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  

     God has a plan and God is in control of everything. The reality is, sometimes you lose. And you're never too good to lose, you're never too big to lose, you're never too smart to lose, it happens. It's easy to hear the voices of others and often very difficult to hear your own. Every person you meet is going to want something different from you. The question is: what do you want for yourself? Take the time to define yourself and define your value. If you're having a hard time doing that, ask yourself: What is something I would say to someone I love? When you love and accept yourself, when you know who really cares about you, and when you learn from your mistakes, then you stop caring about what people who don't know you think.

~Beyonce Knowles~

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  

     I wanted to undertake the challenge of daring to be great. I demand more from myself than anybody could ever expect. The key to success is to keep growing in all areas of life - mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as physical. If you don't do what's best for your body, you're the one who comes up on the short end.

~Julius Erving~

4 Subtle health symptoms men shouldn't ignore....

Story by A. Pawlowski

Originally published on TODAY.com

     It’s a fact that, on average, men die earlier than women in almost every society around the world. In the U.S., the gap in life expectancy between the two sexes has grown to almost six years, with women expected to make it to the age of 79 and men to 73, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One possible reason may be that many men resist going to the doctor unless it’s an emergency. Two-thirds of men think they’re "naturally healthier than most people," one poll found.

     More than half of men, 55%, say they don’t get regular health screenings, when problems can be caught early and treated with more success, according to a survey of 1,000 adult males in the U.S. by the Cleveland Clinic. Men of color are even less likely to see a doctor — 63% say they don’t get regular checkups, compared to 53% of white men, the same survey found. “I think we start with identifying the root of the problem. Is it fear? Is it finances to see the doctor? Can you get time off from work? Or do you have the sense of invincibility that none of these problems will happen to you? Or that you’re not even aware of them?” said Dr. Cedrek McFadden, a clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and a board-certified colorectal and general surgeon.

     “If it’s fear, let's speak to the fear so that we can get men more interactive with their health," he added. McFadden stressed that men should see a primary care physician at least once a year — more if they have health problems and explained that "it's always a good time to talk to a therapist," no matter what's going on in your life. According to McFadden, other important specialists men should see include:

⦁ Cardiologist, as needed or if you have heart problems or a family history of them. (Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in men.)

⦁ Dermatologist, once a year.

⦁ Dentist, at least twice a year.

⦁ Urologist, as needed and more regularly after turning 40.

⦁ Eye doctor, at least once every two years.

McFadden also discussed on the 3rd Hour of TODAY some of the subtle symptoms men shouldn’t ignore:

Excessive fatigue

     “We’re not talking about just sort of being tired at the end of the day. We’re talking about falling asleep at the red light that can interfere with your safety,” McFadden said. This symptom may indicate sleep apnea, he noted, a disorder where a person’s breathing stops and restarts many times during sleep. One of the big associations with sleep apnea is being overweight, a problem that affects more than 1 in 3 American men, according to the National Institutes of Health.

     “When you’re gaining weight around the waist, it’s not just staying there. It’s also staying in the upper respiratory system and that can interfere with how you move air at night, which the next day can cause you to be trying to catch up and get sleep wherever you can get it,” McFadden said. Excess weight can also increase the risk of having high blood pressure and diabetes, and causes problems with being able to fight infections. There’s an association between sleep apnea and high blood pressure and diabetes, which is then all intertwined with overall health, he noted.

Unintentional weight loss

     Most people wouldn’t mind losing 5 or 10 pounds, but if you’re suddenly losing 20 or 30 pounds without trying, one of the big concerns that could signal is cancer, including lung cancer and cancers of the gastrointestinal tract — the pancreas, the colon and the rectum, McFadden said. It could also be a potential warning sign of diabetes. “Your body normally tries to use glucose, or sugar, to metabolize energy. When the cells can’t capture that glucose and therefore the body has to use something else, what does it use? It uses your muscles and fat, which causes you to lose weight when you’re not expecting it,” he noted.

     Other possible health problems associated with unintentional weight loss include celiac disease, an autoimmune disease triggered by eating foods with gluten that prevents a person from absorbing the nutrients they need through their small intestine. Dementia is a possibility, too: “There can be a cognitive decline, where people just have this neglect for eating and not even being aware of it,” McFadden noted.

Bladder and bowel habits

This is a subject men often don’t want to talk about. “It’s embarrassing for some and they just don’t want to perhaps face what it could be signaling,” McFadden said. “This is your yearly public service announcement to look into the toilet.” Dehydration leads to darker urine, for example. With colorectal cancer, there can be changes in the shape, size, consistency and color of the stool, he noted. Rectal bleeding is the most common warning sign for this cancer.

