Mi Jardin Florido

Extraordinarily Loud and Extremely Close

2012-01-29T07:11:00.004-05:00

On Facebook I wrote,"Outrageously Deep and Profoundly Moving," as my opinion, but one line doesn't do it justice. Whoever wrote that script is a genius. This story of a boy who loses his father in the World Trade Center is more than just the story of a boy who loses his father. It is the story of a city which has lost a father and of a nation that is still grieving and needs to be healed. It is a the story of grief in all its stages and how a city, a community made up of many individuals who with a mother helps her son heal. It is a story of divine intervention and grace. It is about a mother declaring that death doesn't make sense and that evil is always behind death. And it is so.

Try to make sense of it. That is the healing. The boy goes on a quest and then the healing begins. So well done and so clever. I know that I like the father, Tom Hanks, says, "I am too slow or of a simple mind, " something to that effect, so don't quote me on it, basically saying he can't catch it all. This movie appeals to the super intelligent as well as to beauty of the heart. This movie is Oscar quality if I have ever seen one.

Need I say, if you get a chance to see it, Go. And never stop looking.

Republica Dominicana, Dominican Republic

2012-01-24T18:01:00.002-05:00

Siguen los temblores hoy en martes, 24 de enero de 2012. El Primero de 4.5, el segundo de 4.6 y el tercero de 4.2. Todos en la misma area norte de la Republica Dominicana. El ultimo tan reciente como a las 6:15 hora Atlantica.

A Basketful of Autumn

2012-01-23T22:16:00.001-05:00

Actually these are autumn leaves but these fell in January here in Florida. Autumn just gets here a little late and we have a week or two of Winter and it is Spring again. Last week was a wonderful week of three chilly days and 4 wonderful days of 78 degree weather and this week is just the same. We call it Chamber of Commerce weather. Very nice to walk the dog, have a picnic, dispose of sweaters, rake some leaves, or just sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

So there's my basket full of leaves I gathered at my neighbor's house and they thought I was nuts, but it's not nuts at all, it's plain beautiful!

Domincan Republic Earthquake Jan 23, 2012

2012-01-23T17:01:00.008-05:00

Second earthquake in the Dominican Republic this past week. Today's earthquake took place at 4:50 PM Dominican Republic time, so barely an hour ago. It was north of the Dominican Republic just off shore according to the USGS. Please follow link for more information:

USGS

Hubo un temblor en la Republica Dominicana esta tarde a las 4:50 PM hora Atlantica. El temblor occurio en la parte norte de la Republica segun los datos del Servicio Geologica de las Estados Unidos de America. Segun el Washington Post no se han reportado daños. Para mas informacion del sismo favor de seguir el enlace que sigue:

USGS

Segun la Red Sismica de Puerto Rico al momento no habian reportado daños tampoco.

Red Sismica de Puerto Rico en Facebook.

El periodico digital El Caribe tambien reporto sobre el temblor.

Segun los comentarios en Puerto Rico hasta en Mayaguez, Isabela, Cataño y San Juan se sintio ese temblor.

Scrubbing Old Pots

2012-01-19T05:24:00.005-05:00

Scrubbing old pots. I am sure this is the last thing you thought I would be writing about being a teacher and all. Really. But it is. Not really good grammar either, but shiny pots. Cleaning the kitchen before going to bed. How could something like that be therapeutic? Well, there is something to be said for a favorite kettle or pot. Perhaps one which one has had for many years, like my teakettle that because of its daily use, is so heavily used that you take it for granted as one of the daily fixtures like a stove top or sugar bowl, which get wiped off or rinsed, then refilled then placed again on the burner to continue to do what it has always done best, but for today. Today, I took a closer look. I got tired of seeing it dull sitting there and I took it aside; dipped it in the soapy water and washed it thoroughly removing the grime. Then I took the Brillo pad, which has to be a registered trademark, and set to making the copper glow and also get to that difficult grime where the copper and stainless meet. It was time.

