Tantie Say…..
Updated: Feb 21, 2024
I’m sure you’ve noticed that the closing on each blog post has been a Caribbean Proverb. This is an intentional decision. So much of our teachings and wisdom are done through oral tradition. These wise, sage and sometimes cryptic sayings are, most times, said to us by the elders in our community. And they can offer a proverb for every situation. Whether it's about relationships, money, conflict, discernment, spirituality….there is an applicable proverb. That when told to us gives us wisdom and insight but also strengthens our connections to our history, culture and ancestors.
If we’re not careful, these things can be lost as modernization and globalization continues to spread. And we don’t want that! So closing each blog post is my way of keeping us connected to our roots and culture.
I also want to share some resources that I absolutely love on this topic of Caribbean Proverbs. The website WIWords.com is such a great website that list proverbs from around the Caribbean and the country that is known for the proverb. Another great resource is the page Jamaican Proverbs that is listed on the National Library of Jamaica's website. What I like about this page, similar the the first one, is how the proverbs are listed in is Caribbean dialect, creole, patois (whatever word you choose to us) and then it is "translated" to "formal" English.
And here are two books that I find to be excellent...
Every skin teeth ain't a laugh
Caribbean Proverb
Cara
The theme of making printed information clearer makes me curious about what people notice in their own everyday experiences. Readable spacing and a clear hierarchy can change how easily someone finds a detail on a page. For Mailandbros, I would use practical print design as a starting point for a closer discussion of the subject. That is the part I would keep thinking about after moving on to something else. What would you check on a printed draft before producing more copies?
When it comes to keeping personal care simple and thoughtful, one clear example can stay with me longer than a long list of general points. A small consistent habit can be easier to assess than several unfamiliar changes introduced together. That thought gives me a starting point for exploring personal care ideas in connection with Mafelicita. I would rather explore one useful example carefully than pretend that the whole subject is already clear. What would help someone decide which parts of a personal-care routine are useful to them?
I find building a personal connection with words easier to approach when there is a familiar situation to start from. A single remembered detail can give a short piece of writing a clearer sense of place. With Leandevie in mind, reading and creative writing feels like a topic worth exploring one question at a time. A simple comparison would help me picture the differences without rushing towards a fixed answer. What would you keep when shortening a story without losing its atmosphere?
Considering exploring the connections behind everyday food, I would want to understand a few concrete details before deciding what matters most. Knowing a little about how food reaches a table can make an ordinary meal more interesting. That thought gives me a starting point for exploring thoughtful food choices in connection with Italiabio. I would be interested in an example that shows how the idea works in an ordinary situation. Which questions would you ask when learning about an unfamiliar ingredient or producer?
There is something appealing about learning through hands-on creative projects, especially when the focus stays on the details people might otherwise overlook. Handling a material directly can suggest ideas that are hard to discover from a picture alone. The name Globosgladys gives this theme a memorable reference point, while creative craft projects keeps the subject in focus. I would rather explore one useful example carefully than pretend that the whole subject is already clear. What small experiment would you try before planning a finished piece?