Words & Banter

Just Three Words But So Important … Happy Father’s Day

Photo by IrisImages on iStock


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Every Father's Day, when I think of Daddy, there are so many great memories, and especially because he worked from home. He taught me about unconditional love and was always there for me. Both literally and figuratively. And even though he passed away over 20 years ago, the memories are as strong, both emotionally and "visually", as if it was just yesterday. Which is why he'll always be such an important part of my life.


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Did you know that Father's Day was, in many ways, a form of "equal rights" for dads since Mother's Day was already in existence? And quickly, thanks to the clothing industry, became more of a "retail holiday" (which would explain why ties are one of the most popular gifts on Father's Day). But, ties aside, there are so many ways to celebrate the day.


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I should've known that you'd avoid all warm and fuzzy aspects of the holiday!

Please take a few moments and enjoy these great quotes about dads, many of which are from dads. And for fathers everywhere, we wish you a wonderful and happy Father's Day, and hope you'll continue to create new memories that will last a lifetime.

Photo courtesy of Red’s eldest daughter, Natasha

What does Thanksgiving have to do with shoes?! Or, the fact some of Red’s most memorable Thanksgiving celebrations happened when she lived overseas and introduced the holiday to friends, none of whom were American. But this column from 2022 is bittersweet for Black, as shortly after it ran, her good friend John passed away … yet the memories of Thanksgivings spent together – and of dear friends – live on. (But that still doesn’t explain the shoes …)


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At the risk of asking you a warm and fuzzy question, have you thought about what you’re most thankful for this Thanksgiving?


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Yes.


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I should’ve guessed that you’d take the question literally. Could you expand on that a little, or at least give me a hint?
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Background image by IlijaErceg on iStock

Take a moment and imagine not being able to read this sentence. Now, think about this … if you’re reading this, you’re doing something millions of Americans can’t.


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I’ll admit that I never realized how many people can’t read. It’s something I’ve always taken for granted. That’s until Black and I met someone doing something about it – Jackie Aguilera, now the Project Manager for the Mayor’s Office of Adult Literacy (Houston). Her focus wasn’t only on reading literacy but on “literacies” I’d never heard of, such as financial literacy, health literacy, and digital literacy. But it all starts with the ability to read.


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It is called functional literacy. Obviously, if you are reading this article, you are on the internet. Which has more information than anyone can possibly absorb (and is why news literacy is so critical). Now, imagine if you could not read. All that information … just sitting there. Available to others, but not to you.


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Books are my great escape. Always have been. So, I can’t imagine a life without them.
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Design by Sawyer Pennington, Underlying photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
It’s late October, and for most of us, fall is in the air, which is Red’s favorite season. (It might have something to do with all the pumpkin spice products.) Halloween, which has been “marketed” in stores for months, will soon be over. And Election Day, which has been headline news for what seems like forever, is just around the corner. So, why are we linking to an Independence Day column? And one from 2020, no less?


Because now is the time to decide what direction we want to take our country. RED & BLACK … A Time For Independence is about the spirit of independence. And four years later, we feel it’s very sad (and very scary) that our sentiments about our country’s leaders having the strength, courage, and conviction to be independent thinkers are still relevant. Maybe even more than ever before.