New Year's Eve

December 31, 1988

This was taken at a New Year's Eve/Birthday Party and Wedding Reception for my cousin Pam and her husband, Tim. I remember that NYE was a very cold one. I can't say what the temperature was, but I'm sure it was in the teens or single digits that night. One thing, we MinneSNOWtans are a hearty lot. We will leave our homes in all seasons and weather conditions to attend a self described "must attend" event. This multi-themed party was one of those events. Tyra called me the day before to ensure my suit, shirt and tie would match her outfit. The gentleman escorting her to any social event simply had to coordinate with her dress for that evening, period. I know on more than one occasion I changed MY tie to match what she was wearing. There never was an issue or problem with accommodating her request. She was meticulous with those details and I knew it. It was all good. Hanging with Tyra always meant a fun time. The night this picture was taken is no exception. I look at this picture twenty-two years later with fond memories of that evening.

Happy New Year 2011
May there be much
Peace, Joy, Love,
Excellent Health and Prosperity

A Blast From Christmas Past...

Christmas always made me happy. Like anyone (child or adult), I liked to receive gifts, and give them as well. As a kid, I did my Christmas shopping at Woolworth's, Walgreens, G.C. Murphy's or Grants. My mother, grandmother, sister and aunt would receive, CHARLIE, JEAN NATE, TABU or LOVE'S BABY SOFT perfume. My father, grandfather, brother and uncle would receive BRITISH STERLING, BRUT, OLD SPICE or HAI KARATE after shave. I'm certain I gave my uncle "Snookie" BRUT as a present for Christmas 1975. It played a role in our Christmas thirty-five years later. Toyia told me there was a gift from "Snookie" for me under the tree. When I picked it up and shook it, I jokingly asked, "Is this a bottle of liquor or BRUT?" I had my answer the moment I ripped the wrapping paper. I smiled and laughed when I saw it was BRUT. It took me back to Christmas 1975. I gave him BRUT then, and he gave it to me now. It was a Christmas like so many others. It was one filled with great food, presents, laughter and love. Yesterday we had another one of those Christmases. I got everything I wanted for Christmas; I received some nice gifts, enjoyed a delicious meal and spent time with my family.

Every Year, Every Christmas...

December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas, from Me to You!

A Day In My MinneSNOWTA Life

A snow storm hit the Twin Cities, the likes of which we've not experienced in many years. The airport was shut down, public transportation slowed and taxi cab companies stopped answering their phones. The weather was bad, but I didn't allow it to stop me from leaving home. In the middle of the storm, I ventured out and about. I went to the grocery store and brought along Nephew for the experience and it was memorable. Like so many teenagers today, he wears his pants hanging off his ass or sagging. This would prove to be a problem for him. While we were walking home from the bus stop, his pants began to fall down. We stopped several times on our walk home. Nephew needed to pull up his falling pants every ten feet or so. As we approached the building two teenage girls stepped outside. It was about this time Nephew's pants fell down completely around his ankles. He said, "Thank God I was wearing basketball shorts." I mentioned a belt would have prevented all of that from happening. He agreed. While we were out in the storm and when we were home safe and sound, I thought about the Cooleys living in Iowa in the early part of the 20th Century. How would they have dealt with weather like this? There was no television, cable, radio, cd or dvd player to pass the time. My guess is the family spent the time reading, singing, playing games or simply talking. They endured a Midwest Winter with none of the modern conveniences we have today, We complain about the weather and the horrible condition of the sidewalks, streets and highways. My thought is, if they could make it then, I most certainly can make it now. I have all the things I need right here, with no plans for venturing out this evening or tomorrow. That seems to be the best idea for handling a Winter storm. I think they felt the same way back in 1915. Good ideas are timeless!

Our Family Christmas

I put together a few pics of Christmas with the family over the years.

Press the play button to view the slide show.

Let's Have A Snowball Fight!

Since the family had so much fun last year, let's do this again!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

I like this

BLACK SUPER HEROES

Nevaeh Grace Six Months Later...

One look at this little girl and you instantly smile. If you're not smiling, you're a mean one, Mister Grinch is all I'll say. Little Nevaeh Grace became a member of the Cooley Clan on April 27, 2010. Nevaeh is the youngest of Grandpaw Larry's grandchildren. More than six months later we see baby girl is coming along just fine. She's happy, healthy and beautiful. This young Cooley has a very successful life ahead of her. Nevaeh is going to make her mark on the world in a big way. Remember, you heard it here first.

