Floral Friday: Hilltop Home & Garden

During my bday vacay last week, I visited a home that is among my fondest memories:

my beloved soon-to-be (in 2½ weeks) Birthday Girl aunt’s estate!

Not only am I a fan, but apparently and rightfully so, her community also is as well because both

• Her award-winning garden was featured

• Her interior received generous press

in ☼The Baltimore Sun☼ 

The highlight of my stay was when I sat in my Tita Fe‘s gourmet kitchen with Mami Aya, her siblings and their spouses ~ during which my MD aunts and uncles, who included

• Tita Fe & Tito Rudy (my mom’s oldest sister and her husband)
• Tito Robert & Tita Yollie (my mom’s youngest brother & his wife)

each endorsed me for my PhD ~ providing their sound advice that I’ll take with me as I progress toward my doctoral dissertation defense.

 4:44 ~ make a Bday/BTS wish!!! ✌

Motivational Monday: Claudie Royals & Community

S is for …

Soul food * Speeches * Shoutouts 

Abilene Reporter-News: Monday, Feb. 16, 2015 (bottom of the cover)

at Claudie C. Royals‘ 70th Birthday Banquet

Abilene Reporter-News: Monday, Feb. 16, 2015 (page 4A)

 Before I covered this annual event during Black History Month again this year, I already felt the hype as I wrote the advance.

Fellow Cooper alum Dominic Rhodes & Matthias Royals, Class of 1997, part of the 1996 Cougars football team who went all the way to state until defeat against Austin Westlake

My good buddy, Big Matt, the youngest son of the late and great Royals, coordinated the function that featured his former football teammate and Super Bowl XLI champion Dominic Rhodes

*Starstruck*: Papa Jun has always been impressed by Dominic, both on and off the field as a community ambassador

(who pointed out how he switched from Lincoln to Clack ~ our junior high ~ upon redistricting to face Matthias as an opponent running back at Jefferson in the 8th grade).

Cougar Pride: We represent Cooper and are of Cougar age now! My mom had to steal a shot ~ which is why the men are looking in her direction ~ while my dad took this!

Along with Rhodes’ speech,

Dominic Rhodes made remarks about Matthias being a community leader who follows in Claudie‘s footsteps

the key note address by the Rev. Felicia Hopkins (who also served as an Army Chaplain, including during Operation Iraqui Freedom and had ministered to wounded warriors at my birth hospital in Landstuhl, Germany) of St. Paul UMC ~ just down the street from Big Matt’s and my alma mater, McM ~ was inspirational,

“Glorify †GOD†!” ~ Rev. Felicia Hopkins, St. Paul UMC senior pastor, as 2015 keynote speaker

as well as seeing community leaders and youth who were recognized.

“We feel like we’re being treated like royalty, as friends turn into family… Let it spread like wildfire.” ~ Michael T. Royals, eldest son

Random: I also ran into my elementary school ♫music♪ teacher, Mrs. Petty!

One of my childhood inspirations: Susan Petty, my ♪music♫ teacher at Austin Elementary

Claudie C. Royals: Abilene, Texas Hero Who Made Black History

Claudie C. Royals Banquet 2014 Advance in Abilene Reporter-News (print Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014, and website)

WHO: Claudie C. Royals
WHAT: Claudie C. Royals Banquet
WHERE: Abilene Civic Center
WHEN: Claudie C. Royals Day ~ Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, 7 p.m.

*Prayers for Broadcaster Tom Brokaw‘s Healing from Cancer*

Let’s Stroll down MEMORY Lane ~ Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Elaine & Team TRE Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Abilene 👈👈👈 Please $pon$or💸 my #WalkToEndAlzheimers👣 which takes place 2wks from today, thanks!✌

I take A LOT of photos📷 because I want my memories to be captured on film when I can no longer remember… Or should I say “if” or “that’ll never happen”? Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s runs in my family, having struck my maternal grandfather👴 & both my grandmothers👵 + my great-aunt Alice who’s still alive. Now I’m pitching in my part to make a difference by walking👟 + rai$ing fund$💰 to research🔬 & shed light🔦 on this serious ailment that has taken precious moments away from so many! As I’m studying college coaches’ leadership for my doctoral🎓 dissertation📘 I was disappointed about Tennessee Lady Vols Head Basketball🏀 Coach Pat Summit’s dementia diagnosis, so even the greats of the game aren’t immune to this dire circumstance.

Our hearts💜 shouldn’t🚫break💔 if they forget because they remain in our hearts as we honor them!

~ Team TRE (Tina • Roxy • Elaine)

Team TRE of Abilene
Watching someone we love lose his/her memory can be very devastating. For Team TRE, we’ve all been personally affected by Alzheimer’s: Tina’s mother-in-law/Roxy’s grandmother + 3 out of 4 of Elaine’s late grandparents & surviving great-aunt. On Sept. 21, 2013, the TRE trio will take steps to end this epidemic once & for all with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Abilene.

Join Team TRE (Tina • Roxy • Elaine) for the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®, the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease. Together, we can advance research to treat and prevent Alzheimer’s, and provide programs to improve the lives of millions of affected Americans. Unite in a movement to reclaim their future.

Let’s *SAVE MEMORIES* ~ those of our loved ones & those who we can spare from this disease.

***Info from Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®***

I’m walking to help reclaim the future for millions. By participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, I’m committed to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer research, care and support.

Currently, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050. Our future is at risk unless we can find a way to change the course of this disease.

I need your support to do my part! Please make a donation to help the Alzheimer’s Association advance research into prevention, treatments and a cure for Alzheimer’s. For the millions already affected by the disease, the Association offers care, education, support and resources in communities nationwide.

Thank you for joining our movement! The end of Alzheimer’s disease starts here.