Tuesday 28 July 2015

Leftovers

On Saturday during my jaunt I bought some lovely veggies from a delightful gentleman whom I met on one of my stops.
Butternut Squash and Carolina Sweet Potatoes
I also purchased a bag of ripe tomatoes especially for daughter dear....she loves tomatoes.
Sunday for lunch I made a stir-fry of all the veggies I had on hand, especially those that needed using up.
Sweet potatoes, Pumpkin, Okras, Kale, Green beans and a tin of Channa (Garbanzo beans) mouth-wateringly seasoned to perfection.
A closer look
Stir-fried veggies served with garlic cheesy twisty twirly pasta and a bowl of fresh salad of romaine lettuce and watermelon.
It was sooo GOOD!!!
Sometimes the simplest meals taste so good......and the leftovers taste the bestest!!

Sunday 26 July 2015

Kick 'em Jenny

For the past two weeks, the island has been under extreme seismic surveillance, as a result of several earth tremors that we experienced recently from the  Kick 'em Jenny volcano.


Kick ‘em Jenny, an undersea volcano located 5 miles (8km) off the north coast of Grenada, started a series of serious  rumblings on July 11, 2015, prompting the regional disaster authorities to be on alert.
The volcano is monitored by The Seismic Research Center at the University of the West Indies and when the seismic activity increased in the volcano, an orange alert was issued.

The orange alert meant that an eruption could begin with less than twenty-four hours notice.  Scary isn't it?
Kick 'em Jenny has a bad reputation for mariners since the strong currents in the area are responsible for boats being knocked around as if being kicked by a mule (Jenny is the term used for a mule in the Caribbean), hence its name.
An eruption would certainly stir up high waves and heat surrounding waters to boiling temperatures, also shooting hot rocks up through the water column....what a catastrophe that would be.

Under the alert, all boats were advised to stay at least 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the volcano as the gases it released would lower the density of the water so significantly that sailing vessels would lose buoyancy and sink.
 
 The Associated Press reported that “For the period since the July 11 a total of more than 200 micro and small earthquakes, of varying magnitudes, have been recorded, with the largest, prior to the strong signal, less than magnitude 3.0,” the center’s website stated. Recreational divers also noticed some “degassing” on the seafloor off the west coast of Grenada in the Moliniere Sculpture Park area in the form of gas-rich magma bubbles.
The center advised that all boats should stay at least 5 kilometers from the volcano. Mariners face the greatest threat from Kick ‘em Jenny as it releases gases that can lower the density of water leading to sinking of vessels."

Kick 'em Jenny was discovered in 1939 and since then it has erupted at least 12 times beneath the surface of the Caribbean seafloor, the most recent in December 2001. The volcano rises 4,265 ft above the seafloor (1,300 meters)on a steep slope of the Lesser Antilles ridge.

The elevated seismic activity which began on July 11 resulted in earthquakes which were felt here on the island as well as in some of the neighbouring islands like St. Lucia, Martinique and Trinidad & Tobago.


Here in Barbados, on Thursday July 16 we experienced several tremors throughout the day which started in the early morning.
The strongest quake struck at 11.16am and originated 81 miles (132km) in the ocean off the northeast of Barbados....it was strong and at a shallow depth of about 3 miles (5km)
Earthquake 1        7.01am          5.7 magnitude Latitude 13.92 North, longitude 58.82 West  Depth 10km
Earthquake 2        11.16am        6.4 magnitude Latitude 13.96 North, longitude 58.87 West Depth  10km
Earthquake  3       11.29am        4.1 magnitude Latitude 13.86 North, longitude 58.99 West Depth 10km
Earthquake  4       11.36am        5.3magnitude Latitude 13.90 North, longitude 58.63 West Depth 10km

They all lasted no more than 20 seconds, and to be honest I didn't feel any of them...not even a little wiggle.
There were no injuries or damage reported.



