250 Years!!!!

 

Happy 4th of July!!!!! 

Started the day with Angel food cake, whipped cream and strawberries...it just doesn't get much better than that!

Stayed up late last night and watched the ball drop in NYC for the 250th Anniversary of the USA.

Ball Drop

https://youtu.be/blZ7jGBOhM8?si=CNDBo9c8hYtD81iI

Also caught 

Fireworks over Mount Rushmore

https://youtu.be/sbtYTuSyUYI?si=AC54WUfnzeunR-5z

And the

Fireworks and Drone Show in Texas

https://youtu.be/BFVe2vKhwRw?si=6NKP5it_iBRaIJxg

Proving that maybe EVERYTHING is bigger there.

NYC/Harbor Tall Sailing Ships Parade

https://www.youtube.com/live/8MXJV6HHi90?si=Qo7yMY_XoWVDKA1t

https://www.youtube.com/live/79xoRCVQCn0?si=mVnFli784miukx8r

Gatlinburg Tennessee had their MIDNIGHT Parade

https://youtu.be/Y-liiTr0bQk?si=JKtSFs-kCgw_ujss

And the Las Vegas Sphere was lit up

https://youtu.be/ZZ5w90cabWQ?si=j8pAVRYLU1aIfpBB

Some celebrations were more personal... 

https://youtube.com/shorts/XroUEyFT5nk?si=ksQfr_ZRYuTPSmdc

And Disney is celebrating for 3 days...

https://youtu.be/CogZztOZxzw?si=GNec6msAHZmKoH3N

https://youtu.be/10N2-_OXG1U?si=UK8XIXU0jpIHKx1U

with Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.

Philadelphia has Big Boy...the World's largest steam locomotive restored and running for our 250th...

https://youtu.be/TtlfG0FYroM?si=zqLMJ40oIs0JA1O9

as well as 5000 red,white and blue cupcakes to share!

https://youtu.be/4q_mOL6-Gpk?si=GIbetoNF9iO5svV_

and lines of people to see The Liberty Bell.

https://youtu.be/7bzq_SlYK5o?si=SqmDnAxGUE5uF-zI

So much more...and we will be updating this until morning!

 

 

 

 

Virtual Jamaica: Cecil Charlton Park

 Not far from The Hidden Oasis is a little slice of green-space in the urban sprawl of Mandeville.

It is tiny...well kept...beautiful.

The legacy of prominent Jamaican, Cecil Charlton.

History of Cecil Charlton

https://youtu.be/SoaUGUSDzy0?si=X0NYr-XG917Prq-w

The Park

https://youtube.com/shorts/sza6TKQwl9M?si=TGiG2P6q8XprBP1K

https://youtu.be/JP_mRiXOpzA?si=CHGlY18mrKR4lLcp

The Aerial View

The fountain is relaxing...the shade from the palm trees cool with benches for sitting.

   A quiet place in the midst of the city's bustle.

 

 

July

 Happy July!

Summertime is here with a vengeance. Every day this week is 90+ degrees...even the birds have gone quiet.

Getting the house down to 70 degrees in the early morning seems to keep it comfortable most off the day without the air con on 24/7.

Taking today to finish the cleaning and such before my sister and her grand-daughter arrives Friday.

She is bringing lunch and I will be doing dessert...something with fresh strawberries.

John is doing much better...increasing weights during PT...driving a little...very positive.

So....I thought life was complete when McDonald's announced they had brought these back

Deep Fried Apple Pie

But it was a cruel tease.

Although it was wonderfully crunchy (...like all things fried are...) it was not the fried apple pie of my youth.

(...sad emoji...)

Surface of the sun hot.

Blissfully crunchy.

But the filling has been modified...very little actual apple and a lot (too much) of cinnamon goo. Very cinnamony goo. 

So close...but so far.

They did release a baked blueberry/cream cheese pie that smelled delicious and was fairly serviceable. 

 So...there is that.

The FREEDOM 250 (State Fair) has already been pretty much a bust...with Trump making it basically a MAGA rally and things breaking down.

(...who would have thought he would try to make it all about HIMSELF...)

