Saturday on the road again

Yesterday was my first Saturday back on the road since that dreadful flu bug.
There was an Auction Sale in the north of the island, and since I happen to like auctions, I decided to take a spin up north and get some fresh country air, especially since the remnants of the fire were still smoldering, and the air around my home was smoky.
So off I went driving along the coast towards the north.
Now every auctioneer has their own following, but I like them all, makes no difference to me. I love the atmosphere, doesn't matter who is conducting the auction. There is always lots to see and admire, and you get the chance to meet up with friends you don't normally see on an everyday basis.
The auction was at a seaside apartment building, and all the contents were being auctioned off.
Wandered around a while and mingled with some of my auction buddies who were out for the mornings' events as well.
I didn't see anything that really grabbed my interest, since I've got more than enough household items to last me until I am no more.
Folks were jostling and bidding for everything from kitchen appliances, beds, furniture, phones, hairdryers, safes, to garden implements.  It's so funny for me to see folks get in the bidding frenzy and end up paying more for the item than the cost of a new one in the store. Ed the auctioneer likes it too. I stayed around for another hour, and then left with nothing.
Driving back up the coast, I was quite thirsty, but then who did I spy?  Yes, my new friend John, the coconut vendor, so I pulled over.
Today my coconut was $2.00, and it was a big coconut filled to capacity with refreshing coconut water.  I was drinking and drinking, and drinking, and I thought I would never get to the end....gosh it was so good and it really quenched my thirst.
John remembered that I liked the coconut jelly inside, so he offered to cut my coconut in half to take home with me.  He also gave me another cut coconut with lots of jelly inside. Thank you John!!
Came on home to make lunch for me and you know who, and again, the fried plantain urge was there, so I made some to quell my desire (sounds sexual doesn't it?)

After a scrumptious lunch of herbed potatoes, fried plantain, turkey stew, and a fresh salad, it was time for dessert.

Best dessert ever.....fresh coconut jelly.

Of course after a tummy-filling lunch, it was time for an afternoon siesta ....so said........so done.

A scary happenstance

Yesterday started out like any other day.
Awoke early as usual........

..........three large cruise ships in the harbour.

......."my" chickens going for a stroll across the wall

A bright sunny day.  Decided to do some outdoor painting. Everyone who knows me, knows I am as happy as a bug in a rug when I have a paintbrush in my hand. Spent  a few hours painting the walls at the back of the house, but then the sun became quite hot, so I called it a day.
I was only inside for about 15 minutes, when I started to smell smoke, and I heard some loud popping noises from outside.
As I was rushing out, Brownie was rushing in with a look of concern on his face.
What I saw next, I could not believe...tons of smoke, ash and sparks all coming in the direction of the house.
Black putrid smoke and lots of loud popping like firecrackers going off.
The houses in my neighbourhood sit on top of the perimeter of an unused limestone quarry which folks dump stuff in from time to time.
Sometimes too, like yesterday, some folks decide to "burn their stuff" in the vicinity.
The neighbourhood is downwind of the quarry, and also with the natural updraft in the quarry, all the smoke and ash and sparks head our way.
I could not see anyone in attendance of this huge fire, and I was quite concerned, because, I am mostly the only one at home during the day, while quite a few of my neighbours are off at work.
What a catastrophe to come home from work and find your home burnt to the ground.
I called 311......

In about 10 minutes the fire truck was on the scene, taming the fire.

What is amazing to me, is that there is no need for folks to be constantly "burning stuff" as we say here. This activity is not allowed in our neighbourhood.
Yet, there are folks who go on another property to burn their stuff.  They have no hose to put the smoldering ashes out, no bucket of water, no fire extinguisher......nothing.
One can arrange with the Sanitation Authority to collect large rubbish items, and anything else in my opinion can be shredded (sensitive documents) or be placed in the regular garbage.

The fire service worked on the fire for some time, before getting it under control.

After all the commotion and smoke inhalation, my poor boy did not eat his lunch. I had to make him something for supper later on in the night which he ate.

Just suppose I was not at home yesterday?  Just suppose I was out running errands as I sometimes do?
Why do folks do stupid things like this? No regard or consideration for the lives of others or their property?  Why can't they get it into their heads that the practice of "burning stuff" is no longer an accepted means of getting rid of unwanted rubbish?
My kudos go out to the brave fire service guys who responded to my call, and the efficient way that they controlled the fire before it had the chance to spread any further.

All I  know is, is that I am so thankful that I happened to be at home yesterday.

Gray Kingbirds

The first time I heard the sweet thrill of the Gray Kingbird *, I knew immediately that it was a new visitor to my garden.  The sound filled the air completely.
In looking to see where the distinctive, high pitched, melodic sound was coming from, I saw a pretty little grey bird sitting on top of the gazebo.

I learned of its identification later from a FB friend in my Caribbean Gardeners Forum.

Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis)

The Gray Kingbird is a mid-sized tyrant flycatcher with grey upper parts and white under parts, with a long black bill and dark brownish wings and notched tail. It is also known as a Pitirre.
However, in Barbados, we refer to it as a Pee Whittler.

Swinging on a Golden Palm frond......

