What’s been going on with me? Well, quite a bit. Here are a few quick snippets. I have more good news to share in June. Stay tuned because it’s really gonna be awesome to share out!

My little sister Sade turned 16 years old last week. I sent her a serious care package with some Detroit love, Better Made potato chips along with some other stuff that I thought a 16 year old would find interesting, (not easy to do for an almost 40 year old guy) but she was quite happy.

She’s been so strong over the past year and has been working hard on making all things positive in her life. She recently became a member of the Alpha Kappa Omega Hearts sorority, A flag girl in her high school band, a member of the school gospel choir and all while maintaining good grades (not counting math but that’s another story).

She makes me happy and I admire her courage! And damn, I can’t believe she’s 16.

I recently started going back to the gym to work my husky body. My goal is to drop at least 20 pounds by my birthday in September. I’ve done it before and I’m about to do it again.  I have to look hot when I hit the beaches of Cancun.

I’ve been crazy busy with work, all kinds of work and I’m enjoying using my talents, skill and abilities to make others happy.

Now, keep in mind that I’m an artist and I’m sensitive about my shit!

I’ll be in DC this weekend visiting and celebrating with friends and I cannot wait. I haven’t been on a trip since February and it’s time to get the hell out of dodge!

I could go on and on about myself but I’ll stop here.

My little sweet baby, Tongi laid an egg today. I noticed her building a nest over the last few days and then today I came home to her little white surprise.

This is her 4th egg in a year. The last time, she laid 3 eggs in the course of a few weeks. I wonder what will happen this time.

I view her egg laying and timing as a good omen because every time it’s happened, I received some great news. Today was no exception and I’m grateful for the Birmingham Family Court for honoring my family and doing the right thing!

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BTW, can you tell which image here was taken with an SLR or which with an iPhone????

My mother, Stella and I around 1986, maybe 1987.

My cousin recently sent me this photo and it put such a smile on my face. I haven’t seen it in YEARS! And looking at the photo, I see my youngest daughter, Amelia in my face, my little beautiful twin.

My momma is my one true friend and I love everything about her, even when she’s driving me nuts. She’s beautiful, smart, inspiring, a survivor, my biggest cheerleader, and probably one of the funniest people in my life. And… I’m not sure who talks more stuff, her or I.

My momma, my boo!

A good pair of church shoes is a necessity in my life. I wouldn’t consider myself obsessed with shoes but I spend a fair amount of time searching for styles and looking at trends.

My research is aided by having Pinterest to host a collection of some of the hottest kicks that I stunble upon.

One of these days, I will own them all!

If you’re into shoes like I am, check out and follow my “Shoegasm” board on Pinterest.

Pinto beans are my FAVORITE beans!!! Growing up beans were a constant in my diet and I grew to hate them. All beans. Pinto beans, lima beans, navy beans, baked beans, kidney beans, pork & beans…. YUCK….

A few years a go, I opened myself back up to beans and enjoy differently from how my momma prepared them, which usually involved a nasty looking ham hock bobbing up and down in a steaming pot. I think I just had a real bad flashback.

The other day, I made a pot of pinto beans and called my momma to brag. She was like, OK, baby.

Ingredients:

- 1lb Dried Pinto Beans
- 1lb Fresh Chorizo (Mexican sausage)
- 1 Medium Yellow Onion (diced)
- 1 Jalapeño (seeded and diced)
- 1/2 Red Bell Pepper (diced)
- 4 Garlic Cloves (minced)
- 1 Tsp Cumin
- Sea Salt
- Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
- 6 Cups Chicken Stock (Homemade or store-bought (if you’re basic))
- 3 Tbsp Olive Oil

The Jump Off:

Soak your dried beans in water over night. Be sure to cover the beans fully. After soaking, drain and rinse your beans. You will notice they have softened a bit. Go through the beans and check for small rocks. Set beans aside to continue your prep.

In a large heated pot (medium heat), add your olive oil & toss in your chorizo. Stir and break up the chorizo as it browns for about 3-5 minutes. The toss your veggies in and cook until the onions become translucent.

Toss your beans into the browned chorizo and veggies and stir to coat the beans then add your chicken stock in. The six cups should cover all of the ingredients fully.

Add your cumin and bring the pot to a good boil, which should take about 5-8 minutes. Once you have a boil, bring the heat down a bit and cover the pot for an hour making sure to stir occasionally.

After an hour, uncover your pot and let the beans cook for another thirty minutes to thicken the beans a bit. Salt & pepper to taste.

I garnished my beans with fresh scallions and served them with yellow rice and an avocado salad…

This morning, I found out that Hugh Masekela, one of my art heroes is coming to Detroit next week for a performance. I actually screamed in my head a little.

His music, sociopolitical voice, & background are so inspiring.

“We Are One” by  South African DJ, Black Coffee featuring Hugh Masekela is one of my favorite soul-house songs.

When Hugh says “Wake up Africa, the time is now. Wake up Africa, the time is now,” I hear it as a rally cry for Blacks across the Diaspora to unite and fight for the changes we want to see in our people, communities, and selves.

