GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLFRIEND GATHERINGS

Learning from YOU to empower ME !

A Girlfriend Gathering – The Ensemble Theatre (“Sanctified”)

By

Right on Main Street of downtown Houston is one of its best cultural assets – The Ensemble Theatre.   Founded in 1976 by George Hawkins, it is one of the few theatres in the southwest region of our nation focused on productions that depict the African-American experience.   To learn more about this wonderful theatre, go to http://www.ensemblehouston.com/about/founder.html.

This weekend we gathered to attend the current production of “Sanctified” – a gospel comedy about the drama between the church pastor and the congregation when there are differences in the vision for the church.   With “laugh-out-loud” humor, the story introduced us to a variety of characters who all had their personal dreams/flaws entwined into the church’s future.  However, with some “heavenly” guidance, they all are transformed and finally join together to position their church for growth.   In addition to wonderful acting, all of these actors had us clapping, singing, and thoroughly engaged with their renditions of the gospel songs performed in the production.

I am a long-time subscriber of the Ensemble Theatre and I find the theatre experience far exceeds the cost of the subscription as the productions are always enjoyable.   It is a great event to experience with the girlfriends.

The 2011-2012 season is ending with this last production – “Sanctified”.   So, check out the next season’s 2012 – 2013 productions at:

http://www.ensemblehouston.com/season/seasonlineup12-13.html

If you live in the Greater Houston area, consider a subscription.   If you live out of town and plan to visit Houston, please add The Ensemble Theatre to your list of places to visit.

QUESTIONS:

If you have visited The Ensemble Theatre, please share your thoughts on your experience.

If  you have not visited The Ensemble Theatre, please share with us why you have not considered it for a place to visit for a night out on the town.

.

Women of A Certain Age – The Yearly Mammogram

By

Recently, I had my yearly visit with Lisa, the mammography technician at The Woman’s Place.

As I stood there holding my breath, with my breast feeling like a large lump of peanut butter smashed between two crackers, I wanted to scream at the “man” that had invented that damned torturous device used for the mammogram exam.

I vowed to research his name and send him a scathing email advising him to try it on certain parts of his body to attain empathy for the female experience.  However, like having a baby, the pain (and the vow) was soon forgotten as I went back into the “busy-ness” of my daily life.

Now, I have made a discovery that I plan to try next year.   Since none of my girlfriends have mentioned it to me, I assume that they have not made this discovery so I decided to blog about it this week.

3D Mammography – (called Tomosynthesis) – is the newest technology.   This type of mammogram shows the breast in slices and will detect small/hidden cancer, which is good news for women with dense breasts.  It has been reported there has been up to a 50% reduction in the false positive rate because of this new technology.  The best news is that it is now FDA approved and available to all women for a cost of the insurance payment plus $50 out-of-pocket.  I call that a bargain for reported less discomfort and more peace of mind.

Take this information, do your research, and consider this type of mammography for your next exam.

Also, I want to share a sad story with you about the importance of the yearly mammogram.   Once a group of female co-workers and I formed a mammogram pack to remind each other to make and keep our yearly mammogram exams.   One year, one of these co-workers informed us that she was in the advance stage of breast cancer.   We were all shocked and inquired as to how this remained undetected through her yearly exams.   She confessed to us that she had lied to us and it had been 10 years since she had a mammogram.    As a result, she had a double mastectomy to save her life.

I never understood why she lied to us each year.

So, ladies, please nudge all of the females in your life to take care of themselves.   Please share this information and this story with them.   Let them know that technology is changing and there are now easier ways to have this critical exam.

Questions:

Do you have your annual mammograms?

Do you have any friends that are neglectful with these critical exams?

Would you be willing to try the new technology?

A Simple Thank You – Remembering our Fallen Veterans

By

Today is the day we set aside each year to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country – America – and all that she stands for.   I know a lot of us spend this day at the beach and/or park with family/friends enjoying a day off from work.  However, I hope there were some prayers made for our men and women in uniform who are in harm’s way protecting our freedoms.

