I'll Call It Like I See It

by sheila morris

Category: Random

  • waiting on the next thing smoking

    waiting on the next thing smoking


    “Her legacy will be cherished by her five daughters, two sons, twenty-one grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, three nieces and a host of great-nieces, nephews, relatives and friends,” was part of the commentary on the life of a Black woman whose celebration of life took place on April 21, 2012 in the city of Simonton, Texas, which is located within the Houston metropolitan area.

    Willie Flora wasn’t a famous public figure like Maya Angelou, not a political icon of the Civil Rights movement like Rosa Parks, not a household name like Shirley Chisholm – and yet her influence has been felt in the lives of ordinary people who were touched by her generosity of spirit, her keen sense of humor, and her loving care for those who needed help in any form. She has earned her place in Black History Month to many. Her niece Verna wrote a moving tribute to her Aunt Ninnie for the Celebration Program in 2012.

    Aunt Ninnie was called many names, Skin, Cat Momma, Girlie, Aunt, Cousin, Sister, Road dog, Mother, but most of all she was called Mom. She was the type of person that, whatever you needed, no matter what it was, you had it. Now I guess you are wondering, “Why Road dog?” You see, my Auntie was my best friend. I remember when I was staying in Houston, I would call my Auntie every day and ask her what she was doing, and she would say,”Sitting on the side of the bed waiting on the next thing smoking.” We didn’t talk very much; we just enjoyed each other’s company. Man! We all loved her cooking! We couldn’t wait til Sunday, because that’s when we all met after church, and what a time we had! Auntie had something that everyone liked, because she wanted to make everyone happy. That’s the kind of person she was. Our loved one was no stranger to anyone. She was always there with a helping hand. I could go on and on about Mrs. Willie Flora. So Auntie, I’m waiting on the next thing smoking. See you on the other side. Rest in Peace, Love, Verna

    Willie was in my life from the summer I graduated from college in 1967 until her passing in 2012. As Verna said in her tribute above, she was always there with a helping hand to everyone including me and my entire family.

    I loved Willie Flora. I miss her to this day and am waiting with her and Verna on the next thing smoking. See you on the other side, Willie. Rest in Peace, Love, Sheila Rae

    ****************

  • cool at the zoo


    Collins is in town and wants to go to the zoo, I texted Pretty yesterday afternoon; they’ve invited us to bring Ella and Molly to go with them. Collins is the five year old granddaughter of our good friends Francie and Nekki – Collins lives in Charleston but she and Ella went to the zoo together in the days before Molly was born so they weren’t strangers.

    Do you think it’s too cold to take the girls to the zoo? Pretty texted back. Of course, we think any temperature below 60 degrees is freezing. I know, I know. Ask the people who live in other parts of the country about cold – they will laugh at us. Ella is our three year old granddaughter, Molly just turned one year old last week, and we’re worried about a sunny mid afternoon with temps in the 50s.

    It’s a sunshiny day, I said, we’ll keep them warm. To the zoo we went.

    Collins (left) and Ella in zoo’s fun photo booth

    Francie and I crashed photo booth party –

    think the little girls had more fun without us

    we did see a tiger in between photo booth, carousel, playground…

    and souvenir shop

    Nana Pretty with grands watching the tiger –

    Molly taken with big striped cat, Ella studying caves

    Molly kept warm in stroller – had big time watching, absorbing new sights and sounds

    put me down, Naynay – I’d rather walk

    (won’t let he who shall remain nameless take my red hat away from me)

    thanks to Nekki for this last screenshot with Pretty, me and the kids

    this is how we roll with them now that Molly is walking, too

    Ella lives in her own world – we are privileged to share it when it suits her.

    Pretty sent this text to Francie and Nekki last night after we dropped Ella and Molly at home with their parents: “We had such a good time this afternoon. So funny to me that we now have our grandchildren playing together…”

    Next week Pretty and I have our 22nd. Anniversary; these two friends have been with us from the beginning. I know for sure I never dreamed of having these awesome little girls in a million years, but I have celebrated family in new ways with Pretty who brings the fun with her sense of humor that still makes me – and now our granddaughters – laugh.

    President John F. Kennedy said children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see. I love that idea and ask for wisdom to do my part in supporting these little girls with the same love, kindness, understanding and patience my grandmothers gave to me in a time long ago and far away but never forgotten.

