Happy Birthday to me! You know how folks celebrate birthdays for a week or a month. I decided to countdown the last 71 days of this year, October 22 – December 31. Day 71 marks the end of 2024, the beginning of my 71st rotation around the sun, and the last day before entering 2025.

October 22 – Returned rental car to BWI Rental Car Facility after travelling to Philly with my son and grandson, Jeremy and Jakari, for sister-in-law, Shirley’s funeral. Rested and reflected remainder of the day.

October 23 – Attended the George Washington Carver Lecture Series on Food and Nutrition at Tuskegee University. Afterwards spent a couple of days with a dear friend, Sonjia. Was there on October 25 when I got word that my sister, Brenda Nell Phelps, passed. The December 8 blog post is dedicated to her, Sunrise, Sunset, Acknowledging the Passing of My Sister.

*First 8 pictures are on the Tuskegee University campus with colleagues, friends and students. Last picture is of Sonjia and me.

October 28 – First yoga practice and meditation in a long while. My body and soul missed it. Beautiful fall day. Colors are glorious. At the beginning of a new week, I always pull 5 Tarot healing cards. My cards today were:  Archangel Michael (is with you; gives you courage and helps release effects of fear), Study (angels guide you to read, listen, grow), Playfulness (angels guide you to add fun to your life; is a necessity, not luxury), Truth & Integrity (guided to be very honest with yourself; be true to yourself in all activities and actions), and Power (allow yourself to express your power; being powerful is safe for you, knowing that you express it with love).

November 1 – Did my yoga practice, but no meditation. Have been in this contemplative mood since Buma died. Our Sunday morning talks ended a while ago with the dementia but I find myself missing the fact we won’t have any more talks. It’s life and I know it but it still gets to you. Just fed Emi after my shower and getting dressed. Going out to dinner with my friend, Essie. I’m glad she called because I’d probably just sit and mope around the house.

November 4 – Yoga and meditation done on this gloomy overcast morning. I keep thinking about Buma. And I’m exhausted from this election bs. I don’t want to hate but I hate the division, vitriol and the havoc that’s been sown in the country. But even more so, I hate knowing that it was so easy to do so.

November 9 – Saturday morning and I’m in Popenguine, Senegal about an hour’s drive outside Dakar. Arrived yesterday morning. Staying with Binta at her house. She is my friend, Gaynell’s friend, who I actually met in Jamaica last January. Her friend, Malaika, also is here. Slept in the afternoon from jet lag. Then went to dinner at this lovely French restaurant. Had a wonderful conversation with the owner and her family, especially her nephew, a young Osteopath who lives in Brussels with his wife. All of us talked about the election and they just couldn’t believe the outcome. Everyone is in a state of shock. Before coming here, I was numb on Wednesday. Double glad that I made this trip. Flew 1st class as a treat to myself. It was ok but best part was my feet and ankles didn’t swell up because I was able to lay out almost flat in the seat. If not for the cost, I could truly spoil myself. Anyway, I’m here and very happy to be here.

November 10 – Beautiful morning. There’s a slight breeze. Had a wonderful evening at hotel venue of music and dancing with Omar Pene and his band. It’s Sunday. Took a shower and now sitting outside trying to meditate if the bugs will allow. Drove to Dakar. Short visit to the Museum of Black Civilizations. Then on to 15th Biennale de Dakar exhibits at the L’Ancien Palais De Justice, a beautiful building that’s been converted to hold art and cultural events.

*Museum of Black Civilizations

*L'Ancien Palais de Justice

On the way home, a sight to behold that night was a camel and cow resting on the sidewalk.

November 11 – We had breakfast not far from the ocean. I didn’t eat because my stomach was a little upset. Instead, drank some powerfully strong ginger tea. Wet my feet in the Atlantic and listened to birds above in the trees.  

November 12 – Louie Massiah who I met on Sunday and is a friend of Malaika’s came for lunch. He’s a tall Black filmmaker from Philly. We had a lovely lunch at Binta’s:  Yassa (rice, onion, lemon) with monk fish; green salad with beets, radish, tomatoes, cucumbers; limeade and pomegranate juice. She ordered the Yassa from a local restaurant and prepared the salad and drink. After lunch we all went to visit two of Binta’s friends. The first visit was with 85-year-old Ayi Kwei Armah, a renowned Ghanaian author whose lived in Senegal for years. The second visit was with an artist. I loved listening to the elder who has so much knowledge. The artist does very interesting work and would love to get one of his pieces. After those two visits we drove to a town called Yene for Louie to meet with another intellectual, past NYU chair of African Studies, writer, filmmaker. He had a gorgeous compound right off the ocean, but sadly the ocean is encroaching the property. We saw his environmental film on the subject at the Sunday Biennale de Dakar event. This trip is turning into a fascinating experience.

November 13 – Visited Galerie Memoires Africaines for an amazing Off exhibit. When the Biennale first started, unofficial events took place. They were so popular that now they are recognized with the Off brand. Then drove to the town of Somone and took a short boat ride to Chez Rasta restaurant. Highlight of visit was getting feet worked on. Day ended back in Popenguine at the local French restaurant with appetizers, Tea Punch (my new favorite drink), and gorgeous sunset.  

November 14 – Back in Dakar. Delicious dinner at Bazoff Restaurant. I had curry shrimp and plantain with a little taste of Binta’s rice dish. Everything was so delicious; I wanted to lick the plate. Reminded me of Mama’s clean plate club. She used to say don’t waste any food because of the poor starving children in Africa. The music was great as well.

November 15 – Took ferry to Goree Island but it wasn’t what I was expecting. Emotion I felt was more of anger seeing these white tourists posing in the Door of No Return. It felt real commercial. Probably the best part of visit, however, was trekking up this steep hill to see Cheikh Keita, an artist friend of Binta’s. I even bought one of his pieces. That evening we went back to the L’Ancien Palais de Justice for an amazing free concert with lots of Senegalese musicians.