Giving Thanks for the Holidays

Hello folks.  It's been so long since I've done a post on MC.  I've been so busy with life, family, and home.  There was a time, when it was just me, that I would've spent much of this time creating and just paying attention to Steve (me).  Now, I use some of that time to pay closer attention to family and friends.  For instance, we decided to travel to Houston, Texas to see family for Thanksgiving.  When we first told our family that we would travel to see them for the Thanksgiving holiday, they didn't believe us.  Besides, it takes about 22 hours by car to get to Houston from the DC Metro area.  As a matter of fact, everyone we told thought that we were nuts, but we wanted to do it.  So, we hit the road.  It was beautiful open highway.  My wife and I had long talks about life and God as we traveled down the road.  We didn't go straight there, so we stopped in Atlanta to see my family.   it was nice to see them, but we had to keep moving.  We finally made it to Houston and had a relaxing, but fun stay.

In the end, we spent quality time with each other, and with family that we usually see in passing moments.  It's amazing how much more you get to know someone when you spend just two days with them.  Yeah, we only stayed two days because we had to use four days to travel there and back.  I'm still sort of tired, but it was worth it.  I'm not sure if I would do it again, but I thank God for that quality time with my loved ones.  I hope that you will take the time, and go out of your way if you have to just to spend some quality time.  Happy Holidays!  Peace~


Photographs by:  Ntshiuwa Sato Bess

MC Spotlight: Awards Edition

I am proud to announce that I am the recipient of two awards compliments of Jack Mandora (aka Jacqueline Smith). These awards were a complete shock, and I know that I sound like one of the people on an award show, but this was so unexpected. Jacqueline, we've been blog friends for only a short while, so I am happy that my blog has had this positive impact on you and other readers. Thank you so much.



First, I want to give out the “Friendship around the World” Award; the name is self-explanatory. Now, some of you may receive this for a second time. You all have been great supporters/friends from such a long distance. Here is a toast to distant love.

This award will goes to:

1. Mickle and Zebby-Cat~New Zealand

2. Poéfrika ~Lesotho/France

3. Analia~Uraquay

4. Lady Putz~Dubai

5. Cergie~France

6. NML~London

7. Cape Slavery Heritage~South Africa

8. Emil Jung~South Africa

9. Fabrizio's Style Café~Italy

Now, the second award is the Arte Y Pico Award [translation: The peak of art] award. This award is for blogs that display/celebrate a certain appreciation for the arts. Here are the rules:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you feel deserve this award based on: creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community -- no matter what language.


2. Each award has to have the name of the author, and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.


3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

Now, the Arte Y Pico Award goes to:


1. Squeeze my Lemon - This is my favorite place to go when I want the Blues. I know that sounds weird, but check him out. He has cool videos and music to enjoy. Plus, this fellow blogger is a Navy vet like yours truly. Cool blog and cool guy.

2. Fabrizio's Style Café - This is my Italian connection. I visit here when I want to see some cool art. Fabrizio is a great cartoonist and cool pizon. I'm sure that he will be famous some day, so I'm just happy to know him when.

3. Cathy Delaleu- This author and artist paints and writes some of the most beautiful images that I've ever seen and read. If you like beautiful art and poetry to match then you must check out Ms. Delaleu. She is the truth!

4. Yasmeen Christian- She writes children's books, poetry, and she always has cool pictures on her blog. The pictures make you want to go where she goes -- Yeah, they're cool. Also, I like to think that I can keep my poetry short and sweet, but Yasmeen really puts it down. Check her out.

5. Tafari Stevenson-Howard - This guy started out blogging, but then he got hold of a camera and it has been like magic ever since. This will be my only Flickr reference because I love his photographs. He has made a business of it. I miss his blogging though because he can tell a great story. Anyway, check him out.

Well, that completes this blog award ceremony. I would like to thank Jack Mandora and all my readers for your support and appreciation for Morphological Confetti. In the words of Russell Simmons, “Thank you for coming – God bless – Good night.”

Happy Thanksgiving Southern Style

Use halves of drained (canned or fresh) apricots, pears, and pineapple spears or slices. Use as many pieces as will fill a deep casserole or approximately 4 pieces of fruit per serving.

Pour over a mixture of
½ cup melted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon curry powder
Bake 40 minutes

Serve this dish with a baked ham, Porkchops (pictured right), chicken, tofu, or just some rice for a delicious all time Southern and Caribbean favorite. However, in the Caribbean the list of ingredients is longer and even more delicious.