    ***************

    Slava Ukraini. For the children.

  • Wanda came to a city near us!

    Wanda came to a city near us!


    Wanda Sykes was in Augusta, Georgia Saturday night

    at the Miller Theater

    Pretty surprised me at Christmas with tickets to see my favorite comedian Wanda Sykes who did, indeed, come to a city near us this past weekend. Wanda “live” was a bucket list experience for me, and Pretty found this event on Wanda’s current tour of the United States in Augusta which is only an hour from where we live. Our friends Francie and Nekki were up for the fun and laughs that made my bucket overflow!

    I chose Wanda Sykes as my first Black History Month honoree because she is one of a kind. One of my favorite quotes of hers wasn’t in her performance Saturday night but it’s a classic:

    I’m a black, gay woman. I think the only way to make the GOP hate me more is if I sent them a video of me rolling around on a pile of welfare checks.

    Tell it, Sister. You make me LOL – no, for real. Laugh out loud.

    If Wanda comes to a city near you, treat yourself.

    ***************************

    Thank you, Pretty, for this special treat; Wanda was all I hoped she would be.

  • Molly, Molly, how do I love thee?

    Molly, Molly, how do I love thee?


    Happy Birthday to our granddaughter Molly Iris who is now one year old!

    (maternal grandmother Gigi laughs at Molly’s first cake experience)

    visiting pup Riley happy to make the party – but what’s up with no cake?

    Molly and her Daddy enjoying time outdoors after cake

    meanwhile, 3 year old big sis Ella focuses on the magical mysteries of sticks

    Molly is a second blessing for Pretty and me this past year – we can’t believe how quickly she’s growing – entirely too fast to suit us. But we are grateful for our time with both granddaughters and their parents Number One Son and Pretty Two whose love for their daughters and us gives hope for the future.

    Molly, Molly, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways – too many to count. Priceless.

    ****************************

    Slava Ukraini. For the children.

  • never play this game after midnight

    never play this game after midnight


    If you only had two words to describe me, what would they be? I asked Pretty night before last when we were in bed and both still awake after midnight.

    The Australian Open began this week – the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of 2023 – my professional tennis addiction would be in full display for the next two weeks. Oh yes, I watch the events “live” on Australia time which means play begins at 7:00 p.m. my time and continues throughout the night until someone (me) is asleep in front of the Telly. Pretty hangs for a while but goes to bed around 10 o’clock. Pretty is a bit of a wuss, Mate.

    But I digress. On this particular night the AO had just started, and I wasn’t quite in match shape yet so I had come to bed a little before midnight only to find Pretty up late finishing a book she loved. I took my bedtime meds which tend to make me a little chatty with Pretty who prefers peace and quiet and no bedtime meds if possible. I climbed into bed, got under the covers and for some reason I can’t remember decided to play a two-word game with Pretty who admittedly tried to ignore me at first.

    Ok, I said, I know what two words I would use to describe you. Funny and smart. Yep, 100% funny and smart are the two words that come to my mind immediately if you asked me to describe you in just two words. Of course, I have lots of other words, too, but those are the first two words.

    Silence.

    Ok, I said, now what are the first two words you would use to describe me?

    Hm, Pretty said. Well, of course I would say Funny right off the bat. For sure Funny, but I’m having a little trouble with the second word. I’m trying to think of a second one, but hm…is dogged a word?

    Dogged? I asked. Didn’t you mean something like determined?

    No, Pretty said. I’d have to say stronger than determined, and she turned a page in the book she was reading.

    How about persistent? I tried.

    No, definitely not persistent, she replied. Much, much more than persistent, she added.

    I continued to run other words past Pretty who never looked up from her book: tenacious? purposeful? focused? resolute? She continued to shake her head with each guess I offered.

    No, she said, I’m staying with my original “dogged.”

    But you weren’t even sure what that word meant, I protested.

    I just remembered, Pretty said. At this point she sighed, closed her book, and reached to turn off her light.

    Not to be outdone I looked up “dogged” in my Webster’s Thesaurus today in the bright light of day – the synonym given was “stubborn.”

    Point taken. I should have been thankful for Funny – and let it go.

    ***************************

    Slava Ukraini. For the children.