Sunday, August 31, 2014

a Black Experience: HAIR





In all the thought, revulsion, and controversy about hair on a woman's body I found a picture of Sophia Loren, in all her splendor, and exquisiteness, posing luxuriously before the camera exuding something inexplicably irresistible. Once you get past the exaltation of your spirit looking at her beauty you might notice she is displaying a nice tuft of hair in her arm pit! 

As a boy and a teenage hair on women was all the rage (if I could quote the white boys). Black women's body hair hinted at something sensual, suggested something mysterious and lent to a woman's beauty what cosmetics could not create. A Black woman's body hair, the way she was conscious and unconscious of herself, and how she kept what was mysterious inaccessible aroused us as boys and later as men. For many of us, as I remember, seeing a good looking Black woman with fine hair on her legs was enough to send us running down the street yelling, "Oh, my God! She's fine! She's from God!!" 


Some women could pull off sporting thin black hairs along their lip line when it corresponded with smoldering eyes and a hot, dark look. In a bathing suit a woman's pubic hair peeping out was just enough of a suggestion, and it drove every cat I knew nuts! Now, I am talking about in the Black world, not the white world. We looked at the white world with suspicion and curiosity because their perception of the world was about controlling perceptions of others... 
- Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 8.30.14


1934 : Naissance de Sophia Loren, actrice.



Sophia Loren, legendary actress & beauty of the world-at-large




Have a Good Labor Day weekend!

Ingrid Araly

Ingrid Araly covered in mud.
August 31, 2013 

“There are few sights sadder than a ruined book.” ― Lemony Snicket, The Wide Window "


DARE DO DIE

Who is chasing who? The roles can change quickly. It is a law of nature, and a feature of the hunt. That distinction is inseparable from every engagement between Life and Death. It occurs in moments and in the high drama of a hunt for food in the forest, the open plains, or the microcosms all around us. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 4.22.13




.Journey of HEIGHTS

What she sees is within.
April 9, 2013
"The journey of heights we take plunges us into the depths from whence we came into the heights from which we fell. That is one way of looking at a mysterious ability of humans. The journey of heights is the Sankofa movement, and the forward thrust of intent, and the mild participation of prophecy acting, or working simultaneously for the maturation of our force, and the ascension of our spirit within from the limits of our bodies. Sacred life prepares us to leave this world more alive than dead from the strain of  holding form in a physical body." - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 4.22.13 (written 7 days before Mommy's body was delivered into the Earth, our Mother.)


"There's a natural mystique flowing through the air..."
- Bob Marley, singer
April 9, 2013


CAT-LIKE, she is


August 30, 2010
Jennifer Nguyen stretching into the mode of individuality is important to the feeling of being alive. When I look at this captured moment I think, "Exquisite is the moment, is the woman." - Dawn Wolf, Keeper of Stories 11.13.13



tattoo on Cosetta Chantal's back



Friday, August 29, 2014

Transition



face of actress Kristin Scott Thomas 

mystery of beauty in Kristin Scott Thomas
50 means the age of change for women 

 · By 


If we were to take a look back in time, say, 20 years ago, we would instantly notice that women seemed to enter a period of domestic bliss once they reached 50. With their children grown-up and even settled down, their lives became a peaceful, much-welcome routine. Today, ladies in their late ‘40s and early ‘50s are the most eager to change everything about their life that was once worth all the effort to hang on to, specialists are telling the Daily Mail.

50 is a dangerous age for women – and it’s become so increasingly over the past years – because they now feel they want and need more from life than what they have. This also explains why the rate of divorce is soaring for ladies who fit in this age segment and, surprisingly enough, in 65 percent of the cases, it’s the wife who instigates the divorce proceedings, as a new survey in the US comes to show. Women, it seems, are too bored with their life and it’s just now that they come to realize it and want to change it.

