CHIT CHAT in VOLTVILLE

[rave]

Thank Blues for sending you back to us. Send him our love, too. I hope he's doing OK.

I hope he's doing OK too. It's been over two weeks since I've heard from him. He's not often able to communicate. Dunno what I'd do without you and the other good folks here.

 

[rave]

Hey Lizzie, you might want to keep an eye on your goats - 16 Goats In A Tree - YouTube

..........

 

[White Rabbit]

Again, I go to bed after finding that no one was posting, and lo and behold, everyone gets on line at 11:00 PM and chats. Then you all are up early and chatting again. When you are an old wabbit, you go to bed early and get up as late as possible.

Lizzie, my attempt to "re-learn" Spanish is an attempt to finally "master" something that I have been meaning to do over many years. I spent time in Puerto Rico in the 60s working with a division of the Peace Corps while attending college and was actually able to get along fine with the locals. That was 48 years ago and I have forgotten much of the intricacies of the language through lack of practice. As you all know we have over 13,000,000 Hispanics desiring to become citizens just like the wave of European immigrants during the 1800s and early 1900s. In my area we have many Hispanic families all hard working people. I love the culture and beauty of the romance languages and just want to be able to communicate on their level with them.

Not much again going on in Wonderland today, catch up with you all later, have a great day citizens of Voltville.

Wabbit

What does a clock do when it is hungry? ------ It goes back for seconds.

 

[rave]

Again, I go to bed after finding that no one was posting, and lo and behold, everyone gets on line at 11:00 PM and chats. Then you all are up early and chatting again. When you are an old wabbit, you go to bed early and get up as late as possible.

Lizzie, my attempt to "re-learn" Spanish is an attempt to finally "master" something that I have been meaning to do over many years. I spent time in Puerto Rico in the 60s working with a division of the Peace Corps while attending college and was actually able to get along fine with the locals. That was 48 years ago and I have forgotten much of the intricacies of the language through lack of practice. As you all know we have over 13,000,000 Hispanics desiring to become citizens just like the wave of European immigrants during the 1800s and early 1900s. In my area we have many Hispanic families all hard working people. I love the culture and beauty of the romance languages and just want to be able to communicate on their level with them.

Not much again going on in Wonderland today, catch up with you all later, have a great day citizens of Voltville.

Wabbit

What does a clock do when it is hungry? ------ It goes back for seconds.

You're a admirable, good soul, Wabbit. Just sayin'.

 

[SandySu]

I hope he's doing OK too. It's been over two weeks since I've heard from him. He's not often able to communicate. Dunno what I'd do without you and the other good folks here.

Is there a way you can phone someone there and ask about him, or do you just have to wait till you hear from him? I wish we had news.

 

[White Rabbit]

You are too kind Rave. I should have said all I want to do is be able to go to Acapulco and ask the bartender "Un cerveza por favor y donde esta el bano?"

Did you hear my friend the Energizer Bunny was arrested: Charged with battery!

 

[SandySu]

Again, I go to bed after finding that no one was posting, and lo and behold, everyone gets on line at 11:00 PM and chats. Then you all are up early and chatting again. When you are an old wabbit, you go to bed early and get up as late as possible.

Lizzie, my attempt to "re-learn" Spanish is an attempt to finally "master" something that I have been meaning to do over many years. I spent time in Puerto Rico in the 60s working with a division of the Peace Corps while attending college and was actually able to get along fine with the locals. That was 48 years ago and I have forgotten much of the intricacies of the language through lack of practice. As you all know we have over 13,000,000 Hispanics desiring to become citizens just like the wave of European immigrants during the 1800s and early 1900s. In my area we have many Hispanic families all hard working people. I love the culture and beauty of the romance languages and just want to be able to communicate on their level with them.

Not much again going on in Wonderland today, catch up with you all later, have a great day citizens of Voltville.

Wabbit

What does a clock do when it is hungry? ------ It goes back for seconds.

