D-WORDSLAYER

A Christmas Past I can remember how wonderful the Christmases of my past were, and the warmth and love for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was the reason for the season. His birth was a joyous time and a very happy event. We would sing carols, hymns and songs that were uplifting and inspired hope. There was significance in the rainbow of colors which filled every hall and every celebration party. There were streamers and banners, even balloons, professing "Merry Christmas", "Unto Us a Savior is born", and many other words which kept us focused on the reason for the season. I'm thinking out loud because my heart is disturbed. When did our churches become so sophisticated that they removed the color and the reason for the season? When did the celebration turn into a somber event of black and white or muted colors, all to do with color scheme and not the happiness of this time of the year? When did the Christmas tree become obsolete, and t...

My thoughts are on Christmas... I love the Christmas season. Actually, one of the most important and best parts of the season is our food. We have fantastic food which most homes will prepare to serve families and friends as they visit - from house to house. This season is about the richness of relationships and how we connect annually. There is a lot of love being shared, either through gift giving or hugs , kisses, and time spent. The poor and displaced are not left out as people dig deep to give everyone some Christmas cheer. I do wish Christmas was every day. Here is a post I shared last year on one of my blogs, to show you just how much fun my Christmas past was, and my present is in Trinidad & Tobago. Christmas Nostalgia - A Lime aka Informal Hangout! Its a 'Trini thing' with a Trini meaning - Lime! Growing up we learnt the value of togetherness through celebrations. A lime is simply the coming together of persons to share a few drinks and 'shoot so...

Thinking Christmas... This Christmas like every other Christmas is special. In Trinidad & Tobago, Christmas is our spring cleaning season. The smell of paint and the sound of women negotiating with storekeepers for the best deals on drapery and curtains are a part of the  preparation. We are caught up in the commercial web, but somehow the consumerism gives way to friendly camaraderie as shoppers meet and exchange ideas. Christmas trees , decorations and music fill the air. We are a vibrant people, and very visual with our emotions. The malls, streets, and every city center is buzzing with activity. For me, getting the house 'ready' for entertaining and festivities seems like a mountain looking at a pebble on the beach. Can I ever finish, and will each day last longer than the last so I can do more with the time given? I am savoring these moments. Things are different when 'time' goes by quickly. My babies are big babies, and they have their own ideas abou...

Its that time of the year again. Yes, its the season I love the most of all each and every year. Its the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ by way of a special date of memorial. As with everything else in the world, commercialism has indeed taken a hold of festivities and with it a new symbol. The symbol I'm, sharing with you is non-other than Mr. Grinch. Last year I wrote a poem about him and how he comes to 'mess with' my happy season. Catching Mr. Grinch That Grinch tried to steal my Christmas, Last year he did not win My sister came to visit And kicked him in the shin He must really like the torture, of trying his disguise on me He thought I would not but yes I did Finally he saw my Christmas tree Mr. Grinch by now I hoped you’d see this worthy adversary Will not depart, nor change her heart Each season I will be merry Your spoils of unhappiness must be really low For this next attempt you make Forget finance Forget romance But never my C...

It is Old Year's day . The day before the new year begins and back then there was the anticlimactic feeling, that tomorrow would bring a new day. For many years my dreams for the new year would be that my life would be different somehow. It seems that child I was - wanted and embraced change because of the unknown.. Old year's day had so much activity and waiting. I looked forward to hearing the fireworks, screams of "Happy New Year" and sometimes watched the television with my eldest sister - waiting on midnight. At the stroke of midnight we would hug and share greeting with anyone who was awake. Then the New Year began with a sweet sleep! It was the 'bussing (bursting) of bamboo' which brought the new year in for a long time - it was and still is a 'Trini thing'! When I was fully aware of fireworks and their colors we would look out of our window, my sisters and I and make wishes on the lights as they streamed into the sky's oblivion...

After Boxing Day things did not slow down. There was always a lot of discussions about what the adults would wear on Old Year's night to church or a party. While we were never directly a part of the Old Year's night / New Year's day gala, it was a time us kids were happy with the excitement and frenzy of shopping and getting ready! I loved the times my mom spent shopping for the right dress or fabric to make something beautiful for that one night. Mom loved Elizabeth Taylor and GiGi ( Zsa Zsa ) Gabor two very stylish actresses and her style was from their template! The parties to celebrate the end of the old year were glitzy and shiny, and she seemed to look forward to the event in anticipation annually. Maybe she was hoping Santa would send her a real prince to replace the last one ( resisting the urge to call him a toad)! My mother could sew like a fashion designer, and maybe part of my creative nature comes from seeing her make her 'Cinderella' dresses to...

My mother did not believe in hording. Throughout the year she would sew and make most of our new clothes on weekends - the others were from the 'jumble sales'(previously used clothes) she visited. Christmas though was a time to clear out the closets and the 'hand-me-down' saga began! As the second child new was a novelty experienced mainly during the Christmas season. we were encouraged help fold and pack the clothes after washing to take to the nearest orphanage.When my mom was sick we were sent there for a few months, which included a Christmas.I must have been around six at the time. I can remember all the little beds in the dormitory for girls separated by a mini cabinet.I thought it was fun to stay there with the nuns while my mom recovered from her illness. She was a teacher at a Catholic School and they took care of their own!We lived with rules, shared clothes and sometimes sadness. That Christmas my dad came from wherever he was and visited. To my little...

