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- Updates from the Islands -- - Culebra (PR) - - |
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| - Rain welcome home |
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A great mini-holiday away in SJ and still gentle buzzing from seeing
Elton John with friends from St. John. Nope, no pics and no reason but
my personal preference to not be flashing lights in my seatmates eyes
or be distracted from what was an amazing show.
The weather in SJ was pure pretty with some rain on Sunday (Mother
Nature's way of saying, C'mon kids, time to go home).
I'd given an extra good watering before leaving on Friday and hoped
that with the ground water plus that that the gardens would be all
right. They looked great! So this morning I got up to water more, and
as soon as I came inside it started pouring like mad, which the sky did
NOT look like it was holding. According to to the radar, it's a small
cell...but who konws? It's only a bit of a fat dribble now, with that
yellow light all around....
The big city was a fun place to be, especially with good friends and a
focus for time time there...we ate at one fantastic restaurant in Old
SJ, and found a funky Mexican restaurant above the beach in the new
area. Found one of my favorite Asian markets that is actually a chain I
had no idea was in PR. Tossed away some bucks in the casino and gawked
(ok, I gawked) at the buildings, both purely ugly and purely charming.
But, as Dorothy said (while I can't understand a longing for
cornfields, I get the heart part), there's no place like home.
Ah, the sun! Perfect. Again. |
| - Carnival cover ups in order today? |
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While checking our local weather today from weather underground (as
it's gotten a bit grey and overcast, with apparently some fast moving
showers headed our way), I was quite surprised to see this from the St.
Thomas weather station...
Observed at: St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Elevation: 23 ft / 7 m 27 °F / -3 °C Mostly CloudyMaybe I do better in cold weather than I thought, because I still have the fans on here on Culebra. I sure hope those in St. Thomas who are planning on being outdoors for Carnival cover up! |
| - Rain "Event" Total |
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Good Morning, With another 1.4 inches yesterday morning, I have the total for the Rain "Event" at 8.3 inches. DR, once a year is enough for our small island to get this much rain. No cisterns should be dry for the rest of the year. Dave is right, now the battle of mosquitoes begins. After a severe drought and grass fires, it is still a very welcome sight to see the grass getting green and everything trying to bloom at once. Our local hummingbird is working hard to keep up! Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com |
| - The sun - bless its yellow heart |
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After a few days of grey, about a foot of rain causing lots of mud from
natural and unnatural (run-off from irresponsibly cleared off building
sites - which should be fined a few zillion dollars for literally
dirtying up the bays and streets - can we say erosion prevention???
build a house for a million or more, you can at least buy a few dozen
damn bales of hay, or cloth fencing or grass seed - okay, stepping off
the muddy soap box), this morning is showing new blooms on the veggies
and orchids and just about every growing thing.
Reports I sent in about the rain got lost in the ether somehow, but suffice to say - it was the rain dancers overabundant answer and Bill got the numbers. There is still a shady spot in the yard with standing water. Now for the drying out and oh so green time! |
| - OOPS, bad math |
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Good Morning Again, The total for the two days of rain should be 7.9 inches. Got to get my mind in gear! Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com |
| - Good Morning |
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Good Morning, Culebra received 1.4 inches of rain in the period of 5 AM yesterday till 5 AM today, so adding up the totals, we have received 7.6 inches of rain from this "system". It seems the tail of old front is pulling up lots of moisture from the Caribbean, and it has a Loooooong tail! Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com |
| - Rainfall Overnight |
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Good Morning, As of 5:30 am, Culebra received 6.5 inches of rain overnight. Basically this was an inch an hour for the past six hours. A real gulley washer and washed out the road a bit too. According to radar Culebra's own personal "Blob" has now moved off to the East. Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com |
| - all that grey black |
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and finally some rain to go along with it. We'd just about decided that
Culebra was under the dry bubble, which is, of course, all it takes
(along with me hanging out the laundry) to make it rain. But thunder
too??? Things I love about the islands #389b: when in drought
time...the rain starts and conversations carry on, no one gets out of
the rain - the feel of it, the smell of it, standing around getting wet
and grinning...
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| - delivered as promised |
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Here comes the rain! After a day that started with good breezes but
then went dead calm with humid heat, the afternoon and early evening
cooled off, again, completely still. But now we've got roof and ground
pounding rain, coming in on and off waves. If the radar (which,
amazingly, is up and working as of now) is correct, we are in line for
quite a bit more.
Cart open or closed once it's more *tomorrow*, the island will be
soaking it up! Whoever washed their car today, left laundry on the line
and paid to fill their cisterns, thank you!!
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| - out of date |
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All of the landlines were off line yesterday and this morning, so
whatever shows up today is from yesterday. I wish I had more glorious
rain to report but alas...only hot air today ;)
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| - Soaked ground rain |
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As for some reason I can't get online, I'll write this now, while the
ground is still wet from an ongoing rain last night. Maybe I woke up
when it stopped at some point, but I had a listening experience I'd
never had. It was so very still that I could hear the next wave of rain
coming across the water, up the yard and onto the roof. Very strange,
but very fascinating.
Looking forward to the total, Mr. Kunke! |
| - All Night Rain |
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Good Morning, Culebra received 0.4 inches of rain through the night. Mostly a good, steady, sprinkle that had time to soak in well. A true drought buster! It appears the very far edge of that NorthEaster prompted these showers. What is bad for some, is good to others. Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com |
| - They held it, they dumped some! |
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The clouds looked incredible this afternoon, wispy yet surrounded by
rain looking clouds (I remember them, I do!) but hope was held at a
distance until about 10 minutes ago...glorious smatter patter on the
roof, not long lived but heavy and delicious to the ear! I know the
plants are going to be in wonder growth tomorrow.
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| - Clear on |
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While two of my temp readers say 81, one says 86, so I'm going with the
majority. The waters around have cleared up (except for the from up in
the sky view, which shows where run off from irresponsible construction
is making certain areas less than pristine) for now, the breeze has
dropped, and the pelicans are back to fishing up here in my end of the
bay. I missed their splash during those windy, muddy days, plus them
cluing me in to where the fish might be.
Yesterday's fishing was a sort of dual contest between me and three
young boys on the dock across the way from me. Yelling in Spanish and
English, the basic messages were "What are you using?" and "What are
you catching?" I think none of us did anything in the catching dept.
but it was a wonderful to while away an overcast afternoon. Maybe
today! Though they'll have a head start...I can see them out there now,
as I prepare to head to the cart...lucky brats!
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| - Haze, ash or dust? |
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Take your pick. Yesterday afternoon and this morning find the air
around here thick enough with something to be making me check to see if
my glasses and/or contacts are covered with grit. Today will be a
glasses day, as by the end of yesterday's cart watch, my eyes were
itchy and sore from being scrubbed with *whatever it is*.
