🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️ -THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE- Working under the name S U G A R F O X, Stephanie Lynn Daigle turns discarded plastics into striking animal sculptures that feel both mechanical and alive. Each piece is built from repurposed materials—buttons, tubing, packaging, hardware—carefully assembled into forms that echo natural anatomy while openly revealing their industrial origins. There’s a quiet tension in these works: beauty born from waste, tenderness emerging from the mechanical. Mounted like classical trophy busts or presented as stand-alone creatures, the sculptures invite us to rethink value, consumption, and our relationship with the natural world. What was once trash becomes presence, character, and story. Stephanie makes her living as a trash sculptor, and that honesty matters. This isn’t novelty—it’s craftsmanship, patience, and deep respect for material. Every screw and seam is intentional, every curve considered. The result is art that’s visually arresting, conceptually strong, and impossible to forget. If you care about sustainability, sculpture, or the future of materials in contemporary art, this is work worth sitting with—and collecting. Artist: Stephanie Lynn Daigle Studio name: S U G A R F O X Instagram: @sugarfox_art "Pure signal, no noise" Credits Goes to the respective Author ✍️/ Photographer📸 🐇 🕳️

🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️ -THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE- It took 6 years, 4200 hours and 720,000 photos for wildlife photographer Alan McFadyen to get this perfect shot of a Kingfisher diving straight into the water without a single splash. "Pure signal, no noise" Credits Goes to the respective Author ✍️/ Photographer📸 🐇 🕳️

🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️ -THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE- The image shows the Monument to Caterina Campodonico (also known as "The Hazelnut Seller" or "The Peanut Lady"), a famous marble sculpture located in the Staglieno Cemetery in Genoa, Italy. Caterina Campodonico was a poor street vendor who sold nuts and sweets at fairs and festivals. She saved money her entire life to commission the sculpture for her own tomb. "Pure signal, no noise" Credits Goes to the respective Author ✍️/ Photographer📸 🐇 🕳️

🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️ -THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE- THE DOOMSDAY DJ: TUNES FOR THE POST APOCALYPSE On this day in 1971, the Creedence Clearwater Revival single “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?” debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at #56 (January 30) "Have you ever seen the rain, coming down on a sunny day?"… Songwriter John Fogerty has said that the song was written about the fact that they were on the top of the charts, and had surpassed all of their wildest expectations of fame and fortune; everything seemed to be rosy, but somehow they weren’t happy. The dark clouds of tension within the band leading to the imminent departure of Tom Fogerty were gathering… The track from the “Pendulum” LP went all the way to #1 in Canada and South Africa, #3 in Norway and New Zealand, #6 in Australia, Austria and Belgium, #8 in the US, Brazil and Sweden, #9 in the Netherlands, #10 in Argentina, and #14 in Japan. Many respected artists have recorded cover versions of this classic, including Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Tyler, and Joan Jett. The B side was another Creedence favourite - “Hey Tonight”. #creedence, #creedenceclearwaterrevival, #haveyoueverseentherain, #heytonight, #pendulum, #johnfogerty, #70smusic, #70srock, #classicrock, #dailyrockhistory, #thisdayinrock, #rockhistory, #thisdayinmusic, #onthisday "Pure signal,no noise" Credits Goes to the respective Author ✍️/ Photographer📸 🐇 🕳️

🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️ -THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE- THE DOOMSDAY DJ: TUNES FOR THE POST APOCALYPSE On this day in 1968, the Manfred Mann single “Mighty Quinn” debuted on the UK Singles Chart at #26 (January 30) “Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)" was written and first recorded by Bob Dylan in 1967 during the “Basement Tapes” sessions, but the song’s first release was in January 1968 as "Mighty Quinn" in this version by the British band Manfred Mann. Dylan himself did not release a version for another three years… The song was a winner for Manfred Mann, going all the way to #1 in the UK, Sweden, New Zealand, Germany and Ireland, #2 in Norway, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, #3 in Canada, #4 in Austria, #8 in Australia, #10 in the US, and #14 in South Africa. #manfredmann, #mightyquinn, #themightyquinn, #bobdylan, #TheBasementTapes, #60smusic, #dailyrockhistory, #thisdayinrock, #rockhistory, #thisdayinmusic, #onthisday "Pure signal,no noise" Credits Goes to the respective Author ✍️/ Photographer📸 🐇 🕳️

🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️ -THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE- Euripides "No man on earth is truly free. All are slaves of money or necessity. Public opinion or fear of prosecution forces each one, against his conscience, to conform." "Euripides was a tragedian of classical Athens. Along with Aeschylus and Sophocles, he is one of the three ancient Greek tragedians for whom any plays have survived in full. Some ancient scholars attributed ninety-five plays to him, but the Suda says it was ninety-two at most. Of these, eighteen or nineteen have survived more or less complete. There are many fragments of most of his other plays. More of his plays have survived intact than those of Aeschylus and Sophocles together, partly because his popularity grew as theirs declined—he became, in the Hellenistic Age, a cornerstone of ancient literary education, along with Homer, Demosthenes, and Menander. Euripides is identified with theatrical innovations that have profoundly influenced drama down to modern times, especially in the representation of traditional, mythical heroes as ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances." Born: c. 480 BC, Salamis Died: c. 406 BC (aged approximately 74), Macedonia Occupation:Playwright Notable work: Medea, 431 BC, Hippolytus, 428 BC, Electra, c. 420 BC, The Trojan Women, c. 415 BC, Bacchae, 405 BC Excerpt from Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides (1959). “The complete Greek tragedies” "Pure signal, no noise" Credits Goes to the respective Author ✍️/ Photographer📸 🐇 🕳️

🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️ -THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE- Boracay Island Paraw Sunset Sailing ⛵ ⛵ ⛵ Pura Vida 🏝️ "Pure signal, no noise" Credits Goes to the respective Author ✍️/ Photographer📸 🐇 🕳️

🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️ -THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE- 🌴Boracay Today –January 31, 2026 Pura Vida 🏝️ "Pure signal, no noise" Credits Goes to the respective Author ✍️/ Photographer📸 🐇 🕳️

🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️ -THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE- Word of the day: Phlebotomist A person who draws blood for medical testing, transfusions, or donations is called a phlebotomist. These trained healthcare professionals, also known as phlebotomy technicians, specialize in venipuncture (collecting blood from a vein) to help diagnose diseases. Key Details About Phlebotomists: Role: They collect blood samples for laboratory analysis, blood drives, and medical research. Work Environment: They work in hospitals, clinics, diagnostic laboratories, and blood donor centers. Duties: Beyond drawing blood, they label samples, explain procedures, put patients at ease, and ensure safety standards are followed. Training: They are trained in proper techniques for using needles, syringes, and vacuum tubes. Other healthcare staff, such as nurses or medical assistants, may also take blood, but a phlebotomist is specifically dedicated to this task. "Pure signal, no noise" Credits Goes to the respective Author ✍️/ Photographer📸 🐇 🕳️

🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️ -THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE- 23 Best Herbs to Have When Modern Medicine is Gone. As someone seeking to live a more sustainable lifestyle, you already know the benefits of growing your own food. But have you also considered growing plants for medicinal purposes? For thousands of years, people have been growing medicinal herbs to treat disease and to maintain physical and mental health. In modern times, many prescription and over-the-counter remedies are derived from botanical sources. One of the primary advantages of growing your own medicinal herbs is that you can ensure they are free from pesticides and other chemicals. Another is the cost savings of simply clipping what you need for an herbal treatment rather than purchasing a product at the store. Still, another benefit is the peace of mind you can have knowing that you can treat many common injuries and ailments at home in the event supply chains falter or pharmacies close during a crisis. This article offers an alphabetical list of some of the best herbs to grow for medicinal purposes and how you can use them. 1. Bee Balm Bee balm (Bergamot or Monarda) has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal fungal properties. Native Americans used it to treat fevers, congestion, coughs, infections, sore throat, and insect and snake bites. It also soothes the stomach and can ease stomach cramps. Here's more on growing bee balm in your garden. 2. Calendula You can make a healing oil or tea with calendula (also called pot marigold), which features beautiful flowers that attract pollinators. You can treat minor burns and skin irritations, including diaper rash, and superficial wounds with this anti-fungal herb. Here's information on growing calendula. 3. Chamomile Chamomile is often used in tea for its relaxing and sleep-inducing properties. You also can use this herb to help heal wounds and reduce swelling and inflammation. You can also use chamomile to treat stomach upset, gas pain, and conjunctivitis and to help reduce a fever. This medicinal herb is easy to grow – here are some tips. 4. Dill You may only think of dill for its distinctive flavor in foods such as deviled eggs and, well, dill pickles, but you can also use it for healing purposes. You can use dill to help treat upset stomach, bloating, and menstrual cramps. This medicinal herb is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron. Here is a guide for growing dill 5. Echinacea Echinacea has been used for many centuries to treat cold and flu symptoms. It also may help boost the immune system and aid in wound healing. The echinacea plant features bold flowers that attract pollinators and provide a lovely addition to your garden. Here is how to grow echinacea. 6. Feverfew As its name implies, feverfew is used to treat fevers, but it also helps ease headaches, migraines, arthritis pain, mouth ulcers, and digestive issues. Here is how to grow feverfew, which is part of the daisy family. 7. Garlic You know that garlic adds flavor and nutrition to many of your favorite recipes. But you also can use it for medicinal purposes. Garlic has antibiotic, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties and can be used to treat colds and flu symptoms, skin infections, and tooth abscesses. It also has bene linked with lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 8. Ginger Ginger has a well-deserved reputation for helping ease motion sickness and nausea, including nausea related to pregnancy or chemotherapy treatments. Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Here is what you need to know to start growing ginger. 9. Ginkgo Herbalists use extract from ginkgo leaves to treat fatigue, asthma, bronchitis, and tinnitus. Some studies also link the use of gingko (ginkgo biloba), which has a long history in ancient Chinese medicine, with improved memory. Here's more on this ancient medicinal plant. 10. Ginseng The medicinal benefits of using ginseng include increasing energy, lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and reducing stress. It also may help fight inflammation and swelling. Here is a beginner's guide to growing and harvesting ginseng, long a part of Ancient Chinese and other Asian medicinal treatments. 11. Goldenseal Goldenseal is often used to help ease eye and skin irritation, diarrhea, canker sores, urinary tract infections, and vaginitis. Here is information on how to grow goldenseal in your home garden. 12. Hollyhocks If you're looking for a home-grown sore throat remedy, you might want to consider hollyhocks. As a mucilaginous herb, hollyhocks also help treat stomach upset, rashes, and other skin irritations. 13. Horseradish Known for the spicy kick it gives as a dip for meat dishes, horseradish also can be used for medicinal purposes. For example, herbalists use this plant's root to treat sinus, bronchial infections, and urinary tract infections. This article describes how to grow horseradish in your home garden. 14. Lavender This perennial herb is as helpful as it is lovely to look at and smell. Lavender, which can be used as is or in an extract or tea, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Here are some of the many medicinal benefits of lavender: Promote sleep Boost mood Relieve menstrual pain Reduce colic Kill some viruses and bacteria Aid in wound healing 15. Lemon Balm A member of the mint family, lemon balm is a helpful addition to your garden, especially as it is gentle enough for children. This article offers tips on growing lemon balm at home. Here are some of the benefits of lemon balm as a medicinal herb: Reduces fever Calms cough Relieves congestion Calms nerves Promotes sleep Eases stomach upset 16. Milk thistle Herbalists have used milk thistle to help treat liver and gall bladder problems and lower high cholesterol. It also is used to treat viral hepatitis. Watch this video for information on growing and harvesting milk thistle in your home garden. 17. Oregano This flavorful and nutritious herb is a perfect addition to many Italian recipes, but it also has the added benefit of having anti-viral, anti-fungal, and antioxidant properties. You can grow oregano indoors on a sunny windowsill or outdoors in a container or garden bed. Here is a guide for growing and harvesting oregano. 18. Peppermint Peppermint can help treat all kinds of stomach upsets, including motion sickness. It also can help soothe frayed nerves and headaches and open congested sinus passages. Like other members of the mint family, peppermint can take over your garden if you're not careful. You can solve this problem by planting it in a container. 19. Sage Sage leaves add flavor to many recipes and can also offer many health benefits. Simply chewing fresh sage leaves can help ease pain from a toothache, sore throat, or mouth sore. Here are tips for growing sage in your home garden. 20. St. John's wort St. John's wort, which boasts yellow star-shaped flowers, may help regulate mild mood disorders as well as some of the symptoms of menopause. This cheery plant works well as an attractive and easy-to-care-for ground cover in the home garden. 21. Tulsi Also known as holy basil, tulsi can help reduce stress and improve mental focus. The plant may also help lower blood sugar and “bad cholesterol” and decrease inflammation in the body. 22. Valerian The root from the valerian plant may help reduce stress and anxiety and allow you to sleep better. Here is how to grow this hardy, perennial plant. 23. Yarrow Yarrow can be used to treat a host of health and medical issues, including fever, common cold symptoms, diarrhea, minor wounds, hay fever, stomach upset, and toothache. Here is a guide for growing this bright yellow flowering medicinal plant. How to Use Herbs Safely for Medicinal Purposes Before you start using your home-grown herbs – or any herbs – as medicine, it is important to educate yourself. For example, some herbs may negatively interact with other medicines you are taking or be harmful when taken in high doses or when other conditions are present. Talk with your healthcare provider about any risks or side effects that are particular to your family. Also, let any healthcare provider know that you are using herbal medicines when you seek other treatments. When determining what medicinal herbs to grow, consider the health needs of your family and the garden space you have. Check seed packets for light, water, and soil requirements. Some herbs are perennials, meaning they'll come back year after year, while others are annuals. You'll also want to think about the part of the plant you need to make any medicine. For some plants, you need only to snip the leaves. However, with others, you must harvest the root. You'll want to be aware of the location of these plants so that you do not disturb other plants growing nearby. Here are some additional resources to help you plan your medicinal herb garden. Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide by Rosemary Gladstar The Medicinal Garden by Anne McIntyre Grow Your Own Medicine by Ava Green and Kate Bensinger The Beginner's Guide to Medicinal Plants by Amber Robinson, PhD Forget The Pharmacy by Jenni Rempel The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook by James Green "Pure signal, no noise" Credits Goes to the respective Author ✍️/ Photographer📸 🐇 🕳️

🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️ -THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE- The 1955 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Spider Prototipo by Bertone. Once decaying in a barn, this beautiful Franco Scaglione-designed Giulietta Spider prototype was rediscovered by Corrado Lopresto and restored to its former glory. Back in the mid-1950s, Alfa Romeo had been enjoying success with its Giulietta sports car – so much so that Max Hoffman, the biggest importer of Alfa Romeos into the United States at the time, requested that an open-top version of the Giulietta Sprint be built for the US market. Clearly, Alfa Romeo thought this was an excellent idea, and to ensure the design for its new open Giulietta was up to par, it pitted two of Italy’s premier design houses, Pininfarina and Bertone, in competition against each other. We obviously know who came out victorious there — the world was graced with many beautiful Pininfarina-designed Giulietta Spiders, but while Bertone’s designs were rejected, its two prototypes would go on to influence many of Alfa Romeo’s open-top sports cars in the latter half of the 20th century. Where Pininfarina’s design was clearly more formal with its round headlights, the two Franco Scaglione-designed prototypes were far more radical. The first was finished in red and differed from the car you see here with its narrower, more pointed headlights, as well as rear fins without integrated tail-lights. It was a stunning design, but arguably this two-tone, gold-and-white car, built in 1955, is the real showstopper. The two prototypes were clearly influenced by both contemporary American luxury barges and the wild BAT concept cars. As a result, when both were shown to Hoffman, they were deemed too modern and difficult to produce, especially due to those aerodynamics-inspired tail fins. Having failed to get the green light for production, the two prototypes were separated: the red car, chassis 0002, headed to Switzerland, while this car, chassis 0004, was sold to Hoffman, but remained in Italy. Fast-forward to the 1990s, and a young Corrado Lopresto heard about a rare Alfa sitting in an entrepreneur’s collection. Neither man really knew what he was looking at, which was understandable, because the car was almost unrecognisable from the prototype that rolled out of the Bertone design studio. However, Corrado recognised that this wasn’t any ordinary Alfa. The car’s condition was also a far cry from its current pristine finish, firmly falling into ‘barn find’ territory. Having purchased the car, Corrado began the lengthy process of uncovering its history. Incredibly, when the Loprestos began disassembling the interior as part of the restoration process, they found that under two layers of retrimmed leather were the original cream-and-red seats. While the paintwork had to be completely redone, the body was in surprisingly good shape, with only a few areas of the aluminium at the front and rear requiring attention. Over all, an impressive 80% of the original metal was saved. Around the time of the car’s completion in the early 2000s, Corrado Lopresto wasn’t nearly as well known or respected as he is today. The idea that a relative newcomer had rediscovered and restored such a significant car to Alfa’s history was beyond belief to many of the established players in the restoration business, and while chassis 6901 was relatively well known, the existence of a second car was widely disputed. However, after Corrado had retraced the car’s history and produced an enormous amount of documentation attesting to the car’s validity, even the most stubborn of naysayers couldn't deny the little Alfa’s authenticity. The full-circle moment came when the prototype was reunited with Mrs. Garuti, wife of the car’s first owner, half a century on. The car remains in the Lopresto Collection to this day: an integral part of Lopresto history and a formative influence on their current restoration process and philosophy. When asked about how the car compares to the Pininfarina-designed Spiders that displaced the Bertone prototype from the history books, Duccio said, “it feels amazing, it’s extremely light. Franco Scaglione designed amazing and beautiful cars, but he was also a mathematician; the lines follow the golden ratio and were also heavily influenced by early aerodynamics”. The car is powered by an 80hp 1.3-litre, four-cylinder engine, and with a wheelbase of just 2.2 metres and an aluminium body, it’s also incredibly light. “Compared to a normal Giulietta, it’s much more fun. It’s not that different, but the aerodynamics make it feel quite fast,” adds Duccio. Looking at this tiny two-tone wonder today, it’s hard to believe that anyone could turn away such a gorgeous design, and as the subsequent Duetto Spiders show, Alfa Romeo management also clearly couldn’t get the Bertone prototypes out of their thoughts – and who can blame them? "Pure signal, no noise" Credits Goes to the respective Author ✍️/ Photographer📸 🐇 🕳️

🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️ -THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE- Saturday morning workout at the gym. Pura Vida 🏝️ "Pure signal, no noise" Credits Goes to the respective Author ✍️/ Photographer📸 🐇 🕳️

🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️ -THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE- The Philippines is an island nation in Southeast Asia, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. Its capital is Manila, and it boasts a rich cultural blend due to Spanish and American influence. It is predominantly Catholic, and English is an official language alongside Filipino. Its name honors King Philip II of Spain, and it is known for its mountainous geography, diverse ethnic groups, and vibrant Asian culture with Western roots. The Philippines…🇵🇭 "Pure signal, no noise" Credits Goes to the respective Author ✍️/ Photographer📸 🐇 🕳️

🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️ -THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE- The difference between premium and mass-market butter comes down to water content and fermentation. High-quality butter starts with rich, high-fat cream, often cultured to develop a nutty aroma and a deep yellow hue. Because it contains less moisture, it foams gently and browns evenly in a pan, making it the essential choice for serious cooking. In contrast, low-quality butter is a mass-produced product often stretched with whey, water, or additives. This chemical makeup causes it to soften too quickly and "sputter" violently when heated as the excess water evaporates. While the top-tier version relies on pure cream and sea salt, the industrial alternative offers a flatter flavor and a watery texture that disappears into the background "Pure signal, no noise" Credits Goes to the respective Author ✍️/ Photographer📸 🐇 🕳️

🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️ -THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE- "To write is to forget. Literature is the most agreeable way of ignoring life. Music soothes, the visual arts exhilarates, the performing arts (such as acting and dance) entertain. Literature, however, retreats from life by turning in into slumber. The other arts make no such retreat— some because they use visible and hence vital formulas, others because they live from human life itself. This isn't the case with literature. Literature simulates life. A novel is a story of what never was, a play is a novel without narration. A poem is the expression of ideas or feelings a language no one uses, because no one talks in verse." ~Fernando Pessoa, The Book of Disquiet "Pure signal, no noise" Credits Goes to the respective Author ✍️/ Photographer📸 🐇 🕳️