tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74829161830465120812024-03-14T02:52:46.788-04:00EtceteraMy thoughts about my comings and goings, back and forth, to and from DOMINICAMarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-45681729755563773352024-02-28T15:33:00.001-05:002024-02-28T16:48:38.822-05:00Etcetera continued<p>They Never Tell You Everything...</p><p>Do they deliberately withhold information or are they just inefficient, or do they assume I know? I can't even guess. Here are a few examples:</p><p>FedEx should have told me what to expect in the way of extra duty and taxes. The woman at the beginning of the chain of people I had to deal with clearly knew. When I went in to tell her, she only confirmed it all.</p><p>We have several old rusty stoves and metal chairs in the yard that I have been after Solid Waste to come and take away. For weeks the Solid Waste office would only say that they would let me know when the truck was coming, or they couldn't pick up the stuff at all. Finally, someone told me to go to the Town Council, that that was the correct place. I went. the woman at the desk took the information. No one ever came. I went to the Town Council several times and was always told that they had the information. On my visit to the office 2 weeks ago she said, "But you never paid". I kicked myself. Of course! I should have known that there was a fee. When I looked at her and asked but why didn't you tell me weeks ago, she only looked puzzled and didn't answer. I was happy to pay for it and was promised that the truck would come the following week. Fool that I am, I believed her. No truck. McD saw the truck driver last week and he assured McD that he would come on Wednesday. No truck. There is no point in going back to the Town Council with the receipt. The truck will come in its own time and the stuff will be taken away. That is life in Dominica. </p><p>I went to the Georgetown Health Center again today to get the results of the giardia test and get my permit. They couldn't find the report. Same as last week. This time I went back and forth from the receptionist to the nurse to the environmental health officer. Luckily they are all in the same building. The nurse called the lab, They hadn't sent the report in the last batch but they did tell her it was negative and to go ahead and process me. Phew. No giardia. But no card either! Environmental Health didn't bring any! Why? Wednesday is their day at the health center for the food handlers. I have to go back next Wednesday to pick it up. Wednesday is the baby clinic and is very crowded with mothers, infants and children up to 4 years old. I wait my turn in line with them all.</p><p>Everything is in its own time.</p><p>On Sunday we caught Smiley, a street person, dumping someone's garbage on our beach. Smiley is the same guy who was sleeping on our veranda. McD, EBoy, and I went after him shouting and yelling. He dumped the garbage and ran, shouting invective back at us</p><p>Yesterday the police came to the Bar because they had information that Jeff, whom they had been looking for for a while, was there. Someone else in the Bar warned Jeff who took off, jumped over our sea fence ran along the seawall, and disappeared</p><p>I don't think we'll be seeing Smiley or Jeff for a while!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-28599609978508669162024-02-19T13:11:00.001-05:002024-02-28T16:45:07.189-05:00Etcetera<p> One week after Carnival and all is back to normal. Usual traffic, usual heat, usual street noises, usual folk, usual disasters, usual wilted vegetables in the market, usual shortages. All is well.</p><p>A few updates: </p><p>The iPhone is fully functional. The aching shoulder has its off and on days, McD gave his daughter $$$ for the dentist and she canceled all her appointments. He is out some money. I told him to pay the dentist directly, but nooooo!</p><p>The piles on the beach are still there and being added to by the vendors on the Square. I hope it is drying out so NEP or someone can move it. Maybe burn it? The sea will take it back in the next storm, but this is the Karam, the dry season, so no storms for months.</p><p>New sample has just been delivered to the lab and I will get giardia results by week's end. I have had some side normal effects to the medication, lethargy and upset intestinal system mostly, but back on track now. </p><p>At this moment, Bef is scrubbing some really nice heavy iron pots and pans that I found and EBoy is sweeping up the dried fallen leaves from the yard. The dogs are sleeping in the shade behind the house. Nice west breeze coming in off the ocean.</p><p>My complaint is that I am finding stairs, getting up from a sitting position, and carrying stuff increasingly troubling. I used to be so graceful and strong. Balance is wonky too. I feel that I go tottering down the street like a drunken sailor! and slow. I don't like this at all.</p><p>I cant get photos from the tablets to this laptop. I would like to attach photos to these blogs</p><p>'til next time</p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-45009091452065280432024-02-13T15:48:00.001-05:002024-02-19T12:17:18.023-05:00STORMS, CARVIVAL, HEN<p> Early February started off with a tropical depression extreme weather, Cold, pouring, drenching rain, Sahara Dust, very high angry seas, and sailboats tossed ashore. Almost 5 days of this, By Carnival time it was over, leaving our beach with 3 meters of ocean debris, large logs, and uprooted coconut trees, garbage, a smelly mess and no interesting driftwood.</p><p>Then came pre-carnival week with its own kind of storm....noise, relentless, thumping, pounding, stultifying, mindless noise. I will not honour it with the word "music", although this is what the local people call it. It is a computer-driven rhythm only, which I guess is what is required. The Saturday before Carnival Monday's 5 am Jouvert, the guy with the Bar on the Square had his amplifier on overdrive until 3 am.</p><p>I managed all of it, including McD's multiple preparations and worries, and had Hen and Mait on standby in case of my collapse. By the time the band and its revelers came around again, I knew my breakdown was coming so I called my team. Hen arranged to pick me up. Tracy turned up and we went to meet Hen.</p><p>Hen lives below the school playground in Savanne Paille. She has made the little house, (formerly owned by Annika) her own. Lovely, peaceful, calming. She graciously installed me in her downstairs fully equipped apartment, fed me a delicious supper, we chatted a bit, smoked a cigarette, and watched the sunset. I slept, for 12 hours, doors and windows wide open, (McD's marauding evil spirits or mosquitos were not present), awoke restored and comforted and came home to Portsmouth.</p><p>At the moment it is far from quiet. The truck with amplifiers as big as refrigerators is parked outside my veranda. The poor old house is throbbing and things are jumping off the walls and shelves. I came home too soon.</p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-60532809277411347962024-02-01T13:35:00.006-05:002024-02-19T12:33:32.740-05:00BUSY<p>Well, January might have been quiet but February started off with boom. Nothing special just all at once.</p><p>Preparations for Carnival are underway. The Kubuli (beer) truck just delivered 7 cases, now we have to buy couple of cases of Carib and Heineken. Macoucherie is short on cask rum. There are no cigarettes, only Dunhill. </p><p>Very few tourists, and they are not spending!