KAmber of DisGrace!

I'm gonna make this short and simple. Yall know how I love me some Grace 'Can't-Do-No-Wrong' Jones! I get very agitated and agravated when others try to immulate her, especially ones that don't come close to the goodness of GRACE. Now I'm sure a lot of you have viewed the catasrophic diabolical HAMASTIC photo of Kanye's side-piece, Amber Rose and her poor attempt to channel my GRACE. (I won't post AR's version cuz she is not worthy). What the hell was the bish thinking? Oh my bad, she wasn't. If she were she would have known that this attempt was a HELL NAW! She lacks the poise, lines, charisma,talent, savoir faire, attitude and GRACE of the Chocolate Disco Diva. GRACE=ART! This piece=ART! Her work makes you think and wanna party. KAmber's attempt, IMHO, was an attempt to extend her 15 minutes of fame. She has to stay in the lime-light some way. It's just another way for her dumb ass to show her ass to the world (I can't really call her dumb. N E 1 that makes money for being the side-piece for one Kanye West can't really be that boorish). Alirght KAmber, we get it. You like being bald on BOTH heads and you want the world to know it. Sitcho cellulitic ass down! I normally don't really care for the bish. Now initally I didn't like or dislike the trollop but now I loathe this bish with a capital LOATHE! I never went in threads talking about her b/c she never interested me but now the beast has ticked me off! Ok I'm getting more furious so I will make like Kanye's dick and cut this short. I hope the O' Great GRACE haul off and bust the bish in her head and yall know she will do it!

//signed//
A very disgusted Cat's Meow

Joshua Williams lived off of $8 a month!

Joshua Williams was the first African-American treated for his wounds in what is known today as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Ever heard of Joshua Williams?

His is an important name in the history of American Veterans.

Joshua Williams was the first African-American Veteran ever admitted to the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, which is now the Dayton, Ohio, VA Medical Center.

Joshua Williams was admitted to the home in March of 1867. He lived out the remainder of his life—three more years—there. The cemetery where Joshua Williams lies is now known as the Dayton National Cemetery.

Abraham Lincoln authorized the creation of National Homes to care for disabled, injured, and sick soldiers who fought to preserve the union, including those who served with U.S. Colored Troop (USCT) regiments. The National Homes was the precursor to today's Department of Veterans Affairs, with 153 medical centers and nearly 300,000 employees who care for all Veterans.

Joshua Williams served as a private for the Union forces in the Civil War and received a serious leg wound. His military service records described him as 6 feet 1 inches tall, "copper" complexion, brown eyes, and curly hair. He was listed as "free."

Pension was $8.00 a Month

By 1869, his wound affected the entire left side of his body and doctors at the National Home classified him as totally disabled for pension purposes—which was $8.00 per month.

Approximately 180,000 African Americans served as volunteer soldiers in 163 US Colored Troops units, comprising roughly 10% of the Union Army during the Civil War. Of the 198,000 African Americans that served in the Union forces, 36,847 died.

Approximately 21,000 Union veterans were admitted to four 'homes' between 1866 and 1881, and of that number, 195 were US 'Colored' Troops.

Related links:

Dayton, Ohio Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Dayton National Cemetery

Wake Up and Pay Attention!

Ya know, Life, it's not that hard. We just make it more difficult then it really is. Loving, it's not so complicated. We just don't know when, where and how to accept it. We are oftentimes so unaware of the powerful enigmatical presence when it's among us. Giving ain't difficult. What's so bewildering about opening up ur heart? Listen to it and the blessings flow...literally. I find that periodically in our quest for advice, we know the answer to the question we seek but just don't want to face it. Wether we are not sure if it's the answer or afraid of the outcome, we KNOW! None of these are as operose as we make it out to be. If u need to know the way...wake up and PAY ATTENTION!

//signed//
The Enlightened Cat's Meow

THE TIME IS DRAWING NIGH!

