Welcome to Suni Daez!

Miscellaneous musings...
Random writing...
Everything under the sun!

January 20, 2015

Saluting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Original painting by Keith McLaurin
Today is the birthday of American icon of peace and unity, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  He was largely responsible for the level of cohesiveness and cooperation between the various races of our great nation.  When we salute Dr. King, we salute...

~Peace
~Freedom
~Equality for all
~Decency and humanity
~Respect for all people
~Love for our fellow man
~Uplifting the downtrodden
~A united, stronger America
~Dignity and grace under disgraceful circumstances
~Courage in the face of overwhelming odds
~The promise of a better tomorrow
~Bravery in the throes of fear
~Miracles in the midst of maltreatment
~Hope in the headwind of despair
~The greatness of God in the poorest of circumstances
~The healing of America in spite of hatred and hostility
~Unity instead of unnecessary division
~A comforting embrace instead of angry confrontation


Please join me in honoring Dr. King and his extraordinary legacy today.

March 2, 2014

Sunday Morning Gospel Classic - The Staples singing God Can



Good Sunday morning to ya! God Can is one of my all time favorite songs by The Staples aka The Staple Singers. It originally came out years ago on vinyl but is available on CD. Remember,even if you can't, God can. He's able! Be blessed.

Image from: thewindingstream.com

The Staples Unlock Your Mind

February 25, 2014

Pet Parade






















Pet Parade

As any teacher can attest, keeping students engaged and interested is a constant challenge but when it becomes necessary to simply entertain the class because recess has been canceled due to rainy weather, the task can be even more difficult.


Mrs. Fox finds a creative way to keep the students quiet while encouraging them to use their imaginations, take turns and have patience. Even a rainy day can be fun when everyone participates, imagines, visualizes and creates unforgettable moments. Share the camaraderie, joy, excitement, laughter, and heartwarming  nature of Pet Parade with the child in your life. Although it is written for children, this book will be enjoyed by pet lovers of any age.


Author Bio

Sunida E. York is a gifted writer with unyielding aspirations and a vivid imagination. She enjoys writing multiple genres but never strays far from her first love, poetry. As a mom who home schooled her own child for a time, she understands the complexities of being an effective instructor. In addition to penning poems, she writes song lyrics and works of fiction. Pet Parade is her first children's book.

Pet Parade is available in paperback online at Amazon.

January 12, 2014

Author Shawn Richards petitions BET to include Urban Fiction in Awards Show

Several weeks ago, I received an email from a Facebook connection, Shawn "Word Addict" Richards, asking me to sign his petition encouraging BET to add an Urban Fiction category to the network's awards show. I thought that it was an interesting idea at first.  As I thought more about it, I became intrigued.  Let's face it, BET is not likely to consider such a petition seriously. The awards show is about music, not literature. Still, I couldn't help but feel that Richards' idea was worth exploring. My curiosity got the better of me and I compiled a few questions to send to him. They are listed below along with his responses. Take a few minutes to read the post and if you feel that the Word Addict's idea has merit, consider signing his petition. Thank you for your attention.


Q:  What ignited this idea for you?
A:  I actually got the idea to peruse this a few years ago. I was having a completely random conversation with a friend when I made a statement about how BET should do something for Urban Fiction. My friend agreed, then told me I should do something about it. 
That's as far as it ever went. 
The idea stayed in the back of my mind for YEARS, tugging at my conscience for attention, until I finally decided to take action. Better late than never, right?

Q: Why are you so passionate about influencing reading, especially among the younger generation?
A: For starters, I have a 13 year old daughter. I see the type of energy she brings home from school everyday. It's pure ignorance!
I'm not calling my child a bad child, but in the name of keeping it so 100 right now, someone has to do SOMETHING, because otherwise I don't see a lot of good coming from this next generation, collectively. Last year she came home and told me that the paramedics had to transport some kid to the hospital who almost overdosed on Meth, in the bathroom. THEY WERE IN THE 6th GRADE!!!
I know I'm not going to change the world, or save every child. But it's my hope that by working towards something different, ANYTHING different, that somehow it'll touch someone in a way that motivates them to find a way to make a positive contribution to the universe.

