My Little Garden

I made a small flower garden last week and added some more touches on Sunday. How I wish the summer could last and last but that's just wishful thinking. I'm not worried because there's life underneath the snow.

Ras Shorty I

Today I'm thinking about Ras Shorty I (Garfield Blackman) who died eleven years ago today. He was the father of Soca Music and his music legacy will live on through his wonderful family and all who sing Soca Music in its birthplace Trinidad and Tobago and worldwide. R.I.P brother.

Jacko

If my grandfather were alive he would've been 98 today and yesterday would've been his grand thanksgiving. All of my life I have not met another individual who celebrated a birthday the way he did.

Everyone had a task to fulfill and mine was to design and make the invitations. These had to be done months in advance to put his mind at ease. During the thanksgiving there was singing ( he had a wonderful voice and used to sing to my grandmother because it was also their anniversary), worship and foooooood.

Jacko was married to my grandmother for 55years but they were together for 66 and when she died he didn't want to go on any longer. But with faith and the support of family and friends he did.

His parting words to me when I was leaving Trinidad were" Well if we don't see here again we'll see on the other side. " He may have left, but the memories will last a lifetime.

Memories

I phoned my grandmother today and we had the most beautiful conversation. I told her about yesterday's carrot cake and she was happy.

We also spoke of times spent in her kitchen and we both agreed of how much we enjoyed those. As the song says " Memories don't leave like people do they always stay with you," and those I'll treasure for as long as I live.

Carrots

Today I decided to make a carrot cake because I wanted to find another way to consume the carrots from the 10lb. bag my husband bought recently. Yeah we gave some away, I steamed some, made salad but yet it seems like "carrots without end".

I know my grandmother will be proud because I'm happy with the way my cake turned out. I even made muffins with the rest of the batter and they are all gone.

My only surviving grandparent, my grandmother was know for her delicious cakes. There was not  a birthday that would pass without one of these treats. She even baked for weddings and other special occasions and of course we were always there to help ourselves to the rest of the batter in the bowls.

I've always loved carrot cake and whenever my grandmother made it she would call me over. I'm licking my lips just thinking about it. Oh yeah she made the best sponge cake and black cake ( rum cake or fruit cake as it's also called). I'm going to call her tomorrow and tell her about my cake and about how much I treasure the memories of being with her in the kitchen while she did her thing.

Rain

I went into WalMart this morning without my umbrella even though I knew it was going to rain. The first time I returned to the car it was drizzling and I paid it no mind - I refused to take the umbrella out. However, one trip back in and it was pouring.

I stood for a few minutes ( approximately two) and planned my get away. I ran out in the rain and in Flip Flops too ( yes what we call Rubber Slippers  in Trinidad & Tobago ) and it felt great. The child in me just wanted to dance and skip or skip and dance - same difference.

Running in the rain reminded me of my childhood and of a time when one of my aunts took our school bags and allowed us to play in the rain after school. While we were running and enjoying ourselves, some adults in our neighbourhood wanted us to seek shelter but it was okay to continue because we had permission.

How I miss those days! Running in the rain outside WalMart in the summer heat  felt great but then the adult in me had to go home.

Colour

Do you find yourself wearing the same colours most of the time? When you go shopping do you often choose the same colour palette?

There are times when I try to resist the temptation but it seems as though I'm locked in. Years ago I wore mainly dark colours and my dad and a former school teacher of mine (who also became my colleague), kept insisting that I put some colour in my life. Thankfully I listened.

Approximately two years later I overheard  the former school principal where I taught Art/Craft, suggesting to another teacher that she should come to me if she needed advice on colour. Yes thankfully I listened.

I'm not gonna get into the technicalities of colour theory ( that can be googled ) but what I'll mention is how much colour can have an impact on one's mood.

After my first Canadian winter experience I have surrounded myself with colour and that really helps during those long dark cold days.

So yes I may buy my favorite colours( green, teal, turquoise, orange) when I go shopping  I'm not afraid to deviate a bit at times.