Good-Bye to 2007

Peaceful greetings, Loyal Readers.

Even tho we still don't have phone service at home, after months of broken promises and missed commitments, I had to find a way to post today. I needed to thank those of you who have let me know that this blog has either touched them in some special way or helped them to learn something new.

My prayer for you in 2008 is that your heart is filled with joy, love, and compassion. May your mind and heart remain open to itinual spiritual growth. May you enjoy abundant good health each day that comes.

Here is hoping 2008 brings more prayer warriors on board to heal this world with love!

Chaos & Wutless aka Cable & Wireless

Mi vex till mi blood coulda boil!

You Loyal Readers know that I have been without phone service at home for over a month now. I was calling the Cable & Wireless repair department every week until one very sarcastic clerk told me that I may as well stop calling.

When I saw a full page Cable & Wireless ad in the Star listing various rural districts and associated repair dates I complied with her request and stopped calling repair. Our district was to have been restored on Monday, November 26th. Waiting a full week beyond that date, I call repair again, only to be told they are doing THE BEST THEY CAN!

My next step was a call to the regulatory body, O.U.R. (Office of Utility Regulation) What a farce! On a Monday morning I am assured that someone will look into the matter and contact me by close of business. If they called me, they called you first!

So on Wednesday I call back to O.U.R. to be told that the reason they didn't call me back was that Cable & Wireless had published a new repair schedule and they thought I would have seen it. No, I didn't see it. So, when can I expect service again?

According to Mr. Williams at the OUR, Cable & Wireless has FAITHFULLY PROMISED to have all land lines restored by DECEMBER 31ST! A promise is a comfort to a fool and I am not comforted. In fact, I am incensed at the corporate crap being fed to the Jamaican public. We deserve better!

Now, to add insult to injury, I find out that because I can't get to the internet cafe often enough, my e-mail inbox exceeded the quota and they have been bouncing back my incoming e-mails to the senders! All my newsletter subscriptions have been canceled, as well! Vexation 'pon toppa vexation!

I resent being held hostage by a cruff corporation!

Lady Roots Is A Featured Designer!

I was delighted to see one of my necklace designs featured on an fantastic site, Beading Gem's Journal.

Sistren P and I have shared several e-mails and she expressed an interest in featuring one of my other pieces. Since I haven't been able to get to the internet regularly, I didn't know she had put up this one for her readers to see.

Since I read her site as often as I can, I have to admit, seeing my work there was a thrill. She features jewelry designers from around the world. I am honoured to be included with some amazing designers.

Down, But Not Out!

Let me start by giving thanks for my life! I have been lifted from the depths by Jah.

Last week I was feverish, nauseated, achy and praying that I had the flu and not dengue fever. God must have howled with laughter when he heard me praying for the flu.

Well, He answered my prayer and it was the flu, not dengue fever.

But, the cosmic joke was still yet to come. A combination of running belly from the flu and severe night sweats caused me to throw my fluid and electrolyte levels out of balance. As a result, I fainted in the bathroom and fell flat down on my face on the tiles.

Crack! Blood everywhere! Gruesome scene!

And I scared my dear husband who was the one to find me on the bathroom floor. But after a Doctor's exam and facial X-rays at Mandeville Radiology, I have been given a clean bill of health. No broken bones, no broken teeth and no signs of concussion. Just a badly split lip and a ding in the side of my nose to remind me of the occasion.

Thank you, Father Jah, for protecting me from a more serious injury!

Fiesta 2

Not having phone or internet service at home has left me with lots of time to bead. That will have to be my silver lining in this cloud of corporate inefficiency.


When I called Cable & Wireless (Chaos & Wutless) again this morning they confirmed the records reflect that I have been without service since last month. Then they tell me that the problem was given to a technician on November 2nd! Today is the 14th and not a sign of the tech anywhere!



So this is what I have been doing in the mean time. This set includes a fringed peyote bracelet with beaded toggle clasp, brick stitch earrings and an adjustable peyote choker.

I made the bracelet last year. After seeing it worn alone, I felt it needed some companion pieces. Thankfully, so did the bracelet's owner! So I did the earrings and choker to complete the set.

