Lord Does The Second Hand Matter? He is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
I have a second hand on my watch so I can count time in the smallest of fragments. I am not sure God uses a second hand on his timepiece. I want answers and actions now. God allows me to wait. I am impatient. God is not. Many of us are impatient to many things and devices of this world, but God is not. Patience is something we all must learn, and that God does things in His own time and own way....a way not known to man. He made us, and knew us before we were born of this world, and knew what we would be in this journey of life. Remember, He gives us choices, wait on Him, and be patient, and be still.
20 July 2010
Remember my 7 simple rules to be happy:
1. Love God, trust God, and obey God.
2. Free your heart from hatred.
3. Free your mind from worries.
4. Live simply...
5. Give more...
6. Expect less...
7. Love one another
2. Free your heart from hatred.
3. Free your mind from worries.
4. Live simply...
5. Give more...
6. Expect less...
7. Love one another
Help in Reaching your Goals in Life
I have watched athletes such as Ray Lewis, Tom Brady, The Gate Brothers, Kobie Bryant, David Ortiz, Michael Jorden, Bret Farve, Serena, and Venus Williams, and so on, but I've learned a few truths that can help me, and hopefully you, cross the finish line of competition in our own seasons of life: The willingness, the winning spirit, the toughness of challenges, and moreover being an over-comer. I strongly believe that many athletes put God first, and they give back from where they came. There are avenues to success, and a process that we all must go through to reach all of your goals.
It takes effort and discipline to accomplish your goals.
Don't settle for anything less than the best - God's best!
Don't look back - it only slows you down and lets your opponent take back hard-fought ground from you!
It's the little things that make the difference; those little things that mean the difference between winning and losing.
Even if you have gifts, abilities, and talent, you still have to keep working and pushing yourself - raw talent alone won't bring victory!
You have to BELIEVE.
Wise counsel and guidance is essential, BUT you have to be willing to heed that wisdom or else you'll keep making the same mistakes and not reach your goal.
Don't compare yourself to everyone else, it only distracts you - focus on what you can do!
You must have mental focus because "as a man a thinks in his hearts, so he is" (Proverbs 23:7).
It takes effort and discipline to accomplish your goals.
Don't settle for anything less than the best - God's best!
Don't look back - it only slows you down and lets your opponent take back hard-fought ground from you!
It's the little things that make the difference; those little things that mean the difference between winning and losing.
Even if you have gifts, abilities, and talent, you still have to keep working and pushing yourself - raw talent alone won't bring victory!
You have to BELIEVE.
Wise counsel and guidance is essential, BUT you have to be willing to heed that wisdom or else you'll keep making the same mistakes and not reach your goal.
Don't compare yourself to everyone else, it only distracts you - focus on what you can do!
You must have mental focus because "as a man a thinks in his hearts, so he is" (Proverbs 23:7).
What? God is a planner? Yes He is...
What? God a planner? Yes! He is the Master Planner. Scripture tells us that:
* His plans stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart last through all generations(Psalm33:11),
* He knows the plans He has for us (Jer 29:11),
* what He plans, He will do (Isa 46:11),
* He has called us according to His purposes (Rom 8:28),
* His purposes prevail (Prov 19:21),
* He has prepared good works in advance for us to do (Eph 2:10)
There can be no doubt that God is a planner. He made plans before the creation of the world and He has a plan that will take care of the end of it as well. And God is not just any planner; He is a detailed planner! Read through Genesis 6:11-22 and Exodus 25-31 and you will see that God gave very specific and detailed plans for His children to follow.
God is our example, our inspiration, and our help. When we follow His lead and take the time to plan out our days, then we are reflecting the character of God to the world.
* His plans stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart last through all generations(Psalm33:11),
* He knows the plans He has for us (Jer 29:11),
* what He plans, He will do (Isa 46:11),
* He has called us according to His purposes (Rom 8:28),
* His purposes prevail (Prov 19:21),
* He has prepared good works in advance for us to do (Eph 2:10)
There can be no doubt that God is a planner. He made plans before the creation of the world and He has a plan that will take care of the end of it as well. And God is not just any planner; He is a detailed planner! Read through Genesis 6:11-22 and Exodus 25-31 and you will see that God gave very specific and detailed plans for His children to follow.
God is our example, our inspiration, and our help. When we follow His lead and take the time to plan out our days, then we are reflecting the character of God to the world.
Proverbs 15:28
"The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil." (Proverbs 15:28)
19 July 2010
A knock at the door
Shortly before eight, the doorbell rang, as I looked through the peephole, I saw a woman standing there profusely sweating and looking behind her. I hesitated a second to open the door, but I stood firm and decided to open the door. As I opened the door her voice whisked past me, "can you help me", please. I stood silent for a second, and replied....how can I help you. She hurried and answer back to me, "my child is locked in the car, and I do not have a cell phone". I readied and said"sure, where is your car". She moved off the porch, and pointed across the street. The temperature was about 93 degrees, and with out waiting for police, I took a brick and busted a small back window, and reached into the car and unlocked the door. The child was silent as to wonder what was going on, and looked at me strange, as to say who is that mommy. The mother was crying, and looked at me to say thanks, and she was scared, but happy. I felt good, but not as a hero but rather to had helped someone today that really needed help. Sometimes you never knows who is on the other side of a door when someone knocks.
So-called friends in life.
What do you think of someone who calls you, and never ask how you are doing but rather ask you for something? Well, I get off the phone as soon as possible, or if it is a message, I do not call them back. I strongly feel that is very disrespectful, and shatters a friendship, relationship, and explains your total thought process about wants and needs. With no disrespect, I would rather you not call me, and I am sure not to even attempt to call you or call you back at all. Your call was worthless and weightless, and a total waste of time. Some people are not responsible for there own thoughts and actions, but rather there selfish thought process. Respectfully when I see your number I do not answer the phone, or add a special ringer for you.
Counting Success
To be successful you must run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must, just never give up. That is the worst thing you can do, and if you stop to catch your breath, you have blew it for a while and you are left with a little, but a wasted effort. Then you must regroup to continue, and do it all over again to catch up to where you should be.
Stand Up
"If someone is strong enough to bring you down,
show them you're strong enough to get back up"....."Give them some bark and bite".
show them you're strong enough to get back up"....."Give them some bark and bite".
06 July 2010
Police Work
It was a Friday Afternoon in Baltimore, and the sun was breaking through the clouds after
a small thunderstorm rolled through the city. Calvin Slay, and Earl Carter were sitting in
the 52nd. Street Coffee House, looking and talking through the big plate glass window.
