Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Sabrina of the Shots


Sabrina of the Shots, originally uploaded by ujima.

29 July Sunday
Stopped at the club to put in an appearance at the birthday party
luau before meeting friends in town. But a raging storm stayed over
the area and continued with drenching rains for hours. So I stayed
and partied with the kids until 2 ayem.

Started out again on Saturday. Hung with friends-who-are-my-age-and
-don't-want-their-pictures-on-public-sites. In the evening, we ate at Miss
Tootsie's Soul Food Café and then hung at Miss Tootsie's Lounge.

Home again, home again on Sunday. Mom returned from Virginia and immediately fell into a deep sleep. I know she is sooo tired. I'll get the details on the wedding, etc. tomorrow.

Monday 31 July
Ant drove me to take the computer to be repaired so I'll see you when I see you.
Be well.

Friday, July 27, 2007

*Now* I'm Covered :)


*Now* I'm Covered :), originally uploaded by ujima.

Friday 7/27
Downloaded my Sicko medical card from Michael Moore's site
as he had suggested on last night's JLeno show. I don't have any
problems with my medical plan (We were on strike many times to
get the proper benefits.);but Michael says that if you *do* have a
problem (denied treatment), show the provider the Sicko card. Tell
them that you will seek coverage from your local media. LOLOLOL

Mom and Sis left at 11 for the wedding in VA. I'm going to the gym,
then read newspapers, then go to a birthday luau tonight. Looking
forward to no responsibility, no TV, no cooking, lots of pleasures ;

For A Groundbreaker


For A Groundbreaker, originally uploaded by ujima.

7/26 Thursday
Got this picture in the mail. Instead of sending
another contribution as I usually do, I'll wait and
but a ticket to the concert on 9/18 in NYC. It's going
to be HUGE!!

Tracy here cleaning so I had to get up early so she
could change my sheets. Mom & Sis had gone out
to hairdresser,for manicure and shoe shopping. They
off to the wedding in Virginia in the morning.
Helped a nabe with a bad back find items online to
order for relief. I'll help Mom pack this evening.

Intelligence Report


Intelligence Report, originally uploaded by ujima.

poolside read


poolside read, originally uploaded by ujima.

7/25 Wednesday

After a wonderful manicure and hand and arm massage, I walked
to the pool to read the Intelligence repport sent quarterly from the
Southern Poverty Law Center. Purposely read it in such a beautiful
setting because of the disturbing content of the stories.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

With Pres. Reagan


With Pres. Reagan, originally uploaded by ujima.

Tuesday, 24 July sunny and 85

A kid I used to teach mailed me this picture to the school where I
taught for 37 years, and they forwarded it to me.

We had some *great* times! We worked hard and kept the level
of learning and achievement high. Once a month, we went to Center
City to visit a museum or historic site. On this day, we were walking toward
the Liberty Bell from the Betsy Ross House and saw this cutout of the
president.Of course we had to stop and pose. He looks more real than
he did in actuality 8>D

George did put his home and email address in the letter he sent with the
picture. We'll get together at a coffeehouse in town in August to
remember the good times.

Mom's going to a wedding in Virginia this weekend so I hemmed and ironed
some items for her. Going to the club for taco Tuesday. Big yums!

Mandabi


Mandabi, originally uploaded by ujima.

Sunday 7/15

Resting and reading the newspapers. Tired. Later watched the
film "Mandabi" by Susmane Sembene. I was so impressed by his
"Black Girl" that I ordered this one from Netflix.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Morning ugh


Morning ugh, originally uploaded by ujima.

Up and out @ **9:30AM**. Can you see how ghostly I look? Went
with Mom to eye doctor. Too early to read. Eyes not working yet.
Brain not set to click on for at least two more hours. Looking at site
of new gimungus Target being built where there was once a great
hotel where we went to many fun functions. All this AND it's cold and
raining very hard.

Here he comes!


Here he comes!, originally uploaded by ujima.

A Great Kid


A Great Kid, originally uploaded by ujima.

Sunday 7/22
So funny. Always pleasant. Laughing. Loves to tease me. He and
his brothers work in the kitchen in the clubhouse during the day
making and serving people from the pool. Fun kid.

Last lovely day for a while. Rain is predicted for the entire week.
I hope the weatherman's wrong as usual. Took some of my papers
and read them poolside. Too lovely to stay at home. Plus there aren't
and piña coladas on my balcony

My guys


My guys, originally uploaded by ujima.

Stop!


Stop!, originally uploaded by ujima.

