humanity
Humanity begins at home.
Switching Lenses . Top Story - February 2021.
"Grab the tea & have a seat next to me, you see this picture right here?" "Let me see." My niece said as she sat down to take a look at what I was holding. "That's the good ole country baby. Now, most folks 'round the world think when you're from Louisiana you're automatically from the big Easy or New Orleans, and that just ain't whats all to the "boot". You see there's a lot of culture, knowledge, and hidden gems, from the pull-strap of the boot all the way down to the heel, crawling over to the toe, and back up the vamp of the boot! Louisiana has a lot of trees and a lot of land with roots going all the way back since before the purchase!".
By Delexia White6 years ago in Families
Smoke, Fog and Nostalgia
Small town life isn't for everyone, but it does have a certain sort of beauty and comfort. You know your neighbors and have explored every inch of terrain. It's your home and if ever a place felt like a hug, that's it. To me that hug was just a little too tight and got tighter every day. Now I have the Wanderlust in me, but I'll always feel nostalgia for that little slice of town; Scappoose, OR.
By Crystal Cronin6 years ago in Families
Greensboro, NC
Greensboro. My home. My town. I was born in Burlington, NC just a little ways away from Greensboro. I’ve had family to stay near Greensboro and it has always been like a second home to me. From mall visits, Celebration Station, and to Wet N Wild! Greensboro made my childhood AMAZING! This was where some of my most significant memories lie.
By Yazmine Reaves6 years ago in Families
You Can't Get Too Much Winter
The unyielding winter mornings in Montana never fail to impress. The windowpanes layered with a non-negotiable covering of ice and frost always seem to amplify the bitter cold, encouraging the unforgiving chill in the air to surround anything or anyone within its reach. This morning more than most I felt myself firmly held by the winter’s ice-cold and insensitive grip. Not even the inviting aroma of coffee filling the house could shake the feeling that something mystifying was occurring and I had to admit to myself the shiver that ran down my spine had nothing to do with winter.
By Carol Dent6 years ago in Families
Memories of Home
You see that hill right there? The one with the patch of dead grass at the top? I remember sliding down that hill on my 8th birthday. It had been an extra snowy winter, and I was one of those unlucky kids whose birthday fell smack dab in the middle of January. But I loved it that day because that day was the first time I had gotten all my friends together for a sledding party. She’d bought McDonald's and set up everything atop the hillside, it was perfect, even if none of the friends I knew from school showed up. But, that was okay because I had three sisters who were always there. It was a great idea on my mom’s part, and I loved her for it. Not so much when my sled flew out from beneath me and sent me flying barebacked down the steep slope.
By Allie Hamilton6 years ago in Families
Todd's Anti-Valentine's Day Playlist 2021
I hate Valentine’s Day! I bet if you are reading this, you do as well! The playlist below is my 2021 anti-Valentine’s Day List, and what follows is the story of the inspiration behind its curation. Now this is not a normal anti-Valentine’s Day story. What follows is not about long lost love or missed romantic chances; now I have those stories too, even about the time I ended a short lived rebound relationship by sending an even shorter email simply saying “we are done” on Valentine’s Day. No, this is a story about my hero and how his ever constant memory and inspiration is even stronger around Valentine’s Day.
By Todd Gragg6 years ago in Families
What Black Excellence Means To Me. Top Story - February 2021.
The portrayal of Black excellence very often includes an immaculate, fashionable, well-off Black couple that takes trips, runs a multi-million dollar company, have amazing educational accomplishments and raise beautiful children that dress like mini fashion models. While all those things are incredible and I manifest that more brothers and sisters of color will get to experience similar accomplishments; I must state my point that Black Excellence is so much more than those things alone.
By M. McFadden6 years ago in Families
Chateau Charals
The forest swayed gently in the wind as the clouds that floated above Melanie invited her to jump across them. The forest at the edge of the Charals Estate was the most enchanted place. To Melanie, the sparkling dew on the trees in the early morning looked like fairy jewels that added to the magic of the morning.
By Lesley Raymond6 years ago in Families
Time Lost
Tick. Tick. Tick. The clock was the only sound in the room. Silence filled the space as our hearts clenched at the words the attorney had just spoken, “His will and testament is as follows…”. Each grandchild was to receive twenty thousand dollars for their education. Those that had already finished college were free to use the money as they wanted. I was one of the lucky few who would be able to spend their money freely. Grandpa was a strong force in our family. He was incredibly good with money and managed to pass along those values to us kids. He believed that if you worked hard enough for something you could accomplish anything, or die trying. I was the spokesperson for the “die trying” part of his philosophy. In college I majored in English and wanted to pursue a career in writing. I ended up with a bachelors in English and a job working for a retirement facility. I was never one to complain, my grandmother had gotten me the job because she has friends that live there. I am in charge of the group activities.
By Tiffanie Bird 6 years ago in Families
How Deep is Your Love
Hueytown is not as quaint as it sounds. I have nothing against it necessarily, but I don’t want you to think it’s Mayberry. There’s no Main Street or pretty sidewalks through town. But the Alabama city does have a church on every corner, and if it were ever a contest, I’m sure the residents would win first place for the amount of sweet tea consumed on a daily basis.
By Jordan Reeves6 years ago in Families
