress were preparing Police Reform Legislation to include banning chock holds; having a national police registry to prevent fired officers going from one jurisdiction to another; mandatory body camera for all police officers; and the elimination of the no knock law in honor of Breonna Taylor.

Leadership is in so many of the voices. This is a new wave of change. The world is looking at the Shining City on the Hill that has been slowly and quietly transforming itself; waiting for the right catalyst to appear. These young adults are being heard, speaking truth to power. They want a different future than their parents had. They are Eagles who have spread their wings. Whites, Latinos, and Asians are soaring in the sky with them, circling the globe with their new message. I’m crying tears of joy and praying that this beautiful movement will not be hijacked by the anarchist and radical groups that do not support their vision for racial justice and true equality.

I believe Martin Luther King is smiling down on us. Pleased with all that he is seeing and all the eloquence he is hearing. It is not black versus white, it’s everybody versus racism.

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Toya - 6/5

Peaceful God Bless 🙏🏾 George Floyd

Return

June 18, 2020

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Writers

Yvonne Hall
Toya
Joan O’Bryan
Veronica Bullard
Eleanor Cyrus
Toni Delia
Anikó Bognar

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Yvonne Hall

JUNETEENTH

This morning I received an alert from my bank announcing they would be closing at noon in observance of Juneteenth. I had never heard of Juneteenth until seven years ago when my niece, Margo excitedly came to tell me that we would be having a Juneteenth celebration in Pittsburgh. Her beau is head of Stop the Violence in Pittsburgh, and along with other Community Difference Makers the City Council had a Proclamation ceremony stating the event would take place downtown at the Point State Park. This is where all major outdoor events take place and it’s where the Allegheny and the Monongahelia Rivers come together to form the Ohio River.

So I knew this was an important event. She was so excited telling me about their plans and when I told her that I had never heard of Juneteenth, she couldn’t understand it. How could I not know that date was established to recognize the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. It was a soul searching moment for me. No I had never heard of it in school, in church, at the YWCA, in Girl Scouts. I even checked with my friends and family. I couldn’t understand how this was possible. I had been taught the Emancipation Proclamation was the day the slaves had been set free.

She was truly disappointed that I didn’t know that the slaves were not truly freed until two years later in Texas on June 19th. Oh well, I thought, this is something new for young people. I was truly sorry that I had disappointed her.

They had planned a big event with a parade, speakers, musical entertainers, historians, and dance contests. Her beau and another group insisted that this should be a state holiday and kept petitioning the Governor of Pennsylvania. Last year in 2019, Governor Tom Wolf signed a law making Juneteenth an official state Holiday. Their event blew up tenfold. My niece and her Aunt Janice had a booth, selling her Grandma Iona Maes Baked Goods. They sold out of everything, pound cakes, sweet potato pies, and all kinds of cookies: sugar, chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, and ginger snaps. In six short years it had become a must attend event in Pittsburgh.

This year, everything changed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. They had a Virtual Walking Tour through Pittsburgh highlighting the site of the Underground Railroad. It was an all star historical team with black educators from the University of Pittsburgh, business men and activists. It was all live streamed on Facebook with thousands of people watching.

And now, today, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order making Juneteenth an official New York state holiday.

AMERICA STOP KILLING BLACK PEOPLE

One thing about protests that I can enjoy now that I am unable to march and participate, is reading the signs the protestors carry. Some are representative of the group they are affiliated with like: Black Lives Matter, or Say Her Name. Some represent a message of action needed to be taken: No Justice, No Peace. Others are very personal like the mother walking with her six year old girl that held a sign saying, ”My Life Matters.” Then there was the the 12 year old boy with his sign that said. “I Don’t Want to Die.” There are so many others like: “I’m A Masterpiece,” “Respect Human Rights,” “’Silence is Violence,” “I Can’t Breathe,”. “We Are Not Okay,” “Silence is not an Option,” and “We are all Human.” Individually, the one that stood out the most for me was a Parisian women carrying a sign that said, “America, Stop Killing Black People.” I guess it was most memorable because she got it half way around the world.

But, collectively I thought all the signs were moving and effective. They were diverse and important. There were many signs with someone’s name, like: George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Antwon Rose, Jr., Freddie Gray, Walter Scott, Laguan McDonald, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Oscar Grant, Sam Bell, Abner Lourna, Malice Green, and Rodney King.

Whenever they showed the protestors in New York City I looked for the name Michael Stewart. He is the son of my fellow writing classmate, Carrie Stewart*. His death was in 1983, thirty seven years ago. I think of his mother, Carrie Stewart and say a pray for her knowing how she must be reliving her pain. She is very much a part of this movement, mother’s who have lost their son at the hands of the police. I pray that she stays strong as she has through all the years.

I pray that meaningful national Police Reforms are passed so that George Floyd’s death will not have been in vain, and that all the protester’s time and effort produce a better society.

I reached out to Carrie for her permission to include the above paragraph about Michael. Her response was so poignant and eloquent I feel compelled to share it with the reader:

“I have lived through it but it has not been easy.
The autopsy was similar when Dr. Baden used the
same words as in Michael’s report. I couldn’t help
but break to pieces. If we had cameras and smart
phones back then, the cover-up would not have been
possible. Truth crushed to the ground always rises!
STAY SAFE. GOD BLESS YOU.”

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Toya

Trying to have patience with my landlord
Have to surrender my keys to a new apartment building during pandemic coronavirus
No Stress but just no support but
I will survive.
That's what's on my mind until I get into my new apartment
*
Oh the sound of firework
it's so loud but looking at it
soo beautiful
bright and awaking

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Joan O’Bryan

THE ANTS AND A FLY

This week I went outside to enjoy the warmth of the Sun on a beautiful Springtime day. I purchased a cup of coffee from a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts and sat down on a park bench chair with one of those attached stone tables. While sipping my coffee, I felt an awesome appreciation of the beauty of Nature. The trees were in full blossom and the birds were hopping and chirping as they dug for worms under some bushes. When I glanced down at the sidewalk under my table, I noticed a colony of ants seeking refuge under the pedestal of another chair. Although they were a minute size, it did not stop them from carrying out their immediate task. The ants were carrying food to their new home. They moved in unison at a moderate pace seemingly supporting one another as they carried what appeared to be a red crumb that might have come from Red Velvet Cake.

There were several ants in front of the group who appeared to be scouts. They were exploring the territory around the pedestal and I saw one of them climb up on the seat to do a more thorough investigation of the area. A few of the ants in the rear of the group appeared to be moving in a strange manner. Momentarily, they would move in the opposite direction and then turn around and join the group. It was then that I noticed that this small rear group of ants was turning around to do a face to face with a very large fly. The fly was perched on a small rock and he appeared to be looking at the ant colony and their morsel of food with great envy; nevertheless, he didn’t have the courage to mount an attack against the colony of ants. The rear guard of ants was keeping the fly at a distance while seemingly taunting him with their daring moves. Despite his huge size, the fly didn’t budge from his spot because he knew that there were enough ants in this colony to bring him down if he mounted an attack against them. What I most admired about the ants is that they remained focused on their quest to find food, shelter and safety for their community and would not let themselves become distracted by the presence of the fly. Whereas, the fly’s greed and fear of loss in his status made him immobile while the ants were able to forge ahead refusing to let the threat posed by the fly deter them from their goal of creating a safe space for the future.

As I was leaving the playground area, I smiled at this “Life Lesson” produced by Mother Nature and taught by the Ants and a Fly!

THE SMELL OF THE OCEAN

The smell of the ocean makes me think of warm summer days and the feeling of sand between my toes
The smell of the ocean wakes up the memory of the clear blue waters of the Caribbean and the cold rush of the foaming white waves crashing against the New England Coastline
The smell of the ocean compels me to remember the ancient fishing vessel sailing on the Nile River beside the cruise ship that couldn’t dock in the harbor
The smell of the ocean makes me dream of traveling to faraway places.
The smell of the ocean beckons me into the deep waters to unpack the contents of my memories before they are swept into the sea.
The smell of the ocean engulfs my body forcing me to accept the taste of the salty waters that can cleanse my fears
The smell of the ocean is a mysterious and intoxicating aroma calling me home to my soul!

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Veronica Bullard

June always makes me think of the end of school
as a child it seemed to never end
those last weeks just dragged on as if to punish me personally;

I watched a movie called Nightingale, British cruelty to Irish and Aboriginal people; and a special on Black Panther Party; also watched series about Jeffrey Epstein and read Vanity Fair about Harvey Weinstein.

a fresh new place to live
wish I could move; my former neighbor whom i loved dearly passed away and i would love ❤️ to move away

i was really moved by a young woman with the poster know justice know peace;
i hope for a brighter tomorrow! i think of the thousands of people who journeyed here in search of a better life for their children. This is still a land of hope; i
must quote dear Oscar Wilde to say every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. We can move forward only with Indian land acceptance.
We must atone the suffering of ancestors for the children and seed native land to root love-and-acceptance again.
We can only move forward with love and acceptance in our hearts.

Wow
Juneteenth is an interesting holiday
for two whole years a people did not know they were free citizens by law
i did not learn about Juneteenth until i went south
Soon we can celebrate with a National holiday
that will be special
Every step is a preparation for healing the wounds

i am shocked how angry the police are
the justice system failed them too; when bad cops go free good cops must fear for their Lives! No one is above the law; justice is blind not blinded ; interesting enough: victory is winged yet justice is blind.
Perhaps justice needs wings as well.

the great Oscar Wilde once wrote even when you are flying in the gutter you can still look up and see the stars. I am hopeful and looking for the stars

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Eleanor Cyrus

WHAT’S ON MY MIND

I attended George Floyd’s funeral on June 9, 2020 in Houston Texas via TV. It started about 12:15pm, Rev. Al Sharpton, officiated. This funeral was televised and viewed all over the world.

Mr. George Floyd was killed by police officer Derek Chauvin by keeping his knee on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds on May 25, 2020. Three other officers helped to keep this man down on the ground, as he was crying out he couldn’t breath, and he called for his mother.

Mr. Floyd’s crime, according to the store worker who called the police, Mr. Floyd had given him a counterfeit twenty dollar bill to purchase something in the store. The store worker called the police.

Mr. Floyd was very cooperative when the police arrived, he complied to the officers request, yet the situation escalated to the officers handcuffing him and throwing him to the ground. Officer Chauvin placed his knee on his neck until his breath left his body. The officer appeared to be enjoying seeing this man slowly die. He, the officer had his hand in his pocket looking satisfied, this picture clearly seen from a 17 year old young lady as she tape this on her phone. What I learn, this officer knew Mr. Floyd as they had worked together.

How can one hate a person so much to do this? A senseless killing, witnessed by the entire world, little did he know. Thank God this 17- year old female videotaped this action on her cell phone, where the world could see. If she had not taped this that police officer would have gotten away with murder, as so many police officer had in the past.

Racism in this country is systemic.

Nathan Rutstein said, “Prejudice is an emotional commitment to ignorance.” How true is that.

13 countries and 50 states protested in the streets “Black Lives Matter.”

Mr. George Floyd’s six year old daughter said, “He might change the world,” referring to her father. Mr. Floyd’s niece said at the funeral, “The man in the White House often said ‘Make America Great Again.’” She said, “‘When was America Great’ Black people has been in America since 1619, we came as slaves.”

**************************************************
Eleanor Cyrus
June 18, 2020

ICE CREAM

I love ice cream, especially Breyers Vanilla. When this ice cream is on sale I would buy 4 to 6 gallons at a time.

Bryers vanilla has a specific taste, you can taste the vanilla bean. I would prepare a large bowl full and put a spoonful of ice cream in my mouth and slowly embrace the taste.

Many times I would call my neighbor Al Grant who lived on the 9th floor of our complex to visit and join me in having ice cream. Al loved Bryers ice cream as much as I did.

When I served Al his large bowl of ice cream to accompany my large bowl of ice cream, he took a spoonful of ice cream and slowly placed it in his mouth holding it so the flavor would last longer on his taste buds. Al and I would not speak just smile at each other. It was so orally satisfying.

Recently, I noticed every time I would have my bowl of ice cream, soon after, my stomach would start acting up. After a few times this happened, I visited the doctor's office and tried to find out what was wrong with me. My doctor informed me that I might be lactose intolerant. I’ve been drinking milk all my life and love it. Lactose intolerance is for kids, I thought.

The doctor suggested a few things I should stop doing, stop drinking milk, and milk products; against my better wishes I will obey. Surprise, surprise my stomach stopped bubbling and those sudden urges stopped.

I thought I was going into shock. I can’t eat Bryers ice cream anymore. This is the only vice I have. Why am I being punished this way “WHY.” Looking for a ray of hope, I found Lactaid ice cream. I tried it, it was ok. Not like Bryers. This is what I have to settle with. Most of the time I can’t find Lactaid ice cream in the grocery store.

This has created a problem for my oral stimulation.

Eleanor Cyrus
June 18, 2020

THE MANY THINGS I THINK OF IN JUNE

June is a wonderful month, beginning of summer. It's time to take off all those heavy clothes. Getting ready for warmer weather is a good feeling. I love summer time. I do not get upset when the temperature rises to 90 degrees or above. I have been in Las Vegas when the temperature rose to 105 degree and that HOT. I drink a lot of water and enjoy just being outside and doing stuff.

In June it is the time when a lot of people plan June weddings. It's nice to see people pledging their life together. After a few years together some of them are separated, pledging their life without each other. I did a little research. January appears to the most popular month for divorce. As for myself I was only married 17 months and 17 days. I had it down to minutes but I forgot. I don’t regret a day, happy as can be.

June is the month for graduations. Graduating from kindergarten (that’s a big deal), promoted to the 5th grade, promoted to the 9th grade then graduating from the 12th grade, graduating with a Master degree, graduating with a Doctorate. Wow, that a lot of graduations, it’s a wonderful feeling with all the accomplishments regardless of the level or age.

June is for lovers, if you have someone to love. If you don’t, keep loving yourself.

It's all good.

Eleanor Cyrus
June 22, 2020

VOTING

This morning I started my day with a prayer thanking God for allowing me to experience another day of his miracles, fresh air, the sun, breathing on my own, have a sound mind and a reasonable portion of good health with all my five senses intact.

As I was waiting for my contractor to tell me when he was going to start putting down tiles on my kitchen floor, he had scheduled to come between 8:30 to 9 am, he arrived at 11 am.

Early voting was June 18th. I decided to vote early because I didn’t want to be on a long line waiting today, June 23 (the scheduled Primary Day). Corona virus has caused the City to shut down. Everyone was asked to stay in their homes to keep from getting the virus. So to come out during this pandemic, people have to be six feet away from each other, practicing social distancing, that creates long lines.

Had I not decided to vote early I would be going out today to vote. Because I was waiting for my contractor to come to my house, I would have been extremely angry because I could not go out to vote early this morning waiting on him.

The contractor came to my house at 11 am and he didn’t start work until 12 noon. Half the day wasted. I am so glad I started my day with a prayer, I am sure my attitude would have been different had I not. God is so good.

This is terrible times we are living in, the President of the United States leading the parade of racism, ignoring the importance of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, causing millions of people to die, Black people being killed because they are Black, racial prejudice running rampant, unemployment due to the virus, and long lines on food pantries because people are hungry.

VOTE, it will bring change.

Eleanor Cyrus
June 23, 2020

WHAT’S ON MY MIND

It’s June 30, 2020. I am concerned about Corona virus. I don’t want to be affected by this virus. I‘m concerned about my sister being exposed as she has health challenges. She is practicing safe measures but I’m still concerned.

I’m concerned about my grandchildren ages 17 & 18 years old, the medical authorities state young people are not exempt from this illness, they can be carriers and be exposed themselves.

When I ventured out in the public I noticed many people were not wearing masks. I watch television and am seeing so many people not wearing masks. A television reporter asked a woman why she was not wearing a mask and was she concerned. She said she was not worried, she didn’t believe she was going to catch the virus. I wonder what kind of stupid pill she was taking. The news reported, the hospitals are filling up again, the death tolls are rising. Dr. Fauci predicted over 100 thousand people a day will be affected, because people have not taken safe measures, being in crowds and without face covering. This virus is serious and will get worse if things don’t turn around.

I wear a face mask, I put on gloves, I wash my hands, singing Happy Birthday 2 and 3 times. I wash down paper goods I bring into my home. I wash down my groceries I bring into my home. I wash all my door knobs when I come in. I take off my shoes at the door.

This virus is so popular the entire world has experienced it. This is serious, I don’t understand why so many people are not listening to the medical authorities, and not protecting themselves and others. It is not political.

I pray daily, asking my Lord and Savior to heal this land, give the scientist the wisdom to create a vaccine to eradicate this virus. A prayer also from 2 Chronicles 7:14.

If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Eleanor Cyrus
July 1, 2020

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Toni Delia

List of hopes. I really hope that the pandemic will end soon. The other night I had a dream that we were all outside without face masks and no gloves. The pandemic was over! It felt so good to be free, free from the virus. But it was only a dream, a dream that will eventually come to reality soon.

List of hopes that I am also hoping for is peace in the world right now. We are fighting the pandemic and we are also hoping to change the world. We as human beings have to love one another no matter what color of our skin. Also, we have to respect authority. I was watching the protestors and yes they should protest peacefully. I give the young people credit for protesting for equal rights. A life is so precious. No matter what the crime is, you do not have to kill someone and the same goes for the cops that are being killed or hurt. Eight hundred cops were hurt during this protest and three were killed during this protest. We have to stop the violence, looting, killings and take matters in a civil way.

List of small things that keep me going is the fact that we can all meet on Zoom, and also I am on Zoom with my drama club. Tonight for the first time, I will be going on with my college, they are having a seminar that sounds very educational and interesting and lastly, tonight at 8:30 one of my former co-workers is having a Zoom playing trivia. We might as well enjoy ourselves until we get back to the way we were.

The sound of fireworks excites me. But moreover, I love to watch the fireworks. I used to go to Coney Island every week when I was a teenager and sit on the beach and watch the beautiful fireworks coming down from the sky. But I now watch the fireworks on t.v. In fact, one year my friends and I went to Atlantic City so we can watch the fireworks from the boardwalk only to find out due to the bad weather they were not going to have the firework display. So, we went back to my complimentary room at the casino and watched the Macy’s fireworks on t.v.

The smell of the ocean will delight you with pleasure. I love to also hear the seagulls and watch the waves moving back and forth which makes you feel there is life in the ocean and you are not alone because of the constant waves of the ocean.

---

Anikó Bognar

List of hopes
I hope each one of us would be supporting one another in understanding our fears
and angers so our eyes could stay sharp, our hearts open, and our passions
remembered. (Day 110 in NYC pandemic crisis, day 25 in civil unrest.)

---

Cover image cropped from an original image by Steven Pisano. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License.

Return

July 9, 2020

---

Writers

C. Imani Parker
Eleanor Cyrus
Joan O’Bryan
Anikó Bognar
Toni Delia
Toya
Veronica Bullard

---

C. Imani Parker

My Mother's Face


Because of COVD Pandemic I had not been able to visit my mother, who is in a nursing home, for over three months. Recently I made arrangements with the nursing home to see my mother briefly through a window visit. When I arrived at the nursing home with a large package of cookies, 2 bottles of Warm brown hair dye along with a mirror, hair rollers, and other items she requested, I was an hour early. However, since I was not allowed to enter the building, I waited anxiously until they brought her down. This is the first time she was allowed to leave her room since the Pandemic. They brought her into a room with a sliding glass window while I sat outside approximately 6 ft. away. I was grateful, happy to see the look on my mother’s face. She had tears of joy and a little sadness in her eyes. But it was truly a blessing to see my mother’s face again, knowing that those few moments would bring her happiness and lift her spirits even if only at a distance.

