Never a Dull Moment

 

NEVER a dull moment at the school in which I volunteer. Today was the Greek Feast for 1st Grade. Parents, Grandparents, extended family all come in to witness the event which the kids have been working on. It's a steady stream of people coming in and me directing them into the Library. 

A woman with a very heavy accent came in. She signed in and then I directed her to the Library.

She came back very confused talking rapidly. I got her to slow down. Turns out she was looking for a person's visitation/burial. Instead she found 1st graders dressed in togas. I pointed her in the right direction for the funeral home and she left.

Peace and Joy

 

A  nasty winter, stress in general makes me greatly appreciate Spring. I take such pleasure in the blooms in my garden, the chirping of the birds, the warmth of the sun and warm breezes on my face. Every flower in the garden is like a smile from God. 

Being outside brings me peace and joy. 

Isaiah 55:12“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” 

Where Did You See Jesus Today?

So the other night I ended up with having to take my husband to the hospital. The doctor was concerned he was possibly having a brain bleed or stroke. That wasn't the case but it was a very very scarey time. To calm myself, I pulled out a little notepad in my purse and began a page that had the title, Where Did I See Jesus Today?

I wrote:

• * His primary care doctor who is Hindi told me, "Have faith in God."
• *The Security Guard at place where he had the CAT scan passed me a note in the waiting room that said, "I am praying for you both"
• *The receptionist there showed such kindness to a man who mistakenly came to the wrong location for his x-ray. The receptionist right away found that person another appointment at another location within minutes of his originally scheduled time.
• *His Primary care doctor told me after the test to immediately take him to the ER and he would call ahead to let them know we were coming. We realized my husband had forgotten his wallet with ID and insurance cards. The person giving the CAT scan said don't worry, we have that on fie and are happy to print it out for you..
• *The 2 nurses that assisted him were so kind and made us laugh.
• *My son who helped me get in in the car and into the ER and brought the wallet to us then went back to our house and let out the dog.
• *My daughter who brought us dinner and kept us company.
• *My grandson who called and talked to us to distract us and made us laugh.

I always look for a lesson when things happen. So my lesson for this one is 

                                                              Jesus is EVERYWHERE!

So, where did you see Jesus today?

My Crazy Dog

He looks so sweet doesn't he? Actually he's a mad man! I've been taking him to training at Dauntless Dogs. Some of this is beyond me because he's so high strung. So tomorrow I drop him off at doggie daycare there and combine it with some leash training. I hope it works. 

 

Transporting Back in Time

 So this morning, I'm driving to the school and on the 70's channel on Sirius Radio pops up Chicago, Saturday in the Park.

Immediately I'm in my high school graduation hat and gown, walking toward the football field for the commencement exercises.  My last name then was Yori so I was 440th person in line. There were 4 walking behind me. Things were a bit boring as we waited. Zimmerman and Zephir were clowning around singing and pretending to be horns. Actually they were pretty good with making the trumpet sounds with their lips.  As we waited and processed, they performed Saturday in the Park by Chicago. I wish I had known all those years ago that those days were among the best days of my life. So glad God let me be transported back in time today.

"People reaching, people touching
A real celebration
Waiting for us all
If we want it, really want it
Can you dig it? Yes, I can
And I've been waiting such a long time
For the day"

Here's the Youtube link to Chicago's Saturday in the Park:  https://youtu.be/yXNAGgCxBSA

It's been along time since I babbled.....

 ....but here we are....I'm a lot older than the last time I did. 11 years to be exact....This July I'll be 70....WTH! Where did the time go? In one of my more insane moments I decided to buy a miniature poodle puppy. What 69 year old woman in her right mind gets a puppy? I named him Angelo. 

He's named for my father's brother who died at 6 weeks old from the Spanish Flu.  My Dad used to take my grandmother once a month to the cemetery to visit the grave of Angelo and her stillborn infant, Giovanni.  Just before Dad died I took him to the cemetery to visit the grave of his baby brothers. So Angelo (Italian for Angel) is not just an angel to me after the loss of my beloved Luigi the Cockapoo but a nod and tribute to my Dad. 

watching the water...

