Fa – the Green Dragon

A Place for the Odd Musings of an Expat Bristolian

Category Archives: Life Events


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My Local Community Center

A Good Place to Belong

My local community center has played a significant role in my life over the past year. I have been attending regularly, except for a five-month break that was necessary due to an injury. In December 2025, I returned and resumed a modest walking and exercise routine, which I follow on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Since coming back, I have experienced remarkable support from the community of people who use the facility. From the very first day of my return, countless fellow exercisers greeted me warmly, welcomed me back, and expressed that I had been missed. Many even greeted me by my first name, which was both comforting and surprising.

Today, I completed 40 laps of the indoor track—about two and a half miles—with 30 laps using a walker and 10 laps without it. Afterward, I participated in a one-hour chair yoga session. This routine is helping me mend, and I am truly grateful to be part of a caring and supportive community.


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In Britain it’s the postman

In the USA the one who brings the mail
Is referred to as the mailman even when named Gayle.
Some people find this really weird,
mail lady is a term that’s almost never heard.
In France they have a different name to which they do refer
No matter if a guy or gal, it’s always le Facteur.
In Germany that soul is known by a name that’s full of labor.
For there they call that person, simply der Brieftraeger.
In Italy it’s il Postino, usually a man.
But if it were a woman, I would be a fan.
In Spain it’s el Cartero, who brings a greeting-card or bill.
and sometimes a love letter to make a still heart thrill.
But no matter who brings it. I think we all agree,
a letter in our mailbox is what we like to see.
So right away, write today, a short note to a friend.
Or, to someone who is ill, it will help them mend!

January 13, 2019


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My shoes were made for walking

Did not go to the community center today. Instead, I found myself at a shopping mall. I don’t have the patience for shopping, so I walked about instead. Difficult to say for sure how far but close to a mile. Did me good.


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Reflections on Language and Word Creation

Messing About with Words

I have always found it fascinating to observe how people use words in their everyday conversations and interactions. Language, after all, is an essential part of our daily lives, shaping the way we communicate and connect with others. From an early age, I considered myself a bit of a “gramando”—someone who is quick to correct others when I thought their grammar, pronunciation, or even their choice of words was incorrect.

Over time, however, I came to realize that language is not fixed—it is constantly in flux and evolves based on location and context. For example, someone from New York will speak English differently than someone from Arkansas. This understanding made me reconsider my former approach and ultimately curbed my impulse to correct others during conversations.

Nevertheless, I still find myself quietly amused when I hear something unusual or creative in language use, though I now keep these thoughts to myself.

Discovering a “Scrabbleist”

Not long ago, I was chatting with a fellow walker at my local community center. During our conversation, she described herself as a “scrabbleist.” Curious, I asked her what she meant by the term. She explained that a scrabbleist is simply someone who plays Scrabble.

That evening, I began to reflect on her use of the word “scrabbleist.” I wondered why she chose “scrabbleist” instead of something like “scrabbleonian” or “scrabbletator.” This led me to consider how new words are formed and gradually become part of our vocabulary. Even though I could not find these words in any dictionary, I believe that, with time, such terms may eventually enter our everyday speech. Only time will tell how language continues to grow and adapt.


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Personal Achievement at the Community Center

Walking Goal at the Indoor Track

Yesterday, I set a personal goal for myself to walk at least 30 laps on the indoor walking track at the Community Center. For context, 16 laps around the track are equal to one mile, so this was a significant target for me.

Exceeding Expectations

I am pleased to report that not only did I reach my goal, but I also surpassed it by completing an additional 5 laps. This accomplishment fills me with a sense of pride and satisfaction.

Post-Walk Experience

After finishing my walk, I did feel a bit tired. However, taking a short rest and having a small snack helped me recover. I was then able to participate in my chair yoga session as planned.

Reflections

As I write this, I feel great and am excited to share my progress. This experience has motivated me, and I look forward to continuing my fitness journey.


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Yesterday and Tomorrow.

Yesterday I was able to walk with my walker for balance, about 4800yards i.e. 30 laps of the indoor walking track at my local community center. I followed that with a 1-hour group session of chair yoga.

Tomorrow I plan to do the same, and depending how I feel, will try for an additional 5 laps. We’ll see how it goes.


