“American History 2026, Days 1 through 6”

You know, it occurred to me that in the six years that I’ve posted to this sight that I have never acknowledged Black History. That changes today.

It is already six days into February so I have some catching up to do.  No problem. Our history is rich, the depth of which could never be removed from the human fabric of the United States. The stories of those who dedicated their lives to the existence of this country have been indelibly etched into the conscious of all Americans, those who accept as well as those who do not.

I have six names that I suggest all Americans should know. Please take the time to learn  these as you will be enlightened and enriched if you are not already familiar.

Fritz Pollard. Rosetta Tharpe. George Coleman Poage. Bass Reeves. Liberia. Donnie Cochran.  Art Shell.

I gave one extra. Start with these. You will not be disappointed.

“1,100 More Days”

Look at the current state of American politics, the American (In)Justice System, the economy, the attacks on the legal system, the attempted suppression of free speech and the erosion of Constitutional rights.

(T)Rump has been in office for 375 days. What will the country look like in 1100 more days? How much more can we stand? How much more will we have to tolerate? 

As the Supreme Court, House and Senate hide comfortably behind their accepted bribes, the current administration goes unchecked as it wreaks havoc on its citizens. The most Un-American cabinet of my lifetime.

“What Would My Uncle Say”

I attended a funeral recently. One of my uncles passed away and the family honored his life on January 22, 2026. Losing loved ones is always emotionally challenging and this is only slightly lessened by the presence of so many loving family members gathered in remembrance.

I’ve had a day to reflect on my relationship with my uncle. I hope that every nephew could be so fortunate. My uncle and I did not talk everyday, sometimes going months at a time without speaking. We saw each other even less frequently obviously. On the surface we may not have  appeared to be “close” but our conversations would prove otherwise. 

As a teenager I would see my uncle through occasional visits with my dad. In my twenties I saw less of him but we still did talk sparingly. This changed as I entered my thirties.

One evening as I was working I had to visit a local hospital. Upon entering the building, I noticed my uncle sitting in a chair behind the desk.  I said to him, “What are you doing here?” Working he said. He looked at me and said. What are you doing here? I said, working.

From that point on, I saw my uncle on several occasions at the same hospital. We would have conversations about family and sports and life. I became comfortable talking to him about my personal life and my family life at this point. It was during these conversations that my uncle would reveal a very important question to me that helped to shape not only his and our relationship, but my relationship with my father as well. Whenever I asked a question of serious nature my uncle would respond by asking either one of these questions: Did you talk to your father or what did your father have to say about that?

If you take these questions at face value, you may miss the importance of their intention or their purpose. However, I understood exactly what my uncle was saying to me.

You see, my uncle talked to my father every day. I know that my uncle realized that I did not speak to my father every day. This was my uncle’s chance to encourage me to have a better relationship with my dad. My uncle gave me the advice that I sought. He always encouraged me to be my best, but he always made sure that I included my dad in my life and included him in my decision making. Much appreciated Uncle Jimmy.

Now, whenever I talk to my dad, sons, brother, uncles or nephews  I stop and ask myself “What would my uncle say?”

Rest in Peace Uncle Jimmy,

With Love From Your Nephew

“The Wind Is Calling”

The Wind is calling, without a face and without a name

But upon its arrival you’ll know it and feel it just the same

Invisible like its distant cousin the Light, only revealing itself once it reaches its destination

Finally announcing its presence without any doubt or reservation

Light needs no companion, traveling at a constant speed far too fast to care how you feel

But the Wind, nah. It needs you. For validation.  It can change speeds. And direction. And though unseen, it wants you to know that it is indeed real

And every now and then the Wind will ask its closer cousin the Snow to come out and play

When the conditions allow, the Wind and the Snow come together to tease the Light, robbing mere mortals of vision even during the day

As Mother Nature calls the sun to set, the Light retreats, leaving the Wind and Snow to the impending night

Leaving all living things to experience life through other senses, without benefit of full sight

But be still and listen closely, even when the trees barely move as the Snow starts falling

Just above your own thoughts, just barely, you’ll hear that the Wind is still calling