Going To See It All

Monday, June 22, 2020

Semi Isolation Continues 6/2/2020

6/2/ - 6/18/2020

Interesting watching the country of Colombia since I had signed up for their Embassy alerts when I was going to travel there in March. So glad I didn't go. Folks 70 and above can barely get out. The government is guarding them like jewels which is good.

America is having riots and looting in places due to a questionable death of an Black* man in Minneapolis. There is extra emotion due to people having been locked up because of the virus so anything can cause flareups..........and I think this is the beginning. I am anticipating a "long, hot, summer". I hope I'm wrong. I lived in LA when we had the Watts Riots and we had the National Guard walking around my city (1965) and saw them with their rifles. What a weird feeling that was.

President Trump (6/1/2020):

In a Rose Garden address, President Donald Trump issued an order to mobilize all military resources "effective immediately" to break up any riots stemming from protests over the death of George Floyd.

Trump threatened governors with military intervention if they do not take his "strongly recommended" advice to deploy National Guard troops to "dominate the streets."

La loca vida.................here's Colombia

Location: Colombia

Event: Expected Demonstration at the U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Embassy has received reports of a planned demonstration tomorrow at 3 p.m. in front of the U.S. Embassy. Colombian National Police expect 50-100 demonstrators for a “Platon Por La Vida, La Paz, y Contra La Guerra” (Protest for Life, Peace, and Against War).

The Embassy will continue to review the protest and provide updates as necessary.

Ebola raising its head in Africa in the Congo.

Seems like everything is hitting at once, everywhere.

Cities are opening up more and loosening tight controls regarding isolation. Asking for "social distancing" and .... asking people to please wear a mask if you want. (I cannot and will not forgive Trump for not wearing a mask) So time will tell if this works well. My friend sent me a great article about "fatigue" with people tiring of masks and control. Some people don't think this is real, I do. I won't be at my state capitol with my gun.

Since I started this (6/2/20 and today is 6/13/20) looks like lots of looting in Manhattan with the rioters hitting all the high end areas, and I mean high end stores. Hope the owners had all the diamonds and good stuff out and had anticipated this. I think protests are fine, but not violence and looting, burning.

Anyway, I'm into my own world now. I'm working on my Spanish 3 hours a day. I figured I had time so why waste it. Meeting friends for occasional walks, park visits Zoom calls that are so fun. I've held a few Zoom Trivia Games with friends and Whine & Wine. Just trying to keep life entertaining and interesting. I am also on a very, very strict eating plan and have lost 10 pounds....that's the 10 I gained since the virus. So back to square one. So far I've been perfecto and hope to continue for several months without losing my mind and going crazy with some ______________ that I am dreaming about. My goal when I lose is to try to not go crazy but to continue eating healthy. The goal is health. I'm sure I will have an occasional croissant (I can be sure of this). But hopefully I can keep my weight down once I go to all the hard work to lose it. Time will tell. I've lost hundreds of pounds over the years just to gain them back. Let's hope I'm a little smarter now.

Largo Preserve - 10 minutes from my house

June 17, 2020

So that is the end of this saga.  I'm hoping things will simmer down, that people will come to the table and talk over issues, find solutions.  I hope protests got the attention of our leaders and changes can be made seriously so everyone has fair opportunities, treatment.  I could go on and on, but not going to do it.  Most of us know what is right and that is what we should do.  I'm a huge fan of the Golden Rule and if we could live by that it would be a super great world.

So as we move forth we hope for better days, more love and kindness and solving problems through peaceful methods.

And on a positive note, I've survived this time because of my wonderful friends. Being able to meet while distancing. Parks, visits, crafts, walking and being out in nature. Florida is nature in your own backyard and there is always something to do. I have sure saved a ton of money by not eating out in restaurants, and I'm healthier too.

Looking to our future, new adventures and friends. I just hope I've learned to take the pace a little slower. We'll see, there is no guarantee.

Honeymoon Island 

Osprey Trail  June 3, 2020

Sue and I spent several days during this

time doing crafts, a real life saver.  So much fun.

