Author: Anthony Dixon

Through Her Eyes Revised

🌹 Flower Boy.   

I grew up immersed in a diverse and eclectic range of music, from the soulful sounds of Motown, the smooth harmonies of The Dells and The Delmonico, to the rock legends like The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and The Who. Bob Marley’s reggae rhythms and Pink Floyd’s psychedelic journeys captivated my senses. Nit zinger and Lucifer’s Friend brought a touch of underground rock, while Chick Corea’s jazz explorations, Janis Joplin’s raw power, and Jefferson Airplane’s countercultural anthems expanded my musical horizons. Stanley Clarke’s bass mastery and Led Zeppelin’s iconic riffs left lasting impressions on me.

One unforgettable day, Jefferson Starship graced Central Park with their performance, and it became a magical gathering for the counterculture community. During the week, seventy thousand flower children came together, playing hooky from school and work to bask in the liberating energy of the music. Gracie Slick’s haunting question, “Don’t you want somebody to love, don’t you need somebody to love,” reverberated through the park, creating an atmosphere of unity and love. In that moment, the power of music transcended barriers, and there was no room for hate or division.

On that special day, people of all persuasions, including police officers, coexisted harmoniously and celebrated each other’s presence. The shared experience united us all, bridging gaps between communities. I remember a beautiful moment when I passed a joint to a white police officer wearing a badge. Instead of reacting with hostility or enforcing the law, he embraced the spirit of the day, took a hit, and passed it on to another officer. The air in the park became fragrant with the aroma of cannabis, and even those on Fifth Avenue’s balconies couldn’t help but feel the buzz of the moment.

While I cherish these memories, I want to make it clear that I don’t seek to glorify the use of marijuana. The events of that day were a product of a unique time and place, a symbol of the societal changes and the expression of freedom that defined that era. It is essential to recognize that excessive consumption of THC can have significant health effects, and I urge caution when using any substance.

As the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young suggested, love was at the heart of it all. It wasn’t just about loving a person; it was about loving humanity, embracing diversity, and finding common ground. Those were the principles that resonated with us and guided our actions as we navigated through a complex world. The music we loved became a soundtrack for a generation seeking to find its voice, striving for peace, and striving to create a more tolerant and compassionate society.

Looking back, I feel grateful for the transformative power of music and how it shaped my worldview. It taught me that during chaos, we can find harmony, and in the face of adversity, we can foster unity. Those experiences have left an indelible mark on my soul, reminding me to embrace love, compassion, and understanding as I continue my journey through life.

We took Heed to what Crosby stills Nash and Young said, “Love the one you’re with ‘‘. Long live Rock and Roll, it was Rock and Roll that brought seventy Thousands of God’s Children together. Same place, different Day. The Band America took the Stage and belted out ” I understand that you’ve been running from the Man, that goes by the name of Sandman”. They also echoed” Like the Flowers need the Rain, I need you “.

No one told me that following in the Path of someone Successful who you admire, could lead me to my own Success Story. Here are excerpts from my newly Published Children’s Book.

Walking in Your Shoes: A Children’s Story of Following in a Parent’s Footsteps

Chapter 1: Walking in Their Shoes

Book description 

This Book is for every young person who wants to make something of their lives 

Learning from the Best

In life, we often look up to someone who inspires us and sets a positive example for us to follow. This person could be a parent, a teacher, a friend, or even a famous role model. By observing and learning from the best, we can gain valuable insights and skills that will help us grow and succeed in our own lives.

Parents are often the first and most influential role models in a child’s life. They teach us important values, skills, and lessons that shape who we become as individuals. By watching our parents navigate through challenges and achieve their goals, we can learn valuable life lessons that will help us in our own journeys. Whether it’s learning the importance of hard work, perseverance, or kindness, our parents serve as guiding lights that show us the way forward.

Filling the Void – Walking in Your Shoes

Growing up without someone to look up to can feel like navigating a vast, empty landscape. It’s a void that can deeply affect your sense of self, your education, and your overall upbringing. When you don’t have that guiding star, it’s easy to feel lost, like a ship adrift at sea with no clear direction. This void can shape the way you view the world, the decisions you make, and who you become.

