It has been over a year and, one day, I might write about the time spent away, but for now I am happy to share the beginnings of a new project being undertaken by an inspirational friend of mine. The space in which this story starts has held many stories before this one,
but before very long, here, as you step through the door, your senses will be greeted by the familiar, intoxicating (and yet, surprisingly, still little known) world of all that is cocoa and chocolate.
It seems fitting that these walls will hold history, process and the magic of artisans learned over centuries, whilst providing a special space for everyone to relax learn, unwind, share and enjoy.
I have been very fortunate to be present at the beginning of several of my friend's projects and so look forward to seeing where this one will transport us all.
Today did not go as planned. Being a wash day I was glad for
any diversion and found myself glued to the live feed from Nautilus in between rinses. Dr. Robert Ballard and his Corps
of Explorers aboard E/V Nautilus are studying Kick 'Em Jenny,
an active underwater volcano just north and off the coast of
Grenada. This is the best thing since the moon walk! Plus you
can ask questions which are answered in real time by the
knowledgeable people in the control room.Using remotely
operated vehicles, Hercules and Argus, today we saw,
champagne bubbles from vents inside the volcano crater with
temperatures as high as 256'F inside the vents, where there
were shrimp living in little hollows, albeit a little on the pink
side, and then up on the rim, a shark! Darwin would have had
a field day. What has this to do with the above image?
Not a lot, except to say that the camera batteries were
exhausted so it was necessary to adapt and resort to the
webcam.
.
With #naphopomo being all about photography month, I thought
I would 'try a thing' and experiment a little, while T transferred
some basil in the beds above the river.
Ever since Dad gave me a Brownie 127 when I was about 5,
I have always enjoyed taking photographs but I am not a
photographer. I like to play with composition, record people,
places and things that interest me and on occasion manage to
capture a special moment in time. With almost everyone having
a camera phone nowadays, it is even more fascinating to
observe what professional photographers achieve through their
lens. The magic worked in a dark room beneath a red light, the
alchemy between eye, camera, creativity and knowledge is
nowhere better seen than in the work of Lee Miller and then,
the contemporary work and delightful voice of Joann Verburg
cannot fail to inspire.
Last but not least and from the heart, thank you Chookooloonks .
I am truly enjoying this voyage of discovery which I would not
have embarked upon were it not for you.
In my mind I am diving down as deep as I can into the darkest depths of crimson damask, weighted with multitudinous froths of lace edged petticoats, breathing heady, smuggled, 18th Century Fragonard inspired scents of rose, jasmine and vetiver combined with the heat, sweat and dust of the Caribbean. I am still searching for the music that I know she danced to. I sink into the myth and magic of whispered tales from long ago.
At 10.15 a.m. the hand bell, from the school across the river, rings for morning break. I move from the beds to the shade of the shed, drink iced water, sit down on the roots of the old golden apple tree and watch the view. Dry season, it is hot. The water in the ravine trickles below Job's Tears to the river below. There is a digger working in the village of Vendome and the horns of the large trucks announce their descent of the winding mountain road. Lesser Antillean bullfinch, bananaquit and butterflies pass by with the cooling breeze that rustles the royal palms.
Once upon a time, a long time ago, or it could have been the day
before yesterday, a woman looked out from her front step and
wondered,"Shall I dig for it now?" She checked with the moon
and watched the weather and decided it was time.
The flowers
were almost
done and the
leaves had
turned yellow
and wilted
and with the
turn of the
fork, which
was easier
said than done,
the buried
treasure was
revealed.
She carefully teased the soil from the roots and left them in the
sun to cure. The next day she sat by the pipe in the yard with a
scrubbing brush and a bucket of water and washed and scrubbed
and washed and scrubbed and washed and scrubbed some more.
By lunchtime all her golden nuggets were clean and shining.
With an aching back and a painful posterior, ('is how you sit on
the bucket' her lovely husband told her later) she settled
down on the floor upstairs in the little house, with a sharp knife and
a silver bowl, and began to chip, (just like Miss UG had taught her)
and chip and chip and chip and chip and chip and chip and chip.
