Place and Plants – Jamaican Foliage and Flowers

On June 5, 2012May 9, 2015 By TimelessladyIn Place, Plants6 Comments

Jamaica has a gorgeous array of plant life. Here is a beautiful example of a bromeliad.

Bougainvillea

Hibiscus

Not sure of variety, perhaps a type of canna.

Croton

Loved, loved, loved this terrific foliage plant. I am trying to identify it, and hopefully find a tropical plant nursery here in the states and buy one for home. These grow large in the tropics and this one was actually part of a hedge. (I have since found out the name of this lovely bush/shrub/tree…it is called a Sea Grape, I am going to be able to order some seeds and try to grow my own. Oh Happy Day!)

Palms

Place & People – Jamaica/The People

On June 4, 2012June 5, 2012 By TimelessladyIn People, Place3 Comments

Jamaica is amazingly beautiful, but I think her best resource is her people. Noel, our favorite taxicab driver was a real blessing to us during our stay. He drove us to local beaches and neighborhoods and showed us the real Jamaica. He played beautiful gospel music in the cab as he drove.

Talia and Tanish, creative entrepreneurs, we bought some custom t-shirts, bags, hats and jewelry from their shop. Sweet ladies.

Lorna, hair-braider and shop owner extraordinaire, smiling her gorgeous smile.

Roy, another shop owner, “Yea Mon!”

Another of my very favorite local people, Bruce, talented seashell and starfish hunter. His finds are gorgeous and to me priceless. Joe and I loved spending time talking to Bruce and listening to his stories of how he spends his days.

Marcy, a local lady, who set up shop right on the beach. She found for me the perfect island dress in her big bags of product. She had an amazing smile and was so gracious to us as we searched for the perfect garment.

The resort is all-inclusive. The bartenders are always on call whether you want to indulge in island rum and pineapple, Joe’s favorite treat, or a Paw-Paw Daiquiri, non-alcoholic and very frosty, a bit like a snowcone in a glass, my favorite drink.

We went to almost every show they put on in the evening. The activities crew at the Royal Decameron is top notch. Thank you Jamaica for your hospitality and the perfect week of vacation.

Place and Perspective – Jamaica/The Flight Down & Back

On June 3, 2012June 3, 2012 By TimelessladyIn Perspective, PlaceLeave a comment

My husband and I have just returned from a week-long stay in Jamaica. I’ll be posting pictures and observations about our stay throughout this coming week.

The flight down and back was uneventful and serene. Taking off and flying are a piece of cake after the long lines and aggravations of getting through the check in and the multitude of screenings and humiliations everyone must go through in order to fly in this age of constant tension and threat. I am in my fifties, and my boarding pass was marked with a code, and out of the party of four people I was flying with, I was the one chosen to have my carry-on, shoes, and person searched and patted down before I could begin my journey home. The screeners were professional, but the entire process still felt like an assault, and though my husband says I managed to keep a smile upon my face and remain polite, I DID NOT LIKE BEING PATTED DOWN WHILE OTHER PASSENGERS OBSERVED THE PROCESS AS THEY ENTERED THE PLANE’S BOARDING LANE. Anyway, no harm done, and at least the pat down was on the return trip and not the flight down.

The trip in itself was amazing and perfect, but the process to arrive and depart is a nightmare. I am old enough to remember when flying meant being pampered. Now the airlines act as if they are doing you a favor to let you aboard their aircraft. When my son asked the attendant what kind of beverages they had, her reply to him was, “The same things we had on your flight down.” And there I will rest my case.

Place – Longwood Gardens Easter Weekend 2012

On April 10, 2012April 16, 2012 By TimelessladyIn Place3 Comments

Chimes Tower at Longwood Gardens

We spent a few amazing hours at Longwood on Saturday. I hadn’t walked to the Chime tower for a while and was happy to see it surrounded by the tender greens, pinks and apricots of trees leafing out and blooming.

I enjoyed the sky blue of the Agapanthus near one of the entrances.

Legend of the Easter Lily

Easter Lilies were on glorious display throughout the conservatory. Legend tells that Easter Lilies sprang up in the Garden of Gethsamane where Jesus’ tears of blood hit the ground.

“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” Luke 12:27

Joe thought it appropriate when I posed on the “Queen Bee” throne in the Children’s Garden. As always Longwood Gardens did not disappoint.

Place – Easter, Hart’s United Methodist Church, Northeast, Maryland

On April 8, 2012May 26, 2014 By TimelessladyIn Place5 Comments

We have camped at Elk Neck State Park for years. As we drive from the town of Northeast, Maryland, toward the state park, we pass a small church on a hillside by the name of Hart’s United Methodist Church. We have taken pictures of the sweet church and its view, and we even stopped once for a yard sale. We always hope that one year when we camp in summer we will be able to attend a service in their Amphitheater set into the hillside. It has never worked out in the past, but this year Joe had off, and I mentioned to him, “Why don’t we camp and go to the Easter “Sonrise” Service at Hart’s Methodist Church. Everything worked out as we planned, and today, at 5:30 AM, our alarm went off, we drank a quick cup of coffee, and drove to the church. All my high expectations were met and then exceeded. The service was heartwarming, even though the seat was cool. The crowd was big. The pastors, Rev. Mary Browne and Rev. K.C. Lee, did an outstanding job of leading the hearts of all attending into true worship. The scripture reading was perfect, the sermon an invitation to bring Easter into our hearts yet a second time when we say to Jesus, “Master, Teacher…Lord.” The song, “He’s Alive,” sung by Jack Foreaker, also reminded us of the sacrifice and the promise of Christ’s death and resurrection. I feel blessed, and I am sure the blessing of the place will dwell in my memory for all my life. Thank you Hart’s Methodist congregation for sharing your place of worship with me today.

Hart’s United Methodist Church Amphitheater History

Places – Strathmere & Cape May, New Jersey

On October 15, 2011January 22, 2015 By TimelessladyIn PlaceLeave a comment

One of my favorite destinations is Strathmere, New Jersey. Only a few miles from Ocean City, Strathmere is a non-commercial beach town. A few years ago the beach was replenished and all the pilings were under the sand. After last winter’s N’or Easters, the pilings have emerged once again to see the light of day. I like the look of the pilings, but I can understand the frustration of those who live near the beach too.