Why Should I Cage My Mind?

I've run from many obstacles and I've hidden lest I fall. However, I realize that running won't save me from embarrassment or any problem. I have to live in the hole that I dig for myself. I have to deal with the nonsense that I get involved in whether willingly or forcefully. I have to love and forgive the people that set blocks in my way.

If I take time to harp on the negative I can never really move ahead. I am not a caged animal so why should I cage my mind. Why should I let others get under my skin so that I can not function or even get myself together. I've let that happen in the past and while I may cry, swear or shout, I don't waste that energy for too long anymore.

As a good friend always says it's not "in my sphere". I 'suck my teeth' and keep going!

26 Things I do with My Children

What do I do with my children?
1. I dance with them.
2. I discipline them by taking away privileges or spanking.
3. I help them to learn by giving them little assignments.
4. I pray with them.
5. I try not to leave them here and there by friends and family.
6. I encourage them to ask questions to people in the community.
7. I sing with them.
8. I do hula-hoop with them.
9. I try to give them a fruit every day.
10. I try to limit the number of candies they eat to none or less than two in a week.
11. I give them water to take to school, not juice.
12. I give them juice at night with dinner.
13. I let them sweep and take the sheets off the bed.
14. I encourage them to take part in Flower Show, Fun Day and other competitions.
15. I encourage them to walk with me.
16. I teach them dances from the 90s - soca especially.
17. I take pictures of them.
18. I tell them how I feel - even when I am annoyed I let them know they are annoying me.
19. I put them to sleep before 9pm.
20. I wake them up by 6am.
21. I let them sleep a little late on Saturdays unless we have an event to attend.
22. I take them to church.
23. I sometimes let them learn the hard way - you keep destroy your schools supplies and you will walk emty-handed.
24. I tickle them.
25. I think I encourage good hygiene.
26. I love them even when they get on my nerves.


Of course life is never limited to a list so I do a lot more!
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POEM: The Youth are Calling

The youth are calling
for us to reply.
They are crying loudly,
they don't want to be denied.
How can we save them?
We need not ask when.
We need to be proactive
so they can be content.
What do they ask for?
Just for nurturing and care,
they need good role models
so their lives can be repaired.
We need to pray for our youth,
we need to pray for their parents,
We have to pray for the community
for our lives to see improvement.
Our youth need good leaders
who implement good plans.
They need Godly direction,
to be great women and men.
Your question may be,
"What is my role?"
We all have to work together
to help the lost souls.
We all have to unite
and fight for the same good causes.
Let us lead our people
like great men such as Moses.
The youth are calling,
We can hear their cries.
When they call at your door,
what will be your reply?

© Linette Rabsatt

POEM: I May Find Mine by Linette Rabsatt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EojWyEstJ-c

Virgin Islander Publishes "Colour and Learn"

I would like to say Congratulations to Virgin Islander, Steve Lennard on publishing his "Colour and Learn" Colour Mathematics Book For Early Primary. He is a Virgin Islander who enjoys teaching and taught in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education. He also is an Assistant Pastor at his church and the Deputy Director of the HL Stoutt Community College's campus in Virgin Gorda..

We look forward to more publications from Mr. Lennard!

Music Makes Me Love Sweets

"Brown Sugar" by D'Angelo and "Candy" by Cameo are two R&B songs that sing about something that is literally and figuratively sweet. Both have a great beats, a fun video and lyrics that talk about a 'sweet' girl. Peaches & Cream (Featuring P. Diddy) (Album Version) is another sexy song that gets the taste buds excited. Blackberry Molasses by Mista is more of an uplifting type jam which features Bobby Valentino.

"Sugar Boy" is soca by Patrice Boy and I love the way she speaks about her "Sugar Boy". You know this can only be sweet words. Nu Vybes brought us "Sugah  Band" and this had the people clubs and festivals going crazy. As the lyrics say "The people just can't get enough of the sweetness...."

Common's Like Water for Chocolate was an awesome album that had one of my favorite songs "The Light". In a previous blog entry, Confessions of a Chocolate-aholic who also loves cheesecake, I shared how much I loved chocolate.

These are only a very short list of songs or albums that talk about sweets. If I continue, I will probably want to eat sugar for breakfast.

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The Girl Who Felt She Had It Rough

Once upon a time there was a girl who felt that she had it rough. She fell in and out of love. She leaped between life and death. She creeped through the valley and soared over the hills. She dodged several bullets and caught many stars. She ran with the lions and slumbered with the snails.

Her life was never dull but never exciting. Her pockets were never full but the back pocket always had $2.00. She showed appreciation to who helped her and still commended those who ignored her cries. She fell and she got up. She lived her art and her art was a reflection of her.

She proved that life was just never perfect or balanced but that we all just need to scream, cope and run when needed. We need to cry sometimes and other times, breathe or react, or all of the above. Between the rising and the falling, she stood, sat, laid and crept her way through. Quiet or loud, whatever it took, she dealt with the blows given and she returned a few too.

Being the rebel, she was still passive resistant. A risk-taker who was also a coward. She took late action but was also proactive for what she wanted.

She evaluated and dreamed forward only to realize that all she needed to do was live.

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