A seminar made me begin to question my blogging.  I mean other bloggers are coaching us on how to do this and that, like “How to be your most essential self.”  I’m just trying to essentially be without getting perturbed in a day!  Then, I realized I do have a purpose; to make you see yourself through shenanigans.  You know, shenanigans, the daily stuff that makes you laugh, sometimes cry, and all the time, shake your head. So, I do need to write.  Right?  There’s a Place for (Me, especially now.

It is April 16, 2020, and we have been home for over 20 days, quarantined by a global pandemic, Coronavirus, CO VID19.  Every day I am rising later and later.  Why?  I’m’ in bed watching the videos y’all post on social media.  Some of them are so funny, I have to jump up and run (you know where and why), but then, I climb right back into bed to laugh some more. What?!!

Baby videos are the ones that really crack me up.  One morning, I viewed toddler Elias giving a press conference to his dad, Michael John Gallaga, as Mommy, Asha Iman, a videographer, filmed them. The caption for COFFEE CONVERSATIONS read:

“Listening to one of these COVID 19 press conferences be like…”

After laughing through my third view, I had to message Asha and ask her to adjust her settings for Sharing.  I mean how your video gon’ go viral without Sharing?

Then, here comes The Twilite Tone with a video of his baby girl, Eden. The caption says it all:

“Walkin’ and Talkin It“

What is Eden saying?  What does “it” mean? I’ll just let you marinate on that question.  What?!!

I think I enjoy laughing with babies because they symbolize joy and hope, and we need so much of both right now. With morning laughter under my belt, I then read Facebook posts.  These days they set my plate for prayer and meditation, and I am joined by so many of you, as we remember families and friends. We also sing, chant, dance, and anything we can do to allay the reality of loneliness, illness, death, and dying. We are conjoined by a global virus we created and by Spirit’s global healing we are undergoing.  The shift ain’t easy, but as the song of David Walton sings, “We’re All in This Together.” We also build ourselves up with virtual celebrations.

While two of my 3 grandchildren graduate from high school this year; (the youngest is going to high school next year), the Seniors will not go to prom or take part in Senior activities for now.  But they are here, alive, protected and safe to celebrate when the time comes…when the time comes…when the time comes. Not for us! Our time is now!

We celebrate living another year and ceremonies we have been blessed to be a part of.  We celebrate our relationships – friends, and family, by blood and by love.  We wear our masks and wash our hands in celebration of being able to work for issues we believe in, (and we do have our work cut out for us this year), and we continue to crave art. So while I may laugh at my shenanigans and cry with/for you, I am living in the moment. Maybe that’s what this exercise is about, appreciating the moment. What?!

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Joy Juice

Ain’t y’all tired of making gratitude lists?  Don’t be, and do it; it is more important now than ever.  We are here, vital, compassionate, and loving beings. They say we are the demographic at risk; we know we are mindfully safe in our memories, contemplations, and actions.  So, yes, I write. Right!

“It’s all good/God/love” – Victorine

© 2020 Camp Goldston LLC – All Rights Reserved

Victorine

Featured Image, Four Old Friends:  Nedra Shelton, Patricia Kline, Mat Grant( front), Donna Booker (rear), Levi Moten (behind me)

Book on Amazon –Be S..A.F.E.

I know we up in the house because of COVID19, but somebody please give me a steel mask to stop me from eating.  I have been so vigilant about closing the kitchen at 8PM, but before then, I’m busy thinking about what I haven’t eaten so I can get some. After all, this is emergency eating.  These are serious times, and I deserve some serious food.  What?!!

I’ve posted so many whimsical videos entertaining and infuriating us during this quarantine, and I know I am talented enough to come up with something. This is my chance to glow, but instead, I go…to the fridge:

• I get mad with Trump – I eat
• Look at my face and see a bump – I eat
• Watch a video profiling injustice committed – I eat
• See the guilty acquitted – I eat
• Hear an inspirational choir – while crying, I eat
• Look at my shrinking attire – I eat
• See friends exercise – I eat
• Look at my thighs! – but I still eat.

