Coconut Man - Keith

Every morning, Gary and I get up and walk along the beach and then the boardwalk.  It is such a nice thing and I am not taking it for granted.  I'm trying to enjoy each and every day that I am granted this continued privilege.  Well, today - we are walking along and I almost run into this rope that is hanging from the coconut tree.

 
Notice the coconuts in a bunch at the bottom?  We have met this guy that collects the coconuts each morning along the beach.  Then, I noticed that this same guy was pulling a cart along a streetside when I would take Gary to work each day.  That is when I made the brilliant observation that this guy was collecting the coconuts by our beach and then selling the coconut water to our neighborhood.  So, now Gary and I stop at least once a week and buy a quart of coconut water from him.  Gary has started drinking more of the coconut water instead of diet Cokes which I think is a very healthy food choice.  It is also kind of neat knowing that the coconut water we are drinking was from the coconuts by our beach.

The first time that I bought some coconut water from this guy - he smiled and said - "I know you, you and your husband walk along the beach each morning."  He also said after I paided him "Respect" versus a thank you.  That is very important around here.  In other words, he was thanking me for showing him respect by purchasing the product from him.  Respect is a word that is used often here on the island.

I asked this guy what his name was and he said something like cocolobo....... and I looked at him dumbfounded and said "What?"  He smiled and said, just call me Keith.  So, Keith it is!  Would you like to meet Keith?  Here is his picture from this morning - he was up in the tree at the time that I almost ran into the rope.  Do you see him?

Funny things about the name Keith - the maintenance man here in our condos - same situation, where I asked him his name and he spouted off some long name and I went "huh?"  and he smiled and said, just call me Keith!  :)  So, Gary and I went to the beach this last weekend - and I asked the name of the guy that gives us our chairs and he said, just call me Jerry.  I looked at him and smiled and said is that your real name?  It was. I feel like I might have already told this story in a blog, but oh well - if I have - you got pictures this time to go along with the story.  I need to quit blogging and go answer my emails - UGH!

Turtle Nesting

These are the tracks of a sea turtle.  Probably a female that is at least 20 years old.  She is returning to the same area of beach from which she was hatched.  She will try to lay her nest of eggs.  Gary and I walked up on these tracks this morning on our morning walk on the boardwalk.  Here is a picture of the nest:

Although, a grounds keeper for the boardwalk saw me taking the picture and he walked up and told me that the female turtle was unsuccessful with this nest - because the ground was too hard.  I would really like to see some hatchlings bubble up out of a nest.  This grounds keeper said I had the best chance of seeing this on a full moon right at dusk.

Hand Signals

Picture taken from our veranda of a Sunday regatta.  Happens often on Sundays.   

After living on this island for 2.5 years, I learned today that when someone is waving their arm up and down, out of their car window, that it means they are telling you to slowdown - that they are slowing down.........

And yesterday I learned that I could go to this counter at Big B(name of super market) called Surepay and pay all of my utility bills from that one place!!!

I Only Have Eyes For You

Had a great day at the beach yesterday.  It was cloudy all day and there was a gentle, cool breeze blowing for most of it.  We watched some sand crabs that were busy slinging dirt out of their holes.  We learned the name of the guy who brings us our umbrella and chairs each time - Jerry.  No rain.  Good day.

These sand crabs that we were watching - did something that I had never witnessed before.  Gary said he had seen this on the discovery channel once.  But, what one of them did - was start beating with it's front two legs - very fast on the sand in front of it.  The other one looked on with interest....  The crabs have these huge eyes that stick out of the top of their heads and once when we looked at them - they were hidden behind a sand dune and the only thing we could see was their eyes.  Gary reminded me of the Simon and Garfunkel song "I Only Have Eyes For You."  I sure wish I had had my video camera so that I could have taped this mating ritual between the two crabs and played that song in the background - it might have gone viral on the internet.

