something to do...

The tedious, meaningless things in life can really get in the way of you doing those things that truly make you happy. From that statement, I guess you all can figure out that Ayankha has been one busy, stressed lady. I've written a a few posts in the last 3 months and could not settle on which to post. So why not do something fresh.

Along those lines, I also could not figure out what to do for July 4th. Now, I really don't make a big deal about holidays because usually I am thankful for not having to go to work or school and I am able to relax and re-center myself. But today, I felt compelled to do something a bit different than my usual relaxing off day. In the middle of all this indecision, I've come across a post that I thought could help me determine what I could do. My big sis has created this very very interesting blog... organic.intellectual! I've been visiting it and I found things to do on my holiday, besides reading the provocative, interesting articles. To summarize the post, it gives alternatives to July 4th celebrations. Now seemed to be the right time for a little change.

I've not been "home" on July 4th in quite some time, though, I still have fond memories of eating bar-be-que, popping fireworks then being told to stay close to the ground to avoid the gun shots fired in celebration later that night. I guess since Sogent & I are not around any children during this time, holidays have morphed into time off to just relax. Today, however, I wanted to do something. So I decided that I would try a few things on the post. I said a prayer to honor my lineage (#1: "Morning prayers that recognize your ancestral lineage."). It was not in the morning, but as soon as I decided to do something besides rest, it was done. The second thing I did (#14: "Strike a pleasant conversation with someone you do not know.") was accomplished by happenstance really. Every Saturday, I walk my dogs to the local flea market (which sells fresh produce as well) and check out the goods. When you've got dogs, conversation comes pretty easily, but usually I smile and continue my walk/and window(less) shopping. Well on this day, an older woman who was selling her wares came over to us and chatted for a about 20 mins. We mostly talked about dogs, but we exchanged names and I promised to visit her on Saturdays from now on. It was nothing special really, but it felt great to talk to someone different.

Another thing I did was #15: "Dance like there's no tomorrow". At the corner of the block, there is a home for the mentally disabled and every holiday they play loud music. It's so loud that we are able to hear it in our backyard. We really don't mind because they play a variety of good stuff. However, yesterday they had a Michael Jackson marathon sprinkled with various P-Funk selections. Yeahhhhhhhhhhhh! While in the garden, I was able to jam. Maybe this is what has been helping the garden grow?!?! I love to dance, but not necessarily the type where there is a bunch of rules and you are always having to be conscious about how you look. I just like to move my body in ways I can express my feelings and the music vibrations. If it coordinates with others, great, but that is not my primary goal. The last "alternative"I did was eat chicken and waffles! This is in my top 3 meals of all time and I felt like it was paying homage to my ancestors that were born and died here. No one really knows exactly how this combination was started, but I know that it is often associated with Black American culture. Though I grew up in L.A., home of Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles, I did not eat there much. It wasn't until my first semester of college in Mississippi, that chicken & waffles became something of a mainstay. I would eat this or chicken (or catfish) & grits. This reminder of Mississippi, where my paternal lineage hails from, gave me feel a familiar comfort.

So there you have it, my 4th of July. But I don't think I'll stop there with some of those alternatives.