The Summer of 2019


Summer to me is fun and laughter and basking in the hot, golden sun. It's enjoying musical concerts and festivals, being with family and friends at parties and picnics, the smell of barbecue filling the air…It’s traveling to places known and unknown. It’s a joyous time of the year. But the COVD Pandemic suddenly appeared and the summer of 2020 is the summer that never was . . . I now spend all of my days and nights visiting my friends and family only on Zoom or the telephone.

As I reflect on the Summer of 2019, I can truly smile as I remember the excitement and joy of traveling to Atlanta Ga. where family and friends gathered To attend the Centennial Birthday Celebration of my Dear Aunt. She was so radiant and beautiful at the age of 100. Little did we know that this would be the last time to see her alive. Never-the-less, it was wonderful to come together, to hug and embrace one another, and to celebrate the last Birthday of a beautiful, beloved woman in the Summer of 2019.

My trip to the National Black Theater Festival in Winston Salem, NC. Along with my cousin, my best friend and my sister, was also thrilling and a lot of fun. The week was full of seeing top rated plays and musical events, and yes, we mingled with the stars. Although we didn’t attend the star-studded Gala at $250 per person, we vicariously hoped to stroll on the purple carpet and seeing the stars up close… In fact, we flew on the plane with some of the stars and when we arrived at the airport, we were met by escorts who drove us to our hotel, thinking we were among the stars. With our “delusions of grandeur,” we truly played the part. This Festival was so exciting. Not only did we enjoy the entertainment, but being with thousands of fabulous, fashionable, influential people of color and enjoying the delicious down home and not so down home restaurants, shopping at the Convention Center with over 300 Vendors, and attending a variety of workshops, it was truly one of the most memorable events I have ever experienced and I am truly looking forward to going again next summer.

As for the Summer of 2020 with the COVD Pandemic lurking in the air, I am longing for the day that this Pandemic will end so that I can travel to all of the places that I hope to visit, including a trip to South Africa which was cancelled because of the virus. I also look forward to attending church and plays, festivals, barbecues and musical concerts in the park; dancing, and most of all, seeing and hugging my family and friends again.

---

Eleanor Cyrus

Thoughts about July 4th

July 4th, 2020 was different, why? Because the world was experiencing COVID-19 pandemic. This was the time my family would travel to Manalapan, New Jersey to celebrate one of my cousin's birthday. It did not happen this year because my cousin passed months prior.

It was suggested by our Governor, Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill DeBlasio to stay home, when you do go out people should practice social distancing, and for the most part my family was doing so. My sister decided to have a barbecue in her back yard since we were not going to New Jersey. The only people that were invited were her son, her grandchildren and three outside friends; the total amounted to 22 people.

Everyone that came wore masks, my sister had masks and gloves at the door if anyone came without one. After everyone greeted each other in the house, my Sister’s granddaughter tried to light the grill, to start cooking the burgers and franks, at first it didn’t want to work, but eventually it started.

I was enjoying the family, it was apparent to me that this celebration was so badly needed for all of us. The kids played so nicely but it appeared they had just been released from a shelter, locked down for a long period of time.

The adults appeared to be happy to be around family and they shared wonderful stories and experiences. They talked, they sang, they played cards, they ate hamburgers, hot dogs, potatoes salad, macaroni salad, bake beans, spinach salad, collard greens, cake sodas, and lemon aide. They cooked additional food when the first batch finished. Everyone seemed to be so happy and sharing jokes. It was like God had given us special blessings on this day and you could see and feel it in each person.

It was late when it was over, the family acted like they didn’t want to go home. It was about 11pm when they left. I had been at my sister\s house since 1:30 pm in the afternoon. It was a long day for me. I had a wonderful time and I think everyone else did as well.

Eleanor Cyrus
7/4/2020

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

“Money is of no value, it cannot spend itself, all depends on the skill of the spender.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“I am a human being, nothing is human can be alien to me.” African Roman Playwright Terance – Full name Publius Terentivs (154 BC)

“Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt (If you don’t love yourself – you can’t offer anything, Self love first.” Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou says take time to memorize some poetry. She said she read Dunbar, Shakespeare and Edgar Allen Poe.

“What a grand thing it is to be clever and have common sense.” Maya Angelou.

“Lovers quarrels are the renewal of Love.” Maya Angelou

“Their silence is sufficient praise.” Maya Angelou

“They are so knowing; that they know nothing.” Maya Angelou (Was she talking about Trump?)

“When you get – give. When you learn – teach.” Maya Angelou

“If you teach – you have to live your teaching.” Maya Angelou

“Love liberates, it doesn’t bind.” Maya Angelou

“That is true wisdom to know how to alter one’s mind when occasion demands it.” Maya Angelou

“Be a Blessing to somebody.” Maya Angelou

“When it looks like the sun won't shine anymore, God puts a rainbow in the clouds.” Maya Angelou

Words are things, they get on your walls, get on your clothes, eventually get into you.” Maya Angelou

“The first step towards tolerance is respect, and the first step towards respect is knowledge.” Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Eleanor Cyrus
7/17/20

MY MOTHER’S FACE

I think of my mother as the most perfect, loving person in the world. She was a very pretty woman with a winning smile. She had the prettiest white teeth and so even. Her face would light up when she smiled. She was only 5’3” tall, small in stature, beautiful legs. She was loaded with class and dignity. I could understand why my father adored my mother. My father was good looking too. He was almost 6 feet tall, slender in stature, very curly hair, keen features, very easy on the eyes. I don’t believe he recognized how good-looking he was, they made a very handsome couple.

My mother was born in North Carolina where the water was so rich in minerals, I think that is why my mother teeth was so white and pretty, as well as all her siblings, sparkly white. The food they ate was not loaded with pesticides, it was super-good, and no one appeared to be overweight. My mother was from a family of 10 children. She was a twin, her brother’s name was McKinley, and my mother's name was Katie.

When I was very young I didn’t understand my mother, she was the disciplinarian, She wasn’t that demonstrative, but you knew you were loved. The more I matured I learned more and more how she was protecting me from the evils of the world. Every time I wanted to test the waters of life, I could hear my mother whisper in my ear “don’t do that.”

My mother was the favorite of all her siblings. She was so giving she would do anything for me, my sister, her siblings, and her friends. My mother was extremely close to her siblings. My father on the other hand, was an only child, and he loved my mother’s family. My mother was very funny and she played jokes on me often. My mother was extremely wise, she would make decisions at times it didn’t look like it would work, but it did in the end. My mother was born with a Veil over her eyes, (that meant she could see visions), she would tell us spooky stories, tell us about the ghosts she would see. I couldn’t handle it until one day I saw a ghost, or at least I thought I did. I told my mother and she explained what it meant.

My mother was a good southern cook, but some things my father could cook better, like rice my mother rice would stick together like cereal, my father rice every grain would stand to itself. My father would cook Sunday breakfast, which we loved. My mother would introduce us to different foods, many times I did not want to eat it because I didn’t like the way it looked. I remember when a Chinese restaurant moved into our neighborhood, my father ventured out to try it, I eventually learned to like it.

My mother could dance and sing, she encouraged us to join a small singing group. Later, we joined the choir in our church. My father sang, and he also belonged to a quartet. My mother loved to travel, my parents had a car every summer my parents would travel to Pennsylvania to see my mother cousin, then to North Carolina to see my mother’s siblings, then to Georgia to see my father’s mother and his cousins. Staying about two to three days in each place, my father was the only driver as my mother could not drive.

When we returned from the south we would visit many of the state parks and beaches and have a picnic, (we went to Bear Mountain a lot) my mother would pack this big lunch with everything you could think of to eat. We would play games, try to swim, lay out in the grass and enjoy. Every Christmas my mother took us to Radio City Music Hall to see the Christmas Show and The Rockettes, after the show we went to the Horn & Hardart Automat Restaurant, where we could purchase food out of a vending machine. That was the very best.

My mother came to Brooklyn, New York without her High School diploma, she was determined to take advantage of all the opportunities in New York she could. She went to night school and received her GED (high school diploma,) she went to school for Cosmetology and received her license, worked as a beautician. My mother wanted to learn how to drive, my father was a terrible teacher — to her, but he taught me at the age of 15— so she went to school, received her license. My father was shocked, that meant he had to share the car, and he was not happy. When my mother wanted to learn something she put her mind to it and she would accomplish her goals. My mother enjoyed quilting, she would have quilting parties with her sisters and friends at our house on the weekend, they created beautiful quilts.

My mother was such a brilliant, talented, loving, giving person. I loved her dearly and everyone that came in contact with her love her as well. She transitioned in 1977.

Wonderful Memories.

Eleanor Cyrus
July 9, 2020

---

Joan O’Bryan

This Different Summer

The thing about this Summer of 2020 that makes it different from other years is COVID-19, and its lingering effects on my ability to go places that I usually enjoy during the Summer Season. While strolling through the Goggle Search Engine on my tablet yesterday, I was offered an opportunity to see my latest “timeline”. Hence, Goggle Earth showed me photographs of places I’ve been in the last 3 months. I wasn’t surprised when my mobile device displayed pictures of Walgreens Pharmacy, Key Food Supermarket, Chase Bank, Trader Joe’s and my recent visit to Kum Kau Take-Out Restaurant. My regular travel routes are now limited to a few local establishments that are less than one mile from my home address.

I can’t help but be amazed at how much my Life has changed in three months. Whatever happened to the “Hot Fun in the Summertime” that was once promised to me by the hit record from Sly & the Family Stone. Well, in 1969, there was no global Pandemic and we were not asked to regularly practice social distancing, wear masks, and avoid crowds. I will be cautious and selective regarding making any vacation plans for Hot Fun this summer and remain close to home.

What “Resting” Means

I do not know what “resting” means because I associate resting with being dead. Our bodies and minds relax during low level activities like sleep and meditation; however, to imply that our bodies and minds are inactive during this relaxation period contradicts the physical and mental behavior of human beings. The heart continues to pump blood, the mind continues to shuffle our thoughts, and the other organs multi-task while our immune system is waging war against germs and viruses.

I am not “resting” because I am part of the flow of living human energy that moves this universe.

---

Anikó Bognar

Things that are different and not

< MAYBE MORE:                                   > MAYBE LESS:
< fear of severe illness or death               > trust in people
< understanding of our differences         > discomfort about our differences
< personal reflections on our values        > ‘leaflet’ about how to resolve justice for all

                     = SAME:
                     = We are loving,
                     = We are resilient,
                     = We are caring,
                     = We are evolving,
                     = We are determined.

The Smell of Hot Pavement

I love the smell of hot pavement! I love seeing strong men arrive to our neighborhood in springtime. They come on their huge trucks with hot, black asphalt to fill the holes on the road. I love the hot sun joining them, turning the city’s roads into a smoldering grid, forecasting the summer.

I have many memories of hitchhiking in Hungary and elsewhere in Europe. I remember standing at the hot roadside many times in the sun waiting for a car to stop for us. I recall a warm afternoon waiting for a safe ride, hoping to return to Budapest from a prairie called HORDOBÁGY. It was already getting to the end of the day and my sister and I wanted to secure our trip as soon as possible. We faced east. We needed to keep our eyes on the cars approaching towards our direction. We were however attracted to hold our gaze behind our backs because of a beautiful sunset in the west. I clearly remember standing on the hot pavement, the road stretched perfectly east and west in a straight line like a local equator, the wide blue sky above us, circled by the plain horizon without trees, bushes, animals, villages, or towns. The sun had begun sinking, setting, transforming into a giant red planet in front of our eyes, heating every cell of us with its warmth. It was a magnificently long suspension of something important happening. It felt like a slow motion picture, in colors, a mirage. We wanted to stop time. Fortunately, we noticed a light blue VW beetle approaching from the prairie, still under the spell of the setting sun. The car stopped. There was a tall, rather giant, good-looking man in his early 30’s, very kind, soft-spoken, attentive, pushing the clutches with his giant foot in bright white socks, a big watermelon underneath his legs. He offered to take us to Budapest! It all felt surreal. It felt romantic.

Going forward, perhaps 30 some years later, in New York I had a departmental meeting at Interfaith Medical Center and was introduced to a new colleague. He had the same name, same look, and same size as our kind driver in my early twenties. In disbelief, I hesitated first to approach him but then I did. Yes, it was the same person.

(Day 131 of the NYC pandemic crisis. Day 46 of the civil unrest.)

---

Toni Delia

For the first time on Thursday night, I enjoyed an outdoor dinner with my best friend Jeanie, her husband and Jeanie’s sister. It felt so good to be out eating in a restaurant. We went to Graziella’s on Vanderbilt Avenue. This is the first time since March that I have eaten out. Once in a while, we all used to go out for dinner. Because as you all know by now, I love to cook. But it is so nice having a meal prepared for you and enjoying the company of friends. We were celebrating my best friend’s birthday that was in March. My best friend Jeanie and I always take one another out to dinner for our birthdays. My best friend Jeanie and her husband are moving to Florida at the end of this month. Her husband then said to me, in September we will take you out to dinner for your birthday. I then said, “Oh no, not this year,” because Florida is hit really hard right now with the virus. I can wait until next year when it is safe to travel and enjoy Florida without worrying about the virus.



***

My favorite restaurant during my teenage years
...was an Italian restaurant called Pinta De Blu. They had great food and a pool table. We used to have lunch there and play a few games of pool. The pool table was in the center of the floor in between the tables. They also had beautiful multicolored lights on the ceiling, which was so pretty.

***

A letter of complaint
...was done by me to help one of my co-workers. She received an email from her firm suggesting that they all go back to work after the July 4th holiday, and she was so upset, (and perhaps she had brain freeze), which I never get, so I told her what to write. I indicated that she already had the coronavirus, which they were aware of, and that she still does not feel strong enough to travel on the trains. I also noted that she had been working from home and she would like to continue working from home until perhaps after Labor Day. A few other people also responded to the firm, and after all was said and done, she now will return back to work after the Labor Day holiday!

***

The Fourth of July this year
For the first time Macy’s decided to put on several firework displays around the city. Which was a great idea and on the Fourth of July they had a live display by the Empire State Building. I watched the Macy’s firework show on t.v. I love the fireworks and, as we all know, the show must go on! I was invited to a barbecue but I did not go because there was going to be too many people there and it would not be safe right now. But I enjoyed myself, plenty of phone calls, and, right from my bathroom window, I caught some beautiful fireworks that my neighbors were shooting off. I had a front row seat!

***

Water and me
I remember getting baptized. My twin brother and I were baptized late. We were five years old. Our neighbor next door volunteered to be our Godparents. We went to St. Patrick’s school on Kent Avenue and was baptized by Father Rogers, who was the first black priest in the diocese. We had to get baptized before September, because in order to attend catholic school, you had to be baptized. We were going to, and did start school at St. Patrick’s in September. We went there for eight years, and loved it! Every year Father Rogers would get a box of El Produto cigars from my mom and dad for Christmas. This was the brand of cigars that the priest enjoyed.

***

My mother’s face
I look at the pictures hanging up on my living room of my mom everyday. I also carry pictures of my mom and family in my purse. When I am listening to mass on Sunday, I look at all the pictures and say, “Peace be with you.” On their special occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, etc., I wish them well. Of course, I say this to myself. I also pray for my family everyday both here and in heaven.

---

Toya

My mother’s face:
Good Morning to the face that I wish I can touch again
4 eyes lol
wide nose shape
beautiful smile and
a row of white teeth on her almond colored skin tone
I miss her so . . .

---

Veronica Bullard

My summer always kicked off officially with Dance Africa the food the festival
the vendors are a part of my DNA

Not feeling great today either
Resting means watching the news but once a day

Truth is all we have is each other in this lifetime
one day at a time; praise God

---

Return

July 30, 2020

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Writers

Joan O’Bryan
Imani C. Parker
Eleanor Cyrus
Anikó Bognar
Toni Delia
Toya

---

Joan O’Bryan

Reconciliation

My eyes kept their watch on the television screen as they slowly moved the dead body of John R. Lewis across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. As the driver of the horse drawn hearse carriage stopped his horses in the middle of their passage, he gracefully stood-up removing his top hat and placing his hand that held it over his heart in a solemn tribute to what had occurred there over 55 years ago. My mind drifted back to the date of March 7, 1965 which is now called Bloody Sunday.

I was fourteen years old and my family had just finished Sunday dinner. The five of us sat in the living room in close proximity to our RCA Black & White Console Television in order to watch the evening news. The “trusted” news anchor Walter Cronkite, showed us a film shot by a CBS camera man displaying peaceful Civil Rights Protesters who were walking on the Edmund Pettus Bridge when they were brutally assaulted with Billy Clubs, whips and rubber tubing by Alabama State Troopers. Although the State Troop were beating most of the Protestors back towards the Selma side of the Bridge, there were several protestors in the front of the line that did not retreat from their position. One of the protesters that the cameraman focused his lens upon was John Lewis. I first noticed this small-framed young man, because he was dressed in a suit and tie partially hidden by a raincoat and he carried a black backpack. He looked like the new substitute teacher on his first day of the school year. I watched with family members when he plummeted to the ground as a result of a host of brutal blows delivered from the hands of State Troopers. We were traumatized by this event playing out on the television screen in our living room. My mother, a daughter of the South, left the room in tears. Those of us who were left behind sat quietly stunned into an abject silence.

Fighting back my own bitter tears, I went to the bedroom I shared with my sister and laid across my bed. What happened to our inalienable rights promised by the Declaration of Independence and the equal protection under the laws described in the United States Constitution, we studied in school? It was obvious to me that American Documents of Freedom were not applied equally when it came to honoring the Rights of Black Americans particularly in the segregated Southern states.

My thoughts turned to the young man in the raincoat who shielded his head with his arms but he made no attempt to fight back. I didn’t understand this non-violent protest of these Civil Rights Freedom Fighters based on the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi until this particular “watershed moment” when I realized that my own feelings had been transformed by the sacrifice, courage and bravery of John Lewis and the other Civil Rights protesters on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Although I was born in a Northern City, I could not deny the discrimination. inequality and suffering of my Southern brothers and sisters on a daily basis, their experience had been brought into my living room on a television screen and it was a call for action from all those who saw it. I knew then that I will never be Free until all those who suffer racial discrimination in this country are free, I then wondered what will that gang of Alabama State Troopers who beat John Lewis while he was on ground tell their wives, children, pastor and neighbors when they see them on television. Will they recognize that their betrayal to American Democracy in failing to protect the Rights of American Citizens or will they hang their behavior on the tree of guilt and shame like Judas Iscariot.

