Sand Fleas for Thanksgiving

    It's been a while since I've made any effort to post or even read blogs. Time just has a way of running and I am not keeping up. Not sure what keeps me so busy but perhaps it has to do with my recent Wanderlust?  I've been traveling every month since May. While it's very exciting it's also a fair bit of work to organize and execute. Not sure that my excuse will make you want to keep on being a fellow blogging friend but I do hope I'll keep a few of you as reader friends.  
    My latest journey took us to Cuba. It happened like this. I left Buddy behind when I went away with my sister and promised I would take him somewhere when I returned. He has been wanting to go to Florida but this just didn't work out cost wise since I would need a person who could assist us in driving to various places that he wanted to explore. The plan has been delayed for now. Instead I studied the net for travel deals to all inclusive places. Buddy kept a close eye on me and my laptop. He saw some of the resorts, the deals for resorts in Cuba and asked if we could try that. Those who read my photo blog know that I booked on September 15, just nine days after my return from Amsterdam, and then flew to Cayo Guillermo on September 21 for a week. The price was just perfect, $515 per person for a whole week away in the hot sun! 
    "WOW" was Buddy's word when he saw HIS resort, the one he asked for but to be booked on the condition, that I include hubby who wasn't hard to convince about taking a week off from his practise. You may have read in earlier posts that he still enjoys cigars even after his five bypass heart surgery this past December. Cuba would offer him some new options.
    Our stay at a Melia resort was really and truly a memorable one in many ways. We were pampered and spoiled by the staff. Even the sun kept shining until the last day. We learned many new things including how poor the lifestyle for the local population was. We saw the real Cuba when we opted to take a personal tour from our smaller island onto the main one over the 17km long causeway to Morón and on to Ciego de Ávila. 
    The first city is more impoverished than than the second. And in both cases it felt like we were stepping back in time to an era long ago, one that some of us elders can relate to. Not much was new or even updated except for the cellphone company building and some computer colleges. Here's to a better future for those who make the grade by getting the technical skills that might aid them in securing a better economy for Cuba. My guess is that massive amounts of the nations' funds go towards their military machine and government.
    We spent lots of time enjoying our surrounding fauna and flora. We took daily walks on the beach where the sand is very white and the water is warm and shallow. We watched as folks snorkelled and fished. Some set sail while others took to paddle boats. They had fun. And we had fun. It ended too soon. We left Friday night.
    On Saturday morning back in our home hubby showed me his lower legs and exclaimed,
    "Those little gnats really bit me". 
I looked down at mine and saw little red welts here and there. We concurred perhaps they were little mosquito bites. That idea didn't last very long. These were not insect bites. 
     As the day went on those spots became more and more itchy. Lotions were almost useless. Even antihistamines only gave a bit of relief. The sting sights changed in appearance with time. Puzzled I tried hard to think of what had bitten us. Eventually I recalled reading that stuff on the beach that can cause some welts so I googled and learned that we had failed to protect ourselves from tiny sand fleas that are quite common at that beach.
Soon I had all sorts of information on how to deal with our spots. I noted that some articles recommended that a doctor be seen if the welts grow bigger or there's no relief after several days. Buddy was spared. I guess the capsules he takes for his psoriasis skin condition worked to ward them off.
     Mine just would not stop popping up even after the sixth day so yesterday I decided it was time to visit the doctor, sadly the one who shrugged off my colon cancer lump as nothing to worry about. But I wanted to see what she would come up with for some relief. As I had suspected, she decided it must be bed bugs bites. I told her that we had checked for them. However she answered back saying bed bugs are not visible to humans! I could never see them. Mistaken doctor! Haha! They can be seen and almost look like an apple seed or a flax seed.
    In the past both hubby and I have seen them. They can be seen and they can be avoided. And there were none in our resort. In fact there was regular insecticide spraying to keep things in check so clients would be comfortable and happy. But my doctor was sure she was right and told me to cleanse myself thoroughly with a cream she was prescribing. As well she gave me the information on what one must do to clear such an infestation! Lot's of laundry with strong soap and high heat. Really!
     I left the examination room smiling almost laughing to be honest. Ha ha! Doctors don't know it all especially when it comes to health issues related to organisms they didn't study. I didn't feel like arguing with her and since her records now indicate I have met up with bed bugs, I shall be righting that wrong next week. I shall be armed with all the information necessary. I shall not use the cream she prescribed. In fact she is a poor listener. She didn't hear me tell her that I had already done the laundry thing just to ensure those chigger critters don't mess with the room where I sleep. 
     For the record I did something one should not do when feeling itchy from sand fleas, I dug at those tiny buggers, those teeny crustaceans. I scratched them out from under my skin. Once I even showed one to hubby. I always knew it was not bed bugs. 
     Today I'm getting better. I was a bit worried when I read that messing with the skin can lead to infected areas and to their spreading some tropical diseases. That's what actually sent me to the doctor for more information. But now I doubt that anything bad will happen to me. I would have had some symptoms by now. Since I feel just fine I'm almost ready to stuff the turkey tomorrow. Once again we are at the harvest time celebration.
   Happy Thanksgiving to all. At our house in Canada we have so much to be thankful for. Buddy has already helped me with the shopping. The turkey and the cranberries will look yummy on the table tomorrow. Our daughter plans to introduce us to her latest beau who seems to be more her type on this occasion.
    Monday we may take the car to tour the Hockley Valley for the splendour of the fall colours. It's supposed to be sunny and warm.

