Painting A Picture of "My Home Town" (#156)

Hi EveryOne!!!

Happy, Happy Birthday!!! Happy Re-Birth to us as well. How was/is your most important day?

For those of you who are my Blogger Friends, Thank you for your time, as always, that you take
to click a read with me,and I am so Grateful for the Opportunity to share. You know what? for the last few days, I have been thinking that this Avenue is Truly a Godsend to me, where else could I rise above the things that bother me or make me the most happy. I take this Vehicle to be my "Silent Friend", somethings I have shared, I would only share with a best friend, but now I have a few best Friends that click a read with me. Sometimes to tell someone, what you are thinking about is such a relief, that equates to one less pill, that you/I would have to take in the course of a day to alleviate, what could be considered as STRESS. Now, mind you I do not, as of yet take any"Medication", but boy, oh boy, do I have to "MEDITATE". I am so grateful for this chance to explain for me and sometimes for someone else the things that plague us as SENIORS, Maybe not to all, but I know personally to some. To borrow the phrase, from the (TRIVIAL TO THE TRAUMATIC). I mostly say just simple say I REJECT, I REJECT, I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS, THAT OR THE OTHER . WITH MEANING, OR AS MY DAUGHTER WOULD AND OFTEN does SAY JUST "SPREAD LOVE"I contend, I do not know how else to say it, except to just simply say it. If this was not her strong belief I don't think she would have lasted so long, if I tell you some of the things that she is going, and has gone through, you would say WOW, are you kidding? then I would have to answer,
NO, I am really,really for real. but from the (TRIVIAL TO THE TRAUMATIC) any trace of Sanity cannot be the gift of anyone else but the" HOLY SPIRIT", No Job, No Extra Finances, No one will rehire, and  they do not even most of the time respond to any of her CV's or RESUMES. Should it be this way?.. I do not think so, and today I am not going to just think about it , I am going to share it. I think it will make me feel better, I think I am supposed to begin to share with you my friends just what is going on in the world that you would not think any longer exist, well, uh huh, yes it does, and I want you to look at a letter I received from THE TOWN OF PENDLETON,  which is where we live, on the 14th of September.

Dear Business Owner,

It has come to our attention that you are doing business in the Town of Pendleton. 

Municipal Code 110.01 concerning Business License, states in part:

Section 1. All person, firms, and corporations, whether individual, mercantile. manufacturing. or otherwise, owning, operating or conducting any type of business for the purpose of profit or gain, shall pay into the treasury of the town a business license fee.
During work without a business license can results in a fine. It is imperative that you  contact-----------------within (10) days.Thank you for your cooperation.
My response was: Dear-----------&-------------------'
as you can see, I am in receipt of your letter as of 9/14/2015. I made inquiries of your office when I sold ---------------.
However, I am unclear of how , or why? for this letter. Please provide a copy of Municipal Code 110.01 to me. Since clearly you have been misinformed. Thank you. Tonnie Jackson,& BLESSINGS.

I sent the letter with confirmation data required. On Monday,I received a call from -------------,stating that I I had not answered the questions ,of course, we were walking up the hill and I told----------, that I was walking now and that I was giving out of breath, but I would call  back, for which I did, when we arrived at the Library. I then heard-----'s voice-mail, I left the message to just write me a written response and I would return an answer. Never-the-less, I did return the call the next morning and was told the same thing that I had not answered the questions, I was told  by-----"I only have two questions to ask,"(Do You have a business &) I endeavored to answer by asking, ("can we sell raffle tickets, since the Law has pass "I also stated "it seems as if I am hearing an echo,and you wrote me a letter but you want me to give you a verbal answer just send me the written response as had happened with the first letter" I stated, I will send you an answer", then the Boom came."You are not zoned to have any kind of Business in your area"..Hm mmm I immediately thought is it about making money?) whether or not it should have been said, it was (Final conclusion from-------, okay then I will send it) I took it to be just another form of Harassment for us, because clearly I had served on the Board of  Appeal for at least 3 years, for the town, and some of the Laws, I had not forgotten. If you are wondering WHY/ this even happen, well, it  was explained to me my name was sent from the Sec. of the States to the town stating such I am a Business Owner. (I am not listed as a Business Owner but as a (Registered Agent for a Corporation since 2011, why this letter at this time?). I did not take the time to explain that LOS NIŇOS DE SPRING N2 SALSA is a (501C3). There is no business being done from this house.The address on the application had to be an a physical address, rather that a P.O. Box. As I prior stated, the service is not rendered from the town of Pendleton, but rather from a near by township. I think this is another way to just keep leaning too hard on my daughter because of her case with the Anderson County District 4. What more can be done?

