Camera Critters #187 - Barbados Donkey - November 5, 2011

While traveling around the beautiful Caribbean island of Barbados, I came
across this donkey, tied up and waiting patiently in the heat, for someone
to come along and pay attention to him.

I am participating in Camera Critters, #187 - put up your

favorite critter photo and join in the fun!



Happy 4th of July - Home To The USA - July 4, 2011

It's almost 2AM here in the San Francisco area and, already, I can hear

firecrackers going off.  I guess some folks must have been out on the

town and have decided not to wait until tonight to celebrate our

country's independence from England.  I have no special plans

myself.  I've been busy shredding papers all day, going through

boxes and trying to tidy up a bit before my dear friend of forty-

nine years, Martha Genin, arrives on Wednesday.  That is cause, in

itself, for celebration. 

My oldest son, Shawn, just got back late tonight, from a weekend with

friends in Las Vegas so I suspect he may sleep away the 4th.  My

youngest son, Jeremy, stopped by briefly this evening after an

afternoon of fishing and crabbing with a friend on the Pacific ( they

threw back their catch ) and Alex, my middle son, who lives a hundred

miles away in West Sacrmento is working.  That's all fine by me.

I celebrate the 4th in my heart, glad, in spite of all the problems we

face in the United States, that I am an American. 

Everyone knows, I am sure, how much I love to travel and I've been

truly blessed in that I have, until the loss of my job three years ago,

been to practically every corner of the globe.  The cherishd memories

of the beauty of this earth, the wonderful people I've met along the

way, the delights I've experienced will forever be with me.  Yet, when

all is said and done, it is always good to return to my homeland, this

country that I love above all, these fifty states that make up America.

One of the first poems in my book of poetry, "Life's Journey" which

was published in May of 2010 is called, "Home To The U.S.A.".

I may have printed it in my blog before but, today, on the 4th of

July, I am repeating it.  I love you, America!





Home to the USA

I*ve traveled all about this world,

And seen sights most sublime,

The marble towers of the Taj,

And set my watch by Big Ben’s time.

I stood in awe at the Acropolis,

Drank wines thoughout Bordeaux,

Sailed past the Sydney Opera House,

Played black jack in Monaco.

I’ve watched a Barbados sunset,

Rode the Star Ferry in Hong Kong,

I saw exotic dancers in Bali,

Heard Bangkok temple bells gong.

I marveled at David in Florence,

Prayed at a mosque in Brunei,

Danced tango in Buenos Aires,

Sampled samosas in far Mumbai.

Yet, no matter where I travel,

And how far afield I roam,

It feels good to return to America,

The best country of  all – for it’s home.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 2005 Carmen Henesy.

All Rights Reserved

I am participating in Mellow Yellow Monday #128 -

add your post and join in the fun!



Mellow Yellow Monday 112, Dancers in Puerto Rico, March 14, 2011

Quite a few years ago, I was a frequent traveler to the Caribbean - even though I didn't
spend much time sunbathing ( I loved the scenery, the ocean, the lush tropical vegetation,
the various cultures and the history ) but I never liked the heat so I spent most of my
time in the shade and wearing a "Southern belle" hat, using lots of sunscreen.  I guess
that's why I was suprised with my basal cell carcinoma diagnosis.  Well, at 66, with
years of looking at the sea, I suppose I could have gotten a bit of sun.  Anyway, it
was certainly worth it, I think, to see all the beautiful world that I did!

I was in Puerto Rico,probably, fifty times in ten years.  It is a vibrant exciting place
but I loved getting outside the city to other places.  One of my favorite places was
La Parguera and the Phosphorescent Bay and Humacao on the other side of the
island.  If I had to pick a favorite island, though, it is Barbados.  I think it is so beautiful,
with its calm Caribbean side and its wilder Atlantic coast.  Not to omit the fact that
my favorite rum comes from there, the dark Mt. Gay variety.  I've done a serious study
of rums of the world and, thus far, it ranks at the top.  I also like Goslings from
Bermuda, Flor de Cana from Nicaragua, Pyrat from Anguilla, Babancourt from
Haiti, Appleton from Jamaica.  Bacardi is not oe of my favorites!

Whenever I could, I took in a folkloric show or saw flamenco or Puerto Rican
dancers - or my favorite singers, Los Kintos, who used to perform weekly
at th Caribe Hilton.

Oh, the memories all this brings back!

I am participating in Mellow Yellow Monday - check out the site and join in the fun!

Watery Wednesday #127 & Wordless Wednesday, Barbados Sunset, February 19, 2011

I am participating in both Watery Wednesday & Wordless Wednesday.

Check out the sites and join in the fun!