Q: What is the book that has impacted you the most? Give a few reasons why it had the effect on you that it did.
A: The book that I credit as having the most significant impact on me, I'd have to say was DUTCH by Teri Woods.
The reason I say this is because that was the first street-lit novel I had ever read. Prior to that book, I'd read all of Terry McMillan's stuff, plus a few other more 'contemporary' authors... and actually liked it. But Dutch was the first book I ever read that had a really gritty, and street feel to it. I was like reading a classic hip-hop song. That book caused me to, not only change the way I view books, but also to seek out similar titles.
I spent a few years like a fiend, 'inhaling' any street-lit novel I could get my hands on. And then one day I decided that if they can do it (write a good story), I could too. I found my voice as a writer. Surprisingly I'm NOT a street-lit author. But hip-hop, has a clear influence on what I write.

Q: Obviously, you feel that BET has a responsibility to empower and educate its audience, why?
A: I don't know if I would agree with the wording of your question. I don't feel BET has a responsibility to do anything aside from what they are currently doing. I do, however, see a lot of underutilized potential in the network. They are quick to promote Ciroc, a designer clothing label, or brand of car. There is a time and place for all of those things, but when was the last time they promoted something that would actually help a person become a success in life? I'll wait while you ponder the answer to that question...

Q: If you reach one million signatures on your petition, present it to BET executives and your request is rejected, will you continue to fight for it?
A: Of course! This is about more than just collecting a million signatures, presenting it to BET, getting the category added, then popping the top on the Ciroc...
What's really important here are the people who are touched in a positive way, or find encouragement, by hearing about what is happening. Not to mention the multitude of people I will inevitably come in contact with I would have never had a reason to meet otherwise.
So whether a million signatures are ever reached or not, ONLY GOOD can come from pursing a good idea.

Q: Any final thoughts to convey to the readers?
A: In closing, I just want to encourage anyone reading this to pick up a book. Better yet, WRITE a book. Just do something, anything to exercise and stretch your mind. Find a way to try and make a difference. Regardless of what you're into. Regardless of what you've been through, I feel like I got to tell you, you got something to contribute. That goes for ALL OF Y'ALL!!! And with that, I'm out. Thank you for your time.


BIO:
My name is Shawn. I'm an up and coming author, and Financial Planner. I try to live life in such a way that to the casual observer it is OBVIOUS what my values are, and what I stand for. I represent MAGNIFICENT MANIFESTATION rather than a dream deferred. While most people see things that are and wonder, 'why'? I am that weird little guy who sees things that never were, then asks "why not?"
I'm close to becoming everything I once pretended to be, AND THEN SOME.
Sincerely yours,
ME!!!

You are still useful!

The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember...

Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a  liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
John the Baptist ate bugs
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer

          AND
Lazarus was dead!

Now, no more excuses.
God can use you to your full potential.
Besides, you aren't the message; you
are just the messenger.

Share this with a friend or two.

~Author Unknown


January 7, 2014

The Haves and The Have Nots Returns

Fans have gone  to bed happy and carefree 
Knowing that within hours, The Haves and The Have Nots  returns to OWN TV
Some wondering if protective gear is needed, gloves and what not
Because Tyler Perry promised a show that's too darn hot
Others have ready wine, cocktails, some kind of drink
For the emotional scenes that make the heart sink
It's heavy, light, good, bad, tinged with pleasure and pain
Makes you think Perry is genius yet wonder if he's insane
He'll push you to the edge then suddenly pull you back  
One day a couple's hot and steamy; next week she's giving him a smack
Don't know what to expect... oh, but we're taking that ride
True fans! That's how we roll. And you couldn't stop that if you tried



©2014  Sunida E. York  All Rights Reserved  

January 1, 2014

Happy 2014!!!

We've made it through 2013 and walked into a brand spanking new year.  2014 is sure to be exciting, filled with possibilities to pursue, and successes to achieve. So, if you didn't quite complete all of the goals you set last year, pick up where you left off and keep sprinting for the finish line. As long as you keep moving forward, you'll get there eventually. Hey, eventually is so much better than never.  Be happy! Be blessed!


Wishing 2014 brings you renewed HOPE, lasting SERENITY, shiny new SUCCESSES, and continuing RESILIENCE.