K & L

K - Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. Don bought me one for Christmas last year and I was a little concerned that I would not make good use of it. Boy was I ever wrong.

K - Knitting .... I love anything hand knit.



L - love ... I love how much my grandchildren love me, their precious hugs & kisses, their sweet concern that they showed their mammy with her knee surgery, the beautiful cards they made for me. There's lots of love to go around in this family.

L - lasagna, we're having lasagna for dinner .... and I love lasagna.

J

J - Jayden ... my second grandson. He is feisty, intense, creative, very smart, dramatic, loves being the centre of attention, reminds me so very much of Sebrina, my daughter - his mom when she was his age and ..... he has the most beautiful head of hair I've ever seen on a boy!

J- Jewellery. I love jewellery, any shape, size, colour, costume or real. I especially love African jewellery of which I have collected quite a few beautiful pieces, both while over in Ethiopian and since coming back.

J - Jam ... just little on a piece of homemade, warm, toasted spelt bread.

J - Jambalaya - one of Don's and mine favourite dinners, jumbo shrimp, chunks of chicken, hot italian sausage .... yummmmm!

I

I - Icebergs - like humans there is much more below the surface.





I - Ice ... I love a drink with 4 ice cubes, not 3, not 5 .... FOUR!

I - Indian food, next to Sushi, this is my favourite food.

I - Interior Design ... my home is an outlet of my creativity, I am always changing colours, wallpapers, the arrangement of furniture, accessories, etc.... I love to decorate

H

H - Health .... this is an appropriate entry after my last two weeks following my knee replacement.

I do realize that conventional medicine has its' place and I had no choice in this decision to have my knee replaced. It was either that or probably end up on a walker permanently, so the decision was fairly easy to make.

First I have been put on a very large drug cocktail which my poor body is really having trouble with. I inject myself every day with a blood thinner. Every four hours I take a narcotic pain killer, but it makes me vomit, so I have to offset that side effect with a prescription anti-nausea medication. In the hospital they had me on an iron supplement - certainly wasn't a natural supplement, it played havoc with my bowels, so .... let's offset that side effect with an anti-diarrhea medication.

Then the food, much was made about how important it is to eat properly in order to get the proper amounts of vitamin C, iron and calcium for maximum healing. Let me give you an example of one breakfast I was served. The tray was delivered with juice full of glucose/fructose and a complete line of ingredients I couldn't pronounce (if I can't say it don't eat it is my motto), a box of corn flakes and a processed toaster waffle and corn syrup .... where is the nutrition in this breakfast????

H - homeopathy.

H - home, I love my home, my home tells my friends and family who I am ... I am told frequently it is warm, inviting and cozy.

H - Honda .... these are the only automobiles that we purchase and drive. When I had my accident 3 years ago, I was t-boned, the car was a write-off, but I was able to get up and walk away from the vehicle. Love my honda!

H - hair ... much ado is made about a woman's hair and unfortunately I buy into that philosophy. Since entering menopause a few years ago, I am experiencing a great deal of hair loss, which I struggle with regularly ... how to my hair, how to have it cut, how to get a lift with such a small amount of hair, how to style it so it covers my scalp at the front ..... hmmmm, maybe I'll just buy a wig.

G

G - Gabriella, granddaughter .... my treasure .... my great joy!!

Garden
Originally uploaded by Barb.Takeda

G - Garden, I love my garden, I love to garden, I love to be in my garden watching the birds, watching the flowers, weeding, feeling the earth in my hands, enjoying a morning cup of coffee while the garden wakes up.

F

F - Freckles ... I have a multitude of freckles ... my mom used to tell me they were beauty spots. I am certainly identified by my freckles.

F - Fran - my sister. She is one of the most selfless people I know. When our oldest sister Gina was sick with leukemia in Princess Margaret Hospital, Fran gave up her life to go down there every day until the very moment that Gina passed from this disease. She is fun, always good for to share a chuckle & doesn't take much in life too seriously. Life has not been kind to her, she & her husband lost everything they called dear during a business failure, then 10 years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer and lost her breast. But does she complain and blame anyone ... no she's always grateful for what she has. She has an enormous capacity for love ... when you are loved by Fran, you know it.