Another loving thing that I witnessed yesterday was this elderly couple.  They were probably in their late 80's or early 90's.  She was walking with a walking stick in each hand.  They slowly hobbled down to the ocean.  The old man helped his wife walk into the water and then he went back for the two noodles and made sure her walking canes were secured in the sand.  They stayed out there in the water for a while.  But, it was so cute to watch them when they got out of the ocean.  The little man hobbled up to the shore first, he got the walking canes ready and then hobbled back to the edge of the water - and helped his bride walk away from the water successfully with the two walking canes.  He then, hobbled back to the ocean and washed off the sand from the noodles.  Then, he hobbled again to help his wife up the beach to their chairs that were waiting under a shade tree.  I really enjoyed watching them and how the older man catered to his wife's needs.  It was just an 'ahh' moment for me.  

Why?

Why does there have to be such evil people in this world?  I don't understand how some human beings can do the things that they do.  Maybe they aren't really human - they have no soul - they have no heart.  What I am referring to is that someone killed a mother turtle with a knife last night on the beach and didn't even take her away for eating purposes - just killed her for the sake of it.  Why? Why would someone do such a horrible thing?

Gary and I were walking on the beach this morning and walked up on two people with the turtle preservation group - and they were taking pictures and cleaning up the beach location.  We stopped and talked with them and they told us that a mother turtle had come up on the beach and laid her eggs and then was headed back to sea - and someone stabbed her with a knife and then just left her there to die.  The killers did, of course, rob the nest of all the fresh turtle eggs.
I understand that turtle eggs are good to eat and a delicacy, but seriously - why did they have to kill the mother and just leave her there to die?

Just as the sun rises in the morning, it also sets in the evening

 I have never thought of taking a picture of Gary and I from the back.  Tony and Rosey Ross gave us the idea while they were visiting us this last week.  I like this picture - it is showing that we are focusing on something else and not on ourselves.  God's beauty.  God's creation.  God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  He created everything that is in the world.  Without him, nothing would be made that is made or allowed to be, unless he allowed it to be.  It is also showing that everything must come to an end - here on this human earth.  Just as the sun rises in the morning, it also sets in the evening.  God is so gracious and loving and merciful!  I want to be a better witness for him here in Barbados.  There is something that he wants me to do - that hasn't been done yet - I need to be open to his will and his timing.  The sun will soon set upon this time frame in my life - may I hear and do as God commands me.

I really enjoyed the Ross's visit last week.  I learned some things from them.  Tony was constantly asking me questions, such as "how far is Barbados from the equator?"  I found myself constantly having to tell him that I didn't know the answer.  It came to my realization that I need to want to continue to learn - no matter that I am getting older, it is never too late to learn.  So, I'm happy to tell you that Barbados is 13 degrees north of the equator.  A degree is around 69 miles.  Rosey showed me many new found goodies for the kitchen.  She gave me the most awesome and very simple roast recipe!  I'm not sure I will ever be able to do any other kind of roast except this one.  They visited us here in Barbados, but I think I'm the one that got the most out of the visit!  :)

The Royal Wedding

I had the privilege today of viewing the royal wedding of William and Kate - here in Barbados - at the home of some good friends who happen to also be British!  It was quite fun!  :)  So, the party started at 5:00 am at Heather's home.  Everyone brought some food for breakfast.  There were British flags waving and many, many gleeful shouts as this and that happened.  Of course, these ladies knew all of the royal family's names, how old they were, etc.  I enjoyed it all - but, I particularly enjoyed the ceremony itself.  I loved all the hymns and music and the words - Jesus Christ - that I heard so often throughout the ceremony.  It made me want to jump up and run home to Gary and tell him how much I loved him.  It made me want to be a better wife - the way that I know my Lord Jesus Christ wants me to be.  I loved the ceremony.  I loved the whole thing.  But, I would have to say that I would rate that kiss about a 6!  :)  Here is a picture of Nicole kidding around with her wedding hat - she realized that it needed to be moved to the side of her head after seeing the latest trends in London!  Also, I have attached a picture of Heather's home - where she had strung up the British flag banners around her den.

Sheating on the red!

