It’s a rainy Tuesday night, and I’m sitting here with a mug of soursop tea. The tea is decaf, and the mug is a pretty pink, gold and white, with the word “Bridesmaid” written on the side – a bridal party gift from my sweet friend Maria. When you read this I’ll be in a plane heading south over the Caribbean Sea, to Jamaica. I’m so excited it’s a struggle to stay focused on the days I have to get through between now and then, although I certainly have enough to do to fill them. Have you ever been to Jamaica? It’s a gorgeous island and my family and friends are there and I’m overdue for a visit.
Another thing I’m wondering about you is how you feel about lizards. Living here, it’s best if you like them, or at least tolerate them, since they’re everywhere. We’ve got them in all shapes and sizes: muddled brown, translucent rubbery white, fast curly tailed, long vibrant blue-tailed and bright green. Oh, and iguanas. I suppose I’ve seen an iguana at our zoo, but those other ones cross my path on a regular basis. The brown and translucent ones are like pets, since they live in our houses and are absolutely not afraid to say hello or challenge you to a staring contest. Green lizards are easiest on the eyes, and while I’m not afraid of those other types I’d much rather see a green one than any other.
Green lizards live outside, and if you see one that means someone is pregnant. It’s not the person who sees the lizard, but someone that they know. News of a sighting spreads in my family with much speculation and excitement. You can imagine how the conversation goes: ‘So-and-so saw a green lizard! Who’s pregnant? It must be X, it’s their turn!’ I spotted this one in the yard a couple of weeks ago, when I was taking pictures for the post on hibiscus honey.
Next I want to show you one of my favourite trees on the island. I drive down this road every week day on my way to work, and the stateliness of the tree never gets old. For months I kept thinking that I would eventually stop and take pictures and one day, after a meeting, I did.
There’s an obelisk next to the tree that I had to work fairly hard not to get in the frame. It’s in remembrance of Sir Harry Oakes, a Canadian millionaire who moved to The Bahamas in the 1930s to avoid taxes. I don’t know much about him other than the fact that he was murdered and the mystery remains unsolved. It’s been the subject of many books and even movies, and the Duke of Windsor’s name is often mentioned in the telling. Remember him? He abdicated his throne in order to marry his divorcée girlfriend Wallis Simpson. Anyway, Oakes was generous with his millions and stimulated our economy with various investments and business ventures. <- That makes me sounds much more informed about him than I actually am – but there’s an Oakes Field and this Oakes monument, so his life must’ve counted for something!
Finally, pictures of these little takeaways, just across the way from that gorgeous tree and the obelisk. I’ve never stopped at either of them, but don’t they look welcoming? They make me want to lay out a blanket and have a picnic.
Well, I’m sure to have a great weekend, and I hope you do too! The next time you hear from me I’ll be kickin it in Kingston. 😉
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