Sunday Afternoon After Church

Initially, I had not planned to submit for this week’s Photo Friday because time did not permit me to take a picture of an old vehicle.  Additionally, I did not have any photos that I had previously taken.  But the rules were adjusted somewhat this week, whereas we can submit pics that we did not take.  So I thought I’d share a picture taken in the early 60′s of my mother and aunt Anna.  Both have gone on to another realm; bless their souls. 

Sunday afternoons after church in the 60′s were so full of neighborhood and family values: Families and friends gathering together for Soul Food, good conversation–everyone wearing their Sunday best – so full of love and tradition.  Boy do I ever miss those days.  I myself often carry out the Sunday tradition; but unlike the days of old, it’s always me doing all the cooking and most of us did not come from church!  Wow do I miss the days when many of the women gathered in the steamy kitchen talking trash, laughing – whilst the men, admiring their families, talked ”business” in the dining room.  Now I know that we’ve progressed so much from the 60′s; but some things, in my opinion, did not promote progress, but a sense of individuality bringing forth separation that saddens me.   No longer do I see the community and family unity – everyone’s for self now.  This, in my opinion, has caused depression, poverty, violence and a malady of social problems.  So today, let’s strive to live that life of the 60′s, and bring family and community together. 

Sunday Afternoons After Church ~By CordieB

Oh how I miss the days of old . . .

When family unity was the goal

Of every bright or weary soul

Oh how I miss the lost tradition

When helping hands was the mission

When we knew all our neighbor’s names

When we’d speak to all who peacefully came

walking down the clean sidewalks

stopping for friendly gossip and small talk

When neighbors would watch over the young

and everyone knew every one

when neighbors could spank that ass

for talking smart or acting fast

and then I’d get another one

after the neighbor told my dad or mom

When children still played hide and seek

When strong families always helped the weak

When unity meant what it should

and not simply another cliche’ buzz word

When fathers could not abandon theirs

without humilitation, points and stares

and of course lots and lots of old folk’s prayers

When the corner store owner lived in the neighborhood

and there was no such thing as “living in the hood”

And people usually acted like they knew they should

The Sunday afternoons after church dismissed

When family and neigbors gathered to reminice

And laugh and cry and love each other

and every one was treated like a sister or brother

I miss it all, but alas life goes on

So at least I’ll carry the tradition on

So if you miss those days, come visit soon

My home on Sunday Afternoons

~Written By CordieB

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Tall Chick Tales

A Curious State of Affairs

SpatulaHandle’s

Idea Jump!

Ivey’s Story Weblog

Just for Fun

Have a soul filled Sunday!

The lines shown around my deep brown eyes
Are lines of much laughter, joys and cries
My hands are wearing down like melten butter
From years of living love; caring for self and others

The expressions on my face reflect so clear
Wisdom and insight gained throughout the years
Living and loving through thick and thin
Embracing God’s grace and mercy of love within

Sharing my love with so many souls
Giving of self as time takes its toll
On body and mind as life’s novel reveals
More mysteries for the heart if life so wills

Reeping the blessing of so many souls
Gracious of the puzzle that made life whole
For me as the time passes so quickly it seems
Like only yesterday, I dreamth my very first dreams

Watching Clouds over the horizon at the end of the day;

Reminds me of watching the many scenes of my life fade away

The clouds are so beautiful, heavenly, and treasured so much

You feel you can reach out and behold; yet they remain out of touch

They fade in and out of the horizon so slow yet so fast

Like the scenes of our life move from present to past;

We never can regain this moment ever again-

The cloud will never formulate the very same pattern again

To bring us a bit of shade or perhaps a late evening rain;

But the beauty is such, we hold it ever so near in our minds

As such we should embrace our present moments in time;

For this moment will never again be ours to behold;

So breath in the present of nowness into your very soul!

Embrace each moment like the clouds in the sky

Embrace rain, shade and shelter, and you’ll seldom ask why.

Embrace the beauty of allness of God’s bountiful Creation

Embrace the allways of nowness with each passing cloud on the horizon.

~By CordieB.

The Storm Clouds Aways Give Way to the Sunshine! Courtesy of CordieB.

The storm was a bad storm; I questioned God as to why. . .

I had to endure this storm for so long; would it ever pass by?

I was scared and confused as the darkend thunder-clouds clasped so loud!

I cried out in fear as the rains down poured; you would not be proud!

But somehow I kept my faith; I knew in the back of my mind . . .

That soon this raging storm would be in the place called behind

me and I would see the beautiful sunshine once more in my sight. . .

I looked up the road and the sun suddenly peeked through the clouds with delight!

I knew that the end of the storm was a blessing

Thanks to my Creator for strength to endure another life lesson!

~By CordieB

Today’s Photo Friday is entitled: Clouds

and was chosen by  Julie of  Just for Fun!

Follow the links below for other entries (I will add links as entries come in!):

Tall Chick Tales

A Curious State of Affairs

SpatulaHandle’s

Idea Jump!

Ivey’s Story Weblog

Just for Fun

Lou of BlahBlahblog is still away travelling in Malawi  but you might like to read her blog (posted in absentia)

and was chosen by  me.

Follow the links below for other entries (I will add links as entries come in!):

Idea Jump!

A Curious State of Affairs

Spatulahandle’s weblog

Just for Fun!