And the good saying from the 60's, I get by with a little help from my friends. They have been crucial during this. Thanks to all of you who met up, walked with me or took me for a walk, Zoomed, FB'd, What's Upped, called, sent a card. A hard world with no hugs, but I made it. I'm going to be a hug-a-holic when this is over.

..........and I leave with "why can't we all just get along" and one more favorite:

This jumps around but I guess life has been that way so I'm not going to fix all this...................

*African American/Black, people are divided on which is appropriate. I choose to use Black. This can be decided or some grammatical rule made some day I hope. Even had to look up whether to capitalize "B" or not - consensus is yes.

Sunday, May 10, 2020

This Crazy World - Virus Time 5/10/2020 Opinion

Seems like the world is now a bit crazier than usual and I'm feeling a bit discouraged. I'd like to leave and find a perfect place somewhere, but I don't think there is one. This isolation (thank goodness not total) is harder than I would have imagined.

The political divisions that were bad before are now amplified ten fold. It is disgusting, just disgusting. There is barely respect toward people on opposing sides. There are conspiracy theories, no real news but the right or left slants (more than vague slants) and opinions as opposed to news. Theories that are so questionable that I can't believe people can even contemplate them.

Knowledge about the virus. I'm afraid they are going to come up with some questionable vaccine. Something needed now, but I worry about looking back in ten years and saying, Oops, we just didn't know it would have that effect. Seems everyone is an expert but no one knows anything. Lots of people who don't think it is serious and take it lightly. Now, some say let's open up and others want to stay locked in due to fear.

I can't believe that a security guard, father of six children, was shot to death, over a face mask. We're seeing so much civil unrest, distrust of the government and "people standing their ground toting their guns on the front steps of state capitals. I'm a gun owner and have a concealed weapons permit, but I think to do protesting packing your guns is wrong to the core and certainly gives the Brady bunch "ammo." Ridiculous and so dangerous.

Who's in charge, the President, the governors, anyone? This whole thing has been poorly handled and just that in itself is scary. Seems people who disagree with the official line are fired, many are dying from the virus (medical personnel who had no appropriate PPE) and then of course there are the doctors in Russia who somehow are mysteriously "falling out of windows" when they have something anti-establishment to say. Blatant!!!!!!!

How could we possibly have our medical people (any/all) working without proper protection?

How could we possibly have have ANY grocery clerks, who make lower wages, risk their lives so that we could have food in our shopping carts and having been without any protection for so long!!!!!!!! These folks came in each day and risked their lives I just could not understand that for over a month I went into my store and they had no masks, gloves, or shield. This is really front line to me and they had taken no oath. Be sure and thank them. I've told them they are heroes which is what I believe.

Too much TV. I have never in my life watched so much TV, too much TV. I ask myself can I watch another show? Yes, some stupid shows, some good series and some documentaries. Actually, I am greatful to have this for entertainment. I just watched a documentary about Human Trafficking that really got me so worked up, it always does. How can this world have people who can traffic young people, young children, for sex. How can this be a world where we traffic people for sex, domestic labor, factory and restaurant labor.

Money and power. It is said that love of money is the root of all evil. All wrongdoing can be traced to an excessive attachment to material wealth. This saying comes from the writings of the Apostle Paul. It is sometimes shortened to “Money is the root of all evil.” Not even looking at this as a Biblical saying, but as a human feeling, what happens to people to cause them to use and exploit others.

I'm disheartened, sad, disgusted. I wish i could pick up the world and shake it. I want us to be kind, thoughtful, care about others. The Golden Rule literally could work and without any other laws on the books if we could apply this. It is so simple: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." It is simple and if we could live by this all laws would truly not be necessary. We would be kind, trust others, deal fairly, do the right thing. But when greed, power and the need to be in charge steps in, along with gross amounts of money that can be made, the Golden Rule just won't work.

Mostly at this moment I'm sad. Discouraged. I don't know if it is good to feel this way once in awhile, but it doesn't feel good. Man's inhumanity to man.

I suppose I could go on and list every ailment and problem we face, but I guess in the end we can only deal with so much. We can't help everyone, solve every problem.

