Lesson Of The Day: Black Man Cake....

Keeping It Real: THERE WERE SPECIAL INGREDIENTS GOD USED IN MAKING A “GOOD BLACK MAN”.

I'm making a black man cake cause I'm hungry as hell and the sweet tooth I have only a brotha’ can break the spell.  Let me reach into my cupboard to see what I can find.  To make a mix that will stick to my stomach and blow a brotha’s mind.

2 cups of Respect me as your woman, wife, lover and friend

1 cup of molasses brown (Cause he's got to be sweet, mental, deep, chocolate and feet firmly planted on the ground)

Nutmeg is always good to bring a smile to his face

A few cups of The Bible, so he knows about God’s good grace (I won't bite into anything that's not spiritually found, I want him to know the Lord, he can’t be hellbound )

I am adding 2 sticks of butter cause he must have flavor

2 tablespoons of vanilla, something we women savor

I must add eggs so he can do his man thing, that is number one (Can't leave him hanging cause I know he wants his pretty princess and strong son)

I think I'll add a little hard liquor, cause I want a manly man

Just for the record, you ain’t a MAN, until you had some black tan

For a responsible man, I'll throw in some big tasty cocoNuts (So when she busts that outer shell, the savory juice will fill her gut!!)

I'll add 3 cups of bravery & 3 cups of courage and into the oven to bake

Turn it to 425 degrees, set the timer and wait for my REAL BLACK MAN CAKE!!

Now that it's done sistas, I won't share his wealth, but I'm sharing the recipe as I'm consuming this black man all by myself.  Ya Dig?..

Lesson of The Day: Black History Is....

Keeping It Real:

Black history month is
A time we celebrate
Retaliate
Recuperate
Cooperate
Let's get this straight
Not all whites were bad
Not all blacks were sad
Some were free
Some fulfilled their dreams
Some racism still goes on in the streets
But it's not as bad as it use to be
Some people choose to unite
Some choose to fight
Fathers tell the stories to their sons
The troubled ones won't put down their guns
Is there anyone who can save this world
Maybe the little ones, the boys and the girls
Mothers tell their daughters about her ancestors
And how some of their masters were violators
How would you feel
If you disobeyed your master
And he didn't feed you your meal
To read, write, and teach
Was hard to do without the correct grammar or speech
Not to mention that knowledge for a negro was against the law
If you did learn the master beat you until your skin looked raw
On a more happier note
You all know this famous quote
'I have a dream'
Everyone should have a dream
No matter how weird it seems
Believe in yourself, slavery is no more
Because we won the Civil War YOU can stride for your score..: Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Black History Facts, Harold Jackson, Everett Renfore..

Keeping It Real: Harold Jackson, the first Black licensed ham radio operator in Canada (1923). 

 
Harold Jackson was also city correspondent of the Ontario Division to the American Radio Relay League. He opened Jackson’s Radio Repair in 1925 in Chatham, Ontario.

In 1921, one of the first Black licensed ham radio operator in America was Everett Renfroe of Chicago. When Renfroe entered the Chicago downtown post office to take his amateur exam the examiner asked "what are you doing here?" Ya Dig?...

 

Lesson Of The Day: Black History Fact, Jonathan Jasper Wright

Keeping It Real: Jonathan Jasper Wright, a black lawyer was born on this date in 1809. Wright attended Lancaster University. Upon completing his legal studies, he attempted to take the Pennsylvania bar, but he wasn't allowed, because of his race. Wright later accepted a position in Beaufort to open a school and teach the newly freed slaves. In addition to teaching at the school, he taught the black citizens of the community. Jonathan Wright lectured on legal and political matters and gave legal advice on labor relations. After Congress passed the Civil Rights Bill, Wright again petitioned the authorities in Pennsylvania to allow him to take the bar. His request was granted and he was admitted to the Bar on August 13, 1866. Upon taking the oath, Wright became the first black man licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania. Ya Dig?..

 

Lesson Of The Day: Black History Facts, Black Inventors & Inventions..

