The Opening Picture Says...

I could tell you guys...

On January 1st, I went out to a comedy club to see Tony Baker. And he & guest were hilarious. Then in February, I had to go to the funeral of a friend's mom while working through some PTSD caused by Snowmageddon 2021. Talked about & Celebrated my favorite holiday, Easter on video. Almost sued my side hustle, 3rd job. Took a Birthday getaway to Hill Country, Texas in June. I day drank my butt off in Fredericksburg and viewed the sunset over Lake Travis. My grandmother turned 99 years old and my sister, cousins, and I gave her a birthday lunch. All the while I had to grieve a 19-year-old becoming an ancestor. Believe it or not, I hugged his mother.

An unnecessary swipe was made at her & God softened my heart. But one day while trying to support his dad, my friend, depression & anxiety crept in and did a number on my mental health & empathy. I found myself sobbing about the fact that Loretta Lynn died. I liked her music but I wasn't a big fan. I knew then that needed help was overdue. Yet while I was starting to get help, a friend's father passed. I continued with counseling and decided to face a few masks I wear a lot. You know mask I use to hide what I'm going through. Went to see Big Tex at the State Fair. I only ate 75% of a deep fried diet that day. And while I typing this while helping a friend find home health care for her father. Yep, I'm trying not to don one of the masks. Oh, and my day job will take a different focus for a while. Oh, and I keep telling you guys to subscribe to my Youtube channel, https://youtube.com/@OUTSPOKENDiva1678.

I could tell you All that and more. BUT What I Will Tell You About 2022 is...

Because I did! Point Blank and the Period! And if the Lord, whom I believe in says the same, I will see you in 2023.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Talk About It Tuesday (At His Feet LoL)

Correction: Theology is the study of the nature of God and religious belief.

Definitions For New People

Foundation Church: Blog name for the church Outspoken_Diva grew up in 

Current Church: Blog name for the church Outspoken_Diva attends now 

I will admit, never heard the "Be Found by Boaz" topic preached at Foundation or Current churches. Now, those others, especially COGIC & Apostolic were heavy on that lesson.

References in This Video
Book of Ruth in The Bible

Sanctified Episode 2 

Boaz  From the Soundtrack of the film, Single Life, the Musical 

Now, wondering if I was a person in Biblical, who would I be married to and what would the ministers, seminary students, & theologians learn, preach, and/or teach my story? Hope my story would be told in its pure form to inspire goodness. One can wish!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

You Name It! (OUTSPOKEN Diva's Favorite Recipes)

Stewed Southern Greens and Tomatoes 

Ingredients

• 1-pound bag of stemmed and washed greens (turnips, mustard, and/or collards)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 to 4 garlic cloves to taste, minced
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne
• 2 pounds fresh tomatoes, seeded and grated, or peeled, seeded, and chopped, or a 28-ounce can of chopped tomatoes with juice 
•  1 Tblsp Italian Seasoning
• 2 tsp Low Sodium Old Bay Seasoning
  
  
  

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, add the greens for 2 minutes. Transfer to the ice water, then drain and squeeze out water. Coarsely chop and set aside. Alternatively, steam the greens in a large steamer – Rinse and squeeze dry.
2. In a wide, heavy skillet or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat and add the onion. Cook until the onion is tender and beginning to color, 5 to 8 minutes, and add the garlic, paprika, and cayenne. 
3. Cook, stirring, for about a minute, until fragrant, and add the tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, and simmer until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly about 10 minutes. 
4. Add the greens and herbs and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer until the greens are very tender, about 20 minutes. Serve with rice, quinoa, or just some good cornbread or crusty bread.

White Bean Stew

Ingredients 

• 1 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for serving
• 1 medium-sized onion, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 2 cans cannellini beans or white beans, drained 
• 1-2 garlic cloves, diced or pressed
• 1 cup, frozen spinach 
• 1 can stewed tomatoes 
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup (500 ml) vegetable or chicken broth or hot water 

Directions

1. Warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring often, until the onion has softened and is turning translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic, beans, tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Cook stirring frequently, for about 1 minute.
3. Then add the frozen spinach and the vegetable broth. Raise the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the pot, reduce the heat, and cook gently for 15 minutes.
4. Divide into bowls, drizzle with olive oil or extra virgin olive oil, and more freshly ground black pepper if you like. Serve with crusty whole-grain bread and, if you don't keep it vegan, add freshly grated parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

These dishes warm your body & soul. My eyes & belly are craving these recipes. Once you make & have them I hope yours will too.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Talk About It Tuesday (Why? Because it is Christmas)

Got to get me some Raspberry Bon-Bons. Those are my favorite candy. It can't even be the Most Wonderful Time of the Year without those & controversy. This is not even my favorite holiday, but I wish you all would find comfort and peace 

and leave folk alone with your Bah Hum Bug assumptions about their finances. But hey, God Bless You, Everyone! I have a tea spill to clean off the cuff of my sweater. Happy Holidays!!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

 

My Glasses Will Choose the Updates? (Answering Questions)

The other day, I considered repeating introductions and seeing if you, the readers would notice. Don't put it past me. I might just do it. LoL And yes, I meant the question mark in the title.