One ailment to add is the effect that drugs have had on this country and many others. We all learn that drugs are bad -- right? We all learned this through parents, schools and saw many movies that never show drugs as glamorous. How in the world can peer pressure or escapism cause us to play around with these potent killers. So many kids in foster care due to the drug epidemic and we can only hope they can make it without too many scars. Grandparents by the millions raising their grandchildren because the parents are unfit. Recent statistics show there are approximately 3 Million grandparents in this position.

The long term effects of drug use, socially, monetarily and criminally are taking a massive toll. It isn't just today and how we are dealing with it, but our future generations. At times this does seem hopeless. I supposed if there is a demand it will be fulfilled. How can we need this relief from drugs when we do have more than most people would have ever imagined. Drugs are in every nook, not just the poor and downtrodden, but in all classes and professions.

Abuse, prisons bursting at the seams (and drugs in the prisons!!!!), gangs who kids turn too to get a feeling of support and belonging, bullying, health issues such as obesity, sugar diabetes, homelessness. The list goes on and on. Wish there were easy answers to all of this.

I will turn 70 tomorrow and it is interesting looking back over my life. I've seen many changes -- great ones, and many horrible ones. I hope that I have done some good and I've done some bad. I want to spend the rest of my time trying to understand what I can do for good. I used to joke with John and say "If I was Queen of the World" I would.......and we'd laugh. I could share some of my most radical ideas with him and luckily he agreed. It would be a big job that's for sure.

So I suppose we all take our little parts, each day we choose what we will do, how we will do it. I think that if you can't do good by taking an action, volunteering, giving, really helping in some way, that people can at least be kind. As I always say, it doesn't cost you one single penny. A kind word in this chaotic world can make a real difference in someone's life. A smile, a compliment, free, easy. Care about your fellow human being.

In sum, I want to say writing this all down has made me feel better but that would not be the truth. I actually feel worse as my mind goes to all the problems, and this list is limited. Will the world become a better place, and I am talking about the world not just America. We must consider the world, just like the virus did, a global pandemic. Can you even imagine it? I want to see a kindness pandemic.

The Earth was able to enjoy our global lockdown. Animals came back to areas, both land and ocean, they hadn't been in a long time, the Earth took a breathe and it was nice to see a photo of Los Angeles that you could clearly see without the layer of smog.

I used to work in downtown Los Angeles. Just a few

weeks made this difference, amazing. Driving into L.A.

from Las Vegas from the mountains I felt zone where

SCUBA gear was needed. This is so amazing to see.

Didn't "sum" above, but I will here. I hope we can come out of this realizing how much we need people, how much we missed people, touch and hugs. I sure missed hugs. Work to heal Mother Earth. Please do what you can and be nice. Don't litter. Find something you care about and try to make this a better place to live.

Sunrise - Paris

Sunset - Nantes

and between the two I will be nice.

Being nice is as cheap as breathing...........
Gena Cameron

Here's a cute song: Be Nice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3oZQw1f7TY

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Street Art - Sweet Art

Murals, Public Art, Sculptures..........Unnatural in Nature

I have always been in love with street art of all types. This stuff is many times really big, some bold, but there to be noticed. I love cities that support it and pay some big bucks for art that is shared with the entire world for free.

I'm putting this compilation together. Art from Mexico, Berlin, Paris, London, St. Petersburg, Florida, Boise, Idaho and all the places I've been to where I've been amazed by what I saw. Going through my photos I knew I had to include memorials. There are many war memorials, too many.

And included will be a few photos of one of my favorites, state capitols. They are public art, free, and they have workmanship like you will never see again. Such detail, beautiful materials used (old woods, marble, granite, carvings, handmade furniture). When you travel I highly recommend an hour or two to see any state capitol you are near. I've seen 46 or 47 and my goal is to see them all. You won't be disappointment if you love workmanship, quality and architecture.

Going through photos, I realized I have to include funny or unusual signs, and things that are corny that you can take your picture with. I can't pass up the put your head in the hole and be a dinosaur, or alligator. John always just groaned. I love this kind of stuff. Hope you do too.

I hope you enjoy this. I think it is rich, fun, and amazing. I don't know if I could live without art in the world.