In a lil more then 24 hrs, I will be in my footed PJs, sipping on Pink Panties, gulping down jello shots and pizza while celebrating my existence with some of my friends. "The Boss" and I, mainly her, have been planning this for weeks now and I'm so excited! I've been banned from the house after 12pm tomorrow so I think there's some type of decorating goings-on. I can see it now...pictures of ME & pink EVERYWHERE!I've ordered the famous Blue Bell icecream from Texas; B'nana Pudding, Cookies-N-Cream and Butter Pecan icecream will be at my door tonight packed in dry ice. I must confirm the pizza delivery and buffalo wing place, peel the shrimp and prepare the pig-in-the-blankets. Speaking of blankets, I think we may need more of those for tomorrow. My bourdoir looks like a Tsunami ran through it and my bathroom, a hurricane is no match for. Yeah I'm a messy Diva but I'm ok with that. I wish my other "me", Filita, could be here but she has to get her nursing on at work in D.C. and I'm mad about it!
Anyway, I hope everyone is up on their game of Twister cuz since I've never played, I WILL be cheating! So! It's MY party and I'll cheat if I want to! Cheat if I want to! Cheeeaaat if I want to! LMSBAO! Let's see, there will also be games of Phase 10, Vodka Roulette, Spades, a lip synching contest, two footed pajama contest and downing of more jello shots! This will be an event to remember...as long as I don't have any Hennessy. "The Boss" has banned me from having Hennessy in the public. She says my tyrant of an alter-ego, Elvada, reveals herself to the world and she is a BITCH! The funny thing is, I never remember anything after drinking it so I guess banning me from it is a good thing. I must get my new hair cut tomorrow and that will be an experience within itself. I've haven't sat in a beauticians chair in years. I normally go to the barbershop but since I've grown my hair out in the front, I must take a quick detour. Hhmmm....I just thought of something esle to complete my night. I'll keep ya posted. Today, Life is good.

//signed//
I'm the Cat's Meow and this is MY life as a COVERGIRL!

Ruth C. Ellis, the SGL Legacy

Ruth Ellis, and African-American LGBTQ activist, was born July 23, 1899 and died October 5, 2000. She was the oldest known open lesbian & an LGBT rights activist. Her life was the subject of the documentary directed by Yvonne Welbon, Living With Pride: Ruth C. Ellis @ 100.

Ruth was born in Springfield, Illinois to Charlie Ellis and Carrie Farro Ellis. She was the youngest of four children in the family and the only daughter. Her parents were born in the last years of slavery in Tennessee.

Ruth's mother died when she was a just fifteen years old. She came out as a lesbian around 1915, and graduated from Springfield High School in 1919, at a time when fewer than seven percent of African Americans graduated from secondary school.

In the 1920s, she met the only woman she ever lived with, Ceciline "Babe" Franklin. They moved together to Detroit, Michigan in 1937 where Ellis became the first American woman to own a printing business in that city. She made a living printing stationery, fliers, and posters out of her house.

Ellis and Franklin's house was also known in the African American community as the "gay spot". It was a central location for gay and lesbian parties, and also served as a refuge for African American gays and lesbians. Although Ellis and Franklin eventually separated, they were together for more than 30 years. Franklin died in 1973. Throughout her life, Ellis was an advocate for the rights of gays and lesbians, and of African Americans. She died in her sleep at her home on October 5, 2000.

The Ruth Ellis Center
The Ruth Ellis Center honors the life and work of Ruth Ellis & is one of only four agencies in the United States dedicated to homeless LGBT youth and young adults. Among their services are a drop-in center, street outreach program, transitional living programs, and emergency housing shelter. If you're every in the neighborhood, drop on by ya hear.

This has been a moment in African-American history....GAY African-American History!

