STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING

 

IF

I have decided I'm gonna record myself reading poems I have enjoyed over the years.

IF is a poem my mother introduced to me. 

She truly thought if I followed the dictates of the poem, I'd grow into quite the man.

Well, if she was alive today, I hope she'd be proud of the man I am.

Back Down Memory Lane

 

Twenty-one years ago I sat down on the front steps of a friend's condo building so he could practice taking photos of a black person. 

Haaaa!

He shot me in black and white because that was the medium he liked best.

Truth be told, it's the medium I like best, too, 'cause to me, everybody looks great in black and white.

Well, I'm still caught up on the fact these images were from 21 years ago.

I was 38 at the time.

WOW!!!

WHERE, oh WHERE, has all the time gone???

All I know for sure is that I'm gonna enjoy whatever time I have left.

As PEACEFULLY...

And as THANKFULLY as humanly possible.

That is all.

Thank You, Langston

MOTHER to SON by Langston Hughes

Well, son, I’ll tell you: 

Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare;
But all the time
I’se been a’climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners, 
And sometimes goin’ in the dark, 
Where there ain’t been no light.
So boy, don’t you turn back;
Don’t you sit down on the steps, 
’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard;
Don’t you fall now—
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. 

Ever So Thankful

Okay, so today is THANKSGIVING DAY and I appreciate all that...

BUT...

After stuffing my face, I set out on one of my usual walks through the neighborhood.

And boy, oh, boy, did I enjoy looking at the homes of several of my neighbors who are already in the Christmas spirit!!!

I'm gonna be sure to walk the same route on Christmas Eve so I can see how many other neighbors have committed to a dazzling Christmas light display!!!

Oh, and tonight my brother's stepdaughter hosted her first holiday dinner at her new house.

As you can see, she went ALL OUT!!!

Again, HAPPY THANKSGIVING to one and all!!!! 

Showbiz, It's Just Showbiz

Photos by JESSE GRANT

I attended a screening of Mr. Crocket at the recent Screamfest in Hollywood.

It was the first time that writer/director, Brandon Espy, and I saw it on a big screen.

And it was GLORIOUS!!! 

Hearing the audience's reaction to particular scenes truly made my day!!!

While at the event, Brandon told me that our terrific, horror short film was in production as a feature. 

WITHOUT me!!!

I know, for many, that info would have been a tough pill to swallow, but I understood. The people paying for the production wanted an actor who had major credits.

And I am not he.

Of course, I wanted to know WHO booked my role, so Brandon told me.

After I left the screening, I looked up the actor and read his credits. Turns out he was an actor in a TV show I really liked. 

Good for him.

I told Brandon I'd really like to attend the premiere of the feature film.

Production was halted because of the SAG strike. I suspect it'll be up and shooting again soon. I mean, as long as SAG members ratify a vote to end the strike.

Honestly, I'm not losing any sleep over the fact I wasn't booked to expand on my role as "Mr. Crocket."

I understand.

I fully understand.

It's showbiz.

It's just showbiz.

SAG-AFTRA STRIKE ENDS!!!

HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!