Are You a Kept Woman?

You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind,
But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)

There were times when I thought I could go no longer,
But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)

At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong,
But the LORD kept my mouth shut. (Psa. 13)

Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough,
But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34)

When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up.
When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)

I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!
I'm blessed to be "kept ."

I'm Kept by the Love and Grace of God!

Do Not Try This on the Road

"Expect the best but be prepared for the worst." It's a statement my parents reminded me to be conscious of as I moved into adulthood. So you would think at 51-years-old that message would've sunk in by now.

OK, here's the story: I knew I had to co-host a show on WBO Radio on Wednesday. At the last minute, my daughter decided to schedule an interview 20 miles away. I had the option of letting her drive herself or taking her in hopes of making it back home in time for the show. I chose option B because I just haven't gotten to the point where I trust my 18-year-old enough to drive long distances---especially out of town and to a location she had to mapquest.

When she got to the interview, we learned it would take about 90 minutes--which meant I would have to conduct the interview with the guest over my cell phone. No problem. I had my cell phone. Oh, but there was one problem. The cell phone had one cell left and as soon as I got on the call, I kept getting signals that the battery was dying. And then it DIED. I left interview guest Dr. Sally Witt hanging in the balance. Fortunately, the primary host, Anna Campbell of WBO, was there to pick up where I left off.

LESSONS I LEARNED:

1) Learn to be more trusting of my teenage daughter.

2) Don't drive your 18-year-old to a job interview--let her figure out her own directions.

3) Hot flashes & heat DON'T mix!

4) Keep my cell phone charged at all times

5) Keep a charger in the car that WORKS!

A Baby Boomer Birthday: Another Day Older....

Back in 1955, Tennessee Ernie Ford sang a song that would go on to be a huge hit for him. It was called Sixteen Tons.

"....Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store..."

As I read the words to the song, I couldn't help thinking how some things just NEVER seem to change. If you're a baby boomer sharing a birthday with me today, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. If you're a baby boomer deeper in debt, welcome to the club---there's plenty of us out here!

According to an AARP Sponsored study:

* The rate of bankruptcy filings among those ages 65 and older has more than doubled since 1991.

* Americans age 55 or older have experienced the sharpest increase in bankruptcy filings.

* Americans age 34 or younger have experienced the greatest decrease in bankruptcy filings.

Black Actresses in Hollywood: Lethal Combination

I read an interesting post from actress Terri Vaughn last week, which prompted this post. She wrote about the struggles of black women in Hollywood. It's a conversation I had recently with actress Bern Nadette Stanis (better known as Thelma from Good Times).

Just like Bern Nadette said, Terri echoes the notion Hollywood executives don't have a clue about what Black America wants to see on the big screen. They think giving us Halle Berry or a look-a-like will make us happy. Why? Because she's what they consider an "acceptable black woman." She's light enough to appeal to white America--but the bottom line is she's still considered black.

It's tough being a black female actress in Hollywood---and the older you get, the worse it gets. Being a white, female baby boomer in Hollywood has its challenges also.

By the way, anybody seen Cicely Tyson or Sheryl Lee Ralph lately?

I invite you to read the entire Terry Vaughn interview.

Baby Boomer Journalist is Dead

Tim Russert, Washington Bureau Chief for NBC News and host of Meet the Press, died today of coronary embolism at the age of 58, NBC has confirmed.

He was apparently at work when it happened. According to Tom Brokow, Russert and his family had just returned from a vacation in Italy where they were celebrating the graduation of their son.

Not to make light of his death, but as a fellow journalist I can tell you the newsroom is a VERY STRESSFUL place. It's a wonder more journalists don't succumb as a result of the daily grind.

Russert's untimely death hits home because he wasn't that old. He was a baby boomer, like me, in the prime of his life. I'll never forget the Meet the Press episode where he pointed out the "lie" Hillary Clinton told about her 1996 trip to Bosnia. Clinton had said, on multiple occasions, that her plane had to make a "corkscrew" landing due to danger and that she had to run off the plane because there could be sniper fire. These statements were false, and Russert produced video of Clinton repeating these statements four different times.

Unlike many journalists who are only out to make a name for themselves, I felt Russert was trying to make a difference and was fair-minded. These days journalists like that are hard to find. He will be missed by those of us who appreciate good, quality journalism.

Barack and Michelle Bumpin' Fists--So What!

Once again, the media is grasping at straws to come up with a story on Barack Obama. Why is the bumping of fists between the democratic presidential nominee and his baby boomer diva wife a BIG DEAL?

It says two things: Some journalists don’t seem to have a clue as to what real news is anymore. It also points out the lack of experience many reporters have when it comes to reporting. Instead of focusing on the admiration Michelle Obama was showing for her husband, they chose to focus on bumpin’ fists between the two as something mysterious and a possible code for something else. WHATEVER! Get a clue---take a racial interpretive language class. And while you’re at it, attend a black church on occasion to get a sense of what really goes on there.

#2: Newsrooms in America lack some serious diversity---especially when it comes to management. I know this from first hand experience because I never worked in a newsroom that had an African-American News Director.

If Michelle clicks her heels three times the next time we see her on stage, will this be interpreted as her desire to go to Kansas or is that a hint that she’d like to be “knockin’ boots” with her husband?

The Legacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton

When the Democratic Presidential Primary campaign began more than a year ago, I was excited over the idea that America had a chance to make history. In spite of the number of candidates in the race, I was certain Hillary Clinton would be in the running. In spite of the rumors that circulated about her as First Lady, I was still rooting for her as a fellow baby boomer woman. I have shown her no ill will.

BUT---

With the help of the media, Senator Clinton has turned into a ruthless, vindictive, politician. Riding on her husband’s coat tails, she attempted to pimp the Black vote. When that didn’t work, she turned her backs on them and went for the whites with no education. (That’s how she referred to the reason why she won in West Virginia and Kentucky)

She has been a chameleon throughout this campaign---changing her campaign strategy to whatever will win her votes. And what is alarming even more so is the way some fellow baby boomer women are behaving about this campaign. I have read nasty posts from women who threaten to vote for the Republican or not vote at all if Hillary doesn’t win the nomination.

Yes, I do believe she has been unfairly depicted on occasion. There have been some awful things said about her by the male press but when she turns around and gives them more ammunition to work with, what is one to think? To bring up the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy as a reason to stay in the race is ludicrous and suspicious.

So what will be the legacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton after this campaign is over. I’m sure her supporters will say she was a fighter right down until the very end. That may be true but that fighting spirit has done more in the past several months to destroy the image of women and the Democratic Party than the Republicans could ever do. I’m sure Rush Limbaugh, Pat Robertson and the good old boys are thanking her for her tenacity.

But the bigger picture here is: What does this really say about the baby boomer generation? You don’t see young people (under 35) running around acting as hate mongers over a presidential primary. Yes, baby boomers are the generation who took a stand on many causes like civil and women’s rights, and the war in Vietnam----but what are we now?

Take a look in the mirror and you might see YOUR PARENTS.