Several businesses were evacuated and many folks heeded the Disaster Management warnings. 
According to The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) the best way was to "Drop, Cover, and Hold" .....the appropriate action to reduce  injury and death during earthquakes.
"During An Earthquake … Drop, Cover & Hold!
Earthquakes can happen at anytime, anywhere. When an earthquake strikes you may have a few seconds between the realization that this is an earthquake and the time when the shaking stops.
  1. Take Cover in the Nearest Space: Take cover where you are. If you are outside during an earthquake take cover there, do not rush indoors or vice versa. Protect yourself from things  that may fall on top of you, whether it is broken glass or a whole building. Once you take cover in your safe place, stay there until the shaking stops;  earthquakes seldom last longer than a minute although it seems longer.
  2.  Drop, Cover and Hold: Practice the Drop, Cover and Hold procedure until it becomes second nature."

On its Facebook page, the UWI Seismic Research Centre, responded to public concerns and posted that the activity was not unusual.
“We live in a seismically active part of the world and earthquakes, both of the size and frequency which we are currently experiencing north east of Barbados, are not unusual and do not by themselves suggest anything more menacing is coming,” it said.
“Please note that whenever a large magnitude earthquake occurs, they are normally followed by a large number of aftershocks. This is simply the earth adjusting to the stress changes that resulted from the earthquake.”



As of today, the tremors are still continuing but the seismic activity has been greatly reduced. 
Let's hope that Kick 'em Jenny settles back down and behaves.  We are already on edge during the hurricane season and really don't need anything more to worry about.

The location of the latest earthquake, at 11:36 a.m., according to this image from the UWISRC.
Four small earthquakes/tremors have been felt in Saint Lucia, Barbados, Martinique and other neighbouring islands within the past five hours, according to preliminary information from the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWISRC).
There were no immediate reports of damage. The last three events occurred within 50 minutes – all occurring in the same region.
Residents in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica and Guyana have also reported feeling the quake, though those countries were not mentioned in the UWISRC report.
– The first quake, measuring 5.7, was felt at about 7:01 a.m.
– the second, measuring 6.4, occurred at about 11:16 a.m.;
– the third, measuring 4.1, occurred at about 11:29 a.m.
– the fourth, measuring 5.6, occurred at about 11: 36 a.m., the UWISRC has stated.
Residents have told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the quakes lasted between 10 and 20 seconds.
- See more at: http://www.stlucianewsonline.com/breaking-news-earthquake-felt-in-st-lucia/#sthash.5EzqbzQH.dpuf
The location of the latest earthquake, at 11:36 a.m., according to this image from the UWISRC.
Four small earthquakes/tremors have been felt in Saint Lucia, Barbados, Martinique and other neighbouring islands within the past five hours, according to preliminary information from the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWISRC).
There were no immediate reports of damage. The last three events occurred within 50 minutes – all occurring in the same region.
Residents in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica and Guyana have also reported feeling the quake, though those countries were not mentioned in the UWISRC report.
– The first quake, measuring 5.7, was felt at about 7:01 a.m.
– the second, measuring 6.4, occurred at about 11:16 a.m.;
– the third, measuring 4.1, occurred at about 11:29 a.m.
– the fourth, measuring 5.6, occurred at about 11: 36 a.m., the UWISRC has stated.
Residents have told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the quakes lasted between 10 and 20 seconds.
- See more at: http://www.stlucianewsonline.com/breaking-news-earthquake-felt-in-st-lucia/#sthash.5EzqbzQH.dpuf
The location of the latest earthquake, at 11:36 a.m., according to this image from the UWISRC.
Four small earthquakes/tremors have been felt in Saint Lucia, Barbados, Martinique and other neighbouring islands within the past five hours, according to preliminary information from the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWISRC).
There were no immediate reports of damage. The last three events occurred within 50 minutes – all occurring in the same region.
Residents in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica and Guyana have also reported feeling the quake, though those countries were not mentioned in the UWISRC report.
– The first quake, measuring 5.7, was felt at about 7:01 a.m.
– the second, measuring 6.4, occurred at about 11:16 a.m.;
– the third, measuring 4.1, occurred at about 11:29 a.m.
– the fourth, measuring 5.6, occurred at about 11: 36 a.m., the UWISRC has stated.
Residents have told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the quakes lasted between 10 and 20 seconds.
- See more at: http://www.stlucianewsonline.com/breaking-news-earthquake-felt-in-st-lucia/#sthash.5EzqbzQH.dpuf
 There is a feedback site here
Interesting video here.
An interesting article on Kick em Jenny here.http://www.wired.com/2015/07/theres-volcano-called-kick-em-jenny-angry/ 
Another interesting old article here.
CNN video here. 
Daily Mail report here.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3174252/Warning-issued-Kick-em-Jenny-volcano-Caribbean-Sea-Grenada-threatens-erupt-cause-ships-sink-without-trace.html