But the Reflection Pool Memes have been lit...and even created a new drink.

Made with rum, pineapple juice, a blue liquor and a torn up blue fruit roll-up.

Very creative.

Locally, we have fireplugs painted random patriotic symbols...
 

And they have 250 Celebration at our nearby park and a fireworks display.

 Maybe we look to what has made this country great for 250 years...and not worry so much about an elderly man and his cult...who are (at best) temporary.

 

 

 

 

Virtual Jamaica: Manchester Parish

 

b

Tucked away in Manchester we find a small but comfortable guest house for our two week stay. 

It is called The Hidden Oasis...and it is centrally located to the areas we will be visiting.

It reminds me of a tiny B&B...and its selling feature beside the pool is a full kitchen. Maybe we can try some additional authentic Jamaican dishes!

Things to Do

https://youtu.be/0SZ3bpQ-bAA?si=9urld-FW9kjGMlRn

 

As well, Manchester has an eerie Haunted Church.

Until next time...
 

Bears...Bears....Bears!!!

And lots and lots of cubs this year...

Already, there are several sets of twins...two sets of triplets...and a bunch of singles.

18 to be exact...although we have already lost one to the raging river...so we are back down to 17.

Cubs have a rough start...and we routinely lose 50% before they turn three...which is why the parks department doesn't assign numbers until they are emancipated.

It is great  to start and end the day with the bear-folk, again...and we are soooooooooooooooo excited about the number of littles seen!!!

Holly's daughter, Jolly...and her three Jolly-Beans

https://youtu.be/kSily5TKQ_g?si=W92sbxfOILY7PitY

#164 Bucky

https://youtu.be/ZmJHg1uA2zM?si=Ae32tYbfuxBIf2A2

 #89 Backpack

https://youtu.be/h7zi7gQChFo?si=QUJqklupM0A_ddG7

#83 Wayne's Brother

https://youtu.be/yZXgKvP16yc?si=8pK0sddJ_lp27vCA

Who has the distinguishing aberration of white claws making him easy to identify.

 #151 Walker is back...

 

And hibernation has just ended. 

The salmon are slowly returning...

 and the gulls have returned...to divide the spoils when the bears start fishing.

...we call all the salmon "Reggie" and the gulls "Alice"...

Still missing Otis

...tears...

who will always be "KING".

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual Jamaica: Things are not Always What They Seem in This Place

 

 

Well...we didn't find a dirt-bike race...but there was The Donkey Festival.

Which did have donkey races.

Donkey Festival

https://youtu.be/t2gEJs1h-9w?si=NV80ECN1CYnuXxWm

https://youtu.be/b_8sG8PxjFU?si=EuXdCOC-WLG8NpwE

 Actually the (loud...braying....funny) donkey races was just the tip of the iceberg...there were also beer chugging contests...many vendors booths...food...and the locals (...some as colorful as their donkeys).

What an odd place this Clarendon Parish...of radioactive spa waters and donkey races.

 

 I have to wonder if it is the radioactive water, the ganja, the rum, the people or just Clarendon itself that makes this place a little odd...

 

https://youtu.be/VaJF59vvr14?si=icvfml5aGmcIoYWo 

Anyway...next week we will move on to Manchester...and not a moment too soon! 

 

Virtual Jamaica: Milk River Mineral Bath

Milk River.

It is peaceful...rich with minerals...a hot spring staying roughly 90-95 degrees...and one of the most naturally radioactive bodies of water in the world.

SAY  WHAT?????

Enough so that it sends a Geiger Counter clicking away.

 

 The water, which they tout as having healing properties, is so radioactive that you are permitted only 20 minute sessions per day.

Yeah...

 

No...I'm good.

 

You lost me at Radioactive.

 

 

Sorry I dragged you all out here.

 

Tomorrow, we will check out 

the dirt bike races.

 

Until then... 

 

 

The Bear-Folk are Back!!!

The Bear-Cams are on...and hibernation is over!

It is still pretty cold and sparse out, right now...but just wait. 

Chunk was, reportedly, the first bear out/seen.

Several have mentioned a bunch of cubs this year...haven't seen them yet.

