Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn
This is what the world needs now: two free-thinking “seasoned” Black women speaking their truth and inspiring others to do the same. Shaped by 45 years of friendship that began at the prestigious Brooklyn Technical High School through the Ivy League, medical school, marriages, divorces, triumphs, parenting queer children, life-threatening illness and many many amazing adventures. Each week, besties Leslie Osei-Tutu and Angella Fraser will push against boundaries in love, culture, careers, faith, politics and out-dated assumptions about women of a certain age. Remember, you’re never too old to change your mind…or your hair! (but more on that later :-)All views are our own and do not reflect the views of our institution/company. Information provided is not intended to serve as medical advice.
Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn
Ep160 The Flu, Friendship, And Fresh Starts in 2026
Besties Angella and Leslie ring in the new year with flu-brained humor, a surprise holiday reunion, and a grounded reset on health, money, and meaning. Between tissues and the usual laughs, they share what to watch for with flu symptoms, set practical goals for 2026, and pick a word to steer the year.
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Hey Ange.
SPEAKER_02:Hey Les.
SPEAKER_03:How's it going? Oh, I know how I know you're trying to disguise your your flu voice, but you sound fluish. No bueno.
SPEAKER_02:I sound fluy. Please don't make me laugh. Please don't do I know I know you're.
SPEAKER_03:I hear my pal has the flu and I'm laughing at her.
SPEAKER_02:You said you said fluvosity. That's hilarious. You're so stupid. Oh my gosh, my ribs hurt.
SPEAKER_03:Oh man.
SPEAKER_02:Um hey guys.
SPEAKER_03:Go ahead. Introduce us, Leslie. Welcome to another episode of Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn.
SPEAKER_02:Hey guys, I'm Angela. I have a different voice, usually, but this is my flucity voice. Um and and my brain. My brain is also fluy. Flu esque. Fluish. Um we are two free-thinking 60-something-year-old black women who have decided to live life with more joy and more boldness. Um today we're just gonna have a short episode because yes, I have the flu. Came back from Christmas a day later than expected because uh flight was canceled. And um the day after I felt I felt it in my throat, and then it just got worse and worse. But you know what? I'm grateful for medicine. I've learned my lesson. I am gonna get my flu vaccine um as soon as it is available. Stop. I I've had one before. Once in your life.
SPEAKER_03:Okay, this is a judgment free judgment-free zone. It is, and it's a safe space. It's a safe space, except for me.
SPEAKER_02:Except for me. I understand. I understand. Yeah, but I've learned my lesson and I'm gonna do better. And hopefully it's just another day or two that I'll have to build away.
SPEAKER_03:You were traveling on, you know, flying on planes where there's a bunch of filthy sick people.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah. And actually, it's not the planes, right? It's it's the airport.
SPEAKER_03:Because my understanding is that the air on the airplanes themselves right, but that's once the cabin doors closed and they you know. So there's a lot of you had a lot of uh uh time to be in contact with um people who are and I gotta tell you, there are so many cases of the flu in this country, not just regionally. Wow. So um, yeah, people are really sick.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, so I gotta ask you, um, what would make someone with the flu have to go to the hospital? Like, I hear that some people have to be hospitalized. What I just want to know to know when I'm going to the hospital. Like, God forbid. But I'm just saying, what would make someone have to go to the hospital?
SPEAKER_03:Well, the first thing that I'll say is I'm not rendering medical advice to the general public. I'm giving you advice from what I think is appropriate.
SPEAKER_01:Yes.
SPEAKER_03:Um, but if your breathing were compromised, I see. You know, you become so stuffy or you get so fatigued when you're trying to breathe and you feel like you're having difficulty breathing, obviously that would be a medical emergency. Sure. If let's say you had a temperature above 101 or so and did not respond to medications that you would take to um treat a fever, that might be a time to go.
SPEAKER_02:Okay.
SPEAKER_03:Um I would also advise, although I am not advising the public. You guys get the picture. But I would also say that um if you're not able to keep um food or fluid down, let's say you have some GI component and you just had running diarrhea or vomiting, gotcha. Um, because dehydration is a problem, especially if you're febrile or what have you. So, you know, if you feel sicker than um typical, and if it lasts more than four to five, four to five or six days, you know, if it's a prolonged problem, because sometimes even though influenza is a virus, yeah, we can get bacterial infections on top of it, and then that might complicate your um recovery.
SPEAKER_02:Ah, I see. Okay. Good to know.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, good to know.
SPEAKER_02:I'll be watching out.
