Da Cocoa Tree

Da two a wi, a wi a be
Ina de sea, a swim wit manatee
Den mi see da cocoa tree
Tunn him back an laaf a wi
A he a she, nuh, a she a he
Who fling im nut an com vex mi
Buh wah di 'ell, mi caan believe
Is da cocoa fling im nut a wi?
Mek mi waan yuh, mek yuh see
Mi gwaan grine yuh nut an mek cocoa tea

Nature's Rapture

Springtime, life emerges anew Tender blossoms searching the heavens Warm rays enticing hidden seeds, Coaxing creeping critters from within, As winters solstice lulls In a room of silver plants, Sunset hyssop and morning glories Delicately placed by nature's hands Sweet nectar envelop rolling meadows Scintillating waters infused with life Wanders aimlessly o'er the earth Whilst thorns suckle mornings dew  by Yonette Nicola

Starting Over

I was just thinking how my life has changed in the past 5 months, well, 13 months to be exact. You see, I have my lovely daughters, ages 18 and 19, and was getting ready to make plans to travel and do whatever my little heart desired. After all, they're grown ladies! Right? Well, now I've got a baby girl draped over my left shoulder while I attempt to write this post with, mostly, my right hand. God has blessed me, yet again!

She has brought a renewed spirit, a revived energy and an over abundance of love back into my life. Don't get me wrong. I love my family but this demanding little bundle of energy has awaken our lives. I feel alive again, only because as children grow and become less dependent on parents it leaves a small void. But, like I've mentioned, I was going to fill that void with a lot of activity. MY own. Wellll, now I'm going to do it but with my new baby in tow.

I've got big plans for her. My biggest desire is for her to play the piano. So, since I am a life time member (will explain in a bit) I will have her signed up for lessons by the time she is 3 years old. I'm told its best to start them when they are young because their little minds are like sponges, soaking up information ever so quickly. The neurons are multiplying by the seconds in children.

To explain the life time membership; when my daughters were ages 8 and 9 I enrolled them in the conservatory for music but they didn't enjoy the lessons and it was frustrating to get them to practice daily. My youngest at the time past the entry test with flying colours! It seemed she had an ear for music and she was excellent with the finger formations. BUT, that wasn't enough!! I didn't want to waste more time and money on it because they truly had no interest. Since I had paid a sizable fee (family plan) it can be transferred or deferred for future use. Who knew I'd be able to use it 10 years later on my surprise baby!!

Back to my little dumpling! I am in love with this little girl, so much so, that I'm certain I'm spoiling her rotten. Not in a material way, but with so much attention and care (is that possible?). I don't want her to cry, I don't want her to sit idle and stare into space, I don't let her stay alone for hardly a moment. I even take her into the washroom with me and do what I have to do with ONE arm. LOL!! I know. You think I'm crazy. I know I am. It's just that I had the girls so close in age (18 months apart) I don't think I got to really enjoy the babying part of being a mother.

The only time I actually leave my boo is when I go to the grocers. I'm one of those women who will spend 2 hours at a grocer. I love to price compare, read ingredients and plan or create recipes as I find new items on the shelves. Cooking is one of my passions.

I have a snugly which I use when no one is home and I have to cook or clean and she's up and wanting attention. I just attach the harness and put her inside (tummy to tummy position) and she absolutely loves it! She will stare deeply into my eyes and watch my every move as I peel onions, wash potatoes, stir the pot or reach into the cupboards. Its great bonding times! I love it as much, or more than she does.

Hmm, she's waking. I can hear her cooing to herself and rubbing her feet together. Sure signs she is alert and ready to eat. The one thing she does not play with is her food. When its time to eat, she does NOT like to wait!! Gotta go!

mmm mmm home

Holy Crap! It's cold as hell outside (is that possible? stupid saying since hell is supposed to be hot...but who knows). Anyway, as I was saying, its FREEZING out. The wind makes it worst than it actually is. Wind chill "they" say...who or whomever they are. I'm inclined to call it wind freeze! I can hear the wind blowing against the windows and at times its so strong I feel like it just might blow the glass out the frame.

Its times like this I imagine what it would be like to be snowed in. And I mean snowed in. Of course there would be a large supply of necessities in the pantry and the cupboards and walk in freezer would be filled. That doesn't sound so bad does it? Except that I imagine all this in a house in the country, a log cabin to be precise, nestled amongst giant firs and maples, off a gravel path, miles from a city. The kind of location that requires me to take a "trip" once or twice a month into the BIG city! I think I would totally love living like this.

I would keep busy planting vegetables to sell to the tourists during the summer months. I would tend small animals like chickens, goats and maybe a couple of pigs and cows. I'd use the milk from the goats to make cheese (again to sell to passersby during the summer), the pigs would be used for Christmas meals (I'd probably jerk some too) and the cows for fresh milk.

Life wouldn't be easy but I think it would be a lot less stressful and definitely far more rewarding. No hustle and bustle of rush hour traffic, no moronic drivers to deal with, no/less road rage (I'm getting better).

Alternative energy would be the main source of electricity in this oasis. I would burn candles by night, cook on a wood burning stove/oven, use solar heating, turbines and use no pesticides in my garden. I would live as green as I can. Why? Other than it is better for the environment, I don't know.

I feel this is a way of living I've missed out on and would do it in a heartbeat. I would have no television nor cell phone and as much as I wouldn't want it, I'd have to have a land line for emergencies. Gosh, imagine no solicitors ringing the door bell or harassing telemarketers at dinner time! But, actually, telemarketers are like a chronic disease, they don't go away. No surprised, unannounced visits from family or friends. Not you of course, my other family and friends.

I imagine my days starting with fresh natural eggs, homemade bread and a hot cup of cocoa or herbal tea as I sit on the upper deck looking out at the lake watching a vast array of birds fly, flutter and soar through the sky as I prepare for a mid morning nap. Then do the chores and take nap. Prepare dinner, read, write or take another nap. Finish a few more chores, settle by an oil lamp with a good book, do a little writing while sipping a large glass of wine and eventually snuggle into bed and enter LaLa Land until the sun rises and the cock crows.

What about you, what is your idea of comfortable living? Are you a city slicker or a country bumpkin?

First Snowfall

Sitting here surfing the net and looked out the window to see huge fluffy white flakes falling from the sky. It's absolutely stunning how beautiful it looks, snow that is.

I remember my first experience in this country with snow. I had only been in Canada for about 6 months when one Saturday morning I heard my mother calling us to come look out the window. And there it was, falling ever so slowing, gently touching the ground. I can't seem to think of words to describe how much wonderment I felt.

My sister and I ran downstairs, put our slippers on and went outside. I held my head up to the sky and openned my mouth hoping to catch some flakes of ice. The drops felt cold as it landed and melted on parts of my face with just a drop or two actually making it into my mouth. After no more than 5 minutes, my sister and I realized our toes were getting cold. You see, I find when the snow falls as large flakes, the temperature is milder than the smaller, harder pellets. There also seems to be less of a wind blowing.

I can recall my mother looking from the kitchen window at the two of us, and probably wondering how long before we come inside to get proper attire on! LOL

It's that memory and many more of times past which still gives me an incredible feeling of elation as I watch the snow falling, especially the first snowfall.

What about you? Any snow experiences you'd like to share?