Happy Mother’s Day: Be Fruitful and Multiply 💐

Image Credit: Таня Будченко

Our mothers, wherever you are

the vessels that brought us forth

we salute you, here and afar

oh special queen mother of our hearts.

©Kym Gordon Moore

We arrived as a baby through the birth of a woman and not as a finished product from an assembly line. We grow, and hopefully, we will learn the valuable life lessons that help us to show the world our brilliant light of love. I remember being in church on Mother’s Day growing up, where a sea of members whose mothers were living wore red roses, and those whose mothers passed away wore white roses on their lapels. That image itself was a tearjerker, and those of us who wore red roses somehow felt a sense of emotional guilt embedded in sadness.

As we approach Mother’s Day this weekend, for those of us who bear a white rose for our mothers who are no longer here, and for those of you who hold a red rose for your mother’s presence right now, may we be grateful to have this gift of life that we can share with maternal love to those who choose to receive it unconditionally. To be fruitful and multiply doesn’t mean you have to be a mother, but that you grow and produce your fruit of love and light, then share it with others so that these gifts can be duplicated.

To all of you mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, stepmothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, guardians, teachers, and even fathers who do double parental duty, enjoy and embrace your Mother’s Day every day, whether it’s happy or not. And for the women who wanted to be mothers but aren’t or couldn’t be but perhaps had the desire, you can still be fruitful and multiply…maternally with your “love!”

🌹 Happy Mother’s Day! 🌹

“A Song for Mama” by Boyz II Men from the “Soul Food” 1997 album.

“I’ll Always Love My Mama” is a 1973 single by the Philly soul group The Intruders, released from their album Save the Children.

Pythagorean Theorem Trigonometry Proof Is Not Impossible for Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson

As we continue to observe Teacher Appreciation Week, I came across a fascinating story that I had to share, which shows the influence of just how much students can excel with the encouragement from a teacher who cares and can help to change their lives.

Students, Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson from St. Mary’s Academy in New Orleans, Louisiana stepped up to a challenge presented by their Mathematics teacher, Michelle Williams (Advanced Math, Algebra II, & Calculus) of what seemed impossible. This high school teacher didn’t really expect a solution when she presented a 2,000-year-old Pythagorean Theorem problem to her class. St. Mary’s Academy of New Orleans aims to raise the bar of expectation for all of its students and not lower the ceiling.

Image Source: YouTube

It’s always been assumed that any alleged proof of Pythagoras’s Theorem based on trigonometry must be circular. But Calcea and Ne’Kiya took what was thought to be impossible and turned it into a great mathematical achievement. The pair recently presented their findings at the American Mathematical Society’s Annual Southeastern Conference.

This is an excellent example of how kids can excel with a little encouragement and support from a teacher who can change their lives. Please check out this interview with Bill Whitaker from CBS’ 60 Minutes. Outstanding job ladies.

Is Waiting on the Right Time a Good Thing for the Right Time?

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“Don’t wait for the right opportunity: create it.” — George Bernard Shaw

Sometimes “life” happens. Sometimes we procrastinate for so long that we can’t muster the energy to work towards the dreams we once had. What threw us off course? We wait, putting off those exciting dreams and aspirations we once visualized, but never really got around to do. Was it because of money, circumstances, relationships, exhaustion, insecurity, a loss of faith, and/or discouragement?

We may not become the greatest or richest, even though we probably thought we could if we tried hard enough. Some people do and some don’t. But when we look at our life and the cards we were dealt, can we use that as an excuse to do nothing or should we use what we have to become great or rich in our “own” rite of passage and not that compared to someone else? If I coulda, woulda, shoulda. Have you ever faced such a dilemma? I know I sure have. Sometimes it works out and at other times it’s a missed opportunity.

“If you can’t do great things, do small things in a great way. Don’t wait for great opportunities. Seize common, everyday ones and make them great.” — Napoleon Hill

Image Credit: Peggy_Marco

“The longer you wait to do something you should do now, the greater the odds that you will never actually do it.” — John C. Maxwell

The Incredible Shrinking Family?

Image Credit: Quang Nguyen Vinh

As I was flipping through an old family album after working on our family’s genealogy tree, I noticed as I branched out to the hierarchy chart of my generation, that so many of us had 0-2 offspring when our parents came from a family of 10-13 siblings. I thought about one of my high school classmates who everyone was astonished had 22 siblings when the rest of us had 2-4. There are about 8 billion people in the world (according to 2022 stats) and it was a little over 2.9 billion people when I was born. Is this increase a residual effect from the multiple births stemming from our foreparents’ time?

