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Dust Yourself Off And Try Again, Swim Deeper

There is someone for everyone but oftentimes that requires knowing who you are first. The willingness and the courage to go in deep with yourself takes time, hard work and maybe forgiveness. No one is perfect and that's the beauty of life, plus you can always start over. And starting over doesn't mean a constant in and out with folks or repetitive negative situations. If that's the case then you haven't been doing your life homework nor paying attention to the whispers within. We are here to teach each other and to make each other better, so no lessons are wasted. Time however, is constant and the clocks cannot be turned back to correct mistakes, injuries and should haves. Make the most, you've heard it before and it's still true... Be good to yourself and others.

ART BREAK: Poster Love

How Does Your Garden Grow?

The power of joy, it is simple and complete.

"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves." 

INSPIRATION

We have the ability to affect change and make a difference, for ourselves and others. Big changes, small changes or historical changes, it all counts towards forward movement. 

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."

Create your map for living...

FOOD BREAK: A Quick Fix

A simple brunch or lunch fix, maybe breakfast even. Smoked salmon, sautéed spinach with garlic, a slice of lemon with a spoonful of tapénade. A variety of flavors that hum deliciousness in your mouth. Quick and easy. Have some.

ART BREAK: Lezley Saar

Things Fall Apart: Young Woman From Mali, 1999 mix media, 24" x18"

The Con Art of Peter Sewally, 1998, mixed media, 86" x 48.5" x 5"

INSPIRATION: Refuse To Fall Down...

Keep going. Keep moving. Keep trying, no matter what. There are those moments when we have to cry out for help, when we need to summon the spirit from within us to rise above our circumstances and fears. We are here to be better and to pass it on. Sometimes it's not always easy, but that's ok because most things are truly possible. Stand up.

"Action is the normal completion of the act of will which begins as prayer. That action is not always external, but it is always some kind of effective energy."

Elizabeth Catlett: Singing Their Songs, 1992, Lithograph on paper, 15 ¾ x 13 ¾, Purchased with funds donated in memory of Florence Davis by her family, friends, and the Women’s Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts

Dreams of A Shrimp Po' Boy: Simple Pleasures From The Local Waters

Wishing for a Shrimp Po' Boy but ended up with a Shrimp Sandwich. Still delicious and just as reminiscent. Dreams can come true. We throughly enjoyed local Mayport shrimp fried to perfection on a fresh French roll with lettuce, tomatoes and a special sauce. Eyes closed, smiling faces; a good day for homestyle love.

ART BREAK: The Water Loving Beauty

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Kerry James Marshall. Study for Blue Water, Silver Moon. 1991. Conté crayon and watercolor on paper, 49  3/4 x 38 1/8" (126.4 x 96.8 cm). The Museum of Modern Art. Purchased with General Acquisitions Funds and funds provided by The Friends of Education of The Museum of Modern Art. © 2010 Kerry James Marshall

Neon Love

Love is what I always come back to and for... Hello lovers, it's been a long time. I'm leaving the lights on. And when you leave your lights on, the necessary ingredients for L.O.V.E. should include the following: honesty, open communication, affection, trust, commitment, respect, recognition, encouragement, delight, care and prayer.

"Love is as love does." Love is, "The will to extend one's self for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth." –Erich Fromm

Mix up your L.O.V.E. recipe and stir it up well. Enjoy.

Photograph by Thomas Hawk

ART BREAK: Homeland Love

Something Blue: A Beach View

The magnificence of the simple. Another beach escape; the clouds had my complete and undivided attention. The show that they put on seemed solely for me because I was the only one looking up. Head in the clouds, dreaming just like yesterday. Skywriting...

ART BREAK: The Conversation

What are the many thoughts that we have strolling through our brain. Daily conversations reflecting any given moment. Thinking out loud but articulating from within. Often times we wear a mask, hiding behind our deepest fears, and secrets. But on this day... Listen.

