August 6, 2015 by IdealisticRebel

Adventures

Well, I am 98% unpacked and have visited the youngest grandchildren. A year ago, I thought that I was now at an age where I was too old for adventures. Then, I began to think about moving and as most of you know, I have moved to Asheville. It has been an adventure. You are never too old to change your life. Never to old to face new challenges or to see the world from a new perspective.

I am sitting at my desk in front of my bedroom windows listening to a symphony of toads, frogs, locusts, fish in the river, wind gently caressing the leaves on the trees along the river and the sound of traffic. My health does seem to be doing some better and my spirits are up.

I have had visits with old friends, I miss newer friends and I am beginning to make connections in the city. My oldest grandchildren fell in love with Asheville. They live in NC, on the coast. It is much more humid and somewhat warmer there.

I have a sense of anticipation and curiosity. I truly do not know what is coming. This feels exciting. I am on the third floor and no longer have a garden which I miss very much. The mountains and the river are full of so much life and I am going to do whatever exploring I can do.

A young woman I know told her mother she wouldn’t be able to help her because she did have a life. She does, but so does her mother and all of the rest of humanity. It is important to remember that we share this lovely world and taking some time to give to others is a privilege. We enrich each others lives and we can change someone’s day with a smile or a thank you.

As I sit here writing to you and smelling the beautiful air, I realize that the haters, liars, the selfish are not happy, or content. They are outside of this creation we call Mother Earth. I am glad I began this new life and I am sure many adventures are coming to my life. Some all ready have and have been exciting and some were harder, but I am here and grateful to the Universe for my courage to start a new life. Don’t let change scare you and don’t run from adventures. They could be the best things in life you have ever experienced.

Hugs to all, Barbara

A Red Rose for those who have died in War and for will in the Future

A red rose for all of you who are making changes in your life and in your world.

Pray together to increase the power

August 5, 2015 by IdealisticRebel

I have returned

I want to thank all of my readers and friends for sticking by me during my move and the disappearance of my computer. I got it back in a little over a month but it was damaged. The insurance company is paying for the repairs.

Now that I am back I thought I would share one of my favorite poems with you. It is important to not only dream but to work to make those dreams become reality. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

Sonnet

“So far from sweet real things my thoughts had strayed,
I had forgot wide fields, and clear brown streams,
The perfect loveliness that God has made,—
Wild violets shy and Heaven-mounting dreams.
And now—unwittingly, you’ve made me dream
Of violets, and my soul’s forgotten dream.”

—Alice Dunbar Nelson

Alice was born in New Orleans to a seamstress and a merchant marine. She was raised in the Creole culture. She became a teacher, journalist, and political activist for African Americans’ and women’s issues. She also kept one of the only know diaries of a nineteenth century woman of color.

July 28, 2015 by IdealisticRebel

A news short

i have received the computer but it was damaged. So while I am here in Oklahoma it is very hot. The locusts and bats are playing tag. As soon as the computer is repaired, I will be back in the saddle again.

July 17, 2015 by IdealisticRebel

Good news

hello dear readers. I have much good news. I am leaving in a week to visit the little grandchildren. I am full of happiness to see them all. I will be gone until August2. The other good news is that North American Van Lines says they have found my computer. I hope it is really mine and u damaged. If so, I will resume writing August 1st. Be patient, my dear readers. I will be back! Hugs, Barbara

July 4, 2015 by IdealisticRebel

You are in the loop

as many of you know I have moved to NC. The unpacking is going well…except that my computer is AWOL. North Ameican Van Lines moved me and my computer never arrived. So I filed a claim with the insurance company and hope to have a new one quickly. I miss writing and my friends and readers. To anyone moving, watch the packers and movers closer than close. To my American readers, Happy 4th of July.

June 21, 2015 by IdealisticRebel

North Carolina

Greetings to everyone. The move has been finished. The unpacking is about a third done. I expect to be writing again in a couple of weeks. I hope you are all well and happy. Namaste, Barbara

June 11, 2015 by IdealisticRebel

Progress

Just to let you all know the moving is going along well. We will arrive in NC next week. As soon as getting unpacked is done, I will return. I have missed writing and I hope you all are having a good summer so far.

