Holidays, Traditions, and Goals for 2018

Ahhhh...It's that time of the year.

Most companies call this the last quarter before taxes are due in January. To see where their profits are. Do they need to clean house before or after the holidays or lovingly give bonuses? ( Which I think most companies have done away with because they don't invest in their employees anymore.)

Most people from all types of religions and pagan based faith are celebrating the holidays from their perspective versions of Christmas, Hanukkah and the Winter Solstice.

What I don't understand is the lack of respect. I mean as people have  become "woke" they suddenly realize that what they believed in is now a lie and can no longer participate. Those who have continued tradition, press upon those that if they don't celebrate they will lose out in the end. Those who don't believe in anything, continue to not be phased. Although, if asked will certainly give their viewpoint on the grounds of science and common sense.

I'm not going to bore you will a long stretched out story. I will keep it simple. I was raised in Catholicism and denounced it after a brief encounter at my Grandmother's Baptist church. I still celebrated Christmas because it brought joy and my family together. The real family gathering where you know which pie to not eat, but still thank Aunt Creatta for making it. Where the kids were outside waiting to eat, while the grow-ups are playing cards and cussing each other out. Sitting in flowered color chairs and small drinks with brown liquid give courage to my Uncles at the table. "Don't come to this table if you ain't ready to play!" While my Aunts are drinking in the living room, eying each other, while my Grandmother was in the kitchen making sure no one started eating before saying grace.
Everyone has a different story. A different family that may not have the same experience as my own but yet can relate to what I'm talking about. Different countries around the world celebrate the holiday season with lights and traditions that are deeply rooted and go back as far as the 5th Century.

Respect.

The respect I'm trying to convey is even if you don't believe in tradition, Christmas, Winter Solstice, etc...don't ruin it for everybody else. There is something magical and wonderous when you see a child's eyes light up when they see a  Christmas tree lit up. The smells in the malls and the smell in my own kitchen from cooking a very fattening feast. (Ask my oldest adult son!)If you respect mine, I will respect yours. In this climate we are living in, we are forgetting the very fundamentals of what the season was always supposed to mean. The one time of the year when we act a little nicer. A little kinder. Give a little more of ourselves and connect with those we haven't seen in ages. Grieve together for those they are no longer living among us. I won't shame or condemn your holiday practices and expect you to do the same for me. If you want to "enlighten" me there is a simple way to do it. AFTER THE HOLIDAYS!!! If you are compelled to have a discussion, let's reconvene next year. In a non-threatening and healthy discussion. Not while I'm eating my Mama's yams. Beat it!

That's my two cents. I will try to release one more blog post before the end of December. Planning and trying to make sure I start the New Year off on the right foot.

Thank you for following my journey thus far and there is more in store.

Be well...

D.


                                        Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanzaa
                                                              Happy Winter Solstice
                                                
                     Click to listen to:Charlie Brown Christmas
                               
                                 Happy Holidays Everyone!

Etiquette and just plain manners~ It's all about energy

Recently I was reminded about etiquette. Phone, text, or just simply being aware that I'm living in a different time. When it comes to greeting someone when reaching out to have a conversation, I open with a good morning, good afternoon, or how about hello? Yes. I lived in a time where when you walked up to someone or reached out to them via telephone, you opened with a greeting or salutations at the very least. Hi, hello, good day, good morning? You get the jest. Am I getting through? Okay, let's move on.
Nowadays, it's as if simple manners have flown the coop. People go for the jugular. Hey you busy? Hey, I have a quick question? It's almost as if people don't care about waiting until you respond. Maybe I don't feel like talking right now. I have issues going on of my own. I just can't take on your energy or drama at this time. But at least with a greeting you have a chance to say, "Hey good morning to you too. I'm really not in a good space. Can we continue this later?" Naw, people just go right on in and start with whatever is going on with them.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a great listener. I love exchanging ideas, sharing memories, laughing at jokes or calmly being in the moment so you can vent. Oh yeah, I'm that lady. I welcome you with open arms. To heal your wounds, dry your tears, or just be your personal cheerleader.

However, I get full too. I get depressed and overwhelmed with my own drama. My reaction? I retreat. I go underground. I take a day to not speak. Well I try to. But somehow I'm sucked in and I want to be that shoulder to cry on. Because let's face it. I'm sure there were days my friends or family didn't want to take on my energy. And yet they did because they loved me and genuinely cared.

