Neoteric Memories... I enjoy summer, as long as it's not too hot, and I'm a summer baby, but I am ready for the fall season, my favorite season! I'm slightly confused about wearing my COVID 19 mask. I've noticed most folks have said, "Good riddance!" I mostly wear mine when I'm on the bus or subway. That second photo was designed by gifted artist, Ansel Pitcairn, for my poetry collection, The Gathering of Gemstones. The photograph reflects the kind of life I'm striving to have. I'm working on staying focused. I'm looking forward to attending The San Gennaro Feast in Little Italy. I went last year and had a fantastic time observing the sights and having dinner at the Da Gennaro Restaurant. The food was delicious. Those cannoli's at the feast are so scrumptious. I went home with a few! I'll be back this week. The feast is in the same area, not far from where I spent ages seven to nine at St. Barnabas Home for Children on Mulberry Street near Broadway before entering foster care. That home is now a condominium that fills the entire block! Life is full of surprises! During the summer, I bought myself an Instant Pot and an Air Fryer. Life hasn't been the same since! They are marvelous editions to your kitchen. Grilling, soup-making, and roasting have been stellar! The Brooklyn Promenade is a wonderful place to renew the spirit and see excellent views of the NYC skyline. Sunsets are phenomenal. The Cloisters in NYC's Manhattan are exquisite and provide much history. It is a stunning area. The wealth of the European Royal families astounds me. The death of Queen Elizabeth 11 in September 2022 ended a depth of 96 years of historic events in her lifetime. Her funeral was captured globallly. Journaling has helped me focus more clearly on my writing as well as bring joy, guidance, and gratitude to my life. My major goal is to write about what I love. I recenty described how I felt about the new film, actress Viola Davis stars in, "The Woman King," in my journal as well as on social media. The film is spectacular! As I reflect on a post I wrote about the film to a few African American men on social media, I realize, the world, in general, is also not used to seeing Black women portrayed in films such as this. It is sad, but true. I remember how when Alice Walker's book, The Color Purple, and its adaptation on film premiered, African American men felt it dishonored them. Both men and women felt the film should be boycotted. Recently on social media, I read countless negative opinions men had about "The Woman King," and that it too, should be boycotted. Please don't do that! However, I did read many positive reviews from African American men about "The Woman King," and that brought a smile to my face. This film is about warriors. It is not about bashing men. It does not fully focus on the brutality of African American slavery or the Dahomey empire's socio-economic wealth due to its involvement in the African slave trade, but flickers of it are there. This film is important! As autumn soothes me with coziness and reflections of renewal and growth, I'm looking forward to delectable living...