A Summer Day in the Country

The smell of fresh mulch and the sound of the wind blowing from a fan takes me back to the hot smothering air of the country back in Madison, Florida. Sitting on the swollen wood floors from the humidity at my grandmother Pecola’s house, my brothers and I along with a few cousins would just sit there in front of the economy sized fan and take in as much cool air as possible before grandma ran us out of the house and back into the engulfing heat called summertime. There was no escaping it. Not even the local public pool that felt like an oversized Jacuzzi. We would sit on the porch and take turns in grandma’s old rugged wood rocking chair. When it was my turn, I would rock as hard but as smooth as possible with my eyes shut tight envisioning I was off the coast of a beautiful beach with an ice cold drink. When I opened my eyes, reality hit and I was still sitting on that old wooden porch that made creeks at every step. My ice cold water was that of a water hose out back that only spit out lukewarm water to quench my thirst.


“Pee Poppa, you better leave them girls alone. I’m not fighting for you anymore!” I screamed at the top of my lungs with fear I would actually have to fight for him. Pee Poppa was my cousin on my step mother’s side. Back then, I really didn’t know how he related to me and still don’t have a clue, but I would get beat as if he was my blood brother when I didn’t stick up for him. Everyday just about the same time, he would nag these twin girls that we named Pig Feet and Peppermint. You can almost guess why we named them that. One of the twins always ate pickled pig feet and the other always had a pocket full of peppermints that she sucked on all day.
“If you don’t help me, imma tell on you!” Pee Poppa said as he made his way across the dirt road to Pig Feet and Peppermints broke down massive white wood house. “Pee Poppa! Get back over here!” My step brother Delon yelled out at him. But of course, Pee Poppa was being his stubborn little self and made his way over there anyway.
In less than 60 seconds flat, Pee Poppa was running back across the dirt road with a burst of dust behind him as he cried out for my step mom Arenthia. No sooner then he went in the house to tell on me and my step brother Delon, Arenthia came out of the house making her way to the rose bush to get a whipping switch of her picking. She sent us to the room and made us strip down to nothing and wore us out for old and for new. She later realized that she had forgotten to pick the thorns off of the switch which left us with welts and a few blood drippings here and there. Me and my brother lay in the bed under the white sheets and cried as we observed our bruises. I had the worst of them. Of course she wouldn’t beat her own blood as bad as me, I thought as I lay there in a pool of tears. She had beaten me so on my right bicep in the same place that the thorns would catch hold of the open wound and rip it open more each time. It was the most pain I had ever experienced up to my ripe age of 8. My grandma came in to check on us when she arrived back home from fishing; she found us crying and consoling one another with blood showing through her white sheets. She was angry as ever and went on a rage looking for my step mom. When she found her, all hell was raised up and through there. It felt like the summertime heat had made its way in the house with a vengeance.
Later that night, my step mom didn’t show her face back to the house and my grandma sent Pee Poppa packing with her. Grandma Pecola took care of me and my step brother for the rest of the summer. Till this day, I still have that bruise on my right arm as a constant reminder of that God forsaken hot summer day in the country.

*clicking my heals* There's no place like Africa...

If someone asked me right now if i wanted to go to Hawaii or Zanzibar, Africa, i would choose Zanzibar in a heart beat. I've never been to Hawaii before, but i am convinced there is no other place in the world more beautiful than Zanzibar. I visited there back in October of 2009 for only 2 weeks. Some say that was a long time to be in Africa but i protest that it wasn't long enough. While i missed my daughter and my loved ones dearly, i was in paradise...in the motherland, which felt nothing shy of home to me. My people there were amazing. So welcoming, so generous, so humble.

I often mind travel back to Zanzibar. It amazes me of how much we seem to take for granted. I can't believe how spoiled i have been as an American all these years. I complain about the little things and when i go to this place stricken with poverty, they are so happy. They don't have a lot of the material things we cherish here, but what they do have is each other, love and God and they cherish that beyond anything. It was the most humbling, life altering and profound experience that i still find hard to put into words. I made friends there that is now considered to be family that i pray to stay in touch with for years to come. Not only did i have the opportunity to learn a great deal about the African Diaspora and the people of Tanzania and Zanzibar, i also learned the one language that i had been wanting to learn for years...Swahili. Now, i'm not in anyway a translator, but i keep the handy book in my handbag and try to keep it fresh in my memory.

In this beautiful serene place, i found solace and freedom. While going for a long walk on the white sand beach on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, brushing my feet through the clear blue water picking up sea shells along the way, i found peace. people watching....noticing some of the natives in their beautiful bright traditional garments selling their beautiful creations of jewelry, clothing, shoes and handmade bags; some selling spices like cardamon and ginger from a local spice farm trying to make a living the best way they know how. I also came upon a native walking his pet monkey. I was in such amazement and shock, i couldnt help but stop and inquire. the little monkey was held by a leash but approached me slowly in search of food. He gently opened my hand and looked around it as if i was hiding food. he was adorable but i quickly came back to reality and realized i am too far from a hospital to get treated from a bite or scratch from this animal. I bid the native a farewell and headed back to my resort. Yes, i did stay at a resort but i did frequent the locals homes and communities for the entirety of the days i was there. When i arrived back to my suite, i realized it was only 7pm and the sun was soon to set. This night, i didnt want a crowd. Instead, i went straight to my overly large bathroom where an old fashioned tub sits above ground and behind it is a shower that is literally outside. There are walls high enough to where your neighbors cant see you shower, but directly above head is the clear blue sky. I stepped upon the smooth black stones and sat down on the teak wood bench before saying a quiet prayer. After my shower, i threw on my long japanese kimono, headed to my balcony and relaxed with a glass of mango juice in hand. God released a breeze that slightly exposed my naked freshly oiled body. it was refreshing and absolutely amazing to say the least. It was freedom!

I find myself traveling back to that place to have the same peace i felt when i was there. i find myself....

Losing my virginity...

So today is the day i lose my virginity. Now don't get all nasty on me....i'm talking about blogging. Yes, i have a journal and for the most part, keep up with it on a daily basis but i figure it's finally time to grow with technology and be free of my thoughts in cyberspace. Before i continue, you should know that writing is my art and like my fellow pisces erykah badu, i'm sensitive about my sh%t. Now that i got that out of the way, we can continue. my blogs will be random thoughts, feelings, about a stranger i saw in passing, fiction, non-fiction, personal and sometimes long and sweet or short and full of sorrow. i'm new at sharing my thoughts to the world, so bare with me as i unravel from a bud to a beautiful exotic flower...



sincerelyniah