You should not ask someone as myself that question. At this point in my life, should be retired and spending eight hours per day writing.  I love great tasting foods with lingering flavors, I love to cook and I love to write. Hence you are privaledged to read a good section of my next book. After writing over 509 Blogs all I want to do is write books about all the Experiences in my life.

From the Line to the Legacy: A Culinary Journey

Introduction

We own your Taste Buds 

principles of color theory can be applied in the kitchen, encouraging cooks to create harmonious palettes that excite the palate and enhance the dining experience.

Cooking has always been more than just preparing meals; it’s an art form, a way of life, and for me, a family legacy. As I stand at the precipice of completing my lifelong ambition—to write a book about cooking—I can’t help but reflect on the journey that brought me here. It’s a story that started not in a culinary school or a prestigious kitchen, but in the humble yet fiercely competitive world of a line cook.

A Legacy of Culinary Excellence

My journey into the culinary world was not born out of convenience or necessity, but out of a deep-seated love for food and the legacy of strong, pioneering women in my family. My grandmother was more than just a baker; she was an artist in the kitchen, creating masterpieces that were as profitable as they were delicious. In an era when women were expected to be homemakers, my grandmother stood shoulder to shoulder with her farmer husband, earning just as much through her famous baked goods.

My mother inherited that same passion for cooking. She took up the mantle in an era where women were still fighting for their place in professional kitchens, a domain dominated by men. As a line cook, she braved the heat, the pressure, and the relentless pace, proving every day that women not only belonged in the kitchen—they could thrive there. Her perseverance and dedication left an indelible mark on me, even before I realized I would follow in her footsteps.

The First Step—Into the Fire

“You’ve never cooked before, have you?”

That question hung in the air as I stood in the kitchen of my first job, feeling the weight of both doubt and expectation. I had no formal training, no years of experience under my belt. All I had was a passion for food and a determination to succeed.

“No,” I admitted, “this is my first job.”

“Why do you want to do this, instead of something easier?”

The answer was simple yet profound. “I love to eat great food,” I responded. “My grandmother was a famous baker, and my mother was a line cook when women weren’t welcome in a male domain. This is what I want to do.”

And so, with those words, I embarked on my journey as a line cook. The hours were long, the work was grueling, and the pressure was relentless. But every time I sliced an onion, flipped a steak, or plated a dish, I felt a connection to something greater—a lineage of cooks and bakers who had turned their love for food into something tangible, something that could be shared and enjoyed by others.

Learning the Ropes—And the Recipes

As a line cook, every day was a lesson. I learned to move with speed and precision, to think on my feet, and to work as part of a team in an environment where one mistake could mean the difference between a perfect dish and a disaster. The kitchen was a battlefield, but it was also a place of camaraderie and creativity.

My mother’s words often echoed in my mind as I worked. She had always told me that the key to success in the kitchen was not just about following recipes, but about understanding the ingredients, the techniques, and the passion behind each dish. She taught me that cooking was as much about intuition as it was about skill, and that the best cooks are those who cook with heart.

The Challenges of the Line

Working the line is not for the faint of heart. The pace is relentless, the heat intense, and the demands unyielding. I quickly learned that there is no room for hesitation or second-guessing when orders are flying in and the tickets are piling up. Every second counts, and every movement has to be precise.

But it was in this crucible that I discovered my true love for cooking. There is a unique satisfaction that comes from working in the pressure cooker of a busy kitchen, from knowing that the meal you are preparing will be the highlight of someone’s day. It’s a kind of fulfillment that can’t be found in any other job.

Running with the ball isn’t just about persistence; it’s about strategy, too. It’s about knowing when to push harder and when to take a step back and assess the situation. It’s about learning from your mistakes and using those lessons to improve. It’s about surrounding yourself with people who support your journey and avoiding those who try to bring you down.

In life, we often talk about the importance of finding your path, but it’s equally important to recognize that the path isn’t always clear or straight. Sometimes, you have to forge your own way, carving out a space for yourself in a world that might not always seem welcoming. You might stumble, you might fall, but as long as you keep moving forward, you’re on the right track.

My Journey to the Line

One of the first Fastfood Restaurants