Granny and I
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!
Once people arrive at certain ages they tend to be mellow and calm. Perhaps it is because they have experienced so many events in their lives, that the years have given them a reference in order to decipher the melodramas from the mini-dramas. My Granny was one of those people who did not let petty people or their actions bother her. She felt as long as God was on her side, they all could eat dust and die.
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
Obeah is a topic that not too many people openly discuss in the Caribbean. Most people only mention the word when they feel that something isn’t quite right in their lives.When I was growing up in Jamaica, I would often hear the word being thrown around in conversations, but it was always used as a joke or to scare someone who was being a bully.
Granny declares, "Babies are not playthings!"
Many remarks have been made about caring for babies. Some have been old wives’ tales,
while others are mere conjecture, a result of modern research and technology.
My Granny loved babies.
A Conversation with Granny: History of Jews in Jamaica
When Foreigners think of the Caribbean they mostly think of people of color, however, after many travels and research they realize that the Caribbean consists of many different nationalities and cultures. Jamaica is no exception.
Granny and I talk about Childhood Infectious Disease
A lifestyle in Jamaica provided children with a good education , picturesque atmospheres, as well as strict principles and social mores.
However, part of growing up and going to school in Jamaica also included being immunized against infectious diseases such as polio, smallpox, measles and chicken pox. Because most Caribbean Scientists believed that in warmer climates, germs and bacteria tend to spread like wild fires. During the ‘70’s there was an outbreak of polio and everyone was panic stricken.
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.
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.
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.
Travels With My Granny Remember the time you spent with your old time Granny? Our regular culture channel writer Margaret Bailey takes us back to her childhood with "Travels With My Granny".
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'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.
Granny And I Go To A Session Our regular Culture Channel writer, Margaret Bailey continues the series of her childhood memories with "Granny And I Go To A Session".
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, Me and Her MG This month, Margaret Bailey continues the series of her childhood memories as she goes driving with her Granny who is a race car driver in training...
Granny and I Celebrate The Sabbath Margaret Bailey continue's the series Granny and I with a look at how they celebrate the Sabbath
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.
Excercising With Granny This month, Margaret Bailey continues the series of her childhood memories. Margaret goes exercising with her Granny.
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, Me and Dating Margaret Bailey continues her stories of the memories of her Jamaican grandmother. This month granny gives advice on dating.
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.
Granny And I Meet With The Dean - Margaret Bailey continue the series "Granny' as this month her Granny visits her at school.
Invitation to Granny & Friends Jamaican High Tea In this month's "Mi Granny" writer, Margaret Bailey ,remembers when she received one of the most coveted invitations to Granny's afternoon tea.
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 Visits Me On Wall Street Our regular culture channel writer Margaret Bailey describes her granny visiting her on Wall Street.
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 Talks To Me About Troublesome People Granny gives advise on how to deal with ignorant or petty people.
