Cadillacs, Preachers and Rock & Roll
by FoodSpook
I was a little kid in the early 1950′s. I remember Elvis‘ big hit, ‘You Ain’t Nothing But A Hound Dog’, like it was just yesterday.
My daddy was a preacher. Back at that era, preachers had to travel to other towns and cities as a visiting pastor to pick up extra cash from the congregation of the day. They all did it. It was also a way of building your reputation as a minister and growing your own congregation.
I remember my father’s Cadillacs. Even before the day I was born, my father always purchased a brand new Cadillac every two years. He always had a least 2 or 3 jobs besides his ministry that allowed him to provide for the family and maintain his public image. This car was the American counterpart of the European Mercedes. In the U.S. the Cadillac was the king of cars at that time.
I remember seeing pictures of the great blues singer Bobby “Blue” Bland Bland in Jet Magazine always standing with one foot inside a 1950′s Cadillac convertible. Having a Cadillac was a sign of major success, especially for Black men. A lot of entertainers and sports figures arrived in town in fancy Cadillacs. It seemed to me from my perspective as a little coloured boy, all Black ministers had Cadillacs. In the Black community back in that day, a successful preacher was treated like today’s rock stars. In Oakland we had a minister that called himself “King Narcisse”. He lived in Piedmont area of the Oakland hills and traveled in a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce. Wherever his foot touched the ground, a red carpet was waiting. Cars at that time were a real measure of status. He was really successfull.
If you were successfull in your profession, you drove a Cadillac. Of course there were Buicks, Pontiacs, Chryslers and Fords, but the Cadillac was king. Lincolns came along a few years later. The Lincoln was reserved for White doctors or lawyers. Black men generally could not get financing for a Lincoln. When James Brown hit the Bay Area, he came in on his tour bus. He was driven around Oakland, San Francisco and Richmond in a Cadillac. Count Basie, Miles Davis and so many stars of that time came to the Bay Area and were furnished Cadillacs to use by various establishments and local hustlers. If you could get a sighting of these visiting celebreties they would always be in some late model Cadillac.
In 1955, my father was the proud owner of a brand new sky blue Cadillac sedan. In the summer of that year our church was holding its annual summer youth convention in Bakersfield, California. My Mom could not attend the convention because I think she was very much expectant.. I had two younger sisters but somehow it was decided that I would travel with my father to this convention. I was 7 years old. My Dad was highly resistant to the idea of me spending the week with him at a out of town convention. He was furious! My mother prevailed. I realized much later in my life that my mother was using me as a chaperone to my dad. Wives didn’t want to let their preachers go gallivanting away at a out of town convention alone because they knew what goes on after church meetings.
Reluctantly my dad gave in and took me with him. I was ecstatic. Just me and dad in a hotel in another city. Because I was a preacher’s son , I was allowed to sit beside my father in the minister’s dining room. That was a real special privilege. The 30 or so ministers sitting in that room swapped stories about women in their congregations and their experiences on the road that I have not forgotten yet. And I was a little boy.
We stayed a week in Bakersfield. On Sunday morning we left at daybreak on the return trip back to Richmond in the Bay Area. We were driving up Highway 99 through the heart of the beautiful San Joaquin Valley. A rainbow of colors of the fruits ripening in the trees was being broadcast by the rays of the rising sun to the motorists zooming down Highway 99. My father and I began to to smell a slight hint of burning rubber.
We had not reached Fresno. I told my father, yes I could smell somthing burning. We traveled on. By the time we reached Merced the smell was a little more pronounced. I remember looking over at my dad while he was driving. He was a handsome man and very G.Q. for that time. I admired his style and elegance. He dressed well. That morning before we left, he had shaved and dressed in a suit and tie just to drive home! As I looked at him I thought, my God nothing can go wrong, my daddy is in charge! He asked me, “son, do you still smell rubber”? I answered “yes daddy, I do”.
We traveled on. In those days when you traveled on Highway 99, there were stop lights. Yes, you had to go through each town, like Fresno, Madera, Merced and other small towns and stop at the one or two traffic lights in town. After two or three blocks, Main street became Highway 99 again. Bakersfield is about 280 plus miles one way, from Richmond. As we traveled home, my dad and I figured that farmers along Highway 99 all had to be burning something in their fields that smelt like burning rubber.