Other than that, it's Easter morning, the smell of fuel from boats departing the bay assails my nostrils, with a light breeze and 83 degrees of warmth. The water is churned a muddy color due to so many turnings of so many props, the streets will fill with every rental car available. The sounds of *sleepy after being up until 3 or 4 a.m.* morning laughter drifts back to me, from the water, from the bayside homes - holiday! Ah, Easter in the islands! Where's my chocolate bunny and malted milk speckled eggs? |
| - CARIFTA |
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I didn't know what the CARIFTA games were (re: T & C post)...just in
case you didn't either...here's a link.
It sounds like a huge project; lots of work with for a great event.
Best of luck to all participating and may the weather hold well for the
weekend!
http://www.turksandcaicoscarifta2007.com/ |
| - (warning) Very little to do with the weather |
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It's cool, it's breezy! It's hot, it's still! It's overcast; is that
rain, or sweat drops?
Town is BUSY! Town is DEAD! Everything is closed! Well...that one is just about true (Mamacita's is open today, Happy Landing is open - duh - El Eden was open. I highttailed it for home so I don't know about the rest of the places...which is why god invented phones). I think next year if we gift shop people were really smart (ok, we might be smart but we're not always real timely), we'd have a Semana Santa weekend Goodie Cooler going with meats and cheeses and breads, some chips and soft drinks. And maybe a few personal hygiene articles (bet you weren't asked about THAT today, were you?). And it's not even afternoon yet!But here in the quiet of my yard, where only me and the iguanas are slowly moving around, it could be any time of year...unless that weird green egg means something... Back when *I* was a kid, we were happy just to have those neat dye kits with about four colors, a couple wire thingies (and with four of us, my poor Dad had to invent a couple out of hangers...back before there WERE no wire hangers - what the heck do parents do now? Only have two kids, I guess) and some old plastic bowls to roll 'em around in. Now kids have stuff to make eggs look like Faberge look alikes, or kits for making dye out of *natural* stuff (Honey, tell the nanny to go to the voodoo market and get that stuff that makes blue and yellow - toss some weeds in for the kids to find). We were THANKFUL for the wonders of modern SCIENCE and the chemicals that stained our little happy fingers. So what if it caused cancer? It was pretty and we LIKED it! Who knew? Gol' darn it! We had to fight the damn chickens for those eggs and it MEANT something back then!! "Daddy, I'm bleedin', but I got me three eggs, too bad meany sissy can't have one! Is red a good color, Daddy??" |
| - shhh.....the rain is continuing |
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Not only waking up to pitter patter, but it's still raining and quite a
bit harder, though of course it could stop any second. I know I don't
have to water any of the gardens this morning though!
The radar looks like we might have more on the way (again, believing
with the radar! oh well, it's another season, why not give it a go?) I
wouldn't mind an all day soaker, though I doubt we'll have that. We'll
have just enough to have me doing the open/close? dance at the cart,
always entertaining for the firemen at the station across from me, and
a challenge for me - will the rain be enough to close? how long should
I wait? I look really stupid sitting here in the rain, but I'm reading,
maybe people will think I'm just eccentric...
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| - Rain redux |
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I sent this around 5 this morning but will try again. It did rain a
little bit more, but now the sun is shining, with a gentle breeze.
"It might stop before I'm done typing this but right now we're getting a nice, steady rain (enough to make the roosters hush). The radar shows us in line for a set of showers coming from STT, so this might even go on for awhile. Happy plants!" |
| - Good Morning, Rain Data |
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Good Morning, See attached chart for Culebra rainfall data for the last 20 years compared to the first 3 months of this year. The nearly 2 inches of rain last week saved us and PR from continued drought status. We are starting to see green show through the brown in the grasses, lets hope this is a definite shift in weather patterns. Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com
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| - Rain!! Thanks D.R.!! |
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Good Morning, Culebra received 1.8 inches of rain last night. A good "soaker" rain that lasted almost all night long. Filled up all our tanks, had to put on the overflow pipes about 3 AM. Thanks D.R. for pushing this system along the island chain before it takes off to the Atlantic. I can see the hibiscus and bougainvilla smiling already! Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com |
| - Rain glorious rain! |
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We finally got some rain here and there was almost literal dancing in
the streets. It started while I was at the pizza place during the
Humane Society auction, lots of people inside and out and no one really
got out of the rain, it was so great to have it falling! It has eased
off now but we got about two hours worth of decent rain. A good start
and I bet the kid's bean plants will be HUGE tomorrow!
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| - Cloudy rainy |
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After being awake all night due to some partying people traipsing
through my yard in the very wee hours to get to their very loud engined
dinghy (yeah yeah, I like you, but not much at 1:30 and 5;00 a.m. and
you are on my list, buckos), I had to get to the ferry by the 6:30 take
off. Lucky for me and bless you two whoever you are, I got a ride in,
when it started to rain....RAIN!!! Not much, but I'd just looked at the
radar before leaving, while sucking up coffee for the jolt, and the
whole area for all of us was covered in color.
The ferry ride was mellow, me on the top deck under my sarong as a
blanket, hoping for sleep. Again lucky, a friend was on the ferry
heading to San Juan to pick up her brother (talk no sleep? via Malta to
Barcelona to England to SJ) and she gave me a ride to Wal-Mart (printer
sale, oh boy!) before heading for the big(ger) city.
Drizzle rain continued as I lugged around my carrier cart, trying to
cross streets with a zillion cars whose drivers apparently think
walking people don't exist. I gritted my teeth and hoped to live and
did, as they swerved around me, at faster speeds than we get on Culebra
full out. Filthy feet and spattered carrier later, I ran into my friend
with her brother in tow and headed to Lolita's, the Culebra rest stop
after shopping. With a pitcher of margaritas along with nachos and
burritos, we relaxedn until heading to the ferry, when the rain decided
to really pour down, just as we were unloading the vehicle. I didn't
care, so glad for rain and hoping hoping it was on Culebra as well.
On the ferry, chatting, a ferry guy came up to me and asked if I had
the red tote...to inform me that one of my wine bottles had broken.
Wonderful man had already mopped up the mess, though the entire place
smelled of Cab Sav. Lucky again for me, it was on sale, and no damage
done to the rest of the contents, especially the little bottle of
sherry vinegar I'd splurged on, or the ratty cheap shorts (but they
have pockets!! I had to get them!) which would have been wine stained
forever. Apparently the tip over in the rain knocked the neck off the
bottle....who knew?
Home to rain drenched streets, apparently not a LOT of rain but more
than the 30 second bits we've been getting - enough to do some good.
And my feet, which looked like they'd been in a nasty bilge, will be
clean enough tomorrow to wear my new shoes...I hope!
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| - Dry, Dry, Dry --- |
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Good Morning, Culebra remains super dry, everything is "crunchy" underfoot. There is no rain in these clouds this morning either! Saba, we are jealous of your recent downpour! Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com
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| - Gauged hope |
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I've been watching my barometer with close interest these days, as we
hope for *enough rain to do good*. Its needle hasn't moved much, but
each tiny increment toward RAIN sees me looking a little more closely
at the sky and sniffing the air - is it really going to rain? By the
time I look back, the needle is swinging back to CHANGE. Change, not
FAIR, not VERY DRY, but CHANGE. Which I always thought meant something
different was going to happen. We get minutes or seconds of rain,
enough to sound the hope alarm, but it doesn't last.
