Our First Date

Those of you who have been with me on the recovery road know that I have been celebrating a series of firsts.

Sunday we went on our first date. (No, the evening at Taino Cove was an outing for Mom, not a date!) After so many years together it is important to me that he still court me, woo me, date me, and romance me. OK, call it feminine ego if you must, but it is important to me!

We went to MarBlue in Calabash Bay, Treasure Beach for drinks and dinner.



Now to appreciate what a gift this was to me, you would have to understand my husband's reluctance to try new places to eat. You would think a man who owned a restaurant for so many years would be more adventurous in his dining, but he latches on to a place and we go there over and over and over again. To me, no matter how great the place, if you go too often, it looses it's appeal.

Well, it seems our favorite haunts are not wheelchair/walker accessable. So, this was my chance. I called MarBlue and spoke with Andrea, who with her husband, Axel own and operate the award-winning boutique resort.

After being assured that access would not be a problem, I made dinner reservations. I enjoy eating good food, but am by no means a foodie. All I can tell you is that I understand the many awards they have won! Delicious food, attentive service (without being smothering or cloying), romantic ambiance, soothing ocean view and gracious hosts make MarBlue a wonderful place for a first date with a man you have loved for 29 years!

Thanks, Andrea and Axel, for a lovely evening and a delicious meal. Nuff RAS-pect to Weston, also.

Thank you, Jah, for the gift of a husband who knows what is important to me!

Seven Stitches

Like many beaded pieces, I started this with one direction in mind and ended up following the beading muse to a totally different and unintended destination.

A one-, two- and three-drop peyote seed bead and bugle bead bracelet was what I started. Fifteen or so rows into it, I realized that since I was using bugle beads, which are notorious for cutting threads, I should have doubled the thread. Instead of undoing it, I rolled it into a tube and it became the bail around the one tortoise shell ring that was left after this piece was finished.

The tube alone lacked something, so I kept beading. One thing led to another and it became a pendant using ladder, brick, and flat N’debele stitches. I wanted the chain to be made of the same beads, but I didn’t want it to be boring. The center piece of the chain is tubular N’debele that transitions to a spiral rope stitch. The transition point is covered with tubes of one- and two-drop peyote.

A magnetic clasp is hidden in a tube of ladder-stitched bugle beads with N’debele spears on each side.

Are You Smarter Than Your Right Foot?

This was sent to me by a beloved uncle who lives in America.

It originated from the office of an orthopaedic surgeon.

This is a mind-boggler. You will keep trying again and again to see if you can outsmart your foot, but, you can't. It's hard-wired in your brain!


1. Without anyone watching you (they will think you are GOOFY......) and while sitting at your desk in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number '6' in the air with your right hand.



Your foot will change direction. There's nothing you can do about it!

You and I both know how useless it is, but before the day is done you are going to try it again, if you haven't already done so.

Small Victories

Since breaking my ankle in November, I have had to swallow my pride along with my independence and rely on others to do things for me that I used to do for myself. It has been humbling in the extreme.

I have grimaced, winced, sung and prayed my way thru my therapy sessions to regain my range of motion, endurance, strength and balance. I need to get back up on my feet again!

I am giving thanks for small victories.

This has been a week of “firsts” for me. First unassisted shower. First time I could make up the bed in the morning. First time I could wash my own clothes. First time I could brew a pot of coffee for our morning coffee time.

Granted, each endeavor left me weak, sweaty, and trembling. But I am doing what I couldn’t do last week.

Thank you, Jah, for the gift of healing you are giving me each day.

My First Beaded Piece

This is the first beaded piece I ever completed. It is a peyote stitch amulet bag done in silver-lined clear and gold size 6 beads with size 10 gold seed bead embellishments. The King Tut charm is a gold-toned metal. The pyramid is off-centered, because I hadn't yet learned the importance of using odd-count peyote to center a design.


In this piece I can see all the mistakes a self-taught, new beader would make. When I place it by a newly beaded piece, I can also see my growth as a beader, if only in mastering certain stitches.

When I first started beading, I didn't finish anything. I would begin a project, brimming with enthusiasm! Then reality, tangled threads, lack of experience, frustration, and life would intrude. I would cut the piece up, pull out fragments of Nymo or Silamide from the beads, rebag the beads, awaiting my next foray into beading frustration. Remember, back then we didn't have a loving, supportive internet beading community I could turn to for help.

I am so thankful that I didn't let the rough start turn me away from beading. It has been such a blessing to me over these past few years.

Bumpy Knobby

Opaque black and silver-lined clear seed beads in sizes 6-10 were used to make this bracelet. The toggle clasp is an embellished beaded bead with a seed bead loop.

Links of Loops

I bought these tortoise shell rings in a fabric store in Mandeville several years ago. When I bought them, I was attracted to the colour, but had no idea what I would do with them. I would take them out and look at them every so often waiting for inspiration to strike.
I used gold and silver-lined bronze seed beads to make right angle weave loops to link the rings together. One of the rings became the loop for the peyote toggle clasp.

