On the 2nd day of January in 2o11, Two good things happened on this day. First, I headed to Inspiring Body of Christ Church and learned about being Born a Winner. Evem with the being born with just one ear, my mom's death when I was 13, and being a minority within the minority of my hometown--I'm still born a winner. Good sermon. Pastor Rickie Rush thanked all of us who came on New Year's Eve and joked how we pretty much stayed all night. Yea, walking outta church at 1:30 AM. All good.

Then the second good thing that happened was the Dallas Cowboys ended their season with a win. The dismal year was 6-10. Yet, was better than the 1 win and 7 losses they started out with.. I'm glad their season is over. I'm sure Jason Garrett will be named as new head coach. He finished up the Cowboys with 5-3. Just a sad season, with the Super Bowl being played here next month. Oh well. Training Camp starts in July. Be here before you know it.

Oh, and I guess there is a third thing--I'm 'bout to devour my first tastes of Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice cream for 2011.

Yep. It's all good.

Mope Hot

Hot. Got up and done for my writers' group today. Heck, I really oughta write something, that has absolutely nothing to do with school--then I can get critiqued. I guess I'm having withdrawal. We did have a great time--as usual. .

I usually don't mope about not having a man 24/7. Yet, today....being in Iowa made me realize how much I miss having an under-my-own-roof family. I'm blessed with wonderful friends here in Dallas, although I question what keeps me here. No family even within a 300 mile radius. Ponder over the relationships where I adored each man at that moment in time. Four come to mind right off the bat (at least for this post....)

Let's see, one I knew was gay from the start and since I'm an only child, to share was not part of of my vocabulary. Then another man discovered he was gay, but said he wasn't when dressed up in women's clothes. Or the man who told me he felt like man around, while the other times he felt like a little boy. Finally, the man I thought I would marry, have cute kids with--the whole nine yards, told me I expected too much and so he ran...

Hmm. I know there are good men out there. Titus Men that like cats.

Since it's not time for that man and I to meet yet-I'm off to slice fresh strawberries into my bowl of Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.

Well, so much for THAT mope!

January 20, 1990 was Saturday

And I went to Dog Races on a chartered Greyhound (coincidence?) Bus. A bus I'd actually chartered for a friend of mine, TZ. At the time I was charter travel sales rep for Greyhound, where I reserved, mapped, booked and collected money. In fact, this was the job that brought me to Texas in the first place.

Anyway, this charter was in Iowa and I had no plans to be there. Yet, I'd returned for a family funeral, so TZ said I needed to come along, with the other 30 folks, since I actually set up the trip. Honestly, I was a bit antsy, it was January in Iowa afterall. Snow and ice had made themselves known on this day. No matter, TZ said, we were still going the approx 130 miles to the Dog Races.

As we waited for the folks to show at the meeting place, TZ and I made sandwiches, all while I cringed at the howl of the Winter wind.

No need to mind. We made it there and back in one piece. All the folks were happy, even tho TZ kept saying he wish he could do more the folks. On the drive back, TZ did stay up front with the bus driver to keep him company, while everyone, including myself, snoozed.

Twenty years ago today, that charter was. At the time we knew Teddy Kennedy would have his Massachusettes seat forever, while the 1st George Bush was in the White House, and now I lived in Dallas, while the tv show "Dallas" was still in its first run. Where did the time fly to? Twenty years.

It's bittersweet, because I can't even remember the last time I saw TZ. I heard he's well. The sweet part was when I was 12 I told Mom I thought TZ pretty cute. She just smiled. You see, TZ's family owned a little ice cream shop, and for me nobody made better vanilla or chocolate ice cream-however they ONLY made vanilla and chocolate ice cream!

As for the Dog Races of 1990, I won eight bucks.

Arabesque

Stepped on the scale today. Bet folks 40 miles over heard its scream! Gotta lighten that load.

Watching Dancing With the Stars reminds me of how much I love dance. I imagine myself doing the Viennese Waltz. Love the floaty dresses, smooth steps and elegance. Just something about it. I wanted so much to be a ballerina when I was little. Alas, I was told by my mom, I couldn't. Why? Because black girls weren't built the right way. Devastated I was.

Still am, to a degree. I figure Mom told me what she was told. Yet what I remember of her personality, I can't believe she bought 100% of the claim, yet there was no proof. Anyway, this day, I dream of the classic Viennese Waltz.

I imagine myself doing turn, with arm held on to my partner as I arabesque to Moon River. Ahh, great little thought. I smile at the possibility. Then for a fun, a little jive or quick step, for that other side of me. Yep, maybe no pointe shoes and tutu, but a bit of heel and glide across the floor.

I can do that.

In the meanwhile, I can lighten the load with a little less Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. Not much less, but a little less....maybe....:)

I can do that too.

Maybe.