IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW - DON MOEN

      It was so great to see this video posted by a member of the Facebook group 'GRIEVING SIBLINGS.'  What a week this has been for me!  I have experienced a lot of pain etc.  However this song has certainly lifted my spirit, especially after visiting my twin sister's grave on Tuesday. 


      Well, there was some good news also! As was in the case in June I was informed this week that I was top member for July at Savvy 24 Seven, a social network for professionals! Life has its ups and downs but as one of my favourite Facebook Status Shuffle quotes states "We cannot change the cards we are dealt in life but we can change how we play the hand."

A DAY FULL OF MEMORIES

By Judy Haughton-James


      Yesterday after having a terrible toothache in the morning I rushed off to my dentist. I am not among those persons who dread going to the dentist but still I do not eagerly look forward to going there. However I almost ran into his office as the pain was so bad. 


       Early in the morning I kept thinking about November 4, 2008, my first birthday without my twin sister. She died on October 16 and was buried on November 1. Of course that was not a birthday that I was in the mood to celebrate. I decided that it was going to be treated like just another day and suddenly I called my dentist and made an appointment.


        I got up on that birthday morning and headed off to the dentist. Being in the dentist's chair, getting injections and a filling was so fitting for what I considered a day of torture. The dentist did ask me some questions about Janine and her death but I made sure not to mention that the day was in fact our birthday.  


        Although I have been to the dentist since then, these memories raged in my mind yesterday  but with God's help I managed to be strong. I was determined that despite having an extraction and some discomfort I would stop at the cemetery and visit her grave on my way home. I stayed there for awhile and was relieved to see that some artificial flowers that were put on her grave in December 2010 still looked good.  I know that my sister's spirit is not in that grave but I will never forget the words on her tombstone " I THANK MY GOD UPON REMEMBRANCE OF YOU." Philippians 1:3

JAMAICA FESTIVAL MEMORIES

By Judy Haughton-James

Souvenir Plate which we got for Mom while on a school trip

       Last Saturday, August 6, Jamaica celebrated its 49th year of Independence. As always it brought back wonderful memories of  the Festival events which provided a great deal of excitement for Janine and me over the years.  Although we did not live in Kingston, the capital of our country, or a major town we did not miss out on the celebrations. We would be glued to the television and radio for live and delayed coverage of the big events as we enjoyed Jamaica's culture in all its glory.


       The Festival Song or Popular Song competition was our No. 1 favourite.  We would eagerly listen out for the contestants every year and watch the videos to decide which one we would like to win.  Like many Jamaicans we often gravitated to the ones with the fast moving mento beat and patriotic lyrics. On the night of the finals we would not go to bed no matter how late it was as we anxiously awaited the announcement of the winning song.  There have been many good songs over the years and it was always a big treat for us to hear the radio stations play a line-up of the winners at Independence time each year.  Our favourites included those by Eric Donaldson, Roy Rayon, The Astronauts and Stanley and the Turbines.


     Jamaica has good singers in every genre of music so it came as no surprise when in 1987 a Gospel Song competition became a part of the celebrations. This competition delivered a variety of inspirational songs coming from new gospel singers who could rival many of our established gospel singers. 


       The Festival Queen Contest where representatives from all the parishes vied to become Miss Jamaica Festival Queen was yet another favourite.  Year after year each parish queen was given an opportunity to showcase her cultural awareness, talent, creativity as well as knowledge of her parish and country. Whenever each queen graced the stage this was an opportunity to boast the best gowns made by Jamaica's designers and seamstresses.


       There was a time when dressing up in the fashion for Festival was a must for many. Janine and I did get dresses made in some of these fashions and I remember our favourites were those years when calico, stripes and polka dots were the fashions chosen.


       It was also good to watch the various competitions in song, dance, drama, speech, painting, craft, sculpture, culinary arts etc.  This is when the best from every parish would proudly strut their stuff. Mello-Go-Round would eventually be the big family event where the winners in speech, dance, traditional folk forms and music would give us an excellent package of entertainment.


