Lachlan is 2...John Update...and New Stuff

Hard to believe that, today, my youngest grandchild turns two...

Although, I have to miss his "Construction Themed" party  (...completely beyond my capabilities at this point...), the kids came over for an early gathering last night...with pizza...cake & candles...and a few construction-type toys.

He seemed to love it!

Grandpa Don will be representing at his party. 

 John is being poked and prodded...but has gained back some of the massive weight loss.

*Lowest 144...now at 160...

Since he started at 189...it is a process.

Last week, appointments with his primary and both oncologists. Scans, MRIs and blood work...next week Pulmonary and Cardiologist.

We should know more by then.

The weight gain is encouraging!

He is back with in home PT and feeling a little stronger...still weak and short of breath with activity...but his SATs stay high and no more collapsing.

We are hopeful.

The new stuff was

 Arby's Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich...paired with their mac and cheese...sweet tea...and a limited time offering

 

Deep Fried Peach Cobbler Rolls.

Definitely a Put-Some-South-In-Your-Mouth moment!

The Sweet Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce made the generously pulled-pork filled sandwich spectacular!

The still warm Roll-Ups were perfect!

Try them yourself...before they are gone....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual Jamaica: Blue Mountain Coffee Tour

 Tour

https://youtu.be/Bu3OTFZRr4s?si=VKrtuGYIEMvhXyEd

 

We are back...to spend the day at a coffee plantation.

 

There is a reason that this is one of the most expensive coffees in the world.

 

The beans are hand picked, hand sorted and processed in small batches.
 

Everything from picking to roasting seems to be done mindfully.

Until they finally serve you one of the best cups of pour-over you've ever had!

You can buy green coffee to roast at home, or bags of pre-roasted beans.

This selling for 154.00

At 4,000 feet we are able to learn about the inner workings of the coffee plantation...hike in the mountains...pick the coffee cherries...assist in sorting/cleaning and roasting some...and then enjoy a fresh-made cup with a prepared lunch.

The tour takes 4-6 hours and is 275.00 per person.

The luncheon is good...and the view is spectacular!
 

All and all an amazing dtay!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The drive from Irish Town back to Kingston.

https://youtu.be/WilRH1K7ACs?si=GVZFXqDZLIrRyvB2 

 An hour drive through The Blue Mountains

https://youtu.be/HWo-SEF47VU?si=oPzRe0LOTIHwg4Zr 

Virtual Jamaica: St. Andrews/Kingston ~ Terra Nova Hotel

 On to the next parish in our virtual adventure...St. Andrews...

 

Kingston Jamaica.

 

A bit disappointed, as the city seems sprawling, dirty, and talk of very high crime rates.

The hotel, however, is posh...although expensive...and after checking out what to do in this parish we really won't be spending more than a week here...so it's okay.

The hotel is called Terra Nova and is composed of only suites.

From the most modest

Which is a lot like most Hilton or Holiday Inns.

To the most elegant and expensive...compassing over 1100 sq. feet with sitting rooms and luxuries.
 

Since price is no object

...this being virtual and all...

we've decided on the Blanche-Blackwell Suite at 505. a night.

...this may be backlash from spending 2 weeks at Jay's Guesthouse...

https://www.terranovajamaica.com/

Includes an in-room jacuzzi...overlooks the Blue Mountains...3 on-site restaurants...bars...and the outside swimming pool!

Thursday, we will indulge in a day long coffee plantation tour! 

Now, bring on that jacuzzi!

 

 

 

Memorial Day Weekend...John....The 500...and Spring Cleaning

 

It has been a week.

John has been back in and out of the hospital twice in 7 days.

Once, at his primary's request...collapsed in the office.

Once, because he couldn't breathe...which is kind of important.

He is stabilized and has to call his oncologist tomorrow.

It has been stressful.

We will know more, then.

He was home yesterday...and we were able to watch most of the 500 mile race.

Exciting ending!

And the 2nd Annual Weiner-Mobile Race

https://youtu.be/1jn0J_XEd4w?si=DAnNxcQeUyZV_Tuy

Which is hilarious!

 Now...the holiday is mostly over, and it is back to decluttering and Spring Cleaning.

Amber will be here on Wednesday to scrub the carpets.

Bags of stuff to go out.

Things to dust...laundry and dishes to do.

 

 Never a dull moment.

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual Jamaica: St. Thomas~ Font Hill Duppy

 

Mi tell you di stori of di Font Hill Duppy...

Haints...spirits...ghosts...obeah man...duppy...all the same thing in Jamaica.

It seems everyone has their favorite duppy story.

 Hell...they even did a reggae song about it.

https://youtu.be/ToYJHSjPYrM?si=rRNyvVENmskZ96v_ 

According to the story, in July of 1974 a bottle was opened.

It contained the captured spirit of a duppy woman.

Although it had no form it had a voice, sang hymns, cursed, and answered questions. 

 

It stayed in the home of the Brown's. He was 71 and she was 68...both quiet, church-going people.

n's...he was71 and she was 68.  Quiet, church-going farmers.

They said it identified itself as Copie. (Ko-pee)

 

It moved items, started small fires and then extinguished them, untied the family donkey...pranks.

 

People came from many towns to see the unexplained movements and hear Copie speak.

 

Even the local police heard the voice and could not offer an explanation.

 

After 6 weeks, Copie was never heard again...and the pranks stopped.

 

 

 The Font Hill Duppy Incident

 

https://youtu.be/NZ0_vnnXKiM?si=sTWi58GSDUTarVpi

 

 The Brown's house gone...but the locals still remember and tell the tale of Copie...the Duppy.

 

 

Next week, we will begin St. Andrew and Kingston! 

 

The Trumpdate...

 

Yeah...it's kind of like this...

 

Today, makes 19 months.

How ya doing?

 

The past month has been mostly... 

War...War...War...Hanta Virus...Ebola....Epstein...War...War...War...with a bit of I'll PRIMARY you out...Mitch McConnell...gone...Crenshaw...gone...Massie...gone...Lindsey and Paxton...going...Cassidy...gone...you have to admit it is a little entertaining watching  them self-destruct...and the leopards are FEASTING on MAGA faces...rising healthcare costs...rising energy costs...rising inflation (3.8) and gas and food are through the roof...

Unfortunately, the rest of us are hurting, too.

And they are too stupid to even know they're stupid.

Yesterday's primary with Massie, proved this.

Massie was their last real hope for a candidate in 2028.

He could have pulled enough Independents and Democrats to have maybe won the GOP their election.

But noooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

Just sitting here on the Trumptanic watching it take on water while MAGA are busy arranging deck chairs.

I'm rooting for the iceberg.

Only 32 months left.

We can do this...

 

 

Virtual Jamaica: Chronixx

 

Today we explore the "Bad Bunny" of Jamaica.

In years past, we had Bob Marley...in 2026 we have Chronixx.

The fresh face of reggae.  

Born in 1992...he started songwriting at 16.

By 2013 he (along with various reggae artists) were declaring themselves a "Reggae Revival" and in 2025 he released his latest album called Exile.

 

Here Comes Trouble: Chronixx

https://youtu.be/LfeIfiiBTfY?si=HaC_ddZbI7olP0S6

To date he has released 3 albums and 30-some singles.

His first recorded song...Somewhere

 

https://youtu.be/PecGzfbeiTc?si=W-cnpMRJeXbCeHnp 

And a brief expression of all of his thanks to his fans...

https://youtube.com/shorts/9B2bfv2iOeI?si=Zl-OHO7myrxBlfhc

Next we will check out The Font Hill Duppy.

Until then...