“Divorce statistics show women in the 50-plus age group leading the call to ditch their marriages and remarry, or set up home on their own, or go travelling, or start new careers. American psychologist Louann Brizendine, whose book ‘The Female Brain’ maps the key changes our minds and emotions undergo at different life stages, points out that 65 per cent of divorces after 50 are now initiated by women.” Dr. Pam Spurr says in the Daily Mail piece.

Although these changes and the altered perspective on life could be easily explained by “a seismic hormonal shift,” as Dr. Spurr adds, chances are women also grow tired of their old routine and simply want a change – be it for the better or worse does not really matter, as long as it’s something new. Cases of financially-independent ladies who have ditched their former lifestyles completely are quite frequent, the Mail piece points out. Others, either not able to see to their every dream or not bold enough to make such drastic changes, simply file for divorce, change careers, or choose to travel/move abroad.

Either way, 50 years old is the universal threshold when the need for these changes begins to be felt, all experts agree.


actress Kristin Scott Thomas in a scene, Four Weddings & a Funeral 


LADY IN BLACK

Xanny in black dress admiring what others marvel at.
August 29, 2012


Black woman in pearls, black gloves & gown showing breasts



ODD

Thinking like a hunter, and a predator I don't understand the positioning of the men at all. There must be an ideology outside of mine at work here. What am I mistaking? - Gregory E. Woods 4.22.13

What???


Thursday, August 28, 2014

OPENING ACT


Sarah Silverman celebrates the Golden Globes - Jan. 2014 her style !!!!


When I heard Sarah Silverman's humor I needed to pay attention. She is sharp and intelligent. I could hear in her voice a white American woman. When I did see her on television spots here and there nothing jumped out that distinguished her. In short, she became part of a cultural landscape that did not include me and my kind. Apparently, there is and has been a dismissive notion that women are not funny. I didn't know this until last year watching a provocative documentary about women comediennes talking about their craft. Their words were stories awakened by a sense of being tagged by a dominate group. I know that group. In some way male privilege affords me partial entry into a club held by white men. So, I have to take some of the backlash from women in their lots in life they don't belong to. It is a touchy subject, but one needing to be touched. 

Earlier this year I saw Sarah Silverman's stand up comedy on cable. It was her own show. It started out with her bouncing a ball against a wall in the evening hours wearing an outfit that captured my breath and my attention. Her back to the street a souped up classic car with three macho Hispanic thugs pulled up and called to her because she looked so good in her black thigh high leggings from behind. I was curious too. When she turned around their was a collective gasp of air quickly exhaled because she was tough, obviously unafraid, and sharp of tongue. An immediate turn on. The trio took the bait and conversation ensued. It was short. She was memorable if you like the look of white women wearing black clothes drawing attention to either the whiteness, or the dark cloth. Either way a confident good-looking white woman pulls it off when she is sharp herself as steel. 

This is how I got into her humor. I've seen this show three, no four times. It gave me insights into the way crude white boy humor comes out of an intelligent good-looking white woman. Sarah Silverman deliberately bent perceptions squeezing humor out of what could easily be bizarre. It is something white men (famous or not) who are funny can do so well. I am making these assessments from a place of a Black man and an Indian man (African and Muskogee) view. White humor keeps 'us' on guard because it is physical and leers into the dark vestiges of violence at times with a thin membrane keeping one from the other. It isn't true for all white comics professionally, or not, but it is a fact we've learned to guard against with keen vigilance. 

In the audience of a beautiful white comedienne a Black man has to be careful of his senses because her appeal will justify letting his guard down, and escort his good sense out the door, in a comedy venue dominated by white Americans. The tendency to laugh in their presence in the hope they will like you better is a demeaning force of energies with one purpose: to tear integrity down. These are subtle things, but important in the context of navigation in America's social structure. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 8.28.14 


Sarah's fashion


Sarah Silverman holding her crotch !!!!



