Patti Labelle's Pie Recieving Negative Reviews??

The Internet has gone viral about the sweet potato pie released by the lovely singer, Patti Labelle. A video even went viral about a guy, James Wright Chandler, who uploaded a video on youtube of him enjoying the pie while hitting high notes from some of Patti's hit songs.

Word was spreading in Facebook groups and across my timeline about how good the pie was so of course I ran out and sampled this pie myself. The pie is only like three dollars at Walmart and all I can say was this pie was delicious! I'm not a fan of box pies but this pie reminded me of something homemade.

In the midst of all the wonderful reviews about the pie, I noticed some negative feedback going on across social media from a few African American people. This was a bit shocking to me.

We as black people will go out and faithfully support, Martha Stewart with her cookbooks and premade cake mixes or even go support Betty Crocker and Jiffy cornbread mix which is by Chelsea Milling Company where the owner is Howdy Holmes; all white entrepreneurs.
Yet finally somebody of African American decent releases a great box pie and suddenly "our people" are negative. I saw comments stating how people said it was nasty, I can wait until Thanksgiving, my mom pie is better or my pie is better and even some saying I'm not rushing out to get it.

You may know people with a good pie, heck there is always somebody who makes something way better but why is it such a bad thing to support her like we support every other race. We go and faithfully support by purchasing Chinese food, Mexican food, Italian food and more. Shoot half of the gas stations are even owned by foreigners but this lady, a black woman makes a pie and suddenly you to high and mighty to support that?! I even saw an ignorant post about how Patti doesn't make the pies and I almost fell to the floor laughing. She gives the recipe and the use of machines make multiple productions of it to distribute people, so I'm sure she is not slaving over a hot stove to make a million pies.

And unlike those high priced Jordans you all support or Michael Kor's  purses, the pie is only three dollars!

It was the best investment I made and my mouth was happy. So for all those who won't buy the pie for some hypocritical reason, who gives a care?!

The pie was good and I'm glad to see a black woman in the light of the media for more than just singing or twerking like most of the videos I see.

I for one would love to see the media go more viral about black people doing something amazing that doesn't always relate to sports or violence.

Great job Patti Labelle on the pie and I hope your shine opens the door for more Black women to be able to showcase their goodness when it comes to baking and cooking!

"Kiss & Tell" Short Story [Part 1]

I stared up at the ceiling and continued to let out short moans as he continued to press down deeper inside of me. His warm breath echoed in my ears and the aroma of Hennessy filled my nostrils with every exhale from his lips. I felt mixtures of sorrow and excitement for him. Steve was married but he took very good care of me. I had everything I wanted and it was all thanks to Steve. I felt sorry merely because he had a wife at home every night possibly pacing the floors of his three story home wondering where he was. I felt some sorrow because I didnt love Steve, I only cared about what he could do for me. Selfish is the word but I could care less what anyone thought about me. My pleasure came from having the nice things I felt I deserved, besides nothing in life ever came free so I did only what I knew to do so I could get what I wanted every time.

"Damn girl" Steve said as he rolled over on to his back. He grabbed his cell phone and began texting away. I assumed he was responding to the numerous alerts we heard the entire time we were having sex. "So baby girl, how much money should I deposit?" he asked. I grabbed my black and mild from the night stand and lit it up. I inhaled a long deep puff from it and exhaled. "Steve you know how much I need so don't ask me about the amount". "I need the same amount every month unless you suddenly having problems which of course is not my problem", I said while taking another puff.
"Money is just getting a little funny for me right now, and my wife is starting to question certain amounts missing from our joint account". He said while standing up and walking towards the bathroom.
"Again its not my problem, we made an agreement so I expect you to uphold your part of the bargain otherwise there will be consequences". I stated while sitting straight up in the bed and flickering my black into the ash tray.
"Are you threatening me?" he said while laughing and shaking his head. "What can you do to me other than tell my wife and of course she would never listen to you", he stated while staring at me with a puzzled expression on his face.
I tossed back my silk sheets and stood up revealing all of my nakedness. My dark brown skin blended perfectly in the dark as I walked up to Steve. He stared and shifted. His naked body appeared frozen in place as he watched me walk towards him. "If my money is not in my account by morning, I will make your life a living hell". "Play as if you don't understand me and I will be sure to bring your narrow ass back to reality". I stated.
Steve stared me straight in the eyes and then all of a sudden he grabbed me by my neck. I felt myself almost lose my balance as he pushed me up against the cold wall. "We are done Iris" "I don't do threats and if you ever call my phone or step anywhere near me or my wife, I will bury you". He released his grip and quickly started slipping his clothes on.
I stood still in the dark watching him. I had a plan and by morning if there was no sign of my money, Steve would regret ever meeting me.

