Bountiful Basket

While recovering, I find myself struggling to remain in a positive frame of mind.

If not careful, while confined to the wheelchair, I tend to create lists of "what I can't do" or "what I miss". (showers, swimming in the ocean, dancing, standing face-to-face with my husband, working out with him in our gym, driving, walking from room to room in the house, I could go on and on)

Instead of whining, I am going to say Thank You, Jah, for bountiful blessings. We had the JA$750,000 required for the surgery and post-op care. I was lead to a doctor who sucessfully reconstructed my ankle. I am healing without major complications. I have received cards, calls, prayers, white light healing love, visits, e-mails and this bountiful basket of tangerines to remind me how very loved I am.

My husband has been magnificent thru this entire challenge. Not only has he cared for me in every way, but has done it with an amazing spirit of love. No bad face, no rolling of the eyes, no teet' kissin', not a sign of reluctance or repulsion. Once again, he's proven himself to be a KEEPER.

As I trod this path of recovery, let me remember to give I-tinual thanks to Jah, who blesses me in such abundance and who walks by my side.

Friends of Jamaica

The hummingbird graphic in the left column was painted by my dear friend, Leslie.

She is a long-time friend of Jamaica and has touched the lives of many Jamaicans firsthand. On her blog, Flowers of Life, she has asked her readers to put this fund raising graphic on their blogs for the next few weeks.

For you, Sistren Leslie, and all you do to increase the goodness in our I-niverse, I give thanks.

Why Is It That A Black Man...?

This was sent to me in an e-mail by a vibrant young sistren who has a special place in my heart. She is living and working in America for now, but I hope, over time, she and her husband will return home to Jamaica.

"Why is it that a Black Man can create a filament (electric light - Lewis Latimer) that allows people to see in the dark, but can't be seen fit to lead a country to the light?

Why is it that a Black Man can create an instrument (clock – Benjamin Banneker) that people use to tell time, but people don't think it is time for him to run a country?

Why is it that a Black Man can design a place for the high authorities to meet in & a place for the President to live in (The Capital & the White House - Phillip Reid, a slave & Pierre L'Enfant), but not good enough to lead these meetings or live in himself?

Why is it that a Black Man was brilliant enough to do the first open heart surgery (Dr. Daniel Hale Williams) and show the world how to get and preserve plasma (Dr. Charles Drew), but not good enough to put a program in place where everyone can afford this surgery?

Why is it that a Black Man was creative enough to design an instrument (traffic light - Garrett Morgan) to bring multiple people (traffic) to a halt, but not seen to be creative enough to design a plan to bring all this unnecessary and worthless fighting between countries to an end?

Why is it that a Black Man could create the soles (shoes - Jan Matzeliger) that people walk on everyday, but not be seen good enough to fill the shoes of a bad president?

Why is it that a Black Man was smart enough & brave enough to teach himself (Fredrick Douglas & Thomas Fuller - both slaves) and others how to read, write and/or calculate math, but not seen as smart enough and bold enough to calculate a platform to be President of a country that sure needs another first by us?

So you see, my Brothers (Idrens) and Sisters (Sistren), what I am saying is, let us not forget our past, which led us to our present and can definitely be the backbone to our future. We were good enough, smart enough, creative enough, and bold enough then, so let’s all give Obama the chance to show that we are still these things and more. We all are as strong as our weakest link. Don't be the weak link that denies our people the chance to show we still can OVERCOME & BE THE FIRST."

Lady Roots believes that every one of the questions above can be answered with one word. Anyone care to guess what that word is?

2008 Olympic Wrap-Up

Jamaica earned eleven medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics; six gold, three silver and two bronze. We broke world records and Olympic records.

During the games, I featured only our gold medal winners. (The one exception to that was the dual silver medal won at the same time we won a gold.) That was in no way a slight to our athletes who earned silver or bronze medals. Instead, I wanted to focus on the best of the best, which in the Olympics is GOLD.

Now it is time to catalog our entire Olympic success story. We have so much to celebrate! Our Jamaican athletes made the world sit up and take note. I only hope our victories don't cause the Olympic Committee to put yam, dasheen and dumpling on the banned substance list!

