The Life of a Useless Negro

As I was flipping through the channels today, I came across a re-broadcast of the State of the Black Union on TV 101.

I wanted to see the “Who’s Who” of Black America. There were the same old familiar faces with a few new ones mixed in. I wonder what’s going to happen when these familiar faces start dying off. Will there be no more State of the Black Union? That’s another blog for another day.

What caught my attention during the forum were the comments made by Rev. Al Sharpton. He said one of the hardest jobs of a black preacher is to give the eulogy of a “useless Negro.” As the casket is being rolled down the aisle to the front of the church and the family is crying, Sharpton said the preacher’s job is to create a fantasy of the life of the deceased. He went on to express the importance of making your life mean something while you’re alive so preachers don’t have to work so hard to re-create something out of nothing when you’re dead.

Say what you want about my fellow African American baby boomer brother Al---but he often speaks a truth many people---both black and white---don’t want to hear. But I, for one, was listening to that message and I totally agree! The question is how many of the folks (young people) who really needed to hear what he said were listening? They probably were out gang bangin' or involved in some other type of criminal activity preparing for their early visit to the grave.

I'm a Baby Boomer Mom Working for the Kingdom

It's one thing to toot your own horn, but it's humbling and wonderful when someone else chooses to put you in the spotlight.

When I was younger I loved having my time to shine! That's the "ego" that stems from being a TV journalist. You love for people to recognize and say good things about you. But as we age and the spotlight fades, we must live and work on our own merits and not the "image" we created in our minds.

I am fascinated with how online connections are made---especially since it wasn't that long ago that I was a clueless baby boomer computer illiterate. But I am thankful that God knows how to connect the dot.coms as He did when he connected me with a wonderful woman named Sherri Walker and her organization, Moms Working for the Kingdom.

She selected me for an interview and here it is: MomsWorkingforthekingdom

My Baby Boomer Valentine

Honey, even though you’re getting older with signs of gray
I want you to know I love you more and more each day.

My sexy handsome husband, you’re so worthy of my attention
'Cause you still know how to crank up that old engine.

Your love, your kisses are pure delight
And it’s a joy to snuggle up to you every night.

Thank you for coping with my menopause day after day after day
And finally figuring out that sometimes it’s just best to get out of my way!

Yes, even today you still make me hotter than a hot flash and that’s no lie
My Baby Boomer Valentine, I’ll be yours until the day YOU die.

Original Poem written by Beverly Mahone

We're Fun, We're Fabulous & We're Grandmothers

This week two of my friends became grandmothers. One of them is Carine Nadel. Some of you may know her from her blog: carine-whatscooking.blogspot.com The other is author, Vicki M. Taylor: vickimtaylor.com Both women are members of Boomer Diva Nation---a group I created where boomer women rock, roll, rule and unite!

As I read the announcements from Carine and Vicki, I could feel the excitement in their spirits! I could also feel their sense of relief that their little girls had made it through a successful delivery. That's because they both lived through nine anxious months and had to cope with their daughter's health issues.

In September 2006, I went through a similar experience when my daughter gave birth.

So here we all are preparing to lend our support and a little (or maybe ALOT) influence to our new little ones. We will love them, spoil them and silently hurt when they hurt.

People may look at us and say we're too young to be grandmothers. I, personally, take that as a compliment. I'm excited to have my health and strength to be able to deal with my grandson as he gets older. I'm sure Carine and Vicki share my sentiments.

So in this blog I am saluting Carine, Vicki and all of the Fabulous Diva grandmothers out there! It's a true blessing indeed!!!

Turn Up the Heat for Super Bowl Sunday

I don’t about you but I refuse to be a baby boomer sports widow on Super Bowl Sunday. I am not going to sit at home alone while my baby boomer husband decides he wants to be around “like-minded” individuals (who just happen to be all men) to watch the big game.

Actually, I won’t be alone because my husband actually enjoys watching sports with me. Why? Because I’ve studied the games over the years---and being a cheerleader certainly helped! I can sit and intelligently discuss first downs and offside penalties and referee calls that should’ve or should not have been made. I’ve also learned how to make watching the game interesting in the romance department.

I guess you're asking yourself, how can sports possibly be romantic especially if you hate it. Well, why not look at it this way. If you love your husband (mate), why not take a sincere interest in his love for the game---whether it be football, basketball, tennis or WHATEVER! If it's something your husband really enjoys, wouldn't you rather learn about it, and share the common bond of sports than to have him watch it alone or always leave to watch it with his buddies? I prefer to be a sports wife rather than a sports widow.

Here are a few of my tips to help you get your husband prepared and in the mood for Super Bowl Sunday and any other sports championship game:

Start out by having your own pre-game show. The two of you can toss a football out in the yard. When he lets you tackle him, you can sneak in a kiss. Or why not be the quarterback and instead of hiking a 'real' ball, just pretend there's a ball there, between his legs, and turn it into a game of touch football. After an hour or so of fun, fantasy and sweat, you can go inside--take a shower--and relax while getting ready for the Big Game.

No matter what you plan, if you do it with excitement and enthusiasm, it'll be a treat for him. And, the next time you're watching an episode of Desperate Housewives, don't be surprised if you find your husband sitting next to you preparing to make some moves of his own.

Remember this: Just because we're getting older doesn't mean the fire has gone out in the romance department.

Can Baby Boomers Find Their Soul Mate Online?

If you had asked me this question 10 years ago, I would've said "No way!" but less than five years ago, I met the man I eventually married on the internet. Well, actually HE found ME.

I met my first husband in an apartment complex. Funny, how times have changed. With the introduction of this relatively new technology called the “internet,” baby boomers, like myself, are finding another innovative way to hook-up.

These days, the internet offers an interesting way to meet similar-minded people and make a connection. Regardless of a certain stigma attached to meeting people online, there is no denying the fact that there are literally millions of people out there using cyberspace hoping to make a connection.

Looks and physical appearance are more likely to take a back seat as we age and we tend to look at other more important qualities such as personality, spirituality and goal-oriented interests.

There is a disadvantage of internet dating though. You could end up wasting your time connecting with someone who is pretending to be someone else. Just like every other generation, some baby boomers like to play games because they never grew up.

Oh, but you don't need to be online to have that experience, do you?

Be sure to check out my show on BlogTalk Radio on Thursday, January 31 when I discuss "Internet Love for Baby Boomers." BlogtalkRadio/Whateverlive

Boomer Diva Nation: Where Women Rock, Roll and Rule!

Boomer Diva Nation is a new community website for women who are on the move and making a difference. Here’s where you’ll find the latest Hot Flash Breaking News along with stories of interest about fellow boomers.

You can also connect with other women through the Boomer Diva blog roll (yes, there’s a few boomer men on the list) and you can participate in the various teleseminars. Meet the women who make up the Boomer Diva Nation Community. The group consists of authors, work-at-home-moms, business owners, celebrities, magazine editors and others who are all fabulously 40 and beyond.

The BoomerDivaNation.com website belongs to me---Beverly Mahone---I look forward to seeing you!