Good Ole Golden Rule Days–Readin’ and Writin’ and Rithmetic

August 11, 2015 sarren126@gmail.com Leave a comment

Good morning–did you know I was the Queen Of Halloween–that’s what Local Channel 6 http://www.clickorlando.com/ called me many years ago–I was even the lead story on the 11 pm news—-I’ve led a really weird life. Oh and the top picture is one of my trips to Edinburgh http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertyoverview.htm?PropID=PL_121 which wasn’t weird (at least most of it) but was a lot of fun. Worked yesterday and put more great stuff in my store https://www.etsy.com/people/sarren126

My school days were the happiest days of my life; which should give you some indication of the misery I’ve endured over the past twenty-five years. Paul Merton

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ANY BODY BUT ME NOTICE (links may contain spoilers)

http://www.enstarz.com/articles/101999/20150810/outlander-season-2-no-midseason-break-ron-moore-teases-new-schedule-video.htm

HOW DIFFERENT SAM (HEUGHAN) CAN LOOK FROM http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/02/outlander-sam-heughan-comic-con

place to place http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1537825/

Scene to scene http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/outlander-finale-shocker-jamie-fraser-is-raped—-read-the-recap-2015305

Gladly their all gorgeous. http://www.lallybroch.com/LOL/lairdbedroom.html

Check out the new faces: http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/outlander-season-2-cast-prince-charles-fergus-jared-1201516735/

I have had playmates, I have had companions; In my days of childhood, in my joyful school days – All, all are gone, the old familiar faces Charles Lamb

1970's SLIM ZIPPO Cross Hatched Lighter in Original Box

1970’s SLIM ZIPPO Cross Hatched Lighter in Original Box

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Anything goes week continues with School Days–Remembrances and Reality

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Yes I was young once upon a time–I remember an older kid (maybe a babysitter?) taking me to school that first day–the rest is just scattered odds and ends of my first two years of school (by the 3rd year we’d moved to another state and I was in church school—a place that is not always in my good memories.)

If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers. ~Edgar W. Howe

I do remember spankings—or at least a rap on the hands and not from a nun—my family was frantically Protestant–I remember one teacher, a nasty old maid that the parents raved about—as they were probably scared that she would do something to them if they didn’t. I didn’t have any problems being spanked as my parents didn’t spare the rod, except from her wrinkled old being who I believe had an ancestor who lived in a gingerbread house in the woods and served grade school children stewed in herbs for dinner.

Now days things have changed–but not as much as you might think:

“The U.S. Department of Education has reported that school-sanctioned spanking is most prevalent in Southern states – Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Louisiana. There are no state laws against spanking, although 27 states have policies against the practice and this year Pennsylvania is debating becoming the 28th. Spanking in schools is currently allowed in 23 states (although in many districts parents who object can withhold permission for school personnel to spank their kids). ” http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=90406

I doubt whether classical education ever has been or can be successfully carried out without corporal punishment.

AS one of the not cool kids I had a love/hate relationship with Recess. On the one hand it got me away from long hours of listening to a lesson which generally bored and dragged on and on—but on the other hand then I had to deal with the cool kids who bullied and abused. I did not take either lying down and so I was always getting in trouble for fighting (or I hung out someplace uncool with the few uncool characters like me and tried to pretend it didn’t bother me.)

Florida schools and I am sure other states have started to erase Recess from their school schedules but according to The American Academy of Pediatrics: “Recess is at the heart of a vigorous debate over the role of schools in promoting the optimal development of the whole child. A growing trend toward reallocating time in school to accentuate the more academic subjects has put this important facet of a child’s school day at risk. Recess serves as a necessary break from the rigors of concentrated, academic challenges in the classroom. But equally important is the fact that safe and well-supervised recess offers cognitive, social, emotional, and physical benefits that may not be fully appreciated when a decision is made to diminish it. Recess is unique from, and a complement to, physical education—not a substitute for it. The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that recess is a crucial and necessary component of a child’s development and, as such, it should not be withheld for punitive or academic reasons. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/131/1/183.full

My favorite subject was recess. Fortunately for me, I had a mother who believed I was smart.

Benjamin Carson

Another part of school I actually enjoyed is also under attack: Summer Vacation. When I was little (I think George Washington was president) we got out of school at the end of May (which also marked the beginning of summer reruns on TV–a bummer but we were kids what did we know) and Ended after Labor Day. Now days here in Florida where they are for spanking and against recess it should come as no surprise that kids start back in August–several counties are already back in school and more go back each week.

But just cause it seemed like a good idea it is still dated and needs to be reviewed: “Matthew Lynch in his EdWeek article, Year-Round Schooling: Why It’s Time to Change, says that when public schools first started popping up in the U.S., they were considered secondary to other hands-on pursuits. Learning to read, write and perform arithmetic in classrooms was valued less highly than was the work of building the nation and keeping up family farms.

