On Our Shores

During the night of May 3, 2021, the fourth boatload of Haitians in the new year grounded itself on a beach in southern Palm Beach County, Florida. The beach happened to be in front of our condo building.

Human smugglers ran the boat onto the beach after someone on the vessel had called the Coast Guard. Twenty-nine migrants jumped onto the coral reef in waist-deep water to run to an oceanfront park, where they were detained by the border patrol and taken to a station in West Palm Beach. There they were interviewed and processed for removal. Included in the group was a pregnant mother.

Charley and I didn't hear the Coast Guard cutter deployed during the night or the helicopter (they frequent our shores) or the local police that responded from three communities. We did see the beached 45' fishing vessel and two small Coast Guard boats patrolling in the morning. Five days later, despite daily calls to three government agencies, the boat remained grounded in the same location with flotation devices attached. Ocean Rescue and Environmental Resource Management reported that after the fuel leaked, the boat would be deconstructed and removed. The agency in charge of the boat and its removal was Customs and Border Protection's marine unit.

During a landing on our beach another year, we were startled by an FBI helicopter's searchlights so intense that, although no migrants could be found in our apartment, we ran to close all the storm shutters. The spotlights reached into every room except interior bathrooms and closets. We later learned that FBI dogs scouring the property had found several Haitians hiding in shubbery, under cars, and in ramps to buildings.

Legalized Haitian immigrants account for less than 2% of the U.S. foreign-born population, though in 2018 their number increased to almost 700,000. The 2010 earthquake (displacing 1.5 million), Hurricane Matthew in 2016, endemic poverty, and political unrest have driven Haitian migrants to smugglers who charge thousands of dollars per person to drop them off the Florida shore. They then ram their stolen vessels onto the beach. Others attempt the crossing in sailboats or rafts. 

Haitians in Florida accounted for 49% of all Haitians in the U.S. in 2018. Among legitimate Haitian immigrants 16 years and older, 71% participated in the civilian labor force in 2018, most in service occupations. The same year, 61% residing in the U.S. were naturalized citizens and approximately 21,400 had obtained a green card. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens or family-sponsored "preferences" (adult children, siblings, or spouses and children of green card holders) were granted easier access without risking the treacherous waters between Haiti and Florida. 

The administrative and legislative measures against terrorism taken by the U.S. government since the 2001 attacks are most vigorous in relation to military reinforcement of the borders via land and sea, use of high-tech E-verification and drones, as well as criminalization of illegal migration. (Information in above three paragraphs courtesy of "Migration Information Source" by Kira Olsen-Medina and Jeanne Batalova, Online Journal of Migration, August 12, 2020)

Haiti's current political unrest centers around President Jovenel Moise's legitimacy. His opposition claims the President's 5-year term should have ended February 7, 2021. Moise claims he has one year left to serve after taking office officially. (Jorge Milian, "29 Haitian Migrants Make Land, Detained," Palm Beach Post, May 4, 2021, p. 1)

Under the 1994 and 1995 U.S.-CUBAN migration accords, any CUBAN who reaches U.S. soil is paroled into the country. The Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 allowed Cubans to be eligible for a fast track to permanent residency.

Meanwhile, at the U.S.-Mexican border, U.S. agents are overwhelmed by migrants crossing rivers and deserts, often aided by local U.S. police as they step onto U.S. soil. There were 22,500 UNACCOMPANIED minors who crossed from Mexico in early May, 2021, being held in overcrowded detention centers meant for adults. They are eventually transferred to health officials in the Office of Refugee Resettlement. 

May we never forget the sacrifice thousands make every year to become residents of the U.S.A.

Caught in the coral

Flotation devices

Onto the beach

Demolition started

Another Worry During the Corona Virus: Caregiving from Afar

"It's okay if the greatest thing we do this year is get through it."  (Quote meme, April, 2020)

Below is a timely guest post from Claire Wentz's website, www.caringfromafar.com, reprinted with permission.

