Just Elizabeth Ashe
Culture

Farewell Haley Reinhart

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Sitting here, I was thinking about the American idol competition and how good this season is, I have never been a big fan of American idol any season for that matter. But I have from time to time watched a couple of episodes to see what was going on. This season was different to me for some reason with the new judging cast of Jenifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler.

This new cast seems to gel better for me, I think in the past I never liked watching or hearing Simon Cowell judge the kids and call them nasty remarks. I believe that all though he had some truth to the things he said, there is always a better way to say things without leaving them with their heart all torn out to pieces.

Jenifer Lopez seems to have brought some new oomph to the judging table; she brings the charisma and sparks something that was sorely lacking from the judges table. Steven Tyler gives the edge and style that some people might fail to appreciate, however he has always been a great artist in my book. Randy is still the same however I do see him trying to bring a little more negativity to the game, in my opinion more for ratings than anything else.

The main reason for writing this is really to address the issue of Haley reinhart the one true reason why I watched the show or even tuned in. The first time I heard this girl sing I have been captivated by her, I am not one to watch a lot of music videos are by music cds and things.

Not that I don’t want to but mainly because now-a-days many artists don’t sound as good or even pique my interest.

I’m more an old school girl; I love rock and roll, classic rock. Jazz, alternative, classical, rap, hip hop. You name it I can find you an artist that I like.

That is why when American idol, voted off Haley reinhart I was so shocked. This girl truly deserved to win, she has something different and presence as Beyoncé said and a style that is truly different more old school, a little new school. But something different with a lot of soul, mainly this girl knows how to rock and if you have been watching the show she reminds me a little bit of Teena Marie, (but that is just my opinion).

Anyhow I was said when she got voted off American Idol, and I can truly say I will be buying her CD when it is released.

Haley Reinhart you have yourself a true fan.

Culture

What You can Learn from Josephine Baker

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Josephine Baker was one person that I have always been intrigued by since I was little girl, I can remember watching the documentary of her life on television for the first time. It was something magical that has stayed in my memory ever since.

Then every year after that, I would wait for black history month to come around so that I could watch all my favorites like roots, queen and especially the Josephine baker story.

It was always one of those things that left an imprint on my heart, because it touched me to the very core. In a way I felt as If I knew her and that If I ever had the chance to meet her we would be kindred spirits.

One thing about me that you don't know but know now is that I love to dance, in fact I always had dreams of being a professional dancer for as long as I could remember, I dreamed of going to Paris to dance. In fact I still have upcoming plans to go there not to dance, but in the future maybe even have myself a small home away from home .

Josephine grew up with a mom who came from a different time period than she did and out of the honesty of her heart she did want her daughter making a fool of her self. Rightly so in that time period. However Josephine had a calling and a burning desire to live her dreams and make a difference in people lives that she touched.

With her growing fame she was able, to break down barriers that was not afforded to African American people at the time. While at the same time break down mental barriers as to whatbeauty is and that it is not just one color. But is all colors and can be experienced in by all people because we all breathe air, we all have feelings and all bleed the same blood.

Josephine Baker was a leader, who although could not have kids of her own because of a terrible accident that left her barren. Was able to open her heart and adopt  many kids of all nationalities and prove that love exists and can exist across the sight of color.

She opened her heart and home, and lived a life that few would be able to live. Josephine lived it with joy and never allowed anything to steal her of her happiness.

So I say to you, never let anything rob you of your  happiness, always live a life that is dedicated to serving others and giving a helping hand. While at the same time holding on to your values and doing what is right.

I wrote this post because, I admire Josephine and we can all learn a couple things from her.

Live in the moment and appreciate the past never forgetting where you came from.

Let go of judgments of people and learn to think outside the box.

Stop dreaming your dream and finally live your dream.

Take some time to watch the Documentary of Josephine Bakerif you have not already seen it and if you already have. I would love to know what you think about the movie.

Culture

In Honor Of Black History Month – Looking Back

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Black history month is a time to be remembered and shared, it brings about great joy and even some new found feelings of pain for had happened during that time period. However, it also brings an excellent time to learn about new found facts and interesting details about the black history and your own families at that.