On this Sunday, 7/26/2020, I watched the driver of the horse drawn hearse carriage sit back down after his pause on the Bridge. He placed the black top hat back on his head and he re-started the funeral procession. The big red spokes on the carriage wheels matched the red rose petals scattered on his path. The roses symbolized the blood that was shed there 55 years and I could hear the bystanders on both sides of the Bridge yelling, “ thank you John Lewis”. As they neared the Montgomery side of the Bridge, it was then that I saw the group of Alabama State Troopers standing at attention while they saluted the American Flag wrapped casket that contained the body of John Lewis as it rolled pass them. I cried as I witnessed this reconciliation, Thank You, John Lewis.

As the funeral procession continued on its journey to the state capitol building where it will be greeted by the present Governor of the State of Alabama, a crowd of onlookers spontaneously started singing some of the old Civil Rights Songs:

Aint gonna let nobody Turn me round Turn me round I’m gonna keep on walkin’ Keep on talkin Marchin into freedom land

---

Imani C. Parker

TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND . . . CONGRESSMAN JOHN ROBERT LEWIS (1940-2020)


For the past few days I watched television as they celebrated the life and times of John Lewis, a great, courageous, determined, humble man who spent his entire life, fighting for civil rights and justice for all.

I watched and listened as they paid tribute to this great, courageous, humble man, born in a small Southern Town called Troy, Alabama. Son of poor sharecroppers, yet he managed to graduate from college and became a civil rights activist, as he, along with others, protested and sat at lunch counters, non-violently, while they were beaten, spat upon and arrested in the segregated South. This young, courageous, determined, humble man attempted to walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, marching for the right to vote, while he and hundreds of men and women were brutally beaten and scarred. … Although he suffered a fractured skull and was jailed numerous times, this courageous young Black man did not give up. He continued to protest, speak out and fight for justice and equal rights. Eventually the Voters Rights Act was passed, and African Americans were allowed to vote “without restrictions.” In 2015, he walked across that bridge with pride, side-by-side with Barack Obama, the first Black President of the United States. Most significantly, I was truly touched as they carried his coffin draped in the American flag, in a horse driven carriage across the same bridge, where he had long ago been denied.

I was further moved when the armed forces marched with precision, up 55 steps to the Rotunda of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. where he, the first Black Man, laid in State.

On Thursday, July 30th, I watched the Memorial in Atlanta, Ga. with pride and joy as Presidents of the United States, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George Bush and Barack Obama, politicians, staff, family and friends prayed, sang, shed tears, and praised the life and legacy of this Great, courageous, determined, humble man who fought for human rights until the very end – The legacy of Congressman, John Robert Lewis will never die and his living shall not be in vain.

---

Eleanor Cyrus

LIST OF THINGS I LIKE TO LEARN

I would like to become more proficient in Sign Language. I have studied sign language in the past and have attended several schools, however I do not feel I have mastered this language. I would like to enroll in school again when this coronavirus pandemic is over.

I am able to sign the songs in my church and really enjoy it, but this is not enough. I would like to hold a conversation with a deaf person and be understood. When I talk to one of the deaf people in church, I am struggling to be understood. Thank God this person can read lips.

My fear is the older I become I might lose my hearing, if that happens I want to be prepared to continue to communicate with people. I have noticed older people have trouble hearing and as a result I brought a sign language instructor to my senior citizens community committee. They were impressed for the moment but did not take it serious. As for me, if I perfected this language I would be super proud to know I speak another language.

Another thing I would like to learn is to play the piano. I took piano lessons as a child not for very long, my instructor hit me across my knuckles and I told my mother. That ended my piano lessons. I don’t really remember anything I was taught. When my grandchildren was given lessons I tried to learn along with them but nothing really happen in my brain to make me remember. Now that New York is in Corona Virus lockdown, I feel the need to learn, I have a portable piano, Casio. Now and then I take the piano out to try to play something, I realized I am not disciplined enough to stick to it. I need a teacher, I have one in mind, but because Mr. Corona Virus is still raging, I am afraid to let the teacher come to my house for private lessons. Nonetheless, I am hopeful I can get these two projects going real soon.

Sometimes I think these projects, I only want to learn them because I am in quarantine and cannot do them now.

Eleanor Cyrus
7/30/20

GENEVA’S PARTY

My friend Geneva was born July 12th, two of her friends and me wanted to celebrate her birth with her and give her a birthday party. Her other two friends wanted to have a zoom virtual party and invite her siblings from North Carolina and Detroit and a lot of other friends around the states to join. Geneva did not want that, she did not want a lot of fanfare, the idea quickly rejected. It was decided, Geneva will celebrate her birth in my apartment and invite 4 friends and a 17 year old teenager, my granddaughter, nicknamed Beyon’ce Jr.

Geneva’s two girl friends catered West Indian food for us — red snapper, peas and rice, raster pasta, cod fish cakes and curry chicken. I cooked potato salad and chicken wings. We had a very nice spread of food and soda and wine to tickle the palate.

The party was going slowly but nice, enjoying the early afternoon (when you are older the parties start early afternoon so people can go home before dark). Enjoying the food and reminiscing about the past and the wonderful times we had when we were young, just having clean fun. All of a sudden Beyon’ce Jr. decided to entertain us (seniors) with a videotape of Beyon’ce, she started singing and dancing along. Well it was some show. Image a 17 year old entertaining a bunch of 80 year olds, it was great. She felt very comfortable in our presence, we tried to sing along with some songs we knew but would not attempt to dance for fear of hurting ourselves (when you are older fractures come very easily, one wrong turn you find yourself in a cast).

We sang Stevie Wonder's version of Happy Birthday, Geneva opened her gifts, as we drank a little fruit of the vine, everyone was in great spirits. The evening ended late and everyone had a great time, especially the Guest of Honor, Geneva.

Eleanor Cyrus
7/30/20

WHAT DOES FAITH MEAN

According to Webster’s Dictionary – Faith means to have complete trust or confidence in someone.

I have complete confidence and trust in God. My faith in God's ability to help and heal has brought me through so many trials and tribulation.

I have had so many challenges in my life i.e., becoming an adult, a mother, a friend, jobs I have had, travelling all over the world. I prayed for help, for guidance, for leadership, for understanding and for strength to withstand the many issues that I have been confronted with.

So many of my prayers have been answered, some have not. My pastor said that God either says yes to your request of no, or God says I have a better plan. I have found this to be so true. When I have prayed for something I wanted an immediate answer, and sometimes it did not happen, but later in time (months even years) life I noticed my request was answered with a better plan, as the situation changed from the time I asked, as I looked back would not have been a good time for my request to be granted, but at the time it was granted it was so much better under different circumstances. (God had a better plan).

When I pray I believe my prayers will be answered, I have faith in God that he will answer. Ask and watch God work.

Eleanor Cyrus
7/30/20

PEOPLE I CHECKED ON THIS MONTH

I had a girlfriend that I had not heard from for a very long time about a year or so. She was on my mind so I decided to call her. My Pastor always said if you think of someone you should contact them, so I did.

When I called her she sounded happy and surprised to hear from me. She said she was not doing too much because of the pandemic, she said she goes from room to room in her house cleaning. She lives alone in a three- bedroom house with a finished basement. She said once she started on the top floor where the bedrooms were, she would come downstairs to the living room and kitchen then the basement to finish her cleaning, then she start all over again. We laughed as I shared with her that I am doing the same thing.

I noticed she was speaking very deliberate, as if she watched every word not to make a mistake. I never noticed that before, at least I didn’t remember if she ever did. I did not question her about this. I just left my curiosity wonder and continued our conversation inquiring about our families and what they have been doing during this pandemic.

It turn out at the end of our conversation we were doing the same things, wearing a mask, washing our hands and trying to invent new ways to keep busy and out of harm's way.

Eleanor Cyrus
7/30/20
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN LEWIS FUNERAL

Today July 30, 2020, Representative John Lewis’ funeral services were held at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta Ga. It has been a complete week of memorial services, he passed on July 17, 2020. Today three living Presidents attended the services, President Bill Clinton, President George Bush, and President Barack Obama. President Carter was unable to attend, but sent a message. TRUMP WAS NOT INVITED.

John Lewis died at the age of 80 years old.

Reminiscing about the past: John Lewis was born in Troy Alabama.

John Lewis crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma Alabama where he was beaten by Alabama State police troopers, they almost killed him this happened March 7, 1965, which became known as Bloody Sunday.

Lewis travelled to Washington DC. Where he was commemorated at a service at the US Capital and he was the first Black Law Maker to lie in State in the Capital Rotunda.

Lewis was the youngest person to speak at the 1963 March on Washington. He was a friend to Martin Luther King Jr. I was right up front when all the speaker came to the podium. What an awesome day for me. Little did I know I was in the middle of “History Making”.

Lewis said, Yes, I was beaten, left bloody and unconscious, but I never became bitter or hostile. Never gave up. I believe that somehow someway, if it becomes necessary to use our bodies to help redeem the Souls of a Nation, then we need to do it.

Lewis wrote shortly before his death, published by the New York Times on the day of his funeral, which was Delivered as his final message. “Though I may not be there with you, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe”.

“In my life I have done all I could to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and non violence is the more excellent way, now it is your turn to let Freedom Ring”. The congressman wrote that in the final days of his life, he was “inspired” by the protests against racial injustice and police brutality that were spurred by ‘’Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officers and said the movement is what drove him to visit “Black Lives Matter Plaza” in downtown Washington, DC even though he was admitted to the hospital the day after his visit on June 7th.

Lewis said Emmett Till was my George Floyd. He was my Rayshard Brooks, Sandra Bland, and Breonna Taylor. Lewis wrote, noting that, Emmett Till was 14 years old when he was killed and I was only 15 years old at that time.

President Obama delivered the Eulogy, In his message he said Congressman John Lewis gave us orders to vote. President Obama delivered the eulogy so eloquently telling us Congressman Lewis’ instructions on what to do to make a change, is to vote. We need a change in the White House we need a change in Congress, We have been suffering from the injustices too long. We need a change.

Eleanor Cyrus
7/30/2020

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Anikó Bognar

The heat:
I have so much respect for those 100s and 1000s of people who go out no matter what the weather is like to protest!!

---

Toni Delia

The list of thoughts that come with the heat this year are very different from other years, since we are going through this pandemic. I usually go to several barbecues, which I miss and enjoy so very much. I miss the face-to-face contact in person, as well as hugging and kissing one another on the cheek. I also miss sitting at the pool, and going into the pool. I miss the feel of the cool water touching my skin. So for now, when I take my cool shower, I pretend I am at the pool, or sprinkler. It makes me feel cool and happy. It is the next best thing, in lieu of being at the pool.

**
My father used to say, “Don’t waste food, don’t you know people are starving out there?” Therefore, up to this day, I have the habit of not wasting food. I take a portion of food that I know I will finish, and if I am at the restaurant, I doggie bag whatever it is that I did not finish, since I am not a big eater, and then I have it the next day.

**
My twin brother was teaching me a saying that repair-people would use in order to help themselves along with their tasks which is, “Left Lucy.” So whenever I am turning a valve on, I think about this saying, “Left Lucy.” This is a handy reminder to use when you want to open a valve.

**
The person I used to laugh with was my mom. My mom passed away in 1989. But I used to feel as if my mom was my best friend. I used to love to come home from work and tell my mother stories about what has transpired at my job. My mother used to say, I always made her laugh. My mom and I would sit at the kitchen table after dinner and laugh together about my current events at the job. I miss that, but I know spiritually my mom is watching over me in heaven and perhaps I am still making my mom laugh in heaven.

**
My twin brother and I went to catholic elementary school for eight years. From the first to the fourth grade the girls had to wear a navy blue uniform with a white blouse and blue bow tie. Then when I was in the fifth grade to the eight grade, they changed all of the uniforms to a green plaid uniform with a white blouse and green bow tie. The boys had to wear navy blue pants and a white shirt and a navy blue tie. Which was also changed for them from the fifth grade to the eight grade to green pants with a white shirt and green bow tie. Back then uniforms were only worn at catholic schools. Now a lot of public schools started having their students dressed in uniforms, which I think is a great idea.

**
Faith means you have to believe in something. If you do not have faith, you will not be happy and you will not have any goals or achievements. For myself, I was raised a catholic and up to today, I still say my prayers, go to church and I have faith and a strong belief that God is watching over us and everything will be fine. You have to have faith and you have to believe in order to reach your highest goals in life!

---

Toya

My friends and family gives me hope everyday. A nephew that lives in VA called and said, he was checking on me. That was a beautiful feeling to know someone is thinking about me. So I thank him for that.

**
A thought:
Is this true?
I realize that you can not give up on people that has no goals in life.
Therefore making it a hard task to deal with.
You want to be in their lives
but there’s cement blocking all the blessings
so I pray

**
Caught in rain
Actually do not mind all that rain.
Usually I have my colorful rain coat that’s no more than a $1.00 rain poncho.
Whatever state I visit I look for the ponchos.
Walking in rain with the one I love
WHO REMEMBERS THAT SONG?
The only thing that gets a little bothersome are wet feet
the foot wear can slow your walking down and
hazardous
careful not to fall or slip.

**
JOHN LEWIS (REP.) I salute 👍🏽🥁📺📆🇺🇸🥇🤴🏾🎉Greatness

It's so incredibly sad that not so many knew him and what he and many others stood for.
People let's MAKE THAT CHANGE

Continuous history going on everyday
encourage voting our your neighborhood, communities etc.

---

Veronica Bullard

Wish i had a ceiling fan
air conditioner hurts my bones

**
As children the rule is take all you can eat but eat all you take! My party never forgot hunger during the depression. It scarred them both for la lifetime. They talked about things being rationed like sugar I pray my grandchildren will never have to experience hunger and fear like that
In this country socialism is a dirty word!

**
John Lewis
remember his name
sign the petition to rename the bridge see change .org
What an incredible man!
I look at him and understand the strength of the ancestors
and how we survived in America under the cruel circumstances!
Fortified godliness and love
love's dish for all time
Strength of the ancestors
he has joined them on the other side

Make sure his you see the videos of brother Lewis dancing and crowd surfing;

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Return

August 20, 2020

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Writers

Eleanor Cyrus
Toni Delia
Anikó Bognar
Veronica Bullard
Toya

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Eleanor Cyrus

LIST OF THINGS TO GET READY FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION (DNC)

Monday, August 17, 2020 was the first night of the National Democratic Convention DNC. I tried to complete all my chores before the Convention which I thought started at 7 pm. I was very concerned about the convention starting at 7 pm because Joy Reid “A.m.Joy Program” usually comes on at that time on the same channel. I was prepared mentally to start listening to the Convention, I soon discovered the convention would not start until 9 pm. Joy Reid, Rachel Maddow, and Nicole Wallace, the moderators talked about the Convention from 8 to 9 pm. At 9 pm the Convention started, things were going good until sleep came over me. I was struggling to keep my eyes open. Michelle Obama was one of the Keynote speakers and I really wanted to hear her. Unexpectedly sleep was taking hold of me, like a drug, and there was nothing I could do about it.

Michelle Obama spoke and so many others that were schedule to speak did so, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Kristen Urguge and Bernie Sanders. When I woke up after my deep sleep it was 11 pm. I was furious with myself.

What I failed to mention: My body shuts down at 9 pm and it's like I am on drugs. It all started as a child. We had to go to bed at 9 pm. Now that I am 103, I never got out of the habit. If I could stay awake from 8:45 to 9:15pm I am good for the night.

The next day I Google Michelle Obama’s speech, it was awesome. She informed us that we had to vote, and vote like our lives depended on it. It was powerful. The entire world has to vote, she said. She warned us if we do not, we would have four more years of pure hell. President Obama said if Trump is reelected we will not have a democracy. I feel we are experiencing some unbelievable hard times with this evil racist man in the White House. Every person who is eligible Must Vote.

Eleanor Cyrus
8/20/20

WHAT IS CHURCH LIKE RIGHT NOW

I attend Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church on Tompkins Avenue, in Brooklyn, NY. Since the Corona virus pandemic this church has been closed. We have a second church in Queens, Mt. Pisgah East, near Rochelle Village Coop. This church has a 6 am Sunday service I attended once or twice. The chairs were six feet apart and marked on the floor so there would not be any guessing and everyone wore masks. The service was only one hour and a half to two hours long.

Recently, Mt. Pisgah on Tompkins Ave. open on Wednesday service from 12-1pm. When I entered the building the chairs were separated six feet apart, and clearly marked on the floor, so there would be no mistakes. When it was time to take communion it was handed to us by one elder, wearing gloves and a mask.

When service was over everyone acknowledge one another from a distance, or with an elbow bump. It was a great service, short, sweet and super safe.

Since the pandemic I had been attending church service online. 8 am at St. Paul Community Baptist Church, 9 am Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, and 10 am Abyssinian Baptist Church. All three services I attended with no makeup and still in my PJ’s. Virtual church is really good, and I was able to visit many wonderful churches and did not have to leave my bedroom, what a wonderful way to worship.

Eleanor Cyrus
8/20/20

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Toni Delia

The list of thoughts that I sometimes have when I drift off to sleep is basically from my past. I think about family members and some of my ex boyfriends, and I often wonder why did I invest my time with some of my ex boyfriends! But there are some good thoughts about most ex boyfriends. But for some reason I would break up with them. I feel if you are thinking about marriage and something in the relationship is not going smoothly or the way it should be, then it is better to break up the relationship before you take your wedding vows. Marriage is a two way street and if you feel it is not right now, then it will not change, perhaps it will be the same or get worse. You cannot change someone. So it is better you end the relationship now.

***

The list of things that I do while watching the convention is to first set up DVR. And I also make all of my telephone calls beforehand. I always vote democratic. I feel they work for us! I enjoyed listening to our former president Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. I was also thinking about how Hillary Clinton must have been feeling since she was so close to winning the election. I voted for her as well as Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. But all we can hope for is that we will have a president who will work for everyone just like the ones that I voted for in the past!

***

A single apple on the table reminds me of when I went to high school back in the 70’s. I had taken a typing class. I was always a fast typist. Our teacher used to give us a script to type, and once we were done typing we had to wait for the other students to finish. I was always finished first. So then I would ask the teacher if she wanted an apple from the cafeteria and she would always say yes. So then I would go to the cafeteria and have my lunch and bring her back her apple. Whenever I see an apple on the table I think about my typing teacher and the yummy lunch I used to have while the others were still typing.

---

Anikó Bognar

A MEMORABLE LECTURE

I had a wonderful first grade teacher. Her name was Erzsike néni or Ms. Elizabeth. I admired her. She was kind and wise, also very beautiful. I loved going to school because of her. I felt tremendously comfortable and safe around her. I literally felt grounded and confident in her presence. She made us feel that our progression was personally important for her.

I used to be excited on my way to school and during our classes. Not so much on my way home. I also wanted to play with my best friend Gyuszi from next door just like we used to since we were 4 years old. I loved playing with him. He was a very gentle friend and had two loving parents. I felt comfortable and in some miraculous ways always seen when I was with them. We had so much fun together.

Despite Gyuszi was enrolled into an another school I was still excited as my world expanded with a yet another arena of good times after entering into first grade. I discovered one afternoon that I didn’t know what is the homework for next day. I decided to walk across the street to look for my first grade teacher who had been living there for years in one of the most beautiful tall building in our old town. I think I might have dragged Gyuszi with me to this big adventure. We entered hesitantly into a new territory of her building but found my teacher’s flat easily and buzzed in. I remember explaining to Erzsike néni that I came to ask help with my writing class homework because I forgot to write down her instructions. I clearly remember that she said calmly that it is entirely my responsibility to make sure that I know what’s my homework. Erzsike néni added that she won’t be able to help me and we would meet next day at school. I was listening eagerly to what she had to say, paying attention to every word. Somewhere I sensed that her response was the best response she could have ever given to me. I felt relieved and some kind of gratitude. I still feel that way when I recall this memory. Her message embodied into three simple sentences made me feel cared for without inducing a slightest fear of being ashamed of anything.

