Kenneth Davis

Grief is like the ocean;

it comes on waves ebbing and flowing.

Sometimes the water is calm,

and sometimes it is overwhelming.

All we can do is learn to swim.
~Vicki Harrison~

Helen Suttles (Shaw)

KENNETH,

YOU HAVE A WAY OF LIFTING A SPIRIT SKY HIGH AND IT IS SO WONDERFUL

TO HAVE A CLASSMATE LIKE YOU............

THANKS ALWAYS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO!

Helen Suttles (Shaw)

KENNETH,

YOU HAVE A WAY OF LIFTING A SPIRIT SKY HIGH AND IT IS SO WONDERFUL

TO HAVE A CLASSMATE LIKE YOU............

THANKS ALWAYS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO!

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Estella Wright (Mayhue-Greer)

Maya Angelou's Three-Word Secret for Living Your Best Life

      "JUST DO RIGHT"    

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Kenneth Davis

We are born at a given moment,

in a given place and,

like vintage years of wine,

we have the qualities of the year

and of the season of which we are born. 

~Carl Jung~

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     In terms of helping people understand and know each other a little better, music is universal - universal and transporting. I had not been in the jazz environment, having been brought up in the church. But once I got to New York, and I was signed to perform at The Village Gate and the Vanguard and clubs like that, and these - the Vanguard was one of the most elite, if not the most elite, jazz club out there. 

~Aretha Franklin~

SMOOTH JAZZ FRIDAYS

Marsha McMillian (Sherrod)

Had a wonderful time sharing with Larry Milligan last night celebrating his birthday the big "70" He was so  blessed to have his mother there showing much love to him     

.

Kenneth Davis

     Warrior Family! Original copies of the Class of 1970 Yearbook are available for purchase at the school. Anyone interested, should go by the office at the school and ask for Ms. Pickett or Ms. Brown. The requested donation is $40.00, with all proceeds going to the school. Call ahead to reserve your copy by dialing (901) 416-7240. Fourteen copies were available as of Wednesday 9/21/2023....

     Belated Birth Anniversary greetings to you, Audrey and Larry. I've been off the reservation since the 18th and didn't have an immediate access to ourwebsite. Birthdays are like holidays — only better. There’s no awkward small talk with relatives and you’re the only one who gets presents. Family, friends and birthday cake. What more could you ask for? Wishing you plenty of all three this year. Vision, imagination and joy of living are your gifts from the Birthday Ninja, so use them wisely, over the days and years to come. May you both continue to be blessed with the trinity of Grace, Mercy and Favor....be safe my friends and enjoy life....I wish you a Lee Ritenour, George Benson & Gerald Albright weekend of celebrations. Birthdays are wonderful, but sharing the "Inner City Blues" with family and friends will keep us motivated....

     A much deserved note of "Thanks" and a round of applause to Joycelyn and Estella, for your dedication to the "Warriors Den". The smoke signals sent were heartfelt and such a delight to our readers. Words cannot express my gratitude for your industriousness....Thank You so much...

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Kenneth Davis

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     Man's greatness lies in his power of thought. Noble deeds that are concealed are most esteemed. Since we cannot know all that there is to be known about anything, we ought to know a little about everything. Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much. People are generally better persuaded by the reasons which they have themselves discovered than by those which have come into the mind of others. 

~Blaise Pascal~

Kenneth Davis

Memories of our lives,

of our works and our deeds

will continue in others.

~Rosa Parks~

Kenneth Davis

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     It is not necessary that you leave the house. Remain at your table and listen. Do not even listen, only wait. Do not even wait, be wholly still and alone. The world will present itself to you for its unmasking, it can do no other, in ecstasy it will writhe at your feet. Test yourself on mankind. It is something that makes the doubter doubt, the believer believe. If it had been possible to build the Tower of Babel without climbing it, it would have been permitted.
 

~Franz Kafka~

Kenneth Davis

Happy National Pancake Day – September 26, 2022

     Pancakes are versatile! While pancakes are generally seen as a breakfast food, they don’t have to be! Pancakes are great for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert! Breakfast for dinner is always a delicious idea, but you can have them any time of day! Indulge with pancakes for dessert with fruit, chocolate, whipped cream, and more! There’s no limit to when and how you can enjoy your pancakes and that’s one thing we love about them!

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     Breakfast is my specialty. I admit it's the easiest meal to cook, but I make everything with a twist, like lemon ricotta pancakes or bacon that's baked instead of fried. For Sunday breakfast, I make orange and ricotta pancakes, crepes and eggs. You know men, we usually go for breakfast because it's the easiest thing to cook and then we try to make it seem fancy.

