Granny and I Talk about the “D” word.
Jamaicans tend to abbreviate many topics that are of a precarious nature, by only mentioning the first letter of the word they are trying to discuss. As a child there were two words that were always used very carefully and that was the “C” word, which was short for Cancer and the “D” word which was an abbreviation for Depression.

Granny & I Story: Surviving The Big Chill
My Grandmother died many years ago, however, her and I still share intimate conversations with each other. Even beyond the grave my Grandmother somehow manages to soothe my ruffled spirits when the “world” has aggravated and distressed me.

Granny & I - Daughter-in-Laws and Raising Children
A lot has been said about raising children in modern day society, however as far as my Grandmother was concerned, the old-fashioned way, was the right way and the only way to raise a child. In today’s society where so many children go astray with drugs, alcohol and truancy, it has become more important than ever to resort to old-fashioned values and principles.

The Best Laid Plans…………. A Special Granny Story
During the many years that my Grandmother was alive we spoke of many subjects. Because of her interesting views on life I have been able to gain insight on a multitude of topics.

Granny Gheeta and I talk about the power of the dead and dearly departed
The Caribbean culture is filled with mysticism, folklore and a great deal of superstition. Many believe these ideologies are “mullarkey” and just the ravings of “country people”. Jamaica’s mystique has gained notoriety, partly because of its tales of ghosts, witches and bedlam.

Granny and I realize it’s a Mad, Mad World out there!

Granny & I tackle the complexity of Infertility
From the time a girl is born in Jamaica, she is groomed to take on the role of wife and mother. Regardless of her academic accomplishments, a young woman is expected to take on the task of being a matriarch of her own family.

Granny & I discuss a Taboo Subject: Obeah in Jamaica

Granny declares, "Babies are not playthings!"

Granny and I talk about Childhood Infectious Disease

A Conversation with Granny: History of Jews in Jamaica

Granny Told Me A Long Time Ago........."The Election of President Barack Obama"
Every November my family celebrates the passing of my Grandmother’s death. This year was exceptional my Grandmother would have celebrated her 100^th Birthday and it all happened on the eve of the 44^th election. As my family was preparing to make their sojourn I could feel Granny’s excitement. She was overjoyed about the elections, excited that she would be having visitors and very certain that Barack Obama would be President in 2009.

Granny’s Sister Has A “MeltDown”
Granny had three sisters and each one had a strong personality, not one of them was easy lead a stray by anyone’s tom-foolery or shenanigans. However, when Granny’s Sister Emma found out one of her sons was marrying an older woman, who did not come from his same heritage. She alerted the family council and then decided to have a “meltdown”.

A Granny's Remorse: Granny Ghetta & Me
When parents divorce children suffer the most, however some of the most inconspicuous casualties are the grandparents. Many times they are forced to take sides, and some are often not permitted to see the children.

Granny's Irish Legacy: Wills 'N' Such
It is true what they say, the Irish tend to respect a good wake and they always remember their dearly departed. For as long as I can recall, everyday that the sun shone on earth, my Granny talked about her parents.

Granny & I: "Those Two Girls!"
My Granny never believed in having “favorites” for grandchildren. She tried to love us all equally, however, due to life and circumstances, the grandchildren that rallied around her the most, ended up being the ones she talked about quite frequently.

Granny's Thoughts on Family Politics
Most families whether Jamaican or otherwise all have their “wranglings” which they would rather keep buried under the kitchen table. Our family was no different and although Granny spent numerous hours studying her bible she was privy to all the family melodrama that simmered beneath the surface.

Special Granny Story: Standing Up For What's Right, So Things Don't Go Wrong
As all my readers may know my Granny was a force to contend with. She didn’t take any nonsense from anyone, and raised her children and grandchildren to be solid citizens, encouraging them to always remain stalworth in their deeds and actions. Granny would tell me stories of times when merchants tried to overcharge her for goods and services, how she would go to their Business establishment and camp out for several hours until they decided to treat her fairly.

Reading With Granny
How many people can remember the first time they learned to read? I remember it, as if it were yesterday. In Jamaica, most parents felt that reading was the gateway to achieving your goals and dreams. If you think about it, every subject in school is based on reading and comprehension.

My Granny's Lamentation: Grandparents Aren't Supposed To Outlive Grandchildren
There were not too many life events that could have left my Grandmother stricken with grief, however, when my cousin Junior died, not even God could have consoled my Granny adequately. My Grandmother did not have favorites when it came to her grandchildren, but she loved each one with a special love according to their level of mischievousness.

Granny "Gheeta Mittani": You Can't Hide From Your Culture
When I was born, my parents told me I came into the world with a red bindi on my forehead. It seemed like a nice tale at the time, however it was not until I was an adult that I truly understood the omen of my birth.

Never Too Old For Granny
Although, Jamaican Grandmothers are notorious for being involved in their Grandchildrens’ lives beyond the call of duty. My Granny was no exception to the rule, she was always filled with advice and seemed to have a natural ability to decipher what you were feeling or thinking. Whenever I felt ambivalent about confiding in anyone, my Granny was always my choice for a conversationalist because she never judged.