The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research finds that the average American student is off from school 13 weeks/calendar school year — with approximately 10-11 of those being consecutive during June-August. Few other countries have this arrangement. Although 10 percent of U.S. schools have transitioned to a year-round school calendar with shorter breaks inserted throughout the year, the majority of U.S. schools still follow a summers-off schedule.

But why? There appear to be no perilous economic nor medical reasons that require three consecutive months off from school in the middle of the calendar. Does it remain so because it’s easier than changing it? ”

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/community-voices/article25609060.html#storylink=cpy

Adult: So when do you go back to school Me: can’t I just enjoy the rest of my summer without thinking about that? Unknown

So there you have it Spanking is still there, Recesses should be and summer vacations shouldn’t —maybe that’s the future your kids or grandkids will have.

“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” – B.B. King

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God made the Idiot for practice, and then He made the School Board.
The man who does not read books has no advantage over the man that can not read them.
Just the omission of Jane Austen’s books alone would make a fairly good library out of a library that hadn’t a book in it.
There is nothing training cannot do. Nothing is above its reach. It can turn bad morals to good; it can destroy bad principles and recreate good ones; it can lift men to “angelship.”
I never let my schooling interfere with my education.

All the above are from my favorite Mark Twain

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Everyone is stooping to the lowest common denominator. John Oliver

August 10, 2015 sarren126@gmail.com Leave a comment

This weekend it was pamper one’s self: Friday a couple of friends came by. We ordered Viet food —my first try and delicious http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g34515-c41-Orlando_Florida.html and watched some Outlander episodes https://www.starz.com/OnDemand as one of my friends doesn’t have Starz. Then Sat: First Hand and Stone for massage http://handandstone116.reachlocal.net/fl/orlando/ then nails and pedi….then shopping (30% off certificate, tax free weekend and a big sale) http://www.kohls.com/ and finally Mexican http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g34515-c29-Orlando_Florida.html for dinner and then home to veg. Sunday another day with friends–Welcome HOME Misty—BBQ, and good Friends—Safe Trip Home Mom and junior Diva “J”

The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses.

EMPIRE STATE Builing Figure with Therometer Vintage Souvenir

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An update on the books for those of us who actually read Gabaldon and the end of Outlander

http://www.outlandertvnews.com/2015/08/diana-gabaldon-comments-on-the-end-of-her-outlander-series/

I AM STILL WAITING FOR A DATE FOR THE RETURN OF MY FAVORITE SHOW AND MAN (SORRY CLAIRE)

“If you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you’re mis-informed.”
― Mark Twain

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This week is theme-less, just another one of those what ever comes into my mind kinda things (boy are you guys in trouble). Today it’s the news media:

Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets..”
― Napoléon Bonaparte

According to the Journal Sentinel Milwaukee

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/120368144.html

A new study on media consumption in the Midwest illustrates how this works in individual media markets like Milwaukee.

Heavy radio and Internet users here tend to skew Republican, while big television and newspaper users skew Democratic.

Viewers of Fox News, the Golf Channel, the History Channel, the Speed Channel, ESPN and Country Music Television lean Republican.

Viewers of MSNBC, CNN, Comedy Central, Lifetime and Bravo lean Democratic.

“I think the Cincinnati Enquirer must be edited by children.”
― Mark Twain

aM

My favorite news take is Fox News recent involvement in the Debate. Megyn Kelly irritated Trump and he over-reacted as to be expected. It has occurred to me that this might well have been done on purpose with the accused Republican backing network using the technique to try to displace Trump from the top spot allowing someone that can sway the middle and non-party voters to their cause—something Trump isn’t likely to do.

“… the man who never looks into a newspaper is better informed than he who reads them, inasmuch as he who knows nothing is nearer to truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.”
― Thomas Jefferson, Memoirs, Correspondence And Private Papers Of Thomas Jefferson, Ed. By T.J. Randolph

But Our Media covers more than politics:

HEALTH

A 2002 Gallup poll showed that many Americans consider television their most important source of news and information on health. It also showed that television is one of the least trusted sources of such news and information. I studied each of the 840 health news stories that appeared between February and May 2003 on four television stations (KARE, KSTP, KMSP, WCCO) in Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC534863/

His findings:

Too brief to matter—Brevity robs viewers of the chance to grasp the significance of health stories.

No full time health journalists

No data to back up sensational claims—Journalists not trained in the nuances of covering health and medical news may be more likely to report stories that make unproved claims of research pro

Hyperbole Science doesn’t work that way; it demands independent confirmation. So should journalists.