       The big finale was always the Grand Gala on Independence Day where you would see a huge float parade, culminating in a grand affair at the National Stadium showcasing marching bands, costumed groups, effigies of former leaders and cultural icons, dance groups, choirs, folk groups, popular singers and much more.  All in all it was a time of great celebration. These wonderful memories will certainly live on!

JAMAICA WEEK - REGGAE MUSIC

By Judy Haughton-James



      If anyone ever asked Janine and me what is your favourite music hardly a second would pass before we would shout REGGAE!  We just love this fast pulsating beat that originated right here on our Caribbean island of Jamaica in the 1960s. Bob Marley died 30 years ago yet he is our most recognized reggae singer. When you hear his songs you can't believe that they were made so long ago as they are still relevant today.


      It has been a proud moment to see how this music has gained international recognition topping charts from time to time and even being used in foreign films and commercials. It has also been part of the entertainment on many top shows.


      Reggae has become a sensation for decades now.  Over the years Jamaicans who have held prominent positions on foreign charts include Boris Gardener, Sophia George, Ken Boothe, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Shaggy, among others.


     It has made such an impact that singers from other countries have made reggae songs which became quite popular. A big hit in 1972 was Johnny Nash's song 'I Can See Clearly Now.' It stayed 4 weeks in the No. 1 spot on the Pop charts. Way back in 1990 when Janine and I wrote an article titled "Reggae and its future" for the Daily Gleaner, the British group Beat's international reggae song "Dub Be Good To Me" went to No. 1 on the U.K.national charts, while UB 40's 'Kingston Town' made it to the No.4 spot.  Both songs were also successful in the Netherlands as they became No.1 hits there. 
     
       For many years Reggae Sunsplash drew large crowds of visitors to our shores and Jamaicans to enjoy some of our top reggae singers and groups as well as some foreign performers. In recent years it has been replaced by Reggae Sumfest which has also become a big event on Jamaica's entertainment calendar every summer.


      When it comes on  to favourites I must say that Janine and I have had so many over the years -Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Beresford Hammond, Jimmy Cliff, Marcia Griffiths, Freddy McGregor, Shaggy, Rita Marley etc. I could go on and on and on!


      These days I am also among many persons who like to hear our gospel singers singing songs to a reggae beat. You feel the spirit every time! I also like what is now called dancehall reggae. Give me reggae any time in its many forms!

JAMAICA WEEK - OUR NATIONAL DISH

Ackees now bearing on the tree in our backyard

            All our lives Janine and I have lived on a farm in a rural area of Jamaica so ackee trees abound where we are. Right in our backyard there is a big ackee tree which was never planted by anyone. It obviously sprung up from a seed that had fallen there.  As a matter of fact it has weathered many a storm. In one instance it was badly damaged while heavily laden with ackees.  We even thought it would not survive but survive it did and my family and I have enjoyed our national dish, ackee and salt fish, at different times of the year.      

        This dish has always been a favourite meal for Janine and me.  For many it is a wonderful breakfast but we have enjoyed it for breakfast and lunch.  We have it with roast breadfruit, fried breadfruit, boiled bananas and green or ripe plantains.  Strangely enough we were never among persons who enjoyed it with rice.

       Above is a picture of a few ackees on our tree which has just started to bear again.  Ackees should only be picked from trees when the yellow fruit with a black seed is clearly visible in the scarlet pod.  There are a variety of ways to prepare it. Most times it is boiled and cooked with seasoning and salt fish. However some persons have even experimented with it by eating it with something other than salt fish. We have enjoyed some of these dishes but ackee and salt fish was always No. 1 for Janine and me and will continue to hold that top spot for me and my family.

An opened ackee as featured on a souvenir

JAMAICA WEEK - OUR NATIONAL BIRD

By Judy Haughton-James

     This week is what I call Jamaica Week here on my Blog as we celebrate 2 national holidays - Emancipation Day (August 1) and Independence Day (August 6). I will discuss some of the Jamaican things that number among favourites for Janine and me.


