Well hello there (in my J. J. Evans Good Times voice).  Yup, I know you all were expecting a website relaunch.  However, it is in progress still. I have been working hard, putting my best foot forward trying to make my vision for this site match reality.  I'm almost there but not quite yet. 
So in the meantime, in between time, here are some flavorful rhymes to pleasure your minds.
In other words folks, check out the next couple of pages for some of my poetry.  See you in a couple weeks gang.
God Bless,
Candie

Hello Everyone and Happy February to you and Happy February to me!  What's so exciting about February?  Well it's Black History Month of course.  Some of you may be excited about it being Valentine's Day and all or maybe because you're counting down to getting a big, fat refund.  For me, it's Black History Month and I am on the lookout. 
I got my eyes open and I am checking things out. Lol but serious.  What am I up to?  Oh, just taking mental notes of how BHM is being acknowledged and celebrated in the media.  So far, if I didn't already know it was BHM, I wouldn't be able to tell by looking around me.  Businesses decorate for other holidays.  Can I get a poster of Harriet Tubman for a week? A life size bust of Martin Luther King for a day?  Some Malcolm X flags hanging above the doorway? TV hasn't been much better, though one of my favorite channels NBATV has seemed to step of up the occasion.  We are only into day 6 of BHM.  Let's see what happens.  In the meantime, I'm gonna make sure that I learn something new about my heritage before the end of the month.  After all, I can't hold others accountable for what I don't hold myself. 
Since my passion is poetry, I think I will study a few black poets and their works.  I'll get back to you all and let you know what I learn.  I hope you will play along and do the same.  Pick someone who was a trailblazer in one of your favorite things.  You will be surprised at the difference some of their sacrifices made.
So, this is the month of Valentine's Day and for this week's features, I've chosen pieces that represent both sides of the coin.  If you will be happily celebrating the day with the one you love, I got you.  Check out the Love is Grand page for a little more lovspiration!!!  Be forewarned, that the second piece gets a little steamy. And if you are on the other side of love, the love stinks side of love and you want nothing to do with Valentine's Day...what? what? I got you too.  Check out the Love Stinks page and you will know you are not alone,
Alrighty then boys and girls...enjoy the pieces, enjoy Valentine's Day (in any which way you legally choose) and yes do learn something new this beautiful Black History Month and share by clicking the word comment above.
Enjoy God. Enjoy Life.
Candie

Hello All, Welcome & Welcome Back
Let's jump right into it!  President Obama's second inauguration falling on MLK day, how befitting! I am so proud of Obama and am looking forward to what he can get done this term.  I must say however, that Obama is still not the best president though. No, not Clinton even though he played the sax on Arsenio Hall and no not Kennedy even though he was Marilyn Monroe's man, and no not Lincoln even though he freed the slaves.
My vote for all time best president would hands down be Harrison Ford from Air Force One. Not only was he sexy, smooth and debonair, he also kicked major terrorist ass, single handedly retaking the plane after all seemed lost and I quote "Get off my plane!"  If you haven't seen this old movie circa 1996ish, you need to check it out.  True, the president in Independence Day was pretty good but let's face it, Will Smith fought most of that battle.
What can Obama do to be number one on my list?  Easy, I'm gonna have to see Obama take a swing.  He can start with that chic who put her finger in his face for all the world to see, nevermind her being a woman.  She will be alright. She will get to go down in history as the chic who got decked by the Pres.  So what would happen if this went down?  Would he be arrested?  Does secret service go with him to jail?  Would he be making those oodles of noodles/cracker/ketchup combinations I've heard of?  Would you  be seeing shots of him in the jail pose? 
I think for the sake of our country and also because I really don't advocate violence against women, Obama might be better off not swinging on anyone.  Yes, sad but so. Other than swinging on someone, if there is one thing you would love to see Obama do in his last term, what would it be?  That's the question of the week folks:
What would you like to see Obama do in his last term?  It could be anything...serious or just for the fun of it.   Just click on the comment link above to answer.
God Bless
Candie
As this is actually a biweekly monthly blog, my next posting will be on Wed. February 6 although I will be responding to comments through out that time. If you would like to comment on one of the feature pieces, you can do so by clicking the comment link above my blog as well. Love, Hugs & Kisses.

Welcome and welcome back folks!  Hope the 1st half of the 1st month of the year has been according to your theme!  Let's jump right in with the question of the week:  What is your diet nemesis?  What is your diet kryptonite?  What food stops you dead in your tracks, beckoning & begging you to take just a small bite even though you know it's not on your diet plan or recommended food list?  If it weren't for this food, your weight loss goals would be accomplished hands down?  What food owns you?  Lol 
For me, that is so easy....cookiessssss! I love cookies, all kinds, all sizes, all brands but the most irresistable kind of cookie....a warm, fresh out the oven, burn your mouth on it cookie...and all kinds of warm cookies.  If they are fresh and straight out the oven, look no further, I am your girl! 
I love cookies but they don't love me.  And I am sad to say folks, that this week, the cookies won!  They got to me and the broke me dowwwwn! They were calling my name, making me feel guilty for trying so hard to ignore them!  How many warm, delicious, chocolately chocolate chip cookies fresh out the oven did I eat this week? I ain't telling.  All I can say is I am chocolate chip cookie wasted and now my diet has run away and I can't find her.  Lol. Self awareness if the first step.  So what is your diet nemesis?  Please share!
Also check out my new column Do What Now? and as always, there are feature pieces from my books.  This week I included a piece that reminds me of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Happy Birthday Rev KIng! I am a fellow dreamer!
Enjoy and God Bless!
Candie

    Welcome back everyone! Hope you all are looking forward to this wonderful New Year! Even though the year ends in "13", I am highly optimistic. Unlucky 13...I'm not superstitious.  I just have a thing about numbers.  But I ain't scared though, I have a thing about God that ranks higher than any issue with the number 13.   
  So let's talk folks!  What is your theme for 2013? Think on it...what are you going to do to make 2013 stand out in a positive and progressive way? How are you going to do you in 2013 to make this happen? Yes, what is YOUR theme for 2013?  We all are different so I'm expecting that our responses are different.
   One thing that will be the same is the human need for support and encouragement and that's why I want us to share, so we can support each other.
    My theme for 2013?  To bust 40 wide open.  I will be 40 at the end of the year & I will define what turning 40 means to me.  At first, I was like, I'm busting 40 wide open because 40 isn't ready for me yet, that it's gonna say "heck no, 40 doesn't want her" and send me back to my 30's because I'm way too young to be that old.
   But then I thought about it.  Why does 40 have to be old and why should I shy away from growing a year older?  I'm about embracing life so I'm thinking now, I'm about to turn 40...what has my life been about so far and more importantly, what do I want the rest of it to be about?  I'm gonna take it day by day & enjoy this self reflective, inner inventory.  Instead of being my own most harsh critic, I am going to be my own best cheerleader.  I am going to take the time to notice my blessings (more about noticing blessings later) and be thankful for them. 
  So my theme for 2013?  It'll go something like this:  to live according to my dreams, to be the me who accomplishes her dreams...somewhere in that territory.  Still trying to come up with a catchy slogan.  A catchy slogan isn't necessary, I just like 'em.  LOL!
    This site isn't all about me though.  It's about all of us who like to surround ourselves with positivity, love and strength.  I will be adding more interactive features to my site and I'm starting here and now...so please answer the question of the week:                                  
                                 WHAT IS YOUR DREAM FOR 2013?
Please don't be shy.  Just do you in answering this question. To answer, just click the "comments"  link.  Don't forget to tweet & like so your friends can join the fun!
See you next week,
Candie