July in The Patio Garden...Our Summer Escape...Finnegan...and a Book and Movie Review

 Enjoyed sitting out in my Patio Garden reading and sipping cold sweet tea.  Dead-heading flowers and being straw-bossed by Finnegan.

 He, who now permits me to touch him!

Anyway, he surprised me this morning by climbing the black locust behind my place...running along its wide branches...jumping limb from limb...then settling in a wedge like a jaguar with dangling paws.

It was impressive.

 

 Have been experiencing multiple outages from ATT on my mobile...and TBH, realized how relaxing some downtime really is.

...okay...after I got over the online support chat telling me to-

"Call the 800 number."

 Yeah Buddy, if I could DO that I wouldn't need you, now would I???...

John and I received good news at the beginning of the week as all the auto-immune tests came back within normal limits.

Had a mid-week escape together!

We were the pair this week...he still having intermittent body severe pains and earlier I cracked a molar and was on strictly soft foods. 

Him...having to change sleeping positions frequently...really really really frequently.

Me...reduced to eating puddings...mashed potatoes...soft meatloaf...the inside of peach cobbler (but not the crust) and the like.

Yeah...we were a hot mess...lol!

But somehow we managed a great getaway...we are resourceful like that.

Love you, guy!

Caught an early showing of 

and it was amazing!

The return of not only Indy...but also Sallah and Marion...all aged, now.

Mads Mickelson played the quintessential villainous Nazi.

...and watching multiple Nazis get punched in the face is always entertaining...

Not a lot of spoilers, here...but go see for yourself...the end of Indiana Jones. 

After returning home, I had to re-watch the first one.

They were all so young back then.

So were we.

...sigh...

 The book of the week was:

Also very good.

The musings of a 109 year old man...as told to his neighbor (the author).

The changes he saw...the life he led...and the people he met along the way.

Very uplifting and positive.

I think I am adopting him (posthumously) and Jean-Marie Calumet (who lived to be 120 in France) as my new muses!

Enjoying a quiet weekend filled with a new book, painting, plants, a hot bath...and a lot of relaxation!

 

Have a GREAT Weekend.

Love,

Carla and Finn

 

 Finnegan

 

 

 Gadget

Virtual SA: Volcano Sandboarding

 

Today's activity is completely Nicaraguan.

 In fact, not only had I never heard of it...it had never even crossed my mind as something people do.

So there is that.

This is sledding...or if you are a lot talented, standing and surfing...down the black gravelly side of an ACTIVE volcano.

Note the suit and goggles...the gravel in question is fine pebbly pumice and will skin you like sliding down a grater.

I think this may take the title of EXTREME SPORTING,

First Person View

https://youtu.be/g1UWTwDwZp8

Off Board View

https://youtu.be/VrmHj5mzUF0

Reaching the boarding area requires a 45 minute hike up roughly 220 meters.

The entire experience costs about 30 USD and all protective equipment and boards are provided.

Different providers have different safety items.

Some also require helmets.

Helmets seem like a very very very good idea.

The last eruption was in 1999.

You can reach speeds up to 100 MPH on your way down...and obviously there are risks involved.

Usually you are traveling around 60 MPH.

For 5 dollars extra they will carry your gear up for you.

Well worth the expense.

Travel insurance is suggested. You can break yourself doing this.

Let's Go!!!

Next Week: We will check out Honduras.

The Salmons Return...Cubs...and 747 is Ginormous Already

 

To be fair, he returned from hibernation looking very very healthy...but now he is a serious contender for back to back wins.

The salmon run has been spotty because of the cold water and less than optimal spawning conditions...but the numbers are there.

Many have started in the lower river digging out nesting spots.

Others are already pop-corning at the falls.

"Holy Shit!"

And everywhere cubs and yearlings still with their mothers.

110 with Bead and Bean

26's cubs.

and 101 who lost her cub to the swollen raging river already this year.

A lot of fighting...thinness and pirating has been seen with the fishes late arrival. 

Holly emancipated Jolly this year and has had to continually run her off ever since.

Jolly was looking emaciated and dejected, but caught her first salmon yesterday...we were all worried about her...she is going to be okay.

I'm not sure of this little group...they all look so thin.

Grazer appears to have a smitten suitor...#88...who is smart enough to keep his distance for now...although he follows her everywhere.

Backpack seems to have settled into Otis' sleeping spot.

We are still anxiously awaiting the return of King Otis.

And like 747...Chunk...151 Walker...856 and Grazer...has been fishing and catching the few salmon who have arrived and is starting to fill out nicely.

"Wait your turn..I'm eatin' here!!"

 

"....and for this food...may we all be truly grateful."

                                                                   747

 

Vritual SA: Nicarauga Cuisine

 

Ever been South of the Mason-Dixion Line?