Its back home...a day of relaxation. Sleeping in. Watching the water go by. Slots tournament. Watching the water go by. Shopping onboard. Watching the water go by.  Gambling. Watching the water go by......good bye hot humid weather and back to the not so hot humid weather. I will miss the aqua color water and the sandy beaches...until next time.

Grand Bahama Island

Early Day and a short day to boot. Todays excursion was to the Garden of Groves. It was beautiful with 4 waterfalls, a labrynth, lots of ponds and beautiful birds and vegetation. We learned about a healing plant/tree, Neem. In fact I bought some insect repellant, tea and a variety of sample products. Bahamians use lots of plants for healing and special purposes. That was a theme on all 3 islands.

I always buy one piece of small art where ever I go. So I bought a piece of art from a local artist. He was selling his matted prints so cheap. I gave him more money than he wanted for it. He said he sold them cheap because he needed to do that to sell them. But I argued that paying for the print, matting it and packaging doesnt  leave him much profit. He was so talented and kind. I hope he sells out all his art.

Our bus driver and tour guide Al was a hoot. I enjoyed his jokes. We had a really nasty lady on the trip. She kept saying he should tell us all this crap so many times. Later when we were at the Garden, a young Asian woman was translating for her mother. The nasty lady told her to be quiet. I wanted to jump over the seat and strangle her. Later I offered to take a photo of the Asian family and I apologized for that womans rudeness. I was so embarrassed about her behavior.

On the way back we went to the Port Lacaya shopping center. We only had a hour so we didn't shop. We decided to eat lunch instead.

Now back to the ship for shopping and dinner at the Steak House with the group from the club.

Half Moon Cay

We took the most awesome eco tour today.  It was in the lagoon by boat. The tour guide was very knowledgeable. Glenn agreed that it was one of the best we have been on.  Stupid me brought one ticket fortoday and one for tomorrow. Fortunately it was on an island that belongs to the cruise lines so they were able to print a duplicate.

After the tour we were dropped off to the island barbecue pavilions. The food was very good. There were roosters and chickens running all over begging for hand outs. At one point Glenn was going to get something to drink and I was eating. All of a sudden I hear people hollaring. A rooster had jumped on the seat of the picnic table and was about to eat Glenns lunch.  After lunch we headed back to the boat. Tomorrow Grand Bahama Island.

Grand Turk

Happy Birthday to me.  Up early and off the ship for our excursion. We were taken around the island via an open bus.  Grank Turk is one of 30 islands and cays. It is not the largest nor the most populated but it is the Capital so there are lots of government agencies there.

During our tour, we saw a replica of Friendship 7,  the capsule John Glenn landed in only 10 miles off the island. We visited the lighthouse and went off road to a beach where they had submerged a kayak and used it for a touch tank for anemones, conch, sand dollars and other aquatic life. The attendant demonstrated how to open a conch and sliced the poor thing up for an afternoon snack. Glenn ate some but I like my food dead and cooked so I passed. I just went off taking photos.

Wild donkeys were everywhere looking for a scratch and handout.

Back in the vehicle, we drove by their "hospital" and I thank God for my blessings. We stopped by a little shopping area. Most of the houses were nice some were obviously destroyed by hurricanes. They use the same numbering system our government uses when the search houses after hurricanes and they so spray paint them on the exterior walls. It made me sad to see a death count.

I counted 4 churches..one Catholic. 2 Angelican Episcopol and one 7th Day Adventist. And besides 2 elentary schools there was a high school and a community college. The CC had been a US Government NOAA facility.  We stopped at a little local market place. I didn't buy anything.

Then we were returned to the cruise center at the dock where I bought a necklace, earring, bracelet and we ate lunch at Margaritaville.

