Smile!!!

For the past few days, Mr. BrownBerts was making some strange mouth movements.  It seemed as if he were trying to get something that was stuck in his mouth out.  Mind you he was still eating like a horse with no problem, and barking quite heartily at whatever needed his attention.
 Earlier last month he had adopted this sucking/licking motion with his tongue and mouth, and for the life of me I could not figure out what was going on with him.
Remember he had been exhibiting this sudden rolling on the floor as if he were trying to get at an itch on his back?  Turns out he did indeed have a flea or two....I never saw any sign of them even though he is brushed every day.
I have said many times before that I don't like putting the harsh chemicals on my bow wows, but in this instance I needed to save his sanity immediately.
I ended up applying a Fipronex Duo Drop On flea/tick treatment recommended by the vet, and would you know it....three fleas surfaced to the top of his coat...after that no more rolling/itchy back.
And to think we had started him on phenobarbital  because his antics seemed like petit seizures.

Nosing around on the internet (whatever did we do without it?) I came across a few articles that caught my interest which led me to a vet visit yesterday...something was definitely going on inside his mouth.  I decided it was time for a check up and a teeth cleaning.
A quick sedative on our arrival at the vet, and I was ushered away to return in another hour.

 Apparently, my boy did have a sore in the upper left side of his mouth and an extra long piece of gum in front of one of his teeth which was taken off. Antibiotics for a week and he should be good as new.

 His smile is intact...

Hastings Rocks

Yesterday being Saturday, I was out and about on my jaunt....and boy oh boy was it a lovely jaunt.
I think I especially enjoyed my day out since I had not had the opportunity to go jaunting while I worked on the upstairs kitchen renovation.....it was good to be out and about again.
The heat was on, and soon I was feeling rather sweaty (sorry Mum....she always said that pigs sweat, men perspire and ladies glow)....so I guess I was glowing.
Lots of errands that needed to be taken care of in the "hot broiling sun" (another one of her sayings).....I do miss her.
With it being the end of the month, there are always a ton of sales and flea markets on the last weekend of the month.
You need not put your thinking caps on to know where I was headed.
I have my favourite flea markets, but today I visited the Hastings Flea Market on the south coast across from Hastings Rocks on the beach.

Hastings itself is a little town on the south coast of the island in the parish of Christ Church.
It was one of the first tourist resorts on the island during the 18th century.

 

Hastings Rocks

On the seaward side is a lovely beach called Hastings Rocks which is a great "chilling out" spot featuring a promenade with benches and a bandstand.
Affectionately known as "The Rocks", the original beach was a shoreline of rocks, and was badly eroded, but since its redevelopment, it is now made up of several sandy bays and tidal pools as well as artificial reefs. 
One of the tidal pools is a natural formation of coral around a shallow opening which provides an ideal swimming spot.
The inshore reef and tidal pools provide fishing grounds and is perfect for collecting exquisite shells and coral that wash ashore.

The history of the area is quite interesting....the land in the area was originally owned by the War Department.
Mr. Edward Carpenter, an ex-patriot and Manager of the Colonial Bank (now Barclays International Bank) secured a lease from the War Department for the area, and within a few months converted the section of rab land into the beautiful Hastings Rocks that we have today.
For about one hundred years, Hastings Rocks remained under the control of a "Rocks Committee" even after Government purchased it in December 1905.  It was then taken over by the Parks and Beaches Commission, and renovated and re-opened on February 19th 1971, and is now a public area.

The beach is hugged by the Richard Haynes/South Coast Boardwalk which meanders along the seafront from Rockley to Hastings Rocks.
This one mile long Brazilian hardwood boardwalk is perfect for an early morning jog, or a lovely evening sunset stroll with a loved one.

The elevation of Hastings Rocks was lowered to allow road traffic to enjoy this wonderful "open window to the sea" view. 
The project included renovating the beach since the rocks were almost completely eroded by wind and waves. The new beach was created from sand dredged during the construction work at the Bridgetown Port and now boasts several headlands and an offshore breakwater.
Even with the renovated beach, the sea shore is still rocky with medium waves and an undertow that should be respected, therefore caution is advised if one decides to take a swim.

Meandering seaside boardwalk

Spectacular views of the ocean....."The Rocks" is a favourite spot for church fairs, weddings, parties and outdoor performances.

Beautiful expanse of beach.

The area includes a bandstand where many open-air performances are held especially by the Royal Barbados Police Band.
I remember as a child my parents taking me to listen to the Police Band here at The Rocks.