All I'm saying is, give me a greeting and let me tell you if I'm in a space where I can be beneficial. Otherwise, I will put you on what my Daddy calls "the do not call list" And trust me, you don't get removed quickly.

On to a more uplifting and positive mode, I believe on my last blog posting I shared a snippet of my dear friend's current project. Well Fam, she has just given me the exclusive to showcase her newest creation.

Please take a moment and visit her website and discover what I'd like to call "The Morasco Perspective!" Check it out Fam...

And as always...

Be well.

D.

New cover reveal!!!!!!!

                          Currently on repeat... RIP Michael

Music & Books~ A journey into the soul of Darlene B. the Author

     


                                                            

      Music has always been a gateway for me to open up and take in every note. It's as if I was at the engineering board, orchestrating every note along with the artist or producer. Every syllable that vibrates over a beat or a melody, seems captures my attention and propels me into another orbit. Not just another world. Another galaxy.

From a young age, I've been exposed to all types music genres. From Country to R&B. Classical to Punk Rock. From Jazz to Contemporary. If it had a label and a hole in the middle ( for you youngins' I grew up with albums!) it was in my collection. I long for a record player. I think I will treat myself this Christmas!

Once everything started to go digital, it seemed like music was becoming less authentic. Not as rich and inviting as it once was. And yet, there on the horizon an abundance of new artists emerged and suddenly I got the pleasure of my favorite artist dropping a new collection of music for all of us to enjoy. Music can break racial barriers, teach the unteachable and bring people together that wouldn't normally even look at each other on the street. 

As I became a Mother, I shared my love for music with my children. Even now, their taste differs from their peers. Of course, they like some of the current "music". However, they know the history of certain genres and appreciate the previous generation's contributions to the music industry. Every now and again, my middle son will hear a song and text me. "Hey Ma, have you heard this?" My oldest will share a past moment in music he knows I will enjoy. The youngest of the siblings, my daughter just enjoys my collection and wants to mimic it somehow. I've told her this collection took years. My collection was put on my iPod which was stolen recently. It broke my heart to the point it's still difficult to talk about. They didn't just take a small device to sell in a pawn shop or on Instagram, they took my history and joy of adding to my library of memories that filled my ears with peace of mind and serenity. 

I will recover. I don't have a choice. Writing has the same effect on me. Reading and writing give me genuine satisfaction. I can deflect and become engrossed in my current project or the latest Stephen King novel.  I've never needed an escape from the real world full of despair, heartbreak, wonder, mystery, fear and a whole crop of emotions and events. Book and writing contain the same elements, just in a controlled environment. You can stop (if you can) whenever you want. Start when you want. There isn't a set timetable and yet the eagerness to write or read always gnaws at me. 

After a major setback, I can confidently say I'm on the mend. Thankfully and gratefully. 

As part of my comeback, I will introduce new projects from my close friends and start to carve out the pathway to re-energizing my projects and bring my characters back to life.

This week's feature is by my good friend Diane Morasco. Please take a moment to check out her website and explore her past and current projects. You won't be disappointed. 


Here is an example of her work...

Please click on the link below:

The lovely & talented Ms. Diane Morasco

October

My current obsession...Syd

Interview with Van Johnson on the Breakfast club

Levels and Rules to being a Friend

Hello, Dawnettes!

Today I'm going to talk a little bit about friendships and what it means to me.

Remember this is my blog and life according to my experience. Catch this.

So, I recently ( in the few months) reconnected with my childhood friend. Whom I love dearly. We share a mutual childhood friend. Of whom I feel like I've chased her friendship my whole life.

Here is my definition of friends and how to act accordingly...while listening to Friends by Whodini ( if you don't know who that is, go to Youtube or click the video below (insert video when posting*)

Ride or die- Whether its 2 pm or 2 am they have your back

Club Friend- Brunch hang out, social friends

Network- Professional won't embarrass you in public

Co-workers- could lead to friend outside of work but not really

And Friends who you thought were but they clearly are not-

I say all of that to say this. You get what you give. Sometimes it's not how much time and effort you put into the relationship but how that is received. People have boundaries and sometimes your load is too much for them to carry. It doesn't make you a bad person. Some people need drama to fulfill their lives. Others just really need an ear and shoulder. Handle your friends according to how they perceive you. If you feel like you need to have a one on one and have an honest conversation to clear the air? Then do that. If you feel your words will be wasted and fall on deafs ears, then move the fuck on.
Believe me, if you have a ride or die friend who does deeply care about you they will only want what's best for you. Invest in those relationships. Nurture and appreciate them. Life is too short to play dumb and chase after people who don't want you in their lives.