We had driven about 250 miles and our baby blue Cadillac sedan had gotten us back to San Leandro and the Nimitz Freeway. We were 30 miles from home. I said to me father, “daddy smoke is coming out the back of the car”. He looked in the rear view mirror and said “what the h***! So we stopped on the side of the freeway. We both got out and went to the rear of the car. The rear tire on the driver’s side or left side of the car was smoking. It wasn’t a lot of smoke but it was steady. My dad said “son help me throw some dirt on this tire so we can cool it down”. So that’s what we did. We were on or hands and knees, grabbing dirt and gravel by the hand full and throwing it underneath the Cadillac to try to cool that back tire down. Then the tire caught on fire. It was a little flame so we new we could put it out. We just needed more dirt. We kept throwing more dirt and the flame kept getting bigger. By now I started to have doubts about how much control does my father really have over this situation. My dad must have read my thoughts because at that exact same moment he told me, “boy, don’t worry, we’ll handle this”. He said “we” and my chest filled with confidence and exhilaration. I was going to help my dad put out this fire!
The flames were getting bigger. My father told me, “son, let’s get our luggage and the spare tire out of this trunk just to be on the safe side”. I said “sure dad”. I was so proud to able to help. The flames were getting bigger. Black smoke was now billowing from underneath the back of the Cadillac. A Safeway Foods truck driver with a tractor and two trailers stopped on the other side of the freeway and reached behind his driver’s seat and grabbed a fire extinguisher and bounded across the lethal freeway to help us. I was 7 years old. This was the first time I witnessed a White person willing to help Black people in distress and put their life in jeopardy as well. This man was a teamster and a White truck driver. In my young life I thought no White people could be caring. But I was wrong.
At least 10 or 12 big rigs stopped along both side of the treacherous Nimitz Freeway to help me and my father. The drivers were both White and Black. The firefighters eventually arrived and fought heroically to try to save my daddy’s car. I mean they really tried. I was only 7 years old and I remember that fire like it happened yesterday. I will always remember the men that came to our aid without a moments hesitation and even endangering their own lives so maybe this preacher and his young son could make it home safely. The firefighters were all White. It did not make any difference as to their color. All of these men were looking out for the safety of this preacher on the road with his little son. That was 53 years ago. Many, many years before most of you reading this blog were born. I will never forget the dedication and compassion of the men that came to our aid. In the end, the car burned to down to the axles. You could not recognize it as a Cadillac.
We were driven home by a representative of the San Leandro Fire Department. On the way my father whispered to me, “son, you know I had been driving with the emergency brake on since we left Bakersfield”. I was only 7. However I had figured that out. I told him, “yes, I know”. He asked me “promise me you won’t tell your mother how I screwed up”. I was so proud to be able to keep a secret with my father, “yeah daddy, I won’t talk”. I never did. My dad had to put his rock star/ minister persona on hold for 6 weeks while the 1955 sky blue Cadlliac sedan was rebuilt from scratch. Both my mom and my dad have passed but I still smile sometimes when remembering my little secret. My mom outlived my dad and now I wish I had told her how the Cadillac burned up. She would have had a good laugh!
My dad owned a Cadillac until his last day with us. I’m positive those mighty GM road warriors brought him much joy on the road.
FoodSpook
Simple Home Remedies for Diabetes by Penny Harrison
The following article is very informative about home remedies that are available to almost anyone that is interested in a holistic approach to treating diabetes. The author is Penny Harrison.
FoodSpook
You may be surprised to know that aside from prescription medicines, there are also many home remedies for diabetes that are readily available at home or in many local grocery stores.
Before moving further, it would be better if you get a glimpse and broader understanding of diabetes and insulin. Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus is the medical condition characterized by inability of the body to break down sugar resulting excessive sugar (glucose) level in the blood. The condition is marked by lost of energy either due to incapability to produce the hormone insulin or resistance to insulin. Insulin is the hormone that has the ability to lower glucose levels in the blood.
Those who have diabetes experience increased hunger, increased thirst, and increased urination. Serious complications of diabetes may result to heart disease, vision problems, and a lot more. The condition is long-term and in some cases can be life-threatening.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is formerly termed as insulin-dependent diabetes, marked by the body’s inability to produce insulin. Usual onset of this type is during childhood or early adult life; usually treated with insulin injections and dietary changes. Type 2 diabetes is marked by insufficient production of hormone insulin or the insulin available does not function effectively in the body; usual onset is beyond the age 40.
Common Home Remedies for Diabetes
• Did you know that mango leaves can help combat diabetic attacks? It may be surprising but boiling three to four pieces of mango leaves and drinking it in the morning is one of the most recommended home remedies for diabetes. • Bitter gourd is also a beneficial remedy for diabetes. All you have to do is remove the seeds then soak in one cup water. Drain and drink preferably every morning.