</p><p>The Vet came today, and the dogs are spayed and neutered. The dogs are recovering and are hung over from the anesthetic. They will sleep it off. The process cost 350 EC dollars - about $175 Canadian for the two. MUCH cheaper than Canada. All done on the tables outside, under the almond trees. No fancy animal hospital. No vaccine though. There is no vaccine on the Island. Soon they will go and stay at the farm and chase off the agouti and goats. They are expensive. I cook big pots of dog rice and chicken neck for them. Ugh. I won't be sorry to see them go. Feeding them, making sure they have water and cleaning up after them are jobs I don't want. They are McD's dogs. He will do all this but in his own timeless kind of time, if you know what I mean. No routine. Meanwhile, I end up worrying about them and doing the dog chores.</p><p>McD's daughter has a problem with a bad tooth. They are at the dentist in Roseau at the moment. I'm very sure she needs a lot of work on her teeth. He will get an assessment, I hope.</p><p>I could not get my food handlers permit. My test was positive for the giardia worm, a microscopic intestinal parasite common in the tropics. I am completely asymtomatic! I am taking the prescribed medication, then retest in 3 weeks. McDowell's test was negative because he purged the night before giving his sample. I would have had a negative result too if I had also flushed. Because his test was negative, he got his permit. Good.</p><p>The iPhone is held up at customs. They want 350EC to release it to me. I won't have the money until next week. I really only want it for the camera. </p><p>No news at all from the lawyer about the status of the claim to this property. It will be a year in May. </p><p>McDowell is managing two properties for his friend Vans. This involves me as I am the line of communication. I don't mind, but it is time-consuming </p><p>Stupid Microsoft keeps telling me that I don't have any more storage space and trying to scare me into buying protection from all the evil spirits out there. They have about 3 different names for the same thing, I don't know what they are talking about. A nuisance. </p><p>Then there are the on-going expenses, work, and life.........but things are good đ</p><p>Oh, and I should mention that all of this was with a very painful left shoulder and upper arm. The doctor and I can't get seem to get a handle on it. The ultrasound does tell us that there is no tear or damage, but some swelling of the long tendon, and I have the full range of motion. I don't want any more steroids. 800mg of ibuprofen, 400 in the morning, and 400 at bedtime keep it quiet enough. It is a very strange thing, seems to be worse at night and lying down. Time and rest are what it needs. Maybe arthritis. </p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-27670257630822349452024-01-25T21:57:00.000-05:002024-01-25T21:57:43.584-05:00THE NORTHERN LINK<p>My friend Hen and her visiting friend Annemarie, Ernard, McDowell, and I hired Henrik and his van and took our favourite road trip known as The Northern Link. It connects the west coast and the east coast of the island along the north coast. It climbs over Morne Aux Diables (2,826ft) and has stunning views both north to Guadeloupe and Les Saintes, and south across Portsmouth to Morne Espagnol. The summit is the crater of a dormant volcano. </p><p>The weather was cool, and as we headed to Penville and Vielle Case became quite misty. We drove through the clouds and decided not to stop and take the ten-minute easy hike in to see the Cold Soufriere where the sulfur bubbles up through the rocks. We did stop by the side of the road to view the truly awesome verdant mountains and valleys. On to Pointe Michel and the Chocolate Factory. There Allan Napier grows and makes the best chocolate anywhere. We were graciously welcomed, given a tour, and shown the process - from tree to pod to bean to drying to curing to bar. Annemarie bought several bars to take home to the UK. I bought myself a large bar of ginger chocolate.</p><p>Then we headed to the village of Calibishie, walked around a bit, had a lovely leisurely lunch by the rolling Atlantic Ocean, and watched a man out in the ocean collecting winkles (wigo in patois).</p><p>From there we drove to Bense and spent some time there. Both McDowell and Henrik knew everyone and were warmly greeted. We had intended to go from there to the Chaudiere Pool but decided that since the road was all chewed up by the big trucks working at the new airport site, and we were tired and satiated by the overwhelming scenery we would save it for another trip.</p><p>Home to Portsmouth, well satisfied with our day and the outing.</p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-46800444913544523092024-01-25T16:13:00.001-05:002024-01-25T16:13:57.668-05:00AN ARTIFACT<p> Hans and I would have been married for 60 years when he died last summer. We lived together, as a couple, for 45 of those 60 years. We were married in the Hampstead registry office in London, July 26, 1963. We exchanged wide gold wedding bands as was the custom of the times. He never wore his. I dont know where it is. I didn't see it, or find it when I was there. I did find mine. I had taken it off when I moved to Dominica and left it at home in Perth.</p><p>But some years before that, as my finger knuckles were swelling and knotting and becoming arthritic I had to get it cut off. I could not get it past my now misshapen ring finger knuckle. Steve, a local artisan goldsmith fashioned a little hinge and catch on it, so I could open it wide and then clip it on. I wore it like this, safely, for years after, until I took it off and left it in the Brooke Valley house. Then when I was home this past summer to say goodbye to Hans I found it and put it back on. I don't know why, we had hardly even talked to each other for the last ten years, but it seemed the right thing to do and I was comfortable doing it. So I kept it on my finger when I came back. </p><p> After months of gardening, swimming in the sea, hauling stuff around, washing dishes, etc it never opened or slipped. A couple of days ago I was feeding the dogs in the pouring rain and they were jumping up on me, night was falling. I had slippery sandals on. Down I went, onto the muddy cement path, scraped my knees, and had a hard time getting up as the dogs had me all tangled up in their rope. That evening I noticed that the ring was not on my finger. The catch must have snapped open when I fell. </p><p>I was more surprised at the emotion I felt when I saw it was gone than the fact that it was gone and that I had lost it. Sad. I figured I had lost it forever. How could it not be gone in the rain, and mud, with mad dogs about? A hunk of 18-carat gold. I wrote it off. No point in worrying about it, or grieving its loss.</p><p>The next morning dawned dry and sunny, I went out with my coconut broom to clean up the path where I had fallen down. Sweeping, sweeping, sweeping......and there it was.... lying alone, clean, open, waiting to be found and put back on.</p><p>I haven't put it on. It is safely put away with my other gold jewelry. An artifact from another life.</p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-75182126778371515472024-01-17T23:17:00.000-05:002024-01-17T23:17:38.100-05:00A Quiet January '24<span style="font-size: medium;">I have tried several times over the past week to write something but not much has happened or is happening. </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Christmas and New Year have come and gone. Carnival opening in Portsmouth has come and gone and was a success. We are now awaiting Carnival itself. I hope to have my iPhone back and camera working by then.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">People have been lost at sea, murdered, died, gotten sick, and gone back to the UK, USA, and Canada in the past few months. Petty thievery abounds. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">At the same time, people have continued the struggle, survived, and revived. