Life.. a journey of lessons…learning

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in kitchenI was in the kitchen doing the washing up and my mind went roaming. My mind always go on knock-abouts when I am in the kitchen. That is where I do some real serious reflecting. There is just something about being in the kitchen that sets the mind wandering and bouncing up on all kinds of thoughts, reflections, memories and all  them things hovering on the mind and the sub-conscious. And so mine did a rewind on the past year and  reflected on some of life’s lessons in my personal life.

don't judgeDo NOT judge. Never cast judgements on others and their lives. What you see is often a very small fraction of what is real, what is behind closed doors. Don’t assume you know what’s going on, why people make the choices they make or do the things they do.

wrongsTwo wrongs NEVER make it right. Just like two negatives don’t add up to a positive. If you are in the equation, whether by force, choice or circumstances, you cannot make it right by revenge or a taste of the other’s medicine. Finding a workable solution involves much more. Try a bit of self-restraint, reasoning, forgiveness and a lot of compromise. Understanding is a good one to try as well, but be careful it doesn’t it can lead to a lot of confusion too.

angerWith all your might, and as much energy as you can muster, convert Anger into some other emotion- “Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:9. It will lodge itself in your throat and it will choke you. It will turn you into the doer of stupid, crazy deeds. I try not to let anger come anywhere near me if I can help it. So as soon as it starts to show its face, head in my direction, for whatever reason, I switch on my converter.

Always assume the position. Put your feet in the other person’s shoes, walk around in them. Feel how they feel, check out how they empathylook. Place yourself in that situation. Even as I say this, I recall with irony, the response I received when I made this request to someone in my life. “But I don’t want to walk in your shoes. I want to walk in mine,” was the response. I was left pondering on this. I thought about it all night, carefully examining this statement. And I totally understood where he was coming from – me putting myself in his shoes there. Why should he wear my shoes? My shoes are too small- they will be squeezing his toes. They are the wrong style. Just the wrong fit. Why ever should he try walking in my shoes when his fit just fine! Hm. Food for thought.

one dayTake one day at a I have never appreciated the song “…one day at a time sweet Jesus…” as I do now. But now I try. I try to take each day as it comes and keep doing the next right thing, one at a time. Tomorrow is promised to no one- no matter how carefully you plan or how much you wish. I take each day as it comes. This means I don’t make any long term plans.

changeDon’t try to change people. The only person you can change is you. And that is difficult enough. If the person doesn’t want the change you are proposing, it will NOT work!

I had no idea what was written for me in the stars, but I rolled with it and went where those journeys directed me. I have had some fantastic experiences, achievements, growth. I have also experienced the biggest humiliation, ridicule, disrespect and insults ever, in all my forty something years on this planet. Yet,

life02through it all, I have experienced growth. Grown a thicker, tougher layer of skin, callous hands, an iron psyche,reasons yet a kinder, more sensitive heart. I have armed myself with some sturdy emotional amour, to fight my fight. And I fought. I fought for the things that matter to me because sometimes you have to fight. I fought for my home, my companionship, clinging with iron grip to fleeting moments of joy and any goodness I could find. Eradicating the occasional interruptions and regular bouts of madness. But ironically, it is those same things I have fought for which seem bent on destroying the real me.

The Literary Revolution that is Force Ripe, and Well-Mature

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On Thursday 27th March, Grenadian Author, Cindy Mc Kenzie, completed the first leg of the North American Tour for her debut novel, Force Ripe. The tour began in Brooklyn, New York on 20 February, 2016 and took Mc Kenzie to Toronto and Montreal, Canada; Washington, D.C; Atlanta, Georgia; and rounding off in Queens, New York.

Force Ripe was first launched in St. George’s on 24 October, 2015. Chief Education Officer shared during the launch that the book rekindled his passion for local writers and hoped that, “Young people (are) exposed to that kind of literature.” He noted that, “Grenadians need to get into the habit of producing literature that we can infuse into our education system.” His support for the novel was strengthened by comments from Director of Mt. Zion Library, Author OonyaKempadoo who acknowledged Mc Kenzie’s “tremendous amount of courage and bravery to write this story.” Kempadoo considers Force Ripe a “significant contribution to Caribbean literature, (and) world literature.”

