Psalm. 115:1, 14 Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to Your name give glory, because of your kindness, because of your truth and love. May the LORD bless you more and more, both you and your children.

“Freezing Friday”

On this freezing Friday life has changed so much, but I really don’t mind because I feel good. Many of the foods I used to eat are a no, no in my life today. When I think about what I ate, I knew how unhealthy it was, but it was a delight to my taste bud.

Coffee with evaporated and condensed milk, cornflakes with Parmalat milk and brown sugar, pancake and French toast with lots of syrup, bacon, eggs, sausage, jelly, jam, Extra Sharp Cheddar cheese, butter, bread, fry bake, salt fish. Mauby, sorrel, grape juice, rice, Keebler Fudge Stripes Cookies, Alan’s Bakery pound cake and hops, Junior’s Strawberry Cheese Cake, Ben and Jerry’s chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, coconut ice cream, soursop ice cream, barbadine ice cream and many more unhealthy foods and drinks.

Today I drink water, coconut water, Lucozade, ginger tea. I eat, Crix, peas, beans, eggs, vegetables, meat, fish, Green figs —(banana) and ground provisions. I exercise. Life is good and I am enjoying it. I wish you all the good things that life has to offer. Have a wonderful safe day.

When men are full of envy they disparage everything, whether it be good or bad. ― Tacitus (56 AD-117 AD)

Victor and vanquished never unite in substantial agreement. ― Tacitus (56 AD-117 AD)

Things forbidden have a secret charm. ― Tacitus (56 AD-117 AD)

“Cold Like Hell”

February is winding down and March will be here in days so what is up with this weather? I have had 25 winters in the US and this one takes the cake. The blizzard of 1993 was bad but this winter is the worst. The temperature is 21ºF and outside feels like 0ºF, Some parts of the sidewalk and road is icy. Be careful. The temperature is going down. Tomorrow it will feel like minus something… Oh gosh where is spring?

I hope you all have the right outfits for this cold. A wonderful safe day to you and yours.

“Creep Around”

Do you ever feel like a contestant? Just vying, competing, struggling, striving, fighting for acceptance? Since I know myself I have been doing just that and the judges are on the prowl circling me.

That’s Life – Frank Sinatra

That’s life, that’s what all the people say. You’re riding high in April, shot down in May. But I know I’m gonna change that tune, when I’m back on top, back on top in June.

I said that’s life, and as funny as it may seem. Some people get their kicks, stompin’ on a dream. But I don’t let it, let it get me down. ‘Cause this fine ol’ world it keeps spinning around.

I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king. I’ve been up and down and over and out. And I know one thing, each time I find myself, flat on my face, I pick myself up and get back in the race.

That’s life. I tell ya, I can’t deny it. I thought of quitting baby, but my heart just ain’t gonna buy it. And if I didn’t think it was worth one single try. I’d jump right on a big bird and then I’d fly.

I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king. I’ve been up and down and over and out, and I know one thing, each time I find myself, laying flat on my face. I just pick myself up and get back in the race.

That’s life. That’s life and I can’t deny it. Many times I thought of cutting out, but my heart won’t buy it……..

“Quotes To Think About”

Without a family, man, alone in the world, trembles with the cold. ― André Maurois (1885-1967)

If men could regard the events of their own lives with more open minds, they would frequently discover that they did not really desire the things they failed to obtain. ― André Maurois (1885-1967)

Old age is far more than white hair, wrinkles, the feeling that it is too late and the game finished, that the stage belongs to the rising generations. The true evil is not the weakening of the body, but the indifference of the soul. ― André Maurois (1885-1967)

“Quotes I Like”

Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values. ― Ayn Rand (1905-1982)

Happy is the man who has broken the chains which hurt the mind, and has given up worrying once and for all. ― Publius Ovidius Naso (Ovid) (43BC- AD17 or 18)

There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved. ― George Sand (1804-1876)

Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits. ― Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life. ― Omar Khayyam (1048-1131)

Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be. ― Abraham Lincoln ((1809-1865)

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. ― Dalai Lama

The first recipe for happiness is: avoid too lengthy meditation on the past. ― Andre Maurois (1885-1967)

A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy? ― Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. — Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

Love is trembling happiness. ― Khalil Gibran (1883-1931)

“A Sad Affair”

Many years ago I was talking to a friend, —A good family guy. He said, “The worst thing about getting a horn, is wondering how much people know about it. In most cases when you find out about it is when a man/woman says something about your wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend then you start to defend them. The argument goes on and on then the person says, “You defending him/her and he/she is horning you,” —(cheating).