Online Services and Tech to Save Long-Distance Caregivers Time, Money, and Stress

Care from afar is something many of us never thought we would have to 

    do. But, given the current situation, it may not be safe to physically interact with our sick or aging loved ones. Thankfully, there are some ways you can use the latest tech to make your life easier and your loved one’s life more comfortable, all while practicing social distancing protocols.

Save on Online Orders

Long-distance caregivers should check out this Amazon shopping guide from Rakuten for advice on saving with online orders from sites like Amazon. From utilizing Amazon’s Bargain Bin finds to saving with Amazon Outlet to accessing the latest Amazon promo codes, there are endless ways to trim costs when you ship new tech or household essentials to your senior loved one’s home. Plus, you can combine those savvy saving moves with cashback offers from Rakuten for even more savings.

Have Household Essentials and Groceries Delivered

4 Generations in Pam's family, 2005

Another way you can keep your loved one healthy and happy from afar is by using online grocery delivery services from stores like Costco. Costco currently offers delivery to many major metropolitan areas, and you can have everything from paper towels to socks to fresh foods delivered to your senior’s home. Costco even offers same-day delivery for orders of $35 or more, which can come in handy when your loved one needs groceries for meals ASAP.

Research and Compare Online Meal Delivery Services

In addition to grocery delivery services for senior loved ones, you can also check into meal delivery options. Many meal delivery services offer special menus for older adults, but at the very least, they can deliver healthy options so your senior loved one doesn’t have to leave their home. You can use introductory offers to save money on subscriptions but compare services to find one that fits your budget.

Invest in Technology to Enhance Overall Health

Amazon’s Echo device can prevent isolation, but there are other tech tools you can use to protect and provide comfort for your loved one. Fitness trackers can detect falls and encourage your loved one to stay active, while monitoring systems can provide caregivers with peace of mind. You can even use the Amazon shopping tips above to score these tech tools for less.

Being a long-distance caregiver can be stressful for you and your family’s budget. With the tech tools and online services above, you can reduce some of that stress and ensure your loved one feels safe and protected.

By Claire Wentz, Creator of Caringfromafar.com

Grandma's Instructions

Several Christmases ago, I had to do some last-minute shopping in Florida with my daughter-in-law. Our son hadn't flown down yet, so we left the kids with Papa Charley. Here are the instructions I left.




                                  DO:

 1.  Become a mannequin for "Beauty Parlor" game.
 2.  Check for BARRETTES in your hair
before leaving the house.
 3.  Lock the bathroom door, if you must use it.
 4.  Put the phone in Hannah's pocket so she can call
me if you fall asleep and begin to drool.
 5.  Put any colored pills on an unreachable shelf so
"the grands" won't mistake them for jelly beans.
 6. Sneeze only if absolutely necessary and into your
elbow or you will be told you are spreading germs
and a demonstration will follow of the appropriate method.
 7. Keep an extra pair of glasses in a locked drawer
and write down where the key is. Story-time follows
snack-time.
 8. Make time-outs a learning experience about
right and wrong, but place the child in a chair that isn't
near wallpaper they can peel.
 9. Use microwave only! No stove-top burners or ovens!

                             

                                    DO NOT:

 1.  Take the children within 50 feet of the ocean.
 2.  Take the children within 20 feet of the pool.
 3.  Reheat pizza for lunch AND snack-time.
 4.  Tell them about starving children around the world to make them finish their meals.
 5.  When Olivia tells you she's allergic to peanut butter,
BELIEVE HER!
 6.  Let the children out of your sight for more than
one minute, tops. That includes toilet time, so pee
frequently and in small amounts.

 8. Assume any sporting event on t.v. will keep them
fascinated for three hours.
 9. Pretend you heard something they said when you didn't.
Your response will make no sense and they'll think
a nut case is in charge.
10. Allow more than 2 carousel rides or Olivia
will throw up.

11. Assume they can buckle their own seat belts, but follow their instructions if you can't figure out how to do it.
12. Frighten them by raising your voice for any reason. When
you think you're whispering, you're actually speaking loud
enough to be heard in a hurricane.
13. Believe them when they tell you they aren't tired
and can skip a nap.
14. Invite them to play chef and let them chop, dice, or slice anything.
15. Give them any sweet after 3:00 p.m.
16. Take them for haircuts without a parent's permission.