It was time to see it shine like I hadn’t seen it do in a long long time. So there it is. My hands are still wet, my fingernails are soft, but my heart is proud. I brought this old pot back to its original splendor, happy to be doing its work clean and shiny. There is something to be said about shining a car, vacuuming a house, rearranging your kitchen cabinets, remaking a bed, storing Christmas ornaments, putting out a new wreath, cleaning old pots, and making a treasured tea kettle glow, isn’t there? There is something to be said.

Mesha's stash

2012-01-14T10:30:00.001-05:00

Cleaning out underneath the stove I found an assorted amount of things including the mini cupcake pans that I had been missing this Christmas to use to make little gifts. The latter had slipped off the overloaded bakery drawer. Beneath those pans I also discovered to my surprise two little pony tail elastic thingamajigs, a petrified frog (to my horror!), and these three little mice that she carefully hid for a rainy day. One last goodbye... rest in peace precious kitty.

Two low flying jets

2012-01-10T21:16:00.001-05:00

Two low flying jets, a photo by t13hman on Flickr.

This picture is part of a historic collection that can be found on Flickr...the pictures send chills down my spine because they depict things that I have had hidden in the corners of my mind...how times have changed. It is good to remember.

Need to write, Need the time

2012-01-10T06:35:00.004-05:00

A friend posted the following comment on Facebook," I don't believe that everything happens for a reason." She opened a can of worms; an ages long controversy about the sovereignty of God. She might have been just giving a comment about a situation at work and wanted to disguise it. It could have been a number of things, but since what we write appears on everybody else's FB page some things that are so controversial simply can not be ignored. I had to put my two cents worth and basically I said, "Just because we don't know the reason doesn't mean there isn't one, does it?" This question was in the line of the one that says, "If a tree falls in a forest and no one hears it, does it make a noise?" They make us think... I like waking up in the morning with questions like that. I don't presume to know the answers, but I like thinking about them.

As for her comment, I went on to say that perhaps she needed to read the last three chapters of the book of Job and there she might find that we don't know all the answers and that it is in God's sovereignty to share the answers or not when we can answer all his questions. And those are some big questions, I have to say.

My questions are small in contrast: Why have so many precious people died recently? Why is the sky blue? Why do I love orange and the crashing of waves on the shore? Why are 8th graders so rowdy? And why am I still working and not retired and fanning myself in chaise lounge...though I think I know the anwer to that one... and your ways are higher than my ways and Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts and you are wonderful and trustworthy and You know all things. So this morning let me just continue with making my bed and smoothing out the wrinkles, brushing my teeth and head off to school and enjoy the day the Lord is giving me. Praying for those the Lord puts on my heart and trust Him for the rest.

Hope you all have a blessed day.

Astro Acaba

2012-01-07T08:36:00.004-05:00

That is Joseph Acaba, the Puerto Rican-American US Astronaut that is training with the Russians to go up to the International Space Station. To do so he has had to learn Russian and he is actively training in all the commands required to be in space. He also has made many friends and from his accounts has grown to respect and admire his colleagues. Kudos to you, Mr. Acaba!

To see some of his pictures and to just keep abreast of his training and new development catch him at Twitter.com with his handle Astro Acaba. Here is a link to a neat picture.

Earthquake in the Domincan Republic Today 1/5/12

2012-01-05T05:31:00.006-05:00

There was a 5.3 earthquake 34 miles west of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic this morning at 5:35 Atlantic Standard time. It had a depth of ten miles. When I went to La Red Sismica they had the same information and I was able to find a link for the English version by clicking the the word english, (just like that, not capitalized) on the top right hand corner of the banner. There was an 4.6 aftershock this afternoon for which you can find more information at this link.

For more detailed information about this morning's tremor go the following links:

To see the United States Geological Service (USGS) website follow the link.

Puerto Rico Seismic Network in English

Red Sismica de Puerto Rico in Spanish

Detailed information about the Earthquake in Spanish and English from La Red Sismica de Puerto Rico.

According to Dominican Today the earthquake lasted 30 seconds and was also felt in Haiti.