Art Credit: Brett Rubin

This year, the start of spring is feeling more like the middle of winter. That damn groundhog pulled a bait & switch on the nation!

I was walking in Chelsea on my way to the Chelsea Market for lunch when I spotted this random rose.

First thing that came to mind is that there is always something beautiful in the worst situations. It just depends on how you interpret what’s around you.

I also wanted to take the rose with me but figured that maybe someone else would need to see and have it make their day like it made mine.

Thought I’d make something for me to have a few days this week because I haven’t felt like cooking much theses days.

I got a few packs of pinto beans and a pack of red lentils. Needless to say, it will be a gassy week but it’s all good!

This recipe has a fair amount of prep work but it’s totally worth the time to prepare this earthy hearty meal. And the Mid Eastern flavor is soooooo very delicious!

Ingredients:

- 3 Cups of Red Lentils
- 8 Cups of Chicken Broth (homemade or store-bought (if you’re basic))
- 1 Cup of Celery (diced)
- 1 Cup of Carrots (diced)
- 1 Large Onion (diced)
- 1 Jalapeño (seeded and diced)
- 4 Garlic Cloves (minced)
- Small Piece of Ginger (minced)
- 1/2 Lb Ham (diced & totally optional)
- 2 Tsp Turmeric
- 2 Tsp Paprika
- 2 Tsp Cumin
- 1 Tsp Za’atar
- 4 Tbsp Olive Oil

The Jump off:

Soak your lentils in water for about an hour to soften then. After soaking, drain and rinse your lentils and set aside.

Add 2 tbsp of olive oil to a heated pot. Once the oil is hot, toss in your ham & vegetables. Watch and Stir the mixture until vegetables sweat or at least until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Once the mix is set, toss in your drained lentils and stir. This will coat the lentils with flavor. Once mixed well, pour in your chicken broth. The lentils should be covered totally by the broth.

Bring your lentils to a good boil then reduce your heat to about medium so that the lentils slow to a simmer for about 35 minutes. Leave your pot uncovered and stir the lentils occasionally.

Now…. In a separate saucepan, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil and stir in your spices. Let them mix well. This should take no longer than 1-2 minutes at the most. Then thoroughly stir the seasoned oil into your lentils. This will no doubt add a little more color to your dish. Salt & pepper to taste.

I served my lentils over Basmati rice because I like rice with everything but these lentils can certainly stand by themselves!

I’m no Christian but even when I was, I never really liked gospel music but I do have a few songs that I like for sentimental reasons. While I I’m not into gospel, I do happen to love gospel-house music & have tons of it in my music library.

I guess if you put anything to a good house beat it’s a win in my book.  One of my favorite gospel-house songs is “Be Thankful” by Jamie Lewis featuring Michelle Weeks. This is actually one of my favorite songs to work to on the elliptical machine. It get’s me pumping.

Even though it opens up super churchy, I feel the power of Michelle’s voices and I love it for that.

And these days, I honestly have so many things to be thankful for! Feels good being able to say that!

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“Let us come before him with thanks giving and extol him with music & song.

Well, I know some of you must be saying. What do I have to be thankful for? I can’t pay my bills. My marriage is falling apart, my health is failing, and I just can’t find a job.

Well, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says ‘give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’

So. Come on, life your hands and give him praise. Say thank you, thank you father…”

Dancing is my favorite form of stress release and this weekend, I danced like no one was looking and got my life right.

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“Sometime I disappear, I’m not in the room anymore. Most of the time I look at the floor, I don’t want to make eye contact with anybody. I only see me. They only see me. So, we’re all looking at the same thing.

I can tell when I’m doing just the right thing to get the room just the right way; when the room is doing just the right thing to me to get me the right way. But it’s never really me.

I feel like I’m in a million places at once. Like I’m dancing with everybody that’s there. That’s why I like to dance by myself.”

Inspiration: Dancing Feels Like… (PirahnaHead)

What I Did For Black History Month 2013? Well…

1. Stayed Black & Sexy
2. Basked in the glow of Black love
3. Ended 2 relationships that were bad for my growth
4. Gave my little sister 2 pieces of Black literature and book report assignments
5. Watched “Love Jones”
6. Saw the Harlem Dance Theater Perform
7. Made a black eyed pea salad
8. Saw Erykah Badu perform
9. Enjoyed a hip-hop brunch at CO-OP Restaurant in NYC (http://www.co-oprestaurant.com)
10. Became infatuated with the music of Shina Williams & His African Percussionists

It’s always exciting to see your work out and about in the wild, highlighted online or in publications.

When “Popular Photography” made contact to request permission to use my work I was ecstatic! Looking at the finished product was even better.

I took the photo about 4 years ago of a dogwood flower with a Lens Baby (macro kit). It’s been a favorite of mine.

If you’re interested in photography or a novice wanting to pick up skills “The Complete Photo Manual: 300+ Skills and Tips for Making Great Pictures” is a good book to have nearby! The photos are all amazing and the tips really are good! And my work is in it….. so………..

2013 just continues to be great!