After doing book signings around St. George’s and in her birth parish, St. Patrick, Mc Kenzie received the impetus to take Force Ripe to a larger audience—North America. Mc Kenzie’s adventurous spirit and drive which first led her write and self-publish her book, ultimately led her to take the book abroad.She received support from friends, and fans who fell in love with Lee, the main character in the novel. Sociologist, Dr. Wendy Crawford-Daniel and New York-based Television Producer, Johncrow Alexander helped to ensure that the book and its author reach an audience hungry for the taste of real life expressed in Caribbean stories.

The North American audience received the novel with love and high critical acclaim. Mc Kenzie spoke of the diversity of Force Ripe’s tour, “Every one of my book events are different. New York was great…the people who came out, came to support, some already had their books so lovely to share their own connection with Force Ripe…Toronto massive were there…nice crowd, great meeting up, reconnecting, chatting, brilliant…Montreal…real love…so much love through poetry… warmth, friendship–old rekindled, new ones struck up, real warmth and love and support from my people…all rolled up into one big Love!”

Reader, Claudia L. Hood-Halley describes Force Ripe as, “The first West Indian book I’ve read for which I strongly believe a Literary Prize is deserving! Everyone should read Force Ripe. Simple, yet powerful language, the Grenadianese was artfully captured. Bravery, mastery, skill, creativity, and pure guts – Cindy you are Awesome!!! I applaud you! I shall certainly read, and read, and read, this book again. Congratulations on a well written story! I enthusiastically endorse it!”

Force Ripe is revolutionary in its use of the Grenadian creole on the page. Some readers claim difficulty in encountering their mother tongue on the page for the first time. Mc Kenzie stands by her use of our kind of English in telling the story. “Force Ripe is a voice. The voice of this little girl, Lee.Her voice through her experiences, from her perspective. It is what it is. Her story. It does not try to explain, demoralize, take sides nor cast any blame. And it certainly does not call for any actions. It has gone through all its phases of trying to conform, fit in with what you learn you should and should not do, how you should and should not write, especially as a new writer. And it is certainly not forced ripe, because it has matured and is now confident to use and own that voice.”

“I feel it is important to be proud of our language, which is a huge part of our culture. Using our vernacular added more authenticity to Lee’s voice and the story, making it more relatable.”

On March 17, Mc Kenzie presented excerpts from Force Ripe at the Embassy of Grenada in Washington, D. C. with Grenadian Dr. Merle Collins and other Caribbean scholars and writers. This was a serendipitous moment considering Dr. Collins’ review of Force Ripe during the early stages of its fourteen year journey. In 2008, Dr. Collins said of Force Ripe, “I am particularly interested in the use of language in our Caribbean writing…I would stay with your use of language.” Her praise for Mc Kenzie continued, “You have a great story and a tremendous sense of voice. I hear the voices. I think it’s a great story and will be a good book. I can already feel that you have a gift for capturing the voice on the page.”

In a 2016 interview with Johncrow Alexander of Caribbean Classroom, Dr. Collins expressed her “pleasure to hear Cindy read from her work Force Ripe.” Dr. Collins found the intersections between fiction and reality, as well as Cindy’s reading, “fascinating.” She praised Cindy for courage and tenacity to tell this story despite not having a Ph.D. She noted that many writers who teach in colleges do not have degrees. What they along with Cindy have is, “the control of craft…tone of voice…the craft of storytelling.” Her experience hearing Cindy read from Force Ripe was, “Absolutely wonderful.”

Cindy Mc Kenzie and Force Ripe has been featured on readgrenada.com and Caribbeanbooks.org. Guyanese author, Harold Bascom featured a chapter of the book on his website:laughingpallete.com, plusCreative writing professor at the California College of the Arts, Dr. Opal Palmer Adisa, recommends Force Ripe “to be included in Caribbean literature and Sociology courses.

Force Ripe is a timely gift to our culture in that it reflects some of the experiences many women have growing up—having to survive sexual abuse. It comes at a time when Grenadian girls are being raped and are at risk of death from sex offenders. It also reflects some of the joys of growing up in Grenada—the outside kitchen; aroma of bakes and cocoa tea with spice and bwaden; catching crayfish in the river; even the life of the elusive Rastaman during the revolution. This book and its author are definitely going places and it would be remiss for Grenada to get left behind, only to heap awards and acclaim after the world has recognized greatness.

