deliriouslove1970. The life & times of Gary and Denise Flanders. (Free and worth every penny. If you would like to compliment the editor, send to garytheflan@deliriouslove1970.com. If you would like to complain, call your mother.)

The Commonwealth of Dominica. [Not to be confused with The Dominican Republic]. It is an island country in the Caribbean. It’s ‘nickname’ is ‘Nature Isle of the Caribbean’ for it’s lush vegetation and rare plants and animals.

It was formed by geothermal volcanic activity. It contains the second largest hot spring in the world called Boiling Lake. It is another country that was colonized by both the French and Great Britain. It finally gained its independence in 1978. The coat of arms was designed in 1961.

The flag, which is a beautiful example of a ‘good flag’ (and many US States could take lessons in flag design from Dominica,) is a green field [the lush vegetation] with a cross [Christianity] . The three colors of the cross – black [the volcanic soil] yellow [the native people] and white [purity]. Within a red circle is the national bird, A Sisserou Parrot (also known as an Amazon Parrot.) The ten stars in the circle represent each parish.

What better flag to fly on a cold, dark day in January in Michigan…right Lydia and Vince?