The moment of conversation was about the sudden changes around the police
department. Calvin & Earl both work in the Southern District, which is in South
Baltimore. Both officers are 19-year veterans of the department, and had a very un-
eventful career. They both equally like working for the city, but dislike the changes that
Mayor Martin O’Malley has made to the police department. They feel that other changes
can be made for the department to be more effective, than the ones that have been
implemented. As the men continue to talk, and murmur about what the Mayor & City
Council have done to the moral of the department. Calvin says to Earl, “man I can’t
believe all of the changes the chief wants to make”. Earl replies, “huh, look at the Federal
Government, and George Bush, they will do what they want to do when they want to”.
“The whole damm place is messed up, and it is not only the city”. “It starts with the
Government, the State, and trickles down to the City, with that dumb ass Martin
O’Malley”. “I read the papers everyday and there is something new everywhere, and too
much bullshit going on”. At that moment Earl says, “did you see that”, while all Earl
hears is a chair move and the back of Calvin’s shirt as he runs and turns the corner. Earl
follows in pursuit to advert the action that is going on in the parking lot. There is a
robbery in progress in the parking lot, and three people are getting robbed at gunpoint. In
the broad daylight it is hard to believe that you would ever see a armed strong arm
robbery. As the men gunmen make there way through the parking lot to the rear of the
building to make there getaway, some thing strange happens. Calvin runs and plows
himself into the both of them from the blind side. Instantly they both are knocked down
to the pavement and did not know what had happened. Through there grogginess and
knocking the cobwebs out they both figured out what had happened. Briefly, the other
robber turns and looks at Officer Slay and begins to attempt to get up, and Officer Carter
tackles his leg before he starts to run. All three are taken down and wondered how they
got caught. Officer Slay hit the both of them like Ray Lewis, while knocking them into
the other one, and neither one knew what had hit them. Calvin & earl are partners at the
Shopping Center, and everyone knows them well. If you are from Cherry Hill, you know
Officers Slay & Carter. Those two are the talk of Rusty’s Barber Shop in the Shopping
Center. The best thing about them is that they show you respect, and want it in return.
They are well liked, and equally very well feared in the South Baltimore community.
They both have many commendations, and unit bars on their uniforms. Calvin lives in
Largo, Maryland, and comes into the city to work. He also has one kid and his name is
Kole. As he drives to work each day he thinks about how many Police Departments he
passes just getting to Baltimore. But he finds it more fulfilling that he comes to Baltimore
because no day is the same. After nineteen year, not too much can change now. Earl lives
in Glen Burnie and does not have far to go to get home or to work. They both truly
believe that as a Baltimore Policeman, you are on duty 24/7. The Baltimore Police are so
much different then anywhere else. They go through more bullshit than any other
department in Maryland. They wear navy blue BDU’s, and combat boots, military style
BDU caps. Beyond the glamour and glory of the job in Baltimore, another striking
comparison is among them. This time they were in the Glen Burnie area in Northern
Anne Arundel County, where they took down the robbers. Calvin and Earl are both
African American, and it is highly unusual to see many African Americans in Northern
Anne Arundel County. A crowd starts to gather as the two hold the suspects at gunpoint
on the ground. Moments later, an Anne Arundel County Police arrive on the scene. The
County Officer sits in his car, and calls for back up, while not being sure who the two
black men are guns pointing at the men on the ground. Both Calvin & Earl look at each
other and figured out what was going on. They both have that gleam in their eye, “the
niggar’s got a gun theory”. Finally four other cars roll up on the silent note, and their car
doors slam and the snaps from there holsters pierce the air. A loud and clear deep voice
commands, “ Drop the weapons boys, and tell me what’s going on here”. In the crowd,
someone yell,….”they stopped the robbers”, damn’it”. There is a quivering silence for a
moment in the air, and you hear the breathing of the officers intermittently through their
nostrils. Calvin and Earl have not moved a flinch, but Earl takes the initiative and yells to
the Anne Arundel Officers. “We are Baltimore City Officers and apprehended these three
suspects after we witnessed a robbery of a group of people still in the restaurant”. “These
suspect are still armed, and we are not moving until you take charge of the incident”.
With caution the County Officers move in slowly, because they are still not sure who the
two black men are. Calvin yells to them that he is reaching for his badge with his left
hand, and soon retrieves it. The tense moment is over for both Calvin & Earl, and the
County Officers. As they all stand there in a cold sweat, and blowing, the County
Officers reassure themselves the two are O.K. The County Officers gather the report from
the witnesses, and Baltimore Officers. The victim comes running across the parking lot to
thank Calvin & Earl for putting there lives on the line. They all talk about what went on
in the parking lot. After all of the excitement was over they walked back to the restaurant
to pay for there meal. As they walked in there, the waitress said, “hey mother fuckers, I
had to take money from my check, because you both ran out of the place”. “My boss
made me pay for this chyt, fuck both of you. The waitress was one hot woman, and you
could tell by the looks in her eyes. Calvin looked at Earl as they turned with a glare the
same time. Calvin tells the waitress that they will take care of it, and talk to her boss, as
he was busy behind the counter. Calvin goes over and pays the bill and the owner said he
was going to give the waitress back her money. Calvin comes back over and hands the
waitress a $50.00 bill in her hand, and promises her that her boss would also give her the
money that he took from her. She smiled and said, “this chyt isn’t right”, with tears in her
eyes and went back to cleaning off her tables. Earl looks at Calvin and says, “I wouldn’t
give her chyt the way her ass talked to us. They had left the restaurant laughing and
joking about the waitress who still did not realize that they had left her a $50.00 tip.
a small thunderstorm rolled through the city. Calvin Slay, and Earl Carter were sitting in
the 52nd. Street Coffee House, looking and talking through the big plate glass window.
The moment of conversation was about the sudden changes around the police
department. Calvin & Earl both work in the Southern District, which is in South
Baltimore. Both officers are 19-year veterans of the department, and had a very un-
eventful career. They both equally like working for the city, but dislike the changes that
Mayor Martin O’Malley has made to the police department. They feel that other changes
can be made for the department to be more effective, than the ones that have been
implemented. As the men continue to talk, and murmur about what the Mayor & City
Council have done to the moral of the department. Calvin says to Earl, “man I can’t
believe all of the changes the chief wants to make”. Earl replies, “huh, look at the Federal
Government, and George Bush, they will do what they want to do when they want to”.