Commercialism— statements from private companies with no balancing statements from competing companies or other sources

Single source stories

RACIAL CONCEPTS

A content analysis of a random sample of Los Angeles television news programs was used to assess racial representations of perpetrators, victims, and officers. A series of comparisons were used to assess whether local news depictions differed from outside indicators of social reality. In a significant departure from prior research, they revealed that perpetration was accurately depicted on local TV news. Blacks, in particular, were accurately depicted as perpetrators, victims, and officers. However, although Latinos were accurately depicted as perpetrators, they continued to be underrepresented as victims and officers. Conversely, Whites remained significantly overrepresented as victims and officers. The implications of these findings are discussed in light of incognizant racism, ethnic blame discourse, structural limitations, and the guard dog perspective of news media. http://crx.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/04/01/0093650215579223.abstract

Travis L. Dixon, Department of Communication, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, 3001 Lincoln Hall,702 S. Wright St., Urbana, IL 61801, USA.

“The Press, Watson, is a most valuable institution, if you only know how to use it.”
― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Six Napoleons/The Adventure of the Crooked Man

SO WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE YOU & ME?

We are bombarded more than ever before by the printed (though the predictions of the death of the print media appears to be more and more a reality), digital, verbal and of course TV—When I grew up there were 3 stations (the networks) and possibly a local independent and 3 of those had news a couple times a day. Now we have 24/7 news reports with everyone vying to beat the other to get the new first, the fact no one has and the interview with the MIP (most important person). All in all it allows for less time to check the story, verify the sources and assure the truth (i.e. the no go zones in Paris on Fox News. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/12/paris-lawsuit-fox-news-reporting-no-go-zones-non-muslims)

So what’s a person to do?

1. Use your brain—Common sense has become a rare attribute in this computer age—As I have preached for a long time…..listen to what’s being reported and if it makes sense.

2. Never listen to just one news source. I listen to Fox on Monday, the three networks and on Friday my cable’s news network which is largely local.

3. If you hear a story that seems a bit odd, look it up—If you’re looking on the computer make sure it’s a good site–NEVER CHECK THIS BLOG—I am bias and often miss the latest news feeds–honest.

4. Don’t let your own bias color your perception so much that you accept news reports that may eventually leave you in a reality gap or a Paris no-go zone.

5. Complain and comment: Your local news stations do listen to input and praise. Use them to help keep things accurate. On line you can do the same thing. Even on Facebook: When someone sends an item on the poor injured party I look it up and if I find something amiss or wrong I post the article and I always try to use reliable sites and not the lunatic fringe that always has the unconfirmed and reactionary.

“I never read the paper myself. Why bother? It’s the same old shit day in and day out, dictators beating the ching-chong out of people weaker than they are, men in uniforms beating the ching-chong out of soccer balls or footballs, politicians kissing babies and kissing ass.”
― Stephen King, Everything’s Eventual: 14 Dark Tales

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WALTER CRONKITE

Picked in 1962 to anchor the “CBS Evening News,” and for two of the most tumultuous decades in American history, he was the authoritative voice of news in America, the man who told viewers that President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated, that men had walked on the moon and that the Vietnam War couldn’t be won.

Our job is only to hold up the mirror – to tell and show the public what has happened.

Walter Cronkite

Everything is being compressed into tiny tablets. You take a little pill of news every day – 23 minutes – and that’s supposed to be enough.

Walter Cronkite

America’s health care system is neither healthy, caring, nor a system.

Walter Cronkite

In seeking truth you have to get both sides of a story.

Walter Cronkite

This is Walter Cronkite, CBS News; good night.

His nightly sign-off line on CBS News (1962 – 1981)

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“I think the Cincinnati Enquirer must be edited by children.”
― Mark Twain

Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil is rightwise king born of all England. Mallory

August 7, 2015 sarren126@gmail.com Leave a comment

Hey it is Friday RIGHT? Did you miss me yesterday….back to the dentist who still wouldn’t release me. Had lunch http://smokeybones.com/ did a bit of shopping —have you ever tried Tuesday Mornings? A great place to get bargains. http://www.tuesdaymorning.com/ Met a friend for a couple of drinks before she ran off to (wo)man a food truck http://www.timeout.com/newyork/restaurants/is-the-age-of-the-food-truck-finally-coming-to-an-end and a meet up group. Had fun–oh an an oldie but goodie movie I’d recommend: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thank_You,_Mr._Moto_(film)

I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too.

EMPIRE State Building SOUVENIR from New York Brass 8"

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HE IS SO EASY TO HATE…BLACK JACK WITH CLAIRE AND JAMIE….http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/outlander-season-2-producer-teases-plot-brianna-roger-casting-production-updates-1503809

I’m William Wallace, and the rest of you will be spared. Go back to England and tell them… Scotland is free!

