Did High Temperatures in February 2017 Break Records?

Copyright 2007 Carol Chapman

Here in Virginia, USA, close to Williamsburg, we had three days in the month of February with temperatures of 81F / 27C. That is hot for this time of year! Those are Florida temperatures, not Virginia. Those are nice-days-in-summer temperatures for us! So, I ask myself, “What’s going on here? Did high temperatures in February 2017 break records? Is this climate change or what?”

Geese are Flying North

Local geese fly low over the water and treetops. (Pixabay)

Just to let you know, a couple of week ago, two huge “V’s” of Canada Geese flew by overhead. Immediately, I thought, “Ah, the geese are flying north.” So, I thought you’d like to know the geese are on the move. If you live in Canada or the northern U.S., you’ll be pleased to know that these magnificent harbingers of spring are coming your way. I could hardly see the V’s, because the geese flew so high. They were obviously migrating rather than the couple that live around here year-round, which fly low right over the river or slightly above the treetops. Now, I wonder, did they make it? Have you seen any geese arriving? Please comment below to let me know where you live, if the geese have left (if you’re south of me) or arrived (if you’re north).

Cooking in a Mayan House

Kristine Ellingson learned cooking in a Mayan house during her marriage to a Mayan man and living in a Mayan village for over 20 years. In the video below, Kristine describes the traditional cooking hut used by her Mayan mother-in-law, Carmen, also explaining Carmen’s method of cooking in a Mayan house. 

Life in a Mayan Village Video

The video above gives a glimpse into the story of Tales from the Yucatan Jungle: Life in a Mayan Village. It’s a book that brings two worlds together and shares glimpses into a sacred, rich Mayan way of life.

Tales from the Yucatan Jungle Book Trailer

Tales from the Yucatan Jungle describes an American woman’s experiences when she leaves everything to live in a Mayan village. The book trailer, above, shows Kristine Ellingson’s transformation from a high-end jewelry designer in the U.S. to the wife of a Mayan man in Yucatan. She leaves everything for love.

Higglety Pigglety Pop Video

This Higglety Pigglety Pop Video brings visuals to Maurice Sendak’s delightful story of the little dog, Jennie. In this case, Meryl Streep provides the voice of Jennie. Puppets provide the characters.

I don’t know which version I like best. This one, with the enchanting scenery and characters, or the audio version of the previous post. Perhaps, the audio triumphs, because you can see the story in your own mind. Often the story in your mind develops characters and scenarios better than someone else’s rendition. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this video and think you’ll like it too. It has an English sound track and French subtitles:

There Must Be More to Life

“There must be more to life than having everything,” says Jennie, a discontented Sealyham terrier. So, she leaves home carrying her black leather bag with the gold buckles. She discovers that even though she has everything, she’s missing Experience. Unfortunately, she needs Experience in order to fulfill her aspiration of being the leading lady in the World’s Mother Goose Theater. And so begins her trek to find Experience, a word she doesn’t even comprehend, “Never heard of it.”

To be Thankful for so many things in our lives

There’s so much to be thankful for. I like this video, because it reminds me of those many things there are to be thankful for.

I find that on those days when things don’t work out, or I’m not feeling well, or I’m surrounded by grumpy, pushy people, it really helps to think about those things in my life to be thankful for.

Yucatan Peninsula EXPAT MEMOIR

Do Yucatan Peninsula expats enjoy living out of the U.S.? How do Americans living in Yucatan fare? Kristine Ellingson describes 21 delightful and challenging years in a Mayan village married to a Mayan man in her Yucatan Peninsula expat memoir, Tales from the Yucatan Jungle. In this video, she explains some of what she’s learned about the Mayan people from personal experience.

10 Million Dollars Jim Carrey and the Law of Attraction

Have you heard the story about the 10 million dollars Jim Carrey and the Law of Attraction?

I wondered if this was just a made up rumor or if it actually happened. So, what was this rumor? To begin, you may know Jim Carrey as the slapstick comedian, for such laugh fests as Dumb and Dumber and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

However, while still an unknown, he used to drive to the Hollywood sign every day and imagine the life he wanted to live. Once there, he’d visualize producers and directors calling him to give him parts in their movies.