Ferry crossing video July 24, 2015 here.
Yesterday's update here.  

The location of the latest earthquake, at 11:36 a.m., according to this image from the UWISRC.
Four small earthquakes/tremors have been felt in Saint Lucia, Barbados, Martinique and other neighbouring islands within the past five hours, according to preliminary information from the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWISRC).
There were no immediate reports of damage. The last three events occurred within 50 minutes – all occurring in the same region.
Residents in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica and Guyana have also reported feeling the quake, though those countries were not mentioned in the UWISRC report.
– The first quake, measuring 5.7, was felt at about 7:01 a.m.
– the second, measuring 6.4, occurred at about 11:16 a.m.;
– the third, measuring 4.1, occurred at about 11:29 a.m.
– the fourth, measuring 5.6, occurred at about 11: 36 a.m., the UWISRC has stated.
Residents have told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the quakes lasted between 10 and 20 seconds.
- See more at: http://www.stlucianewsonline.com/breaking-news-earthquake-felt-in-st-lucia/#sthash.5EzqbzQH.dpuf

Friday 24 July 2015

A New Home

Last Friday when I took Mr.BrownBerts for a quick check-up at the vet, I was stunned to find a spanking new veterinary clinic.



Gosh we had not been to visit our vet friends for a few months, and to find them operating in a new building and fully settled in, was a BIGGG surprise!

The new veterinary building of the RSPCA


Baby what a BIGGG surprise!!!

Spacious Reception Area
New office or not, we received a warm welcome as usual.
Well-lit corridor with doors to The Surgery, ICU, Staff Room and Accounts.

Examination Room
Brownie had his nails trimmed and his anal glands checked.


I was in shock and I think Brownie was a bit surprised too.
He recognised his vet Dr. Huey, but yet he was a bit unsettled in the new surroundings and therefore had to be muzzled to have his nails trimmed.
"This little one doesn't usually behave like this" the vet remarked after my boy started snapping...."not like him at all."
The office was quite busy and I snapped these photos as best as I could between clients.

Dogs of the World

The Kennels and Animal Enclosed Area

New building, new chairs, new reception area....but....the friendly old staff were still there....thank goodness!

Tuesday 21 July 2015

Bon Appétit

A bright beautiful morning....a morning to have a nice breakfast while sitting and relaxing on the patio taking in the view.
Mornings like these surface every once in a while and I am thankful that I am blessed with eyes to see, reasonable health, and a hearty appetite to enjoy good down to earth food.
I had a hankering for some easy peasy pancakes out of the box smothered in syrup.
 

My sidekick also had a hankering for pancakes, and so it was.....pancakes were on the menu.
 
 Mixing the batter was a quick task and pouring it into the hot pan was a no-brainer.
 
