when I heard she had passed away, I decided in less than a split second I was going. lorenzo and I decided to hit the road. on this trip I would meet for the first time (in person anyway) Hassan and his wife Renee. he was the one who told me of her transition. we both were compelled to make this journey…us from Mississippi…them from las Vegas. this journey was about saying goodbye properly to a friend….my sister. we both know Nikki would have done the same for us.

on the way down, I contemplated how it would be saying goodbye to someone so beautiful, sharp and strong at such a young age. when I was younger, 38 seemed to be an entire lifetime. now I know that it’s usually only a fraction of the time we spend on the planet…living our lives either very well or not so well at all. for Nikki, that’s all she had. you really don’t think about your mortality until someone else’s is stripped away.

I must say nikki’s celebration was one of tears, praise and stories of an extraordinary woman. in those hours, I got more of a glimpse into Nikki…from a cousin…best friend…her brother aswad (of who she spoke of frequently with such love and admiration)…and many other friends and family. they all shared their love of Nikki for them and vice versa.

afterwards, Hassan, Renee, Lorenzo and myself trekked over to soul vegetarian to break bread. we shared our own stories of Nikki…what she meant to us and so many others…countless others she affected through her written words.

i called Nikki a portal yesterday. and that’s exactly what she was to so many people. she was the point of origin for some many relationships, between herself and others. we truly care for one another, even if you’ve never laid physical eyes upon one another.

if I hadn’t started blogging, I would have never connected with Nikki, Hassan or any other blogger. Nikki and i discovered that we weren’t so very different. it was a kinship that i will honor and treasure until i transition from this planet. Nikki’s untimely transition to become an honored ancestor bought together two couples who may have never even met. for that I am always grateful.

i am inspired to continue the connection.

when you start this blogging thing, you never know who you’ll come across or what relationships you’ll build. i’ve been connected to folk who i know i could count on when times were tough…who could lend a helping hand…folk who i am proud to call brother or sister. i lost a sister and her name was Nikki Harris.

anyone who didn’t have the pleasure of meeting this sister in person missed a beautiful soul. she was sharp as a knife’s edge and blessed with an incredible skill and mastery of the written word. in her (despite my lack of storytelling skills), i found a kindred soul…a sister who would tell me exactly what i needed to hear, without all the niceties…because she was real. we just simply clicked.

i pray for her family who have known her longer and will to do without her. sis, you’ll be missed…

forgive me folk! things have been so crazy, the last thing i’ve thought about is posting. well today i finally got my raised bed garden done…well one of them. this raised bed is 4′x6′. i’m trying some new this year…a square foot garden. each square contains something different. the contents are:

3 types of tomato
4 types of peppers
2 types of onion
purple hull peas
lima beans
zucchini
okra
cabbage
collards
mustards
thyme

i forgot to tell yall that the cowboy’s federal trial ended in a mistrial. they’re working up a second trial as i type. in terms of his mayoral ambitions for a second term, there might be trouble!
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Judge halts printing of Jackson absentee ballots

A circuit court judge ordered today that no absentee ballots should be printed until a ruling is made about whether Mayor Frank Melton can seek re-election.

The decision by Judge Billy Joe Landrum of Jones County settles a dispute between the Hinds County Election Commission and the Jackson Democratic Municipal Executive Committee.

The election commission ordered 2,500 absentee ballots this week for Jackson’s mayoral election with Melton’s name. The commission changed the order today and removed the mayor’s name after being challenged by the Democratic Executive Committee.

The committee unanimously agreed Tuesday to strike Melton from the May 5 Democratic primary ballot, saying he did not meet the city’s residency requirements.

The issue stems from the fact that Melton files for homestead exemption on his property taxes in Texas, not Jackson.

Melton has filed a lawsuit challenging the decision. A hearing is set for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in Hinds County Circuit Court.

John Reeves, Melton’s attorney, said he contacted the court today after learning that Melton’s name had been removed from the ballot order.

“It’s another in a long line of farcical, ridiculous decisions that the (Democratic Executive) Committee is making that have no basis in reason,” Reeves said. “The court acted reasonably.”

Connie Cochran, a Hinds County Election commissioner, said she originally ordered absentee ballots this week that included Melton’s name.

She said it would be too expensive to reprint ballots if the court rules that Melton can seek re-election. If he is not reinstated, Cochran said Melton’s name would be removed manually.

Claude McInnis, chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee, challenged that decision in a letter dated March 19 to the election commission.

“The truth of the matter is Mayor Frank Melton’s name is not on the ballot at the present time,” the letter says. “The Democratic Municipal Executive Committee did not certify him. Thus, this name can not be on the ballot.”

Cochran said she called the company that is printing the 2,500 absentee ballots today. Melton’s name was pulled from the order. The ballots were due at the Jackson city clerk’s office next week. The order will likely now be delayed.

“Whatever happens will happen, and we will have to deal with it,” she said.

The runoff from the Democratic primary is May 19. The general election is June 2.

i’ve paired up with princess dominique for an earring giveaway. you have to get the details from her. to participate read her posting here!

http://www.princessdominique.com/fashionblog/2009/03/aquababie-handmade-trio-of-hoops-giveaway/

good luck to everyone!!!

just watch….

NEW YORK – Prince is coming to a Target near you.

The superstar is releasing a three-disc CD set through the retailer at the end of this month. The set will include two new albums — “LOtUSFLOW3R” and “MPLSoUND” — as well as a third by his new artist, Bria Valente, for the price of $11.98.

Prince is just the latest music legend to release new music exclusively through a major retailer. AC/DC and the Eagles were among the acts who sold millions of CDs through their partnership with Wal-Mart.

Prince has released his recent CDs through major labels, but they were one-album deals that gave him the flexibility to go elsewhere when the project was done. Last fall, he released a coffee table book of photos titled “21 Nights” documenting his record-breaking, 21-night run at London’s 02 Arena in 2007. The book also included a CD of live performances.

“Prince has long been renowned as one of the world’s most original and iconic musical artists,” said Mark Schindele, Target’s senior vice president of merchandising. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to share his most recent work with our Target guests.”

The CD set will be on sale at Target and its Web site on March 29.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090302/ap_on_en_mu/music_prince

after about 5 years, I finally decided to set my fishtank back up. I’ll buy the goldfish later this week.

go to wordle.net , type in your blog address and see what you get!

hey fam!

i know i’ve been MIA for a minute. life took over for a minute. i was so busy, i didn’t even blog about my bornday. it was fab. i’m 34 and no wiser though! LOL anyway, the blog is looking different. i made the move from typepad to wordpress. the transition kinda makes me wish i would have done it sooner.