The Crèche after a lovely Christmas Eve service last night.
A Very Merry Christmas to all my Blogland family....may it be filled with lots of blessings for the season.
Thursday, 25 December 2014
Merry Merry Christmas!!!
A Very Merry Christmas to all my Blogland family....may it be filled with lots of blessings for the season.
Tuesday, 23 December 2014
Brownie is still on patrol
That confounded monkey Brazen and his comrades seem to be coming along the back wall more regularly now....like three or four times a day it seems.
The troop has now grown to five, including a very mischievous youngster that loves to tease Brownie no end.
A few days ago, I actually caught the prankster sitting on the gazebo taunting Mr. B down below.
I've taken to spraying them with the hose when they decide to linger on the wall....they know when they hang around that it drives Mr. BrownBerts crazy.....yet they persist....it's fun for them I suppose.....like....."Let's see if we can make the dog lose his bark" kinda fun.
Poor Brownie, barking continuously soon becomes annoying and then he coughs and sounds quite hoarse.
The troop has now grown to five, including a very mischievous youngster that loves to tease Brownie no end.
A few days ago, I actually caught the prankster sitting on the gazebo taunting Mr. B down below.
I've taken to spraying them with the hose when they decide to linger on the wall....they know when they hang around that it drives Mr. BrownBerts crazy.....yet they persist....it's fun for them I suppose.....like....."Let's see if we can make the dog lose his bark" kinda fun.
Poor Brownie, barking continuously soon becomes annoying and then he coughs and sounds quite hoarse.
Darn, there goes Brazen AGAIN!!!
Here comes that other one......
Gosh, there goes another.......
This is so frustrating....Mum why is this gate closed????????
If I could only get my paws on those varmits......
Oh they are so freaking ANNOYING!!!!
Open this gate PLEEEEEEASE!!!
Monday, 22 December 2014
Auntie Olga
Today, I found myself attending the funeral of another dear and sweet lady.
When I was married to her nephew, she gave me lots of sound advice on how to keep him happy.
Charming and full of wit, she became one of my favourite in-laws, and what made it even better was the fact that she lived next door.
She and Mums seemed like the best sisters in the whole wide world...I was so happy to be a part of this very loving family.
I wish that there was more time to spend sitting and chatting with her, and laughing out loudly for hours on end at her fun stories and quotes.
After the funeral service was over I sat in the church and spent some time in quiet reflection on her life, and the memories of how good she was to me.
She was a very special lady, and I'm glad that she played a part in my life.
The Everlasting Light
"Those we love must someday pass
Beyond our present sight....
Must leave us, and the world we know
Without their radiant light.
But we know, that like a candle,
Their lovely light will shine
To brighten up another place
More perfect, more divine.
And in the realm of Heaven
Where they shine so warm and bright
Our loved ones live forevermore,
In God's eternal light."
Rest in peace Auntie Olga, may you soar on the wings of the wind as you continue your journey.
When I was married to her nephew, she gave me lots of sound advice on how to keep him happy.
Charming and full of wit, she became one of my favourite in-laws, and what made it even better was the fact that she lived next door.
She and Mums seemed like the best sisters in the whole wide world...I was so happy to be a part of this very loving family.
I wish that there was more time to spend sitting and chatting with her, and laughing out loudly for hours on end at her fun stories and quotes.
She was a very special lady, and I'm glad that she played a part in my life.
The Everlasting Light
"Those we love must someday pass
Beyond our present sight....
Must leave us, and the world we know
Without their radiant light.
But we know, that like a candle,
Their lovely light will shine
To brighten up another place
More perfect, more divine.
And in the realm of Heaven
Where they shine so warm and bright
Our loved ones live forevermore,
In God's eternal light."
Rest in peace Auntie Olga, may you soar on the wings of the wind as you continue your journey.
Thursday, 18 December 2014
The tree is up
This year I wasn't very sure I would put the tree up, since I wasn't feeling too Christmasy.
After mulling it over for a while, I figured I should at least put the tree up even if I didn't do any further decorating.