SPEAKER_03:But over-the-counter stuff, a lot of fluid, warm fluids for symptoms and sore throat.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Okay. Thank you for that. Um, but that's not what this conversation is gonna be about.
SPEAKER_03:No, it just came up because you were fluish.
SPEAKER_02:I know.
SPEAKER_03:You were fluid. Okay, I'm gonna stop with that. It's just, you know, I gotta make light of things.
SPEAKER_02:You know what it reminds me of? Hold on. There's this, I'm gonna put the link to it in the description. There's this um thing on social media, it's a little clip. And it's this woman, she's in the hospital, right? She's on the hospital bed. And her friend, I don't know, friend, daughter, mother, whatever, goes to give her some water. And so she's waiting to get her water. And the woman put her finger in her mouth instead of the straw. So she's there, like, you know, just um clearly she's in the hospital for a reason, and then she's going to get the drink, and and then it's person's mouth, and you should see her trying not to laugh because it was so hilarious.
SPEAKER_03:I don't see why it's so funny, but the fact that you're telling the story and I don't get it, it's funny.
SPEAKER_02:So somehow the deliberating because of what you're doing to me. Oh that's what makes me like this is what exactly, this is exactly what happened to her. But it was so she was so ready to get her water, and then she you could tell her brain was like, This doesn't feel like a straw. Like, what is good? And then her friends started laughing. I'll put a link to it. I think it's hilarious. Anyway, anyway. I'll be the judge of that. Yeah, you'll be the judge of that. So we're recording on um New Year's Day, yeah. You're gonna get this uh a little after that, but we have some things to say about how our holidays have been and what we're looking forward to in 2026. We will go as long as I can without getting into a coughing um uh run. Um and then we will close it off and see you guys next week. Um so the first thing I want to say is that I had a surprise of seeing my bestie for Christmas.
SPEAKER_03:Yes, yeah. So I was just gonna say that, you know, people who know me know I'm like Bah Humbug at this time of year, more because I don't care for the commercialism of the season and what it's become and all of that. But this year I had a pretty good Christmas, I'll say, because I did um sneak and go visit Ange, who was uh not too far away. So we took the drive down to um Ange and her family and relived the old days of spending every Christmas together when the kids were young and growing up and all. So that was really nice.
SPEAKER_02:It was so special. And those said kids are the ones that planned it. I have a thing that I say when things things are unauthorized, when planning or getting together happens without without my prior knowledge, not even approval. They don't have to get my approval, but without my prior knowledge. So this was totally unauthorized. Um, but they um they conspired. And what was also wonderful is that they all got to see um Omari, their cousin, and um two of my kids live on the west coast, so it was great to have them together and to see you and seeing the pictures with you and all that stuff, and with Mari. And so that was that was one of the special parts of Christmas for me. It was so good, so so good, so good. And and you looked marvelous, marvelous.
SPEAKER_03:I may have looked marvelous, but I didn't have the red pajamas on like everybody else had.
SPEAKER_02:Listen, I told you guys that this was one of the few um Christmases where our family really planned in advance, and we planned everything, including a secret Santa. This is my Secret Santa um gift. Go Penn. And and not Penn State, but University of Pennsylvania. Um and one of the things was you had to wear something with red in it. And Leslie did not.
SPEAKER_03:I thought it was red pajamas. Everybody had on pajamas. Well, it could be red. Everybody had on pajamas.
SPEAKER_02:It could be pajamas or loungewear or something like that, just something with the red in it. My sister had the thinnest stripe of of red possible, but she pointed that out um to show that she was compliant. Right.
SPEAKER_03:See, that's what I get for sneaking into the place, right? This is what happened. Being a gate crasher.
SPEAKER_02:I should have put like a red cup or something on your head or something. Right. But anyway, yeah, it was great seeing you, and um I love those types of surprises. Um we gotta go a little um go a little faster because I feel my brain like not being able to maintain um concentration.