 In two minutes the pancakes were ready to be devoured.
As I watched Brownie "yam down" his syrupy pancake pieces I couldn't help but laugh.
Then I laughed louder as it made me remember the last time we had pancakes for breakfast.
A few weeks ago, daughter dear had paid me an early morning visit and I fixed her a breakfast plate of pancakes and sausages as well, since that was the menu for that day.
As usual Mr.BrownBerts would eat his portion hurriedly and then stare you down for another piece.
Daughter dear gave him a morsel from her plate and he stood there looking at it with disdain.
"Mum, how come he doesn't eat the pancake I gave him?" she asked.
I looked over at the piece she was referring to, and immediately saw what the problem was.
Can you guess?
Yes, it was a plain old piece of pancake....no syrup.
I went over and dribbled a little syrup on to the pancake and it was immediately wolfed down before we could say "Jack Sprat."
"I can't believe how spoilt he is, imagine he refused to eat it because it had no syrup...really!" she cried.
"Would you eat it without syrup?" I queried.
"No," came her reply.
"Then why should he?" I asked
"He is just spoilt, spoilt, spoilt" she said.
"Hey watch your mouth, you're talking about my boy!" I replied.
Brownie sat watching us both with a grin on his face.....I kid you not.
 
Me?  I enjoyed my pancakes too!.

Friday 17 July 2015

A little wiggle

Yesterday was a nice hot day, vivid blue skies and a sun beaming down like there was no tomorrow.
I had promised a friend to run an errand for her in the city, and even though it took me away from my intense summer cleaning and maintenance, I made my way downtown.
Early arrival always means I can find a free parking spot, and that was good.....it meant too that many shoppers had not hit the streets either, and that was better, and it also meant that the queue in the bank was short....and that was the BEST!!
After completing my errands and making my way back to Beast....I saw this.........

 
A local store chain was having a promotion in fine style.


I love horses, so I had to stop and get a few photos.

C'mon get the top up and let's go for a spin.


Don't I look fan-tab-u-lous!!

Strike a pose!!

Headed to my next stop, I listened to an all music station which I enjoy, since it plays mostly music from when I was growing up.  Singing while traveling takes away the sting of waiting in traffic, at least for me.
Arriving at The University of the West Indies, I saw all the staff members standing around outside.  We've been bombarded for the past few weeks by public sector strikes (including my friendly sanitation workers) so I thought that the university staff had decided to join the other union workers to strike as well.
I approached a pleasant older lady and asked her what was going on....she told me that a second earth tremor had just occurred.   
WHAT?
I had felt nothing.....nada....not even a little wiggle....I guess I had been too busy singing along at the top of my voice and dancing while driving to notice anything.

The link below will tell the story.
http://www.weather.com/news/news/earthquake-near-barbados-local-tsunami-possible

Tuesday 7 July 2015

Brazen the Satellite Dish Technician

This morning I was lucky enough to catch Brazen in action on my neighbour's satellite dish.
 I wonder if I move this dish by 23 degrees if it would show any better?

I know you thought I was kidding before when I mentioned that that crazy monkey has a nasty habit of dragging antennas off of roofs and moving satellite dishes out of position.


Maybe 42 degrees south would do the trick......


Gosh this thing is heavy to reposition today.

Perhaps the LNB needs securing properly.
That's enough work on this darn dish for one day....time to see what other things I can get my hands on.
My poor neighbour is probably inside his house swearing at the tv and wondering why his picture is out of focus or non-existent....oh dear.

Thursday 2 July 2015

Lola Boo

On Tuesday night, I received some awful news about my sweetie pie Lola Boo.
For those of you who may not know, Lola is my girlfriend's poodle who lives in Virginia.
They were out for a walk enjoying the neighbourhood scenery, when a big dog ran out of its yard and  attacked and mauled poor Lola damaging both sides of her chest.

Even though she is no bigger than a handful and seriously hurt, she still wanted to protect her Mommy....what a brave little soul.

She was rushed to the vet for emergency surgery.  The vet did an incredible job of saving her life....I will be giving that vet a big kiss when next I visit.
Lola Boo

Lola is back home and is getting better everyday.
As for that other dog he had better not be around when I visit next time.



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