Tropics to the Temperate Zone

2012-01-04T06:27:00.005-05:00

Racing to find those hidden woolen scarves, toasty mittens and leather gloves, felt hats, winter socks, and warm coat. Bringing in our plants and covering the grounded ones with sheets and plastics. It's winter in Florida! Even if it only lasts a few days and hours, the chill is real.

Definitely a lot cooler, coming from vacation time to back to work time. From relaxing in the sun to shivering in the cold, it is quite the contrast at least Florida wise. I don't want to talk about the real freeze I've seen on television about blasting snow and blizzard weather with that old North Wind blowing everything about especially for dear friends and family in Michigan. Here in Florida we had a blustery day yesterday with a temperature of 48 degrees as I left school at four in the afternoon. Today it will be a bit warmer with a high of 59. Still very pleasant sweater weather. It is really a lot of fun to be able to wear the warmer stuff for a change. So running to find my down blanket because this comforter is definitely not doing the job.

Stay warm!

Maunabo Beach In Contrast

2012-01-02T19:13:00.001-05:00

Maunabo beach in contrast.

What is in a Word?

2011-12-31T07:53:00.004-05:00

In Spain, la Madre Patria, they call New Year's Eve, Noche Vieja. In Puerto Rico we call it, Año Viejo. Noche Vieja, means old night, while Año Viejo, means old year. There is a difference in gender, too, which is not considered in English. Noche Vieja is femenine and Año Viejo is masculine. I don't know which I prefer more, but I do know I have always called it Año Viejo, which is very appropriate since we are talking about letting the old year go and isn't just about any old night. So yeah, I'm sticking to Año Viejo and that's it!

Tomorrow will be another day. God bless you all with a beautiful prosperous New Year or Año Nuevo, full of God's love and peace.

The Latest Driving Ploy

2011-12-31T07:44:00.002-05:00

It was an ordinary day. I had left my sister’s apartment and was about to get on the eight-lane highway in front of the airport. There were three lanes between where I was and where I needed to be. I checked if I had enough distance between myself and the car behind. In fact, I waited for a car to go by, and there was a clearing and in my judgment I could change lanes without endangering anyone. I turned on my signal light, accelerated, and changed lanes. Remember this is something I routinely do.

A red compact car, which had been at least six car lengths behind me, accelerated abruptly and positioned himself behind me and honked his horn, while I continued my movement to the right. I thought briefly that this reaction from the car behind me was uncalled for and there really wasn’t much I could do to say I’m sorry since there isn’t a universal hand signal to say pardon me or I’m sorry. Knowing it had been a minor offense, if any, I moved on. He’ll get over it. Next thing I know, the red car suddenly moved in front of me. Umm, red flag. Road rage.

I was expecting him to give me the famous hand signal, the finger, but it didn’t come. Instead he drove a normal speed for a few seconds and then deliberately put on the brakes in front of me. There was something funny about it. Actually, it was not funny at all. He had abruptly slowed down yet his brake lights did not come on. Next he went real slow, and then did a devil type of hand signal with long skinny fingers. I gasped inside realizing what had just happened. Seeing no reaction and no accident, he moved on.

I felt like cursing him while observing him suspiciously, but instead I prayed for him to repent. He moved two lanes across the road to his left and I did not take my eyes off of him until there was a concrete divider between us and he could no longer come into my lane.

I couldn’t figure this out. It was a sparkling new car. Shiny. Sparkling. Spick and span. Yet, I knew his brake lights hadn’t come on but it wasn’t until this morning I realized that he probably has his car souped-up to take off those brake lights deliberately. He wanted me to crash in to him or give me a big scare. In any case, it didn’t work.

What I did find alarming is the malice. No longer is it just the expected sloppy driving but now the ploys. I later spoke to a friend and he says this is a ploy that is being pulled on unsuspecting drivers to make them bump into the car in front of them, pull over, and then rob them. It makes sense since I was on the road to the airport where many tourists drive to return their cars.