Dideo and Bessie's Boy

Marvin and Bessie Cooley were blessed with two children; Marlene and Cheryl. Their daughter Marlene and her husband John were blessed with one child; Brandley DeForrest. He was welcomed with open arms into the Cooley Clan on November 26, 1978. Young Brandley was born two years after the death of his grandfather, Dideo. Many have said and the pictures prove it, Young Brandley looks very much like young Grandpaw Marvin. Brandley shows an interest in and has some knowledge of the Cooley family history. I'm certain what Marlene didn't tell him he learned from his Grandma Bessie and his aunt, the UNRULEY one. Young Brandley can perform a memorable RASTA remix of the hit, "Meeting In The Ladies Room." Handsome, intelligent, talented AND a Cooley. With these great features and so much more, this young man has a very successful life ahead. Happy Birthday, Brandley!

Happy Anniversary Mr & Mrs Cooley

Ninety-five years ago today, November 24, 1915, Ethyl Mae Johnson married Edward Marvin Cooley. It was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the high for the day was a record 65 degrees! Reverend Bolling of the Mount Olive Baptist Church performed the ceremony in the home of Ethyl's uncle, Frank Johnson. "Ethyl and Edward lived with us when they were first married," Aunt Lizzie told me years later. The family welcomed Ethyl and prepared the Thanksgiving feast for the next day. A job with the Norwood White coalmine moved the young newlyweds to Des Moines in 1916. Ninety five years later, some Cooleys are preparing their Thanksgiving feast. The more things change the more they do stay the same. Happy Anniversary Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpaw Cooley.

Looking Out...

For quite a few years the family gathered on this weekend to enjoy The Cooley-Johnson Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner in Des Moines. Two weeks before Thanksgiving the Cooleys and Johnsons would come together for a big feast. The food at these dinners would consist of many delicious, traditional favorites. One year something new was served at dinner - ELK. Cousin Jenny and her husband prepared this additional side meat for the family. Tony had a large HUNK of it on his plate. I had turkey and dressing with a pile of greens on mine. There was no room for the "roast beast" on my plate.We enjoyed the dinner and talked with the cousins not seen in a while. Cousin Marc asked Tony, "Hey Cuz, how do you like that roast?" Tony replied, "Aww man, this is good." That's when Marc asked if he ever, "had ELK before or was this the first time?" Tony's eyes grew WIDE open! It seems he didn't know that "roast beef" was ELK. Tony looked at me and asked, "Why didn't you tell me this was ELK, Timmy?" He's funny! We had a good laugh about it and my brother continued to eat and enjoy the ELK. I thought about that family gathering when I looked out the window this morning and saw the SNOW. This is the weekend we'd be together in Des Moines. Seeing the snow makes me happy to be home chillin this year.

Ethyl Mae Johnson Cooley

There was a time I worked with a woman that made my workday hellish. One day in particular, she made things very difficult for me. In a heated moment, I allowed my reply to this woman to be peppered with profanity. I came close to cussing her completely out, but I didn't. It's not something to be proud of, but I felt I had been pushed to the point. My supervisor suggested I take a longer than usual lunch break to calm down. I decided to go home and take a nap. While I was asleep, my great grandmother paid me a visit. I felt the bed go down when she sat on the side. Great Grandma Ethyl patted my hand and told me I knew better than to act the way I had been acting. I tried pleading my case, thinking she'd understand my point. She wasn't having any of that. Great Grandma Ethyl suggested I would, "...most certainly know this isn't acceptable behavior." She looked at me and smiled. I was told to behave and that she'd see me later. About the time she stood up is about the time my dog Bud barked. I woke up and looked around the room for her. Bud continued to bark and wag his tail. I believe Ethyl's presence was felt by Bud as well. The rest of my workday went without an issue or problem. I wanted to share MY personal story of Ethyl on her birthday. We've not physically met, but I assure you we're connected. Happy Birthday, Great Grandma!

Long Ago And Oh So Far Away...