//signed//
The Afrocentric Cat's Meow

3 Tears N Da Bucket, Fuck It!

Whilst browsing thru the queendom after a long day at work and school, I decided to turn on the tv at 1 AM due to the inability to sleep. I stumbled across that show Millionaire Matchmaker and its rerun of the episode Millionairess Meltdown. This millionairessbitch agreed to go out with a gentleman on a date. He sends her a beautiful red dress to wear on the date and the ungrateful bitch complained about the size and threw it across the bed. Then she had the nerve to not even wear the dress and be late coming downstairs to the car. Now the kicker and the trigger for me was when the trollop came down, shook his hand and scurried back into the damn hotel. She ran so fast that her shoe came off. He picked her shoe up and waited for her to come back down to the car. Po' thang waited his new tan off cuz her ass never returned. Her bama ass had the nerve to leave her shoe behind like she was Cinderella! More like a damn Bitcherella to me. My heart sank to the bottom of my pink footed pajama. This pain and embarrasment was all too familiar to me.
I agreed to go out on a date with this guy who shall remain nameless (his name rhymes with Nathan Fornicate). I got all dolled up like you know I do, splashed on my lil face paint and was dressed to kill. I was so excited. I hadn't been on a date since...since...since...does my check up at the GYN count? Anyway, I waited for his arrival, I went down to get him to bring him up for a glass of wine, went into my room to find my purse and a quick glance in the mirror when I hear, "I'll be right back. Gotta get something from the car." The door shut and there was complete silence. You'd think that I would be elated but for some reason the butterflies in my stomach weren't from excitement, it was from an intuition. Nah I thought, "It's just nervousness from not being on a date since Mary kissed Joseph to get Jesus." Five minutes went by. Ten minutes had come and gone before I decided to go down and possibly meet him at the car. I got on the elevator, clutched my purse and then got off on the ground floor. I went outside the double glass doors only to find the spot were his car had been was empty. I looked "to da left, to da left" and there was no sign of the guy who's name ryhmed with Nathan. My heart sank like it did for the young man on the show but only at this time, my heart sank to the bottom of my pink, tear-stained stiletto. I called him on the way back to my apartment but I got no answer. Needless to say, I was very disappointed and very sad. I vowed that this would not happen to me again and it hasn't. But that could be because no one asks me out on a real date anyway (scratches head).
Whatever, his loss now, though I felt slighted at that time. I'm not sure what lesson I was supposed to have learned from all of this but I hope I learned it....I think.

Hmph..don't cry over spilled milk cuz my makeup is too expensive for that shit.

//signed//
The Cat's Meow
*dialing Patti Stanger*

Little Known Facts About A Little Known Black (Part Deux)

Otis Frank Boykin (1920-1982)an inventor and engineer, invented electronic control devices for guided missiles, IBM computers, and the control unit for a pacemaker.

Otis Frank Boykin was born in 1920 in Dallas, Texas. His mother was a homemaker and his father was a carpenter. He worked as a laboratory assistant at the nearby University's aerospace laboratory. Otis attended Fisk University and Illinois Institute of Technology, but dropped out after 2 years because his parents could not afford his tuition.

Boykin, in his lifetime, ultimately invented more than 25 electronic devices. One of his early inventions was an improved electrical resistor for computers, radios, televisions and an assortment of other electronic devices. Other notable inventions include a variable resistor used in guided missiles and small component thick-film resistors for computers.

Boykin's most famous invention was likely a control unit for the artificial heart pacemaker. The device essentially uses electrical impulses to maintain a regular heartbeat. Boykin died of heart failure in 1982.

Wow, so much talent and intellect is so deeply rooted in the African American community. And though I do appreciate the "famous" African Americans that contributed to society, I'm always greatful to find a not-so-famous African American that has contributed greatness to the society as well. I love me an IBM International Business Machines INVENTIVE BLACK MAN!

Cites:Biography.com/blackhistory

//Signed//
A Proud African American Cat's Meow

A Little Know Fact About a Little Known Black....

Without this guy and his invention, we still maybe getting our mail delivered by a dude on a horse that may or may not get our shit right and give our mail to the neighbors or the grocer down the street. Or we would still be standing outside waiting for the mail carrier to bring our checks or our BIRTHDAY cards out in the rain, snow, sleet or sunshine. But we don't and it's all because of PHILIP B. DOWNING.

The street letter drop mailbox with a hinged door that closed to protect the mail was invented by Philip B. Downing. Downing, an African-American inventor, patented his new device on October 27, 1891 (US Patent # 462,093).
His designed incorporated the hinged-door opening that is a common feature on US mailboxes. The mailbox he invented consisted of a lid that covered and closed the mailing slot, a safety plate that hung vertically in the box, a transverse plate that provided a shelf for receiving the mail inside the box, a weather strip to prevent the mailed from being weathered of rain or snow from damaging the mail, and a rod extention for support.

This has been a little known fact about a little known black and this has been a moment in African American History.

sources:Black Inventors and Evia Davis


//signed//
An informed Cat's Meow

You Go Gurl!