Q: If it was an option in your culture, would you be in an arranged marriage?

A: I wouldn't. From what I know about arranged marriages, the parents pick a spouse for you. I was raised by a single mother and her parents. I don't trust their choices in people & thoughts on how the world works. In 2015, maybe 2016, I realized my grandmother still thought people, mainly Black only interact within their immediate communities. Her "frenemy's" grandson got married, she asked, Who was the girl he married and couldn't comprehend why we didn't know anything about her. That said it means her "choosing pool" for me would be tiny (Foundation church men, male relatives of Garden Club members & at my grandfather's job & social scene, maybe the neighbor's male relatives & friends). My mother's pool would be bigger but because of the marriage between my dad & her, her criteria would be tough. My mother says she would marry the 1st man with 4 million dollars in cash in his pocket. And mother wants better for her children.

This Post's Video:

Well, that was Fun! Buying the infant medicine droppers soon. The Questions That were Updated can be Found HERE & HERE.

Don't forget, if you have any questions, email them to C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@gmail.com or leave them in the comment section below or on the social media site where you see this post. I will answer them.

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel!!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms! 

Ready for Ugly Money & Updates (Answering Questions)

Somebody had a Question. And well, I am answering it. That Simple!

Q:

A: Sure Would. The creator of this question didn't understand, "What Others Think About You is Not Your Business".  And well, that person's misunderstanding of my looks just happens to cost... 

This Post's Videos

Oh, the Question That was Updated can be Found HERE.

Don't forget, if you have any questions, email them to C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@gmail.com or leave them in the comment section below or on the social media site where you see this post. I will answer them.

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel!!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Talk About It Tuesday (Everybody Ain't Your Friend, But...)

 

As of the time I made the above video, the FBI has opened an investigation. May the truth about the death of Shanquella Robinson comes out. Her family deserves at least that. Because a lie is not how her death should be deduced. And I hope we All use the case to learn more about positive displays of Friendships & how to utilize them in our lives.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving is a blend of friend and Thanksgiving, and it refers to a large meal eaten with friends either on or near Thanksgiving. Thank you, Merriam-Webster for the definition. Friendsgiving has been a very creative idea that makes me proud even though I've never had a chance to experience it. I hate to hear about people being mopey during the holidays because they can't celebrate in a traditional way. I'm shocked that those that like thr fairy tale toned versions of the beginnings of Thanksgiving haven't high-jacked this term. Because of the way the first Thanksgiving story is taught, it does sound like a Friendsgiving. And that makes me wonder how did the day become a "family" day. 

Oh well, that's possible research for another day. I want to talk about the movie, Friendsgiving. If you are new to my platform, I am a person that refuses to skip Thanksgiving and go straight to Christmas. And I continue to request TV networks like Hallmark, Freeform, & Lifetime to make Thanksgiving movies instead of showing yuletide films in November. And whenever I learn about a Thanksgiving movie, I'm watching it. Friendsgiving on Netflix was no exception.

Molly and Abbey, who are getting over bad relationships host an impromptu, dysfunctional, chaotic, and witty Thanksgiving dinner with their crew of close friends & not-so-close friends.

It is full of warm drama & dark comedy. It takes place in Hollywood-adjacent L.A. There are the tropes (divorcée, gays, away from family, estranged mother, ex-boyfriend, botoxed at the last minute, invited single daters, & a vegan shaman) & non-tropes (black married couple with children, an infant, & a confused rebound)

This gathering wasn't planned. It was honestly a last-minute covered dish refuge for friends. But it balloons into a small house party. I could relate to the kitchen scenes. Covered dish soirees get chuckles because "What is this" or "Who made this" is funny. But this film does take a weird turn because of drugs & alcohol. But the movie pulls it together and the main characters figure they need to deal with their pasts so they can have better futures and a better Thanksgiving.

