Click pictures below for entries written on that date.
The writing group for senior citizens keeps meeting during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our sessions are now a wild mix of telephone, texting and, since late April, Zoom. Some writers receive their prompts by phone, or by email—directly or via a family member—and write on their own time. Others find a spot to write at their house during our regular time, wait for prompts to come in via text, then write simultaneously and, finally, share brief portions via group text. As of April 23rd, some of us are meeting on Zoom, so we can hear each other read again. –M. G. Baker
Entries contain contributions by Anikó Bognar, Veronica Bullard, Eleanor Cyrus, Toni Delia, Yvonne Hall, Joan O’Bryan, C. Imani Parker, and Toya.
March 26, 2020
I can be a small person with infinite freedom to do good
. . .
April 9, 2020
@7pm each day I'm reminded that new york is a city with a big heart . . .
April 23, 2020
Staying safe and healthy is paramount, this virus is deadly . . .
May 7, 2020
Being quarantined in your home, walking from room to room, you soon realize you have a lot of time on your hands . . .
May 28, 2020
Today i mourn for Mr Floyd and the family of Ahmaud . . .
June 4–16, 2020
NO JUSTICE NO PEACE
June 18, 2020
BLACK LIVES MATTER
July 9, 2020
Resting means watching the news but once a day . . .
About
The excerpts published here have been created in many ways. Some are first drafts via text, some first drafts transcribed from hand-written pages, and others are later drafts sent in via email.
We will continue to meet once or twice a month and we will update this page accordingly.
If you are a senior citizen (or know a senior citizen) who would like to receive writing prompts by email or text, let us know by emailing info@astold.org.
For more of the group’s work, pre-Pandemic, see We Live Here.
C. Imani Parker
Toni Delia
Veronica Bullard
Joan O’Bryan
Anikó Bognar
Eleanor Cyrus
Toya
Yvonne Hall
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.
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
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
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!
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?
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.
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
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?
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 😖
April 9, 2020
Writers
Joan O’Bryan
Yvonne Hall
Veronica Bullard
Toni Delia
Eleanor Cyrus
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
March 26, 2020
Writers
Yvonne Hall
Toni Delia
Veronica Bullard
Joan O’Bryan
Anikó Bognar
Eleanor Cyrus
C. Imani Parker
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
May 7, 2020
Writers
Anikó Bognar Joan O’Bryan Veronica Bullard Toni Delia Eleanor Cyrus Toya Yvonne Hall C. Imani Parker
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?
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.
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
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.
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
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👍🏽
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.
May 28, 2020
Writers
Veronica Bullard Toya C. Imani Parker Yvonne Hall Joan O’Bryan Toni Delia Eleanor Cyrus
Veronica Bullard
amerkka is an idea not a place
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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
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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
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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
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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
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dearest brother thank you for taking my daughter for treatment when i could not help
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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
Toya
This is the NEW NORMAL this is real people IT'S A NEW WORLD 🌎🌏🌍
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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...
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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
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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?
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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
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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 🤝👏🏽
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
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.
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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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
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.
Cover image by George Floyd rally in Grand Army Plaza by Wikimedia author Rhododentrites
June 4–16, 2020
Writers
Joan O’Bryan Veronica Bullard Yvonne Hall Toya
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.
Veronica Bullard - 6/4
brooklyn honors George Floyd; fallen soldier
know justice know peace
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.
Toya - 6/5
Peaceful God Bless 🙏🏾 George Floyd
June 18, 2020
Writers
Yvonne Hall Toya Joan O’Bryan Veronica Bullard Eleanor Cyrus Toni Delia Aniko Bognar
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.”
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
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!
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
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
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.
Aniko 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.)
C. Imani Parker Eleanor Cyrus Joan O’Bryan Aniko 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.
Aniko 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
- Toya