If you have, you know that grits accompanies everything.

Seriously.

You want a peanut butter sandwich...be ready for the side of grits that comes with it....lol!

Apparently, in Nicarauga, pintos and rice is served the same way.

Known as Gallo Pinto is is served with breakfast...lunch and dinner as the omnipresent side dish.

https://youtu.be/DIo8By1dVG0

Since I happen to LOVE the dish today's blog was a must!

I like to saute green bell pepper along with the diced onions....and use real butter instead of oil. 

I have been known to add a dash of chili pepper, too...making them spicier.

 Cheap, simple, and goes with anything!

Tah Dah!

 

 

Bearz...Kayleb is 18...Finnegan...And More

 The salmon run has started and the bears are back!!!

And so are we!

(...the underwater cam...)

Starting my days now with tea and toast with preserves...and the bear-folk.

Still waiting on Otis (480) to arrive.

We have 10 new cubs...and a lot of the Usual Suspects have returned.

Holly

(...above...)

Grazer (128)..of course.

Her one and two year olds cubs now emancipated and it is odd to see her without The Grazerettes.

(...last year I thought that her moods and endless fighting was linked to protecting her offspring...this year it is obvious...she is really just a bitch...)

913...involved with a close-encounter with Grazer

"Please don't eat me."

747 making his escape after a similar attack.

She is seriously dangerous...and almost removed his ear.

But the salmon are back...and with them the Alices arrival.

(...the bear-folk call all of the gulls ALICE...)

"...are you going to eat that...???"

and Backpack (89) 

who may be young...but has already learned to give the older males and Grazer wide berth.

Chunk has finally recovered from the slashing from her he received last year...and has a permanent muzzle scar to show for it.

Enjoyed breakfast and shopping out with Diane this week...who is doing well on dialysis.

And celebrated Kayleb's 18th birthday with Chinese and hugs and chat!

Even ran into Brenden earlier in the week while shopping!!! 13 now...and OMG has he gotten tall!

Huge hugs and "I love you, Grandma Rose."

So wonderful!

Then there is Finnegan...who now owns me.

Fixed a ginormous steak and shared it with him.

 

 

"...yeah...I'm yours forever now..."

                                                Finnegan

Waiting on the results of John's blood-work this week. The scan was clear! He is off playing Euchre with his group today.

Watching the political show...and planning a nice relaxing weekend!

Have a good one!

Love,

Carla and Finn

"Tabbies are awesome!"

                                Gadget

Virtual SA: Hop Aboard the Chicken Bus- Nicarauga

 

Well, here is a trip down memory-lane.

Remember the yellow school-buses of the 1970's?

Apparently, they all ended up in Central America.

Bought up cheap, refurbished, sometime brightly painted...they are called

Chicken Bus

...technically autobus de pollo...or camioneta de pollo...

Built to seat 50 they are frequently seen with 100 or more...even people seated on the roof...also don't be surprised to find cages of not only chickens...but a goat or sheep being transported.

If you are heavily into comfort and cleanliness...a chicken bus is NOT for you.

They are REAL...and local...and unique...and cheap.

They can be also smelly...hot...crowded...and feature livestock. 

But part of the authentic Nicaraguan experience.

So away we go.

Chicken Bus Ride

https://youtu.be/l5ljOGd0ra0

 

One of the more colorful chicken buses.

The plus side of this local travel is you can get almost anywhere...an hour's travel costs between 1-2 dollars...and local food and drink (and even ice-cream) vendors will come aboard during village stops and hawk their wares.

Loudly.

And nothing is expensive.

Perhaps one of the most interesting things is the lack of pickpockets/crime on these buses.

...caveat...except Guatemala...

On one of their posh city buses pickpockets are a fact of life and even whole buses and their passengers have been robbed.

Not so with chicken buses.

I hope you have enjoyed this adventure!

 

Guatemala: Pimp my Chicken Bus

https://youtu.be/CxOcQ0W0lmU

 

Virtual SA: Nicaragua (overview)

 

This week we will explore Nicaragua.

You are HERE.

The largest country in Central America and bordered on two sides by beaches.

It also has volcanoes, lakes, and the largest tropical rain forest.

The name means "Here by the water".

Its original name was  Macuilmiquiztli, which translates to Five Deaths.

...try not to think about it...

 Most of the people here are Spanish...and speak Spanish...this is one country where everyone doesn't always speak English...so brushing up on your high-school Spanish (or a handbook of phrases) is recommended.

The predominate religion is Catholic.

While here we will check out the beaches...and the rain forest...try some of the cuisine...learn some slang...board surf a side of a volcano (this is the only country in the world who offers this activity)...ride a Chicken Bus...and whatever else catches our fancy as we explore!

Come along!

 

https://youtu.be/SvXhVu3dAkI