Please.  Only you can help me.  This is time for tough love! (Hmmm…Is this meat tender enough?)  See?  I can’t do it alone. (Dag. meat’s too tough. Hmmm…Wonder if Spicy Wings is open)? I need you. Just try it. Tell me to

STOP!

What?!!

This post has jokes, but seriously, just as extroverts bite nails during this isolation, we compulsive overeaters are climbing the walls to keep from practicing an addiction to food.  Guess what?  There’s not a thing you can do about it.  It’s all on us to reach out, connect with support, and stay safe – the same thing we all have to do, addicted or not.  Spiritual support always helps not just for us, but for everyone going through this process of healing.

Oooh, I got a good prayer, not just for now, but for every moment.  Y’all know it; the prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr.  Say it with me:

The Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.

 

Now, close that refrigerator!

Joy Juice

I think the Serenity Prayer was enough for now.  Ok, a little extra…My prayer is that we all do what we are supposed to do to stay safe, be kind to each other, and remember that

“It’s all good/God/love” – Victorine

© 2020 Camp Goldston LLC – All Rights Reserved

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Victorine

More on my profile of compulsive overeating:  My Gift

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“The Serenity Prayer”. The Grapevine, The International Journal of Alcoholics Anonymous. January 1950

Image:  Victorine’s Spaghetti Squash Fritters.  What?!

 

 

 

I know we got this 6-foot rule for standing clear of any action that can alert the dreaded Coronavirus, but I never have liked sneezing.  You can catch a cough with your bent elbow, but a sneeze will sneak up on you.  A sneeze can express itself in several ways:

1. You talkin’ with your friends in a deep “Who did it,” when all of a sudden, you sneeze. You can’t be fast enough for the crevice your arm..”Yew!!” You apologize immediately, and your friends, say, “God bless you.”  But they got this little sneer on their faces, like “Yew!” You use your napkin or anything you can get your hands on to wipe your hands and nose, and off to the bathroom, you go to finish the task.  Then, you do the walk of shame back to the conversation.  You have become the “Who” they been talkin’ about.   And even though they don’t ask, you feel compelled to explain your sneeze.
2. Then, you got your allergy sneeze and this one comes with a gang.  One “Ah” starts…you try to hold it back, but then, “choo!” follows.  Then the gang piles up on it, “Ah-choo, choo, choo,”  until it almost knocks you off your feet.  This sneeze does not play, and you can’t even bless it away.  Since you had time to “Ah” you moved away from your friends, and you don’t get a “Yew,” you get an “Awww.” 
3. The aftermath:  And then there are either one of these sneezes that commands a mighty nose-blow.  Why do some folks have to blow their nose at the table?  You already sneezed and you been “Yewed,” why make it worse, unbearable.  All you gotta d,o is excuse yourself and take care of your business, but not at the table…over my food!!!!!! What?!!!

I battle allergies, so I sneeze as much as the rest of y’all, but a little etiquette is in order and all blessings are appreciated.

Now, about this virus – all viruses – no virus, we got to be vigilant, y’all.  We are in the demographic to have to deal with this stuff.  Cough, sneeze, or looking at a “Yew,” wash your hands.  And while doing so, don’t be singing the traditional Happy Birthday, go Stevie Wonder on it…until you get to Haaaappee Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday.  If you cough or sneeze, do your best to find your elbow and back that thang up if you can; you don’t want to infect anyone with your germs.  Don’t play.  Cancel trips and choir rehearsals if you have to.  And about being up in the club…wellll, y‘all already know, and I know who you are.  What?!!

Joy Juice

Whatever we do, we gotta look out for each other.  The Universe has called us to do this. Here we are, in a place where everyone is invited to the Party – not red, not blue – you.

“It’s all good/God/Love” – Victorine

© 2020 Camp Goldston LLC – All Rights Reserved

Victorine

Yes, I have to go here.  Why?  ‘Cause I just received this vibrant image of me, and I don’t get it.  Everyone says, “Vic, you are so photogenic,” they say, “Vic, you never take a bad picture.”  Such wonderful compliments, until I look at this lovely image.  I mean, look at it!