SPEAKER_03:It's okay. It's it's it's nice to welcome everybody. I'll ask you this before your brain completely fails. Got any resolutions, anything you're looking forward to, or anything you want to leave in 2025? How about that? Ooh, wow. I know I threw a lot at you just now.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, yeah. I'm gonna leave in 2025, not getting my flu shot. Um, that's one thing I'm gonna do. I'm gonna get all my don't get me started again. Listen, don't, don't, don't, don't do it. I've already started offering you self-control, self-control. Um getting my proper vaccines. Um, I'm definitely leaving in 2025. And I think I'm also gonna leave um some of the excuses that I've had for not maintaining a um a consistent workout, whatever that is. I already know you don't have to work out for an hour, you don't have to, you know, that doing 10 minutes three times a day or four times a day or whatever um is just as good as doing it all at once. All of those things I know to be true, but I have not consistently um made it a practice to move my body. And um, and when I do, it feels so good. And that's kind of why I knew when I was getting sick because I'd gone to the supermarket, and as I was walking, I was like, why do I feel like I worked out? Like I was feeling.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, you did say that. I said, those are body aches, and because you already told me you were having a sore throat and a headache. You're like, why do I feel worked out?
SPEAKER_02:What is this? So um, so that's definitely something I'm gonna leave in 2025. And um, yeah. And in 2026, I'm traveling, maybe some long-term travels. You guys have heard me talk about that. Um, and yeah, that's it. I'm gonna get my um make some big decisions about my life. Um, that's just a little teaser for maybe some upcoming stuff. Okay. But I'm looking forward to 2026. It's it's um it's gonna be a doozy. It's gonna be a doozy. Yeah. Who about you?
SPEAKER_03:Well, while you were speaking, I was trying to think like what would I wanna leave, you know, that I would have particular control over. And, you know, the things that I would opt in to to leave, I don't particularly have control over in terms of health and you know, um but if I had to say I would leave the way that I spend money behind in 2025. I need to be less um frivolous and more conscious, you know, especially with um my planning to transition away from working full-time and now transitioning into being a a caretaker, you know, when Omari's released from the hospital. So I think that um I would I should start making some good um different, not good or bad, but different financial habits and um and and and spending this coming year. Wow. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Awesome. For everyone except me, okay? Right, yes, exactly. I made myself laugh.
SPEAKER_03:Everyone except you, Mari, Ricardo, a family, uh this, and then you know, it starts. And oh, those shoes are lovely. Lovely. Just one more pair. I don't have that shade of blue.
SPEAKER_02:What? I must, it goes so well with my with my sweater. Yeah. By the way, nice sweater. That's really nice. Oh, thank you. That's really nice. It looked like a jacket. I'm like, Leslie's always cold, so I'm like, I am, so I'm sitting here wearing this sweater and sweater. Can you say it?
SPEAKER_03:Let's say sweater with us. Sweater. Sweater, sweater with us. Don't get off. Listen, BK at its best. Okay. Okay. Speaking of BK, let me just um I'll say something that I'm looking forward to, honestly. Yeah. New York City's new mayor, um, public advocate, and comptroller was sworn in today.
SPEAKER_00:Ah.
SPEAKER_03:And I watched the ceremonies, and I'm really looking forward to this new and different administration.
SPEAKER_02:And wow.
SPEAKER_03:Yes, yeah, quite different.
SPEAKER_02:I was gonna watch. I'm gonna watch.
SPEAKER_03:Uh Mamdan, Mam Dani is a um democratic socialist. Um, so that's gonna be different for um I I believe his ideology in terms of governance. But let me tell you what was the icing on the cake. And this we should put I'll put the link in.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah.
SPEAKER_03:Our Brooklyn Tech alum, Jamani Williams, he gave such a moving inauguration speech. Wow. And he became tearful at the end and was sobbing through it, and you know, then that made me cry. Doesn't take much. It doesn't take much. So I was just, I I gotta tell you, it was very all of the speeches were very heartfelt in a time that um with so much political division and and um just separateness. I think that the tone um was a pre I appreciated the tone of it. Yeah. You know, and how much, you know, these are all politicians. I don't know how much of what they promise can get done and all. But I think that I and New York City, we were we're looking for something different. Yeah. You know, looking for something different. So that's gonna be interesting. And then the controller, Mark Levine, I believe is his name, um, apparently, well, um I don't know the nationality of his spouse, but I know he has a son named Alejandro. And um I don't remember the name, other name of his his his other son, but I thought about Spanish at the time, and then he spoke in Spanish and in English and in Hebrew um during his inauguration. So I'm like, man, this is an interesting guy. Yeah, and um what an interesting time for New York City. So I pray that um things go well for the administration and that some of the changes that they promise for the city go forward, you know?
SPEAKER_02:Awesome, yeah.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, I'm gonna Because he has they have a lot of naysayers. So, you know, I hope things go well.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah. Okay, okay, very good. I'm gonna make sure I listen to that before I before I turn in tonight.
SPEAKER_00:Wow, yeah.
