Lest We Forget

Remembrance Day – also known as Poppy Day, Armistice Day (the event it commemorates) or Veterans Day – is a day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war, specifically since the First World War. It is observed on 11 November to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)

The poppy's significance to Remembrance Day is a result of Canadian military physician John McCrae's poem "In Flanders Fields". The poppy emblem was chosen because of the poppies that bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their red colour an appropriate symbol for the bloodshed of trench warfare.


At eleven this morning, we will be observing a moment of silence and remembrance for all those who have been to war, those who are at war now and those who will have to go to war sometime in the future. Thank you all.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)

TuttiFrutti - It's Official!!

We had to pick up a few things in the village this afternoon and rode our bikes past TuttiFrutti to see if there was anything happening.

Now it is official, the Open sign is on the door. TuttiFrutti is open for business. The day so many of us have been waiting for is finally here.

How can anyone resist that beautiful, smiling face?

First day open and the choices were too many. I wanted one of everything.

I ended up with three layers.

Titzi across the road giving us the "thumb's up"!! Later she came and chatted with us. She did let it slip that there will be some new flavours this year. She told us what they are, but we said we would keep her secret.

On The Road

Early the next morning, I was out running errands while Bob hit Southside Meats and I came across a family setting up their wares.

This little princess was doing a little dance for me.

Here we have the backside of the market. There are five or six individual little places where you can get breakfast or lunch, depending on the time of day. Be warned, the only place we have found that serves drip coffee is the Caladium.

On the way home, we had two hours to kill in Dangriga so we went to the Pelican Beach for lunch.

Here we have a squirrel that literally jumped from palm tree to palm tree. Entertainment was free!! After lunch we caught the 2pm bus back home.

Belmopan Artisan Show

We heard there was going to be an Artisan Show in Belmopan on Thursday, so decided we needed some culture in our lives. We were up early Thursday morning and on the bus. We rolled out of Placencia at 6:25 and we were in Belmopan just before 10. We were lucky and got the air conditioned express bus.

Breakfast at the Caladium and we were on our way. We found our way to the US Embassy with no problems, it was a nice walk and we got to see all the smaller embassies on the way.

It was not exactly what we expected, it was quite small, but the art displayed was very nice. We bought a hummingbird feeder.

By the time we got there, I was looking for a washroom. There was no problem using the washroom at the embassy as long as you were willing to leave everything you carried with security, went through a metal detector just like at the airport, and promised you were not carrying a bomb. I only had to pee for heaven's sake.

Stars and Stripes behind bars.

Here is one last picture saying not to take pictures.

Views From My Hammock

Branching Out

Most of us know David Perez from his store in Seine Bight, but last year David opened a second store here in Placencia Village. It is tucked in right behind Omar's restaurant on the main (only) road.

Here is David's store in late September.

Last week, we were checking things out and came across these discerning shoppers. David has done a lot of work and built new shelving and painted them in nice bright colours.

Little shopper in training.

Two days ago we found David painting the outside. I promised him I would come back and take a picture of the finished product. Looking good David.

Never Trust a Croc

This little? crocodile is in the pool in front of what used to be Caribbean Travel and Tours, below Rumfish and beside Tutti Fruitti.

If he looks lonely, it is because there is only one of him. The people who keep the pool well stocked with fish, turtles and crocs were concerned because he looked lonely. They brought in a little friend for him to keep him company and all was well. A couple of days later, the 'friend' went missing, this guy has a full belly and is not in the mood to eat. All I am saying is, if your friend is a croc, don't trust him.

Moths

Everyday we put out fruit for the birds. They are in the trees around us, but not feeding on our fruit yet. However, we have attracted some other creatures. Moths!!

This little guy really enjoys the bananas. Some gnatcatchers came and looked at him, but didn't chase him away.

They can grow to be quite large. This is the same type of moth, same markings and that is Bob's hand.

Here is the same one on a tree. Spread out like this, he reminds me of the rays we swim with out at the reef, but not quite as large.

Update to Home Again

Just a quick note...
Da Tatch has reopened, with new staff, and.... there is action at the Purple Space Monkey. Looks like they are painting and sprucing it up for a re-opening.

Rainy Days and Sunshine

Some days, you just never know what the weather will be. Last week it was sunshine for us, but we could see the rain coming down on the cayes that are just a few miles off our shore.

Here you can see the rain falling on the cayes.

Then you can see what it is supposed to look like, nice and sunny with blue skies.

Home Again

Just a few little updates.

Yoli's is open again, yes I know it never really closed, but the grill is happening and food can be had again.

Folks from Tutti Frutti are home (thank goodness, we were going through withdrawal big time) and expect to be open very soon. I don't think it is a secret, but I was told they brought back some new flavours to be tried.

Barefoot has reopened and the food is as good as ever. The new paint job is bright and inviting.

Mango's has reopened as AnneMarie and Steve are home again from their travels to New Zealand.

That's all the updates I have for now.