“The whole damm place is messed up, and it is not only the city”. “It starts with the
Government, the State, and trickles down to the City, with that dumb ass Martin
O’Malley”. “I read the papers everyday and there is something new everywhere, and too
much bullshit going on”. At that moment Earl says, “did you see that”, while all Earl
hears is a chair move and the back of Calvin’s shirt as he runs and turns the corner. Earl
follows in pursuit to advert the action that is going on in the parking lot. There is a
robbery in progress in the parking lot, and three people are getting robbed at gunpoint. In
the broad daylight it is hard to believe that you would ever see a armed strong arm
robbery. As the men gunmen make there way through the parking lot to the rear of the
building to make there getaway, some thing strange happens. Calvin runs and plows
himself into the both of them from the blind side. Instantly they both are knocked down
to the pavement and did not know what had happened. Through there grogginess and
knocking the cobwebs out they both figured out what had happened. Briefly, the other
robber turns and looks at Officer Slay and begins to attempt to get up, and Officer Carter
tackles his leg before he starts to run. All three are taken down and wondered how they
got caught. Officer Slay hit the both of them like Ray Lewis, while knocking them into
the other one, and neither one knew what had hit them. Calvin & earl are partners at the
Shopping Center, and everyone knows them well. If you are from Cherry Hill, you know
Officers Slay & Carter. Those two are the talk of Rusty’s Barber Shop in the Shopping
Center. The best thing about them is that they show you respect, and want it in return.
They are well liked, and equally very well feared in the South Baltimore community.
They both have many commendations, and unit bars on their uniforms. Calvin lives in
Largo, Maryland, and comes into the city to work. He also has one kid and his name is
Kole. As he drives to work each day he thinks about how many Police Departments he
passes just getting to Baltimore. But he finds it more fulfilling that he comes to Baltimore
because no day is the same. After nineteen year, not too much can change now. Earl lives
in Glen Burnie and does not have far to go to get home or to work. They both truly
believe that as a Baltimore Policeman, you are on duty 24/7. The Baltimore Police are so
much different then anywhere else. They go through more bullshit than any other
department in Maryland. They wear navy blue BDU’s, and combat boots, military style
BDU caps. Beyond the glamour and glory of the job in Baltimore, another striking
comparison is among them. This time they were in the Glen Burnie area in Northern
Anne Arundel County, where they took down the robbers. Calvin and Earl are both
African American, and it is highly unusual to see many African Americans in Northern
Anne Arundel County. A crowd starts to gather as the two hold the suspects at gunpoint
on the ground. Moments later, an Anne Arundel County Police arrive on the scene. The
County Officer sits in his car, and calls for back up, while not being sure who the two
black men are guns pointing at the men on the ground. Both Calvin & Earl look at each
other and figured out what was going on. They both have that gleam in their eye, “the
niggar’s got a gun theory”. Finally four other cars roll up on the silent note, and their car
doors slam and the snaps from there holsters pierce the air. A loud and clear deep voice
commands, “ Drop the weapons boys, and tell me what’s going on here”. In the crowd,
someone yell,….”they stopped the robbers”, damn’it”. There is a quivering silence for a
moment in the air, and you hear the breathing of the officers intermittently through their
nostrils. Calvin and Earl have not moved a flinch, but Earl takes the initiative and yells to
the Anne Arundel Officers. “We are Baltimore City Officers and apprehended these three
suspects after we witnessed a robbery of a group of people still in the restaurant”. “These
suspect are still armed, and we are not moving until you take charge of the incident”.
With caution the County Officers move in slowly, because they are still not sure who the
two black men are. Calvin yells to them that he is reaching for his badge with his left
hand, and soon retrieves it. The tense moment is over for both Calvin & Earl, and the
County Officers. As they all stand there in a cold sweat, and blowing, the County
Officers reassure themselves the two are O.K. The County Officers gather the report from
the witnesses, and Baltimore Officers. The victim comes running across the parking lot to
thank Calvin & Earl for putting there lives on the line. They all talk about what went on
in the parking lot. After all of the excitement was over they walked back to the restaurant
to pay for there meal. As they walked in there, the waitress said, “hey mother fuckers, I
had to take money from my check, because you both ran out of the place”. “My boss
made me pay for this chyt, fuck both of you. The waitress was one hot woman, and you
could tell by the looks in her eyes. Calvin looked at Earl as they turned with a glare the
same time. Calvin tells the waitress that they will take care of it, and talk to her boss, as
he was busy behind the counter. Calvin goes over and pays the bill and the owner said he
was going to give the waitress back her money. Calvin comes back over and hands the
waitress a $50.00 bill in her hand, and promises her that her boss would also give her the
money that he took from her. She smiled and said, “this chyt isn’t right”, with tears in her
eyes and went back to cleaning off her tables. Earl looks at Calvin and says, “I wouldn’t
give her chyt the way her ass talked to us. They had left the restaurant laughing and
joking about the waitress who still did not realize that they had left her a $50.00 tip.
"A" Good Woman
A good woman knows God. She knows that with God the world is her playground, but without God she will just be played. A good woman does not live in fear of the future because of her past. Instead, she understands that her life experiences are merely lessons, meant to bring her closer to self knowledge and unconditional self love. A good woman is proud of herself. She respects herself and others. She knows her strengths and she trusts God to help her overcome her weaknesses. She neither seeks definition from the person she is with, nor does she expect them to read her mind. She is quite capable of articulating her needs. She expects good things to happen in her life and she makes great things happen in the lives of those she loves. A good woman is hopeful. She is prayerful. She is strong enough to make all her dreams come true. She knows love, therefore she gives love. She recognizes that her love has great value and must be reciprocated. If her love is taken for granted, it soon disappears. A good woman has a dash of inspiration, a dabble of endurance. She knows that she will, at times, have to inspire others to reach the potential God gave them. A good woman knows her past, understands her present and looks positively toward the Future, you....
