Catching Up Isn't Hard to Do

At least, using photos it isn't hard to catch up. There are photos I haven't got because they are on my son's computer and we haven't done that email thing yet, but you'll get the idea(s).

Two big things and a lot of small things happened while I was away. One was two of my children experiencing Culebra for the first time. Their introduction happened during, and because of, the second thing, turning 60 years on the planet. Maybe weirdly, I've looked forward to being 60 since I was 20, for all sorts of reasons. I'm not disappointed. I'd say what sort of internal events I'm noticing, but that would jinx them, so I'm not. Let's just put it that counting to ten is a lot easier now, that living an imperfect life in an imperfect world feels more like a pair of old jeans than new, squeaky tight shoes. Keep in mind I rarely ever wear old jeans, or squeaky tight shoes...

Sure glad they got these lines painted.

Birthdays have traditions. The first thing I do is look in the mirror and say to myself, ok, this is what ___ looks like. Go live! (minus taking a photo, which I've never done before, though one year I dropped and broke the mirror...good thing I'm not superstitious)

The second thing I do is take a beach walk, sometimes a long one, sometimes not so long. This was the first thing I saw this year. I'll take it!

Bird flurry

Susie and Jacinto had a blessed event with the birth of two baby goats. There's something about baby goats that demand cuddling. We must obey.

Elijah with the girl who matches his shirt.

The mama goat was having a bit of a hard time nursing, so Susie and Jacinto bridged the gap. All is back in order now.

It was so great to have Ann back on island for awhile. We got to hear some good New York stories, lots of them about the great food so easily available, so a few of us gathered at Zaco's, where some of our local good food was scarfedinhaleddemolished enjoyed. If you haven't tried the corn on the cob, do it! And the crab and shrimp chips and...well, get thee to Zaco's! 

Zach's birthday was coming up as well - there are a LOT of June birthdays around here - and somehow, up there in New York, Ann found a birthday card of Zach when he was a baby. He hasn't changed a bit.

This is such a fake photo! I never drove the golf cart we rented. Elijah did a great job of keeping us on the road, pulling over to let faster vehicles pass (NOT on a curve and NOT on a hilltop). To get to my party (the surprise party that wasn't a surprise - it's not easy keeping secrets on Culebra), balloons adorned the chariot. I think all the golf carts could benefit from balloons. And thoughtful drivers.

Some random party photos. Ann and Francie made such a wonderful party - I definitely won't forget this one!

Molly made this amazing cake, chocolate and white with berries and I don't even know what. It went fast! Bonnie also made a cake, carrot cake, which is, in my family as well as theirs (who knew?), the traditional birthday cake. It lasted about as long as Molly's cake; not long. There is a photo somewhere...

I thought about wearing this tiara every day this year but there would be no room for my sunglasses.

Matt got a great shot of most of the party folk. A few had left but most were there and my heart is still singing.

What doesn't make my heart sing is this horse who has been hanging around my yard lately. Thirsty to the point of trying to drink out of the hose while I was watering plants (oh! a horse! hmmm) and then inhaling about 3 gallons of water. Scarred, missing an eye, front leg bleeding, this horse has obviously been to hell and back. My neighbor is trying to find the owner - who, unless very sick or dead should be in horse abuse jail...no doubt I won't find out what happens, but there is a permanent bucket of water around, just in case. Well watered, this profile in courage played.

Also on the animal front, but the good side, Teresa is fostering four lovely, lively pups who got a little beach time yesterday. If you've ever watched kids getting out at recess, you'll have a partial idea of their joy.

All four are up for adoption once they've been neutered and caught up on their latest vaccines. Call AWC or Teresa if you have room for a big happy lab mix dog in your life!

Wait! No flowers? No birds? No sea and sky? Of course there is. Everywhere. Some are here.

Shhh. I've hidden these from the iguanas!

 Frigate flowing flying

The days have been hazy, humid and hot. Drops of rain come and go, but not for long and not enough. Be careful with the water use, over on the big island a close eye is being kept on the water supply and it isn't a happy eye. With all of that, we swim in the sea to refresh ourselves and slake off the heat at the end of the day, renewed, with the evenings cooler and maybe a breeze. Or that might just be the fan at the end of the bed. 

Life is good. If you made it this far through this posting, thanks for hanging around!

Have a Monday of many moments. Do something mellow.