Memories are Blessings | My Hometown ~ Miami, Florida

"Count your Blessings" is a familiar Christian hymn that encourages people not to focus on the negatives and count all the things they can be thankful for; all the good things in life they've been blessed to experience. Try it.  Especially when you're about to end a year and start a new year.  It's a great time to reflect on the blessings you're counting.

© Photographer: Americanspirit | Agency: Dreamstime.com
(Image:  The Torch of Friendship at Bayside Park, Miami, Florida)

Getting close now to my threescore an ten (70 years, the average life expectancy). When I count my blessing over the years, the list has grown and grown and grown. There are a lot of add-ons. But the list always includes one great memory from my childhood.
Good food!

Growing up in Miami, Florida, there was good eating all around me. My main sources for everyday meals were: my mother's cooking, church dinners prepared by faithful sisters, and a sweet little old gray-haired lady who owned and operated a restaurant around the corner from my house called "Mom's Cafe". I never knew her name because everybody called her "mom". All of these women really knew how to serve up the love! Huge plates of pigeon peas and rice, potato salad, collard greens, black eye peas, fried chicken; sweet potato pie for dessert.


As I grew into a teenager and young adult, started working part-time while pursuing my education; had a little pocket change so occasionally I could go out to eat. Downtown Miami and particularly Calle Ocho (8th Street), there were spots where you could chow down on delicious Cuban food: sweet fried plantains, black beans and rice, vaca frita, or a toasty Cuban sandwich. Kosher food delicatessens and restaurants run by the Jews on Miami Beach were the best! The soups, sandwiches, and desserts were outrageous! That was just lunch! Of course, no major city is complete if you can't find good Chinese food. Miami is a major city with places that have award-winning Chinese cuisine.


This book cover is from the 1993 publication but it reminds me of my hometown.

Miami Spice: The New Florida Cuisine

I moved away from Miami at the end of 1986 and have never returned. But even though I haven't been back, I'll bet the food has only gotten better!!

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A Few Bio Facts About the Blog Publisher

Hello! Welcome!  It's another new year.  Thank you for visiting and reading my blog. Perhaps you might want to know a little more about the blog publisher, so I'll share a few biofacts.

I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and left my childhood home in 1986 because of a job opportunity and have never been back. The likelihood of me ever getting a chance to revisit my place of birth is slim and none! More none than slim. So I decided to take a trip down memory lane via Google images.

I tried to find my childhood home. Sadly, the house I grew up is was torn down and the land it stood on was turned into a parking lot. That house wasn’t exactly paradise. But I never dreamed it would become a parking lot.

Next, I searched for the school that I attended 5th grade to 8th grade (from 8 years old to 12 years old). I found a very clear picture of the church building which is right next to the school. It was a Catholic school and mass attendance was required. It was also the building was where my 8th-grade graduation ceremony took place.

Incredible! The building looks exactly the same. Proof of life! Proof of MY life.

Looking at the photograph gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.

( Image source: miamiarch.org - Holy Redeemer Catholic School, Miami, Florida )

Content previously published at Virily.com

American Presidents During My Lifetime: Bush Jr. and Obama

Final post in this series: 
 
POTUS Dots from Eisenhower to Kennedy to Johnson and Nixon to Ford and Carter to Reagan to Bush Sr. and Clinton …


 
* * * 

43 rd POTUS, George Bush Jr. (2001 – 2009) 
 
Not being disrespectful but there are lines from a Disney animated film that sum up my thoughts about this administration. 
 
A young deer had received wise advice from his mother, but she had to remind him of her instructions by having him repeat what she had told him. 
 

• Momma Deer: “Now Thumper! What did I tell you?” 

• Young Deer named Thumper: (Heaves a huge sigh before speaking.) “If you can't nothing good … (Another huge sigh.) … don't say nothing at all.” 

