Photo by stephan-gogov-TcAigacJxHA from Unsplash
Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia
To my Fellow Bloggers,
Robert will be 77 on September 20, 2025. I wanted to share Robert’s homemade birthday card with you. Though we are going through some challenges, health-wise and otherwise, we are OK and expect to come out alright. I am working on a lot of projects.
When life slows down again, I hope to be more active on the blog. I am looking forward to that day! 💕🌈 💕 I miss you!
Warm Regards,
Cheryl
Wild things face deportation from woodlands.
‘Dozers fell trees animals call home.
Animals, seeking asylum,
head for the next wooded lot.
Finding sanctuary,
displaced refugees…
squirrels and birds
crowd feeders…
Oh, how
sad!
On
morning
excursions,
I see “progress”…
human immigrants
expertly constructing
beautiful new human homes.
Fascinated from early childhood
with watching men and women at work…
noise, dust, wildlife displacement…still I watch!
Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia
For the last couple of months, I have been experiencing heart symptoms again. Last week, I ended up in the hospital for an emergency angioplasty for a blocked stent in my heart. I was in the hospital for a couple of days and am recovering at home. After all of our recent surgeries, both Robert and I are OK, but quite tired.
by Cheryl Batavia
A Window on a Fascinating Time & Place/
Timeless Insights into Human Nature & Relationships
Author, Rosaliene Bacchus was a young, idealistic Guyanese nun for seven years during the tumultuous 1970s and early 1980s in Guyana. Her novel, The Twisted Circle, provides vivid insights into the politics and corruption of both the Roman Catholic Church and the Guyanese government of that period. Nuns and priests are portrayed as human beings with human desires, ambitions, and flaws.
The protagonist, Barbara, a young Black Guyanese nun, suffers sexual harassment from both priests and political figures. Her antagonist, Francis, a racist White American nun who is in love with a priest, considers herself superior to Barbara. She jealously attacks Barbara, publicly accusing her of flirting with men. Francis also feels that she deserves a promotion received by Barbara and tries to sabotage Barbara by any devious means possible. The inclusion of numerous excerpts from Francis’s diary enhances the story of the conflict between these two characters.
Several students in the school, where Barbara and Francis are teachers, suffer sexual assaults from priests. One young boy becomes an angry troublemaker. A promising young girl, attacked by a priest, is forced to quit school because of her pregnancy. A talented and charismatic gay student is found dead shortly before his high school graduation.
Rosaliene Bacchus also provides background about Guyana’s colonial past and how it continues to create problems for the newly independent nation. Conflicts exist among the Black citizens who came as slaves, Indians who came as indentured servants, three native American tribes, and assorted Europeans. There are also numerous people of mixed races.
At the time when the story takes place, many families in rural areas live in squalid housing, without enough to eat, without adequate medical care, and with limited educational opportunities. The Church steps in to help. Teachers, despite limited resources, do their best to help their students. Many nuns and priests, though probably initially well-intentioned, are at the mercy of their human desires and ambitions.
The Twisted Circle is a window on a fascinating time and place. It provides timeless insights into human nature and relationships.
*I read The Twisted Circle yesterday, all in one day. It would have been hard to put down!
Rosaliene Bacchus blogs at <rosalienebacchus@yahoo.com>
A. American Dream, Accountability
B. Brotherhood, Bill of Rights, Balance of Powers, Birthright Citizenship
C. Constitution, Cooperation, Compassion, Co-Equal Branches of Government
D. Democracy, Diplomacy, Due Process of Law
E. Environment, Equality, Education, Enlightenment, Empathy, Emoluments Clause
F. Freedom, Fair Tax Laws, Fiscal Responsibility, FEMA, Future
G. Goodwill, Goals, Growth, Government of, by, and for the People
H. Honesty, Harmony, Honor, Healthcare, Hope
I. International Relations, Integrity, Innovation, Independent Media
J. Justice, Jobs
K. Kindness, Knowledge
L. Liberty, Leadership, Learning
M. Manners, Moderation, Medicare, Medicaid, Minimum Wage
N. Negotiation, National Security, National Parks, Nation of Laws
O. Opportunity, Objectivity, Obligations, Optimism
P. Peace, Progress, Prosperity, Pursuit of Happiness
Q. Quality of Life, Qualifications for Office
R. Respect, Responsibility, Reason, Reproductive Rights
S. Social Security, Schools, Safety, School Meals
T. Truth, Trust, Tolerance
U. Unity, Understanding, USAID
V. Voting Rights, Veracity, Values
W. Wisdom, Work, World View
X. eXcellence
Y. Yesterday’s Lessons
Z. Zenith–Aim High!
Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia
*I wrote this during the first Trump administration and revised it for 2025.