Maybe it's like waiting for Christmas morning when I was little - the days changed but somehow, Christmas seemed as far away as ever, until suddenly it was Christmas Eve and change meant something real. Maybe it will be like that... or maybe it's like that watched pot for a boil and I should just turn Mr. Barometer around for awhile and continue rain dancing. |
| - Rain call |
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Between dogs barking, roosters crowing and one very persistent
mosquito, I woke up around 3 a.m. and got to hear the sweet sound of
rain (which shut up the dogs and roosters, the mosquito is still
trying). A light rain, barely there that didn't last long, but what a
sweet sound!
The children's garden project is coming along. The raised beds are built (by a great guy who comes over every day after his real job is done) and filled with dirt. The dirt was donated, dumped in the middle of the set up (three raised beds and containers around a concrete covered septic tank - how does YOUR garden grow?). Two of us were working shovel full by shovel full when the guy next door came home with his bulldozer, took one look at us and with a wave to get us out of the way, scooped up the dirt and did in 20 minutes what would have taken us oh, maybe three weeks. Another load of dirt will fill the containers donated by yet another Friend of the Garden. We planted some yuca, another donation, and something I've never planted before - basically looking like sticks because...they are. You just chop the yuca plant into pieces and lay them sideways in the dirt, cover them up and supposedly, six months later, we'll be eating yuca. Thanks, donors! The rain is coming just in time, and the donor wishes to remain anonymous, only letting us know not to expect anything steady yet. |
| - Fwd: A brief return to winter |
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Let's see if it goes this time...(many many hours later!) |
| - Regatta winds |
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According to the forecast...and this time I'd really like to believe
it...the 3rd annual Culebra Regatta this weekend looks to be in for
some good wind, between 15 and 20 all weekend! It's definitely breezy
in my yard. Welcome, sailors and crews, judges and all the other people
who make a regatta possible behind the scenes.
Now...if they just don't cut off the water for some line fix, like a rumour floating around suggests might happen. So far, got water! |
| - March Lamion |
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Since I missed the first day of March here because of sailing back from
Vieques, I only know March has come in like a lamion, sun, blue skies,
an amazing sunset last night as we relaxed after getting to the ferry
dock anchorage (quickest route to get to pizza and wine), with today
following warm, puffed out scuddy clouds in a true blue sky and breezes
that seem to be picking up as the afternoon goes along.
Apparently there was a good rain HERE while I was away as the gardens looked pretty good for three days of not being watered. Maybe I ought to try that island hop again...for the sake of the cisterns, of course. Over on Vieques, it is green green green. Sheesh! |
| - Culebra Rainfall |
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Good Afternoon, I feel it is safe to post February's rainfall total a bit early; 0.9 inches. That makes the year's total, 1.5 inches for 2007 thus far. This morning it rained on the North side of the island, but not the South side. So it goes, Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com
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| - One of those Sundays |
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A slightly overcast morning gave way to a sunny and beautiful day, with
south winds for a change. A good day at the cart and it was just too
beautiful to sit in the hot corner anymore (open somedays, closed
others...so it goes). Lucky me, my fishing friend gave me another
filet, so with a side trip for charcoal it was homeward bound.
While the charcoal got over the fire and into the glow, I figured I could do some fishing of my own. A slight breeze and a perfect temp of 80 degrees with the sun going down; what better way to spend a late Sunday afternoon? Little fish were biting on an old bit of meat and then I saw the yellow tail. That's all I saw...a BIG yellow tail! It was time to switch bait and the tail end of my not yet cooked dinner seemed like it would be just the ticket. The big one bit, but didn't hold on, which was fine, he'll be back another day. Hearing a soft click click, I looked up to see my landlord getting his Windrider tri ready for his nightly sail. He saw I was fishing and was considerate enough to be very quiet while I told him in a loud whisper about the big yellow tail. Something bit, and up came a little blue crab. He (my landlord, not the crab) is from Maryland, one of the great blue crab spots, and identified it as a female. Back she went, too little, too she. Another bite. I thought it was the big one, but instead of a fish, instead of a crab, it was a big lobster! Definitely dinner sized, but I let it fall off the hook. I already had dinner waiting to go on the grill, and he's not going far either. By now the coals were perfect and so was the fish, it was extremely delicious. Thanks, Chris! Another perfect Sunday afternoon in Paradox. |
| - Early good rain |
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| What a great surprise as I literally was turning around to the hose faucet to start watering the gardens and the sky opened up! It didn't last long but longer than a minute, enough to give the ground a nice little soak. Just enough to have drippy leaves and a nice rainbow in its wake. AND!!!! Our radar is up! So we may get more spits as the day goes on. |
| - The rain falls mainly...where it wants to |
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What a funky weather day! Lots of overcast, rain in waves up the bay,
absolutely glorious for those of us who live here...the burnt hill
people VERY hopeful there will be less ash smooting their abodes, the
empty cistern people who have water on the way hoping they won't need
as much as ordered.
A few of us took an *extended* lunch as we certainly could not leave
Dinghy Dock, due to rain falling and the need to be assuring the
tourists that this was a GOOD thing. Some get it, some...do not, and do
not seem to understand why we can't make it perfectly dry, sunny, but
not TOO sunny, and only enough breeze to be cooling, not blowing their
dinner plates away. We do try. But sometimes, due to some inherent need
to take care of ourselves, we just have to welcome the rain. For my
hill friends, may it cover your ash.
The cart was...going to open, not going to open, should, but 2nd trip
to town brought rain, then none then maybe open, key in the right side
lock but friends offering a ride home at that moment. Sweep out Lake
Island Woman or get a ride all the way home and make beef jerky? Took
the ride. Now of course, the sun is working it's way
through...so...Island Woman is going fishing.
It's a tough life, but someone has to do it, and it might as well be us. |
| - Feel the power Bill!!! |
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It took Bill to say NO rain...A kid on the dock near me and I have taken up afternoon fishing. Not by plan but by...fishing something. Most of what I catch I release as it's small, he says he does the same. Today, the sky getting more and more overcast all day, tiny rainbits were hitting my face and we were both yelling "It's raining!!!" and doing a thank you dance...mine a bit more careful as my little dock is precarious at best and will tip right the hell over at worst. And as I type, it is still raining a wee bit, enough to have drops on the window louvers. Please Sir, can we have some more? “If you asked me what I came into this world to do, I will tell you: I came to live out loud.” —Emile Zola |
| - Sunrise |
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Good Morning, Another beautiful sunrise on Culebra. No rain in sight however. Things are super-dry: Zilch, Nada, Nothing in the way of moisture coming out of the clouds! Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com
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| - what's the weather |
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When my little weather radio stopped letting me know the temps, my
brother told me he was sending me a little weather station. I figured
it would have a temperature gauge and a barometer. Not that I know much
about barometers other than low, bad, high good (this is scientific
talk, I'll try to keep it simple in the future). But this has the
temperature and a hygrometer. I had no idea what a hygrometer was, but
apparently, a lot of people do and they've had time to learn about it,
since it was invented in 1783.