What it is like to be a Baltimore Fireman responding, and putting out a fire
Life in the day or night of a Fireman. You have just finished doing your housework in the station, and you take 10 to relax. A short while later, the box goes off, "Wee-Do, Wee-do, Ee-do, Wee-do, Wee-Do",and the dispatcher rattles off the response. Engine 13,52,8,14,...Trucks 10, 13...Battalion Chief 4, & Ambulance 4 respond to a report of a dwelling fire, 13 North Street @ Division Street. You drop everything and race across the floor to the engine, with your adrenaline pumping. Your mind is hydroplaning, "do we have something". As the engine leaves the station you are still getting dressed into your turnout gear. Fireman are sitting in the seats, and pulling the hoods over there heads, and whipping the straps of the air mask over there shoulders. This is done in a matter of seconds so they will be ready to exit the engine when they get to the scene of the incident. The first engine is squawking on the radio, "Engine 13 is on the scene, and we have a 2 story brick dwelling with heavy fire showing on side A-Alpha" 1st., 2nd., and 3rd. floors. As the siren blisters the ears, and drivers moving out of the way for so the monstrous truck can move through traffic. Finally, you arrive at 13 North Street. You crawl up on the porch, and fall to your knees, and put your face-piece on so you can go in the building. As you are crawling you cannot see anything. In firefighting, your hands and ears are your eyes. You take one hand to sweep in front of you as you move along, and touching the walls to know where you are. As you are moving about, and listening is very important, he who has ears, let him hear, you can hear the thump of a axe, and the sounds of leaking water in the distance, or the water from other hose lines as you are advancing your hose line. Also there is the crackling of fire, and hot spots as you crawl along. If you have the nozzle, you hear the gush of air coming through the nozzle as you open it up. You can hear a busted water pipe still flowing and the yelling of other members, and it is totally dark & quiet. This is basic firefighting at many building fires all over the country. Most people do not know that when you see a Engine with the hose, and a Truck with ladders and tool that they do different jobs on the fire-ground. The engine extinguishs the fire and the truck [hook & ladder]has tools to ventilate, open locked buildings, and rescue people, or trapped fireman. After the fire they pack up there hose and other tool, and prepare to return to quarters [station]. Back at the station, they clean air mask, and other tools, and then begin to relax and recover before the next response. Now you have a taste of the day of a Fireman. Although we do a lot more then fight fires. We do Medical stuff, Home Visits, Public Events, Check Hydrants, Install Smoke Detectors, and most of all...keep our station clean.
"Night Shift at Baltimore's Busiest Firehouse"
It was a cold February night when the night shift had begun at the
firehouse of Engine Company 25, at 2140 McCullough Street. The clock had struck
1700hours, and the watch desk went off a few seconds later screaming, “1700 hours,
Baltimore City Fire Department, 1701”. Firefighter Bobby Salmon walks over to the
watch desk to make sure everyone is in. Firefighter salmon then decides as he does
everyday, “well I guess I will get me a cup of coffee”, as he passes Firefighter’s George
Green, and Michael Johnson. Mike and George look up from there newspapers and
magazines briefly as Bobby walks by. “Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-
Doo, Wee-Doo, Box Alarm 25-10, Engines 25-8-13-52, Trucks 10-4, & Battalion Chief 4,
respond to a report of a dwelling fire, 1500 block of Woodyear Street”. George hollers, “
well there goes your coffee, and we are first in”. George says to Bobby, “every time you
head for the damm coffee machine we get a box. As they mount the wagon and head out
the door with the crew of Engine 25 they turn to go across Gold Street, Captain Reginald
Sessions tells the guys that “we got heavy smoke showing, ain’t that a bitch, we just got
here”. Firefighter Salmon is the Engineer this shift and is rolling across Gold Street, and
getting closer to the fire and thinking of which hydrant he will pick up. Arriving on the
scene Captain Sessions give a size up on the dwelling. “Engine 25 on the scene, we have
a 2 story brick dwelling, and we have fire showing 1st., and 2nd. floors, and we have a
hydrant at Carey & Gold”. George is at the hydrant, and Mike is ready to attack the fire,
and Bobby is connecting hose lines and getting ready to pump water. Captain Sessions
and Mike enter the first floor and open the line up and start heading to the 2nd. floor.
Lieutenant Novak & Firefighter Kenny Lee take the 2nd hose line and attack what’s left of
the 1st floor. Bobby is at the pump panel checking the pressures with a cigarette dangling
from his mouth. The Captain of Engine 25 comes across the radio, “Engine 25 to
command, we have the fire knocked and we are checking for extensions”. After a few
minutes of overhauling, and packing of hose, all of the companies head back to there
stations. Back in station, Captain Sessions tells his men, “good job guys”, we got most of
the fire. Bob walks over to the coffee pot as George jumps up, and says “its that coffee,
that’s why we caught that fire”. Bobby smiles and asks George, “did you pay your skin”,
and puts on a big grin the one he is known for. George looks at him speechless, and picks
up his newspaper and starts reading it again. Mike and the Captain look on and smile as
the Captain heads for the stairs to fill out some paperwork. Mike starts to fix a little
dinner, and the box goes off again. It’s a medic assist down on Druid Hill avenue with
Medic 4. As Engine 25 heads back to quarters, another box gets struck out. “ Box Alarm
8-8, Engines 8-25-36-13, Trucks 10-4, & Battalion Chief 4, respond to a report of a
dwelling fire, 1014 North Mount Street”. It turned out to be a pot of food that Engine 8
would handle. Bob turns the wagon around and heads back to station. They get a few
blocks and they get another medic assist. Bobby hits the lights & sirens, and they head for
North avenue & Pennsylvania Avenues for a shooting. As they approach the scene,
Captain Sessions yells, “we got one down”, and Mike and George scramble for some
latex gloves in the back of the wagon. Medic 4, with Paramedics Willie Williams, and
King Teasdale arrive on the scene, and ask “how many”. George screams,“ he has 3
visible bullet wounds”. The medics take charge of the incident, and rush the young man
to Shock Trauma. Back at quarters, Bobby wants to know who left dishes in the sink.
That happens to be one of Bobby’s pet peeves around the station. After doing home
improvement work all day, Bobby finally settles down and falls off to sleep. Mike has
chilled out on the phone talking to his wife, and George has to read every word in the
News American everyday. The night seems to moving slow, so all of the guys take
advantage of it. “Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Box
Alarm 52-10, Engines 52-25-8-20, Trucks 10-18, & Battalion Chief 7 respond to a report
of a dwelling fire, 2116 North Pulaski Street”. Captain Sessions slides the pole, and yells,
“lets go we are second in”. Bobby already has the wagon started, and up and ready to roll
across North Avenue. “Across the radio blares “engine 52 on the scene, we have a 2
story brick with fire showing on the second floor, and we are taking the front of the
building”. Bobby pulls up to cover Engine 52’s hydrant as the rest of the company of
Engine 25 head for the fire building with the second line off of Engine 52. The Captain,
Mike, & George advance the line to back up Engine 52, and to hit a few hot spots here
and there. After the fire is out, Bobby says, “hey Captain we have been rolling, this is our
5th. run tonight”. It is now 2245 hrs., and they get on the wagon and head back to quarters
again. Bobby backs the wagon into quarters, and before he can shut it down they catch
another run. “Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Second
Alarm of Fire on Box Alarm 40-17, Engines 25-36-13-8, Trucks 4-10, Rescue 1, Battalion
Chief 4, Safety Officer 5, Medic 15, and F.I.B. 2 respond on the second alarm, 4216
Duvall Avenue, Operations on Charlie 5”. Bobby heads the wagon back down West
North Avenue towards Walbrook Junction and he has the siren blaring in the wind.