No One would take the Case, No Organization & No Attorney, but finally BY THE GRACE OF GOD, EEOC did give the right to Sue on the initial complaint of DISCRIMINATION AND A HOSTILE WORKING ENVIRONMENT.  Did they want to?. I don't think so, because it took them over a year (instead of 6 months) to render that decision, after it had to be submitted to a 4th party for intervention. and my daughter had to file her own case PRO SE. After all, I have already explained that we do not have the money to pay $250.00 for a consultation fee or $2500.00 to an attorney to just present the case and have it tied up in court for five years. (verbatim)  language from an Attorney. The most amazing thing is she is not suing for anything but her Annual Salary for one year,to have her Retirement restored and guidelines to help rectify Cultural Infractions for all,Students, and her record expunged of all Negative Slander, that has now become a part of her permanent working History. I wonder what would have happened if she had named an outlandish sum, then, I would understand the "Good OLD Boy System" that has become an all out reprisal She has continued to work in the some Organizations such as HRC, LSN, AREA Council, and the ROTARY. She is also a "GOLDEN KEY INTERNATIONAL HONOUR SOCIETY MEMBER" of Walden University. There but for the "GRACE OF GOD" (The author and finisher of all of our lives).               
Now, I have in the past told you of her Studio having to close because of a lack of Support/Funds on our Part, (in 2012) and how, she while employed by Anderson District 4 founded a Program for KIDS, which is titled"Los Ninos De Spring N2 Salsa"and supported it from her Salary alone. This program is/was for all KIDS, One foot Print for all Children. Race, Gender, Autistic, TAG, ETC,. it does/not matter who the child is/was - without a fee to the parents. Now, that the STUDIO is closed which is  in another Town near by, mind you. There is still this hidden kind of Discrimination occurring. Its subtle intents can not be ignored by me. No, I don't think you can change it, but as I fore stated, I am going to share it. Some day it will, because it is stated he that "diggeth a hole shall fall into the pit that he hath dug".. I am not wise enough to say When, Or How, But I believe it to be so.  

In our town we have about twenty-nine hundred (2900) residents, and such blatant disregard for the less fortunate is unequal to anything that you will ever experience. We are surrounded by Clemson University. On game days, we as residents find it hard to maneuver to and from our homes, that is okay, I am accustomed to traffic, but in,  such close proximity to a Popular University, I would not think that this kind of thing would be allowed to happen, but in this Southern State, Mega-Bucks are owned, We are Sunday Church goers & 6 days a week discriminators while all the time being regarded as the BIBLE BELT of the SOUTH. Senator Lindsay Graham even have an office in this small town.When you walk down the street of Pendleton, there are green foot prints painted on  sidewalks of the Elite, and blue foot printed on the sidewalks of the African American side. I have often wondered what's up with this? There are some good people in  this town, and will speak to you whether there are with their families or not, in fact when they are, usually the whole family will speak and there are someeeee that will only speak when they are alone. 

I have shared, vented and I have cried. Prayed, and now have became downright sadden. We were taught to fear God, attend Church and now just think, we cannot attend Church without being Shot to Death in the very Pews where we sit. I take this time to again say, I am glad that you have read with me this long, and I am now going to get me something to snack on and a coffee to sip on. Will you join me at another time?As my Daughter would say MOMMIE, JUST SPREAD LOVE" So for those of you who will not/ have not changed just know that today MY CUP RAN OVER!!! (GO<FIGURE)
I Appreciate you, and I Appreciate the Opportunity to share. Please help me to be Mindful to Continue to Smile. BE <BLESSED>BE A BLESSINGS TO OTHERS. I am going to talk now to my grand-son who will make me laugh about something, as he always does. Don't forget to ask your LITTLE Ones as well.

Don't forget to GOOGLE, GOOGLE TO TOP OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHARTS. I am so Grateful.
With Much LOVE(TYG)
Tonnie Stowers Jackson

Painting A Picture of "INJUSTICE" (#155)

Hello EveryOne!!!