William Wallace

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So today I end the week on my favorite places with a look at Europe:

I must admit that my travels in Europe are limited–all but one day there has spent in England (3 times in London), Scotland (2 times in Edinburgh) and Ireland (2 in Dublin)……so it isn’t just the UK https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uk.html.

In England we burnt redheads at the stake, because we thought they were witches. There are still young redheads in Britain getting ripped for having red hair. ‘Oy, Ginger!’

My family is mostly Scottish with a bit of Welsh thrown in for good measure (and an errant Norman Pettit http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Pettit on my mom’s side) and that’s not mentioning the possible Irish way back from the Scots http://archive.archaeology.org/0107/abstracts/scotland.html and always lurking on all sides (except the Indian http://www.native-languages.org/wvirginia.htm ) Viking ancestors https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duchy_of_Normandy So mostly Scottish—-but I early fell in love with England—the land that gave us legends of kings and knights (that were really more celtic and in the novel I’m working on Cornwall and Wales) and the Tudors dysfunctional even for royals (unless you look at the Russians and that I’m not even going to mention—ah—-again). And one cannot fall in love with England without harboring in one’s heart an intense love for London.

As I have stated I have been in London three times—those times stretched over a total of well over a month, exploring it’s by-ways and using it as a base for my excursions into the country side and the historic and/or scenic destinations of which there are hundreds within a day’s touring time. I spent two weeks there by myself the first time and loved it on my own, but since then I have dragged others with me and shared my passion.

It has never disappointed me. The historical–Roman and later city walls setting about the modern city like discarded and broken like a great child’s toys. Churches with all manor of interesting sites and ages…from the burial site of Edward the Confessor in the mid-11th century which forms the core of Westminster Abbey http://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us, to the grave of Mother Goose at St. Olave

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Olave_Hart_Street . There are palaces (Buckingham https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/exhibitions/a-royal-welcome) and the remains of castles long gone like the Jewel Tower http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/place/281309-english-heritage-jewel-tower. There are Museum like The British http://www.britishmuseum.org/ which hold treasures many feel should be returned and one The Museum of London http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/london-wall/ whose treasures include a gold carriage that the Lord Mayor uses from time to time, as well as thousands of items that have been dragged from the earth below the city that has been here since the Romans.

The Royal Navy of England hath ever been its greatest defense and ornament; it is its ancient and natural strength; the floating bulwark of the island.

William Blackstone

The Modern with it’s recreation of the old like the Globe http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/londontheatre/whatson/globe.htm which has a full series of plays throughout the year. And the new buildings—some amazingly horrible—my late husband commented that the British were great at old buildings but had kinda lost it in the 21st century. The Restaurants—and while I don’t have a problem with English food, if you do there’s lots of other cuisine—I love going to a an Italian restaurant and having the waiter–direct from Italy try to teach me Italian all evening—or order a lovely French dish from a woman who’s accent is so thick…There are areas to shop (some right around Tyburn http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-london/marble-arch-and-public-executions—which use to be the public execution spot in the city).

And the pubs have a life all their own. Ye Old Cheshire Cheese https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJCXlgHcIvA , which was one of the first building built after the Great Fire in 1666—which goes to show that the Brits have their priorities straight. And there’s at least one with a religious theme: Black Friars http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/london/theblackfriarblackfriarslondon decorated with monks on Queen Victoria St. Ye Olde Mitre, Holborn http://yeoldemitreholborn.co.uk/, established 1546 which includes Tudor arches and pictures of Henry VIII.

There’s theater areas like Coventry Gardens http://www.visitlondon.com/discover-london/london-areas/central/covent-garden with its shopping centers, old churches and lots more—or Soho which is a London’s walk on the wild side and which a well meaning daughter of a friend that didn’t know her “aunt” very well (After Fantasy Fest in Key West London is really quite tame) warned me I might not want to go there as it might shock me.

You never find an Englishman among the under-dogs except in England, of course.

There are museums in power plants https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tate_Modern and restaurants in churches http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/cafe-in-the-crypt/ and you can have your tea in a portrait gallery http://www.afternoontea.co.uk/uk/london/covent-garden/portrait-gallery-restaurant/.

There are tours of buildings, the city its self and surrounding cities as well http://www.viator.com/London/d737-ttd?pref=02. There are pre-historic beasts in the museum http://www.nhm.ac.uk/, and a torture chamber http://www.thedungeons.com/london/en/explore-the-dungeon/what-is-the-london-dungeon.aspx across the Thames. There’s a Clink Street https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clink_Street which is the origin of the prison nickname and Tower Bridge http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/ who many think is London Bridge https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Bridge, which the last one is now in Arizonia. And I didn’t even mention the Ravens that are kept just in case in the Tower of London which holds two fallen queen no longer attached to their heads and enough treasure to keep all of us in clothes and food for many years. http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/place/22249-hm-tower-of-london

Well I think you get the idea and I didn’t even go into the canals http://www.visitlondon.com/discover-london/london-areas/central/regents-canal or abandon under grounds http://underground-history.co.uk/front.php or the 46 major rivers and streams that flow under the city . http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/london/9197314/Londons-lost-rivers-the-hidden-history-of-the-citys-buried-waterways.html

England expects that every man will do his duty.

