Ebony on Everything

Elmiene (pronounced El mean) was officially introduced to me by The Terrell Show. I kept seeing him pop up on my YouTube Feed, but I didn’t take the suggestions. I think I was focused on the content I was watching and didn’t want to take the time to get into something new. My bad y’all. This delay from me caused you all to not know about this great artist.

I have now been binging his music and listening to whole albums on repeat. From his episode of The Terrell Show, you find out how Elmiene got started, a recording of him singing D’Angelo’s song Untitled.

Then, you follow up that show with his Tiny Desk performance and get introduced to his music.

Then you go to your music app and download his albums to listen in more detail. I started with Marking My Time, and I have went to Anyway I Can, while still doubling back and listening to Marking My Time. I have listened to his newest album, Heat The Streets, but the first two albums have me in a chokehold. I plan on going back and listening to Elmiene’s earlier songs, and then focusing on his newest album. My goal is to not include almost every single song he has 😆, but just to introduce you to my absolute favorites.

Marking My Time – Marking My Time (album)

My all-time favorite song of Elmiene’s is Marking My Time. This is the title track of his 2023 album of the same name. This song speaks to my soul. There is one line towards the end of the song, “Feelin my own skin crawl”, that when I read it, I realized I am not the only one. I didn’t think I was the only one, I just never met anyone that said they felt this way before. When I get really restless with life, I feel like my skin is crawling and I want to take it off. The only thing that makes me feel a little better is going for a drive. Marking My Time is the song of life and the living of it. At the end, you hope that you made your mark on the world. That you left, at least, your immediate surroundings better than you found them. My new favorite saying is, I did my best. My precious niece used to say this about people when she was like six. What did she know about people doing their best? Lol. When it’s all said and done, that is all we can do.

Light Work – Anyway I Can (album)

A lot of Elmiene’s songs are slower and heavier with a serious context. This song is upbeat and light, for lack of a better word 😆. “There is nothing heavy bout this love, girl it’s light for me.” What!?! Not only did God rob me from having the ability to sing, but also not being able to write music. Who came up with that line? Smh.

Dull Jewelry – Heat the Streets (album)

I don’t know what my favorite song from Heat the Streets is. I think the songs that resonated with me, I played out equally. I picked this song because I feel that most people would relate. I remember I was dating this guy who lived out of town. Something hurtful happened one time when I went to visit him, and I got in my car and left while he was at work. I was changed from that experience, and it showed. My mom said go back there and bring back my Ebony 😂. My shine was knocked off, I was dull jewelry. I did get my shine back, but it took a minute. Now, in this song, Elmiene was the problem, but the point is still valid, he’s dull from her leaving him.

Cry Against The Wind – sounds for someone (album available 3/27/26)

When I initially started writing this post, this song did not exist. I guess the delay was worth it, just so I could add this song to this post. I realize that I need to come up with better words and ways to describe how these songs make me feel. What part of my brain is tickled and why. The beat drop in this song, perfectly executed 🤌 (I guess this is the chef’s kiss emoji, lol). This song feels like two songs in one. What a blessing!

I recently paid someone to fix my blog and now that I am able to include Youtube videos, I have gotten over my attitude about posting. More music to come. I hope you find at least one of Elmiene’s songs you like, or you like all of them. Let me know your favorite. Stay well and whole. Much Love🧡💚

Today, I had breakfast at Marigold Cafe in Toledo, OH. I can’t say how long it has been there, but it was my first time. The food was good and I ate all of it. I don’t know if I was being greedy or the food was just that good 😆. I was joined by one of my soul sister and another friend. We laughed and laughed, and I am so happy to have spent that time with them. Every time I am social, I enjoy myself and say, “Why don’t I do this more often?” I wish I had a clear answer to that question.

After breakfast, I stopped by the library to see what new books are out. I like to look and then find audiobook versions of the books. I would like to read more books, but it is just more convenient to listen to them. As I rounded the last New Fiction shelf, I saw there was a puzzle set up on a table. Someone or multiple someones had already did the outline and it was a couple spots filled in. I couldn’t resist and I sat down to add my two cents. I was just going to do a little bit and leave. Another someone, Ronnie (never met her), decided to join in. We finished the puzzle. Smh. Another moment of human interaction.

I made it back home and had a few items in my truck I needed to throw away. There was some little kids outside kicking around a soccer ball. As I was getting close, the little boy around 5 – 6 years old said, “Do you need some help?” I respectfully declined. His sister kicked the ball back over by the dumpster and he ran over to get it. He says, with the most grown up expression, “Are you sure? ” 😂 So cute!

I say all this to say, connect more with people that make you laugh, take the chance to make connections, and don’t give up on humanity. Today was one of those days that reinforced my faith in humanity. I know, with all that is going on right now, it can be hard to see the good side. And the media sure don’t make it easy. They shove all the negative shit down our throats. It seems as if we are in a never-ending cycle of foolishness, greed, murder, selfishness, racism, etc. I can go on, and on, and on. It is important to have these moments to remind us, there are still good human beings out there. And that when we connect, it makes a difference. Stay hopeful, stay well and whole. Much Love 🧡 💚

I realized that I have been laxed on my self-care. Today, I pushed through the resistance (aka warm bed), and came to one of my happy places, Cullen Park.

Oh, how I needed this.

Don’t be like me. Make time for self-care. Be well and whole. Much Love on this Valentine’s Day 🩷🧡💚