---

Veronica Bullard

among my lists of accomplishments: i did manage, with my grandson's help,
to clear some junk from storage space;
more to go!

i suspect that if I ever move I will junk more than I take with me.
i keep asking myself why do you have so much stuff? ? can it be hoarding or
over consumption or both! must stop now!
my walks got shorter and less frequent
between the hot weather and the mask
it became a chore

***

memorable moment during convention: Obama called it when he said DJT never had interest in doing and/or learning the job, only cared about taking care of his friends. Truly white male privilege out loud - don't forget taking care of family too!

i initially wanted Susan Rice and resented Kamala
being referred to as a Black woman
in America you are black by 1drop of African blood
the cultural heritage of people of African ancestry is alive and strong in America.
i no longer resent Ms Harris; she seems grounded and purposeful! All the best to her she will need our prayers!

one last thought: did everyone forget honorable Shirley Chisholm! who even dared to dream and follow her heart against the odds; a shining example of our cultural legacy.

i plan to vote early to avoid the lines but applied for mail in as back up plan!

**

have given up on the idea of brunch this year!

---

Toya

Accomplished: moving out one apt into another just beginning to open,
unpacking boxes can be surprisingly amazing
now, I know where things are at a new beginning starts

***

Like many others, a great woman leader in that era, there were so many demonstrations when Shirley C. was fighting for equality, justice, power to the people
remembering the marches and more...on TV she was there holding picket signs. Riding past the building Near Hanson Pl it gives me pride to know someone's name engraved in a marble-like concrete structure.
That's puts a smile on my face as well in my ❤️

Vote, Vote, Vote, vote we have to not only vote for president but all the time

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Return

September 10, 2020

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Writers

Joan O’Bryan
Toya
Veronica Bullard
Toni Delia
Eleanor Cyrus
Yvonne Hall (8-20-20)

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Joan O’Bryan

My Recent Walks

Over the last few months, my infrequent walks have basically been to the grocery store to buy food and the pharmacy to purchase personal items. During the day, I would encounter several people who also seemed to be taking care of their household chores. Occasionally, I would see someone that I knew from the neighborhood and would exchange greetings and wave a hand. There was little time for small talk since we were usually standing six feet apart and we didn’t feel like yelling through our masks in order to be understood. Oftentimes, I would hear someone callout my name from across the street. I would cheerfully respond with a loud “how are you?”, and wave my hand. The truth in this matter is in most cases I did not know who I was responding to since the face was covered with a mask and the person was wearing sunglasses.

Now, when I walk along Dekalb and Myrtle Avenues, I am pleased to report that I see some of my neighbors sitting at the newly installed areas for outdoor dining. The sidewalks appear to be filled with the sounds of laughter and people sharing stories, eating and having a glass of wine with their friends and family members.

Recently, I joined two of my friends for brunch at one of these outdoor cafes, I enjoyed the sun beaming down on my face, good food, wine and conversation. It felt normal like we returned to a Pre-COVID19 existence. I hope that the outdoor dining continues to flourish in this community.

---

Toya

I am outside enjoying the morning. It's so busy out here after the morning rain . . . people everywhere trucks making their deliveries couples walking together while sipping on coffee. Bicyclists zooming pass in such a hurry wow.👋🏾construction workers wearing yellow hard hats eating lunch leaning on nearby cars. Groups hanging on corners drinking their favorite drink, debating. This is Wednesday Morning Blues Pandemic.

Always vote, sanitize your hands, wear your mask, keep 6ft. apart!

Not only a mental effect of the pandemic, here's some pics



View of Fulton St all business CLOSED opening slowly


Brooklyn Hospital large freezer containers to store bodies due to COVID.

Being beautiful in our bodies.
There are all types of bodies be happy in yours. Proper diet is the key including your beverage intake.
Beautiful bodies goes along with beautiful smile, attitudes
as well as wellness
drinking water is also an important factor. Stay well
I do smile 😷🦠🧼 we all are in this together.
The Pandemic will take my smile. Thank God it hasn't.
Stay alert helping in a positive way informing and spreading news

---

Veronica Bullard

It is what it is; crisis after the election; post pandemic animal farm pigs walk like men and all the while my watch keeps telling me to breathe!

Unspeakable

People don't bother to smile anymore

I will look for your smile

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Toni Delia

This was my Labor Day of 2020. As we all know, we are very limited as to what we can and cannot do, because of the pandemic. But I made the most of what I had. On the Friday before Labor Day, I went shopping with my childhood friend, Joann and afterwards she treated me to a slice of mushroom pizza, soda and garlic knots for my upcoming birthday. It was a little something and it was very much appreciated, due to the fact that she acknowledged my upcoming birthday. On Saturday, it was the usual routine, I always call my friend, Anna Marie who is my former coworker and we always talk on the phone for at least an hour and a half. After that call, I now receive a call from my childhood friend, Frankie and we always chat on the phone for at least a half of an hour. These two calls on Saturday have now become a ritual. Not to mention my various other calls that I do receive on a day-to-day basis. On Sunday I finally went to get a much needed haircut. I have not had my haircut since this past November, it was long overdue. While I was waiting for my hair stylist to finish working on the client before me, I decided to also treat myself to a gel manicure. I have not had my nails done at a salon in quite some time. I usually polish my own nails, but every once in a while I do treat myself to a manicure at the salon. Afterwards I went for breakfast at the outdoor diner, met my Godsister and some of the seniors at the park. Then we went back to the diner for dinner. All and all, I had a great Labor Day weekend, despite all that is going on.

***

The worst rainstorm that I was ever caught in was almost 20 years ago. I was leaving Macy’s in downtown Brooklyn and it was pouring rain. I was not expecting it to rain, but I figured, “No big deal, I can walk to the bus stop.” But as I started to make an attempt to leave Macy’s, I noticed it was not only raining hard, but there was hail coming down too. In fact, it put a hole in Macy’s awning. With that being said, I said to myself, “I have no choice but to stay put until the rainstorm/hale storm lets up.” Back then, we did not have cell phones and I was caring for my dad, but I knew my dad was going to know the reason why I was detained.

***

Souvenirs that I collected throughout the years are all on my open cutout window in my kitchen. I started with the well known frogs from Puerto Rico, then when I went to Hawaii, I bought the Hawaiian girl and boy dancing wearing the traditional lais. When I went to Las Vegas, I got a statue of a pink flamingo from the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. I also have magnets from the various places that I went to on my refrigerator. It’s nice to have keepsakes of places that you have been to throughout the years. I also have souvenirs from friends that have traveled placed in my other rooms.

***

The list of jobs that I have had throughout the years are starting from 1973 to the present. I first started working in the office of W.T. Grant. I was interviewed in the library at my high school. Then they sent me over to the firm to have an extensive interview, which needless to say, I did get the job and I had started working on July 5, 1973. I remember celebrating the 4th of July with my friends and I had to go home early to prepare for my first day of work. After that I started working for an investment banking firm and then I started working for lawyers as a legal assistant. I then found my new career and loved working as a legal assistant. I used to say, “The only thing we don’t do is go to trial.” I enjoy preparing motions and the various legal documents that go along with the actual cases. Also, then we started e-filing our documents which I also enjoyed. But as of today, I am retired and a lady of leisure!

---

Eleanor Cyrus

THIS IS LABOR DAY

LABOR DAY 62 years ago I gave birth to my son Michael Anthony. What a day that was. There was so much controversy about my son’s name. It was a toss up between Mark and Michael, his middle name was differently going to be Anthony because my mother wanted a boy real bad when I was born she had already picked out the name Anthony. “Boy,” was she disappointed, to find out I was a girl, so much so, she did not have a name for her new born baby girl, me. That's another story.

I was not sure of Mark or Michael, I should have given it more thought, I named him Michael. Seems like all the little boys named Michael got into a lot of trouble, Mark didn’t seem so much.

My Michael was a piece of work, he introduced me to a lot of things young mothers didn't have a clue of doing. I wanted him to take piano lessons, he wanted guitar. I wanted him to go the Catholic road, he did go to Catholic Military Academy, and Catholic High School. Then he turn Muslim. He attended college and finished with a major in political science, I wanted him to go to Law School. He didn't. He enjoyed travelling as much as I do, so much so he celebrated his 62nd birthday SkyDiving, he wanted to see the world from up above. Something I would never do.

This was remembering my day of Labor.

Eleanor Cyrus 9/10/20

PEOPLE I HAVE MOTHERED

When I was 65 years old The Good Lord, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit were talking amongst themselves and decided they would give me something to do. They felt I was not busy enough and I needed purpose in my life.

So the Good Lord looked down and saw two children that needed to be cared for. I want you to know they, the Lord, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit did not discuss this situation with me. They decided amongst themselves.

They whispered in my son’s ear and told him to bring these two children, his daughters to New York from California. What was not told to my son was the girls would be staying in New York.

So here I am 18 years later with one girl finishing high school, going to college, the other a senior in high school, heading to college next year.

Today, I am babysitting an 8 month old little boy, still mothering.

Eleanor Cyrus
9/10/20

BLESSINGS

Today, Wednesday September 2, 2020. I was baptized, by Bishop Johnny Ray Youngblood, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY. To be baptized is such an honor and a blessing.

As I was mentally preparing to be submerged in a pool of water, I was thinking how grateful I was being asked by the Bishop If I wanted to be baptized. My immediate response was yes.

It was about 15 people to be baptized, it was awesome, everyone wore red robes even the Elders who was helping the people to enter the pool.

I was next to the last person to be baptized, when it came to me to be submerged in the water, one Elder on one arm another elder on the other arm. As I was about to be lowered in he pool, I asked one Elder was the water cold, he said he didn’t know as he was at the top of the pool and he was bone dry.

I stepped down to enter the pool with the support of two Elders, with one foot in the water I said this water is freezing cold. The further I entered the pool very slowly (it was only three steps) and supported by the Elders. I said this water was too cold for “my line of scrimmage”. The Elders laughed so hard they almost dropped me. I was dead serious. Trying to keep their composure one Elder asked what do I take baths or showers, I said I take showers with hot water. As I was finishing my statement, I was quickly dunked. My head went down face covered with a cloth towel. My legs went up. Just as quickly I was dunked I was back on my feet.

The purpose of the Baptism is a renewal, being able to connect with the Holy Father.

When I came out of the water, the connection was made, Renewed and cold.

Renewed Eleanor Cyrus
9/10/20

---

Yvonne Hall

FACEBOOK IS MY NEW FAMILY

Years ago, the best way I had of staying in touch with my family members was through email. I could get the latest pictures of vacations, birthdays, or graduations. Then came Facebook and instagram. Everyone switched to these two new platforms almost immediately. I wasn’t getting the pictures in email anymore, and when I asked where they were I was told to look on Facebook. So, eventually I had to join Facebook to stay informed.

One of my nieces. Resha, checks in on her Facebook account at least five times a day with pronouncements like, “Hello Facebook Family”. I have resisted calling this four generation of family and friends, my Facebook family. It was just too personal. Now that everyone is home because of the Corona virus the messages are so much more substantive. For Father’s day my deceased brothers two daughters, Vanessa and Margo, separately posted pictures of my deceased brother with messages of deeply missing him and still loving him. It warmed my heart to see pictures of him that I hadn’t seen before. On another day, another niece, Peachy, whose son had recently passed away was having an especially difficult day, so she reached out for support. Over three hundred people responded with loving caring words of comfort and posting prayers for her strength.

A retired school teacher I know proudly boasted that over 40 years ago she was responsible for initiating having all the students sing the Black National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” each morning at assembly. Another friend posted a picture of her mother with the note that over 60 years ago her mother was the first black cashier at Grant’s Department store, unbeknownst to Grants. Another one of my nieces, Kiara, posted her acceptance letter to college this fall and hundreds of accolades were posted in response. A former neighbor sent me a blessing and a prayer.

It has become an easy medium for me to stay in touch and share life stories with friends and family. I even have an avatar that is at the ready to send hugs and love as warranted. I now go to Facebook at least one a week. It is comforting. It’s always fresh and new. I, too, have started to view it as my Face Book Family.

THE LAST DANCE

During this sheltering in place, I’ve watched so much mindless television as well as a few enjoyable movies and favorite shows. I’ve been starved for the NBA basketball finals and a couple of Tennis Majors, namely the French and Wimbledon Opens. When they announced the ten part documentary series, “The Last Dance” about Michael Jordan’s basketball career, I was all in. He was one of my all time favorite players. The timing for the series couldn’t have been better. Particularly if you were like me and craved to see a good sporting event. The series didn’t disappoint. It should be viewed by anyone that aspires to be great in any sport or any profession or any particular walk of life. We see Michael’s career unfold as he remains close to his father and mother and later with is wife and children. He was grounded in this family but wanted more than anything to excel in basketball by getting a team championship ring. He had already won many individual awards and accolades, but the big one, the team championship alluded him.

We see how Michael’s burning desire was translated into action. Once he realized he wasn’t as strong as some of the other players he hired a trainer to tone and strengthen his muscles. He was relentless in doing whatever he had to do to achieve his goal. He received valuable direction from his new coach, Phil Jackson, who helped him learn to play the game better by sharing the ball with the other players. Overall his hard work and commitment to excellence allowed him to become a GOAT (Greatest Of All Time). His formula for success can be emulated by many others.

His mother, Delores Jordan wrote a book about a young Michael Jordan called Salt in His Shoes. It was one of the books I carried in my “tool kit” when I was a substitute teacher. Whenever the fifth and sixth graders were getting restless and we had some extra time, I’d pull out Salt in His Shoes and read it to the class. You could her a pin drop. The boys in particular listened intently and of course asked if it was true about the salt. And I of course,, I let each one decide for themselves.

Michael Jordan’s story is so compelling at an age. He is a role model. A guiding force.

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Return

October 22, 2020

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Writers

Anikó Bognar
Imani C. Parker
Eleanor Cyrus
Toni Delia
Toya
Joan O’bryan

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Anikó Bognar

The sprinkle of morning dew infused richness to the colors and smells of Clinton Hill, Brooklyn this fall morning


Un urge to swap up a big handful of yellow, orange, pink, red, brown, green leaves underneath the trees all over Lafayette Avenue was intense, escaped inside of a Monet painting

**


Two little branches were on the steps of a brownstone building with three yellow leaves attached to each captivated my attention, slowly fantasizing of scooping them up for the turquoise vase in my living room
Too shy to reach out and invade a neighbor’s entrance I now carry the memory of their radiant beauty everywhere during my walks in the neighborhood or at home in the empty little vase instead
A memory of the moment of stillness, these branches’ pride, humility, or rather an awareness of their own unique beauty of sun-filled existence, being part of an infinite carpet spread over the streets of Brooklyn
Much better a place to shine on those exact steps or blown away to nearby locations to continue their festive, colorful journeys within the community of fall leaves on Lafayette Avenue

***

Carlton Avenue, Brooklyn 2020


Leaves holding tight together on this majestic building on Carlton Avenue, abundance of colors and curved shapes reminiscing on Gaudi’s architecture in Barcelona, Spain

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Imani C. Parker

A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY


I woke up this morning. The sun was shining bright, brighter than I’ve ever seen. The endless days of the evil storm have finally disappeared. The howling winds of dis-ease and death throughout the world have ceased . . . No more COVD, no more fear, no violence, no hate, no hunger, no poverty, no masks, no quarantine, no civil unrest, no more deaths.

The sun is shining bright . . . Peace . . . Love . . . Joy and Victory fill the air. People are shouting “Hooray . . . Hooray” Smiling, laughing, hugging and dancing in the streets. Children are playing, laughing and running to school, happy to see their classmates and teachers too; and families and friends are uniting and gathering once again.
I pray that I will truly awake to see another bright and sunny day when the storm of dis-ease and death will finally blow away.
By C. Imani Parker ©
October 22, 2020

GROUPS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED MY LIFE


During my lifetime I have belonged to many groups and communities that have influenced or shaped my life. My church groups, social groups, theatre groups, and now senior citizen groups, have all been meaningful and provided me with an enjoyable and fulfilling life.

As a child I belonged to a little storefront church in Harlem where I was very active. Since I was an only child, It was a refuge from my everyday lonely, mundane life. I was a star in the holiday pageants. My family and friends all came to see me perform and they were so proud when I recited my five-line poems. I was an active and devoted member of the children’s choir, usher board, bible studies and any other activity that I could join. But as a teen, I began to question some of the strict rules. When my Minister was unable to provide me with a logical answer, I eventually left my little haven and began t o search for other groups (religious or otherwise). After many years of searching, I joined other groups which had positive and sometimes negative effects in my life. One of the most significant groups that changed my life was a Theatre Company where I was able to cultivate my acting talent. This was an extremely exciting and fulfilling time in my life, where I met many people who shared my views and lifestyle, and I also learned how to appreciate and communicate with people in spite of their differences. After almost 40 years I am still in touch with many of my theater friends and we enjoy reminiscing about the good ole days.

My involvement with the theatre has followed me throughout my entire career as a youth worker, a college professor, workshop facilitator, hostess/M.C. at a popular Jazz Program, a poet and most importantly as an actress and director of acting groups that enabled me to travel extensively. Today I am still benefiting from my experience in the Theatre group as a Minister, Toastmaster, Motivational Speaker, Communications Workshop Facilitator and especially in my Writing Workshop group.

These activities keep me extremely busy, but I am so happy and blessed for my involvement with the Theatre group and all of the other groups which impacted my life and allowed me to inspire and empower others.
By C. Imani Parker ©
10/22/20

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Eleanor Cyrus

SORORITY

When I first attended college right after graduating from high school I was approached to join a sorority. I thought that was so great. The ladies in this sorority came from affluent families, doctors, lawyers and Indian Chiefs. I thought it would be so wonderful to join, and I was so impressed with them and their backgrounds. My parents were not in any way in any of those professions, my father was a truck driver and my mother was a domestic. I was so impressed with these ladies I met, I wanted so badly to belong.

I dropped out of college after one year and did not return until many years later. After graduating from college I was approached again to join the graduate chapter of this sorority. I still had a desire to belong to this organization. I joined and it was interesting for a moment, then it turned ugly, people became petty and small-minded. I looked at this group of people and realized that they were not the kind of people I wanted to be involved with. I soon terminated my relationship with them. I believe in my heart that all sororities are not alike and some are really great. To hear some other sororities they are so happy with their soror-sister and would not trade anything for them they are really great. However, I found these ladies left a lot to be desired.

I no longer have that need to belong to a sorority, but I will connect with an organization that sparks my interest and their mission is to help people.

Eleanor Cyrus
10/22/20

SOMETHING I REPAIRED

My front door has two locks. My top lock was placed on my door when I moved in 35 years ago. The bottom lock the management of my complex replaced the lock.