 
* * * 

44 th POTUS, Barack Obama (2009 – Present) 
 
“Change has come to America.” Indeed. That “change” will be leaving come January 2017.  No doubt your intentions were honorable and the custodians of American history will likely make a special effort to ensure that the record accurately reflects the highlights of your administration – the good, the bad and the “questionable”. 
 
* * * 

So that's it! Presidential DOTs on my timeline from 1955 to 2016. Still proud to be an American; anchored by the belief and knowledge that this country must be standing because of the grace of God. 

 

glitter-graphics.com
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My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Bush Jr. and Obama".

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American Presidents During My Lifetime: George Bush Sr. and William "Bill" Clinton

POTUS Dots from Eisenhower to Kennedy to Johnson and Nixon to Ford and Carter to Reagan  …


* * *  

41st POTUS, George Bush Sr. (1989 – 1993)
 
Was working for the federal government in Washington, D.C., at the time. Bush Sr.'s years in office as POTUS – 1989 through 1993 - coincided with a time of personal crisis for my husband, my young children, and me. Because of our “present distress”, didn't really focus much on what was happening in the world of politics, except if it was a “Bush agenda item” that was in some way work-related. Do remember that the campaigning FOR the presidency took on a ruthless and vicious tone. Once elected, however, Bush Sr. said something about being glad it was over and moving toward “a kinder and gentler America” . You'll have to ask him directly where he was coming from with that statement. Recollections of that time period in my life are very blurry. 
 
* * * 

42nd POTUS, William Clinton (1993 – 2001)

 
People say things got much better for the general population during Clinton's years in the Oval Office. Sadly, only thing that pops out of my memory box is a brew ha ha about him getting a B.J. from a White House intern and cries for his impeachment. And … uuummm … ??? Oh yeah! Lots of Saturday Night Live comedy skits. 
 
Around about the same time, things did start getting better for my family and life was becoming less stressful and distressful. But the changes or improvements can not be attributed to whoever the leader of the nation was. It's the leader of the Fox family who gets full credit for turning things around. We weathered the storm with my husband at the ship's helm and he steered us through perilous and treacherous “waters”. 
 
We passed through and survived to meet and greet POTUS Number 43. Next! 
 

* * *


My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Bush Sr. and Clinton".

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American Presidents During My Lifetime: Ronald Reagan

POTUS Dots from Eisenhower to Kennedy to Johnson and Nixon to Ford and Carter to … 


* * * 

40th POTUS, Ronald Reagan (1981 – 1988)

 

Mr. Reagan truly desired or aspired to be the president. He spent years trying to accomplish this objective. Finally. One day. It happened. He got himself elected. He was inaugurated on the very same day I started working for the United States Customs Service, now known as ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
He wasn't too keen on funding health, education and welfare or social programs like that. Just because Jesus said “The poor ye have always with you”, that doesn't mean those in poverty should be a priority budget item. 
 
He wanted to privatize functions like the postal service. 
 
He was really enthusiastic about space and defense programs. But when the Iran Contra Affair occurred, he told the American people he didn't know a thing about it. He has since departed this life but - if speaking honestly - I was never fully convinced he didn't know. Too late now to split hairs over it. 
 
All of America is glad - whether we agree with his decisions or not - that he survived an attempt on his life. The shooter wasn't even politically motivated. The idiot guy was just trying to impress a girl. A girl he didn't even know! God spared Mr. Reagan's life. Amen!

That's my recall/wrap-up of MY opinions and views of Reaganomics and his policies. 
 
* * *


My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Reagan".

American Presidents During My Lifetime: Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter

POTUS Dots from Eisenhower  to Kennedy  to Johnson and Nixon to …

• Similar to my previous post, combining these next two POTUS Dots also.

* * *  

38th POTUS, Gerald Ford (1974 – 1977)

 
Served as Vice-President with Nixon and was then elected as President. He pardoned Nixon and some of US were not too happy about that. The overall sentiment went something like:

• Dirty rotten crooked scoundrel politicians!! Q)Y*X}{@#!R{(TB# … Good old boys network! … (&_R #c ybB6T-!!& &% … etc.