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He [Holmes] loved to lie in the very centre of five millions of people, with his filaments stretching out and running through them, responsive to every little rumor or suspicion of unsolved crime.

Dr. Watson’s Observation of Sherlock Holmes

-The Resident Patient

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TODAY IT’S A HEAT WAVE A TROPICAL HEAT WAVE WE GO WHERE WE CAN CAN

August 5, 2015 sarren126@gmail.com Leave a comment

Pictures of the tropics here and above from one of my favorite places that I will explain more below….getting tired of working, working working…..check out all my store offerings: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DragonLaire?ref=hdr_shop_menu and how about my Floridays at https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/floridays/ or subscribe to my On Today’s Date to get the history of each day; https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/on-todays-date/

If you are nice, and keep your promise, we will be in paradise.

Camille Claudel

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Next Season different according to Ron:

http://www.scotlandnow.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/ron-d-moore-tells-outlander-6187059 and check out my Outlander https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/why-i-love-outlander/

England is the paradise of women, the purgatory of men, and the hell of horses.

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Today I continue (I know I tend to ramble) on my favorite places with a look at the tropical paradise clime.

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My favorite TROPICAL PLACE: Elbow Key http://www.coastalliving.com/travel/other-coasts/elbow-cay-bahamas and Hope Town http://www.visithopetown.com/ in the Abaco’s http://www.bahamas.com/islands/abacos the Bahamas. The Abaco’s failed to get the memo from the rest of the islands and have stayed (or at least still had on my last visit) with a more casual, tropic, laid back attitude than the gambling and big resorts of the bigger islands—Elbow, named so because a bend in the island that actually was torn away after a hurricane several years ago and had to be filled in to allow the residents and guests to get from one end of the island to the other.

Elbow has a great beach Tahiti—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqdE5vaEWdg unspoiled and usually busy, but not like what you’re use to in the US especially with boaters who just “park” off the shore and wade in to the sand. There is no life guards, nor cars on the beach, nor vendor—just sun, sand, the ocean and fellow sun-worshipers.

When I stayed here we rented a house about 5 min. walk from Tahii Beach. We were on a hill and had a deck about 3 stories up so that we could see all manner of water ways and the island itself. It was wonderful. We got around on an electric golf cart (the house had a charging station) by land and a rental boat http://www.elbowcayboatrental.com/ (docked at the slip that was included in the house rental). It was wonderful and for one of the few times in my life, I slowed down and savored the little things in my life which if you knew me you would understand just how amazing slowing down is. http://elbowcayproperties.com/

Hope Town was quaint, tropical and what Key West use to be (before it got the memo from more commercial places) with its beautiful houses and long beach. We walked and shopped–nary a real t-shirt shop in site—ate and drank at the local places and then wandered home and lounged in a living room with glass on three sides and loved it all.

http://www.visithopetown.com/things_to_do.htm

One thing more—the British have kept the original light house here—it has works that wind up like a clock—and it is lighted with kerosene fueled flame. It is one of two left and it maintained for its historical significance, but is also a functioning light for seafarers. http://www.visithopetown.com/lighthouse.html

We lived on the Key West Army Base. Key West for me was a tropical island paradise.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

GREAT GUANA CAY http://www.visitguanacay.com/ is small but has a very in place: (not the picture that’s just house for sale) Nipper’s Bar & Gill http://www.nippersbar.com/ –when I was there around the 4th of July there were over a thousand people who attended their Boar Roast which is more impressive when you realize that the population of the Island at the time was under 500 souls! Guana by the way like Elbow can only be reached by boat (or sea plane)….if you don’t have a boat rental there is an Abaco Ferry http://www.alburysferry.com/ which I have taken and which is quite nice. Other than a few small shops and lots of picture ops Nipper’s is the main activity aside from the beaches (which one is just below Nipper too of course and they also have a swimming pool)

http://www.visitguanacay.com/things_to_do.html

I’m a tropical weather cruiser. I like surfing, you know. I like being on the beach.

Michael B. Jordan

GREEN TURTLE http://greenturtleclub.com/ is also in the Abaco’s and also can be reached by ferry, but it has a large resort and an air strip very near it’s ferry slip on Greater Abaco which might give you some idea of it’s popularity as a vacation destination. There are also some classy shops and we spent a day here just exploring the island, eating and drinking etc.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g147430-Activities-Green_Turtle_Cay_Abaco_Islands_Out_Islands_Bahamas.html

On my return to Cornwall I discovered that I was living in a tropical paradise. For now I am content to explore my own home and our nearest neighbour France.