Teaching the aspiring warrior

summer asana

This is a splendid blend of two arts: painting & photography. The tension between the two is resolved by the light... - Dawn Wolf, Keeper of Stories 4.21.13


Focus: an attribute given to he who developed it. This is a warrior teaching. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories
April 22, 2013
Son, what do you notice first breasts, eyes or lips, and in what order?


Hello


Wednesday, August 27, 2014

LOOK 7 Generations Down


Meet The Generation Of Incredible Native American Women Fighting To Preserve Their Culture 

by Danielle Seewalker




Native Americans represent just one per cent of the US population and some languages have only one speaker left. Now a new generation is fighting to preserve the culture.

Meet the women leading that fight:


LET'S BE CLEAR about this!



joy of a child 


“When you’re unhappy, you get to pay a lot of attention to yourself. And you get to take yourself oh so very seriously. Your truly happy people, which is to say, your people who truly like themselves, they don’t think about themselves very much. Your unhappy person resents it when you try to cheer him up, because that means he has to stop dwellin’ on himself and start payin’ attention to the universe. Unhappiness is the ultimate form of self-indulgence.” — Tom Robbins



joy of actress Hilary Duff on the beach


EDUCATE ADULTS


Nadine Williams is a Canadian author and poet
"Each child is born with the seeds of their own brilliance.  You start from that position then our job is to find and nurture passion that leads to that brilliance. Amazing things happen!" - Resa Steindell Brown, author of 'The Call To Brilliance' 


Angie Vu Ha is an international sensation as a DJ, model and other business interests that keep her traveling around the world. - August 27, 2013 



Natural in outside light

Rosario Dawson's natural beauty

romina-aranzola-playboy-mexico-12









Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Poverty vs Solutions


introspection one day...



Poverty: A Domestic Issue That Can't Be Overlooked
By Dr. Sinclair N. Grey III (Here's an article I wrote that was recently published.)


No rational person wants to see anyone go hungry. Let’s face it – everyday poverty affects many people in one way, shape, or form. We cannot ignore it because poverty isn't just a community problem or a state problem, it’s a global problem. Anytime men and women, boys and girls have to face economic hardship, housing misfortune, food deficiency, and medical deprivation, we have a crisis. For too long, people have looked over poverty with a policy here and a policy there, but failed to do anything of substance.

In a report released by the U.S. Census Bureau, it was declared in 2010 that “15.1% of the general population lived in poverty.” A breakdown is as follows: “9.9% of all White persons, 12.1% of all Asian persons, 26.6% of all Hispanic persons (of any race), 28.4% of all Black persons. About half of those living in poverty are non-Hispanic White (19.6 million in 2010), but poverty rates are much higher for Blacks and Hispanics. Non-Hispanic White children comprised 57% of all poor rural children.” These statistics are troublesome for a country that has resources but wishes to place many of those resources in other countries to help build up their infrastructure while the people at home suffer.

Whenever cities/communities are struck with high unemployment, business divestment, and government inefficacy, the likelihood that a family will avoid poverty is very slim. If you look at cities and individuals hit hard with poverty, you’ll find private property abandonment which not only depletes a neighborhood, but also adds a criminal element to the fact.

Professor Mark Flowers, the author of Three-Handed Economist suggests a few ways in which we can alleviate domestic poverty by doing the following:

• Treating underdeveloped areas as disaster areas by bringing in community organizers
• Incentivizing businesses to invest and making it business friendly
• Using government revenues for public works projects which will give jobs and income to those most in need to be spent in the local community thereby creating a need for new business development which in turn creates new jobs.