When we returned to the ship I found a wonderful birthday cake sent to me by Charmaine and Klem. What a nice surprise.

Day 3

Another wonderful day at sea...moving along to our islands and enjoying it. I spent most of the day reading and just relaxing. We did go to bingo and I was just one number away. Oh well.

We.went to a couple of sales but I only bought a new Nook holder.

In the evening we watched a show and tonight we decided just to eat in the Mermaid Grille instead of sit down dinner. Off to bed early because tomorrow is an island day and I need to get up early.

Day Two ...Day at Sea

Cruise Days...I love them. I got up early, grabbed a cup of coffee and my camera and off I went. It is so nice early on the ship when everyone is still in their cabins. I get to take those artsy fartsy photos with no people in the way.

Later I just sat on the top deck reading my book and watching the water go by. I love that part of the cruise...just watching the water. Later me and the DH went to play bingo. Not even close to a win but it was fun just the same.

Got to see some dolphins off the starboard side of the ship. I wasn't fast enough with the camera

At dinner we sat with 3 other couples from the club who were good friends with my parents. I knew Mom and Dad were there when the dining staff sang Dean Martin's That's Amore (one of Dads favorite songs and singers).  It was fun. They are fun people.

Oh I forgot to mention. When I arrived my roomwas decorated n Birthday decorations. At first I thought the cruise line did it but I found a gift slip. It was from my friends Charmaine and Klem. Nice surprise.

Day One Ship Ahoy

It was nice today seeing the couples from the club who are on the cruise. We spent sometime on the top deck going under the Bay Bridge. When we got to our room it was decorated for my birthday!

I enjoyed sitting on my balcony cruising down the bay. I have been a little disappointed in this trip so far. First off the decor is depressing. There are kids every where yet the ship has lots of classic art with lots of nudity. In fact in one of the lounges that you walk through to get to places there is a large paint of a nude woman "pleasuring herself".   I just feel its very inappropriate.

Then while at the casino I find you have to put your room key in the machine to get a credit for payout. I don't know about you but many times I have left my player card accidently in a machine. I worry someone will find my key that has my credit card associated with it and buy diamonds or booze, so sadly I will not be gambling.

One More Day

Then it is ship ahoy for me. I am headed off to the Eastern Carribean. My 6th cruise, it's been 7 yrs since my last one. Right after my last one Dad had a brain bleed. Then I was too afraid to be away from him. Dad passed away a year ago. And mom passed away a year and a half ago. now it's time for me to get back to my life and my traveling. Stay tuned for my cruise adventure. 

Day 4 Cousin Catch Up

Never a dull moment for me and Annie. By 9 am Annie got stung twice by a scorpion, I nearly stepped on a 5 ft rat snake and I found a dead chicken in the coop.

But the day got better when we went out to pull up our crab pots. We got a nice catch. Mike steamed them Maryland style. Our dinner was steamed crabs, clams and fish all caught by us.

 Tomorrow I leave I'm going to miss Cedar Key and my cousins.

Day Three Cousin Catch Up

Morning was sent hanging out and chatting. After lunch we hopped in the truck to go into town to shop.

I got all my gifts to take home then we rode around the islands just checking out the sights.

Of course I had to take photos of doors because that's just what I do. 

 

We visited a cemetery. So cool and old with the moss it was pretty spooky.

 After that we swung by to pick up Mike, a pizza and headed over to Mike's Uncles house. A great day. Tomorrow we clam.

Day 2 Cousin Catch Up

I forgot the blog yesterday. So here's my yesterday blog.  Well another day of cousin catch up. 

In the morning, I got up at the crack of dawn went out to the chickens and found a chick running around. Mike went in and retrieved it and found another one. Each day we have to be on the look out for the little ones so that the rooster doesn't kill them. The Mike put them in a little growing pen.