Over the years the top lock had to be replaced for several reasons, either it broke or I just wanted it changed. Last year I was having trouble with my top lock. I went to the local hardware store and purchased a lock that was special in nature. If I needed duplicate keys there was a special code on it and it could only be duplicated if you had the code. I had asked maintenance in my housing complex to install my lock and they quoted a charge that was a lot of money. I asked the hardware store how much they would charge and they gave me an outrageous price as well.

I decided I would tackle this job myself. I took out all the pieces in the package. I read the instructions over and over again. I then began my task. I was sweating profusely as I was trying so hard to put this puzzle together.

I had several screwdrivers in different sizes to start my task. I was trying so hard, at first the lock was not fitting as I thought it should. Then the lock would not line up to the door sash. After several hours of tug of war with this lock, I was able to make the lock fit properly. I was almost crying, I was so happy, number one I saved a couple of hundred dollars, and two the lock worked.

Now I have added more initials to my resume: BA, MS, MPA, DSW, and ULS (Unlicensed LockSmith)

Amen, Amen, and Amen.

Eleanor Cyrus
10/22/20

WHAT’S ON MY CLOUDED MIND

What’s on my clouded mind, I just completed the Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA) for my daughter for college. I had been trying to finish this application since October 1, 2020 when it opened to the public to apply.

The form asked for a user name and a password. I did so and started filling it out. The form allowed me to log in and out as often as I wanted in order to complete the form. I had logged out of the application on the 2nd of October. I tried several times. I log back in but the system would not let me in telling me my username or password did not match. So I changed the user name several times, then changed the password about 10 times. I used every member of my family with several numbers. I called the government and they would tell me something that worked for the moment. Then when I logged out, I couldn’t log back in.

I started praying for patience to complete this application. Well Tuesday and Wednesday of this week I found a program on webinar to help me to understand the process. I listened but nothing was making sense to me. I prayed yesterday and called the government and asked for an agent to help me. I got a Mississippi Southern person with a very deep southern accent. She walked me through the form line for line. She “yes ma’am” me line for line. She was extremely patient. I thanked her and told her that I was not computer savvy. (She could recognize that without me telling her that.) I was so embarrassed by my ignorance. I pleaded with her not to leave me, she promised not do so. I finished the application after 9 pm. I thanked her again and again for her patience, her understanding and her politeness.

When I hung up the phone, I realized it wasn’t so bad, but because I was so anxious, it felt it was monumental. There is so much pressure on completing this FAFSA form and getting it correct and submit it before the deadline, which is November 1, 2020. There is a possibility for your child to receive a full scholarship (full ride) for college.

God answered my prayers. I finished the application, now I will be waiting to hear from the government and all 10 colleges my daughter applied to. God is so good.

Eleanor Cyrus
10/22/20

LIST OF PLACES I PLAN TO VISIT

Once the pandemic is over I plan to visit several places. I have visited 5 continents in the past. I have two more to visit, Australia and Antarctica. I would like to visit Australia but not Antarctica. It is very cold there and I’m not a lover of cold weather.

My first place to visit is Panama, see the Panama Canal. I want to learn as much about this country as I can. I have friends that were born there and they speak highly of their country and I can’t wait to see it.

I would also like to visit Sweden and Denmark. When I was much younger I worked for a company called Georg Jensen in New York City. It was a high class that sold fine jewelry, fine china, and other things from their country. I had wanted to visit that country at that time, but never had the opportunity nor the money. Now that I am able financially, the pandemic is not allowing me to visit.

As I mentioned, before I would like to visit Australia, it would be educational and fascinating. I would also like to learn more about the indigenous people of Aborigines of Australia, their history is interesting.

I love travelling and I want to see as much of the world as I can. Once I see the three places mentioned above, then, I would look for additional places to visit.

Eleanor Cyrus
10/22/2020

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Toni Delia

The list of groups that I belong to are the Drama Club with my Senior Center and the Writer's Workshop with Pratt Institute and hosted by Maria. But since the pandemic started, we are now all meeting via Zoom. I meet with the Drama Club every Tuesday afternoon and with the Writer's Workshop on Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. The Writer's Workshop has meetings on a few Thursdays for the month. I am so glad that we are able to continue meeting each other, because it gives you a feeling of still belonging to the group and we are socializing in lieu of the pandemic. The Writer's Workshop also enables you to take a walk down memory lane, once you start writing about things from your past, plus it also affords you the opportunity to learn about the other individual's past too.

***

Places that I plan to visit once this pandemic ends is visiting my friends in Florida. Every year for the past three years, I have been going to Florida to visit my friend, Norma, her husband and her elderly mom. We have a great time visiting different places in Florida. Last year we went to the Florida Keys and Miami. I felt as if Miami was more like New York City. There were several tall buildings, a train for the locals to commute back and forth to work or wherever they were commuting too. We also took a boat ride in Miami and we saw all of the celebrities' summer homes. At night, we went to dinner in Miami and they had dancing at the restaurant. So we ate, drank and danced the night away! Also, when the pandemic ends, my best friend Jeanie who is also my childhood friend just moved down to Florida this past August and I will spend two weeks with her.

***

My grandmother only lived about a mile away from me, but the only time she would come to visit was on a few of our birthdays and when my twin brother and I made our First Holy Communion. My grandmother worked and it was hard for her to come as often as we would have like her to visit. In any event, when my grandmother did come over when I was a little girl, I knew what used to get her started. I used to put both my hands on my refrigerator and lift up my skirt to show off my cute ruffled panties. I used to say, "Look Grandma," and I used to shake my behind back and forth. My grandma used to start laughing and saying some funny comments. Little did I know back then, that I have a little French in my blood. I also used to love to watch the Can Can girls. Therefore, you can say it is true, what you have in your genes will come out at one point in your life.

***

I am so proud that just the other day, I repaired my bathroom sink. The water was not going down, so I decided to boil a few pots of hot water to flush out the sink. It did help a little, but then I noticed the drain stopper was not staying closed. Well, I kept turning the stem towards me, and now it is fixed. Sometimes it is the little things in life that makes you happy.

***

This year Halloween will be different for everyone. No more Trick or Treating door-to-door. You are required to leave the candy outside and the children can grab and go. Bot even before the pandemic I remember children used to have parties in order to avoid going Trick or Treating because people were placing pins and razors in the candy. But when I was a little girl, my mom used to take my twin brother and I Trick or Treating only to people that we knew, just to be safe. Then when I was a teenager, the children used to start to knock on my door from 3 p.m. on. I used to love to see the children all dressed up. But unfortunately, times have changed.

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Toya

A photograph:
I was so fat
no teeth
4 months old posing the way my hands positioned like I had my hands on my cheeks smiling
black & white
somebody wrote on it but it did not affect the pretty vintage picture
guess what y'all
I had a Afro.
I loved that picture.

it's a small number of people that are rude and nasty
it's so terrible when people mistreat others for no reason.
When I see this it is disturbing and I feel so affected by this.
I guess I can say, from seeing and hearing about the way people treat others influenced me as an individual not to ever treat or take advantage of a person.
If people humble their selves there are ways to deal with undesirable people.

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JOAN O’BRYAN

JINGLING KEYS

When I hear the sound of my jingling keys, I remember that in order to open a door I need to first find the right key
For once the door is open, I know I will forever be transformed by the contents on the other side of it!
There were times when the anger and frustration of the person behind the door smashed my dreams against the wall together with my face
The pain and shame of those moments temporarily took my breath away and I saw the stars of the midnight sky as I slowly lost my consciousness
Awakened by my own tears and his promises that it won’t happen again, I took the flowers because I thought that battering was the testimony of his love.
It took time behind closed doors for me to realize that domestic violence was the villain of our story and I would not be able to survive the battle on my own
Thus, I closed the door behind me on this chapter of my life locking away these plethoric haunting memories as a keepsake of bittersweet regret.

SILENCE IS NEVER GOLDEN

Our silence should never be valued like gold, silver or precious gem stones
Our silence symbolizes the fear of confronting shame and feeling betrayed by our own sense of guilt and self-pity
Our silence limits career expectations leaving us immobile and immune to change or personal growth
Our silence narrows our perception of truth while corrupting both our inherent passion and creativity
Our silence becomes oppressive making us a victim and prisoner of our past experiences
Our silence is a passive-aggressive response which deprives us of an opportunity to validate our own voice thereby liberating us from destructive behavior

A FALLEN LEAF

A fallen leaf reminds me that the change in seasons is a precious gift and I must value how I spend my time.
A fallen leaf reminds me that the warmth brought by the summer days will gradually decrease while the piercing cold of the winter nights will rapidly increase.
A fallen leaf reminds me that the birds will follow their yearly route to their Southern home while the bears will find themselves a secluded cave to cuddle in after stuffing themselves with wild berries and fruit.
A fallen leaf reminds me that the Sun will leave us for the Southern Hemisphere as the daylight hours shorten their stay to make way for the pearlescent moon.
When the fallen leaf turns brown, I will put away my summer clothes with faith, hope and optimism that there will be another summer season without the looming cloud of a global pandemic.

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Joan O’Bryan

A RIDE ON A SUBWAY TRAIN

Two weeks ago, I took my first ride on a subway train since the beginning of the month of March. As I walked down the subway steps into the Borough Hall Station of the #4Train, I had an eerie feeling that I was a stranger to a familiar experience. I stopped at the token booth to ask the clerk to place ten dollars on my metro card. She told me that she was no longer allowed to place money on metro cards as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. She pointed me in the direction of the ATM machines. When I appeared hesitant about using the machine, she escorted me over to the ATM showing me where to place my twenty dollar bill. I then selected eleven dollars to be placed on my metro card. I put the money in the slot and waited for the machine to complete the transaction. I was surprised when I received my change of 9 U.S. dollars in coins bearing the face of Sacagawea and Susan B. Anthony. I glanced back at the token booth clerk who chimed in her own masked opinion that there was nothing wrong with the coins. I told her that they were heavy and could be mistaken for big quarters. I heard her chuckle when I passed through the turnstile. After receiving coins bearing the face of two very different pioneering women, I sensed that my simple train ride may become a path to an uncharted journey.

When I reached the platform, I was seemingly startled by the small number of subway riders that were waiting for the train at 9:30am; nevertheless, everyone appeared to be wearing a mask and they were socially distancing themselves at more than 6 feet. There were two men wearing masks and orange tee-shirts who passed by me with a greeting of “Good Morning.” Apparently, they were outreach workers for the Homeless population who sometimes frequent the station.

Once the train arrived in the station, I anxiously stepped into a middle car and sat down in a seat by the exit door close to the platform. I clutched the pole attached to the seat with my vinyl gloved hand. I then noticed that there were approximately 20 passengers in the subway car and they were all wearing masks and sitting more than 6 feet apart. While waiting for the train to move, a disheveled young man ran in the back door of the subway car carrying a steaming hot cup of coffee. He pulled down his mask and greeted all the passengers yelling, “how are you doing today; this is some weather we’re having.” At that point, he was grinning like the Cheshire cat in “The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland.” When none of the passengers responded, he then yelled at us saying, “nobody is talking today, huh?” When he tried to make eye contact, I joined the other passengers ignoring his glance and maintaining a code of silence. Without hesitation, he ran out as the subway car doors as they were about to close, realizing that he was the comedian who unintentionally stumbled into a wake.

As I sat back and looked at the sorrowful eyes of the other passengers, I realized that I was surrounded by a self-absorbed group of mourners overcome by their own feelings of grief and loss. I panicked as the train slowly moved our funeral procession into the twilight of the dark tunnel. I should have bolted off the train behind the Cheshire cat!. After all, I’m no Alice in Wonderland. I live in the real world and I certainly didn’t plan to share feelings of vulnerability, pain, loneliness and uncertainty for the future with a group of displaced subway riders!

Nevertheless, when the train entered into the tunnel, I closed my eyes and opened my mind. The first thing I noticed during this vision quest was that I was sitting with 20 other passengers wearing masks around a large Oval Table. I was familiar with the room since I had seen it in photographs of the White House. When I glanced over my shoulder to look out the window, I saw the homeless young man who fled our subway car; he was still grinning like the Cheshire cat while waving his hand in a farewell gesture from his perch on a nearby tree. Quickly, I turned away from the window placing my attention on the person sitting at the head of the table. He was dressed like the story book character called the “mad Hatter” who Alice followed down the rabbit hole. Our mad Hatter wore an enormous red tie that covered his suit lapels and a exaggerated black top hat while wielding a long wooden gavel in his right hand. I immediately recognized that the mad Hatter bore a striking resemblance to our President Donald Trump.

Once everyone in the room was seated, the unmasked mad Hatter asked our group to explain why we were visiting the White House. I answered the question telling him that we came to see our President and explain to him how the Pandemic has impacted our lives. The mad Hatter replied that he was the President’s representative and he would see to it that Mr. Trump received our information. He then permitted each of the subway car riders to make a statement about their present condition. Some of the riders spoke about their depression and grief from losing family, co-workers and friends; other riders spoke about losing their jobs, small businesses and places of employment. A few riders talked about not being able to make their mortgage or rent payments which generated notices of impending evictions from their landlords. Two of the women subway riders expressed that they were suffering from food insecurity stating that they could not provide their children with adequate meals or internet services for remote learning. One rider said he was experiencing addiction related problems and mental health issues because he could not return to College. You could hear the members of this group sobbing behind their masks.

The mad Hatter appeared to remain emotionally distant from the suffering of the subway riders. His stone face was expressionless as he brought down the wooden gavel on the mahogany table. A platoon of men clad in military gear rushed into the room. Pointing at our delegation, the mad Hatter gave his militia team an official order, ”lock em’ up!” As this burly group of men started dragging my people out of their chairs, I rose to my feet to address the mad Hatter. “You can’t lock us up for speaking the truth.” ”Oh yes I can,” replied the mad Hatter. “My administration has rounded the corner and defeated COVID-19; it is fading away but you crybaby Liberals are insistent on keeping the virus around by lying and reporting fake news stories.” “No,” I screamed with my loudest voice. The mad Hatter then pounded the table with his gavel and said, “lock her up!”

My whole body shook when I blinked my eyes and found myself sitting back in the subway car as the #4 train pulled in the Wall Street Station. I jumped out of my seat when the doors to the subway car opened and walked onto the platform. I removed the vinyl gloves so I could take a few minutes to wipe away my tears and acknowledge that there is a sinister plot in this country to deny the extensive damage caused by this Pandemic which can only result in more death and suffering for the unprepared American People. I found my way to the subway staircase that led to the street and away from the rabbit hole. I am more determined than ever to vote against the tyranny of the present Republican Administration.

Return

November 5, 2020

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ELEANOR CYRUS

WHAT WILL 2021 BE LIKE

I am looking forward to my daughter’s graduation from High School and preparing for college, her first choice is Howard University.

I am looking forward to taking a vacation. I want to visit Panama, Sweden and Denmark, this vacation has been postpone because of the Corona Virus Pandemic.

I’m looking forward to getting a male companion that I could have fun with and perhaps travel with. He must be younger than me and healthy, because he must be able to KEEP UP. (This I will have to do a lot of heavy, heavy praying.)

I am looking forward to a brighter year of endless possibilities.

Eleanor Cyrus
11/5/20

WHAT DOES FOOD DO FOR THE SOUL

Tomorrow I am travelling to Guilford Conn. to take my child back to school. Earlier this year my daughter introduced me to a Soul Food Restaurant called Sandra’s Next Generations in New Haven Conn. My family is from the South and I have been exposed to real good Southern Food. I can not cook that well,, but I enjoy soul food (comfort food) for example fried chicken, candy sweet potatoes, collard greens, cabbage, baked macaroni, potato salad, (chattering as a delicacy) and catfish.

I am a very picky eater, if I found a restaurant that sells good southern food I am in heaven. Thanks to my granddaughter she found a soul food restaurant in New Haven Conn. 

I decided to go straight to Sandra’s restaurant. This restaurant is a take out only, You can pre-order and pick up and go. I must say this food is so good, I thought about finding a hotel to spend the night so I could buy more food the next day. On Friday I had made arrangements with my cousin who lives in New Haven Conn. to spend the night. The plan will be Friday night dinner, Saturday lunch from Sandra’s Restaurant. I can’t wait. Finger licking good food, So good.

What does food do for the Soul you ask? It awakens every fiber of your being and sends a message throughout your body saying I am alive and well and enjoying the nourishments I am receiving, making all the moving parts of my body to keep moving.

Eleanor Cyrus
11/5/20

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ANIKÓ BOGNAR

Unanswered Disturbing Questions

My mind goes to wandering about the pandemic situation. I am clearly upset about the number of people affected by or died from COVID19 in the US and all over the globe. I profoundly would like to believe that these facts were not true. I want to keep my thoughts positive, realistic, and feel hopeful. I intend to keep my focus on the possibility that the American people would do everything possible in order to protect themselves from this immensely dangerous virus.

Another two memories pass through my mind at lightning speed. I imagine that these memorable and difficult moments, during which I felt horribly shocked, somewhat paralyzed by disbelief, will remain in my system for a long, long time. The first incident happened when the US president was allowed to publicly declare that COVID19 is not serious and will go away by Easter. The second breathtaking moment was when this same president encouraged the nation - close to 330 million Americans - to go on with their lives without safety measures, no masks, etc. I acknowledge the fact that I was traumatized by these events, a fact true for myself and for my fellow people.

I work nonstop, daily, if not hourly to keep my thoughts positive. I want to stay away from blaming any one person for misleading millions of people. I understand that it’s a much more complex phenomena. Still, millions lost touch with reality in response to these and many other politically motivated statements in the past, resulted despair, fear, more fear, trauma, more trauma, confusion, more confusion, avoidance of common sense, hardening and darkening hearts of many, leading to infections inevitably, more disease and more loss of lives in the USA and unfortunately in many other societies on the globe.

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TONI DELIA

What's on my mind today is that everyone is taking away the freedom of choice to vote for whomever you want to elect for your next president. Oftentimes I am not happy with whoever gets elected, but I do not protest or threaten anyone. We have to accept the people's choice whether good or bad and hope that whoever is elected will do the best for our country. We did our job as far as voting, so we just have to deal with the outcome.

 I had once worked for the Board of Elections when I was 18 years old. My friend's father had gotten us the job and needles to say, it was a long day, but it did pay very well. My detail was to hold the curtain open for the next person who was going to vote. It was a lot of fun and I was working with all of my friends. Now you notice how times have changed as far as the polls. The machines are all different now, and may I say, the polls are now more advanced and updated from the 1970's. 

The list of worries that I have is if President Trump is re-elected. Which I doubt very much that this is going to happen. But four years ago, I thought the same thing, and he was elected. I know if this does happen, there will be violence in the streets. 

*

A list of things that are calming for me is to watch a nice movie. Take a walk and enjoy the fresh air. I love to walk. The other day I met my friends and we went to the South Street Seaport and walked along the Seaport and we covered the whole strip overlooking the water. The water is very calming for me. I love to watch the waves and to hear the seagulls. We then went to lunch and I had a tasty fish and chips lunch and one drink. It was a nice way to spend an afternoon with friends.

*

Yesterday I went to the supermarket. On Wednesdays it is Senior Discount Day and I saved almost $12.00. I make sure that when I have a big shopping to do, I wait until the Senior Discount Day at my supermarket. In any event, I met one of my neighbors and we briefly discussed the election while I was waiting for the meat department to bring out a little Butterball turkey. Well he brought out a frozen turkey that was marked fresh turkey and to be sold and used by November 11, 2020. Needless to say, I told my neighbor this was probably in the freezer since last year. So I gently put the turkey back on the shelf along with the other meat and continued my shopping.