Poverty is a problem that all of us must deal with on a regular basis. Even though statistics may show it affects certain ethnic groups more than others, the fact of the matter is that poverty is a human problem whereby humans need to address and solve the problem. I’m challenging our country to make dealing with poverty within the U.S. a top priority. This is by no means discrediting the problems/issues happening in other parts of the world, however, when we overlook the concerns of the people in our own backyard, how can we justify spending money in other countries in humanitarian aid and effort, when the very people who are hurting and suffering in the U.S. can’t afford to live. It’s time that we, as a country, stop being politically correct with other countries and learn to be more empathetic and compassionate with the cares and needs of our own citizens.8.21.14


Black woman in her messy room



SACRED SPACES

Rae Dawn Chong, a nude study, is the daughter of comedian
Tommy Chong of Cheech & Chong, and  an actress in her own might. 

rain on a moonlite night

rainbow around the Earth. . .





Monday, August 25, 2014

LIFE EVOLVES

singer, Tania Marissa
August 11, 2013

“The only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work, and the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking, and don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking, don't settle.”
Steve Jobs (1955-2011);
Co-founder Apple Inc.



Tania Marissa's wedding day
August 25, 2012


WHAT AN IMAGE!

An African woman modeling heels for a High On HeelsYou can find these shoes here.
April 16, 2013


IMAGE


What is image? The perception of being, and the being within one's perceptions interprets the moment in myriad ways. It is there, or it isn't. If its presence isn't obvious is that an illusion, or imagination? People who frequently get high have altered reality to the point their perceptions of things are questioned and seen either as farce, or insight. How reasonable folks receive them is dependent upon the users’ approach to their drugs. It is the sacred approach that makes the difference. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 4.20.13



Safiyyah Abdullah standing firm.




Sunday, August 24, 2014

ina WHITE WEDDING DRESS


MARRIAGE & Ceremony


"I've always been moved by the splendor of white and elaborate wedding dresses. Something about the formality, and the finality of commitment engages my spirit to challenge my mind to think about the concepts that support marriage, and the consequences of manipulating them nefariously. It, marriage, is a divine thing wrought with the misspent urges of denial, abuse, and dominance. But, that changes with the emotional climate of individuals who re-discover that change comes from within. That discovery unleashes chains of events, and forward motions that can alter existing conditions, or states of being. Again, the powers of the spoken word working for the betterment of the soul..." - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 4.20.13

April 18, 2013
Femme De Luxe


What She Sees She Feels


Break sometimes broken
The sounds of a branch coming down out of a beautiful oak tree
The words that may be spoken
A river flowing along a green bank with rocks adorned 
Comes to a fork to split
Thoughts of love basking in the sun forlorn
Hearts ripped apart and torn
Life coming into this world....born
Eyes open to look upon the sea
Sun setting cresting over the willow trees
Breaking silence in a crowed room
Feelings emotions not to look back
Walking along with nature....thinking...trying... staying on track
Holding hands for miles....separated by death letting go
Memories to hold on to......just flow
A first kiss to remember held close in time
Life can be broken.....Love heals...its certainly sublime 
Its all in our life.......Time


Donna L Hughes
Feb 27 2014



I loѵє ʍodє & ƒɑsɦioи & ʍɑkє µρ


"Wedding days I dreamt of and thought of and hoped I had paled against the wedding I did have that came from and honored the essence of who we are together..." - Gregory 2.27.14




The Subject of Marriage



"Marriage among the elite has always been a business deal...that's how they kept their money with just a few. But in this era of extreme materialism, the marriage business is just another victim that reflects our lack of spirituality, recognition of self worth, the recognition of a purpose beyond the immediate and the awareness that we are all connected and you will find the one that is meant for you at a time when both of you have put in the work on one's self to recognize and benefit from each other. We don't understand continuation of anything in a society where everything that is made is manufactured to be replaced within 2 years...and our marriages and commitments have taken the same path because we (mistakenly) think this is normal." - Safiyyah Abdullah 1.3.13




Saturday, August 23, 2014

Mystery is a SHE


 August 23, 2012

August 23, 2012
The Muse. She enlightens the spiritual mindset to depend on outside and internal stimuli because of the variety of sensations that stimulate growth and creativity are works of creation. ~ Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 5.8.13





























