Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Witches Chant from Macbeth

macbeth_title


Round about the couldron go:
In the poisones entrails throw.
Toad,that under cold stone
Days and nights has thirty-one
Sweated venom sleeping got,
Boil thou first in the charmed pot.
Double,double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blindworm's sting,
Lizard's leg and howlet's wing.
For charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
Double,double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and couldron bubble.

Scale of dragon,tooth of wolf,
Witch's mummy, maw and gulf
Of the ravin'd salt-sea shark,
Root of hemlock digg'd in the dark,
Liver of blaspheming Jew;
Gall of goat; andslips of yew
silver'd in the moon's eclipse;
Nose of Turk, and Tartar's lips;
Finger of birth-strangled babe
Ditch-deliver'd by the drab,-
Make the gruel thick and slab:
Add thereto a tiger's chaudron,
For ingrediants of our cauldron.
Double,double toil and trouble,
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Time to Make the Cake

By Popular Demand


C Cake

Several of you have asked me for the delicious recipe I gave you last year for my special Christmas Cake so for those who enjoyed it so much and for friends who weren't around at the time, here is is. Enjoy!

Brandy Christmas Cake (some may prefer rum)


1 cup water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 cup of brown sugar
Lemon juice
4 large eggs
Nuts
1 bottle Courvoisier VSOP Brandy
2 cups dried fruit


Sample the brandy to check quality. (I already sampled it.....several times to check the quality)

Take a large bowl, check the brandy again. To be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.

Repeat.

Turn on the electric mixer.

Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.

Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again.

At this point its best to make sure the brandy is still OK. Try another cup...just in case.

Turn off the mixerer thingy.

Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the fruit up off the floor.

Mix on the turner.

If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the brandy to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something.

Check the brandy.

Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.

Add one table.

Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find.

Greash the oven.

Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.

Don't forget to beat off the turner.

Finally, throw the bowl through the window.

Finish the brandy and wipe counter with the cat.


CHERRY MISTMAS!


Beware of cat

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The First Anniversary




A July evening forty two years ago
My life is about to change
You stand before me hand extended
I place mine in yours
And so we have met
A soft Irish brogue charming and gentle
Eyes so dark as they penetrate mine
I withdraw my hand but I know
That we will touch again
So much more intimately

Six months later I am twenty
You older by almost a score plus ten
I know you know which road we’ll take
It is only a matter of time
Age is of no concern
Love knows no bounds
We are one
In heart mind body and soul

We live we love we brave the storms
Tempests jealousies joys and sorrows
Tumultuous affair but inseparable
A fine line between love and hate
I want you need you
But sometimes cannot bear to see you
Through it all you sing The Wonder of You
Yes we are one
In heart mind body and soul

You promise nothing but your undying love
I want more but do I? Hidden devotion is not enough
But now the secret is no more
I give you all confidante friend and lover
You send me letters roses by the dozen
Your love shines through every smile and gesture
Beyond caring you give the game away
Our love no longer the worst kept secret
Because we are indestructible
In heart mind body and soul

Eight years on I smile through tears
Hold your hand and leave
With words I’ve said for the many years
No matter where I go or what I say
No matter who I am with
I will love you forever
Because we are one
In heart mind body and soul

Ten years later the pain has eased
You stand before me arms extended
I am taken back to another time
Of abandonment love passion hatred
You hold my son my husband’s son
Telling me of the mistake you made
In letting me go
I mask the tears
And I know we are still one
In heart mind body and soul

Twenty three years have passed
Once more you stand before me
Your eyes lock mine as once they had
Comfort as you hold me in your arms
I try to deny but I cannot
Because we still are one
In heart mind body and soul

You come to me in a dream I am very afraid
Three days later the impersonal message
You have gone forever
Thousands of miles separated us
And now millions more
There were no goodbyes but I know
That you are here with me
I am enveloped in your presence
Because I know we are one
In heart mind body and soul


BML © 2008

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

We dun Reach




I should really put this post on Bee's Up Front and Serious but that page of mine has fewer readers. On the other hand there are those I'm sure who will not want to know about this. I am posting it because even with the amount of crime there is in this twin island Republic which Desmond Tuto once dubbed 'a rainbow country', we are all in shock.

The perpetrators have no fear. There has been a complete breakdown as a result of which we are living in a totally lawless society. What is happening in this beautiful nation has to be stopped now. The problem starts at the top and until we get that sorted out, it will get worse.

My heart bleeds for this beautiful little country where we are all affected in some way or other by the disturbing events that are allowed to continue.

The article below is taken form this morning's Trinidad Express.


AMBUSH
Murder accused gunned down in front court while escorted by cops
Richard Charan and Nikita Braxton South Bureau

Tuesday, October 20th 2009


Peter Garcia was in handcuffs, police officers at his side, on the compound of a court, with dozens of officers nearby, when he was shot dead by men mocking the State's ability to protect.