When discussing this observation with some from my generation, we decided that they (our grandparents in particular) really didn’t have a lot to do back then than to procreate. I guess that was their entertainment. There weren’t TV sets, computers, digital games, or many educational opportunities that would distract them from their baby-making extracurricular activities as we have today.

When I think about the attendance of our family reunions past compared to our family reunions present, the numbers are staggeringly lower. Back then, the houses of most of our relatives were not that big considering the size of gatherings, but there was always plenty of food, lots of folding tables and chairs, and always extra room on the front porch and in the front yard if needed. I remember those days and they hold some of the best memories. No one complained about being uncomfortable because there was always nonstop conversation between bites of deliciously prepared 5-star food from our family cooks. It’s kind of sad to see that the branches of our family trees are now more shallow than before, for numerous reasons, and it’s a little sad because it feels a little lonely since most of our matriarchs and patriarchs have passed away.

Image Credit: Rajiv Perera

I suppose our current lifestyles and relationships play a role in modern family sizes. I think we have so much going on nowadays that creating a bigger family isn’t as important on the priority list as other things, like careers, traveling, trying to make ends meet, or owning your own business. Yep, times have certainly changed and these are the signs of the times that have become our new normal. Some people feel they got lost in a big family, and perhaps they may be right. But, perhaps my age makes me think that the nostalgia big families once gave us, encompassed a sense of belonging, love, and security. That’s something I kind of miss.

Image Credit: Craig Adderley

Let’s Show Our Teachers Some Love! 🍎

Image Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko

“A good education can change anyone. A good teacher can change everything.” -Unknown

Today, we begin our national calendar celebration for educators who have inspired us and helped us to shape our future during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6 – May 10, 2024). All of us can remember a teacher(s) who made a monumental and significant difference in our lives whether we liked them or not. I didn’t adore every teacher I had in elementary and high school, or some of my college professors for that matter, but there were teachable moments I learned from them that have lasted throughout my adult life and I think I have grown exponentially as a result of their influence.

“The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.” – C.S. Lewis

Even though this celebration is marked on the calendar, in no way is this the only time we pay mad respect and homage to all of our teachers who helped us graduate with the gift of knowledge. To all of you teachers out there, past, present, and future, I am extending my roll call to all of you who have educated our minds, hearts, and spirits with the gift of teaching.

“One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.” – Malala Yousafzai

Image Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko

Teachers spend most of their week with our children and I honestly don’t know how they maintain their sanity. Do you remember those teachers who actually cared about you, your life, and your welfare when you were in school? Do you remember those teachers who never seemed to give you a break (my H.S. Chemistry and Algebra teachers) but were able to recognize your hidden potential and continue to push you toward excellence anyway? For all of my teachers, I am eternally grateful, because they never ceased to show all of their students how much they cared.

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X

As you know, teachers everywhere have to purchase most of their classroom supplies, and most teacher salaries make out-of-pocket costs on school supplies each year a financial challenge. As we come to the close of this school year in many areas, if you are able to stockpile some school supplies to help ease the financial burden many teachers face, and to bless them with these items, I encourage you to Adopt-A-Teacher at your nearby school. You have no idea how much of a difference it will make.

A good teacher can awaken joy in their students and leave a positive impression that lasts a lifetime. -Unknown

While most of my elementary and high school teachers are no longer with us, their lessons remain with me. So now on to my roll call. I want every teacher reading this post to put in the comment section below what you taught and where you taught. We applaud you for your tireless work and thank you for your service to education and educating the hundreds of students who sat behind those desks in your classrooms. If you would like to give a shoutout to any teacher who made a monumental impact in your life you can do that too.

Image Credit: Max Fischer

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 🏫

Happy Cinco de Mayo! 🌮🌵🌶

crédito de la fotografía: popmelon

To all of my friends celebrating today’s festivities,

Have a fun and safe fiesta!

crédito de la fotografía: Unsplash+

crédito de la fotografía: Polina Kovaleva

Your New Adventure Awaits Anywhere at Any Time, Starting Now!

Image Credit: Lifeisnurul

“Adventure is the bridge between dreams and reality. When we walk across that bridge, we can explore the unknown and uncover hidden wonders. With every step, we move closer to our ambitions, passions, and goals. Adventure gives us the courage to take risks and make bold decisions – decisions that help shape our destiny.” – Unknown

You don’t have to look far to find the inspiration to start a new adventure. All too often, we are glued indoors when there is a whole new world waiting for us to explore if we want to. You don’t need to always save a lot of money to find a meaningful adventure, you can step outside your door and discover new insights about the world right under your nose free of charge. Just get out there! Grab some binoculars, a camera, and a notebook to write about the new experiences you can be a part of that won’t cost you a dime.