I wish you could see how vibrant the colours are against her beautiful chocolate skin! Di colours dem jus' a shock out!

No Excuses, Just Facts

Since the passage of Tropical Storm Noel last week, I haven't been blogging regularly because we didn't have power for two days. After power is restored, we usually get phone service back within a day. This time we have been without phone service for over a week. Our local phone company, Cable & Wireless, also known as Chaos & Wutless, has advised that they will "add me to the list". No estimated date for clearing the trouble, no commitment to come to the house to check anything...just a promise to "add me to the list".

I have been driving an hour thru the mountains into Mandeville to use a computer at an internet cafe to moderate and respond to shared thoughts and to post the blog. With the recent hike of the price of gas, I don't know how long I can afford that.

I am very grateful to those of you who stop by to visit and I am thrilled when you share your thoughts. Please come back soon, Loyal Reader.

Google AdSense Update

As some of you Loyal Readers now know, my Google AdSense account was disabled last month. I filed the appeal and was advised I would get an e-mail response within 48 hours.

Not that I am surprised, but Google AdSense did not even bother to reply to my appeal at all! With no chance to defend myself, I have been branded a cheat by Google AdSense. Not a nice feeling to be unjustly accused.

I know that I did not do anything to violate their terms or conditions. My mind is at peace on that matter. So, rather that wait for them to decide what to do with me, I have decided what to do with them.

I have deleted all Google Ads and will continue to blog anyway.

Who the builder refuse, shall be the head cornerstone!

I thank all of you who visit, who share your thoughts and who lift me up in prayer.

Fiesta!

This was my first attempt at the Celini spiral stitch. Keeping an even thread tension is vital to maintaining the spiral shape. The lady who ordered the set says it slips right on to her wrist.

After this scan was taken, I made 14ktgf earwires for the earrings.

From An Humble Beginning

Since I am so at peace when I bead, it isn't often that I make pieces of handcrafted jewelry that don't involve one or more beadweaving stitches. Here is a look at one of those pieces.

This is a substantial piece that would overpower a tiny woman. The two aquarium glass stones that provide dimension and definition are separated by an elevated ridge. The cuff is just under two inches wide. Tiny globes of glass cover the outer edges of the cuff. In spite of it's heavy look, it is light and easy to wear. Most people who have seen it, ask if it is made from bamboo.
Yes, I know, the picture is rather dark, but I am hoping you can at least get a feel for how the cuff looks. This piece is too thick to scan well and the digital camera and I are not always on speaking terms. Sometimes it co-operates, sometimes not. And life goes on.

As much as I like the compliments I receive when I wear it, I like even more that it started life as something most people would throw away. The base of the cuff is the cardboard core from a roll of industrial packing tape. Multiple layers of red, gold and copper lacquer shine with an richness that easily hides the humble beginnings of this bracelet.

Thank you, Jah, for showing me how to "Tun han', mek fashion." ("Turn hand, make fashion." Translation: Take what little I have and make something better out of it.)




More recycled jewelry

Google AdSense Account Disabled

Time out for an ugly reality check.

I have been working diligently to build a valid readership for this blog. I have followed the steps recommended to build regular traffic flow to my blog. I have joined forums, read & commented on other blogs, added links to sites I would want my readers to enjoy, sent pings via Pingoat.com and technorati.com each time I update, and have added my blog URL to my email signature.

Watching my readership slowly, but steadily grow has been an accomplishment for me. Now I get a bucket of ice cold water dashed over my head. Recently I received an email from Google AdSense advising that my account has been disabled. This is part of their post:

"It has come to our attention that invalid clicks and/or impressions have been generated on the Google ads on your site(s). We have therefore disabled your Google AdSense account. Please understand that this was a necessary step to protect the interests of AdWords advertisers.

As you may know, a publisher's site may not have invalid clicks or impressions on any ad(s), including but not limited to clicks and/or impressions generated by:

- a publisher on his own web pages
- a publisher encouraging others to click on his ads
- automated clicking or surfing programs, or any other deceptive
software
- a publisher altering any portion of the ad code or changing the
layout, behavior, targeting, or delivery of ads for any reason

These or any other such activities that violate Google AdSense Terms
and Conditions and program polices may have led us to disable your
account."