All photos were taken by Ellen Maher and Katey Batavia at Robert is Here: farmer’s market, antique farm equipment, animals to feed, and so much more!
Ellen and Katey brought me a delicious papaya and a perfect avocado from Robert is Here.
Cute springtime babies
exploring Robert is Here,
staying close to Mom.
Babies, winsome and sweet,
captivating visitors.
The baby goat hanging out in the background doesn’t seem interested in lettuce yet.
Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia
Happy Memorial Day!
Hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend.
Take a moment to appreciate those who died in defense of your country. Think about the values they were defending. Support democracy, and fight to preserve the rights and freedoms promised to you in the Constitution.
Mother
is proud of you
for every step you take,
picks you up every time you fall,
shows you how again and again,
and builds your confidence
to walk alone.
She’s proud!
Mother
hears your first word,
always listens to you,
wants for you what you want for yourself,
gives advice, knowing that someday
you will surely recall
what Mother said…
She hears!
Mother
sees potential
when those around you doubt,
has high hopes for you in tough times,
never, ever gives up on you,
even when you give up,
always loves you…
Always!
Copyright© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia
Birdsong delights us
on peaceful, mid-summer nights…
sighing, “Whippoorwill!”
Scanning starry skies…
We ponder the vast cosmos,
the far reach of time.
Summer thunderstorm…
We lie in bed, listening
to rain on the roof.
Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia
Here, on the SW Florida Gulf Coast, the temperatures are rising, and grass is parched and brown. Yesterday, we got several brief thunder showers, our first hints of welcome summer rains. Today, the sky is overcast, promising more rain. We need it!
Happy summer! A little early for our friends in other locales, but heartfelt!
(Cheryl Batavia’s daughters, Ellen and Katey, meet Skipper, the bottle-nosed dolphin, and his trainer.)
(belly rub)
(It’s not polite to stick out your tongue.)
(Ellen playing the piano, Skipper singing!)
(Katey playing the piano, Skipper singing!)
Photos taken by a Theater of the Sea photographer. Please give credit if you use them.
This is a highlight of the vacation my daughters and I planned together. Due to a last minute emergency, I was unable to go on the trip. These photos make me feel like I was there.
Theater of the Sea in Islamorada, FL has various animals, many of them rescue animals, on display. There are sea turtles, rays, seals, and other animals to observe or encounter.
I hope you enjoy the vintage music. I also considered “Splish Splash!” by Bobby Darren. It didn’t quite fit, but it was fun!
On Saturday, 4/19/25, around 800 separate demonstrations took place. It was called 5051 because there were protests in cities in all 50 states in the US and the District of Columbia. There were also some demonstrations internationally.
I may not see precisely eye-to-eye
with a few of the protest signs, banners, and chants…
But I saw democracy today…
People of all ages, ethnicities, walks of life, and points of view
marching together,
taking a stand against oppression, lawlessness, and injustice.
POTUS hates dissent; It takes courage to resist!
I saw democracy today!
*The following poems are composed of quotes from 5051 protest signs, banners, and chants.
Horns honking in Alabama…
Honk if You Want Democracy!
Democracy, Not Oligarchy!
Democracy, Not Fascism!
Hands Off Canada!
Resist Dictatorship!
No Trump! No KKK! No Fascist USA!
RESIST!
No More Tariffs! No Kings!
No Kings! No Fear!
Resist Dictatatorship!
Donald Trump Will Not Save You!
Hey, Hey! Ho, Ho!
Donald Trump has got to go!
A sign in New York City observes:
The Emperor Has No Clothes!
Virginia’s flag, a hero’s foot on the
fallen dictator’s chest, proclaims:
Sic Semper Tyrannis!
Thus Ever to Tyrants!
Get Rid of Citizens United!
Democracy is Not For Sale!
Hate Won’t Make America Great!
Deport POTUS!
A New York City protester,
dressed in a dinosaur suit, carries a sign:
Separation of Powers Must Not Go Extinct!