As you know from your time in PR, the best way to learn a language is to be immersed in it and have to speak it. Maybe plan your next vacation to a Spanish-speaking country?

I vacationed in PR many years ago, and it's a lovely place. It doesn't seem to be as popular a tourist destination as some other Caribbean countries, but I chose it because it had so much to do and see. One thing that surprised me was that the beef was so very, very good. I guess it's because they raise the cows there in a more natural environment, not the factory farming that's prevalent here. I never thought PR would have great steaks, and even the hamburgers at the little snack bar by the hotel pool were better than anything I had before. Another thing I enjoyed was, of course, the horses. We rented some for a ride on the beach with palm trees lining it, just like you see in travel pictures. The horses were small and gaited, which means they didn't trot but did some other gait that was very smooth. We drove out to Aricebo to see the telescope, and though that wasn't too interesting -- no tours or explanations, it just sat there -- the countryside around it was interesting, with weird little hills. We also went to the Indian Ceremonial Ballpark, where there were ancient ruins of a ball playing court used many centuries ago. Apparently the players were sacrificed to the gods after the game. And of course, we toured Old San Juan and the fort. And we hiked in the rain forest on a sunny day. That was a lot we did in just a week!

 

[rave]

Is there a way you can phone someone there and ask about him, or do you just have to wait till you hear from him? I wish we had news.

I'll give him a little while longer before I call. *argh*

 

[rave]

As you know from your time in PR, the best way to learn a language is to be immersed in it and have to speak it. Maybe plan your next vacation to a Spanish-speaking country?

I vacationed in PR many years ago, and it's a lovely place. It doesn't seem to be as popular a tourist destination as some other Caribbean countries, but I chose it because it had so much to do and see. One thing that surprised me was that the beef was so very, very good. I guess it's because they raise the cows there in a more natural environment, not the factory farming that's prevalent here. I never thought PR would have great steaks, and even the hamburgers at the little snack bar by the hotel pool were better than anything I had before. Another thing I enjoyed was, of course, the horses. We rented some for a ride on the beach with palm trees lining it, just like you see in travel pictures. The horses were small and gaited, which means they didn't trot but did some other gait that was very smooth. We drove out to Aricebo to see the telescope, and though that wasn't too interesting -- no tours or explanations, it just sat there -- the countryside around it was interesting, with weird little hills. We also went to the Indian Ceremonial Ballpark, where there were ancient ruins of a ball playing court used many centuries ago. Apparently the players were sacrificed to the gods after the game. And of course, we toured Old San Juan and the fort. And we hiked in the rain forest on a sunny day. That was a lot we did in just a week!

Oh wow! That sounds like a wonderful adventure!!

 

[Renolizzie]

I'm always sorry to hear that our friend Blues is not well. I know he is at his "farm" with his critters. I hope he gets some smiles from being around those animals of his everyday.

 

[Renolizzie]

As you know from your time in PR, the best way to learn a language is to be immersed in it and have to speak it. Maybe plan your next vacation to a Spanish-speaking country?

I vacationed in PR many years ago, and it's a lovely place. It doesn't seem to be as popular a tourist destination as some other Caribbean countries, but I chose it because it had so much to do and see. One thing that surprised me was that the beef was so very, very good. I guess it's because they raise the cows there in a more natural environment, not the factory farming that's prevalent here. I never thought PR would have great steaks, and even the hamburgers at the little snack bar by the hotel pool were better than anything I had before. Another thing I enjoyed was, of course, the horses. We rented some for a ride on the beach with palm trees lining it, just like you see in travel pictures. The horses were small and gaited, which means they didn't trot but did some other gait that was very smooth. We drove out to Aricebo to see the telescope, and though that wasn't too interesting -- no tours or explanations, it just sat there -- the countryside around it was interesting, with weird little hills. We also went to the Indian Ceremonial Ballpark, where there were ancient ruins of a ball playing court used many centuries ago. Apparently the players were sacrificed to the gods after the game. And of course, we toured Old San Juan and the fort. And we hiked in the rain forest on a sunny day. That was a lot we did in just a week!