Love ya.

Be well...
D

It's My Story and I'm sticking to it!

My Interpretation of the world around me and a slight update on me personally.


Hello, Fam! I trust all is well. I have decided that when I post any blogs in the future, it will begin with a positive greeting.

With that being said, this blog post will be going in a little bit of a different direction.

Over the past three months since stepping away from blogging, writing, or generally wanting to see anything I've written that I wanted to share there has been an awakening. Today I was actually taking a nap and it came to me. All of this could be a waste of time.
Sure, I love to express my opinion where I see fit. I still feel in my heart that I have so much to share with my audience. And yes, I still love to write. However, does what I do matter? Does anyone really care what I think or feel? Could it be I'm a bit arrogant in thinking "hey someone will like what I have to say?" The resounding answer is maybe.
I do believe that someone does care on some level. That the content I put out may be enjoyable to a degree. I never want to offend or push a fan away because what I have to say isn't relevant content.
But I do think I matter.

That's the whole point. People want to be heard. In their personal relationships (Friendship, spouse,etc.) workplace or getting a cup of coffee. I've recently become a huge fan of Penn Jillette. He is a renowned Magician, Comedian, Inventor, Actor and an Author.( He is also an Atheist but we will visit that in another blog.)I have found his views of different subjects we face every day to be a breath of fresh air. He has successfully been added to people I will meet eventually in my lifetime. Yes, folks, there is a list. I get it. He has shown me that even if there is one person that shares my view it doesn't matter. It matters that I made a difference.

I write because it makes me feel better. It's not a form of therapy. I just like sharing my thoughts with complete strangers. Who will at the end of the day have their own opinions about what I have to say. It could be negative or positive. Either way, they will have had to read it to even feel some type of way. My projects are presented in the same way. I write because I feel better knowing that I have created characters that dance inside my head and want to be seen and heard. Characters that could be relatable. I've always wanted to feel as if I met these individuals, I could have a conversation and maybe learn something along the way.

I've also decided that I will commit to blogging every two weeks. They won't be as long as this one. But never too short where I won't be complete in my thoughts and feelings.

Thank you for being on this journey with me and I hope you stay tuned for upcoming content and other fun stuff.

And a special thank you to Diane...

Be well...

D.

Happy New Year Fam!

Welcome to 2017. I can honestly say 2016 was full of ups and downs. There are three points I'm going to hit on this post. So sit back, drink of cup of tea and read on...

First, let's address the celebrities that have left us. It started with Natalie Cole and ended with William Christopher. For those of you who don't know who Mr. Christopher is. He played as the Catholic Priest on the series M*A*S*H. He passed away on December 31st. 2016 took so many people who touched us musically, politically, and literary-wise. R.I.P. to all of these talented individuals. You will be missed.

Next up, unfinished goals. I can't begin to tell you how much of a disappoint I felt and experienced. I can tell you this much... It won't happen again this year.
See, as I get older I've learned two things. Patience and humility. I don't believe I will ever be too successful where I won't appreciate everything I have in my life and people I surround myself with. There are so many things I have yet to do, I don't take life for granted. As the saying goes, "Tomorrow is not promised to you." I plan on taking full advantage of every opportunity that presents itself. It has to beneficial for the person believing in me as well as it is helpful for my career.

Lastly, my second installment of the Vampyir Series. It was a labor of love. I have a fantastic editor. I will be posting her link on this blog. Her services are amazing and she is irreplaceable. My book would not have been completed if it wasn't for this wonderful woman. Currently, I'm trying to complete the cover. I promise you that the next installment, the cover will be completed before the novel. The simplest task has been the hardest to get done. With all the new goals I have set forth, I hope and surrender to the universe that my career will do well this year.

There are three things I don't discuss on a social platform. Politics, Religion or my personal relationship. Here on my blog, there may come a time where I might express my feelings on upcoming President or I may expose some news that is very personal to me. Whatever I have to say, I hope the takeaway is, I've learned something about this human being and I understand where she is coming from. You may not agree with my views, but I promise to always strive to stay positive and uplifting. We have enough challenges and negativity in this world. I will try my best to not contribute to the madness.

Cheers to each and every one of you. May you have a prosperous and fulfilling 2017!

Be well...

D.