Flora eats Fauna

              Amusing scene at the Flower Market in Amsterdam:

  I heeded the sign. All my fingers are still ready to point and shoot :)

Do you have any plants like these? 
Have you ever had one? 
How did it survive?

Delays

   My posts are getting behind as life sends me into many new directions that are both fun as well as trying. For the next 10 days I'm leaving Buddy and hubby while I fly with my sister to see our auntie in Europe. I'm hoping it will be a nice change for both of us. 
   Buddy knows when I come back the two of us will do a little trip together too. I've learned that he and I can manage quite well together when traveling. He's looking forward to his turn. It will make my absence less sad. He has been assigned some important tasks. He is happy that he's in charge of Ellie who is now his pet.

The Help (Part 2)

   In spring of 1964 I no longer had the job of caring for my grandpa who passed away March 12 after a four months period with stroke related issues that caused him to need much special care. My mother appeared to want some time alone with my brother and little sister away from me. It seems I was running her/our home too much to my liking and influence! 
   To solve this she quietly arranged that I should have a job as an au pair girl in Quebec City. By using one of the accounting contacts through her work place, Parker Pen in Don Mills Ontario, from her company stationary letterheads she found some names and wrote to them directly. She had noticed I was keen on learning French at high school so she figured it might do me some good to be in a place where the language is actively being used. She made these plans without my knowledge until she got an offer.
   Once it came she handed a letter addressed to her from a Mr. Price who said his close friend Mr. Amyot was interested and she was to have her daughter write directly to Mr. Amyot outlining her skills with children, hobbies, ability to swim and prepare simple meals. 
   What and adventure that could be! My mom had actually tried to do something very nice. I was excited. So I did answer as requested to Mr. Amyot and I wrote it in French! I felt so proud of this new abitiy.
   Within a short time I received a reply from Mme. Amyot in English. She wanted some further information about my skills with kids around the age of 8! Ha ha that was easy! My sister was that age. I had done lots of baby sitting of younger kids and earned my badges in Girl Guides. Also I had a St. John's First Aid Certificate, swimming badges at high levels and a music certificate. I had hobbies like reading, sewing, bike riding, badminton and I even had a driving permit and had been driving for over a year taking my sister to various lessons. I wrote that in English. 
  A reply came that I was hired from mid June to late August. My duties would include helping her three children with their morning routine, preparing their breakfast and later their lunch, sitting with them to help encourage them to speak English in my presence. There would be daily times at their back yard swimming pool and some fun game times. Of course I would get some pay, $18 per week if I recall correctly plus my room and board and some time off. I was very pleased to accept.
   My time with daughter Dominique age 8, son François age 7 and son Eric age 5 would change the direction of my life but I did not realize it till much later.

to be continued 

Sticky Stormy yet Safe

 On the last day of July we loaded our packed bags into the car to head to Buffalo, New York. There we would take a JetBlue flight to JFK. We wanted to have plenty of time to cross at the USA boarder in order to arrive at the airport with lots of time to clear security which can be a challenge with Buddy since he takes his time when he has to remove shoes and belt.

The drive from Richmond Hill to Fort Erie didn't take hubby very long. He appeared to have a heavy foot on his gas pedal so we arrived at Buffalo International Airport with time to spare. And we used that time for a late lunch. Boarding time was to be 4:55pm. 

  At the gate we learned that our plane was slightly delayed. No big deal. We just sat and watched other planes. And then ours pulled into the sleeve. As those arriving slipped past the checkin counter, we figured we'd be aboard shortly. Buddy sat patiently for his turn. He loves to travel so waiting is just fine with him.

   The PA came on informing us it would be a while longer before we could get to our seats. By 5:30pm we were finally climbing into our spots. It was a larger jet with rows of ten seats across. It filled up. We had boarded. The captain announced that the cabin doors would be closed shortly and we would be in queue for take off shortly. Ha!
  His next announcements came moments after the doors were sealed. We were no longer cleared to leave because of severe storms on route. Now we there sat in our seats passing the time listening to our music and playing games. We waited and waited inside the cabin. After a while water was offered. It was hot, sticky and smelly inside this vessel.
    Around at 7:35pm the captain informed us that he had been given a new flight path and that we'd be off as soon as some more fuel was added. Finally at 7:55pm we rolled onto the runway for take off. It was smooth, swift and soon we were cruising towards New York City. It would only take 55 minutes.
   By 8:20pm our captain was telling us that he was preparing to descend, adding that he was happy to have given us such fast and safer approach to one of the countries busier airports. We touch down at 8:55. 
    By 9:15pm, our bags in tow, we headed out to the passenger pick up area. Exiting through the huge revolving door, we found ourselves pushed back by the smack of heavy, hot humid air.
   Greeted by our niece there were the usual HUGS and then off we drove to the Bayside area to our hotel. Once checked in, our family visit was just beginning. From there we had to head into Queens for dinner with everyone who had waited so patiently for our safe arrival! 

PS. We could have driven to New York City in that amount of time. We had chosen to fly because we had hoped it would be quicker!