Friendsgiving lives up to the true definition of the term it is named after. If you can't be grateful with family & their shenanigans, give thanks with some friends. Because believe it or not, shamans pray just as long as a granddad.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Sweet Potato Memories (OUTSPOKEN Diva's Favorite Recipes)

Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients

• 3 large sweet potatoes
• ½ cup butter softened
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups sugar, or more to taste
• ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 4 eggs, beaten
• ¾ cup 2% milk
• 2 (9-inch) unbaked pie shells

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and place a piece of foil on a baking sheet. 
2. Use a fork to poke holes into the sweet potatoes, set them on the baking sheet, and roast for 40 to 50 minutes, or until puffed up and soft inside when pierced with a fork.
3. Remove from oven and let potatoes completely cool. Remove and discard skin.
4. Lower the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
5. Combine sweet potatoes, butter, sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl. Whisk eggs and milk together in a small bowl; blend into sweet potato mixture. Pour filling into pie shells.
6. Bake pies in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
   

RIP Aunt V, your pies were delicious & fondly remember. And I also miss you bringing us sweet potatoes from East Texas. The store prices are too high. The thumbnail is one of my recipe folders that contains written, cut-out, & printed recipes since 2004. When my life is over (no time soon, I hope), I don't know who I will leave them with. But always remember if you ask me how to make something, I checked there first. LoL Again below leave a dish that you learned to make some the recipe wouldn't die.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Right Over Left, Wakanda Forever

Well, Wakanda had to be re-visited. For me, it was an event one must attend. Even though the circumstances are known & unknown at the same time. Chadwick Bosman as T'challa, Ruler of Wakanda & The Black Panther will not be there. What will this film be like at this point? Well, I sat in a theater and watched how. And I enjoyed it enough to give you guys the Good, the Bad, and the Diva (Head Nod to Andre, the Black Nerd Comedy) thoughts about it.

Good:

Fans of Marvel know that grief is a major character in All their films. I think it is the true Big Bad in some of their works. 98% of MCU characters need grief counseling (Can somebody make Wanda an appointment?). And in Wakanda Forever, Grief is addressed head-on. Even the plan of a traditional timeline of sadness is broken and not followed because, in life, grief does what it wants. T'challa & Chadwick were honored beautifully throughout. There were times the words could not give the sad scenes justice and that is where the actions of the characters livingly touched the heart. Because of death, the movie visits the Ancestral Plain. It was good to what it looks like because of your heart's true intention. This movie handles the importance of the Wankandan Leadership Throne & the Mantle of Black Panther separately. Can one survive if the other is gone? The World knows it & Queen Ramonda knows the World knows it. And the Queen powerfully & deliciously tells the World what it can do with its knowledge. We see a less aggressive but more conscious but still quick-witted M'baku, the leader of the Jabari tribe. I think that helps clear a path for his future. Speaking of humorous banter, the funny one-liners are good. There is even one cultural stinger that I put in my think bank for future reference.  And finally, RiRi Williams is a refreshing introduction to the MCU. It was good to see an American that's not evil & greedy. She's just a talented black nerdy girl going to school. I know there is a supposed "known" perspective of what Africans think of Americans of African descent (aka Black) but it's good to see a "not all Africans" viewpoint.

Bad:

*sigh* Marvel missed a wonderful introduction of the X-Men to the MCU with the Mid-Credit scene. That scene also could have given a head nod to a relationship that we all know about. Between basic Marvel comic knowledge & the BET series, I don't understand how the Mid-Credit scene is anything but a failed opportunity. Shuri was not written as a strong lead in a movie. She's intelligent, seen everywhere, and emotional, but still needed a bolder presence. Shuri felt carried around. Also for this movie to be so long, I don't understand why things like the relationship between Aneka & Ayo, Everett Ross's personal life, & the balance of the diplomatic & warrior sides of M'baku weren't fleshed out more. I am not a fan of the anti-hero, Namor. He's a man emotionally stunted at the young age he met the world outside of his very beautiful home. And his view of that world is very limited & he was never truly regretful or learned from his actions. Speaking of actions, there is an unnecessary trope of a death. And it's used to push a character to be their full self. I think a coma or a disability would've been just as effective. I also wasn't a fan of the long but still insufficient plotline of the Talokanil. They were just extra blue people who live with Namor ready to fight when he said so.

The Diva:

African & African descent (aka Black) women are seen as strong, smart, and ruling as well as sad, vulnerable, and innocently confused. We are protectors but also safeguarded. We are counseling but also receiving much-needed advice And I LOVED to see it. I mean a 19-year-old was spoken about as a teenager, not as a grown-up several times. Also, a royal had to put on her HR hat and shift positions around Wakanda.  If Ruth Carter doesn't get another Oscar for costume design I will be upset. The pallbearer dresses for Dora Milaje & Okoye's non-uniform fashions look like outfits from modern-day runways.