It seems this Swiss man, Horace-Bénédict de Saussure, came up with the idea of using a human hair to measure the amount of humidity in the air. Quite the trailblazer, our Horace, literally and figuratively, as he also invented a lot of other meters of sorts. My favorite is the cyanometer, used to estimate the blueness of the sky. He was also a mountain climber, a physicist and "a Swiss aristocrat" which I suppose was necessary to have educated people to tell about his inventions and travels. Or at least polite enough to not act bored. He did not invent the chocolaclockometer, which measures how much Swiss chocolate you have to eat in a certain amount of time before you get sick. That was someone else. He was on mountain tops and under water checking out heat and cold, naming plants he discovered and just generally your typical Swiss guy who decides he can figure out just HOW humid it is from a human hair. Go figure. Go Horace! So now I, and you, dear reader, know more about hygrometers than you might have known, or ever wanted to know before. But I still want a barometer...those glass kinds with the colored water in them look pretty cool. By the way, the temperature is exactly 70 degrees (it smells cold), and the humidity is 63%. My hair is dry. |
| - Happy Valentine's Day |
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For those newly in love, the weather will be perfect.For those who have loved together a long time, the weather will be what it is; these folks have learned to adapt, adjust and enjoy. For those who want to be in love, the weather might or might not be *good* today, they'll just have to wait and see. For those who think they don't need love, get out of the cave, the sun is shining somewhere and feels wonderful! Admit it! "Love doesn't make the world go 'round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile." Franklin P. Jones |
| - another glorious sunrise |
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One of those picture perfect sunrises...a bit of breeze and temps
warmer by about 8 degrees from previous recent mornings. The days have
been much warmer as well. Of course, those coming from near to sub zero
temps are loving it. I was holding out for a bit more *winter* weather.
Of course, it could switch around again...and maybe bring some rain
with it (hint, hint, universe).
“If you asked me what I came into this world to do, I will tell you: I came to live out loud.” —Emile Zola |
| - some sun, some clouds, some breeze |
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The weather has been so changable lately, for us, that anything I write
will be different in the next five minutes. I went to Vieques Saturday
by ferry - a smooth trip from Culebra to Fajardo, Fajardo to Vieques,
then sailed home with a friend on Sunday with a friend through some
very windy, rolly weather and a ripping current and had a blanket
wrapped around me by the time we got to the mooring ball in front of
the ferry dock. Spits of rain overnight - enough to make an Island
Woman cart puddle, rather than a lake. Then yesterday nice and
overcast, with St. Thomas reporting rain, but none for us.
Friends on the mountain that got the fire are covered with ash as it is
so dry that with the wind we've had, all surfaces inside are covered
with the stuff. We really could use some serious rain!
This morning it is still, with the bay looking like a lake, the sun
shining and the skies pale blue. For some reason, the plants scattered
around the yard with the hummingbird attracting red flowers keep
blooming, so I continue to get a hummingbird show...while any water
they get is coming from the hose during watering time...
Rain, please! |
| - a little real rain |
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Sitting in the gazebo with a friend drinking tea, we heard the small
pitter patter of real rain (she asked if my new hose was blowing up or
was this the real deal? My new hose is fine, thankfully!).
Over the bay more rain was falling hard.Now it is dry here, but easy to see rain out on the sea, under steely grey clouds that hold a hope of some much needed moisture, or if nothing more in the water works, at least a relief the unusual heat of full blare sun we've been having. The cart awaits, but it seems more a day to curl up with more tea and a good book...ah, the struggles I have. |
| - Deluge!!! |
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Snatched from sleep with the sound of water pounding, I could not
believe how hard it was coming down. I went to the door and the screen
was soaked, with water spraying through, soaking me in about two
seconds. Rain rarely comes through the door due to the direction it
faces, and never like this. And something else was amiss...there was no
rain sound on the roof. Or at the *rain* window. I was sure I was awake
because even my dreams don't include continuous water being sprayed in
my face.
No, it wasn't rain. This was a product of our extremely fluctuating water pressure. I foolishly forgot to put the valve to OFF on the hose by the door and as the pressure went up (and up and up - watering the gardens when it's this high is like letting a fire hose off, a delicate dance between watering and blasting the little darlings right out of the ground), the hose blew up in two places, sending geysers inside. I loved that hose, may it RIPieces. I was really hoping for rain. |
| - A bowl of starries |
|
(second sending, which is NOT like the second coming except for the
fact that it fits in the category of might show up, according to some)
One of the wonderful things about *I used to be a sailor* is having friends with boats come back and forth in your life with good stories and sometimes, magic moments. A friend of mine is buying a lovely schooner from another friend, who built her a long time ago (with his lovely at the time companion). Today she will be leaving Culebra to head for her new home, but last night, under crystal clear skies, we camped on her coach roof on old cushions with scratchy blankets. The sky was so clear that the stars covered every bit of sky, right down to the horizon. The water was calm, the boat solid and every waking moment filled with the intense beauty of stars slowly wheeling by, with a bright half moon until it too was gone. The stars faded with dawn. A cup of cowboy coffee made in the light of a hurricane lantern, and a quiet ride back to my own dock. I'll head on to the cart soon, back to another day, while the boat heads out of our bay. I'll see her another day, on another island. Fair winds. |
| - Raining inside |
|
|
With the cold front here, my tin roof was covered with water droplets (drop being the operative word) inside, in the early hours pre-dawn...something that has never happened before since I moved here. The bay is glass flat, with that strange atmospheric phenomenon farther out where there appears to be no horizon, just a sheet of silver. Mystical, beautiful, rare. According to one weather watcher I know, tonight will be even colder than last night, which was a quilt night. I'll be keeping the extra blanket handy. |
| - Whether weather |
|
Yesterday, warm and beautiful, with no real breeze until around 5,
making a cool, perfect afternoon. This morning, bird song is drowning
out roosters In still air, it is cool, looking over the water, I am
HOPING that is some overcast...we'll see.
