Buns Hun

Whether we are aware or not, what we see directly affects our psyche. For decades, and still presently, we were peddled what was acceptable, attractive, and admirable - in print, on-screen, and in music. David Harbour, beloved curmudgeon Hopper from Stranger Things, was told he was perfect for the "

Things We've Learned From Black Women

Coffee tastes better on dirty teeth. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. How to put lotion on elbows, knees, and behind ankles. You lose them the same way you got'em. Use a washcloth in the shower. Butter pecan ice cream is the best ice cream.

Fan Therapy

Does anybody remember talking into a fan? Funny how we could spend countless hours just letting our imagination run wild. We could open an entire bakery with mud pies. Travel to a volcano and back while avoiding hot lava on the ground. Teach a whole course in front of a

Leap Year

Thirty days has September, April, June, and November, All the rest have thirty-one, But February's twenty-eight, The leap year, which comes once in four, Gives February one day more. So what did y'all do with one day more? Every four years the calendar gods sprinkle an

Hill to Die on

Excerpt from Wild Holy Free Newsletter: In an era when this little Black girl couldn't afford to get her hair done and didn't have cousins who could whip it into shape on the front stoop- Lauryn’s encouragement that I didn't need it, mattered.

Glamour Shots

I giggled while watching Comedian Charles McBee's IG post about Glamour Shots. It got me thinking, do Glamour Shots still exist? There appear to be only a couple of "official" Glamour Shot locations left in the US, who knew!? However, if your experience was anything like

Love is Or it Ain’t

Well ya’ll, we are nearing Valentine's Day. Whether you buy in or not to…  The chubby caucasian angel that accosts you with sharpened arrows, the blood sugar-inducing confections, or the cherry, nougat, caramel, or coconut-filled guessing game… Whether you are celebrating with your significant other or with

Flower Girl

I want to be a flower girl again. All my womanly bits oozing out of a frilly white dress as I sashay and clack in my shiny white tick-tack shoes. With all the excitement and zeal, exuding the confidence that this wedding, this moment, is wholly about me despite what

Cue the Music

Remember in the 90s sitcoms when music cued the "teachable moment?" Can you still hear the music on Full House when one of the adults comes in for the lesson and hugs? Oh, how incredibly cheesy! But who doesn't love a good cheese? Too bad there

New Year, New Me?

Have you ever watched a dog poop? (Yeah, you read that correctly.) Some pooches sniff and hunt in pursuit of the perfect spot...to s#$&! They are telling other dogs who and where they are - communication and territory. It blows my mind that a dog can be that

From our family to yours

Slapped by the Season

It is hard to believe that there are only twelve days until Christmas. Not only has the time flown, but it feels as if it's held its palm out as it's passed. Did you know that time can slap the piss out of someone? Me either!

The Splits

Have you ever tried to do the splits? Good Lord, it feels like your cooch is going to snap in half. There are entire videos and tutorials dedicated to helping people achieve said act step by step. It's a long process. It takes commitment. It's uncomfortable!

It's Evolution, My Dear

For the first time in over 17 years, André 3000 released a new album with no verses or lyrics - just flute. It reminds me of Lauryn Hill's MTV Unplugged Album - it was certainly not what we expected, but damn was it beautiful. She started and stopped,

Two Things Can Be True

You can be devastated by the heavy state of the world and are still allowed to feel joy. You can unconditionally love someone and still remove yourself from their life. You can adore your family and friends and still need a break from them. You can be understanding and still

The Nail on the Head

I don't pretend to know the existential crisis of a hammer... The hammer does, however, have an intended purpose for which it was created, and that purpose never comes into question by the hammer itself or the user. Don't get me wrong, I have seen them

Press Pause

At the beginning of October, I went into a store and was instantly accosted with all the flare of the season - Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. There were huge displays, Christmas music, decorations, and turkey paraphernalia completed with a heaping sprinkle of skeletons and ghouls.  It is so tough to

Your Roots Are Showing

When we grow, change, or re-pot ourselves, what we are rooted in can change. If we are uncertain of the latter, this can lead to us flailing about in the billows of life, emotions, relationships, decisions, and purpose. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ROOT as: 1. the usually underground part of a

Magic in the Mirror

My back has not received the memo that I'm still incredibly youthful and spry. I was reminded of this with a visit to the urgent care. One after another, three gorgeous and delightful Black Women with pleasant bedside manners entered the room - the nurse, the nurse practitioner,

Sink Your Teeth In

Damn y'all, it's hard to believe there are only three months left in 2023. Did you have resolutions, or plans for this year that collected nine months' worth of dust? Well, resist the urge to feel disappointment or say to F-It because my dear, it

Fall Into Your Greatness

We sometimes try to make ourselves and our needs so small to fit into another person's life, a role, a job, or an outdated version of ourselves. Yet, we do ourselves and the world a disservice when we shrink. We are a limited edition and calibrated as such

Perpetual Bra Unlatching

Autumn - feels like a perpetual bra unlatching, the sweet sigh of relief, comfort, and a microdose of joy.  Fall breaths crisp new life into a nearly concluding year. There's nothing better than swaddling oneself in a hoodie or beanie - for warmth, style, or to hide the

What's Crackin

Y'all, I found this animal chiropractor - exactly, who knew such a thing existed? I spent ample time scrolling and smiling through this man's page (@bones_hands_animals). Besides the fact that I felt we could build a life together, there was something about watching him

Yes... or No

There was a poll yesterday on someone's Instagram story - "are you a decisive person?" - it read. But there were only two options: 1. Yes or 2. No. I couldn't decide between the two - which I suppose gives one the true answer.

Sassy

Let It Go

I wonder what would happen if we let go. If we loosened our grip to contort and control the outcome. If we let go of expectations and our desire to control others. If we accepted people for who they are instead of holding them to a standard they have no