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.

This Will Make You Laugh

The clip I have attached to this post made me laugh. Here's why - it was predictable. Here's the scenario; with hidden cameras in place, an actor portrays a thief stealing a bike in a city park. Many people are around, some actually ask the "the thief" if the bike belongs to him. Pay attention to the reaction both thieves receive. I laughed when the gang of good white people STOPPED the brotha from taking the bike. They are a lynch mob of good, proud, honest Americans.