Even the longer outfits on M'baku were chef's kiss. Speaking of covering up the best-looking man in Wakanda, in my opinion, we only get arm sightings from him. He has sitting moments but no "come hither" thigh & leg shots. And it is okay because we have his mental prowess & Namor's body & outfits to make up for that. Namor has a nice swimmer's body & his shorts made me blush. I blushed like I was watching professional hurdlers during a track & field race. Eye Candy won't disappoint.

As I said on social media, I give Wakanda Forever a 3.75. It gave Marvel a got good blueprint on properly dealing with grief (Don't think I didn't notice Phase 4 starts out mishandling grief with WandaVision. I see you Marvel) blueprints point forward. Maybe some professional therapy with be introduced at a later date. But here is the Big But. This movie is not made with Marvel fans in mind, in my opinion. As an MCU fan, I know Wakanda Forever was to close out Phase 4. But this door had a few loud creaks that seriously needed some WD-40.  I think this sequel is for people who only like the original Black Panther movie & are very sentimental about the untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman. It is lovingly appreciated but just not balanced.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms! 

 

Selfish Coughing Thumbnails(Answering Your Questions)

That title will make sense when you watch the video for this post. Some of my best work I think. You don't have to agree if you don't.

Q:

A: The 10k I'm a woman of a certain age, 100k would only cover my medical bills because I would be exhausted. I can invest part of the 10k and become a millionaire without working so long.

This Post's Q & A Video:

Now, the post title makes sense. I Know!!!

Don't forget, if you have any questions, email them to C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@gmail.com or leave them in the comment section below or on the social media site where you see this post. I will answer them.

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Adjectives (October Awareness)

I don't know why I didn't type this post earlier. I've known what I wanted to say for a while. Journalist, Katie Couric announced she had breast cancer and said she was 6 months late for her annual mammogram & felt lucky it was found soon enough.

The Word I Kept Focusing on is Lucky!

A relative posted she was a 36-year survivor of breast cancer this year. That amazes me because I didn't know she ever had the disease until a few years ago. It shouldn't because I grew up in a family that called hysterectomies, "Ladies Surgery". But amazed I am. And my relative never uses the word, Lucky. She says She is Blessed!

Then I remember a classmate from Women's Self-Defense during my UT-Arlington days. We were discussing Domestic Violence. Our instructor asked us our opinions about the victims. And this classmate didn't use the term Lucky. She said they were Stupid. I was pissed off. So much so, for the one-page assignment on the lesson, I explained my feelings about what she said. Two class periods later we were made to read each other's statements. I found out she was a victim. We never talked about what we read to one another. I just hoped she understood she was Loved.

Lots of adjectives to describe October, Breast Cancer & Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I just hope everyone affected by these two issues are receptive that they are Lucky, Blessed, & Loved. Because words like those are what the Awareness for this month should be about.

As Always Talking to You Adult Terms!!!

FYI

For anonymous, confidential help, 24/7, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

The Komen Breast Care Helpline

1-877-465-6636 or email helpline@komen.org

Talk About it Tuesday (Lessons from My Flugga Mugga)

NOT Everybody Will Understand or Like You, But Always Be Yourself. It wasn't like we could change him. Literally a futile endeavor. And I can't imagine wanting him any other way.

Sing! No matter if the words are wrong, You Sing!!! "God bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her And the Power & the Glory God bless America, my home sweet home" I still laugh at his words to that song. Once I had to sing it out loud to see where he went wrong. Because "And the Power & the Glory" fit so well.

Music is a Mood Changer. They say music soothes the beast. Music soothes the savage beast. Bad moods can be changed with the right tunes. Heck, sometimes there is a bad mood because no melodies are playing. Sweet tunes, Sweet Vibes.

And those were the first 3 lessons my brother's life taught me that came to my mind. It's a tool that helps me a lot. And I hope it helps other broken hearts out there.

Long Live G!!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

VOTE

It was a tweet about a young lady preferring a Felon over Any man with a Baby Mama that prompted me to remind you all to go and Vote in this next election. (I mean having a Baby Mama doesn't mean the guy can't vote or travel out of state & country but to each their own.) I almost named this Go Vote, Baby Mama because a Felon Can't. But salacious title-making is not my strongest area in blogging.

Yeah, the current candidates are not making the voting process attractive in 2022.

That's Their Plan. They want you to be so turned off that you don't go to the polls and demand they do a better job. The worst candidates seem to be the most obvious problematic choice with the most money to have the influence to be seen more. No party or political machine educates or encourages voters to do any research on what we are voting on. But voters need to know about the city & state propositions & candidate platforms. 

But as voting citizens we work ahead and use our rights in picking those who represent the best. We do it with the following promise in our hearts.

To honor my parents, grandparents, and great-grands, I will.

To honor my family, my heritage, and my ancestors, I will.

