It's time to get outside and make things HOT...let's have some fun and celebrate a unofficial holiday..National BBQ Month..tell me what you love to grill, what sparks your mood for starting up the grill?...where is the party at....

treat guest to an outdoor pot-luck/what fun this party can be! make a list of your favorite folks to hang out with at the crib. everybody brings something on ya list to throw on the grill & dont forget the board game..TWISTER and the frosty beverages..now that's a pot-luck party!

Sunday afternoon/always great time - come early - leave early. great time to bbq and you relax more on the night before the work week starts again

Exchange BBQ Recipes/Pre-party everybody submits favorite recipes for friends to fix.  see how your friends put a twist & flavor on one of your favorite recipes..always good to see how really good you throw down...see if someone else can do it like you!

Whatever you do my friends, take the time and make time for each other...life is so short - we could all use a break and some well deserved "fun-time" - get outside, grab some folks who you haven't been able to make time for and say hey....the grill is hot...now that's a FIRE!!! enjoy National BBQ Month!

Earth Day is a day of Action - Start anywhere..at home, in your office, in your yard and as you shop....

In Your Home

Clean or replace air filters on your air conditioning unit at least once a month

Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods

Turn off lights even when you leave a room for a short time

Unplug seldom used appliances

Use a microwave whenever you can instead of stove or conventional oven

In Your Office

Copy & Print on both sides of paper

Reuse items like envelopes, folders, and paper clips

Use email instead of paper correspondence

Use ceramic coffee mugs instead of paper cups

In Your Yard

Avoid using leaf blowers & other dust-producing equipment

Use an electric lawn mower instead of a gas powered one

Minimize pesticide use

Water grass early in the morning

Take car to a car wash instead of washing in your driveway

Shopping

Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper & plastic bags

Buy products that you can reuse

Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently

Did you know a report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds!

Over 3Mil reports of child abuse are made every year in the US and those reports can include multiple children

Almost 3 children die everyday as a result of child abuse; more than 3 out of 4 are under the age of 4

90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perp in some way 18% are abused by family members..

WHAT CAN WE DO...

1. Know what child abuse is, what the signs are

2. Support prevention programs

3. Report abuse

4. Support legislation to better protect our children and improve their lives

5. Participate in ceremonies to memoralize children

6. Most importantly, VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME call 1-800-4-A CHILD - Invest in our children - protect our children- strengthen families - the time is now; our children are crying....

OK..I do roll deep and sometimes by bag is full but check out some of these page turners...and don't forget to send me what you're reading too...how about the book that changed your life or the one you just couldnt put down...yes it can be one from Zane..I love her too...

One to  Share - Letter 2 my Daughter/Maya Angelou

Artist Autobiography - Keep the Faith a Memoir/Faith Evans

Always a Page Turner - Mama Dearest/E. Lynn Harris

Good Writing/Midnight A Gangster Love Story/Sister Souljah

I do read alot...and you should get back to a good book too..and whats evenmore fun is spending time reading to kids and adults who can no longer do so for themselves.  Lets start reading together!