It's Lighthouse Day

August 7 Is National Lighthouse Day

Light The Way Lighthouse Print by bmthour 

Today is National Lighthouse Day in the United States.

Why was August 7 selected?  That's because it was on this day in 1789 that congress passed legislation authorizing the government to build and maintain lighthouses. You can read the full text of the legislation here,  It's just a few paragraphs.  They didn't need thousands of pages in those days.

These days, the lighthouses in the U.S. that still serve as active aids to navigation are automated, and have no need of keepers.  Most are open to the public, as they are important pieces of national and nautical history.

Today is a good time to reflect on the countless ships and souls that were guided to safe harbor by the beacon of one of these stalwart structures.  You might also investigate your local lighthouse or preservation association, if you happen to live near the ocean or a major inland waterway.

If, like me, you are fond of all things nautical, or lighthouses in particular, you might want to commemorate this special day by finding a great lighthouse jigsaw puzzle to work on the next rainy day.

It's also a good opportunity for me to introduce you to some works of Brenda Thour, one of my favorite artists.  You can purchase quality reproductions of her lighthouse, landscape, and wildlife paintings from her Zazzle gallery.  They are available not only on stretched canvas, and as posters, but also on a variety of other items, like these three examples:

Seul Choix Light Folio Case For Kindle

White River Lighthouse Wall Clock

Shining Point Lighthouse Wristlet

For lighthouse lovers, here are several more pages that I've written.  Each showcases lighthouse themed products, and also gives some  brief stories about particular beacons.

• Five Coasters for Lighthouse Lovers - U.S. Lighthouses - Read about the Cape Hatteras and Pigeon Point lights, along with three others.
• Do you know about the tallest lighthouse ever built?  See which one it was at Nautical Bath Decor - Lighthouses.
• A classic tale about a real lighthouse that has delighted children for decades is featured in Lighthouses for Little Ones.
• Lighthouse Throw Pillows includes a brief history of the St. Augustine Light.

Have a Happy National Lighthouse Day!

Happy Birthday, Jamaica!

Today is Independence Day in Jamaica

Jamaica ~ Vintage Travel Print 

by TheEclecticImage

Oh, Jamaica.  For those of us who cruise the Western Caribbean, it's at least somewhat familiar.  But, how much do you actually know about Jamaica?

For instance... today is Jamaica's Independence Day.  August 6, 1962 was the day that the island nation, which had been under the rule of Great Britain, gained full independence.  As such, it was the first Caribbean island nation to do so.  Happy Fifty First Birthday, Jamaica!

Being such a special day, it's also a good one to pass on a few random facts about the country.  So, here are a few things you'll be able to impress your cruise mates with the next time you're fortunate enough to enjoy Ocho Rios, Falmouth, or Kingston as a port of call.

Jamaican Lighthouses

 Plumb Point Lighthouse,
via Wikimedia Commons

There are eleven lighthouses in Jamaica. Nine of these are on the Jamaican mainland, and two are on small cays out in the Caribbean Sea.

The country's port authority reports that the lamp in the Plumb Point Lighthouse, near Port Royal, has gone out just once since the structure was erected in 1853.  That one outage was during an earthquake that struck the area in 1907.

Other Random Facts about Jamaica

• The land mass we call Jamaica is actually the third largest island in the Greater Antilles.
• Kingston boasts the seventh largest natural harbor in the world.
• Not surprisingly, rum is the national drink.
• Reggae music originated there in the 1960's.
• The movie Cool Runnings, about a Jamaican bobsled team that had no snow to train on, yet made it to the Olympics is actually based on fact.  
• Last year on August 6, 20125,  one U.S. dollar was worth about 86 Jamaican dollars.  This year, it would be worth about 99.  
• That right now, means their $20.00 coin (yes, there is one) is roughly equivalent to an American nickel. 

Here's a page where you can enjoy a few images of Jamaica, and vote for your favorite.

Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is Three Weeks Away

Portside View No.2 Poster

Mother's Day is three weeks from today.  Right now, there's still plenty of time to shop Zazzle for Mothers Day Cards and Gifts.  You'll find some outstanding unique gifts for Mom there.  Here are a couple of samples:

For a Crusing Mom:

Portside View No. 2 Mothers Day Card and Portside View No.2 Personalized Electronics Sleeve by CruiseReady

World's Best Mom:

World's Best MOM and World's Best Mom Mug by Vilizard

BONUS -  Free Shipping!
FREE STANDARD SHIPPING on orders of $50.00 or more.  Use coupon code FREESHIPFORU at checkout.  Valid through June 30 for  orders shipped within the U.S. 

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Other places to find Nautical and Sea-inspired Mother's Day gift ideas:

Lighthouse Trinket Boxes
These lovely lighthouse trinket boxes make wonderful, unique gifts.

Jigsaw Puzzles - Ships and the Sea
Jigsaw puzzles of ships and the sea are enjoyable to work and beautiful when done. Everyone loves to work a good jigsaw puzzle, and there are nautical puzzles here for all skill levels.

Nautical Jewelry and Sea Life Jewelry
Gathered from several sources on the web, here's a nice variety of nautical jewelry for you to consider. You'll find boats, anchors, and ship's wheels, along with dolphins, sea shells, star fish, and other symbols of the sea. are always popular.