     When it comes to increased urination, prostate problems could be a culprit, but it could also be diabetes. There’s so much blood sugar your body is trying to get rid of that it flushes it out through the kidneys, causing a man to use the bathroom more frequently, McFadden said.

Increased irritability

     This is more than just being upset or stressed by a particular event, but understanding the underlying reasons for the anger. “We know that in men, depression may not look the same. It may not be a tear, it may not be sadness — it may be more frustration or an outburst,” McFadden noted. Anxiety and low testosterone can also be related to increased irritability. So can substance abuse, which can cause a change in a man's mood that his family members can see.

     “The people around the men in their lives need to really pay attention,” Al Roker pointed out. “If they see the signs, we feel the symptoms,” McFadden agreed. “In many of these cases, we can get help if we can identify the problem.”

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

    Beautiful things should belong to beautiful souls. There's so much humanity in a love of trees, so much nostalgia for our first sense of wonder, so much power in just feeling our own insignificance when we are surrounded by nature. The raw tomato, devoured in the garden when freshly picked, is a horn of abundance of simple sensations, a radiating rush in one's mouth that brings with it every pleasure. . . . a tomato, an adventure.

~Muriel Barbery~

IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER
 
 



              

Bonnie Pippin (Mills)

Damn those tomatoes look soooooo good!!!!!!! Thanks visiual!!!

Estella Wright (Mayhue-Greer)

I am ready for a new battle with the squirrels that roam my yard. I made a bird feeder and purchased seeds today. I love seeing the different species of birds in the yard. I even enjoy the owl that drops by during the night.

Let’s see if the birds will in this fight.

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  

     Well, I'm an artist to the core. And my objective has always been to use my talents and my skills to elevate humanity through my art. 
I think the key that differentiates the good actors from the mediocre ones that are still trying to come up, is that the good ones know how to listen. It's like being in a jazz band. They know how to listen to what the other musicians are playing. And where to come in and where to sit out. That's my approach to being in an ensemble cast and working with any kind of actors in a scene.

~Wesley Snipes~

"MO BETTER BLUES" as Shadow Henderson

WELCOME TO 
SMOOTH
 CONTEMPORARY JAZZ 
FRIDAYS

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 

     Gardening is inevitably a process of constant, remorseless change. It is the constancy of that process that is so comforting, not any fixed moment. When you plant something, you invest in a beautiful future amidst a stressful, chaotic and, at times, downright appalling world. There is a direct correlation between gardening and mental health, not just to maintain good mental health but to repair it as well - that's anything in the gamut from depression to serious brain damage, schizophrenia or autism. I always see gardening as escape, as peace really. If you are angry or troubled, nothing provides the same solace as nurturing the soil. The biggest obstacle to good gardening is the desire to know the answers and not the questions.

~Monty Don~

What Type of Plant Are You?

     A plant is a living organism. It is typically characterized by its ability to photosynthesize, meaning it uses sunlight and water from the environment around it in order to produce energy for growth and development. Plants are also able to reproduce, either through seeds or vegetative reproduction such as cuttings or bulb division.
     Plants come in all shapes and sizes, with some being annuals (living for one season) while others may be perennials (living multiple seasons). Common types of plants include trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Can you guess which type of plant most closely matches your personality? Let’s find out! Copy and paste the link below into your browser, then follow the directions for your answer.....
https://a-z-animals.com/quiz/what-type-of-plant-are-you/

James Stone

Estella Wright (Mayhue-Greer)

Kenneth Davis

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND By Marsha Burns

     July 2, 2023: Look up; look to the heavens. Listen for My voice and receive wisdom for the next leg of your spiritual journey. Rise above the things of the earth and reach beyond your earthly limitations to achieve that which has been out of your natural ability to access. You can do more than you think you can, says the Lord. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given.

PRAYER PROVIDED BY JAMES STONE

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

     Nothing in the Golden Rule says that others will treat us as we have treated them. It only says that we must treat others in a way that we would want to be treated. I will no longer act on the outside in a way that contradicts the truth that I hold deeply inside. I will no longer act as if I were less than the whole person I know myself inwardly to be. If you want to be respected for your actions, then your behavior must be above reproach. If our lives demonstrate that we are peaceful, humble, and trusted, this is recognized by 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  

     A joke is either funny or it's not funny. If I hear a funny joke, you know what I do? I laugh, that's what I do. I don't start a focus group to see who got hurt by the joke. I wish airplanes were more like elementary school with someone up front telling everyone to sit down and shut up. Black people don't hijack planes, alright? Now I'll be the first to admit, we steal a lot of stuff, but we do not hijack planes. In fact, in the history of aviation, a black person has never even attempted to hijack a plane. Do you want to know why? Because you can't sell an airplane.

