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

Des Moines, Iowa

Aunt Lizzie enjoyed shopping and took nieces Vicki and Donna on a trip downtown.

Happy Birthday Aunt Lizzie

Georgia Elizabeth Cooley was born to George and Mary (nee Washington) Cooley on October 2, 1904, in Northeastern Missouri. She was the baby sister of Edward, Victoria and Curtis. Aunt Lizzy is the reason I have a developed interest in family history.

Some of my posts are based on the people or stories Aunt Lizzie shared throughout the years. Writing this blog is another way to share our rich history.
We salute, honor, remember Georgia Elizabeth Cooley Williams White on her one hundred and sixth birthday.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Lizzie -- Cooley Family Historian

Happy Birthday Connie

Helen, Eckie Bud and Connie

Another relative to celebrate a birthday today is cousin Constance Jean. There had been a couple of years that I didn't see Connie. It seems when I was in Des Moines she was away. I had the chance to see her again in 2007 and was I pleasantly surprised. All of my life my cousin was always the thin one. She looked good, not sickly or crackish -- no, nothing like that. Just thin is all.


Connie Jean

Seeing her again after several years showed me just how good she looked now. She had packed on a few extra pounds. I asked her the secret to making the gained weight look good. Connie said, "I stopped worrying and stressing." I'm glad she stopped worrying and stressing. Connie has always beautiful, but age and weight have been wonderful to her.


Connie

Bud and Helen's baby girl turns sixty-three today. I wish my Cousin Connie, much peace, love and a stress-free life. Happy Birthday, Constance Jean! You make sixties look sensational and sexy.

Happy Birthday Maurice

I do not have children of my own, but my nephews have been like my children. Anthony was the first baby I ever watched - ALONE. He's very much alive and doing well, so I did a pretty good job watching him. It prepared me for the arrival of Maurice twelve years later. Today, Maurice is celebrating his sixteenth birthday!
I remember that early morning call from Toyia, telling me she had given birth. Who knew you'd want to talk on the phone after such a life altering experience??? I noticed this strange sound in the background while she was talking. I asked what the hell it was, and she told me it was her baby - crying. Those little lungs were working overtime! Later that day I went to the hospital to meet my newest nephew. "Toyia had a baby!" That's all I could say when I saw him.

I have watched him grow from a newborn into teenager. I am proud of the young man he is becoming. Maurice is doing well in school, he volunteers his time in the community and he has a firm idea of making a successful life for himself. His dream is to attend college and he knows what is necessary to make that dream a reality. If I had a son, I'd want him to be like Maurice. Happy Birthday, Maurice. Uncle loves you very much!

Old People

We've got a couple of birthday milestones happening this year. Tony is turning fifty and Maurice is turning sixteen. Those kats are getting old.