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Dominican resilience has shown itself to be as strong as ever. </span><span style="font-size: large;">New friends have been made and there have been some minor successes. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today's small success is that I called the vet and actually got him, and spoke to him on the first attempt, The dogs are growing and are quite big, although not yet fully grown, and haven't been vaccinated. I am nervous that the female will get pregnant, she needs to be spayed, and the male needs to be neutered. I have procrastinated about calling the Vet because I just knew it would be a frustrating hassle. But an hour ago I had an inspiration! Call NOW the 'voice' said. So I did. I got the Agricultural Station on the first try, the woman was pleasant and gave me the Vet's number. I called, and he answered! I said I am looking for Bryan the Vet, and he said, "Well, darling, you found him." Great start. He then told me that there is no vaccine on the Island, but a shipment is expected next week and he will come with it. I hung up, happy, surprised, and feeling victorious.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tourist season has been very slow. Shops, street vendors, bars and restaurants, guest houses, and tour guides are struggling. We have managed reasonably well. I believe this because McDowell does not rely on the tourist trade. McDowell's patrons are local folk. He cooks an inexpensive, thick, tasty, generous, savory broth (fish or chicken or vegetable) filled with rice, lentils or kidney beans, green bananas, plantain, dasheen, breadfruit or noodles, and, of course, rum and beer. He will also make a filling egg and cheese sandwich for you. Fish in his coconut sauce with trimmings and side dishes and a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">garden salad </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is a specialty and a little more expensive (not enough, I say) No fancy lobster dinners.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been cold 27 degrees C during the day and 22 C degrees at night. Rainy, Rain and cool temperatures are good for the rum trade! Portsmouth is dark and quiet at night. Nothing is open, no one is on the street. Quite odd.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Note.</b> I have been using the word 'easy' to describe life in Dominica. That is the wrong word, It is not easy to live here. First of all, this is an island. If you didn't bring it, it isn't here, If it is here it rusts, corrodes, tears, won't work, or you have to go to several different shops to get what you need. Exhausting. A much more appropriate word would be '</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">simple'. Simple, because there is very little choice or it is just not available.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-14123170320822140052023-11-06T12:14:00.000-05:002024-01-17T23:18:23.001-05:00You Know You Are Dominican If You.....<p> <span style="font-size: 20pt;">YOU KNOW YOU
ARE DOMINICAN IF YOUâŚâŚ.</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;">¡</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Arrive an hour late and greet the
group with a hearty, âGood Nightâ<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 107%;">¡<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;">Know the difference between bush tea,
cocoa tea and green tea<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 107%;">¡<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;">Play dominos on an old board balanced
on your knees in dim light<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 107%;">¡<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;">You point with your lips<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 107%;">¡<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;">Say âjust nowâ meaning anything from
in a minute, to soon, to tomorrow<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 107%;">¡<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;">You douse everything with hot sauce<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 107%;">¡<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;">Suck your teeth to show disgust<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 107%;">¡<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;">Ask someone to pass you something
that is well within your reach<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 107%;">¡<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;">Talk way louder than necessary<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 107%;">¡<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;">You think plantain is a food group</span></span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-73748844834046104102023-10-26T19:55:00.006-04:002023-10-26T19:55:52.949-04:00BOXES<p> At last, my 3 bins have arrived. They are now at home getting unpacked.</p><p>I have to say this arm of the government works well: DAPA (Dominica Port Authority). They have developed a procedure for picking up barrels, boxes, and small containers from the congested and too-small port at Fond Cole. It is slow, there are many papers that have to get stamped, and small fees to pay but as long as you go where you are told, do as you are told, and just follow the procedure you will eventually get your boxes through customs and onto your vehicle. The various guards, security officers, officials, and customs officers were helpful and even courteous in some cases. This is remarkable because it is completely different from past years. I have done this now 6 or 7 times and in the past, it was always a guessing game run by diffident workers. </p><p>The port is huge, the sheds are huge, and there are hundreds of huge shipping containers stacked all over and being moved about by huge, huge equipment. It was hot. And I was very, very car-sick. The ride down from Portsmouth did be in. They don't allow anyone into the compound except the person whose cargo was to be picked up. So McDowell had to wait outside and I did it on my own! 2 hours!</p><p>The customs man who was checking me asked me what was in the bins. I told him honestly, I don't remember. It left me on August 25 and it is now October 25. He chuckled as he cut through the shrink wrap Nick had used to secure the bins. When he opened the bins he saw books and art supplies and didn't bother to look further. There was nothing to find anyway. However, I did have 200 plastic shot glasses and 200 7 oz plastic glasses right on top, which he confiscated. That type of plastic (#6) is banned. He explained, showed me the chart, and apologized! I didn't argue, I had bought them at the dollar store, and I was happy not to have a huge customs charge, I only paid the basic 100ec,</p><p>So that's it until the next trip to my Canadian home. I now have two nice new large rubber maid containers here.</p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-76781028856788405642023-10-17T16:56:00.001-04:002024-01-17T15:35:01.880-05:00iPHONE BLUES<p>Just before Hans died, Nick bought him an iPhone 12 because he (Nick) was out working all day, and Hans was alone. He (Hans) could call 911 or Nick with one button if he (Hans) needed help. But Hans couldn't manage it, so it never got used, but was registered in his (Hans) name.</p><p> Nick gave the phone to me. Nick got the phone UNLOCKED and cleaned up by Bell and Apple by the time I left with it. He talked to them, they did their thing and it left Canada unlocked and good-to-go. NO. When I went to buy a local SIM card they said it was locked. I had to get it unlocked first before they would sell me a SIM card.