Soccer Fields in Fall

Welcome to Inverness, Illinois, a community in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago.  These beautiful trees back up a soccer field at a church that I visit. 

Welcome to Sundays in My City, a weekly trip that can be taken by visiting the many friends of Unknown Mami, who started it all from her city, San Francisco, California.  My city used to be in California, but that was before the internet...when dinosaurs roamed!  I travelled from Rowland Heights, California to St. Louis, Missouri, and now am in Chicago, Illinois!  Welcome to my City! 

Please click on Unknown Mami's Sundays in My City logo below and travel to some very interesting places!

Thanks for stopping by!

Fraggin' It in Fall

Welcome to Friday Fragments, a weekly self-check and update on the comings, goings, drama and triumphs of the week, and, the fact that we are soooooooooooo glad that it's Friday!  Mrs.4444 is the CEO of this meme and my hands are held high in her honor for creating this space for many of us to exhale from the week!

I didn't get the Party Leader job I had hoped for, but it just means that the Big Guy has something better planned for me. Onward!

I miss my little ones (19 through 27) who are five hours away, but I am getting so much better about letting go.  They continue to thrive (or so they say) and we are beginning to plan our first holiday meal working around all of the new living arrangements.  This is going to be very interesting!  I'm voting for Thai food...at a sit down restaurant!

Getting out of town for a few days - yearly Girls' Weekend with the my fave cousin and Grandma.  It will be no work and all play this year!  Appropriate pictures (if there are any) will be posted next week!

A triumph for me this week was to get outside of myself and take a look around.  It's amazing how beautiful life can be when you leave your stuff behind for awhile!  Try it sometime! 

Hope it's a great weekend!  Helloooooooooo Fall! 

Thanks for stopping by today.  Please click on Mrs.444'4's Friday Fragments logo,below, and catch up with many of her friends!

R is for Rap, Rapping and Rap Battles!

Welcome to this week's "R" assignment from Alphabe-Thursday, a weekly writing challenge from Jenny Matlock of Off On My Tangent.  I've chosen to expound my views on Rap!  Enjoy!

Let's face it...I'm old! That's okay, we're all going to be here one day; it might as well be now, for me!  Being this age does have a benefit!  I've been blessed to experience many years of music. I love music, and always have.  Although I'm not a huge fan of every genre, if it's got a good dance beat, I'm in!

There's a large piece of today's music that is somewhat foreign to me...Rap.  I respect it, the artists and the opportunity for artists to make a living doing what they love.  What makes me feel so old...is that I don't get it!  Maybe it's the presentation, and the words that are used to express the artist's message.  Maybe it's the speed at which the words are sung or spoken. I'm not moving, thinking or speaking as fast these days!  (Personally, I like moving a little slower...I get to enjoy the great moments a little longer!)  What is incredible about Rap is that it has no barriers.  Anyone with the desire to participate, make a statement and be entertaining is welcomed, regardless of socio-economic, religious and life experience backgrounds. 

Here's what I found online (and you know you can believe it if it came from the net): Rap is a primary ingredient in hip hop, reggae and alternative rock music, and can be delivered in the form of speech, prose, poetry and song (among other forms of communication). I like Rap that is accompanied by music...it gives it more depth (for me), and sometimes, I can dance to it!

Some of today's artists got their start doing stand-up Rap Battles.  These are improve-type performances where two rappers compete with each other for the best wit, biggest laughs, or dirtiest slams!  They each present themselves first, projecting grandiose self-descriptions and move on with generic insults about their competitor.  Then, the improve part explodes and their art is verbally hurled towards each other and anyone standing within 10 feet. At the end of the performance, the audience decides the winner by the loudest whoops! Sounds like fun, doesn't it? 

Please allow me to introduce you to my number one son, formerly known as "Hero", and currently known as "Bone Man." He raps, he produces, he films, he edits, he organizes, he supports, and, he gives back.  More of him will come when we get to Miss Jenny's Letter "B".  He's really handsome underneath the mask, but it's the mask that makes him do what he does best! 

In order to be my best and remain in the game, I need to stay open, whether it be with music, or personal experience. I need to appreciate all of the efforts and gestures from those around me. Staying open also helps me find opportunities to share with others. One never knows how the smallest act of kindness may just be the thing that pulls someone back from the edge.


