A Special Day

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
MOM

GRANDMA

GREAT-GRANDMA

I had this brilliant idea to put together a slide show to honor all the mothers in the family. Last month I created a folder to place the pics I planned to use. After a little time and delay, I started working on the project yesterday. Yep, yesterday. I spent a few hours working on this. Well, I JUST finished it. It turned into a ten minute (YES, 10 MINUTES) presentation. As far as I'm concerned, it's a done deal. I see several MORE things I could add (visual effects, etc), but this will become a mini-series if I don't put a stop to it. If there is a person missing, it's simply because I don't have a picture. Knowing how much effort this takes, I'm going to begin work on the FATHER'S DAY slide show A.S.A.P.

Press the play button to view the slide show.

I Rise, I Rise, I Rise!

The "Unruley" one is back! She's still just as funky as ever, but she's busted out with a new band and a new look. Unruley will always put some STANK on whatever she plays. If there are any questions about what's REALLY going on here, KLYMAXX recently performed to a sold out house in Tucson, Arizona. Several reliable sources have revealed to me the folks are still talking about the great performance. "Nobody can touch Klymaxx featuring Cheryl Cooley, they brought down the house here at the Desert Diamond Casino and Hotel last week, April 23, 2010. Thank you Cheryl, your show was over the top. Tucson is still talking about the Klymaxx Show! Please send my best regards to your ladies as well, you will be coming back soon! Great job....." Bruce McClure. Someone told her to BRANG IT and she did - with her bad self!

STANK!!! nuff said.

Nevaeh Grace Is Here!

We welcome this new addition to our family. This is the great-great-great-great granddaughter of Lacey and Aggie (Lewis) Cooley. Nevaeh Grace was born on the morning of Tuesday, April 27th. Little Miss Nevaeh and her mother Keyaria are doing just fine. Jadein is now a big sister and Larry is a proud grandfather.

Happy Birthday, Larry - Don't be stuck on stupid!

When you woke up this morning, you instinctively KNEW it was a special day. On this day, Lawrence DeForrest was born to Eugene Lawrence "Eckie Bud" and Helen Louise (Anderson) Cooley in 1946! Helen used the middle names of her husband and his brother as the first and middle names for her son.
Larry is one of my favorite cousins. My earliest memory of Larry would be his invitation to "take a ride." I can't recall all the times or the places, but I've been "rollin with Mr C" for a very long time. One thing is certain, you will have an adventure with Larry. It's safe to say a fun time will be had by all when this man is around. Happy Birthday, Larry. I love ya like collard greens and cornbread.

Well...

Sometimes it's better to say nothing. Today, I have nothing to say. Nuff said.

Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough!

I was checking out one of my favorite sites, YOUTUBE. I came across this song by the favorite musical group of the family and I wanted to share it with everyone. Go on, Cheryl - play your guitar! One thing we all know, this woman is TALENTED.



So I kept looking and I came across this other song. I have always liked Cheryl's version of the Bobby Caldwell classic, "What You Won't Do For Love." Here it is! I tell you, this woman has some talent.


"...and the passion for the music continues!"

Some Cooleys Are Coming!

They're coming, that's what I've been told. Some Cooleys will drive from Iowa and some from North Dakota. I don't know the exact number coming and I can't say how long they'll stay. My rough guess places the number between ten and fifteen. I know I'll have some tales to tell at the end of this weekend. We shall see what it will be.

Happy Easter

I'm sure I should be asleep, but I'm not ready to lay it down. My thoughts have been of the dinner I'm cooking later. This is my last official family/holiday dinner until Thanksgiving. Well, I'll help with a dish here and there. Planning the menu and preparing the majority of the food is now in the hands of Miss Toyia. She takes over all main meals from this point on. The "Barbeque Queen" fired up the grill a few weeks back and barbequed a few slabs of perfectly seasoned, moist, tender, delicious ribs. Finger licking good. So the family will be in good hands. By the way, Miss Toyia is serving pineapple upside down cake. Call ahead to ensure there's a piece for you.

