TODAY IS THE DAY. VOTE!

By Vernalee

Greetings on this important day...

Today is the day! November 3, 2020 is General Election day.

Allow me to share a brief story. Before my Mother passed and went home to be with the Lord, I had the honorable privilege to be her caregiver. I brought her from Mississippi to Ohio to live with me. It was now my precious turn to take care of the woman who so elegantly took care of me! I praised God for that experience because I learned so much more (history and life lessons) from her. During that time, there was an election, so she had a mail in ballot. I am here to testify that my Mother worried everybody - my niece, my daughter, her great-granddaughter, and me - about that ballot! She was uneasy until it arrived and uneasy until it was mailed. I remember sending it via Federal Express and verifying the receipt (of course by showing her the tracking information) to assure her that it was signed, sealed & delivered to the Board of Elections in Mississippi before the due date; very early in fact. What was the hype? You see my Mother grew up in an era where they were administered written tests and where they had to pay poll taxes - (which many Black folks couldn't afford) - to earn the right to vote. So voting was one of the unalienable civil rights where some Black people were threatened by their White plantation owners; while others were jailed; some even were killed for their constitutional right to go to the polls and cast their ballots. So, my Mother wanted to make sure that her vote was counted! Neither did I witness what she did, nor saw up close and personal what her eyes saw ... for Black folks to obtain the right to vote. So when I casted my ballot, I voted not only for my preferred candidates, I voted for my Mother and all of those who sacrificed and fought for me to have that privilege! So, today...Vote!

https://www.nba.com/warriors/video/teams/warriors/2020/08/06/3359702/1596740565304-beyond28-voting-rights-act-3359702

Video: nba.com

Photo Credit: bostonglobe.com

JOB DESCRIPTION - MOTHER

By Vernalee

”Being a mom is often said to be the hardest job in the world  — and now 24 more people know that being one may come with paltry “benefits.” A Boston-based ad agency, Mullen, created a campaign for Cardstore.com where 24 people interviewed for what they thought to be a corporate  “Director of Operations” position at a company called Rehtom, Inc (can you read backwards?).

The role had seemingly crappy requirements, such as:

• Must be able to work 135+ hours a week

• Willingness to forgo any breaks

• Ph.D. in psychology or real-life equivalent

• Crisis management skills a must

• Ability to manage a minimum of 10-15 projects at one time

• Ability to communicate at all levels (basic to advanced)

• Ability to work in a chaotic environment

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in negotiating, counseling and culinary arts

• Unlimited patience

• Understanding of social media, mobile devices and video games, finance and medicine

And although the salary is $0, the job promises “infinite opportunities for personal growth and rewards.”

Does this job description sound accurate to you?”

Ask any Mother, she’ll give you the answer.

DO YOU MAKE YOUR BED EVERY DAY?

By Vernalee

Growing up, my Mother insisted that we make up our beds immediately after we got up. It was one of her pet peeves that as a teenager, I was not fond of. Truly! Once up, going back to bed was not encouraged. Sitting on the side of the bed was unthinkable. After all, it was a bed, not a chair. 50 plus years later, I find myself making my bed the moment I get up. Old habits die hard! In fact, I cannot retire to a bed that has not been made. I must make it up first. Some of my girlfriends who were similarly taught can happily roll around in the covers of an unmade bed! As for me, though this routine was beaten into my head, it formed a lasing impact. I have however gotten smarter over the years. With age comes wisdom! Does it not? Nothing beats innovations and creative thinking, even if it is regarded as lightweight cheating. These days, I never pull back the covers because I now sleep on top of them; I cover by body with a blanket. So when I wake up bright and early, I merely fold the blanket, adjust the covers/pillows … And Bingo …my bed is like new; immaculately contoured! Just like I was taught! I just improvised with an adjustment that fits my lifestyle. It works for me! Photo reprint: www.my home idea.com