LET'S CELEBRATE A CREATIVE MARVEL: JERRY CRAFT!

“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others,

devote yourself to your community around you,

and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”
—Mitch Albom(b. 1958); author, screenwriter, musician

Mitch Albom didn’t know Jerry Craft, but this quote certainly mirrors the spirit of this intuitive and talented man: Jerry Craft. How I wish my brothers and I had, had cartoons like theses to read on Sunday mornings. Remember you couldn’t wait to get your hands on the “funnies? The funnies were full of our favorite comic strips. Mama’s Boyz have been added to my list. I am young at heart, so this is right up my alley. The characters are constantly evolving because of a nurturing family environment and positive experiences in their community.

Visit Jerry’s site: Mama's Boyz and learn about the cartoonist, his passion for family, promoting character building qualities, love of fine arts and his desire to motivate young people to think, grow and learn. The topics in Jerry’s comic strips and his books are relevant, timely and written with great understanding, honesty and humor. You’ll be pleased that you added these books to your personal libraries or shared them as great gifts which encourages literacy, creativity, ethics, character development and honest dialogue between adults and young people. I just loved them!

These wonderful books and items await you!

I am so pleased for Jerry. Kudos to him, his family and his brilliant editorial team! I pray that God continues to bless his endeavors in ways he hasn't even imagined!

The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go!

Joshua 1:9

Hey Mike, “Give me back my Mama’s Boyz Book!”

So Glad to Share:
Linda Mose Meadows, Urban Views Columnist and Inspirational Author of:
The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises (Tate Publishing, Nov. 2007). http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/
http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

OVERCOMING DOUBT WITH FAITH

Sun Mask Plate by Charles Bibbs

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen.”

— Hebrews 11:1

Enjoy reading and reflecting
on :


OVERCOMING DOUBT WITH FAITH
written by:

Linda Mose Meadows, Author & Inspirational Columnist
in
Urban Views Weekly
( in print and on-line)

http://urbanviewsweekly.va.newsmemory.com/
Issue: (August, 26, 2009, Pg 5 )

FAMILY SOJOURN

This was written more than a year ago, and I wanted to revisit this post and
thought you too might appreciate the sentiment for family and poetry that resonates with the divine. God bless you my friends!

photo © Dorothy Alexander

Lucille Clifton was born in Depew, New York, on June 27, 1936. Her first book of poems, Good Times, was rated one of the best books of the year by the New York Times in 1969.
Clifton remained employed in state and federal government positions until 1971, when she became a writer in residence at Coppin State College in Baltimore, Maryland, where she completed two collections: Good News About the Earth (1972) and An Ordinary Woman (1974).

blessing the boats

by Lucille Clifton

(at St. Mary's)

may the tide
that is entering even now
the lip of our understanding
carry you out
beyond the face of fear
may you kiss
the wind then turn from it
certain that it will
love your back

may you open your eyes to water
water waving forever
and may you in your innocence
sail through this to that

This was my third Jones Lewis Family reunion celebrated with my husband's side of the family in Baltimore, Maryland; Dougie and Janice did an exemplary job as our host family from the start of the weekend through Sunday farewell gathering afternoon spent in their backyard.

Truly it was a memorable occassion and quite a whirlwind weekend filled with cutural and family appreciation. New connections were made, conversations had with favorite family members, laughter and lamenting opportunities had while we meandered through the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture.

Why I never thought about Art History and eventually becoming a curator is beyond me? I love visiting museums, truly it's a great meeting place, and yes there's history, culture and art under one roof.

This was my second visit to this fine museum, but this moment provided me with an opportunity to journey through the exhibit A People's Geography. As my husband entertained and chased little Courtney around the museum, I eventually caught up with them in the gallery that featured A People's Geography: The Spaces of American Life and there was Lucille Clifton's blessing the boats poem painted on the wall.

There I stood transfixed rereading her blessing. I felt the words were as powerful as the beautiful quilts, the artistic impressions and the historical video.

I thanked God for how eloquent and appropriate Ms. Clifton's words were for this family sojourn. These were words were stenciled not only on this wall, but in my heart. Words that captivated my soul. Words meant for our time, our ancestors and the generations yet to be born. Words that were a blessings for any visitor, any traveler to behold.

Here we were in the midst of this celebration of family and culture, why it couldn't have occured in a more approriate setting! Thank you and may God continue to keep you Sister Lucille!

Every Word of God is pure;

he is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.

Proverbs 30:5

Joyfully Resubmitted by :

Linda Mose Meadows, Author & Columnist

The Blessedness of Believing

A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

All rights reserved, no use without prior written permission of Linda M. Meadows

LITERALLY SPEAKING, SHARING LITERARY NEWS

Phenomenal Nikki! Her words inspire many!

LITERALLY SPEAKING

(BLESSEDNESS OF BELIEVING

GLADLY SHARING COMMUNITY LITERARY NEWS)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

at the Petersburg Library, Central Branch

from 6 to 7 pm

to learn self-publishing tactics from a seasoned, local author. Rod Mustanski, author of three books, will share his experiences,methods and best practices, as well as cover topics that include: skills required to write your first manuscript; tactics to stay focused while writing; what to do with your draft manuscript; selecting a self-publishing company; and doing a marketing plan.

Registration is required and can be done over the phone by calling the

circulation desk at 733-2387, or by email to lnoel@ppls.org.

TheCentral Branch is located at 137 South Sycamore Street, Petersburg;

www.ppls.org.

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Red Room- http://www.redroom.com/
Great site for writers & authors!

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Poetry Society of Virginia presents
South Eastern Region
Annual Day of Poetry

A Conversation w/the Muse
a Poetry Workshop with Anne Meek and Pete Freas

from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
in the
Auditorium in the Meyera E. Oberndorf (Central) Library
4100 Virginia Beach Blvd
Virginia Beach
757-385-0150
It's FREE - the coffee shop just inside the front entrance is reasonable

Questions? Contact Pete at themindworm@yahoo.com or call 757-465-5995.

Shared With Great JOY!

Linda Mose Meadows, Columnist and Inspirational author of:

The Blessedness of BelievingA Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises (Tate Publishing, Nov. 2007).
http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

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