For as Cindy Mc Kenzie puts it at the end of the Ladies of the Word event in Queens, NY, “This journey has been so inspirational. I have felt so welcomed, embraced and loved by all of you who have come together, with love, generosity and pure Grenadian pride, to celebrate this achievement with me. To celebrate our stories, our culture, our literature. And this piece of literature is not just my book, it is a representation of our country GRENADA because I am Grenadian to the bone. I am proud to say I feel I have represented well. Feeling blessed. Giving thanks always to EVERYONE who has been there, supported and continue to show love and appreciation. Blessings come in all forms. THANK YOU!”

Cindy believes that from the start, Force Ripe was destined to take its own path, make its own journey. The heartfelt connections that the book has made with people along the way has changed, even enlightened the course of that journey.

Force Ripe is available in bookstores in Grenada, The House Of Chocolate, Young street, (opposite MNIB) and from the author. Cindy can be contacted on Facebook: Cindy-McKenzie-Author. Twitter: Simbamac. Cindy’s blog: cindymac.info also features her ecofriendly cement plant holders and other usable art pieces.

Cindy Mc Kenzie is available for book club discussions and speaking engagements. She can be reached via phone at 473.414.6737 and email: cindymacwrites@gmail.com.

 

 

amaBy:  Judy A.B. Antoine

Force Ripe…the journey…its destiny

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journeyFrom its conception Force Ripe has always had its own journeys to travel. It own destiny. I left Grenada on Valentines Day. A bit ironic for me as I had left during some challenging times at home. I remember sweating in the heat. Having been warned about the cold spell, I had piled on the layers. I stopped off at Marcelle’s birthday bash down Wildwoods, to collect a coat which saved me on that cold, four and a half hour flight. I said my good byes and headed to the airport. Jetblue to New York. The plan: a few days in New York , go to Toronto for the Grenada Independence Showcase, back New York and home to Grenada.

I sat on the airport waiting for my flight, my mind heavy with the challenges instead of joy and excited about this brave venture. So heavy that I couldn’t even move myself to hand out my Force Ripe bookmarks, which I had ready at hand. It was rather refreshing when a young man, loaded with camera bag etc. sat next to me and started chatting right away. Next thing I know he is doing a quick on the spot interview, which was posted on Whatzup NY, which made me cringe every time I looked at it! It did get some good traffic. The journey had begun.

I arrived at JFK to a kind of cold I once knew, but which my beautiful Grenada had wiped from my memory. It was hostile. As if to say “you wretch you! In New York you want! Take it in your backside!” But there was Mr Johncrow Alexander, waiting, coat, gloves and scarf in hand and the car door held open!! And the journey continued.

My connection with Johncrow came through Wendy Crawford Daniel. Now Wendy is one passionate Force Ripe angel! From the time she read Force Ripe, she began her own personal campaign, spreading that infectious love she has with everyone she meets, full force! Wendy almost sold more books than me! But what is most commendable, and I admire and respect her most for, is the fact that she is an author herself. But she had no reservations whatsoever. I am ever so thankful for support like hers.

And like an athlete in a relay, Johncrow Alexander took on the baton and did a “jaguar”run with it. Well known as the voice of the Caribbean Classroom TV show, and being a very well connected man of action, he put down a good “Kirani Run” in truth- putting together the first event in Brooklyn , Ladies of Words, with three other authors of Caribbean decent , Claudette Spence, Tyrrel Ebony and Nandi Kai. My very first event of its kind. A Literary evening to present Force Ripe in a room packed with pride, familiar faces and almost tangible emotions. It was a much needed ice breaker for me to start this first event, looking into the faces of people who had connected with me in one way or another, through Facebook, through friends and family and of course through Mr Johncrow himself. The Grenada Independence Showcase in Toronto followed. It was the event which I left home for. I had done my ground work, pushing Force Ripe, especially on Facebook, since its publication, at the end of September 2015- I will now give myself a little pat on the back- I was pushing it so hard, I was sure people were starting to get tired of seeing it. But it’s my baby and I am determined to give it my all!

Of course I had the challenge of how I was going to afford that trip. But when I get something set in my head to do, and I feel the passion, it will be done! So I set to work, making contact whith the Consulate in Toronto and got connected to Trisha Mitchell, the coordinator of the event. Some contacts and inquiries made by my good friend and ardent supporter, Cathy Beharry-Ayanwale, Table booked, I set to work on making it happen. It was when Johncrow came along, and with the support of my friend Judy Antoine, they represented me at the New York Independence celebrations , selling out the books which I had sent him, that I saw the reality. Ticket funds.

