Gustav, The Uninvited Party Guest

Blessed, Belated EarthStrong, My Beloved

Instead of being able to celebrate his 62nd EarthStrong on the 29th with family, friends and food, my husband spent it on GUSTAV GUARD DUTY. When bad weather threatens he goes into protection mode and doesn't relax until the "all clear" announcement. He secures our home first, the animals next and then the rest of the property. I give thanks for his vigilance.

Gustav was projected to run below the south coast of Cuba, which would have it north of Jamaica. Instead, we got an unexpected visit here on the south coast. Over 24 hours of non-stop, unrelenting, pounding rain and screaming wind.

Jah, we give thanks for the protection and blessings that have allowed us to survive another storm that threatened our home.

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

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.