I know that I have done nothing to violate the terms and conditions of their program, but am now at their mercy because you only get one appeal and if that is denied you are just kicked to the curb. End of discussion AND they keep all the money earned so far. It is frustrating to play by the rules and still be branded a cheater. I filled out the appeal form and am awaiting their response.

If anyone, in a misguided attempt to help me, has set up any type of automated clicking or surfing program on my behalf, please remove me from it. At an exchange rate of JA$71.15 to US$1, for every $5.00 dollars of Google ad revenue lost, that actually means a loss of $355.75 to me here in Jamaica. For someone without a job, that means a lot.

If you stop by one day and don't see the Google ads any more, you know my appeal was denied.

Thanks, Loyal Readers, for visiting, for reading, for commenting, for subscribing and for returning again.

No Artist Like His Majesty

Faux Jade Donut Choker

This choker incorporates multiple stitch types. The focal piece is a green faux jade donut. The right side of the choker is a peyote stitched band with picot edging on the top and a netting stitch on the bottom. The left side of the choker is alternating segments of square stitching and stringing.

The closure is adjustable since the crystals used for the toggle can be inserted into one of five different segments of the closure loop.

I am usually drawn to a more symetrical shape for necklaces, but this one just didn't work out that way this time. Each time I do something different and it works out, I feel so empowered.

Thank you, Jah!

My Former License Plate

Red and Gold Anklet Re-Do

Wearing an anklet makes me feel feminine.

The first version of this anklet looked OK laid out flat on the scanner bed, but it did not "wear well". The red picot edges stood out from my ankle, rather than hang down as intended.

I added another row of netting, alternating the length of the drops. It lays much better on my ankle now. I enjoy wearing it and I enjoy the compliments I get, too.

He Now Sings With The Ancients

The world's choir lost a powerful voice with the death of a reggae icon, Lucky Dube, in South Africa on Thursday. He was shot during a carjacking in Johannesburg, South Africa. His death leaves seven children, Bongi, Nonkululeko, Thokozani, Laura, Siyanda, Philani and three-month old Melokuhle fatherless and a world of devoted fans devastated.

If you aren't familiar with his music, a good place to start is with Rastas Never Die and Think About the Children. Over a 25 year career, he has many more albums to his credit.

Zulu Farewell - NIHAMBE KAHLE, Lucky.
English translation - GO WELL, Lucky.
Patois translation - WALK GOOD, Lucky.

No matter how you bid him farewell, please say a prayer for his widow, Zanele, and for his children.

Lift your voice, Lucky, and continue to spread your message of truth and love as you now sing with The Ancients. Walk good, Lucky, and may only good duppy falla backa yu!

More Aquarium Glass

This set was beaded for a lovely lady who is one of my technology clients. I hope she enjoys wearing it as much as I enjoyed creating it for her.

The focal beads are aquarium glass stones set into a delica bead net. The net is open on the front and back, so you can see straight thru both pieces. The pendant bail and the bracelet band are peyote stitched in gold and pearlescent white delicas. The magnetic clasp ends are hidden in a peyote stitched tube of delicas.

The tiny, uniform size of the delica beads give this aquarium glass set a formal, yet dainty look. The other set I made using aquarium glass has a more substantial, informal look caused by the larger, irregularly shaped seed beads.

Free Rice

Recently I stumbled upon, this website, Free Rice, which has two goals. One is to teach English vocabulary and the other is to feed hungry people. Each goal alone is admirable, but to have found a way to combine both is remarkable.

You are given a word and four possible definitions. You click to choose the correct answer. For each correct answer, 10 grains of rice will be donated to feed the hungry thru an international aid agency.

The words start off easy and as you continue to get the answers correct, the words get progressively more difficult. I found myself pulling out my Webster's dictionary so I could keep going. The FAQ's say there are 50 levels, but most folks don't get over 48. I think I will accept that challenge. How can I possibly loose? Gain for the brain and feeding the hungry at the same time.

Any one else up for the challenge?

