I'll take some "Dirty Bird" please

Greetings All,
I intended to have a light snack last evening and get a jump on the cutback       (I won't say diet...I refuse to say diet...o.k., I could stand to shed a couple of lbs.).  Anyway, I ended up eating a full coarse meal!  I had a huge serving of "Dirty Bird," and so did every New Orleans Saints fan. 

On a serious note, I will admit, I was not one to adorn the game of football.  I am the female who the commercials mock.  You know the commercials that depict the female in front of the television when you (men) are looking for realization in front of the tube with a good game.  GUILTY!  However, I recently learned to respect the game.  To be exact, after New Orleans and the Atlanta Falcons met, for the first time after Hurricane Katrina, it was more than just a game.  It was a sign that we (New Orleans residents far and near) were resilient and we were down but not out...We had lost many prize possessions, but we had good spirit.  We all cheered (both Saints and Falcons) fans. 

The other day I asked a question, “What good do we have here as opposed to all of the juvenile crime that has spiraled out of control in the city of New Orleans?”  I did not get a response.  However I have a find!  As crazy as it may seem, we have Saints amongst us.  We are so proud of our football team!  Our Super bowl Championship team!  I am truly a visionary who understands that “the glass is half full.”  I would love to see the fans, the citizens, and the entire New Orleans suit up and take a stance against juvenile delinquency.  We need a clear plan in our playbook, huddle up and listen to the quarterback, and prepare for the stance against kids killing kids and growing up in jail.

On a better note…to be honest, I believe that both cities (Atlanta and New Orleans) look forward to the game.  It's like our local super bowl game.  With that said… well Atlanta...we (New Orleans Saints) hold the title and we look forward to the challenge next year.  Fans...please drive home safely.

BLESS U BOYS!!

"God Bless the Child that's got its Own"

Greetings,

I got an early start this morning as I left for work earlier than usual.  As I sat in my car waiting for the heat to kick in, I thought about my daughter (21 year old), who by the way is mad with me for fussing at her for having my grand kids out after midnight on last Sunday (it was freezing).  It is bothering me that she is mad with me, but I feel I did what I had to do.  As I sarcastically "laughed it off," I pulled out of the driveway and said, “This too shall pass.” 

I traveled my usual route to work listening to the radio anticipating what the day had in store for me.  As I prepared to exit the interstate I began to slow down.  I was quite aware that there have been an occasion or two when I exited I have witnessed the police issuing tickets to drivers who do not abide by speed limits (lol).  However, this time I did not see police.  I saw a girl walking along the interstate with one baby in tow and two young children walking in front of her.  It was not only early in the morning, but it was cold as ice (we are under a freeze warning).  I started to slow down more.   I could not just pass her by.   I “needed” to know if she needed assistance.  She was walking on the shoulder of the interstate with three babies.  As I rolled down the window to show my concern I looked at the child that she was holding.   I promise it was my granddaughter!    She looked so much like her.   I was about to ask why she had my granddaughter, but instead I said “where are you going…do you need help.”    She looked at me and responded, “I’m going to the Section 8 office on Touro Street.”  She did not hesitate nor did she respond as if she were looking for pity.   She spoke to me, and to translate what I saw and heard…"I’m going to do what I have to do…I have had it with my present situation.”    

Now I saw an eighteen wheeler approaching from behind and for fear of causing an accident I told her that I would be waiting for them around the bend.  She only had a few more steps and I was not willing to put the children in any additional danger.  As I exited, as promised I was waiting for her but I saw another lady coming towards my car looking as if she was about to go up the interstate.  Now I was confused because I thought I was missing something.  I was curious as to why these ladies were walking up and down the interstate.  I said to her, “where are you going.”  I was all up in every bodies business this morning.    I never noticed that she was the driver of the car that was pulled over in front of me.  She responded, “Did you see that girl with those babies?  I’m going to see if she needs a ride.”  I said “That’s who I am waiting for too.”  She then said, that’s alright, I got her.”  I didn’t argue.  I was just moved by the response. 

See she took responsibility, and for whatever the reason, she said, “I am going to the Section 8 office to day on this day I have had enough.”    She started the journey and I don’t know how far she had walked, but God sent her not one ride, but two.  I allowed the lady to continue with her mission and I bid them well and continued on my way.  I figured that it didn’t matter which one of us gave her the ride, as long as she got one.

I thought about the baby again and I realized that I never looked at the other children.  I only noticed the baby that was in her hands.  The baby that had a striking resemblance to my granddaughter.  I wondered what the message was.  Am I too hard on my daughter?  Should I let up and not push her to be responsible and demand that she is responsible for her kids.  As I drove about another mile or so I came up with the conclusion that I refuse to believe that her strength (the girl walking the interstate), should be relayed as a sign of weakness.  That’s the determination that I want my daughter to tap into.  As the saying goes, if I give her a fish she will eat for a day.  If I teach her to fish, she will never go hungry.  Sure I hurt when I have to put my foot down with my daughter (kids).  However, if I don’t, she will still be mad in the end anyway.  She will also be mad with herself.

Truce! Wave the white flag...

There is enough in the world for everyone to have plenty to live on happily at peace and still get along with their neighbors.  -Harry S. Trueman/Acts of Faith

Once again, New Orleans residence have learned of the rash of violence involving perpetrators and victims who reside primarily urban communities which have been identified as areas where residents are poverty stricken and/or have a substantially low social economic status. Pre-Katrina the city was labeled as one of the most dangerous cities.  Now five years later, in the mist of families still displaced , some still fighting with the federal government to award them fair market value for their homes, or those who are battling successions and other legal issues, we are slowly reclaiming our title as the most dangerous city. 

Currently the bad would outweighing the good (in urban communities) if we had to consider all things.  Children are being left behind as the public school board fights with the charter schools and the creditability of the catholic schools are questioned.  We have decentralized weed possession and increased taxes, trash collection is big business, and the revolving door to the parish prison has just got additional oil to the hinges as the public defenders have organized and said put up or shut up. 

On the other hand there is good, the Saints won the Super Bowl (who would have thought). pause.....
Well I thought long and hard but I am at a loss for thought as it relates to the good things that are happening here in New Orleans in the urban communities.  Help me out...there has to be something good that is happening.  Talk to me...

Enjoy the skin you are in

Greetings
It is an honor to be a blogger and I promise that I will be conscience about the information that I post for my readers.  I want to have an opportunity to connect with you and to seriously find solutions