The world's oldest man dies

Jiroemon Kimura

April 19, 1897 -  June 12, 2013

Only a couple of days ago, I  wrote about the passing of our island's two super centenarians.
At the time, I was still in awe that the oldest man alive was 116 years old.
News of his death came unexpectedly, as I did not think it would follow so closely on the heels of  Mr. Sisnett and Ms. Clarke.
Jiroemon Kimura, the oldest man in the world died on Wednesday after undergoing treatment for a bout of pneumonia. 
Mr Kimura, from Kyotango in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, had seven children, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grand children and 14 great-great grandchildren..
He was a postal employee for 40 years and  also a farmer at home, which he continued until he was 90 years old.
His life spanned three centuries, and he put his longevity down to getting out in the sun.
Kimura became the oldest man ever on Dec. 28, 2012, at the age of 115 years, 253 days, breaking the record set by Christian Mortensen, a Danish immigrant to the United States, whose life spanned from 1882-1998.

 

In this file photo taken Oct. 15, 2012 and released by Kyotango City, Jiroemon Kimura, center, poses with Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday, right, and Guinness World Records Asia-Pacific Representative Frank Foley after Kimura was presented with the certificate of the world's oldest living man at his home in the city, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Japanese media report that Kimura died of natural causes at a hospital in Kyotango early Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at the age of 116. (AP Photo/Kyotango City, File) EDITORIAL USE ONLY ( Uncredited )  
His age was fully authenticated by Guinness World Records, "As the only man to have ever lived for 116 years."
He was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living person, the oldest living man and the oldest man ever. 
 
The title of oldest living person is now held by another Japanese, 115-year-old Misao Okawa, of Osaka, who was born on March 5, 1898.

City officials in Kyotango have launched a research project to examine the diets of its population to find the secrets of their longevity.

According to 2011 government data, Japan  has more than 50,000 centenarians.

I found an interesting article on longevity here.

Rain

It's raining here this morning.

 Not a slight downpour, but a good shower. The kind to put an end to my grass cutting which I started yesterday.
Enough for me to put my indoor plants out in the raindrops.

Indoor Philodendron enjoying the mouth-watering drops

ZZ plants soaking it all up

Brownie's favourite corner is drenched

So he has retired to the opposite corner under the patio table.

Brownie with a muddy water spot on his nose

(from walking under a plant pot I was lifting)

Really, I promise, I won't go play in the mud if you let me out

What? You don't believe me?

Guess I'm stuck inside....have no idea what muddy paw tracks I left on the floor last time....what is she yabbering about muddy paw tracks...whose? mine? I don't remember that at all.

Maybe I'll get to weed a little later, if the sun shows its face, but the grass will have to wait.

Where there's smoke there's ......

........drugs. 
Now that I have my view back after the trimming of the Pomgamia tree, I have a clear view of the coastline as far as the eye can see.
Yesterday when I looked to the south side, there was black smoke billowing into the air. At first I thought someone's house was afire, but when I looked closely, I saw that the smoke was rising in a somewhat orderly fashion.
The police and drug squad were taking care of business.

The furnace where the drugs are burned at Grantley Adams International Airport

Photo borrowed from Barbados Today online newspaper

In the newspaper, I read that a large portion of illegal drugs valued at over $43 million dollars were destroyed at the furnace at the Grantley Adams International Airport.
The drug traffickers must have been sick to the stomach.
Tons of their assets going up in smoke (pun intended).....Enos, Andrews, and Tums antacids must have been taken in copious amounts.
Three trucks were used to transport the seven tons of cannabis which had been held in police custody for quite some time.
This kind of bulk destruction of illegal drugs will take place on a continuous basis as the police force steps up its efforts at clamping down on drug importation and cultivation.
Packaged in bags, boxes and bales, the compressed plant matter was mostly evidence related to pending cases in the law courts.
However,  the Evidence Act gives the Commissioner of Police the authority to conduct sample tests of each package with the accused present, and the remainder can then be destroyed. The samples are then used as evidence in court. This "sample and burn" method will be used from here on.
Drug Squad and Defence Force personnel aided in loading the cannabis on the furnace conveyor belt for incineration.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the police force,  "We realise persons have increased cultivation."
The Head of the Drug Squad also noted that there were more and more arrests related to drugs recently.
As he put it, "What we are seeing is an increase in drug seizures (in land) as more Barbadians resort to cultivating cannabis plants in very remote areas. We have seen a drop, though, in coastal landings by go fast boats because of the different strategies we have deployed. We are working closer now with other security agencies."
"Having all those drugs stored at police stations is creating a health problem."
This made me go "hmmmmm......."