Jamaica's National Heroes Day

Monday, October 15, 2007, is National Heroes Day in Jamaica. This is a day for honouring our ancestors whose past struggles have made our future struggles easier.

Can you name our Jamaican national heroes?

In alphabetical order, they are:

Paul Bogle
Sir Alexander Bustamante
Marcus Mosiah Garvey
George William Gordon
Norman Washington Manley
Nanny of the Maroons
Sam Sharpe

I know I cannot be the only one who noticed that not one professional athlete, musician or dance hall sensation is on the list. Who are our heroes and sheroes of today? Who are our modern day nation-builders?

There has been much public discourse on whether Miss Lou (Louise Bennett-Coverly) or Bob Marley (Robert Nesta Marley) should be designated as National Hero.

Who would you consider to be worthy to have their name added to the list of our Jamaican national heroes?

Nothing Says Love

Zig Zag Brick Stitch

It seems as if the blue phase is finally over.


This brick stitch zig zag bracelet is made with matte delica beads. It is 8 inches long and closes with two snaps. Increasing and then decreasing every seven rows is what creates the zig zag shape. When worn, the two snaps disappear underneath the band.

Acknowledging MediaFire.com

I consider this to be a public service announcement for my readers. I want to share with you. Their tagline, Free File Hosting Made Simple, is on-target. It is simple, free and customizable. While uploading files, you can view the upload progress, speed, and estimated time to complete the upload.

When I begin blogging here, I was concerned that I might quickly use up the image storage limit imposed by blogger.com, since I post pictures of my beadwork. When using to host the images, I don't use the blogger.com allotment. I hope this works as well for you as it does for me.

And, don't think that only bloggers can benefit from . It is a great way to share pictures with family and friends around the world. Let me know if you try it.

I C E

Do you carry a cell phone? You probably have the numbers of friends, family members, business contacts and service providers keyed into your phonebook. Some of them are probably even on your speed dialing list.

But, if you were unable to communicate with police or emergency medical personnel, how would they know which of the many numbers they should call?

PLEASE ADD ANOTHER ENTRY INTO YOUR CELLL PHONE NUMBER LIST.

Use the initials ICE and the number of the person who should be contacted in case of an emergency. Use the entry ICE2, ICE3, etc for additional contact numbers.

It is not like me to ever suggest you do anything that would take you away from reading Voice From Jamaica, but for right now, I want you to get up from the computer, pick up your cell phone and program in your ICE number now! Then come on back, browse some more, read some previous posts, subscribe if you haven't already and then leave a comment. Please let the comment be your confirmation that ICE is now in your phone.

I don't remember who sent me the original email with this idea in it, but I think it is a great one. Please encourage your loved ones to consider this. Also, find out if the police and emergency personnel in your area are trained to look for ICE. If not, educate them to do so.

Your safety, Adored Reader, is important to me!

The Four Agreements

According to Don Miguel Ruiz, “Everything we do is based on agreements we have made - agreements with ourselves, with other people, with God, with life. But the most important agreements are the ones we make with ourselves. In these agreements we tell ourselves who we are, how to behave, what is possible, what is impossible.”

Don Miguel Ruiz, born in rural Mexico, was raised in the Toltec traditions. He pursued a conventional education, which allowed him to practice for several years as a surgeon. After an accident, Don Miguel returned to his family’s Toltec roots in the late 1970's, studying and learning the Toltec ways. During the 80's and 90’s, while healing, teaching, lecturing and writing, he wrote The Four Agreements, a code for life and a template for personal development.

This is how Don Miguel Ruiz summarises 'The Four Agreements':

agreement 1
Be impeccable with your word - Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

agreement 2
Don’t take anything personally - Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

agreement 3
Don’t make assumptions - Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

agreement 4
Always do your best - Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

Seems so simple on the surface, but what emotional maturity and courage it would take to actually live by The Four Agreements. Agreements 2 and 4 will be the hardest for me, but I know the effort will be worth it.

Which would be hardest for you?

Blue Mood From A Beading Muse - Pt 4

Isn't it great how the blue phase is ending at about the same time as my stash of blue beads?

