During the years that I worked as an elementary school counselor for a Mississippi school district, I attended many Black History Month programs. The community was 70% African-American. Year after year, the same handful of famous faces were highlighted in presentations, on bulletin boards, and for student writing assignments. Don’t get me wrong, I learned … Continue reading Black History Month: Hidden History
The formative years of my teens and twenties were the late 1960s through the 70s. Those were turbulent times that pulled the foundations out from under many of our solid institutions. The music and movies shouted the changing values and lodged earworms into my young brain. I must admit to a lot of confusion during … Continue reading No Excuses
This is the week before Valentine's Day, February 14th. Many (mostly women and children) love this holiday, while others (mostly men) seem to hate it. I am kind of partial toward that date since it's my birthday. Lovelady is my maiden name, and I was born on Valentine's Day. Stores use red and pink hearts … Continue reading Heart Trouble
What a strange time we’re living in. Each week seems to bring its own set of uncertainties. I’ve lived long enough and studied history enough to know that every era brings unique challenges to those born into their times. But you and I are living in this day, brought into this world “for such a … Continue reading Disequilibrium
It looks like Covid-19 has another cultural casualty this year, and I have mixed feelings about it. All across the Gulf Coast region, large and small communities are canceling their Mardi Gras festivities. It is the sensible thing to do since the crowds could end up being superspreader events for the virus. But the economic … Continue reading King Cake Season Begins
The year 2020 has been far from perfect. In fact, it has been far from “normal,” whatever that means. So is that number mocking us? Does it show us that we can’t see squat, and we don’t even realize it?
No doubt, angels are essential characters for advancing the Christmas story. Beginning with an angel’s appearance in the temple to Zechariah, the priest, and Gabriel’s announcement to Mary about her impending pregnancy, God’s messengers (malakim in Hebrew) played crucial roles. Just to refresh our memory, they also spoke to Joseph to reassure and then again … Continue reading Angels From the Realms of Glory
