Saturday at 7

After all the rain that we had been having during the past few months, the accumulation of black mold was everywhere.  This could easily cause a nasty fall when wet with its slippery surface on the driveway.  It was time to get it cleaned.

Our family is quite close, and when I mentioned my project to one of the younger family members earlier this week, he immediately said that he would come over and help me with my task.
"Saturday at 7," he said.
"Are you sure?" I asked (For I know the younger folk love to party after work on Fridays.)
"Yes," I'll be there," he replied.

The last time I cleaned the driveway, I was clothed in a rain poncho, and despite my special haute couture for that occasion I still ended up covered with debris all over.....I was glad for the offer to clean it this time around.

Seven o'clock found me outside trimming back my crotons and sweeping the walkway at the side of the house.
Seven-thirty, and I was raking cut grass from the lawn.
Eight o'clock and I was cleaning around the golden palms at the front of the house, which included removing the spent palm frond with the hummingbird nest that had been vacated.
Eight-fifteen, and my helper pulled up.  He did not want to keep too much noise in the neighbourhood too early he told me.  I told him that my neighbours are up and about very early.  There were already two of them outside mowing their lawns.
Out came the pressure washer....a Honda GX 2000 which worked like butter.....so smooth.....and made quick work of the area.

I was impressed and since I'm in the market for a pressure washer, I may look into one like that.
Worked like butter I tell you.
A full tank held Bds$10.00 (US$5.00) and did quite a bit of cleaning.....I was VERY impressed.

Well it being Saturday, and with Beast all ready and able to go, I took a quick jaunt out to the supermarket to recycle my bottles, and to visit the plant nursery for my special philodendron plant that I said I would return for.
I had also lost a croton plant earlier this year, so I bought a small replacement as well.
The nursery was filled with folks making their early Christmas plant purchases....so much so, that I was amazed at the few remaining philodendrons to choose from.

Back home, I fed Brownie and myself quickly, and then took a quick rest before heading outside again to finish cleaning up.

Crash!! Bang!!   Garbage bins were being thrown back against the walls....music to my ears, the garbage collection crew came out this evening after not showing up yesterday.
A great end to a tiring day.

Always expect the unexpected

All week I'd been trying really hard to accomplish several chores, in order that I could go out for a jaunt today and join my girlfriends at an auction sale.....but it was not to be.
I awoke early as usual and took care of some household chores, had a shower, dressed and was out the door.
As soon as I entered the garage and said "hi" to Beast....(yes, I do that), I realised that he had a flat tyre on his rear left side.
Now I know I've said it before, and I'll say it again... the reason why I love my Beast so much and have held on to him for so many years is because he looks out for me.  He would never ever have had a flat tyre on the road.....any ailment on his part he always brings me home safely and then gets sick.  This morning was no exception.

To make matters worse, I discovered that someone had hit my front bumper on the same left side.

I have no idea how or when it occurred.  The last time I drove Beast to the market was probably when the "someone" did the deed.  People are so dishonest these days.  This is damage that I will have to fix myself.
In the photo above, you can get a glimpse of my friend who came by to help me change the tyre.
He also gave me a ride to my favourite tyre repair shop since my spare didn't look too reliable.
He could not understand why I wanted to visit the tyre shop "on the highway", but I told him that they provide good service and when they fixed  a tyre it was properly fixed....no aches and pains afterwards like at some other tyre shops, where the tyre magically deflates the following day or some other problem surfaces with the tyre.

My favourite tyre repair shop has a long bench to sit and wait and watch tv while your tyre is being repaired.

I kid you not, I was there all of five minutes.  My tyre needed a new valve and it was installed so quickly that I didn't even realise that the repair guy was finished until he rolled the tyre out to me and announced, "It done! You good to go!!"

Quick efficient and reasonable service....gotta love it.
Back home where my friend replaced my tyre and it was all good.
Thanks to Vincent and his crew.....thanks guys....I will always drive to your shop "on the highway"....always.

Today

This morning started out with dark clouds and a downpour of rain that hid the entire horizon and obliterated the harbour and the city environs.
The rain came in off the sea which is not unusual for this time of year.
Despite the rainfall, I was still able to make out the Carnival Valor cruise liner making its way into the port......after all, today was Wednesday, where else would she be, but here?