</p><p>There is a young man who often comes to the Bar, sits in the breeze on the patio by the ocean, drinks his rum cocktail, and smokes his little joint. He moonlights as an IT tech. He has done several internet things for us over the weeks. I liked him and trusted him, so obviously I thought he could unlock this phone. He said he could. I gave him the phone. After trying for several days he told me that he could only do it if he bought a program from Virgin USA. It would cost $149 US dollars. I thought about it briefly and agreed. It got charged to my MasterCard. They said it would take 4-5 business days to download. he showed me the email, I read it. OK. A week went by, and then he showed me another email from them saying that they couldn't do it and would refund the money, which they did. Joed tried another company, same cost, the same notice that it would take 3-5 business days. They also refunded the money.</p><p>Meanwhile, McDowell was getting more and more agitated about the whole thing. Joed had the phone and as far as McD was concerned he also had my MasterCard number and my NBD account number and I was being taken and refused to acknowledge that Joel was fooling me, which I continued to insist he wasn't. McD was very upset and angry with me for 2 weeks. I trusted Joed and I know how long these things take in Dominica and was willing to give it time. But Joed was not coming to the Bar every day as he had been. I agreed to call him. No answer. Messaged him, "Bring the iPhone back, locked or unlocked". OK was the reply, but he didn't come. I messaged and called him every day for 4 days. Phone calls would go directly to his voicemail. I gave it one more day. </p><p> By this time McD had already gone to the police and spoken to the Inspector to tell him what was going on. what he suspected and asked his advice. The Inspector said we were doing the right thing. McD was no longer even speaking to me. He was 'blue vexed' as they say. I decided to give it one more day, another phone call, several messages. No response. </p><p>Finally, I had enough and I was upset by this time. I took myself to McDowell at the Bar and said OK I am ready to go to the police. He took my hand, told Clarence to mind the Bar and we went directly to the police station, which happens to be steps away. They didn't know him, (Joed Hector) but began the process of looking him up in their records, came up with nothing and said they would go find him. The police were mad at me, McD was satisfied, I was sad.</p><p>6 AM the very next morning, Joed was at the Bar door with my iPhone in his hand. McDowell wouldn't let him in, or wake me or accept the phone. He told Joed to return it to the police and they both marched down to the station and Joed gave it to them. I picked it up from them at 9 AM. They handed it to me with a look of disgust. </p><p>Someone in the police station tipped Joed off, called him and told him that the police were coming.</p><p>So today I went, where I should have gone in the first place, and was told that APPLE <i>always</i> relocks their phone when it comes here and it cannot be unlocked from here. I would have to call them and request that they unlock it for here, Dominica. I am not going to do that. There is no Apple outlet in the Caribbean.</p><p>I am so fed up with the thing. It will now languish in my bottom drawer. I can't even mail it back to Nick as Dominica has no postal service. It is a useless piece of electronic junk. Takes excellent pictures though, but so what. The next person that goes to Canada can take it and mail it to Nick. Maybe I can sell it and buy a Samsung here.</p><p>I feel sad that I cannot explain to Joed that I did trust him and that I fully expected him to figure out a way to unlock the phone. All he had to do was respond to one of my texts, to come. to bring the phone back. It is because he didn't respond at all that I am left with a niggling suspicion. I could text him, I guess, but I wouldn't do that to McDowell.</p><p><br /></p><p>December 2023 - I have heard via the jungle drums that Joed has been in court lately on several charges. Apparently, he has not p[produced the various phones he was supposed to be fixing! </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-58500670730149770932023-10-03T18:00:00.004-04:002023-10-04T13:29:20.039-04:00PHILLIPE<p><br /></p><p> <b>Tropical Storm Phillipe</b> struck us last night (October 2, 2023) along with Guadeloupe and Martinique, our near neighbours. After a weeks-long drought and hell-like heat we finally had RAIN, RAIN, RAIN, causing much destruction. Not to us, we were snug and dry, but today Salisbury is underwater, the cliff at Tarrish Pit is crumbling, and the road from Trafalgar to Woten Waven is awash and not passable. Probably the road from Calibishi, over the bridge is also impassable. The usually calm and patient Caribbean Sea was very high, and noisy and brought a lot of detritus and debris, and the bloated body of a rather large drowned dog. EBoy and Darius waded in and got it but couldn't bury it because there was just too much water and heaps of beach shit. The Sea is still rolling and the several local rivers that flow into it are running hard and fast. Today it is raining off and on and it is dark. 28 degrees C, so it is not cold at all. Damp. Nothing is drying. There are barges, cargo ships, and tugs moored way out.</p><p>McDowell is worried about what happened in the heavy rain at Destinee. The pomme cythere trees were loaded. Is the fruit now all on the ground? Lemons? Plantain? He will try to go up there tomorrow.</p><p> Pomme Cythere - makes good juice. Said to lower blood pressure</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvL8cGAb9L5_DqMmlT7mvbEcgboLSPk5SFiSuAZCgj4z4M_0Xo7MgjohX7ZIJV45k5DmcKnr86HEw-jI9nvHSaaMKJpdjKGxlPDLXM0-q4aNHOia3nmqFn2N-PcFx9TngXEEwnu5v3nB2oCsat34xnJyP880yACCrwhtEkezApqi0suEvVD-Xt6NuQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvL8cGAb9L5_DqMmlT7mvbEcgboLSPk5SFiSuAZCgj4z4M_0Xo7MgjohX7ZIJV45k5DmcKnr86HEw-jI9nvHSaaMKJpdjKGxlPDLXM0-q4aNHOia3nmqFn2N-PcFx9TngXEEwnu5v3nB2oCsat34xnJyP880yACCrwhtEkezApqi0suEvVD-Xt6NuQ=w265-h209" width="265" /></a></div><p></p><p>Is this the last storm of the season? The hurricane season does not close until the first of November.</p><p><b>Wednesday, October 4, 2023</b> - 35 degrees C, sunny, west breeze. Nice. Cleaning up. The beach stinks. The sea is filthy, but calmer. The tap water is orange!</p><p>McDowell went up to the farm early this morning. No real damage but a lot of fruit on the ground. He came back with 20 coconuts, several bushels of pomme cythere, guavas, lemons, and lime. He took the puppies; they romped around and went for a walk up the Waitakubuli Trail (segemtn13, a difficult hiking section of the system) which was never properly opened up after Maria. He saw his 8 Valencia orange trees just beginning to bear. The puppies are asleep, knocked out from their morning in the bush.</p><p> I'll be making guava juice this afternoon. I don't make the pomme cythere juice as it is too much work </p><p><br /></p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-1808672015724858032023-09-27T11:57:00.000-04:002023-09-27T11:57:21.164-04:00A New Chapter<p> After a not-so-bad trip back to Dominica, 4 weeks ago, here I am again. The relentless heat, the power outages, the internet gone for 3 days, and the mighty thunderstorms are all too familiar, and now September 2023 is coming to an end. Dominica is broke. Some people have not been paid since August. The ATM rarely works or even has money in it. The infrastructure is rotting, and petty crimes abound. The fruits and vegetables in the market wilt under the grinding heat...and so do the vendors! The last threatening storm of this hurricane season has passed. I was heartily welcomed home. Dominicans are champion survivors and truly resilient. The tourist season is coming. </p><p>McDowell has rescued 2 (two) puppies. They are fat and happy now as they wrestle with each other, churning up my garden, 'stealing' our shoes, and eating. They are outside dogs, we don't let them in the house. They will sit at the door, cocked heads, bewildered at the refusal to let them in, so cute! But no.