       One of our favourites is Jamaica's national bird, the Jamaican Streamer Tail Hummingbird. For several years he has not been seen in my area. I can remember the days when he was a regular visitor to our garden. Some years ago Janine and I were so surprised when we saw one sitting on the front gate of our verandah. Unfortunately he did not linger around long enough for us to take a picture. 


        I keep hoping that one of these days this bird will come my way again. Recently I have been lucky where hummingbirds are concerned as twice I have looked through my kitchen window and seen what seems to be the female of the species lingering near a papaya tree in our backyard. Again she was gone in the flash of an eye.


       I am sure in some areas of Jamaica others are having a chance to see this bird. Visitors to our island may not get to see him live and direct but for sure there is no shortage of souvenirs with this national symbol.  Above are two candlesticks that I have featuring this bird.


       If a hummingbird comes in close proximity you will have no doubt as to how he got his name as the vibrations of his wings make a humming sound. Wing-beats are said to range from 50 to 200 per second.  Interestingly his heart beats over 1,000 times per minute.  An unique feature is his ability to fly backwards and up and down like a helicopter; a skill attributed to his well-developed flight muscles.


      John James Audubon, the great American naturalist, described hummingbirds as "glittering fragments of the rainbow" and no better description befits our national bird. Popularly known as the "Doctor Bird" his plumage is vivid iridescent emerald green which shines gold or electric blue in the brilliant sunlight of our "Island in the Sun."  His head, beady eyes, small feet and 8 in. - 10 in. long tail feathers are all black, while his narrow wings are golden-brown.


      Like others in the hummingbird family he feeds on insects and nectar.  An easily tamed bird, it is a delight to watch him feeding from a tilted bottle of syrup set up by bird lovers. It is about 3 in. long excluding its tail and you will only find him in Jamaica.
     


         
          

MY SLOW RETURN TO PHOTOGRAPHY

By Judy Haughton-James


       I do not know how many persons have had a similar experience but I have noticed that the brakes on picture taking often occurs with the passing of a loved one. Anyone visiting this site can see that my twin and I took a lot of pictures over the years. However my mom and I have been searching through our many albums and we can't find a picture of Janine and me in our Marymount High School uniforms. If my memory serves me right I did see one some time ago but where it is, only God knows!


        I am here thinking that we did not take many pictures during those years as we lost our father in our early high school days. Since Janine's death getting my picture taken has been a real struggle as it is so difficult to see pictures without Janine.  When I went to my Aunt Prilly's funeral back in March I took pictures of just about every relative there and did not ask anyone to take a picture of me with other relatives. Anyway my cousin Courtenay whom I was meeting for the first time came up to me and introduced herself and asked if she could have a picture taken of us. I had on my eyeglasses and forgot to take them off! Anyway they concealed how much I was crying. 


         Thanks to a wonderful cousin Brigette Lindo from New Jersey I am getting back into taking pictures even if I am not yet eager to have my picture taken these days. She sent me a digital camera last Christmas and with the help of the booklet and my cousin Molly Chung who visited me from Canada I have managed to get the hang of it. I still have a lot to learn but I am well on the way. By the way, Molly recently reminded me that this camera can also take videos! Now that is something else for me to learn to do. So far I have been taking pictures of my relatives who visit, surroundings, pets etc.


          I remember that early in 2008 Janine and I said that it was about time that we got with it and bought a digital camera. She even wrote an early Christmas list and had a digital camera high on the list. Well, she died in October of that year so you know where that idea went, through the window. 


          I know that Janine would like me to continue taking pictures so I will always be armed with my digital camera to capture pictures. Actually some of the pictures on this Blog were taken with my new digital camera and the digital camera on one of my cell phones. 

Take the Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Happiness - on MedicineNet.com

Take the Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Happiness - on MedicineNet.com


Thanks to my friend Carlene Morris for sharing this with me!  Very interesting! 