GOLD:
Usain Bolt - Men's 100m
Usain Bolt - Men's 200m
Shelly Ann Fraser - Women's 100m
Melaine Walker - Women's 400m Hurdle
Veronica Campbell Brown - Women's 200m
Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell - Men's 400m Relay
SILVER:
Sherone Simpson - Women's 100m
Kerron Stewart - Women's 100m

Shericka Williams - Women's 400m
BRONZE:
Kerron Stewart - Women's 200m
Shericka Williams, Shereefa Lloyd, Rosemarie Whyte, Novelene Williams - Women's 400m Relay

Congratulations to our athletes, to their parents, and their coaches!

Carter, Frater, Bolt and Powell Win Gold

(Powell, Carter, Bolt, Frater)

Our Jamaican men's 4X100m relay team has won a gold medal for the first time in our history while setting a new world record.

Nesta Carter, age 22; Michael Frater, age 26; Usain Bolt, age 22; and Asafa Powell, age 25 have earned Jamaica's 6th gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Usain Bolt encourages Asafa Powell to run! Him seh, "Nuh linger!"

Veronica Campbell Brown Wins 200m Gold

At 26, Veronica Campbell-Brown has defended her 200m title while setting a personal best record and winning the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

This completes a Jamaican gold medal sweep of the men's and women's 100m and 200m events.

Jah, please let our nation work for peace and national prosperity with as much dedication and focus as our athletes have worked for their Olympic successes.

Usain Unleashes Another Bolt of Lightening

No grand-standing, no loss of focus, no chest slapping, no slowing down before the finish line this time.

Just a new world record set by a Jamaican athlete who has run his way into history.

Usain Bolt set records and won gold medals in both the men's 100m and 200m events at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Blessed 22nd EarthStrong, Idren Usain! You have won the heart of every Jamaican around the world.

Shelly-Ann Fraser Wins The Gold

At 21 years of age, Shelly-Ann Fraser won a gold medal for Jamaica in the women's 100m at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Because her team-mates, Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart, tied for second place, Olympic history was made. No other country in the world has had three athletes on the medal podium for the 100m event.

When Shelly-Ann was asked to reveal the secret of the team's success and she replied, "Reggae Power!"

Again, we thank you, Jah, for the courage and dedication of our Jamaican athletes who are making all Jamaicans feel proud.

Shelly-Ann, left; Kerron, center; Sherone, right

(The delay in getting this posted is courtesy of Tropical Storm Fay and JPS, Jamaica Powerless Service. We have had no electricity.)

Usain Bolt Wins The Gold

At 21 years of age, Usain Bolt won a gold medal for Jamaica in the men's 100m at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Setting a record and making Jamaicans around the world shout with national pride, he made it look so easy.

Thank you, Jah, for the hope that a striving youth can bring to our struggling nation.

YS Falls June 2008

I don't have the words to do justice to the magnificance of Jah's creation. YS Falls is one of the most beautiful sites in Jamaica. I am torn between wanting everyone to experience it's beauty and wanting it to stay as untouched as possible.

The newer sign above.

The original sign below.

The trading post near the falls.

I am still amazed that I got these two pictures of this Doctor Bird.

This is a shot of the platform from which the canopy riders change directions. It is above the gazebo at the entrance to the falls. The ride starts near the top of the falls, comes down to this platform, then switch directions and continues down the line to the departure point.

Can you see the rider in the upper right side of the picture?

All of the pictures shown here were taken by Lady Roots with a 5.1 megapixel DXG 552 digital camera.

More Pictures of Home

These plants are on the back verandah where we share our morning cup of coffee together after we come up from the gym.

This is a view thru a vine covered wall that encloses a private space just outside our master bedroom door. It looks out onto a pear (avocado) tree. Actually, it is two pear trees that just entwined at the bottom of the trunks, making it look like only one tree. When I look thru the circle, I can see all the way into the districts of Exton, Delightful, Junction and on up into south Manchester.

Akuaba dolls are a fertility icon. They are in several rooms thruout the house. I wonder if this is why we have thirteen grandchildren! These are on a side table near the front door.

