It boast of 5 acres with a small Heirloom Orange Grove, with over 100 trees of various varieties of oranges:
* Satsuma
* Navel -(Regular, Yellow and Red)
* Ponkan
* Robinson
* Hamlin
* Pineapple Orange
* Murcot Honey
* Ambersweet
* Ruby Red Grapefruit
* Duncan Grapefruit
* Pink Grapefruit
There is also a pear tree (they say its the cooking kind). In the front of the house there is a majestic camphor tree, which dates back to WWII, the dried leaves are very aromatic. It has an old run down house along with 2 barns.

Despite the work that we have ahead of us, there is such sweet serenity; there simply are no words to describe the peace that makes the work turn to joy.

Daisy Says: In simplicity we will find richness, joy and peace.

I did not have to think twice about where I needed to be in the next few days. Flight arrangements were made, it was a coincidence that we could fly the weekend of Easter; this made it all the better as we did not want to break the news of what the doctor had diagnosed and the recommendation was to make his remaining days as pleasant as possible.

The days before my visit, all I could do was remember with fondness the treasure he had given me: the wonderful memories.

Riding with him on his horse while he rustled the cows on the farm. On many occasions I enjoyed sitting atop his leg while he allowed me to shower him with kisses. I followed him everywhere I could and made myself busy so as not to be ’shooed’ away. Feeding the chickens and the pigs. Carrying the little pail of milk to help out with the cows (of course, dipping my finger in the molasses barrel any chance I could). On Sunday mornings we’d go to church and he would smell of Old Spice and look sharp with his dress hat. On the way home we’d make our social visits and stop by relatives… he’d always brag about his favorite grand daughter (at the time… I was the only one and so totally enjoyed being the star of his show). The sweetest gestures I so enjoyed, he always had a treat for me when he came home from his adventures.

>>> Papaito, I love you. Thank you so very much. (It’s wonderful to choose the memory to cherish)

While cherishing the past is wonderful, it is also important to remember to live in the present to create the future. Mom is so amazing and gifted at living in the now… and saw to it that we create a few memories to take with us. We visited two beautiful local rivers.

Rio Fula had a wonderful swimming spot; at the base of the river they had a restaurant and they brought you food to whatever spot you chose to set up camp. Bachata and laughter permeated the zone.

RIO FULA:

The next day we hiked through the beautiful canape of cocoa trees of Rio Jima, this was a magical place with the sounds of running river, songbirds and crickets all about (a contrast from the music of bachata); it is said that there are 12 waterfalls as one ascends up the mountain, we only made it to the first waterfall and it was breathtaking.

RIO JIMA:

My parents are from the province of Bonao in the Dominican Republic (one of the 3 Spanish Caribbean islands)
Bonao borders to the north with the province of La Vega, east of the province Sanchez Ramirez, on the south by the Municipality Piedra Blanca and west by the town of Constanza.

About Bonao:
* It is the capital of the province Monseñor Nouel and has vast natural and mining resources. Bonao is also known as the “Villa of Hydrangeas”, Hydrangea is the flower of this town.
* Its name comes from the Cacique Bonao, named after the chief who ruled this city at the arrival of the Spaniards whom had the highest rank in the area.
* It is a town with a large eco-tourism potential that is associated with its people, characterized by being very hospitable, Bonao is one of the areas of the Dominican Republic that has plenty of rivers including Yuna, Blanco, Masipedro, Jima, Los Quemados, Fula and Maimon.
* Bonao known for good weather, good soil for planting, accessible mountains, rivers and clear streams and constant rainfall.
* The ninth largest reservoir of ferronickel in the world is located in Bonao, exploited by the multinational Falconbridge Dominicana since 1970.

Climate: It has a tropical rain forest climate and average temperatures range between 18 ° C and 26 ° C throughout the year.

How to get there?
By Air: The nearest airport is the Cibao International Airport (STI) located in the province of Santiago.
Other nearby airport is the Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo.

By car: Direct access by the Duarte highway an hour from Santo Domingo towards the North.

Daisy Says: (as quoted by grandpa) Life is but an exhale.

It does not seize to surprise me when people demand so much out of life and yet they themselves fail to give back to life what it demands of them. There are those individuals in my quiet observation that just can’t go by their day without complaining about something wrong with everything in their world but themselves… they are doing everything right (from eating right, exercising, sharing goodwill, going above and beyond their job description at work, being a good son/daughter – father-mother-wife-husband, giving back to their community) — I mean… gosh if you talk to them … you would assume you are talking to the most perfect human being on earth!

Yet, when you have the opportunity to REALLY enter into their space – they have bad eating habits, they lack discipline, their homes a mess, their relationships are lacking, they have poor work ethics, they gossip as they walk out of their religious house, their cars a mess and even their pets are ungroomed — and on and on.

I’m not much of a theosophist yet I have enjoyed the many parables found in the Good Book. A particular story of interest is in Luke 12:36-48, where Jesus tells a parable of servants who are waiting for their master’s return. Many lessons have been drawn from this parable; the lesson I extract from this reading is that those endowed with a gift – be it artistic, intellectual or circumstantial – should cultivate that gift and use it as a vehicle for excellence in life.

Many may confuse the parable to refer to those that are given much financial awards… while financial success is the world’s yardstick, it must not become ours.

Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.

‘God doesn’t give us more than we can handle’ – often used when people are suffering, yet this can be applied to: spiritual blessings, material possessions, and our personal characteristics. Within our core being we should strive for excellence… to Give more than is expected, to BE more than is expected, to LOVE more than is expected – You are the gift… do not be an unopened gift box.

Dig deep within yourself today and find out what areas of YOU that you keep hidden and ask yourself WHY?
Why not share that part of you, why have you not given more? Are you simply afraid that MORE will be expected… and you JUST want to get by? Don’t expect others to give your their best! and Don’t expect the world to give you its best. Before you open your mouth to spew your negative web… gauge your words and see if you yourself measure up.

Am I perfect? HEck no! I share this with you because, striving to be a better human is not easy…it is an EVERY DAY event… as well as a worthwhile cause.

If you are not getting more out of life and your relationships ask yourself why, and before you put the blame on anything outside of you seek within and weed your garden first.

Daisy Says: Share the BEST of yourself with the world..

As my parents now cross over the 60’s threshold I too cross another stage of life with them. Choosing to understand them. It is a decision based on love, gratitude and compassion. All relationships must be nourished and that nourishment comes with investing time. Time.

I spent the next three days listening, talking, laughing and sharing with my parents. We made plans to start construction of the outdoor room. This project is truly a gift of Love from me to them; it’s giving them a reason to travel around town and meet with people. I even taught belly dance to my moms friends, it was delightful and fun: Habibi!

Daisy Says: Love starts at home.

I love my dad.

I love him for his strength, and I love him for his weakness.

I love him for his passion and I love him for his courage.

I love the soft side of him and I love the adventurer in him.

As I grow older I can’t help but to love him even more.

Daisy Says: Treasure the special love of your father, it may be silent but it is true.