F - feet. I studied reflexology a few years and was amazed at how sensitive our feet are to touch.

F - Fire. The warmth and compelling draw of a beautiful wood burning fire.

F - Fingers ... because they are responsible for so many beautiful things, I love to paint, to knit, to crochet, to play the piano, to scrapbook, to cook & bake, to decorate my house, to sew, to hold a book or magazine to read. What would I do without fingers???

F - Fibromyalgia ... I have lived with this disease for over 25 years. It defines me to a certain degree as I suffer from chronic pain and overwhelming fatigue. Since I stopped working however, I have had much better control of my fibro.

F - Fish, I love to sit and watch tropical fish in an aquarium. It is so relaxing and enticing to me to get lost in their world.

I also love to eat fish, pecan crusted salmon, pan fried breaded tilapia with just a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice, tiger shrimp fried in garlic butter, scallops with pasta Alfredo, tuna salad with chopped onion & celery, lobster tails, crab legs, raw SUSHI quality fish (salmon, tuna, etc) ... I could go on and on ... I love fish!

E

E - edamame .... yummmmmmmm!

E - eating, I love to eat GOOD FOOD. Following my stay in hospital for my knee replacement, I appreciate good food even more. If the hospitals expect you to recover and get well on their food, they are sadly mistaken. Most meals consisted of processed foods, refined carbohydrates and tinned vegetables & fruit. Always a fruit drink but it was full of glucose & fructose & other items that I could not pronounce. My motto is "if I can't say it .... I don't eat it."

E - Echinacea ... I take it faithfully during the winter to ward off bugs ... and it works. I very seldom get sick.

E - Ethiopia, I had to come back and add this. Ethiopia is country of many contrasts. After going there with Sebrina to pick up our darling Gabriella, I am forever changed. The heart of Ethiopia now beats within mine.

D

D - daughter, here is Sebrina doing what she does best, mothering.

D - dog ... my dogs, first my Jakey who passed away in my arms in September 2005 after a lengthy battle with diabetes.
Then our Chelsea shown here with a friend. She is feisty, cute & loves everybody.


D - Don, here with his precious Gabriella. He is my best friend, my lover, my angel and presently my nurse as he is taking very good care of me after my knee surgery.

Finally Home

Well, I'm finally home after my knee replacement surgery. As I have a laptop, I can sit on the bed with my leg elevated and enter this information.

Out of deference to those of you who may be squeamish I am not putting a picture of my knee on this entry, but let me tell you, it is quite the mess. Sebrina, my daughter said it looks like Frankenstein, Ryan, my grandson said it looks cool, Don says it looks like I have been in a terrible car accident ... as for me I think it just looks horrific.

As I mentioned in earlier blogs, I chose to use homeopathy. All the nurses and physio-therapists were amazed at my minimal bruising ... so thanks to Arnica. Unfortunately, I did not stick with using the remedy every hour as instructed by my homeopathic doctor, so the pain was and still is quite intense. As well, I had trouble with pain killers in getting my pain under control. (The pain is very intense .. actually has made me cry quite a lot). I started back on my Arnica - one dose every hour 2 days ago and it has decreased the pain along with the pain killer quite a bit.

The swelling has been unbelievable, my foot looks like a football (no pun intended). Coming home yesterday was the first time I was actually out of bed for more than 15 minutes, so I experienced quite a lot of bleeding into my foot, which swelled up and turned very blue on top of my foot. Me and my ice packs are becoming intimately acquainted.

It has been very difficult for me accepting the amount of chemical drugs that are necessary in this surgery, first injections into my tummy every day of blood thinners, antibiotics to prevent infection (incidentally didn't work that great - I ended up with cellulitis in my thigh, so had to switch to a different one), narcotics to control the pain, then 2 different anti-nausea drugs because narcotics made me vomit violently.

I'm finally off the antibiotic which incidentally to add insult to injury gave me vicious diarrhea. I only have to inject 6 more doses over the next 6 days of the blood thinner, and hopefully as time goes on and the pain decreases, I will be able to do this without the narcotic.

