The "Old Block" Tells All.

  Did I remember to tell you, “I love you” today? Did I plant 1000 kisses on your lips, cheeks, forehead, neck and shoulders today? Have I been the husband you deserve, all day? Have I kept you in my heart, thoughts and spirit when you briefly left my side? Do I buy you, (or let you buy), the things that make your heart sing the melody that only my heart can hear? Have I been faithful enough for you to brag about me to your family and friends? Do I perform the duties that a good and faithful husband should and must to keep your head from turning side to side, “looking”? Have I made my indelible spousal mark on you so well that other men can see it, sense it, (without looking at your ring finger)? When I do say, “I love you”, do you believe in your heart and soul that my words are true and unequivocally heartfelt? Do you hold me one step below God as I do you? Do you include me in your prayers in hopes of keeping your good and faithful husband by your side for all time? Do I mak...

  My guess is that we are all addicted to air, water, and food, but beyond that, what has an uncontrollable grip on you, and will not let go? Do you know it by name? Is it a noun or a verb, (a person, place, thing, or perhaps an activity)? Is it making you strong or making you weak? Is it extending your life or shortening your existence? These are just a few of the questions you must ask yourself before you indulge in that next sip, snort, dip, or whiff of your chosen poison. Some medical professionals say, “Anything in moderation”! However, there are numerous cases where the indulgence with a chosen poison was a first and last time choice. Meaning it became a fatal choice that defied moderation. Like the young girl who was glued to her cell phone and stepped off the curb in front of a semi-truck before her younger brother could grab her or warn her to stop! Or the young man who had one fateful snort of cocaine that permanently stopped his heart! I am sure you could dig up many...

  Do you “work” for a living, or survive on what you know how to do best? Some experts call it your “passion” and I would agree to a certain extent. But was it my “Uncle Buttercup’s” passion to haul garbage on his shoulders all of his life? (It did make him inhumanly strong!) Did he truly enjoy the stench of refuse that adhered to his skin and clothing at the end of the day? Uncle Buttercup and my BFAM Lewis were two of the sharpest-dressed men in town! They paid attention to the tiniest detail when they “dressed to impress”! (My Uncle Buttercup used to “borrow” the tailor-made jackets that I brought home from Japan and China.) These two fashion icons had a work history that would shame the average college graduate because they really did “work” for a living! Most of the people who attend institutes of higher learning today are looking for a career that allows them to do little or nothing for everything in return. If you come home from “work” and still smell as good as you did when...

  It goes without saying that love means something different to everyone and in every situation. If I say “I love you” to my children it has a different connotation and magnitude to the same expression voiced to my wife or my BFAMs. There is also the tone and the delivery of those oft-repeated three little words. Moreover, the delivery and tone connote and clarify the intention and purpose of the phrase, and are often accompanied by a physical expression that further speaks to the true meaning of the words. “I love you” and a hug is different than, “I love you” and a kiss, (depending on to whom and where the kiss ends up)! The question is, “How do you love”? Are you a hugger, shaker, kisser, or a groper? (Yep! There are plenty of gropers out there! The misunderstood, “I don’t see anything wrong with it” gropers)! Just so you know groper, that is not love; it is a thing called lust, a different blog for another day! If you are a true hugger, you hug everyone every chance you g...

  The wife and I just watched a celebrity “docu-series” about three pseudo-famous brothers and their bid to re-invigorate their music career; become closer together as brothers, and resolve a myriad of personal issues at home. One brother in particular, the unmarried one, (we will call him “TJ”), seemed to have the most trouble with his significant other. The wife and I empathized with him because of the stoic, nonchalant way his lady friend behaved every day. She seemed distant, unfeeling, and emotionless about everything that went on in the household. She did, however, appear to be a loving mother, but as a life partner, her actions and attitude made her seem less than desirable as a mate. She did not work or have any ambition, and refused to assist her man with any household concerns. After his tour abroad with his brothers, “TJ” decided to end his relationship with his long-time partner, but to his surprise, she wanted more. She admitted that she wanted to be married, (if not...

  Babies need love, sustenance, and shelter. Embrace them often, because touch is as critical to their growth as food. Babies begin suckling at the nipple, or in most cases from an artificial nipple on a sterile glass bottle. The hole in the nipple is not even visible to the naked eye, allowing them to take as little milk, (or formula), as they can swallow and digest. As they grow and progress in their digestive process, they can suck more solid foods through the nipple, and require a bigger hole in the nipple to accommodate their hunger needs. Later babies can eat soft, solid foods from a baby spoon. The smart feeder knows that the spoonful of food is placed in front of the baby’s mouth where it can be seen and smelled. The baby decides to lean forward to take as much sold food in its mouth as it can manage, (the feeder does not shove the food down the baby’s throat). Force-feeding a baby makes it afraid and reject what the feeder is offering. Clergy personnel are supposed to be t...