The only real valuable thing is intuition. ― Albert Einstein ((1879-1955)

I don’t know what you are faced with, but it’s wonderful that we are seeing another day. My words for today… Intuition, instinct, perception, insight, sixth sense, hunch, inkling, suspicion… As the old folks in Trinbago used to say, “Something, tell me. Ah had ah feeling. Ah had ah hunch” Whatever you may call it, this is just a reminder for you to be aware of your surrounds…

Another day another story.. The MTA want more money.

The cost of living goes up in the USA and your salary stays the same. The MTA wants to raise the bus and train fares by 15%. Increasing the fare from $2:75 to $3.15.

“Inflation”

I remember when I started living in the US it cost 50 cents to get on the bus in New Jersey. A short drop in a taxi was $1.00. I moved to New York and the cost was 75 cents to get on the bus/train. A short drop in a taxi was $1.50 (Transportation in NY is more expensive than NJ) Today in NY it cost $2.50 to get on the bus and train. Short drop in a taxi $7.00/8.00… Oh drama! Inflation!

“Humanity Is Dead”

Money is involved so humanity is dead. It’s in a void. I mean, kindness is in a crater. Charity is in a trench. Compassion is in a pit. Empathy is in a ditch. Sympathy is in the gutter. It is sad to say, but I am seeing it everyday… Humanity is dead!!!!! 

About 8:30pm last night, people were leaving a funeral service at Emmanuel Church of God on Flatbush Avenue near Foster Avenue, a shootout started. Six people were shot. Two died. I wonder how much guns would be sold today and how many criminals will be buying them.

A wonderful safe day to you and yours. A pray for you.

Ex.14:13-14. Fear not! Stand your ground and you will see the victory the LORD will win for you today. The LORD himself will fight for you, you have only to keep still. Enjoy your day and be safe. Amen.

“Just say thanks. It is a prayer of admiration”

“He who rushes from his bed to his business and waiteth not to worship is as foolish as though he had not put on his clothes, or cleansed his face, and as unwise as though he had dashed into battle without arms or armor. Be it ours to bathe in the softly flowing river of communion with God, before the heat of the wilderness and the burden of the day begins to oppress.” At Jesus’ Feet By Doug Batchelor.

Enjoy your day and be safe.

“Eating Organic Was The Norm For Trinbagonians”

For the greater part of my life I ate organic food and I did not pay close attention to it. It was the most natural thing. My father had a beautiful garden which he planted as a hobby. He killed weeds by rooting them up with his hands or by using his hoe, rake, spade, fork, etcetera. Pesticide and herbicides were never used in his garden and in most of the gardens in Trinbago. Fertilizer was cow dung and it was all natural, because the cows ate grass. Goats and sheep also ate grass. They all grazed in the field and savannah. We had chickens, ducks and turkeys. They all ate corn and water-grass… When I think about the plates of food that I ate when I lived in Trinidad… hmm!!! Every single thing on it was organic. Today I believe that the word ‘organic’ is just written on the package to get an extra dollar out of you…  

Did anyone ever ask you this question? “You don’t want nothing to eat, right?” I could be hungry, but my answer to that question would be, “Nah, I just eat.” You know the only reason they asked you that is because they don’t want to give you any of their food.

A 7.8 earthquake struck the island of Nepal, between the capital --Kathmandu and the city --Pokhara. More than 900 plus people died, many injured and the death toll is climbing. Lord have mercy.

Good morning. I hope you thank God for making you see another day. I know how my day is progressing, and so far so good. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Enjoy and be safe.

Ps. 112. Happy the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his command. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his generosity shall endure forever. He dawns through the darkness, a light for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice; He shall never be moved; the just man shall be in everlasting remembrance. An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm trusting in the LORD. His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear till he looks down upon his foes. Lavishly he gives to the poor, his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. The wicked man shall see it and be vexed; he shall gnash his teeth and pine away, the desires of the wicked shall perish. Amen.

A vulgar situation … it’s all about money.

What is the reason for State Wide Testing? I believe it is for financial gain because there is an amount of $ allotted for each child in the public school system. The amount is higher or lower according to the race of the child.

I have been in the NYC school system since 1994. I agree with the parents who are complaining about testing. School children take state wide tests from 3^rd grade although I remember when my son was in elementary school, one year because the children in his class were advanced, they were tested in 2^nd grade. Parents were informed about the test, after it was done. I am not sure if this still happens, but children are tested 3, 4, 5, 6, 7… grade… and so on and so on. Why is it necessary to test children yearly? It is very stressful for children to make the grade. (Grade:- 1—Below Standard, 2  —Approaching Standard, 3 —Meets Standard, 4 —Exceeds Standard.)