Tall Chick Tales

Lou of BlahBlahblog is still away travelling in Malawi  but you might like to read her blog (posted in absentia)

~

Me and G love spending lazy afternoons and evenings at the Pony Pasture James River Rapids.  It’s such a relaxing experience; a natural spa.   I took these with a throw away camera; for fear of slipping on a rock and dropping my camera in the water; so the pics don’t have real good quality.  But, the day was absolutely fantastic.  Anyone know a good water proof digital camera?

Please click on these links to see everyone else’s beautiful photo’s displaying “Traditions”

Curious State of Affairs

Tall Chick Tales

blahblahblog

Just for fun

Curious C

 There is nothing so enchanting, I’ve ever seen

Than hanging out with the universe in a Mid-Summer Night’s Dream

As I drink a glass of wine with the Man in the Moon

We laugh, swing and dance to a joyous tune

We sway to the gentle melodys

Soon the stars join our midsummer night’s harmonies

The wind warmly joins with a gentle breeze

Oh my, look who came!  It’s the dew drops and trees!

Nothing’s so peaceful, so delightful, so supreme . . .

As drinking wine with the universe, in a Midsummer Night’s Dream

~Dreamth By CordieB.

My friend SanityFound inspired me to write this poem.  SanityFound often spends evenings conversing with the moon!  I’ve joined her on some occasions!  All are invited to come - Nothing’s as delightful!

Please click on these links to see everyone eles’s beautiful photo’s displaying “A Mid-Summer’s Nights Dream”

Curious State of Affairs

Tall Chick Tales

blahblahblog

Just for fun

Curious C

(Diptychs – two is better than one! Tell a story in just two frames. Get creative. Think in pairs! The aim of diptychs / triptychs is to make an interaction between two / three photos in such a way that the whole work has a greater value than its components).

I must admit, I had no idea of the meanings of these words; My vocabulary has increased since I’ve started Photo-Friday-ing.  I had planned on taking pictures of my son’s biceps; as I just knew the term had something to do with muscles.  I’m glad I went back to Author’s blog to get the definition; else I would have been madly embarrased if I had displayed pictures of Samuel’s physique.  So, here’s my Triptychs for this week’s Photo Friday!

One Drink – to loosen up a bit

A Few Drinks – the Life of the Party

A few too many . . . Oh well.

Please click on these links to see everyone eles’s beautiful photo’s displaying “Diptychs or Triptychs ”

Curious State of Affairs

Tall Chick Tales

blahblahblog

Just for fun

Curious C

To join in on the fun, click on the pink Photo Friday box above.

Have a Happy Friday. 

Valley of the Dolls ~Dionne Warwick

Gotta get off, gonna get
Have to get off from this ride
Gotta get hold, gonna get
Need to get hold of my pride

When did I get, where did I
How was I caught in this game
When will I know, where will I
How will I think of my name

When did I stop feeling sure, feeling safe
And start wondering why, wondering why
Is this a dream, am I here, where are you
What’s in back of the sky, why do we cry

Gotta get off, gonna get
Out of this merry-go-round
Gotta get off, gonna get
Need to get on where I’m bound

When did I get, where did I
Why am I lost as a lamb
When will I know, where will I
How will I learn who I am

When did I stop feeling sure, feeling safe
And start wondering why, wondering why
Is this a dream, am I here, where are you
What’s in back of the sky, why do we cry

Gotta get off, gonna get
Need to get off of this ride
Gonna get on, gonna get
Gotta get on where I’m bound

Dedicated to all the Dolls who might feel they are in the Valley today.  

Peace, Light and Love . . . CordieB

I Dream in Colors whenever I Dream of You - in my dream Utopia!

The stars look up to you, my love – my night time is our euphoria

I fantasize in your dreamy eyes – through reality or fantasy disguise

There’s always a surreal, sensual surprise, in our Phantasmagoria

 Mom’s Aways watching over you, even in your dreams, your Phantasmagoria -

My senses and invisible eyes are in constant state of being – cyclophoria!

In the Sun’s rising and setting, through clouds, or the moon’s crescent. 

Through lightness, darkness, angels or demons – My peace is ever present. 

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This week’s topic (May 30th) is Phantasmagoria.  This dreamy word was chosen by me.  I first learned of it from a beautiful poem, written by the Angel, Enreal. 

Here is what I found on the word . . . .

Encarta Definition:
phan·tas·ma·go·ry [ fan tázmə gàwree ] (plural phan·tas·ma·go·ries)

noun

Definition:

1. bizarre images: a series or group of strange or bizarre images seen as if in a dream

2. ever-changing scene: a scene or view that encompasses many things and changes constantly

Miriam Webster Definition:

1: an exhibition or display of optical effects and illusions
2 a: a constantly shifting complex succession of things seen or imagined b: a scene that constantly changes
3: a bizarre or fantastic combination, collection, or assemblage

Urban Dictionary Definition:
1. phantasmagoria 7 up, 1 down

The best word in the world, it is used to describe a group of mythical and fantasy creatures, or just top confuse people as most people have never heard it.
As he looked into the forest he saw all manner of Phantasmagoria.

Please click on these links to see everyone eles’s beautiful photo’s displaying “Phantasmagoria”

Curious State of Affairs

Tall Chick Tales

blahblahblog

Just for fun

Curious C

To join in on the fun, click on the pink Photo Friday box above.

Have a Happy Friday.