~Alonzo Bodden~

     Alonzo Bodden is an American comedian and actor known for winning the grand prize in the third season of the reality-television series Last Comic Standing. 

IT'S TIME FOR

     Several weeks ago, coming home from work on a crowded bus, I stood next to a woman and her small son. I asked if she wasn’t afraid the little boy would be crushed. “Not at all,” she answered. “He bites.” 

~Mrs. Phil T. Lewis~

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  

     The chances you take… the people you meet… the people you love...the faith that you have - that’s what’s going to define your life. 
Why do we close our eyes when we pray, cry, kiss, or dream? Because the most beautiful things in life are not seen but felt by the heart. Put God first in everything you do ... Everything that I have is by the grace of God, understand that. It's a gift ... I didn't always stick with Him, but He stuck with me. I pray that you all put your shoes way under the bed at night so that you gotta get on your knees in the morning to find them. And while you're down there thank God for grace and mercy and understanding. We all fall short of the glory, we all got plenty.

~Denzel Washington~

Margie McRae (Reed)

Kenneth Davis

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND By Marsha Burns

     July 5, 2023: Instead of focusing on what you do not have, count your blessings and be grateful for what you do have. Set your course and get going in the direction of gratitude and a pure heart. Be willing to be used to bless others when opportunities arise. Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

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

     I was diagnosed with an early, early stage of prostate cancer. I was almost a vegetarian then. I was heading that direction. What pushed me over the edge, was the doctor who did the diagnosis. He said in a discussion about prostate cancer that he had never seen a vegetarian with prostate cancer. And this is not a holistic doctor, this is a regular, mainstream doctor. And I was just blown away.

~Michael Dorn~

      Michael Dorn (born December 9, 1952) is an American actor best known for his role as the Klingon character Worf in the Star Trek franchise, appearing in all seven seasons of the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994).

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY
 
Prostate Cancer: Nine Things Every Man Needs To Know

https://unbranded.video/video/3457592

     Prostate cancer is 2nd most commonly occurring cancer in men but also one of the least understood. Here are nine things the experts think every man should know about the fourth leading cause of cancer death among men worldwide. What is the prostate? The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in men that surrounds the top of the urethra just below the bladder outlet. Risk: Prostate cancer is diagnosed in over 1.5 million men each year and causes approximately 400,000 deaths. 
     Symptoms: Difficulty urinating, blood in the urine or semen, unexplained weight loss and general urinary symptoms. Who is at risk? Men over 50, black men are at double risk (advised to be checked over 45). The threat doubles if a father/brother has had it. Is it genetic? Not all prostate cancers are genetic, but there are many genetic mutations that can increase your chances of it developing. 
     Causes: There is strong evidence that being overweight or obese increases the risk of advanced prostate cancer. Get tested: A PSA blood test which measures for high levels of protein in the blood is the first step in checking for prostate cancer. Different types: Not all prostate cancer is the same; some grow very slowly and can be monitored without any treatment necessary.

Bonnie Pippin (Mills)

Hey,  my sister, Tommie texted me yesterday to ask me if I had gotten my outfit for the 4th.  I really laughed at that because like you 4th outfits don't impress me any more.  I told her I had a rubber bracelet with HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!!! That was my outfit. Everyone have a fabulous day!!!!

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  

     Experience is always a trustworthy guide; it may not tell you everything, but it never lies. Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness. We cannot tear out a single page of our life, but we can throw the whole book in the fire.
     Try to keep your soul young and quivering right up to old age, and to imagine right up to the brink of death that life is only beginning. I think that is the only way to keep adding to one's talent, and one's inner happiness. It is a mistake to regard age as a downhill grade toward dissolution. The reverse is true. As one grows older, one climbs with surprising strides. Try to keep your soul young and quivering right up to old age.

~George Sand~
 

     George Sand was the pen name of Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, a French writer who lived from 1804 to 1876. She was known for her romantic and rustic novels, as well as her unconventional lifestyle and relationships.

IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER

Kenneth Davis

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS
 TO 
AMELIA GRIFFIN BANKS

     Know that you are a spark of God and can exist fully only within the realization of that profound truth. As such, you are a light and inspiration to others.

~Harold Klemp~

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   

     I fell in love with jazz when I was 12 years old from listening to Duke Ellington and hearing a lot of jazz in New York on the radio.
Risk is at the heart of jazz. Every note we play is a risk. Jazz is like wine. When it is new, it is only for the experts, but when it gets older, everybody wants it. It starts with a single sound. If there's something in that sound, then it's worth continuing. When I came up, it was all about originality and collective research. I've been working on the soprano saxophone for 40 years, and the possibilities are astounding. It's up to you, the only limit is the imagination. 
     There is an awful lot of imitation going on now. There is an awful lot of what I call recreational jazz going on, where people go out and learn a particular language or style and become real sharks on somebody else's language. Play difficult and interesting things. If you play boring things, you risk losing your appetite. Saxophone can be tedious with too much of the same. Kenny G, I have to be grateful to him for proving that the instrument can be played all different kinds of ways.

