Our Spring Getaway...It WASN'T the Vaccine...Snyder's Justice League and More

 Back from Our Spring Getaway....and it was wonderful.

(...well mostly...we will get to that later...)

A drive through the countryside...and picking up an array of good things to sample from one of the best BBQ joints on the way...

The Rusted Silo Brewhouse in Lizton.

Wednesday we got a sample of most of what they offered.

BBQ Chicken

BBQ Smoked Beef Brisket

BBQ Smoked Pork

Ranch BBQ Beans

 Cole Slaw

Potato Salad

Macaroni and Cheese

and a sampler of desserts...

 Banana Pudding

Peach Cobbler

Bourbon Pecan Pie

Enough food for days...and some for us both to take home as well.

 

We set the whole business up buffet-style in our home away from home and just tried a taste of everything!

It was Outstanding. 

Ralph...our Travel Bear.

As was the big enough for two hot tub!

And 

BUBBLES...Bubbles..bubbles!

 

The omni-present gabbling of nearby Canadian Geese at sundown and early sunrise like before.

Now comes the mostly thing I was talking about.

Since first getting the Pfizer vaccine on the 16th...I had the requisite sore Deltoid which passed...and the fever...but then fatigue set in and a general feeling of just being off...not quite right. 

Some coughing...but nothing significant...yet.

It seemed like daily I had less and less energy.

Still, I blamed the vaccine.

Enough to where I seriously considered cancelling my second shot on April 6th...so I would not go through this again. 

Then it got worse.

Shortness of breath...terrible fatigue...more coughing.

 I woke in the middle of the night...heart racing...and chest pain...hard to breathe.

Scared now...but STILL blaming the vaccine...I headed to the Emergency Clinic.

It is a good thing I did.

Athough the doctor stuck the Covid Swab into my brain pan, and I won't have those results until at least Monday- he considered it an abundance of caution.

After listening to my lungs...symptoms..et al...the diagnosis was pretty obvious.

(...and I was so damned focused on the vaccine I missed the obvious...)

Walking Pneumonia

(...okay...in my case...Rolling Pneumonia...)

So with an antibiotic shot...and a ten day supply of oral antibiotics...and the admonishment not to not lie around...and to get my second Covid shot...I was free...back home...still coughing...feeling a bit sheepish.

So glad I didn't try to wait it out.

Spring is definitely sprung now. Everywhere the trees are budded...early magnolias have bloomed...and the fishing has started.  Morels won't be far behind. 

My guy found an early picture of himself from an April fishing trip back when we were both amazing and magnificent...he was probably fishing with Andy and Curry on this one.

 This is the man I remember (and love)...lol! 

No weekly book...although I am in queue for the new King novella. 

This Week's Movie...the long awaited Snyder- Justice League with Jared Leto doing a recast of The Joker.

First...I liked this version of The Joker much much better.

Much more subtle...you don't have to have someone scream broken in your face. There is no doubt he is broken in this film.

I loved the idea of the card and the truce...powerful moment.

Although it was in the trailer...he never utters the line

"We live in a society..."

and his presence in the film was so brief.  If you watched the film for his performance (...and admittedly...I did...) you will be somewhat disappointed.

Great fleshing out of many of the characters back-stories. Having always been more of a Marvel-Girl myself...I needed this. It helped be enjoy the long long four hour film more. 

Everyone was perfectly cast...except Batman's butler, Alfred.

Jeremy Irons made a poor substitute for Michael Caine.

(...there, I've said it...) 

Was Caine simply unavailable????

It was a real distraction for me.

All in all...worth a look-see.

If you are a DC Fan you'll probably enjoy it more.

 

73 degrees outside...and I think I am going to sit out, soak up some sunshine, and get feeling better.

 
 

 

 

Virtual Africa: Angola

 And back to Virtual Africa this morning!

Angola...still in the South African region...named after the Portuguese Reino de Angola...Kingdom of Angola.

Nearly 482,000 square miles it is the second largest country in Africa.

Tropical...ranging from a low of the mid-50's to a high of 99 degrees.

It has endured many regime changes from the Portuguese...though several civil wars...as recent as 2012. 

There have been many acronyms claiming to liberate her people.  

Mostly it has just went from one oppressive leader to another.

This is evident with the economical situation in the area now.  

Angola is a country of contradictions. 

From the very wealthy...whose money comes from diamonds and oil,

 in the bustling vibrant cities on the coastline.

To the very very poor...

