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Info Poetry Topic Words of Wisdom

30 Years Turns the Art of Poetry

April is National Poetry Month. The year 2026 makes 30 years of this celebration of art.

What does poetry mean to you? What is your favorite poetry form?

Is there a special way you like to commemorate the art form of poetry and writing? If so, share the most meaningful way you choose to celebrate.

Words are very powerful. They can inject joy and adversely, bring about feelings of hurt. The way we choose our words is very important. Words can be used to compose a song, convey an idea, express thoughts, and a plethora of many things. Both spoken and written words carry weight.

For National Poetry month, I have tried writing my first Trenta-Sei poem. Not an easy feat.

What is a Trenta-Sei poem?

-Created by John Ciardi, the Trenta-Sei poem is a poetic form that contains 6, six-line stanzas for a total of 36 lines.
-A rhyme scheme of ababcc.
-Lines 2-6 of the first stanza will be the first line of the stanzas to follow, in the same order.
-The cascading repetition adds to the complexity of this style.

Sounds simple, right? I’m joking. It was challenging for me but nonetheless, it was fun writing.

30 Years Turns the Art of Poetry

Artistry comes in many forms 
Creating ways to move 
Motion in strokes not the norm 
Writing that transforms and grooves 
Rhymes skillfully arousing the senses 
Poetry and prose in many tenses 
 
Creating ways to move 
Your mind drifts afar 
Riding words feeling the groove 
Inspiration shining like a star 
Don't stop, ideas abound, keep up the flow 
Intricate words flood the brain, page aglow 
 
Motion in strokes not the norm 
Acrylic, watercolor or oil 
Brushstrokes haphazard forming a storm 
Circular and abstract like a coil 
Collage of fabric in Pink, Yellow, Green 
Blending media, asking what it means 
 
Writing that transforms and grooves 
Taking you on a wild ride 
Explain the meaning a pen behooves 
Awing the reader, mouth open wide 
Scanning the page, delight and disbelief 
Vivid, exact, succinct and very brief 
 
Rhymes skillfully arousing the senses 
Cadence so crisp and clear 
No more dis songs, time to mend fences 
Harmony is music to my ears 
An art form transcending generations 
Lyrics infused with deep revelations
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Diversity Info Topic

Toxic Braiding Hair

Hair extensions and weaves are a part of culture for Black women. The concern is that this hair contains chemicals that are bad for our health. Who is regulating the sale of this hair which is made with these chemicals? We have to do some research and find safer products. Our health and well-being are at risk.

Check out this informative article about the toxins found in extensions https://www.healthline.com/health-news/hair-extensions-chemicals-breast-uterine-cancer

Thank you for watching. ❤️🙏🏽

📍 Share the video and get the word out so we can stay informed.

👉🏽 Comment if you have had any adverse effects from using toxic hair.

👍🏽Like the video as well.

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Diversity Info Topic

Safety While Driving, Priced Right

Traffic Light

Who

David Price a young man who was taught as a child to be aware of his surroundings. Especially when it comes to traffic stops for the Black community. A traffic stop is a very tense moment for Black drivers. David saw the need to come up with something to help make it safer. The release of his product came during a time of heightened police brutality.

What

The Safety Pouch holds documents needed at a traffic stop. A tool invented by David Price to aid in making interactions between Black drivers and law enforcement safer. The Safety Pouch is hung from the visor or driver side window and provides increased visibility. It eliminates having to reach for registration, license and insurance from the glove compartment or middle console. It is only available in one color, Orange. The bright color makes it easily seen and less mistaken for a firearm.

Where

The Safety Pouch is available to buy on the site. You can buy it at online stores like Amazon and at national retailers like Walmart. Reasonably priced too.

When

The product was made available to the public in May 2020.

A traffic stop is a high anxiety exchange. The invention by this young man is needed and can help to make these stops safer for all involved. It does not provide all the answers or solutions. Although, it is a step in the right direction. Kudos to David Price for his ingenuity.

The bright color of the Safety Pouch is a smart idea. Often times, wallets or other document holders are dark colors which law enforcement can mistake as a weapon. The bright orange color leaves no mistaking for a weapon.