Garcia had no chance to defend himself, and no one to defend him.

The police constables escorting him to the police station next door released their prisoner and ran after the first gunshot.

The policemen who responded to the shooting came long after the suspects were gone.

Acting Police Commissioner James Philbert said the police response to the killing would "show criminals that we are in charge. Today we have lost some ground in the sense that criminals can be so boldface to do that. I want to promise the nation that we will find these men and bring them to justice in the quickest time".

The suspects were free last night. The killing happened at 10.30 a.m. moments after Magistrate JoAnne Connor made a favourable ruling in Garcia's case.

Garcia, who five months ago was regarded as Trinidad's most wanted, was in court charged with wounding with intent to commit murder, and with the murder of Rio Claro businessman Simboonath Kumar.

On the murder charge, the State was told it had one last chance to come prepared, November 4, to begin the preliminary enquiry.

Garcia had already been discharged on two kidnapping charges.

When the gunshots sounded outside the door Magistrate Connor asked, "Is that gunshots?"

A police officer ran in to announce the shooting. People began screaming and ran towards the Magistrates' Chamber.

Magistrate Connor fled first. Those standing outside the courtroom-witnesses to the killing-ran into the courthouse.

No Court and Process officer was armed, the Express was told, because the Police Standing Orders do not allow for officers in contact with prisoners to carry firearms.

The killers used Uzi submachine guns. They fired on the police station before leaving. And despite a response that involved multiple search teams, tracker dogs, road blocks, and a helicopter hunt, the suspects vanished.

The killers had no problem getting onto the compound. The entrance to the courthouse is not guarded. Only at the courtroom door is a person searched.

Garcia's attorney Jason Jackson, who heard the shots that killed his client, said, "Government should consider more security of high risk prisoners and judicial officers. It is unfortunate that the country has gotten to this stage where there is no respect for law enforcement."

The courthouse is being renovated, with a guard booth being constructed at the entrance with an extension to the main building for administrative staff.

The killers used the construction site as their guise. They dressed in steel tipped boots, hard hats and coveralls that hid their guns. No construction took place yesterday but no one appeared to have questioned the men who stood within the unfinished walls of the building and waited for almost two hours.

During Garcia's initial court appearances, he was defended by heavily-armed officers who surrounded the courthouse.

Police said yesterday the two "construction workers" approached Garcia as he was being escorted from the court by two police officers and one of them pulled a gun and shot Garcia at point blank range.

The officers ran, and as Garcia fell, the second man stood over him and fired at least five times into his head and chest.

The men climbed a chain-linked fence on the south side of the court compound, ran through the grounds of the Rio Claro Anglican Church, and left the area in a silver coloured Nissan Almera car. A bank nearby closed its doors as people ran from the courthouse.

A crowd of hundreds returned later to ridicule the police. Among them was Garcia's father, Harvey Huggins, who asked, "How could my son get shoot in police hands. Don't they supposed to protect him?"

Huggins said more people would die as a result of his son's killing. Garcia's handcuffs were removed before his body was taken away yesterday afternoon.

"We dun reach" as they say here.

Monday, October 19, 2009

It's Official. H1N1 in Trinidad



It's official. As if we haven't enough to contend with, H1N1 has hit Trinidad and there have been five deaths during the last few days. That is not good for an island with a population of merely 1.3 million a large proportion of which do not feel it is necessary to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze! Sad but true. I remember as a child living in Singapore, how I used to heave when people, no matter where they were, cleared their throats and spat. Lee Kuan Yew brought an end to that. No one is going to bring an end to that here.

Trinidad Daily Express this morning:

TrinidadPaper today



Free Tamiflu
Ministry makes swine flu drug more accessible to public

There is a great spiel on how the drug will be available for everyone at public and private institutions, at no cost. Well that won't be true. First of all the government has only 200,000 plus doses and secondly no private institution is going to administer the drug free of charge.

As usual the Minister of Health has said there is no need for panic. You tell that to you mother/father/child/tantie/uncle et al when they have been sitting in A&E for thirteen hours with uncontrolled fever and no one is attending to them. Yes there is a normal flu bug around too but how can one be sure without some sort of appraisal. One person went to a private doctor twice and was given medication. He eventually went to the public hospital. He is dead. So people are not supposed to panic. Of course people will panic. More so when they know that the only option for them is to stay here and hope that they are treated in a health service which is in total disarray. One family complained that they had to share two masks when they arrived at the hospital. Some months ago when my daughter was ill and I had her tested for H1NI in a private hospital, she was given a mask - I was not!

