Back in MY House!

It too me a few days, but I finally made it back home. A successful shopping trip to IKEA and more than a few scrapstores delayed my immediate arrival back home, but that made the arrival all that much more sweeter. It feels so good to be here.
A few more pictures of the cruise, my lovable roomie, Val, during our lifesaving drill. Aren't the lifejackets becoming? I sure did feel safe in it tho, it had extras I hadn't seen on a lifevest. Val models hers so well.

 

Just a dish of fruit, devinely presented. After eating cruise food with all it's presentation, I don't think Macky D's will cut it any more for me. I was glad to hear my friend Kip, lost a pound while cruising! I don't think I gained any, all the walking we did helped with that! I do think I ate better! There were a few desserts I just couldn't resist, so I can't say I was totally good!

 

Cahoyoga Gardens was the most beautiful place we visited. Alot of their plants are the same as what we have here in Florida, but alot bigger. I loved this orchid and had never seen one like it. Another thought. Their cotton grows in tree form. A huge tree grows in 20 years. Why aren't we planting more of them? Their cotton tree was taller than many of the hundred year old oaks and 50 year old pines I see here. The cotton tree was enormous, provided much shade, and COTTON! What a beneficial tree!

 

Finally a picture of the Mardi Gras parade the last night at sea. This was taken over the promenade from the elevator balcony near our room. The parade was very colorful and alot of fun! I snapped picture after picture it was soooo pretty with all the dancers and entertainers. Very festive!

 

Going outside the US makes me really appreciate what we have here. We should take more pride in what we really take for granted. This really hit home for me when, in the middle of nowhere, men and women with machetes were clearing brush and weeds from the sides of the road in Jamaica. The mess could have been left to grow up and become unsightly, but it didn't. People took enough time to clear brush and weeds to make the roadsides look better. In my area of Florida, people don't do that, government doesn't even do it. Our roadsides look trashy with weed growth. I guess people are just too busy pursuing material gain, or "fun" stuff to take civic pride. I admire the "poor" Jamiacans for taking care of what they do have and being guardians of our earth.
I am glad to be home in the US, I have unpacked my suitcases, put things away and now am ready for a nap. I'll sleep well back on US soil, thanks to those who protect it for me.
:J