Sounds really fun. I think I will put that on my list of places to go

 

[SandySu]

I just remembered another thing we did on our visit to PR. We went down to the south coast, near a city called Ponce, where there was a tiny village on the water. We wanted to take a ride in a boat that would take us out in the water where there were tiny glow-in-the-dark animals. They didn't glow till the water was disturbed, so the wake of the boat glowed. One of the men dipped a bucket over the side of the boat and brought up water with these tiny organisms in it, and it was like a bucket full of stars!

But we arrived in this village in the afternoon, and there was one restaurant, and we were hungry, but it was closed and the door was locked. However, someone inside saw us trying the door and opened it and let us in for a meal, even though they hadn't officially opened. Where else would they do that? And the food was superb and not at all expensive.

I loved that little village. If you do go to PR, be sure to get out of San Juan and see the countryside and the small villages. The people were very friendly, and when they heard we came from NYC, everybody had relatives living up there and told us about them. Lots of the people spoke English, and the little Spanish I knew from a year of it in high school came back to me, so I remembered things on road signs like "salida" means "exit." We rented a car so we could go out and about, exploring.

 

[White Rabbit]

Sandy, Puerto Rico is one of the most "under appreciated" islands of the Caribbean. The Southern Coast is where I spent a lot of time and it has changed a lot from what I have heard, but is still not a "tourist spot". The small towns of Salinas, Aguirre, Guayama, and Ponce on the Southern Coast and Mayaguez on the West Coast are just beautiful and almost undiscovered by the masses of tourists (I think).

I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like if I had accepted an offer from the Central Aguirre Sugar Company to work for them in the 60s. I was just out of college, getting ready to get married and just back from my stint in Puerto Rico when the offer came in from them offering a job as an economist for the sugar company. Vietnam and the war called first, and I had to pass on the offer. I am sure it would have made a world of difference in the direction of my life. Same story with the chance to stay in the Navy after my tour during Vietnam. I was eligible to be promoted to Chief Petty Officer (E7), but they wanted me to serve 4 years as a First Class Petty Officer in order to be promoted. They offered me a huge reenlistment bonus to do so. I requested that they keep the bonus and waive the time in rank (as is done many times in war zones) but they would not do it, so I followed the path of fate and everything has worked out for the best I guess. So much for the career of the Old White Rabbit.

If any of you EVER get to Puerto Rico, try to rent a car and drive to the Southern Coast. You will not regret the experience.

Wabbit

 

[SandySu]

Sandy, Puerto Rico is one of the most "under appreciated" islands of the Caribbean. The Southern Coast is where I spent a lot of time and it has changed a lot from what I have heard, but is still not a "tourist spot". The small towns of Salinas, Aguirre, Guayama, and Ponce on the Southern Coast and Mayaguez on the West Coast are just beautiful and almost undiscovered by the masses of tourists (I think).

I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like if I had accepted an offer from the Central Aguirre Sugar Company to work for them in the 60s. I was just out of college, getting ready to get married and just back from my stint in Puerto Rico when the offer came in from them offering a job as an economist for the sugar company. Vietnam and the war called first, and I had to pass on the offer. I am sure it would have made a world of difference in the direction of my life. Same story with the chance to stay in the Navy after my tour during Vietnam. I was eligible to be promoted to Chief Petty Officer (E7), but they wanted me to serve 4 years as a First Class Petty Officer in order to be promoted. They offered me a huge reenlistment bonus to do so. I requested that they keep the bonus and waive the time in rank (as is done many times in war zones) but they would not do it, so I followed the path of fate and everything has worked out for the best I guess. So much for the career of the Old White Rabbit.

