The Episodic Thoughts of Hamp: Volume II

By Codis Hampton II

Some of you may have or may not be familiar with Codis Hampton II Blogs, Articles, or Books. His readers can attest to the unique style, grace in which he phrases his description of life in general. This book details a series of down-home humor yet realistic opinions on various subjects, including Race, Politics, Health, Black History, Current Events, Love, and Friendship. After reading his works, you will know Hamp, up close and personal. And by all means, be glad you met him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Release date: Oct 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781977249388

Codis Hampton II

I want my epitaph to read; God gave him the gift of observing while interpreting his and others’ lives with a curious mind. He surrounded him with a loving family and as a member of a unique race of people. Eventually, discovering his calling to tell the world of his observations, Hamp played the hand dealt.

Book preview

The Episodic Thoughts of Hamp

Vol II

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2022 Codis Hampton II

v1.0

This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Outskirts Press, Inc.

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ISBN: 978-1-9772-4938-8

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Outskirts Press and the OP logo are trademarks belonging to Outskirts Press, Inc.

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CONTACT INFORMATION

Codis Hampton II …………………[e-mail]

Mr. Hampton’s website for this book developed and sponsored by the Books Publisher; Outskirts Press is at,

Follow Mr. Hampton daily, weekly, or monthly postings at Hamp’s Corner of America Place the following web addresses in your browser.

http://hcofa.net/ or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hamps-Corner-of America/207387462631457.

Catch him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/codis-hampton-ii-524646a/

Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HampTwo

Or listen to him live at Hamp’s Corner of America Blog Talk Radio Show.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica

If you can’t catch a live show, you can visit the website above; listen to the lineup of shows already broadcast at your leisure. Follow the show to get notifications of a future broadcast.

Mr. Hampton’s mailing address,

business, and retail outlet

CHIIA Group

PO Box 668

Pittsburg, CA. 94565

http://hcofa.net/

CHIIA Group Retail Outlet: Frosty LTD, PO Box 668, Pittsburg, CA. 94565. http://frostyltd.com/frosty-ltd-com

OTHER BOOKS/WORKS FROM AUTHOR, CODIS HAMPTON II

Unchon-ni

Gracie Hall-Hampton, (the Arkansas Years 1917-1953)

The Episodic Thoughts of Hamp (Or a Blogger’s 1999-2014 Perspective)

Remembering Moz, (Gracie & John Hampton’s First Born)

Misguided Intentions

Unchon-ni, (I Remember South Korea 1962-63)

Short Stories & Multi-part Articles

Black Legends of the Wild, Wild West…released as a four-part blog/article at http://hcofa.net during Feb of 2014 to honor the Black History month.

Books due for release in 2022

Short Stories and Blogs: Follow our social media sites for news on Short Stories and Blogs.

Lil Big Papa (publication scheduled for the spring of 2022)

The Extremist Allying Administration (Publication planned for the fall of 2022)

AUTHORS PERSONAL NOTE

For Vol 2

I finally succeeded in becoming the person my father expected as a grown man.

I wanted to be the man my father thought I could become one day. However, events and incidents facilitated growth beyond my wildest dreams. Yet, I still wonder what he would think of me now. Of course, I know that he would be proud of my accomplishments. But then, knowing daddy, he would also wonder what if I had a college degree. In other words, I may have become a man, but I’ve left a lot on the table of life. Oh, what I could have achieved, as all of you can relate to in your lives.

After hearing my complaints, time and time again attempting to get a good job, he witnessed my happiness at opening Katara-Rhythm, our little gift and record shop. He also felt my pain in closing it. Unable to secure an expansion loan to compete in our market because I did not have the collateral to secure such a loan. So close, yet so far from a success, I choose to leave for greener pastures. Daddy knew I had a government position waiting for me. When I left Milwaukee in the fall of 1978, moving to California, he only had one piece of advice for me. His words of advice were thoughtful and deliberate. A deep concern for my wife, two kids, and a newborn baby echoed in his warning, Boy, don’t get out there and forget your family. You send for them as soon as you can, you hear? Three or four days after the birth of my youngest son, I drove to San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area, arriving around September 19th. My wife and kids flew into Oakland International Airport the second week in December.

In remembrance of who he was and what he stood for, this book is dedicated to my father and wife of over fifty years. It has been a wild ride; this thing is called life. But it is not over yet. God has allowed me to survive. I hope I am making him proud of me too.