Happy Birthday, Harry

I don't know the exact date, but "Uncle Harry" will celebrate his birthday this month. Harry isn't my real uncle. He is in fact my cousin-in-law. Let's see, that makes Harry the great-great-grandson-in-law of Lacy Cooley. Notice the common thread here -- it all goes back to Lacy Cooley.

When Harry is around, you know you'll have a good time. Time spent with Harry ensures non-stop laughter. Harry has a story for every occasion, every subject at any time! He's always ready to share one or seven with you. I think that's rather impressive. There's another thing about Harry that makes me a fan. If you happen to drop in at the right time, Harry will serve you some of the BEST greens this side of the Mississippi. It's enough to make you want to slap your momma and throw your pocketbook at the preacher. I ain't lying - his greens are THE BOMB! So I'm always pleased to walk into Harry's house, take off my shoes, pull up a chair, have a plate of greens with a little vinegar, a couple of table onions, some cornbread and a few funny stories served on the side. Have you ever tried to eat greens and laugh at the same time? It ain't easy - pot liquor goes everywhere!

It's Marvin Gaye, Y'all...

Today is Marvin Gaye's birthday. No, he's not a Cooley (I don't think???), but I have been a fan of his for years. Yep, going back to my earliest memories of his music. That was around 1972, which was the year, "What's Going On" was released. A memory that comes to mind is a summer day at our house at 914 Carroll Ave. It was the weekend, because I remember we were up early and cleaning. My dad was playing music (typical) and one album that dropped down the spindle was Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's greatest hits record. I instantly like what I heard. The way those two would volley a lyric back and forth -- it's not easy, but they made it sound effortless on every song. That was one early memory. I recall hearing, "Let's Get It On" and begin to think he was talking about some hot, sweaty, sexual relations! I had to listen to that song a couple of times. As I grew older, my love for Marvin's music grew as well. He really could do no wrong - each song was a hit. Okay, I never really liked, "Rockin After Midnight." That aside, his music was good and I enjoyed it. Now, I don't mean to make fun of the dead, but Marvin taught us a very valuable lesson in his death. When your parents say, "I brought you into this world, and I'll take you out." they mean that. Mr Gaye shot his son because his son hit him. The whole situation is a sad one, but we still have the man's music. He left so many great songs. So, I'd like to say, "Happy Birthday, Marvin" and "Thank you for all the great songs you wrote and recorded." He is a legend.

What's Going On?

Hello, one and all. I hope everyone is enjoying Spring. It's a nice one here in Minnesota. The temperatures have been in the 70's, the Mighty Mississippi River high waters are going down and it's Spring Break for many.

When looking at the Dates To Remember for March, I noticed I forgot to do posts for a few people. My bad. I'll correct that error at this time. Other birthdays in March are as follows. Mildrew Lowry (daughter of Jesse and Mary Lowry)was born in 1888, but the exact date is unknown at this time. Nashrum Cooley (son of Lacy Cooley)was born in 1869 but his exact date unknown. On March 8th, Matthew H.(great-great grandson of Edward Johnson) was born in 1973. In 2000, De Bry Tae Kenneth (great-great-great-great grandson of Lacy Cooley) was born on the 24th, and Unruly Cooley's grandmother Josephine Robnett Colbert was born on the 26th in 1893!

There are so many branches of the tree with so many stories. The biggest surprise for me was learning about McKinley Cooley at Selma University. It's safe to say he is one of the first Cooleys to attend college. As cousin Kevin shared with me in a message, "You have rendered me speechless!" Learning Cousin "Mack" went to a historically Black college, in the early part of the last century, left ME speechless. It fills me with a great sense of pride and respect for family history. I feel like throwing my fist in the air and saying, "Right on, McKinley Cooley!" I'm still checking into McKinley's story and I'll do a follow up posting about him later.

Happy Birthday, Donna!

This is the last birthday for a family member in March. Well, I think it is, but I can be wrong. Donna Louise (daughter of Eugene "Eckie Bud" and Helen Cooley) is turning another year better today. I have a feeling this young lady will do a lot of traveling this summer. BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR DONNA! I'm sure she and Harry will be coming to a town near you. :^) Much peace and many blessings.