Forty Books and My Soul....

Statue in Phildelphia that I visited over the Christmas Break
“Freedom"

Since September, I have read twenty-seven books, and the more that I read, the more that I want to read. You really can make reading a habit.

Friday, I did not go to work, and I really wanted to start reading Swing Time by Zadie Smith. It was not available through the public libraries in print nor digital form. So, I drove to the school, because I had seen it in the school’s library, AND, the library was locked! But Y’all, I HAD to start this book. Sooooooo, I asked a custodian to unlock the library, I got Swing Time, and left a note for the librarians....

Since, I have been conscious about always having something to read, it’s like an addiction, and I hope that giving my students' choice in what they read is also causing them to turn reading into a habit and perhaps even an addiction.

One of the books that I have read recently is Despite the Best Intentions: How Racial Inequalities Thrives In Good Schools by Amanda E. Lewis & John B. Diamond. Y’all, I have wanted to pass it out to every single person who works in my school, from the custodian to the Principal. Then I wanted to call CNN, NBC, ABC to beg them to allow me to talk about this book. I desperately want this book in the hands of all of us well-meaning people who could potentially be causing folks' children damage. (If you work in schools, in any capacity, if you have children in schools, read this book.)

Reading this book, has caused me to be even more intentional about equity and access. I make sure that I give out tardies equally. I make sure that if my advanced students ask me to drop their lowest grade, I also do that for my on-grade level students as well, even if they do not ask. I make sure that I don’t skimp on my duties to some students, because their parents will not complain etc. Y’all, I do not want to play a role in racism thriving in good schools, especially when the people who are negatively impacted just happen to look like me.

I have also read The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle AGAIN! Yes, I have read it multiple times, and I have ‘gotten it’ every single time, but this time around it really resonated. Tolle states that all we have is right now... I have been conscious about enjoying every, single moment, intensely.

So, yesterday, a long lost friend called, and she was in town. She asked if I wanted to go shopping with her, and immediately I said NO! I HATE SHOPPING! However, she said that she was only going to one store and that she would pick me up. I reluctantly agreed, thinking of the quality time that we could spend together.

We stayed in this store for about three hours! (Didn’t I say that I hate shopping?) I had to remind myself to stay in the moment, don’t get impatient, and ride this out. I found a chair in the store and sat for a very, long time, focusing on the fact that I was with a friend whom I have not seen since we left high school... Quality Time!

After the shopping trip, I was ready to go home. She wanted to go to dinner, but I really wanted to go home. Once we got to my place, we were talking in the car, and I was enjoying her immensely, which led to her coming in, and I consciously did not focus on my hair that I wanted to wash, but I cooked and we talked and talked and talked...

Quality time is my number one love language and therefore, after she left, my soul was completely satisfied, and I am happy that I was able to be in the moment and not focus on NEXT!

Speaking of love languages, I have also read the The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, both the married folks version and the singles version. The married folks version is GOOD, but the singles version is REALLY GOOD. I would recommend it to people whether they are married or not.

This book reconfirms that we are all connected and that everything is about love. Yep, love! When we love people, we may want to consider trying to figure out their love language or even ask them their love language and provide it and watch the heavens open up. My sister, Tracy, would tell me that if you meet other folks needs, the returns are greater than you could ever image.

Y’all, find out your love language and other folks love languages, and reap the benefits.

I took the love language test, and my number one love language is quality time, and once I read that, a light bulb went off.... I LOVE QUALITY TIME. I love spending time with folks: talking, laughing, and doing some type of activity such as going to brunch, a museum, a play, the movies, cycling etc. This is why my relationship with my dear friend Dr. Semple has lasted soooo long; this man is always ready to give me quality time, whenever I want it on, even at the spur of a moment.

I called him Friday about one hour before I wanted him to meet me to see a movie, and he showed up......  My heart was happy!

I love Quality Freaking Time, My People.

Challenging myself to read forty books between September and June has been more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. I have always loved to read, but my love for reading has intensified to a point that is soooo good for my soul.

What y’all been doing?

I miss you guys dearly.......

Dr. Semple

Yesterday, while taking a break at work, I received a call from a dear friend, Dr. Semple. I knew that I needed to answer the phone, because a call from Dr. Semple always means that he has something interesting for us to do. So, I answered the call, and Dr. Semple stated that there was play that night at the Studio Theatre. I said, "What time should I meet you?"  He replied "7:45" and the date was set.  I met him, we saw the play, went for a quick bite and drink after the play, and we went our merry ways. Everyone needs a friendship that's this easy.

Dr. Semple

I met Dr. Semple anywhere from 5 to 10 ten years ago. It's always been difficult for me to keep up with how long I have known a person, been a member of my book club, been teaching at a school etc.  You get the point? So, I met Dr. Semple because one of my other friends, Carolyn, bumped a lady's car.  She left a note on the lady's car, and the lady called her. The lady was so thrilled that Carolyn left a note; she invited Carolyn to a party. Being the social people that we are, Carolyn and I went to the party. I know this is confusing, so stop and read this part one more time.

We were at this party, and we were having a really great time. We met this man whose last name was Semple. Now, to a literary person, this name instantly excited me. So, I said "is your name Semple as in Jesse B. Semple," and the rest of our relationship is history. From that day forward, we have been like Tea Cake and Janie from Their Eyes Were Watching God:  "Janie and Teacake gone hunting. Janie and Teacake gone fishing. Teacake and Janie gone to Orlando to the movies. Teacake and Janie gone to a dance."  And it all started because of his name, Semple.

The Best of Simple

Jesse B. Semple, or Simple for short, is the main character in a series of short stories by Langston Hughes. Langston was very fascinated with simple, everyday people.  He felt that "it was impossible to live in Harlem and not know at least a hundred Simples."  I keep a copy of The Best of Simple next to my bed, and whenever I need a good old belly aching laugh, I read one of the stories. If you have not read one of the short stories, I really encourage you to do it, and do it soon. 

Quiet as its kept, and I feel corny for writing this, but I have met and formed a life long relationship with Dr. Semple all because of Jesse B. Semple. Boy am I grateful for literature!