A three-bead wide ladder stitch of silver-lined clear size 6s creates the band for this bracelet. The looped embellished edge gives dimension to the piece while protecting the edge threads forming the base. The toggle clasp is made from two acrylic buttons and the closure loop is created from seed beads and the size 6 base beads.

The patterns in this one didn't scan well. There are spirals, stripes and bands of blue and crystal seed beads peyote stitched around a metal ring.

Blue Mood - Pt 1
Blue Mood - Pt 2
Blue Mood - Pt 3

Prayer Warriors Needed

Calling out to all Prayer Warriors! One of my sisters sent the message below on behalf of her son. Identifiable information has been replaced with initials or ****. We are strong believers in the power of earnest prayer. I am asking that you grant my sister's request and please join our prayer circle to fervently pray for her son, DTD. This was her e-mail:

It has been a rough and complicated past few years for DTD. He submitted his resume to ** yesterday. He is applying for a FT, DT, OPT, or ST position. He is equipped to handle any of the positions as far as education, experience, and knowledge. I am proud of his accomplishments, determination, perseverance and resilience. Please, I ask you all to join in one accord, with me, in your own separate times of prayer, for DTD to receive peace for his mind, stillness for his heart while he is waiting to hear, and guidance for his spirit while continuing on his current journey. I thank you all for your support, thoughts and prayers on behalf of DTD.

Now, I am going to ask that you add to her prayer. She and her husband need to sell their house in southeast Florida, USA. They relocated to another part of the state for employment reasons. Please pray that the right family with the right resources selects their house to buy very soon!
They need relief from the mortgage payment.

If you, Adored Reader, are by chance interested in buying a house in Broward County, Florida, USA, just post a comment with your contact details and I will send you the information about the house. Since I moderate all comments before they appear, just advise within the comment if you want me to delete your comment without letting it appear for public viewing. If you do not specifically request me to delete the comment, it will be posted. (Unless it has nastiness in it.)

If each of you that read this will ask at least three others to pray with us and ask them to ask at least three others to pray and ask an additional three, we can have a powerful prayer team in action. (I suggest three because not every one knows three praying people. If you know more, then by all means, ask more to pray.) Many thanks to each of you who join us in this prayer request. The little envelope below the post allows you to email this to a friend.

Only In _____________

While I would love to give proper credit to the photographers who took these pictures, I can't. I got them via email from someone who got them via email from someone who got them via... well, you get the idea. I liked them and wanted to share them.

Only in China

Only in Thailand


Only in Texas

Only in America

Blue Mood From A Beading Muse - Pt 3

More blue from the Muse. My mood isn't blue, I feel wonderful! By the time this particular phase is over, I probably won't have a blue bead left.

Thank you, Jah, for the gift of beadweaving. It soothes me, inspires me, and helps me to see the beauty in tiny things. It requires patience, focus, and diligence; all areas I am working on.

Branch fringe creates and decorates this bracelet. The beaded and fringed toggle clasp blends into the design.

This spiral stitch bracelet has the Muse's blue as the core, with clear beads forming the spiral. The toggle clasp was made using 3 bicone beads connected with a beaded ridge between each one.

Blue Mood Part 1
Blue Mood Part 2

Blue Mood Part 4

Blue Mood From A Beading Muse - Pt 2

Another blue piece. This is a peyote band embellished with picot edging and a ruffled loop down the center of the band. The toggle clasp is a clear acrylic button.

(Click the image for a larger view.)

This view shows the 3-D effect of the looped embellishment along the band.

Blue Mood Part 1
Blue Mood Part 3
Blue Mood Part 4

Blue Mood From A Beading Muse - Pt 1

Often the "Beading Muse" will take control to direct not only the style, pattern and design of the current piece, but the color as well. I do not own a single article of clothing in this shade of blue. But, as you will see over the next few days, the Muse has definitely taken me into a Blue Mood.

The band is Ndebele beadwork, with a focal piece of glass stone encased in netting. The front is open and the back is completely covered by the net. The toggle clasp is a peyote tube with bicone beads at each end.

The picture below shows the bracelet with the toggle closed. Wierd angle, I know, but you can at least see a different view of it.