This year I used white and gold for my tree decor with a celestial theme....lots of angels, stars, and snowflakes.
Last year my blog friend AfricanAussie sent me a lovely handmade crochet angel, unfortunately I was using red and gold for my tree, so I couldn't show her off then.
I placed her in storage until this year where she could be highlighted with my crocheted snowflakes on the tree.
As usual my Overseer was dozing and keeping an eye on me.
Looks like I may need a new tree soon, there are more needles on the ground than usual.
I used my rotating tree stand which I love, love, love.
Once again this year, I only used the first two layers of the tree so that it could be displayed on the side table....this allows BrownBerts to chill out in his usual spot under the table.
Since my heart wasn't really into it, it's not my best decorating effort....it's lacking my usual care and dedication that I usually put into my tree trimming.
I'm not entertaining this year, so no worries there.
Thank you again for your kind and thoughtful gift Gillian, I will treasure her always.
After mulling it over for a while, I figured I should at least put the tree up even if I didn't do any further decorating.
This year I used white and gold for my tree decor with a celestial theme....lots of angels, stars, and snowflakes.
I placed her in storage until this year where she could be highlighted with my crocheted snowflakes on the tree.
As usual my Overseer was dozing and keeping an eye on me.
Looks like I may need a new tree soon, there are more needles on the ground than usual.
I used my rotating tree stand which I love, love, love.
Once again this year, I only used the first two layers of the tree so that it could be displayed on the side table....this allows BrownBerts to chill out in his usual spot under the table.
Since my heart wasn't really into it, it's not my best decorating effort....it's lacking my usual care and dedication that I usually put into my tree trimming.
I'm not entertaining this year, so no worries there.
Lots of crocheted snowflakes
Battenburg lace angels, golden orbs and fillagree stars.
All kinds of angels
There she is!!! A special angel!!
The beautiful crocheted angel from my friend AfricanAussie adorns the upper branch.Thank you again for your kind and thoughtful gift Gillian, I will treasure her always.
Wednesday, 17 December 2014
The vet visit
Yesterday I took Mr. BrownBerts to visit the vet.
Even though I was in the middle of trimming the tree, I knew he needed to go to see the vet.
He had started the tongue "air licking" thing again as if trying to dislodge something in his mouth, yet licking at empty air....this concerned me a bit because the last time, he had a small infection in his mouth from an extra piece of skin that had grew over one of his teeth.
I could imagine how annoying that must have been to feel that extra piece of skin inside his mouth and not being able to get at it...poor boy.
I know I have mentioned before that Brownie has a fan club, and when we pulled into the car park it was a warm welcome.
Entering the vet's office, we were greeted with "Brownie! What's wrong with our boy now?"
The vet listened attentively to his symptoms, and I also told Dr.Joy that he should have his teeth cleaned while she was in his mouth, as well as nails clipped and glands expressed....no problem.
After a mild sedative, I was asked to return in an hour.
I spent that time visiting with Steve at his grave.
On my return, Dr. Huey came out to greet me and informed me that another flap had grown back over the tooth and it was removed again. He was rather stern about Brownie's eating habits, since his glands were full, "He should be eating chow" he admonished me.
"I mix it with his meals" I answered.
"Not good enough my dear," he said sternly.
"Okay I will give him more chow," I said demurely. I don't like my favourite vet to be upset with me.
"He's ready to go home, come around to the back and collect him."
When I reached in to the kennel to lift BrownBerts up he was so heavy, I thought I would drop him. He was beginning to come out of the sedative, and he was fighting fiercely, never before had I seen any of my dogs behave like this when coming out from being put under.
It took all of my strength to hold him in my arms while he fought and struggled like a mad bull.
On the way home, I had to stop on two occasions on the side of the road to settle him back down, he was fighting and clambering all over me and Beast, it was impossible to keep him quiet. It was like fighting with a possessed animal, he was so strong.