Keeping It Real:

air conditioning unit Frederick M. Jones July 12, 1949
almanac Benjamin Banneker Approx 1791
auto cut-off switch Granville T. Woods January 1, 1839
auto fishing devise G. Cook May 30, 1899
automatic gear shift Richard Spikes February 28, 1932
baby buggy W.H. Richardson June 18, 1899
bicycle frame L.R. Johnson October 10, 1899
biscuit cutter A.P. Ashbourne November 30, 1875
blood plasma bag Charles Drew Approx. 1945
cellular phone Henry T. Sampson July 6, 1971
chamber commode T. Elkins January 3, 1897
clothes dryer G. T. Sampson June 6, 1862
curtain rod S. R. Scratton November 30, 1889
curtain rod support William S. Grant August 4, 1896
door knob O. Dorsey December 10, 1878
door stop O. Dorsey December 10, 1878
dust pan Lawrence P. Ray August 3, 1897
egg beater Willie Johnson February 5, 1884
electric lampbulb Lewis Latimer March 21, 1882
elevator Alexander Miles October 11, 1867
eye protector P. Johnson November 2, 1880
fire escape ladder J. W. Winters May 7, 1878
fire extinguisher T. Marshall October 26, 1872
folding bed L. C. Bailey July 18, 1899
folding chair Brody & Surgwar June 11, 1889
fountain pen W. B. Purvis January 7, 1890
furniture caster O. A. Fisher 1878
gas mask Garrett Morgan October 13, 1914
golf tee T. Grant December 12, 1899
guitar Robert F. Flemming, Jr. March 3, 1886
hair brush Lydia O. Newman November 15, 18--
hand stamp Walter B. Purvis February 27 1883
horse shoe J. Ricks March 30, 1885
ice cream scooper A. L. Cralle February 2, 1897
improv. sugar making Norbet Rillieux December 10, 1846
insect-destroyer gun A. C. Richard February 28, 1899
ironing board Sarah Boone December 30, 1887
key chain F. J. Loudin January 9, 1894
lantern Michael C. Harvey August 19, 1884
lawn mower L. A. Burr May 19, 1889
lawn sprinkler J. W. Smith May 4, 1897
lemon squeezer J. Thomas White December 8, 1893
lock W. A. Martin July 23, 18--
lubricating cup Ellijah McCoy November 15, 1895
lunch pail James Robinson 1887
mail box Paul L. Downing October 27, 1891
mop Thomas W. Stewart June 11, 1893
motor Frederick M. Jones June 27, 1939
peanut butter George Washington Carver1896
pencil sharpener J. L. Love November 23, 1897
phone transmitter Granville T. Woods December 2, 1884
record player arm Joseph Hunger Dickenson January 8, 1819
refrigerator J. Standard June 14, 1891
riding saddles W. D. Davis October 6, 1895
rolling pin John W. Reed 1864
shampoo headrest C. O. Bailiff October 11, 1898
spark plug Edmond Berger February 2, 1839
stethoscope Imhotep Ancient Egypt
stove T. A. Carrington July 25, 1876
straightening comb Madam C. J. Walker Approx 1905
street sweeper Charles B. Brooks March 17, 1890
thermostat control Frederick M. Jones February 23, 1960
traffic light Garrett Morgan November 20, 1923
tricycle M. A. Cherry May 6, 1886 typewriter Burridge & Marshman April 7, 1885 and the list goes on and on and...Ya Dig?..

Lesson Of The Day: Black History Facts, Life Without Black People...

Keeping It Real:

A very humorous and revealing story is told about a group of white people who were fed up with African Americans, so they joined together and wished themselves away. They passed through a deep dark tunnel and emerged in sort of a twilight zone where there is an America without black people.

At first these white people breathed a sigh of relief.

'At last', they said, 'no more crime, drugs, violence and welfare.'

All of the blacks have gone! Then suddenly, reality set in. The 'NEW  AMERICA' is not  America at all - only a barren land.

1. There are very few crops that have flourished because the nation was built on a slave-supported system. 

2. There are no cities with tall skyscrapers because Alexander Mils, a black man, invented the elevator, and without it, one finds great difficulty reaching higher floors. 

3. There are few if any cars because Richard Spikes, a black man, invented the automatic gearshift, Joseph Gambol, also black, invented the Super Charge System for Internal Combustion Engines, and Garrett A. Morgan, a black man, 
invented the traffic signals.

