Happy Birthday to me! You know how folks celebrate birthdays for a week or a month. I decided to countdown the last 71 days of this year, October 22 – December 31. Day 71 marks the end of 2024, the beginning of my 71st rotation around the sun, and the last day before entering 2025.

October 22 – Returned rental car to BWI Rental Car Facility after travelling to Philly with my son and grandson, Jeremy and Jakari, for sister-in-law, Shirley’s funeral. Rested and reflected remainder of the day.

October 23 – Attended the George Washington Carver Lecture Series on Food and Nutrition at Tuskegee University. Afterwards spent a couple of days with a dear friend, Sonjia. Was there on October 25 when I got word that my sister, Brenda Nell Phelps, passed. The December 8 blog post is dedicated to her, Sunrise, Sunset, Acknowledging the Passing of My Sister.

*First 8 pictures are on the Tuskegee University campus with colleagues, friends and students. Last picture is of Sonjia and me.

October 28 – First yoga practice and meditation in a long while. My body and soul missed it. Beautiful fall day. Colors are glorious. At the beginning of a new week, I always pull 5 Tarot healing cards. My cards today were:  Archangel Michael (is with you; gives you courage and helps release effects of fear), Study (angels guide you to read, listen, grow), Playfulness (angels guide you to add fun to your life; is a necessity, not luxury), Truth & Integrity (guided to be very honest with yourself; be true to yourself in all activities and actions), and Power (allow yourself to express your power; being powerful is safe for you, knowing that you express it with love).

November 1 – Did my yoga practice, but no meditation. Have been in this contemplative mood since Buma died. Our Sunday morning talks ended a while ago with the dementia but I find myself missing the fact we won’t have any more talks. It’s life and I know it but it still gets to you. Just fed Emi after my shower and getting dressed. Going out to dinner with my friend, Essie. I’m glad she called because I’d probably just sit and mope around the house.

November 4 – Yoga and meditation done on this gloomy overcast morning. I keep thinking about Buma. And I’m exhausted from this election bs. I don’t want to hate but I hate the division, vitriol and the havoc that’s been sown in the country. But even more so, I hate knowing that it was so easy to do so.

November 9 – Saturday morning and I’m in Popenguine, Senegal about an hour’s drive outside Dakar. Arrived yesterday morning. Staying with Binta at her house. She is my friend, Gaynell’s friend, who I actually met in Jamaica last January. Her friend, Malaika, also is here. Slept in the afternoon from jet lag. Then went to dinner at this lovely French restaurant. Had a wonderful conversation with the owner and her family, especially her nephew, a young Osteopath who lives in Brussels with his wife. All of us talked about the election and they just couldn’t believe the outcome. Everyone is in a state of shock. Before coming here, I was numb on Wednesday. Double glad that I made this trip. Flew 1st class as a treat to myself. It was ok but best part was my feet and ankles didn’t swell up because I was able to lay out almost flat in the seat. If not for the cost, I could truly spoil myself. Anyway, I’m here and very happy to be here.

November 10 – Beautiful morning. There’s a slight breeze. Had a wonderful evening at hotel venue of music and dancing with Omar Pene and his band. It’s Sunday. Took a shower and now sitting outside trying to meditate if the bugs will allow. Drove to Dakar. Short visit to the Museum of Black Civilizations. Then on to 15th Biennale de Dakar exhibits at the L’Ancien Palais De Justice, a beautiful building that’s been converted to hold art and cultural events.

*Museum of Black Civilizations

*L'Ancien Palais de Justice

On the way home, a sight to behold that night was a camel and cow resting on the sidewalk.

November 11 – We had breakfast not far from the ocean. I didn’t eat because my stomach was a little upset. Instead, drank some powerfully strong ginger tea. Wet my feet in the Atlantic and listened to birds above in the trees.  

November 12 – Louie Massiah who I met on Sunday and is a friend of Malaika’s came for lunch. He’s a tall Black filmmaker from Philly. We had a lovely lunch at Binta’s:  Yassa (rice, onion, lemon) with monk fish; green salad with beets, radish, tomatoes, cucumbers; limeade and pomegranate juice. She ordered the Yassa from a local restaurant and prepared the salad and drink. After lunch we all went to visit two of Binta’s friends. The first visit was with 85-year-old Ayi Kwei Armah, a renowned Ghanaian author whose lived in Senegal for years. The second visit was with an artist. I loved listening to the elder who has so much knowledge. The artist does very interesting work and would love to get one of his pieces. After those two visits we drove to a town called Yene for Louie to meet with another intellectual, past NYU chair of African Studies, writer, filmmaker. He had a gorgeous compound right off the ocean, but sadly the ocean is encroaching the property. We saw his environmental film on the subject at the Sunday Biennale de Dakar event. This trip is turning into a fascinating experience.

November 13 – Visited Galerie Memoires Africaines for an amazing Off exhibit. When the Biennale first started, unofficial events took place. They were so popular that now they are recognized with the Off brand. Then drove to the town of Somone and took a short boat ride to Chez Rasta restaurant. Highlight of visit was getting feet worked on. Day ended back in Popenguine at the local French restaurant with appetizers, Tea Punch (my new favorite drink), and gorgeous sunset.  

November 14 – Back in Dakar. Delicious dinner at Bazoff Restaurant. I had curry shrimp and plantain with a little taste of Binta’s rice dish. Everything was so delicious; I wanted to lick the plate. Reminded me of Mama’s clean plate club. She used to say don’t waste any food because of the poor starving children in Africa. The music was great as well.