Today marks the month of MY Bornday! And this week, I'd like 2 challenge the ladies to encourage two deserving women a day thru encouragement, inspiration or a paying a compliment. Often times we fail to appreciate or acknowledge our fellow sisters whether we have time or we forget or we do so in silence. In our minds we may say "That sistah is doing the damn thang!" but try to say that shit out loud why don'tcha? It works wonders! We are quick to vocalize our disapproval of what she's wearing, what she's said, her un-Diva like actions or her attitude or the way she thinks. A lot of times I hear the, "Black women are the only race of women that tear each other down." This is NOT so! This happens amongst every race of women be they African American, Latino, Caucasian or the Asain Persuasions. Can we do more uplifting and less tearing down? Yes, we can. I've seen it happen countless of times. I love it when a woman compliments another woman. It gives me the warm fuzzies inside. Men, for some reason can't do that and if they do it's the "Hey man, those shoes are tight, NO HOMO." What the hell is that shit all about? I'll save that answer for another blog.
Ladies, let's share out positive thoughts about each other loud and proud this week. Post it on Facebooks, Myspaces, at the Walmart or at the mall, in the car next to you or walking down the street! Tell your coworker that you love her hair if you truly like it. Tell your neighbor that she looks FIERCE in those heels. Thank the cashier at McDonald's for getting your order in so promptly. If you see a woman coming towards you on the street and you feel her positive spirit and you think she's beautiful, be vocal about your thoughts. Make another sistahs day for a change. And if you so happen to run into anyone that doesn't like it, you tell them to come and see me!

I am the CAT'S MEOW and I've approved this message!

//signed//
The Cat's Meow

Happy Aqua Month!

HAPPY BORNDAY TO ALL OF MY AQUADIVAS AND DIVOS!

There is no other sign quite like the philanthropic, uber exciting and over the top Aqua! The water bearer is NO JOKE! We just don’t want to be like others and take pride in the fact that we are so fucking unique. We are zesty with extremes amount of energy and GRAND personalities! HA! Don't I know it! We love the world, cry for the world and try to save the world all while having fun doing it but DO NOT step on our toes 'cuz we don't take too kind of it! Though we are secretly super sensitive, we don't mind reading you up, down and all-up-and-thru! Our logic is like no other and we are totally ok with that. We say what we mean and mean what we say and if you don't like it then TOUGH TITTY! AQUAS RULE THE FREAKING WORLD!

Famous Aqua mottos:
I know, therefore I am.
How the Aquarian thinks now, the whole world will think 5 years from now!
So get PRESENT Bitches!

Some Aquarius Traits

Positive Traits• Super Friendly and humanitarian
• Honest and loyal
• Original and inventive
• Independent and intellectual

Negative Traits (if there are any)
• Intractable and contrary
• Perverse and unpredictable
• Unemotional and detached

Aquarius Likes: fame and recognition, personal privacy, rainbows, dreams, magic, change for its own sake, eccentricity, surprises, and living within their means despite the many temptations which constantly surround them every waking moment.
Aquarius Dislikes: people who show off, being taken for granted, being pinned down, violence and fighting, and senseless or purposeless extravagance of any sort.

This is a brief peak into our world so feel privileged!

//signed//
The Proud Aqua Cat's Meow

Happy BornMonth 2 Me!

Yes, I said BornMonth because this is the month of my birth and like most Divas, I celebrate it all month! From February 1st to February 28Th, I partake in festivities to celebrate my existence. Why the whole month you ask? BECAUSE I WANT TO! It's my party and I do what I wanna! And this year I wanna have a slumber party! Yep, I will be having a slumber party this year. I've never had one in my whole entire life. My parents were slightly uppity when it came to sharing our home with mere mortals so I never got the privilege to pop the corn, watch scary movies, talk about boys and my dreams and aspirations over hot cocoa in my footed pajamas. I never enjoyed junk food, snuck and drank alcohol and bad talk other girls while sitting around the fire with rollers in my hair. Now, I get that chance and I am so excited! I did, however, add a lil twist to it. I'm having a coed slumber party and every individual must wear footed pajamas or as I call them...a Royal Onesie! My friends will enjoy spending the night with 'moi' and experiencing how I wake up in the AM all refreshed, fussy and cute! There will be a lip syncing contest to two of my favorite songs, one of them "I BELIEVE THAT THE WORLD SHOULD REVOLVE AROUND ME" by Little Jackie and they must perform it as I would. I think I wanna have Footed PJ contests as well. One will be for the best/cutest PJ but of course I will win that by default. I CAN'T WAIT! I'll keep ya posted;)

//signed//
The Elated Cat's Meow