After testing then comes report cards —Parents teacher’s conference. It is the saddest thing for many children. When mothers/fathers/caregivers collect report cards, the looks on their faces and their child’s face is upsetting. You could hear some of them berating their child, and the child stands their crying…. A very sad situation. I believe that school children should be tested in 4^th grade for entry into Middle school and 7^th grade for entry into high school.

I truly believe that the only reason for testing is financial gain for the city and all others in the mix. Parents who are complaining about testing should not stop until they stop the testing.

Each man to his own accord and that is life.

Remember when you are walking look down to make sure the path for your feet is level... without stumbling blocks. There are so many uneven sidewalks and roads (potholes etc.) so walking can be perilous. Be on your Ps and Qs. Gone were the days when our parents stopped us from walking with our head down and demanded that we walk with our head up. Every day I remind my family to make sure their path is clear --- watch their steps so this reminder goes out to you and yours too. Enjoy your day and be safe. 

Ecclesiasticus 40:1-7 — Sirach 40:1-7 Joys and Miseries of life

A great anxiety has God allotted, and a heavy yoke, to the sons of men: From the day one leaves his mother’s womb to the day he returns to the mother of all the living, His thoughts, the fear in his heart, and his troubled foreboding till the day he dies— Whether he sits on a lofty throne or grovels in dust and ashes, whether he bears a splendid crown, or is wrapped in the coarsest of cloaks— Are of wrath and envy, trouble and dread, terror of death, fury and strife. Even when he lies on his bed to rest, his cares at night disturb his sleep. So short is his rest it seems like none, till in his dreams he struggles as he did by day, Terrified by what his mind’s eye sees, like a fugitive being pursued; As he reaches safety, he wakes up astonished that there is nothing to fear.

The most truthful book ever written about life is the Holy Bible. There is a life experience and/or attitude about every single human being, living or dead in the Bible. Some people love the Bible and some people hate the Bible. As the old folks in Trinbago used to say, “The truth does offend.”

I know I am repeating myself, but you need to stop depending on your pastor/priest/preacher to read the Bible then to eulogize the word of God to you. Take up your bible and start reading a chapter a day, you will be enthralled. Enjoy your day and be safe.

Trinbagonians would know this.

Blue, Blue ---God love you.

Red, red ---you pee your bed.

White, white ---you fly your kite.

Green, green ---you kiss the queen.

Yellow, yellow ---you kiss your fellow.

Black, back ---you bocyback.

Prov. 26:27. He who digs a pit falls into it; and a stone comes back upon him who rolls it.

Ecclesiasticus 22:8 — Sirach 22:8

He talks with a slumberer who talks with a fool, for when it is over he will say, “What was that?”

Ecclesiasticus 38:9-15 — Sirach 38:9-15 What to do when ill

My son, when you are ill, delay not, but pray to God, who will heal you: Flee wickedness; let your hands just, cleanse your heart of every sin; Offer your sweet-smelling oblation and petition, a rich offering according to your means. Then give the doctor his place lest he leave; for you need him too. There are times that give him an advantage, and he too beseeches God that his diagonisis may be correct and his treatment bring about a cure. He who is a sinner toward his Maker will be defiant toward the doctor.

A blessed safe day to you and yours.

Pretending is sinful because you are lying.

The hardest thing for me to do is to pretend. I have done it before and after the moment of pretence, I used to feel stressed. All day I would feel this way. When I lay down at night, falling asleep was the hardest thing to do because the untruthful moments, had me feeling guilty. One day, I decided that I cannot live like that so I do not pretend and I do not tell lies. There are some people who want me to pretend because it makes them feel comfortable for the community —John public, but I am me and I am a good person, I am not a pretender.  

This morning I woke up with my mind on Trinbago and some of the funny moments crossed my mind.

One day a young woman walked by another woman who was walking with a little boy. The moment she passed them the little boy slapped the young woman on her butt. She turned around, slapped him very hard then she pointed her finger at him and said, “Doh ever do dat again!”

He started to bawl and his mother said, “Ah real sorry, buh yuh didn’t have to hit him so hard. Yuh can’t see he smaller than you?”

“Yeh he smaller but ah sure if ah kneel down next to he, we go be same size.”

I love Trinbago oui and I miss it.

I was in Trinbago in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011 and I did not have it…

I am not crying me a river but I have to say, “Damn! Andrew Zimmern had it. Yes, one year while I was in Trini, I was invited to go to Maracas Bay to get bake and shark, but the invitation sounded and felt like an afterthought so I did not go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WmQtzux2yU

On a personal note.

