A friend reached out to ask me if I could lengthen a strand of pearls she had inherited from her mom. I was delighted to oblige and asked her to send me a photo of the pearls. When I saw them, I was crestfallen that the pearls were very yellowed. I realized that I [...]
A few weekends ago, several Black teenage girls graduated from a two-year-long initiation into young womanhood. Known as rites of passage, this type of tutelage helps prepare young people for the challenges of adulthood. It is a regular feature of society in most African cultures and practiced by other indigenous people the world over. [...]
Back in January, I began locking my hair but also had twist extensions put in to avoid the early ‘not so cute’ stages of locking. Four months in, under pandemic lockdown, I noticed the extensions starting to slip along the hairline. I was afraid that their weight might begin pulling on my new growth [...]
As some of you may know, I am an advocate for earth justice and treating the earth with respect. My ears are always perked up for the latest news on our planet and none of it seems too encouraging, except for the few weeks that we humans were on full lockdown during the height of [...]
“Ramadan Kareem!” is a greeting you may hear Muslims exchanging this month. Meaning, “blessed Ramadan,” it is a wish that the holy month be a generous and rewarding experience. Along with other Muslims worldwide, I observe Ramadan by fasting from food and liquids during daylight hours for 30 days; we eat each night. [...]
Recently, my niece Ptahra Jeppe, shared with me the account of her latest academic and career triumphs. I am so very proud of Ptahra, who deserves every accolade for her diligence, fortitude, and belief in herself. By overcoming every roadblock despite her dyslexia, she graduated magna cum laude from law school with a double [...]
As a child, I loved coloring, and still do, but today coloring options are far more sophisticated and use any number of computer coloring programs. Since I enjoy coloring by hand in a coloring book, I have yet to seek out these digital coloring programs. I need breaks from being on my computer, and [...]
Are you feeling like you’ve not been productive enough during COVID-19? I have been amazed at the incredible number of past-times being offered to keep us busy and entertained while we shelter-in-place. All day long, I receive links from friends and strangers to watch this show online or to sign up for a Zoom [...]
By now, you may have heard of the Buddhist teaching called mindfulness. Its purpose is to help us manage and take control of our thoughts, which will lead to managing our suffering, our pain, and our discomfort. In this teaching, we learn that the present moment is the only moment. The moment from the [...]
Due to the global pandemic, many companies are now creating products they never imagined making. Their businesses were faltering, and so they quickly made a pivot. A company that used to make sails for boats and yachts is now making facial masks. One of my bottle suppliers told me that large wine companies bought [...]
