Safe, yeah how safe?

I'm not trying to give the city a bad name - because over the years I've felt quite safe in this huge city. But when it comes close to home and my safety feels compromised safe yeah how safe are we really?

A few weeks it was at Eaton Centre and now last night in  my neighbourhood. Wha really going on man!!! I sat outside with my family last night and we were chatting with my neighbour enjoying the summer, then we heard the music and what was supposedly singing but it was sounding like quarreling. Then about ten shots rang out!!! Then we waited, yeah we waited to what turned out to be the biggest orchestra of sirens I've ever heard. Still we waited because it went on for a long time.

Today twenty-three people were reportedly shot and among them two were pronounced safe at the scene. The mayor, the police chief everybody who can is having a press conference about what was supposed to be a celebration that turned violent.Two streets away approximately - that close. It was sounding even closer like right in my front yard. Safe, yeah how safe?????

Last Class

On Thursday July 5, I'm teaching Fun With Wire @ Beadfx in Toronto from 6 - 9PM. This will be my last class for a while. Yes I'm taking a break. So come on over to Beadfx and let's break it with a band - let's have fun with wire. This class was sold out on the last Toronto Bead Society's Techniques Night and in this class you'll :

• How to make wire beads
• Horizontal Wire Wrapping
• Coiling around a bead
• A Caged Bead

http://www.beadfx.com/classes/class-rae-funwithwire.jsp . So click on the link, call the store and enroll today and we'll have fun with wire the Beady Arts way.

My Sweet TnT...

I will always love you,
My sweet Trinbago
Although I born elsewhere
I dream of you wherever I go
Doh care where I wonder
Doh care where I roam
I'll always consider sweet Trinbago my home.   - Dr. Leroy Calliste (Black Stalin)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Stalin

Dr. Leroy Calliste ( Black Stalin) as he performed live in concert in Point Fortin Trinidad

Dr. Leroy Calliste couldn't have put it better - I was born in Trinidad and Tobago and even though I now live in Canada, I'm home away from home. I went home to Trinidad and Tobago recently and spent the best three weeks ever. I tried to do as much as possible to show off our twin island republic to my son who had been there twice before.

One of my best adventures was the trip to the Pitch Lake in La Brea Trinidad thanks to my brother David. Imagine we used to drive by the Pitch Lake many times throughout my life because my grandparents lived in La Brea and I've only been there twice. If you ever go to Trinidad and Tobago visit the lake but be sure to get a tour guide. http://www.geulogy.com/pitch_lake_asphaltlake_la_brea_trinidad_tobago_natural_tar_bitumen.html

On our way to the Pitch Lake

Curried goat and roti ent!

Cashew Tree

The Pitch Lake

The Pitch Lake

Heliconia psittacorum

A different view of the lake

Nymph Lillies

Mother Of The Lake

Last Evening @ Beadfx

Last evening I had the pleasure of teaching Findings Please at Beadfx thanks to Deborah and Paula. Thank you ladies for sharing in the Beady Arts experience that's "From the heart, by the hands and just for you."

You too can share in the Beady Arts experience by enrolling in one of my future classes at Beadfx in Toronto. If you are willing to learn my friends, the pleasure is mine to teach beginners to all levels fun wire techniques.

My next class is on June 27 from 6 - 9 PM http://www.beadfx.com/classes/class-rae-nuffwrappedloops.jsp. if you lack the confidence to make wrapped loops (one of the fundamentals of wire work) come on over to Beadfx cause that evening we'll be making nuff, nuff (many). Click on the link and enroll - yes don't delay.

Trinsunshine @ it enjoy!

Sunday Lunch @ My Mother's Table

Fried Rice

Macaroni Pie

Potato Salad

Stewed Chicken

Callaloo

 
How I missed my mother's cooking. On my first Sunday in Trinidad my mother and sister cooked - I ate. There were more dishes on the table of course but I was too hungry to take more pictures.

Fun with Wire Batimamselle

In Trinidad and Tobago we call the dragonfly Batimamselle. Either way dragon flies are loved by many. My fun with wire series is constantly growing and in this class you'll learn how to make a dragonfly using basic wire bending, wrapping and weaving. The finished piece can be used as a brooch or pendant.

This class is happening on Wednesday 30 May at Beadfx in Toronto http://www.beadfx.com/classes/class-rae-funwithwirebatimamselle.jsp from 6 - 9 PM. There's still room left so click on the link and make that call to Beadfx today.