Granny & Her Sisters: Tales of Humour
My Granny was blessed to have experienced the love and caring of three sisters. Because my Grandmother was the youngest, her sisters felt it necessary to enlighten her and shelter her from life’s maladies. Granny and I often spoke at length about the relationship she had with her sisters. I always found her tales filled with humour and a good dose of mischief.

Granny, Me & The Breakfast Theory
Jamaican culture emphasizes three square meals a day, however, there is no meal that takes the spotlight like a Jamaican Breakfast. Whether you’re having callaloo, bacon and saltfish, ackee and bammy. Jamaicans look forward to their breakfast in the mornings, especially on a Saturday and Sunday morning.

Granny & I: Camp Survival
In Jamaica, if you told someone you were going to Camp, they would ask you if you meant “Up Park Camp” which is a well known military base and detention center. While in America, their youth are always anxiously waiting for the days of summer to begin, so they can gladly scamper off to the independence of Camp.

Granny & I: The Dead Grannies' Network
People may say that dead men tell no tales, but I beg to differ. As many Jamaicans may know, their deceased relatives never really just go away into the “Great Blue Yonder”. They are always around us, helping us mind our business.

Granny's Little Encyclopedia Brittanica: "Why Is Everyone Getting A Stroke?"
common ailments I heard Jamaicans speak of, is their "pressure", diabetes and stroke. Granny was always hearing about someone who died from a stroke, had a stroke or thought they were having a stroke. It seemed to be the number one killer of people in Jamaica at that time.

Granny I Talk About Food Cravings
Anyone who lived in Jamaica in the early seventies remembered this endearing commercial, "Lawd, mi feel peckish, mek me go have some bread and butter nuh." This commercial was probably a spoof on Jamaicans, who are usually declaring , "I could eat something nice."

Granny & I Story: "Kids Things"
As most parents would know, children are famous for bringing home all sorts of unidentifiable objects. This is why it is so important for parents to remain on task, scrutinizing their children's belongings when they come home from school every evening.

A Special Granny Story: Something About Magsie
I don't think there is a grandmother alive who doesn't worry about her grandchildren...... just that, as grandmothers they have that special ability to foresee certain frailties in their grandchildren and that is the main ingredient in most grandchild-grandparent relationships.

Granny Remembers Uncle Whittaker's Dance School
When most foreigners think of the Caribbean they think of the natives being merry and dancing to the exotic sounds of steel drums playing calypso music. As Granny would say, "Jamaicans are jolly people and they love to have a good time." This is quite true, Jamaicans can certainly appreciate a splendid time. An evening with close friends, fine Jamaican cuisine and some reggae or calypso music, mek everyting irie!

Granny & The Dream of Royal Ascot
People from the Caribbean are always talking about their dreams. Not necessarily their long term goals, but the nocturnal productions that happen in their minds when they go to bed at night. Anyone who is of West Indian descent can relate to the dining room discussions of dreams, their interpretations and significance. My granny and I were always sharing weird dream stories.

Granny, Me and The Hope Chests
The Jamaican Lifestyle is filled with lots of old fashioned customs and colloquialisms which are still treasured in the modern world today. Most of these ancient ways were taught to me by my grandmother.

When Granny Was A Fashion Icon
Most people who remember my Granny, often think of her as a bible toting, religious person. However, before my Grandmother kept the Sabbath Day holy, she was a staunch Roman Catholic and one of the most glamorous women, who had the privilege to live on Jamaican soil.

Prize Giving Day With Granny
My Granny did not celebrate Chistmas by giving presents but she did celebrate the birth of our Lord. She believed that people should be rewarded for their hard work and dedication. Therefore, Prize Giving Days were very special for myself and Granny.

Granny's Old Wives' Tales
As West Indians I am sure we can all identify with various folk lore tales, or as most people may call them "old wives tales". Some of them my seem practical, while others may resonate in our minds as being utterly ridiculous.

Granny's Tale: Beware The Border!!!!!
My Granny was always receptive to saving and mentoring lost souls who were downtrodden by life, therefore it was not surprising when she told me a harrowing tale of the border from hell.

Granny And I Go To The Jamaican Embassy
Every Jamaican has encountered some dealings with the Passport office or the Immigration Officers. It is a part of Jamaican life especially since Jamaicans are known as World Travelers.

"Lawd Jesus! Granny Bun de Rice and Peas!"
As most people in Jamaica would know, is that Sunday dinners are not complete without a nice big pot of rice and peas. Whether it be gungo peas or red kidney peas, it is the main attraction at any Jamaican dinner table. My Granny took pride in preparing her rice and peas as if she were going to display it at the Horticultural Society.

Granny and I Receive A Visit From Aunt Flossie
Jamaicans are known for their adventurous spirit and their open mindedness to experience different cultures. It is often said, that no matter where you may go in this world, you can bet your ackee and saltfish that you will surely find a Jamaican. Jamaicans are like natural astronauts, they tend to go where"no man" has gone before.