I hear you too, naysayers. Commentary Articles, you say? He wrote blogs for public consumption. Who is Hamp? What makes him think he has the mental capacity to articulate an accurate supposition about any subject? This book is the second volume, you say. Who is his publisher? Was the first book well received, was it received at all? What college, what kind of training, who mentored, who are his parents, again? Nobody has ever heard of this guy. Who does he think he is? Are you folks kidding me? What kind of booze is he drinking, what kind of weed is he smoking? What sort of amateurish project do you expect me to read?

Naysayers, here are my qualifications. First, a great friend/co-worker shared emails with me commenting on people, places, things, specifically sportswriters’ commentaries about their observations. G Brown told me he enjoyed reading my thoughts on the subject matter better than those who wrote articles on the sports page or newspaper. Then again, my mother, father, and grandmother told me several times, Boy, you’ve got good common sense. You need to use it sometimes.

Finally, I’ve always been anti-authority, especially if I believe they do not know what they are doing or are faking it. Add that to the fact; I have no problem telling anybody who will listen what I think about any issue. By the way, it’s a practice that’s kept me in hot water more than usual. That pretty much sums it up for me. I put all that energy into my commentaries. The reward is I feel better after getting it off my chest. That’s my secret naysayers, but then you be the judge.

Overall, this book’s written for you, the public. Some of you know me or of me; most people do not. I believe God gave me the ability to write as a gift. My thoughts are to share it with you. The articles describe a way of looking at life from my perspective. I hope you reflect on your own lives, family, politics, religion, etc. The words are meant to give you pause and reflection. Then, you can take it from there. As for me, like the Rhythm & Bluesman, Johnny Taylor song says, hey world, I am still kicking it, and … I’m doing my own thing.

Peace, stay vigilant, make it a day that Jesus Christ would be proud of,

Codis Hampton II

Author’s Great Grandmother Sallie (Davis), and Great Grandfather David ‘Sambo’ Hampton. Never forget those who came before you, CHII. The family originated in Gravel Ridge County, Banks, Arkansas.

Here in Gravel Ridge County, Banks, Arkansas, relatives played baseball in their spare time. From left to right top row, Monroe Hampton & John Hampton (Sallie & Sambo’s sons with John being the author’s grandfather), Willie Davis, Gus Hall, Elvin Davis, Joel Johnson (Cousins, including the bottom row guys). Bottom row, Mansfield Davis, and Frank Johnson.

At the bottom-right corner in Banks AR (Gravel Ridge County): The author’s grandmother, Gracie Hall-Hampton. To her left and seated, her sister Lena Hall-Strong. Standing is Gracie’s daughter Lacireen Hampton-Tatum

A late Milwaukee, WI Fifties family picture. From left to right: Authors Stepsister, Johnny Mae Miller, Codis II, Fathers second wife, Rosalie Miller-Hampton, baby sister Delores Ann, and Codis I.

Picture of the author’s mother, Doreatha (Childs) Hampton-Cole.

An early Seventies picture. Left to right, Codis II, my wife, Sandra Hampton, Ruth Moseby (Sandra’s mom), and my father, Codis, out and about in a Milwaukee tavern.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contact Information

Mr. Hampton’s mailing address, business, and retail outlet

Other books/works from Author, Codis Hampton II

Short Stories & Multi-part Articles

Books due for release in 2022

Authors Personal Note

I: Thoughts from Back in The Day

Maturity comes with a Price and Responsibility

To My Homies of the Sixties through the Nineties and the girls & ladies I’ve known

Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say

Who am I? (Update from 7/4/04)

Third Floor Flat to the present Single-Story House included into the aging Process

God, why do you? (Update from 10/1/01)

Hot Young Girl

My Arrival/Introduction to living in Oakland, California, 1978

Ida M Brown, My West Coast Mother

Doretha Childs, Banks (Bradley County) Arkansas Native, my Mama

A Train Ride & Auto Trip to Remember

II: Blogs pertinent up through today

Those whose Path’s I’ve Crossed

We’ve always had our Music

Jay Z and LL Cool J, really? Come on, Man.

Defenseless Government Civilian Employees

Communication, A Problem for too many People

Without Formation, Structure, and Organizational Purpose, there is Chaos

Don’t take our Kindness for Weakness, or Heaven forbid, Stupidity

Remembering Moz, the Book

The Aging of Sporty Odie Cody calls for an Aortic Valve Replacement, Part 1.

The Aging of Sporty Odie Cody calls for an Aortic Valve Replacement, Part 2.