Hello Red

Art by Kosorukov Studios

Photo by Lisa Grue

Art by Fish 4 Fun

One of my favorite accent colors is Red. I love the strength of it, and the many emotions it can evoke. The symbolism surrounding Red is often associated with sin, guilt, pain, blood and anger. For me, I prefer the association of lust, passion, love, beauty, and boldness. Red can be an instant mood changer, and a stimulate to the brain. Love that. Red is also a power color and represents confidence. Sometimes you need that extra material blanket of security. Many professionals in the corporate and political arena love the Red power message. Men love the Red power tie and for women the Red power dress, suit, shoe or handbag. Love a Red handbag, a personal favorite. In some cultures Red has it's own meanings and use, from celebrations to representing purity. China uses the color of Red to attract good luck and is often worn by brides. Michelle Obama wore a Red Alexander McQueen dress for the state dinner for President Hu Jintao of China. Very appropriate. However in South Africa, Red represents the color of mourning. 

Please note that if you're in the design or advertising business knowing your global symbols and color history is a must. Always slow down and do the research when selecting colors for a global project. It prevents major headaches later. So, what does Red do for you and how does it make you feel? Happy...

Red: Energy, strength, passion, eroticism, cheerfulness, courage, element of fire, career goals, fast action, lust, desire, blood, vibrancy, driving forces, risk, fame, love, survival, war, revolution, danger, aggression, strength, power, determination, emotional intensity, sex, provoking, dynamic, stimulating, courage, bravery, good-tasting, force, leadership, drama, excitement, speed, heat, warmth, violence, attention, generosity, romance

Music Break: Sometimes You Need To Just Dance and Dance Freely

Love this video and everything it represents. It will instantly bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart. An unexpected, perfect timing, fantastic share. Check it for yourself. Move something. Move the negative. Move the anger. Move the hate. Move the stress. Move the love. Shake it. Spread it. Free it. Pass it on but only the love part.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY: Chocolate Candy Coated Kisses. Is Your Heart Open or Closed...

February14th, the designated day in which love is celebrated and expressed between intimate companions. Do you love me, yes or no? How can I count the ways in which I love you. Show me your love with chocolate, flowers or with written words singing your hearts intentions. Is your heart open or closed today? Is their a special somebody that's brings joy to your good mornings and your good nights? Do you need the help of this day to stand up for you, because you have not told that someone how much they mean to you throughout the relationship. Love should be expressed more than once a year. It should be a regular occurrence and it doesn't always need fanfare. However, a little out of the way extra has never made a situation worst.

Love is fluid and free flowing. Love is not painful or disrespectful, this is definitely not love. Love is never-ending, constantly showing up, changing and rearranging. We all have it, this love thing. Sometimes it's an intimate love between lovers or the love we have for family and friends. Whatever your present condition, is your heart open or closed? "But I thought this was love," turned out to be mis-guided love, not the right one love, you make me crazy love, bunny burning love, I can't live without you love, you make me cheat love, one night stand love, these are temporary and short-term loves that sometimes confuses the heart. These are love impersonators. Beware.

Love resides in all of us whether your heart is open or closed. The creator placed it there. Keeping it open and maintained will provide the best experience throughout our lives. Even when an experience presents a challenge but challenges keeps you alert, and the heart needs exercising. Use your heart daily, it's strong. Love and love often. Share it, learn from it, care for it, but don't abuse it or someone else's. Come in peace and keep the light on. Happy Valentine's Day! Tell somebody.

Catch of The Day

The first fish was captured with my camera on the wall of a downtown building. Fishing should be so easy. Right? I would drive pass this fish often and knew I needed to take a photograph. I wanted to get a picture of this before it got removed or before the building was torn down. We tear down a lot of old buildings in this town. It wasn't until pulling over one day with my camera in the car, and having your camera in the car is very key to spontaneity. Otherwise it's a missed moment. So finally, after parking and getting closer to the fish, I realized the body of the fish is constructed with old 45 records. Love it even more. Click.

The last fish was caught by the local fish market, they do that so well. This was a Sheepshead, meaty with a mild flavor. It was baked in butter, garlic, onions, salt and pepper. Lovely. Very simple. Very delicious.