Fortunately, I am returning home soon. In the meantime you can be sure I will be praying and changing my routine while watching out for that little red car that is on fire.

Dios nos proteja!

Bougainvillea

2011-12-30T18:14:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite plants: the bougainvillea...am I spelling that wrong? Any way, just like Juliette would by any other name a rose would smell as sweet, more or less, and bougainvilleas are beautiful in white, tangy orange, beige, or magenta...feathery, paper like, and lovely. Thorns that secure a safe hedge, but nevertheless scratchy and a tad threatening all wrapped up in one.

La trinitaria como le decimos en español. Whatever you call it trinitaria (trinity) or bougainvillea, it is beautiful. Enjoy!

Gift Cards Scam

2011-12-30T08:30:00.002-05:00

Gift cards are so convenient but they should come with a warning label reading, "This merchandise may be harmful to your wallet!" Be careful when giving away a gift card. Scams! Unscrupulous people are finding a way to get to your money before you can give it away. Recently I gave a family member a gift card, which I purchased at it well known drug store and gave it as a present of course. You know how convenient gift cards are to insert in a thank you card or to give someone to go to a restaurant since you are making it more personal. Well, so I gave away a Visa gift card. When my relative went to use it, it gave him all sorts of problems including not being able to use it in his favorite restaurant to pay for his own meal. It was exasperating and confusing, defeating the whole purpose of the gift!

How does this scam work? Well they the steal the access code to your gift card. You purchase and activate the card but before you are able to use it, they have accessed and used it!

What can we do?

First of all, be wise. Check the display where the cards are located. They should not be available for people to touch and finger through unsupervised. They should be located behind the counter for direct supervision. If they are aren't, that should immediately raise a red flag. These cards are potential money and should be displayed as expensive jewelry because in value they are.

Don't buy them there and speak to the manager! Shop around until you find a store that has their gift cards properly secured and displayed. Until you find a place with the proper security in place, don't purchase a card. It might be better to give someone a money order than a gift card in my opinion.

More articles and advice on the topic:

http://www.newser.com/story/135703/gift-card-scam-warning-issued.html

http://www.scambusters.org/giftcard.html

Punta Tuna Beach Maunabo in late December

2011-12-28T11:49:00.001-05:00

These pictures speak for themselves, don't they?

Cruz de Malta Fest

2011-12-28T11:33:00.002-05:00

These are some guava colored Cruz de Malta or Maltese Cross flowers that I found in a garden in Villas del Faro. I thought they were lovely so here they are. The funny part is that the batteries in my camera had basically expired or died and a few minutes earlier had refused to open the camera or take a shot. I let the camera rest for a few minutes and it worked long enough for me to take these quick shots!

See other Cruz de Malta pictures.

Walking along the Beach

2011-12-27T04:22:00.001-05:00

An occasional red leaf
among a sea of green,
grasses gracefully holding their ground,
washed up bamboo
peeled off branches,
a hairy coconut,
a solitary pelican gliding along
as he watches us
walk along the beach.

Intestinex

2011-12-23T06:56:00.011-05:00

What is it? This is a capsule which I understand is made locally in Puerto Rico and is used particularly when people have been prescribed antibiotics and need to have the natural flora in their intestines restored. According to Web md.com this is their description and I quote:

"This product contains the bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus, which is naturally found in the stomach/intestines. Some conditions (such as antibiotic use) can cause problems with the normal balance of bacteria in the stomach/intestines, resulting in diarrhea. This product can help restore the normal balance of intestinal bacteria. This product has been used for diarrhea and other stomach/intestinal problems. It has also been used for vaginal and urinary tract infections."

Find the complete entry here

The pills are inexpensive, effective, easy to take, and make you feel better quickly.* I know they have been inspected since I needed a doctor's prescription to get them at a local pharmacy which is part of a national chain. I wish they were manufactured stateside but I appreciate I can come to PR and find them.

*Note these comments do not constitute an endorsement or medical advice but simply my experience using intestinex.

Tamales, too.

