Emancipation 2025

Jamaica's Emancipation Day is celebrated on the 1st August each year and I think, this is the first year I celebrated it outside of Jamaica. 

I couldn't find anything interesting to attend in Broward, Florida so when my friend Carol told me of a street session in the parking area at a Jamaican restaurant, I told her to pick me up.

Judy, Carol, Joan.

Sure glad I did, for if I didn't, I would never have met some interesting Jamaicans, the phenomenal one being Nesta Leeloo.

Nesta.

Omg, this lady is something else. She is 108 years old.

That's right 108 and her mind in 100% and the body? Well she doesn't even use a walking stick and was so pleasant to boot!

Actually, I had never heard of Butter Flakes Jamaican restaurant before, although in the past, I have visited the strip mall where it is located.

 But back to Miss Nesta.

She was born in Mandeville, Jamaica in 1917 and was Nesta Lewis, before getting married to a Trinidadian, hence the name Leeloo. They had eight children and so far, she has outlived three. 

Yup, and she still plays the piano and does crossword puzzles everyday. 

As she walked outside to where the DJ had set up the music, she started to jig!😊 Several hours later, at 10pm, when we were packing up to go, she looked like she wasn't going anywhere for the next few hours!

Miss Nesta is definitely now my new role model.😊.

It was a nice jam session with oldies reggae music, and we met quite a few other Jamaicans who had come out to eat, listen to good music and socialize.

We even met too ladies, Gail and Diana who drove all the way from West Palm Beach to attend, as they say they always enjoy the food and vibes there.

Gail and Diana. 

Yup. It was a nice evening. Not my usual Emancipation style celebration, but I enjoyed it, as variety is indeed the spice of life.

Gail, Judy, Carol, Joan 

Memories.

 The Bible says eat, drink, and be merry and the older we get, the more we have to remember to obey that command 😁.

 At least I do, for all I am hearing these days is that another friend or family member 'drop out.'

With that in mind, I contacted a few friends on my annual trek home, for us to get together.

It was a convenient time as Marcia and Audley who have been married forever, have birthdays two days apart. Then I heard another friend Stewie, will have his birthday in six days.

So it all worked out well.

L-r. Stewie, Marcia, Audley.

Of course we had to have dominoes

We celebrated poolside

Then those who stayed over headed to the beach early next morning.

Yup, good friends, family, music, food, dominoes and of course plenty liquor is always a great way to celebrate each new day, 😁.

Celebrating the Big 8

Cultural activist, renowned artist/musician, playwright, mentor and businessman Colin Smith, ( aka Barry) had no idea what was waiting for him at Island Space museum as he walked leisurely in Broward Mall, Florida, with his granddaughter, talented jazz singer/musician Alyssa (McDoom).

For although he suspected all week that something was being planned for his birthday, as his wife Anette, son Tariq, and daughters Kellie, Anika and Colleen kept whispering furtively, but shutting up as he approached, he couldn't imagine the scope. 

 A surprised Colin arrives with        granddaughter Alyssa.

.....and immediately caught the vibes 😊.

Some of the Smith siblings pay tribute to their famous brother Colin.

Son Tariq was the MC

It was a well planned affair, beautifully decorated venue, delicious food and a room full of happy friends and family who had come from all over the USA and Trinidad, to shower their friend and in many cases, mentor, with lots of love for his 80th birthday.

Daughter Colleen at entrance of venue.

Wife Anette surrounded by friends

Youngest of his siblings Hayden.

Some pieces of his art were on display.

Posing with my cousin Milton and wife Joan 

Alyssa serenades grandad Colin.

Other friends born in June, cut the cake with Colin.

Proud son Tariq toasts his mentor

                                                       Colin's band, Tallawah, entertains.

                 Dub poet Malachi left his own anniversary celebration to herald his friend.

It was an enjoyable, well planned, and executed affair for someone who has done so well for his family and kept his country's flag flying culturally in Florida.

We look forward to the big 81.

Learning to draw 😊

I love my art class, mainly because I have such a great, motivating teacher.

 Her name is Michelle and our art class with her is on Wednesdays.

With my art teacher Michelle

I really don't think I have much artistic talent, but she thinks she sees some in me😊.

 So I am trying hard not to disappoint her and myself.

All who celebrated with me today

Another good thing I love about Michelle, is that she loves parties☺.

For every occasion, be it mother's day, or any other event, she is quick to provide drinks, plates, napkins etc and encourage us to bring snacks, so we can take a few minutes to celebrate.

It's a fun group

When I declared at our last class that my birthday would be the following Monday, she immediately declared, party next week.

I celebrate whenever and wherever, so this was before my usual scrabble game on Sunday.

I happen to go to yoga before my drawing class and as promised, drinks, cookies and delicious cheese cakes were ready and waiting when I got there. 

In addition, Donna, (in red and white stripes above) had made the beautiful card below and everyone signed.

Donna also brought a cheese cake.

And Norma, (extreme left) who had also promised to bring me a strawberry cheesecake, did so and even brought champagne!

However, as our senior center is a non-alchohol zone, we didn't open it, so the bottle was donated to me to carry home.

And didn't I enjoy it😊. 

I not only love my art teacher, but everyone who attends our class, as Michelle knows

how to motivate us how to celebrate life, and everyone had the party spirit today!

Yup, I may never become a great artist, but I will certainly continue to enjoy attending this class.😁