And so the journey continued, From Toronto, I travelled to Montreal. An opportunity which came about while I was in New York. And it warms my heart to see how well Force Ripe was embraced by the Grenadian communities. The people who came out gave their genuine support, especially the Grenada Association in Montreal, together with Honorary Consul, Mr Leonard Wharwood. They pulled together an event which packed our Grenadians supporters into a cosy room at Le Spot, perfect setting for an intimate evening of sharing poetry, readings, making connections. Gemma Raeburn- Baynes’ Taste of Tea followed – a very different event with a very diverse audience. Force Ripe make its appearance and I enjoyed an evening tasting tea with some amazing women and a wonderful musical experience which touched my core! That guy reminded me of Barracuda, he was Italian also. Amazing thing he did with opera! Loved it. And I cannot forget my evening at the home of Dolliver Lewis and his family, a fellow  Grenadian and generous supporter. What a spread! Topped off with a well stocked bar and toast with Champaign! Thank you Dolliver and Marsha!

Atlanta was next. And it was warm, both the people and the weather. Sherryl Calliste Thegg, the president of the Spice of the Caribbean Association of Georgia, through connections made by Johncrow, accommodated me and organized a great event with a Caribbean mix, a lovely spread of delicious food and music to celebrate with dancing- another passion of mine. Perfect end to the evening.
Washington DC was my final stop before the last few events in New York. And the Embassy, co-ordinated by Ms Dianne Perrotte, even at very short notice, organized an Evening of Literary sharing, an event which carried its own weight in the literary Arena, with Grenadian Dr Merle Collins, and authors Jewel Daniel Amethyst, and Carol Mitchell, (recently shortlisted for the CODE Burt Award for Caribbean Literature), both from St Kitts. It was a beautiful evening of readings, reconnecting, rekindling and celebrating with friends and colleagues.

After DC, the next stop in Brooklyn was at MCG Grand Cafe- run by Mr and Mrs Gibbs, who invited me to present Force Ripe at their popular little restaurant and Grenadian hang out. And those impromptu events were the best sellers.
The tour ended with another literary evening at the LAC Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Centre in Queens, sharing the platform with some great Ladies of Words and music, and culminated with more celebrations at the home of fellow Grenadian, Frances Purcell, on Easter Sunday. And after three very long days, I returned to my Isle of Spice. Nice.

Now I have a lot of people to thank. To everyone who has been involved, made contributions, no matter in what way, how big or small. Thank you!! Even before I left Grenada, my friend Marilyn, living in Montreal, had been boxing her brain about how to get me to bring Force Ripe to Montreal. She took on the task of mobilizing on her end, sending out emails, making calls, forwarding information. She was so determined to get me to Montreal, she even bough my train ticket, accommodated and really looked after for me. Boy do I have thanks to give!! I must recognise this as the collective effort it was. This community coming together out of passion and yearning for something which brought them back to a place which they loved, a time they treasure and something they could relate to, identify with. You were all very amazing- providing accommodation, transport. In cases, people who didn’t even know me. The support was tremendous. Every event was different in its own rights, and equally successful in more ways than one. This journey has been a special one, not only of sharing my book Force Ripe with that part of the world, but one of great learning, giving, receiving, trials and a lot of loving too.

Every once in a while, something or someone comes along that makes a difference and Force Ripe is one of them. From its conception, way back in 2001 to publication in 2015, it has been on several journeys and from the response it has been receiving, it is evident that it has also touched many in so many different ways.

Mr Johncrow Alexander- the man with the big voice and the connections, you used them to mobilize the support of your contacts, pull together those events where I had a platform to share my story, my experience. You got in the driver’s seat and helped to steer Force Ripe into a different path, changing the course of its journey. But you did much more than that, and I sincerely thank you and your family. I am full of gratitude. And all of the angels who were sent along the way to lend a hand, to direct and to guide my movements on this Journey. Big Thanks to EVERYONE!!!

Photos from tour.

Ladies of Words – Brooklyn New York

For More photos check out the links below

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1116366055054964/?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008291231865

 

 

 

Feeding the soul

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20130529-120622I wake up this morning, achy and tired as if I never slept a wink and my body is failing me. But the sun is out and breeze blowing- a nice, steady, cooling kind of breeze, the kind that could lure you into a nice Sunday snooze. No weed whacking today! Great! I hear the neighbour’s cock crowing up the road and the goats calling from the thick bush that is quickly turning into a jungle.