To honor those who endured slavery, Jim Crow, and apartheid, I will.

To honor those who bled, who suffered humiliation, who died, I will.

To honor my future generation, I will.

I WILL GET OUT TO VOTE!

And May the Best Win.

GO VOTE

 As Always Talking to You In Adult Terms!

Talk About It Tuesday (Can Y'all Be Mum About Texas Mums)

Muh Diva said that my high school mum was Not still in the closet. When we left, any mementos that didn't make sense to her, left also. Makes Sense to Me. Congratulations to my cousin, Sister Saved, the Prettiest Junior class Princess ever.

Just a Picture of Mums

Happy Homecoming Season!

Oh the email: C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@gmail.com

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

My September...Gospel Music Heritage Month

September 2022 has been one for the books for me. It has been rather Navy for many in my world. It all makes my heart frown to watch. So much has happened but I trust & know on the other side of All of this is a brighter color. How do I know this? 

About 20-30 minutes ago before I typed this post, this song dropped down in my spirit. And would not leave me satisfied until played it 3 times.

The song lyrics 

🎶...but that just goes to show, 

how little I know about leading, 

about controlling my life...🎶 

It reminded me that with All of this sadness going on

• I've seen healing from a deadly disease.
• I've seen two splintered parents work together on behalf of a child.
• I know of a family finally meeting one of their own.

Then it reminded me that the beloved songstress of this tune, Lashun Pace passed away this year. RIP🕊️ At the time of her death, many of us church children that were around in the 90s, wore this song out. And moments ago, I got the same feeling as I did when I first heard this song.

I Felt The Hope & The Faith to get my heart to the other side of all of this.

🎶But my times, all of the good and all of the bad

My times, all of the hurt and all of the pain

My time, oh my times are in His hands

in His hands

Oh yeah, my times are in His hands

My times

My times, um

My times, oh

My times, they are in they are in

the Lord's hands🎶

Happy Gospel Music Heritage Month!!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Talk About It Tuesday (Mercury is in Microbraids)

And y'all get on my nerves.

Our cell phone satellites might be affected but everything else is just human life & responsibility.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

 

Y'all, The Queen, and Those Other Colonizers

Queen Elizabeth of the British monarchy passed away recently. It was sad to hear. *sigh* My thoughts on the British royals have always been line stepping. Once the ruling body, they're now in my opinion a whole non-governing but influential family that is taken care of by the British & British-ruled countries' taxpayers. It's like "Governmental Emeritus". They've never made real sense to my American mind. And I feel like American (you know the culture of a country that won a war for freedom from the British) Pop Culture & its media have made us give a care about them. The Queen's fashion has influenced so many older church ladies. My own grandmother, who is a grand seasoned saint just marvels at her hat collection. Hours of TV are blocked off for their weddings and gossip stories. And the tabloids have lost their minds with the Royals. But we all have opinions. I think Diana's wedding gown was Hideous but Adore Kate's & Meghan's. I was watching my friends play fight in my dorm room and stopped them when the news flashed Diana was killed. I didn't grieve her with the rest of the world, but I also have never, I do mean never condone the relationship & marriage of Charles & Camilla. (Consort as a noun is a wife, husband, or companion, in particular the spouse of a reigning monarch. Consort as a verb means habitually associate with (someone), typically with the disapproval of others. The Queen basically titled that woman her son's little friend.) I also didn't care about Harry being a partying bachelor yet "attended" his wedding (and his brother's) with bells on.

So, I gave my respects & RIP on social media and watched the fallout. Black Social Media has two sides. The side that is planning the funeral. That's the fun side I am probably on. I want to envision Adele singing, "Going Up Yonder" with The Kingdom Choir. But there is also a truthful woke side that we don't have the privilege to ignore. The Royal family has a horrible history like in some of the current & former British colonies in many African nations, Ireland (Irish Twitter is Wild), the Bahamas, and Jamaica. History romanticizes The Queen's, when she was still a princess trip to Kenya once because that was where she was when she learned her father, George VI died. But she was there to do governmental business for the Commonwealth aka Boss lady came to see if the factory is running smoothly. So, I would never obligate them to mourn Queen Elizabeth.  Because under those hats was a woman who condone policies & wars that oppress people. I mean those diamonds on the crown are stolen artifacts. Also, there is a subset of the woke that just found out about the British, which makes me wonder what they think "Colonizer" means. This is why I am in a Funeral planning mindset. My Line Stepper brain needs to see if Leona Lewis knows "Precious Lord" because my judgemental & woke sides never need to be that close to teaming up.

I know she'll have on Royal Regalia but she looked so good in Yellow. If given the choice, I hope her daughter Anne picks out a nice sunny coat dress & hat combo.