SPEAKER_02:All right, Les. Um, I'm I'm gonna I'm gonna have to pack it in because I need to go blow my nose. Listen, this is what's called jacked up.
SPEAKER_03:I yeah. But you don't look all jack up. But you know what? I'm not gonna call you fluish. I'm gonna say you're just fluid. How about that? My fluid friend. I'm sitting here making fun of your illness. But you know what? You opted not to get a vaccine. You opted not to. So let's go there.
SPEAKER_02:I know better. We're gonna go there despite.
SPEAKER_03:You know, you and I have spoken about these vaccines over the years.
SPEAKER_02:Okay. Really?
SPEAKER_03:All right, I'm not gonna go any further.
SPEAKER_02:Really? You want to start thrashing me? That's what we're doing, yeah. That's what we're doing. We're doing. I'm gonna save all of my all of my snotty tissue and melons. That's what I'm gonna do. Thank you.
SPEAKER_03:And guess what? I will laugh at them because I am flu protected. I'm glad that you're smiling and feeling better because I know you weren't. Yeah. But um I pray that you all have a wonderful new year. Yes. Bring um not just prosperity and health and weight loss and all of that stuff. That's the things that we all hear about. But I pray for myself and for you all for wisdom and discernment. Yes. Um I also pray for myself that I speak less and listen more. Wow. Um, yeah, yeah, that's some of the things that I've been thinking.
SPEAKER_00:I love that.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Um I don't know. Well, what I'll add is that um my partner has a um a routine of choosing a word of the year. Really? Um, yeah. I hope it's not six seven. Oh my god. Leslie, you're you're too you're too old. Too, too, too old. We're the same age. Yeah, as am I. Oh, oh, okay, okay. We're both too old. Listen, there's no shame. There's no shame. I I have no shame. But listen, listen, listen. Go ahead, go ahead.
SPEAKER_03:About the routine.
SPEAKER_02:So yeah, so the word. Um the word. So it's something that I used to do when I was in my corporate life. One of our leaders um would have us um choose a word of the year. And one of I was responsible for communications and for employee engagement. So I would have to plan things where people would kind of be reminded and be um kind of hold on to the principles of the of their word throughout the year, right? So you don't just set it in the beginning and then leave it. So we would embed it in the city.
SPEAKER_03:So is there one corporate word or everyone has their own individual word?
SPEAKER_02:Everyone has their own individual word.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, I get it. Okay. Right?
SPEAKER_02:Um and so I thought, yeah, I'm going to do that. Um, I'm gonna do it when I have a clearer head. It's for me, it's best to give it some deep thought about what it is that you desire for the year. What are you what are you praying for? Um, and choose the word. Um, and so I'm going to do that in a few days when my head is more clear. But that's something that I thought would be amazing that you choose your word and you kind of hold yourself accountable to that word as things come up. Well, am I, you know, if if serenity is my word and that's my partner's word, you know, what is that how I'm living out this experience? Ah, that's a good yes, yes.
SPEAKER_03:What are you doing toward that goal? And then you can call yourself on it. Exactly, exactly.
SPEAKER_02:So that is what I have to offer for um our listeners is to pick a word for 2026 that you can that really um matters to you and identifies how you want to be in your life, whether the word is balance or or um fearless, even though you know how I feel about that word. But um it could be joy, it could be um I have a word. Yeah, what's your word? Six pacabs. Oh my gosh. So so that's not that's no, that's not what we're about six pacabs. Is that one word?
SPEAKER_00:Six bagabs. Okay.
SPEAKER_02:You see what I have to do, you see what I have to deal with, right? You see, you guys, you guys, this is my life. This is my busy.
SPEAKER_03:I'm just yeah, I was just overly tired and I just said you gotta admit that's a good one word.
SPEAKER_00:It's a really good one word. It's a really good one word. Oh my god. Okay, all right.
SPEAKER_03:I'm gonna we'll we'll c I'll come up with an uh a word. Next time we come in, I'll I'll let you guys know what I'm really gonna be committed to because I'm not committed to making my abs six pack either.
SPEAKER_02:So no, so maybe uh maybe next episode we'll talk about our word and what and and those types of those types of things may be a good way to start our next episode. And it's not six six packs. I can't even say three times.
SPEAKER_00:Six backups six backups.
SPEAKER_03:Is it cake? How about cake? You know how I'm committed to cake though. That I can stick to.
SPEAKER_00:Leslie. Oh my gosh, please can we end this night?
SPEAKER_03:All right, this has been another episode of Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn.