California 2007

John, loved his family first, gold panning second

Northern Idaho 7/08

Canmore, Canada 7/08

Olympic Village, Calgary, Canada 7/08

Have to include corny things too.

Olympic Village, Calgary, Canada 7/08

Public yes, art ?

Calgary, Canada 7/08

Sculpture Garden, Punta Sur Cliff - Isla Mujeres, Mexico

9/08

Kukulcan Plaza, Cancun, Mexico

Quite a ceiling for a mall. 9/08

John got the biggest kick out of the zebra. Thought he

looked sneaky and we laughed every time we saw it.

This was at the Rainforest Cafe in Cancun, long gone 9/08

Hard Rock, Cancun 9/08

Cool sculpture, makes a nice chair.

Fun day of snorkeling at Yal-Ku, close to Akumal. One

of my favorite places in the world. 9/08

Wonderful sculptures at Yal-Ku 0/08

A beautiful sculpture. Yal-Ku 09/08

Icon for Idaho City, where Idaho was founded due to gold rush.

We always took a photo here when we had guests. 10/08

John, me and our Exchange student daughter, Cherry, from China.

Symbol of Boise, Table Top Rock with the Cross that

lights at night. You would not believe the controversy this cross

has brought. But it has stayed as it is on private land. It beams

above the city. Quite a hike up there......... 11/08

Raleigh, North Carolina 5/08

George Washington sculpture depicted as Roman General.

This was an especially beautiful capitol building. 5/08

Beautiful wood and wood work. Raleigh, NC State Capitol

5/08

2009

Isla Mujures, Mexico

Cancun

Austin, Texas Statehouse

This capitol building is number 1 out of the 46 I've seen.

An amazing work of art, don't miss it if you get to the area.

Terry's Texas Rangers Monument - 1907

Lackland AF Base, San Antonio, TX

Port Townsend, WA

Around Port Townsend, WA

Fun place, can write on and post a dollar bill on wall

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g58687-d1738760-r580489331-Fat_Smitty_s-Port_Townsend_Washington.html

Ghent, Belgium

Graffiti Street -- Ghent, Belgium

There's more, but this is a sampling.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

London Week 3 & 4 - October 31

London Week 3 & 4 - through Oct. 31, 2020

I was breaking this up weekly, but I got things together for wrong weeks/days, so it is all together now. I just can't bear going back and fixing it all.

This is such a walking city. I can't imagine owning a car, or even needing one here with the great transportation system. The climate protesters did have an impact on the subway and buses as they had to divert buses around some bridges, so that did make it a little more difficult for us. When you're on a bus and the driver makes a change announcement with a bad mic and a thick British accent one can't understand, that can be a little scary. But we have managed to get around famously.

Visiting in the Fall has been such a blessing......

We had a wonderful dinner that Julian cooked for us. Something that I'd been wanting to have for a long time -- Croque Monsieur. A lovely, rich French sandwich (knife & fork) with ham, cheeses, sauce and broiled. They were made with great care and were perfect. Thank you for the wonderful dinner. When we headed to France so did Julian the next day, back to work and reality.

So rich and delicious

Had an pretty quick trip over to Chantilly, France on October 15th. A very, very early morning to catch the train to Gare du Nord and then a train to get to Chantilly. Cheryl's friend, Vanessa, came to pick us up and drove us around showing us the area. Had a nice lunch and then we went to our rooms for the night. Next morning we walked around at a market in the rain and Vanessa came to pick us up to take us to the Chantilly Chateau and we spent several heavenly hours there. One of the most beautiful chateaus I have been to. For more details http://www.domainedechantilly.com/en/# If in Paris, highly recommend a day trip here, only about one hour away. Had lunch with Vanessa and she drove us back to the train. The short trip was worth the effort. So nice to meet Vanessa.

Saturday (Oct. 18th) we went to an photography exhibition, 50 photographers on display, in the Oxo Tower Enjoyed the photos, 4 floors filled, in this old warehouse type building. The weather was decent with partially clear sky so we decided this was a good time to try the London Eye. So we walked over and took a spin. Worth every penny. Great views and no long lines. The sky was great for photographs and we had a good time.