Captain Sessions has the map book open looking for a hydrant to hook up to as they head
North on Garrison Blvd. Bobby scrambles some words with another cigarette dangling
from his mouth, “They must have one of those big barn off down in the hole”. Mike and
George riding in the jump seats listening patiently to the fire channel to figure out what
type of dwelling they have. The Captain hollers back to them, “they have got a heck of a
fire and it sounds like we are going to be here a while”. They pull up on the scene and
have a perfect view of a huge three story frame dwelling with fire thru most of the roof
and a lot of the second and third floors still well involved. They lead off from Clifton
Avenue & Queen Anne Road and take there line toward the second floor to make an
interior attack. Almost to the second floor landing the Captain screams across the radio,
“Engine 25 mobile, charge my line”. Bobby hears the Captain and flows thru his line 130
psi, and calls the Captain and tells him, “it’s on the way Cap”. Captain Woodlawn and
the crew of Truck 10 are on the 2nd. floor with Engine 25 advancing two lines on the fire
hitting as many pockets of fire as they can. About 40 minutes later the 7th. Battalion Chief
finally declares to communications, “Duvall command reporting, fire under control”. It is
now 0322 hrs. as the crew of Engine 25 head back toward quarters as they get a medic
assist at Bloom & Division Streets for a Stabbing. Bobby hit the lights and siren as
Captain Sessions acknowledges the run. As they turn off of Pennsylvania Avenue on to
Bloom Street, they notice a crowd of people and a number of Police at the corner. Medic
4 takes the patient who has multiple stab wounds in his chest, and side to Maryland
Shock Trauma Center. Before they get back on the wagon, they hear another box get
struck out. “Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Tactical Box
25-5, Callow Avenue, and Whitelock Street, for a report of a dwelling fire, Engines 1-13,
and Truck 11”. The Captain calls Communications, “Engine 25 in service, medic assist
handled by Medic number 4, and do you want us to take that Tactical Box?”.
Communications responds, “That’s affirmative Engine 25, take the response, Callow
Avenue & Whitelock Street for a report of a dwelling fire”. “Engine 13, Engine 13, place
your unit in service, Engine 25 has it”. Engine 1 is on the scene investigating a trash fire
in the basement of 2302 Callow Avenue. The Lieutenant Scott of Truck 11, tells
communications that Engine 1, and Truck 11 will handle a trash fire at 2302 Callow
Avenue. Bobby makes a U turn at Lennox Street, and Linden Avenue and heads back to
quarters. All the men head to bed except Bobby who sits on the watch desk reading a
Readers Digest laughing at a few jokes in the book. It is now 0543 hrs. and another box
comes in. “Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Box Alarm 7-
7, report of a dwelling fire, 514 Half Mile Court, Engines 7-13-38-25, Trucks 4-11,
Battalion Chief 4”. Bobby drops his book, and runs for the wagon while the rest of the
men slide the poles, and yells, “we are last due”. George mumbles, my relief will be in at
any minute Mike remembers that he was sleeping good until he heard the sound of the
gong and the lights coming on. Bobby leaves quarters and wheels the pumper off of
Gold Street onto Druid Hill Avenue, and lets the siren wail off of the walls of the row
houses. Lieutenant Urban of Engine 7 calls across the radio, “we’ve go smoke show’ in
from the 2nd. floor of a two story brick dwelling”. Bobby pulls up the wagon and covers
Engine 23’s hydrant and the other men walk down to the fire in the rear of the dwelling.
As they stand in the rear of the house they hear, “Engine 7 to Half Mile command, the
fire is out, and we are checking for extensions”. Captain Sessions and his men walk back
to the wagon as the sun starts to rise, and they head back to quarters. The humble rumble
of Engine 25 echoing up McCullough Street among the row houses early in the morning
means that the night shift is almost over. They back into quarters and as usual, Mort
Katzenberg is there with a box of fancy pastry with the members of the day shift. It is
now 0652 hrs and all members of the night shift are properly relieved.
By Robert L. Wilkins
firehouse of Engine Company 25, at 2140 McCullough Street. The clock had struck
1700hours, and the watch desk went off a few seconds later screaming, “1700 hours,
Baltimore City Fire Department, 1701”. Firefighter Bobby Salmon walks over to the
watch desk to make sure everyone is in. Firefighter salmon then decides as he does
everyday, “well I guess I will get me a cup of coffee”, as he passes Firefighter’s George
Green, and Michael Johnson. Mike and George look up from there newspapers and
magazines briefly as Bobby walks by. “Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-
Doo, Wee-Doo, Box Alarm 25-10, Engines 25-8-13-52, Trucks 10-4, & Battalion Chief 4,
respond to a report of a dwelling fire, 1500 block of Woodyear Street”. George hollers, “
well there goes your coffee, and we are first in”. George says to Bobby, “every time you
head for the damm coffee machine we get a box. As they mount the wagon and head out
the door with the crew of Engine 25 they turn to go across Gold Street, Captain Reginald
Sessions tells the guys that “we got heavy smoke showing, ain’t that a bitch, we just got
here”. Firefighter Salmon is the Engineer this shift and is rolling across Gold Street, and
getting closer to the fire and thinking of which hydrant he will pick up. Arriving on the
scene Captain Sessions give a size up on the dwelling. “Engine 25 on the scene, we have
a 2 story brick dwelling, and we have fire showing 1st., and 2nd. floors, and we have a
hydrant at Carey & Gold”. George is at the hydrant, and Mike is ready to attack the fire,
and Bobby is connecting hose lines and getting ready to pump water. Captain Sessions
and Mike enter the first floor and open the line up and start heading to the 2nd. floor.
