Thursday, June 26, 2008

Africans.Mexico


africans.mexico, originally uploaded by ujima.

Really wanted to go to this opening tonight,
but Mom is so sick (cartodid artery) and Sis
couldn't fill in. I'll go to see it in the next few days.
Google Yanga to learn about the era.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Ben does signs


Ben sign, originally uploaded by ujima.

Tuesday
Did marketing and other buzzing around. Went to Spoons for a cappuccino,
a talk and rest on their beautiful comfy couches. Didn't go to the big event
@ the Clubhouse because Mom is very sick.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Winning the war on plastic


Winning the war on plastic, originally uploaded by ujima.

Sis brought me this great insulated bag fromTrader Joe's. It'll hold *lots* of cold & frozen items on my bus trips home from
shopping. And...it only costs *$2*!!

I got the small one from the $ store to give to her. It'll hold her water and something else while she's paddling on the river
with her Dragon Boat team, Hope Afloat.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

McW


McW, originally uploaded by ujima.

Mom ill so I stayed in yesterday and today.
Reading newspapers, doing NYTimes crosswords, making collages.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Mom.naps.balcony


Mom.naps.balcony, originally uploaded by ujima.

No more 100º days. It was in the 70s and Mom was sunning outside when I got up. She loved today's new blooms.

Danielle&Dad


Danielle&Dad, originally uploaded by ujima.

Sitting poolside reading NYTimes Magazine when I was joined by Danielle and her dad. They were going to the Phillies' game with tickets she got him for Father's Day.

walking home


walking home, originally uploaded by ujima.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Mandevilla Blooms


Mandevilla blooms6.16, originally uploaded by ujima.

Finally! I've been waiting for *weeks*!!

Ronny's ride


Ronny's ride, originally uploaded by ujima.

I <3 his beautiful El Dorado Caddy!!

down2gym


down2gym, originally uploaded by ujima.

Walking down the paths on the way to the gym to work out with Sue.

King votes O


King votes O, originally uploaded by ujima.

Would that he had lived to see what is happening today!

Lying low on Saturday and today. Cough cough hack hack.
Sis came by and brought me some Robutussin.
Lying low reading and writing.

King.O.Kennedy


King.O.Kennedy, originally uploaded by ujima.

Got this tee from a vendor on 15th Street across from City Hall.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Freaky Friday the 13th


Freaky Friday the 13th, originally uploaded by ujima.

I FORGOT MY SENIOR PASS!!! So I had to PAY to ride the bus!! Once in Center City, I stopped at the SEPTA office and bought a one day pass.

Thinks he's Elvis


Thinks he's Elvis, originally uploaded by ujima.

A guy in our neighborhood (about 5'7") thinks he's Elvis. On the bus ride to Center City, he was talking *very* loudly on the phone. He was calling all the local TV stations to notify them he'd be passing out stickers for Genos Steaks (Order in ENGLISH.) from noon-12:30 and that they should send cameras.
Delusional?

Obamawear


Obamawear, originally uploaded by ujima.

The street vendors sell great shirts, bags, hats. This stand is on 15th Street across from City Hall.

Obama peace tee


Obama peace tee, originally uploaded by ujima.

Sorrow&Joy


Sorrow&Joy, originally uploaded by ujima.

I went to 7th & Walnut for a Juneteenth celebration: drumming, song, spoken word that was leld in Congo Square Park, called Washington Square Park. It was where the free Africans and enslaved people met on Sundays. It is also the home their cementary.

The grave of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolutionary War and the Eternal Fame are also in this park.

Joe Becton


Joe Becton, originally uploaded by ujima.

He is with the National Park Service. He spoke about the history of Juneteenth and also the history of Congo Square Park.

They listen


They listen, originally uploaded by ujima.

The children were fascinated by the stories!

Satima sings


Satima sings, originally uploaded by ujima.

Buffalo soldier


Buffalo soldier, originally uploaded by ujima.

They had set up a camp in the park.

Parkway West HS poets


Parkway West HS poets, originally uploaded by ujima.

Members of the senior class gave a thought-provoking spoken word presentation.

State Proclamation


State Proclamation, originally uploaded by ujima.

A representative from the PA state legislature read a proclamation naming the third Saturday in June 2008 an official holiday.
One of our aims is to have June 19th , no matter what day it occurs, an official holiday as it is in 26 states.

Dr.Turner


Dr.Turner, originally uploaded by ujima.

He laid knowledge of the Songhai Empire on us.

Mrs. Turner


Mrs. Turner, originally uploaded by ujima.

She showed different posters as her husband spoke.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

kid letter


kidletter, originally uploaded by ujima.