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzA-3QMiIfRSpG11uSXlqd2pWChvcGT4Q-GkTSKlAzcIrGpUfKWnq1XubseZgFS2kFC_CnnCCr0M84Uwe9hjIKxzydXngeBKMtsMAtccx_VvNvoKIABvww5AEq7fob7ls65yk1L4e5zQEmdGQMf1sfFnPyEBZunXQMiqWCDPhzcxRYoDwZDohDwhzq/s3264/20230920_092520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzA-3QMiIfRSpG11uSXlqd2pWChvcGT4Q-GkTSKlAzcIrGpUfKWnq1XubseZgFS2kFC_CnnCCr0M84Uwe9hjIKxzydXngeBKMtsMAtccx_VvNvoKIABvww5AEq7fob7ls65yk1L4e5zQEmdGQMf1sfFnPyEBZunXQMiqWCDPhzcxRYoDwZDohDwhzq/w179-h275/20230920_092520.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><p><br /></p>While I was away the garden became a jungle. McDoo did his best, and Tracy and Mait came from time to time to cut some of it back and pinch some heads!<p></p><p>What has changed is me. I sorely miss my children and few friends. This feeling of longing for them is new to me. I missed them before, but this is different. I filled out a form the other day and checked off 'widow' under marital status. Hans and I haven't lived together for nearly 20 years, but we were good friends and knew each other well. Now he is gone, celebrated, and hopefully has found the peace he so longed for.</p><p>Stay Tuned </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDApU15iN9WXIuWUmm_J-HJtTA3G4DH6Ose4ro3oTBt8q7E43DbhvfNpCb9tNkfhGoIPUjaKbG681B6YV8Zml2BMtFga04ZdPwBUi89deFBsx-8vNtYIXyiLMKGKwXq-2QqeS_cZKFaJVCP_BIDpJbro0vfYTokrlNORR4wriW30ZDqlTt1rSZxWSZ/s1278/20230923_084315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1278" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDApU15iN9WXIuWUmm_J-HJtTA3G4DH6Ose4ro3oTBt8q7E43DbhvfNpCb9tNkfhGoIPUjaKbG681B6YV8Zml2BMtFga04ZdPwBUi89deFBsx-8vNtYIXyiLMKGKwXq-2QqeS_cZKFaJVCP_BIDpJbro0vfYTokrlNORR4wriW30ZDqlTt1rSZxWSZ/w265-h208/20230923_084315.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-25414021643191769572023-08-30T20:23:00.000-04:002023-08-30T20:23:33.578-04:00July-August '23<p>I have been
here in Brooke Valley for almost 8 weeks. I
have one more week. It did take all this
time to do what had to be done after Hans's death. I am
satisfied that the proverbial ducks are in a row, however rickety that row may
be, and I renewed friendships with the few that matter to me. The house is in good enough shape and in good
hands. Anthony, Nick, and Samantha are
making their way. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I wonât go
into the nightmare of sorting, packing, and deciding what to give away and what
to throw away. So many things I have collected and loved over the years; some
from my motherâs house that I have grown up with, some from her motherâs house, and some my children have grown up with. I
know them all, each piece, miniature, book, picture, dish, nick-knack. I have had enough nostalgia to last the rest
of my life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I have dealt with all Hans's things: humped around thousands of books, filing cabinets full of his notes and papers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I have made my Will. Not an easy thing. Hard decisions. Much thought. I hope that the beneficiaries find it reasonable. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I have
learned a lot, and much that I only had a hunch about has been confirmed; trust in the process, one is on oneâs own in
the end, donât panic (as McDowell says), keep moving, you only know you are
doing the right thing and making the right choices if it <i>feels </i>right. Honour the past, but keep in mind that it is
the past and you dwell in the present and somewhat in the future. Donât spin your wheels. Know what you are grateful for and nourish it,
abandon the rest</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">NOTES</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">It
has been an unusually cold summer.</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"> <span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">I
will run out of BP meds this weekend.</span> </li><li style="text-align: left;"> <span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Great
food. Ontario peaches, sweet corn, cherries, blueberries, cheese, bread. maple syrup.</span></li><li style="text-align: left;"> What they say about Canadians is all true: polite, clean, honest, friendly, quiet, and good drivers (no road rage, no honking).</li><li style="text-align: left;"> <span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">I
will miss the washing machine, the quiet, the cleanliness, and the friendly nods
and chats with strangers. </span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;"> I got used to this house and the routine.</span> I
will miss Savvy, the little fluffy white doggie who followed me around and was
glad to see me whenever I came home and slept beside my bed every night.</li><li style="text-align: left;"> <span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">I
will miss Anthony, Nick, and Samantha.</span> </li><li style="text-align: left;"> I am glad I was here for Peter's annual family gathering and saw all the nieces and nephews.</li><li style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;"> I am leaving Ottawa at 6 a.m. Thursday, September 7 and I am not looking forward to the trip, although the end will be worth it. đđ´đ</span></li></ul><div style="text-indent: -24px;"><br /></div><div style="text-indent: -24px;"><br /></div><div style="text-indent: -24px;"><br /></div><div style="text-indent: -24px;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">wi</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><p></p>
Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-7921910431870474802023-08-30T11:11:00.005-04:002023-08-30T11:21:13.457-04:00BROOKE VALLEY<p><br /> On June 28, my husband, Hans, passed away. It was not unexpected, he was 94 and was fading this last year. </p><p>I flew up immediately and I will stay until everything is done: lawyer, accountant, bank, et al. Cleaning, packing, sorting, organizing, and giving away is tedious and hard physical work, not to mention mental work. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXa-9KoJ6eMJpysam_kK_Qv3x85FO6oyFBibOeoBLQAdjc0xu1q-kQgUKlBqMv72G9f9uo4eS2oeHJUY643eh4eBJlOi0-wcdMTUQNWfpdJvvkkGTy_-b9mjndma4UilXwFSfmMm6e8u-2uhIvvEMXleG8qwOxRrfZisi5ivOAB6SnBdAPE89FjQ4X/s1408/HPIM3803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="1056" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXa-9KoJ6eMJpysam_kK_Qv3x85FO6oyFBibOeoBLQAdjc0xu1q-kQgUKlBqMv72G9f9uo4eS2oeHJUY643eh4eBJlOi0-wcdMTUQNWfpdJvvkkGTy_-b9mjndma4UilXwFSfmMm6e8u-2uhIvvEMXleG8qwOxRrfZisi5ivOAB6SnBdAPE89FjQ4X/s320/HPIM3803.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-82178354236081495192023-06-09T12:53:00.002-04:002023-06-25T14:18:30.909-04:00BWA PATATE<p>Bwa Patate is the Patois for gossip </p><p>"fall down" is what they say when someone faints</p><p>McDowell just came in and told me that someone told him that Bumper, his cousin, had 'fallen down" on the street. Then someone else told him that Cuthbert, Rosemary's husband, fell down, was taken to the hospital and died. None of these have been fact-checked. So.....we are left with several options - either 2 men fell down, or 2 men fell and one died, or no one fell down! Your choice. Stay tuned</p><p>June 25 - Cuthbert did die. Bumper did not fall down.