The shot below lets you see the opening of the links a little better.

Inspired By Sistren Bev

I was inspired by Sistren Bev Carlson of Bev’s Jewelry to learn kumihimo, the art of braiding multiple cords to create a stronger, more decorative cording.

The kumihimo tutorials I googled were videos. Since I connect to the internet via a web-enabled cell phone that provides a blazing dial up connection speed of 28.8 kbps, it takes 6-7 hours to download a 4 minute video. Sistren Bev understood my plight and e-mailed a link to a kumihimo diagram tutorial.

I made a disk from cardboard for my trial attempts. I used new shoe laces for the cording material. The resulting cord is thick and I will use it as a luggage ID tie. For my next kumihimo project I bought embroidery thread, which will result in a narrower cord.

Thank you, Sistren Bev, for the link, for the inspiration and for the encouragement!

This and Therapy

All of my energies (physical, emotional, creative and spiritual) have been channeled into my therapy sessions and my beadwork. If the truth be told, the beadwork is getting me thru the therapy. Learning to regain my balance and walk again without fear of falling is hard at my age. The therapy hurts and I am expected to inflict this pain on myself on the days I don't go to the clinic. I can't imagine facing this without Jah and prayer!

When I do all the rehab exercises I have been given, it wipes me out! There has been nothing left over for blogging, no reading beyond the local newspaper, no phone chats, no texting, no e-mails and I haven't even responded to those of you who have been kind enough to visit and share your thoughts. I've been given three blog awards that I haven't accepted yet and I don't know if I will ever catch up.

OK, OK, the pity party for one is over. This is what I've beaded during my blogging absence.
I finished the N'debele bracelet that was on my bead board. Gold and bronze seed beads with brown stars were used. The toggle clasp is a peyote tube.

This embellished N'debele bracelet doesn't photogragh well. It truly sparkles! I used size 6 silver-lined clear beads for the base with transparent peacock blue bead insets. The embellishing seed beads are opaque royal blue, transparent peacock blue and transparent light olive green.

This N'debele bracelet has four rows of seed bead embellishments with gold glass bead inserts. The toggle clasp is a beaded bead.

This is another one that has more sparkle than I can capture with the camera! It is tubular N'debele of silver-lined clear beads with blue insets and embellishments. The magnetic clasp is hidden inside a right angle weave tube.

These are a few rings I beaded. I need to find a better way to photograph rings. The picture doesn't really show the details well.

This set is for the wife of the doctor who performed my orthopedic surgery. She saw several of my beaded pieces during one of my check-up visits. The doctor called me later that afternoon and placed an order. The faux pearls are captured in a net of gold and bronze seed beads. She will wear the pendant on a gold chain.

On The Recovery Road

Mom's visit was such a blessing to me! We only went out together one time, on the Sunday before she left. We drove down to Treasure Beach for an evening with Sistren Winnie at Taino Cove.

While here Mom nursed me, fed me, lotioned my foot, helped me clean out storage areas and organize my dwindling bead stash. She was brave to do the foot thing cuz human flesh that hasn't been washed, loofahed and lotioned for seven weeks nuh pretty, mek mi tell yuh!

For those of you who have been sharing comments and sending emails, texts and healing love, I am happy to report that the cast is finally off and I had my first therapy session yesterday. The two incision sites are healing, but look awful. The scabs are starting to crust off. Both the surgeon and the therapist have said to let them fall off, don't pick at them. As the grandkids say, "Uber Gross!"

I've finished a few pieces of beadwork, but haven't gotten any pictures that I would post. Poor lighting, out of focus, just didn't look right. But hopefully I will have that taken care of soon and you can see what I have finished.

Mom left America with one President in the White House and returned to America just in time to see the swearing in of America's new President, Barack H. Obama. Just like we, who are old enough, will always remember where we were and what we were doing when John F Kennedy was shot and when Nelson Mandela was released from prison in South Africa, I believe we will always remember where we were when we watched the inaugration of America's first Black president.

Jah Annoint, Protect and Guide This Man

Gonna Get Some Mommy Love

I am so excited! My Mom is coming from Florida for a visit. My husband will drive to MoBay to get her from the airport. They share exclusive membership in their own "mutual admiration society". I am delighted that they love each other.

I have been in need of some Mommy Love recently. We've talked and e-mailed, but now we can hug and kiss and hold hands! My husband has been a blessing thru my recent trials, but nothing soothes like Mommy Love! Yes, I am a GrandMother, but I still need to get my Mommy Love, too!

At 79 years young (80 in May) my Mom is one of the coolest women I know. She survived an abusive marriage with her ability to love and forgive still intact. She got her first computer when she was in her 60's and now corresponds with folks from around the world. She also travels around the world!

