Today we celebrate Thanksgiving, a day to reflect and be thankful for what God is doing in our lives.
But today, we also celebrate the 100th birthday of one of the greatest civil rights leaders in American history. Her name is Frankie Muse Freeman and she lives right here in Saint Louis, Missouri. Last month, my wife and I attended a birthday bash for Ms. Freeman. The guest list included Missouri Governor Nixon, Saint Louis City Mayor Francis Slay, Missouri Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill and about one thousand guests. It was an honor to be have been invited and to witness such a historic event.
Frankie Muse Freeman – Photo courtesy of Missouri History Museum
But you may be wondering,
Who is Frankie Muse Freeman? What was her role in the Civil Rights Movement? Why do I need to care? I am so glad you asked.
Born in segregated Virginia in 1916 to William and Maude Muse, Ms. Freeman attended college at Hampton Institute (now University) and Howard University. After graduating with her law degree in 1947, she and her husband moved to his hometown of Saint Louis, where she sought employment at several law firms. When she did not hear back from any of the firms, Ms. Freeman decided that she would start her own law practice, working on divorce and criminal cases. Soon after, she then turned her focus to work as legal counsel for the NAACP, fighting racial injustice in Saint Louis. In 1949, Ms. Freeman fought the Saint Louis Board of Education for equal opportunities for the black students attending Hadley Vocational Technical School. In the video below, we hear in Frankie’s own words, the importance of this case.
In another important case, Ms. Freeman challenged the Saint Louis Housing Authority in 1954 that allowed legal racial discrimination in the city’s public housing. That court case ended the legalized discrimination,and later Freeman worked as a staff attorney for the St. Louis Land Clearance and Housing Authorities. She began as an associate general counsel and later became the general counsel of the St. Louis Housing Authority. She served in these positions from 1956 to 1970.
President Lyndon Johnson nominated Ms. Freeman to be in a position on the United States Commission on Civil Rights in 1964. In the video below, Ms. Freeman recounts meeting Johnson and what it meant to be the first black woman on the Commission, a position she held until 1979. Frankie also served on the Community Services Administration during Jimmy Carter’s administration, and later on the Citizen’s Commission on Civil Rights.
Ms. Freeman’s life has been an inspiration to me and many people in various walks of life.
She graduated from law school at a time when it was difficult and almost impossible for black women to go to college.
She started her own law practice when no law firm would hire her.
She worked with several United States Presidential Commissions to end racial discrimination and improve the country.
Happy Birthday Ms. Freeman!
Thank you for all the work you have done to make this country better for all the people who live here. We wouldn’t have come this far without you.
Thanking my Lord and Savior for everlasting life. Thankful for being surrounded by my hubby and my family.
“I thank you from my heart, and I will never stop singing your praises, my Lord and my God.” Ps. 30:12 (CEV)
Thanksgiving Day is a time to reflect back on what I am thankful for. Thank God each and everyday for health, family, abundance of prosperity, and much more.
What about creating a list?
It’s so good to sit down and make a list. When you make of list of what you are thankful for, you can always go back to it for encouragement and even add more to it.
Thanksgiving is about the food, right?
No, it’s not just about the food. A lot is going on in America and the World right now, and we have so much on our prayer agendas to put before the Lord. I was searching for more information about the protest over the Dakota pipeline, and adding that on my prayer list. Praying for the Indian nation.
With today being Thanksgiving and thinking about the origins of the holiday, I remembered back to what I was taught in history class about the Pilgrims and the Indians. I didn’t know it was the Wampanoags nation, nor did I know much about these encounters. It is a shame that the history books then did not more provide the students with the full story. As a child I would read about that first thanksgiving and would watch cartoons during the holiday that depicted peace and unity.
However, I was not taught that the peace agreement between the Wampanoag nation and the Pilgrims did not last very long. On the Manataka American Indian Council website I read, “The Real Story of Thanksgiving,” the relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag nation turned from peace to hatred. There was once peace but it didn’t even last 50 years. the The Pilgrims looked at the Wampanoag nation as teachers who taught them how to sustain the land they came to on the Mayflower, In contrast shortly after the peace agreement the relationship deteriorated in a downward spiral.
As a person of color researching her ancestry, I am disheartened because the story of Thanksgiving is not an entirely happy as some may have thought. Most of the time we only read one side of the story, but it is important that we take the time to read and study the whole story from all viewpoints.
I recently watched an American Experience (PBS) documentary about the Puritans. I don’t want to spoil it for you and give you all the highlights.However, I found it very interesting and thought-provoking. It made me want to learn more. The documentary is an hour and fifty four minutes so grab a cup of tea and let me know what you think afterwards.