The team that Markham Stouffville Hospital has in place for a knee replacement is incredible. The information and support provided was superb. I had a wonderful talk with the social worker & physio therapist who went through the emotional process of this replacement. The mind is set on how things function within the body, so my mind must go through the process of re-learning how to walk properly, it must accept the loss of my knee and then acceptance of the prosthetic ... quite a lot in my opinion. But I must say, it was very helpful going through this information with this incredible team.

Being back home I have started back on my probiotics to get my system back on track after having a long round of antibiotics. Don went shopping this morning and bought lots of vegetables and fruit, so I'll get back to eating properly too.

This is day 9, so there is certainly some improvement, but most definitely one of the most difficult surgeries I have ever gone through .... would rather have had 5 babies naturally than this. (LOL).

The stretching is exquisitely painful, as the quad muscle is completely severed from my knee in this surgery and then re-attached to my new prosthetic knee. I cannot even lift my foot off the bed when sitting with my leg extended in front of me. Have you ever stopped to think how many muscles you use to put on a slipper??? I look forward to when I can do this again without thinking about it.

Here's to better days!!!!!!!!!!!!!

C

C - celery, cucumber, carrots, I love vegetables, in soup, in salad, with dip .... anyway at all.

C - cuddle, I love to cuddle with all of my four grandchildren.

C - COFFEE - I love coffee, especially Ethiopian or Kenyan. I have found a coffee shop near my home that sells freshly roasted beans or you can buy green coffee beans and roast them yourself. Delicious. Sure wish I could have a coffee right now.

C - comforter - sitting in front a fire wrapped up in a cozy comforter.

C - Contentment!!

C - crochet - I crochet a baby blanket for every friend and family member who have a baby. They are soft and luscious sherbet colours.

Today's My Big Day

Well, today is my big day! My surgery is scheduled for 2:00pm this afternoon.

I have been instructed to have nothing by mouth since midnight last night, so needless to say I am hungry & very dry.

My anxiety seems to have quietened as this date drew nearer. The inevitability of this surgery seems to be the factor that has aided in my calm acceptance.

After quite a lot of research I have decided to have this surgery with a spinal, wasn't my first choice as I would prefer to be totally out when they have to use the bone saw and drill. So when I have my interview with the anesthesiologist today I will specifically ask him to please ensure that I am asleep. Research shows that the spinal gives a few hours after surgery pain free which aids in the bodies ability to heal faster.

As well I mentioned in an earlier blog, I have started using homeopathy for this surgery, Arnica for the bruising, bleeding & swelling, Ruta for the specifics of orthopedic surgery & Gelsemium for the anxiety (still experiencing heart palpitations). I took my first dose last night and my second this morning. I will need to take a dose as close to the surgery time as possible and then as close to regaining consciousness as well. Don has taken today off to be with me, so he will make sure I get my remedies. As well my sister Frannie is coming to keep Don company while he waits during my 2 hour surgery and 2 hour recovery. I imagine it will be a long afternoon for both of them.

I have to be at the hospital at 12:00 to check in, so I'm going to get back to making sure I have everything packed that I will need for the next week while I am in the hospital.

I will update upon my return home.

B

B - babies, I love babies, any shape, size, colour, puppies, kittens, any baby at all ... I love babies.

B - Bubbles, I love bubble baths ... with lavender of course. In fact, as today is my surgery day, I am going to finish this entry and have a lovely, relaxing, lavender bubble bath before I go.

B - breasts, my mothers which nurtured me, mine which nurtured my babies, and then Sebrina's as I watched her nurture her babies. The breast that my dear sister Fran lost to cancer 10 years ago, a small price to pay for her life.

B - broccoli in any way, shape or form, with a dip, in a salad, steamed with a little butter & sea salt, yuuuuuum!

The Encyclopedia of Me - A

I have been enjoying reading my daughter Sebrina's blog entries titled "Encyclopedia of Me".

So come along, play along ... if you enjoy these entries, leave me a comment, I'd love to see what you are writing about yourself.