               GOOD LUCK! WE LOVE YOU!!

 

Travel Photos - Children

School boy, Tokyo, 1996    

             

School kids, Ardmore, Ireland, 2017

Campers on Ischia, Italy, 2015

Singing of revolution for us in elementary school's principal's office, Havana, 2018

Cuzco, Peru, 2008

Confirmation Day, Ischia, Italy, 2011

Class studying Monet in Musee D'Orsay, Paris, 2016

Tokyo school children, 1996

The Ten Most Embarrassing Questions Santa's Been Asked This Year

   

An author's list for Santa

  

     Another year brings another crop of kids sitting on Santa's lap working their Iphones for selfies, pulling on his beard to see if it's fake, or screaming because the gargantuan in red is going to eat them up.
     Here are the ten most embarrassing questions Santa's being asked this year, in ascending order.
Thank you, SaturdayNightLive, for a couple of ideas! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a healthy, happy 2018!


 #1. Why don't you get a cell phone so we wouldn't have to write those long letters and could email what we want?

 #2.  How many hours a day do the elves have to make toys, and do they get paid overtime?

 #3.  Why doesn't Mrs. Claus put you on a diet?

 #4.  Have the animal rights people ever reported you for abuse of Rudolph's nose? Why don't you just get a GPS?

 #5.  Why does your breath smell like Grandma's after she's had the eggnog on Christmas Eve? 

#6.  Who is this Grinch person that mom says is Dad's relative?

#7.  Is there a gift you could bring my mom so I don't get any more brothers or sisters?

 #8.  Is it true if you deny you did something wrong, you can keep your job? My dad just got laid off.

 #9.  Is Roy Moore on your "naughty" or "nice" list?

AND THE WINNER IS:

Ho! Ho! Ho!

#10. What was the toy Matt Lauer gave to the lady who worked with him?

Even Horses Can Have Oddball Names

What's in a name?  We all know people whose names match their personalities, or perhaps their personalities became a function of their names.  There are also family names incorporated into the choice for newborns and names that follow a trend or names that set a trend.

And then there are the oddballs (to me), including in 2015, Atlas, Armani, Arrow, Chichi, Diem, Jedi, Pi, Sailor, Twinkle, and Tulip (at least three children received each of these names to be included in the survey results).

It got me thinking about the names for the entries in the Kentucky Derby this year.  I could guess at the inspiration for some of the horses' names, but needed explanations for others.  Here is a report by Pia Catton from The Wall Street Journal on May 4, 2016.

According to Ms. Catton, there are naming rules established by the Jockey Club, the organization that registers thoroughbred horses.  Names must be eighteen characters or less and must meet a long list of criteria (nothing commercial, vulgar, or rude).  And no copying the names of famous horses.

A horse's pedigree has traditionally been the greatest inspiration for names, but this year's racers demonstrated that the inspiration can come from just about anywhere.

Trojan Nation - Owner Julie Gilbert is a USC Trojan fan, and her father was class of '53.

Suddenbreakingnews - Owner Samuel Henderson was too late to claim "Breaking News" as his horse's name, but by adding a word and dropping the spaces he established a new identity.

Creator - It's obvious that the inspiration came from above, but racing manager Elliot Walden said he waited for the right horse to fit the name.  Twenty-nine other horses belonging to WinStar Farm didn't qualify.

Mo Tom (not Mo Town!!) - Sired by 2010 champion "Uncle Mo," this name combines pedigree and owner Tom Benson's name.  When the owner was going through health issues, the family needed "more Tom."

Gun Runner - Owner Ron Winchell wanted a strong name that others would be afraid to run against.

My Man Sam - This horse was named after one of the Sheep Pond Partner's sons.

Oscar Nominated - The mare of this horse is "Devine Actress," daughter of the sire "Theatrical and Devine Beauty."