*

I feel that 2021 will be a great year. Since 2020 was a terrible year and we all suffered from the pandemic, violence, crime and race problems. Hopefully, the vaccine will be out for all to take, and we will have peace and equality for all. We will be able to have peace in the streets. We are all God's children, we have to love one another and treat each other with trust and respect. Life is short and while we are here on earth, we have to enjoy every moment that we have.

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YVONNE HALL

SOMEONE I LOOKED UP TO

My mother was good at making new friends and keeping her old friends. One friend she never lost touch with was her childhood best friend Viddie. They were both beautiful. There are pictures of them that they took at Murphy’s photo booth posing together and alone. Viddie married and moved to Philadelphia, but they constantly wrote letters to each other, sharing news about their growing families. Viddie visited Pittsburgh often as her husband had family ties there.

I guess I admired Viddie and looked up to her because she always gave my mother wise counsel, after my father died. “Now Earlene” she would begin her sentence when she thought my mother was misguided about something. She did it in such a gentle firm way. I guess it’s what they call an iron hand in a velvet glove. She could also be very playful. One summer members from both families went to Asbury Park in New Jersey. My mother and Viddie were like teenage girls again, giggling and laughing. I remember them wadding into the water with their hands slightly pulling their dresses upward. My mother and Viddie never wore pants. We all enjoyed ourselves. But what I enjoyed most was watching my mother and Viddie laughing and enjoying themselves.

I think of their friendship often. Both have since passed; Viddie first and then my mother. I don’t know what that feeling is like to have someone so close to share all the highs and lows of your life: the births, the illnesses, the deaths, the business of living a full life.

But, I do know how much I admired Viddie. She laughed easily, she was wise, and she had a kind heart. She loved and cared about my mother all those years. I guess that’s what made her so admirable and so special to me. 

WHAT I MISS ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH ELECTION SEASON

This is the election year for the President, for Senators, for Congressional representatives, for judges and local representatives.

In Pittsburgh, during an election year you know there is an election coming up. You can’t escape knowing about it. There are posters on polls, lawn signs, banners, bumper stickers, T shirts, and buttons everywhere. People proudly display their choice, inviting conversation or derision.

Red, white and blue dominated the landscape. On a corner where there is a vacant lot, the party or candidate fill the space with their signs.

It’s exciting because it’s so American to voice you choice loud and clear without fear of retaliation. I used to wear my choice of candidate’s button, on my jacket or coat everywhere I went.

Living in Brooklyn, I miss seeing all the signs, the outward displays of choice. With all the high rises here in Brooklyn, it’s almost impossible to replicate this atmosphere. But no-one wears even buttons to proudly display your choice. Everyone talks about their choices. You know, but you don’t see the evidence of it with T-Shirts, buttons, stickers or hats.

It’s a different feel that I’ve become accustomed to. But, I still miss being visually surrounded with red, white and blue manifestations of choice.

Return

November 12, 2020

---

VERONICA BULLARD

This past week I celebrated in ft Greene Park the BidenHarris victory; 

i managed to get my teeth cleaned way behind schedule 

then donated some items to charity. 

learning to cook Bok choy - really easy task; 

went to finally get a haircut!

funny how hair love can change your outlook

a new do can revitalize you. It was a good investment. 

today i am going for tests in Ny Hospital and 

scheming on how to get my life back on track

met a friend for dinner.

Had dinner with my grandson . He is 21 and very cautious. I was pleased to have him dine out with me. It is something we used to do. something we used to do often. 

Saturday i was on my way to the Market when people began to cheer.

i said to a neighbor it is over! 

we agreed it had been the longest Tuesday ever!

I thought God did not abandon us! Yet there is hope. 

I have stopped looking for other places to live. When I thought things were not going to go well; I began to research moving out of the US. I think now I understand the plight of others who immigrate here because they are living in fear in their own country. i was preparing myself emotionally to depart for a new environment.

---

TOYA

List of Blessings: Life, Family, Shelter, Love, Endurance to stand your ground🤝always having spiritual vibes within 

Where was I when I heard I remember my sister and I was shopping in Brooklyn, New York. My mom allowed my sister to shop for the family on Easter buying all sorts of new clothing for Easter Sunday Mass. Buying all the ingredients for the big straw Easter Basket for the 8 of us. That was so much fun. I was a little kid hanging with my big sister and friends. All of a sudden people was crying, talking and yelling something out but it was not clear. Police car rode down the street with their sirens ringing. Something was happening so they found out President Robert F. Kennedy was dead. Shot. I was a little kid. My sister holding my hand walking so fast with me we stopping on Pitkin Ave it really was a shock and a big deal to everyone 1963.

---

TONI DELIA

Where I was when I heard that the new president and vice president were elected, I was in my kitchen. I was switching channels between CNN and NY1. When I actually heard the news, I had NY1 on. I was so happy and excited that we are going to finally have someone who is an honest, religious man, as well as the vice president who knows exactly what she is doing.

What's on my mind today, as well as ever since Election Day, is that since our new president was elected, as well as our new vice president, there has been peace and less violence in the streets. When I was watching television and they showed Times Square after the president elect and vice president elect were elected, it looked like New Year's Eve. Everyone was happy and dancing in the streets, as well as all the other boros. Plus, the foreign countries were also celebrating. This is what we need is peace, and not only in the United States, but between all of the countries around the world. Right now, the two main concerns I have is first to get a vaccine for the corona virus and then to have peace in the world. 

The list of blessings that I have is first that I have God in my life. Because without God in your life, you do not have anything. then I thank God for my family and friends, and I also thank God for protecting us from the virus, and a roof over our heads, and food to eat, plus I thank God for all of our health. With all of this, I am truly blessed, thank God.

The list of things that I did this week, and everyday is basically the same thing that I read from Dr. Amen. He was giving advice on how to stay happy. He mentioned reading, socializing by telephone, or on Zoom, laughing, watching a good movie. This is what I have always done. So I can relate to exactly what Dr. Amen was saying. You have to keep yourself happy and stimulated.

The sound of rustling leaves always brings to mind that the fall is here. I love the changing colors of the leaves, as they start to fall off the trees. The sound you hear when walking on the leaves is a nice sound, and as you watch the different colors flying around on a windy day.

The way I will celebrate Thanksgiving this year is still not decided by me, ever since I heard the new mandated requirement of having only ten people gather indoors. I usually go to my twin brother's sister-in-law's house and she usually has about thirty guests. I am hoping that if the weather is nice, and since she has a lot of land in the front of her house, that perhaps we can celebrate outdoors, But as far as right now, we have to wait to find out what the weather will be like on Thanksgiving or if all else fails, I will get up early, take a nice shower and get into my nice clean pajamas and watch the virtual Thanksgiving parade. I always tape the parade when I am out on the holiday. But if I am home I will watch it live. Also, I always make a little Butterball turkey, whether or not I am going out for the holiday. So If all else fails, and I am home, after the parade, I will have my little Butterball turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, vegetables, along with my brown gravy. I will make the best of the holiday, no matter what!

JOAN O’BRYAN

JOGGING-LESS

I was astonished to see Joe Biden jog down a runway to the podium before giving his first speech as the President-Elect on Saturday night. Nevertheless, since this is such a youth motivated culture, he was probably advised by members of his transition team that jogging would make him appear to be younger and more physically fit than others of the same chronological age. Actually, jogging down the runway made him look like a game show contestant on a television program who was on the verge of winning the grand prize after guessing what was behind door number one. I personally felt that this was a demeaning media stunt for an elder statesman who brings the knowledge of more than 50 years of on the job public service work experience to the position of President of the United States. Also, he is a human being who has overcome personal challenges which include the loss of a wife, two children; in addition to, his own battle with a life threatening physical health crisis. This makes him a real-live role model who is able to provide words of comfort and understanding to ‘the sense of loss’ experienced by many Americans during this COVID-19 Pandemic.

I remember when my high school history teacher asked me to write an essay on the question of which factor makes the most significant contribution to an historical event, the individual or the environmental conditions? At age 16, I thought environmental conditions were responsible for placing individuals into leadership roles. I now know that there is a predetermined, sacred relationship associated with a person like Joe Biden and a ‘unprecedented’ historical event which is guided by a universal principle of providing us with “the right man or woman for the right time in our history.”

WHERE WAS I WHEN I HEARD

Where was I when I heard that Joe Biden had enough electoral votes to win the election for President of the United States? 

Well, I was lying across my bed on a Saturday morning when I heard a loud male voice shouting and clapping his hands from the street outside my window. “We did it, we finally got this M….. F….. out of here!” I then heard a burst of spontaneous cheers from open windows and people on the street. I jumped off the bed and went out to my terrace to join in the celebration. One woman was screaming, “it is finally over!” I breathed a sigh of relief releasing the reign of oppression generated by the Trump Administration over the last four years.

---

YVONNE HALL

SOMETHING SPECIAL 

In February of this year, the Myrtle Ave Brooklyn Partnership hosted a Book Party for Maria’s writing group. Some of the writers were on the panel to talk about their life in Brooklyn. I cajoled my young nephew, Anton and his wife Joia to come. They knew it was going to be all about seniors and the history of their lives, so I don’t think that excited them. Anyway my nephew, Anton did come that Saturday afternoon. He acknowledged to me later that he was surprised at how much he enjoyed the presentations and the stories. Overall he was pretty impressed with us as group. We weren’t “old fogies”, we were women “about something”, as they used to say. 

He got to meet my writing teacher, Maria, and told her how impressed he was at the quality of her book, As Told. He wanted to write a book on his grandmother. He and his family have since completed the book about his grandmother. I have not seen it yet, but I heard it was awesome with all the pictures and anecdotal stories from all the family members. 

Last week when he had the afternoon off, he called and invited me to lunch. We went to the Mexican restaurant, Los Pollitos, on Myrtle Ave. We sat in the outdoor eating area they had specially set up. It was so nice. I had wanted to go there for weeks. We had a wonderful time. He asked about my writing group and how everyone was doing.

I was so impressed that my group had made such a favorable impression on him. It was good to show him that I had a life and belonged to a writing group with women that were still vibrant and alert. 

---

ELEANOR CYRUS

LIST OF BLESSINGS 

I’m blessed to have experienced 82 years on earth, with no major ailments, have complete functions of all my limbs, and have a sound mind and body.

I’m blessed to have raised three children, my son and two grandchildren.

I’m blessed to still have my sister and her children around me, also two cousins that I am close with, that love me. I love them.

I’m blessed to have good friends that really care about me. 

I’m blessed to be part of an inspiring writing group where we write about out thought and concerns, which is freeing and therapeutic. 

I’m blessed to have a writing instructor that shares her knowledge and expertise to guide Seniors into a new experiences, a new occupation, descriptive writers.

I’m blessed to wake up every morning and give God thanks for waking me up to experience his miracles. Breathing, change of seasons, day, night, people, animals. Everything God has created. 

Eleanor Cyrus
11/12/20

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

IS

WHAT’S ON MY MIND

I am so thankful the Presidential Election is over. So many people that voted were first time voters both young and old. People from all over these United States realized the importance of this election they are tired of the racism, and a lack of leadership.

Now we have Joe Biden, President Elect and Kamala Harris, she is the first women, the first Black, and the first Asian to be the Vice President of these United States.

I truly believe that our Lord and Savior would deliver us from Evil. I do believe in the power of prayer. I believe our Lord can make a way out of no way.

We must continue to pray because #45 is going to try to create more destruction before he leaves the White House. 

With all the blessings that have been bestowed on us thus far and with God’s Grace, on January 20, 2021 Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America.

Eleanor Cyrus
11/12/20

HOW WILL I CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR

2020

The next holiday schedule on this calendar year is Thanksgiving. I celebrate thanksgiving every year with my sister.

Due to the Corona Virus Covid-19 my sister has been practicing safety measures, there will only be 10 people invited to her house, just family. We will be masked and have hand sanitizer at the door and no one will enter without a mask. The plan is everyone will keep their masks on except when they eat and we will have one person serving, everyone is willing to be in compliance.

This year will be different understandability but we plan to have a great time in spite of Covid-19. 

Christmas is a big deal in my house, one because I was born on Christmas Eve. I too have a Christmas dinner with my family, and celebrate my birth. The same people that attend my sisters home will attend my home.

Every year I have a grab bag, the reason for that, so I do not have to purchase a present for everyone that enters my home. I believe at Christmas everyone should have a present under the tree.

Last year I mixed it up, the grab bag, at least they blame me for getting it wrong. One person did not get a gift because the person that pulled her name was extremely late coming to my house. So she did not get a gift at the time we were exchanging gifts. So I had to go shopping in my closet and give her a gift. When the late person arrived he gave her, her gift, she ended up with two gifts. We had a lot of fun, especially poking fun at me for not getting it right.

My family warned me not to screw it up again this year, as we will have another grab bag, no one is willing to take on the task. Hopefully it will not happen again, if it does I always have a back up plan, shopping in my closet. 

Eleanor Cyrus
11/12/20 

---

ANIKÓ BOGNAR

What’s on my mind today, November 12, 2020

THE BROKEN OVEN

I found myself wondering if it was safe at all to fix my oven yesterday, letting a repairman into my apartment. Part of me questions if I could have continued cooking without a working oven because I easily managed preparing meals without any difficulty since March 2020. Another part of me feels confident that we both did the maximum possible safety precautions before, during, and after his visit. So, I want to stay positive about it.

 GRATITUDE

I am thankful for being reasonably safe in my neighborhood. I am also grateful for the relatively low number of COVID cases in my family and friends’ zip codes. I feel relieved that the number of cases reduced recently at more hotspots locations in Brooklyn. Although my thoughts take me to Hungary where the number of COVID cases ravaging wildly, similarly to our neighbor Austria, Maria’s home of origin, still gratitude is swiping through me as I recall that one of my niece successfully recovered from COVID19 just a couple of weeks ago.

BRIGHT LIGHT, BREATHTAKING FRESH AIR, HOPE

I recall suddenly last Saturday. It was a beautifully sunny fall day, November 7, 2020, few minutes before noon. There was the burst of an incredibly powerful gratitude for and feeling deeply humbled by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ victory of the presidential election. It is a privilege for being part of this moment, a transition from a 4-year long madness to a crisp air of articulation, civil voices, and basic human values I share. I am grateful for the experience of witnessing the rupture of ecstatic scream of young women just around my corner, competing with cars honking, circling suddenly around our block following the moment of news announcements.

I wanted nothing more than to be part of this unparalleled collective joy, freedom, and ecstasy, genuine and true, more than only witnessing it through my windows. I started walking around my neighborhood and some time later ended up at Vanderbilt Ave at the corner of Bergen Street. There, the air took me off guard. It was not that pure, visceral sensation of fresh oxygen I literally breathed in following the news of the democratic presidential victory. I was breathing in alcohol through my mask. Blocks of Vanderbilt Ave were closed off from cars, filled with small and large groups of people all over everywhere, standing, sitting, some on beach chairs or blankets or straight on the pavement, children drawing on the road, others walking and biking, What a peaceful, joyful celebration I became a part of! Still, I decided to escape as soon as possible for feeling extra protective of my safety, my own health in such an intensely charged environment. I felt confident to return home, still energized my safety zone.

I want to be hopeful that this presidential transition will be and can be secure. I want to believe that the shift between leaderships could happen without loss of lives and with decency; opening doors wide to begin the repair of universal wounds occurred on our values. I admit that I fantasize that state-of-the-art security resources are still accessible in this country to protect the safety of its people, surviving the madness of incited violent emotions. The eyes of the world are on us.

Bright Light, Breathtaking Fresh Air, Hope… next day, early morning on November 8, 2020, peaceful view from Brooklyn Bridge Park

Return

December 3, 2020

---

12/3/2020

 

YVONNE HALL

REVIVING MY SPIRIT

Since March 2020 Covid-19 has occupied my mind. It’s constantly in the news, my building continually sends directives that we must follow to remain safe. Now that we have this second wave as predicted, I refuse to do what I did during the first wave. I listened to Governor Cuomo everyday telling me to stay sheltered in place, which meant alone in my apartment. As a consequence, I went out of my apartment only to go to the Walgreens pharmacy, the bank and Key Food grocery store. This was about eight trips in the three months. Everywhere, there were lines.

I talked to no one. People were dangerous. Anyone could possibly be a potential killer. I would wave at a neighbor or say “Good to see you”, while staying six feet away. I was safe, but the consequences for me being isolated for three months, basically talking to no one and having the feeling that I could die any day, eventually made me very sick. Not from Covid-19, but because of it. I became severely anemic and ended up in the hospital for a week. At the time my doctor discovered my anemia, I was in the process of making adjustments to my lifestyle by expanding my circle of contacts. It was helping me to restore my well being. As my brother reminded me, humans are social beings that crave and need human contact.

Now with this second wave, I refuse to shelter in place. I had an appointment with my podiatrist in Brooklyn Heights on Tuesday so I decided to stretch out my afternoon instead of immediately returning home. After my appointment, I stopped in the local Rite Aid store to purchase some cosmetics, which I will start using everyday. I planned to walk from Court Street down Fulton Street to Flatbush Ave to Juniors restaurant to get their half price pastries. On the way I stopped at a fruit stand and got some strawberries, a pineapple, a cantaloupe and an avocado. Then at the next stand I got a battery for one of my watches. 

I continued strolling down Fulton street until I saw a Sabrett's Hot Dog wagon. I couldn’t resist. I ordered one with mustard and sauerkraut. I ate it standing on the 

sidewalk. It tasted especially good since I haven’t had one in over a year. Further along Fulton Street, I was surprised to see so many stores that were boarded up and closed for good on this main thoroughfare of downtown Brooklyn. It has been almost a year since I’ve walked down this street. Then to my surprise the McDonald’s next to Macy’s had closed, as well as the CenturyThree Mall across the street.

Fortunately, one of my favorite stores was still open - T. J. Maxx. I happily went in and found a bustling crowd of shoppers. I truly felt alive. It has been over a year since I’ve shopped inside a store.

Then I made my way to Juniors. When I got there I saw a lady dining alone at one of the tables. I purchased my apricot pastry and chocolate croissant and decided to go inside the dining room, too. My first experience eating inside a restaurant since March when my writing teacher, Maria, invited some students to lunch. I felt like a whole person again, doing activities that used to be commonplace and normal. 

I had made a conscious decision to experience life that day, because my Thanksgiving was not what I had hoped for. I wanted so much to be with my family in Pittsburgh, in particular, my brother Rod and my sister Marilyn. But there was no way I could. I won’t fly. I won’t sit on an enclosed bus for eight hours, and I won’t drive that distance alone. So I tried to make the best of my situation. For the first time in years I didn’t watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. For me that was a tell tale sign that something was seriously wrong. I could feel myself slipping into a mild depression. 

A neighbor had stopped by and my face must have signaled my mood because she said “Are you all right?” “No” I said. “I’m not all right. I’m stuck here in Brooklyn. I can’t fly anywhere. I can’t take a bus anywhere. No I’m not all right.”

“Well if you want to talk give me a call,” she said.