Excited!

The bears are back!!!!!

 

Virtual Jamaica: Clarendon

 

Welcome Beach, Clarendon

 

Here we are...back in virtual Jamaica!

Our hotel for the week is The Dynasty.

Much less grand than the name implies....boasting of a pool and a/c.

The rooms are nicer than a guest-house but far beneath a Holiday Inn.

 

It is affordable...$71 USD per night...and clean.

Besides...there doesn't seem to be a lot to do in this Parish...so we will be moving on fairly quickly.

Attractions include The Milk River Mineral Spa and The Woodleigh Dirtbike Race Track.

Wednesday, we will check out the spa...

 

Father's Day...John...and a Little Rant

 

...but first.

 

What the fucking fuck???

I mean, seriously. 

At first, when they drained the Reflection Pool...painted it dark blue...walked and drove on it...refilled it...ignored the professionals who told them the 90 degree heat and dark bottom, shallowness and still water would create a perfect environment for algae growth...and it did...and even when the Department of the Interior said the water was clear...even though it was Mountain Dew Green...I stayed quiet. 

When they dumped gallons of hydrogen peroxide in...which was kind of like spitting in the wind because the pool is filled with 6.75 millions of gallons of water.

...you do the math...

I stayed quiet.

It wasn't going to kill the algae...much less the ducks/ducklings.

When the paint started peeling and floating up...I just nodded and said that obviously the "I KNOW A GUY" approach to contract work didn't work.

And assumed our litigious-happy inhabitant of the Oval Office would hold the contractor responsible and he would be forced to fix the mistake.

Boy, was I in for a surprise.

No...the Orange-Idiot took to TS to blame the usual suspects for vandalism...adding something corrosive to the pool...slashing the blue liner 250 feet...and posting the National Guard to guard The Algae????

Really???

And MAGA...well, they lapped it up like a dog eating its own vomit.

 Now...instead of being able to litigate the original contractor for the shoddy job and peeling liner...he has given him an excuse...in writing.

Face it...he is an idiot.

Okay...I'm done.

 

Wished James and Chris Happy Father's Day!

 

 

John is improving every day!

Eating well...now weighs 168.2 pounds...walks and can climb stairs without assist...enjoying pool games with Jonathan and is winning again.

And all of this with no further collapsing or shortness of breath!

He is developing a Santa Beard.

We're soooooooooooooooooo happy...and feel he has turned a corner!

 

Back to Jamaica, tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

It's GREEN

 

Welcome to month 20 of the Trump Presidency.  

And a quick note to the Department of the Interior...no...it is not clear...it is swamp green...with floating chunks of Flag Blue paint in it, now.

What a mess for the upcoming 250 Anniversary of our country.

So...let's look at the past month:

 

Noem...Gabbard and Bondi...all fired....Hog's Breath...er..Hegseth...surrounded by influenza breakout after insisting the enlisted did not have to take (checks notes) the flu vaccine...right....the war is over...no it is not...now it is over....or not...repeat 36 more times...okay...there is a cease-fire...uh...shit is still blowing up...well...cease fire doesn't actually mean they stop firing...(rolling eyes)...the strait is open...now it is closed...now it is open....oops...it's closed again...gas is up...inflation is up...prices are up...they had to remove Trump's name from the Kennedy Memorial...the tarp is STILL up...we had a freaking cage-fight on the WH Lawn...no...really...(breathe)...they painted the reflecting pool and refilled it...the algae took over and now it is green...so they dumped a bunch of hydrogen peroxide in to try to kill the algae...then the paint started peeling up and floating on top...

Idiocracy is a documentary.

It is temporary.

He is temporary.

MAGA is temporary.

We will get through this.

Only 31 more months!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

; 

Virtual Jamaica: Rasta~ Ital Cooking

 

 

Today, we will try our hand at Jamaican Ital Stew...

 

Most Rastafari eat Ital.

The word is just vital without the V.

The meaning is a bit more complicated.

The closest dietary comparison is vegan...although some make exceptions for small fish...most don't.

Their proteins are consumed from nuts and beans. 