A friend had her class write letters to our mutual friend, a reservist, who was called to service in Iraq @ age 42. She asked me to scan them and email them to him.

Boy is my neck stiff! Luckily I'm working out with Sue this evening.

4top.athletes


4top.athletes, originally uploaded by ujima.

People ask where I learned the habit of doing volunteer work. I learned it from my mom. She began volunteering during WWII as an air raid warden in our neighborhood and continued through Girl Scout leader and so much more. Here she is on some walk we did. Guess it was from the Regan era (check my tee).
Me, friend Tina (now deceased), Sis, Mom

How I Roll


How.I.Roll, originally uploaded by ujima.

Went to Exhale Beauty Salon wearing one of my Barack tees. Did errands on the Ridge. Loved the beautiful weather now in the 80s after 4 days of 100s so I just kept walking instead of standing and waiting for the bus. It caught up with me after 8 blocks.
Do 8 or 10 blocks = a mile?

Pat the potter


Pat the potter, originally uploaded by ujima.

On the pool deck drinking a lager and doing a crossword. Pat was repotting the plants.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

100º again


100º again, originally uploaded by ujima.

100º Day 4
The airconditioning went out
then the electricity went out
then I went out
and sat on the balcony and read the paper
in the breezes that forecast the storm that
was on the way

Monday, June 09, 2008

Green Earth


Green Earth, originally uploaded by ujima.

a great company with great workers who keep our complex neat and beautiful

These pictures were taken on Friday before it go so blazing hot.

workerest


workerest, originally uploaded by ujima.

workerest2


workerest2, originally uploaded by ujima.

The heat factor is 100+º, day2. I've been staying in the house. Walked out to the gym to work with Sue. Sweated more on the walk than I did in the workout. Relief won't come til Wednesday.

Philadarfur banner


Philadarfur banner, originally uploaded by ujima.

Did a volunteer turn on Thursday for Darfur Alert Coalition

sign.petitions


sign.petitions, originally uploaded by ujima.

I gave information about solar cookers and had people sign petitions.

Fatima Haroun


Fatima Haroun, originally uploaded by ujima.

our guest speaker

Me, Fatima,Louann


Me, Fatima,Louann, originally uploaded by ujima.

Kabobeesh


Kabobeesh, originally uploaded by ujima.

For lunch, we ate delicious Halah food at this diner in West Philly.

Resident Appreciation


Resident Appreciation, originally uploaded by ujima.

Thursday evening: 2 hours free drafts and food. Yummy crab cakes plus!!

Nurse Helen


Nurse Helen, originally uploaded by ujima.

Mom's sister Helen was an RN. She received her degree @ Mercy Douglas, an African American hospital in Philadelphia. She later got her Master's Degree from and was a nurse anesthetist @ the University of PA.

At some time in the 40s she was a public health nurse at this facility somewhere in NJ. The men were migrant workers. I remember visiting her there when I was
a child.

with Chef


with Chef, originally uploaded by ujima.

Chef was the leader around the camp.

Mom cannot remember where the workers were from. I seem to remember that they had accents.

Chef&guys


Chef&guys, originally uploaded by ujima.

more.guys@camp


more.guys@camp, originally uploaded by ujima.

Sunday, June 08, 2008

Relay flyer


Relay flyer, originally uploaded by ujima.

My team in the Relay for Life of Roxborough had a fundraiser on Friday. I was busy at the door and later talking with so many friends old and new, that I neglected to take photos. Duh!

Hillary Exits


Hillary Exits, originally uploaded by ujima.

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Ozella R .P. Williams


Ozella R .P. Williams, originally uploaded by ujima.

my mother's oldest sister
Ozella Robinson Pekoe Williams
1900-1954

Ozella.poses


Ozella.poses, originally uploaded by ujima.

somewhere in Chester County, PA

Ozella.loves2pose


Ozella.loves2pose, originally uploaded by ujima.

somewhere in Chester County, PA

Pigeon Run Farm


Pigeon Run Farm, originally uploaded by ujima.

Ozella worked as cook for the Bodine family in Malvern, PA. She lived in West Chester, PA with her husband Nelson Williams.

w child on farm


w child on farm, originally uploaded by ujima.

The child is *probably* the child of one of the others who worked on the farm Aunt Ozella never had any children so she was incredibly generous with nieces and nephews. We were angry because she always gave us books as Christmas presents. As we grew smarter, we appreciated the books.

She often took us to concerts of the Philadelphia Orchestra. We'd count on the program to see how many pieces were left before it was time to go to lunch. As we grew in intelligence, we learned to love the music.