Lieutenant Novak & Firefighter Kenny Lee take the 2nd hose line and attack what’s left of
the 1st floor. Bobby is at the pump panel checking the pressures with a cigarette dangling
from his mouth. The Captain of Engine 25 comes across the radio, “Engine 25 to
command, we have the fire knocked and we are checking for extensions”. After a few
minutes of overhauling, and packing of hose, all of the companies head back to there
stations. Back in station, Captain Sessions tells his men, “good job guys”, we got most of
the fire. Bob walks over to the coffee pot as George jumps up, and says “its that coffee,
that’s why we caught that fire”. Bobby smiles and asks George, “did you pay your skin”,
and puts on a big grin the one he is known for. George looks at him speechless, and picks
up his newspaper and starts reading it again. Mike and the Captain look on and smile as
the Captain heads for the stairs to fill out some paperwork. Mike starts to fix a little
dinner, and the box goes off again. It’s a medic assist down on Druid Hill avenue with
Medic 4. As Engine 25 heads back to quarters, another box gets struck out. “ Box Alarm
8-8, Engines 8-25-36-13, Trucks 10-4, & Battalion Chief 4, respond to a report of a
dwelling fire, 1014 North Mount Street”. It turned out to be a pot of food that Engine 8
would handle. Bob turns the wagon around and heads back to station. They get a few
blocks and they get another medic assist. Bobby hits the lights & sirens, and they head for
North avenue & Pennsylvania Avenues for a shooting. As they approach the scene,
Captain Sessions yells, “we got one down”, and Mike and George scramble for some
latex gloves in the back of the wagon. Medic 4, with Paramedics Willie Williams, and
King Teasdale arrive on the scene, and ask “how many”. George screams,“ he has 3
visible bullet wounds”. The medics take charge of the incident, and rush the young man
to Shock Trauma. Back at quarters, Bobby wants to know who left dishes in the sink.
That happens to be one of Bobby’s pet peeves around the station. After doing home
improvement work all day, Bobby finally settles down and falls off to sleep. Mike has
chilled out on the phone talking to his wife, and George has to read every word in the
News American everyday. The night seems to moving slow, so all of the guys take
advantage of it. “Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Box
Alarm 52-10, Engines 52-25-8-20, Trucks 10-18, & Battalion Chief 7 respond to a report
of a dwelling fire, 2116 North Pulaski Street”. Captain Sessions slides the pole, and yells,
“lets go we are second in”. Bobby already has the wagon started, and up and ready to roll
across North Avenue. “Across the radio blares “engine 52 on the scene, we have a 2
story brick with fire showing on the second floor, and we are taking the front of the
building”. Bobby pulls up to cover Engine 52’s hydrant as the rest of the company of
Engine 25 head for the fire building with the second line off of Engine 52. The Captain,
Mike, & George advance the line to back up Engine 52, and to hit a few hot spots here
and there. After the fire is out, Bobby says, “hey Captain we have been rolling, this is our
5th. run tonight”. It is now 2245 hrs., and they get on the wagon and head back to quarters
again. Bobby backs the wagon into quarters, and before he can shut it down they catch
another run. “Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Second
Alarm of Fire on Box Alarm 40-17, Engines 25-36-13-8, Trucks 4-10, Rescue 1, Battalion
Chief 4, Safety Officer 5, Medic 15, and F.I.B. 2 respond on the second alarm, 4216
Duvall Avenue, Operations on Charlie 5”. Bobby heads the wagon back down West
North Avenue towards Walbrook Junction and he has the siren blaring in the wind.
Captain Sessions has the map book open looking for a hydrant to hook up to as they head
North on Garrison Blvd. Bobby scrambles some words with another cigarette dangling
from his mouth, “They must have one of those big barn off down in the hole”. Mike and
George riding in the jump seats listening patiently to the fire channel to figure out what
type of dwelling they have. The Captain hollers back to them, “they have got a heck of a
fire and it sounds like we are going to be here a while”. They pull up on the scene and
have a perfect view of a huge three story frame dwelling with fire thru most of the roof
and a lot of the second and third floors still well involved. They lead off from Clifton
Avenue & Queen Anne Road and take there line toward the second floor to make an
interior attack. Almost to the second floor landing the Captain screams across the radio,
“Engine 25 mobile, charge my line”. Bobby hears the Captain and flows thru his line 130
psi, and calls the Captain and tells him, “it’s on the way Cap”. Captain Woodlawn and
the crew of Truck 10 are on the 2nd. floor with Engine 25 advancing two lines on the fire
hitting as many pockets of fire as they can. About 40 minutes later the 7th. Battalion Chief
finally declares to communications, “Duvall command reporting, fire under control”. It is
now 0322 hrs. as the crew of Engine 25 head back toward quarters as they get a medic
assist at Bloom & Division Streets for a Stabbing. Bobby hit the lights and siren as
Captain Sessions acknowledges the run. As they turn off of Pennsylvania Avenue on to
Bloom Street, they notice a crowd of people and a number of Police at the corner. Medic
4 takes the patient who has multiple stab wounds in his chest, and side to Maryland
Shock Trauma Center. Before they get back on the wagon, they hear another box get
struck out. “Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Tactical Box
25-5, Callow Avenue, and Whitelock Street, for a report of a dwelling fire, Engines 1-13,
and Truck 11”. The Captain calls Communications, “Engine 25 in service, medic assist
handled by Medic number 4, and do you want us to take that Tactical Box?”.
Communications responds, “That’s affirmative Engine 25, take the response, Callow
Avenue & Whitelock Street for a report of a dwelling fire”. “Engine 13, Engine 13, place
your unit in service, Engine 25 has it”. Engine 1 is on the scene investigating a trash fire
in the basement of 2302 Callow Avenue. The Lieutenant Scott of Truck 11, tells
communications that Engine 1, and Truck 11 will handle a trash fire at 2302 Callow
Avenue. Bobby makes a U turn at Lennox Street, and Linden Avenue and heads back to
quarters. All the men head to bed except Bobby who sits on the watch desk reading a
Readers Digest laughing at a few jokes in the book. It is now 0543 hrs. and another box
comes in. “Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Wee-Doo, Box Alarm 7-
7, report of a dwelling fire, 514 Half Mile Court, Engines 7-13-38-25, Trucks 4-11,
Battalion Chief 4”. Bobby drops his book, and runs for the wagon while the rest of the
men slide the poles, and yells, “we are last due”. George mumbles, my relief will be in at
any minute Mike remembers that he was sleeping good until he heard the sound of the
gong and the lights coming on. Bobby leaves quarters and wheels the pumper off of
Gold Street onto Druid Hill Avenue, and lets the siren wail off of the walls of the row
houses. Lieutenant Urban of Engine 7 calls across the radio, “we’ve go smoke show’ in
from the 2nd. floor of a two story brick dwelling”. Bobby pulls up the wagon and covers
Engine 23’s hydrant and the other men walk down to the fire in the rear of the dwelling.