~Steve Lacy~

     Steve Lacy (born Steven Norman Lackritz; July 23, 1934 – June 4, 2004) was an American jazz saxophonist and composer recognized as one of the important players of soprano saxophone. 

WELCOME TO 
SMOOTH
 CONTEMPORARY JAZZ 
FRIDAYS

FAMOUS SOPRANO SAXOPHONIST

                       ANDREW WOOLFOLK       GEORGE HOWARD

               EARTH WIND & FIRE   

Estella Wright (Mayhue-Greer)

Having a July birthday means blue skies and warm days! Warriors born in July not only get to have their birthday party in mid-summer with BBQs and pool parties, but they also get to share their month with America’s birthday, the 4th of July! This means even more summer-filled activities and festivities! It’s a no-brainer why those born in July are so joyful.

While there is a lot to be happy about during the summer season, some research suggests that there are even more reasons to be enthused if you are a Warrior born in July. Apparently, they tend to be more optimistic compared to those that are born outside of summer months. They also tend to be in good health and appear to be at lower risk for certain diseases, according to a study from Columbia University on birth month and disease risk

Warriors born in July are disciplined and self-controlled because they are great at regulating their behavior and emotions and are, therefore, emotionally stable and calm. Less stress leads to better health.

Those born in July will have no problem reaching the top shelf because according to a study in the UK. July Warriors are more likely to be taller adults. It also seems that June and August Warriors will be right up there with them!

According to small survey by Anything Left Handed, there seems to be more left-handers with July birthdays. There is even another study on handedness and season of birth, shows people born from March to July are more likely to be left handed.

The vivacious, red ruby is the birthstone for July birthdays, which symbolize passion and protection. Rubies were even carried by Chinese noblemen along China’s North Silk Road because it was believed that these gemstones have protective qualities, according to the American Gem Society.

The larkspur and water lily are known for being July birth flowers — both with striking beauty! The Larkspur grows tall and is often covered in blue, purple, pink or white blossoms. The delicate Water Lily symbolizes purity and is a highly recognizable flower that is often seen floating in ponds.

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 

     Find joy in the ordinary. When all of earth turns against you, all of heaven turns toward you. Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leave you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing, and listen as Heaven whispers, "Do you like it? I did it just for you. If your God is mighty enough to ignite the sun, could it be that He is mighty enough to light your path?

~Max Lucado~

Gardening may help reduce cancer risk
Story by Cover Media, Cover Media 
Copyright 2023 Cover Media 
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

     Here's another resolution to add to your list for 2023 - get into the garden! According to new research from the University of Colorado at Boulder, growing fruit, vegetables, and flowers has many benefits - from easing stress to reducing the risk of developing cancer and chronic diseases. "These findings provide concrete evidence that community gardening could play an important role in preventing cancer, chronic diseases and mental health disorders," said senior author Jill Litt. "No matter where you go, people say there's just something about gardening that makes them feel better."
     Following a randomised, controlled trial of over 290 adults with an average age of 41, the team reported that participants increased their physical activity levels by about 42 minutes per week. Public health agencies in the U.S. recommend at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Gardeners saw stress and anxiety levels decrease, and interestingly, they also ate more fibre.
     And there are many social benefits to taking up the hobby too. "Even if you come to the garden looking to grow your food on your own in a quiet place, you start to look at your neighbour's plot and share techniques and recipes, and over time relationships bloom," commented Litt, noting that while gardening alone is good for you, joining a community setting may have additional benefits. "It's not just about the fruits and vegetables. It's also about being in a natural space outdoors together with others."

Estella Wright (Mayhue-Greer)

While blues lyrics often deal with personal adversity, the music itself goes far beyond self-pity. The blues is also about overcoming hard luck, saying what you feel, ridding yourself of frustration, letting your hair down, and simply having fun. The best blues is visceral, cathartic, and starkly emotional. From unbridled joy to deep sadness, no form of music communicates more genuine emotion.

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   

     Faith is the bird that sings while it is yet dark. Here's what you need to keep in mind. You no longer have yesterday. You do not yet have tomorrow. You have only today. This is the day the Lord has made. Live in it. The key is this: Meet today's problems with today's strength. Don't start tackling tomorrow's problems until tomorrow. You do not have tomorrow's strength yet. You simply have enough for today. The meaning of life, the wasted years of life, the poor choices of life, God answers the mess of life with one word: Grace. The difference between mercy and grace? Mercy gave the prodigal son a second chance. Grace gave him a feast.

~Max Lucado~