~Hugh Jackman~

IT'S NOW TIME FOR
JUST JOKING MONDAYS

     According to unofficial sources, a new simplified income-tax form contains only four lines:
1. What was your income for the year?
2. What were your expenses?
3. How much have you left?
4. Send it in.
~The Link~

Joycelyn Lacy (Somerville)

Kenneth Davis

September 27, 2022

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND  by Marsha Burns

     This is a brand new day. Wipe the slate clean and begin again. Refuse to allow your past to dictate your future. Position yourself to live and move in the Spirit without restraint. You have been set free. Do not let your past haunt you or hold you back. Move forward with the ease afforded you in this season. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     I've been defying the odds my entire life. I just want to share with everyone that no matter what challenges, adversities you face in life, that you can overcome them... and once you overcome those adversities, use your story, your testimony to others, to help others get through their storm. 

~Wayne Messam~

Kenneth Davis

What we have done for ourselves alone

dies with us;

what we have done for others and the world

remains

and is immortal.

~Albert Pike~

Kenneth Davis

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     Wellness, I came to realize, will not happen by accident. It must be a daily practice, especially for those of us who are more susceptible to the oppressiveness of the world. 

~Jenna Wortham~

Tips for Men Who Want To Lose Visceral Fat After 40
Heather Newgen - ETNT Health 

     Visceral fat is a hidden health issue that many people don't know about, but it can cause major health problems like stroke, some cancers, type 2 diabetes and more. Visceral fat is located deep in your belly and wraps around your vital organs. It's important to lose visceral fat in order to maintain good overall health, but after 40 it can be a bit more challenging to lose inches around the waist because our metabolism slows down with age. That said, it's not impossible and experts share how to drop visceral fat below.

1. Why Visceral Fat is Unhealthy
     ​​Dr. Suzanna Wong, a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic and health expert with Twin Waves Wellness says, "Visceral fat is fat that surrounds your organs – you can't pinch it like you can with subcutaneous fat, but it is actually more dangerous as it essentially suffocates your organs. It is dangerous because it is linked to some of the most serious illnesses, including diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart attack. If you have high visceral fat you definitely want to take it seriously and reduce it."

2. How To Measure Visceral Fat

     Dr. Wong explains, "The first sign that you have high visceral fat is a high waist to hip ratio – or an apple shape (where your tummy around your belly button dominates your shape).  Other ways you can tell are having a body composition scan, or getting tested for your cholesterol levels, which are normally elevated. When you lose visceral fat you notice your tummy measurements start to come down, even if you can still pinch an inch! It is all lifestyle dependent – making better food choices (less saturated fat) and drinking less alcohol will drop it fairly quickly."

3. Don't Just Focus on Cardio

     Dr Nicole Harkin, Preventive Cardiologist and Founder of Whole Heart Cardiology shares, "While adequate aerobic exercise is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle, it's important to make sure that we aren't focusing exclusively on just our mileage. Turns out that strength training is particularly important for not only improving muscle strength and bone health, but it may be superior to pure aerobic exercise in reducing visceral fat (the kind most closely linked with cardiovascular disease), insulin resistance, and blood pressure. Combination exercise programs incorporating both aerobic exercise and resistance training may be the most effective of all."

4. Reduce Your Alcohol Levels

     Dr.  Wong explains, "Alcohol is processed differently to food, it raises your triglyceride levels and nearly all ends up as visceral fat. Cut this down and you will start to see your visceral fat fall. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that men consume no more than two drinks per day, and women consume no more than one drink per day." 

5. Increase Your Fiber

     Dr. Wong says, "Having higher levels of fiber improves your gut bacteria which in turn helps you digest your food better. The added fiber helps to flush out cholesterol, reduce your visceral fat and keep you fuller, making you less likely to reach for extra high saturated fat foods." 

6. Sleep at Least 7-8 Hours a Night

     Lack of sleep causes serious health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and visceral fat. Dr. Nicholas Jones, MD, FACS Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon states, "Studies have shown that a lack of sleep increases your fat gain.  So by going to bed early and getting enough sleep can lower your visceral fat levels."

Kenneth Davis

     Greetings Warrior Family! I have a request for all members of the "Prayer Warriors" and anyone else who desires to utter a prayer on behalf of our classmates and others, residing within the path of  Hurricane Ian. As we anticipate the arrival, departure and damage assessments associated with Ian, we should pray for those within its influence. Expected to hit Florida's Gulf coast with tropical storm force winds extending 115 miles (185 kilometers) from Ian's center, damage is expected across a wide area of Florida regardless of landfall. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center predict that a "life-threatening" storm surge from Ian is "increasingly likely" along Florida's west coast. By Saturday, the storm -- having weakened to a post tropical event -- continues through South Carolina and into North Carolina west of Charlotte. Generally speaking, the storm is expected to dump between 2-4 inches of rain across central North Carolina.