In the outlying rural areas where 94% of the Angolans are categorized as poverty stricken.

The primary language in Angola remains Portuguese.

Along with its diamonds and oil...it is also known for its coffee production. Which we will explore and sample next time.

Its capitol city is Luanda.

The predominate religion is Catholic.

Tour

https://youtu.be/25dWiAyp81A

 Next time we will discover something this area is famous for...and a subject near and dear to my heart...COFFEE!!!

 

Until then...

 

SPRING...The Fauci Ouchi...The Flock and Chicklets

 Happy Spring!!!!

It seems overnight that the grass has started greening up...trees and budding...bulbs are beginning to tip through the soil...and I am snuffling and sneezing and reaching for my Flonase.

Damned allergies.

They are worth it...and I have survived another winter!

Always cause for celebration.

Got the first of my two part Pfizer vaccine this week, as well!

 

They were able to take me right in....no waiting. The needle was hair thin and you couldn't even feel it. I waited the obligatory 15 minutes...no immediate adverse reactions...then went home.

By 5 PM I had a dull ache in my vaccinated arm and was tired.

By Midnight or so the vaccine site was swollen, red and very sore...and I had fever, sweats and chills...this would continue off and on for the day.

By the following day I was pretty much back to normal. Removed the bright neon pink bandaid and was fairly disappointed. Just the Dial-Up noise. I was anticipating 5G. Perhaps with the second chip...er...shot.

laughing

Either way...I am anxious to hug my grandchildren again.

My next vaccine scheduled for April 6th.

 And the new "Chicklets"

The tiny huddled yellow one is named Lemon Drop.

If Lisa and I are " Crazy Cat Ladies"...then our little sister, Tina, has surely earned the title of "Crazy Chicken Woman".

Having now added the four Barrs to her existing flock of 4 Buffs and "Roo" her white rooster...she has bought 6 Easter Egg Chicks. 

Which will look like this when grown.

Unlike the Barred and Buff that lay brown eggs. These hens lay...well...look for yourself...

Ranging from blue to blue-green.

In three months they will join the flock...making 14 hens...one Rooster and approximately 140 eggs (give or take) per month during the laying season.

That's a lot of eggs.

Off to start my Cinderella Saturday now...hoping to finish up the housework so tomorrow I can play in the dirt and start the Gardening Season!

Today...

 Days, like today, I am reminded of Eckhart Tolle's admonishment.

And today it seems especially true.

Received my first Covid vaccine on Tuesday. (Pfizer) To say I had a bit of a reaction would be understating the hell of Tuesday night and most of the day Wednesday.

(...more about this during the Weekend Update...)

To be entirely fair...I have always had less that optimal reactions to vaccines...so it may be less Pfizer, and more me.

Today, I am back to something resembling normal...and let me start by saying I am THANKFUL for that.

I am also Thankful for the work and hours that scientists, lab workers, and volunteers put in to develop a vaccine (or several) that give us hope that we will eventually beat this plague into submission. 

I have scheduled and will be getting my second vaccine...but will be much more prepared this time.

I am THANKFUL for my sons and DILS.

Chris and Tina...who sent over a bowl of still-hot homemade beef stew on Sunday night.

Lennon...who asked Tuesday if there was ANYTHING I needed. Anything at all..This was before the shot kicked in.

James and Nicole who sent Pizza and Pop and a pan of still-warm brownies last night when I was feeling a little better and hungry...but still too wiped out to cook anything. And called throughout the day to make sure I was okay.

And John...who stayed in touch through everything and was worried about me...and loves me. 

Thank You.

(...when you feel that bad...it is amazing just how comforting it is to know how much you are loved...)

When things are rolling along smoothly...it is easy to take life for granted.

Maybe we ALL do.

Maybe it is something I need to work on...

 

 

Virtual Africa: Maputo Special Reserve- Mozambique

 

Another cold wet day, here...but in Mozambique it is 75 and sunny...perfect for our virtual adventure.

The Maputo Special Reserve covers about 400 square miles. It was first established in 1932 to protect a small population of coastal elephants. 

Now it encompasses a myriad of animals and birds as well as about 450 elephants.

The reserve is composed of  lakes, wet lands, swamp forests, grasslands, mangrove forests and beaches. 

Tour

https://youtu.be/VOqdeRXQAe8

Tour 2

https://youtu.be/IYuyJfZzyRs

And some of the animals we encounter-

Ellies...of course.

Zebra

Giraffes

 And ANOTHER Elephant...