I had been "out to the farm" several years ago. I attended the 2005 Cooley Johnson Family Reunion with Tony and we decided to make a quick stop on our way home. Traveling north on Interstate 35 we exited on Oralabor Road. As we made a left and headed west this place, this area felt familiar. I told Tony, "This is it, this is where Grandpaw Johnson's farm was located." Tony asked, "How do you know this is it?" I said, "I just KNOW it is - this is the land." Over the years I've heard conflicting reports of the location of Ed Johnson's farm. I knew one person to ask was his daughter Ethyl's daughter, Maxine. Aunt Mac had spent a lot of time on the farm when she was a little girl. She gave me instructions to locate the farm and stated if it was as "clear as mud", she'd try to make it easier for me to understand. Her instructions were on point. I found the area without any problems. I pulled the car into a parking lot of one of the businesses on the land and parked. I wanted to take a few pictures of the land. I found myself walking to the beginning of the property line. "Gramp's Farm was bordered by the railroad tracks on the West, Oralabor Road on the South..." is what she wrote in an email. I repeated the words to myself as I took each step. I thought about all the people that had taken those same steps, had walked in the same place. People like Great-Great Grandpaw Edward Johnson and his wife Orpha; Frank Johnson, Edward's brother and Frank's wife, Anna; Edward and Pinky's children: Ethyl, Helen and Rex; Edward and Orpha's children: Henry, Beatrice, Edward Jr and Hardin; Ethyl's children: Veltirea "Punkin", Marvin "Dideo", Eugene "Eckie Bud" and Doris "Mac". All of these people, our family had/have traveled that route. When I stood on the land it was easy to imagine what used to be. To know about one hundred years ago it was all farmland. "This IS it." I was standing on Ed Johnson's land. I know it's no longer in our family, but I'm proud. Proud that once upon a time, a little less than long ago, a Black Man owned all that land in Iowa. I am the Great-Great Grandson of that man and I am proud of his accomplishments.

Happy Birthday Tyra

I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow.









Tyra Lynn Fowler

Happy 5-0 Tony!!

My "kid" brother is fifty years old today. WOW! That man is getting older and sure ain't gettin no prettier! That's a joke we share with each other. We get a good laugh when I say it to him. It's good to laugh with my brother, my friend. Tony is a cool, laid back and pretty easy going man. There is the time when he gets very excited and yells. When he watches a football or basketball game it's not a quiet occasion. This brotha gets completely involved in the game, yelling at the television as if he's at the game. The same is true if you call him on the phone. If a point is scored or there's a bad call on the play, the man is LOUD in your ear! Once the game is over, it's all quiet again. Make some noise Tony! You're fifty and that's a blessing. As you celebrate turning another year older, wiser and better, I wish you much peace, much love and a bounty of blessings too many to count.

All That I'm Giving

I don't think many people knew Bessie Cooley was a big fan of the Isley Brothers. Her favorite song was, "For The Love Of You." I'm diggin it, Aunt Bessie.

Bessie's Birthday

Some people go about life quietly doing "their thing." Never one to complain, upbeat, optimistic, offering advice and encouragement to everyone. These people enjoy giving a warm smile or sweet laughter when needed. That would describe Bessie Virginia Colbert, born on this day ninety-one years ago to James and Josephine (nee Robnett) Colbert. Bessie would marry her high school sweetheart, Marvin Cooley. They had two daughters; Marlene and Cheryl, the "UNRULEY" one.
Aunt Bessie could make you feel so comfortable, so at ease. If it was your first time meeting or if she had known you for years, she always greeted you with her beautiful smile.
"Both of my brothers married women that reminded them of momma," is what my grandmother Veltirea said many times. Being compared to Ethyl Cooley would be a high honor. Happy Birthday to Bessie Cooley. One of the kindest, gentlest, cool as a cucumber members of the Cooley Clan.

Cooley Cousins

Cousin Robbie deserves a shout out. The brotha made it to Des Moines! Yep, Robbie was there on Saturday. When he called and said, "Hey Cousin Timmy, I will see you in Des Moines." I believed him. We've not seen each other since 2002. It was time to reconnect. I told him I would see him on Saturday, October 23rd. Our paths crossed at Donna and Harry's home. It was nice having the chance to catch up. We've changed a little in the eight years that have passed. We're older, but we're still looking good. Ugly doesn't swim in our family gene pool. Rob and his wife Anita brought along their children for the day trip to Des Moines. Rob and Anita tried to see as many of the family members as they could. They saw quite a few in the many hours they were in town. It is true, time flies when you're having fun. We had a good time this weekend. Whether in Iowa or Minnesota, we'll have to do it again before an additional eight years passes.
Cooley Siblings Veltirea and Eugene; my grandmother and Robbie's grandfather.

Me and Mr C

Larry, Robert and Tim

Cousin Larry provided another blast from the past. This was taken at 944 Dayton Avenue around 1968. I'm certain Grandma took this picture of Me, Larry and Grandpa. She is responsible for so many pictures in our lives. I'm glad Larry shared this one with me. This is a classic.

Happy Birthday Toyia

My sister Toyia wears many hats. I have wondered how she does it all??? "Dr Toyia" advises you on medical issues, while "Attorney Toyia" will give you legal advice. "Mother Toyia" is parent to all, including our own Mother. "The Barbeque Queen" will work a grill and give you the best tasting meats and poultry. "Best Friend Toyia" is always there - in good and bad times. She may not want me to admit this, but if you cross her, she'll kick your ass. Yes, she IS every woman. Happy Birthday to my sister Toyia Lynn. Get ready, something good is coming your way as you turn another year better.