RIP Queen Elizabeth. Everyone's Life Makes a Sound. And May the Work You've Done Speak for You. 

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

I Can't Type That, K-Man

Unfortunately, This is a True Story

My God-nephew is forever 19. K-Man died. My best friend, LJ's son passed away. And if you know what the above awareness ribbon is, that is the reason why.

I can verbally say what happened. But I can't type it. Found that out a few days ago. I guess my fingers & heart are not accepting the facts yet.

I was at LJ's house organizing the food that was brought in and I almost called him to help me find a bowl for the salad. Because that is what he did, Helped Me, His Auntie. I had to suck my broken feelings up because this grief buffet is for the fact that he is gone & I am here to support his dad & family.

I was pouring some orange juice into a cup and I remembered K-man wondering why the adults got a different glass for their juice during a brunch outing. I laughed until I cried. 

I looked for a photo of him photobombing me. I can't find it. But I know I posted it. As a boy, he thought it was fun to be seen World Wide on the World Wide Web. He didn't know his Aunt __my biological name_ Facebook page wasn't public at that time. I will find it.

Just like my heart is trying to find a way to understand why and the fact that why will never be fully answered. Just like I have to find a way to love on his sister without smothering this young adult. Just like the mature grace, I find for a non-custodial mother the right to grieve without my wanting to hit her. And just like the words of support I give this father that I think is one of the Best to ever Parent. I try not to pat him with my words but I just want him to know he is loved.

Just like I hope K-man knew he was Love, also. No wait, He is Love! A Loving Ancestor. A 19-Year-Old is an Ancestor.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

P.S. Found It (1/20/23)

Talk About It Tuesday (Worth a Thousand)

Worth the Worth! That's the Short Message! One of My Favorite Things to Encourage.

Oh the email: C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@gmail.com

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

Yo P-Valley, Season 2, Stunning & Bittersweet

*Spoiler Alert*

 I just left The Pynk for the season.

Season 2 P-Valley as a whole, was better than Season 1 (Season 1 had a better Finale). It was time to truly see the weaknesses of the beloved characters & the tenderness of some of the disliked ones. Even the slowest episode (204 Demethrius for me) piqued my attention. And that can be a hefty price for my interests.

Likes:

The Mercedes Experience: I am proud of Mercedes. She was a full event. She stepped up for her child when she needed to and even her mother, Patrice Woodbine (who should have used Corbin's money to pay her daughter back) saw her growth. And she Dreamed a New Dream. I was hoping she took the gym in that direction. And she left All seven pounds of pressure on stage at The Pink. 

Mane & Mercedes: The night of his block party, I declared Mercedes, a Stronger woman than me. But She's going to need that strength. Because Mane doesn't need Terricka as another babysitter for his ankle monitor or fake id runner. Yet, he would use her.

LaMarques: I may not be a fan of the trauma bond that is the love affair of Uncle Clifford & Lil Murder. I want both of them more healed, first. But I am a fan of the man who did the work to get Uncle Clifford back.

I am a fan of the man who sat by and tried to give his friend & lover light as darkness closed their eyes. RIP Thaddeus "Big Teak" Wilkins I am a fan of a man who could admit he was not ok and battled his demons. I am a fan of a man who wants to stand in the light. He sees himself in the mirror. Now, get him back to work.

Woddy: Remember when Keyshawn called him a Weirdo with a funeral home in Season 1? Well, that Weirdo with his sexy voice, provided transportation & protection for a whole tour. Learn to Appreciate the Weirdos in Life. Sorry for You, Rome!

Keyshawn is Tina Turner:  I hate when episode 1 comes back to bite us in the butt in the season finale. Hailey watched a lot of What's Love Got to Do and remember when Tina left Ike the first time. Her mother told him where she was. First time Keyshawn tries to leave, who calls Derrick while the kids are in her sister's care? Keyshawn's Step Mom. *sigh*

Earnestine's History: It may be the downfall of Uncle Clifford but it's a stable resume.

Grandmuva Defeating Death: They say "Don't Take a Drink From a Dead Person in Your Dreams" Glad to have learned that from this show.

Corbin & Clifford Friendship: Real Friendship will Beat Betrayal

Georgie: Can't be upset with a woman who understands her power. Lakeisha Savage should have listened.

Hailey Colton's Heart & Intentions: She tries so hard to be understood. It is what keeps me from being so upset with her actions. I wish the Pynk Framily would have embraced her fully. With her finance knowledge, she could be a loving force. But yes, first she has to come back and right her misdeeds. Because those were extreme.

Andre's Truth: Glad he is deciding to revive what he tried to killed

The Mayoral Race Results: Chucalisa deserves this new mayor. Remember, she's not Tydell Ruffin and Pastor Patrice Woodbine laid out some good points at the luncheon. And that's all I will say.