MUSIC AS THERAPY

By Judy Haughton-James


       Janine and I have been big fans of music over the years and like a wide variety - reggae (our national music), calypso, gospel, soul, disco etc. As a matter of fact we once had an article titled 'MUSIC AS THERAPY' published in one of Jamaica's national newspapers, the Sunday Gleaner. It showed the amazing effect that music has on human beings, plants and animals.  The science called Music as therapy has as its main aim the use of sound as a stimulus to treat, rehabilitate and educate the emotionally, mentally and physically ill. 


        I mainly get my good dose of music on weekends. I also get to enjoy music videos posted by my Facebook friends from time to time. I have even posted some on this Blog and plan to continue doing so.


       Right now I am just hoping that in the not too distant future I will be able to listen to the CDs that Janine and I bought over the years. Above is a picture of some of them. However they are usually safely packed away in a case as I still find it difficult to listen to them. They include some Christmas CDs that we would play at Christmas time every year.  Maybe one of these days when I am on my computer I could slip in one of these CDs and have it going while I am busy doing something. In the meantime I hope everyone gets to enjoy his/her favourite genre of music. As Plato once said "Music is moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, gaiety and life to everything." Of course our late reggae super star Bob Marley told us "One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain."

OVER THE FIRST HURDLE

BY JUDY HAUGHTON-JAMES

JAN ( LEFT) & JUD ( RIGHT)
IN TRANS-WORLD TUTORIAL COLLEGE T-SHIRTS

Some of the good times I had with my twin sister Janine were the times that we worked together as Freelance Writers. I can still remember how excited we were when our first article was published. Below is an article that we wrote about this with a few changes that I have made to update the facts.


OVER THE FIRST HURDLE


        English scholar and author Robert Burton once said "Hope is a good word.  Without hope we shall never reach the things that give life its true happiness above the changes of chance and time."  These are wise words which every would-be writer should heed.


        In 1980 when we left high school we envisioned a career in media but had no idea that we were destined to become jounalists.  Our interest in this profession was aroused when we saw an ad in our daily newspaper, offering a writing course from Trans-World Tutorial College, a British Correspondence College.  The minute we started the course our interest in journalism soared and we not only successfully completed it but went on to pursue an even more comprehensive course with the London School of Journalism.


          Having attained the Honours Diploma from the London School of Journalism we had our first hurdle to get over, that of breaking into print. We live on the Caribbean island of Jamaica and at that time there were limited opportunities for print journalists, when one takes into consideration the fact that there was only one national newspaper, the Gleaner.  Friends and relatives on hearing of our interest in Journalism kept saying "I hope to see your names in the Gleaner someday."  We would just smile and say inwardly "We hope for that miracle too!"


         It was our mother's wise advice that sparked us into quick action. She said, "Judy and Janine, shouldn't you be thinking up some articles to submit to the Gleaner? Remember that this is the time when other student journalists are graduating from institutions and there is only one national morning newspaper."


          After a few hours of deliberations we came up with a column idea, one which stemmed from our favourite hobby of corresponding with pen-pals from many countries.  Over the years, this hobby resulted in our developing an insatiable curiosity about people, places, customs, animals, buildings, monuments, etc. around the world.  All printed matter, radio and television programmes on such subjects would cause us to have our eyes and ears glued attentively to screen or paper.  We would take special note of anything unique and interesting.  We finally decided that we would submit a column titled "Around the World."


        Three days after the idea was conceived, we sent off our first submission giving information on Japan's unique wedding customs, Norways's midnight sun and the blind processionary caterpillars of Italy. We felt that this column would be accepted and continued to gather information. It was therefore a special thrill when we recieved a letter from the Gleaner's Managing Editor which stated, "We have decided to use your very informative article titled "Around the World" in our Sunday Youth Page and look forward to receiving other pieces from you for consideration."  What a relief! We had cleared our first hurdle. The article was printed on August 12, 1984.