Finally, her work
was done. She
put everything to
dry in the sun
next to the
cocoa beans
on the
veranda.
Naturally, despite scrubbing and soaping
she was left with the Midas touch and went to bed to dream of Rumpelstiltskin.
To be continued...................
Imbolc is the time of
cleaning, sweeping, sowing, dreaming,
new beginnings, self forgiveness,
nourishment, light, renewal,
candles, cake and milk.
In the dark days of February in Northern climes
when the days are short and the nights are long,
between Winter Solstice and Spring
Brighid brings life and hope and sustenance.
She also offers me the perfect opportunity
to finish the cleaning I was supposed to have done
for Christmas .
Being allowed to nose around in other peoples' work places
is one of my favourite pastimes. To be invited to peek into
a private, creative and intimate space of those artists I admire
is such a treat.
That is one of the many reasons I invite you to visit Jackie Morris
who is hosting "International Desk Day: or, nosing around other
peoples' spaces" on her blog. There, not only will you be able to
see her wonderful artwork, kittens, cats, bears, dragons and
home but also the delightful desks and work of others. You
can also join in the fun by posting your desk on your blog.
Rarely do we get to watch art or craft programs on television.
T subscribes to the sports channels, being an avid cricket and
football fan and we have a basic package that brings us various
'reality' TV shows, CNN, God, cartoons, local 'news' and
advertisements that exhort us to purchase products unavailable
here. However, currently showing on Channel 44, PBS, is Craft in America. Wonderful. Catch it while you can!
One never knows when our cable provider will decide we
have seen enough and take it off without warning, as recently
experienced with the final episode of Survivor Philippines!
Back in June, I damaged my foot and, with the exception of the occasional bus ride to town to pay bills etc, I have stayed home. The foot was maintained in various states of elevation, therapy- both hot and cold,- a plaster cast, heated soft candle mixed with aloes and camphor massage, then wrapped in a black plastic bag for two days (courtesy of T's sister who has recently returned from vet school) nerve and bone tonic together with more than a few incantations, prayers and a tiny bag of 'protection', just to be on the safe side. I was really disappointed at my lack of stoicism and bravery and somewhat surprised by my overwhelming thoughts of gloom and doom! T, needless to say, rallied to the situation with endless enthusiasm and kindness, providing every need, much love, understanding and more besides. So, perhaps you can imagine my delight at being able to 'make the rounds' around Cornell yesterday! It is an easy walk, on the old estate road, that takes you up past Annandale Falls and, instead of continuing up to the dam and the forestry, you take a left by the big mango tree, just before Kool Nursery. Now the road climbs a little higher before you reach Cornell. Here, before hurricane Ivan, was full of nutmeg trees, a very cool and shady place with the foliage so dense that it was dark even on a sunny day. We were pleased to see a lot of replanting and new growth. The track levels out now and then drops down through Mango and back into the village of Willis.
T has his breakfast as we take a five just after taking the left turn for Cornell. These stainless bowls are great by the way, they come with a plastic seal lid, from Bargain House in town, $20e.c. for a set of 5. I drink ice water and relish in the foliage and peace and quiet.
Cornell is more or less as I remember it but trees are being planted and the land nurtured.
......and I would like to stay here a while but
we continue on around the corner where we can see.....The Sea!
There is something missing from our walk, no Beres or Xena. We decided to leave them at home on this our first venture out together since The Foot, but it is strange being here without them. I think T thought he may have to carry me home, but all was well and he waited for me patiently as I foraged around with my nose in the bush that I have missed for so long.
On the way back down the hill to home, T told me all about La Diablesse
(This video is of the truly wonderful Richardo Keens-Douglas telling his La Diablesse story )
and how this is her toothbrush.
A frisson, a shiver of something as we walk past the plant and on down the hill and then, with a skip in my step and a happy, happy heart, home. Thank you to everyone who made me well again. I am so grateful.