After I finally got him home, I sat on the floor beside him stroking him and talking to him gently as he shook off the sedative. To be honest I was a bit fearful of his behaviour but the vet had assured me that he was okay when I questioned him about Brownie's whimpering before we left the office.
I need to ask him, but I believe that maybe they used a different sedative on him this time around.
BrownBerts was good again by afternoon, and you guessed it, ate all of his food and drank copious amounts of water and then promptly turned over and went to sleep.
It's a dog's life.
Even though I was in the middle of trimming the tree, I knew he needed to go to see the vet.
He had started the tongue "air licking" thing again as if trying to dislodge something in his mouth, yet licking at empty air....this concerned me a bit because the last time, he had a small infection in his mouth from an extra piece of skin that had grew over one of his teeth.
I could imagine how annoying that must have been to feel that extra piece of skin inside his mouth and not being able to get at it...poor boy.
I know I have mentioned before that Brownie has a fan club, and when we pulled into the car park it was a warm welcome.
Entering the vet's office, we were greeted with "Brownie! What's wrong with our boy now?"
The vet listened attentively to his symptoms, and I also told Dr.Joy that he should have his teeth cleaned while she was in his mouth, as well as nails clipped and glands expressed....no problem.
After a mild sedative, I was asked to return in an hour.
I spent that time visiting with Steve at his grave.
On my return, Dr. Huey came out to greet me and informed me that another flap had grown back over the tooth and it was removed again. He was rather stern about Brownie's eating habits, since his glands were full, "He should be eating chow" he admonished me.
"I mix it with his meals" I answered.
"Not good enough my dear," he said sternly.
"Okay I will give him more chow," I said demurely. I don't like my favourite vet to be upset with me.
"He's ready to go home, come around to the back and collect him."
When I reached in to the kennel to lift BrownBerts up he was so heavy, I thought I would drop him. He was beginning to come out of the sedative, and he was fighting fiercely, never before had I seen any of my dogs behave like this when coming out from being put under.
It took all of my strength to hold him in my arms while he fought and struggled like a mad bull.
On the way home, I had to stop on two occasions on the side of the road to settle him back down, he was fighting and clambering all over me and Beast, it was impossible to keep him quiet. It was like fighting with a possessed animal, he was so strong.
After I finally got him home, I sat on the floor beside him stroking him and talking to him gently as he shook off the sedative. To be honest I was a bit fearful of his behaviour but the vet had assured me that he was okay when I questioned him about Brownie's whimpering before we left the office.
I need to ask him, but I believe that maybe they used a different sedative on him this time around.
BrownBerts was good again by afternoon, and you guessed it, ate all of his food and drank copious amounts of water and then promptly turned over and went to sleep.
It's a dog's life.
Keeping an eye on my tree trimming progress.
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Happy Birthday Steve!!
Seemed kinda strange not being able to grab the phone early this morning and wish him a Happy Birthday.
"Happy Birthday Steve!!"
Always gentle and appreciative, he would tell me that he intended to have a good day even if he spent the day at work....he was like that...made the most of every situation whether good or bad....reminded me so much of my Dad, and I know that's why I married him.
Trekked out to the garden to find the most beautiful heliconia flower in bloom and made a quick bouquet.
I had to drop Brownie off at the vet (more on that to follow in another post), and I figured I'd go to the cemetery to visit my dear ex-hubby for his birthday.
It was time to do so, since I had not returned since the funeral.
The sun shone brightly as I got out of Beast and looked around in the area where I thought his final resting place should be, but I just couldn't locate it.
Drove over to the office, and a kind gentleman (Mr. Maxwell) took his chart out and accompanied me back across the way.
He was kind enough to show me not only where the grave was but how to find it again until we have installed a proper marker. Thank you kind sir.
Laying my bouquet ever so gently, I wished my dear ex-hubby a Happy Birthday. The wind rustled the leaves in the bouquet and somehow I knew that he was okay and probably having a good time wherever he was.
I found myself smiling, and without a single tear, I promised him to return soon.
When I arrived home, daughter dear was squirrelled away in her room, and soon she emerged with a sheet of paper which she waved at me. "I've written a poem for daddy" she simply said.