I'm trying to become a lady golfer.  I would like to say that I'm giving it my best - but, probably not.  I mean, after all, I don't like to watch the golf channel in my free time, nor do I like to pick up the golf magazine for my reading pleasure.  But, I have committed to go playing this sport, for the time being, at least once a week.  I have met this new friend, her name is Sylvie.  She was born and raised in France and spoke only French.  Then, her husband 'Jon Louie' moved them to the Caribbean islands 24 years ago - and she has done very well at picking up the English language.  Much better than I would have done if I were in her shoes.  OK, so - Sylvie and I were allowing these two guys to play through us in our game of golf yesterday.  We were waiting patiently over on the side and watching them.  And, lo and behold - these two guys walked up to the red tees (ladies and children's tees).  Sylvie turned to me and said, "Ah, they are sheating on the red!"  At first, I didn't know what she meant - but then I just died laughing.  I said, "Do you mean they are cheating on the red?"  Anyway, it was funny to me.  We had a third partner with us yesterday, a lady from England - Ann.  After we ladies had played 9 holes of golf, we went to the club to freshen up before playing the back 9 and Ann looked at me and said, "Is the loo open?"  I immediately told her yes and off she went to find it.  Now, 4 years ago - when I was still living in Texas - I would not have known what in the blazes she was referring to.  But, I knew from our living in Europe that that meant the bathroom.  Gary found this wonderful internet site that gives the British words and what they mean to us Americans.  Funny.  But, I love both Ann and Sylvie and am so glad that they are part of my life right now.

Oistens

I didn't have to have the car today  - Yeah!!!  More time for me to get some things done around the home.  Catch up on my blogging! :)  Am I a recluse?  I wonder, because I sure enjoy my times of solitude.  I enjoy doing laundry, cooking, and making my home beautiful.  I decided to get my exercise for the day by walking down to Oistens Fish Market.  It is not that far of a walk.  It took about 20 minutes to walk down to it.  I have learned which counters to go to for fish such as red snapper or dolphin (people in the states call it mahi mahi, it definitely isn't flipper).  I wanted some dolphin for our supper tonight - so, I went to that counter.  I took a video of the lady cutting the dolphin up for me - that is the video you see at the beginning of this blog.  I picked up several limes to rinse the dolphin off with.  I didn't have to go to the super market for my vegetables, because there were several vendors right by the fish market.  I got 3 beautiful tomatoes, 2 onions, cabbage, 2 cucumbers and some papaya. Yum - we will have the papaya tomorrow morning for breakfast!  I will use the cabbage to make some slaw to go with the dolphin tonight.  And the onions are going in a squash soup that I will hopefully get around to making before the weekend arrives.  It is fun, this island.  I love being able to get all this fresh fish.  I didn't realize it, but Barbados is one of the highest countries in terms of how long people live!  I'm sure it is because of all this fresh fish and chicken.  Oh, on another note:  as I was walking home, I saw a mother hen with her chicks picking away for food in a neighboring yard.  You see this everywhere in Barbados.  Hens, roosters, and chicks roaming freely by the roadsides.  It is a wonder that there are not more dead birds in the streets - run over by the cars - but, there isn't.  Those birds know to stay out of the way.  But, it was fun watching them use their feet and scratch the dirt away to see if there was anything to eat underneath.  Even though I consider myself a country girl from Tupelo, Mississippi - I have never been around roosters and hens until now.  Gary and I are so amused by them.  They are fun to watch, especially on all those days when we are stuck in traffic trying to get Gary to work!  Also, I saw a guy with a surf board crossing the street - he was running across - and tried to jump the curb on the other side - he missed!!!  He doubled over in pain.  When I got up to where he was, I asked if he was ok - he said yes, that the board had saved him, but unfortunately the board had not fared as well.  I'm afraid he broke that board!  Well, that is all I know for today, here is a picture of what a dolphin looks like:
 

The Morgan Lewis Stone Tower Windmill Production March 2011 Barbados, We...

Jennifer and Queen's Park on Christmas Morning

First, let me say that God is so good!  It continues to amaze me at how God works in my life.  The people that he has weaved so beautifully into my life are so very special to me.  I want to tell you about one such person here in Barbados, whose name is Jennifer.  I am just now writing this blog entry even though it happened two months ago at Christmas, because I was waiting for a time that I could devote to writing the blog up right.  Because this event merits my full blog effort and not something that is hurriedly posted.  I hope you enjoy this.