4. Furthermore, one could not use the rapid transit system because its procurer was the electric trolley, which was invented by another black man, Albert R. Robinson.

5. Even if there were streets on which cars and a rapid transit system could operate, they were cluttered with paper because an African American, Charles Brooks, invented the street sweeper.. 

6. There were few if any newspapers, magazines and books because John Love invented the pencil sharpener, William Purveys invented the fountain pen, and Lee Barrage invented the Type Writing Machine and W. A. Love invented the 
Advanced Printing Press. They were all, you guessed it, Black. 

7. Even if Americans could write their letters, articles and books, they would not have been transported by mail because William Barry invented the Postmarking and Canceling Machine, William Purveys invented the Hand Stamp and Philip Downing invented the Letter Drop. 

8. The lawns were brown and wilted because Joseph Smith invented the Lawn Sprinkler and John Burr the Lawn Mower.

9. When they entered their homes, they found them to be poorly ventilated and poorly heated. You see, Frederick Jones invented the Air Conditioner and Alice Parker the Heating Furnace. Their homes were also dim. But of course, Lewis 
Lattimer later invented the Electric Lamp, Michael Harvey invented the lantern, and Granville T. Woods invented the Automatic Cut off Switch. Their homes were also filthy because Thomas W. Steward invented the Mop and Lloyd P.. Ray the Dust Pan. 

10. Their children met them at the door - barefooted, shabby, motley and unkempt.  But what could one expect? Jan E. Matzelinger invented the Shoe Lasting Machine, Walter Sammons invented the Comb, Sarah Boone invented the Ironing Board, and George T. Samon invented the Clothes Dryer. 

11. Finally, they were resigned to at least have dinner amidst all of this turmoil. But here again, the food had spoiled because another Black Man, John Standard invented the refrigerator.

Now, isn't that something? What would this country be like without the contributions of Blacks, as African-Americans? 

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, 'by the time we leave for work, millions of Americans have depended on the inventions from the minds of Blacks.'

Black history includes more than just slavery, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Marcus Garvey & W.E.B. Dubois. Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: You NEED Jesus...

Keeping It Real: Sometimes we have to be at our lowest point in life to realize how much we need Jesus Christ in our life. It is sad that the only way He can grab our attention is when we hit rock bottom. No other place to look but up to Him! Praise God, He is not like man, who will turn his/her back on you when you need him/her the most. He will never leave you nor forsake you! Stay encouraged! Amen! Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Black History Fact, Black Jazz Musicians...

Keeping It Real: In the 1940's, Black Jazz musicians started calling each other man, because they were called "BOY", by everyone else!! Ya Dig?..

Lesson Of The Day: Black History Fact, Marcus Garvey's Quote...

Keeping It Real: "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots"! Ya Dig?...

 

Lesson Of The Day: Black History Fact, John Adams Hyman

Keeping It Real: Imagine being born into slavery only to be taken out of your parents arms and sold because you attempted to teach yourself to read and write. That's what happened to John Adams Hyman, who – after being sold eight more times for attempting to educate himself – was freed at the age of 25 by the Thirteenth Amendment, and who 10 years later was the first African American elected to represent North Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives. By all accounts, Hyman led an extraordinary life! Ya Dig?..

 

Lesson Of The Day: Black History Fact, Descendants of Mighty Nations, Kings, Queens & Educators..

Keeping It Real: One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to the celebration of Black History month is the willful neglect to discuss our history which contrary to popular belief did NOT begin with and/or start post slavery.

We as people are descendants of Mighty Nations, Kings, Queens and Educators!

Let's tell them the history, Black History of The Songhai Empire of West Africa: Ghana, Mali, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal.

Did you know that the Kingdom of Ghana’s political and cultural history extends as far back as the early Christian era. That the people of Ghana were prosperous as farmers and traders. That the main town Kumbi Saleh was an important commercial center during the Middle Ages. Kumbi Saleh had a native and an Arab population, from which the religion of Islam was adopted. Under the Sisse dynasty, Ghana reached the height of its power. Tribes as far north as Tichit (Mauritania) paid tribute to the king of Ghana. Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Black History Fact, King Hannibal Barca

Keeping It Real: King Hannibal Barca 247-183 B.C. was one of the most brilliant military strategists ever to have lived. He conquered major portions of Europe, particularly Italy and Spain. His clever, complex operations defied common logic and are studied even today by military leaders worldwide.