Drifting to sleep last night, cozy under my blanket, I was composing lyrical but oh so witty bits on the weather for you, dear reader (ex. Warm morning, cart owner take warning, cold noche, good sleep approache - Dorothy Parker, shake in your buried high heels) when suddenly I realized it wasn't cool at all, it was seriously warm, if not hot. I threw off my blanket, doubting any integrity I possessed to report any weather and worrying if this is just going to be a time of life I have to doubt everything I think I am experiencing...(answer: yes). I wondered about women my age in cold climates. Do they throw off the covers, thinking they are hot, while their toes get frostbite? How do they explain in summer, after kicking those weighty boots to the back of the closet and bringing out those strappy sandals why they only have three toes? Or all of them missing toes, and smiling wisely at their young daughters saying, "Don't worry, it is a rite of passage, dear". Finally I realized I was cold again, and there was my trusty blanket, ready and waiting, same warmth without weight as ever, not the 10 pound wool I'd accused it of being. I slept. |
| - Culebra Fire |
|
Good Morning, Here is a photo of a portion of the aforementioned fire on Culebra last night. = Save up with Ambassador Hotel Tours Our packages are fully flexible to create your ideal vacation in Turkey. Book with us and save up. http://a8-asy.a8ww.net/a8-ads/adftrclick?redirectid=e227ca1c14bfb6dfea549b6f575e972c
|
| - Fire |
|
| Last night was clear, with a fair wind blowing, The glow in the sky was a mountain on fire, threatening homes, destroying one, with no loss of life. Another fire burned at the cemetery, on the other side of the bay, and was quickly contained - by neighbors and a stretched thin fire department, fighting the much larger fire first mentioned. The community turned out to work side by side with homeowners, friends and the professionals, who, as before, did an incredible job in an area with no city water, over a huge area. No doubt there are a lot of very exhausted people today, who will be watching for embers flaring up as there is still no rain in sight. A rough night for Culebra, bringing out the best of so very many. |
| - cold & beautiful |
|
|
A gorgeous sunrise is happening and there are more roosters crowing
than I have ever heard - well, except that time in Ceiba when it
sounded like all the tortured souls in the world were crying up from
the valley...that was scary. This isn't scary, just kind of annoying as
it goes into the third hour. Three o'clock in the morning is NOT dawn.
Isn't there a chicken union I can notify?
It is COLD. The button giving me temps on Mr. Weather Radio has
apparently bitten the dust, but according to my feet, it has to be
around 70 or freezing, I'm not sure. But the sunrise is so great I had
to do a walkabout in the yard, leaving my down filled parka, wool socks
and hat and thermal underwear behind.
There are dark clouds to the northeast - but I'm pulling for another
great blend of sunshine and cool temps as the day goes along.
|
| - Other water |
|
I was out in the still almost dark dawn watering the gardens when rain
started pouring down. Better water anyway! It is now barely pitter
pattering. There is a lot of overcast but at the edges to the east, the
sunrise is making gold clouds - even as the grey ones are drifting to
the west.
Should be a nice flight for my friends who are heading to the BVI's today (back to SJ by plane, then Tortola by plane, then...they forgot to ask about a better way, and there is one! Shhhh!) Speaking of friends! Sitting at the cart yesterday when a vehicle stops on the other side of the road and a woman comes dancing up to me waving something, which turns out to be steel wool! Yippie! She and her husband are here every year and read my plea before heading down. They told me they ran into the same problem about five years ago and totally understood, and had some extra which they packed up. Someone stopped me on the street saying sometimes at the big Home Depot on the big island it can be found, but I have some right NOW! Thanks and thanks and thanks again! Life is good. |
| - cold sunny |
|
|
Another beautiful bout of weather yesterday. At one point I fell asleep
in the hammock and woke up COLD, though it was only late afternoon. Out
to dinner with friends I actually wore pants (one said friend was
pretty surprised I even owned pants).
This morning is cool and breezy again, all fans off. I hope watering
the gardens doesn't make ice sculptures - though I did see some really
beautiful pics from the ice storms in the US at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6267273.stm . Pictures good,
reality...not so good.
|
| - weather perfect |
|
A glorious sunrise, breezy, sunny now with blue skies, cool temp.Company's comin'! I had no idea I had so many cobwebs here at ChezShack - aren't the lizards running around in here supposed to eat the spiders who are almost impossible to even see? Or maybe they do, but the feast is too much for them... Lucky for them they will be staying at Villa Fulladoza, with all wildlife outside where it belongs. No landcrabs in the shower, no iguanas on the roof...well, maybe iguanas on the roof, but I like that. We're easily entertained here. Renting a vehicle from Jerry's Jeeps. Jerry makes a map for each of his customers that has to rival a military map for its twists and turns. But Jerry explains everything...in his own special way. I think the maps are framable, and should be made into postcards and t-shirts, but Jerry says he just wants to do a tee shirt with a seat belt on it... Another perfectly paradoxical day in Paradise. |
| - Blustery |
|
|
Somehow, blustery never seemed a word to associate with the islands,
but yesterday and last night seem to fit the description quite well!
And this morning is following suit. The sun is shining, the wind is
blustering, and the sky is hazy blue. It feels wonderful, and great for
drying clothes on the line (or the fence, something done here a lot -
but you never see pokey marks from the chain link tops in the
clothes... yet another life mystery I have to live with).
|
| - Natch |
|
As soon as I posted last night, the power came back on, the wind picked
up considerably and the rain fell harder, though not for long.
This morning, the sky is red and the wind is still kicking around with some strength. The radar, working again, shows quite a bit of rain over the northwest of the big island (where there is a high surf advisory - imagine the Rincon surfers will be happy today) and lots of little blobbettes all around the rest of us. Having bought a new, HUGE umbrella for the cart, I am ready!! |
| - Still |
|
The power is out, the air is still, rain is barely falling and the
mosquitos are making the most of it. It is not quite cool enough to
hide under a blanket but a sarong works.
A trip to and from the big island today was a pleasure on our fast ferry (NOT a hydroplane one, but Atlantis, the one that doesn't take an hour and a half), with fairly calm water. Less than an hour both times; way to go, Capt. Gene! Three rainbow sightings (make note to self: do NOT point out beautiful rainbow to driver on Rt. 3 during morning traffic again) and dramatic clouds, cool air made it a perfect day to stock up and not have to go back for a couple of months. I am once again addicted to grape tomatoes though, and have a giant stash for now. Apparently though, steel wool is a very exotic item, unknown in Puerto Rico, provoking head shakes, calls to managers, conferences in the aisles and ultimate no's all around, not just "No steel wool" but more like, "No, we don't know what it is and we don't have any." Have you ever tried to describe steel wool??? So...to all of you who keep asking "What would you like me to bring you from where ever" the answer at the moment is...steel wool please! |
| - It's cold. |
|
|
Two blankets last night a vague rememberance this morning of other
mornings other places - not wanting to get up *quite yet* because under
the covers felt good and cozy. Mr. weather radio says 73 F right now.
No doubt the day will get warm as the sun is shining brightly. My bay
looks like a lake with no movement of air here at the moment.
Of course - that's my take, sitting in a sleeveless top and shorts,
barefoot. As we say so often, yep, it's different here...
|
| - Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (The day of the Three Magi) |
|
"Three Kings Day - a traditional gift-giving holiday on the island
(celebrated each year on January 6), commemorates the day that the
three Wise Men (Balthasar, Melchoir and Gaspar) brought gifts to the
Christ child. On the evening of January 5, boys and girls place clumps
of hay or grass and a bowl of water for the Kings' camels in boxes
under their beds. Custom has it that the grateful Three Kings leave
presents at children bedsides to thank them for their gifts of food and
water."
