The world had another literary gem step into the pages of history. Bless and thank you, Harper Lee, for sharing your words with the world.
Feb202016
Life
Feb192016
Daily Quote
Today’s daily quote comes from Neil deGrasse Tyson. “If you want to assert a truth, first make sure it’s not just an opinion that you desperately want to be true.”
Feb082016
Banned Books Awareness: The Censored Side of Black History
Books, and the ideals and questions they can present, are banned for personal, ideological, political, or religious reasons. It is often said that to the victor goes the spoils; well, so, too, do the victors write the history books. When that “truth” is threatened the rhetoric and polemic monologues...
Feb082016
Daily Quote
Don’t compromise yourself- you’re all you have. – John Grisham
Jan112016
In Memoriam
Jareth: “It’s only forever, not long at all.” Rest well, Goblin King, in the land of dreams.
Jan062016
The Wisdom of Genesis
“The sands of time were eroded by the river of constant change.”
Jan012016
Reflections and Expectations
In light of how the last year ended and the new one began, I share some musings that I published on my Instagram account.
Dec282015
Praying for Time
To say that my father and I had a strained relationship would be an understatement, as we spent years not speaking to each other. Blame whichever emotion you like: pride, anger, resentment- it doesn’t matter. What matters is the time lost. When we differ in viewpoint we always have the...
Dec202015
Solstice
“Solstice” Freshly fallen snow hugs the ground like a blanket Anticipation of birth in the crisp winter air The Moon shines in the darkness secure in the future As the first rays of Sunlight signal the birth drawing near Women commanding over the power of nativity Men confident in...
Finding Your Six Strings
Today I had the privilege of finally meeting Mitch Albom.
Albom has had a meteoric rise over the last 20 years, going from a hometown columnist for the Detroit Free Press (I still enjoy reading his pointed words every Sunday) to a novelist known around the world after successful titles such as Tuesdays with Morrie.
His latest inspirational tale, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto, was released last month and he has come home to the Detroit area on his book tour- this time at the Barnes and Noble store close to myself. Frankie Presto is a yarn about the power of talent to change our lives and is filled with Albom’s signature prose, known for its passion and inspiration.
I waited in line with Racheal, fresh off of my own memorable signing event last week, content to be just another fan. I went over what I would say to him when finally face-to-face.
I introduced myself and we chatted about Frankie, and I mentioned his words earlier regarding starting as a relative unknown outside of Michigan and that I am now where he was those many years ago. He asked what genre I work with and I told him about my non-fiction and my censorship and literacy cause. I also mentioned that I had a signing event recently for my sixth book. He smiled from ear-to-ear and said, “Six?! That’s a bookshelf! Congratulations!”
In this moment we were equals; kindred spirits with a shared love of the written word. I would have loved to talk to him in detail about the industry but other fans were waiting as eagerly as I was. He signed the book with a smile:
Yes, Mr. Albom, I have found my six strings. I shall play them for as long as I can.