Lani - Hawaiian for "sky," this colt's mare was "Heavenly Romance."

Destin - "Destiny" was already taken, so the owners at Twin Creeks Racing had to come up with another name relating to fate (the mare's name was "Dream of Summer").

Whitmore - Named for a talented athlete, Wilbur Whitmore, in trainer Ron Moquette's high school in Pocola, Oklahoma.

Exaggerator - Resulted from a discussion between owner Matt Bryan and trainer Keith Desormeaux about a few women in their lives who were prone to exaggerating.

Tom's Ready - Tom Benson, who also owns "Mo Tom," was asked if he was ready to spend $100,000 on a horse.  He answered, "I am ready."

Nyquist - Owner J. Paul Reddam loves the Detroit Red Wings and named this year's winner for forward Gustav Nyquist.

Mohaymen - This name is from an Arabic word meaning "dominant."

Outwork - Owner and entrepreneur Mike Repole said, "I always talk about outworking your competition."

Shagaf - Named after the Arabic word for "fond of."

Mor Spirit - "Mor" is "mother" in Danish, and owner Michael Petersen't mother is a spirited woman.  His wife suggested the name.

Majesto - This name combines the initials of two of the owner's sons, Mauro and Jesus.  The "TO" stands for "todos," representing all seven of the owner's children.  It also means "glory" in an ancient language.

Brody's Cause - "Brody" is the name of owner Dennis Albaugh's great nephew.  "Cause" came from the horse's sire, "Giant's Causeway."

Danzing Candy - This name is connected to the horse's pedigree.  His sire is "Twirling Candy," and the mare is "House of Danzing."

This is an Arabian thoroughbred, not Danzing Candy.

A Busy Time

My hairdresser in Florida, Jill, has two girls, ages sixteen and thirteen.  Summer, the older, pitches for her high school softball team, which recently competed in its regional semi-finals.

The tournament was in Homestead, Florida, between Miami and the Keys.  It's where Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992 and a good ninety minutes from their home in Delray Beach.  Also about as far away as you can get from Tallahassee, where the family was supposed to attend Jill's step-daughter's graduation from Florida State the day after the tournament.

"I just got off the phone with Summer's coach AND the division president," Jill's husband, Mike, said.  "I thought they could reschedule the game for the previous night, but the division president won't allow it."

"Did you really think they'd change a tournament for one player?  Why don't you go up to Tallahassee for the family dinner on Friday night?  I'll take the girls to the tournament in Homestead.  The three of us will drive straight through to Tallahassee after it's over, and the girls can sleep in the car. At least we'll be there to get good seats for the graduation," Jill said.

"But I can't drive the truck all the way up to Tallahassee," her husband said.

"You take our car and I'll rent one for me and the girls."

Halfway to Homestead that Friday Jill's rental died. They waited for AAA and got back on the road an hour later, arriving at the tournament as the national anthem blared through the p.a. system.  Summer pitched five innings and her team won. The state finals would be the following weekend.

They woke Mike up in his hotel in Tallahassee at 1 a.m. and arose at 6 a.m. for the graduation.  Parking was impossible, but they found a spot for their SUV ten blocks away.  Jill wore new orange heels to go with her sundress.  Two blocks before the stadium, one of her heels caught in a crack and tore away from the sole. "At least the blood goes with my red and orange dress," she said, as her husband helped her up off the sidewalk and offered his handkerchief.  Jill completed the walk in bare feet.

That afternoon, after spending time with the graduate, Mike, Jill, and the girls drove to Ocala, where their friend, Al, owned some cabins.  "I haven't seen this place, but how bad could it be?  We're only going to stay one night. Besides, they're treating us to dinner at their restaurant," Mike said.

Al greeted them warmly and led them to their cabin.  "We'll see you at the restaurant in about an hour," Mike said.  He plopped his carry-on bag and Jill's onto their bed.  Dust rose up in a cloud.  Jill pulled the bedspread back.  The blanket looked like Swiss cheese.

"There's no signal here," Summer announced.  "No cell phone and no internet.  Great!!"