(pls.read in 2 or 3 parts)

How are you? Happy,Happy Birthday. Happy Re- Birth to us as well.

Thank you for joining with us today. Please  feel free to get a snack or a sip of

beverage while we chat.together.

                     I am going to share my article today for "DAISY".

Now, I could at least state that I wanted to write a biography for an outstanding lady, 

that I have a great amount of Respect for, but in that case, I would be writing 

about her instead, I asked her did she mind just giving me some highlights of her 

personal life because I see her work so diligently for the seniors since I have been attending. I also asked her did she mind what I did with her story? she answered ,

"NO" Therefore, this BLOG in part I dedicate to her, in her very own words verbatim. I

have never asked anyone before. I would write my thoughts about an individual, 

without their permission after I researched the infringement clauses(smile). To me,

this is a relevant story for other SENIORS to read or for someone to read to you.
I believe you will see even the dedicated are victims of Injustice.

This Article in part is As Per "DAISY" about "DAISY"

"Daisy, like the flower, #5 out of 16 children, Love to laugh until I cry. Kayak, do cross words puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. Married to High school sweetheart. Two children, a daughter & a son, 4 grands and one great grand. Love being around  people, all Colors, have traveled overseas. A member of FAIRVIEW A.M.E.Church and a member of New Light Community Center, also a member of the "SIZZLIN SENIORS" and Manager of the "SIZZLIN SENIORS" for the last three years. Plans were to Travel with my husband and then my world was turned Upside Down, when I got the news that my husband had Parkinson, we do Travel but it is not like the dream I had, but to GOD, be the Glory, for the Great Things he has done. For Day by Day & GOD Mercies,we are getting through. I am not a Public Speaker, but I have a lot to say, that, is why I never meet a stranger, even when they do not SPEAK., and with my Big Family or Kin and the "SIZZLIN SENIORS." (by Daisy)"

If perchance you are reminded of anyone, by reading about "DAISY" then you would (I believe would) want to do just what I doing.

 I want more than anything that for those of you that read with me to always have a little something to say ,well, I liked/enjoyed this although (Long) it was worth my snack, sip or time that I have taken to read this BLOG. NOW, I did share with you when I began to go the the Community Center and how much I enjoy it. MEMBERS, have always varied from the teens to twenty-odd people each day that I have attended the Center, I started  noticing just how many people were doing all the preparations with the food, games ,cleaning the tables & the room, making the coffee and ice water, whatever snacks they've provided, (they) prepared them for the rest of us. as we sat played games, whist,worked puzzles and played various forms of Bingo, gosh, so many different kinds of bingo and what Fun? Each day "DAISY" is at the Center by 8:30 am (and for at least the past 3 years, as I was told). I believe that with what she has to go through it is such a Blessing to be able to comfort her husband, care for her home and then put forth a great effort to take care of the SENIORS. 

I sat there at the table and looked around, I was commending Senior Solution of Anderson, for the great work that they were doing in this, Center, knowing that in some of the Centers, food is given to the Seniors and others amenities to carry home because of Senior Solution, I learned this as I had visited others Senior Centers, I did not continue because they were not as much fun to me as this one. (No-one comes to this Center feeling OLD or Leave feeling OLD) .We are aged from the late 50's to 97 years of age.  I said this aloud, to no one in particular, but then a conversation ensued that this Center is not maned by Senior Solution, nor are any of the other baked goods or stipends given such as to some of the other amenities that are provided to other Centers.  It was explained to us that the last Thursday in August would be last day we would be served Senior Solution's lunch. (only Lunch) but their demands outweighed the service that they did provide.  With all the work I had observed Daisy doing, I could not believe it.  I once asked Daisy if I could assist her cleaning tables in preparation for lunch and she told me "no, Tonnie, I have to do this myself."  This was to stay in accordance with guidelines. 