My hand shook in the dark as I took another long puff from my black. I watched him look back at me as he headed out the room and down the stairs. I heard the front door slam so hard that it appeared glass had possibly shattered.

I put my black out and slipped on my robe. I rubbed my fingers across my neck and picked up my phone to check my account balance. I frowned as I looked at the balance.

$1100.

Steve always gave me 10,000 per month to keep me quiet about our affair. My balance was extremely low. I could only wait to see if he would deposit the money or else I would have to take other measures to get my money by any means. Even if it meant exposing some information.

American Horror Story Hotel: Review

Let me start off by saying I am a huge fan of horror movies and any kind of suspense series dealing with horror. So when I first started watching the series known as, American Horror Story, I was thrilled. I began watching from the second season on up until now the fifth season titled, American Horror Story Hotel.

This show this season includes some amazing actors such as Angela Basset and even one of my favorite spooky actors, Kathy Bates from the horror movie thriller, Misery.

However despite all the amazing actors featured this season, I am sadly dissapointed with the series.

I was glued to the screen when I first saw the previews of the show with gruesome looking creatures coming out of the hotel beds. I immediately thought to myself, "Wow, this season will be awesome",
However the season has turned out to be nothing more to me than "bloody porn".

To me the series has no storyline. Every other scene is merely sex and blood.
I understand the whole concept of, "sex sells", but honestly you still need an amazing storyline. I should have written this series.
If I had written this series it would have basically evolved around some creepy hotel where guests dissapear every time they check in. It would have had these gruesome creatures coming up through the mattresses and out of the walls to kill them and take them to some unknown place. Then there would have been some key characters to try to solve the dissapearance of the people and figure out a way to rid the hotel of all the lost souls residing there so the murders would stop.

I honestly thought that was how the story would go this fifth season of the series.

I am so dissapointed after having been a longterm fan of the show. If I wanted to watch porn, I would have purchased it. I was hoping for horror and suspense which I got none of. I have tried to grasp some interest in each episode but instead its nothing more than men having sex with men and women on women, which I am sure made those who are into that lifestyle excited.

I am not here to knock the work of the producers but I'm sure they could have did better than this bloody porn. I still have no clue on the whole point behind the series...its quite awkward to watch.

I Struggle: But I Refuse to Give Up!

It can be so hard at times to stay motivated on not giving up when it seems like life keeps throwing you one brick after another. I grew up in Foster Care and I was sent from one home to another. I never had a chance to really get attached to anyone. I went through good homes and bad homes with some reminding me that I was not part of the family. That can put a seed inside you that can be hard to uproot. At the time I had nobody to call upon. My mother was in prison and when she got out and gained custody of me and my siblings, she spent those years on drugs and at times was missing for weeks, leaving me at age 6 & 7 to try to find food by asking neighbors. I been through some things from being left in a drug house and more.

I think God just always had his hand on me and one day I hope to publish my life story so that it can help somebody make it through.

When you grow up having nobody but yourself to depend on it can leave you feeling lost. You're always searching for that missing piece to your life. Searching for love and even some hope.

I never knew my dad but my mom gave me his name and I spent my entire life trying to find him. I needed that missing piece and finding him I believed would feel that void of rejection I had about myself. It took me 28 years to find my dad and well now at 31, he just got out of federal prison and Im looking forward to meeting him. We have never met but we talk everyday. One day I'm hoping to get a chance to meet him in person. He's all the way in California and I'm down in little Alabama.

As a single mother I strive daily to give my daughter that love I missed out on. We talk a lot and we pray together. I never had a relationship with my mom and til this very day we still dont have a relationship. I think its because she is afraid to accept what she allowed to happen to me and my siblings. She is still in denial and has never said I'm sorry. I have forgiven her though despite it all. Right now, I'm just trying to build a relationship that's long overdue with my father.