I had started going to a workout center called Garfield Sobers Complex with my next door neighbors, David and Tonya.  That is another blog story to tell on how I met David and Tonya.  But for now, suffice it to say that David and Tonya were very gracious to me and offered to pick me up each day and take me with them to work out.  I immediately was drawn to a 9 o'clock class that lasted for one hour.  David and Tonya preferred to work out with the machines and weights and they also loved to walk outside around the complex.  So, sometimes my class would end before David and Tonya were through with their walk and I would wait for them on the front steps of the gym.

So, one day I was waiting on David and Tonya and I heard this lady behind me talking with her coworker about her son who had just been diagnosed with ADHD.  She was so distraught and was talking and wringing her hands about how this could be and what was she to do.  I just listened, I doubt they were even aware that I was sitting there.  My heart went out to this woman - I hurt with her - because I knew what she was going through.  You see, my son James, also has ADHD.  And we discovered this when James started 1st grade.  It was a very hard road for James and for his parents.  Lots of struggles that we went through over the years - but, I am happy to say that James finished with a Global Supply Chain Management degree from Texas A&M with an emphasis in Finance.  James has done well and he learned how to manage his life and to make the most of it.  During those first years with James, I did a lot of research on ADHD.

So, when I saw David and Tonya leaving the gym - I got up from the steps that I was sitting on and for some reason, felt very compelled to give this lady some words of encouragement.  So, I did.  I turned around and told her that I too was a mother with a son that had been diagnosed with ADHD and that I wanted her to know I understood what she was going through.  And if there was one thing I could tell her, it would be to give him a lot of attention and love.  This lady thanked me and I turned around and left.

About a week later, I was again waiting on David and Tonya and this time - I waited out in the parking lot away from the front steps of the gym.  I was sitting on a curb by the parking lot with my back to the gym.  I heard this voice behind me - asking how I was doing - and I turned around - and it was this mother.  Her name is Jennifer.  We talked for a while about everything.  She started telling me what she was considering doing with her son and I started telling her what I had done.  And that was that - instant friendship was made.

One day, I don't remember the exact conversation - but, she said something about church or something and I looked at her and asked "Are you a Christian?"  She said yes and then I realized how come we were both so instantly connected to each other.  I realized that God had put us together.  Isn't it amazing how he works in our lives, when we are the least expecting it?

Around Christmas time last year - 2010, Jennifer asked me one day if I was interested in going to a very special event that happened in Barbados on Christmas morning.  I was ecstatic.  Yes, of course, I was interested.  To do something that was a true custom in Barbados and wasn't connected to the tourism industry.  I love to experience the life, people, places and food of all the places that I have lived in the last 3 years.  I have learned so much through these experiences.

Jennifer, started building this event up to me every time I would see her at the gym.  She told me that I needed to have a hat!  Oh boy, for all of you that know me, I like to blend into a group and not stick out and be noticed.  I have never, ever worn a hat (except maybe when I was a child at Easter).  She told me I needed to wear a nice dress and to be prepared for something totally awesome.  She kept telling me this event was at the park.  I had no idea at the time, where she was talking about.  It was what they call Queens Park.  Jennifer told me that I would need to get up early - like at 5 am early on Christmas morning!  Yikes!  I knew that we were picking James and Ali up at the airport on Christmas Eve night at midnight and I knew by the time we got their bags and got home and got settled, we would not be in bed before at least 2 am.  But, I wanted to go so badly, that I was determined to do it.  I asked James, Gary, Ali and Alisha who would like to go with me - and Alisha said she would.

I had a dilemma though - I didn't have a hat!  I was mentioning this to one of my lady friends with my church small group time and she said she would loan Alisha and I two of her hats.  And that was that!  She loaned me a red one and Alisha a black one.  Jennifer said she would meet us at the front entrance to the Queens Park at some time - I actually can't remember when it was now - let's say 6:00.

I successfully found Queens Park and parked the car and was on time with Alisha and our hats!

Jennifer was right.  It was like nothing I had ever seen or experienced before.  It was enchanting.  It was magical.  It was fun.  It was uplifting.  There was excitement and electricity in the air.  The Barbados Police Band was playing in the carousel.  The water fountain was beautiful and the grounds were well manicured.  And there were people coming into the park very nicely dressed - with their hats!  It reminded me of the olden days in the South where the ladies would come out with their hats on and the gentleman were walking by their sides.  (Gone With The Wind?) It was wonderful.  The police band played lots of Christmas music.