If any of you EVER get to Puerto Rico, try to rent a car and drive to the Southern Coast. You will not regret the experience.

Wabbit

I'd go back to PR if I could. We were only there a week, and there was more to see that we didn't get to. We never got to the western half of the island, for instance.

Your dilemma about choosing an important path in your life and wondering what would have happened if you had chosen the other is one I think we all must face in our lives. In fact, I've always thought this poem said it all.

Robert Frost (1874–1963). Mountain Interval. 1920.

1. The Road Not Taken


TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth; 5

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same, 10

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back. 15

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 20

 

[Renolizzie]

I always think of the Grateful Dead song "What a long strange trip it's been!"

Guess there is no going back

 

[JerryRM]

Good morning, ladies and gents. Wabbit, my cousin joined the navy and he ended up manning a .30 cal on a gunboat in the Mekong.

 

[Qew]

Hi gang! It's time for me to check in, even though I don't have any interesting stories to tell. I'm still struggling to keep up with the mowing using the tiny little push mower, and the daily rainstorms are not much help at all! Mr. Q has replaced several parts on the rider but still it just will not run! I'm waiting for the parts guy to tell him to just buy a new rider, always better when it doesn't come from me. In the meantime, I might have to invest in a machete, or borrow those tree goats, lol.

Glad you got a good report from your doc Rave, and no extra medication, that is wonderful! I'm glad you've been able to get out there in your beloved woods and enjoy yourself.

Lizzie, I love the pictures and descriptions of all your improvements to your place, everything looks so nice!

Awsum, How is the solar water heater installation going?

Where did our Debra go again? And Holly??

Waves to the rest of the gang, JoAnn, Tail, Tina, Sandy, Cindy, Catlady, 0mg, Flower, Nuke, Uncle, Wabbit, Tritium, Wuzzn't, Jerry.....I know I am missing a few....don't like to leave anyone out, names will hit me later on, I'm sure.

 

[awsum140]

I spent a week in PR on a working vacation with the former Mrs. Awsum back in the 80's. We stayed in the El Convento (SP) in Olde San Juan. It was originally the hacienda of the Spanish Governor and only a short walk to the fort on the cliffs. The doors were a full three inches thick and the wall were probably two feet thick. It had a central courtyard that was the lobby/restaurant. The food was outstanding, but the coffee was even better than that! We ate dinner in some of the local taverns and always had great food at rock bottom prices. Because I was there actually working, well sort of anyway, we didn't get too much time to tour the island. We did get to the beach one day, not the hotel beaches but a real local beach and that was very nice. As part of that we got a driving tour basically along the coast about halfway down the island. Beautiful semi-tropical woods/jungle but a little lacking in what we consider normal conveniences. My favorite island was Guam, that's a real tropical, off-the beaten-path, island, or was when I was there.

 

[Renolizzie]

I spent a week in PR on a working vacation with the former Mrs. Awsum back in the 80's. We stayed in the El Convento (SP) in Olde San Juan. It was originally the hacienda of the Spanish Governor and only a short walk to the fort on the cliffs. The doors were a full three inches thick and the wall were probably two feet thick. It had a central courtyard that was the lobby/restaurant. The food was outstanding, but the coffee was even better than that! We ate dinner in some of the local taverns and always had great food at rock bottom prices. Because I was there actually working, well sort of anyway, we didn't get too much time to tour the island. We did get to the beach one day, not the hotel beaches but a real local beach and that was very nice. As part of that we got a driving tour basically along the coast about halfway down the island. Beautiful semi-tropical woods/jungle but a little lacking in what we consider normal conveniences. My favorite island was Guam, that's a real tropical, off-the beaten-path, island, or was when I was there.

Such a great adventure.

Guam seems even more exotic.

I used to go to Baja Mexico and I loved the food.

I always love a great cup of coffee. Puerto Rico - I must go someday.

 

[JerryRM]

I'm a New Englander, I'm not going anywhere. I explained that earlier.