A couple hours later when I played that conversation over in my mind, I also heard the words, “Physician Heal Thy Self”. I immediately stopped feeling sorry for myself. I thought of all the things that needed to be done in my apartment. I started cleaning and sorting through my clothes. I made an appointment with my podiatrist. That’s when I decided to do something after my appointment. It turned out to be one of my best decisions.

I enjoyed the Fresh Air.

I enjoyed walking.

I enjoyed seeing and talking to people in the shops and on the street.

I enjoyed being helped and escorted across the street by a young man

carrying Eucalypts branches that he had bought at the Farmer’s

market a couple blocks away.

I was grateful to be alive to celebrate this day and enjoy all of God’s Blessings.

Going forward with my life, I plan to get out of my apartment and my neighborhood at least once a week. I will add to my list of survival tips. “Walk and Get Fresh Air”. In addition to making me feel better, it helped me get a good night's sleep. 

---

ANIKO BOGNAR

WHAT’S ON MY MIND TODAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020

I was thinking about our upcoming writing class as I lay on the couch for a brief relaxation at 10:00 am. I noticed a sense of blankness in my mind, waiting leisurely until the class begins. I wondered about my body to get ready for our two-hour long writing session. I contemplated the word writing and the meaning of the word. I was visioning that a word functions like a little sticker placed on thoughts or rather onto a tiny flicker of a budding thought signaling an emerging concept in the mind. Words are attached to feelings and body sensations in myriad ways as well. Words belong to the individual the exact same way as they belong to every being, creating an invisible matrix of ever changing connections.

I was wondering what writing is, then I thought of it as a precious gift on its own right. It’s a magical activity in which the vast majority of humans engage these days. I admire those writers who are capable of creating a completely beautiful story never heard of by grabbing words out of an immense bag of vocabulary, through reflecting spirits, minds, feelings, bodies, and fantasies. Writings of any kind have given me tremendous joy, excitement, knowledge, growth, and health, each time deepened my relationship to myself and to the world in a unique way. I feel gratitude for the writers who accompanied my life journey. I am especially grateful for our writing class with Maria and my classmates. It is a calm, safe, full of rituals and joyful space! I confidently sit down in front of a blank sheet of paper, relaxed, with a clear mind with enough eagerness to dive into the vastness of unknown possibilities. I like this moment of suspension while the group is browsing the list of props Maria thoughtfully prepared for us. I stay non-committed for a while, intentionally stretching the time for ideas emerge freely, openly, on their own pace, single mindedly focusing on the words. Then they seamlessly begin to guide my writing.

THE BEST OUTING SINCE COVID

I have been in isolation since March, only leaving my home for daily walks. The shock of life in danger accompanied by the unstoppable and dark shrieking of ambulance cars swept me away, a tsunami frozen in time. Every moment of traveling by car heading for miles away from the safety of my peaceful home felt overwhelmingly traumatizing when my ex-husband and my son took me to the ocean in mid-July for which they have been patiently waiting for. The wind was blowing into my face from all four windows in the car. The physical proximity of them sitting with their masks in front of me and the bright sun on the clear blue sky both advocated for pushing my fright to the back of my mind. By the time we arrived to Far Rockaway I had slightly more confidence in my ability to handle the constant presence of vicious uncertainty if we all would be safe, remain healthy, and survive this adventure.

We placed our separate beach towels in a triangular shape at least 9-10 feet apart on the sandy slope. The wind was blowing especially hard on that Friday afternoon, burying our towels and belongings mercilessly. Stuffing our eyes longing to take in the exquisite beauty of the ocean view and our mouths hungry to talk or eat our delicious sandwiches. We had to either shout or stay quiet for our ears being muffled by the uncompromisingly forceful sound of sand blown around us. The ocean was as helpless as we were, luckily holding down its waves calmly right at our beach but slowly darkening its shades, wisely listening to a grand overture of a fuzzy summer afternoon. Everything appeared to be surreal, the ocean, the wide horizon, as if a surrealist collage. I still sensed this world so much loved all my life, being more than familiar to me. Still, it felt completely temporary, awkward, dream like. Time felt suspended. Swimming in the water back and forth - for a long time I think - felt like a visit in a place dearly loved but temporary. The walk alongside the ocean remained ambiguous as my legs took me dutifully on my favorite spot on the beach: strolling right where the ocean and its shore meet, stopping here and there to savor the moment of standing on the edge, feeling the wet sand underneath my bare foot and falling in love with the sun all over on my skin.

The memory of this afternoon holds the three of us together lounging on our towels, turning towards each other, trying to connect against the forces of nature, in a weightless, suspended-in-time snapshot at the Rockaways. I am truly grateful that my ex-husband and my son showed up at my door that day. I never would forget my son’s encouraging beautiful warm blue eyes fixed on me, waiting patiently until I found my courage to be treated for my birthday by this outing.

---

VERONICA BULLARD

The first thing for me in December is to celebrate my birthday 

then my mother and two brothers have birthdays this month

The actual day is tenth but I am accepting early and belated good wishes

I am learning to be less judgmental and show myself love and forgiveness 

the way I am loving and kind with others.

I am always harder on myself than I am with others 

*

My best outing since the pandemic; 

one summer day I was taken onto a music outing 

on a bed stuy block to 

live jazz

neighbors only kids playing on sidewalks 

no cars no crowds 

just sounds of a late summer night in Brooklyn

it was magical 

the band was great!

---

TONI DELIA

The list of things to do in December is of course, prepare myself for Christmas. Although it will be different this year since the pandemic hit us. But you have to make the best of what you have here and now. With that being said, I already put up my Christmas tree, Christmas hand towels, Christmas dish towels and matching pot holders, plus I have a lot of Christmas statutes all around. We all need some cheering up during the holidays, especially this year. On occasion, I play and sing Christmas songs. I love to watch all of the Christmas shows. What I did do since no one can visit you due to the pandemic is, I sent pictures of my Christmas decorations on Facebook and I also showed my decorations on FaceTime. My Christmas shopping is all done. I have to start writing my Christmas cards, and in my freezer I have my Premium Butterball turkey. So at this point in time, all I have to do is cook my Christmas dinner on Christmas day. Plus, my twin brother and sister-in-law and I will visit my mom and dad at the cemetery and bring them flowers or perhaps a small Christmas tree.

*

The list of things that I am grateful for in 2020, is that we are alive and well, thank God. So, we have to continue to be safe and follow all of the necessary protocols. Also, I am happy to hear that by December 15, 2020, a vaccine will be coming out. It does give you some relief to know that help is on it's way.

My Thanksgiving turned out better than expected. I basically started the day by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, then I had some pigs in a blanket for lunch. Right after lunch, all the phone calls started coming in to wish me a Happy Thanksgiving, as well as I, who made phone calls wishing everyone the same. At 3 p.m. we had a Zoom Thanksgiving gathering with my drama club, which was my idea, since we were all home alone for Thanksgiving. At 4:30 p.m. I had my turkey dinner with all of the trimmings. At 5:30 I facetimed my twin brother and his in-laws to wish them all a Happy Thanksgiving. Needless, to say, every year for the past ten years, I am usually with them, but not this year. But I will make up for that next year! Afterwards, I watched some more television in my pajamas, and I was nice and cozy and comfortable. So I guess you can say that I had a lot of company for the holiday, virtually.

*

The secret recipe that I finally found is potato Kugel. When I went to Pennsylvania with my friends, we stopped into this cute restaurant and had breakfast. They gave you a potato pie, for which I tried to find the recipe on the internet for so long. When I was on the telephone talking to my friend recently, Bonnie first started talking about potato pancakes, and then she mentioned the magic word, potato Kugel. I immediately went on to the website and there it was, something I was trying to find for so long, the only thing was I did not know what it was called. So soon I will prepare it for myself and have a nice side dish when I want something different to eat.

---

TOYA

List of things I observe about myself 

I am not: 

Dishonest, do not live a double life

Do not lack responsibility 

Not cruel

Not misleading

Do not have control issues

Not judgmental 

The secret recipe: Do not let them see you sweating😩while being humble 

Patience is so essential to this recipe with little sugar & honey put in a positive Energy 

surely that will hold the receipt together when you put your foot in it...so they say😋

My dinner Party: You’re invited. My little nephew Kiki dod 9/4/92 sending my niece Tiye dod 10/2/20 my dear girlfriend 6/8/20 oh please my angel 8 yo Shanty dod 10/30/20 Ms. Buffong dod 11/18/20 

ok of course Mama & Dad 

the best dinner party ever 

CHEERS 

God almighty imagine that I love these souls 😇

Return

December 17, 2020

---

YVONNE HALL

HOLIDAY MEMORY FROM LAST YEAR

Last Christmas season, I over decorated my Christmas remembrance tree with too many ornaments. I still thought it was beautiful. I was looking forward to new beginnings. I didn’t have to wait too long. A gentleman I had been chatting with frequently, approached me as I was going into the building. I had just run out to pick up a few things at the nearby grocery store that was just a half block away. All I did was put my coat on over my “at home” outfit. That means totally comfortable clothes, everything loose fitting.

I was so excited to see him as he often offered to assist me with my bags.. He had helped me in the past, but I always politely thanked him at the door. Today, I decided to invite him in to see my tree. A gentleman caller. I was so happy that I forgot what I was wearing as I rushed to turn the tree lights on. He was standing in the middle of the room and said something like “This is nice”. As he turned toward the lighted tree, I was taking off my coat. He quietly turned away and headed for the door. He made some comment about my getting maintenance to fix the door and left. I haven’t seen him anywhere since that time.

On New Year’s Eve I was invited to go to a live Jazz Concert at the Emmanuel Baptist Church. I love Jazz and thought maybe… Well, at least I got to hear some superb music.

I had been looking forward to having a more active social life in 2020. Then Covid-19 hit and everything was put on hold. I guess I’m thinking about this because another unfruitful year has passed. I’m not putting up my tree this year. It will be a very solitary and quiet holiday that I am totally prepared for. 

When I get my vaccination, I envision getting out more and going places. It’s two shots, one a booster, with 24 to 28 days in between. So maybe by springtime, I can start making a fuller life for myself.

COVID-19 VACCINE DILEMA

Always, always, always on my mind is the coronavirus. I was elated a couple weeks ago when I managed to move forward with positive optimism. I was determined to get through this second phase unscathed. Then the big announcement came that the vaccine was ready. The FDA had approved it and the next day planes and trucks were transporting the vaccine to their predesignated sites. 

The CDC has determined the order of distribution; first: Health Care Personnel; second: workers in essential and critical industries; third: People at high risk for severe Covid-19 illness due to underlying medical conditions; and fourth: people 65 years and older.

I had vowed that I wouldn’t get the vaccine until at least half the population had been vaccinated. Again, fear flooded my thoughts and emotions. What if there were to be long term consequences. What if my body wouldn’t be receptive. What if, what if. On and on.

I watched the ninety year old woman being the first woman in England to receive the vaccine. She was so positive, so unafraid. I admired her. She just seemed to know something about living life. She had made it to ninety so I guess she did. Then I listened to the medical doctors on television explaining the test results and stressing how good this vaccine is going to be.

All right, I’m inching a little closer to deciding. Then my Doctor’s Office text to say they had received the vaccine so do not call - they will call when ready.

Ok, decision day is coming. Then ABC had a one hour special about how the vaccine was prepared so quickly and how Operation Warp Speed worked. They had scientists that were deeply involved long before this pandemic emerged. It was their life’s work. They had been preparing for this. So with billions of dollars feed into their coffers and a strategy for testing, preparing and distributing the vaccine working simultaneously, they were able to accelerate the entire process. Over 40,000 people participated in the trials. The program was very effective at convincing me not to hold back.

I had a conversation with a neighbor discussing the program. I asked him what he was going to do. He said, “The vaccine is not going to kill you, but Covid-19 will”

Well that was it. When my call comes, I’ll be ready.

In the meantime I’m going to try to be more like the ninety year old woman from England. She seemed to have made an assessment and dived in. I have lived my life cautiously. Studying and assessing all sides of an issue or situation. I’ve probably missed out on a lot of good things in life because of my caution. So, I’ve made a New Year’s resolution: To Be more spontaneous and less cautious. To exercise good judgment, but don’t let so many good things pass me by.

---

TOYA

To have the ability to smell is a blessing. My favorite can be Jasmine, Aloe, Lavender oils and the 👃🏼 of favorite foods -steaming hot pizza, home cook turkey fills my apartment on a cold snowing morning and oh the smell some delicious hot coffee is the best. 

 *

I see groundskeepers shoveling the white stuff called snow all machinery in the yard covered with this white stuff when Mother Nature calls 🎼ain't no stopping it🎼 also see some Christmas lights deco on some windows as well as mine. Where are the kitten & cat during this storm but I see a few birds flying and landing in the fences when I look out my window and see a few people walking about. I hear the birds singing. I think them too are looking for their 4 legged friends. Overall it’s beautiful amazing and God will Thank You 🎉🎂Today my girl birthday Mary she is resident of community since 1969.

*

Fragile & Strong: 

Fragile, CANCER CELL, COVID-19, SUDDEN DEATH Strong, BEATING IT...

Dear Friend,

How are you. I miss you so much. I care about you so I try to be honest and truthful to you. Tell mommy I said hello I will give her a foot massage soon. I know you are the center of attention. Please tell Vivian, Kathy n Joey oh and Mommy Florence hello don't forget to look out for KiKi he's still tall and handsome

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TONI DELIA

The things I see from my window today is a beautiful winter scene. The snow is falling, and the bare trees are all covered with snow. When it snows it does remind you of the White Christmases that we used to have years ago. This Christmas, the weather channel is predicting snow on Christmas day, so we will have our old fashioned White Christmas once again!

*

The list of things that I have to do before the New Year is basically prepare myself for a quiet New Year's Eve. This will be the first time that I will be spending New Year's Eve alone, due to the fact of the ongoing pandemic. But as usual, the phone calls will be coming in and I will make a lot of phone calls as well. Also, I will be using Zoom and Face Time so I will feel that I am not alone. I have faith and hope that

all will be back to normal in 2021. We now have several vaccines and I will take the vaccines once it is available to me. It is a two step procedure.

*

My list of favorite smells are walking past the laundromat and smelling all of the nice fragrances of various soaps. Also, I love the smell of perfume, which for myself, I love Estee Lauder fragrances and body powder. When a man wears cologne, I absolutely love the smell. It is an extra benefit of wearing perfume or cologne.

*

The list of things that I had cradled are various. One that I especially love is to cradle babies. I still remember holding my Godson in my arms and it was such a precious moment. In the past years, I have held several babies in my arms, as well as dogs and cats. I used to have a cat by the name of Tomasina and I used to hold her in my arms like a baby and dance with her. To hold someone in your arms is such a feeling of closeness and love.

*

The year was 1960, and my twin brother and I were just going into the first grade at St. Patrick's Elementary School. Well my dad was working in construction and back in those days, it was feast or famine. If it was too hot or too cold you did not work. Well, now the cold weather was fast approaching and my dad for the first time

in his life was not working, he was laid off for a few months, due to the extremely cold weather. My twin brother and I were wearing light jackets because my dad was temporarily out of work for a few months. Needless to say, the school

had a boy's convent and they donated a winter coat for my twin brother and for me, they made a collection so they were able to give my mom the money to buy me a winter coat. This was the first time that my dad was doing so poorly because of the extremely cold weather, that my dad decided to get a new job at a food warehouse picking up cases, which he worked there for twenty five years. My dad decided that this would never happen again. Because before and after that year, we always had the best of food, candy and clothes. But that time was time for my dad to make a change in his career. Which he did and all was well once again.

My childhood memory was waiting for Santa to come to deliver our toys. My twin brother and I once heard noise on our roof and a jingle noise that we assumed it was Santa Claus and his reindeer dropping off the toys earlier than usual. Well I still remember getting up early in the morning running over to the Christmas tree

and opening up all of our toys. It was so exciting. Also, the night before Christmas, my mom and dad used to put some cookies in a dish and a glass of milk for Santa Claus upon his arrival. But as the years went by and we knew our fireplace was sealed, we asked our parents “how does Santa Claus get into our house,” and our parents said “he comes in through the fire escape.” Well, that pleased our curiosity. But

those years were and still are very special to me.

---

ELEANOR CYRUS

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

Yesterday December 16th the weatherman broadcast there was going to be a major snow storm. On this day was my sister's birthday and I wanted to visit her to help her celebrate her 84th year. Because the weatherman was telling us this storm was going to be big and the show was going to be at least 3 feet or better. I told my sister that I was going to visit her from 12noon until about 2pm as the storm was expected at 4 pm and I didn’t want to be caught in it. Well, I visited from 12:30pm and left her house about 2:15 pm to arrive at my home before the storm 

I watched the snow last night for a long time it was beautiful, and knowing I did not have to be in it was a blessing. This morning December 17th as I looked out my window, I saw my neighbors across the street shoveling snow off their stairs, another neighbor shoveling the walkway in front of his house. One man walking along the sidewalk cautiously, not to fall, cars parked piled with snow, one space cleared, someone was brave enough to move their car. The street has been plowed however snow still blanketed the street.

The wind is blowing and the trees appear to be taking a beating. I see a man walking his dog, how dedicated one must be to weather the storm and take his dog out in 25 degree weather. 

As I looked at the men shoveling the snow, the next step for them was to salt the area. Which one of the men was doing. Times like this I am so happy to live in a Coop where the street is shoveled and salted for us. How blessed I am to be in a very warm place and not worry about these things. I am blessed to experience one of God’s miracles, the ‘snow’.

Eleanor Cyrus
12/17/20

SNOW UNDER FOOT

On location of the Marvel film “Hawkeye”, where I was a Background Actor, the director of this film wanted to create a winter scene at Rockefeller Center in New York City near the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. 

It was the beginning of December. The temperature outside was cold, however, it was not considered wintery. The director wanted to create a scene of winter with snow on the streets. The director ordered snow to be placed on the streets and sidewalks, a truck drove up with a snow machine on it and started spitting out snow, and the workers on the truck started putting snow on the sidewalks and in the streets. Another person came right behind them with a small can and started spraying the snow with charcoal to make the snow look dirty. Before the snow was put down there was a water truck, which sprayed the entire streets with water. The entire scene was “set” and looked like a real winter area, very impressive.

As a Background Actor we were instructed to walk back and forth across the street walking on and over the fresh snow. It was soft underfoot and it was amazing. Technology is wonderful. The entire scene was awesome.

I began to think about Christmas in New York as we were at the Rockefeller Center near the Rockefeller Christmas tree up front and personal. The Christmas tree was massive with miles of lights in different colors. The entire area was beautifully decorated, looking down the corridor to the street it was clear to see the Saks 5th Avenue Department store. The entire building was draped with different lights, the lights would change colors as the Christmas music played. This was an amazing and beautiful sight to see.

Eleanor Cyrus
12/17/20

WINTER COAT

While I was on the movie set filming the Marvel movie (Hawkeye), several things happened. The scene takes place in the winter and every Background Actor, as I was, had to dress in winter clothing. That was not a stretch because it was December and it was very cold outside. It was also wise to put on layers of clothing as we had to stand for long periods of time in the cold. 

This particular day I came on the “set” dressed in a Brown Jacket which was very warm. Everyday all clothes to be worn in a scene had to be inspected by the wardrobe supervisor. I passed inspection in my Brown Jacket that day.