ART BREAK: Poster Love – Drink Up

by Teagan White

David's Last Jam: 2011

My cousin David had a strong love for family, sports, music and having a good time. But more importantly, sharing that good time with family and friends. Until the very end he spent his remaining days/hours/last breath surrounded by family and friends doing the things he loved most, watching sports, talking trash, and laughing out loud. And when he couldn't speak anymore family and friends remained; his street was lined with cars, the front yard and house packed. Everyone gave back to him what he spent his life giving out. Love. 

His taste in music stayed in the 80's because he absolutely loved it. Prince was his favorite. So as a tribute to him, I put together a few songs that represented him, and titled it "David's Last Jam" as a parting/goodbye souvenir CD. Cousin you will be missed...

Renew. Reflect. Refresh.

It's the end of this year, and the beginning of a new one where we get to summarize our living. What worked and what did not work. What was in our best interest and served the greater good or what repeated habit/habits provided a continuation of holding us back. Cleaning out the closet is one of the hardest jobs, but letting go of unnecessary burdens and struggles is so freeing. Mental clutter as well as material clutter are all things that we stuff in a closet to be dealt with later. When does later come? Later is now and now is the perfect time to renew, reflect and refresh. Making this is a daily practice or at least a weekly practice helps to prevent build-up. So, renew you spirit with unclaimed dreams, or make that vision board if you need a visual hands on reminder. Reflect on the order and ways to make what seems impossible, possible. Lastly refresh, never forgetting to breathe through it all. And remember to enjoy yourself and share yourself; we're in this together.

ART BREAK: For The Love of You

Good Morning: Diner Style Breakfast Complete with Whole Wheat Toast and Peach-Mango Preserves

Breakfast always wins. Eggs and toast kicked up with muenster cheese, onions and of course spinach. Incorporating spinach to a dish can really work in unexpected places, it pairs with so many things. Love it. This is one of those once a month diner style breakfast delights. We feel it even measures up to one of our local favorite diner spots. Enjoy.

Morning Fajitas

Leftovers never tasted so good, especially at this particular breakfast. Yes breakfast. We had red beans or kidney beans leftover from the red beans and rice dinner. So why not early morning fajitas with spinach even. There were no complaints, not even about the spinach. None, only yum and seconds.

Legacy Magazine: Muhammad Ali

GQ Magazine Style Manual and The Classics

This special issue of GQ magazine captured my attention immediately because of the graphic design and cover layout. Sleek, Simple and Beautiful. The added bonus was seeing classic photographs of Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali inside. Always fashionably on point in their presentation of themselves to the public. Such stunning men with discipline, courage and vision. Not to forget Andre 3000 is also inside doing what he's good at, being himself. Propelling fashion and the entertainment business forward and mixing it up along the way. This special edition issue of GQ is a graphic designers full of flavor at this moment fix, it's well designed and layered with typographic treats throughout. Pick one up or flip through it at the check out.

 

Roasted Butternut Squash with Caramelized Onions and Garlic, Sautéed Green Beans in Olive Oil

Butternut Squash Lasagna a family first but soon to be a favorite go to dish. We loved this. I roasted the squash instead of boiling it like the recipe called for, this also allowed me to have roasted squash seeds to snack on.  This recipe was very involved and a little messy but the taste is award winning, worth the effort. Another vegetarian dish to add to the repertoire, the cheese eating vegetarians in this case. This recipe was inspired by Giada of the Food Network.

Eggs, Spinach, Caramelized Onions, Chili Peppers, Italian Five Grain Toast

Breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, eggs are the most versatile meal. Who doesn't love breakfast for dinner, it's always a welcoming exchange. Try it, make it your way. But always enjoy.

Bilal: Is This Love

It's always the perfect time to enjoy Bilal. Especially these days when he seems to be really coming into his own as an artist. The self expression with total unabated freedom is a beautiful thing to witness. This Bob Marley cover is no exception to his skills as performer and artist. Do enjoy.

FULL SCREENThe Sounds of VTech / bilal_isthislove_web   

How The Ghetto Burger Got It's Name: Ask Ann Price

Her work ethic and her burgers have put her on the map as a destination by many. Check out the story of Ann's Snack Bar of Atlanta. Her dedication is the fuel behind her success. A dream with a purpose, and now she's ready to retire. These are the ingredients that makes a life story. Click below and go.

Photo by Access Atlanta