Carmen's Chronicles: October 2010

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Monday Yellow Monday - Diamond Head at Sunrise - November 1, 2010

I am participating in Mellow Yellow Monday.

Check out the site for some wonderful photography.

One Shock Sunday: A Halloween Special - Haunted Pumpkins - October 31, 2010

For many months they grew,

On hills above the sea,

Kissed by morning fog,

Awaiting destiny.

At night, when all lay sleeping,

Evil spirits walked the rows,

And picked out certain pumpkins,

Made note of by black crows.

Instead of fertilizer,

The birds made sure each day,

That a ghastly preparation,

Was added to their spray.

As Halloween approached,

Those pumpkins, prized by all,

Were the first bought by the public,

The biggest and the small.

They went to towns all over,

The San Francisco Bay,

For thousands came from everywhere,

To celebrate that day.

No one ever knew,

That for one hundred souls,

Tragedy would befall them,

The spirits had to meet their goals.

Carmen Henesy

Sundays in My City - Camelot Fish & Chips, Pacifica, CA - October 31, 2010

For my 34 years in the San Francisco area, I've lived in San Mateo County, close to

San Francisco - either in South San Francisco, Pacifica or Daly City. For that entire

time, Camelot Fish & Chips has been in existence ( it originated in 1969, seven years

before I moved from southern CA where I'd spent one year ). I passed it thousands of

times, primarily going to the Pacifica post office which is located right across the street

from the ocean - or to the Bank of America ATM or Safeway. Camelot is right there

with all of them. I'm not sure why I never stopped for a meal!

On Tuesday, after I mailed my packages, I finally decided to stop in. My healthy

breakfast had given way to gigantic rumblings and dinner was still several hours away.

I found myself in a very atmospheric place, filled with memorabilia of England - pictures

of Lady Di, the Queen, Guinness ads, flags, etc and a great assortment of fried fish and seafood choices. Of course, I had to have the big combination called "The Camelot" - it included fish, 3 shrimp, 3 oysters,3 scallops and fries ( $10.75 ). Only calamari were

missing and I don't see why they couldn't have added a few of those as well. I restrained

myself from ordering a side of mushrooms and sweet potato fries. I finished everything

except except a few fries and washed it down with a wonderful draft of Guinness
( I'm normally not a beer drinker except for the dark kind ).

All in all, it was quite tasty though I'm not overly fond of fried food any more. If I could

have gotten a grilled seafood plate with the same choices, I would have really been

happy. I wasn't crazy about the tartar sauce but the malt vinegar was fine.

Nothing could really compare with my visit to British friends in Rye, England and eating

at the fish and chips place, right on the beach, that they took me to there. Camelot is

the best of its kind that I've had, thus far, in the U. S. Given a choice, though, I'd opt for

grilled seafood anywhere rather than fried.

Oh, yes, later, when I was reading up on the place, I found that, for dessert, they serve a

fried Mars Bar. I'll go back in just to try that, if for no other reason.

I'm participating in Unknown Mami's Sundays in My City.

Check out the site and join in!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Camera Critters & Weekend Reflections, Life is Ducky, October 30, 2010

Life is ducky at San Francisco's Botanical Garden.

This photograph is sharing in two memes - Camera Critters and Weekend Reflections #58.

Check them both out.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Flash 55 Friday - Things That Go Bump in the Night - October 29, 2010

Things that go bump in the night,

Really give me a fright,

I'd rather be home and not seen,

And go candyless on Halloween.

There'll be be witches and goblins about,

Doing all sorts of evil, no doubt,

I'm afraid I'd fall under their spell,

And plunge my lilly white soul into hell!

Poor me!

Carmen Henesy

I'm participating in Flash 55 Friday, brainchild of G-Man aka Mr. Know-it-all.

Congratulations, GIANTS, you did it again!

Keep it up in Texas!

Alphabe-Thursday - "F" is for Fabulous & Fantastic - October 28, 2010

Alphabe-Thursday - "F" is for Fabulous & Fantastic - October 28, 2010

Fabulous and fantastic pretty much describe our San Francisco Giants! Needless to

say, this city by the bay celebrated big time last night as its baseball team won Game 1

of the world series. I've never been a great baseball fan myself but, regardless, I always

support my home team and, like so many others, I sat glued to the t.v. set to watch the

opening game against the Texas Rangers. I can just imagine how exciting it must have

been to be among the crowds at AT & T Park at Willie Mays Plaza! Of course, there is

something to be said for being with your family at home, enjoying a dinner of Country

Captain ( an Indian chicken curry dish ) and Carmen's Caribbean Cocktails and not

having to wait in traffic to get home after the game.

Our Giants did the fans proud and we are hoping for another win tonight. We'll be right

there cheering you on.

Logo is from the San Francisco Giants website

GO GIANTS!!!

I am participating in Alphabe-Thursday - come join in the fun!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Wordless Wednesday & Watery Wednesday - Forty Years Ago ( age 24/25 ) in Miami and Lake Tahoe - October 27, 2010

Wordless Wednesday & Watery Wednesday

Forty Years Ago ( age 24/25 ) in Miami and Lake Tahoe - October 27, 2010

I'm participating in Wordless Wednesday

and Watery Wednesday.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Ruby Tuesday - From The Botanical Garden, San Francisco - October 26, 2010

This beautiful oasis, midst cable cars climbing halfway to the stars, scenic Bay vistas

and some of the best eating in the United States, is a special place to visit at any time

of the year. It is a sanctuary to all, offering a moment of respite from the stresses of life.

I am participating in Ruby Tuesday.

Check out the site to see wonderful posts!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Mellow Yellow Monday - New Orleans Drive In Daiquari Bar - October 25, 2010

When I arrived in New Orleans forty-eight years ago to start nursing school at Charity

Hospital, the legal drinking age was eighteen. We, however, did not have any

drive through daiquairi bars. They still did not exist when I moved away in 1969. At

some point in time, in recent years, I noticed several when I visited. I'm not sure they

are such a good idea, though, since they don't seem to discourage drinking and

driving.

When I was there last week for my nursing school reunion and my friend was driving,

we stopped so I could get my first ever "drive through daiquiri" and some photographs.

I can't say the quality of the drink was superior. Give me a Sazerac at one of the great

bars in New Orleans...none of this drive through stuff for me!!

You can't miss this sign!

It beats drive by banking, I guess!

$5.00 off gallons on Sundays!!

I'm participating in Mellow Yellow Monday.

Check out the other yellow posts.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Sundays in My City - New Orleans Scenes - October 24, 2010

I thought I would post more pictures of my visit to New Orleans since that's where I was

last Sunday. In between my 45 year nursing school reunion functions, my friend and I

drove around the city. Much has changed, of course, since our student nurse days but

much has not. Roads are terrible - part of New Orleans is at - or below - sea level and

the constant flooding when it rains, contributes to the constant disrepair of roads. There

is still much that hasn't been repaired since Katrina and it is so sad to see houses still

boarded up. The Quarter is much the same, though, and the Cafe du Monde was packed

at all hours of the day and night with folks wanting their beignet and coffee fix!

Magazine Street shotgun house

St. Charles home

Another St. Charles house

Oaks and St. Charles antebellum mansion

Warehouse district

Waiter at Cafe du Monde

Beignets and coffee and chicory

Sue and her beignet - no sneeze, please

Pontalba apartments at night

Light at Jackson Square

I am participating in Unknown Mami's Sundays in My City.

Join in the fun.