     Although our classmates may not be effected, prayer is the least we can do for them now. Should you have contact information, please follow up with a phone call, text or an email. The following classmates reside in The Pan Handle of Florida, North East Florida and South Florida: Willie Burton, Curtis Farmer, Carolyn & Gerald Harris, Alvin Howlett. Wanda Taylor and Carl O'Neal resides in Central Georgia. Margie McRae Reed, resides in South Carolina. Jackie Sawyer Casey and I, reside in North Carolina. Darryll Cleaves, resides in Chesapeake Virginia. If names and locations are omitted, it's because they're not listed on the available roster of classmates. I can assure you that everyone has physically prepared themselves for this situation. It's not our first, however we all believe in the "Power of Prayer". Call us by name, should you decide to pray. Thanking you all in advance, of an annual repetitive sequel.....Hurricanes are dangerous things, and they're no fun to go through. And if you come out of it in one piece and your house comes out of in one piece, it's no fun living with no electricity for a day or a week, a month, whatever it is. And I speak, unfortunately, from personal experience on that matter (Bernard Goldberg).

Kenneth Davis

Sept. 29: National Coffee Day

     Today, raise your coffee mug and toast to the roasted beans that keep us going. Looking for a few special ways to appreciate coffee? Try adding it to your favorite cocktail, coating coffee beans in chocolate, or blending a few beans into your favorite vanilla ice cream for a homemade coffee shake.

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N 

     Our father was a farmer and an entrepreneur as well as a musician, and we're pleased to deliver the fine taste of Jamaican coffee and our family's heritage to people everywhere through Marley's One Drop. I spent time living in Ethiopia, learning about the cultural importance of coffee and its roots in Ethiopia. We started Marley Coffee from a farm perspective, and ever since, we've been doing things in a sustainable way and organically. Naturally healthy soil can sustain coffee crops for generations to come. All of this contributes to the quality of the bean. The benefits of organic coffee are significant, as chemical-free soil is good soil. This extends to healthy trees which result in good beans with greater antioxidants and less chemical residues. Coffee connects us in so many ways - to each other, to our senses, and to the earth that supports the coffee trees. 

~Rohan Marley~

IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER

Curtis Farmer

Kenneth, Joycelyn, thanks for praying for me and others who live in Florida. The class of y'all makes me proud to be a warrior. 

Kenneth Davis

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     In some ways, jazz is the most precise of art forms and the loosest in the sense that it's all about improvisation, but the musicianship required is kind of insane. To actually play with real jazz musicians is a different level of musicianship that almost has no equal in any other form of music in the world. 

~Damien Chazelle~

SMOOTH JAZZ FRIDAYS

     This is not the "JuJu", Tarzan mentioned in his weekly series. JuJu is practiced in West African countries such as Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana, although its assumptions are shared by most African people. Depending on who's talking, it is neither good nor bad, but it may be used for constructive purposes as well as for nefarious deeds. JuJu is a positive or negative vibration relating to a person, place or thing. There are two kinds of JuJu: Good Juju and Bad JuJu. Good JuJu is the energy of a happy, helpful, healing, peaceful and protective form. Bad JuJu is the energy of a destructive, manipulative, unhealthy and unhappy form. Enjoy this infusion of magical musicians, showcasing the magical power of Smooth Jazz itself.... 

Kenneth Davis

 T H O U G H T   F O R   C O N S I D E R A T I O N  

     Weather systems are natural heat engines, and like all other heat engines, both natural and artificial, they are driven not by temperature per se, but by differences in temperature between one location and another. No one can prevent hurricanes, but prosperous communities are much better able to survive hurricanes or other natural disasters than poor ones, because they have greater resources, both public and private, to fall back upon.

~Robert Zubrin~

     What you do today can improve all your tomorrows. Live your days on the positive side of life, in tune with your most treasured values. And in each moment you'll have much to live for. Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you'll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it. There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don't allow yourself to become one of them. 

~Ralph Marston~

     Much Love and gratitude to the unknown "Prayer Warriors", who expressed words of deliverence for your classmates residing in the path of Hurricane Ian. I was able to confirm that Carolyn & Gerald Harris, Alvin Howlett and Curtis Farmer of Florida are survivors. Jackie Sawyer Casey and Margie McRae Reed of the Carolinas are survivors as well. Wanda Taylor and Carl O'Neal  of Central Georgia basically received wind gusts. I don't have personal contacts for Darryll Cleaves or Willie Burton, hopefully someone else has checked on them. Nevertheless, just as Curtis stated, thank you to those who offered words of prayer, on behalf of us all.