The Bahamas Out Islands http://www.myoutislands.com/bahamas-resorts/real-Bahamasactivities

aren’t a vacation destination for everyone. The Out Islands are in The Bahamas, but there are no cruise ships here, no high-rise hotels, and no crowds. That’s right: It’s different out here. The Out Islands appeal to travelers who are true connoisseurs of Caribbean island life, to those who want their tropical vacations to be unique and at their own pace. One visits the Out Islands of The Bahamas to experience authentic off-the-beaten-path destinations and

I have traveled a fair amount, and I have visited some great cities. I love architecture and museums and castles and ruins and central markets and even double-decker bus tours. But, I am a sucker for a tropical beach.

2 Record STEPPENWOLF LIVE 33 1/3 LP Vinyl Record

$25.00 USD

I’m thinking my next book should be set on a tropical island, which will obviously require days, even weeks of meticulous research, but I’m prepared to make that sacrifice. That’s just the sort of dedicated writer I am.

BEATLES COLLECTOR (Baseball type) Card

$8.90 USD

For those who come to San Francisco, Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair Mc Kenzie

August 4, 2015 sarren126@gmail.com Leave a comment

This is the common idea of Merlin–my novels (still in process) deals with a different sort of magician check out some quotes and some research https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/my-novels/ So yesterday was work though I did manage some shopping https://www.winndixie.com/ Try out my Outlander as well: https://www.pinterest.com/lindachase56829/why-i-love-outlander/ check out what’s happening in Orange: http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/community/community-calendar/orange-events.html and Seminole Co http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/community/community-calendar/seminole-events.html this week.

I always thought of photography as a naughty thing to do – that was one of my favorite things about it, and when I first did it, I felt very perverse.

1987 NORMAN ROCKWELL Fisherman's Paradise Cofee Cup

$3.50 USD

with pants

I’m gonna miss the kilt….but I’ll just hope they show him without them both occasionally….oh and next season speculation on when the show returns and an interview with Frank/Black Jack:

http://zap2it.com/2015/06/outlander-season-2-shooting-paris-tobias-menzies-returning-culloden/

One of my favorite things to do is to play music really loud and dance my butt off in the morning. I’ll do it alone in my apartment. You can’t have a bad day after that.

Allison Williams

Hull Wildflower Matte 7-1/2" Cornucopia Rose

$30.00 USD

Today I thought I’d continue on with My favorite places in the US

San Francisco—I have never spent a lot of time here—Twice on that bus trip in the late 60s and that was basically changing buses to go on to Salinas and one time when my dear departed mother drove us to California and back also in the 60s—We spent a few hours just wandering around the city–riding a street car–I nearly fell off being the great klutz that I am–and gazing down at the bay—from the lofty hillsides of the beautiful city. We finally left as the fog moved in and as we drove down to Salinas (again) it came between the hills, filing the lower divides and looking just like ghostly fingers reaching out to us, quite an eerie sight I must say. I can’t tell you were to go or what to see there…I can just say that even being there for a short time was special to me and I wonder why I have not returned again. http://www.sanfrancisco.travel/explore

Two of my favorite things are my steering wheel and my Remington rifle.

I did spend some time in New Orleans—I went there for a four day weekend and roamed the French Quarter http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/fq/ shopping, eating and drinking. I rode the streetcars and didn’t even almost fall off once and while the city does not have the sheer natural beauty of Frisco it does have age and a presence that both titillates and enchants. From Jackson Square http://www.experienceneworleans.com/jackson-square.html with its church (something New Orleans could stand more of I think) to the cemeteries http://www.voodooboneladytours.com/commentry.html?ibp-adgroup=adwords&ibp-keyword=new%20orleans%20cemetery%20tours&ibp-matchtype=e&gclid=CjwKEAjwxYGuBRCtoqjkrIPDqDwSJAAnd-rCCaCCxDFGFlpyPXEEDOLpFoTtHUtmVG75frpb3yREjRoCxIPw_wcB, those vast houses of the dead that remind you that this is the land of Marie Laveau http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2014/10/tomb_of_marie_laveau_voodoo_qu.html

the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans and a favorite site for all manner of paranormal fiction including one of my favorites the Dark Hunter series http://sherrilynkenyon.com/series.php?id=7

For those of you that’s more conventional there’s all manner of excursions on the Mississippi

http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/tours/riverboattours.html

Or wander out on the River Road (warning in order to see the river from the road you must climb a 20 something foot dike but I did and it is actually there–or was when I visited in the 80s). Oh and the reason for the trip here–the wonderful old plantations that pre-date even my visit and are well worth the sojourn from the Big Easy.

http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/louisiana/side-trips-from-new-orleans/places/plantation-country/the-great-river-road

and the only place that comes near to being as wild as Bourbon Street is the nearby swamp—New Orleans is below sea level and surrounded by water and lots of dikes to hold it back–here too you can find tours: http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/tours/swamptours.html Now that’s something I didn’t do when I was here.

http://www.neworleanscvb.com/things-to-do/

My favorite things often have a story behind them and are usually handmade or discovered at a flea market.

