The week is over and it's Friday night - one of my favorite times of the week. I usually come home and relax with a glass of wine. I don't answer phone or cell but rather do whatever I want to do....put a movie in the DVD, light some candles and take a long shower 'til all of the hot water runs out (one of my favorite things), sleep, read, blog...you get the idea.
Tonight was one of those nights - so peaceful and calm, a beautiful Texas summer eve - pleasant temp and an ever so slight breeze. I live on a quiet, cul-de-sac of older homes lined with mature trees and lush greenery. An elementary school, where Malcolm and I take our evening walks, abutts the end of the cul-de-sac. Walking from the house to the school is our leash training time. His reward and mine -watching him run freely and happily around the schools' large, green lawns, playing and exploring everything with his nose.
As we returned home...my neighbor to the front was hosting a delegation of 25 businessmen and women from Mexico. In contrast, from my backyard came the clear pulsating beats of the inner-city - Mexican music thumping loudly, but not irritatingly so, happy voices, perhaps celebrating their own Friday night.Our charming street of 16 historical homes is surrounded by the inner-city. An eclectic neighborhood of African-Americans, Hispanics, whites and Asians of all classes from the comfortable to the poor and homeless.
Few people know of our little cul-de-sac in da hood, disguised by trees and greenery. My sons call it, my honey comb hide out. Our street has no street lights and the stark dar
kness brings a calm, stillness to my evenings almost insulating the background noises of trains, music, sirens and children's laughter. (Above photo is of my back yard at dusk.) My honeycomb hideout has given me solace and peace for the past three years as I experience personal, cultural and natural awakenings. I never saw myself returning to live in the inner city. Afterall, as a child I couldn't wait to leave it. Ironically, I now feel safe and very much at home here.I have some really nice smooth jazz playing, candles flickering in the darkness. I'm on the couch blogging, my dog's asleep at my feet...my Sisterlocks gently brush my shoulder and face as I write and reflect on the weeks journey...and how my natural awakening has brought me full circle to my true self and my hood.
(Hairstyle: 2-3 day old braidout)