Visited Trafalgar Square (now empty of protesters) and enjoyed our early morning picture taking without huge crowds. We had some rain and wind and my umbrella flew into the fountain, it was sort of funny. Then we visited the National Gallery. A wondrous place one can get lost in, literally. Room after room broken down by years. Plentiful examples of each artists. A very special collection.

After the museum we made our way over for a visit to Chinatown. Some fun photo opportunities and we had lunch. A bit surprised there weren't really any fun stores, just more restaurants than you could imagine. We did enjoy looking around that entire area. Nothing special though. We actually were killing time because we were going to meet my friend I met in 2013 in Clearwater, she couch surfed at our house for 2 days. She was a Buddhist nun for 7 years and now travels around the world working with people on their meditation. She was called to do this. It was so great to see her and feel her positive spirit. We've tried to connect a time or two before, but just keep missing each other. A wonderful visit and Cheryl enjoyed her too.

Up early to get down to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. There were so many people. Luckily we found on spot left on the fence so we could get a peek in to watch and take pictures. We were on the wrong side, so missed some of it. So crowded though I'm not sure it was worth it to me. Crushing.......... but I guess if you come to London it needs to be seen. Walked through Hyde Park again and the trees are changing colors so it was very pretty.

Hyde Park

From the Palace, we walked to Harrods - the famous department store founded in 1849. Now owned by the state of Qatar. I had no idea about that, wow. The store occupies a 5-acre site and has 330 departments covering 1.1 million square feet of retail space. It is the largest department store in Europe and lays claim to having its own unique postcode, SW1X 7XL.

The store is beautiful and, of course, outrageously expensive with only the top brands. We stopped in the coffee and a croissant (with butter and jam) each and our bill was $40 U.S. So needless to say, we won't be back, but will head for Costa Coffee, or something similar. Fun to see though and we had a good time looking.

We made our trip to Liverpool on Thursday via train. I've done a separate blog for that fun day. The architecture was really stunning. Check it out if you want: http://goingtoseeitall.blogspot.com (See right hand side you can find all my other blogs - Liverpool).

The area we are staying in is called Bermondsey, which has gone through regentrification, as in the 70's and 80's it was a pretty bad area. Now it is hip and very chic. A fun place to walk around with so many great coffee shops, little cafes and art including a large scale glassblowing shop where you can watch them creating beautiful (and expensive) glass. I won't be taking any souvenirs home from there.

Bermondsey's earliest written appearance is in the Domesday Book of 1086. The area during the industrial boom of the 19th century was an extension of Bermondsey's manufacturing role in earlier eras. The area was known for processing and trading of leather and hides. You can still see warehouses called Tanner and evidence of the leather, tanning trade.

I was curious about this areas history seeing the names so had to look it up. The most interesting thing was one of the reasons they wanted the tanning business out of the City of London. Not pleasant, but I think very interesting. I can only imagine the odor

"The streets of Victorian London were surprisingly free of dog poo. The old 'muck = brass' equation found its most revolting solution in the leather trade. The process of tanning required copious amounts of excrement, colloquially known as 'pure', which leather workers would rub into the hides."
https://londonist.com › 2014/09 › a-brief-history-of-london-poo

http://www.ideal-homes.org.uk/southwark/assets/histories/bermondsey

Such a busy week, with trips to Cardiff, Wales (10/22), and to Liverpool (10/24). We really got around this week. Our time is almost over and it has flown by. It has been so good. Cheryl and I have done just about perfect for spending more than a month together, a tiny blip here and there, but as great friendships are not defined by those silly things, we emerge from our trip bonded stronger than ever through all our memories. It has been great to have such a good travel partner. We have tons in common, agree on so much Thank you my dear friend for joining me on this wonderful journey.

Friday we had plans, but after a trip to Wales and one to Liverpool, both long day trips, we opted to have a stay at home, rest day. Did the wash, walked to the store, cooked some food. I think we needed a day of rest and felt better the next day for having rested.

The 26th we had a ball going to the London Oktoberfest. Live music, German food and beer. We made some friends, ate, drank and danced -- a really good time.

Our favorite, jagerschnitzel.

In the spirit, they were having a good time.