A - Adoption, which for very selfish reasons gave me Gabriella.
A - Apples ... I love apples, Cortland, Gala, Honeycrisp Golden Delicious, Fuji, homemade apple pie with a slice of cheddar cheese, apple crisp with a dollop of vanilla ice cream, apples with my oatmeal, slice apples with Parmesan cheese if you please, apple cake ... here's a great apple cake recipe, thanks to a friend who got this recipe from Lang's Pioneer Village.

Apple Cake
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 cups flour (we used 1 cup light spelt and 1 cup whole spelt)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup butter milk (we used 1 Tbsp vinegar and 1 cup rice milk)
1 egg

Cream butter & sugar. Add egg. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add buttermilk. Add 2 cups finely cut apple (or rhubarb). Pour into greased and floured 8" pan and bake until firm in the centre.

Optional Topping:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Mix well and sprinkle on top of cake before baking.
Oven is at 375 degrees and bake for approximately 40 - 45 minutes.

Almost One

Here is Princess Gabriella with her birthday crown on and of course with her Poppa, who can't seems to keep his hands off this girl!

Happy almost 1st Birthday Gabriella!

Did Gabbi enjoy the noise the paper made when she crinkled it in her hands.

Then the cake .... before Sebrina could take the cake away from in front of her, Gabbi grabbed a handful of it and put as much of it in her mouth as she could.

Fun was had by all, Gabriella got lots of lovely birthday presents.

Happy Birthday my angel.

Quote for Today

Always do what you want, and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

Dr. Suess


The simple dandelion, enemy of well-kept lawns, is an exceptionally nutritious food. Its leaves and root contain substantial levels of vitamins A, C, D, and B complex as well as iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon as well as bitter taraxacins (eudesmanolides), sitosterol, stigmasterol, alpha- and beta-carotene, caffeic acid, mucilage, and an unusually high potassium content.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the roots of various species of dandelions are also used as "herbs that cool the blood." Dandelions are thought to correct the physiological reactions triggered by intense emotions that cause eyestrain or red, swollen, and painful eyes. They are used in teas and poultices for abscesses and sores, especially on the breast. The promote lactation and clear painful urinary dysfunction.

Dandelion leaf is a mild chloretic, that is, an agent for stimulating the release of bile from the liver into the gallbladder. The herb is used to support treatment of a variety of liver and gallbladder disorders, especially the incomplete digestion of fats. The release of bile is laxative, and accelerates the breakdown of various steroid hormones, causing an indirect, favorable effect on eczema and other skin conditions. Dandelion leaf, like dandelion root, also is one of the best herbal diuretics. It stimulates urination but also replaces the potassium lost to the increased volume of urine.

A note of warning: use with caution if you have gallstones.

Dandelion greens are simply wonderful added to a salad. Their slightly bitter, tangy taste really gives a salad some zip.

The best way, I have found through research to gain the best overall benefit from any herb/weed is to infuse them. I'll discuss infusions in another entry as well as the infusions I have used for a couple of years.


Now, you don't really want to pluck these little beauties who pack such a nutritious punch out of your garden do you?

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

My sister sent me this except from Erma Bombeck's book this morning. As we just lost our brother in law this past Monday from a massive heart attack, this came at an appropriate time to remind me what's really important in life.............

"I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I were not there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less & listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room & worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn! With my grass stains.

I would have cried & laughed less while watching television & more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away 9 months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment & realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's" & "I'm sorry's."

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute ... look at it and really see it! Live it & never give it back.

STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF ! !

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what - Instead; let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us."

Tag - I'm It

I have been tagged by my daughter to answer the following questions. I need to give 4 answers to each question and then tag 4 bloggers.. here we go.

Jobs I've had:
1) Switchboard Operator
2) Avon Lady
3) Bus Driver
4) Network Support Analyst

Places I've lived:
1) Oshawa
2) Toronto
3) Ajax
4) Cape Coral, Florida

Food I love:
1) Sushi!!!!!!!
2) Indian anything
3) Chicken breast thinly sliced, tomatoes, cucumbers on multgrain with asiago cheese spread
4) Soup any kind. I love soup!!