Aside from as usual talking til the Sun comes up mode. We also went out to catch our dinner. Yes you read right...caught dinner. We went out on the clam boat to various locations to set some crab traps that we will pull on Friday.  Mike caught mullet which we had for dinner. Now in some areas mullet is bait fish but evidently in this part of the Gulf because it's a conditions it is suitable for eating. Mike grilled fish and they were awesome.

Later in the day, Gina stopped  by. It was nice to see her aside from Facebook where I usual find her.    
...and of course we talked all night long, so that's why I forgot the blog so hopefully at the end of the day today I will do another one.

Day One Cousin Catch Up

Well I made it. Finally at my cousin Annie's. Mike her husband pulled out some fresh clams which were in no time cooked up into spaghetti with clams. Yum. It was fun going out to the garden to pick fresh herbs.

Sorry I didn't get a photo of the finished product but I was famished and couldn't wait to gobble them up. We spent the evening catching up on memories even singing " say, say playmate together" the song I taught her when we were little. Its late good night. ..more Adventures of Annie and Joanna tomorrow.

On the Road again.....One More Day...

...and I go to visit my cousin Annie, known to her friends as Anna but she'll always be Annie to me.

Here's a photo of Annie and I when we were kids and one with us last year. We haven't changed much, we are just xxxx years older, she's now taller even though she's younger, we both wear glasses... We were thick as thieves. In my heart, she was the sister I always wanted to have. You would never know we are cousins by looking at us. Yes I am 1/2 Italian but I got Mom's color genes so I always stuck out in the crowd at my Yori family get togethers. I used to pray to God to make me look more like my Italian cousins but I never got the tan. LOL

 Last year I went to visit her in Cedar Key, Florida with my Dad. It was his last plane ride anywhere. I just happened to have 2 free airline tickets courtesy of Delta SkyMiles (thank you Delta). I'm so glad I took him here. He had a blast.  Annie, cousin extraordinaire wears many hats, singer, song writer, children's book writer and Clammer. Yep you read right. She's a clammer. The only woman waterman there is down in Cedar Key. Some call her Clamourous!

Well Dad was in 7th Heaven because he could eat all the clams he wanted and believe me he could put away some clams and Annie and Mike (her husband) kept them coming.

Mike showed Dad around their operations, explaining to him how they seed the beds with clams and later drag up the bags to harvest them.

Dad was fascinated.  He really wanted to get on that vessel and have a hand it in but it was blowing pretty hard that day so Dad couldn't go. But Annie, God bless her sent text messages with little videos of them on the boat and the harvest so Dad could feel like he was right there.

A few month's later my Dad passed away, June 20, 2013 just a few days after Father's Day.  And now I am making this journey by myself on Tuesday but I know in my heart Dad will be with me again on this trip. And this time, I'm planning to go on that clam boat blowing or not and I'm taking Dad along with me in spirit as an extra hand.



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Here's a link to Annie's Facebook Music Page:  https://www.facebook.com/annawhitehodges

Back to the Eternal City

Ciao Fiuggi. A piece of my heart remains. But life moves on and I need to make my way back to my family and fur baby.

But before I go back I had one more day in Rome. After checking in to Nerva Accommodation, we hurried over to the Vatican for our guided tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. The guide we had this time was much better than the one we had in 2008.  I really enjoyed her. Jay had never been to either place so it was good that I managed to get the tour in spite of the millions of people here.

We got to see lot more than the last time but I still have not seen the whole thing. I would have to spend days.

Afterwards we tried to get in St Peters but the line was  long so we hoped a taxi back to Nervo.  Then Jackie and I went for gelati and shopping. On our journey we stopped by St Mary Major and I stopped to pray at the reliquary of the wood of the Holy Crib of Christ for my prayer list intentions. Then we stopped in the church store for a few things.

Now its back to our rooms until we leave tomorrow.

What a week. It has been an incredible journey for my soul and for my roots...I won't say goodbye because I will return one day. Rome and Fiuggi will always be a part of me and I of them .  Thanks for coming on this journey with me.