If I ever decide to grow up, I want to be like my Mom.

This is a shot of what is on my bead board for now. A partially done N'Debele bracelt and one earring. I probably won't bead or blog much while Mom is here. I want to focus on being with her.

Welcome, 2009!

Habri Gana? Whatta Gwaan? What's New?

If you celebrate Kwanzaa and are asked, "Habari Gana?" between December 26th and January 1st, the answer would be the Nguzo or principle for that day.

Nguzo Saba - The Seven Priciples
(En – GOO – Zoh Sah – BAH)

UMOJA (oo-MOE-jah) Unity (Dec 26)

KUJICHAGULIA (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah) Self-Determination (Dec 27)

UJIMA (oo-JEE-man) Collective Work & Responsibility (Dec 28)

UJAMAA (oo-JAH-mah) Cooperative Economics (Dec 29)

NIA (nee-AH) Purpose (Dec 30)

KUUMBA (koo-OOM-bah) Creativity (Dec 31)

IMANI (ee-MAH-nee) Faith (Jan1)

December 26, 1966, heralded the inaugural celebration of Kwanzaa, an African-American/Pan-African cultural celebration.

Kwanzaa, which means first fruits in Swahili, was established by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana studies at California State University in Long Beach. Dr. Karnega holds a Ph.D. from United States International University, San Diego and one from University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

I had the privilege to hear Dr. Karenga speak at a local high school in Florida in the early '90s. He was eloquent, enthusiastic, imformative and motivating. I was only able to take the two youngest kids as the oldest was here in Jamaica at the time. I am grateful for that opportunity.

HAPPY KWANZAA

Why We Celebrate Christmas

Please don't let the hustle and bustle of shopping, eating, gift-giving, traveling, drinking and partying make you forget the reason we celebrate Christmas. It is the celebration of the birth of our crucified and resurrected Saviour, Jesus Christ. Let us give thanks to Jah for the gift of Jesus' blameless life!

I am lifting each of you in prayer, asking Jah to open your eyes to the truth of our world. May 2009 find you inspired to uplift yourself, your family, your community and our world.

Blessed Love to anyone who has stopped by for a holiday visit. Please stop by again soon.

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.

Tough Love VS Spanking Children

UPDATE:
SEVERAL NASTY COMMENTS HAVE BEEN LEFT ACCUSING ME OF CONDONING CHILD ABUSE. (BECAUSE THEY WERE LACED WITH FILTH, I DELETED THEM.) I DO NOT ENDORSE FEAR AS A METHOD OF DISCIPLINE. I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE TO EDIT THIS POST TO TELL PEOPLE IT IS INTENDED AS SARCASM!!!

This thought provoking advice was sent to me from America.

While conditions in Jamaica may not lend themselves to an exact application of the recommendation, it does provide food for thought. Especially after an encounter with some pickney dem (children) who have never been introduced to any likkle bit of brought-upsy. (manners)

Consider this:

"Most of the American populace thinks that it is improper to spank children. I have tried other methods to control my kids when they have one of 'those moments.'

One method that I have found to be very effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk. Some say it's the vibration from the car, others say it's the time away from any distractions such as TV, video games, computer, IPod, etc. Either way, my kids usually calm down and stop misbehaving after our car ride together. Eye to eye contact helps a lot, too.

I've included a photo of one of my sessions with my son, in case you would like to use the technique yourself."

I am interested in a poll of my readers. After considering the technique outlined, would you recommend the tough love approach or an old fashioned spanking?

Stumbling Around

Since coming home from surgery, I have not been able to sit upright for long periods of time. The blood pools in my foot and makes the ankle throb. I can use the laptop while reclining, but haven't figured out how to bead in a reclining posistion. YET.

So, I have just been stumbling around. For those of you just being introduced to StumbleUpon, it is a way outline your interests and then have websites, videos and graphics brought to you. You can give them a thumbs up if you like what you see, or a thumbs down if you don't want to see any more like it.

FAIR WARNING! IT CAN BECOME ADDICTIVE!

Find Something

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.

One Week Post-Op

Jah is good to me. He has brought me thru another trial, standing by my side and holding my hand in His.

Surgery was last Tuesday and it was just a bit more extreme than expected.

I ended up with ten screws in my ankle instead of the 7 to 8 they had originally anticipated. If you look at the diagram you will see what I was told would be done.

In addition to the screws you see there, they added a second cancellous screw and then had to place a stabalizing screw that went from the front to the back of my ankle.

I have an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon tomorrow to check the multiple incision sites for inflammation before they put on a fiberglass cast that will be on for 5-6 weeks.

I still feel weak after only an hour or so, but I think it may be due to the painkillers I have been taking. Getting my strength and stamina back is a high priority for me now.

Thank you seems so inadequate for all the love, prayers, e-mails, and calls I have gotten from you. Each of you, in your own way, has helped me during this challenge. I will be forever grateful for each of you.