Namaste, Barbara

May 27, 2015 by IdealisticRebel

Cleveland to Overhaul Police Department

I saw this at TheRoot.com, and felt that I should share, as this is my town at least for now. This problem is everywhere and must be fixed. Protests have been peaceful so far and I hope that continues but the investigation into Tamir Rice’s death is ongoing. He was twelve and playing with a toy gun and the police shot and killed him.

Cleveland to Overhaul Police Department in Agreement With Justice Department

An 18-month investigation by the Justice Department concluded that the Cleveland Police Department exhibited a pattern of “unconstitutional policing and excessive use of force.”

BY: STEPHEN A. CROCKETT JR.

Posted: May 26 2015 7:18 AM

474532988-people-march-in-protest-to-the-cuddell-recreation

People march in protest May 23, 2015, to the Cuddell Recreation Center in Cleveland, where 12-year-old Tamir Rice was killed by police. The march was in reaction to Cleveland Police Officer Michael Brelo’s acquittal on manslaughter charges in a separate case in which he shot two people in a fatal 2012 incident during which police officers fired some 137 shots at the pair.RICKY RHODES/GETTY IMAGES

Updated Tuesday, May 26, 5:45 p.m. EDT: Specifics of the agreement between the Department of Justice and the city of Cleveland over abusive and excessive use of force by police have been released, according to Yahoo News, and they include a substantial overhaul of police procedures and policies.

An independent monitor will oversee changes in the Cleveland Police Department, which include community policing and getting officers more involved in their neighborhoods; modernizing technology; training to avoid racial stereotyping; and implementing new procedures to investigate misconduct allegations.

According to the website, Mayor Frank Johnson says that he hopes the agreement will be a model for other cities. Groups, including the NAACP and the police union, are still reviewing its details.

Earlier:

The Justice Department has reached a settlement with the city of Cleveland after an 18-month investigation into the city’s Police Department found “a pattern of unconstitutional policing and excessive use of force,” the New York Times reports.

According to the Times, specifics of the settlement have not been disclosed, but the investigation, which ended in December 2013, was prompted after a 2012 shooting involving several officers who fired more than 130 shots at two unarmed people—Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams—inside a vehicle.

News of the settlement comes just days after Cleveland Police Officer Michael Brelo was acquitted for his role in the 2012 shooting. The Times notes that while several officers fired some 137 shots into the vehicle after a high-speed car chase, Brelo was charged with manslaughter for reportedly waiting until the car came to a stop and then jumping onto the hood and firing another 15 shots into the car’s windshield. Both Russell and Williams died from gunshot wounds.

Some 71 demonstrators were arrested after hundreds of people gathered Saturday to protest the officer’s acquittal.

According to the Times, the most damning portion of the Justice Department’s investigation cited several incidents during which officers used excessive or deadly force.

“Investigators said officers unnecessarily used deadly force; used excessive force against mentally ill people; and inappropriately resorted to stun guns, chemical sprays and punches,” the Times reports.

The investigation was concluded before the death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was fatally shot by police while he played with a toy gun in a Cleveland park near his home.

The Times notes, “The Justice Department has opened nearly two dozen investigations into police departments under the Obama administration. Federal investigators found patterns of unconstitutional policing in cities including Seattle, Newark, Albuquerque and Ferguson.” An investigation has been launched in Baltimore in the wake of the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who died from injuries suffered while in police custody.

May 22, 2015 by IdealisticRebel

A Brief Hiatus

I will not be doing a blog for the next month or so.
My sister & I are relocating to North Carolina. We are sorting and packing and saying our good-byes There will be out of town company coming to say good-bye to us, and generally it is a very hectic, slightly insane time, in the middle of which have another back treatment.

When I have time, I will try to read some of your blogs, to keep up with everyone.

I will miss our conversations and I know I will be very glad to be back writing again when the move is finished.

I will be back with you all towards the end of June.

Namaste,

Barbara