When Paul was about 9, one night during family time we read Gen. 32:24-27. Some man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. When the man saw that he could not prevail over him, he struck Jacob’s hip at its socket, so that the hip socket was wrenched as they wrestled. The man then said, “Let me go, for it is day break, but Jacob said, “I will not let you go until you bless me. After we were finished Paul said, “God cheat to win.”

That statement was the highlight of our night. A wonderful safe day to you and yours.

Ugliness is not an appearance. Ugliness is how someone makes you feel.

I am sweet, you are sweet everything God made is sweet. So why are you adding needless sweeteners into your daily diet… Enjoy your day and be safe.

“Be blessed”

I found a cell phone and I phoned the owner. She came and I gave it to her.

“How much do you want for it?” She asked.

“What!?”

“You found it, you could have kept it, but you are giving it back to me so I feel you want to be paid.”

“It is not my phone, I did not buy it, it is yours and I believe it is sinful for me to want to be rewarded. I hope if you find one belonging to someone else you give it to them and don’t ask for a reward.”

“Thanks and I appreciate you.”

“You are welcome.”

Do a good deed. If you find a cell phone, tablet, ipad, etc., Contact the owner. You really don’t know the life line connected to it. 

There are old heads in the world who cannot help me by their example or advice to live worthily and satisfactorily to myself; but I believe that it is in my power to elevate myself this very hour above the common level of my life. —Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Ecclesiasticus 32:17-24 — Sirach 32:17-24

The sinner turns aside reproof and distorts the law to suit his purpose. The thoughtful man will not neglect direction; the proud and insolent man is deterred by nothing. Do nothing without counsel, and then you need have no regrets. Go not on a way that is set with snares, and let not the same thing trip you twice. Be not too sure even of smooth roads, be careful on all your paths. Whatever you do, be on your guard, for in this way you will keep the commandments. He who keeps the Law preserves himself; and he who trusts in the LORD shall not be put to shame. Amen.

Give from your heart and not from your stingy mind.

Some people even grumble about the amount of food their children eat. I prefer to stay hungry than to eat a plate of food from someone who grumbles about it. Don’t be stingy. Give that plate of food and don’t complain about it. Be thankful to God that you are able to feed someone.

“On an intimate note”

A kind word always turns away wrath. As the old folks in Trinbago used to say, “you too hog-stylish” —(hostile).

Your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend arrived home and they start touching you in different areas on your body. You are tired, not in the mood to get that intimate so you say, “Oh gosh, stop it nah, or will you stop, or you angrily say, “STOP!” Those statements would hurt

Yes you are tired, but if he/she is the love of your life, you need to smile and say, “Wait. It will be you and me in bed tonight, or so you want it, wait until we get to bed, or you really think you could handle this?”

After all your ‘gun talk’, hot air, make sure you do not go to bed first. Let him/her go to bed first, they will fall asleep. Now if they don’t fall asleep, crawl onto the bed start touching them up as you get on. When you get face to face put on your best smile and say, “This is your night, how do you want it?”

He/she might say, “No it’s your night. What do you want?”

You should say, “You started it so you better finish it.”

Now relax and enjoy.

Be kind loving and remember to be patient, enduring, tolerant, unwearied, uncomplaining, serene I woke up this morning and it really feels and looks like Saturday. It is one of my favorite days of the week. Happy Saturday to you and yours.

Is it me or doesn’t today feel and look like a Saturday?

“Quotes I Like”

My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. ― Archbishop Desmond Tutu

A person is a person because he recognizes others as persons. ― Archbishop Desmond Tutu    

Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world. ― Archbishop Desmond Tutu

I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights. ― Archbishop Desmond Tutu    

Children are a wonderful gift. They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are. ― Archbishop Desmond Tutu

An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind. ― Buddha

The tongue like a sharp knife... Kills without drawing blood. ― Buddha

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. ― Buddha  

To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him. ― Buddha 

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. ― Buddha

However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them? ― Buddha

 In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true. ― Buddha

There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills. ― Buddha

The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed. ― Buddha  

Prov. 4:23-27 With closest custody, guard your heart, for in it are the source of life. Put away from you dishonest talk, deceitful speech put far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead and your glance be directly forward. Survey the path for your feet, and let all your ways be sure. Turn neither to the right nor to the left. Keep your foot from evil.

Prov. 27:19-20. As one face differs from another, so does one human heart from another. The neither world and the abyss are never satisfied; so too the eyes of men.