King Hannibal is considered by many historians to be the most powerful military general the world has ever known. Napoleon himself is quoted as rating him first among the seven greatest military generals of all time. Some of King Hannibal's most notable characteristics were constant strategic planning, courage, patience and persistence. Ya Dig?..

Lesson Of The Day: Black History Fact, Mansa Musa of Mali

Keeping It Real: Mansa Musa of Mali (1280-1337) is still considered the richest person to walk this earth. It is recorded that his fortune totaled $400 billion. He is most known for the pilgrimage he made to Mecca in 1324 where He spent and gave away so much gold that he caused an inflation in Egypt that depressed their economic system for 12 years. Ya Dig?...

 

Lesson Of The Day: Incomplete...

Keeping It Real: And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him  and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed (Matthew 14:35-36).

 

In Christ we are complete, but without Christ we are incomplete.  So I started thinking.  If I am complete in Him then why do I feel so incomplete at times.  This verse of Matthew speaks of the ill who need healing, but isn't that our state.  Are we not all in need of a Man who can heal us from all affliction, physical, mental and yes carnality.  In my complete state I feel satisfied - In 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Paul reminds me, "remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father". 

 

So what Paul is telling us is that even in those moments of incompleteness remember - The same God who presents me, with new grace and new mercies each day (Lamentations 3). I should and shall seek Him, daily. 

 

So of course I started thinking how to best describe this process - if I fill my life with the Spirit of God and then allow other junk in - what happens? Glad you asked.  So I took a cup of cold water, ice cold water.  Filled it to the top, then started to fill the cup with tap water, guess what happened.  All the cold water, was now room temperature.  Yes, when we take all that God has placed in us, and we start filling it up with other junk, that junk takes over. 

 

All who gathered, had faith.  Faith that just one touch of His cloak and they were made whole.  What are you believing God to do in your life.  He is already a live in you - exercise your faith as the crowd who  gathered on that day, and you too, will be complete. Ya Dig?...

 

Lesson Of The Day: Happy Black History Month...

Keeping It Real: February is the month for Black History. Where Blacks have come a long way with Less losses and More victories.

Quoting the Great Dr. Martin Luther King, we shall overcome and free at last, Black History means to me Great Black makers and Great Black makings of the past.  

We shall and have overcome many obstacles blocking our stride, Martin Luther King dreamed it, Obama achieved it and he did it with dignity and much pride!   

Say it loud, I am Black and Proud. Say it again, I'm proud of my Black Heritage, my Black Skin and Proud to be a Black American!! Ya Dig?...

Lesson: Foot Wash....

Keeping It Real: Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: You Betta' Recognize....

Keeping It Real: Real DIDN'T recognize Real until FAKE showed up!!! Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Don't Play Me For Short...

Keeping It Real.: I know what I can bring to the table, trust and please believe I don't have a problem & not afraid of eating alone!!! Ya Dig?..

Lesson Of The Day: Bacon Strip Pancakes...

Keeping It Real: YUM!!! Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Natural Spa Treatment...

Keeping It Real:Ya Dig?..

Lesson Of The Day: In the Midst

Keeping It Real: 

 

In the midst of my pain

Do not allow my living be in vain.

For I must not kick and shove

I must be harmless as a dove.

Yet I need Your wisdom from above

For the storms are raging and the waters

Threaten to over take me...the dark

Clouds are gathering...but in the midst

Of it all I see a glimmer of light..yes!

In the midst of the angry billows, the light

Is getting even brighter.

 

In the midst.. I see you Oh Lord the Lover

Of my soul, who in the midst brings peace

To my soul. Calming all my fears in the midst!

You bring me joy in the midst of my pain.

For in the midst of my sorrow You have made

Me to dance before You..and Oh the joy

That overflows my soul in the midst of this

Wealthy place you have brought me into! Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Blue Long Island Iced Tea

Keeping It Real: 

1/2 oz. (15ml) Vodka
1/2 oz. (15ml) Tequila
1/2 oz. (15ml) Rum
1/2 oz. (15ml) Gin
3/4 oz. (22ml) Blue Curacao

This drink DOES NOT have any mixers in it. Build it over ice and shake it vigorously so that the water from the melted ice acts as a mixer and softens the drink up for you. Garnish as you please! Ya Dig?.