"I know.  We couldn't use the GPS either," Mike said.

They rallied to eat.  The menu consisted of fried everything - catfish, shrimp, and scallops, to name a few. Jill and her daughters pushed the heavy food around their plates, but Mike dug in  The bill arrived for $60.  "I thought we were Al's guests," Jill whispered to Mike.

"So did I."  The family was on the road by 6 a.m. the following morning.

Summer's state championship game would be played the following weekend in - you guessed it - Tallahassee.  "Try to find a teammate whose parents are going," Mike said.

Grandma's Plan

     Our eight-year-old granddaughter recently spent four non-stop days with Charley and me. Here are her

interests:  reading, crafts, cooking, games, softball, surfing, tennis, dancing, music, shopping, movies, fashion, and lots of things I've left out. Since we only had four days, we tried to cram in as much as possible.

     We picked blueberries and baked muffins, shopped for school clothes, had a pedicure, saw a Smurfs movie.  She dived under four-foot waves and rode her boogie board (left her surf board at home), had a shoot-out with me in bumper boats, played tennis, went to a church fair where a magician transformed a white handkerchief into a bunny and she spent $1.10 on gifts for her sister and herself.

     Our "quiet" time was spent on the computer searching for instructions to make patterned duck tape into a purse.  The instructions were too complicated, and she'd already made the easier projects.  Family photo albums provided some amusement and time for me to wash my hair.

     My plan for grandchildren's future visits is:  I WON'T HAVE ONE!  We can sit on the deck and our amusement will pass by:  butterflies, squirrels, chipmunks, hummingbirds, robins, mockingbirds, sparrows, seagulls, hawks, possums, and maybe even a fox or a deer.  Books can provide our adventure, shared chapter by chapter, before eyelids droop at 9:00.  We can walk to the beach and along its length. We can arrange flowers we've picked from the garden, feed the birds, and cut herbs. We can make up our own recipes while the car stays in the garage.  Or we can sleep in the shade.

     This is sounding too much like a plan again!

   



   

Kids' Christmas Thank-you's

Dear Santa,
     Thank you for the new red wagon with two seats.  Did you mean I have to share with my little brudder?
     Love, Doug


Dear Santa,
     I guess you didn't get the Xmas letter I wrote.  I asked for a fire truck but I got a garbage truck by mistake.  Please put my name down for a fire truck next time.
     Thanks.
                          Love, James


Dear Aunt Rose,
     Thanks for the red sweatr you maid.  My favorit color is really purble.  Maybe you could make that next yr.
                           Love, Sally


Dear Grandma Ann,
     Thank you for the Lalaloopsy doll.  I'm saving in my piggy bank for an American Girl but I'll use yours til I have enough.
                           Love, Molly


Dear Grandma Joan,
     Thanks for the pretty bracelet.  We didn't do much after you went home except open our Xmas presents.  It was more fun when you were here.
                         Love, Becky
P.S. - I hope you get the cast off your ankle soon.  I put my toys away every day since you left.


Dear Papa Jack,
     Thanks for the race car for Xmas.  It goes fast on the kitchen floor, but Mom doesn't want me under her feets.  Maybe you could send me a racetrack.
                         Love, Tim


Dear Aunt Beth and Uncle Will,
     I finished the puzzle you sent me and it was easy.  Mom and Dad took me to the mall to find a harder one.  They didn't have any.  I haven't done anything else but the food court was good.
                        Love, Jeffrey

The Kids Next Door

     Charley and I recently visited three of our five grandchildren.  Half a dozen kids came into the cul-de-sac to shoot baskets or draw with chalk on the asphalt.


     Older brother Sam admonished a younger sister for not retrieving the ball he was pitching to her.  "Jesus Christ, go get it!"
     "Where is he?" younger sister Nancy wanted to know.
     "Who?"
     "Jesus Christ.  I want to meet him when he gets the ball!"


     One of the mothers answered questions from her daughter. 
     "Mommy, how long have you been married to Daddy?"
     "For ten years."
     "Did you get me before you married him?"
     "No, I got Daddy first."
     "Did I cost a lot?"
     "Yes, and you still do!"


     One of our granddaughters pointed to the ball protruding from my right foot.  "What's that?" she said.
     "It's called a bunion.  A bone grew that way because I wore pointy shoes teaching for many years."
     "Will I get one?"
     "Not if you don't wear pointy shoes."
     "My mom wears them.  I think I'd better clean out her closet."


     Older brother Jack told his younger brother that classmate Aidan was no longer his friend.  "He said something bad about you," Jack told his brother.
     "What did he say?"
     "He said you were a sissy."
     "I'm going to kill him," younger brother said.  "But don't worry!  It won't be on school grounds."

    

    
    

The Joys of Living in Spaghettiland

I am writing this post in memory of Vicki Lange, our hostess extraordinaire in Baldissero.  The following are some Do's and Don't's for living in Italy, based on her experiences.

DO:
-  Register to live there.    This means getting a document from the town offices where you
   reside.  Bring electric, gas, or water bills you have paid or an affadavit from your landlord (notarized and
   stamped with a wax seal) that you are in good standing with your rent.  The landlord can be bribed, if
   necessary, with a cash gift.

-  Find out first which town offices are "chiusi" (closed) on which days for which surnames. 

-  Get in the right line early on the right day.  If your name is Burgess and you wait for an hour on the correct
   day for A-L's but in the wrong line, when you finally reach the clerk's counter, she will
    explain, "You are in the wrong line.  Move to your right for residency documents."  You look at the
    twenty people in that line and realize that you will never make it to THAT clerk before the mandatory
    four-hour lunch break from 1-5 p.m.
    Repeat:  go early.

-  Register for an EZ pass for your car only if you are the owner of that car or the primary driver of that
   car.  Appear at appropriate office on the designated day for your surname (see above).  Get in the
   right line for EZ passes as opposed to residency documents or school registration (see above).  Provide
   proof of car ownership or an affadavit  (notarized and stamped with a wax seal) that you are the primary
   driver of the rental/lease. An employer can swear to this if you provide him with a cash gift.

-  Register your children for school on the correct day for A-L or M-Z.  Show up with proof that the
   children are truly yours.  Footnote:  an American mother who has taken her husband's last name must also
   provide a marriage license, since Italian women keep their maiden names and the school will assume you
   are no blood relation (different last name) and have stolen the children from a hospital nursery or
   orphanage.

-  Understand that a first-grader in Italy need not report till 10:30 a.m. on the first day of school so
    he can "adjust" to the idea of first grade.  He will parade past former teachers from the 3-5-year-old
    rooms (who are clasping their hands together and wiping tears as their proteges file to their new
    classroom upstairs).

-  Get your 3-to-5-year-old up at 7:00 a.m. so he can be at school by 8:30 a.m. on the first day of class.

-  Rush out to purchase the list of color-coded supplies (a different color for each subject)
   by the NEXT DAY.  Question:  Do the lines on the pages have to match the outside notebook color? 

-  MOST importantly, TAKE ITALIAN LESSONS.  You will learn that in Italian "later" means three hours
   later, "domani" means
   next week, and "next week" means next month.

DON'T:

-  Neglect to put out your recycling bins on the appropriate day.  Your neighbor will report you and you
    will be fined.

-  Assume workers will show up from Monday to Friday any given week.  Offices close at random and
   workers strike at random.  If you need to catch a plane and there's an imminent rail (or taxi) strike, sleep
   at the airport the night before. 

-  Conclude the Pope is visiting your town because there is a crowd of thousands gathered on the first
   day of school.  They are merely relatives of first graders who are there to weep and wish the first
   graders luck.

-  Think you will have a brief parent-teacher conference.  Conferences start at 4:30 p.m. and last till
   7:00.  Students must accompany their parents.  Is there really that much to talk about in first grade?
   Little Emma's teacher told Vicki (Emma's mother) that she was sorry Emma had an allergy to paint and
   eraser dust.  "What allergy?" Vicki wanted to know.