I have dreams of becoming a published author one day. I want to encourage the world one book at a time. Everyday is a struggle for me. A struggle to get by...make ends meet...and yet I push!
I push because I have come along way and I'm a fighter. No matter what life has sent my way to defeat me.. I refused to give up on life. Many days I wanted to quit. Then I look at my daughter and I remind myself that one day...the struggle will be over and I can look back on all of this. I can look back on when I needed a place to live or when I was unemployed.

I pushed every time.

I am the only one of my moms kids to graduate from high school and from a university.

My goal now is to one day become a published author and buy a house. My little girl says she wants a dog so I plan to make that happen for her one day.

Having my own home would be a very emotional feeling for me because for years I never had a place to truly be stable in enough to call home.

Getting emotional right now just thinking about it.

So my fight continues... I'm not quitting no matter how my current situation looks.

I been at the bottom and I believe its only up from here.

What Do Men Think About?

Men can be hard to figure out at times. I mean we pretty much can see the surface of them like the fact that he is a hard worker, pays his bills and keeps himself up. Yet the confusion comes in when we try to figure him out. Every woman wants to know the guy she is seriously considering a relationship with.

So what is he thinking?

Well after talking to a few guys, many stated that they are hardly ever thinking to deep on the common issues that we as women tend to overthink.

When it comes to intimacy. You’ve heard it before: Women need a reason to have sex. Majority of the time women have sex for a purpose. Men just need a place that’s it, its no hidden agenda they just do it! The other difference is that women use sex as a way to show the guy how she feels about him. Its her sacred gift to him. However with men...sex is sex and he may not feel as sentimental about the ordeal as she does which can lead to confusion. Men don't use sex as a way to tap into their inner emotions. So while you may be falling in love and planning a future in the bedroom...he is probably just excited about how well the performance is and then its night night for him. Mind you this is by no means every males view on sex. We do know some guys who get emotionally attached afterwards.

Here are some responses from a few guys who shared some views on things women constantly wonder about.

"Thoughts after sex on the first night:
Well, that's a tricky one. It really depends on our perception of her before and how she acts after. Sex on the first night isn't as big a deal breaker as ppl think. "

"Do looks and shape really matter?
Only to a completely shallow person and even then if you really like someone it only matters in the beginning. Of course everybody is attracted to certain things. But attraction is what draws you to someone, their personality is what keeps someone around. Even tho a lot of men claim to only wife dimes and "bad b*tches".

"Why we hesitate before we let a woman meet our mom?
Cause that sh*t is a huge deal! Majority of black men are raised by single mothers so her approval is EVERYTHING! A lot of times if we bring a woman around our mom and mom likes her it's over for any other woman! Even if we break up she is still gonna ask about her. Moms get attached if they feel somebody is good for their son."

"As far as a mans thought when dating more than one woman, there's usually one that he wants and the rest are just there to pass the time." -A. Reed

"Women who sleep on the 1st date is not considered a hoe by me....in fact, I honestly slept with the girl Im currently with and I love her soooo much...I wanna marry her!" - J. Fields

"I hesitate to introduce women to my mother because I don't want her meeting every woman I encounter...I never want my mom thinking I'm promiscuous even though Im a man." -J.Fields

"If the sex is bomb the first night we rocking, no problem with meeting mom duke, size and shape don't matter....size and shape is cosmetics the gym can handle that then you got a winner !!!! She just have to be down.....no loser"- C.D.G

"What am I really thinking when she sleeps with me on the first night? She just likes me like that.
What goes through my mind after an intimate moment? Honestly? Not too much. I'm just glad she enjoyed herself.
Why would I hesitate with taking her home to meet my mom? At this point, only My Wife gets to meet my mother. If I feel that's you, you can meet her."
- B. Johnson

"Comfort is another incredibly important thing to us men, and I can confidently say that comfort is the main reason why most men STAY in a relationship." -R. Johnson

Had a lot of feedback from the guys on this topic which tapped into a few questions that we as women often wonder about. Often times ladies its okay to just be yourself. There's a high chance that if you just be you and go with the flow, he will appreciate you more.