November 15 – Took ferry to Goree Island but it wasn’t what I was expecting. Emotion I felt was more of anger seeing these white tourists posing in the Door of No Return. It felt real commercial. Probably the best part of visit, however, was trekking up this steep hill to see Cheikh Keita, an artist friend of Binta’s. I even bought one of his pieces. That evening we went back to the L’Ancien Palais de Justice for an amazing free concert with lots of Senegalese musicians. 

November 16 – A day of art with visits back to the Museum of Black Civilizations; three small local galleries; and Le Village Des Arts, an artist cooperative. Saw the Renaissance Monument from afar; way too hot and too many steps to go up close. Squeezed in a little shopping and had a delicious lunch off the ocean.

November 17 – Had planned to stay in Dakar until today, but the national election necessitated our departure last night. A national curfew started Saturday at midnight through Sunday midnight with no travel between regions of the country. Needless to say, we are back in Popenguine today listening to birds chirping across from the house. Binta cooked Maffe, chicken in peanut sauce with rice.

November 18 – Another relaxing day. Binta prepared lunch again. This time shrimp, spinach, peanut sauce, with black rice.

November 19 – Visited with Ayesha Harruna Attah, a Senegalese author who lives near Binta. Saw a beautiful sunset from her balcony. Dinner at a small local restaurant.

November 20 – Very serene daybreak and sunrise views. Almost on schedule a monkey climbed a neighbor’s wall and appeared to bid me adieu on my last morning in Senegal.

November 21 – Got home, rested for a good portion of the day, and went out and checked on my garden. It was thriving, but covered it up the next day because temperature was expected to drop below freezing. Also, picked the collards and kale to cook later that day. They were delicious. Shared some fresh greens with my neighbor, Vann, who kindly watches over my garden when I’m away.

November 25 – Dropped off 3 art quilt pieces for the Delta Artists Association (DAA) Annual Members Exhibit. Flew to Baltimore the next day and drove to New York with Jeremy on Thanksgiving Day. We picked up Sandra, my sister’s loving partner; drove to Brooklyn; got with Jon, my nephew, and his friend, Shannon; and we all had dinner at my friend, Benita’s house. It was very nice and I’m more than grateful to her for inviting us.

November 29 – Jeremy and I went to see the Elizabeth Catlett Exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. He didn’t want to go but enjoyed it anyway. My only disappointment was I didn’t get a picture of us together because he quickly went through the exhibit, gift store and out the door to the car. Afterwards we went back to Benita’s, hung out, talked and ate leftovers. Then we hooked up with Jon and Shannon to see the Alvin Ailey Exhibit at the Whitney Museum. I got a great dose of culture that day.

November 30 – Had a late brunch with family at the Blue Bay Diner, a favorite spot where we’d had several meals with my sister. We commiserated over her, remembering funny moments over the years. We all hugged good-bye, but unfortunately didn’t take a group picture. I want to think that some moments are meant to be private and not shared.

December 1 – Returned home and over the next few days rested, did my yoga practice and meditation, which I hadn’t done in a good while. Emi has been constantly by my side, on my lap, at my feet. Checked on my garden. Beautiful, cool fall days. Spent lots of time reflecting on life and living. My meditations are scattered brain, too much on my mind to be still.

December 12 – Did my yoga practice and meditation. Hadn’t done in a week but not beating myself up over it. During that time, I had annual medical and dental appointments, recovered from a bought of bursitis (which probably was my body saying keep yourself still for a while), attended the DAA Annual Members Exhibit where one of my art quilt pieces, Queen Mother Indigo Wisdom, got 2nd place. I was very proud of that recognition. Other than that, I’ve been kind of quiet. Thinking and probably grieving some over my sister. Doing a lot of thinking about my way forward as I approach my birthday.

*Exhibit judge and me

December 19 – Over the past few days, it’s been raining like crazy. Have been doing my yoga practice and meditation. Also lifting small weights, again. Must keep this aging body moving. By the end of the week, the ground was still wet but the sun was shining and the beauty of my homeplace shown.

December 22 – Carried out a virtual Cookbook Club Sunday Dinner. Posted as a TABLE & PLATE PROJECT DELTA PODCAST | ThirdWardZen and on the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDPwNAdEzEw. Prepared a dish using remaining greens and sweet potatoes from the garden. 

December 25 – Drove to Houston yesterday. Went over to my brother, Sidney’s house for Christmas dinner. Family was camera shy but got two pictures with him.

December 26 – Had to walk off the wonderful but huge Christmas dinner. Couldn’t believe my eyes when I spotted this gorgeous duck in a nearby shopping center parking lot. Visited with my friends, Gayle and Inge. Went dancing Friday night with Inge and one of her friends.

December 29 – After spreading some of my sister’s ashes at various special places to her this past Friday and today, I updated the December 8 blog post dedicated to her, https://www.thirdwardzen.net/post/sunrise-sunset-acknowledging-the-passing-of-my-sister. While at the last site, The Menil Collection gallery campus, I sat and listened to a soothing sound healing session held on Sunday afternoons on the open lawn. It was the most touching, perfect ending for symbolically bringing my sister home. 

Spent the remaining part of this beautiful afternoon discovering some public murals.

December 31 - My sister used to call me Miss Thang. To live up to that name, I did a teeny tiny, big thang to me yesterday.

Life is a journey

We pass through doing our best

Living in full color

As I move through this last countdown day 71 and move into my next rotation around the sun, I'm sending out loving kindness to all with hopes for a new happy year.