Its a 'Trini thing' with a Trini meaning - Lime! Growing up we learnt the value of togetherness through celebrations. A lime is simply the coming together of persons to share a few drinks and 'shoot some breeze' (talk)! At Christmas time its a bigger occasion, which tends to turn an 'informal hangout' aka 'lime' into party with family and friends, neighbors and children. There is music, talk, even card games and dancing. Everything is done in the home,in the backyard, or in front on the porch or stairways! As kids we were always given a piece of cake, sweetbread, ham & turkey slices and if lucky a 'pastelle'! The 'pastelle' is a cornmeal patty cooked in banana leaves. Its a tradition to stuff this corn-cake with a meat filling and wrap in the banana leaf and boiled. Its then frozen for use throughout the season. Its served warm with a special mustard sauce called 'chow chow'. We were given the tasks of washing the leaves ...

I remember the music, just like I remember my grandfather- my mom's dad, shaking his 'Chac Chac'(Maracas) and Quatro (guitar). We knew Christmas would be soon when he started singing. My grandfather was Cito Moreno, and he had a way he would shake the Chac Chac and it would sound like a melody of  dried peas in a pod. Initially I thought he was doing some kind of ancient war dance, which he alone knew. He would try to get us to shake them and we thought it was quite funny! The ones he had were made from a dried coconut shell and they were carefully secured after the Christmas season. Just like the Chac Chac, he would bring out the Quatro and start singing parang.."Rio Manzanares, dejame pasar, qui mi madre enferma, me mando llamar...." He loved the music and would speak in an amerindian patois he learned growing up. I remember him for his love of music, hunting and coffee! He also loved politics and Dr Eric Williams our first prime-minister was his hero. ...

The entire Christmas season as I remember it from childhood was filled with noise. There were squeals of laughter, and lots of shouting and some tears.Overall, the house -my home was warm with love and cheer. Even in times when there was little money for much, my mom somehow made the home warm especially at Christmas. She was and is an amazing woman - my mom - Maricita Moreno Eversley. "It is what is in the heart and not the material things which bring joy" , this is what I remember from her. It is what I practice today. It is the tradition of sharing and enjoying what you have, and not thinking about what you don't have. It is living with the warmth within you and not seeking what others may have on the outside. On Christmas day I felt that warmth in my home. The fires keep burning, as the laughter of my children (grown -up), friends and 'borrowed' grand-kids  fill the air! How wonderful this season of love! Happy Christmas Season! Dwordslayer!

Christmas day was always a time of peace and rest. Well, for children the day began with opening presents and having a ham sandwich with chow chow ( a mustard sauce) and a hot cup of cocoa  - this is how I remember it from years ago. The day was made fantastic by the 'Christmas snacks' cookies, chocolates, pastries, cakes and sweets which were not eaten regularly through the year. It was a special time and 'special celebration'. We would have the biggest lunch around 3 pm and then it was back to playing. I loved playing on Christmas day. We would each show off our presents, whatever they were, and everyone would proclaim in wonder - "that's a great gift". Christmas afternoon was a time when we would have a long shower and dress up in 'new clothes' or clothes 'new to us', and looking 'spanking new' we went outside to chat and talk with friends and neighbors. Night came to soon, as we gazed at the gaily colored lights hung...

Growing up I looked forward to Christmas Eve. This is when in Trinidad everything happened. The homes which were scrubbed clean and painted would be decorated and outfitted in the very best available. The neighbors all had their doors open and Christmas music blasted loudly as the baking began. Ooh I loved the smell of the black fruit cake being made and the homemade sweetbread. The sorrel & ginger beer were outside in bottles in the sun soaking in flavors known only to us. Many a Christmas tree were now being decorated with baubles and candy canes. The air changed scents and love was played in the backyard of my senses. Christmas is soon to come... nostalgia is on a high! Daily Chronicles from my past will be shared to the new year from that time ago! Happy Christmas Eve 2015 from Dwordslayer!

Sometimes to find the light within you need to move the junk covering your glow! A few years ago I did a tour of Harrison's Caves in Barbados - that's a shot from inside above. Its a limestone cave which is quite beautiful to enter and go through. There is that feeling of discovering the light deep below the surface, covered in darkness. Hidden treasures waiting to be seen. This year, I've had a lot to process. My heart, mind, body and soul needs to empty some stuff which can cause stress and clog the arteries of life. Years ago growing up, I was a part of a family of Catholics (a religion) who prayed weekly together while at church on Sundays. It was seen as the correct thing to do, without really understanding why. There were the confessions which were feared, as I wished to avoid a very long list of devotionals to repeat as part of my repentance. I do remember feeling free after my penance was completed, but I always had many to do. There were times I thought ...

Its starting. The rush to shop, buy food, drinks, presents.  There is traffic everywhere as consumers seek funding for a festive and happy experience.... Wait a second. Is this really whats important?  What about spending time with family and friends- feeding the poor and helping the homeless? Is it really worth getting so tired rushing around, to plan to enjoy life? Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, but I'm just thinking isn't there more to this time than the anxiety in not getting the perfect gifts for loved ones you see all the time. What about the lovely family breakfast and lunch you may be too tired to enjoy, with all the hustle and bustle? Slow down, breathe, there is a lot of time still (Smile)! Soon it will be tomorrow - 7 days before Christmas.  The biggest spending spree internationally is happening right now! Wake me up when its over!