I often say "We are so Loud & Chatty about what we don't prefer. I'm Yelling at this point!

Dislikes:

Covid-19: The way the coronavirus was handled in the 1st few episodes gave me hope. Pussyland was made because the club was closed. Mayor Ruffin (who I hated) died & his loved ones had an outside memorial. Brittany, a hospital doctor lived outside the main house of her home for safety purposes. Pastor Woodbine's church was closed for being over-compacity. Then Toy sneezed on Lauren Hawkins and the romper-room-like foolishness was too obvious to be ignored.

• Toy sneezed. Gets accused of giving the virus to Grandmuva. But did anyone ask Lauren if she caught it?
• Testing! A Memphis apartment has it. When is it coming to Chucalisa? 
• None of the mayoral candidates brought up Covid-19 while campaigning. If everybody is dead, what's the use of a casino?

By the time Mane was released to serve the rest of his sentencing on house arrest because of social distancing & the spread of the disease, I felt like the handling of Covid-19 was weird.

The Framily vs Autumn Knight: *sigh* The Pynk framily never wanted to love Hailey Lakeisha Autumn Knight Savage Colton. And since Season 1, Big L has disliked her the most. Hailey isn't right, but the Wanna-be Black Sheep always told them the truth. Had Uncle Clifford taught Hailey The Pynk's history from the start, none of this bitterness between them and she would be so great. Instead of threats of killing her, maybe a conversation to learn about one another needed to be had. Oh yeah Hailey, I forgot...Trust No One.

Big L: I still think he is handsome. And he needs help making wings. *wink* But he is blinded by making sure The Pynk doesn't go under. And I never understood why he never sat down and talked to Hailey. And I feel he is the center of Framily's dislike for her. And that is why they got finessed by her. Shouldn't want to kill, who you need.

Rule #4: Umm, Roulette, Whisper, and Nineveh (She's the real Rule #29,763, You be careful who you let through the door cause you can’t save every single hoe.) are breaking the rule that says, "If You Hoe, You Out the Door". I hope Toy snitches to Uncle Clifford. If not, I am afraid Woddy & his funeral home will be making her look good. And Uncle Clifford will be wrecked with guilt.

Diamond: See this is why I wonder about intuitive people on tv. They always "can't see". Diamond's jobs as a military soldier & in security have always been to pay attention. Yet, Big Bone was not discerned.

Uncle Clifford: She was a caricature to me in Season 2. I was frustrated with her the most this season. Uncle Clifford still doesn't realize she doesn't manage money well. Buying a Birkin and not learning how to invest in the club. Worrying about what Hailey was doing even though She Told You What She Was Doing and not seeing prostitution happening under her nose. There was even an accusation & a fight about Rule #4 and she just let that go. Uncle Clifford just wanted her club back & grandmother healed, as she should. The sad part is more consequences are coming for Uncle Clifford. The upcoming casino benefits the Kyle farm & the residual dollars will drip drop, not flow or pour toward the Pussy Valley area of town. And she will have to own up to her part. *sigh* Maybe The Pynk can be turned into a landmark. Hopefully, she'll have swept  & sold all of Big L & Duffy's pills up before inspection.

So now, somebody call down to the funeral home and get Woddy & his sexy voice to clean some of this stuff up. Derrick is alive but Keyshawn is in jail. Uncle Clifford is high & feeling good but broke as all get out. Hailey has money, but escaped love. Grandmuva is alive but Diamond is in a trunk. Oh is Lil Murda being gay the worse kept secret in the hood? And will anyone sit down & think so they can see?

To the Life of The Pynk!!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

So...Lonely Men

Psychology Today tried to do the Lord's work and help their fellow man, the cis-heterosexual man (as quiet as it is kept some of these cis-homosexual & cis-bisexual men also) not be alone in the dating & relationship worlds. Don't take my word for it. Read HERE to see for yourself.

I don't disagree with this article. The only sad part is getting most cishet men to read an article from Psychology Today. Somehow we have to get them this message, You are not lonely because you're low-value. You are lonely because most of these dating sites y'all have flocked to are full of men competing for the same small pool of women. You are lonely because women took the time to learn their worth and only desiring & dating men who can match it. And you are emotionally unintelligent because of what was previously taught to you and that is also why you are lonely.  Basically, the Game Changed. Do the Work or Get Left By Yourself.

But that is not the easy tasty plate they want to digest. And they have to make it themselves. Oh well... Hope they don't starve.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

NY Times's Popeyes to Marriage

Actually, it might be KFC to Marriage. And that's not the most interesting thing about THIS story. Go read it and come back. Because I Feel Like Y'all Need to Know What I See.