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An Explanation of Law Enforcement in the USA

Overview of Law Enforcement Structure

Law enforcement in the United States operates through multiple groups, each with its own jurisdiction and responsibilities. These agencies are organized at federal, state, county, and city levels to ensure comprehensive coverage of law enforcement needs.

Federal Law Enforcement

At the federal level, law enforcement duties are partly assigned to agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI investigates crimes and pursues opportunities for crime prevention on a national scale, and sometimes internationally.

State Law Enforcement

Law enforcement affecting the general population is managed primarily at the state, county, and city levels. Every state has its own police force, which can be known by different names, such as the California Highway Patrol or Minnesota State Patrol. These state patrol agencies typically have jurisdiction over federal and state highways within their respective states.

County Law Enforcement

Each state is subdivided into counties, and each county is under the jurisdiction of a Sheriff. The Sheriff’s office has authority over county highways and is responsible for maintaining law enforcement across these areas.

Local Law Enforcement

Within every county, there are cities and towns, each governed by its own local police force. These departments enforce laws within the boundaries of their respective cities or towns.

Jurisdiction Example

To better understand how these jurisdictions work together, consider a drive from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Rochester, Minnesota. While driving within St. Paul, you are under the jurisdiction of the St. Paul Police Department. As you travel along the Lafayette Freeway to Concord Boulevard, jurisdiction is shared among several agencies: the State Patrol, the South Saint Paul Police, the Dakota County Sheriff, and the Inver Grove Heights City Police. The specific agency with jurisdiction depends on which part of Concord Boulevard you are traveling.

Jurisdiction in Minneapolis

In Minneapolis, the jurisdiction lies exclusively with the Minneapolis Police Department. However, support from state, county, or neighboring city agencies can be requested if needed.

This overview clarifies the structure and jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies throughout the United States.


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Ice Out has a double meaning

In the northern part of the United States and in particular Minnesota where I reside, winters can be quite harsh. The extreme cold temperatures cause our lakes and rivers to freeze over.

Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes.  The mighty Mississippi river rises here in Itasca and freezes as far south as saint louis Missouri, inhibiting shipping during the winter months. Duluth Minnesota is also the most western city on Lake Superior.

All these lakes and rivers give rise to a favorite winter pastime, namely that of ice-fishing.

Ice, as you may well imagine, can be very deceiving. Thin ice has claimed many lives over the years of unwary people falling through into the frigid water below.

Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about crossing the Mississippi during winter time by a family travelling from Wisconsin to Minnesota at lake Pepin.

But back to the meaning of Ice Out. On the one hand it’s a notice issued by the department of Natural Resources to declare that all rivers and lakes are now ice free. Shipping on the Great lakes can resume. The other meaning is more recent.

Some time ago, a group of people were discovered perpetrating  a massive fraud scheme. They were diverting federal and state funds into their own pockets. So far, about 67 people have been charged with crimes. Among these were a number of people of Somalian descent.

Minnesota is typically a state which is known for voting Democratic. Our Governor Tim Walz is a Democrat. Our current president does not like Gov. Walz and has gone out of his way to interfere in Minnesota’s state affairs. The unfortunate part of this is that Somalis in general have now become the villains because of a few bad actors. Part of the interference in the state’s internal affairs is the deployment of some 3,000 federal troops  and detachments of ICE.

ICE stands for Immigration and Customs enforcement. Naturally this has upset many of the residents of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and saint Paul. Part of their protest calls and signs are for “ICE OUT”. So, there you have it.

For more about the State of Minnesota, I would like to suggest looking up Minnesota Prairie Roots by Audrey Fletcher Helbing. She is a better authority.


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Chilly weather – Just sayin’

In north central United States, the weather is somewhat chilly. The outside temperature is -21 Fahrenheit, or for my European friends, -29 Centigrade. But realistically, we have to accept that we have shut ourselves outside in the cold through our misguided foreign policies. Winter storms have covered our country with snow and ice reaching as far south as Florida. It’s almost as if nature has spread a national blanket of depression.

On the bright side, the sun is shining and we are looking to tomorrow and then the day after and bright days when we begin the process of restoring our nation.


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I did it again!

Today I walked again for one and a half miles and then participated in a one-hour chair yoga session. Feeling a little pooped but happy. At this rate Johnny, (my walker) will need an oil change and wheel rotation soon.