A poem for Daddy.
"Still think about you every day
Words I didn't get to say
Days I should have spent with you
Wishing I could go back and start anew.
I have the best childhood memories because of you
Days of tennis and the beach till my fingers were blue
Always ready with your camera and a hug
Wishing for one more makes my heart tug.
Missing your voice and easy smiles
Wishing to see you though you are away miles
My heart is broken into a million pieces
And each piece still hurts and never ceases.
Wish I got a final goodbye to say
But guess writing this poem is my way
Know you are my angel always by my side
And we will meet one happy day when I too die.
Love you always Daddy."
It touched my heart so much I thought the tears would fall, but I felt a pride rise inside my bosom instead.
Then she too went off to put flowers on her Dad's grave.
Monday, 15 December 2014
The weekend
December is always a busy month, no matter how much I try every year to just chill and take my time to prepare for the Christmas season, somehow the time just slips away and then....BAM!!! there are only a few days left before the big day.
The thing is, I wasn't sure how I would celebrate this year considering that our family is now missing another treasured link....wasn't even sure that I would even celebrate at all.
My heart wasn't into putting the tree up, or making the most of the season, but today I decided the tree should go up, and I spent a pleasant hour and a half doing just that.
As usual there are many events and activities that grace the Christmas calendar here on the island, and this year Barbados hosted the "Race of Champions" at our Bushy Park race track over the weekend, and I missed it....
The Race of Champions is "THE" Race of the world's finest drivers who go head-to-head in identical cars on a track built for that purpose.
David Coulthard, the 43 year old Scot, and multiple Formula 1 Grand Prix winner gave a stunning performance and emerged as winner, beating Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein by a second and a half...wow....how exciting...wish I could have been there to witness for myself, but I know the limits of my body these days more than ever. Just can't fit two energy packed activities into one day anymore. Especially after having the chikungunya, the aches and pains in my joints seem to be intensifying instead of subsiding.
Here are a couple links for your enjoyment.
link to the highlights and also another link for your enjoyment, and yet another link..
I know, I know, I should have been there, race enthusiast that I am, but......another activity slipped into first position....I know you can already guess what it was, and if you said that it had something to do with jazz, well then you'd be right!!
Last night was Christmas Jazz and I attended this year because it was held at its old home venue, The Plantation Garden Theatre....yeah!!!
The show was loaded with mostly local talent including the band made up of all local male musicians with band leader, Arturo Tappin, one of my favourite jazz artistes.
Coming in from the cold to our beautiful island to take part was Lillie McCloud as well as grammy award winners Lalah Hathaway and trumpeter Maurice Brown.
Too say the evening was an enjoyable one would be an understatement.
Many musical duels were interspersed throughout the performances and the crowd lapped them all up...myself included.
Lillie was the crowd rouser belting out Christmas Shoes and Last Christmas, and even though Lalah was more subdued, she still held her own with favourites like This Christmas and The Christmas Song.
Maurice Brown gave a performance extraordinaire, and I have never been held captive with fascination by a trumpeter before, wow I can see how he won his Grammy award....he was fantastic!!
Here is a link.
To end the crowd-pleasing show, Lillie was back on stage singing I Wish by Stevie Wonder and to bring the curtain down, she followed up by Happy by Pharrell.
An evening that left me in high spirits and I found myself driving home singing Happy.
- See more at: http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/60796/coulthard-rocs#sthash.Z7wyzQf5.dpuf
- See more at: http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/60796/coulthard-rocs#sthash.Z7wyzQf5.dpuf
- See more at: http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/60796/coulthard-rocs#sthash.Z7wyzQf5.dpuf
- See more at: http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/60796/coulthard-rocs#sthash.Z7wyzQf5.dpuf
The thing is, I wasn't sure how I would celebrate this year considering that our family is now missing another treasured link....wasn't even sure that I would even celebrate at all.
My heart wasn't into putting the tree up, or making the most of the season, but today I decided the tree should go up, and I spent a pleasant hour and a half doing just that.
