Barbara & ToniÂ’s Tip #3
"Behind Closed Drapes"

Materials Needed:
PC Pipe; Pipe Holders (4-5); Cement Screws; Breaded Rope Tie Backs (3); Measuring Tape; Pencil; Material for Drapes*; Hooks

Measure the distance from end to end of the space in which you are going to place your drapes. This will determine how much PC pipe you will need to purchase. The pipe holders are to prevent your drapes from sagging.

Place the holders on the pipe and place it on the ceiling. Adjust your holders so they are evenly spaced across the ceiling then mark each location for the cement screws. Remove and predrill holes in ceiling to make your project easier. Replace the pipe and screw into predrilled holes. Use outdoor material for drapes (i.e., plastic or cloth shower curtain, etc.), hooks for hanging purposes, and utilize the tie backs for each side of material and the center piece.

Make this an early Saturday morning project and you will be ready to enjoy Tip #2. Bona Petite.

*Recommend shower curtains because they contain both material and hooks

Let's talk peace my peeps. In spite of the ugliness of war that has enveloped our being, corroded our souls, made us think horrendous thoughts of those different from us, allowed the "threat of terrorism to change our very existence". We are all of the same race in spite of our differences. We all bleed red -- we all love -- we all yearn for a better tomorrow, no matter the color of our skin. So today my peeps lets talk peace!

A Killer On The Loose!

A killer's on the loose
A killer of love
A killer of kindness
A killer of all that’s good
Is on the loose

Not sure where it came from
Not sure how it got here
Not even sure if its safe
To love
To care
To be free
Cause a killer's on the loose

It happened quite suddenly
Without warning or notice
Just showed up
Late
Undercover
With malice
It came
Came to stop happiness
Came to stop freedom
Came to stop feelings
Came to stop peace
Look out my peeps
There's a killer on the loose

Love and peace died today
Happiness and freedom ebbed
Darkness loomed
Taking over the earth
Spreading like weeds
Blanketing all life
Cause a killer's on the loose

Life ceased to exist today
War has obliterated
ALL
Cause, no one
Absolutely, no one
Could see
There was a killer on the loose

Peace Speaks!

My name is Peace
I've visited here rarely
My purpose is simple
My cause profound
My need to be
Immeasurable
No hidden agenda
No unwritten laws
No quest for greatness
I simply am Peace
I exist solely for
Your enjoyment
I exist simply to
Be shared
Shared by the poor
Shared by the rich
Shared by the many
Shared by the few
I exist for them all

My name is Peace
Why haven't you heard?

Say hello to the newest member of our family, Jamir, (now 1-1/2 going on 30) and my grandson Carlos (the ham that he is). That's me with the wild hair and oversized cheek bones (somewhere in my history there is a very handsome man with cheek bones to die for so there (lol)). The night before he was born I instructed my niece that her upcoming event was to be reserved until I returned from Reno, which is where I was headed the next day. But could she wait. Nnnoooooo! She called from the hospital or my sister called me informing me that her father was enroute from VA and I knew her mother was in NJ and there I was in DC, closer than anyone. And yes, I was there at the blessed event just prior to leaving for Reno. While I waited for the plane to leave I wrote this poem just for him.

Miracle on 9-2-04

There you were
Eyes fulla wonder
Hand reaching
For life’s thunder

You came to us
Unexpected at the time
Charging forward
In tune to your own rhyme

I felt the tears
Clouding my eyes
At such a glorious sight
The overwhelming binding ties

Mama’s bundle of joy
Ready for whatever
Daddy’s future regret
Of the love he’d sever!

Barbara & Toni’s Tip #2
Romantic Picnic (In the Living Room)

The best thing about this idea is that most of what you need is in your refrigerator or pantry. So let’s get ready to romance that special someone. Fry some chicken, devil some eggs, and make some small sandwiches. Get some grapes and strawberries. Chill 2 glasses and cut cheese into cubes. Chill a bottle of wine (preferably a dry Australian Shiraz, Merlot, or Chardonnay -- not too cold). Place a comforter or blanket on the floor with incense; scented oil and set the mood by placing candles around the perimeter (bunch some together to give the appearance of picnicking beside a warm fireplace). Sprinkle some flower pedals (roses or jasmine, or both). If you don’t have time to cook and your budget is flexible, the grocery store will fix a suitable picnic basket for you. Enjoy!

Mine

My country
My land
My self
My man

My life
My pain
My worthiness
My strain

My house
My place
My countenance
My face

My love
My hate
My destiny
My fate!

If it's all mine
Why am I in line?

Copyright 2004 by jbw

Just a thought my peeps:
If the pen is mightier
Than the sword
Why do men fight
Instead write in accord?

by jbw
Copyright 2003 by jbw

Today is Maxwell's 33rd birthday (May 23rd) and I thought this an opportune time to say "Hey Max we miss you and can't wait to see what you come up with next"! Enjoy life and keep being the "phondest" man in America.

He Sings!!!

Oh my God he sings!
And my heart comes alive
Beatin' on the wings
Of ecstasy and jive
A voice so strong
It touches my soul
Makes me live the song
Forgettin' my purpose, my goal!

Oh my God he sings!
As tho' he were love itself
Foolin' my mind with its strings
Leavin' me breathless, nothin' left
Tied to my mind
Like a dove's mornin' cry
He soaks me with wine
I am still, I sigh!

Oh my God he sings!
Like there is nothin' more
Then he smiles and with it brings
An ache that rocks my core
Sweet falsetto never heard
Like he does all night long
Opens his mouth and the words
Fall from heaven, nothin' wrong!

I have heard an angel sing, I know
No other could make me weep
Tearin' the fiber of my heartstring, so
Giving me moments all to keep
You ask how I know its true
That an angel made my heart sting
I could not swear on bibles to you
I just know, my God, he sings!!!
(to max)

by: jbw
Copyright 2004 by jbw

The tip for today is:
How to Make Your Bedroom More Desirable:

If you have long sheers, hang them from your ceiling down to the floor that will enclose your bed. Always have lots of candles and rose pedals, if possible. Also jasmine flowers are very fragrant and make your surroundings a bouquet of aromatic wonders like being on an island retreat.

Once your changes are in place relax and enjoy a wonderful healthly drink that you can make yourself.

Gather the following ingredients: 1 pink grapefruit, 1 or 2 apples, 2 bananas, 1 large orange, 1/4 cup honey (or substitute with original Karo syrup), 2 to 3 cups cold cranberry juice. Peel all the fruit and put half into a blender, pour in the honey/syrup and cranberry juice. Mix well. Put remainder of fruit into blender and mix well. Relax and enjoy. For a variation to this recipe, mix 2 to 3 cloves of garlic and 1 hot chili pepper. This gives your taste a real kick!