I can remember being a little girl and you know what still do this day my grandmother is almost 97 years old. And she still relates stories about her childhood her mom's life and how her grandmother was a slave. To be able to hear those stories is something that I have always and will forever keep with me. Since that is what the people did back then to preserve history, they told stories since they were not allowed to record any data about their life such as birth and things.

To be able to hear those stories she told had me laughing, some had me asking why and others even sometimes made me want to cry.  But my grandmother has had a long life and she has seen her mom's reactions to things, she grew up in the Jim crow south and lived most of her life through segregation.

grandma.

So that is why when I came across this video I wanted to share it here, since it is abouta  special book that was found. In fact is the very first validated book dating back to the civil war of negro spirituals, or slave songs at that time.

Many slaves at that time would sing songs to give them some sort of escape from what was happening at the time. They would also sing songs to be used as code perhaps if they were trying to escape, and many songs were used as a way to preserve history as my grandmother would tell stories about her family history.

However, these songs represent a slave nation as a whole. Unleashing the pain and suffering that went on along with the continued hope they had to pursue forward-looking above.

“Knowing that one day a change gone come, would come…

I write and share this video in honor of black history month and for all those continue to share their stories…………………..

 

Culture

Valerie June -Organic Moonshine Rockin Chick

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If you have not heard of Valarie June  than you  in a for treat. Being into old country music, and folk soul. Valarie June is one down to earth chick that is rocking the music scene and changing the game for sure.

Valerie June goal at point is to bring back into awareness the grassroots movement of traditional folk music. As she calls it the organic moonshine roots movement. I fell in love with the title of the movement as I can
remember fondly being a little girl listening to old country music songs and pure at heart folk ones at that.

 

valarie

However don't let her looks deceive you or even have you thinking huh? She sings that:)

That is what I thought the first time I heard her sing. I'm into country music but to hear a black woman singing country, folk moonshine music at that! Really intrigued me to learn more about her.

Valerie June with the voice of an angel that is smooth as silk, is for surely a star in her own right. As a self taught guitar player and oldest child of five children. Decided to pursue her music passion at the age of 19, she comes from a strict Christian family and pretty much raised her siblings so she is not stranger to hard work and discipline.

Check out Valerie and I when she came to my town and did a wonderful Job!

valerie june album

She has worked with the john forte who co-wrote the fugues album, and she even wrote the popular song No draws blues.  Valerie June is a mixture of Bob Marley, Sinead O'Connor and Dolly parton all in one.

Surely a gem that needs more recognition!

Well I posted a couple of songs of Valerie's in my play list below for you to listen to.

Enjoy!

Natural Living

Wanna Know Where I’ve Been

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You know what, I’ve have been sitting here this morning thinking about how long I have not posted anything to the blog. Well I have been thinking about it actually quite a bit this week, but we all know that sometimes life gets in the way of certain things and some things end up taking the back burner.

To say the least.

It’s not that I have not wanted to post anything it is just that I have been so busy, up to my neck in things I have had to get done. My family and I ended up moving changing towns to be closer to my son’s school and get back closer to family and friends. Where we were living at before was starting to get to boring to me and not being able to see my family was starting to bother me. So we decided to move and found a home in a great area, and the kids are happier and everything is working out as planned.

But we all know with moving comes a lot of things you have to do like un-pack and get everything situated around the house and with four small boys that can take forever and a day. When I moved before I had a lot more help and things got a done a lot faster. However it did not work out that way this time, and then to top it all off my son ended up breaking his arm the very first night we moved into the new home.

So as you can see I have been pretty busy.

Things are getting back to normal now after the move and the holidays, and I have a lot of material lined up for the site and podcast show.

So don’t you go anywhere!

Any how to change pace for a sec I have been reading a book call in The Defense of Food – ( An Eater Manifesto) by Michael Pollan, I know his last name sounds like it should be a part of bee company or something. But the entire book is absolutely amazing and one that all should read if they are truly interested in how to eat for true health and enjoyment. It covers everything from the history of food to big corporations today and how we have gotten away from real food and really why America is as fat as we are. And what you can do about it, to re-cover you own health but also to establish a better one for your family.

There is so much to this book, and I will have another post up soon with a full review on my thoughts on the book really sooooon……. So stay tuned for that one.

P.S. Don’t forget to leave a comment I would to hear your thoughts and what you have been up to.