 
Nothing else memorable to report about this administration. Either it was a quiet time or he was a quiet man. Not in the spotlight very often. (O.o) 
 
* * * 

39th POTUS, Jimmy Carter (1977 – 1981)

 
What with Watergate Scandal, Spiro WHO?, and Ford WHO?, and then a Presidential pardon after all of the uproar … the American people started asking a different type of “WHO” question: 
 

• “WHO out there is an honest politician?”

 
Someone suggested:

• “Well there is this peanut farmer who goes to church every Sunday.”

 
Americans are like: “Fine! Vote him in!”
 
After all, he can't be any worse than a dishonest politician. Right?
 
The mild-mannered Mr. Carter encouraged energy conservation; and he was (and still is) a principled man of peace who succeeded in getting two political leaders of countries – not known for being BFFs – Israel and Egypt - to actually shake hands and publicly agree on a peace accord. Regardless of what actually happened after that, he meant it for good .


* * *


My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Ford and Carter".

American Presidents During My Lifetime: Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon

POTUS Dots from Eisenhower to Kennedy to ...

• Will have to combine these next two POTUS Dots. Not a lot to extract by way of recollection for one of them. 

* * * 

36th POTUS, Lyndon Johnson (1963 – 1969)

 
As Vice-President for John F. Kennedy, he had to step into the shoes of the slain President and pick up where he left off, continuing to move America forward. My memories of this administration are dominated by all the public protests against the Vietnam War , and by a lot of really good music during that time period containing song lyrics inspired by the various significant political issues of the day. Want to hear the songs of that generation just listen to the some of the background music for the movie Forrest Gump, which starred Tom Hanks.
 
Of course, my memories include the Civil Rights Movement . It's a perfect day to mention this important milestone in America's history because the date of this post - January 18, 2016 - is also being celebrated as MLK Day, the birthday of Martin Luther King, notable Civil Rights activist. 

• President Lyndon Johnson shakes hands with Dr. King after the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. | History.com 

 

• A Beautiful Dream - Martin Luther King (1929 - 1968) | medium.com

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37th POTUS, Richard Nixon (1969 – 1974)

 
The Watergate Scandal and Spiro WHO? Remember people saying that about the man Nixon chose to serve with him as Vice-President. Spiro T. Agnew. One would think that with a name like that a person would try to do something more memorable than avoid paying their income taxes. At any rate, Gerald Ford was chosen to take Agnew's place as VEEP and still people kept asking: WHO?? Seems nobody knew him either! (O.o) 

See related and more detailed blog post on Nixon.

Nixon Dots on My Timeline (An Opinion Piece)

 

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My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Johnson and Nixon".

American Presidents During My Lifetime: John F. Kennedy

Continuing to follow the dots on my timeline which started with Eisenhower . 
 
* * *  
 
35th POTUS, John F. Kennedy (1961 – 1963) - What do I recall? 
 

 

The grown folks around me sure thought he was a good POTUS. Didn't know much but saw no reason to disagree with them. Have always believed that this man would have been one of the best presidents. But we will never know as he was cut down by an assassin's bullet or bullets. To this day, the identity of his murderer or murderers have never been confirmed. But the day he was shot is etched in my memory forever. People – the adults, that is, in my neighborhood were showing a range of emotions: sorrow, shock, despair, anger, dread. My older sister made a scrapbook of newspaper clippings – everything she could find about JFK. Sadly, don't know what happened to it. Wish I had kept it. Its historical value would have been priceless. 
 