Today is the culmination of the Christmas holiday season, a very important holiday! Starting last night and continuing today, bigger than Christmas Eve and Christmas Day here, there will be a parade of the Three Kings arrival, the paso fino will be out in the streets, family dinners will be feasts. Today the cart will be closed. I don't need the Three Kings on my case, stealing any of their moment. Something about karma...(I'm an all-purpose religious type - as one friend says, whatever works!) I didn't leave any grass under my bed, unless some is growing there that I don't know about, but horses on the porch is enough - the camels will just have to find the other good children in the barrio. It feels like winter to me. 76 F with strong breezes. A bit of rain around dawn, but now the sun is shining, with plenty of clouds scattered around. We might get a bit of rain on and off, but for now, it looks like another beautiful day. |
| - Paradox paradise |
|
The weather has been so beautiful lately, there isn't much to say about
it except, wow. The little rain storms make for great rainbows and
amazing clouds. Today, in a perfectly blue sky came along a cloud so
black and so big, while the sun kept shining. I closed the cart and
went over to hang out with a friend who has a store with a ROOF,
getting there just in time for the big drops to come plopping down. The
sun still shone. The black cloud moved around a bit, rain moved around
a bit, then sun and sun and more sun with a great breeze. At least I
think it was great - I know a few sailors trying to go south that
aren't quite as thrilled about it. That is how it goes though, and none
mind being stuck here a bit longer...
I got an email awhile back, a very nice guy telling me, more or less "they would be back soon" and hoped to see me again. Since I talk to a LOT of people, I wasn't quite sure who this was but figured when face to face I would remember. After the second email, I realized, I was NOT the MJ they thought I was, but the *other* MJ. We cleared that up nicely and he asked if I'd like anything from Wisconsin. Jokingly, I wrote, well CHEESE of course. Today at the cart a guy comes up and says, you don't know me but....and I realized right away who it was. We laughed, talked about the other MJ a bit and then he said, I have something for you. I couldn't imagine what it was when he handed me some gorganzola cheese from Wisconsin! Well!!! That is about my favorite cheese - though I think I could pretty much live on any *real* cheese and as anyone familiar with Culebra knows, good cheese is hard to find and gorgonzola impossible. I tried to give him some hot sauce but he was off and running to the airport after delivering some kayaks and left me grinning. Just another one of those wonderful Culebra moments that make living here so good. Thanks, Cheese Guy!!! |
| - La bella luna |
|
|
The full moon is riding high over the cloud banks, bright enough to
make moon shadows. Another beautiful day in Paradox, with couple of
hard, brief rains to cool things off. My weather radio thermometer
shows 76 inside...blankie night for sure!
|
| - A perfect day first 2007 |
|
After a fantastic party in the streets last night - some good rain
showers but clearing by 10 ish, (thanks F & A for opening the doors,
even though The Spot is not OPEN yet!, good live music, drink, some way
too smoke filled firework things on the street, seeing everyone I've
ever met on Culebra - with the Wiki wristband party finishing the
night/morning) today dawned with a bit of rain. After that the weather
could not have been more beautiful, cool enough to raise goose bumps
mid-afternoon.
A few small rain showers today, but mainly good breezes, some bright
overcast with full blast sun in between, and perfect temps.
Early on the streets were very very quiet but the few and brave and not
too hung over ventured out, followed by the hungry, wondering what to
do about food. There is ALWAYS some place to eat here eventually, but
it can mean a bit of a search, or a bit more of a wait. On Culebra,
most everything is closed on this day, so the places that were open
were very busy - rest well tonight, good worker bees.
Thanks for all the interesting stats, Bill! May we have another year of such good weather.
A traveller without observation is a bird without wings
Saadi-Persia
|
| - No Chit-Chat, Just the Facts |
|
Good Morning & Happy New Year, Attached please find data and charts from 20 years of rainfall collection on Culebra, PR. You will see with 42.1 inches of rain this year, we are just slightly below the average of 45.5 per year. Culebra remained pleasantly green all year, with just some recent browning. A good year to keep our cisterns topped-off. Enjoy '07, William -- ___________________________________________________ Search for products and services at: http://search.mail.com
|
| - Fwd: Happy New Year!! |
|
|
Trying again...maybe this will show up before it IS the New Year!!! Begin forwarded message: From: M J <mjstark at coqui.net>A traveller without observation is a bird without wings Saadi-Persia |
| - Spellcheck |
|
| That's rain, not rian. Rian is something completely different (just out of curiosity I looked up *rian* and this is the most interesting thing I found, from a blog called rianjs - "In my Facebook profile I have said that “Rian is feeling spongy” or “Rian is a sponge”. This is because I have re-developed the ability to read and retain almost all information after only reading it once..." Ok? Now you know. |
| - high pressure, sky dry cry |
|
Maybe it's because I haven't had coffee yet but the forecast seemed
full of oddness today. Because last night was full of rain, high gusts,
and for a few minutes, the sound of thunder. There may have been
lightning but I was making hot sauce with my eyes on the goal of
finishing, rather than the sky.
Here is the one part of today's weather bit. "Long term...high pressure will continue to dominate the weather pattern with generally dry weather conditions interrupted by areas of clouds and showers embedded in the trade winds."So...dry, but sometimes it will rian. Gotcha. (Is it just me or does the word embedded seem to be seriously overused?) |
| - A wonderful weather line |
|
|
Sun, then overcast, then black, then rain. Close cart (well, right before the rain). Rain stops, open cart, overcast, breezy, perfect for me today. A couple visitors (out of a LOT...suddenly our streets are full of rental cars, restaurants and bars are swamped, it's heeerrrrreeee) asked "Is this a good day to go to the beach?" As we rarely have lightning, I figure when it's warm and you are getting wet anyway, why not go to the beach? If by chance it does start with the bright white light, leave. Maybe I like it because so many people flee the beach with a few drops of rain and it is kind of fun to watch and then enjoy the solitude. Or maybe I'm just...nah, can't be that. I got an email today with a line in it that may be the best description I've read - ever?? <x-tad-bigger>"Weather forecasts are horoscopes with numbers."</x-tad-bigger><x-tad-bigger> </x-tad-bigger> |
| - Sound of silence |
|
Having turned off the fans last night in the coolness, it was amazing
how absolutely quiet it was (and is) when I woke up this morning. There
is not a breath of air stirring.
As it's still dark, I can't see the water, which must look like a lake right now. Even the early roosters sound like they are crowing from deep inside a barrel. But the stars are out, so unless things change a lot between now and later, the sun worshippers should be pleased today. I will be huddled under my umbrella avoiding excess el Sol and thinking about an end of the day swim. |
| - Rain/sun |
|
Waking up to a barely there rain was a surprise. But while it is
overcast, the sun is coming through over the edge of a really ominous
looking cloud to the southeast. A slight turn of the gaze brings a
patch of pale blue sky but a 90 degree turn and all the rest looks grey
grey grey.
so it will be one of those "Forecast is 50%. Where will that be?" days.