• Reducing glucose level in the blood can also be achieved by regular intake of celery, cucumber, string beans, and garlic.
• Green plantain is also one of the well-known home remedies for diabetes. Wash and peel then put the peel in the jar filled with water. Drinking this mixture three to four times a day will be useful in fighting against diabetes.
• Cinnamon is also beneficial in lowering sugar levels in the blood. Add three tablespoons of cinnamon in one liter boiling water; simmer for twenty minutes and strain. Consume one liter of this mixture everyday as a part of your home remedy for diabetes.
Other common Home Remedies:
• Soybeans are very good for diabetes and also very healthy. • Cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes are known to be effective in treating diabetes; you can dice them into a salad and eat daily. You will also get a lot of vitamins by eating the salad which is very good for you. • 20-30 minutes walk everyday will help you treat the problem.
• Add garlic to your daily diet. • Put 4-5 almonds in a cup of water before you go to bed. In the morning get the almond out of the water and eat. • Drink cinnamon tea this will help balance the sugar levels in your body. Since diabetes is a life-long condition, home remedies for diabetes would be useful in managing the condition.
The author is the owner of www.homeremediescure.com. For more information about Home Remedies for Diabetes visit www.homeremediescure.com/treatment/diabetes.aspx.
Source: Penny Harrison
Thought For The Day
I heard this quote on a P.B.S. TV station last night. “Anything can happen at anytime at any place in any country. The one thing that is certain in this world is uncertainess”.
You Are Not Alone, People Care
A Democratic Government and Diabetes
A good percentage of Americans say they no longer want “big” government. Well, we’ve had small government for the past eight years and results are outstandingly disappointing. The majority of the American public was not involved in our governmental decisions for the past two administrations. We allowed our executive branch to tell us what was good for us. They told us what was good for us, but they did what was good for them! The results of the American people losing control of their congressional representatives has been catastrophic.
Our Democratic way of government in the United States has been hijacked by only 2% of our total population. The last administration of “G.W. Bush” allowed Wall St. executives in the banking, real estate and insurance industry to police their their own business practices. To me that is the equivalent of the police in a city like Oakland or Detroit telling the street corner coke, and heroin dealers “you guys be good, we will trust you to to do the right thing”. So corporations did the same thing as that street corner drug slinger does, make as much money as fast as you can. What B.S. Look where the United States is today. We are in a financial tsunami and drug dealers are still prospering.
Governments that do not conduct business in accordance to the desires of the majority of its citizens are called dictatorships. Throughout history all powerful governments maintained their power from their ability to tax their citizens. Tax revenues allowed governments to maintain soldiers and militias to enforce tax collection and to punish non-conformers. Taxes funded practically all of the colonial expeditions throughout the whole world. The collection of taxes resulted in countries being able to conquer other countries and their indigenous people and confiscate their natural resources. What a country does with the taxes it collects can have a profound effect on its citizens and a huge impact on the global community.
In America, our citizens have lost any control over how our tax dollars are being distributed by our government. Our past administration decided that we would find Osama Bin Laden and also attack any country that would harbor him or any other terrorist that would cause harm to Americans. So we attacked Iraq. President Bush decided that billions of tax payor dollars should be spent on a project that the majority of Americans oppose. The President’s resolve should be commended. However his motives were unclear to me. In my world I look at how many children are becoming diabetic in America. I remember a skyway falling during commute hours in downtown Milwaukee and cars with people falling into the river below. I recall a President that does not believe the weather is changing on our planet even though weather has become extremely dangerous for humans all over the world. I recall outbreaks of E-Coli and salmonella bacteria on our food distribution system while the past Administration cut funding for the FDA causing the firing of food inspectors. I recall how our taxes have been redistributed upwards to a certain population and not to the needs of the majority of the people of the United States. I look at people losing all their net worth because of serious illness and no health insurance. Many times they die. Our government could have a huge positive effect on the quality of life for millions of Americans if we would demand it. Instead, many people don’t want to see any changes. I wonder why? The quality of life for most Americans would be improved by a more prudent distribution and use of tax dollars. I’m not talking about socialism, just plain old fashioned democracy.
How many billions of dollars spent on a questionable war in Iraq would it have taken to possibly come close or find a cure for diabetes? Now is the time for government to be big. The past eight years it has been very small. Our government is for the people by the people and we should have a say as to where are tax dollars are spent. Why are all of a sudden, so many states are going broke? Money exists in our society, but where is it? I hope Americans give the new President a chance to make some fundamental changes in the D.C. status quo. The President wants to represent everyone. The representations that I am fundamentally concerned about are not only our President’s words, but how he treats our dollars.
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