During my time living on Cleveland Avenue in the Spirit House, I began to wonder why most of what I conjure in my mind leans towards trauma, the tragic, the hurt, or the pain. I read a lot about how the mind works. Your mind has a negativity bias that is rooted in evolution. Your brain prioritizes and processes negative information more thoroughly than positive information because it would and could save your life. To…
I was in Magnolia Antiques the other day hanging posters for an upcoming Blues Brunch featuring Bobby Rush, the King of the Chitlin’ Circuit, and I spotted a turquoise hamsa pendant on a beaded chain. Ten dollars – that is what it cost. I was shocked. Well it was $12, but she took $2 off for me. While at a celebration of life, someone commented on my hamsa, and I told her about my good…
A group of German journalists came to the Hall for the Cedric Burnside show on Mother’s Day. Cedric played one of my favorite songs of his, We Made It, and introduced it by calling me up to dance. For a person who loves to dance, what is better than owning a dance hall? Not much, I can assure you. One of my favorite videos was the small after party some of us had after cleaning…
My friend Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. came in for Mardi Gras since he was our King last year for the Krewe of 100 WOMEN DBA. The word character is the best way to describe a man whose talent and zest for life and use of the beauty of words give so much delight. On Thursday, Amos was selling some of his books and posters during the Hall’s Lava Lounge. I found mine instantly – FUCK…
Every day, a new headline contains an egregious, outrageous and mind twisting claim that turns the truth inside out. And yet truth will out. One of the 100 WOMEN DBA members sent 100 Men Hall rack cards to Welcome Centers across Mississippi. A few of the centers are closed for renovation, and yesterday, I got a call from one in Natchez saying our rack cards arrived, the address had been incorrect, and she didn’t know…
I went on a biblical journey that centered around the Tin Shed. When I bought the 100 Men Hall, there was a work shed on the property, and I applied and received a permit to remodel it into a Musician’s Cottage with the help of grants from the Heritage Area and Coast Electric Round Up. The idea was to encourage musicians to come stay here, to soak up the ancestors’ vibe, and to relax into…
Late into a big event we had the Hall, I started limping around. I had been up since 3:30am getting ready and by the time I hit the 12-hour mark of continuous movement, lifting, squatting, my body started resisting. The very next day after lifting, moving and squatting to pick up the chairs and wipe down the tables and set up for the next event, I thought to myself – just get me through the…
Do you know someone who has had a challenging life? You think why her and not him? We are all born with amnesia but more than likely this person was standing in line when they gave out assignments and she raised her hand and said, “I want to be challenged!” Perhaps her previous life she was like a house cat, sitting around waiting for something to happen. But she decides to take on a bigger…
An email came in from Yelp today telling me they could help me set up my business to make deliveries. Here’s what my business offers: Live Music Community gathering Cultural events A place for all life events from birth to death My question for Yelp is how do I deliver these?
I am now a tutor, teacher’s assistant, short order cook, house cleaner and mindfulness mentor to an 11 year old who is marching through the house with an army blanket draped around his shoulders, a blue handkerchief tied around his neck, carrying a plastic sword. My son already has a PhD in costuming, while I’m seeing so many holes in the academic side of his equation. Kicking and crying about having to listen to a…