I psych myself up and start doing that tidying up I have been procrastinating about for weeks now. I put on some music on the telly – Stingray music on channel 501. So I cleaning, tidying and cant help doing that thing I so love..dancing. Man those tracks were playing just for me. Some oldies, Madonna, George Michael a bit of Rihanna, Megan Trainor’s Like I’m Gonna Lose You– featuring John Legend, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-MBfn8XjIU   and a few new ones I am really liking – Sara Bareilles She used to be mine- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53GIADHxVzM, Anna Nalick’s Breathe –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdRHSuPxgXo, to One Direction’s Perfect – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho32Oh6b4jc .

And I realize that lately I have been so caught up in dealing with the things life keeps throwing at me, and how I have been feeding a lot of other things, but neglecting to feed one real important part of me – my soul. Because ...

“Sometimes life just slips in through a back door
And carves out a person
And makes you believe it’s all true”

“She is lonely most of the time
She is all of this mixed up and baked in a beautiful pie
She is gone but she used to be mine”

Excerpts from “She used to be mine” lyrics- http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/sarabareilles/sheusedtobemine.html

So this morning I mix up a recipe. A remedy. I let it be. Create my space. Add some music, the right mood, spirit. Pour in some singing, stir in a lot of dancing, dancing, dancing. And Yes, there’s lots of stuff to do- organizing, accounting, planning, promoting, planting etc. But they can wait. Mm, procrastinating again? Nah! Today I am cooking me up some soul food! I been doing that since I knew how…

Excerpt from Force Ripe – http://www.amazon.com/Force-Ripe-Cindy-McKenzie/dp/1517069688/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447601873&sr=8-1&keywords=Force+Ripe

The radio playing real low. A Jackson Five song come on. I wish I could put up the volume loud, because I real like them Jackson Five songs. I singing in the broomstick. Not so loud, because even though Claire gone to work, I don’t want Auntie Ethel to hear me. And I dancing round the room, while I dusting down: the chairs, the TV and then the black shiny record player, the tables and then the window ledges.

I real like to sing and dance. And now I hearing all these nice songs I never hear before. When I used to be with me father, I used to only hear reggae. And I like them reggae too. But these songs and them does make me forget. I does forget about school. I does forget about all them ugly names them children does call me. They does make the work easy and sometimes I does even forget Claire home, until I hear, “Turn off dat damn radio and do you work!”

And while I am dusting, I open the Simple Blogging manuscript. I started reading it a while ago, planning, hoping to implement feed-your-soulsome of the advice, and TIME MANAGEMENT , in big, black, bold letters just jump out and slap me right in me face! But I just shut it and replace it on the bottom shelf of my desk. And I carry on with me dancing, singing… breathing. Just being me and I am loving that I can do that, right now, right here, Just me. And I feeling blessed. Because this ting I am doing right here, right now, is feeding my soul. Perfect Time management if you ask me. Why be normal when you could be happy. It’s on my “To Read list”. Feeding the soul.

In the Kitchen…and between those pages

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Cupcake Force Ripe

Cupcake Force Ripe

The other day she was in the kitchen blending up she sour sop ice cream and thinking about the woman is today, home maker, mother, wife, sister, aunty and all the other roles a woman fits into, and memories just start rolling around, settling in she head. And she mind just rolled back to the experiences in her life and how they have contributed towards forming that woman. Times when she longed for her mother, wished her father was part of her life. Times when her life seemed to be filled with hardship and pain, from both physical and emotional abuse.

And yesterday she in the kitchen again, not her kitchen- not the one with the wine bottles she converted to candle holders -before she started with her Rustic Selections – lined up over the sink and wine glasses in the cupboard, waiting to be caressed by some medium red and them hands that not afraid of any kind of work, and more space than she know what to do with. It’s a smaller kitchen, hardly any cupboard space–so wares on one side and groceries on the other, no table to put a plate on or chair to rest she bamsie on, not even a dish drainer so is towel on the counter to collect the water and containers stacked on top of the fridge. And she could still whip up Sunday lunch, with what she has and call that George! Once she susses out how the cooker works, she good to go.