Another Year, Another Birthday in 2021, at my age…Another Milestone

The Lawyers, Professors of Current Events, Hustlers in front of the Neighborhood Store.

Social Media is getting a Bad Reputation

Still, don’t overlook the importance of computers in whatever format

Lil Big Papa, the Book (Schedule for publication in 2022) Preface

The Bryant’s, Real People to the Core

When is a Date a Date?

You are not as bright as you think you are. And…I’m not as dumb as I look.

At Times Like These

Do you know how we do?

Misguided Intentions, the Book

On or Off the Reservation

People, Places, and Things That Make Me Happy

Wedding Bliss, or Maybe Not

III: Race in America, yesterday through Today

We are tired of being tired

Affirmative Action for White Folks

The Visible yet sometimes Invisible African American

Young, Middle Age, or Old, Gifted, and Black

Another Family Reunion

My Grandma Gracie Hall-Hampton’s Book

Walking, Driving, or Living while Black

The US of A, my Country

IV: Political Hits of 2021 heading into the 2024 Midterms

Happy New Year to We the People

Most Americans voted for Democratic Values.

Don’t Drink the GOP’s Brand of Government Kool-Aid

On the Downslope of Life

Morals for Sale Cheap or Free of Charge

January 6, 2020, an attack on People’s House

After January 6, 2020, My Immediate Thoughts

Kamala Harris, Vice President in the Biden Administration

President Biden has more than a few things to Manage

V: Who are these Republicans?

They, Themselves, and Them

President Barack Obama, where is the Juice?

Ideas for a TV Reality Show

Truth and Compassion are Absent Without Leave.

Democracy or One-Man Rule?

The Donald’s Man-Made Pandemic, Phase Two of 2021

Epilogue

I

THOUGHTS FROM BACK IN THE DAY

Maturity comes with a Price and Responsibility

I’ve never run away or shied away from who I am for as long as I can remember. By that, I mean my birthright or race. Oh, I’ve had my questions about why I had to live with my father instead of my mother. But then I finally resolved that idea by realizing God always put you where you should be in his plans. You might not see it at the time, but over time you will feel placed in a specific environment for a reason.

Nowadays, as I approach the latter part of my years on this earth, I am struck by how many people can’t or maybe won’t come to the same conclusion. Instead, they seem to curse their luck or blame God for not placing them, say, in a more favorable (as in the rich and famous) household.

As they grow up, meet other kids, they wonder why their likable neighbor, Mr. Johnson, or somebody like James Brown, Puff Daddy, Martin Luther King Jr., Joe Kennedy (JFK’s father), or even Bill Gates (Microsoft founder) wasn’t their father. Unfortunately, some wish they were born to a different race. People of color might be surprised to know that some white kids feel the same way. If only they were born black instead of white. They may be able to dance better, rap, and possess rhythm that seems to elude them. But the fact is, most of the time, it’s just kids trying to figure out who they are in this society. Exactly where they fit in and how successful they will become as tried and true-born Americans.

The problem arises when they take it to the next level. They may become rebellious as teenagers. A time when hormones are raging, anxiety to be independent and living on their own. Anywhere but in their parents’ home. It doesn’t apply to all kids, but it does cross a lot of our children’s minds. You don’t have to be an accredited phycologist to reach this conclusion.

Kids, primarily teenagers develop this air of nothing their parents or other adults say makes sense. Mostly they feel like they are better than most and certainly more intelligent than given credit by their elders. They become rebellious when parents or others force them to accept a reality they don’t necessarily believe. That is a significant reason for so much distrust among parents and kids at that point in their lives. Some even do the unthinkable; they run away from home to live with whoever. Again, anybody but their parents.

I look at the political awakening of the Parkland Teenagers and see hope for our Democracy despite the doom and gloom of Former President Trumps’ World. Out of the mouth of babes came the cry that the NRA is just like any schoolyard bully. If you hit them where it hurts, they too will feel the pain. They, like most Americans, have had enough of this self-centered, self-promoting, truth-bending, me, me, and to hell with anybody else societal attitude. Where the rights of a selective few overrule the majority’s concerns, it is a welcome change of conversation on a national level. For the record, I know the difference between a target rifle and an assault weapon. The assault weapon belongs in a military arena, not my neighbors’ closet.

Keep in mind this is just an opinion piece based on my experience and observations. If there is a good foundation of love, respect for self and others provided by the adults in the home, all involved survive the teenage years.

