The Honeybee's Lifestyle

Tag: Home

  • Sweet Home Chicago

    Hello Honeybees,

    A week ago I had the opportunity to go back home. The Honeybee was born in Chicago in the summer of 67. After the death of my father my mom & I moved to Memphis. I went back to Chicago for a visit a few years after the move but I haven’t been back since. Needless to say I was looking forward to going home.

    I played tourist because in essence I was a tourist. There were two things that were a must for my visit. Garrett’s Popcorn & Giordano’s pizza. I only had one full day in Chicago & that included attending the conference that brought me home.

    Whenever I travel I always like to take at least a couple of hours to explore on my own. I will always find somewhere safe to just walk & explore. And I did just that in Chicago. I bundled up because it was in the 40’s with rain in the forecast and headed up Michigan Ave. I walked away from the shopping end of Michigan Ave. why tempt myself, especially when I didn’t have room in my carry on for another piece of fabric.

    My first stop was Garret’s Popcorn. I knew what I wanted so I was in & out. Next stop..Shake Shack. This wasn’t on my original to eat list but it was a pleasant surprise. As I’m walking to Shake Shack I pass Millennium Park which means I HAD to get a picture at the “bean”.

    Picture taken now on the Shake Shack. It was too cold for a Shake but the burger & fries were really good. I need another visit when it’s a little warmer for the Shake.

    After lunch I headed back to the conference for my last workshop. But I had to stop by Fannie Mays. This place was a childhood favorite. I didn’t eat much candy as a child but when I did it was Fannie Mays. This brought back so many good memories of my parents.

    Walking Michigan Ave and enjoying the beautiful architecture of Chicago in the cold was part of the release that I needed. It felt good, I felt safe, I felt at home.

    Until next time Chicago

    Beewisdom-Let me tell you something. I’m from Chicago. I don’t break.- Barack Obama

  • Love Is A House

    Hello Honeybees,

    My aunt came to Memphis for a visit.  I usually get to see her about once or twice a year.  She and her family are my only relatives still living in the Windy City.  My mom and I moved to Memphis from Chicago when I was 10 years old.  My dad passed at the early age of 32 and my mom thought moving to Memphis would give us a fresh start. 

    Now for the record I never wanted to move to Memphis.  I had a life in Chicago (all 10 years of it)

    This is the house on the South Side of Chicago where my foundation began

    Normal House

    In this house I learned the meaning of love and family.  I watched my parents as they showed me what a good marriage looks like… how a man treats a wife and how a wife respects her husband.

    In this house I developed my love for sports, especially Steeler football…thanks dad!

    In this house I learned to ride a bike and jump double-dutch

    Home Saying

    In this house I had awesome birthday parties.

    In this house I had the best Christmas’ ever.

    To me this house represents some of the BEST memories of my life.

    To me this house represents LOVE

    I have been back to Chicago once since moving to Memphis.  That’s something that has to change and soon.

    But I don’t want to go in the winter…yeah I still remember that hawk. Brrrr!!!!

    I want to go back now as an adult to shop and definitely eat.  I didn’t know it then but I was cultivating my love for food.

    ChicagoSkyline1

    Growing up my cousins and I would spend some part of every summer in Memphis with our grandmother.  I liked Memphis. It was a great place to visit but to move…..Nope, Nada, No way!  But what choice did I have? Unlike today’s children, I didn’t have a vote. 

    As a mother I am glad that we made the move to Memphis. Honestly I would rather raise my boys in Memphis than in Chicago.

    I hope to one day take my boys to Chicago so that they can see where it all began.  They never got the chance to meet my parents but I share with them the good times that I had in this house. This is where love started for me.

    I pray that I am creating those same kind of memories for them in our HOME.

    Belinda Bee pic

    What was your favorite place to live growing up?

    Beewisdom- It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home – Unknown