In my daily life, whenever I encounter a soldier in uniform, I walk up to him or her; reach out my hand for a handshake, and say, “Thank you for your service to our country.”    I have done this in the grocery store, at the bus stop, in department stores and I am always surprised at the response.   Each soldier that I have acknowledged in this manner seemed very humbled by my thanks.

I feel our soldiers have a right to expect gratitude from us.    They voluntarily leave their careers, lives, and loved ones to do their duty.   Their pledge of allegiance is followed up by direct actions when they go off to face our enemies.    Whether you are supportive of war or not, I believe we all should always support our troops with our voices and our actions.

For our fallen heroes, let us pray for them and for their families.   For our active heroes, let us find one action we can make to show our appreciation for their dutiful service.    Please consider visiting www.militaryfamily.org to find a way to help.

God Bless America!

 

QUESTIONS:

Do you have any suggestions on how we can support our troops?

Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Mother’s Day – Appreciating Momma

By

I hope everyone enjoyed your families today.   If you are blessed to still have your mother, I hope she had lots of smiles and laughter with you today.  If you have lost your mother, I hope you had peaceful moments to reflect on your memories of moments with her.

You know there is a reason the first word we learn is “Momma” and that is because she is the first person we meet when we enter this world.   In her arms is where most of us first experience those feelings of love, peace and security.  As a young child, just being in the same room with my mother was comforting.

Growing up and learning the vulnerability of my mother was my first step into adulthood and acceptance that this goddess was human after all.   I realized that one day our roles would reverse and she would need to lean on me.  I call it “Momma Duty” and I am happy to oblige.

“Momma Duty” may not pop up at an opportune time but it always gets priority and my undivided attention.    With patience and love, I put on my “Dutiful Daughter” hat and get to it simply because it is Momma.

Always in the back of my mind are the words of my father when my grandmother died.    He told me, “You and your sister are my daughters and I love you.   Your Mother is my wife and I love her, too.   But, there is nobody like Momma and I have lost my Momma.”

If the laws of nature prevail, one day I will bury my mother.  Until that moment, I will love this imperfect goddess and strive to show her my appreciation each day for all she has done for me in my life.

I hope all of you have the same feelings for your mother.

So on this day, I want to simply say:

God Bless All Mothers and Daughters!

Girlfriends Out On the Town – A Smooth Jazz Feast

By

Recently, I discovered from a girlfriend that one of my favorite smooth jazz artists was coming to town in 2 days!   I immediately purchased tickets to attend because I was starving for a live smooth jazz concert.    For the past few years, it seems the smooth jazz concert venues in Houston have diminished especially since we lost our smooth jazz station.   It seems that fans in Europe and Asia are more interested in our jazz artists than we are these days.

So, when I heard Kirk Whalum (www.kirkwhalum.com) and Jonathan Butler (www.jonathanbutler.com) were coming to town, I was ecstatic.   It had been too many years since I had seen them live and they were performing at my favorite music theatre – Arena Theatre – (www.arenahouston.com) where every seat is the perfect seat.

Attending that concert made me realize that I could use some soul-healing music in my life on a frequent basis.   So, I am dusting off the CDs from my extensive smooth jazz collection and plan to start following my favorite artists again.

Here are a few of my favorite artists:

Warren Hill                www.warrenhill.com    (Passion Theme)

Kim Waters               www.kimwaters.net     (It’s Time for Love)

Everette Harp           www.everetteharp.com

Marcus Miller           www.marcusmiller.com

Walter Beasley          www.walterbeasley.com

George Duke           www.georgeduke.com

Marion Meadows      www.marionmeadows.com

Phillip Bent

 

Check them out and listen to the two songs I listed above.

I think a man that can create music with an instrument (especially a saxophone and a guitar), exudes sensuality.   The way they touch and interact with their instruments is like watching a lover’s wooing of his mate.     It definitely puts me in a more loving mood as Jazz is music that truly touches the heart and soul.

 

QUESTION:

Do you like smooth Jazz?    Why?     Why not?

If so, share some of your favorite artists.

Do you know of any local smooth jazz venues in Houston?

If so, please share the information.