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Too sweet!
Published on: 11/19/2009.
by PHILLIPPE AIMEY
COUNTRY LIFE TOO SWEET. So sweet, it's addictive, says Cecilia Collymore and Priscilla Mascoll.
Don't doubt them because they've lived, endured and enjoyed the best Barbados' countryside has to offer for more than 100 years between them.
Collymore and Mascoll are sisters and neighbours from College Land, St John, and their ultimate joy is caring for livestock day in and day out. Why?
"Pigs and sheep in my blood . . . . It is the only thing my mother did own, not even a house or anything so, just the animals and I watched her feed us off them and the few yardfowls for years," Collymore said, sitting on her sister's front step.
What Collymore watched her mum do as a child, her daughter watched her do as well, but with some resistance.
"People don't like to deal with animals because of the smell, and even my daughter before she moved out used to hate them, but I had to remind her that the same pigs and fowls she hate, sent her to school and keep food in her belly, so fast enough she started to talk different," Collymore said.
Walking strong at 74, Collymore, and Mascoll, 77, both believe passionately in self-sufficiency, and it is that reason alone that Collymore manages the pigs and Mascoll deals with the chickens, not for sale but to simply "cut down the supermarket bill".
"We too old now to be running around selling, we just raise these animals and share them among the family to cut down the supermarket bill. Times change, so you can't buy everything. If people get up and go back to the old days - grow some food, raise the animals - they will never starve, but the young people these days want the fast food," the quieter sister, Mascoll, said.
Would they trade this country life?
"I've lived in the country, I'll die in the country because when I go in the heights I can't raise my pigs and every morning I look out, I have to see or hear them in the yard knocking the paling . . . . Country life is the sweetest," Collymore said.
She goes further.
"I remember when the banks first start looking to lend to the poor people and I was going to them for money, but at the time I had more pigs than these and a man come and pay me $1 100 for all of them . . . . That give me the chance to build my little house and manage the children good," Collymore said.
11 comment found!
Lovely Story : 11/19/2009
On my visits to Barbados one of my favorite past times are riding the country buses and enjoy the lush countryside. The people are so friendly and courteous. Some parts of the country takes one breath away with it's Beauty.
I started this tradition in the year 1972, and still loving it. Ladies, many thanks for a lovely story. May God bless you, and make you sweeter each day.
st. john : 11/19/2009
my gran grew up in st. john with 'nuff pigs, cows, sheep, goats, and rabbits, she used to always talk about the good old days of going out to the barn to get the fresh eggs from under the chicken, and the milk straight from the cow. that is why they live so long there...
Country Life Too Sweet : 11/19/2009
In these times you have to be resourceful and if you have some space where you can raise livestock or even plant, then by all means do so because food is expensive. These ladies will live long - with natural food, fresh air, no hussle and bussle through traffic, no stuffy air condition building etc. I am here in my office day dreaming about a house in the country because city life is becoming frustrating especially with traffic. What will Barbados be like 10 years from now if we don't deal with this congestion, if we don't cut down on unnecessary imports etc.
Concerned native
Country Life : 11/19/2009
Anyone with access to a piece of land should follow these ladies' advice. What a breath of fresh air! Many of us who have had the privilege to be educated, travel, and so on owe a debt of gratitude to ladies (and men)such as this. Excellent piece!!
Backyard husbandry : 11/19/2009
These ladies need to be applaued. They know where thier food is coming from. They can eat freely, knowing that no chemicals or growth hormones have been fed to the animals. Keep up the good work. Soap and water will wash off the dirt and smell, and you will continue to be healthy. Ego-
: 11/19/2009
Love this story of self sufficiency, but where are the photos? May God continue to bless the two of you. RETIRED.
this is a sweet article fuh trute : 11/19/2009
I want a piece of St. Lucy! away from de mad rush that St. James is becoming. Country is the best.
TWO SWEET : 11/19/2009
WHAT A GREAT STORY I LUV IT.
Countryside Wisdom : 11/19/2009
I say, "More Power!!" to these sisters ... I pray that they continue with God's Help for a good many years more. I am a Bajan-Yankee who left Barbados @ the age of 2-yrs and have missed out on alot. However, when I reached my 20's I got very curious about BIM and began to visit as often as possible. I met my 'Townside Family' and my 'Countryside Family' and remember thinking that the country was much too QUITE for ME!! (Laugh) Now that 50 is looming near ... the Quiet Country-style is sounding BETTER!! One of my BEST VISITS to BIM was a time when I got to ride along on an "Egg Run" with an older friend of our family. She had a driver and delivered eggs all around the countryside. Can't say I'd raise animals if I ever move HOME (simply because I don't know anything about that & they might end up raising me!! laugh) but I've been know to 'gingerly pat' a Cow or Pig from time-to-time. Again I say, keep up the good work Ladies and thanks for sharing your countryside wisdom.
: 11/19/2009
Great story. 246
Hard work : 11/19/2009
Hard work and self sufficiency has been paying off that is why you are living so long. Young people would never do that today. They have become to special to want to do this kind of work .I wish those good old days that I grow up in would comeback .Did not have a lot but had a no stress. everything is at hand today and we are still stressed out.
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