Places I would rather be:
1) Right here - I love my home
2) Having a coffee with my best friend (don't see her as much as we'd like due to her very hectic life with job, 3 very busy daughters, etc..)
3) At Sebrina's enjoying a great coffee, her and my grandkids
4) Would really love to go back to Ethiopia

Movies I love:
1) I Dreamed of Africa - makes me cry every time I watch it
2) Seven Years in Tibet
3) Love Story
4) Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
5) Shawshank Redemption
6) Driving Miss Daisy
7) Blood Diamond
Wow, I could keep going, there are so many marvelous movies out there.

TV shows I watch:
1) 24
2) Dancing With The Stars
3) NCIS
4)Two & A Half Men

Books I Love:
1) East of Eden
2) Forever Amber
3) Any book by David Baldacci, Dan Brown, James Patterson, Tom Clancy, Robbert Ludlum
4) Winnie The Pooh & The Velveteen Rabbit

Bloggers I am tagging
This is tough because the only blog I really follow religiously is my daughter Sebrina's.

Thanksgiving & Losses

Yesterday was a day to be thankful....

Where do I start on what I am thankful for.

Four generations of woman in my family ... my mother - Shirley, me - Barb, my daughter -Sebrina, and my new granddaughter - Gabriella.

The opportunity to enjoy a wonderful turkey dinner with my daughter and her husband Mike and our four grandchildren. Great dinner Seb!

A little time with the boys, although they are starting to enjoy being outside with their friends a bit more than boring old mammy & Poppa. Although I miss their snuggles and hugs, their health and growth is something else to be thankful for. We still get snuggles and hugs - just not quite as much.

A sister I adore. She makes me laugh, she makes me cry, we enjoy having a big "Bloody Caesar" with a liberal dash of "medicine", she listens to my complaints, she listens to my brags, she's always there. And she always shares "pasta night" each Monday with Don & me. I love you Frannie!!!

My husband Don ... I am very thankful for the life he has given me, our beautiful home, our friendship.

I am thankful for my many friends, who I don't see often enough or tell them how important their friendship is to me and how much I love them.

Then a loss ....... we were only home from our feast for a couple of hours when we were called to the home of my brother-in-law John Weiss, who had just suffered a massive heart attack. He was only 65. John was gone within minutes, although much resuscitation efforts were expended by Durham EMS.

Many thanks to the Durham Police Force and Durham EMS for their efforts and the kindness they showed to Marilyn and the rest of us for this loss.

John was married for over 10 years to my sister Gina who passed away in 2005 after a lengthy battle with AML. As they lived very close to us, we maintained a close relationship with John. I also worked with him occasionally providing administrative support for his home based business.

John was one of the most gentle men I have ever known. He had a gusto for life that most of us can only dream of. He loved nothing better than going to the track to enjoy the horse races.

And dream ... oh how John loved to dream ... dreaming of winning the "big one", catching the "big one", finding that elusive supplement that would magically take off the weight he needed and wanted to lose or how to get rid of his diabetes. There was always some new business venture that he was trying which was the one that would make him his millions.

And, his food .... oh how John loved his food, he dreamed of publishing a cookbook and had been creating and collecting recipes for this book for years. He once told me he aspired to be a chef as a young man, but never realized that dream. John loved to have people over and just be in the kitchen cooking up a marvelous meal. His beef roulade, butter chicken, pork tenderloin, etc... were exquisite.

Recently John met Marilyn (see above with John) and they were planning on marrying this December 15th. Marilyn brought happiness back into John's life, he had a twinkle in his eye again and a sparkle in his step for the first time since going through almost 2 years of a terminal illness with my sister which lead to her eventual death.

So even though this is a devastating loss for us all, there is still thankfulness for the years that I had John in my life and the relationship that we shared. We spent many, many hours together when Gina was hospitalized working side by side, sharing a coffee, a chuckle here and there and lots of great conversation.

John was a collector of art and I feel privileged to have a few pieces hanging in my home as a constant reminder of John and our friendship.

John .... I will miss you deeply.