2011-12-21T19:43:00.001-05:00

We made some tamales with La Colombiana cornmeal, but I can't give you the recipe because if I do my sister will do me in...so all I can say is that they came out delicious!

Essential Christmas Tradition in PR

2011-12-21T19:17:00.002-05:00

Christmas in PR is lively and religious with either going to a candlelight service on Christmas Eve or Midnight Mass (Misa de Gallo). It also includes family get-togethers with good food and one of the most traditional foods is Pasteles. It is a tradition for family members to get together earlier in the week to put all the ingredientes together, so my sister, my niece, her husband, and I did just that this afternoon. We gathered around a table and started the assembly line. At the head of the table was the wax paper, with a seared plantain leaf on top, then you have to spoon some oil melded with achiote (annatto), next la masa or finely grated green banana mix with chicken broth (you can purchase this mix pre-grated at many grocery stores), then add garbanzos, olives, a raisin or two, and a strand of red pepper.

The last person in the assembly line folds the paper with the mix inside making a neatly folded rectangle which is tied with a bit of string like a neat little package. You can place the pasteles in the freezer and have them ready for a party, family get together, or simply for when you are hungry and don't want to cook.

It is a treat!

Haciendo Punto en un Pastel

2011-12-21T17:58:00.001-05:00

Tradición familiar indiscutible en la Navidad ademas de las luces navideñas, lechon asado, parrandas, y coquito es hacer una pastelada. Esta tarde mi hermana, sobrina, su esposo, y yo nos unimos para hacer los pasteles tradicionales de Puerto Rico.
Los pasteles tenian todos los ingredientes esenciales incluyendo, la masa de guineos con caldo de pollo, con un toque de calabaza y papa, ademas de pernil guisado y pollo, el aciete con oliva con achiote, luego las acietunas con alcaparas, garbanzos, unas pasas opcionales, las hojas de plantano amortiguadas y con un cierre de oro con un cordoncito en lazo.

Hicimos 24 pasteles con cuatro libras de masa preparada, 2 lb. de calabaza, y dos papas medianas...

Quedaron bien lindos. Horita los probamos... te cuento!

Earthquake in Puerto Rico Trench Today

2011-12-19T18:44:00.005-05:00

A 3.69 earthquake took place in the Puerto Rico Trench area but don't be misled by the name of the area because it was actually closer to the Dominican Republic. I thought we might all want to take note. Though the USGS clearly marks the latitude and longitud, it doesn't go indepth in the Worldwide List of Recent Earthquakes any information of the surrounding geography. Of course not it is a list and limited to a line, though if you click on the word map, it will take you to a more detailed map of the area. Yet even then, the map does not denote the fact that this particular quake was within the Trench area, one of the deepest areas in the world. Click here for the map at USGS. The Puerto Rico Seismic Network on the other hand includes depth information in its color coded illustrations which make it easier to interpret this information. It works better for those of us who are not versed in the location of various trenches and fault lines. So kudos for them! To see the info click here, then scroll down. Basically what I am saying is that it helps to know you can merge the information from both sites to get a more complete picture of the seismic activity in any given area. Follow the links at USGS and you will find the originating source for their information and it is usually replete with additional information.

Noting that we had some recent seismic activity just off of Puerto Rico last week. See links here. Since then many people are trying to keep tabs on earthquake activity in the area. Let's hope we all stay safe, that is our prayer.

To all those gifted and dedicated people putting up such useful information online, Thank You!