Kennedy's assassination completely changed my understanding of this thing called “politics” in America, and in the world. Politics is dangerous! Not only dangerous but confusing. To want to get rid of a bad leader – like a ruthless dictator or a really cruel monarch - that's understandable. Not saying that's the right thing to do. But to kill a good leader? That is so clearly and obviously wrong. WHY?? Does this mean the good really do die young?? (O.o) 
 
Thoughts from a child's heart. ♥

 
Next two POTUS Dots:  Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard M. Nixon

* * *

My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Kennedy".

American Presidents During My Lifetime: Dwight D. Eisenhower

It's 2016. Another election year in the United States of America. Thought this might be a good time to look back. For those who may be unfamiliar with the process, American presidents are voted in by the people. Although if you believe in the gospel according to Senator Bernie Sanders, that's a myth. Big Money runs this country. It runs the campaign process. It runs the Congress. This is not America. This is the Roman Empire.

But let's just say - for purposes of my posts - the ideal democracy does exist and the real power does rest with the GAP (general American public) and the people do elect their leaders in America. Here's how it works. Leaders are elected. They get to serve for no more than two terms, 4 years each, 8 years top. Then they leave and they can't come back! Most citizens, like me, are OK with this arrangement. Additionally, most citizens, like me, will probably live through about 8 to 10 presidents in their lifetime. 

This is my intro to a series of posts that will be published where I take a look back at the presidential DOTS on my timeline. Won't be drawing from what is written about these fearless leaders in the history books. Just going to try to see what can be drawn from my memory. 

* * *

Beginning with the 34th POTUS, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who served from 1953 to 1961. You could say my DOT is on his timeline since, my birth occurred during his time of service, close to the end of the year 1955. 

Only thing in my memory about this administration was that his daughter got married. No. That's not a political act. It's not politics at all. But … back in my time, children were taught not to speak when grown folks were talking and only thing I can recall grown folks talking about was the fact that his daughter was getting married. 

Guess that's an indicator that times during 1953 to 1961 weren't too too bad. (???) 

It's a guess from a person who was between the ages of: Newborn to 6 years. (O.o) 

That's it! Not much extracted. Next post? Next POTUS DOT?  John F. Kennedy

* * *



My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Eisenhower".

Top Ten TV Cartoon Characters from the 1950s and 1960s | ReelRundown

Have to share this awesome throwback. Saturday morning cartoons are such a wonderful memory.

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Entertainment History: Gene Kelly was a Heart Throb

Have always loved Gene Kelly (1912 - 1996). The dancer with muscles like Popeye the Sailor.  According to the Urban Dictionary (which I'm now finding myself referring to as often as Merriam Webster), this is the Top Definition of a "heartthrob":

heartthrob

A person of superior physical quality who inspires amorous emotions of the opposite sex.

Yep! That would be Gene Kelly! Loved this guy!!



Enviously watching him dance effortlessly with all his leading ladies and Jerry Mouse, and adoring him dancing all by himself in the rain.   

He created such wonderful childhood memories for me.   

Have to save this tweet, share this video, and also sharing a link to a site for loyal fans, aptly named Gene Kelly Fans.

That One Gray Crewneck Sweatshirt http://t.co/90DUhZ8gHN via @Easy_Branches #easybranches pic.twitter.com/t0At8XkzIZ €” USA Daily News (@DailyUSANews) April 8, 2015

Image credits:  Gene Kelly promo pic for "Singing in the Rain" - Found on Pinterest, pinned by MovieGuide, to Leading Men of the Silver Screen board; original source: A Trip Down Memory Lane (greatentertainersarchives.blogspot.com)

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The Flavor of Miami, Florida : My Childhood Memory

A memory of growing up in Miami, Florida? Good food all around me. This suggested book (in the post) is a 1993 publication but it reminds me of home. Hope you enjoy reading the post and the related posts recommended below.

Memories are Blessings

English: Panoramic image of South Beach, the southern end of Miami Beach in Miami, Florida Español: Imagen panorámica de South Beach, la punta más sur de Miami Beach en Miami, Florida (Photo credit: Wikipedia)