Now the argument escalates until you finally get the proof~ You feel crushed…

It is a sad affair.

“Listen”

Happy Sunday to you and yours. I wish you a blessed safe week. 

Ladies you are the backbone of your home~ The foundation. Make this week your listening week. Listen to your; children, your man, your partner and to all the people who mean something to you. Make your life worthwhile~ valuable~ useful~ meaningful~ sensible. Advising only if it is immediately needed ~ If it is not needed at ‘the-spur-of-the-moment’, sleep on it then give your opinion if necessary…

“Sell Yourself Short”

“I am a nice person.” Every time I hear someone say that I felt that they should not say it. Someone else would know if you are a nice person, by your behavior.

During my family heart-to-heart, my son said, “I am a nice person.”

We all said that we know that, but I continued, “You need to stop saying that. The other person would know if you are a nice person.”

His father said, “You know yourself. He is right not to sell himself short because he knows himself better than anyone else does. You should not wait for someone else to tell you who you are. They may not be truthful.”

I stand corrected. Yes I know me. Who I am, what I LOVE, LIKE, WANT, WILL DO, WILL NOT DO. I am not going to sell myself short. I hope you do not.

“I AM A NICE PERSON.”

A blessed safe day to you and yours.

“BUT”

All my life on this earth one word that pisses me off real bad is ‘BUT’. My relatives, friends, teachers and associates all used the BUT word when they talk/ed about me. In most cases the conversation started like this, “Allison is a nice person, a hard worker, BUT.”

As a child it just killed my spirit when I heard BUT because I knew that the next sentence was going to be filled with negative~ unenthusiastic~ unconstructive~ unhelpful~ off-putting~ pessimistic~ downbeat~ harmful and depressing words to disturb my spirit. All I have to say to all the people who talk about me in this way, “If you are getting negative vibrations from me, and I know how negative vibrations feel so make it easy on yourself. Put me on your cut list. Cut me out of your life. You will have peace of mind and I would not get a sleepless night over you.”

A blessed safe day to you and yours…

“Priest Pastor

My father used to always say, “A priest, pastor is a man first and don’t forget that.” There are men who want to be a part of their child/children’s lives, but mother is pissed with him so he has to stay away from the child/children. I listened to some women say that their son needs a man in his life so they ask pastor, priest to be their child/children’s mentor. Yes he may preach a good word on Sunday morning, lifting up your spirits, but when he steps away from the pulpit and his vestment is off. Who is he? You really don’t know. As it is written in the Bible: Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me on that day, “LORD, LORD did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you, Away from me, you evildoers!”

Too many children are being molested by Priest/Pastor etc. 

“Happy Thursday”

Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourself to your own husbands as you do to the LORD.

Colossians 3:19 Husbands love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

So all you men/women who claim to be Christians and your wives/husbands are submissive/kind does not mean you are to be dominating. Behaving as though, you are God’s gift to mankind.

A wonderful safe day to you and yours.

“Love Secrets”

Every human being love something~

Every human being have a secret~

One thing you love is not good for you~

The secret is a heavy burden~

Life is so amazing~ I am living it and loving it~ I hope you do too~

I hope you had a blessed night and woke up rejuvenated ready to face this beautiful Tuesday and whatever comes your way~ A blessed safe day to you and yours…

When you ask someone for help and they say, “I will let you know or we’ll see.” Know that they are saying “NO” so move on to the next chapter.

“Follow Your Bliss”

Go where your body and soul want to go. When you have the feeling, then stay with it, and don’t let anyone throw you off.

Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be. ― (The Power Of Myth) Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)

A beautiful safe Monday to you and yours.

“Life Is”

I hit my foot on the side of the dresser and it got blue black so I told my son to pass me the Iodex then I whispered, “Do you hear how that sounded? Your grand parents used to ask me to pass them the Iodex now I am asking you. Lord ah getting old… Oui.”

“No you are not!” He shouted.

“Mom, don’t say that! I do not like to hear you say that!” My daughter shouted.

‘Okay, okay~ Life is what you make it~ I am getting younger.

“Happy Sunday”

I don’t know what the weather is like in your part of the globe but we woke up to snow and ice outside. It is 22ºF but it feels colder. All I can do about that is bundle up when I am hitting the streets. Thank God for everything.

A wonderful safe day to you and yours.

“I Was Delivered Right”

I know I was not a Cesarean delivery. I was delivered the other way and not from my mother~~~

A friend called me yesterday. The last time I spoke to him was one day in August, 2013.

When I answered the phone he said, “Hi Allison, I was on my phone with Lynette (another friend) and I rolled on the phone. It started to dial a number, so I decided to see whose number it was dialing. When I saw it was your number, I decided to let the call go through.”

I said, “Seeing that you had no intentions of calling me, goodbye.”

“No! No! No! Do not hang up! Hold on! He was off line for a moment then he comes back on the phone with Lynette. We were now about to have a three way conversation that he thinks I don’t know how one is set up. I believe that he thinks that I was delivered through my mother~~ Ask no questions, you will hear no lies... 

William Shakespeare — (Birth date unknown Baptized April 26, 1564 - Died April 23 1616— 450 yrs)

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.

God has given you one face, and you make yourself another.

The course of true love never did run smooth.

Listen to many, speak to a few.

“A Sentimental Moment”

A man fed me love and I suck it up.

A woman fed me hate and I suck it up.

Love tasted real good~ It left me sentimental~ I savored the taste so I held on.

Hate tasted real bad~ It left me dejected~ I disliked the taste so I let go.

I love love and I pass it on~

May your Valentine’s Day be filled with love, peace, joy and a sentimental moment.

“Sadness”

Many people are upset that the mayor did not close NY schools. I was also wondering why then I heard a reporter say that many children are from underprivileged homes. Being in school is sometimes the only place they receive a hot meal. It is so sad that they have to face the inclement weather just to get a meal.

“A Snowy Morning”

It is snowing heavily. Visibility is poor so walking and driving is not easy. If you are heading out, I hope you get to your destination, without difficulty. Have a nice day and be very careful.

“The Medicine”

A spoonful of sugar and the medicine goes down~ The medicine goes down~ The medicine goes down~ A spoonful of sugar and the medicine goes down, in the most delightful way~ Not at all, A spoonful of sugar and Canadian Healing Oil goes down, in the most horrible way~

All cough syrups have more than a spoonful of sugar and they all taste like a dose of throw up.

A wonderful safe day to you and yours.

“Cremation At Mosquito Creek”

As a child I used to be scared when I was in a car and it was driving along Mosquito Creek in San-Fernando, Trinbago and Tobago, especially when a cremation was taking place. One day when I was about 19, I was in a taxi heading to Point Fortin, a cremation was happening. It was very windy. The fire was blowing wildly and it was huge. The moment I saw the blaze, I looked away but the other people in the taxi was looking and talking excitedly. They were saying that they were seeing the outline of the body. This enticed the taxi driver to slow down so they could get a better view. It felt really eerie to hear the comment. I was in Trinbago in, 2011 and Mosquito Creek still had a daunting effect on me.

“Happy Tuesday”

Tuesday is my favorite day of the week. Although it is freezing outside, I still love Tuesday. I hope you and yours have all the necessary equipments to face the weather~ I hope today is a better day for you than yesterday~ Have a blessed safe day…

“The Missed Opportunity”

Sometimes you see or hear something and you know that it was not meant for you to see or hear. You are itching to ask a question about it, but you know that question could cause a real situation so you bite your tongue. Time passes by and you regret not asking the question. That missed opportunity always makes me say, “Why the hell I did not ask the question? What the ~~~ Jesus, was wrong with me!?...