More Earthquakes in Puerto Rico

2011-12-18T01:01:00.002-05:00

Here is the full report...of earthquakes in PR of 2.5 and up, because according to a newspaper reporter, family member of mine, there have been hundreds of minor aftershocks since last night's two twin earthquakes right off of Puerto Rico. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued the following information on its website for Dec 17th

MAP 2.8 2011/12/17 23:08:43 18.202 -67.364 13.8 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 3.2 2011/12/17 23:07:20 18.177 -67.367 17.7 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 5.0 2011/12/17 22:42:24 -22.465 179.268 615.0 SOUTH OF THE FIJI ISLANDS

MAP 2.9 2011/12/17 21:21:39 62.114 -147.419 6.4 CENTRAL ALASKA

MAP 5.3 2011/12/17 20:54:21 -59.759 -26.435 68.7 SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS REGION

MAP 2.5 2011/12/17 19:47:51 18.180 -67.356 15.9 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.9 2011/12/17 16:33:09 38.489 -122.727 4.8 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

MAP 3.2 2011/12/17 14:46:59 32.802 -100.857 5.0 WESTERN TEXAS

MAP 2.9 2011/12/17 13:37:18 62.147 -145.244 37.5 CENTRAL ALASKA

MAP 3.0 2011/12/17 11:43:20 18.166 -67.366 12.4 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.7 2011/12/17 10:19:52 19.503 -155.493 1.9 ISLAND OF HAWAII, HAWAII

MAP 5.0 2011/12/17 10:18:19 -32.770 -178.405 15.8 SOUTH OF THE KERMADEC ISLANDS

MAP 3.1 2011/12/17 10:05:32 18.165 -67.375 17.8 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.8 2011/12/17 09:48:34 18.188 -67.372 11.8 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.5 2011/12/17 09:13:07 18.167 -67.369 19.2 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 4.7 2011/12/17 08:48:19 45.388 147.555 162.4 KURIL ISLANDS

MAP 2.5 2011/12/17 08:00:57 18.194 -67.340 15.6 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.6 2011/12/17 07:34:48 18.191 -67.342 17.2 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 3.1 2011/12/17 07:32:20 18.179 -67.371 16.2 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 3.1 2011/12/17 07:30:21 18.195 -67.380 16.8 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.7 2011/12/17 07:21:57 18.238 -67.355 13.2 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.8 2011/12/17 07:11:13 18.161 -67.368 16.6 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 3.1 2011/12/17 07:03:18 18.178 -67.366 21.5 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.5 2011/12/17 07:01:08 18.174 -67.382 16.3 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.7 2011/12/17 06:55:14 18.174 -67.377 24.0 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.8 2011/12/17 06:49:17 18.173 -67.362 21.2 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 3.2 2011/12/17 06:45:56 18.184 -67.394 7.6 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.5 2011/12/17 06:40:09 18.152 -67.397 17.2 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.7 2011/12/17 06:38:23 18.160 -67.391 15.1 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 3.1 2011/12/17 06:32:18 18.158 -67.365 16.0 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.6 2011/12/17 06:23:08 18.189 -67.357 13.0 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 3.2 2011/12/17 06:21:03 18.185 -67.380 17.0 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.5 2011/12/17 06:16:39 18.186 -67.355 12.0 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.6 2011/12/17 06:15:40 18.194 -67.367 15.6 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 3.0 2011/12/17 06:14:20 18.186 -67.319 7.2 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 3.2 2011/12/17 06:11:03 18.170 -67.165 41.0 PUERTO RICO

MAP 2.6 2011/12/17 06:09:23 33.786 -116.707 18.5 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

MAP 5.3 2011/12/17 06:09:09 18.172 -67.371 17.0 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 5.1 2011/12/17 06:06:12 18.188 -67.370 14.0 MONA PASSAGE, PUERTO RICO

MAP 4.8 2011/12/17 06:04:56 4.197 122.856 588.2 CELEBES SEA

MAP 3.0 2011/12/17 03:16:49 37.029 -104.873 5.0 COLORADO

MAP 2.8 2011/12/17 00:53:29 60.793 -153.015 179.8 SOUTHERN ALASKA

MAP 4.9 2011/12/17 00:12:18 -52.493 26.542 10.0 SOUTH OF AFRICA

We have a proverb here in Puerto Rico, "Dios nos coja confesao," which basically means, if we are called "home," may we have made things right we the Lord or have gone to confession. So let's hope things settle down. That there may be peace in our little island and peace on our streets, too. Say a little prayer for Puerto Rico.