Thank you for reading! 💞🙏🏽

Image created by AI with Copilot

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Info Poetry Topic

The Cotillion

A Memento



Learn dancing, greetings, table sets
Talking skills null and void
Lacking
Words like hello, please, and thank you
Take a back seat to sass
Slick talk

Social education for kids
Grace, respect, etiquette
Manners
Timeless skills to carry you through
Being a lady, young
Man too

A cotillion is an event for the youth, ages 11-13. It teaches manners, how to conduct yourself in public situations. Social skills that help them build confidence and conversation skills. Also, how to properly set the table, ballroom dance too. Young girls and boys learn etiquette that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Valuable skills to learn.

I am not sure if cotillions still exist, but it needs to come back. Sadly, too many of the youth of today are disrespectful and lack essential social skills.

The Cotillion is written in response to the prompt. Thank you for reading🙏🏽💕

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Info Topic

The Link Between Heirs, Inheritance and Hereditary

The Link Between Heirs, Inheritance and Hereditary

The connection that links

Heirs, inheritance and hereditary are all the same in different ways. Confusing; I know. So, look at it this way. If you are an heir, you may be sole or jointly next in line to inherit property. If there is a will prepared by the decedent of such property this eliminates any confusion about who the said property belongs to. The absence of a will is what creates the heirs property situation.

Heirs property can create in-fighting among families who may feel that they are the rightful owner. Court papers need to be filed in the state if someone would like to transfer ownership into their name.

Inheritance can be something medical or tangible like real estate or money in the form of a trust fund. Other property can be named and left to a person(s) when someone dies. Family heirlooms or automobiles, art collections and/or coin collections. An example of a medical inheritance can be in the form of a genetic abnormality. You might inherit sickle cell or a heart condition. These conditions are passed down from one or both parents to their children.

High blood pressure is a form of hereditary disease that runs can run in a family. It is just one of a host of other medical conditions that get passed down from generation to generation. Going back to heirs property which is something passed down from generation to generation.

As you can see, heirs, inheritance and hereditary are the same in some ways depending on the context of how you are using it. What a confusing trifecta!

Thank you for stopping by to read! 💞

Image credit: S K from Pixabay

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Info Topic

If Only Your Kitchen Could Talk

If Only Your Kitchen Could Talk

The kitchen of every home is like the central part where the magic happens. We prepare meals there, sit down and eat together, and share laughs and stories. The part of the house where we come together as family to enjoy home cooked meals.

Sometimes though, we do things that may not be in the best interest of the home and it’s upkeep. Unintentionally, of course. If your kitchen could say a few things here is what it would like for you to know:

The granite countertops would tell you to never put a hot pan/pot directly on the surface. It can cause warping and damage from intense heat. Use a trivet or a soft cloth to serve as a buffer between the heat and the granite surface.

When cleaning granite, never use any kind of scouring pads. This can scratch the surface. It doesn’t matter how light you try to scrub, it’s a bad idea. The smooth surface will be ruined and, in some case, unrepairable.

Kitchen pipes would tell you to never pour boiling water down the drain. Especially if you have certain types of piping, it can loosen joints and cause leaks further down the line. Plumbing issues get costly and no wants water damage. Alternatives are to wait for the water to cool. But, if you do not have time to spare, try running cool/cold water and pour some of that in the boiling pot to cool the temperature. While the water is still running, slowly pour the water out. At least the water will be cooling at this point and is safer to go down the drain.

Garbage disposal is not the same as a garbage can. It often is left screaming, “No bones, no grease, and no coffee grounds!” Grease can cause blockages in the pipes because it gets hard as it cools. The same is true for coffee grinds. They can clog pipes when they turn into a paste. It can also wreak havoc on the motor of the disposal. And what can we say about bones… They are too hard to break down and will cause clogging. The bones can damage the blades and the part of the disposal that grinds waste. Usually, soft foods are the best option.

Dishwasher; please rinse all dishes before loading. The dishwasher does not have a magic scrub brush in there. Putting plates, pans and glasses in there without rinsing will cause clogs later down the line and drastically shorten the life of the dishwasher. Take a few minutes to rinse before loading.