I hope today is a better day for you than yesterday. Have a nice day.

“Your Friends Are Not”

Yes they might be your friends and you probably have very happy times when you get together, but they are not your children’s friends. Remember to pay attention to your children and the company they keep. There are too many situations where children are being molested, mistreated by a family friend. I told my children when they were younger, that mom and dad’s friends are not their friends. If you ever feel uncomfortable in their presence let us know. 

“It Should Only Happen Once”

If he or she hits you, I say end the relationship. That strike you received should only happen once. You cannot rehabilitate an abuser. He or she will try to convince you that it is your fault why he or she hits you. That is a LIE. The abuser will eventually kill you. There are so many heartbreaking stories of relationships that ended in death. Please— NOT three strikes and you are out. One strike and get out…

I have read the bible from cover to cover and maybe I miss the part where God says to stay in an abusive situation… I am reading it again and if I come across that part, I will post.

He beats you! You feel hurt from the blows as well as from the idea that he raised his hands at you. Your friends… No they are not your friends because a friend would not want you to be hurt. So the associate/s who tells you that you are the wife, don’t leave your home, you should stay ask them one question… ‘Would you come to my home and take the licks for me’?

Now you would know who your friend is.

Heard about two situations and I flipped so on that note I must re-post, just to remind all those women/men who are being abused that —YOU CANNOT REHABILITATE AN ABUSER!

“Happy Sunday”

On this beautiful Sunday, the start of a new week I wish you and yours the best things that life has to offer. 

Castor Oil

My sister told me to use Castor Oil to rub my knee so I decided to read about the health benefits. I know it was given to women days after they delivered.

It is good for~ Headaches, Arthritis, Epilepsy, Liver ailments, Eye irritation, Intestinal problems, Detoxification, Gynecological problems, Inflamed gallbladder, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and many more ailments…

A wonderful safe day to you and yours.*** If you are dealing with snow and ice, be extra careful.***

“Buss Yuh Tail”

On this beautiful Friday in NY, it is cold. Snow and ice on the ground and the NY MTA still did not clean up or put salt at bus stop. They just don’t care if you buss yuh tail. Lord, have mercy on the disable and elderly who ride the bus. A wonderful safe day to you and yours…

“Hurtful Disrespectful Selfish”

I saw a situation on — Being Mary Jane and I say… Man is hurtful, selfish and disrespectful.

Mary Jane is with a married man and he tells her that he does not sleep with his wife. One day Mary Jane tells the wife that she sleeps with her husband.

Wife asked husband why he cheats. He gave a few reasons, but the one that stood out to me is when he said he likes head and he likes to wake up to it being done to him.

One morning his wife tries to give him head, but she failed and instead of guiding her, he demeans her.

The next day while in bed with Mary Jane, he tells her about the situation with his wife. Mary Jane was pissed with him because he told her he does not sleep with his wife. He sleeps in the guest room... 

“Slipping and Sliding”

There are many snowy and icy areas on the roads and sidewalks, especially the areas where the homeowners and business men did not clean. What is very upsetting, is the New York MTA did not clean or throw salt on the snow and ice, at the bus stop. When the bus stops you have to plan how to get on or off. If the driver comes close to the sidewalk you may slip, but you can hold on to the door of the bus or someone may help you. If he stops away from the sidewalk, slipping and sliding takes place and you can fall, hurting yourself. The sad thing is those elderly people trying to get on or off the bus…

Baking Soda or Sodium Bicarbonate:-

Our Parents did things and they did not say why they were doing them. One thing my parents used a lot of was baking soda. I got it in lemonade also ¼ teaspoon in a glass of water to drink some mornings. It did not taste that bad. Baking Soda is great. That should be the number one item in your kitchen.  

Fruit and vegetable scrub

Brush your teeth~ It freshen you mouth.

Put underarm~ It neutralize body odor.

Use as an antacid.

For insect bites and itchy skin.