I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together...

I will soon be on the road heading back to Minnesota. I have enjoyed spending the extended weekend with my Iowa relatives. A fun time was had by all.

We Are Family

There were high and low points in this day, happiness and sadness. I attended Uncle Junior's funeral this morning with Cousin Larry. I reconnected with family I've not seen in a year. I had a brief chat with Cousin Tyanna and mom's good friend, "Duckie." A trip to Donna and Harry's gave me the chance to reconnect with more family. It was good seeing Robbie and his family. We've not seen each other since 2002.

Too many years pass without seeing one another, and we often say we'll do it. This time we actually did it. The plan for sunday is much the same - time with the family.


I'm lovin it!

Happy Birthday Niecy

I love the idea of the picture exchange with my family members. Cousin Larry was kind enough to show this one to me. I had to have a copy. I thought this would be the PERFECT pic for a birthday post. Happy Birthday, Denise Marie. Peace and blessings on your special day.

Donna and Niecy

New Picture Number One

I have arrived in Des Moines, Iowa. I'm happy to visit once again. I checked into the hotel, grabbed a bite to eat and located COUSIN LARRY. I spent a few hours laughing with this cool man. I was surprised to find this picture on his wall. I remember taking it, but I haven't seen it in a few years. A fun time was had by all this evening. Thanks family, for the laughter and love.

Pack'd My Bags...

I am ready to go. Next stop, Des Moines, Iowa. Let's do it!

Johnson Farm

Great news to share. Aunt Mac gave me the location to Grampaw Johnson's farm! Man, I can hardly wait to check it out. Years ago Tony and I stopped at Oralabor on the way back to the Twin Cities. I remember telling him, "This is it. This is the place that was the farm." I had NO WAY of knowing if what I was saying, what I was feeling was accurate. I strongly suspect I was correct. I think it's a Walmart now. I will take pics of the site and post them here.

What About Me???

I can't say when it started, but I liked getting gifts for Toyia and Tony's birthdays. For many years, Grandma would get something for me when she got a gift for them. I liked it! It's several, many and quite a few years later and I haven't received something for their birthdays in a long time. I'm overdue for a gift! I wonder if it would be wrong to ask my siblings to give ME a gift for their birthdays??? Toyia's birthday is October 26th and Tony's is October 30th. She's entering the second year of her fifties and this will be his year to "cross over." To be honest, I wouldn't expect them to give me anything. Knowing they're MINE is gift enough.

One Week From Now...

I'm beginning to get that feeling. The one I usually get before a trip to see the kinfolk -- excited but still cool, calm and collected. It has been more than a year since I've seen any Cooleys or Johnsons. I am looking forward to seeing and spending time with them. I have two "field trips" planned. Mr Cooley has agreed to travel with me to the area once know as Enterprise, Iowa -- where the Cooley and Johnson families became one. I've asked Aunt Mac to help with the directions to the redeveloped area once known as the Johnson Farm. I know a lot has changed since 1915, but I want to see the area for myself. Yep, this is gonna be good!

Dig The Funky Females

The UNRULEY one is out there doing the damn thang! If you happen to be looking for something to do, and you're in the immediate vicinity, stop on by the Vibe Nightclub at the Morongo Casino and check out the Funky Females. This COOLEY COUSIN is doing what she loves; PLAYING HER MUSIC! Now go on out there and kick some ass!

KLYMAXX featuring Cheryl "UNRULEY" Cooley
Morongo Casino & Resort
49500 Seminole Drive
Cabazon, CA 992230
For showtimes and additional information, please call (800) 252-4499

Dideo Cooley

MARVIN DEFORREST COOLEY

I never met him face to face, but I spoke to Marvin DeForrest Cooley on the telephone. Some thirty odd years later I can't say I remember all that we discussed. One thing I will always remember - his voice. My high pitched ten year old boy's voice was the polar opposite of his. Uncle Dideo's voice was deep, rich and warm, the typical Cooley voice. The next time we spoke he remembered I was Velt's youngest grandson. He got my name right and I was pretty pleased with him for that. I know Grandma made that call around his birthday in 1976. Today would have been Uncle Dideo's 91st birthday. We celebrate and honor the birth and memory of Marvin DeForrest "Dideo" Cooley.

One Out Of Four Cooleys

I'm sure Uncle Bud was wearing a pair of Stacey Adams shoes at the time this picture was taken.

Three Out Of Four Cooleys

This has to be one of my all time favorite family pictures. Veltirea, Doris and Marvin out on the town. That's COOLEYLOVE