Thanks for stopping by today and reading my assignment.  Please take the bus over to Miss Jenny's classroom by clicking on the logo below where you will be enlightened and entertained by my fellow classmates!

I EXPECT....

I know today is Monday, but welcome anyway, to Saturday Centus, the weekend writing challenge sponsored by the multi-talented Jenny Matlock of Off On My Tangent!  Miss Jenny has given us the challenge of writing a piece using the prompt, "words can be puzzling" using any writing form we would like with the only restriction being that the piece be 104 words or less (four words being the prompt).  My piece is below, with the prompt in bold. 

I can HOPE that my dreams and goals will be realized, but when it doesn't all go according to MY plan, is it right to scream and stomp my feet?  Maybe, there just might be another force involved.

I EXPECT/HOPE to win this week's Lottery...Plan B: continue looking for a job, and if lucky enough to get an interview, knock 'em dead with it!

I EXPECT/HOPE my kids will take care of me...Plan B: do not, under any circumstances, deplete that 401k just to make the credit card payments on the cruise I just took. 

Words can be puzzling; say what you mean!


Please spend a few minutes visiting the offerings of some extremely talented writers (who, posted on time) at Miss Jenny's place.  Just click on the logo below and let your mind wander a bit!  Thanks for stopping by!

Walk the Dog - Sundays in My City

Had to walk the dog today....

So, we went to one of Cook County's beautiful parks...

Mister and Tootsie enjoyed the flora and the fauna...

.

 

I just enjoyed not having to clean up after anyone! 

This Sunday in My City post is brought to you by Unknown Mami at Sundays in My City!  Please click on her logo below to see what fascinating places her friends have visited!  Thanks for stopping by!

Words Are All I Have

Welcome to Saturday Centus, the weekly writing challenge from Jenny Matlock of Off On My Tangent!  This week's prompt is "It's only words. And words are all I have."  We can use any form of writing that we would like as long as it does not exceed 109 words (including the prompt).  Here's my offering; the prompt is in bold!

Tell me how I can make you see,

All the changes taking place in me.

There are no fireworks, no grandiose plans

Not even streamers attached to cans.  

If we are to finish this life together

We must figure out how to make ours better.

We both need to give more than ever before

Only then will we find that open door.

I’m willing to meet at the halfway mark,  

Even though it may be a little bit dark.

It just might work if we both do our share.

Loving, believing and handling with care.

   

This is for you.  It’s only words. And words are all I have...

Thanks for stopping by!  Please hop over to Jenny's place and see the great writings of her loyal following.  Just click on the logo below and you will be glad you did!

Fragments From Chicago Burbs!

I laughed out loud in the car yesterday as Santana's "Oye Como Va" was coming to an end.  The radio disc jockey comes on saying "Oye Como Va" means "Go Bears!"

As you may have heard by now, the jury returned a "guilty" verdict for a local policeman accused of killing his third wife, and whose current wife is missing. This verdict was not based on "evidence" but on "hearsay" which, by legislative votes, was introduced into law specifically for this case.  Whatever happened to facts and evidence?  This verdict and the way in which it came about screams of "appeal!"  The gut feeling here is that he did it, or paid someone to do it,  but was there really enough evidence "beyond a reasonable doubt" to convict?  Me thinks not, but I'm just a little transplanted Californian/Missourian who can't believe that this stuff can really happen.  And, you know what?  To add to the carnival atmosphere, and the less than professional appearances by the defense attorneys, the local medial would report daily on what the jury was wearing... Takes me back to the court circus in Los Angeles during the 90's when a famous ex-football player was on trial for the murder of his estranged wife.  The gut feeling was that he did it.  The evidence and facts were such that it was very probable that he did it, but not beyond a reasonable doubt, so he was acquitted.  Wow! 

I haven't texted my kids (back in St. Louis) in a week!  Well, actually, I texted them today to remind them that Sunday is Grandparent's Day, but at least I didn't tell them what to do!

After sending out around 350 applications, I finally had my first interview for a job.  I will find out next week if I will go on to the second interview! 

Remember, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month!

Hope you have a great weekend, wherever you are and however you spend it! 

This Friday Fragment is brought to you by the effervescent Mrs.4444 of Half-Past Kissin' Time!  Please click on the logo below and stop by to get some great fragments of many of her bffs!