Clean brushes and combs. Hand wash dishes, pots and pans.  Freshen Sponges. Clean the Microwave. Polish silver flatware. Clean coffee and tea pots. Clean the oven. Clean the floors. Clean the furniture. Clean shower curtains.

Add to your laundry detergent~ Clothes get cleaner, fresher and brighter.

Remove oil and grease stains. Clean car batteries~ neutralizes acid corrosion.

Deodorize, refrigerator, cutting board, trashcans, clean dishwashers, carpet, vacuum cleaners, freshen closets, cars, sneakers etc…. 

Do you know how it feels when your mother holds you then her whisper, “I love you?”

“Spring”

It was snowing~ It is raining now~ Lightning flashing, thunder rolling~ Slushy snow on the ground~ 31ºF and going down~ As the temperature goes down icy conditions~ If you are going out, be very careful… A wonderful safe day to you and yours.

Just 43 more days, before SPRING…

“Yes There Are Roses”

Life in America is not “A Bed of Roses”. At times I wonder why I stay, but there are “Roses” and I love them.

Yesterday morning when I got up at 4AM, I looked through the window and snow flakes were coming down. The temperature went down*** Kept going down and the snow kept falling. At 6PM it was still snowing and it finally tapered off by 8PM.

Tonight into tomorrow, snow with ice and that is not “A BED OF ROSES”!...

“The Marijuana Tree”

In Trinbago a flu is given a name. The name derives from a hyped up situation. The Asian Flu took Trinbago by storm. Everyone in our home and the neighborhood had it. One morning Mrs. Khan a family friend walked into our yard and she called out to my mother. My brother was in the yard and he told her good morning, but then said, “Mrs. Khan what are you doing with that little tree in your hand?” She said that she brought it for my mother to make tea for us to drink for the Asian flu. She made it for her family and they are all feeling better. The flu is gone.

He said, “Do you know what kind of tree it is?” She told him no. He told her that it was a marijuana tree. Mrs. Khan suddenly dropped it on the ground, walked quickly into the house and nervously told my mother that she could have been arrested. 

“Love Was Floating”

Yes I love the 80s~ It was a heavenly time~ Lots of love floating around~ Marijuana floating in the air~ I never lit up, but it was in the air so I inhaled~ I got real high, hated the feeling because it was in control of me~ I spoke loud~ laugh at the most stupid things that were not funny~ Ate a lot of sweet things~ Just had a lot of happy moments~ People just loved each other. Legalize it…

“Legalize Marijuana”

Philip Seymour Hoffman — 1967-2014 Movies Mission Impossible III, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire etc. But my favorite move was “Doubt”.

The news said that Hoffman apparently died of a Heroin overdose.

In my 53 years on this earth, I never heard anyone died from smoking marijuana or overdosed. I only heard good things about it. I say legalize Marijuana.

“Important People Told Me”

Don’t repeat what you were told in confidence.

Don’t envy anyone.

Don’t take anything that belongs to another.

Don’t take anything intoxicating.

Don’t take anything that is going to mess with my dexterity.

Don’t procrastinate.

Be true to you. Love you.

1 Paralipomenon (1 Chronicles) 16:2-3

David had made an end of offering holocausts, and peace offerings, he bless the people in the name of the LORD. And he divided to all and everyone, both men and women, a loaf of bread, and a piece of roast beef , and flour fried in oil.

Flour fried in Oil — Fry Bake… With cheese/ fry shark/salt fish… That is the meal of the day in my home today.

“Fry Bake”

4 cups flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoon sugar or ½ teaspoon salt (I like sugar in my fry bakes. I am not a fan of salt so I am not going to tell you to add more.)

Water

Oil for frying.

Mix flour, baking powder sugar or salt adding a little water at a time to make soft dough, not sticky. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes. Put in a bowl, cover and let rest for ½ an hour… Cut pieces and roll into a small ball. Roll out ¼ inch thick… Fry in hot oil turning over… fry until brown.

This is my recipe for making fried bakes… At times I add ½ cup of whole wheat flour or ½ cup fine cornmeal.