And my honorable mentions:

San Antonio (yeah the one in Texas)—How can you beat a city with a great area to just roam around in like the River Walk, or with all the history including Spanish missions–one of which is an icon of Texas and American Freedom fighters the Alamo. And if you can beat Texas hospitality please tell me where cause I want to move there in the near future.

http://visitsanantonio.com/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Search&utm_campaign=fy15-l&gclid=CjwKEAjwxYGuBRCtoqjkrIPDqDwSJAAnd-rCs6cWhvWiKVR6c24WFWq_gwOu5TaypQlfPPblmoRXQhoC1p3w_wcB

One of my favorite things to do is cook. I love taking the time to plan and prepare meals. I try to use all organic ingredients and make everything from scratch.

Chicago—I know it’s a much more down and dirty and gritty place than all the others, I took a year of my nurses training at a hospital west of here and we would come in on the weekends. I have been here several times since–I saw the Beatles and the Doors here and wandered Old Town when it was a hippie refuge. Since then one of the companies I worked for had headquarters here and I was pleased how they managed to make the main part of the city tourist friendly and besides who can not love a city that dyes it’s river green on St Patty’s Day?

http://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/

I’m very comfortable being naked. It’s one of my favorite things to do.

Nadine Velazquez

Every visit I have only spent a few hours in Savannah, Ga. but I loved every minute. the Squares, the cemeteries giving a history of the US like no other. The houses are fantastic and one can spend hours just wandering through the old neighborhoods and gazing at the wonderful old places. The main area to eat and shop is down along the old docks and was originally a place for sailors to entertain themselves in port (think booze and broads as in the paid for kind). It’s more civilized now, but still fun.

http://www.visitsavannah.com/essential-savannah/things-to-do-in-savannah.aspx

I love songs. Songs are my favorite things.

9" Vintage Victorian Shoe Match HOLDER or Door Stop

$15.00 USD

I love coffee. It’s one of my favorite things in the world, and I love tasting different coffees.

Brown Knight Chess Piece CIGARETTE LIGHTER VINTAGR

$40.00 USD

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Maria

August 3, 2015 sarren126@gmail.com Leave a comment

Welcome to the new week…Did drinks and snacks on Friday night with a couple of friends. https://www.bahamabreeze.com/ and then Saturday spent time with my second family for a Birthday party of a couple of kids—one being much older than the other but….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCJSNMqub8g then took it easy Sunday—feeling better but trying to get my sinus to clear out. http://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-pain-pressure-11/causes-sinus-problems Oh and thanks everyone we’re up to 480 signed up on this ole BLOG–you did good. Oh do want to mention a facebook page with neat stuff on places you can get aid for job retraining etc: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pinder-Rehabilitation-Services-LLC/468512106505178 check it out and Like it if you do. If you’re in the Orlando area there’s a fund raiser Friday & Sat. for a great art school: http://www.crealde.org/fundraising.html

Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things Maria

$17.80 USD

Is anybody but me going through withdrawl symptoms??????

Oh and they have monthly and daily http://www.outlandertvnews.com/2015/07/preview-the-2016-outlander-daily-boxed-calendar/ OUTLANDER Calendars (2016) now You can take a chance to win one here: http://www.outlandertvnews.com/2015/08/outlander-calendar-giveaway/

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

WEDGEWOOD Large Montreal OLYMPIAD XXI 1976 Plate With box, certificate and stand

$25.00 USD

So this week I thought I do some of my favorite places:

TODAY IN FLORIDA

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

I actually have two in Florida: St. Augustine http://staugustine.com/history/nations-oldest-city is a wonderful, historical place where you can buy souvenirs and other items at the bottom of a swimming pool http://www.shorpy.com/node/6563, go to college in a hotel built by a robber baron http://www.flagler.edu/

which is all just down the street from a fort that held off the British (cannon balls either bounced off or stuck to the local quarried http://www.drbronsontours.com/bronsoncoquina.html stone walls) and was used to hold Indians captive—but that didn’t work out so well http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/staugustineosceola.html. There’s great places to eat—including one named for a southern belle http://www.scarlettoharas.net/ and just down the street from that same robber baron, who’s buried at the church http://www.memorialpcusa.org/about-us/ along with one of his wives, a daughter and a grand child. My particular favorite place to spend some eating and drinking time is behind a water wheel http://www.milltoptavern.com/ on the old main street where I can see the Castillo and relax with a casual meal or a little farther down St. George’s Street http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Florida/Saint_Augustine-764650/Shopping-Saint_Augustine-St_George_Street_Shops-BR-1.html where the atmosphere and food are Spanish http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/st_augustine.asp I could go on and on with this fantastic, historic town but you can check it for yourself at http://augustine.com/things-to-do/attractions

