The Other September 11

September 11 was a day of infamy long before the towers fell.

Read about it here,  and here where the US is thrilled with the work done by Augusto Pinochet.

That said, my sympathies to all who lost family and friends on this day.

Photo-Finish Friday -- Chile

Skua Glacier in the Chilean Fjords.

It looked cold and foreboding and absolutely beautiful.

The second link takes you to the first time I posted a picture of it. I thought it deserved another view.

Photo Finish Friday - Pimp My Camelid Edition

This enterprising gentleman took advantage of a long, slow lineup to make a bit of cash.
He dressed up his alpaca in all its camelid finery and worked his way through more than 1,500 people, offering to take a picture of them posing with his very fuzzy companion.
We were waiting to be tendered back to our cruise ship, but the waters were rough and the tenders could only have riders inside, not on the upper, open deck.
It was hot and still where we were and we had no place to go. He had a captive, and somewhat restive, audience. I didn't take him up on his offer, but neither did he make the offer to me. Walked right by in fact.
I expect he made out okay.

Photo-Finish Friday --In The Forest

I spent some quiet time alone in the Magellan Forest Preserve, Chile. The hike was a bit much for me so I rested on a walking platform while the others made the climb to the top.

They fought 60 mile an hour winds at the top to get to a view point. I was relatively sheltered and had a chance to make friends with the trees.

It was a good day.

Photo Finish Friday - Chilean Pastoral

This peaceful scene was a treat to see. I'd move there in a heartbeat.
It was along the southern highway which runs along the Reloncavii Fjord in Chile.

Photo Finish Friday - The Sun Sets On Another Week

The sun sinks slowly into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chile.

And so another week comes to a close.
What have you done to improve the world?
I've done nothing, but neither have I caused it any harm.
On the whole, that's pretty good.

It's Tax Time

This is how I feel about tax time.

It's that time of the year again.
I got my tax info all sorted out yesterday and bundled off to my accountant this morning.
In a few days the return will be completed and sent off to the government and my financial duties to my country will be done.
I have nothing else to add save I'm relieved. For now.
What about you? Is this your favorite time of year?
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The photo was along a retaining wall in a little town at the end of the Reloncavii Fjord in Chile. I have no idea what it says or means, but I got a kick out of it.

Photo Finish Friday - Haunting Blue

This is Skua Glacier in the Chilean fjords. Our cruise ship went in very close to it, closer apparently than any other cruise ship had gone.
The ice formations looked like living crystals creatures. I thought I'd ventured to a cold alien world of eerie, haunting beauty.
Please click to enlarge the photo for the full effect.

Gratitude Monday - The Sun Never Sets on Gratefulness

Sunset off the coast of Chile.

Some days its hard to know what to be grateful for. No, not because I can't think of anything. That's absurd. It's because the choices are virtually unlimited. I am here. I exist. If I get stuck for something to be thankful for I go with breathing. Everything after that is gravy.

All that said, I am currently grateful to whomever directed me to get my beta blocker prescription renewed by a local doctor last week. I had the option of waiting until today when it could have been done through my cardiologist. I needed only a few to tide me over until my teleheath appointment with him. That's an appointment conducted by camera as opposed to me going to his office. It is possible that I could have been finished with the beta blockers then and I was looking forward to it.
Instead I went to a doctor here who insisted, in the way of medical people, on checking me over. I am back in atrial fibrillation and that means back on anticoagulants.
I had every intention of waiting. I was about to tell my cardiologist's assistant so when someone or something tickled my psyche into saying I'd do it here.
I am grateful.

Random Thoughts

Today is the 34th anniversary of the other September 11th. The democratically elected President of Chile, Salvador Allende, was overthrown in a bloody coup in 1973.
The US was behind it.
General Augusto Pinochet was installed. Bloodshed, terror, and disappearances ensued. Thousands were murdered.
When we take a moment to think of the horrors of this day, let’s spare a thought for the Chileans, too.
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It’s abundance cheque time again. I’ve been writing them for a year now. My life is good.
For now, today, given the anniversaries of terror and bloodshed, I think I’ll ask for an abundance of compassion and common sense in the world.