I hope you have found these tips helpful. If you would like to share some of your own tips, please feel free to leave a comment.

Thank you for stopping by to read! 💕

Categories
Info Topic Words of Wisdom

Happy Anniversary IBO- Year #4

Inspire By O’Nika Turns 4

November 2nd is the day I started IBO. It was in 2021 that I was moved to begin blogging. It was the middle of the pandemic and a very troubling time. Because of that I felt like people could use some words of inspiration and hope. Even if for only the time it takes to read a post.

My journey started out with quotes, and varied topics. A few articles were of heavy content. For the most part, the content of Inspire By O’Nika is light-hearted, motivational and uplifting. 

Through the years I started to incorporate poetry. I have come to enjoy it and just have fun with it. I added some comedy to the blog too. Also, I have joined in various picture and word prompts. 

I say all that to say; thank you. Thank you to all the people who stop by to read my blog. People who have been supportive over the years. I appreciate the comments; short, long, and even if you just leave an emoji. Thank you for the likes and shares. 

4 years in the making, hoping to see another four. Continuing this writing journey with all of you is what keeps me going. I love all my readers who have been there from day one and new subscribers too. Thanks again for the love and support. 💕

A few memorable posts from the past year

Awakening of Rejuvenation
Sweeping Treescape
How to Break Out of Self-Limiting Beliefs and into Your Greatness
Can You Answer This? Do You Respect Your Partners Conflict Style?
Believe In Your Ideas
Where Bunions Go To Be Free

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Info Topic

The 3 S’s- Safety, Support and Solidarity

💜 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The theme for 2025 is With Survivors, Always. Survivors of domestic violence need safety, support and solidarity.

🙏🏼If you or someone you know is in an abusive partner situation, the resources below can help:

800-799-7233

https://www.thehotline.org

dvawareness.org/WithSurvivors

#WithSurvivors

🫂The idea is to show support by spreading awareness about this very serious problem. Get involved through volunteering and sharing information on social media platforms.

💜No one should have to live in fear or in violent situations. Survivors of DM may need spiritual, financial and emotional support. You may be able to help by simply providing a listening ear.

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Diversity Info Topic

Part 2- Music and How We Listen

Part 2- Music and How We Listen

Welcome to part 2 of Music and How We Listen. In this video I will talk about vinyl records, CDs (compact discs) and streaming music. The way we listen to music in today’s world is mostly streaming. But streaming is not the same for the listener or the artists who are creating. The distribution is different and how quickly we can hear new music has changed.

Vinyl records are not as popular as they once were. The “older” generation can tell you that vinyl has a crisp, clear and better sound than some of the other forms like CDs and cassettes. Whatever is your preferred method of listening to music, it is interesting how times have changed.

CDs are still a popular way to hear music too. The discs are small, and you can still enjoy the artwork in the case of your favorite artists. You can also easily skip ahead or back for the songs that you really love and want to hear without having to play the entire CD.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by! I appreciate your support, as always! 💖🙏

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Diversity Info Topic

Part 1- Music and How We Listen

Part 1- Music and How We Listen

The universal language which we know as music has changed over the decades. Who remembers 8 tracks??? We also had cassette tapes, vinyl records, CDs and now the new age of streaming.

In Part 1, Music and How we Listen I will delve a little into the way we listened to music back in the days of 8 tracks and cassette tapes. Also, how to fix that cassette when it either pops or gets tangled.

In addition to the sound of music, I also enjoyed the artwork that came in the package. The case of the cassettes, and CDs. Also, album covers. You get to really see the visual creativity along with hearing the way the artist creates with their lyrics and sounds.

Music and How We Listen will continue in Part 2. The next part is more about vinyl records, CDs and streaming music.

As always, thank you for stopping by! 💕🙏

Categories
Info Topic Words of Wisdom

Try Something New for The Brain

Try something new

Trying new things does wonders for the brain. It helps us to grow and challenges us to break out of the comfort zone. Adding new skills helps to keep our brain sharp. Also, it can be scary to try something new.