By the way, if you celebrate Thanksgiving I wish you a wonderful holiday. Otherwise, we all have something to be thankful for. So, as brother Geoffrey would say…give thanks. Peace~

Source: The Southern Cook Book of Fine Old Dixie Recipes, Culinary Arts Press, Inc., 1965

Photo: Cooksrecipe.com

Memorial Day: Remembering Teddy

This post is in honor of Memorial Day. This is a list of a few good men from my days in the Navy (1985-1988) stationed aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). We were part of the ships first crew when it was commissioned in October of 1986. This is what I remember about those men:

TR underway

Plankowner…arriving

Msg to James Wormick and his brother from Chicago, IL: James, I can’t remember your brother’s name, but I do remember that you all treated me like I was your brother. I remember your brother’s wife too, but not her name. I hope all is well with the both of you. The moment I remember the most is the time we both danced to Eric B and Rakim’s song, Eric B is President. You remember the lyrics:

“…I'm scheming like I'm dreaming on a couch wit my feet up

You scream I'm

lazy, you must be crazy

Thought I was a donut, you tried to glaze me”

I miss you man! Peace~

Msg to Reginald Davis of Reading, PA: Reg, you are the only brother I am in touch with from the Roosevelt. You were as wild as they come back then, but you’ve come a long way. You're a family man now, but you gave new meaning to the word, “AWOL” back then. Plus, remember the time you almost got me arrested in Newport News? Reg, you was a something else man! Over the years, your family became my family and I love all of you. God bless you and your family. Peace~

Msg to David Glover of Gary, IN: You were our age, but you were a big brother to Reggie and me. You was a big happy dude with a big ol’ smile. Hey, remember the time we all rented an apartment in Little Creek, Virginia? Yeah, we had some good times...didn't we. I hope you’re well. Peace~

Msg to Glen Bosarge of Biloxi, MS
You were one of the coolest little guys I’ve ever met. *smile* The chief called you “the little ugly man,” but you were not at all. You had a beautiful and wonderful spirit despite all the guys picking on you. You were my friend. You told me that Mississippi was a beautiful place despite it’s ugly past. Peace~

Msg to Kevin Crampton of Alabama: Crampton, you would crack up laughing every time I started rapping/singing “La Di Da Di" by Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh. I don’t know if you remember, but you once told me that I would be a great man one day. You told me that I would probably be a senator or some other important person. Well, I have no political plans or aspirations, but time will tell. Thanks for the love and peace~

Msg to Brian Tillman of Detroit, MI: You and your other boys from Detroit didn’t like me very much. You all said I thought I was too cool. I liked you though. You were funny and the fellas used to call you "baby talk" because of your lisp. By the way, I am still the coolest. *smile*

Msg to Marlon Sherrod of Birmingham, AL:
You were the coolest brother I’ve ever seen outside of television! You were the sharpest dresser and a complete ladies man. You also introduced me to the music of Anita Baker and Jazz saxophonist, George Howard. Are you still sharp? Thanks and Peace~  

Msg to Saxon from the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, NY:

I don’t remember your first name, but we would hang out every now and then. You told me that I was the first black guy you've ever hung out with. Remember the time our ship pulled in to Nassau and we went over the hill when they told us not to? We had a good time that day until this guy on the Island tried to sell you oregano for marijuana. He didn’t know that your mother is Italian. I hope all is well. Peace~

Msg to Louis Urso of Brooklyn, NY:

Louis, remember the time we went to the Maze (Featuring Frankie Beverly) show at the Norfolk Scope back in 1986? The show also featured the groups, Ready for the World and The Whispers. I got up to dance when Maze came to the stage. I looked back and you were just standing there smiling with your arms folded saying, “I love these f*cking guys! I can't wait to tell my brother!” You were one cool Italian dude. *smile*

Also:

• Patrick Hall of Louisiana/Oakland, California.
• James Wormick of Chicago, IL
• Darryl Wigfall of New York/South Carolina
• Randolph Lee of South Carolina/Miami, Florida
• Hershel West of Kansas

Honorable Mentions~

Msg to Carlos Correa and Selwyn from the Bronx, USA:

You were my Puerto Rican and Jamaican boys from the Bronx. We were all in Boot Camp together down in Orlando, Fl. in 1985. We were the Division ll/Blue Knights. Carlos, you always told me that you would take me home to meet your parents. You said that your mom cooked the best rice and beans in the Bronx. I’ve always felt you were a better friend to me than I was to you. Selwyn, you were just one funny brother. You kept us laughing and you were a good friend. Oh yeah, you had pointy ears. I love you guys. Peace~
There were many other guys I didn’t mention and others whose names I can't remember. Hey, it was over 20 years ago! Nevertheless, I hope that they are all well and that they are leading productive and rewarding lives. God bless them all. Have a great Memorial Day weekend and God bless the young men and women who are still in Iraq. Also, God bless the people of Iraq. Peace in the Middle East~

Update from Glen Bosarge via email (6/07/2007):

Hi Stephen,

 I found you on the Internet, and was extremely impressed with your writing talent. I have not forgotten my friends , but I was surprised you wrote about me. I remember you as a very easy going guy with a great personality, from what I read you have only matured with age... 

Plankowner…departing