I did not know what to think, but to be fair to all concerned, I know that I am not privy to knowing all the rules, but this I do know. When I began to visit the Center, "DAISY" gave me a form and asked to fill it out: in fact it contained 9 pages. I took it home with the intent to fill them out, then  I noticed all the questions that the forms required, my home address, age, SS#, mortgage, rent, mobile home or house, household income,how many occupants, doctors, medication, transportation, -RACE- (about 5 or 6 categories), associate services, of which I am not familiar, ETC. (It also stated that the information could be viewed by  almost anyone)... It does state on the form some areas that you can refuse to fill out and this is just what I did ( although I was informed by an "agent"of Senior Solution that left me a voicemail, if I did not fill out the the form I would not be able to eat the lunch.  I called her back and she told me that Daisy did not fill out the form correctly.  For which I told her, "Daisy did not fill out the form.  She asked me to fill out the form & I filled it out."  I explained that I was going for the activities and not the food AND that there were several areas in the document that stated I could refuse to answer; date of birth was one of these areas.  She said because I did not put my date of birth on it, after she observed my application she asked her vice president and she told her to just SHRED my application. I told her that I am a Senior and in the future may have to avail myself to some of the services, but I did not see the significance for a meal.

  I did not know why this was requested at this Center but was not requested at the other Center where Senior Solution provided food that I had attended. Was it because this is basically an African American Center? I thought Nooooo, this can not be at this day and time but then I thought to myself, yes, here, it can be in this location at this time, in this area and why not? I told the "Agent that I would put a donation in the box and I asked was this permissible she answered "YES". This is the first time I (Have explained what happened)  to anyone except to my daughter and my grand-son. I just know SPIRIT did not prevail upon me to mention it before now, All I now is that the "SIZZLIN SENIORS" have been established for 5 years (Senior Solution has provided food for about 3 years) and what an unfair thing to do, not to supply this Center with the same amenities as other Centers, or to provide those Centers with the same thing that they have provided to this Center, which is from my learning (Nothing) else. I believe that would be a Fair Assessment. Which is what the "Agent"  told me that was the purpose of my filling out the 9 page forms.I do not think for a moment that I should not regard this as an INJUSTICE. I do not intend to be bitter and very rarely do I mention anything about RACE, but, I often mention about "SENIORS" because that is who I am as well as others, and maybe your parent or grand-parents. Just know this,if it is not today it will be a tomorrow, someone you know, will fall into this category and you will want the thing that is fair for them to happen.There must be some kind of guidelines on Sponsor Ship that's fair and equitable to all Seniors.  Hmmm, I wonder just what is needed here? Is there Retroactive Recompense?????This Center and the ones who have worked with such diligence should be made WHOLE!

The SENIORS that attend this Center could be anywhere else doing other things or could be sitting idle someplace in a Nursing Home, but because of the way they are treated, and the fact that feel useful/youthful they come out to the Center each week, regardless to weather conditions for the friendly atmosphere and that they are apart of here at "SIZZLIN SENIORS, They all say that it is okay about the food, because they come for the FELLOWSHIP,  I only know what happened to me that is why I am writing about it, tn. 

Believe it or not I Appreciate you, and I Appreciate the Opportunity to share with you and I try to always give you the truth, even when the numbers don't change much, At least I know what I have written is the Truth to the best of my Ability to tell. I frown upon this kind of blatant disregard for the Human Race let alone the "AFRICAN AMERICAN RACE"  

Thank you for hearing me out. BE>BLESSED>BE A BLESSINGS TO OTHERS, and don;t forget to SMILE,AT ALL TIMES, EVEN WHEN YOU/I KNOW THINGS, that need to be changed, you/I cannot do it, alone, but maybe,(just maybe) we just need to remember that Someone Can. LOVE and BE LOVED!!!Please take time to read this BLOG, I will be back on Wednesday, Thank You.

With Much LOVE(TYG)

Tonnie Stowers Jackson

Don't forget let us GOOGLE, GOOGLE TO TOPS AND BEYOND (smile) OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHARTS.  

(PS) NO ONE KNOWS THAT I TOOK THE LIBERTY OF WRITING THIS IN MY BLOG ,therefore, NO ONE CAN BE BLAMED FOR IT but ME. NOW, JUST KNOW THAT THESE LADIES, DO THIS FROM THE KINDNESS OF THEIR HEARTS and here everyone is shown LOVE, KINDNESS, GENUINE CONCERN and SUPPORT. EVEN  TO ME, WHO JUST SAT HERE,and wrote to you my BLOGGER FRIENDS, about what I believe is a GRAVE INJUSTICE::: :.