....with not a care in the world, because he has spotted his lunchtime menu.

Their diet is made up of mostly insects, lizards, berries, fruits and seeds.

He loves the red seeds on the MacArthur palms, however he has to share with Mr.Scaly-Naped Pigeon.

They are noted for being aggressive towards mammals and other birds, especially during their breeding season, when they defend their nests.

They love to perch on power lines and nest near street lights, making it easy to access the tons of  insects that frequent the lights at night.

Gray Kingbird nest on street light pole

As I write this, the garden is filled with their chorus of sound. Almost like an orchestra playing a lovely piece of classical music.
Today is Thanksgiving Day in the US, and today I am truly thankful that I have these birds in my garden.

Happy Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family who are celebrating today...have a wonderful day!!


(*) In referencing these birds, I noted that Gray and Grey are interchanged for its name, however, they are listed in Wikipedia as Gray Kingbirds.
Here is an interesting fact...did you know that a group of Kingbirds are collectively known as a "coronation", a "court", or a "tyranny" of Kingbirds?  Sounds appropriate don't you think?

Sleep Paralysis

A few nights ago, (actually Sunday night) after going to bed, and on my way to LA-LA land, I realised that I could not move my body to change position in my bed.
Sometimes I sleep on either of my two sides or on my back, but never on my stomach.
I was very much awake, however, I could not move...no matter how much I tried to shift my position, I was burdened by some weight that seemed to be pressing down on my body.
I tried to move my hands to touch my face but to no avail.  Just this terrifying feeling of being held down, and as if "something" was in my room.
Now this phenomenon has happened to me about three or four times previously in my life, and it had always scared the hell out of me.
I remembered the first time I experienced it, I was in my bed with my bedroom door open and I could see the light on in the family room, and I could hear the tv on with "The Jeffersons," and I could hear my mum and brother talking and laughing quite clearly.
Yet, there I was being crushed by some unseen weight in my bed, and  I was shouting and screaming for them, but no sound was coming out of my mouth. I also had the sensation of my bed falling down down down into some bottomless cavern.
When I eventually got command of my limbs and my mouth again, I jumped up screaming at my mum, why the hell she didn't come when I shouted for her. She said she had heard nothing.
This whole scenario scared the daylights out of me, and having been raised in a Christian household, and been christened/baptised and confirmed and attending church on a regular basis, I wanted to find out what the bejingles was going on.
In checking around, (before internet days), I was made to understand that when we lay down to sleep and our brains and bodies and psyches are at rest, that our souls go wandering while we sleep.  Sometimes our souls are captured by devious entities, and they are unable to return to our bodies, and that's when we die in our sleep. WOW!
Needless to say, I was quite afraid after hearing that and always made an extra extra extra extra effort to say my prayers before falling off to sleep at night.
When I worked in the corporate world,  my job took me on travels far and wide. I realised that when I traveled with this one particular workmate, that she would leave her hotel room light on all night. I asked her one morning at breakfast why she did this, and she told me that every night "something" would come and visit her and sit on her back and "show her stuff."  WHAT!!!!
She was not a nice person to begin with, and after hearing that I kept her at a further distance than before.
Anyway, this time around, I had the internet at my disposal, and I decided to do some research, and here is what I came up with.
First of all, the sensation has a name.....Sleep Paralysis.  Happens to most of us.
When you are experiencing Sleep Paralysis, don't fight it, just go with the flow.
You should try wiggling your toe or  clenching your fist to try breaking the spell.
Also coughing and controlled breathing are helpful.
The best way they say to get out of it, is to scrunch up your face, apparently this method works all the time.
Guess which one I'll be using the next time this terrifying sensation has my body in its hold again.
Or if you have an extra US$19.00 knocking around, you may also order a Sleep Paralysis Kit.

Here is a link for you to read up more.

Life goes on.....

Every day I'm feeling stronger and my body is getting back to its "old" self.
Finally had enough strength to leave home for a trip to the supermarket for those elusive plantains....about time!!

Fried plantain, ox-tail stew and roasted veggies.

You know what they say about when the cat's away....here is a good example. The chickens belonging to someone in the village downhill from mine has taken it into their heads that they should visit my garden.  Drove poor Brownie crazy since the garden gate was closed, and he could not chase them. They were no longer seeing me out and about in the garden, so they had a party.

Thing is, they sit on the back wall and keep a whole "bundle of noise" as if they live here.

We are not allowed to have  animals of this sort in our neighbourhood, and thank goodness my neighbours know they are not mine!

Look at this one strolling quite nonchalantly in the garden...

Mr. Brownie is still in charge

I thought this made a cute photo of him sitting with his front paws hanging off the kitchen step

Mr.Mousy is still under attack

A piece of his tail is now off

My ladies at The View are still a staple of my tv viewing.

Oh yes, remember that "long lost" usb cable for my phone that I had ordered....it finally showed up.  I guess I have a spare one now.

All my bed linens have been washed and sanitized, and my pillows have also been laundered and dried, and then sunned for another three days for good measure.
I don't want any remnants of that dreaded flu bug remaining inside the house.
Be gone you darn flu....don't come back here no more, no more, no more!!!!