When the fog rolls in like this everything seems to get very quiet. It usually comes in from the south, rolls across the valley, then slips silently away. This happened one afternoon about 4:30.
Jah has blessed us with a beautiful place to live. Don't you agree?

Taxing, To Say The Least

Jamaican payroll taxes are a confusing mish-mash of multiple statutory deductions, nil rates that change with political whims, differing percentages of contributions and little or no public education on how the process works. Why do I believe that it is confusing on purpose as a way to allow working Jamaicans to be samfied (tricked)?

Since January 2006, Jamaican workers have been allowed to earn up to JA$193,440 annually (approximately US$2,764) without paying Income Tax (AKA PAYE or Pay As You Earn).

That seems pretty straight forward, nuh true?

If it were only so simple.

First there is a deduction called NIS or National Insurance Scheme that is paid by employers and employees at 2.5% of the first JA$500,000 earned, with a monthly cap of JA$1,041.66. That amount must first be deducted from the gross emolluments before applying the nil rate. If employed Jamaicans reach the age of 70, this deduction ceases the following calendar year.

Next step is to determine the cumulative nil rate based on where in the calendar year you are and whether or not there were any nil rate earnings from another employer during the calendar year. Now you deduct that amount from the gross amount less the NIS deduction and any pension deductions. That gives you the TAXABLE income for the PAYE deduction.

The PAYE tax rate is 25% of the TAXABLE income for individuals.

The Education tax is also calculated on TAXABLE income at the rate of 3% for the employer's contribution and 2% for the employees' contributions.

Then we have the NHT or National Housing Trust deduction that is paid at 3% of the gross amount by employers and 2% by employees. This ceases the calendar year after employed Jamaicans reach the age of 65.

Employers also have to pay a HEART (Human Education And Resource Training) contribution at the rate of 3% of the gross employee pay.

So we have five statutory deductions, (PAYE, HEART, Education, NIS and NHT) that have varying percentages, one with a capped amount and some that are applied against the gross amount and some that are applied against TAXABLE income.

Is it any wonder most Jamaican employees have no idea if they are being paid correctly or not?

I won't even make mention about the heartless employers who withhold statutory deductions from their employees' pay, but never hand it over to Inland Revenue. (OK, so I did make mention of di rahtid teef, dem.)

The reason I mentioned any of this nonsense is that I will be doing the programming changes for a nil rate threshold change for July 1, 2008 and again for January 1, 2009 for several of my clients.

Thank you, Jah, for gift of beading that helps restore my sanity in the midst of this insanity.

Coming Home Is So Sweet

Thank you, Jah, for Your guidance and protection of our going out and coming in.

We have returned home to Jamaica safely to find our home standing and all the animals alive. That is one of the things I prayed for each day we were in America. Now I am giving thanks for answered prayers.

There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home. Can you tell I am glad to be back home?

I give thanks to Jah for the four generations of family that got together to hug and kiss and eat and drink and remember and sing and laugh and love and enjoy each other's company. This time, thankfully, there was no death that brought the far-flung family together.

There is so much I want to share with you about our trip, but that will have to come in future posts. Now it is time to start responding to comments left while I was away. Then I need to catch up on what's happening with Sistren Irie Diva. She has been on my mind and in my prayers while I was away.

Fresh From Our Ackee Tree

My husband picked these ackee from our tree this morning.

I took the pictures with the full intention of taking a picture of the meal, once it was served.

Maybe next time. This time we ate the ackee & saltfish with green bananas, boiled yams and sweet potatoes before I even thought of the camera again.

Thank you, Jah, for providing for our needs.

For Janice

This bracelet has been completed for several days now, but I didn't want to post a picture of it until it was delivered. Mark migrated to America today to be with his lady love, Janice. He is going to deliver the bracelet to her for me.

The last time she was here in Jamaica, we came up with the design concept for the bracelet. It is beaded using the N'debele stitch, with brick stitch end-tabs for stability. The closure is a large snap. To remind her of home, I put a Jamaican flag on either side of her name.

I thought I would be making it to keep it here until she visited again. Little did I know, he would be on his way up to marry her before that. Their plan is for April nuptials.