A mother strolled in with her daughters by her side, all smiles.  Adorable little girls with frilly dresses on and then the ribbons in their hair to match and the tiny little bracelets on their arms to match.  And their fathers carrying them so proudly.  Beautiful, stately women walking with gorgeous satin dresses.  Men, dressed in tuxedos - all different colors - and so very proud.  Whole families dressed in the same colors.  Everyone was happy.

I had asked Jennifer if I could bring a camera and take pictures.  She said "yes, of course."  I asked did she think people would mind if I took pictures of them and she said, "They WANT you to take pictures of them!"  So, I did.  I'm not a very good photographer.  Most of the pictures that I took - for some reason - were of peoples backs.  But, I hope you can get a feel for what the morning was like.

Jennifer invited Alisha and I to her home after we had strolled around in the park.  She served us several different kinds of delicious cakes and our first ever taste of a sorrel drink (which now is one of my favorites).  This is a custom in Barbados to have lots of cakes and sorrel made for people to come and go out of each other's homes.  Just fun and visiting all day long.  A week later, Jennifer invited Alisha and I to see a singing Christmas tree - no cameras were allowed - but, it was also just an awesome experience.  The church was packed with standing room only.  When I arrived at the church, I asked a gentleman outside if he could tell me where to enter the church.  He said, "I'll do better than that, I'll take you to a very special seating area."  He took us to the very front of the church!  The program had not only the singing Christmas tree but also dancing and drama.   Very well orchestrated.

I will forever have it in my memories of how God brought two friends together, if only for a season, to share in life and all of its ups and downs.  And how very fortunate I am to have been given this opportunity to sample Christmas morning traditions in another country far, far from my own.

THE HATS!
    

THE CHILDREN!

THE HAIR!

THE PEOPLES!

Sam

Saturday morning, Gary and I head back out to our favorite beach - Bottom Bay.  Forecast for the day was scattered showers, clearing as the day wore on.  A lot of times it will rain everywhere on the island, except on the east coast - where Bottom Bay is located.  So,we were hoping for a miracle of sunshine, but we didn't get it.  It stayed cloudy all day, but we still had a great time and ended up getting to experience something new.  It was quite different from the normal, and I have discovered that I enjoy differetness (new word I just made up).  I don't enjoy doing the same thing over and over.  We enjoyed just sitting in the chairs with the wind blowing on us from the ocean, eating our picnic lunch, talking about what we thought the future might look like for us, helping tourist take pictures of themselves on the beach, walking in the sand, etc.  When we were packing up to leave, Sam came up and asked us if we wanted to see a new beach that we had probably never seen before.  Sam is one of the local guys that hangs around the Bottom Bay area making money off the tourists.  He can climb a coconut tree in no time.  He sells jewelry, and as we were about to discover is also a tour guide on occasion.  We have talked with him many times in the past and so we felt comfortable letting him ride with us to this new beach.  Here is a picture of Sam walking on the beach at Bottom Bay and I was taking the picture from the cliff above.

So, Sam rode with us and showed us the way to another beach, and he was right - we had never been to this beach.  Truthfully, I'm surprised - because I thought Gary and I had found them all.  I don't think there would be any way that we would have found this beach on our own.  We had to go through pastures and go between houses, cows, and sheep.  But, there was a nice set of steps leading down to the beach - and folks, it was awesome!  It was low tide and there were shells everywhere.  I can not wait to go back and collect a bunch of them.  I want to make some shell Valentines, art work, and picture frames with these shells.  This is the first look at the beach after we walked down the stairs. Sam said that he comes down to this beach fairly often to bathe in the mornings.

Here is a picture of Sam and Gary:

We walked up on this pile of shells.  Sam said it is from people breaking open the conch shells to get the meat out of the shell and then the people leave the shells behind.

Up close picture of some coral and small sea shells lying all around

Here is an upclose view of a shallow pool where we could get into the water without fearing a wave crashing down upon us from the very harsh waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

Here is some kind of critter that Sam said was really good to eat.  I can not remember the name he called it. But, yes, I would try it after it had been cooked if ever offered to me.