The best place to be is out on the beach. That is the safest place according to one of our more prominent doctors. The germs don't like the open air and steer clear of sun, sand and sea. It's raining!

pigs_at_pennywell_S

Friday, October 16, 2009

Divali



Tomorrow, Saturday is the Hindu Festival of Divali otherwise known as the Festival of Lights. The festival celebrates light over dark, good over evil.

Divali was first brought to Trinidad by Hindu indentured labourers in 1845 and is a five day festival. The word Divali itself means "row of lights" During this 5 day festival homes are completely cleaned and windows are opened to welcome Lakshmi , the goddess of wealth. Lamps are lit as a greeting to Lakshmi, gifts are given and festive meals are prepared.

ma-lakshmi


The climax of Divali is the lighting of deyas after sundown - a delightful experience that should never be missed. In yards, open spaces, staircases, roundabouts and porches, deyas are lit by the thousands.


Divali-Lights1


They are also placed on bamboo stalks bent into fantastic shapes and designs. In villages where there is a strong Hindu presence it is common to see whole streets decorated in this manner.

divr8

The following is taken from Worldpress.org and written by Dr. Kumar Mahabir (October 14, 2009)

Divali is the defining event that marks Trinidad as a multi-religious, multi-ethnic society with Hindus comprising the second largest religious group (24 percent) after Roman Catholics in the twin-island population of 1.3 million people. While Divali is essentially a Hindu festival, people of all faiths actively join in celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Non-Hindu adherents are attracted to the festival's universal message as well as to the extravaganza that is not only unique but also provides a clean environment for the cultivation of a healthy body, mind and soul.
Nowhere else in the world do non-Hindus and non-Indians actively take part in the lighting of over 10 million deyas on a single night in the year. These tiny clay lamps are lit in homes, yards, streets, offices, public parks and playing fields. It is perhaps only in Trinidad that one can find split bamboo tubes transformed into magnificent works of art on which the deyas are placed. The split bamboo strips reach out toward neighboring houses, streets and communities to symbolize the popular local mantra "all ah we is one."


Par2236839


diya

Hello Mr Humphrey!




I got a call on my cellular in the middle of last night from one Mr Humphrey telling me that I had won US500,000 through a Nokia promotion (my cell is Motorola!!) and that he was calling me from the UK. The conversation went something like this:

Mr H: I have good news.
Me: Who is this?
Mr H: Mr Humphrey
Me: Who???
Mr H: Mr Humphrey. I am calling from the UK. You have won five hundred thousand US dollars
through a Nokia promotion.
Me: Really?!
Mr H: Yes, aren’t you happy lady?
Me: Happy? Do you think I’m mad?
Mr H: Mad? Why would you be mad? Are you not happy?
Me: You have to think I’m mad! Are you mad?
Mr H: Why are you mad? You have won money through a Nokia promotion.
Me: (Sarcasm) Really? You really think I am that stupid??!!!
Mr H: No no – no stupid. You won!
Me: Where did you say you were calling from?
Mr H: UK
Me: Really? How interesting! Where in the UK?

Line goes dead!!

Two minutes later the phone rang from the same number. I ignored it.

I’d be interested to know how he got my number – more than coincidence as that same number came up on my husband’s B Mobile Nokia last Sunday morning. He did not answer it.

We traced the number to Ohio.

I have to say, Mr Humphrey sounds awfully Chinese to me!!!! He really must think there are some stupid people out there!


scam e

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Willow Manor Ball

I am very late for Willow's Ball and at the moment I cannot make up my mind which of the following to wear.

This?



Or this?


elie-saab-gown32.jpg

Or this?

elia-saab-gown27.jpg

I really wanted the red one but the hostess is wearing red so it would be very 'non u' to turn up in the same colour!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

And So the Rains Came



This morning we are experiencing torrential rain in the paradise island of Trinidad.

Highways, bi-ways and other roads are already flooding. People are turning back. Reports are coming out of the capital that water is rising. No doubt rivers will over flow once again because of the rubbish that people dump into them during the dry season. Houses will be flooded out if not swept away. Household appliances, furniture and personal assets will be destroyed because developers have been allowed to cut down the rain forests which allows water to gush down into the valleys and take control of peoples' lives.

It's the same story year in, year out and once again the government has not put things in to place to stop this stupidity. They are too busy building things that are of no benefit to the man in the street.

People will hold their heads in their hands, bawl and cry as they watch the water containing dirt, soil, vermin and the strong possibility of disease flowing into their homes. they are the lucky ones. Some homes are washed away.

These people will still vote for the ruling party which does into seem to understand that it is a government elected by the people for the people.

The above photograph was taken last year and I strongly suspect that by 2.00pm today we could be in the same boat! Perhaps we should have boats and kayaks for hire on the side of all major roads.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi



The following is a favourite of mine, especially when sung. I make no apology for sharing it.

Many different versions exist but this is the most popular.


Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.


O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

St Francis
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