Shirley Belk
Bio
Mother, Nana, Sister, Cousin, & Aunt who recently retired. RN (Nursing Instructor) who loves to write stories to heal herself and reflect on all the silver linings she has been blessed with :)
Stories (172/0)
Generational Forgiveness
My mother pulled me out of May Day 1963 games in elementary school that early afternoon because she was packed and leaving my father. We were headed for a long ride on the Greyhound Bus from Shreveport, Louisiana. It was the first I heard of this change to our lives. I did not have time to think or to feel. I just had time to get on the bus and go. It shouldn't have come as a surprise. I had seen her crying. I had heard the fights between them. But I hadn't seen this coming.
By Shirley Belk4 years ago in Families
I Fell In Love with "Summerland"
I was delighted to learn that a few theaters around our city were now "somewhat" opening after the horrid Covid 19 isolation. Oh, how I'd missed movies! So, anxiously, I looked to see my options. I also knew that my oldest son and I would be going together. (Background: we both had been recently single-again in our lives and he was now living with me again.) I wanted to find something that we both would enjoy. So, I looked at the trailers of what was been played.
By Shirley Belk4 years ago in Geeks
My Niece (So Proud)
I'm just gonna tell you...this girl, right here, has it all going for her. I'm not exaggerating one little iota, either. Just look at her. She's gorgeous. Look deeper and you will see just how sweet, humble, and smart she is, too. She's also a real life go-getter, highly competitive, and focused in academics, sports, and, of course, her diet and health. She posts her videos so others can "build a better you with me." She amazes me. I am her biggest fan. I think she has about 45 followers on her You Tube site as of date, but I expect that to grow exponentially. I believe in her teaching, her tips, and I just love her sense of humor. I know you will, to.
By Shirley Belk4 years ago in Families
My Mama & Her Hot Water Cornbread
In the South, we have many, many cooking recipes that you probably have never heard about. One of them is Hot-Water Cornbread. I'm pretty sure you haven't seen them in restaurants, either... not even in Southern restaurants. But just the same, this delicious type of bread was a staple at our home.
By Shirley Belk4 years ago in Feast
Industry versus Inferiority
Struggling with conflicts and choosing to be strong has been my life story. And probably yours, too. And my hope, if you are a parent (or teacher) reading this, you will try to understand the specific needs your child has at specific times in his/her life. Yes, a child has struggles. They need you!
By Shirley Belk4 years ago in Education
Regions of my Heart
My sister gave me a fantastic gift for Christmas the year after our mother died. It was a DNA test kit! Oh, what fun discoveries we've made with it. Secrets and imaginings come vividly to life. Genealogy & Ancestry totally became two of my favorite topics, but I have added a third love to the mix because of them...Geography!
By Shirley Belk4 years ago in Wander
Canary Birds, My Brother, & Speaking Spanish
Back in 1961, the Space Race (a time of glorious competition between Russia & the United States to be the first to put a man on the moon) was alive and thriving. This is an important backdrop to my story, because in 1961, my family and I lived in Canary Islands, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. And according to Wikipedia,
By Shirley Belk4 years ago in Families
Mr. President, Sir:
I was introduced to the celebrity figure, Donald Trump by none other than my grandmother. My grandmother loved keeping up with Hollywood gossip, celebrity drama, and all the glitz and glam of the movie stars. Of course, in that mix was the high profile couple, Donald & Ivana Trump from New York. I liked to keep up with my grandmother, so I would listen as she gave me the low down on the "lifestyles of the rich and famous" even better than Robin Leach could have. If Mr. Leach was before your time, he was a television celebrity journalist/host who coined the term, "champagne wishes and caviar dreams" and spoke in a thick and highly pronounced British accent.
By Shirley Belk4 years ago in The Swamp
Dean Martin:
It's true. You might be reading this and ask, "Who is Dean Martin?" And, "OG" is a term of the NOW generation, so how could this Dean Martin guy possibly be an original gangster? Well most assuredly, he was a gangster and he was one of the originals from the famous "Rat Pack" originals.
By Shirley Belk4 years ago in Geeks
- Top Story - August 2020
The 50’s as I Remember ThemTop Story - August 2020
My life began in the mid 50's in Colorado. My mother tells me that it was the hottest day recorded in twenty years on that first day of summer. I don’t think that this information has ever been checked out by Scopes, but nonetheless, it’s her story and it sounded good to me. I am also part of that Baby Booming generation, but neither parent served in the military. My father had been a victim of polio, leaving a leg atrophied, but my mom did have three brothers who served in WWII.
By Shirley Belk4 years ago in Families