As usual there are many events and activities that grace the Christmas calendar here on the island, and this year Barbados hosted the "Race of Champions" at our Bushy Park race track over the weekend, and I missed it....
The Race of Champions is "THE" Race of the world's finest drivers who go head-to-head in identical cars on a track built for that purpose.
Here are a couple links for your enjoyment.
link to the highlights and also another link for your enjoyment, and yet another link..
Multiple
Formula 1 Grand Prix winner David Coulthard rolled back the years and
drove away with the Race of Champions at Bushy Park yesterday. - See
more at:
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/60796/coulthard-rocs#sthash.Z7wyzQf5.dpuf
I know, I know, I should have been there, race enthusiast that I am, but......another activity slipped into first position....I know you can already guess what it was, and if you said that it had something to do with jazz, well then you'd be right!!
Last night was Christmas Jazz and I attended this year because it was held at its old home venue, The Plantation Garden Theatre....yeah!!!
The show was loaded with mostly local talent including the band made up of all local male musicians with band leader, Arturo Tappin, one of my favourite jazz artistes.
Coming in from the cold to our beautiful island to take part was Lillie McCloud as well as grammy award winners Lalah Hathaway and trumpeter Maurice Brown.
Too say the evening was an enjoyable one would be an understatement.
Many musical duels were interspersed throughout the performances and the crowd lapped them all up...myself included.
Lillie was the crowd rouser belting out Christmas Shoes and Last Christmas, and even though Lalah was more subdued, she still held her own with favourites like This Christmas and The Christmas Song.
Maurice Brown gave a performance extraordinaire, and I have never been held captive with fascination by a trumpeter before, wow I can see how he won his Grammy award....he was fantastic!!
Here is a link.
To end the crowd-pleasing show, Lillie was back on stage singing I Wish by Stevie Wonder and to bring the curtain down, she followed up by Happy by Pharrell.
An evening that left me in high spirits and I found myself driving home singing Happy.
ula 1 Grand Prix winner David Coulthard rolled back the years and drove away with the Race of Champions at Bushy Park yesterday.
It was experience over youth, as the now retired 43-year-old Scotsman
turned in a stunning performance, needing only two races in the
best-of-three final to take his first overall victory in the
competition.
“It was my years of experience that helped to take the title over a very promising young driver whose star is still rising,” the 13-time Grand Prix winner said afterwards.
In the first race of the final, and driving the ROC Buggy, Coulthard beat Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein by a second-and-a-half.
Please read the full story in today's Daily Nation, or in the eNATION edition.
“It was my years of experience that helped to take the title over a very promising young driver whose star is still rising,” the 13-time Grand Prix winner said afterwards.
In the first race of the final, and driving the ROC Buggy, Coulthard beat Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein by a second-and-a-half.
Please read the full story in today's Daily Nation, or in the eNATION edition.
ula 1 Grand Prix winner David Coulthard rolled back the years and drove away with the Race of Champions at Bushy Park yesterday.
It was experience over youth, as the now retired 43-year-old Scotsman
turned in a stunning performance, needing only two races in the
best-of-three final to take his first overall victory in the
competition.
“It was my years of experience that helped to take the title over a very promising young driver whose star is still rising,” the 13-time Grand Prix winner said afterwards.
In the first race of the final, and driving the ROC Buggy, Coulthard beat Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein by a second-and-a-half.
Please read the full story in today's Daily Nation, or in the eNATION edition.
“It was my years of experience that helped to take the title over a very promising young driver whose star is still rising,” the 13-time Grand Prix winner said afterwards.
In the first race of the final, and driving the ROC Buggy, Coulthard beat Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein by a second-and-a-half.
Please read the full story in today's Daily Nation, or in the eNATION edition.
ula 1 Grand Prix winner David Coulthard rolled back the years and drove away with the Race of Champions at Bushy Park yesterday.
It was experience over youth, as the now retired 43-year-old Scotsman
turned in a stunning performance, needing only two races in the
best-of-three final to take his first overall victory in the
competition.