</p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-69625263824738575902023-06-09T12:40:00.004-04:002023-10-04T13:59:00.769-04:00HOMELESS<p> <span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">Here is the story.</span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div class="gmail_default"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default">On May 18 the bailiff came and served papers to McDowell stating that a claim is being made on this property and he has 14 days to answer the claim.</div><div class="gmail_default"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default">To make a long story short - the Kelsick family is claiming this compound (house, bar/restaurant building, and land) on the basis that since it didn't belong to Gwendolyn Peter, who left it to McDowell, they are claiming the property, as it was left to them by Marion in her will. Miss Marion died in 1988. They have not been heard from since Miss Gweny's death in 2012, and then only briefly and unpleasantly.</div><div class="gmail_default"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default">This is a prime piece of real estate in the heart of Portsmouth, 80 feet of beach front on the western side (sea side) and fronting on Bay Street, the main street, in Portsmouth, at a main intersection. Portsmouth is the size of Perth and the second "city", after Roseau, the capital. The bar/restaurant with its large patio faces the Caribbean Sea, the house and garden are part of this treed compound. </div><div class="gmail_default"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default">Marion Peter, Gwendolyn's aunt, owned the house, the title is in Marion's name. Marion left the compound, the property, including the house, to her family, naming the Kelsicks, among other heirs. These are the people who are making the claim. Marion's Will also gave Kitsia, her sister, and Gwendolyn, her niece,(who was Marion's caretaker, and who was brought up by Marion and taken under her wing when she was 5 years old), <i>Life Interest, or Life Tenancy only</i>. That is, Gweny could live here for her life then it would fall to the named heirs.. Gwendolyn apparently was unaware of Marion's Will and was under the impression that Marion had l<u>eft the property to her</u>. In turn, therefore, Gwendolyn left the property to McDowell in her Will. However, <i> IT WAS NOT HERS TO GIVE., </i>She only had Life Tenancy.<i> </i>Now the Kelsick family, and some other relatives, 2nd and 3rd generations, want this property and are basing their claim on Marion's Will. We have a very short time to answer this. We do not have the resources to hire a lawyer. We are waiting to hear from Legal Aid. </div></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is McDowell's life we are talking about. 33 years. By extension, mine. McDowell/s business is an established one here, he did errands and polishing the floors and sweeping the yard for the 3 ladies as a school boy, He lived here when he returned from his sea faring days and looked after Miss Gweny for many years especially when she became blind. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>JUNE 9</b> - still here feeling homeless, helpless, and almost hopeless. The Legal Aid lawyer, Peter Allen, is filing our answer to the claimant. We would like to go to mediation. Will the other side agree to mediation? We are seeking time and compensation.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Meanwhile, I am house hunting in Portsmouth, Picard, and Lagoon. Nothing. There are a few prospects, and we are slowly plugging away at it.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>JUNE 28</b> - no news. Some pluses.1. We like the Legal Aid Lawyer, Peter Allyne. He is well experienced in this sort of confusion and is well-known in the community. 2. The Kelsicks have not responded to the request for mediation. 3. Marion's will states that Gweny should get a quarter of the proceeds from any lease or sale of the property. Gweny is dead and has no heirs, her intention to leave something to her 'caregiver' is clear. 4. Compensation and time are what we want from mediation. We have put a lot of money into repairing the house upgrading the bar/restaurant building and restoring the grounds after Hurricane Maria. 5. It will take a very long time to come to any conclusion. There are six families involved and knowing families and Dominicans they will not come to an agreement quickly. So we are carrying on as though all is well with the Sword of Damocles hanging over our heads. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We are assuming that they want the real estate which is probably worth a million US$. It is not uncommon for the children and grandchildren of Dominicans who immigrated, years ago, to the US, UK, and Canada and are solid citizens of wherever they living, to suddenly wake up and claim land that their ancestors abandoned on an exotic Caribbean island, thinking they could get rich quickly. They then get embroiled in awful family disputes with cousins, siblings, various aunts and uncles, each wanting their little piece. This case is headed by a nurse in Texas.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>October 4, 2023 </b> Even after much nagging the lawyer, dropping in on him, and phone calls there is no news, no response from the other side. Does anyone really care? Do 'they' have a deadline for responding? We can't get an answer on this from the lawyer. However, I have heard from a reliable source that there are 44 family members involved in this action. This is encouraging as now I am positive they will never come to an agreement among themselves. However, I don't believe it will just fade away into some weird Dominican oblivion, so meantime we carry on without going forward. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pDLz9-iZwNo6CwwKoIQorr4fne9BVHpSqfIhKngrtDU_Q2X33fXIqexzrUJER30LozfWgiGbrtfYnO6Yk_LuHKpWmuvEXcWqrsxww6NhatSjNjsde0ZcvWGlL4ItpfhmhhEVIz0Ue5RW9sZM7jWDQYKRHip8YbYvYlFj0QcAA-8M8oVC-09sye2C/s1278/20230923_084315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1278" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pDLz9-iZwNo6CwwKoIQorr4fne9BVHpSqfIhKngrtDU_Q2X33fXIqexzrUJER30LozfWgiGbrtfYnO6Yk_LuHKpWmuvEXcWqrsxww6NhatSjNjsde0ZcvWGlL4ItpfhmhhEVIz0Ue5RW9sZM7jWDQYKRHip8YbYvYlFj0QcAA-8M8oVC-09sye2C/w238-h187/20230923_084315.jpg" width="238" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgz06ijH-hrvR_pRLHgobchtQOcmR3a_aG1_nIsXR_zRfbFhMb3Bbx79xifOoILRDzf7n5gDJEjEY3joNP6HDLGdExygdAhHRZ4sZC2fb8iDjP0qvFpO_pIfhsEYmoWb0qgDXhZPcV0MuC1QYipVvdvEclKL99Ouzs6EkAZtjxWMYQASf4oX32xB0/w204-h272/20230927_214358.jpg" width="204" /> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiri_uAFORVdf2UBCGddSXeF3GrSfVyiT3DzXDpNyKaE6O1PiWQ_eXsWBJQOhVIbz_n9qIXEdXLi3zasyLpyVLA22rvBJDbKGzYJoOKaberXT36ynn_vBxRbVM1ixthfiJj6jUmbniXSsIv3_A3YopjUef74KopMLsWMeLnp9shy1mZI5QV0NjNoYwz/s3264/20230419_160317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span> <span> </span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiri_uAFORVdf2UBCGddSXeF3GrSfVyiT3DzXDpNyKaE6O1PiWQ_eXsWBJQOhVIbz_n9qIXEdXLi3zasyLpyVLA22rvBJDbKGzYJoOKaberXT36ynn_vBxRbVM1ixthfiJj6jUmbniXSsIv3_A3YopjUef74KopMLsWMeLnp9shy1mZI5QV0NjNoYwz/w217-h290/20230419_160317.jpg" width="217" /> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgz06ijH-hrvR_pRLHgobchtQOcmR3a_aG1_nIsXR_zRfbFhMb3Bbx79xifOoILRDzf7n5gDJEjEY3joNP6HDLGdExygdAhHRZ4sZC2fb8iDjP0qvFpO_pIfhsEYmoWb0qgDXhZPcV0MuC1QYipVvdvEclKL99Ouzs6EkAZtjxWMYQASf4oX32xB0/s3264/20230927_214358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <br /> </span><span> </span></span></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-48089457881486488682023-05-06T21:51:00.000-04:002023-05-06T21:51:24.580-04:00PROMOTION<p> I think I have been promoted. </p><p>Today EBoy introduced me as the Lady of the Yard. Yard means manor, therefore, Lady of the Manor. I've been called many things here in Dominica, but this is a first and worth noting. </p><p>I've been called Miss Marian, Mama, Ma McDoo, McDowell's Woman, de white lady, and I'm sure much else that I am unaware of.