Scroll down up

Scroll up…

There it is!!!  Why is it that on this beautiful picture my head looks like a watermelon, no, a tomato?  My cheeks are so chubby.  Surely, the camera lies.  What?!

I am so outdone!  I feel cameras should just automatically slim you down, prop you up, smooth you out, and their settings should remain in personal perfect focus.  Holla, if you hear me.  Are you telling me that I have something to do with the image reflected by my appearance?  I keep smiling a different way to change my face.  I lean back or obscure my body with someone else in the picture.  I do everything I can, but aside from photoshopping, that doggone camera says, “Uh uh, Sister, this is what I see.”

I remember my mother used to look in the mirror and sigh, discouraged by how she looked at age 90.  I was like, “Amon, you look beautiful,” but her eyes could not see what I saw.  Her ‘beauty’ was marred by the wrinkles in her neck.  Now, I understand.  I know that I will not turn back the hands of time, but I can Age Gracefully. (Thank you, Susan Peters.  Y’all read this later).

I’m OK, but I gotta do some good camera stuff.  I mean every now and then, I walk, exercise the little I know about Qi gong and yoga, and I may even do Turbo Jam to stay in shape; that’s just what I do…stay in this shape. (I sure ain’t losin’ no weight this way).  I also try to lift my face with moisturizing, and I welcome a good massage and facial.

Here’s the dealio; it takes practice to stay/look healthy.  It takes moisturizing, exercising, and getting out and about. Charity volunteering doesn’t hurt, and  Dr. Oz says the way to live longer and healthier is to have sex.  What?!!

I don’t like it, (everything but the sex).  I feel I deserve to be beautiful without having to do anything but smile for the camera.  Unfortunately, y’all, the camera(s) don’t lie.

Joy Juice

The bottom line is we gotta use it or lose it.  Thank God, we have a choice. ” Every day in every way we are getting better and better,” an age-old affirmation that rings with Truth.  Now, smile!

“It’s all good/God/Love” – Victorine

© 2020 Camp Goldston LLC – All Rights Reserved

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When you get sick, you gotta pay!!!  You gotta write till you get better!  From the beautiful Frances A. Griffin-Brown, her first post. – Victorine

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Ok!!! So I am on a one month ‘be still’ lockdown and was wondering how my family was going to be able to deal with me. Everybody who knows me knows that I can be a bit difficult when it comes to even sitting still. Well, yesterday I watched the commemoration of Bloody Sunday and had some interesting conversations about my feelings, my whereabouts during that time etc.

Victorine requested I log my time during this month and I hesitated because I told her I hate homework.🤗 Anyway, she makes sense because today after my
therapist left I watched the documentary ’In the Shadows of Motown.’ Oh my, it was so good! It showed how music can heal the mind and soul and also how music brings together people of all races, religions and even political folks. Marvin Gaye singing about the Vietnam war ‘What’s Going On,’ ‘What Becomes of a Broken Heart,’ just great music.

The most important were the people/musicians behind the music how and what they went through for those wonderful sounds. If you are a music lover like I am, this is a must-see documentary. If not for my present limitations I would have been up on the floor moving to the groove. I’m going to suggest our jazz/concert band director show this to our students.

Music is Love. Music is Life. Remember God, Love and Family First 💖 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶💖 – Frances A. Griffin-Brown

Frances A. Griffin-Brown, standing strong!!!

So, here I go again, browsing YouTube for songs for the Dusty Record Club.  I ran into the James Ingram-Michael McDonald tune, Yo’ Mah Gon’ Be There.  Good tune, but not good enough for the group.  Then, Michael McDonald’s music kept coming, and there was Michael McDonald with Kenny Loggins singing What a Fool Believes.  I’m gon’ tell y’all, they were singin’ that song with so much flavor.  So much that I watched a live concert with Kenny Loggins; he even had Shanice singing a duet with him.  Sweeet!!!  I was thinking, what makes Loggins and McDonald appeal to me so much.  After all, I seldom listen to their music.  Then, I was like, “They sing Blusic!”  Music sung by white singers sounding Black.  What?!!