Silver white winters that melt into Springs
These are a few of my favorite things

While it’s not as old or as large Key West http://www.floridakeys.com/keywest/key-west-history.htm makes up for it in it’s party hardy attitude, water sports, and did I mention Partying? Where to start—there is shopping here from tacky tourist shops http://www.liveduvalstreet.com/ to dress shops where you can pay $400 for a blouse it will take a few days to go from ocean to gulf. There’s history here from a Civil War Fort https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Fort-Taylor to the home of a man http://www.hemingwayhome.com/ who wrote, fought and drank–oh and changed wives all on this tiny isle to name just a few. I love to eat here: more Cuban of course—the best is hard to find but well worth it http://www.elsiboneyrestaurant.com/ . If you want to spend a whole lot more with a water view wander go down to near where Buffett use to live and dine on the deck overlooking the ocean http://www.louiesbackyard.com/ and the drinking—the bar https://www.facebook.com/TheBullandWhistle?rf=105837452897652 with 3 floors (each with it’s own name and only 2 of the floors requiring clothes) and a liquor store right behind it has a great view of the Duval Street and lots of company. There’s more famous places from the man’s favorite http://www.sloppyjoes.com/ and the bizzare http://www.hogsbreath.com/keywest/ to name but a very few. And then there’s sunset—from the cruises https://www.furycat.com/key-west/sunset-sailing-cruises.htm?nck=sunsetcruise&gclid=CjwKEAjwovytBRCdxtyKqfL5nUISJACaugG12g-mkL9FzdRvb9VHBPU-Ve4EJg-95gndtUXnezOXExoC_M3w_wcB to hanging with the entertainers and vendors at the oldest venue to view it all https://www.furycat.com/key-west/sunset-sailing-cruises.htm?nck=sunsetcruise&gclid=CjwKEAjwovytBRCdxtyKqfL5nUISJACaugG12g-mkL9FzdRvb9VHBPU-Ve4EJg-95gndtUXnezOXExoC_M3w_wcB We won’t even start on the night life http://keywest.com/bars.html

Again check this out for an over all view: http://bestonkeywest.com/?gclid=CjwKEAjwovytBRCdxtyKqfL5nUISJACaugG11-lrH6s1A08vg-yp7G-Ftg64Di4jnxO0dnZH8GNC6RoCTmnw_wcB

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Honorable mentions:

Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Sarasota—Most cultural (not counting St. Augustine) with out the scariness of Miami. Highlight is Ringling Museum with everything from the circus owner’s home to a circus museum and a Wonderful Art museum—Near by Siesta Key (http://www.siestakeychamber.com/home) is close by and will fulfill all your ocean needs while in the city.

http://www.visitsarasota.org/beaches-places/maps?gclid=CjwKEAjwovytBRCdxtyKqfL5nUISJACaugG1EOGrv49iehh1VYgFDCrlJztgG8opu9CXyF3eXWzWvxoCRwLw_wcB

When the dog bites

While it is small and rather out of the way—on 46 (Fl. Route) north west of Orlando Mt. Dora has more charm and class than any other Central Florida http//www.whattodoinmtdora.com/ town, with great restaurants, boat tours, Hotels that date to the 1880’s and shops from everything for the kitchen to some great and trendy dress shops.

When the bee stings

Sanford http://thingstodoinsanfordfl.com/ Though it’s gotten a bad rap from some trial business here, it’s snapping back and I like to visit here for the shopping—it’s small but pleasant museums and its lovely water front and I come here every Thanksgiving for the Holiday boat trip down the St. Johns that runs right through town.

when I’m feeling sad

Micanopy http://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/cities/micanopy.html is smaller than Mt. Dora, but it has charm and even was a major player in a movie http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090515/articles/905151002 a few years ago. The historical cemetery is worth a walk through and there’s some antique stores and a local museum in this town that was the site of Spanish cattle raising when St. Augustine was king.

I simply remember my favorite things

MOD. Dep Brass Stand and Old World GLOBE Vintage

$30.00 USD

Warning the following picture isn’t almost totally nude I tried my best but I couldn’t find any with less on.

And then I don’t feel so bad

Chunky GREEN BRACELET Vintage

$8.90 USD

DRAGONS BRING TREASURERS BACK TO THEIR CAVES