My Poor Little Plum Tree

Last month, a horrible storm came through and broke the central part of my tree off.  My poor little tree was heavy with unripened fruit and couldn't take the strong winds.  Poor, poor, tree.  I tried to salvage whatever fruit that was left on the broken branch, and then my Mister Man went out and sawed off the broken branch.

It's so sad that I waited five years for my tree to bloom, and it finally bloomed this year and bore fruit, but then had it's main branch break off.  It's gone through so much trauma, although I will continue to hope that it be okay.  I'm afraid what's going to happen next year and I think I'm going to have to tie it down to a pole to give it support.  I'll have to wait and see if it will fruit next year.

Sweet, Sweet, Fall

Fall is in the air.  The last few weeks, other than this week, have been cool and rainy.  Somehow, this week has been hot, humid, and steamy.  I often don't look forward to the upcoming winter months, but for some reason this year, I'm ready for the cool weather to come in.

I'm ready to cocoon and hibernate.  Even if I'm going to hate the snow, ice, and bad bad road conditions, I just want to be home bound.  I want to stay in bed and do nothing (or watch movies in bed).  I'm noticing all the changes around me and I'm breathing a sigh of relief knowing that sweet sweet fall is here.

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?

Playa Negra

Playa Negra (a.ka. Black Beach), Vieques, Puerto Rico,

Taken July 28, 2015.

Key West Disco Time Machine

Would you dare to blast into your past with this time machine?

[Taken July 19, 2016 in Key West, FL.]

Tuesday's Tune: Photograph

I (heart) this song,  "Photograph," by Ed Sheeran. Sometimes all we have left are the reminders of love that's frozen in time. That particular moment (captured in a photograph or forever engrained in a memory) can be held onto even when the moment's long gone.  With the passage of time,  we eventually will forgive the hurtful words that once were so real (and probably thought we would never get over), and be able to look at that photograph, that person, that moment, and know that love wasn't wasted and love wasn't given in vain.  Love is eternal, it will always remain.

What do you think of this song?

Florida Trip

West Palm Beach in the distance.

In mid-July, I took a family trip with my Mr. Man and his side of the family.  It was an interesting trip, but not one that I would do again soon.  Florida weather in July is miserable.  Really, really miserable.  It's hot, humid, muggy, and humid (I know I already mentioned it, but it was that bad). Since there were so many of us with different itineraries, my Mr. Man and I flew in by ourselves and met up with his family members in Orlando and drove.

Walking on Old Seven Mile bridge.

Since there were several cars, with my Mr. Man and me having our own rental vehicle, we agreed to explore and eventually just meet the rest of his family members at our final destination.  So, my Mr. Man and I started out from Orlando, drove to West Palm Beach, then to Miami, and finally to Key West (all in one day).

Sunrise in Sombero Beach, FL.

We spent most of our time in Florida doing activities in Key West.  I went parasailing, which wasn't too bad, and visited several interesting sites in Key West (I hope to post a future blog posting here). While in Key West, my allergies didn't act up at all.  What I also found surprising about Key West were all the "wild" chickens and roosters running around.  Really, who would've thought that wild chickens and roosters would be a trademark of Key West.

Outside a post office in Key West.

After being in Key West, we then headed to the Everglades.  It was an interesting experience being in the Everglades, but July is NOT the best time to visit it.  If you ever consider going to the Everglades, go there during January or February, when all the birds migrate back to the area.  Also, don't expect to see flamingos.  There's a very long and sad story about the plight of the flamingos in Florida (you can go here and here to read more about it).  It really is a big swamp and you really do get to see some gators and other interesting flora and fauna native to this state.  It was supposed to be the "rainy" season while we were there, but then I guess Florida must also be going through a drought, like many parts of the U.S.

Birds flocking to the water, in this dried up waterhole.  Everglades, FL.

Looks like a field, but it's actually swampy underneath.  Everglades, FL.

Mangroves in the Everglades.

After two days in the Everglades, we headed to Tampa and Orlando, with a pit stop at Bowman's Beach in Sanibel Island.  Now, if you've ever googled the beaches in Sanibel Island, you'll see that it's known for its seashell covered beaches.  Now, I didn't find really big seashells, but I did find some small seashells.

Milky Way over the Everglades. 

Then we were off to Tampa to have dinner with a friend. We both stayed one night in Tampa, driving to Orlando the next morning to catch our flight to our next adventure.

Friday's Quote: Malala Yousafzai

"If you go anywhere, even in paradise, you will miss your home."---Malala Yousafzai

I haven't been blogging because the automatic updates to my computer killed the wifi on it.  So, I have to manually connect my computer to an internet plug and try to connect my computer to the internet.  I've also been on vacation for the last two weeks and have been having adventures.  I didn't arrive home until late Wednesday night and I'm pooped out.

I have so many stories and pictures to share, but I'm so glad to be home.  I didn't really miss my home until I actually got home.  I was in an area where some people may consider a paradise (it border the Caribbean Sea), but I've realized that it's not for me.  At least, not right now.  I'm so happy to be back at home, with my gardens, the less than humid air, my lake, and my overgrown yard.  I'm so glad to help make up my neighborhood and be a part of my neck of the woods.  It's home for me.  At least, right now.

How are you?  Have you gone anywhere outside of home...Europe, Asia, even down the street?

Waterboy

[Taken July 4, 2015.]

Tuesday's Tune: Go Rest High On That Mountain

I believe Vince Gill wrote "Go Rest High On That Mountain" after his brother's passing.  For personal reasons and a good reminder that those who have passed are never far from our thoughts, I'd like to share this song.

Please let me know what you think of this song.

Just Playing

[Taken May 25, 2015.]