The BVI is graduating another group of secondary school students and I must say congratulations to all the graduates. I am related to a few and have been in contact with a handful. It is truly always a proud moment that inspires me as a parent. I hear my son saying he wants A+s in his report. I am glad to give him tips and help him despite how frustrated I get.

The young people have a lot more to face than I did or my parents had to. They're in a cyber world where you work people that you will never meet. I belong to two online communities of persons that I have never met but we share a few things in common.

I wish the graduates well. Their task will be to create opportunities for entrepreneurship and in addition, lead the way for a more cleaner and interactive world. The internet has broken so many barriers but the internal racism, bigotry and hatred will have to stop too.

Their task is vast and we as a community have to embrace and encourage them foward. Do not be afraid to take on a challenge. Find opportunities that suit you and do not be pressure to go into a field that you don't want to.

All the best to the graduates of the BVI's secondary school system! Congratulations!

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POEM: Moving from Below

I have been in the depths
I know the days I've wept
my heart in chains
my mind restrained
I know not where I came from
I know I do not suck my thumb
cause that's just not my style
I'm too busy hitting the bull's eye
or removing a big stye
but what's your story
are you just looking for glory
or have you forgotten the victory
and just focusing on the battle
well hold on to your saddle
and get ready to paddle
cause it's no time to fumble
can't stop to stumble
or let the tummy rumble
just be humble
and rise above the rubble
pop the nasty bubble
and stay out of trouble

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Home Grown! Keep planting!

These are pictures of tomatoes in my yard.

Noone Likes a Brat

I think children should know their place. Better yet, I think parents and caregivers need to discipline their children. I find it hard to watch a child hitting adults, throwing curse words or bullying other children who may even be bigger than him or her.

Parents, this is not cute. If your child acts like a spoiled brat, he or she is not cute. When you dress up a pig in a bow and a dress - it is still a pig. I try my best to keep my children in check and I see that they have their little rude tendencis. However, I am not going to leave them to be disrespectful to me or to others.

You have to keep the children in check. Some of them go to school and they terrorize the teachers and other children. I find our teachers still to be extremely patient when they are called names, sworn at or kicked. These children need tough love. Stop spoling them! Stop spoling them!

Do not abuse them but you have to punish them and be serious about the punishment. Love them but do not allow them to rule you. I don't plan to be embarrassed by my children and I have to toughen them up so that they can survive this life ahead.

Love your children and discipline them please.

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What Happens When We Snap?

Snapped is one of my favorite television programs. But I wonder what really happens when someone snaps? Do their rationale thought processes just stop? Are they triggered by a particular action? I guess I would have to speak with a trained person who has dealt with these cases.

I do have my days like most people, filled with stress or heartache, but athough I may stress for a little on something, I pass it to Jesus. I turn on my music and dance with my children. I get my cutlass and cut grass, till the soil or write.

We have to find ways to cope with our problems. While we may say that we are outnumberd, embarrassed or hurt by another, it really might not be that way. Each person is a seperate individual. What you might think is important, I may disregard as silly. We just have to understand each other and severe ties when needed.

It makes no sense to hang on to someone who does not reciprocate the feelings you share. In these cases you just have to let go. It's not that hard. Pray, meditate, let go and move on.

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Prayer for the June Weddings

Dear God,

As we celebrate many weddings during this month, we thank you for the gift of love. Without love, life is empty and there would be no unity. We pray that as the many couple join in their unions that they will be blessed and keep their love strong. Father, depart every stumbling block that may obstruct their union. Shut down every negative force and help them to build a marraige built on trust, faith, patience and understanding. Father, keep them safe, make them fruitful and bless them with a stable life. Father, we thank you for all that you have done for us and pray that your extend your mercies to us. In your name I pray.

AMEN

No Dull Moments Here!

I had some fun outside today and have two blisters to show for it. I had a cutlass and clipper and went to town on the grass in my way. This method takes forever oppposed to using a weedeater. However, if your finances are low and you are tired of the itchy grass, then you have to bend down and cut and clip. I surely got some Vitamin E today but it was hot!

I did my eco-friendly thing and hung the clothes on the line to dry. I've folded those that need to be and will iron shortly. I messed up my cornbread recipe because I did not have any oil and substituted for butter. I think we had corn pudding instead but the flavor was good just the texture was off.

I think I'll be putting some tilapeia in the oven tomorrow. YUMMY! I can already smell and taste it - with some lime and garlic and fresh tomatos. I think I'll add some white rice with that or maybe some baked potatos. I do love my oven. If the oven malfunctions, the whole stove has got to go.

This is a Saturday for me - now a little different thanks to my Mom for getting me the washing machine. If I really do not have to go to town - I will not. I think I will save more money if I use what I have to eat. I do realize that many of the goodies I want to make require cooking oil so I need to get a bottle  early on Monday to take home.

My life - never a dull moment.

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