“Love your enemy.” I keep seeing this statement over and over and I ask myself, how do you love someone who hurt you? I know you cannot tell your heart who to love. I know your heart loves who or what it wants too and it doesn’t love what hurts it.

Some people eat the bread that the devil kneads and they love it. The only thing that I have to say about that is, “Christ has his followers and the devil has his.”

I don’t know what side you are on. Like my father used to say, “Not everyone who says, ‘Our Father means, OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN’ Be on your Ps and Qs, the ungodly walks among us.

Enjoy your day and be safe.

A wonderful day to you and yours. Enjoy and be safe.

I have read many books and most of them were attention-grabbing but the bible was the most intriguing, mind boggling book I have ever read. My bible is a Catholic Bible and it is very old.

Books of the Old Testament:- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Josue—(Joshua), Judges, Ruth, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 3 Kings, 4 Kings, 1 Paralipomenon—(1 chronicles), 2 Paralipomenon—(2 chronicles), 1 Esdras—(1 Ezra), 2 Esdras—(2 Ezra),  Tobias, Judith, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverb, Ecclesiastes, Canticle of Canticles—(Song of Songs), Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus—(Sirach), Isaias —(Isaiah),  Jeremias—(Jeremiah),, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezechiel—(Ezekiel), Daniel, Osee—(Hosea), Joel, Amos, Abdias—(Obadiah), Jonas—(Jonah), Micheas—(Micah), Nahum, Habacue—(Habakkuk), Sophonias—(Zephaniah), Aggeus—(Haggai), Zacharias—(Zechariah), Malachias—(Malachi), 1 Machabees, 2 Machabees,

 Books of the New Testament:- Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts of the Apostles, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians,  1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude Apocalypse —(Revelation).

I know I am repeating myself, but you need to stop depending on your pastor/priest/preacher to read the Bible then to extol the word of God to you. Take up your bible and start reading a chapter a day, you will be enthralled.

If you take to heart everything that everybody says to you then you will be very unhappy. People will say many things to you, but you need to go to the source to unearth the truth. Enjoy your day and be safe.

“Jesus Christ is risen today”

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!

Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!

Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

Happy Easter to you and yours. I wish you all a wonderful safe day.

A Happy Holy Saturday to you and yours.

Holy Saturday ends at 6pm. Easter Vigil, Paschal Vigil or the Great Vigil of Easter which is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, begins.

Good Friday Traditions in Trinbago

Physic Nut Tree—The Bleeding Tree:- We used to put a little cut on the trunk of the physic nut tree on Good Friday and watch the red sap come out… We used to say that the tree is bleeding.

An Egg In A Glass Of Water:- Break an egg in a glass and put it out in the sun. The shape formed will be your destiny… Unmarried women seeing a church will get married. Old people seeing a church going to die… And so on and so on… 

My memories of Good Friday are great. On Good Friday, we ate hot cross buns (my mother baked) and we drank orange peel tea, with brown sugar … no milk, for breakfast.

For lunch, we had fried fish, stew fish, cassava dumplings, green figs, ripe plantain –(boil and fried), ground provisions – dasheen, yam, sweet potato, Irish potato, eddoes, tannia and cassava – yucca. Salad – lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber… After lunch, we would go on the beach. There would be many people on the beach. No one goes into the sea, because, we were all told that we would turn into a fish if we did…

A happy holy Good Friday to you and yours.

Thank god for making me, see another day. I don’t have hot cross buns. I am having a cup of tea with Crix biscuits. All I have to say is, ‘Thank God for these small bites that many may call a meal’.

I wish you a holy, happy lovefilled day.

I love all the celebrations during lent in the Catholic Church. I love Passion Week the most. Today is Maundy Thursday, Holy Thursday, Thursday of Passion Week. The day before Good Friday.

Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples. The Last Supper. Jesus wased the disciples feet. 

Holy week is the best week of the year for me. I love the nostalgic feelings in my heart when I remember how holy my family kept the Lenten season. Good Friday takes the… not the cake… the buns. My taste buds are acting up right now for Hot Cross Buns and a Hot Cup of Tea.

When I was a child, on Good Friday morning, we drank orange peel tea, sweetened with brown sugar. I did cut out sugar and flour, but those Hot Cross Buns…hmm. Today, I really don’t know what I am going to do. Maybe I would eat one, two even three; perhaps I won’t even eat a piece. LORD it’s Holy Week and I know you already know the outcome of Good Friday in my home. We are keeping it holy. A wonderful safe day to you and yours.