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7we3ynxB2klACSOXroz8e1JJK-8wLgsJZ1L_ZylqZ_KZloQlg04cFQnWcAACSU-WvIvm-W__hOa28XuMOZzUtK52tZ0-_bRYjj8rlOI7v52Jcwuv0GSvVXumdyf1rE1SNp3txAMgOrCrIIJq2J8LYsm-8n7hhR4jkjt5mIjuE6kKui3AVLaz7g/s3264/20230419_160128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7we3ynxB2klACSOXroz8e1JJK-8wLgsJZ1L_ZylqZ_KZloQlg04cFQnWcAACSU-WvIvm-W__hOa28XuMOZzUtK52tZ0-_bRYjj8rlOI7v52Jcwuv0GSvVXumdyf1rE1SNp3txAMgOrCrIIJq2J8LYsm-8n7hhR4jkjt5mIjuE6kKui3AVLaz7g/s320/20230419_160128.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE MANOR</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </div><br /> <p></p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-17417319367046848182023-04-22T19:38:00.003-04:002023-05-06T21:54:05.977-04:00Stay at Home<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> I am starting a <span style="color: red;">Stay at Home Club</span><span style="color: #04ff00;">.</span> A bit boring, but much better than the alternative.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> Everyone welcome</span></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeRNB153dAo0rSOQlbI607m4GYjFXHKPZO35o7YGFxVFd3K5WN_SmzQMH4n9V4m8R9Kv8-QhWRH4tbg62vzP0rKU_knAG7gf7XuOuHQlh2-NN4PkmKbmmv3nwn8xI3_t1IEtjLJpaZ8-zQmFWe78L49HgV_Ga6a8v1RMqlAO5j9X_qf7ItIHvIw/s3134/20230419_161343.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3134" data-original-width="1618" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeRNB153dAo0rSOQlbI607m4GYjFXHKPZO35o7YGFxVFd3K5WN_SmzQMH4n9V4m8R9Kv8-QhWRH4tbg62vzP0rKU_knAG7gf7XuOuHQlh2-NN4PkmKbmmv3nwn8xI3_t1IEtjLJpaZ8-zQmFWe78L49HgV_Ga6a8v1RMqlAO5j9X_qf7ItIHvIw/w147-h284/20230419_161343.jpg" width="147" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwV_zFtQBKgEFXPmazK2QMhN0Eh_p8_MBkazkT1Tx8BvihgBLQPW5ewab_pA7ry6rlJD9IozDB8pvkay5QeBGB5cIOUy1hessL4V4XQ8XAz2E3lhNosdKjkYzpGepSwqY9pIGDuHWdl2O9c2l4g9SYVBQtWeYmrft-s_K7m1rrefJl2_7e8_jyg/s2468/20230221_152508.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2468" data-original-width="1020" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwV_zFtQBKgEFXPmazK2QMhN0Eh_p8_MBkazkT1Tx8BvihgBLQPW5ewab_pA7ry6rlJD9IozDB8pvkay5QeBGB5cIOUy1hessL4V4XQ8XAz2E3lhNosdKjkYzpGepSwqY9pIGDuHWdl2O9c2l4g9SYVBQtWeYmrft-s_K7m1rrefJl2_7e8_jyg/w83-h200/20230221_152508.jpg" width="83" /></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV2SepNlUSgVGyGv2lM8SoWompyyaMcFONMacV246ShmE1Bw5FQLHkvSkr3ByNpJbHDO4a5ALRpDFSEkO_5WcyPlKNmxeM0SFgtnw4T8xTfnWIsUXKRhSyaTUMKP7PCyBDi--_MpX34CFAOz7yvS5OiBFQqf08b-Jqx3qMCZ8L_xTm3XUi90-ow/s1124/FB_IMG_1681174450419.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="843" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV2SepNlUSgVGyGv2lM8SoWompyyaMcFONMacV246ShmE1Bw5FQLHkvSkr3ByNpJbHDO4a5ALRpDFSEkO_5WcyPlKNmxeM0SFgtnw4T8xTfnWIsUXKRhSyaTUMKP7PCyBDi--_MpX34CFAOz7yvS5OiBFQqf08b-Jqx3qMCZ8L_xTm3XUi90-ow/w194-h258/FB_IMG_1681174450419.jpg" width="194" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthony and Savanne<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0lYMkc4vRO16S4zqP2_G5xXjJpXTT6nbp4-mKoOdtyCnPFWhRIMIAPfQbvRXQKuMsNIeTwfH5IIwWPSDg8XD5tBZGJ-HkKnlrY8PFLaW8aKjH4h1Ns-OzGJ-eNGFCXe-AIb4Nf0v7RNjh1NZ5f9r0DrN-30K20HQ_KP5ziY2Lh27n05rBcOfDQ/s3264/20230217_150056.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0lYMkc4vRO16S4zqP2_G5xXjJpXTT6nbp4-mKoOdtyCnPFWhRIMIAPfQbvRXQKuMsNIeTwfH5IIwWPSDg8XD5tBZGJ-HkKnlrY8PFLaW8aKjH4h1Ns-OzGJ-eNGFCXe-AIb4Nf0v7RNjh1NZ5f9r0DrN-30K20HQ_KP5ziY2Lh27n05rBcOfDQ/w240-h320/20230217_150056.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8zeT-uSzuXYEz_Cyq2uUyR0r5930cvgBn-r0DiYuAJ-8YPduwZLt1vzvs-ff68_MN9a_KwC6y18WXj1vKXvKPOo6tysYnkCnj1snr3HPv9bZ5edaZTh-k5PARa4_ks8_1QQfuvMjzQSNhGE6H64tX9KUHPDHnG_uciTmPC1reM79rWQXIDGeoQ/s3264/20230419_160705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3134" data-original-width="2351" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZci-FofgbL5pR-2r8lkbtq8D4CcnuvYcFwg4NQCOt361_kx325xsjl9HKO44o_XIGxsInA6cWrsvJ1oKAETiMutL9w15r4kPz-13zERuA7OlQt58tvsW21gKXmL8y5vK982CW9iC1zyJ6TO_583pO5AAVoFxpM-tsQdWNFpuxzXXzixayyYzzyA/w150-h200/20230419_162352.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>May 5, 2023 the Stay At Home Club has been doing well. I managed to stay at home 4 days out of the 7 this week. <br /><br /> <br /><p></p><p> </p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-69538479171583986632023-04-14T18:30:00.004-04:002023-04-14T18:30:57.665-04:00Pomegranate<p>Three pomegranates fell from heaven. One for the story teller, one for the listener and one for the world. </p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-41428090288840097532023-04-06T22:38:00.002-04:002023-04-12T10:11:11.096-04:00LONI, LENE and FLU<p>So here it is April 6 already</p><p>Lene and Loni have come and gone. It was a wonderful 6-day visit. They enjoyed their time here and I think they were able to do, see, and meet everything and everyone they wanted to. I enjoyed them. The whole thing was a pleasure. The Sunday luncheon was a success. McDowell prepared a delicious salmon.</p><p>Then I was brought down with the flu. I felt it coming on all through lunch on Sunday. I went to bed that evening, coughing, sneezing, stuffed up, sore throat, aching bones, exhausted, but no fever. I wasn't able to raise my head until Wednesday. Ibruprophen, Ferrol cough medicine, sleep, and water were the remedies. I am still coughing, and not yet fully recovered although this is the first day I actually felt like I might recover. </p><p>Now McDowell has it and is sick. Luckily it is the long Easter weekend so he can rest and not feel he has to open the Bar. Poor man. I don't think he has ever had the flu. He is completely baffled by how awful he is feeling. He'll sleep his way through it.</p><p>For an explanation of who Loni and Lene are see blog entry April 20, 2017</p><p>APRIL 12 Saw the Doctor yesterday. BRONCHITIS! Amoxycillin, Prednisone. I am already feeling better. Definitely on the mend. McDowell has recovered and is back in the restaurant at work.</p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-38340258604618205762023-03-18T17:22:00.000-04:002023-03-18T17:22:19.190-04:00UPDATES TO THE UPDATE: MARCH 2023<p><br /></p><p>Can that be true? No posts
since 2020? Well, there have been many developments and events since. I wonât be able
to report on them all. I trust that most
readers will know anyway and if not you can ask.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Covid restrictions were dropped a while ago. It hovers, of course, but is under control. People do keep their distance and sanitize,
but otherwise, life has returned to what they call normal. No one even mentions it. Financially though, it is still felt hard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are cozy in the old house. We had to move quickly because the building
we were living in was sold. We have been
here for 2 years and it is home. It is
still a work in progress, of course, and will be for a long time yet. Painting,
refurbishing, mending, repairing, but functioning. The roof doesnât leak, for which I am grateful. Some of the windows do, depending on how the
wind blows and how heavy the rain is, but not a real problem. The garden grows. The sea wall is strong and doing its
job. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">People are travelling and we are having a good tourist
season. This year we seem to have young
families sailing with their young children.
