Saturday, July 21, 2007

Who's Responsible When Young Black Men Kill?

How much blame rests on the shoulder of my baby boomer generation for the destructive behavior of the YZ generation?


News from the Friday, July 20 edition of the Los Angeles Times:

LAPD Southwest: Aric Lexing, 26, and Scott Grant, 40, both black men, were shot to death in a double homicide in the 4000 block of Stevely Drive in lower Baldwin Hills at about 3:30 a.m. Friday, July 20. Both men died at the scene. They were seated in a parked vehicle when they were shot. One of the victims got out of the car with a gunshot wound in his chest, made it about 40 feet and collapsed. The second was lying dead in the passenger seat. Police seek help. (213) 485-2417.

Aric had just received his Master's Degree from a College in Louisiana and moved to the Los Angeles area to be closer to his mom and other family members while waiting to find out if he would be accepted to the Police or Border Patrol Academy. He would never find out due to his senseless murder.

His mom, Ora Stearns-Smith is a dear friend of mine. She is like a sister to me--a baby boomer diva in every sense of the word---a woman who reminds me how wonderful God truly is even when I have my doubts. She didn't deserve to have this tragedy happen in her life. She's suffered enough. Just last November she lost her brother to gun violence. He was murdered by some foster children he had taken in---over a cell phone---Two years ago she lost her oldest daughter to a brain tumor.

What in the world has happened to the YZ generation of children who seem to have no fear and no regard for human life? Are we, as baby boomers, somehow responsible for not reaching out more in some way?

I used to believe in praying for the lost soul---but I'm more and more convinced that some lost souls just don't give a damn about being found.

Monday, July 16, 2007

BOOMER WORLD: This Baby Boomer Inquiring Mind Wants to Know

BOOMER WORLD: This Baby Boomer Inquiring Mind Wants to Know

Baby Boomer Love on the Internet

Can you find love on the internet---especially if you’re over 40? I did it and I even introduced some friends of mine to it and they, too, made a successful connection. I didn’t initially go online because I was looking for a husband. I was just looking for some companionship. My experience was good in the end but I had to weed through some garbage to get there. For every decent individual out there in cyberspace, there are at least a dozen weirdoes, freaks, and others who give the concept a black eye. But nonetheless, based on the research I did I found that according to recent statistics, on-line dating services now help over 7 million registered users a year. 48 percent of men and 52 percent of women have had some experience with on line dating.

According to a recent article in Newsweek magazine, more and more baby boomers are quote unquote “hooking up” on line. And according to the publisher of Online dating magazine, “As people get older, they start dropping a lot of the “you gotta be attractive” requirements and concentrate more on personality, spirituality and specific interests.

Check out my latest podcast: Finding Love on the Internet Part I (on the right lower side of this page)

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

How to Keep your Sex Life Sizzlin' after 50!

I'm not ashamed to tell you that my husband makes me hotter than a hot flash! We share a healthy sex life because we share INTIMACY. That intimacy takes us beyond the bedroom and into each other's hearts and minds.

If you're trying to enhance or re-create the sexual magic in your relationship, here are a few tips:

Manage Your Menopause
Symptoms may begin up to 10 years before you reach the menopause at 50. As your body stops producing estrogen, your interest in sex naturally diminishes. Althought I'm NOT AN ADVOCATE of hormone replacement therapy, some doctors say hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be incredibly effective, helping to give your sex drive a boost as well as reducing symptoms such as hot flashes. There are lots of treatments, including sprays, creams and patches, so consult your doctor. Natural alternatives include the red clover and agnus castus supplements.

Banish Guilt
Just because you're 50 (or older) doesn't mean that you shouldn't want sex. Sex is a natural part of life. It connects the passion between a couple and there's no reason for you not to enhance and appreciate your sexuality.

Check Your Medication
Certain drugs are known to lower your libido, so it's worth checking out side effects. Culprits include medicines for heart disease, blood pressure, arthritis and high cholesterol, among others. Ask your doctor if there's an alternative you could try.

