Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Winter Band Concert
Sunday, February 21, 2010
George Washington Carver Museum
We were the only ones there and had the added pleasure of having our very own tour guide, the Director herself, Mrs. Francis Williams. If you ever want to know ANYTHING about history she's the go-to person.
When we first walked in, I started looking at the first wall I came to but Mrs. Williams said, "My dear, if you'll permit me, I shall take you to the beginning. Unfortunately so many Americans of all races believe that Black History begins with slavery and ends with Martin Luther King, Jr -- but if we start with that than we miss the beginning.... and the beginning, my dear, of ALL history begins with Africa." At that point she took us around a corridor and started teaching us .... i mean really schoolin' us .... we learned interesting history -
like the Black Pharoahs in Nubia (present day Sudan) -- wealthiest people on earth -- who constructed the Pyramids with such precision that even to this day, scientists and architects can't duplicate their methods.
From there she spoke of the migration from Africa to Asia where Black Mongols were known for their mighty warrior prowess and sometimes referred to as the "children of hell" -- they were fierce and well respected for their military pursuits.
And from there, Mrs. Francis went on to explain The Moors who were Africans that migrated to Spain. They are known for their Moorish Architect..... noted for their domes and arched doorways ...
Fascinating, huh?
She took us through the slavery period. I didn't take pictures... out of respect. There was a broom on a table amoung other items. She asked if I knew what it was. I told her I thought it was a "wedding broom". She went on to explain that slaves weren't allowed to get married.... because they were thought of as property and well, "property" has no "rights". So, if two slaves fell in love they would secretly go down by the river or deep into the woods with close friends and family and have their own ceremony. And at the end of the ceremony the couple would jump over a broom to symbolize they were married.
And here he is, the man of the hour... Mr. George Washington Carver. What an amazing man! Did you know that Henry Ford and Dupont both offered him millions to work for them but he turned them down because he considered himself a scientist and not a business man. He also said that "the Creator freely gave him his gifts and talents and he would not charge money for them but instead freely give" ... he did sooooo much more than inventing over 300 uses for the peanut -- which that alone is a feat in itself -- but he created synthetics, new methods for crop irrigation, crop rotation -- he was a botanist, educator, and inventor ! Whew !!
I thought this was very interesting -- here is Paul Williams who is the architect credited for giving Hollywood its "look" as well as Rodeo Drive. He also designed the Los Angeles International Airport.
There was a section devoted entirely to every American war we've ever fought and how black Americans have fought in every one of them. I was amazed to hear that during WWI it was "against the law" for Black Americans and White Americans to go to battle together. So, the US government shipped the Black American soldiers to France to do "ground work" such as organizing and well, probably cleaning and maintaining equipment and supplies. But they grew restless and wanted to fight for their country so the French government asked the American government if the Black American soldiers could fight under the French flag...... and so they did. America never recognized them but France had a huge ceremony that celebrated them...... geeze, boggles the mind doesn't it?
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Amazing Oreo strikes again....
The Dedicated Student....
Monday, February 15, 2010
Celebrating Black History Month !
February is Black History Month and I'd like to give attention to a few of my favorite things and or people that just so happen to have been invented or discovered or prepared or inspired by black folks :-)
John Love -- pencil sharpener
Lewis Lattimer -- invented the electric lamp.
Joseph Smith -- invented the sprinkler system.
John Standard -- invented the kitchen fridge.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day !
Friday, February 12, 2010
So She Changed Her Mind ;-)
Oreo Says "No" to Snow !!
Oreo has been in our family for 3 years and has never seen snow ! Today was her first experience and ?.... she hated it ! HA ! She wouldn't even get off the front porch. In fact she sat right down put her ears back as if to say "Pshh. Whateva! Talk to the Paw"
And that was it. She got up and went back inside. HA !
Fun In the Snow... at Work -- LOL !
Had to go outside and play in the snow a bit -- even if it was at work :-)
We had enough snow to make snow prints !
And to catch flakes on our tongues!!!
But this picture was just too funny to me -- 'cause you can't see the flakes falling so it looks like I'm outside sticking my tongue out. ...... or singing. or screaming. or having a seizure. -- LOL
IT'S SNOWING ! IT'S SNOWING ! IT'S SNOWING IN LA !!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Movie Night At Church
The Youth Group handed out popcorn and cokes :-)
And "hung out" together.