The Bar and Restaurant are busy enough.
I have been selling some paintings from time to time. McDowell makes a wonderful coconut sauce.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My only complaint is the noise. We are in the center of town and beside the
bus terminal. It is never completely
quiet. There is always someone on the
street singing or ranting, or shouting, loud music, traffic, and dogs barking. Whatever noise ordinance there may be is not
enforced. Sometimes it is in the background but mostly it is just plain too loud with no letup. Right now the sea is surging and so it has
its own loud rolling sound. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Life is good. We are
both in reasonable health. The speed
with which time passes astonishes me. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Plus ca change, plus
câest la meme chose, So I will be
writing Portsmouth vignettesâŚ</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">âŚâŚâŚ<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> dates </span></p>Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-63923857714597665112020-07-30T11:39:00.000-04:002020-07-30T11:39:39.605-04:00UPDATE to CovidNothing really to update. <br />
<br />
Dominica has remained Covid 19 free, although I think this is about to change as we are poised to reopen August 7. We have been repatriating citizens during July. The entry protocol is very good, but many repatriated people have not been complying. The Government has heartily reprimanded them. I hope it will be different for foreigners. Well, we will see.<br />
<br />
We have made very little progress in rebuilding the Peter House and won't be moving in, as planned, this summer. It is plumbed though, water, shower, toilet functioning well. Now it needs to be wired, and stove, and fridge bought and installed. If we get any tourists when the borders open next week we may make a little money to do this. <br />
<br />
This is also high season for storms, tropical waves, tropical troughs, hurricanes. Last night the sea was very high. It brought us some nice pieces of driftwood, but not stones and, happily, no rubbish. We had put up a galvanized barrier along the fence to protect the plants and the patio. It will stay up for the next couple of weeks adding to the construction site ambience of the place!Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-52073207630839423112020-05-02T16:44:00.000-04:002020-05-02T16:44:42.051-04:00DOMINICA STRONGCOVID IN PARADISE<br />
<br />
There are certainly worse places to be. Definitely not 'stranded'. Dominica is the place to be. To date, we have had 0 active cases for four weeks. Public education has been excellent, not frightening, but clear and intelligent and based on science. I continue to be impressed with the level of health professionals and professionalism. A word about education as well. Schools were immediately closed and The Ministry of Education organized its teachers and administrators to deliver the curriculum online and offline with support to parents. <br />
<br />
Dominica closed its borders swiftly after the first 2 cases came in from England with Covid. The Caribbean was Covid free for the very early weeks; all cases through the Islands were imports. Quick and complete closing was not an easy decision with so many from diaspora wanting to come home, with this island being a prominent cruise ship destination, with Guadeloupe and Martinique as very near neighbours and with a large number of sailboats and yachts looking for a safe harbour or already here. Other Islands were beginning to close so alternative ports were now limited. Tourism is a mainstay, closing would mean real social and economic hard times. As tourism came to a sudden, jarring halt so did most everyone's livelihood.<br />
<br />
For us, Marian and McDowell, it has not been as bad as it has for others. Liquor licences were suspended and all bars and restaurants were quickly shut, and still are, so we now have no income. Lots of time, but no money to buy materials and lumber, or to finish the plumbing in the old house. McDowell was able to reorganize his kitchen, move the Bar to the outside, expand the Bar area all with found posts and boards which had been stacked under the house. It looks really good and will be an asset. He has used the many hours under curfew and lockdown to practice his guitar and to plan. He is forever the Sagittarian optimist. I painted, crafted, read, cleaned, cooked, wrote, took a webinar in Caribbean bird watching and practised social media whatever the opposite of distancing is! Boring but not difficult. It is getting harder though. We drank and ate everything that was in the bar when we had to close.<br />
<br />
My biggest fear is not getting sick, but that Dominica, and the Caribbean, will rush into reopening the tourist trade, thinking we can just pick up from where we left off. This is the time to rethink it, to understand the trade-offs, not make the same mistakes. I hope we listen to Mia Motley, the Prime Minister of Barbados and Chair of CARICOM on this one. Since the Caribbean is the largest tourist destination in the world we could be a leader.<br />
<br />
I used to benignly roll my eyes when Dominicans would proudly proclaim how resilient they are, how they can overcome anything, how much they have endured, how determined to rise above bad times they are. Well, not any more. It is all true and that is what Dominica is. The population understood and accepted what is at stake and, except for the always present rotten apples, have complied with the regulations without too much whining and complaining and too many unrealistic expectations. Lockdown, curfew, loss of jobs, income, livelihood, places of business, the line-ups, and social distancing has its own horrors.<br />
<br />
I do believe Dominica can rise again, hopefully, improved.<br />
<br />
See you at the beach!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-58114019243100501702020-01-19T10:13:00.000-05:002020-01-19T10:13:04.172-05:00Nine Drunken Hungarian Sailors<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday night, pouring cold rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were just closing when we saw a group of
men wandering around the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McD called
them over offering food, drink, shelter and music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who could resist that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat them down under the shed at the back
and they ordered a round of rum punch, beer and a Sprite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three rounds later they were warm and
happy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One was a drummer and asked if he could use our drum
set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he was great, easily picking up the reggae
beat while McD sang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then McD put on Deep
Purple's Smoke on the Water and they all rose up and sang and rocked out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of them could speak English or French,
but they certainly knew their vintage R and R.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Addison came to pick them up, they had no idea where their
boat was or where they were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had just
flown to Martinique from Hungary, chartered a boat and its captain and are
touring the Caribbean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the way out they all kissed my hand and bowed from the
waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Too funny.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482916183046512081.post-87424249582715432882019-12-27T13:43:00.001-05:002019-12-27T13:43:54.504-05:00A 'Splin' Hand at ChristmasThe day before Christmas I tripped over a lumpy curb to get out of the way of a suddenly moving car and went down flat on the sidewalk. I popped right up with a bleeding cheek, black eye and injured hand. Not so bad considering what it could have been. Someone ran to get McDowell who came right away and found me walking home a bit dazed. The news that Miss Marian had 'fallen' went viral all over Portsmouth. I didn't fall, I tripped.<br />
<br />
I gave the minor injuries a couple of days and had all kinds of advice on how to treat the now badly swollen hand. None of which I followed. Dominicans hate ice, they fear it in fact. But being a good Canadian, I knew my ice and applied it diligently.<br />
<br />
Today I went to the Portsmouth Hospital Casualty and spent six hours there: 3 waiting for the triage nurse and then 3 waiting for the doctor. Again, not so bad. Most of the wait was outside, in the mountain breeze, listening to the chatter among the others who were also waiting, and I napped.<br />
<br />
No pain, just swelling. My right hand is useless, fingers don't work or close, I can't hold a fork, do up my bra, hold a pencil, but my keyboard tapping finger is fine. It's a nuisance.<br />
<br />
The tiny Cuban doctor says ice and time. She called it 'splin', I am sure she meant sprain. Anyhow, nothing was broken. She told me that the whole thing will turn all "cowloors" and will take 2 weeks. <br />
<br />
I am grateful to the higher powers who are looking after me.Marianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03696341427268786052noreply@blogger.com0