As they stand in the rear of the house they hear, “Engine 7 to Half Mile command, the
fire is out, and we are checking for extensions”. Captain Sessions and his men walk back
to the wagon as the sun starts to rise, and they head back to quarters. The humble rumble
of Engine 25 echoing up McCullough Street among the row houses early in the morning
means that the night shift is almost over. They back into quarters and as usual, Mort
Katzenberg is there with a box of fancy pastry with the members of the day shift. It is
now 0652 hrs and all members of the night shift are properly relieved.
By Robert L. Wilkins
Watch what you say...
I've got a lot going on in my life these days and have a tendancy to let *others* bring out the worst in me. It's something I'm working on, though fail on the regular. Today a girlfriend sent me this...
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Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Prov. 21:23
Most of the time, when people feel bad about themselves, they talk about others to make themselves feel better. People that are always talking about people are dangerous. They speak curses and poisonous venom that can kill. Usually, their life is not where it should be, so they have to pull everyone down to their level with their words. It's easier to pull people down to your level when you are a do nothing, than to follow your vision, become something, and pull people up! Don't you know that your situation could be the result of a curse that you spoke on someone else? Don't you know that you put yourself down when you put others down? You must realize that your life is what you said it would be. AND YOUR SITUATION COULD BE A RESULT OF CURSING SOMEONE ELSE WITH YOUR WORDS! Be careful my friends. This is something that we all need to watch. God is speaking this very loudly in this day and time.
When people hurt you, curse you, or will not forgive you, don't talk
about it or them, but pray that they are forgiven and sow love into them. God will make them see the light through your attitude and desire to love them in spite of what was done. So, when we pray, we must forgive those that have done us wrong and also, we must pray that God forgives us for anything that we may have said out of anger or hurt. We must constantly go before God about the things we say and make sure that we do not put obstacles in our own path because of the things we shouldn't have spoken about others.
-----------------------------------------------
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Prov. 21:23
Most of the time, when people feel bad about themselves, they talk about others to make themselves feel better. People that are always talking about people are dangerous. They speak curses and poisonous venom that can kill. Usually, their life is not where it should be, so they have to pull everyone down to their level with their words. It's easier to pull people down to your level when you are a do nothing, than to follow your vision, become something, and pull people up! Don't you know that your situation could be the result of a curse that you spoke on someone else? Don't you know that you put yourself down when you put others down? You must realize that your life is what you said it would be. AND YOUR SITUATION COULD BE A RESULT OF CURSING SOMEONE ELSE WITH YOUR WORDS! Be careful my friends. This is something that we all need to watch. God is speaking this very loudly in this day and time.
When people hurt you, curse you, or will not forgive you, don't talk
about it or them, but pray that they are forgiven and sow love into them. God will make them see the light through your attitude and desire to love them in spite of what was done. So, when we pray, we must forgive those that have done us wrong and also, we must pray that God forgives us for anything that we may have said out of anger or hurt. We must constantly go before God about the things we say and make sure that we do not put obstacles in our own path because of the things we shouldn't have spoken about others.
The Power of the Stick
The stick, what is it, a pole, wood, lumber, and a striking tool. It is a
very useful tool to be associated with. The stick has many uses to
mankind. It can be a walking tool, or a sports tool, or a plaything. I
like it as a sports tool, such as a Lacrosse stick or a Hockey stick. The
Lacrosse stick has a net and a useful purpose with it. Its purpose is to
catch the ball, and throw the ball to an adjoining teammate. With the
Hockey stick you can slap the puck to another teammate, or go
slashing, or slapstick a player. The Lacrosse stick is straight and has a
flaring web at the end, and the Hockey stick is straight and has a
curve at the bottom. Both tool have a distinct use, and a need for a
skilled user to adapt to his need. There is another stick in the sports
arena, and it is known as a Baseball Bat. It was used by Babe Ruth,
Frank Robinson, Mickey Mantle, and Cal Ripkin. Some people in our
society use the Baseball Bat to attack people. This is a non-used
practice that is not desirable to many. Now you have the taste of three
different sticks. There is a sport in Ireland called Hurling. It is a game
that uses a shorter stick where the body parts get hit too. Hurling is a
very dangerous sport that is on the other side of the world. This is to
let you know that sticks have power, and lots of power. There is an old
game in the city of New York called stickball. This game was played in
the street, and many of you old timers do remember it. The sticks,
they are made from Hickory, and Oak, and a few other woods. The
power of wood keeps sticks working, and useful in all types of sports.
The power of sticks in Hiking is a good one. Most Hikers use sticks to
move along difficult terrain and through trees. They can also be used
to fight off animal’s n the woods while Hiking. They can guide you
between trees, and make you to remain stable while moving through
the woods. The Hiking stick can also bring stability on unstable
ground to promote balance. There is a Pogo stick, and what is that;
well it is a stick on a pole with a spring with singular movement, thru
a bounce. It is the up and down movement of the spring moving the
stick in the direction of travel. Have you ever got high on a stick, well
I have not either. There are a few people who do get high on a stick,
and what they do is known as Pole Vaulting. Pole Vaulting is an
Olympic sport, and a regular Track & Field event. Many Colleges, and
High schools offer this event for those who like to get high. The sport
has a long pole, which the vaulter carries, and runs with to a point in
the ground, and shifts his weight to rise above a bar and land on the
other side. The limbo has a stick that the participant has to go under
while music play, and people are having fun. One of my favorites,
Jumping the Broom, wow; now that is a stick, and a big stick.
Jumping the Broom is a form of Marriage that was done in the old
days and is still practiced today. It is a stick that can last many years,
or in some cases just a few. Another stick is a nightstick, and that is a
piece of equipment that a Policeman or Policewoman carries for
protection, and physical use of control. It is carried at the waist and is
easily assessable when needed. The drumstick is a tool to create
rhythm, and a beat. This is where practice makes perfect, and you
really have to practice to be proficient in the use of these pair of
sticks. As you have read above, sticks have power, and lots of power.
One of the last sticks and tool is a pry bar. What exactly is a pry bar?
Well a pry bar is a tool used for lifting, and wedging of items, boxes,
and crates. It can also move heavy items from one place to another.