They aren’t the only Blusic singers.  You got your Daryl Hall, Teena Marie, and Adam Thicke.  Oh, Thicke, I know you think you the king, but the king is Bobby Caldwell.  It took me forever to learn that What You Won’t Do for Love wasn’t sung by a Black man.  If you look at his album cover, he’s in silhouette so you can’t tell what he looks like, but we see you, Bobby. Then, you got Average White Band. Need I say more?

Dag, I just remembered, they coined the phrase Blue-eyed Soul, which is the same as Blusic.  NOT!.  Blusic spans different genres, thank you.  I could listen to Gershwin all day.  Herbie Hancock did an album tribute to his music.  Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue is my rhapsody in blusic, with overtones and nuances of the pathos derived from those minor keys that drive our jazz and blues.

‘It was on the train, with its steely rhythms, its rattle-ty bang, that is so often so stimulating to a composer – I frequently hear music in the very heart of the noise…. And there I suddenly heard, and even saw on paper – the complete construction of the Rhapsody, from beginning to end. No new themes came to me, but I worked on the thematic material already in my mind and tried to conceive the composition as a whole. I heard it as a sort of musical kaleidoscope of America, of our vast melting pot, of our unduplicated national pep, of our metropolitan madness. By the time I reached Boston I had a definite plot of the piece, as distinguished from its actual substance’. The work was completed within a few weeks. “– Gerswhin

Of course, Gershwin also wrote Porgy and Bess, an opera.  He recognized genius in our jazz and spirituals and he admittedly incorporated our themes into his compositions. An essay could be written on our influence in classical music, but not on this page.  Well… I do have to mention Scott Joplin,  the Black classical musician who wrote the popular ragtime piece, Maple Leaf Drag, and The Entertainer, the music featured in The Sting.  The Entertainer was a scoop for Marvin Hamlisch. Accepting an Academy Award for arranging and orchestrating Joplin’s work he said,

“And of course to a man I never met but whose music was just wonderful to work with. To Scott Joplin. “- Marvin Hamlisch

I guess I don’t mind Blusic so much, as long as credit is given where credit is due. There are white composers on many songs Black folks sing, credit due. Also, I must say the Beatles always gave props to all the soul singers they heard, loved, and covered. Twist and Shout was previously recorded by The Isley Brothers.   The Beatles couldn’t help it if their version climbed to number two on the charts and is now known as the preferred version of the song.  See, that’s the thing. Also, money.

Photo by Victor Freitas on Pexels.com

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Joy Juice

I love music; it soothes the universe.  We rock with it, pray with it, love through it, and it takes us to places beyond what we are on the exterior.  Our souls find their way to its mystery and majesty, our gift/blessing.

“It’s all good/God/Love” – Victorine

© 2020 Camp Goldston LLC – All Rights Reserved

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Victorine

 

 

 

 

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songs in a minor key

induce

the flow of an uneasy melody,

invite

you to consume their substance.

 

melodies leave you with residual longing

blues

that won’t leave you alone.

haunting

that taps into vital chambers.

 

their frequency closes your eyes,

wills

your soul to feel their magic,

ignites

a winsome smile as you remember.

 

songs like As, by Stevie Wonder

challenging

“Ain’t that loving you?!!“ (written in a minor key)

still

embracing you to surrender.

 

© 2020 Camp Goldston LLC – All Rights Reserved

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-Victorine

Originally from Chicago, Victorine now calls  Florence, AL, the Shoals area, home.  She has three children, (including a son-in-love), and 3 grandchildren, all who add texture to the fabric of her life.

Teaching Conscious Living through God Within You, Victorine is the Pastor Emeritus of Living Spirit Church, an Independent,  New Thought ministry, in Florence, AL. Victorine is an Inspirational Speaker;  a Contributing Author of a Chicken Soup book, The Miracle of Tithing, by Mark Victor Hansen; and the author of her own book, Be S.A.F.E. (Still, Aware, Faithful, and Excellent).  She is the president of Camp Goldston Publishing, LLC. and the founder of Garden Spices Magazine.   A Ministry.  She serves on the board of Project Say Something.  She is also a member of the African Dance Troupe, POZA and The C.O.R.E. Drummers. 