Beautifully landscaped promenade with a bandstand and benches.

Perfect photo opportunities.

Incredible ocean views popular with visitors and locals.

Located at the western end of Hastings Rocks is Blakey's Bar & Restaurant , a favourite after-work and entertainment spot for locals....may I add that the food here is delicious....ask me how I know.

I could stay here all day...at this picturesque Hastings Beach......but...where was I headed originally?

Oh yes, the Hastings Farmer's Market across the street.

Visited the stall of a Guyanese vendor who "seems to know" all about weights and measures.  I have never seen a scale or a calculator operate like him.....no fooling me though.

He always has the best produce, but keep your own tally of what you're purchasing.
I came away with all my ingredients to make a lovely big pot of vegetable soup.

I enjoyed my day out....I took care of my errands, I visited a few friends, I had a lovely seaside walk and to top it off, came home with some good food.

Ten cents drop!!

A day last week, I think it may have been Friday, I ventured into the city to take care of a few bill payments. Wending my way home through Swan Street, a street filled with one door stores run by Syrians and Indians and choc-a-block with all manner of folks selling everything under the sun alongside the sidewalks, I came across an old vendor selling avocados, what we refer to as "pears" on the island.
I had already passed a few others selling avocados, but when I stopped to query the price, I thought it was a bit extravagant for the size being offered for sale.
To be honest, I always try to spend my money with the older vendors who are trying to make a living outside of their monthly pensions.
There sat this old gentleman with a cart filled with fruit and vegetables and an array of "pears."
"How much for the pears?" I asked him.
"Three dollars," he replied.
"I would like one," I answered and immediately chose a lovely pear that was ripe and ready to eat.
He held out his hand for my payment which included a few coins. Checking the coins with his other hand, he suddenly cried out, "Ten cents drop!"
His cart was situated over a street drain, and I presumed the coin had fallen into the drain.  Thinking he would reach over and retrieve the coin later in the evening when he was packing up, I was just about to move off, when he again cried out, "Ten cents drop!"
I knew I had given him the money safely and it was no fault of mine that the coin had fallen from his grasp.
Not wanting to be mean, I said to him, "Why did you let the money fall?  I will give you another ten cents, and I reached into my purse and handed him another ten cent coin.
He smiled a toothy grin, and in that moment I began to wonder about the entire scenario.

The "pear" was lovely....smooth and buttery and it made some lovely sandwiches.
Today, as I made my way out of the city, I remembered the old gentleman and his "pears."

 I made a bee line for Swan Street, and there he was sitting once more with his cart positioned over the drain.....again.

 

Today, the pears were still three dollars, and I made sure I paid him with larger denominations.

The lovely smooth buttery textured pear

Today my pear cost me exactly three dollars, not three dollars and ten cents, and it was delightful.

Stop invading My Space

Monday afternoon lunchtime, Brownie disappeared for quite a while after running into the garden to "do his business."
I found it strange that he did not return indoors as accustomed after a ten minute interval.
I looked outside and there he was with his mouth full of feathers....looking closer, I realised that it was one of the big maguffy pigeons that keep on teasing him by sitting on the edge of the roof preening and pooping on the walkway.
His mouth full to capacity, Brownie was striding with pride, as if to say "Look Mum I finally caught one...they are always invading my space."
"Brownie!!  Drop it!!"
He gave me a look of disbelief and then dutifully dropped it on the ground.

It was still alive, but very stunned.....I think he was pretending to be dead.

My friend Charles was here helping me with an electrical installation.....we opened the back garden gate and gently placed the pigeon on the ground, whereupon he got up in a hurry and moved off down the hill, presumably to rejoin his other gangster pigeon posse friends.

Let's hope that he takes the message back to the others that they should not mess with the little brown dog that lives at this house....and let's also hope that he has learned a lesson....next time he may not be so lucky.

What happened here?

I won't even bother you with guessing your poor brains out with what's going on here.
It's quite easy really..... a good friend of mine was away for nine days visiting his mum in the UK.
"What would you like me to bring you? he asked.
"Oh the usual, some Lindt white chocolate and some Fox's biscuits"  I replied.
"Are you sure that's all?" he responded.
"I'm so sure, I couldn't be more sure," I told him.
Off he went for his nine day holiday, and returned on Monday afternoon.
My package was delivered just before 8pm, and by 8.30pm I had devoured the first bar of white chocolate......

Lindt LINDOR

Irresistibly Smooth

Swiss white chocolate with a smooth melting filling.

Need I say more?