There you have it, “The Power of Sticks”
very useful tool to be associated with. The stick has many uses to
mankind. It can be a walking tool, or a sports tool, or a plaything. I
like it as a sports tool, such as a Lacrosse stick or a Hockey stick. The
Lacrosse stick has a net and a useful purpose with it. Its purpose is to
catch the ball, and throw the ball to an adjoining teammate. With the
Hockey stick you can slap the puck to another teammate, or go
slashing, or slapstick a player. The Lacrosse stick is straight and has a
flaring web at the end, and the Hockey stick is straight and has a
curve at the bottom. Both tool have a distinct use, and a need for a
skilled user to adapt to his need. There is another stick in the sports
arena, and it is known as a Baseball Bat. It was used by Babe Ruth,
Frank Robinson, Mickey Mantle, and Cal Ripkin. Some people in our
society use the Baseball Bat to attack people. This is a non-used
practice that is not desirable to many. Now you have the taste of three
different sticks. There is a sport in Ireland called Hurling. It is a game
that uses a shorter stick where the body parts get hit too. Hurling is a
very dangerous sport that is on the other side of the world. This is to
let you know that sticks have power, and lots of power. There is an old
game in the city of New York called stickball. This game was played in
the street, and many of you old timers do remember it. The sticks,
they are made from Hickory, and Oak, and a few other woods. The
power of wood keeps sticks working, and useful in all types of sports.
The power of sticks in Hiking is a good one. Most Hikers use sticks to
move along difficult terrain and through trees. They can also be used
to fight off animal’s n the woods while Hiking. They can guide you
between trees, and make you to remain stable while moving through
the woods. The Hiking stick can also bring stability on unstable
ground to promote balance. There is a Pogo stick, and what is that;
well it is a stick on a pole with a spring with singular movement, thru
a bounce. It is the up and down movement of the spring moving the
stick in the direction of travel. Have you ever got high on a stick, well
I have not either. There are a few people who do get high on a stick,
and what they do is known as Pole Vaulting. Pole Vaulting is an
Olympic sport, and a regular Track & Field event. Many Colleges, and
High schools offer this event for those who like to get high. The sport
has a long pole, which the vaulter carries, and runs with to a point in
the ground, and shifts his weight to rise above a bar and land on the
other side. The limbo has a stick that the participant has to go under
while music play, and people are having fun. One of my favorites,
Jumping the Broom, wow; now that is a stick, and a big stick.
Jumping the Broom is a form of Marriage that was done in the old
days and is still practiced today. It is a stick that can last many years,
or in some cases just a few. Another stick is a nightstick, and that is a
piece of equipment that a Policeman or Policewoman carries for
protection, and physical use of control. It is carried at the waist and is
easily assessable when needed. The drumstick is a tool to create
rhythm, and a beat. This is where practice makes perfect, and you
really have to practice to be proficient in the use of these pair of
sticks. As you have read above, sticks have power, and lots of power.
One of the last sticks and tool is a pry bar. What exactly is a pry bar?
Well a pry bar is a tool used for lifting, and wedging of items, boxes,
and crates. It can also move heavy items from one place to another.
There you have it, “The Power of Sticks”
Akita on Boroughs Avenue
There was a girl named Akita who lived in Washington D.C.. Akita was 13 years old and lived with her parents on Nannie Helen Boroughs Ave. N.E. Akita liked to walk to the neighborhood corner store. That was one of the things that made her day. She liked to go there and buy peppermint sticks. To Akita there was nothing like a big fat peppermint stick with the bold red stripes. On this Friday Akita went there and brought 6 peppermint sticks to make sure she had enough for all weekend. On the way home Akita saw her friend Katalia sitting on the steps. Akita busted out, hay Katalia I have some peppermint sticks, would you like to have some. Sure, how many did you get Akita. I went and got 6 sticks to make sure that I have enough for the weekend. I will take 1 Akita, I am going to the store later to get some to. When I get some I will give you one of mine. Katalia what comes on T.V. tonight. You asked the right person, my favorite show Soulfood, it comes on channel 19 at 9:00 pm. Girl I have got to see my boyfriend Amaud play on his girls. He is my favorite person on the show, I have not missed a episode since the show came on. I like to watch Bird & Lem, they have gotten back together and doing real good. “POP-POP,BANG-BANG-BANG”, The girls hit the pavement, It is another shooting up the street. It looks like the 17 year old boy who lives near Akita. Katalia says, “ girl we have to move out of here it is getting worse. That is why I sit on my steeps, it is to much happening. I agree with you, my Father said we are going to move too. You like me, I go to the store, school, church and my steps. Akita thinks, life at the Boroughs Ave. homes is rough. This is supposed to be the Nations Capital. It is more like Dodge City everyday. My last seven years, I ducked drug dealers, bullets, and everyday that you wake up…you just don’t know. I have got to find a way that my family can move. Maybe I can get a job, or something like help my Dad & Mom get a second job. I will look in the newspaper everyday and see if I find anything. I will start tomorrow looking in Saturdays paper, and Sundays paper. Sundays Washington Post has a huge job section, I will be sure to find something there. Akita sits on her steps and notices the Police cars up the street. The boy who got shot was the 17 year old who lives a few doors away. Akita doe’s not know him but has seen him walking to and fro. Akita notices his Mother crying down where the crowd is. Akita thinks, it must be a terrible thing to have a loved one shot at a young age. She sits and thinks of how many in her neighborhood in the last three years that have been shot, or killed. The vast thought, of too many, and to young in such a short time in life. Akita thinks if she had the resources she would write a book, “Life on Boroughs Avenue”. She has seen many things happen on Boroughs Ave., so numerous she doe’s not know where to begin. There was the time that the old man was hung by drug dealers for calling the police on them. They took him on the third floor of that vacant building one night about 1:00 in the morning. He was found the next day, because one of the cold-hearted drug dealers called the police to report it. They did this to send a message to the neighborhood to mind their own business. The worst part of it is that they laughed at him and all of us. It was liked they did not care about us or people in the neighborhood, the drug dealers ruled the neighborhood. They wanted us scared to death of them, day and night.
My Leader
All Praises to the leader of my life, "Jesus Christ", it is all about Him, not you, not us, not them, and most of all, not me. Learn to believe and trust in Him, the world will let you down, but He will not. Man will fail you, but He will not. People will break you heart, but Jesus is full of love. He gives us choices, and many times He will stand back and watch what we do...His way or our way.
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