Be Mindful of Others

I want to say that I have guts, confidence, vim and energy. But some days, that intestinal fortitude is hard to find. It could be because there's a tough decision to make or there's a tough person that will be affected.

You have to feel comfortable and good with yourself. I have worked with people who prefer not to share their feelings with the affected person - but yet they tell everyone else. It's a funny situation to be in but as you learn people, you learn to stay out of their way. You can also sense when there's a funny vibe coming from people. As cliche as it might sound, read between the lines and give them their space.

Giving someone their space might be one of those tough decisions but if it must be done, do so. Still maintain basic communication and manners but most of all be mindful of others.

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POEM: My Grandfather

My grandfather

I can proudly say that my grandfather was a great man:
He was a hardworking and talented a craftsman
He never spoke ill-will and had a giving spirit
and his loving his smile would always give me a lift
He always gave me an encouraging and positive word
Some of these words have helped me in this world
I never had to look too far for a role model
because my grandpa had values that were solid
He showed me that I should be purpose driven
but not to forget about God while I’m living
he encouraged me to get an education
because life was not meant to be just a vacation
these values I can now teach his great-grandchildren
and give back some of the love that I have been given

Rest In Peace, Grandpa! We love you!

Linette Rabsatt and Anthony Jr. & Anjanique

Crime Around Us

There are a lot of things that we can not explain. We will never know the answers and no matter how long we consider the scenario, we still won't understand. Crime is one of those things we won't understand. While, I may say that I have immunity to committing a crime, I can still be accused of wrongdoing. Every person has the right to supply a defence for themselves in court. Sometimes, he or she may be guilty but a good defence attorney can poke holes in the prosecution's case.

I don't know if anyone intentionally starts off wanting to be a crook or a criminal but I guess the situation may present itself when a dire need arises. We are not the judge and jury and while we may feel embarrasment and shame, we must remember that every one has their day in the wilderness with the devil.

We should not condone criminsl activity but we need to be empathetic to our fellow man. There is so much corruption, greed and lust in the world today and it is hard to stay on the right track. However, staying on the right track is the best decision.

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The Earth has lost a Role Model but Heaven has gained an Angel

My grandfather, Joseph Blyden, was a good man. He was a hard worker and had a giving spirit. He had a strong will and loved to share positive values. I think his life is a great example for me to follow. He was well-respected and dedicated to his family. A very mild-mannered man with handsome features describes my granfather's outer features. What truly entreated you was his kind heart and peaceful spirit.

He is someone that I only have positive memories of. The memories may not be many but for what I can remember, it has always been a great experience being in his presence. He died on Sunday, October 16 after a long illness. May he rest in peace.

Linette
(One of the few times I sign my name)

Food Prices, Crisis and Keeping My Home Stable

FAO choose a correct theme for World Food Day 2011. The theme is "Food Prices - From Crisis to Stability." However, unless a country is producing enough food to ensure its food security, the prices will be primarily subject to external factors. We, the consumers, are hardest hit when climate change, oil wars, invasions, economic downturns and the like increase the cost of food.

We also have to make better choices and by this I mean healthier choices. The first cry becomes healthier means more expensive. One of the Health Care Advocates who visited our PTA meeting reminded us that eating well today saves on medical bills in the future.

I look at fast food and compared it to the healthier choices. If I can get three apples or oranges for $1.00 then that's only $0.33 for each apple. A bag of cheetos is more than $0.50. One store has ripe bananas for $0.79 per pound. One banana does not weigh one pound and it may only weigh a quarter of a pound. My only problem with bananas is that my children will squash them in the bags but I can always cut them up.

I love shrimp but shrimp is not a necessity. Salmon can be considered a need because it is an excellent source of protein. However, you have to shop within your budget to try to get ahead. Things like ketchup, sugar etc, the staples, can be sought through comparison shopping for the best deal.

I learned that if I want my nice fresh produce to be used and not wasted, I need to turn it into fast food. I do not mean by frying! I take the grapes off the stems, wash them and store in a zipper bag. I cut up my lettuce and store the same way. I try my best to season my fish and meats immediately and store in the same matter.

I think more people need to try the green thumb method. Plant some herbs, tea bush, peppers or tomatoes to save and to also eat healthy.