 Yams, rice, whole grains, nuts, beans and coconut/coconut milk are also used.

Since metal/aluminum pots are shunned...the ingredients are boiled together in clay cooking pots with water and covered.

The vegetables and spices/herbs are simmered until tender.

Clay Cooking Pot

These are handmade in the Rasta community and can be in a wide variety of sizes...some are lumpy and bumpy and blackened from the carbon fire that finished them.

You can buy one new on Amazon or eBay for around $60 USD.

There is no set recipe...and The Rasta combine the fresh vegetables and herbs available.  The combination is fresh, smells wonderful and is healthy.

The Ital Stew is usually served with a side of coconut rice.

Ital Stew with Rice and Fresh Avocado

Next week, we will leave St. Catherine Parish and check out Clarendon!

 

 

Virtual Jamaica: Rastafarianism

Today we will explore The Rastas...

https://youtu.be/OjvP08LYNtU?si=B-9rabR_IC1LHckt 

A religion born in Ethiopia in the 1930's.

The beliefs are based on an interpretation of the Christian Bible.

Jah is the monotheistic "god" and Haile Selassie (Emperor of Ethiopia  1930-1974) is  considered The Messiah...or among some merely a prophet.

They wear their hair dreadlocked...eat Ital...partake of ganja as sacrament...follow patriarchal roles...and believe the ultimate goal is to repatriate to Africa.

24 Hours with Rasta People

https://youtu.be/UL7ctJwoVpU?si=0595uyzPtkOD1DYh

The Ital Diet is natural...very little sugar or salt...no additives...mostly vegetables and fruits...no pork or shellfish...

They also avoid alcohol and hard drugs.

They do not partake of food prepared by non-rastas or by menstruating women. 

Often, they gather their dreadlocks back in a Tam...or woven head covering.

 

 Next time, we will have an adventure in Ital Cooking!

 

 

 

  

 

Winning the Championship...Summer Vibes...John Update...Morning Glories

 

And it was amazing!

John and I were able to watch 3...4...and 5 together.

Last night was edge-of-your-seat stuff. Down to the last 8 seconds!

The Moment

https://youtu.be/ZLfOi0apAeg?si=EcMRlrKs7JA0NiZ_

The Locker Room

https://youtu.be/MwBmLp9GxMM?si=jaP8jVcSpYZaDKCF

NYC After the Win

 https://youtu.be/Hes-us73xLE?si=vhlojePwqwBCzd_-

The last time The Knicks won an NBA championship I was 13 years old.

This is the good stuff!!!

After what seems like forever...John has turned a corner!

Gaining weight back...doing well with PT...can climb stairs again...shot 6 games of pool in the basement with Jonathan and WON 3 of them...shortness of breath is less...O2 SATS are staying good...no pain...oh...and best of all...no further cancer seen!!!

We are beyond happy!!!!

The summer patio promises to be a profusion of pink...and I MAY have planted a few too many morning glories.

The hummingbirds will be thrilled.

The 90 degree heat, rain and humidity seem to have passed.

My fireflies are back and sparkling in the trees.

Summertime is near. 

So...here we are...almost the middle of the year.

Time to take stock.

And it feels like it has been a year, already.

So much for less stress...maybe in a few months, okay?

The PT/OT is helping...but it is dreadfully slow.

I have made little progress on my handwriting and zero on relearning to operate my camera...still trying.

My small muscle weakness seems to be primarily on my left side...so...I use my right hand and fingers.

I work every day to keep the ability to transfer myself and use multiple grab bars to still be able to soak in a bubble bath/get out of the tub independently.

...so important to me...

I've started painting and planting again.

Also, sitting outside with the cat and tea, to read or enjoy sunrise/sunset.

It took a while but I seem to have thrown off the stuckness of last year...and there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel!

...hopefully, not a train...

My younger sister, Tina, and I watched as they removed the orange man's name from the Kennedy Memorial.

 

 Removing the P

 

And to quote Josh Johnson

"There is a cage fight on the White House lawn."

Yeah...it's embarrassing.

 

Elect a clown...expect a circus.

This too...is temporary.

 

Next week, we will get back to Virtual Jamaica!