Keep your thirst for adventure quenched and hydrated with curiosity!

The Upside and Downside of Nosy Neighbors

Image Credit: Rupinder Singh

Remember those nosy neighbors? Growing up many people had front rooms where they were able to sit and see out their window and know whatever was happening with their neighbors. I remember feeling eyes that were watching me when I walked down our street or was talking to friends on our porch. You can just feel the vibes coming from those beady eyes. When you have someone who can tell you, “So, you sure got a lot of groceries today. Got company coming?” You got a nosy neighbor. Or, “I see you bought something new from an area department store,” you got a nosy neighbor.” Or, “Was that your sister visiting with her family from out of town the other day?” You got a nosy neighbor. Or when they just happen to saunter outside to check their mailbox at a time when the mail carrier doesn’t deliver, just as you try to shield whatever it is that you have that you don’t want them to see, well honey you have a nosy neighbor.

We didn’t have a garage where I grew up, only carports with driveways. So no matter where you went or what you got, if your car wasn’t parked under the carport where there was less visibility, then you were fair game. The only thing to deter a nosy neighbor was maybe a soap opera. Maybe. But the great thing about all of those nosy neighbors in the community where I was growing up was there were never child abductions, home invasions, or criminal activity that kept a police presence in our neighborhoods. Those nosy neighbors were observant and albeit nosy, we felt safe because of their watchful eyes. Watchful eyes these days aren’t really observant, because distractions create barriers of awareness and alertness. Nobody notices the important stuff, no longer paying attention to those details and descriptions that could be a matter of life and death.

Image Credit: Faisal Rahman

These days, everyone seems to stay locked indoors, like living in a fortress, and you don’t even know the names of people living around you, let alone those who live on your street. People say they mind their own business, yet they really don’t. I find that a few of our neighbors do some of the strangest things outdoors when you are working on a project or tilt their blinds slightly so they can be nosy without, you know, really being nosy. I suppose they are curious. We have signs posted that read “Neighborhood Watch,” but no one is really watching anything.

But thinking about some of our neighbors who lived across the street from us or lived behind us, as I reflect on those days, there were watchful eyes that let us know that folks were looking out for us. They weren’t invasive or annoying, but just funny sometimes because they weren’t as inconspicuous as they thought they were or tried to be. Somehow, I wish we had a few neighbors like that now.

Image Credit: jane grn

Celebrating Your Birthday in May? Then Let Your Flowers Burst in Jubilation 💐

Image Credit: Darkmoon_Art

You are a lily of the valley

symbolic of innocence and purity

regardless of how the breeze makes you sway

it only makes you dance, cause you’re born in May.

©Kym Gordon Moore

To all of our family and friends born in May, let the magic of your flowers bloom in the sunshine and celebrate throughout the day, the month, and the year. Do it with a celebratory passion that jolts jubilation throughout your veins.

Happy Birthday to all

of our May Flowers!

Image Credit: RosZie

Don’t Rush Me to Kick the Bucket!

Image Credit: Brett Jordan

OK, what are these folks trying to really say? When I turned 65, I began getting solicitations from retirement facilities, long-term care facilities, insurance companies to take out more funeral insurance so my family wouldn’t be burdened by my funeral expenses, and free dinner offers to listen to some “expert” who would tell me and other attendees how to better prepare to die! Really y’all? Are they for real?

First of all, are these folks trying to swindle every dime from us before leaving us penniless and thinking we are clueless about their motives? It’s all about the “Benjamins!” 💲💲💲 Now, I’m not sitting here twiddling my thumbs thinking I am immortal. Hogwash! I have and continue to adjust my preparatory celebration for when the time comes and I still may not have prepared as well as I thought.  I have been preparing for the inevitable, although it’s hard to prepare for the inevitable when you don’t know when that inevitable will be. I suppose that’s why it’s called “preparation.”

I understand these companies and individuals are trying to get you as their “eternal customer” but in light of the junk mail and emails I get, I don’t think these marketing strategies are working for me. So, for the rest of my days or years, for now, I will celebrate this gift of life I wake up to and not go crazy from the fear and anxiety these solicitations seem to evoke. Have any of you over the young age of 65 been getting any unsolicited notices from funeral homes, or long-term care facilities?

Kenny Loggins – Celebrate Me Home (released on April 13, 1977, by Columbia Records)