Preparations in Parnassus

There's a storm approaching Parnassus in Clarendon and residents are preparing for the worst. Of course, local weather forecasts include no news of an impending disaster, but the people of this out-of-the-way community rely on a far more reliable source.

"Lady Tanny shoulder dem a hot har from around last week, so we know what is what," said Sherifa, a community barmaid. She seemed worried.

"Di last time dat happen, some people never pay it no mind. Well, yuh know wah gwaan after dat!"

It was Hurricane Gilbert that struck shortly after Lady Tanny's previous prediction.

"Pure house top blow weh! After dat, everybody start use Lady Tanny shoulder dem fi tell weather," said Sherifa.

We were both standing inside the bar she has been working at for the last five years. It was small, with a piece of cardboard used as a floormat.

I told Sherifa I wanted to meet Lady Tanny.

"No sah! She live by harself and she nuh too love visitor. She cantankerous yuh know. She will run yuh weh good and proper. Most people inna Parnassus nuh even know har fi talk to," said Sherifa.

Now Parnassus is a small community that is really easy to miss. There's a community sign and a few houses and a bar. Otherwise, there was nothing other than expansive cane fields around.

It's almost as if the community was built in the middle of the cane field.

"Is true yuh know. People use dis road sometimes when dem going Milk River or some other place, but dem pass through and not even realise," said Sherifa.

I walked over to the door of the bar and looked out.

There was a boy riding by on a bicycle. He was grinning broadly and wore no shoes. "Sprat boss?" he yelled, holding up a large fish that was still dripping wet.

I told him I wasn't interested and he rode on.

A man spotted me from across the road and started waving. I thought it was a bit strange but, not wanting to be rude, I returned the gesture.

He ran over to me. "Wah gwaan bredrin?" he asked. He had hair growing out of his ears. "I am Thomas. I know everybody around here and I don't know you. Who yuh is please?" he asked. I introduced myself to the man.

"Please to meet yuh man," said Thomas.

He described himself as the community painter and asked if I had anything that needed painting.

"Not at the moment," I told him. He walked away without saying another word.

"Is old crook!" said Sherifa behind me.

"Bout painter. Him couldn't even paint mi toenail," she said.

I asked Sherifa what the people of Parnassus did for fun.

"Well, di man dem will come here like inna di evening part and cool out. But dat is more like when dem have money," she said.

"Di woman dem now, well, mi nuh really know yuh know. When we want likkle enjoyment we go like inna May Pen. Nothing here fi do," Sherifa seemed annoyed.

"Yuh know yuh right. Now mi head ah hot mi. Mi haffi go find somewhere and go dis weekend," she said.

I asked her what her options were.

"Well, mi is a woman yuh know and woman always can find a way and work something out. Check mi back next week and mi will mek yuh know," Sherifa said.

The following are some of the feedback letters received for last week's edition of Roving with Lalah.

Dear Robert,

You seem to have the most interesting days! I always enjoy your encounters and I was pleasantly surprised, whenperusing a bookstore, I discovered your book.

Keep the entertainment going, you always give a good laugh.

- Kerron Campbell

Dear Robert,

I
have been reading your stories sent to me every week by a friend. Now I
can read it on my BBM. You have me laughing out loud every time I read
one. Thanks for taking the time to visit these parishes and giving us
some great stories. Keep them coming.

- Shamaine Thomas

Dear Robert,

I really enjoyed your story in The Gleaner about
Gimme-Me-Bit. I grew up in Clarendon and migrated to the States over 30
years ago. This was the first time in 30 years that I heard the name of
that district. Thank you for that article.

- Sharon