I met Janice when she came home for a visit from Tennessee. Our sound system, Rootsman International Sound, was playing at her Auntie's shop. Since then, she has become such an important part of my life. We only get to see each other once or twice a year, but what a gift it is to be around her! A beautiful smile and a generous heart are just two of the many things I love about her. That wicked sense of humour doesn't hurt, either!

My prayer is that she and Mark will make a wonderful life together, be very successful in their chosen careers, make a bag of cash, and then move back home to Jamaica, where their talents are needed and they both really belong.

For Idren Wallace From Spain

This is for you, Idren Wallace.

I promised Idren Wallace, my Loyal Reader from Spain, that I would to try to get a clearer shot of the bus restaurant that I drive past on my way into Mandeville. The original picture was taken as I was driving. Yes, I know, not the safest way to drive in Jamaica; one hand on the steering wheel and the other one holding the digital camera. This time I got out and took some closer shots.

Details will be easier to see if you click the picture to open a larger image in another window.




The bus seats were replaced with counter and chairs.





Under the arrow you can see the Emergency Exit sign. In the yellow circles are bottles of catsup and hot sauce. Unnu haffi see Grace dere pon di label dem, don't?. (Jamaicans will notice the labels of a local conglomerate, Grace Kennedy, on the catsup and hot sauce bottles.)




How would you like to have to change that back tire? It's actually a stack of wood. Did you notice the mango in the upper right corner?

I can't vouch for the quality of the food, but I give it nuff nuff Ras-pect (two thumbs up) for the creativity, the artistry and for recycling a gas-guzzling bus. Rather than another ugly rusting hulk on the roadside, it is an an eye-catching, viable enterprise.

I hope this was better, Idren Wallace.

More Views of Our Home

I asked before if you wanted to see more pictures of where I live. There were two requests sent via e-mail, so I am adding additional shots taken around the house. (Please, those of you sending direct e-mails related to any blog post, take a moment to leave a comment so everyone can see your requests and ideas.) Remember, any picture can be seen in closer deatail by clicking on it. It will open in another window.

This is a lion head that is on the side of the airtank. Airtank is a mis-nomer, because it really holds water, not air. Go figure.

This next shot shows a very tall, slim pony palm that is taller than our two-story house. You can see the lion head on the airtank.

This is another view of the pony palm, but what I really want you to see is amyrillis bloom in the lower right hand area of the picture.

Here is a closer view of the amyrillis bloom. The leaf just to the right it, with the red and white specks is called "Jesus' blood and Mary's milk". No, I don't know the correct name, just what we call it.

This angel hangs over the entry doorway to welcome all our visitors.

I am glad you stopped by to visit. I hope you enjoyed yourself. Stop by again very soon.

Poetry In Motion - Edutainment In Action

Jah has blessed me in so many ways that I feel somewhat ungrateful to tell you that I want more. I also want the gift of finding words that will reveal what is in my heart in such a way that will move others to action.

That said, the action I want to inspire right now is for each of you to mark your calendar to reserve the evening of Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 for the sixth annual staging of Poetry In Motion; or as Amina Blackwood Meeks named the date, February 22nd, 2K-MINE.

Poetry In Motion, hosted by Yasus Afari, the Honour Dread, is an annual celebration of music, dance, comedy, story telling, fashion and poetry. It is staged on the last Sunday in February at the Vineyard in Mandeville. We have been blessed to attend this uplifting event for the past four years. I missed the inaugural year because I took Mom to Florida. A scheduling error I won’t repeat!

I know my soul has been touched when, in just one evening, I am moved from bone-shaking, out-loud belly laughs to heartfelt tears. At the same time I am supporting a worthy cause. Each year a donation is made to an organization that benefits wi yutes (our youth). This is not just an empty pledge of a donation either. The cheque was actually presented to the Manchester Scouts Association during the intermission.

Amina Blackwood Meeks, storyteller extraordinaire, is a repeat performer at Poetry In Motion. This year as emcee she was a regal queen, reigning over her enthralled minions! Sistren Amina, don’t forget unnu did promise me one nice-nice piece of potato puddin fi mi dessert.

