C/ABC Wednesday

C is for Chimney

A chimney of a coal-fired thermal power plant in Pagbilao, Quezon province.  Took this photo while in an outrigger.

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Peachy

Peach Vanda---thanks, Andrea!

I was born to catch dragons in their dens

And pick flowers

To tell tales and laugh away the morning

To drift and dream like a lazy stream

And walk barefoot across sunshine days.

~ James Kavanaugh

Linking to Floral Friday Fotos

Before & After/Signs

Spotted this poster at my nephew's dormitory.  

Here's to a hangover!:p

More fun @ Signs, Signs

B/ABC Wednesday

B is for Birdhouse

This is my friend Alex' birdhouse, home for his pigeons---his masterpiece, he said.  Crafted from twigs, wood and tin, this birdhouse stands tall at the corner of his bird-friendly yard, under the trees to protect it from direct sunlight.  It offers a haven for his pigeons and other winged creatures after a day of exploration.

You'd be surprised that this place is in the city, just a a few meters from a busy thoroughfare.  The birds, trees, vines and this birdhouse made me feel I was away from the hassle and bustle of the city.  We were having coffee at his patio on Saturday afternoon admiring his birdhouse and listening to birds chirping and wind rustling through the leaves.

Linking to ABC Wednesday

School Bus/Mellow Yellow Monday

From the archives:  A school bus parked by the Experience Music Project Museum in Seattle, WA.

Linking to Mellow Yellow Monday

Santan

@ mirandablue
Santan, Ixora coccinea, Jungle Flame

Locally known as Santan, Ixora coccinea is an erect, smooth ornamental shrub, growing to the height of 2 to 3 meters.  Flowers come in yellow, pink, red, orange and white.  A native of India, it is cultivated here for ornamental purposes.  Roots, flowers, stems and flowers are also used in folkloric medicine---roots used as a sedative in the treatment of nausea, hiccups and loss of appetite.  It has antiseptic properties and flowers are considered as antimicrobial and used for dysentery and leucorrhea.  Poulticed fresh leaves and stems are applied to sprains, eczema and contusions.  Diluted tincture of roots for mouthwash and gargles for sore throat.  Flower decoction is used to treat hypertension, amenorrhea and irregular menstruation. 

 Growing apart doesn't change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled. I'm glad for that. ~ Ally Condie

Linking to Floral Friday Fotos and Today's Flowers

Blue Whale/Signs

A popular kiddie party venue, Blue Whale Grill is right beside Fun Ranch, a children's complex in Frontera Verde.  A girlfriend and her husband threw a pirate-themed party for their 7-year old son here last Saturday.  No whale was harmed during the party, and we had a whale of a time!

Linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs

A/ABC Wednesday

A is for Arson

My quiet afternoon was disrupted by an acrid smell of burning rubber.  When I looked out the window, I was greeted by this hellish spectacle.  A neighbor said that the burning building is a plastic pipe factory.  The fumes and explosions were scary.  I wondered if this was an accidental fire or arson.

Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously lighting structures, wildland areas,  cars or other property on fire.  It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires.  Arson often involves fires deliberately set to the property of another or to one's own property as to collect insurance compensation.

Pyromania is distinct from arson.  Pyromaniacs start fires to induce euphoria; it is an impulse control disorder.

We don't know if this fire was an arson.   Fortunately, it was declared fire out after almost 3 hours and nobody was injured.

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Yellow munchies/Mellow Yellow Monday

Girl talk over steamed and buttered sweet corn, French fries and crunchy chicken wings.

Linking to Mellow Yellow Monday

Euphorbia Milii

@ mirandablue

Euphorbia Milii, also known as Crown of Thorns, is a woody, spiny, climbing succulent shrub with shoots reaching the height of 6 feet.  The common name alludes to the legend that the Euphorbia Milii worn by Christ at the time of his crucifixion was made from the stems of this plant.  Interestingly, the stems of this plant are pliable and can be intertwined into a circle.  There exists substantial evidence that the species, native to Madagascar, had been brought to the Middle East before the time of Christ.

The Euphorbia Milii is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family).  It is a large family, including such plants as Poinsettia, Castor Bean, Cassava.  Most members of the Spurge family exude a sticky white sap (latex) from any cut surface.  The sap can cause painful and itchy rash if it comes in contact with the skin, and is poisonous if ingested.

This plant loves sunshine.

@mirandablue

Some old wounds never truly heal, and bleed again at the slightest word. 

~ George R.R. Martin

Linking to Floral Friday Foto and Today's Flowers

Guilt trip/Signs

Spotted this sign at an office I visited recently.  

Lay a guilt trip and there's no need for a  CCTV camera.  

I wonder if this would work in our government offices.

 Join us @ Signs, Signs

Z/ABC Wednesday

Z is for Zinnia

Zinnia is a genus of 20 species of annual and perennial plants of family Asteraceae, originally from scrub and dry grassland in an area stretching from the American Southwest to South America, but primarily Mexico, and notable for their solitary long-stemmed flowers that come in a variety of bright colors.  Zinnias are popular garden flowers, usually grown from seed, and preferably in fertile, humus-rich, and well-drained soil, in an area with full sun. They will reseed themselves each year.  

These Zinnias were blooming at a small park in an industrial zone I visited a few months ago.

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Bird bath/Mellow Yellow Monday

A floral bird bath waiting for winged creatures to stop by.

Linking to Mellow Yellow Monday

Purple Aster

Aster (Diplopappus Cass.) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae.  The name Aster comes from the ancient Greek word "aster", meaning "star", referring to the shape of the flower head.  Found these flowers in the shady part of my aunt's garden.

Live simply.  Deepest joy is like a flower...beautiful in essence.

~ Tony Samara

Linking to Floral Friday Foto and Today's Flowers

@ mirandablue

Dining/Signs

One of my favorite restaurants at the Bonifacio High Street.  They serve good food in affordable prices and friendly ambiance.  This was my dinner 3 nights ago.:p

Grilled Chicken with mushrooms and shrimps

Linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs

Y/ABC Wednesday

Y is for Yawning

Reading this post is a guarantee to make you yawn!  Fritz caught it from me---he's passing it on to you.  Try and fight it.

Usually, just thinking or reading about yawning will make you yawn.  And when the person next to you yawns, you'll yawn, too.  Yes, it's contagious!

Go ahead and yawn...it cools the brains.

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Mango Torte/Mellow Yellow Monday

A sweet gift from a friend when she came over last Sunday---a delectable Mango Torte from Dulcelin Gourmet.  Thank you, Kikay!

Linking to Mellow Yellow Monday