Free Rangin' Friday ~ Culebra

On land and sea and sky there are events that one could call earth shattering, if that wasn't the completely wrong analogy to use. Fraking is earth shattering (and not an analogy, but an all too consequential reality), not building a cat feeding station for use out at Flamenco, which is what we did yesterday out on Francie's houseboat. A lot of laughter, a lot of cuts that made a whole new meaning of the word square, but cats aren't nearly as critical about these things. We're pretty sure they will have much more to say about the paint job.

The 'roof' has not been secured yet, but it will be

The cat feeding station, one of three (Chris G. built the other two, and quite wonderful they are!), are to alleviate some of the feral and wild cat issues at the beach, where these hungry and sometimes unwell creatures need some serious attention. So if you see the cats and feel moved to feed them, please take your food to the cat stations, located near the entrance parking lots. The idea is to get them out of the campground and kiosko areas, and hopefully round up any sick or un-neutered cats for treatment as  time goes by. There is no way all of these animals can be placed, but we can try to keep them fed and healthy, rather than hungry and unwell.

Don't forget the AWC auction at the library this weekend - Saturday, March 16,2013 2-3 pm, Social Hour; 3-5 auction @ the Culebra Community Library

How do you build something like this on a houseboat? Not very carefully.

In the sky, you want to be watching for the most boringly named but quite potentially exciting comet to come by in awhile, Comet PANSTARRS (C/2011 L4).

Already spotted in the Southern Hemisphere, we'll (meaning me, of course - you might have already seen it, ya down under wan person or persons). To read all about it, go here.

Yesterday the water in the bay was flatly lakelike as the day started, much like today, though we are starting to have a bit of leaf shaking wind. Not on my poor sea almond though, with most of its leaves dropped and drying into crunchy earth rubble with the drought. Yet clouds continue to cover the skies, giving us a bit of hope that goes unrealized. Who is surprised that with having weather to wonder about for the first time in ages, the radar is down? Of course, I'm sure it would show rain all around us and none here, but for some sadistic reason, I still like to see that.

Shiny bright cloudy

Heading out to be a building supervisor...looks quite painting like, doesn't it?

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I'd love to have something food wise for you that came from my own kitchen, by the sweat of my own brow (not in the food, mind you). But I've got something just about as good, and much better, considering what I ate yesterday.

First, go to El Batey and get some of Tomas' lechon (or roast some pork yourself). Don't eat it all!!! Now, go get the rest of these ingredients and make yourself a Cuban sandwich. Why? Because they are delicious, that's why! If you live in a place where real Cuban sandwiches are made, or you've ever had a real Cuban sandwich, you know what I mean. I'm not a real big sandwich kind of person, but wave one of these under my nose and get your arm out of the way; I'm in!

• 1 bun or 2 slices of bread
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 2 slices of swiss cheese
• 2 slices roast pork or 1/2 cup pulled pork preferably lechon asado (Cuban roast pork)
• 2 slices ham, cooked
• 2-4 slices pickle

Now, go to Closet Cooking for the directions, because that's where I got the ingredients list! Of course, the best bread for this is real pan cubano, but use what you've got, especially if what you've got is some rye or pumpernickel bread. Of course that breaks some rules, but that is the nature of rules...break 'em for betterment's sake.

And sure, someone who does this professionally has a panini press, but Kevin shows you how to cheat and improvise. Cheating and improvising (not the bad kind of cheating, the country western song kind of cheating, but the good kind, the piece of string wrapped around duct tape that holds the world together tied in a bow sort of cheating) is something we know a lot about doing here on Culebra, and I appreciate anyone who includes how to's like that.

Yes, you can do this!! (no photo credit but this photo came from here, another recipe!)

Versailles Restaurant on SW 8th St. in Miami (not the California version, which may or may not be connected; I wouldn't know) claims to have the best Cuban sandwich in...well, anywhere. I've eaten there, the first time with my Dad, who lived in Havana during his teenage years and he told me it was pretty close (memory is always better) to what he ate in Cuba. It's a weird restaurant in its way (think mirrors and chandeliers and a lot of noise)  but you should check it out if you get a chance. But if you can't, try Kevin's recipe! Try the other recipe! Either way, buen provecho!

Have a fun finding favorite foods Friday. Do something fortuitous.