75,019,268, we were right!

I'm Shamontiel, a 20-year digital and print editor, journalist, and fact-checker. 
When I'm not working, there's a 99% chance I'm walking somebody's dog or my own four-legged security guard/fitness instructor.
As a 20-year vegetarian, I'm adamant about daily, morning meditation; weight training; and love dance fitness (mainly Kukuwa).
If I'm not cooking, wrestling my way through a DIY project or walking dogs, I'm buried in commentary on politics, news and culture. (As a Veteran's Day baby, I'll never refer to this national holiday on November 11 by any other name besides Veteran's Day.)

---

MOST RECENT SUBSTACK POSTS

Photo credit: ChatGPT Photo Generator

1. BLACK GIRL IN A DOGGONE WORLD™: 6-part plan to create a dog-friendly fairy garden ~ Avoid choking hazards in your garden by thinking like your curious dog

2. I DO SEE COLOR: If somebody speaking anything other than English annoys you, seek anger management ~ From Rep. Brandon Gill to Laura Loomer to that one guy in college, being bilingual or multilingual is not a crime

3. BLACK GIRL IN A DOGGONE WORLD™: Why am I buying dog toys when I have towels already? ~ The dog puzzle I never knew I needed to know about

4. HOMEGROWN TALES: DIY pest traps may help you skip the expensive extermination bill ~ From mice to roaches to ants and bed bugs, these homemade rodent and bug traps can keep your home pest-free

5. I DO SEE COLOR: While the Trump admin is banning books, Ryan Coogler has become a history teacher ~ The Chinese history lesson I did not expect to learn in 'Sinners'

Photo credit: ChatGPT Photo Generator

6. HOMEGROWN TALES: When overnight guests become insurance risks ~ Why condo owners and condo tenants should carefully read the rental part of their bylaws and leases

7. I DO SEE COLOR: VIDEO ~ What can I say that hasn't been said about the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols? ~ The de-escalation story in high school that further proves why Black people get so upset by overly aggressive police

8. BLACK GIRL IN A DOGGONE WORLD™: Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos‘ dog story is a reminder about the strength of a dog's memory ~ Learning how to use associative memory to communicate with your dog

9. I DO SEE COLOR: Why everybody should wait until they're 30 to get the first (of any) tattoo ~ From initial tattoo to cover-up, should Black people only hire Black tattoo artists?

10. HOMEGROWN TALES: Nailing 'Unexpected Red Theory' without your home looking too much like Christmas ~ Red Light Therapy and red light accessories have differing outcomes