Blue Mood Part 2

Blue Mood Part 3
Blue Mood Part 4

From Jamaica to the Yukon

Devon Anderson is presently Jamaica's only musher. His incredible story begins with a job at Chukka Caribbean Adventure. Now he is preparing to compete in the 2009 Yukon Quest.

This is the kind of news our Jamaican children need to see. Help them to learn that their beginning does not have to preordain their end. Determination, enthusiasm, and the courage to move forward in the face of fear are traits that we need to nurture in our nation's future leaders.

A nation that produces the likes of Devon Anderson and Barrington Irving, Jr. can not be considered third world. "Wi likkle, but wi TALLAWAH!" (Translation: We may be a small nation, but we have world-wide impact.)

Big Up and Nuff Ras-pect to Yardies thru out the Diaspora who make us proud!

For My Beloved

I am frequently asked if I create beadwork for men. Here are photos of a bracelet I beaded for my kingman (husband). The band is stitched in N'debele, the end tabs are brick stitch and the clasp is magnetic.

What Counts?

Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. Albert Einstein

What counts in your life?

I am so thankful that I have lived long enough to let go of things that I previously believed I could not live without. What is precious to me today, I did not even have the wisdom to notice before. Thank you, Father Jah, for every new day. Thank you for allowing me to grow closer to You.

Thanks for the Jumpstart!

During the first few days after Hurricane Dean, I was creatively paralyzed. I needed the calming therapy of beading, but inspiration eluded me.

I found a great bracelet design in the June 2006 issue of Bead and Button magazine by Jill Wiseman. It is created with bugle beads and seed beads in a tubular Ndebele stitch. (In the article she uses the term Herringbone stitch; I prefer Ndebele.) Her website is fun to visit. Her email is jill@tapestrybeads.com.

(Right click on any thumbnail to open a larger image. Select Open in New Window.)

On the bracelet above, I modified the design by inserting a row of darker brown seed beads between the gold seed beads. Instead of the peyote toggle, I used a brown crystal bead as the toggle and peyote-stitched several rows on the closure loop.

On this one, I only put one row of seed beads between the bugle beads. The toggle was created from both beads used in the bracelet band.

I had not played with my stash of bugle beads for some time, but was happy to get back to them after a long absence. Here are two other bracelets, both using bugle beads that I was inspired to do from the same article.

The red and gold bracelet is done in flat Ndebele, rather than tubular. The brown and gold one is done in a combination of ladder stitch and brick stitch.

I prefer making my own toggles, but sometimes I do use a manufactured clasp.

Thanks, Jill, for the jumpstart. I think I can take it from here.

You Can See The Star!

I think I finally got it! Using the macro button on the camera did not allow a close enough shot to show the shape of the star at the end of the beaded toggle. This will open an image of the entire bracelet in a different window.

After numerous disappointments with the camera, I decided to try the flatbed scanner. With the lid down, it got the correct lighting, but the toggle would always pull to the side, distorting the angle, so the star did not show.

My last inspiration was to use the scanner, but leave the lid up. I am not sure how I feel about the dark background, but I am delighted I found a way to show you the star shape.

Mis-Educating Mi Gran-Pickney

Swallowing repeatedly, counting to ten, clenching/unclenching my fingers and taking deep cleansing breaths in an attempt to calm my warring emotions do not seem to be having the desired effect.

So, I am asking Father Jah to guide my tongue and help me speak only wisdom, truth and love; rebuking the anger that continues to rise in me.

The irrational, ungoverned, primal urge inna mi belly bottom wants to BLAZE FIRE ‘pon di rankin’ eeeediot dat mis-teaching mi gran-pickney ova foreign. (Translation for non-patois speakers: I am angry that uninformed minds are in a position of authority over my grandchild in America.)

The wise, mature, loving, grandmother-who-wants-to-set-a-good-example-for-her side of me needs to find a way to 1) correct the misinformation she was given 2) applaud her courage 3) help her learn kindness when dealing with mental midgets 4) minimize the effect that small minds can have on her development.

My granddaughter proudly wore one of my beaded bracelets to school.