SEXUAL POWERS are DIVINITY


older woman deeper beauty 


Sexuality and the Older Woman - Article by Shaina Gaul



Valerie Harper hikes up her breasts on red carpet June 2010 




UPON REQUEST

April 19, 2013
High On Heels

THE BEAST

Seduction is predicated upon a man receiving sex without commitment, and a woman in the same pattern controlling the passions of the man for her selfish needs, and wants. In these seductions men often confuse the pull towards a woman with his personal powers doing the bidding. Upon examination his pull isn't as strong as the Moon's pull. Those forces emanating from women's bodies move the tides, and the tides move and sway them as well. The men, are the stones beneath the water's surface swaying to and fro'.

THE MAN

Men are seduced by power and their contribution to powers within the women desirous of them. - Gregory E. Woods 4.20.13




sacred geometry 6



A Reality STAR


I cannot and never have considered the showcasing of my immaturity as a means of making money. But, the business of making money and living extravagantly can and has narrowed down ethics and devalued the maturation process of some to make money in an industry hungry for the next money making scheme. Currently, the immature, but beautiful women steeped in trivia and gossip have associated themselves with wealth and directly misguided millions, so inclined, without the fundamental prerequisites for watching television: insight, keen knowledge, analytical minds, intellectual curiosity and emotional stability. Let me stop there. 

Reality television has also become a platform for the prepared mind to catapult their dreams, display business acumen, and present products into the national and international market place. That is no small feat, nor is it the thinking of a small minded person. How some reality stars know to do this and prepare for it impresses me, and baffles me, and clearly escapes the simple minded people who dote over the trite nature of many reality shows that reflect the way of their live's patterns. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 8.21.14 




Melissa Gorga in white dress


Melissa Gorga


reality star Melissa Gorga
of Real Housewives of New Jersey


Kris Jenner's compelling face



Friday, August 22, 2014

CAME I AM



I Am Miss Buttafly 


My desire is not to be the most spiritual, the most enlightened, or even the most knowledgeable. My desire is not be the sexiest, the most seductive, or the most sensual.
My desire, my purpose even, is to embody my oneness with self, to dwell in the sacred space between my pussy and my pineal, to allow the energy from my heart chakra to flow and flood the darkness. You can call me Green Lantern.

My desire is to navigate and moderate the gulf between the whore and the Madonna, to walk the Green mile between my crown and my root, to settle somewhere along the Nile of my being and create civilization, to live a life that is balanced and fruitful and pleasurable and understanding.

This is why I have come.
Why are you here?IAm MissButtafly




Giada De Laurentiis, at 43


Born August 22, 1970 in Rome, Lazio, Italy,
Italian born American chef, Giada De Laurentiis., is the current host
of Food Network's show, Giada at Home.


Gallery




Giada De Laurentiis
Giada De Laurentiis arrives at 5th annual Kidstock to benefit One Voice Scholar's program.
June 5, 2011 



ME TAKING MY PICTURE

I'sha Williams

Sacred Woman dreaming in semi-darkness
self-portrait in mirror

"The development of the mind contributes to the human need that manifests itself in the creation of his vigilance. World Peace comes from awareness that transcends to that which is untouchable. It is the highest in yourself that gives up the struggle for the resurrection which is peace on earth and in the universe.


Death is only a transition that has the ability to manifest itself in this higher form that finally unites with eternity. Love for all has a consciousness that is translated with the boundlessness of the source, which is love.

One mind is one heart for the world. Let's open it for each other and let’s grow together in peace with consciousness that resides in eternity." 
- Hildegarde © 2012 









"Each rotation is the excitement that is released into what is hidden is that open for you
as love you meet the other in oneself." - Hildegarde Follon©2012 


"This rotation of love is what keeps us alive ! We should try our best not to put obstacles in its way ! Thank you for these beautiful words and picture, dear Hildegarde. Much love to you!"  - Theresa Goubran-Keshta