Test Your Hormones
Testosterone is important for sex drive in women and men, and a deficiency can lead to a dwindling interest.
Other symptoms include depression, fatigue, memory and concentration problems. See your doctor for blood tests.

There's no reason you shouldn't turn up the heat of passion in your relationship—even after 50.

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Fabulously 50 and Happy!

I am having the time of my life! I never imagined that 50 years old could feel this good. After all, when I was a little girl the age of 50 seemed ancient and everyone I knew who was around that age acted like they had no more spunk left and was just waiting for the day when they could retire.

Well, no retirement for me anytime soon. Actually I don’t have a regular 9 to 5 to retire from but I consider that a blessing. I am not stressed out in a job where I’m underpaid and overworked and having to answer to someone young enough to be one of my children. I am doing what I love---writing and spreading positive messages about aging gracefully. “Enjoy the Journey!” I invite you to read why I'm so deliriously happy in my book Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age.

OK, so I’ve gone up a couple of dress sizes and I have a little extra jiggle when I walk but I’m doing it with dignity and style and not trying to squeeze into a size 2 or 4 or 6 for that matter. Yes, menopause and its host of annoying symptoms have come knocking at my door, but you know what I say to that? WHATEVER!

My love life couldn’t be better. I have a wonderful NEW husband who makes me hotter than a hot flash! We just celebrated our one year anniversary and I look forward to many more years of making him as happy as he makes me. He truly is the wind beneath my wings---not like my first husband who blew a lot of hot air!

So ladies, my advice to you is to take every negative in your life and find a positive. Sure, you’ll have days when you don’t want to get out of bed and face the world---try facing God instead---and have Him give you that nudge you need.

One more thing: Keep on PUSH—ing (Pray Until Something Happens!)

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Baby Boomer Ignites Fireworks Early in the Nation's Capital

With a declaration of “I’m still Hot…it just comes in Flashes now!” Baby Boomer Author Beverly Mahone tells women in the Washington, DC area to enjoy their menopause.

In a guest appearance on the Fox 5 Morning News Show today, the 50-year-old self-proclaimed baby boomer diva said women have nothing to be ashamed of when going through the change of life. “It’s all a part of the aging process and it should be embraced with dignity, grace and style,” she asserts. In addition, she believes it is important to encourage women to take hot flashes in stride and to work hard to improve their physical and mental health. “Complaining about what ails you isn’t going to accomplish anything but frustration,” says Ms. Mahone. “Instead, we must focus on the transition as another phase of our journey in life and celebrate the fact that we’ve come this far.”

Ms. Mahone’s visit to the Nation’s Capital is a part of a summer tour for her book, Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age. In addition to Washington, DC, she has also made stops in North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and PA. She plans to visit several more states in the near future, including Atlanta and New York City.

Ms. Mahone says she is inspired by the attitudes of the women she’s met so far. “We’re finally starting to take menopause out of the closet. Back in the ‘60s James Brown had a song called “Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud. Well, in 2007 I’m saying “Say it Loud, I’m Menopausal and Proud,” laughs Ms. Mahone.

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Menopause Myth #5

Menopause leads to other deadly diseases.

First of all, menopause is NOT a disease. It is a natural occurrence in a woman's life. It is a part of the aging process.

Depending on how intense your menopausal symptoms are, you may want to seek some type of treatment. I don't advocate synthetic drugs but that's just me. I have found natural herbal supplements coupled with a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits work wonders for me.

What is important to remember is you should take good care of yourself by eating healthy and getting some exercise. When I exercise on a consistent basis, my hot flashes are kept to a minimum. Exercise is also a wonderful way to help you maintain a healthy weight. Excess fat CAN lead to other medical problems.

To learn more about how to enjoy your menopause and to learn how to live drama free with a dash of humor, why not pick up a copy of my book, "Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age" available on Barnes and Noble.com and Amazon.com.

Passing the Torch from Baby Boomers to Millennials to Gen Z

Whether baby boomers can accept it or not, a changing of the guard has taken place with  millennials and the up and coming Gen Z generations...