*sigh* Girl Finally Met Boy in Popeye's parking lot with some KFC and married him a little over 2 years.

When I see stories where my basic standards for relationships wouldn't be met, I am learning to ignore them. The keyword is Learning. Because I want this story to delve deeper. Even though it is based in Boston, this story needs the People of New York treatment. Because I see a plot hole. Mr. Boyce's feelings & plans seem hushed after the date.

-"...month after their first date, in late June 2020, he asked her to be his girlfriend. She agreed, but not before asking him to make it known that he was, as she put it, “off the market.”... “She said, I’m going to need you to move in six months,” Mr. Boyce said. “I was like, What are you talking about? I barely know you. Six months later, I was moved in.”

I am happy she gave him a requirement to be his girlfriend. She could've easily become one of his ladies. But what I need to understand is what made him trust her plan. I'm not saying since he was the man he should be making The Plan. But this does look like he had no plan and went along with what was already laid out.

"By then, the two were also engaged. Mr. Boyce proposed that December, while they were visiting Barbados for the holidays. His friend and colleague... thought that the trip would be the perfect moment for a proposal, so much so that, on his own, he bought an engagement ring for the couple"

So again, who wanted the couple to be engaged? The Friend or Mr. Boyce? The article makes us assume there were conversations between the two buddies. But with such an important step in a couple's life, it is vital that this stage wasn't happening because a colleague thought it would be cute.

"...Mr. Boyce and Ms. Wade moved into a home that they built together..., completing the first step of the shared vision through which they first connected."

Shared Vision? 

I hope the entire best for this couple. Especially better than how they are depicted in this quick article to me. Because I read he's 44, she 34. He first dates 6 women at once, and canceled on her twice with their first date was in Popeye’s parking lot where they ate some KFC because the line was long. At her urgency, six months later, he moved into her place and his pal bought the engagement ring. And they now are married & share a home that was visioned. *sigh* I would hate to see what is not seen said really not be said. 

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Best of Restaurant Bias: The TexMex List

I'm not a major fan of most "Best of" lists, especially when it comes to restaurants. I am glad life caused me to take my time in making this post. There is a Facebook survey about how Texan a person can be and one question is "Do you have a Great example of Tex Mex cuisine". Recently, I went to a metropolitan city in the state and I can say of all 5 big cities of Texas, one doesn't have a good Tex Mex. I am so glad my palate knows the good stuff when I have it.

Also, we All have an opinion about what a good Tex Mex restaurant is. We, Texans know Taco Bell is not the best representation. But the Best opinion is probably a very arguable cuisine discussion in the state.

Angelina's My best friend, Intellectual Diva must stop here whenever she visits home. Once she invited me to lunch and by golly, I understand why she stops by. The food is delicious.

J. Pepe's It's my favorite. This food is delicious. Wonderful Service!!! They serve large but not giant portions. But it does have one issue. It is a lunch-only spot and it is not available on the weekends. That aside order a Burrito Mateo with J Pepe's perfectly spiced chili con carne. And my favorite soup, Tortilla soup is a cozy treat

Mi Cocina I avoided this place for a while. For years no one ever raved about anything but the drinks. I finally went because of a divorce party and understood the drink fascination. The Mambo Taxi is pretty good. But so are the enchiladas & chimichanga. 

Cantina Laredo 

There is something about a place you can smell going to another place that makes you interested. My nose & taste buds were totally pleased. And the staff especially the management are very nice.

Vidorra This is an experience in the Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas. Never did I ever think would rave about 450° molten cheese & vegetables in a stone bowl called a Molcajete. Nor would I ever feel not guilty for eating churros made into french toast or eating a burrito stuffed with chicken or fajita beef. Never, I say Never! But I am elated I have.

So, do you have a Great example of Tex Mex cuisine? Are they on this list? If they aren't let me know down below. And maybe I'll check to see if you know what you're talking about. Because I'm a Texan and I take my Tex-Mex seriously. And if you read that sentence in a stereotypical accent, You are My Type of People.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Dem Neighbor's Door (Answering Questions)

Questions have Answers. Answers have Questions. And maybe that's the point of this post.

Q: Saw this on Facebook & I thought it would be a fun one to answer.

A: Red & Show Me the Money. More than likely my mistakes are what got me to the door. Plus, If I go through the Blue one and "Fix" All My Mistakes, I wouldn't have the colorful life I have now. And I don't have a life that I regret as a whole. 

This Post's Q & A Video:

My Neighbors Bet Not Ever!!!

Don't forget, if you have any questions, email them to C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@gmail.com or leave them in the comment section below or on the social media site where you see this post. I will answer them.

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!