Maybe we even got our share for the day. I watered the gardens anyway,
because I don't want the hummingbird who takes a bath on the avocado
tree leaves to miss his morning slip and slide in the spray of the
hose.
Yesterday truly was perfect weather all day and into the night. The annual Christmas party was feast and fun, as ever. The taxi guy trundling us up and down the mountain kept his smile from the loading of food and people up to taking us, slightly more wobbly (hey, emptyhanded means a lack of balance - I'm pretty sure), down. Today is Boxing Day. If you have wondered (or heard and forgotten) about what the heck is Boxing Day, here's a good source for info. http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/boxingday.htmlAny holiday that supports the serving class, includes drinking hot wine (ok, so fox might have a bad day, but...there are no fox on Culebra...of the four legged variety), and being with family sounds good to me. There must be a Puerto Rican holiday of some sort today, but I forget what it might be. |
| - noches buenos <sp?> |
|
I learned tonight, ONLY tonight, Christmas Eve, we can say Noches
Buenos, so I did...a lot. It had been a beautiful day weather wise,
starting with a very overcast morning, hints of rain that never panned
out more than a bit of spit (hmmmmm).
Lunch with another working friend closed the cart for the day. It was too hot to sit there, even though the day was breezy and beautiful and I'd rather see the children on Santa's lap at Milka's (one of our markets - Santa comes and gives out gifts to the waiting children...they got REALLY cool colored balls of basketball size. I wanted one bad and was about ready to wrestle some child for it, but they looked too happy -where are brats when you need them most?). Earlier, before lunch with friend and nefarious thoughts of ball stealing, I'd been standing in the middle of the bridge (cart was open but only a few yards away, hey, it's Culebra...I can go to the store, buy a water, come back...all is well) and I saw what I thought was a giant jelly fish. HUGE in fact. But we looked closer and my friend said, um, that's a bicycle! And it was...the tire rim reflecting the light made it look like (yeah yeah, but it DID!!!). Anyway, on to lunch, at Mamacitas, on the little canal. I see Jack, a guy who told me his bike was stolen (though I heard stories of someone trying to find the owner...yeah yeah, island stuff, but that did happen too) in his strange and wonderful boat Muff coming up the canal. I could tell he was looking for the bike that someone had told him about and went to the wall to tell him it was back by the bridge. He went back there...we went by road. My friend climbed down and Jack got him on the boat as they swayed over the bike and a young guy very familiar with the bridge, tossed bikes and much more said, as the old guys struggled to get the bike with crazy equipment..."Someone should just jump in and grab it." I said, yep!!!! you are right, jump in! And to some tourist delight (by now they were video taping), Josh took off his shirt, though not his pants - disappointing at least ONE of the camera couple - and dove in, snatched the bike, got it aboard with the help of the old (but hunky, trust me!) guys, heaved himself aboard and lo and behold! It WAS the stolen bike, prankstered in the shallow canal. The tourists promise video shot email. If the shot comes out, it will be in our local monthly, the Culebra Calendar. Because....as all of you island types knows (and we have our own belief on how sweet it is here)...hey, it really DOES take an island sometimes! (yep, this was way too long a post, but it was an exceptional day and lucky for my dear faithful reader, I left out the REST of the whole NIGHT!!!! including our mention in the Boston Globe which can be checked out...oh...cough...never mind). The weather is perfect. The moon is bright. Noches buenos! and a glorious Christmas Day to all, whether you celebrate the holiday or not...a beautiful day is a beautiful day, si?? Oops!!! It is nine minutes into Christmas Day! Well, I'm fakin' it. As Tiny Tim said...did you bring me anything? |
| - Later and better |
|
This year the paranda truck gets to my barrio sometime after 5 instead
of the 3 a.m. it used to be. I didn't mind the 3 a.m. but this is
great...waking up under a blanket in cool air to the sound of good
steel pan Christmas music (for some reason, the music is always good -
music I never hear any other time).
I get up, put tea on and walk in the yard to look at the sky, still black at that time, stars bright. Yesterday the Southern Cross was hanging there on the horizon, brilliant. Today it is very overcast, and now the edges of the cloud bowl are just getting lighter with dawn. It is cool enough to keep the blanket wrapped around. Another winter morning in Paradox. The music fades out, the tea is strong, Christmas lights make up for temporarily missing stars. A very good Christmas Eve day start, a perfect ending of Hannukah. I'm sure there's some Kwanza stuff going on, I'll check my date book. |
| - it isn't really hot...they say |
|
It seems I've got, or had, or am getting over, whatever is going around
(yep, Tortola, it's here too). I hate to call it *plane flu* this early
in the season, but one friend has walking pneumonia, and a few others
aren't doing 100%. Friends told me today that it wasn't really hot,
that it must be whatever is keeping me on energy low level and/or the
way the cart sits - which is full blast in the winter sun. I'm sure
they are right as when I'm in the middle of the bridge (10 feet one way
with the breeze blasting through) or ten feet the other way (past the
fire station, almost to Milka's market, in the shade of the trees),
it's not bad at all. My umbrella needs a mist factor - I need to work
on that). Right now it is cool and the fans are off, only the sound of
wavelets hitting my tiny beach. Oops...minor cat fight out there...
Traffic is increasing, more baby traffic jams at my four corners by the cart, a lot of new faces coming and going. I am seriously considering becoming the troll at the bridge of fairy tales, information 1.00 - where to eat, where to stay, how to get to this beach, that beach, this store, that store, the ferry (which ALWAYS makes me pause...I guess sometimes Culebra is so small, it is confusing that it is so easy to get around). One man said today, "What is with the restaurants here? No breakfast? Serving lunch now?" Well, it WAS 11:30...and breakfast ended at most places around 11. I bit my tongue and suggested he go for lunch. He bit his tongue and waddled off. Few and far between, as most are just really glad to be in Tranquillo Zone. Walking home late this afternoon, cloudy skies making an awesome sunset, I was behind four teenage girls, all singing. They stopped someplace, I was in front of them. I stopped someplace, I was behind them again. They sang so beautifully in Spanish, almost all the way home. When they broke off to go up another street, the music truck was coming along with more Christmas music, the sky was flaming, the air was cool. I got home, and walked around the gardens - the purple orchid is going crazy again - and once again realized the gift of living here. Felizidades! |
| - Wreaths and smiles and TV, oh my! |
|
While the weather here yesterday seemed to take a step back into pretty
hot without much breeze, Christmas truly arrived in the form of the
wreaths George and Jane bring to us. Is there something genetic
involving the smell of fir/pine boughs that soothes the soul? All I
know is it is wonderful to open the cart each morning enveloped in
fragrance from a place far away. Two Canadian women were at the cart
when the wreath arrived - they may not have quite understood the very
big deal, but no doubt they were amused.