Knowledge is power. Thanksgiving is not just another day.
A resource I plan to read:
“Invasion of American” by Francis Jennings on Amazon.com
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving and remember that if you are not with your loved ones or friends remember that Jesus loves you and you are special to Him and to us here at
BubblingwithEleganceandGrace.com
It has been a little brisk outside the last couple of days. With temperatures hovering in the 40s and 50s, the weather has turned considerably cooler than last week, but it feels great. Fall and Winter are my favorite time of the year. Can’t wait for that first snow of the season. I spent some time in my backyard with my hubby and my doggies, enjoying the cool breeze and bundled up in quilted corduroy jacket.
When outside, I wanted to capture the last of my summer flowers before they fell victim to the frost.
A closeup of the marigolds
The miniature roses.
Do you think I captures these photographs with the latest DSLR on the market?
No, I actually snapped these photos with the LG V20 smartphone, available exclusively at Verizon Wireless.The petals look like you could touch them. The colors are rich and vibrant and appear to be jumping on the screen. I recently had the opportunity to try the phone, courtesy of Verizon Wireless. The picture above of the rose in my backyard looks like a professional image. The rose has been brought to the forefront with the background slightly blurred for intensity. I didn’t blur the background the camera on the LG V20 did it on its on. Amazing!
The smartphone retails on Verizon’s website for $672.00 and features
Steady record 2.0. No video shakiness.
Enjoy crisp, full sound with amazing detail. Hi-Fi Quad DAC playback reduces noise by up to 50 percent and lets you hear audio just the way you recorded it.
Wide angle capabilities to have more sharper shots to capture all of the scenic views and include more friends.
Record studio-quality audio on the go. Three sensitive AOP microphones capture higher quality sound with a wider dynamic frequency range. Record with lossless audio formats supported by professional camcorders. The Studio Mode allows for mixing vocals over recorded or instrumental music.
My hubby and I are not the only ones who enjoy being outside when the weather turns cooler. Vinny, our trip-collie, enjoys running through the yard and playing with his stick. The video below, captured with the LG V20 Smartphone, shows my hubby playing with Vinny.
The excellent image and sound quality rivals that of any DSLR camera or HD camcorder that I have used. Vinny’s bark is clear and you can hear the stick hitting the concrete far off in the distance.
One the same day we were out enjoying the coolness, the Super Moon rose over the Earth. My hubby and I wanted to see how well the camera would do. It is hard for even the hi-tech cameras to capture quality images at night and especially the moon.
The photo below is pretty good, the LG V20 actually captured the glow around the moon.
Super moon
If having a quality camera and video recorder is a top priority when selecting a new smartphone; then you need to consider purchasing the LG V20 from Verizon Wireless. The image and video quality exceeded our expectations. Most people think you would need to carry with you the clunky DSLR camera or weighty camcorder to get these high quality results. Instead, it is all within reach of your smartphone. Your all-in-one media package is now complete with the LG V20 smartphone.
FTC Disclaimer: Bubbling With Elegance And Grace received the LG V20 Smartphone from Verizon Wireless in order to write this review. We received no monetary compensation for this review and all opinions are our own. After the demo time period was over, the smartphone was returned back to Verizon Wireless.
Traveling alone has a lot of practical advantages- planning the trip is a breeze, it’s easier to stick to a budget and you get the required break from all the hustle bustle of your daily life. But apart from these obvious pros of traveling solo, it is also good for your soul. It’s a great way to shut out the noise around you and gives you quality time with yourself. Getting away from your monotonous days at work and taking a time to unwind by yourself makes any holiday special. Whether it’s a beautiful trek or a nice cozy spa treatment you crave, these five cities in India have a lot to offer.
A resort town at the foot of the Himalayas, Manali is a premier destination for hippies and trekkers alike. With countless places to hike and trek, you can spend hours in the wilderness all by yourself. With the Beas river nearby, you can spend some time at the banks, surrounded by the rush of the clear mountain water. Manali is an ideal place for a solo traveler who is looking to unwind. Make sure you charge up your camera, as the captivating views of the Himalayas are sure to put a spell on you.
Soak up some culture in this vibrant city with a huge variety of things to keep you busy. Right in the middle of Thar Desert, this city is scattered with picturesque monuments such as Jaisalmer Fort, Tazia Tower and a host of gorgeous Havelis. Apart from these, Jaisalmer is known for great Rajasthani food and the beautiful sand dunes in and around the city. Head to the Jeep Safari and the Camel Safari to get a closer look at the amazing wildlife in this city.