7/21

Such a *beautiful* day! 80, sunny and no humidity. Sitting on the
balcony reading the newspapers and listening to Motown Saturday
on the radio.
Thinking of our visit to the Motown Museum in Detroit which we visited
after crossing from Windsor, Canada. To think of the artists and that here
all of the early great Motunes were made in this studio! Everyone had
to give it a try.

weightlifter


weightlifter, originally uploaded by ujima.

July 20, 2007
80 sunny and breezy. A lovely day!! Walked out to postal store and
then to Kohl's. *Finally* got a new pair of sneakers--gray with white laces,
no yellow trim, no shiny green or blue.
Had a good workout with Sue and then sat poolside and played Scrabble
for a time. I had the lowest score but enjoyed the company so much.
At home on the balcony trying to read but was too sleepy.

Mandevilla reaches


Mandevilla reaches, originally uploaded by ujima.

It such a joy to watch the plant reach out and wind itself around
the bars and reach out to the world.

2.on.table


2.on.table, originally uploaded by ujima.

3plants


3plants, originally uploaded by ujima.

fastest.grower


fastest.grower, originally uploaded by ujima.

Albmuen?


Albmuen?, originally uploaded by ujima.



Albmuen?
Thursday 7/19
When I use eggs for cooking, I put the egg shells in the water used
to water the plants. It really does help them to be healthiier. Went to
hairdresser yesterday and to Police Concert last night. Can't say I saw
The Police because our seats were so far away from the stage. But
I did *hear* them:)

rain.7-18


rain.7-18, originally uploaded by ujima.

Wednesday July 18

Hot and humid. About to set out to walk to the supermarket to do rhe
monthly grocery shopping when it *poured* rain! Got my golf
umbrella and set out. It feels great walking in the pouring rain.
Cool. Quiet. Singing in the rain.
Completed my shopping before
Tracy came to pick me up and carry the bags upstairs once I got
home. Great party wings, very small watermelon, organic potatoes,
apples from Chile were some of the better things I purchased.
Stopped at Spoons to get a cappuccino. The expresso jolt will
help me put all the groceries away.
The sun came out.
The humidity returned.

Friday, July 20, 2007

My Situps


My Situps, originally uploaded by ujima.

Tuesday 17 July
Another 90º day! Not much humidity though. Out for an hour doing
errands and talking with people. Worked out with Sue for an hour
and then sat around the pool for a little while catching up on the
latest.
Going out in a minute to see "High School the Musical". Not
enthusiastic about it , but everyone wanted to go.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

VIP @ Festival Pier


VIP @ Festival Pier, originally uploaded by ujima.

Saturday 7/14

My neighbor works for and1 so she gave a bunch of us VIP tickets
for the Philadelphia game of the Mixed tape Tour. Luckily the weather
cooperated and there wasn't rain or scorching temperatures as had
been forecast. It was difficult sitting in the stands in the sun watching
the game, but we could repair to the VIP tent before the game and
during halftime.

Arf Fundraiser


Arf Fundraiser, originally uploaded by ujima.

Friday the Thirteenth

It was not an unlucky time. We raised $665 to benefit ARF.
Coulda raised more, but the crowd was small. Many people
go downnashore on the weekends.

fixit4


fixit4, originally uploaded by ujima.

Walking out to errands, I see my nabe working on his new Jeep.He was installing bars to make it easier for one to step up to enter the vehicle. He said he'd rather do it than pay some guy(who knows what he's doing) $90 an hour to put them on.Walking home three hours later, I saw him drive by smiling. So he*was* able to do the "man" work :)

daisies


daisies, originally uploaded by ujima.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

wall fixers


wall fixers, originally uploaded by ujima.

orange lifter


orange lifter, originally uploaded by ujima.

Wednesday 7/11
No matter what the weather, these guys and
the ones above are always working. Sure, they
earn 2 digit hourly union wages, but it never
ceases to fascinate me to see how hard they
work in this 100+º weather.

Last night the oldsters played Scrabble and
they youngsters played Hold 'em. I had just
horrible letters and did miserably. But here's
to good friends. It's always great to be among them!

Another miserable late afternoon storm. Saw
on the news where a bold of lightning struck
a BIG tank at an oil refinery in NJ. Such thick
black smoke as I've never seen before.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Stone cold delicious!


Stone cold delicious!, originally uploaded by ujima.

Monday HF 100+º again

Out to ear doctor. Luckily Rob drove us so we didn't have to despair
about the air. I got a good report. Mom so-so. To reward ourselves,
we got take-out from Cold Stone Creamery.
Rob brought us some veg from his garden. Guess which ones we ate, which ones we'll save for tomorrow.

Nuthouse


Nuthouse, originally uploaded by ujima.