 

Lesson Of The Day: Salted Pretzel Caramel Brownies

Keeping It Real:

Ingredients

• 1 box Betty Crocker fudge brownies (for a 9×13 pan)
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup water
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups pretzels
• 1 jar caramel sauce
• coarse sea salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, or grease with cooking spray.
2. Prepare brownie batter according to package instructions.
3. Pour about 1/3 of the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan. Spread until the bottom of the pan is evenly coated. Then add two even layers of pretzels, covering the entire surface. Carefully spoon the remaining brownie batter on top to cover the pretzels.
4. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the brownies comes out clean. Remove and set on a cooling rack to cool.
5. Spoon the caramel sauce onto the top of the brownies in an even layer. (If it is too thick, spoon the sauce into a small bowl first and microwave for 30 seconds to thin.) Sprinkle the caramel with a few pinches of sea salt.
6. Serve warm, or let cool to room temperature then serve.  Ya Dig?...
7. 

Lesson Of The Day: Take Charge...

Keeping It Real: To whom much is given much is required. Live like much is already given! Ya Dig?..

Lesson Of The Day: Don't Trip, Because....

Keeping It Real: I don't have to do what you do but I can damn sure do like you do! Ya Dig...

Lesson Of The Day: Me....

Keeping It Real: Add 1 cup of honesty, 2 parts bravery, layers of humor, a pinch of ego, a pint of attitude, heaping quarts of sexy, tablespoons of pretty and a big topping of intelligence. That's me, Tonya a.k.a. Lady T! Ya Dig?... 

 

Lesson Of The Day: God Gave Most Of Us 5 Senses, I Have 8...

Keeping It Real: God gave most of us 5 senses: hear, taste, sight, smell and touch! When I say I have I have 8, I add on my Common, Street & Book senses and it becomes eight! Ya Dig?...

Lesson Of The Day: Tame The Tongue...

Keeping It Real: Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief (Proverbs 21:23 MSG)

 

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble (Proverbs 21:23 ESV)

 

A time to tear, and time to sew, a time to keep silence, and a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

 

A time to tear; a time to repair; a time to be quiet; a time to speak up (Ecclesiastes 3:7 LV)

 

I have giving you a couple of translations of two bible versus.  All similar but because of the wording, easier to understand.  Basically as we tell our children, zip-it, lock -t, put it in your pocket!  And as adults we should, at times, follow the same lead.  Have you ever wondered why God designed us to have one tongue and two ears.  So we can hear and not always speak.  Boy oh boy, my mouth can truly find its way into some trouble.  So I am studying how to be a better listener and not so much of a talker. Don't get me wrong, it is o.k to speak, but often times we speak from our emotions and its not always a pretty outcome. 

 

If what we do is to bring Honor and Glory to Our Father, then we should use our mouth to spread the good news of Him.  We need to use our mouth to cultivate the fruit of the spirit not only in our own lives but in the lives of others around us. 

 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).

 

God wants to elevate us in our walk, but we can't seem to tame that tongue.  You need more fruit in your life? speak life over death.  Stop speaking negatively about your own situation and others.  Speak life, speak the Word of God over your life and watch the atmosphere change. Ya Dig?..

 

Lesson Of The Day: 6 Herbs That Heal....

Keeping It Real: Ya Dig?..

Lesson Of The Day: Beauty Of Hands Fashion Jewelry...

Keeping It Real: Hand created and crafted jewelry by a childhood friend Rosie Grinston and one of her friends Hazel Bridges! 

To host a party or interested in pieces please contact them at (219) 877-7708 or you can email Rosie at rosiemaria@sbcglobal.net or hit her up on Facebook at:  https://www.facebook.com/rosie.grinston

Beautiful pieces and crafted rather nicely, I might add!! Ya Dig?... 

Lesson Of The Day: Church......

Keeping It Real: In LIFE, we are so quick to MISUSE people, not realizing that just maybe ONE DAY we will NEED those SAME people because you never know who God sends His Blessings through!!! Ya Dig?..