We have to find ways to keep healthy while still saving and enjoying life!

 I have registered for Blog Action Day 2011. Join me in the global discussion about Food. http://bit.ly/BAD11

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FAO Celebrates World Food Day on October 16

The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) observes World Food Day annually on October 16 to encourage attention to agriculture and to world hunger.

The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) celebrates World Food Day annually on October 16. As October 16 marks the anniversary of FAO, this day remains significant in the promotion of food and agriculture in the growing world. In November 1979, FAO at its Twentieth General Conference established World Food Day and this day has been celebrated ever since. With over 180 member countries in FAO, this commemoration has spread globally from the United Kingdom to the United States of America to the Caribbean among other countries.

World Food Day Celebrates Agriculture

World Food Day is celebrated not only to promote literal food but to promote agriculture, food security and to raise the awareness of hunger and poverty in the world. According to FAO, the most significant objective is to "encourage attention to agricultural food production and to stimulate national, bilateral, multilateral and non-governmental efforts to this end." This means that agriculture must be a central focus on all levels of leadership both in the private and public sectors locally and globally. According to FAO, two other key objectives for observing World Food Day are to "heighten public awareness of the problem of hunger in the world" and to "strengthen international and national solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty and draw attention to achievements in food and agricultural development."

According to FAO, there are almost one billion people in the world who suffer from chronic hunger. FAO states that "people who are chronically hungry are undernourished (and) don't eat enough to get the energy they need to lead active lives." While some people may feel that the prevalence of hunger may be low in their country, it is important to understand that the hunger FAO refers to is not only the lack of food but the lack of enough nutritional food in the diet to get a person through their normal day.

World Food Day is Observed Worldwide

Other significant objectives of World Food Day are to "encourage economic and technical cooperation among developing countries" and to "promote the transfer of technologies to the developing world." With FAO having its presence globally and with Governments worldwide having to reduce spending, feeding the world's population is a global problem. There are countries that rely heavily on the importation of their food and while they may thrive financially, their inability to feed themselves is a major concern. What happens when climate change or economic slumps affect the food supply? As these factors affect the number of persons who are chronically hungry globally, commemorating World Food Day brings attention and action to taking a more unified approach to reducing global hunger.

World Food Day in USA, USVI & BVI

While the USA has been observing World Food Day from the onset of the commemoration, World Food Day is becoming more significant in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and United States Virgin Islands (USVI) where hunger is not seen on a large scale.

• USA's World Food Day: World Food Day USA encourages Americans to host activities to promote agriculture by organizing agricultural events and farmers' markets, making linkages with the schools or making donations to the needy.
• USVI Makes World Food Day Fun: In the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), the [University of the Virgin Islands (UVI)](http://www.uvi.edu) hosts World Food Day activities. In 2009, UVI sponsored the "World Food Day Youth Super Chef Competition" for junior high and senior high school students and a "Breadfruit Bonanza Cooking Competition" for the public.
• BVI Celebrates World Food Day: In the British Virgin Islands, 2009 marked the first official commemoration of this day with activities by the Department of Agriculture. The department gave donations of produce to the elderly, assisted at a local soup kitchen and held an open house for the public to learn more about agriculture.

Every participating country celebrates World Food Day at different levels. World Food Day is a significant day because it addresses the production and availability of food. According to the FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf, the number of hungry people in the world should be considered a "tragic achievement in these modern days". As World Food Day happens annually, it is hoped that on that day, people everywhere will unite towards the common goal of increasing and improving agricultural production while simultaneously reducing the number of persons who are hungry globally.

Times are hard

People, times are hard. It means that you may have to be mean or you may have to just mean well. We should cast our bread on the water but when you leave home in the morning to buy bread and bush water (tea), how can you really move forward? Can't you make breakfast for yourself at least 3 days out of the week. This is even stronger if you have a family.

I would like to see more young people invest in land as opposed to cars today. Even if your family has land, you should either seek to get a house lot at your own expense or purchase a lot or a home. This is the advice I willingly give any young person today.

The experts say that we should have 3 months living expenses saved but we can't save if we want to live like the rich and famous. It's time to think wisely and live smartly.