When it comes to commitment...He believes in marriage. Ninety percent of  men listed it as a goal.

So ladies just relax. Stop overthinking every little thing because for him...it really is just a little thing. Men are simple...we as women  just make things more complex. Just let things flow and don't dive in head first so fast.

Single Mom with a Dream

Everyday you will encounter someone out there trying to make their dreams happen.
Everyday you will also encounter someone who woke up and decided to help make someones dream come true.
Its a circle which involves those who dream and those willing to take action on their dreams. So where do I fit in?
I'm the one determined to make my dreams a reality.

I'm a single mother raising a beautiful daughter and for her I am not only her mother but her role model. I strive daily working hard to make ends meet for us. My goal is not to just sit up waiting for somebody to do anything for me. It can be tough at times but I keep pushing and I refuse to lose my faith. I strongly believe that God has someone out there who will give me a chance with my writing career. I have been writing since sixth grade and it has always been a strong passion of mine. I wrote poetry and short stories to present at school contests and even to read over the announcements. I always enjoyed the use of words to excite people and leave them looking forward to reading more. In 2011 I started blogging and just writing about topics to help change the lives of others. I grew up in foster care and so my writing was a way to tell the world that no matter how you grew up, you still can make it.

I teach my daughter these same values. The sky is the limit and you just have to believe and work at your goal even if it seems you are the only supporter. You have to believe in your dream more than anyone else.

My life has been a struggle. It has been a very harsh journey that I wouldn't wish on anyone, but by God's grace I'm alive and able to encourage someone else.
My daily prayers is that someone will at least take a chance on me. Give me a chance to be heard and pursue my dreams.
Afterall someone has to be that person who says, "I want to give you a shot".

Whether you are a musician, writer, actor or whatever...somebody gave you a shot.
Somebody believed in your potential.
Once the shot is given to me, I am determined to push harder than ever. I been through so much and I have a story for the world to hear. There are so many young girls who need to know that nothing you been through has to be the end to your chapter.

All I want to do is write and one day start a program to help young single moms to get that boost they need to accomplish their dreams by providing shelter to them and helping them obtain jobs or attend college.

I look at my daughter and I tell her everyday that times won't always be like they are. She wants us to have a house and she wants a dog and I say, "One day sweetheart".
It can be depressing when you want your dreams to happen so bad that its like a hunger on the inside. You just know that where you currently are is not where you suppose to be or will remain. I know I'm talented and creative with my writing and I know that it will lead me far.
I have written plays and fiction novels and they just pile up.
Typically because you got to have someone who believes along with you.

Its going to happen and I know that someone will say, "I want to give you a shot".

Tears fall but I am yet determined...something has got to give.
I just need someone to believe in me.

I'm doing it for my daughter and kids to come. I'm doing it for everyone out there who is dreaming.

Dreams do come true and not just in Disney movies. Just awaiting my shot.

Long Distant Relationships: Do they Work?

So many doubts arise in the minds of many when you mention the idea of dating someone miles away.

Some say you should just date someone within your reach so that you can spend time with them when ever you want. Others add on the fear that if you are not with this person daily then its possible for them to cheat when they are lonely and seeking comfort.

Why must we follow the rules set by society?

If you meet someone who turns out to be just what you need in your life then why let distance seperate you from making that person part of your life?

I believe that distance should not stop you from having the happiness you deserve. So both of you may be working and you both have your own established places in the city where you are and you wonder about relocating. During the dating stage you should use this time to just talk and get to know eachother more. Visit as much as possible. Converse with eachother daily whether it be texts or a phone call.

Relocation should not take place until you both feel the dating is about to turn into something serious like marriage.

It is a work but anything worth having in life requires work. You both also must trust eachother and not lead the other person to believe you are being deceitful.

Communication is very much needed and the more you both talk or do live videos through social sites like, Glide, Snapchat, or Skype the more the trust will grow.

When you love someone or believe in your heart it is destined for greatness then distance will not hinder you from love.

You will do what it takes to be sure that you have that person in your life. You will fight for them because who really wants to sit back and give up? Who wants to watch someone you care for go off to marry someone else just because you were to doubtful and afraid to try?

You can always move to be with the one you love.

Nothing is stopping you but you.

Long distance does work if you put in the work to bring it closer.