Carnival Valor

I watched for a few minutes while she berthed safely, and then as if waiting for a cue, the sun broke out from behind the clouds with such intense heat, that I was amazed.
In "two twos" the ground was dry and the leaves on the plants were no longer glistening with raindrops, so I took a walk outside with you know who.

The crotons were flowering

My special heliconias were also putting on a show.

I could not ignore my neighbour's ixora in full splendour.....isn't that a gorgeous pink?
After our quick walk and a nice breakfast, I settled down to some indoor chores and Brownie settled down for a chit chat with his two mouse friends.

Old friend (no limbs, no tail, no eyes, no whiskers) Mousee, and Big Blue Rat.

I have no idea what he says to them before he starts biting them and then licking them and then another round of biting, and more chit chat....wish I knew though....it always makes me laugh.

Lunchtime......

 Stir-fried veggie rice with chicken and salad adorned with the yummy Chick Fil-A sauce that traveled home with me from VA.....who's laughing now?????
Mr. BrownBerts enjoyed his lunch too, and settled down for his afternoon siesta with a full tummy.

A nice day indeed.

And they're off.....

I heard the excited twittering this morning immediately after I opened my bedroom window.
Reminded me of a small child on a bike riding free for the first time and squealing "Look Mum I can do it!!!"

 Empty nest

Upon further investigation, I was happy to see that the young hummingbirds had flown the nest and were flitting from branch to branch, and then flying off by themselves into yon and yonder. The excitement of their tweets rang throughout the early morning air.
Mum sat not too far away on a swaying palm frond looking on and keeping close watch.

I had never seen a hummingbird at rest before, and it was quite interesting to watch.

Keeping a very close eye on her new offspring

One little baby hummingbird at rest between the palm fronds twittering merrily away.

It's amazing, at least to me, how fast they have learned to fly.  They were just wrapped up in a cocoon-like nest a few days ago being mouth-fed by their mama.  Now they were sailing through the air with wild abandon.  Very impressive.
Isn't nature grand???

A week of sunshine

Finally a week of sunshine to get my delayed gardening chores completed.
Lots of trees and shrubs were trimmed, grass was cut, and guess what.....the garbage collection guys actually came out early Friday morning and took away all the bagged trimmings.....happy dance.
I also discovered a weed killer that kills only the weeds in the lawn and not the grass itself.....my new spray can was on the job again.  I really don't like using the chemicals but it's sometimes necessary until things are back under control.

I also had a chat with my neighbour in the back and we've decided to keep the area devoid of all bush due to the robberies that have just occurred.  I cleared the overgrown path that leads to the quarry which will make it easier for us to dump all the debris over the edge of the quarry when we're finished debushing the area.
By the time we have completed that project Brazen and company will have no kind of shrubbery to relax in and should move on to other areas.
As per doctor's orders I'm having oats for breakfast to help correct the cholesterol problem that has just surfaced.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around how does a vegetarian like me end up with a cholesterol problem.

A nice steamy hot bowl of oats with a squirt of honey and apple slices.

Brownie still has a couple more days to go on his medication.  Here he is jumping up to say hello while I lay on the couch watching the news after lunch.

Yesterday afternoon, my friend came by to help me dig out the old palm tree roots outside the grass verge entrance.  They were all dried up but still tough for me to dig out.  It took a little while to get the job done because my nosy neighbours kept on coming by to say "hello" and to investigate and share their opinion on the process.  I never bother them when they're working on any of their outdoor projects, but mine seem to be fair game for them to be malicious.....every single time.

The robber has been spotted in the neighbourhood again....a young man wearing a hoodie and a backpack to put his stolen treasures in. He operates during the day it seems, and everyone is on edge.
Spoke to another friend today, and he said to me, "Don't get down there in your own house and be frighten of no punk, give me  a call when he shows up at your place, I will deal with him."
Told him I'm not afraid, just wary, because he seems determined to hit every single house in the neighbourhood......he'd better be very careful not to choose my home.

No Saturday jaunt for me today.....spent the morning cutting grass out in the back garden and the afternoon indoors cleaning.....I am a very tired bunny tonight.