It has the Jamaican flag on either side of her name.

Her teacher called her to his desk to tell her the bracelet promotes and advocates the smoking of marijuana! She is 12…soon to be 13 and a valiant warrioress-in-training. In what must have been an infuriating tone of voice she informed him that the bracelet was to show that she had lots of culture and since her GranMa made it, she would be wearing it.

Thanks, sweet girl, for standing up for GranMa. When we are faced with ignorance, we must meet it with the truth, with love and with a spirit that seeks only to increase understanding.

Any suggestions on how to handle this?

Aquarium Glass

Both the pendant and the bracelet were constructed of netting around small aquarium stones. The pendant stones measure 7/8 inch wide and the bracelet stones are 1 inch wide.

The bracelet band is tubular Ndebele. The toggle is made from two of the aquarium stones encased in RAW (right angle weave), peyote and netting stitches. The weight of the three center stones required that I use at least two of the stones in the toggle for balance. Otherwise, the bracelet kept sliding around on my wrist, so that the center stones were underneath my arm, not on top, as intended.

I could not find a way to get a picture of the bottom of the toggle. It is a netted Star of David. I will keep trying and if I manage to get a good shot, I will post it. ****UPDATE****LOOK! I think I got it!

Many thanks are due to those of you who continue to visit here, even when circumstances prevent me from blogging daily. We have not yet had 48 consecutive hours of electricity since the passage of Hurricane Dean last month. But when I can get on-line, I will blog.

Comments welcomed, subscribers adored!!!

More Aquarium Glass

It Appears to be Bruce

From all indications, Bruce Golding will be the next Prime Minister of Jamaica. The EOJ (Electoral Office of Jamaica) has announced 32 seats for the
JLP (Jamaica Labour Party) and 28 seats for the PNP (People's National Party).

The current Prime Minister, The Honourable Portia Lucretia Simpson-Miller, has accepted the EOJ announcement, while continuing to retain all rights under the Jamaican Constitution.

There will certainly be legal actions taken relating to questionable allegiences and American citizenship of certain candidates.

1st Official Act of the JLP

Upgraded technology to be installed in all Jamaican Government Offices, as mandated by the soon-to-be-confirmed new ruling party, the JLP.

Too Close To Call

Our General Election for Jamaican Prime Minister was held on Monday, September 3, 2007 and we still do not know who will lead our government for the next term.

Pending ballot recounts, eligibility issues related to American citizenship and the fact that no one wants to conceed defeat has left us with results that are too close to call.

I will keep you posted.

ZigZag Peyote Bracelet

This 1 and 2-drop peyote stitch bracelet receives attention and comments whenever I wear it. The beads include white pearlescent and hematite delicas, size 8 hematite hex cuts, and size 3 matte black and hematite cylinder beads. The toggle is a wooden bead covered with delicas in peyote stitch and a peyote closure loop. It is 1.25 inches wide and 7.75 inches long.

Even using the macro setting on the digital camera, I could not get a clear shot that shows the raised effect created by using the three different sizes of beads. It it a very textural bracelet I enjoy wearing.

Out of the Darkness

Giving thanks and praises to Our Heavenly Father, Jah Rastafari, who has kept us safe during perilous times!

I want to say thank you to all those who covered us in your prayers of guidance and protection. Psalms were chanted, bibles were read, prayers were whispered and shouted, chalices were lit and drums were beaten. Jah heard the pleas of all you Prayer Warriors and we were spared.

JPS (Jamaica Public Service) has just restored power to our tiny, rural, south coast district. Just in time for tomorrow's General Election here in Jamaica.

We survived Hurricane Dean's passing two weeks ago and have spent that time putting things back together, as best we can. We suffered major water damage, but did not lose the roof, like many of our neighbours.

All the animals survived this time, but we lost the trees - ackee, banana, coconut, otahitie apple, sweet sop, sour sop, pear (avocado), lime, sour orange, june plum, and the sweet mango. I am so thankful that the robin mango tree from my husband's childhood survived. She lost many branches and sustained severe damage to one side, but she is a survivor and will hopefully outlast my grandchildren's great, great-grandchildren's grandchildren.

