Maurice Is Eighteen

Happy 18th birthday to Toyia Lynn's baby, Maurice.  

 It goes without saying, but your family loves you very much.

Happy Birthday Tony

I'm not sure when or why I began to refer to Tony as my kid brother? I think back when we were barhopping there was a joke that I was the big or older brother. He's MUCH older than I am, but I still call him my kid brother. Today he celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of his twenty-first birthday. May this new year bring you the BEST of all life has to offer.

The Baby Of The Family

Twenty-nine years ago today still stands out in my mind. I didn't go to school that day. I was allowed to stay home to await the news. This was long before cell phones were a common possession in our lives. I don't remember the exact time, but I do recall the phone ringing with the news. A new member of our family made his arrival - Baby Anthony. The title I held for almost sixteen years had been passed to someone else. "The baby of the family" was no longer me, it was my nephew. I was pretty excited about his arrival. I think I can say all of the family felt this way. I didn't see him in the hospital. Tony brought Paula and Anthony to Mom's house when they were released from the hospital. I thought he looked small. I know he weighed almost nine pounds when he was born, and many women would say that is NOT a small baby. What did I know? Judging by the size of Paula's belly, I thought he would have been bigger. I guess I didn't know much. One thing I did know - I had a new nephew and I was a new uncle and that was cool. I was pretty nervous the first time I held Anthony. I don't recall all the thoughts going through my mind, but I remember thinking one day he'll be a grown man. I looked at my nephew and smiled. Those are great memories. Here we are twenty-nine years later and he is a fully grown man. I am proud of the man he became. May there be much peace and an abundance of blessings as you turn another year better.
Happy Birthday Anthony!

Grampa Tony

I saw something familiar in my kid brother, Grampa Tony that reminded me of our grandmother Veltirea. I remember our Grandma sitting at the kitchen table, having a cup of coffee, glasses on face and reading the morning paper. The moment I took this picture, I captured Tony doing the same thing Grandma did. No, there was no coffee or kitchen table, but the paper and glasses were there. The desire to know of the lastest news events - locally and globally is an interest both share.

Tony (before he was a grampa) and Grandmother Veltirea - 1960's

Let's Have A Snowball Fight!

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

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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.

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.

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.

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.

This picture was taken more than a few years ago. We were together at Toyia's house for a family dinner and this picture was taken. We'll not physically be together on sunday, but we'll all be supporting the Minnesota Vikings. Go Vikings!!!

Some Folks Got A Little Older

I'll need you to work with me for just a moment. This post will acknowledge some of the October birthdays I missed. Come to think of it, I have missed a couple this month. Yeah well, I've been busy, tired or sleeping. Depending on the day, I may have been doing all three at the same time. With all that behind us, here are some pictures of those family members born in October. Over a span of ninety years, these three; Georgia Elizabeth Cooley, Constance Jean and Maurice Jr were born on October 2nd. Toyia Lynn's birthday is October 26th, with Bessie Colbert Cooley's birthday being the 27th. Anthony Lovell was born on October 30th. Not pictured, but born in October are Louis Branch Jr on the 14th and Denise Marie on October 23rd. Whether here in body or in spirit, we honor and celebrate each family member's special day. Happy Birthday to all the relatives born in the month of October. Folks born in November -- fear not. Plans are in store to celebrate your days. Stay tuned for something just for you. Pictures from top to bottom: Georgia Elizabeth Cooley White, Constance Jean, Maurice Jr (October 2), Anthony Lovell (October 30) and Toyia Lynn (October 26), Bessie Virginia Colbert Cooley (October 27).

Vicki's Kids

Collectively, we are know as "Vicki's Kids." Of course we three have our very own unique
personalities. Thank God. A couple of things we do have in common are music and dancing.

I don't remember the exact year, but I clearly remember dancing with Toyia and Tony in our dining room at 914 Carroll. The Jackson 5 were on Carol Burnett and we couldn't sit and watch the show. We had to get up and do the bump and the robot like Michael, Jackie, Marlon, Tito's big ass, Jermaine and Randy were doing. I'm sure anyone that remembers watching the show would also recall getting up and dancing as well. The Jackson five were the "IT" group, period.


Michael was always, ALWAYS a talented performer. We may not have all wanted to be him, but we sure as shit wanted to dance just like him. I found a clip of the performance on YouTube. I'm posting it here, because when I think of Michael, I think how one saturday evening, in the 1970's My sister, brother and I were on one accord. For that moment were not growing "thought we were smart-ass" kids, but three people so enjoying the performance, we had to get up and dance. That was a good time for us. It has been a couple of years since the three of us have danced together. We last danced together in 2006. I feel it's time we danced again.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! For all the fathers, father-like figures and the mothers that carried the load and made a way, this one is for you! Spend some time kicking back, relaxing and enjoying the day. I'm not a parent, but I plan to enjoy the day. Someone is going to barbeque and I want some! This is your day, dads. Enjoy it.

The Fathers from top to bottom; Edward Cooley, Marvin Cooley, Eugene Cooley, J. Walter Thompson and son Dennis, Tony and son Anthony