Her slogan is: “It’s all good/God/Love.”

I must admit that when I crawl out of bed and look in the mirror I do not see the face I wish to see.  Sometimes there are tracks on my face from one of the many pillows I have to prop up my bad arm.  My face finds one and I am left with an imprint.  But where did those bags come from?  Could they be from the water I did not drink during the day?  My eyes look like a “Before” picture.  I have an early morning appointment, so I have no choice.  I have to beat my face.  What?!!

For those of you not familiar with the vernacular, beating one’s face means to apply a copious amount of makeup. Ha!  See, stars have artists that apply their makeup, and they may wear plenty but have a natural look.  Me?   I  watched YouTube videos; they show you how to apply concealer to hide circles and the dreaded bags under eyes.  They got about 15,000 products they apply.  I’m like, “I got this concealer crayon and a sponge that will do the trick.”  Done.  Why do I look like a zombie from Thriller?  A little powder will cover my flaws.  Done. And now, I would like the casting number for Night of the Living Dead.

See, my problem is I have this green undertone, so no matter what kind of foundation I use, it just doesn’t work.  While in the house, I’m fine.  But let the sun hit my face, I transform into a shade unknown to the color spectrum.  It’s not easy being green.  However, one thing you can always count on from me is my signature blush, as though a dark-skinned sister could turn red.  But I don’t care!  Ever since I saw this cool girl with a big brush applying blush, I knew it was for me.  Now, the powder may not work for the track marks, but I’m gon’ blush for y’all.  It enhances my smile.  What?!!

Makeup is nothing new to our culture.  We have always beaten our faces with skill and mastery, even when there was no makeup for us.  I can remember when I went to Carson Pirie Scott in Chicago to see a makeup artist apply Flori Roberts products to a Black woman’s face.  The audience of Black women stood in awe and wonder.  We were no longer relegated to our one shade, “Pancake.”  We had a myriad of colors to choose from.  Today, there are a number of brands that stand on the history of our cosmetic pioneers and also on the shoulders of African sisters who historically adorned their faces with significant paint.

So now we got these glam squads in every gender with makeup so thick till you can’t imagine what’s underneath the paint. Sometimes the paint is needed to cover conditions and scars unintended by nature.  It is important to note that all women are beautiful, makeup or not, wrinkles and all,  but when the morning light hits this woman’s face, the beating begins. Oh.  And I always apply lipstick. (See it on my teeth)?

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Joy Juice

We are brilliant in our hues of beauty.  Period.

“It’s all good/God/love” – Victorine

© 2020 Camp Goldston LLC – All Rights Reserved

Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash

 

 

 

 

Oh yeah, I got ’em. I got “Stop and frisk” blues; “You only been a mayor and don’t know Black folks, much less, reparations” blues; “I did my job, but prosecuted a Black teenager” blues; “My foot stays in my Old School mouth” blues; “I’m calling for an overhaul of the government that may cause #45 to retain his office because folks don’t know what socialism is” blues, and “I’m a great candidate, I’m barely hanging on, but I got plans, and I support reparations,” blues. What?!!

All I know is that I am a conscious Senior looking to live in a society that is inclusive and tolerant; one that reforms the criminal justice system.  Them assault weapons gotta go and gun purchase requirements have to grow. I want my Medicare, Social Security, healthcare for all and a way for immigrants to enter this melting pot and stay without an arduous course to citizenship. We need them! Help folks with food and housing, but don’t keep them tethered – promote independence with education, jobs, and reparations – if not in cash then in scholarship, and loan forgiveness. (‘Couldn’t get no loans for the longest. )  Raise that minimum wage so folks can live on an 8 hour day.  Everybody gotta pay taxes and folks can pray or not pray in their own tradition, but not in public schools.  I want judges that can be non-partisan, fair, and judicial and freedom for a woman to have the right to choose what is best for her life. 