The positive memories that will stay with me from the fifth annual Poetry In Motion are the angelic sound of Karen Smith’s voice; the humour of Sistren Amina; the assurance of Ashley Little as she declared that she is fearfully and wonderfully made; Joan Andrea Hutchinson (dat bumpy head gal, who now flashes locks) admitting she gave her lover some “Bad Advice”; Mutabaruka’s comment on families who gather around to watch the tell-lie-vision while sitting on the sofa wi owe for; and Yasus proclaiming, “Mi nuh complain, mi complex. Who wan please, please. Who wan vex, vex!”.

Speaking of vex! My unhappiest memory will be of the intense dis-RAS-pect shown to Jimmy Riley. In the middle of his performance, the wait staff of the Vineyard began clearing off tables and stacking up chairs! Cho! Unnu too rude. Mek di man sing fi him songs and when him dun fi him wuk and lef di stage, den yu fi start di cleanup.

Please, Fadda Falloon, don’t ever let this happen to any other Poetry In Motion performer.

Order of Performances

Reggie’s African Fashion Link fashion show
Kimberly, a new PIM baby, sang
Germaine Nelson, a NCU student, rapped on the letter P
Livingston Brown recited a poem he learned 80 years ago.
Ras Padda Ishon chanted, “Tongue fi talk, talk it out.”
AnnMarie Wilmoth, teacher, read three poems
Ashley Little played keyboard and recited “I Am Fearfully & Wonderfully Made”
Osakwe recited “I Am Someone You Love To Love”
Nana Moses shared an “Ode to Ooman”
Professor Mervyn Morris read several of his pieces, including “Peel An Orange”
Kerry Ann Brown recited original works
Intermission:
Sponsor giveaways
Presentation of cheque to Manchester Scouts Assoc
Introduction of the Golden Tongue Award to promote social awareness
Presentation by Liz Millman on Learning Links International
Amina Blackwood Meeks revealed how Anancy finally got into a book
2nd segment of African fashion show
Professor Barry Chevannes played the guitar and sang
Oral Tracey read “The Ultimate Game”
Amina Blackwood Meeks sang “Keyman Lock Di Door & Gone”
Joan Andrea Hutchinson read original works
Yasus Afari chanted, chatted, enlightened and delighted
Karen Smith sang to a guitar accompaniment
Mutabaruka was fundamentally Muta
Jimmy Riley sang

(Please forgive the incorrect spelling of anyone’s name)

Where I Live

I had to choose between images that were much too large to fit the page or these smaller thumbnails. To see a larger image in another window, click the thumbnails.

Someone asked me why, if my blog is an invitation to stop by and visit, I don't show you where I live. So, OK, this is where I live.

The Marcus Garvey lithograph on the wall is a limited edition print that was a gift from my husband.

These pictures were taken from the vantage point of the living room couch where I sit to do my beading. The wooden spiral staircase was built by Jacka, a childhood friend of my husband. Jacka is now working in the Cayman Islands. The staircase goes up to a wood-panelled loft where wall-to-wall bookcases are filled with books that I love to read and re-read.

Three wind chimes hang underneath the staircase and sing as the cool mountain breeze comes thru the open windows. Visitors from America and UK are often surprised that we don't even have screens on the windows. I like my fresh air!

If you want to see more pictures, let me know.

Blessed Earth Strong, Idren Bob

I often wonder how different our world would be if Bob Marley were still alive today. In such a short time on Earth, he had a lasting world wide impact. Of all his songs, this is the one that resonates most deeply in my heart.


Redemption Song


Old pirates yes they rob I

Sold I to the merchant ships

Minutes after they took I

From the bottomless pit

But my hand was made strong

By the hand of the Almighty

We forward in this generation triumphantly

All I ever had, is songs of freedom

Won't you help to sing, these songs of freedom

Cause all I ever had, redemption songs

Redemption songs

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery

None but ourselves can free our minds

Have no fear for atomic energy

Cause none of them can stop the time

How long shall they kill our prophets

While we stand aside and look

Some say it's just a part of it

We've got to fullfill the book

Won't you help to sing, these songs of freedom

Cause all I ever had, redemption songs

All I ever had, redemption songs

These songs of freedom, songs of freedom