Went out but didn't stay long. HF 100º. Tried to sit on the balcony
and read the newspapers, but again, it was much too sticky.
Better to be in under the airconditioning. It's going to be even
*hotter* tomorrow, but I have to go to the ENT man.

Tving


Tving, originally uploaded by ujima.

Saturday 7.7.07
Mom went out with Sis so I had the place to myself. Recovering
from staying at the Clubhouse all days yesterday so I just lay on
the couch and watched Live Earth and read the papers for hours.
Didn't want to cook so I ate a PB&J sandwich and later an apple.
I just *knew* they'd bring me something home to eat. They didn't.

Tv rear


Tv rear, originally uploaded by ujima.

Pool after 5


Pool after 5, originally uploaded by ujima.

Friday 7/6)
is great because most people have gone home and there are no kids
running around.

Worked out in the gym with Sue then went upstairs to read poolside.
Talking with T, Rose and others. Ate a mini pizza and had a piña
colada. Went home after 6.

Lying on the couch reading newspapers when a neighbor called and
said to come to the pool after 9 because everyone was going to hang out.
Glad I went. We had fun sitting outside around the table as more people
came up and joined the conversation. Next thing you know, it's 3 AM!!
We all walked home slowly and (sorta) steadily.

But not *this* tired


But not *this* tired, originally uploaded by ujima.

Thursday
Tired today but went out and did 90 minutes of walking/errands. At
the library doing flicker-to-blog sets.
One minute from home and it began to rain. Sped up and made it
inside before the downpour.
Haven't heard anything about the last blood test I took to check on my thyroid. No news is good news?

Thursday, July 05, 2007

A.T.A.C


A.T.A.C, originally uploaded by ujima.

Avenging the Ancestors Coalition
July 3, 2007
Eulogies were read by children for the nine
enslaved Africans who were kept in bondage
in the President's House by George Washington.
Black helium balloons were released
from nine coffins to symbolize their freedom.

To see a dozen or more pictures from this day,
please visit ujimahereandthere@blogspot.com

Monday


Monday, originally uploaded by ujima.

Working on computer again telling people about tomorrow's
Independence Day celebration to be held in town @ the site
where the President's House is being excavated, where Pres.
George Washington lived with his enslaved people.
This year, in 2007 on July 3, those 9 will finally get their
independence at a funeral to spiritually free them from enslavement
at America's first "White House." 4:30 pm.

Dave rang the bell and knocked. He was delivering the sheets
and towels sent out to the laundry on Thursday. Had a pleasant
conversation about his daughter starting day camp.

Walked to Andorra to do errands. Blogged some pictures and
writings on the library computer. My computer still won't do it 8>(

Working out with Sue in gym. Went to the volleyball court to
talk with little neighbor girls who were playing in the sand. My
battery must be really dead because I couldn't take even one picture.

Sunny and in the middle 70s, day 3. How pleasant!!

Monday, July 02, 2007

No, thank YOU!


No, thank YOU!, originally uploaded by ujima.

Sunday
(Finally got time to check Fri./Sat.'s mail.)

I taught children in Grades 4-6 for 37 years in the same school.
(Been retired for 9 years.) It's so great when they snail mail and
now email me! One ex-student is a jazz drummer who tours the
world and sends me postcards as I sent postcards to my students
when I went traveling. Some are teachers and write for advice. (I
don't talk on the phone.) There are lawyers, police and fire persons,
incarcerated ones, retail workers----a variety of accomplishments.

The young man pictured just graduated from Temple University and
is going on to grad school as is his twin brother. And their Mom, who
worked as an aide at our school, taught them right. The kids in
my family and my sisters never send a thank you for al the things and
$$ I send them. And *they* were taught right, but it wore off 8>(

Bye Mikes


Bye Mikes, originally uploaded by ujima.

Saturday
He went back to Baltimore. Sorry I didn't get much chance to hang
with him. I wanted him to work out with me yesterday.But he did *so* much to help Sis & Mom, I won't complain.
We did spend an hour or two today talking sports and poliitics and
watching Venus Ebony Star Williams @ Wimbledon.
Bye for now Mikes, my favorite nephew.

Birthday bartop dancers


Birthday bartop dancers, originally uploaded by ujima.

Thursday
Hot but not humid. Hopped the bus to Exhale Beauty Salon and
then did errands.
My nephew is here from Baltimore. He did a heavy cleaning of Sis's
place and then came over here. We went to the club for the $5
Chinese Buffet. Watching the NBA draft with the guys and screaming
about the Sixers' ridiculous choices.
Some girl was celebrating her 25th with lots of her friends. As the
night wore on and many shots (Russian Quaaludes!) went down,
they decided to climb up on the bar to dance. Ah yooouth!