Jayden's Six

Last night we went to Mike & Sebrina's to celebrate Jayden's Sixth birthday. (Our second grandson).

There was much excitement from the moment we came through the door:

"What's in that bag Mammy?" asks Jayden.
"Is it my birthday present?"
"Can I carry it upstairs?"
"Can I open it now? ... pleeeeeeeease"

So off Jayden trots carrying the bag which by now has gone by the wayside, so he can actually see, feel & shake the gift itself. (The bow on Jayden's head in the picture was actually on the package).

Now we get to have hugs and kisses from Zander and Ryan. The fun of coming to see these beautiful children never wears off. When we finally get up all the stairs to the main level, there is darling Gabriella sitting on the floor flashing me her "mammy smile".

Sebrina already has my "medicine" ready (that is a Bloody Caesar) which, because it works very well thank you for my knee pain has been nicknamed "medicine" by my son-in-law Mike.

Soon we sit down at the table to have yummy pizza and a homemade caesar salad.

Of course all this time, poor Jayden is having the hardest time waiting to open his gift. Daddy says he must wait until we are all finished dinner. He does manage to do this, but not without fidgeting & jumping up and down and asking about a million times "Can I pleeeease open it now?"

Well, the moment has finally arrived and Jayden rips through the wrapping. It is a Game Boy Advance along with a Pokemon game. He is so excited .... "This is exactly what I wanted" ... he runs over to me and plants a big wet kiss on my lips and a bear hug to say thank you, then he runs over to Poppa with some more of the same treatment. Nothing better than after-dinner kisses to share a little left-overs.

Then after the excitement Sebrina brews some delicious coffee and we have the birthday cupcakes ... OMG they are to die for. Devils food chocolate cake with butter cream icing and a surprise inside (a Lindt white chocolate truffle). I'll have two please, one for each hip!

The bow on Jayden's head gets passed around and ends up on my left ear leaving me looking like a ........ well, I'll leave that to your imagination. Ryan turns around and sees the bow on my ear and proclaims, "You look gorgeous Mammy, can I marry you?" I think that this child is going to make some woman very happy someday - he certainly knows how to make his mammy's heart sing.

The Measure of a Man

I have just finished reading "The Measure of A Man - A Spiritual Autobiography", Sidney Poitier's latest book, a truly joyful read.

Born into abject poverty, Sidney rose above his humble beginnings to become one of Hollywood’s most influential, fascinating actors.

Sidney Poitier shares the story of his life and of life in general. Passionate, honest and inspiring, The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography discusses the need for simplicity, strong parenting and values like artistic integrity, faith and courage.

Poitier encourages searching for true joy, which comes not from destructive amusements, but from being genuine, living by your convictions and taking risks. Poitier always carried a sense of self-worth, simple ethics and family values. He would become a pioneer in 20th-century cinema, playing memorable characters in meaningful films.

He broke through as a star in acclaimed performances in American films and plays, which, by consciously defying racial stereotyping, gave a new dramatic credibility for black actors to mainstream film audiences in the Western world.

In 1963, he became the first black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor - for his role in Lilies of The Field. The significance of this achievement was later compounded in 1967 when he starred in three very well received films - To Sir With Love, In the Heat of the Night and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (my personal favourite) ... making him the top box office star of that year.

38 years after receiving the Best Actor Award, Poitier was chosen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to receive the Honorary Award in recognition of his "extraordinary performances and unique presence on the screen and for representing the industry with dignity, style and intelligence.

He was appointed a Knight Commander of the British Empire in 1974, which entitles him to use the title "Sir," though he chooses not to do so. He has also served as non-resident Bahamian ambassador to Japan and to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

One of his favourite quotes ... "If you apply reason and logic to this career of mine, you're not going to get very far... The journey has been incredible from its beginning. So much of life, it seems to me, is determined by pure randomness."

He was careful to nurture his career by refusing to accept roles that detracted from his dignity as a human being, choosing his spots carefully, but taking advantage of the opportunities that arose beginning in the 1950s.

A truly inspiring book by an inspiring man who lead an inspiring life.