The problem, as I see it, is when the child grows into an adult. They haven’t adequately dealt with their childish conclusions. Remember, as adults’ decisions we make govern our life choices. These types of people don’t mature as fast as others. Their reasoning always seems off-key, based upon a false assumption of who they think they are. Or worse yet, who they imagine their parents to be, rather than whom we are as people. They interpret guidance and any discipline as an attack on their person. It can be a trying time during a relevant period in the family’s lives.

To be sure, I can only go back to how I came out of the teenage cloud of superiority. At the time, I didn’t think I’d live past twenty-one. Consequentially, I wanted to experience all life had to offer before then. But, as noted, age twenty-two and up brought about changes.

First, I merely watched and admitted others were better than I at specific processes. Then, I started to listen and believe when older people told me that I would have to improve myself. I became my own worst critic. I stopped lying to myself, which was monumental for me. The reward was that I would get better at things I was already good at doing. Again, believing people in specific fields that counseled me.

Once I began to listen to other points of view, including my parents, I found my peace of mind. I was able to learn lessons from my and different experiences. It was adding those lessons to what I already knew helped me to become a more evolved person. It didn’t happen overnight. But I can honestly look back at my life and see a lifetime of changing views based on the reality of situations. Please make no mistake about it; looking at life through a realistic prism is the only way to grow and prosper.

We expect our offspring to be more intelligent than we are but not blind to pumped up self-importance without any meaningful accomplishment. As parents, we accept the role of the adult in the house. We believe in quotes such as,

It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.

-Frederick Douglass

I will only add one other thing that I’ve learned as a father and parent. The child MUST accept their responsibility in the process of growing up too. Was I successful as a parent? At this point, I would say the jury is still out. My father was influential in laying the proper foundation in me. My mother, even with her oddities of opinion, was a sincere person. I know she loved me while passing on traits that have served me well throughout my life.

Now I write and speak with confidence of knowledge learned, practiced, and even evolved. Yet, I still get up every day with the expectation that I will hear and possibly learn something new.

Another quote that I have lived by while understanding is that I have the responsibility to be aware and understand the problem. I remember Frederick Douglass’s words. I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false and to incur my own abhorrence.

I now have an unquenchable thirst to leave something behind that may benefit somebody. It is why I write, choose subjects. All are about real-life experiences as ordinary folk. I ask you to remember my reasoning for writing these types of books, articles, or blogs as you read them. If you don’t read any of my books, remember this blog and note the subject matter. I am always writing or speaking from the heart. I know of no more honest way to communicate with anyone.

To My Homies of the Sixties through the Nineties and the girls & ladies I’ve known

Wow, how I remember you ‘all well today. I may not remember some of your last names. Although, for that matter, I may not have known your last name, I can see the faces while recalling events. Never in my dreams did I think I would make it this far in those days. By the grace of our God, here I am writing about you and our bygone days.

Damn, I see you Freddie, Rebaby, Bootsie, to name a few. You were girls that knocked me down with a punch or smile. I’d come back for either one. By the time we crossed paths, I’d hung up my cowboy pistols. I stopped pretending the fifty-gallon oil drum in my backyard was a galloping wild west horse. Lash LaRue, Roy Rogers, or the Lone Ranger couldn’t compete with you girls. I knew the cowboys could be rugged, but no human was as soft and cute as you girls. So it’s Cowboys to Girls for real from now on.

Hey Charles, Reid, Booker, man, we brought sixteenth and North Avenue alive, didn’t we? No doubt, we thought we were God’s gift to the world. The epitome of teenagers hanging out to have fun. Learning to smoke cigarettes, drink wine were all part of it. Mixing white port with Kool-aide was an acquired taste until you had too much. The hangovers acting as a deterrent on their own. Looking back, I admire Reid’s sister, Sally, husband Taylor for their patience with us. His older Brother James allowed us to turn their bedroom into our jumping off headquarters. Many a time, our loud laughter would prompt Sally to issue that last call…. Time for you all to go home. The early years didn’t prepare me for the girls I met at sixteen years of age. Making out became an art form.

Oh yeah, Charles. Now and then, I visit that tree on sixteenth Street. It reminds me of where I lost a bottom tooth. My jaw hit the dashboard as you drag race your Grandparents Rambler into that tree. Adults said we were lucky no one got seriously hurt that dark evening.

I remember incidents like Joyce and I crying because her father didn’t like black people. Both of us are adamant as to why all the races can’t get along. Beverly, Christine, eased the sting of rejection from Joyce. Teenage love; sometimes more of a strong, even deep attraction for each other than the real thing.