Rosemary Parkinson, Contributor

Mangoes, mangoes and more mangoes! There was an abundance of the fruit in this yard in Farm Heights, Montego Bay, in the aftermath of Hurricane Dean. - Photo by Adrian Frater

Well Jamaica, 'Mr. Dean' was indeed a Jimmy. For those of you who may not know what I am talking about, in the '60s, James 'Jimmy' Dean was one good-looking Hollywood star, but a rebel in every way. He died in a car accident before his time and has become an icon today, much like Marilyn Monroe.

While watching on the Internet how hurricane hunters go through the storms to measure their strength, the pilot said: "You could never imagine that something quite so beautiful could be so damaging." So it was with Jimmy Dean. And so, this hurricane wreaked its havoc leaving Jamaica behind with much devastation in its wake. 'Dean' was a Jimmy alright, but I thank God that once again, the blues appear to have fought him off with as much might as they possibly could and Jamaica will one more time count its blessings, because it could have been worse.

Some beauty lost

One never knows if it is better to be away from home when a disaster like this happens, as I am. I worried myself sick about friends - the people I have met throughout my travels across the island. I thought of those I met whose homes leave a lot to be desired in terms of being able to batten up against the wailing winds and overflowing rivers.

I thought of all that I experienced during 'Ivan' and I shuddered to think that once more this was happening. I lit incense. I lit candles. I prayed a lot. As we - my team - go through the pages, we are designing for Nyam Jamaica, all the beauty before me, all the photographs taken when the country was green, vibrant and loving, brings tears to my eyes.

Jamaica lies badly damaged at the moment and I just wish there was something I could do to touch it with a magic wand and make it all beautiful again. But then, I know Jamaicans are a resilient, strong people. Fighters, if you will. And now, it is once again time to reflect and get the country back on its feet. Lessons should be learned as well, but these unfortunately are adhered to for a few months, and then we seem to go back to our usual ways until it happens again. I guess that is the way of the human.

My heart goes out to all farmers at this time. Those who till the soil producing the most delicious of crops the Caribbean has, for Jamaica's soil seems to have everything it requires to make things taste a little sweeter than anywhere else. Let us hope that those in charge will pay special emphasis on getting these people's lives back into order as fast as possible. They are our food. Everything else is secondary at this point. Food is the mainstay. The all important. An it is necessary to stock up during a disaster with all manner of canned goods, it is imperative that we see the need to soon have our fruits, vegetables and tubers back on our tables.

Meanwhile, those of you who might be reading this column, if it should so happen that by this Thursday, some semblance of normality might return to this wonderful island, please know that many of us who were away, were with you in thought. And still are. So, all I can do is to give some of the basic advice that is so necessary foranyone who has been affected to understand and understand well.

This is a time to be particularly careful about cleanliness and getting enough nourishment to sustain until the healthy basics can reach homes again. Stored tap water should be boiled if you have gas stoves before imbibing. Perhaps this is a good time to start those wood fires again. I did it the other day when I spent three days in the bush of Dominica and it brought all manner of humility and deliciousness to my cooking.

Ensure that the food you have stored goes a long way - it might be a while before things get back to normal, so eating everything you've managed to purchase and stock is not the way to go right now. Be frugal. Calm the children and give them special attention. Hurricanes can be devastating not only to a country but to a child's mind. If you have managed to save the fruits from your trees, make sure they are washed well before eating. Perhaps, depending on your circumstances, this is an opportunity to make them into lasting edible delights, like stewing guava, otaheite apples, mangoes - anything in season - in syrup.

To keep the family interested in eating, use up those canned corn beef, tuna and sardine in as an exciting way as you can. Sardine stamp and go. Tuna fish pate'. Corn beef shepherd's pie. But most importantly, before you touch the canned goods, try and ensure that everything that is perishable is cooked - even corned - as fast as possible. Do not keep cooked food for days either. Without electricity, cooked food can only last for a few hours, if that. All meats can be smoked. This is where traditions are necessary to remember. Make a 'kreng kreng' with wire, place meats inside and smoke by hanging over an open wood fire. Use pimento stuffed into the meats for extra preservation.

I suddenly feel it is almost silly to continue this column. I am not there. I am not feeling the pain as much as you are. So, all I can say right now is keep safe, keep good and be especially mindful of your neighbours. Right now, a community that stands and fights together will succeed. God bless Jamaica.

Almond trees provide an attractive shade, but also produce a nut that children love to snack on. Alas, these will not reach maturity.

Why not gather up the sugar cane, peel and eat it for a healthy snack or make cane juice? - Photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer