Why Retire in the Philippines/Marinduque Vacations: Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States

Planning to Retire Soon!

If you are planning to retire in the Philippines soon, I suggest you visit several excellent websites on pro's and cons of retiring in the Philippines. However if you want to retire in the provinces, where life is simple, standard of living cheaper, less traffic congestion and pollution, availability of fresh seafood and vegetables compared to the big cities, my island province is the place for you! If this is your first time in my site, welcome. Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on the infringement of your copyrights. The photo above is the front yard of Chateau Du Mer- Our Retirement Home in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States

My Miniature Orchid in Bloom Again-Happy Thanksgiving to All

Today is Thanksgiving Day here in the US. This year we will celebrate it at my wife niece residence ( Lanie Lazarte Chalfin) in Mountain View. The whole Jambalos and Katague Clan have been invited for dinner tonight.

There are three things I am thanking the Lord this year. First, to all my friends and relatives who have encouraged me to continue my writing and blogging activities based on their comments on my FB page and blogs. There are days when I feel its time to quit, but thanks to your comments I have been posting articles almost every other day since 2008.

Second, I thank the Lord for my Health and for my spouse(for 60 years)-Macrine. Macrine was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in 2013. Thanks to medications, diet and exercise her PD is progressing very slowly. The support and understanding of friends and relatives alleviate her loneliness and sense of isolation -a side effect of the medications she is taking to control her movement disorder. In my case, I will be 83 years old next month. So far my high blood pressure and adult on-set diabetes are under control. I watch my diet ( lots of fruits and vegetables), read and write, play duplicate bridge ( exercise my mind) and do some light gardening and housework for my physical exercise.

The 4 D's-Dodie, Dinah, David III and Ditas, Mountain View, CA 2013

Last, but not least, Macrine and I are thanking our four Children and six Grandchildren for their love and support. Special thanks and Happy Birthday ( yesterday) again to David III who helps me in taking care of his Mom on his days off from work. His help makes my life as a primary care giver more pleasant and bearable. Your Mom and I love you very much and hope you have many more birthdays to come.

My six grand children, Ian, Elaine, Philip, Alix, Marina and Carenna, 2011

Thanksgiving day always reminds me of our First Thanksgiving Day here in the US as follows:

https://hubpages.com/holidays/my-first-thanksgiving-day-in-the-united-states

Again Happy Holidays!

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Fruit Trees in the Gardens of Chateau Du Mer

The Mango Tree-I have three varieties in my Garden-The Indian, Guimaras and Carabao Mangoes My caretaker/gardener informed me last month that due to the El Nino drought in Marinduque, two of my Durian trees died in spite of his vigilant watering. One of the tree was attacked by insects that looks like a big fly but yellowish in color that sucks the sap of the seedling. The roots of the other tree was attacked by ants residing in the soil. However, my other fruit trees, the rambutans( 2), the lanzones(2) and the jack fruits ( 2) trees are doing well. The above eight fruit trees were given to me by Retired General Recaredo Sarmiento of Boac and Lucena., about three years ago. General Sarmiento is the “atid” of my wife. “Atid” is the colloquial term for brother. Evidently, Macrine's father, the late Bernardo Jambalos was the Godfather of General Sarmiento during his baptism and comfirmation. Gen Sarmiento's hobby is orchard planting, reforestation and farming. The other fruit trees in my garden are guayabanos, cashew, avocados, starapples, duhats, ates, guavas, mangoes( 3 varieties) and papayas as well as several varieties of bananas . Of the above fruit trees, my favorite is the guayabanos, also known as soursop tree known for its anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties . The following are photos of the fruit trees. The Durian photo is from the web. Note that it almost look like a jack fruit tree, except that the leaves are bigger and shiny. My desire is to have a passion fruit tree in the near future. You are welcome to visit my orchard and flower gardens any time, if perchance you are in the vicinity of The Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center.

The Rambutan Tree and Fruits

The Lanzone Tree and Fruits

The Jack Fruit Tree

The Durian Fruit Tree