Creation

Here is some of the jewelry created with the local materials from earlier blog entries; Jumbie beads, Job's tears, Knuckle Seeds (Nickernuts), shells, pigeon peas and shak-shaks.

Preparing

Using the dremel to drill jumbie beads, shak-shaks and shells. The shak-shak makes a nice incense holder!

*note that jumbie beads are extremely poisonous if ground up/chewed and digested, shell dust is also reportedly harmful. Please use proper precaution and care when drilling and working with natural materials, especially if you don't know what it is!

**Note #2: A local friend of mine says that people grind up jumbie beads and use them like coffee to make themselves better when they are sick. Now I am confused. Form your own conclusions...

Hunting-Gathering

West Indian Mahogany seed pod, Knuckle Seeds (also known as Knickernuts) inside their pods, beach finds (unknown seed pods-look like polished apple seeds), diving for shells, beach combing, Shak-Shaks from the Flamboyant Tree, Sandbox tree, jumbie beads, attempting to gather coconuts

Some sights of Fountain

Olive always carries her matchet (pronounced "match-it" here in the Caribbean.) An interesting shape carved by a bug I assume. The pink leaves/flowers blanket the island! The Fountain/Mt Lily Community Club sign pointing to the main road.

Candlelight Vigil

On February 11, one of the bus drivers was killed in an accident. The news swept over the village like a black cloud. It was an emotional week. We had an emergency Rising Stars meeting (the brother of the driver is a committed member of the club) and a candlelight vigil was planned. I wanted to honor him in some way, although I didn't know him very well it hit me hard because his brother is dear to my heart. I painted some containers to put candles in, and even though it didn't work out because of extremely strong winds, it was nice to do something. I went to the funeral, stared straight ahead and willed myself to be stoic as I watched his brothers walk by, his friends, neighbors, family, coworkers, and then his coffin. I came home and cried. I cried for the loss of Perry, for his family, for his brothers (both of which I know), and I cried because of some amazing people I have met here. I don't know how to put it into words, but there are some people that just touch you and they will never know how much. It all came out with my tears.

just a day in the life

Today I was out hanging my laundry and playing with the kids and Aymani was pretending to take pictures, imitating me (I take pictures of EVERYTHING). I occasionally let Quetta take a few photos and she snapped a great one of us. I also discovered that the mosquito net makes a fabulous clothing dryer!

Jewelry session with Marie

One Saturday my friend Marie, the Director of the Craft House, invited me over to her home to make jewelry. We hauled out all her bins of goodies, there were so many wonderful materials to choose from. She made a delicious soup rich with local ingredients (sweet potatoes, goat, dumplings and greens) and we had a great time crafting and chatting the day away.

Christmas tree update

I was looking over my pictures and noticed I didn't post one of the Trinity Methodist Church Christmas tree that we decorated with our dough ornaments. The kids were really proud of their work and the tree looked absolutely stunning!