Photo from google images

The Police Force, Drug Squad, Barbados Coast Guard, Defence Force and the Regional Security System have got their hands full.
More drug shipments have been nabbed at various bays and inlets on the island.
Recently just over half a tonne of cannabis was spotted floating in the water. It has all been recovered, but.......no arrests as yet.
However, with the coastline being heavily monitored, it's becoming harder for persons to drop off drug shipments around the island.
The cultivation of marijuana (weed) has led to an increase in the number of plants seized.
They are being cultivated not only in remote areas but also in various backyards.
And no, there is no marijuana (cannabis) growing in my garden.
No need, I get high on life, sunshine and fresh air.
What I find amazing is the fact that the drug mules are still trying to get past the detection screening at the airport and the seaport.
Why would ANYONE ingest drug pellets that could burst in the stomach and cause death?
From what I've seen they look like little sausages, and for the life of me, I can't imagine swallowing anything that size whole. Some capsules give me a hard time to swallow as is.
The money must be really good to put one's life at risk.
Not for faint-hearted  or squeamish folks like me I suppose.
Oh well, to each his own.
I'm going back into the garden.

Last post

When I was away for my two week hiatus, several news stories caught my eye. 
Since I had posted about the Mr. James Emmanuel Sisnett, the super centenarian  (here) back in August 2012, I thought it only fitting that I should mention his death.

James Emmanuel Sisnett "Grandad"

February 22, 1900 - May 23, 2013

(Photo from CNN news report)

According to the Gerontology Research Group, he was verified as the oldest man in the Western Hemisphere, and held the distinction of being the 2nd oldest man in the world.

GRG is a private organization that verifies the ages of centenarians, people over 100 years of age, and supercentenarians, people over 110.

Mr. Sisnett, affectionately known as "Grandad", lived a total of 41,363 days in his lifetime, and was 113 years, and 90 days old when he passed away peacefully in his sleep.

"Grandad" was a wealth of historic information, having lived through many world events.

He was loved by all, and as a symbol of honour, when he turned 100, he was given the keys to the capital city of Bridgetown.

He will be missed, and never will he be forgotten.

Emily Lavina Clarke (nee McClean)

November 17, 1902 - June 1, 2013

(Photo by Nigel Browne)

Emily Lavina Clarke, Barbados's female supercentenarian, has passed at 110 years old.
She was born in the parish of St.John, was married and raised four children.
She lived in both the UK and the US for some time before returning to Barbados.
 Her family is quoted as saying that she was a feisty woman who loved her God and lived  a full life raising both her children and grandchildren as a tough disciplinarian.
Despite her failing health in recent times, she was still mostly lucid and was quoted as saying, 
“I have lived a long life; I am happy and comfortable.”
May she rest in peace.


The verified oldest living person in the world is Jiroemon Kimura of Japan who is now 116 years old.
Louise Calment of France, was the oldest person that ever lived. She was reported to be 122 years old according to the Guinness Book of World Records reports.

Sad news gardening

This morning when my phone rang early, I thought it was one of my friends just checking in.
It was indeed one of my friends checking in, but with very sad news.  His mum had passed away in the hospital last night. She was another one of my much loved "Mums" who inhabit my life. A darling lady, with whom I had just had a long laughter-filled chat only a few days ago.
The tears fell and fell and fell.

Every time someone dear to me passes, I am plagued with an avalanche of flies in the house. Today was no different. Even though there are insect screens on the windows, the house was inundated with flies...happens all the time. Have no idea where they arrive from, but they hang around for a while, and then vanish as quickly as they came. Don't ask, I don't know why.

I thought I would spend the day in the garden, where I could meditate and have my thoughts all to myself.
My day in the garden went a little something like this:
Decided that the Pomgamia needed a real good trim. It had grown a bit too high, and was now blocking the view of the harbour from the patio.
Borrowed my neighbour's pole saw and started to do the deed.

Of course you know who kept an eye on the proceedings as only he can.

 

This looks kinda dangerous. Better keep my eye on this thing.

Wonder if it's this thing that's making Mum cry

I have got this under control

Do you see Mr. Daredevil?

I had already warned him twice to be careful, and he sits right down beside it

 

Trimming underway

Took a water break and snapped this photo

All finished

Now my view of the coast is no longer obstructed.

I miss "Mums" already.