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Selah.

10 am Deadline

It is now 9:50 am and JPS (Jamaica Public Service) has announced a 10AM power cut to protect their network. Both satellite dishes have been disconnected and taken down from the roof, so no CNN for awhile. CWJ (Cable and Wireless, Jamaica) has managed dial-up speeds this morning of only 4.8 and 14.4 kpbs. It took over 5 minutes for the blogger.com sign-in page to load. Hope this gets posted B4 the power is cut.

I've spoken with family both here in Jamaica and abroad, trying to assure them we are as ready and prepared as we can be. We were offered shelter in several homes in Florida, but we both feel strongly that we need to be here, together, facing what comes.

My husband has taken all possible safety precautions to secure our home (and his brother's) and minimize damage. Now we must see what comes.

We should not attribute this to an ACT OF GOD. He flooded the world once to show His extreme displeasure with our disobedient behaviour. He also promised that He would not send another flood as punishment. IT WILL BE FIRE NEXT TIME!!! Bad weather is nature-driven, often caused by man's disrespect of the environment.

Continue to pray for our island and all those in the path of Dean.

Jah guide and protect!

Unwanted Visitor

It is now 2:07 pm on Saturday in Jamaica. We are getting ready for Hurricane Dean. My husband and several young men from the district are putting up the pre-cut plywood forms that fit over the windows in anticipation of Dean's arrival tomorrow morning. It makes the inside of the house dark and it blocks the cooling mountain breezes. But as we have seen in past hurricanes, it dramatically cuts down on the wind and rain damage.

UPDATE - It is now 4:05 pm and the weather is turning angry. Dark clouds gathering, thunder grumbling under it's breath in the distant mountainside. The pounding of hammers comes in quadrophonic sound from the valley below us, the slopes on either side of us and from further up the mountain. The people who live around us, most of them my husband's family, have been thru hurricanes before. We batten down what we can, pray fervently and then deal with the reality of what the coming morning brings.

Depending on the level of destruction, we will probably be without power and phone service for a while. This is the most recent info I could find. Click the (CNN)-- link for current updates. Please cover us with your prayers as we wait for our unwanted visitor. Once the danger has past and we plug back up, I will blog again.

Jah, guide and protect!

(CNN)--Hurricane Dean intensified Saturday as it muscled across the Caribbean and headed toward a dangerous rendezvous Sunday with Jamaica.
Forecasters fear Dean will be a destructive Category 5 monster packing 155 mph winds by then.Saturday morning, as Dean roiled the open waters south of Puerto Rico, the storm's maximum sustained winds neared 150 mph with higher gusts, putting it at Category 4 intensity and making it the strongest storm so far of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season.

Celebrate Marcus Mosiah Garvey's EarthStrong

"Don't remove the kinks from your HAIR.
Remove them from your BRAIN."
-- The HonorableMarcus Mosiah Garvey[1887-1940]

Today is the EarthStrong of the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, who was born in St. Ann's Bay parish of St. Ann on August 17, 1887. Sites that give you access to his works will help you to understand his commitment to the upliftment of Black people across the world.

Additional links of interest:
The Official Site
Historical Facts
Black Unification Network

Let us honour the ancestors who struggled against odds we can only imagine.

Wigton Wind Farm

Wigton wind farm in the parish of Manchester is Jamaica’s first wind energy project. The 23-turbine scheme, with an installed capacity of 20MW, was built by RES for Wigton Wind Farm Ltd, a subsidiary of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ).

The Terms of Reference for conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Wigton Wind Farm are here.

How electricity can be generated from wind power is explained with labeled diagrams showing the parts of the machinery used.

Wind energy, as part of a diverse renewable energy portfolio can make an enormous contribution to our national energy security and help meet rising demands in a sustainable way.

Wind Chime in a Mango Tree

I am so blessed to live in Jamaica. This is the windchime that hangs from our mango tree. It has a deep chiming sound that reminds me of cathedral bells. My husband ate mangoes from this tree as a child.

This is a view of our side yard.

This is the view from our front verandah (porch for American readers). See what I mean about being blessed?