An Acquired Taste

 A few years ago when I was exclusively dating, my significant other at the time asked me what I loved to eat. I replied, "Boiled Ox Tails ! " She looked at me like I was joking or crazy for my response. After she knew that I was serious, she set out on a mission to find them and cook them for me. It took her a while to find them, but she did cook them and they were indeed delicious ! The moral of the story is this: It is very easy for people to reject something because of the lack of knowledge about it. However, it takes more of an effort to be bold enough to do something that they have never done. Don't be closed minded. In other words, don't knock it until you try it !

Parental Advisory

During the years from 1984-1989, I was enrolled at Ida Burns Elementary School. In the months of either February or March they would have parent- teacher conferences. During this time, my mother would get excited because this was the time that she would be able to take advantage of receiving a report from my teachers directly about my performance in school. It was also the time that I would be expecting some of the worst behind whippings of my life because of my behavior in class. Sheila Clemons didn't take any mess! A few years went by and I would get smart and purposely lose those letters of notification so that my parents would not show up. This lasted for a while, until one day, my mother got the bright idea to call the school secretary, Mrs. Langston, and she asked her for the dates of the conference. And just like clockwork, those behind whippings started all over again! The moral of this story is this: Parents, don't wait until your child is being expelled from school to get to know your child's teacher. Take advantage of those early moments of invitations by the school officials so that you can be aware what is going on with your kids. Your presence could make the difference in whether or not your child becomes a graduate or an inmate.