Maybe even a baby giraffe!

Rhino

and Hippos

Water Buffalo

Beautiful Coastline

Birds, warthogs, crocodiles, springbok and other assorted wildlife.

Oh...and did I mention elephants???

Until next time...

Almost Spring...Our Duck...Tina's Hens...and This Week's Update

 

Amazing week.

Diane is back from Orlando and we had our Spring Brunch. 

Mixed Green Salad

Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp

Garlic Toast

Chocolate Eclairs

and lots and lots of laughter...chat and catch-up. 

Can't wait for April!!!

Good news from John this week.

Apparently the Conservancy Member who over-wintered our love-struck duck at the lake has brought her back to spend the warm months!

So glad.

We would have missed her!

Taken from his very first fishing trip of the year...

There she is!

Tina and Chad have finished the add on to the chicken coop and have introduced the new chicks (now hen-sized) to the flock.

Who knew they grew so fast!!!

Now The Flock numbers nine.  Eight hens and one big white rooster (Roo) and an average of eight fresh eggs a day.

Much to Q and the MAGA's chagrin...the 4th came and went. Trump is STILL an ex-President and Biden is still very much in office. 

His vaccine goal met 51 days in.

Merrick Garland now sworn in as Attorney General.

The American Covid Rescue Bill passed...signed and as of yesterday some direct deposits already received.

And after a brutal year...hope on the horizon that we are making progress with Covid...and may return to some sense of normalcy by the middle to end of the year.

Big sigh of relief.

You know what I really love about President Biden...he doesn't boast or pat himself on the back...he doesn't ask that his name be put on checks for credit...he doesn't get down and roll around in the mud with critics or mean tweet on Twitter...or play golf all the fucking time...he just rolls up his sleeves and inspires others to...focuses on what needs to be accomplished...and gets shit done.

It is a refreshing change...and so nice to have a REAL leader again.

Helpful hint...when you are actually doing a good job...you DON'T have to tell others you are doing it...THEY TELL YOU.

The Book this Week:

Just a re-read of an old favorite that I recently bought.

One of the BEST coming-of-age stories ever written.

Even if there is a ghost.

Give it a try,

You won't regret it.

 Best quote of the book:

"When you're twenty-one, life is a roadmap. It's only when you get to be twenty-five or so that you begin to suspect that you've been looking at the map upside down, and not until you're forty are you entirely sure. By the time you're sixty, take it from me, you're fucking lost.”

 

This Week's Movie:

Containment with Anne Heche.

A film I obviously missed in 2019...and I thought I had seen ALL of the pandemic films by now.

Not the best...certainly not the worst...compelling but a certain suspension of disbelief needed to enjoy.

Kind of lost me at chem-trails.

Maybe a 5 out of ten.

 

Another Cinderella Saturday here...working toward a Zen Sunday!

 

Have a Wonderful Relaxing Weekend! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual Africa: Mozambique

 

Our Virtual Adventure continues with Mozambique.

Pronounced  Mo-zam-BEEK, this African Country is located in the Southern region bordered by the Indian Ocean.

The capital city is Maputo.

City Tour

https://youtu.be/9uI06UvNy1c

A bustling city with streets lined with Royal Palms near the coastline.

The common language here is Swahili... although nearly half of the residents speak Portuguese.

(..the Portuguese invaded this area in the 1500's...a lot of its culture remains...)

Mozambique covers almost 310,000 square miles.  These are divided into the lowlands by the Zambezi River and the rugged highlands covered with woods.

 

The climatic conditions are the Wet Season from October-March and the Dry Season from April-September.

(...this kind of lends reality today since it is March here...and also pouring down rain...)

Lows are rarely lower than 55 degrees...and highs stay around 85. The temperature averages 75 degrees. 

Religion in the area is pretty evenly split between Christian and Muslim.

One of the local tourist attractions is  Maputo Special Reserve. A Game and Safari Reserve.

 

 

We will explore it next.

Come along...

 

Virtual Africa: Zimbabwe- Victoria Falls

 

For each country of Africa...I am trying to explore the most spectacular thing they have to offer.  

In Zimbabwe- Victoria Falls has to be it.

 

Like the edge of the world...the Zambezi River reaches the 355 foot deep rift running 5,604 feet wide and thunders into its depth.

 Tour from the Air

https://youtu.be/iywqpda7d8k

Sound

https://youtu.be/hmdJjGMrYQc

First seen by European explorer David Livingstone

(...yes...THAT DR. Livingstone...presumably...)