Yesterday evening our own SnapperFarm (the fish farm located far out in
the water around Culebra) was on national US television, World News and
Nightline. Neil set up the big screen tv in the bar at Dinghy Dock and
people in the dining area wondered why people at the bar were clapping
and yelling (withOUT singing Happy Birthday). It was so much fun to see
Culebra pointed out on a map on television - they sure don't do that
during Hurricane season! and to see the very hard work that the guys
and Johanna do rewarded with such positive coverage. Bring on the cobia
sashimi!! If you haven't eaten cobia, here's a personally tested plug
for it...it is one of the best fish and whether it's grilled, broiled,
or eaten as sushi and/or sashimi (my favorite), it is fantastic.
Another day in Paradox! |
| - another perfect day...ho hum (not) |
|
This morning was cool and beautiful, leading into a bit of a hot day,
ending in the right now, an afternoon into evening of perfect
temperature. There is a bit of breeze (at least enough to get my
landlord out for his nightly sail, I just saw him walking through the
side yard to his boat), it must be enough to keep the mosquitos away,
as I haven't been bitten yet.
Some tourists came by the cart today and commented on how quiet it is here. I told them they were here at the perfect time, everything is open now and the filled rooms and all rented rental jeeps are still a few days away. They live on a tiny island in Michigan and know the tourist season routine. I tried to fathom living on an island in a place that gets so cold...and failed. Thank goodness there are people who really do enjoy that white stuff or EVERYone would be here! Fun things of the season...friends get parents, children, relatives down and you get to meet FAMILY. People you have known for years suddenly become daughters, sons, fathers or mothers. So many of us have moved so far from where we came from and have become our own family of strange sorts. It's great to meet the real thing. Teresa's retirement party was wonderful. Great food, plenty to drink and a wide variety of people who don't always get together, but did, because of Teresa being who she is. As always at events of this sort, you find out things you never knew about someone you think you know a bit. Teresa spent 14 official (and more un-officially) years giving herself to Culebra - the environment, the people, the strays (humans and animals alike) and much more. She is who we said to call or called ourselves if an animal was poisoned or sick (she has antidotes), or if something seemed amiss on the island. While she couldn't always fix it, she cared enough to find out how it might be fixed. Fluent in Spanish, she is one of the seriously adopted daughters of Culebra and last night was all about her. Her comment? She didn't do it herself, she just helped things happen with the help of many, many others. And she really IS like that. Enjoy not being under the rule book, Teresa! We're still going to call you. |
| - lots of sun and Lake Island Woman |
|
|
Today started as another perfect day. But as the sky got cloudy, I knew
rain was coming. Would it be a little or a lottle? It was a little,
then a lottle...the dip in the road in front of the cart that I call
Lake Island Woman filled. I swept it out as the rain stopped. It rained
again....Teresa, our Fish and Wildlife person, came by. Once before
she'd asked me to close up, so the sun would shine (this happens often)
and she asked again..."In a half an hour or so, MJ, could you act like
you are closing the cart?" By then it had rained a WHOLE lottle and
looked like more was coming, so close the cart I did. Of course, the
sun came out...and there was Teresa, wondering if there was something
maybe a little strange going on..."That's twice now, MJ..."
The sun only lasted awhile, but I was at Dinghy Dock by then, watching
the rain blast down on the other side of the harbour and getting us
only slightly wet. Then the sun was out to stay....coolness, not steam.
Not bad.
Tomorrow we will gather at BarbaraRosa's for Teresa's retirement party
(if you haven't heard about it, start cooking). Almost all of our
parties here are of the *bring something to eat and whatever you drink*
variety and it always works out well - there are some magic closet
chefs here. I think that the deviled sea turtle eggs and sea turtle
soup are covered. Someone mentioned bringing the manatee steaks and I'm
sure I overheard that the decorations of mangrove branches and living
coral are being put together. I think the only thing missing would be
some sea hawk bits on crackers, but someone will do it. It's going to
be a fine time. Hey, has anyone looked into grabbing a couple of those
goats off of Luis Pena??? It's not too late!
|
| - It's cold and miserable somewhere... |
|
...but not here. When the skies are brilliant blue and the sun is
shining and there is enough of a breeze to keep it on the cool side,
with the water still warm enough to be enjoyed, the only thing to write
about this weather is: Don't forget to call your friends in those
*other* places and let them know ALL about it! Kindness is good, try
not to snicker too much until you hang up.
Happy Channakah! |
| - Birthday karma |
|
|
Sitting at one of the dock edge tables and getting a bit of an early
start before the worker bees arrived, the Sunshine birthday girl
glances in the water and says, MJ, is that money? I look and agreed,
after realizing it wasn't a beer bottle label. Looking closer, it
looked like something bigger than a single, which made it worth
getting. The birthday girl clamored down into a friend's dinghy and,
using a paddle, gently got the bill moving upward. One of the chefs
also wielded a paddle of some sort and between them, the bill came to
the top. By now everyone in the bar (and upstairs at the On Island
store) were paying attention. Sunshine girl grabs the bill and it's a
50! The bar got a round of drinks, we celebrated serendipity, and
eventually moved on to Bahia Marina, where we found another birthday
girl, the young and beautiful version. Tables were put together and
while for some reason the rest of the place cleared out rather rapidly,
the owner was all smiles to hear us sing Happy Birthday yet another
time. The weather held steady to perfect.
Another friend had a birthday yesterday, celebrating over on Jost. I
raised a glass for Danny, so close but so far. Love you, guy! Hope my
hug and kiss and a little dance made it over the water to you.
|
| - and the rain comes down... |
|
|
...which is better than the alternative, the plants would be so confused. Last night's rain started like a fire engine hose on the roof, then stopped, started again, a tin roof shock alarm that somehow makes sleeping easier. Today started sunny - but now it is dark and rainy - looking at the radar it could be a pattern for the day (but it could just get sunny again and stay that way). Such a science, weather. P! It's getting close to paranda time again...music in the streets, going house to house eating, drinking and singing. Shouldn't everyone be doing that during the holidays at 3 in the morning? I think so. In the VI's it's called a tramp, and no doubt other islands have the tradition under other names. Some complain about very loud music in the early hours, but I like it. It's part of where I live and what the people here do...different than where I grew up, and that's one of the reasons I live here. It IS different. A few of us will start early this evening with a birthday paranda, celebrating one of the Sunshine Girls...hope the rain is gone by then. |
| - Update |
|
After a long night of music (see below that somehow didn't get posted)
under clear skies, today is turning out the same, with a tiny sprinkle
on the way home this afternoon, while the winds pick up a bit, making
it pretty close to perfect. Of course, there could be a gale blowing
up, but right this minute all is fine.
From last evening:The 20 percent chance of rain hit us this morning, all 20 percent. Then the sun shone hot, but in the shade, it was still cool and breezy. Tonight, the sky is clear. There is what seems to be an annual Christmas party across the water, a house onl |