All kinds of thoughts go through your mind. You question,
can I really do this? Why do I even think I can do this? Am I crazy, I can’t do this. Be careful not to talk yourself out of it. If you are thinking about changing your mind about trying something new. Just ask yourself, what is the worst that can happen?

If you succeed, great! If you fail, at least you know and can say that you at least tried. The failure is only when we do not try. Discovering whether or not we can do something is valuable information.

What happens when you learn something new

  • A feeling of accomplishment that you were able to do something you thought that you could not
  • You gain knowledge that you can use for the future
  • It opens new opportunities and sparks new interests
  • You can overcome fear and release that doubt in yourself
  • It helps our mental health by boosting your brainpower
  • Improves self-esteem

Things to try to give your brain that work

  • Drive a new way to and/or from work. Change your route so that you don’t have the same route home. If you know where all the potholes are and it is second nature, it numbs the brain right?! It requires no brainpower, where is the fun in that. A new route will require the brain to be more alert, and it will require you to think about where you are going
  • Learn a new language. This is fun and your brain will thank you. You get to have new conversations and make new connections. Even if you do not become fluent in a new language you have learned a new skill
  • Like to dance? Try to learn a new dance. It makes you smile, it is exercise and improves mood. Join a dance class if there are any in your area. Also, check out the many videos on the internet and try these at home too.
  • Try crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles as well. These give the brain practice too. Playing cards is another way to help boost memory.

Conclusion

As you can see, you don’t have to try something that is outrageous or outlandish. Start with something on a small scale then expand it to as big as you want. The important thing is to enjoy yourself and expand your brainpower.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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Diversity Info Topic

Cure for Edge Control

Cure for Edge Control

Video message- Edge Control

A cure for edge control is still sought by many. Looking for something that will keep those edges in check? Try this product that I have recently found. It does what it is supposed to do. Maybe it will work for you too.

Thank you for watching! 💖🙏

Categories
Diversity Info Topic Words of Wisdom

The Six Triple Eight- A True Inspiration

The Six Triple Eight- A True Inspiration

Happy New Year! 2025 is here and I am grateful to see another year! I hope that this year brings everyone what they need. Whether it be love in your life, understanding, a roof over your head, financial blessings, mended relationships with family, friends, or loved ones Wishing this in abundance for you all.

The Six Triple Eight is a movie, inspired by true events. It pays homage to the black women who showed great strength, grace, beauty, humility and resilience. For those who are familiar with the story, what did you take away from it? A must see for those who have not seen it.

Much respect to the people who were there and served in the Six Triple Eight. Thank you to the producers, actors and everyone involved for telling the story.

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Info Self Awareness Topic

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

pink ribbons on pink surface
Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com
Video message-Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Some things you can do would be to get screened by having a Mammogram. Also, perform home self-breast exams. Show you support by being there for loved ones, friends and family. If you choose to make monetary donations to a foundation or organization that is great, too. We can show support by being a listening ear, lending a hand and checking in on those who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Thank you for watching.

Stay well and be blessed.

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Diversity Info Topic

National Black Business Month

National Black Business Month

Business Meeting

August is National Black Business Month. If you are a business owner this may be a good time to look for opportunities to boost your business. During this month consider marketing your business more. Showcase your services or products. Networking with others can give your business that added edge to increase revenue.

The month of August we celebrate and support Black businesses. You can also use this time to encourage aspiring business owners to start their entrepreneurial projects. Sharing and connecting with people who want to start a business is another way to network.

Being a Black business owner does not come easily. It is not all glitz and glamour. The extra work has to be done in order to make it possible to be able to work for yourself. A sense of accomplishment is felt when you can provide a product or service to help people and contribute to the successes of the economy.

Did you know?

The top three places with the highest numbers of Black owned businesses are New York, Atlanta and Washington, D.C.

How do you celebrate National Black Business Month?

You can spread the word about any products or services that you like.

Shop Black owned businesses.

Research about Black entrepreneurs.

It is important because we can encourage these businesses to keep going and continue to contribute to the economic wealth of not only minority communities, but also the world abroad.

Image credit: Image by Philippe Jacquet from Pixabay