On Sunday, October 27th, we went to Hampton Court Palace. While it is still in London (at the end of it) we walked, took bus, took underground, took train and walked to get there. The Palace was not originally intended as a royal residence. It was built by Thomas, Cardinal Wolsey, minister of Henry VIII and appropriated by the King when the former failed to bring about the King's divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. King Henry VIII loved to hunt there and there are descendent deer still living on the property.

A huge palace and I think the grounds are more beautiful than the palace. This was a big place to tour and many kings spent time there. Glad we went to the effort to go see it. The day was clear with blue sky, but it was so cold. First time on the trip I had my mittens on. I should have bundled up a little more. I will tomorrow. It is starting to really cool off here and I'm not used to it.

Monday, we visited St. Paul's Cathedral. https://www.stpauls.co.uk/visits/visits A spectacular place and they have daily services. I took communion there and it was very special. Downstairs they have the crypts of many of Britain's national heroes are buried. Christopher Wren is entombed there, he was an amazing man who was the lead architect of St.. Paul's. He designed so many famous buildings and his life was so diverse. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Wren.

After St. Paul's we took our boat cruise down the Thames River since it was a nice day. It was fun heading the down to a new area and seeing how they had saved and renovated the old docks. They have made wonderful condos while keeping the flavor of the olden days. We got to see the Cutty Sark sailing ship that was built in Scotland in 1863. Do you know what a "cutty sark" is? If not check it out, interesting. https://www.rmg.co.uk/cutty-sark/history/why-ships-name-cutty-Sark

On the 29th we walked through Hyde Park for our third and final time Fall was evident with the multi colored leaves and I had a sadness come over me knowing that I would be leaving London soon. While in the park we saw green parakeets that really surprised, almost shocked us. They seem to be quite common in London. There are thousands of them around the city. As I read, "you never forget your first parakeet moment."

We stopped by the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain. A bit of a disappointment as the water was not fully running so the effect was not there. Nice they built this memorial, but it would have been better had they maintained it better.

Another surprise as we walked in Kensington Garden was the huge and beautiful monument that Queen Victoria had built, unveiled in 1872, in memory of her beloved Prince Albert, who died at the age of 42. He died of typhoid fever. They were married 21 years and she never got over his death. She dressed in black for the rest of her life.

Finally arriving at our destination Kensington Palace, I was happy to see where Victoria was born and lived. It was a wonderful visit, I just loved it there. I especially thought about Victoria and Albert living there with their nine children. Her life was so interesting and the PBS program I'm watching really brings her to life.

And of course, to cap our amazing day off, we had high tea reservations for Prince Albert Hall. Quite elegant and delicious. Glad we had the second high tea, both were very different and this gave us a new experience. How can I leave this place? Beautiful Hall, and walked around the round building there are many cool statutes, fountains, buildings. You can't go anywhere in London where you are not met with some surprise. It is just an amazing city.

Such a busy trip going to Bournemouth, Chantilly, France, Cardiff, Wales, Stonehenge and Bath, and Liverpool. We really got around. I'm so glad we had one central location though, highly recommended so we didn't have to lug our suitcases around, just took backpacks for short trips. The time has flown by. It has been so good. Cheryl and I have gotten along just about perfect for spending more than a month together, a tiny blip here and there, but as great friendships are not defined by those silly things, we emerge from our trip bonded stronger than ever through all our memories. It has been great to have such a good travel partner. We have tons in common, agree on so much Thank you my dear friend for joining me on this wonderful journey.

We made our trip to Liverpool on Thursday via train. I've done a separate blog for that fun day. The architecture was really stunning. Check it out if you want: http://goingtoseeitall.blogspot.com and look on the right side where all my blogs are listed.

Sort of a mish mash, but instead of perfectly breaking each item down I felt it best just to get this published. As usual, I am behind still, but London is now done.

I highly, highly recommend London. I could go on and on, but if you have any questions just let me know. I am so glad that I was fortunate enough to spend a month here and feel I have seen so much. I could come back again as there is still more to see. But I've got the whole world out there and as I said I'm "Going to See It All." (I wish.....time is ticking so I'm going while I can). Next trip in May will be Armenia -- now that will be different.