And she thinking that it’s because of those experiences she is now able to function and adapt to any situation life throws her into. And she thinking that it is because she’s  lived through every one of the forty nine chapters of Force Ripe, that she is able to find a place and make her space anywhere and survive. It is those experiences which have armed her with the survival skills which she never remembers to include on her CV:- how to improvise, multi-task, problem solve- and she’s not talking about algebra, but real life critical thinking. It is between those pages with Lee, that she’s learned to make the best peas soup, coconut drops, sweet potato pudding, bakes, and refuse to let any amount of that life saving white powder, poor people’s staple, called flour, frighten her, because when she watch them nice golden loaves it could turn into, when mixed with some yeast, a little lard and water, she heart does swell up like them loaves. And not to mention her belly! But she thinking how it’s because of  those times that she is now able to function under any circumstances. And it all started between those pages- the forming of this person, the woman she is today. This survivor.

Excerpt from Chapter 26 – Force Ripe

I gather up the wood. I leave out some to make the fire to cook me breadnuts and I pack the rest neat neat under the shelf by the fireside. I scrape up all the ashes from the fireside and toss it out in the garden. I used to watch I-Trad well good when he lighting the fire. Dry leaf first. Then some coconut fibre over it. And brambles on top it. Then I pack the wood on top of it and I make sure I leave space for the fire to breathe. I-Trad say if the fire can’t breathe, it won’t light. The fibre spark up as soon as I rest the match on it. It blaze-up and then it out. I put some more fibre and I light it again. The wood a little wet and the wind not blowing inside so I kneel down on the floor and start to blow it. I full up me chest with air. I huff and puff and huff and puff like the wolf in The Three Little Pigs and I blow. Smoke nearly choke me. I fan and fan the fire with a piece of cardboard until it blaze up again. Then I leave it to burn.

Sharing Force Ripe …so much thanks to give

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DSC_0053 Saturday’s Book launch or should I say celebration of Force Ripe was as I wanted it to be.  Perfect venue -at
, the Priory House on Church Street- picturesque setting with the harbour lights and sparkling water in the  background, family, friends and well wishers finding a space in the garden to share this  experience with me. I don’t want to call it a ceremony, but a celebration. It was short and  sweet, down to earth and rootsy, full of sharing, laughter yet so turgid with emotions, that I  felt my heart almost physically bursting. And I have a feeling I am not the only one.

And so I would like to thank everyone one who took the time to come out and share this experience with me. I appreciate you being there and I loved the way it turned out. Thank you Raelene Lazarus, my MC for the evening, among other roles which she just fitted very nicely into. I appreciate you and the help you have been giving, asking nothing in return except that I do what it takes to succeed and “play it forward”- this I could work with.

My Son Brendon who is my graphics artist, thank so much for your artistic input and for being there with me all the way. Kamilah my daughter, shying away in the background, but I know you are with me. My other son Gino, though you were abscent, my launch in your birth month is my thanks to you as a mother. My partner of 17 years, Richard Worth, who has financed my creative indulgence in this writing thing and who did the formatting and other technical support, to take me through the final leg of publication, thank you. Marcelle Toussaint, always there and behind me, encouraging me, you are my Earth mother, I give thanks. Ama, ( Judy Antoine), my spiritual sister, my friend, my listener. Your presentation, the words which you shared, no one could have said it better. Thank you for digging deep. Oonya Kempadoo, thank you for being such a strong literary pillar in our society and no one could have endorsed Force Ripe as powerfully as you did! I thank you. Kriss  Davies for reading and re-reading my manuscript and offering very constructive critique/ Thank you for believing in me and for being there to support. Eudine Robertson, who despite her family crisis, made it to the celebration. I appreciate your effort and thanks for supporting. Cleopatrice Andrews thank you for reading and sharing Force Ripe with others. Thank you for blending my vision with your special skills and inspiration to create my glorious outfit. I love it! Patricia Walcott, thank you for being so attentive, for your “full of verve spirit” and your very encouraging comments. Anthea Smith, for your strong back up, I know you are there in spirit and solidarity too. Thank you Sarah and Steve for being there to support and for taking the photos of the evening. I am very grateful! The members of the Writers Association of Grenada (WAG) and special mention to Cemal for all the information he shared and Liz for reading and reviewing Force Ripe. All other friends and family who came to share this experience, my brother Raul, Deyna, Shelly, Kathyann, Gus and Annette, Theresa, my neighbour and her friend, and everyone else, big thank you. Myrna Charles for catering. Not forgetting a little personal touch which topped off the evening, Force Ripe branded cupcakes by my Sister- in- Law Deyna. Thank you so much. It was special. The evening was special. What more could I ask for. I feel blessed. Thanks you all .