I want utopia, damn it!  We built this country and died for freedom still unattained. We got a right to a voice and, I feel, an obligation to vote what we want.  And while I am still woefully perplexed about what/who to do for the Primary, one thing I know is that for this election that holds this country in its balance my blood runs blue.

#voteblue. #Blacklivesmatter #reparations #nofacism #freedomofchoice  #healthcareforall #youngfolkvote

Joy Juice

It ain’t been long, but we now have the right to vote.  We consult Spirit and Ancestors and we cast our ballots.  Ashe’

© 2020 Camp Goldston LLC – All Rights Reserved

Victorine

 

 

OK.  My campaign is starting. I gotta meet Oprah.

When Oprah Winfrey hit the airwaves,  I was not living in Chicago; I was in Cleveland.  I went home for a visit, and all my friends were telling me, “There’s this woman on TV that reminds us of you; her name is Oprah Winfrey.”  I got the chance to view her and thought, “Hmmm, we do somewhat resemble, but mainly, we talk, laugh, and engage alike.”  Then, she hit it big, and I was always in her shadow.  She met her Stedman Graham, and this you won’t believe. In stature, he resembled my deceased husband, Bob. Bob, and I would enter a comedy club and sit way in the back.  Let me show you why:

We were Oprah and Stedman!  The comedians would have had a field day with us. Why is it that when I moved to St. Maarten, all of my tourist customers from the States would call me Oprah? What?!!

I was a hater for a minute.  After all, I was here before Oprah, and just because I did not pursue my intended career in broadcasting, and she worked fervently to build hers didn’t mean she should have all the glory.  “Hummph…lookin’ like me.”  This is the absurdity of an unenlightened spirit.

Absurd?  Bob and I went to Maui, HA and visited Huna, this tiny Mecca of waterfalls, peace, and tranquility.  We landed at the only hotel restaurant, and there was an art gallery in the hotel.  You already know I was all up in there.  They had jewelry, which I perused. No one waited on me.  Finally, the owner came to me and said, “Please excuse us.  Oprah Winfrey and her friends will be here on Huna tomorrow for 10 days, and we have to get ready.  Please feel free to browse.”  Y’all!  I looked at Bob and had the nerve to be like, “She’s staying for 10 days!”  I was jealous that Oprah Winfrey was flying in to spend time in Huna!  Bob, who had won this wonderful trip, looked at me like I was the ungrateful fool I was acting. I could see myself in his eyes, and I recoiled in shame and apologized.

Shortly after that trip, it was Oprah who was like,” Girl, you need Eckhart Tolle; your ego is way out of line.” Because of that trip, I discovered A New Earth and began to move me out of my way. Can you believe Oprah went from tabloid talk to consciousness-raising?  By this time, I was also a New Thought minister, teaching much of what she was teaching through her shows and workshops.  I have been hanging tough with Oprah ever since.  We sometimes fuss about show content, elitism, and colorism, but she’s my girl.  My friend from Amsterdam gets upset whenever we say something negative about Oprah.  We defend ourselves, “Oprah is ours; we can criticize her and still love her!”

I am pursuing Oprah with this divinely inspired blog. Of all the publishers to choose from, I want Oprah. (I guess Eckhart is wearing off).  We have several venues we can choose from – O Magazine, OWN, or maybe I can sneak in through the Book Club.   I am within her demographic, and I know she would at least chuckle at my content.  I’m going for it...now…this moment...and maybe at least once a month until it happens.  Do you think I need to have been blogging for more than a week?  Wait…I can be an O discovery, one of her Favorite Things!

Joy Juice

At this time, some folks are angry with Oprah for exposing sexual abuse among Black men.  Yes, Harvey could take the hot seat too, but for every man, Oprah has taken to task, she has given much more to Black men in hope and resources.  She produced When They See Us, the bio-doc on the Central Park 5. Don’t play.  Oprah is an iconic philanthropist, and we follow her footsteps in the consciousness of giving.

“It’s all good/God/Love” – Victorine

© 2020 Camp Goldston LLC – All Rights Reserved

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