Just in case you were not able to watch 60 Minutes at CBS last night. This subject has touched my heart and is one of the saddest event in World War 11 in the Philippines.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bataan-death-march-survivor-60-minutes/
From Wikipedia: The Bataan Memorial Death March is an annual commemoration of the Bataan Death March attended by many of the survivors of the march, along with thousands of supporters from around the world, held at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Held annually since 1990, this is a full marathon, with a 15 mi (24 km) route for those who do not wish to complete the full course. Covering paved road and sandy trails, it is regarded by Marathon Guide as one of the top 30 marathons in the U.S.
The race is open to all members of the public, though a significant portion of the participants are members of military units of the U.S. and foreign armed forces and their families. Civilians usually run in the full marathon, which is timed with awards though not certified by USA Track and Field. Several surviving Bataan prisoners usually await the competitors to congratulate them on completing the grueling march. Many injured veterans including some amputees attend to march as well. The race continues all day, with the slowest marchers taking over 12 hours to complete the course.
In 2011, a record 6,300 marchers participated in 2011 in both the marathon and the 15.4 mi (24.8 km) course. In 2012 over 7,000 marchers competed and due to the heat and conditions 2012 became the most medicated march yet. In 2013, conditions were such that a weather advisory was put out to the 5,800 participants to reconsider running the race if they had not trained in the heat or at higher altitudes and that officials were considering altering or canceling the event.
Marinduque Vacation-An Alternative to Boracay, if Night Life is not required!
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
Monday, May 29, 2017
Friday, May 26, 2017
Flowers in My Garden-Have a Safe Memorial Day Weekend
The 3-day Memorial Day weekend is coming. A few of our neighbors are driving out of town. However, Macrine and I are homebound and will enjoy the flowers in my garden. Have A Safe Memorial DAY Weekend to All!
My Miniature Rose Bush in Full Bloom-Source of My Flower Arrangement All Summer
Strawberry-Guava Shrub in Full Bloom
Drought Resistant Ice-Plants in Bloom in the Front Entrance-welcoming Visitors
My Pineapple Plant survive the winter season- Front Entrance Décor
My Miniature Rose Bush in Full Bloom-Source of My Flower Arrangement All Summer
Strawberry-Guava Shrub in Full Bloom
Drought Resistant Ice-Plants in Bloom in the Front Entrance-welcoming Visitors
My Pineapple Plant survive the winter season- Front Entrance Décor
Monday, May 22, 2017
Ikebana-The Art of Flower Arrangement
I am very proud of this Creation!
My Flower Arrangement Creation with two 60th Anniversary Décor.
Last year, I started reading about Ikebana- the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging. Last week when my sister from Maryland visited us , the first thing she saw was the flower arrangement in our breakfast table( see above photos). She commented it was beautiful and looks as if it was a commercial creation. I told her I did the arrangement myself with flowers in my garden. The only materials I purchased were the 3-piece bamboo, the foam, the rectangular flower based and the two artificial butterflies. The sea shells, Nandina( Heavenly Bamboo plant) leaves and flowers as well as the red floribunda roses are from my garden. So what is Ikebana?
Ikebana is the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging. The name comes from the Japanese ike, meaning ‘alive’ or ‘arrange’ and bana meaning ‘flower.’ The practice of using flowers as offerings in temples originated in the seventh century when Buddhism was first introduced to Japan from China and Korea, but the formalized version of Ikebana didn’t begin until the Muromachi period around the 15th or 16th century. These arrangements have since become more secular, displayed as art forms in people’s homes. However, Ikebana is seen as more than just decorative, it is a spiritual process that helps one develop a closeness with nature and merge the indoors and outdoors. For more details read the following:
https://www.ftd.com/blog/design/ikebana
My Flower Arrangement Creation with two 60th Anniversary Décor.
Last year, I started reading about Ikebana- the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging. Last week when my sister from Maryland visited us , the first thing she saw was the flower arrangement in our breakfast table( see above photos). She commented it was beautiful and looks as if it was a commercial creation. I told her I did the arrangement myself with flowers in my garden. The only materials I purchased were the 3-piece bamboo, the foam, the rectangular flower based and the two artificial butterflies. The sea shells, Nandina( Heavenly Bamboo plant) leaves and flowers as well as the red floribunda roses are from my garden. So what is Ikebana?
Ikebana is the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging. The name comes from the Japanese ike, meaning ‘alive’ or ‘arrange’ and bana meaning ‘flower.’ The practice of using flowers as offerings in temples originated in the seventh century when Buddhism was first introduced to Japan from China and Korea, but the formalized version of Ikebana didn’t begin until the Muromachi period around the 15th or 16th century. These arrangements have since become more secular, displayed as art forms in people’s homes. However, Ikebana is seen as more than just decorative, it is a spiritual process that helps one develop a closeness with nature and merge the indoors and outdoors. For more details read the following:
https://www.ftd.com/blog/design/ikebana
Friday, May 19, 2017
A Short Visit from My Sister and Brother Yesterday
Macrine and I enjoyed an overnight visit from my sister ( Agnes Galvin), her husband (Dennis) from Maryland and my brother, Dolce Ruben Katague from Bacolod City, Philippines. It was a short visit, because of their hectic schedule of driving all over the US. Ruben had to be back to the Philippines by June 2. They have visited 13 states already and are headed for Chicago, Illinois, Northern Pennsylvania, Niagara Falls and then Toronto, Canada before heading home to Gaithersburg, Maryland. Macrine and I wish you a Safe and Fun trip. Attached are photos taken from my backyard yesterday.
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Romance by Rubenstein-Macrine's Favorite-An Update
Today. Mothers Day, Rene Nieva, Macrine's first cousin played on his FB page a classical piece that is one of Macrine's favorite piece of music. After reading Rene's posting on FB, I can not help reposting my blog on this subject that I posted two years ago with the following update.
http://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/search?q=rubenstein+romance
http://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/search?q=rubenstein+romance
Happy Birthday Carenna and Greetings to All Mothers on Planet Earth
Today Is Mother's Day and also the 14th Birthday of my youngest grand daughter, Carenna Katague Thompson. Happy Birthday, My Pangga!
Carenna 14th Birthday Cake-Row, Row your Boat-Down the Stream. Merrily, Merrily etc...
Also Sending you Mothers of the World, flowers from my Garden at Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. Have a Great Day!
Front Landscaping of Chateau Du Mer
Mothers Day remind me of an article I wrote five years ago as follows: http://whyretireinthephilippines.blogspot.com/2012/05/happy-mothers-day.html
Carenna 14th Birthday Cake-Row, Row your Boat-Down the Stream. Merrily, Merrily etc...
Also Sending you Mothers of the World, flowers from my Garden at Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. Have a Great Day!
Front Landscaping of Chateau Du Mer
Mothers Day remind me of an article I wrote five years ago as follows: http://whyretireinthephilippines.blogspot.com/2012/05/happy-mothers-day.html
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