Costumed as Lady Liberty, no sign needed,
a woman marches in Chicago!
Protect the Constitution!
Honk If You Love Free Speech!
Habeas Corpus!
Due Process for All!
Hands Off DEI!
Diversity! Equality! Inclusion!
The Rule of Law is Under Attack!
We the People Resist!
Economic Justice is Social Justice!
A sign in Salt Lake City: Tax the Rich!
End Cuts to Medical Services!
We Love USAID!
Hands Off Social Security!
Veterans Against Trump!
Hands Off the VA!
No Musk Rat! No DOGE!
We Stand for Mother Earth!
Oceans Are Rising, and So Are We!
Honk to Save National Parks!
Save Our Parks!
Off Fossil Fuels! Gulf of Mexico!
Climate Justice!
Protesters singing in unison:
This Land was Made for You and Me!
Bring Them Home!
Due Process!
Abolish ICE!
Ethnic Cleansing…We Say No!
DC Wants to Free Kilmar!
Bring Him Back!
Stop the Disappearings!
Who Will Be Next?
Pro American! Anti-Trump!
United We Stand!
The People United Will Never Be Defeated!
Cuba Taught Us… Freedom Isn’t Free!
Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia
On the day before my daughters were scheduled to arrive, Robert had emergency open-heart surgery for aortic dissection. This uncommon condition occurs without warning, has a very high mortality rate, and can destroy organs such as the brain, kidneys, and heart. We got to the emergency room within about fifteen minutes of his chest pain, and Robert was taken by helicopter to the waiting operating room in Sarasota.
Robert survived the surgery, and there are no signs of organ damage. Yesterday, he had surgery to repair leads and replace the battery in his pacemaker. Today, he was moved out of the ICU and is expected to be discharged on Friday. His daughter will arrive on Thursday and stay for a few days. My daughters will arrive on Thursday and leave on Saturday.
Yes, I missed my trip. It was too late to cancel our reservations, and my daughters are enjoying the Everglades and the Keys. They are emailing photos, which I will share.
I am very happy and grateful today for Robert’s positive outcomes. I am enjoying spending time with my daughters. They were here before, and will be here after their trip.
This post was drafted in the hospital surgical lounge while awaiting the results of Robert’s surgeries, and I am finishing it as I wait for Robert to return home.
I expect to be sporadic on WordPress for a while, but my fellow bloggers are always in my thoughts! 💕
Show me
flamingos…gone
one hundred fifty years…
Reappeared twenty years ago
in flaming glory in
the Everglades.
Show me!
Hunted
to extinction;
Florida pioneers
had hungry mouths to feed.
Flamingos disappeared,
except in zoos.
That’s sad!
There’s peace
in paradise.
The Everglades are home
to wild flamingos once again.
Where did they all come from?
From South America,
some say.
Show me
wild flamingos
returned to Florida
one hundred fifty years later
in their flaming glory.
Paradise found!
Show me!
Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia
My two daughters, Ellen and Katey, live in Dallas. We have missed our traditional yearly road trip for the last two years due to my illness. This year, we are taking the long-awaited trip to the southern part of Everglades National Park. I am hoping to see the wild flamingos that mysteriously settled there twenty years ago. Some people say they came from South America.
Flamingos had not lived in the wild in Florida for the previous one hundred and fifty years. I have dreamed of seeing these wild flamingos since I first heard about them . Maybe it will happen!
Before we leave, at the request of my younger daughter Katey, we will have an Easter egg hunt. I am filling plastic eggs with small chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and some goofy little surprises. I will hide hide the eggs in the yard for Katey and Ellen to find. This is the first Easter I have spent with my daughters for many years, and I am looking forward to it!
Katey has also asked me to get a favorite ice cream that is not available in Texas. It is cherry ice cream with chococolate-covered cherry hearts mixed in. We will try to eat small portions!
My daughters are going kayaking. We are taking two boat tours, one in the Gulf of Mexico, and one in the back country.
Then, we are going to the Florida Keys to swim with the dolphins at Theater of the Sea. There are many other marine animals there, including sea turtles, seals, sharks, and rays.
We plan to eat some authentic Cuban food, locally grown tropical fruit, and some famous Key Lime pie. I will post photos and tell you all about our adventures when we return.
I will be on break from April 15-30, 2025.
Gulf Coast Poet 