The very next day I decided to put on a long light grey coat with a hood. The jacket I had on the day before was good, but I had to stand in the cold for a long period of time and my knees got cold, really cold. I realized I needed a long coat. So I decided to wear my “Sunday Long” light gray coat. I knew my knees would be covered and warm. It was great, I thought.

When I arrived on set the next day I went to be inspected by the wardrobe department. The female in charge asked me if I had another color coat with me, I told her that I did not. She explained my light gray coat was not acceptable for this scene because it was too light and it would show up on camera and I could not outshine the principal actor, Jeremy Renner. The wardrobe decided to give me a darker coat, it was paper-thin, and I had to wear it outside in the freezing cold. I nearly froze in this paper-thin coat. When I came back to the set I told the supervisor about this paper-thin coat. The supervisor acted like she was concerned about my complaint when I told her I was so cold in this coat, but she wasn’t .

The following day I again wore my very warm Brown Jacket, but I put on layers of tights, pants and socks so my legs and feet would not get cold. The supervisor in the wardrobe department wanted to know if I had another coat, I told her NO, and I was not changing to any of their clothes. She rolled her eyes and walked away.

As a background actor we are not on camera most of the time. The camera only sees your back, not your face, and you do not have a speaking part. So I don’t know what the noise was all about. 

Eleanor Cyrus
12/17/20

CHILDHOOD HOLIDAY MEMORY

This is the Christmas season, as a child Christmas was a special time for me, first my birthday is December 24th. Born the day before Christmas, some people would say I’d get cheated for gifts, but I wasn’t. My mother made sure that I received a Christmas gift as well as a birthday gift. As I got older the people that were in my circle of friends and family knew, and they also gave two gifts.  

As a child my mother would take us, my sister and myself to Radio City Music Hall at Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas show and the Rockettes. It was wonderful. We also experienced a person playing the Hammond Organ at Radio City, which was a one of the highlights on the program. What a wonderful sound. He played songs that we could sing along. It was a wonderful time of the year.

After the show at Radio City my mother took us to Horn and Hardart Automate Restaurant. This restaurant was unique. All the food was in little window slots. If you wanted some food, you had to put money in a small opening , once it registered the little door window would open and you could get your food out. We enjoyed putting the money in the slot to get the food of our choice. My mother exposed us to so many wonderful things in the city, the theatre, movies, restaurants, museums and libraries. My mother was awesome. Sometimes we don’t know this special wonderful, loving genius you have until she is gone.

THE BEGINNING 

Eleanor Cyrus
12/17/20

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VERONICA BULLARD

I learned from the election that my country is worth saving. The spirit of our ancestors is the core of our greatness. Their Passion for life without tyranny and darkness lives on. 

This election confirmed for me that you cannot give in to despair and that living in a democracy means sometimes the "other" guys win. History will be the judge of what we have done-for our children's sake. The greatest generation earned the title for the many sacrifices they made and the suffering they endured for their children. This election was proof their suffering was not in vain. 

*

Dear Gwen; u are my true sister I will never stop missing you wish you were close to me now! 

Dear Friend thank you for teaching me the true meaning of friendship. I used to laugh and say if I told you that I had killed someone, you would calmly say " they deserved to die" without question. my sister of the heart ❤️ even tho we are apart.

Have a wonderful safe and healthy Christmas all! And the best of 2021 is yours. 

---

Joan O’Bryan

SIRENS#2

Eight months ago, I wrote a prompt called Sirens expressing my feelings of helplessness and despair over the massive number of deaths caused by COVID19, in New York City. My very existence was haunted by the alarming sound of the ambulance sirens blaring throughout the night reminding me of the struggle for Life and the nearness of death. Right now, I can only hear a faint echo of the screaming sirens on city streets since their intensity appears to have temporarily faded away. The Sirens left us to become enriched by playing their long, piercing monotonous notes along the highways and roads as they increase the territory covered by them while following the path of COVID19. This virus continues to spread its wings like a swarm of Locust seeking a more agreeable climate while overwhelming its host with new victims as it travels within towns and cities across the United States. Today, approximately 2,777 Americans died from COVID19 and the experts warn that the daily numbers will increase accompanied by the mournful wails of the Sirens.  

Return

January 14 & 28, 2021

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IMANI C. PARKER

INAUGURATION DAY – JANUARY 20, 2021

By C. Imani Parker©

January 28, 2021

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TONI DELIA 1-14-21

The way that I spent New Year's Eve this year was a very quiet holiday. I stayed home alone and the very first thing that I did was take a nice hot shower and put on a clean pair of pajamas. In fact, the pajamas that I was wearing were very festive. They had a big champagne glass on the front of my pajamas and the bottom part had several champagne glasses and bottles of champagne. Then I prepared my pigs in a blanket for lunch, and for dinner I made a rib steak. At 6 p.m. two of my friends and I had a conference call and I made a rum and coke and they were drinking the same thing. I had bought a tiny bottle for this special occasion. We all wanted to celebrate the best we were able to do under these circumstances. I watched television from 8 p.m. all the way to 2 a.m. I had the Dick Clark's celebration on. But of course, at midnight, I called my twin brother and sister-in-law and a few of my friends to wish them all a Happy New Year. We are all hoping that this will be a better year and we all said, "Goodbye and Good Riddance to 2020 and Hello 2021." 

*

The list of things to do to get the vaccine: First you have to go onto the website to find out where they are giving the vaccine that is the closest to your neighborhood and you can also call a number to find out where they are giving the vaccine out. I did both. I was lucky because where my primarily care doctor is located, I was able to get an appointment for tomorrow. I am so excited and I just can't wait to get my first vaccination and afterwards while I am there, I will make an appointment for my second vaccination. Thank God, we are all on the road to recovery.

*

The list of things that I hold in my mind and heart this year, is to hope that we will be able to live our lives again, just like before the pandemic hit. I feel and really hope that once all are vaccinated we will continue to live our lives with our family and friends and to be able to meet, hug and kiss one another without any fear of contacting some disease.

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ELEANOR CYRUS

THE SUBWAY

On January 6, 2021 I was selected to work on a new TV film called the “Equalizer” featuring Queen Latifah. I was instructed by Central Casting to go to 41st and 8th Ave, NYC to pick up a special bus that would take me to the site in NJ Meadowlands where they were filming, so I thought.

 

In order to get to 41st Street and 8th Ave in NYC, I had to take the 54 bus that rides on Myrtle avenue in Brooklyn where I live. When I boarded the bus I had exact change. The fare is $2.75, however for Seniors, which I am, is $1.35. I was a happy camper. I noticed when I boarded the bus they had a credit card scanner on the bus for those who did not have money or a credit card. All you had to do is place your card in front of the scanner and the machine extracted $2.75. I rode the bus to the last stop, which was Jay Street in Brooklyn. 

 

A couple feet away, was the subway train station. I walked down three flights of stairs into the subway. To my surprise there were those same credit card machines. There was no one in the token booth. I did not have any change. I saw the machine that you had to put money in and it gave you a metro card. I had trouble with those machines previously so I did not want to try to get a metro card out of it, also I did not see one that gave senior discounts. So I didn’t bother to tackle it, so I used my credit card and went through the turnstile.

 

I had to walk down another flight of stairs to get the A-train, I looked to see what side of the train I had to take the local or the express. I wanted the express as I did not want to be late. I was scared to death to use the train because lately there had been so many horror stories, people being hit over the head by some stranger or someone pushing people onto the tracks. I saw seats on the platform and sat down, I was looking all around.

 

Soon the train came and I boarded and sat down, I was looking up and down the train looking for crazy people and plotting to escape if approached. It dawned on me I was not as young as I used to be, and running would be a hardship had I tried. My fighting skills were not as sharp as they used to be when I was younger. It became very obvious while climbing the subway steps I was out of breath. How could this be? I don’t smoke.

 

I arrived at the 42nd street stop. I was about to get off, when I realized I was at the wrong end of the train. I needed to be at the 41st street exit, I was at the 42nd street exit. Well, that meant I had to walk the length of the train station. I was not a happy. My fear was getting the best of me, constantly looking around, I had on a jacket with a big hood which made it difficult to glance around I had to fully turn around, which anyone nearby would have thought there is “something wrong with that lady? She is acting so strangely.”

 

I finally came out of the 41st street station. I was super early and had to wait almost an hour before the special bus arrived. I was super cold, too. There were a lot of people going to the film site at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. When we arrived at the film site, I thought we were scheduled to work on the film, to my surprise all we did was take a Covid test. We were then put back on the bus and returned back to 42nd street subway station.

 

To take the subway back home, my fears began to escalate, I was thinking all kinds of things that had happened to people on the train, I began to pray for my safety and began to calm down. My mind drifted to something pleasant, a couple of hours of being inconvenienced we were paid $100. For taking a Covid-19 test.

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Eleanor Cyrus

1/6/21

RUN-OFF ELECTION IN GEORGIA

On Tuesday, January 5, 2021 Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff won the Senate Democrat seat in Georgia. In the history of Georgia they have never had a Black senator. Georgia is a Republican State. 

 

This day made history the first Black person to become senator Mr. Raphael Warnock. There were two senate seats available in the Senate Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff (Jewish) won those seats. Now the house has 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats, what that means, if there is a tie vote on a bill the Vice President, which will be Kamala Harris (the first Black/Asian Vice President in the history of the United States) will break the tie. Now the Republicans no longer control the House or the Senate. 

 

The new administration, Joe Biden President and Kamala Harris the Vice President. Now that the Democrats have control of the house there should be more laws passed. “Moscow Mitch” Mitchell McConnell will no longer be the Republican Majority Leader now that the Democrats are in control, Democrat Charles Schumer will be the new Majority Leader.

 

When President Obama was in office, “Moscow Mitch” vowed that President Obama would be a “one term president”. He was determined that he would not approve any bills that President Obama presented. GOD stepped in President Obama won his second term. President Obama had to use Executive Orders to pass laws (bills) he wanted for the People of the United States.

 

President Obama nominated a person for the Supreme Court. Mitch McConnell would not entertain an ordinance with this person. Look how GOD works. The person President Obama wanted was Merrick Garland. President-elect Joe Biden nominated Merrick Garland to be the Attorney General. Which in the long run is a better position because he will be able to clean up the mess Trump made which is a lot.

 

When we thought there was no hope, GOD stepped in and changed History. Stacey Abrams is also a special Angel GOD placed in our lives she changed the history of Georgia. She organized Black people to register to vote both young and old. She register young people turning 18 years old to be able to vote in the upcoming election.

 

Older people who had never voted or had not voted in a long time Stacey Abrams organized and changed the thinking of Black people, and look what happened, people came out of the woodwork to vote and changed the complexion of Georgia from Republican to Democrat. They voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, Look how GOD works.

 

GOD works in mysterious ways his wonders to be performed.

Eleanor Cyrus
01/05/21

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IMANI C. PARKER

JANUARY 5 & 6

January 5, 2021 began in prayer when my circle of Prayer Warriors came together (on Zoom) and prayed for the healing of this nation and the world….We prayed for the end of COVID. We prayed for Peace and Justice. We prayed for a positive outcome of the Senatorial Election in Georgia, and most of all, we prayed for a Peaceful and positive transition of the Government…The prayers were uplifting and left me with a feeling of Hope and Peace…We said our Amens, Ashe and Hallelujahs knowing and believing that all is well…And our prayers were answered- Rev. Warmocks had won and Ossoff was a probable winner. With these two winners, Mitch McConnell would no longer control the Senate.

Then later that day, all hell broke loose….The President of the United States declared a war with his venomous words of deceit and violence.    He incited thousands of his supporters to march to the Capitol and to fight for his lies that the election had been stolen from him and that he had literally won the election. Many of his supporters followed his instructions. Like barbaric savages, they broke into the capitol threatening to kill and destroy the lawmakers who were trapped inside of the Capitol building as they attempted to confirm the electoral votes….Some lives were lost, while others were injured and many lives were in danger. This was truly the beginning of a Civil War and there are threats of worse to come…While No. 45 was impeached yesterday, we do not know what the future will hold. Therefore, I can only pray and hope we can all live in Peace and Harmony to see another bright and sunny day….

In closing, I pray that January 20th will be a bright sunny peaceful day .

The whole world will join in unity to see the inauguration of the new President and V.P., Kamala Harris, the first woman, a woman of color to ever become the Vice President of the United States of America --- What a Victory….A glorious new world, a brand new bright sunny day. ….Peace and Harmony is in the air…

The war of hate and violence have disappeared….

No more worry, no more fear

The people are singing and shouting “We have Overcome” We have won

We are now United and we are one.

---

JOAN O’BRYAN

EPIPHANY

While in the midst of a global pandemic, this month we have witnessed an economic, political and social disruption of this governmental system that I never thought was possible. For me, one positive outcome was the election of Jon Ossoff and Rapheal Warnock. During this month, we will celebrate the birthday of slain Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King who promised us in one of his visionary speeches that ‘we will get to the other side of the mountain.’ I feel that the election of the first African American man and the first Jewish American man as senators from the state of Georgia is an integral part of that promise that was made.

This election of these two native sons of Georgia, heralds the crumbling of an old guard political structure in the South steeped in the history of maintaining the status quo through authoritarian dictatorship, racial inequality, religious bigotry, nationalism, disinformation, xenophobia and corruption. Yes, these elements of Fascism have their roots in the history of this country which were exploited by the previous administration. Thus, on the sixth day of January, we watched a mob of Fascist collaborators break into our Federal Capitol Building carrying a lynch rope and plastic hand restraints in order to subdue their prey.

Prior to World War II, my mother who was a daughter of the South, said that her family celebrated the birth of the Christ child on the sixth day of January which is known to many Christians as the Epiphany or what my mother called “Old Christmas”. This date commemorates the biblical story of three wise men that brought gifts to the baby Jesus, ‘who came to save the world from sin.’

So, at the same time the bloodthirsty mob of bandits were running through the halls of the U.S. Capitol and searching the Congressional Chambers for members of our legislative body, the Senate was being reborn in the state of Georgia. The confirmation of both Jon Ossoff and Rapheal Warnock as winners of the senatorial seats was a manifestation of the Epiphany in our own time.

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VERONICA BULLARD 1-14-2021

List of things on my mind;

Let us be kinder to ourselves; in this awkward moment 

Scary 😦 maybe they should go back to wearing hoods and sheets!

There is a group of people who believe the country and privilege belong only to themselves and will fight to the death to preserve their inheritance 

Malcolm Shabazz said it best " chickens coming home to roost"; 

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TOYA

I am a person that truly speaks from the heart all time. There comes a time when speaking from the heart is not always good at any given time. My surgeon once told me some of us are not ready for real talk so do not be so straight foreword so to speak 

I think of a friend that I really admire don't know why he's always on my mind... 

My prayer: be safe, smart & sanitize everyday. We have a long way to go! 

Thank You President👀👎🏾☠️💩 

I am wishing that we all vote more not only once every 4 years but stay on top of this madness it affects all of us. This is embarrassing. The Capitol was ambushed assaulted & 5 deaths 

by one Human being well organized. 

So people we must help to get it together! 

Oh my mighty lord help us I promise we will all do our part in regaining confidences in this nation US of A 

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

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TONI

Observing someone in love which would be when I observed myself when I was in love. I remember all of the holidays were a little bit more exciting and I could not wait to be with him, not only for the holidays, but all of the time. Even when I used to get a telephone call from him, I was so excited. My goal for this year is to find a new love of my own. It is so nice to have someone that you are in love with and for him to feel the same way about you. Love does make the world go around.

A single candle is so romantic to watch the flickering light glowing and it also reflects a certain glow in the room. The constant movement of the flame glowing is so nice to watch. I love to go to a candlelight dinner and share this experience with someone that I care about. This is truly what a single candle reminds me of.

**

I remember I used to love watching Shirley Temple, and I admired her so much, as she was just a little girl and she had so much talent. She was a role model for all little girls. The other show I used to love to watch was Patty Duke. I was a teenager at that time and I was able to relate to that show.

My twin brother always makes me laugh. I tell my twin brother that he missed his calling, and I also tell him it's not too late to start entertaining people now. When he and I get together we are always laughing.

**

The sound of wind can be so fierce and harsh sometimes and then there are times when it is just a cool and calm wind. When I went to Aruba many years ago, they had the constant trade winds, I loved it. Even if the temperature was really very hot, you did not feel the heat or humidly because of the constant trade winds. In fact, even the trees are tilted because of the constant trade winds. You want to stay outside as long as possible to enjoy the beautiful breeze as long as you can.

**

I was able to get my first COVID-19 vaccination. I was really lucky, thank God, because as soon as I heard they were starting to give the vaccinations out to individuals at the age of 65 years old and above, I now fitted that criteria. I immediately called my medical group where my primary care physician is located and they had me on hold for 1/2 hour, which was not bad at all. In any event, I called them on the very first Wednesday that it was announced that they lower the age requirements, and by that Friday, I had the appointment. It does give me some relief to know that now I am 50% safe, and when I go back for my second vaccination, I will be 95% safe. What a great feeling! The second thing that I am happy about is our new administration. I am hoping that the next four years that it will be peaceful. And because of the COVID-19 vaccination and the new administration, it gives me a feeling that we are moving ahead in a very good way. 

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ANIKO BOGNAR

List of people I think a lot of these days, January 14, 2021

Most I think about these days is the future of all people. That is the frame that holds my thoughts most days when I fantasize about the very near future of the younger generations in their 20’s and 30’s. I wonder about their uniquely complex challenge to repair the Earth and choose new paths where lives lived in genuine respect for all. I feel gratitude for being capable of retreating into a sense of reassurance deep inside where all kinds of hope lay. I am especially magnetized by the ones that hold a vision in their epicenter based on original solutions for aiding connectedness and diminishing confusion, chaos, distrust.

Then I often think about people who are responsible for the outcome of the current presidency in the US. I recall a strong, lingering desire emerging in many of us following the 2016 elections. I too desperately and urgently wanted to remove the president #45 (as Eleanor named Mr. Trump once) and stop the spread of this man’s highly contagious and destructive madness. I walked into glass walls or rather my own foggy fantasies about how to go about removing a dangerously disturbed president, not knowing where to turn to, who to join. A transformation into a tiny-tiny dot amongst millions of other dots on the map followed, a floating and waiting motion settled in, a paralysis, a failure to connect, a sense of lost charge of the trajectory of our lives shaped our days, eyes fixed on scary stories on the screen. Helplessness and some level of sadness grew into an awful burden for many during the following four years. It was difficult for me to let the urgency of removing the president go. Deep down, I never gave up.

Today I cling onto hope again. I noticed an unfolding trust in people unknown to me as my mind brought reasonable, highly skilled and extraordinary individuals into imaginary existence, capable of protecting this nation during these exceptionally uncertain circumstances of transferring the presidential power. I indulge with my fantasy’s tendency to highly value these people and feeling grateful for their acceptance of the responsibility for being in charge. I used to be and still am also deeply grateful for the upcoming president for his courage and sacrifice for running for office. These thoughts lend strength to me. They trick me into imagining that some unknown ways I too belong to powerful forces. I feel the energy of these imaginary and real people. It fills my lungs with fresh air, opens me to connect with bits of safety, harmony, understanding one another, and warms up my heart with appreciations for the beauty of the nearby and distant common horizons.

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