If you’re tired of the hustle bustle of your everyday life and need a moment to catch up with yourself, then this is the perfect place for you. Rejuvenate your senses at any of the relaxing Ayurvedic spas on Marari Beach which is located very close to Allepey. You could also take an enchanting boat ride in the backwater of Kerala for some much needed ‘me’ time. There are a number of temples in Allepey that should make every tourist to do list.
Take your pick of serene beaches such as the Serenity Beach and Promenade Beach in this French Colonial town. Admire the beautiful architecture of the Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus or immerse yourself in nature in the Botanical Garden. Auroville, an experimental township should be on every travellers checklist. The meditation and yoga sessions offered here are sure to give you some peace of mind which is necessary in today’s world.
Known as The Queen of Hills, this is a great place to travel alone to. Filled with many heritage structures, you can explore the town for a long time. With many options of going around to visit the Senchal or Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuaries, you might also catch a glimpse of a few elephants or, if you are lucky, a leopard. Another plus point of visiting Darjeeling is the tea. The numerous tea plantations are a great place to relax and forget about your urban troubles.
India has a place for every solo tourist, be it religious, scenic or filled with animals. Solo travelling is a joy that everyone must experience at least once in their life time. Just grab a few clothes and your camera, and you are set. With such a wide range of places, you are sure to enjoy the holiday alone.
Author: Rohit is a seasoned traveler with a passion for writing and sharing his experiences with the world. Be sure to catch up with him on his blog TransIndiaTravels.com for many tips on traveling.
It is hard to believe that it has been ten years since our favorite beagle came running into our life. Back in November 2006; a runaway beagle had been rescued by a friend of a colleague from work. However, the friend and her family could not keep him because they already had three beagles of their own who didn’t like the new addition to their family. The friend was desperate to find a new home for him. She contacted her neighbors, her family and her friends, one of which was our colleague. Our colleague talked let us know that he was available because at the time, we wanted to have a second dog in the family. Not sure how it would go, we met the lady and her family and the beagle. But once we meet him, we knew we wanted to add him to our family.
On November 15, 2006; Giovanni David – “GIO” – came home with us. Needless to say, our life has never been the same since. Nor has it been quite either.
The many faces of Gio!
The early days with Gio were touch and go. He was a runaway dog from the streets that needed to learn how to love and how to be discipled. He could not be trusted in the house by himself. He would scratch up the walls, he would leave us presents in odd places and he would bark all the time. We recruited the help of a trainer to see what could be done. After she spent only 90 minutes with him, he was now staying in a crate when were gone, he stopped leaving the presents and he started to show us love. Through tough love and discipline, he is now a sweet and lovable; but still very loud beagle. And we would not have it any other way.
True to his beagle nature, Gio is called to the wild and wants to be outside any opportunity he can. No, he is not chasing rabbits, instead he is often in hot pursuit of the squirrels who call our backyard home. Gio is chasing them up the tree, across the yard and any which way he came. He is doing all he can to catch one of them. And I know with his determination that he just might do it.
If being outside is Gio’s number one love, then eating would be a close second. Gio is always ready for food. He often reminds us when it is time to eat. We see him looking at his Snoopy watch; getting ready for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And my goodness, don’t be a minute late from the regularly scheduled meal; he will let you know. He will bark at you, he will nudge you and will not leave you alone until you give him the food. He is also the King of Treats in the house. Once we finish our dinner, he is ready for his treats. It could be one of his biscuits, or it could be baby carrots (yes, carrots) or even nuts. Oh don’t forget the cheese. He loves him some cheese. It doesn’t matter the kind – hard cheese or shredded, Italian or Colby Jack. He will eat it all. He can hear the crinkling of the plastic wrapper in the refrigerator and he will come running.
Gio waiting for a treat (or two, or possibly even three or four).
Gio is a super-excited beagle and has a strong attitude at times. Okay, all the time. When we come home from work or church and we let him out of his crate; it is a barking fest until he gets outside and takes care of his business. He is also in hot pursuit of those squirrels to make sure they get out of his backyard. Then when we come back inside, he knows it is time to eat. And he won’t stop the barking until you give him the food. Sometimes I wonder who is in charge of this household.
Trying to get Gio to focus
Just as much as Gio loves to play hard and also sleeps hard too. When his squirrel chasing duties are done for the day; he will snuggle in bed, cover up in his blankets and snore l louder than any human that I know. It is also so sweet to know, when we go to the living room and read our Bible Chapter; GIo will come up there, laying on the carpet right next to us. And when we finish, he is ready to go back on his own bed.
Gio laying next to us while we are ready our daily Bible chapter.
Please join with me in wishing Gio a very happy birthday.
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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