“It was my years of experience that helped to take the title over a very promising young driver whose star is still rising,” the 13-time Grand Prix winner said afterwards.
In the first race of the final, and driving the ROC Buggy, Coulthard beat Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein by a second-and-a-half.
Please read the full story in today's Daily Nation, or in the eNATION edition.
“It was my years of experience that helped to take the title over a very promising young driver whose star is still rising,” the 13-time Grand Prix winner said afterwards.
In the first race of the final, and driving the ROC Buggy, Coulthard beat Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein by a second-and-a-half.
Please read the full story in today's Daily Nation, or in the eNATION edition.
ula 1 Grand Prix winner David Coulthard rolled back the years and drove away with the Race of Champions at Bushy Park yesterday.
It was experience over youth, as the now retired 43-year-old Scotsman
turned in a stunning performance, needing only two races in the
best-of-three final to take his first overall victory in the
competition.
“It was my years of experience that helped to take the title over a very promising young driver whose star is still rising,” the 13-time Grand Prix winner said afterwards.
In the first race of the final, and driving the ROC Buggy, Coulthard beat Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein by a second-and-a-half.
Please read the full story in today's Daily Nation, or in the eNATION edition.
“It was my years of experience that helped to take the title over a very promising young driver whose star is still rising,” the 13-time Grand Prix winner said afterwards.
In the first race of the final, and driving the ROC Buggy, Coulthard beat Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein by a second-and-a-half.
Please read the full story in today's Daily Nation, or in the eNATION edition.
Thursday, 4 December 2014
A tisket a tasket.....
.......Let's see what's in my basket.
BrownBerts pulling Puppie out his basket of toys for a bit of fun.
Come on Puppie, it's time to play!
See how much fun this is Puppie??
Told you it was fun.
Lots and lots of fun!!
Ding Ding Ding Total Knock out! I win Puppie!!
Just realised this was my 500th post.
Tuesday, 2 December 2014
Harrison's Cave - Part 2
Harrison's Cave is gorgeous, and leaves you yearning for more, but as the tram returned to our embarkation point and the sunny outdoors, I realised that the cave environs were worth exploring too, so off I went.
The valley floor is surrounded by limestone rock and beautifully landscaped with tropical plants interspersed with small shops with pretty names like Avocado, Coconut and Breadfruit.
In the middle of the "courtyard" was a huge ficus tree with its tangled fibrous roots.
I chose a quick 5-minute scenic gully trail and set out amongst the lush foliage of the gully.
The valley floor is surrounded by limestone rock and beautifully landscaped with tropical plants interspersed with small shops with pretty names like Avocado, Coconut and Breadfruit.
In the middle of the "courtyard" was a huge ficus tree with its tangled fibrous roots.
Ficus benjamina
These heliconias are well behaved, unlike my rogues at home, but then again there are gardeners who report to work here every day to keep them in check.
A Traveller's Palm - Ravenala in bloom with its exotic looking flower head.
Crinum Lilies
Looking back to the Visitor's Centre from amongst the lush greenery.
A cool walk in the shade of the tree canopy.
Lots of sign postings about the gully and its plants.
Red ginger lilies
A gully was once a cave that has collapsed hence the rock face along the way.
Amerindian hut....an authentic replica.
Golden apples on the gully floor...some bitten by some of Brazen's cousins I'm sure.
A walk up to Allen View Village was worth the effort....I met several hens and roosters along the path and the lookout was beautiful.
Time to head back up to the cliff top.
The glass-surround elevator is an excellent way to view the entire facility and there were more photo ops on the way up.
Leaving it all behind.
I made my way back to the lobby entrance.
Back on the cliff top where I can see the tree tops more clearly.
This little gift packet came home with me.
A toy tram for a nice little boy.
I had a fun filled morning unearthing the adventure, and I will most certainly be back.
Next time I will be taking the eco-friendly tour where I can climb up waterfalls and clamber through some of the other tunnels that are not on the tram route.
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