Victoria Falls is considered one of the 7 Natural Wonders of The World.

There are six gorges beyond the initial drop.

The upward thrust that created the rift happened about 2 million years ago.

It is the world's largest sheet of falling water.

At the very top of the falls is a natural rock eddy and still water known as The Devil's Pool. Tourists swim here. Some have been lost to the falls

The Devil's Pool

https://youtu.be/WsMjBMxpUT

Swimming at Devil's Pool (...a must see...)

https://youtu.be/wMWRlyjWl58

Okay....no.

Possibly even hell no.... 

Would never have been able to do this on my best day.

 

Nope.

 

Omnipresent rainbows in the daytime.

 

and the evening...

and Moonbows at night...

 I hope you have enjoyed today's virtual adventure...

 

 

Weekend Update...American Relief Act has Passed the Senate...2021 Cars...and Nomadland

 

 

 

After over 24 hours in the chamber...listening to everything from heated debate to Senator Kevin McCarthy reading Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss...and the poor clerk who was forced by 

Senator Ron Johnson to spend 11 hours reading the bill out loud

 

The American Relief Bill was finally 

passed in the Senate.

 

50 Democrats voted for it.

49 Republicans voted against it. 

One Republican was gone

and did not vote.

Let me be clear about this

not one Republican voted

for

 

Covid Relief/Vaccines

Unemployment Benefits Extension

1400. Direct Stimulus Checks

Money for Schools...States and Small Businesses

 

NOT ONE

 

In contrast 

every single 

DEMOCRAT

voted for the bill.

 

EVERY SINGLE ONE.

 

That is the difference

between the two parties.

 

One votes for tax breaks 

 for Corporations and Billionaires. 

One votes for people

like 

you & me.

So, I really

don't want to hear

 

"They are both the same"

 

ever again, okay???

 

Because- they are not

Back to the House to be confirmed

then onto 

President Biden

who has already said

he will sign it.

Checks, cards and direct deposits

will arrive March 13th

or a bit after.

More photos back

from the Mars Rover

who we affectionately

call Percy
now

Mostly selfies

and getting ready to launch the

helicopter drone
and collecting 

ROCKS

(...a rover after my own heart...)

Celebrating 

my sister

Lisa's

Birthday earlier

this week

And finally

Brenda and I 

being able to have our

very late

 

Mardi Gras Brunch

Complete

with

Crawfish Pie

Black Beans and Rice

Praline Topped Cheesecake

and

Pink Moscato, of course.

She brought beads and masks.

And 

her idea for her very own

Mardi Gras Themed

Christmas Tree

this year!!!!

So neat.

I'm thinking

RUSTIC

this year.

 

(...think red buffalo plaid...fir and pinecones, rustic...)

Also discussing

a short trip to

New Orleans

together

As soon as 

THE PLAGUE

subsides.

 

Angie 

now completely recovered

from Covid

and busy with

Ebay

and

The Shoppe

 

John and I

are planning our 

March Spring Fling

with

 

Rusted Silo BBQ

and

A Hot Tub

 

                                           and Gadget is enjoying her flippy fish.

It is pretty neat and the movement is quite lifelike.

The 2021 Automotives are fairly sexy

 

The Newest Corvette

The Tesla Roadster

And my favorite...Steven Tyler's new Spyder!

The Week's Read

An old one I've revisited...

I found an old copy on eBay and added it to my small, but exceptional books, library of sorts.

Discovered his work in 1982.

Browne (now deceased) had a way of drawing you in from the first paragraph...and painting a scene in your mind that would last forever.

(...I can close my eyes and see Norma's set up and death nearly 40 years later...) 

He also had a way of making all his characters...even the minor ones...unforgettable.

Try his work.

You'll be hooked.

This Week's Movie

 Perfectly cast.

Frances McDormand (...you may remember her as the mother "Don't Do Drugs!" in Almost Famous...) is just...credible..as we are given an introspective glance into the lives of a group of seniors who by accident, bad luck, or design in life lose their homes.

"We are not homeless...we are house-less."

And the way they pack together as an ever-shifting nomadic tribe, sharing everything, and forming community to survive.

Based on the book.

(...and now I must find it to read...)

A must see.

Now it is back to a Cinderella Saturday for me.  

Beginning the Spring Cleaning. 

Reclaiming my room which has, once again, became a staging area of sorts since Winter.

Have a great weekend!

Spring is just around the corner...