Lola, Lucy and a Culebra Cast of Characters

I went to Dinghy Dock to meet up with the girls and Molly and David pretty early, because it appears Friday's at Dinghy Dock is a very popular place to be. Maybe it is every night, but Friday for sure will be full of lots of folks from lots of places. Completely unscripted. Well, except for the music, and even then, anything can and does happen. More on that below.

The cakes got made! One person unfamiliar with Culebra said this looked like a happy whale. I only cried a little bit, it does look like a happy whale.

The Culebra cake pan only holds so much - there was enough for another little cake too.

Here I was, hoping to make a big surprise, when the girls told me they knew a surprise was coming. Who outed me? MOM! "She showed us the blog." But they still didn't know what was coming (since I didn't either) and got to have their cake and eat it too.

With Mariel in the wilds of Colorado, Jef sat in with the Doug's. They played a lot of the same tunes we enjoy, with a different sort of energy, making good music while the decibel and energy level rose. Adroit servers ballet danced between and around patrons who managed to be just in the wrong place at the wrong time, often enough. Oh wait, that was me.

At least they are looking at a screen together. I have no idea who this boaty couple might be.

Background music turned to grabbing our attention music as Monika took the mic. I've never heard her sing and wow! I wish I knew the name of the tune she sang; what ever it was, she rocked it. I, and I think quite a few others, had no idea there was such a powerhouse voice behind that smile. Why I was surprised, I don't know. Monika has high flying energy in anything she does. But I was surprised, in the best way. Rock on, chica, we'll be calling your name!

Later, Molly took a turn behind the mic with a short and powerful version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. We all know Molly can sing, and sing she did, taking one of my favorite songs in the world to a very good place. Thanks, Molly!

Food arrived and even with dessert first, it almost all disappeared. As people piled in and every table filled, Lucy asked me how they would ever manage to feed everyone. I told her they would work very hard and as fast as they could and everyone would eat. She was impressed. I wonder how many adults think about that.

There were a lot of balloons around with every child seeming to have one. Maybe it was because Mike was handing them out, it was his birthday, after all. I graciously taught Lucy (who taught Lola) how to make them squeak. I know Mom and Dad will always appreciate that. Next I'll get her some drums.

If you note a bit of 'I'm going to kill you' in Monika's smile, there's a reason for that. Mikey was feeling birthday frisky.

Lucy was winding down

Lola was making magic

And then it was time to go. No, Molly and Lola weren't in the same dress, but in a Mom daughter set that worked for both of them. Lola is getting so tall!

Garlic update: See, Nancy? I wasn't teasing! It's that elusive and magical Culebra rain.

Go garlic, go!

Have a (yard)sailing Saturday. Do something sensational.

Free Range Friday Almost ~ Culebra

Later today I am supposed to get together with a winter family that I love to see. Mom, Dad and the girls.

They've been coming down for years and the girls, Lucy and Lola, are the reason I invented the Treat of the Day back in Cart Time. I was going through some old posts about them to remember their favorites and have changed my mind about five times as to what I might make for them (it's a surprise, if you see them, don't tell!) and still haven't decided.

They have a lot of favorites.

I could have made them last night, but since everything for baking is at home and fresh is better I can't post photos yet of the process. I will. I promise. Ok, I shouldn't promise but I'm planning on it...you'll just have to wait. Like they will. Whatever it is will be from scratch, first because it is better and second because muffins or brownies are very easy to make, no matter how many ingredients go in to making them.

Quick non-update: I was going to do a series of the orchid blooming but yesterday afternoon when I looked, it was GONE. Even the stem was gone. Apparently the iguanas got it. Ah well, temporary joys. Be here now. Good with the bad. Silver linings. Ommmm. !*&^%$ stomp foot repeat. Good thing I have such a sanguine personality. Good thing there were no iguanas in sight.

Have a flamboyant Friday. Do something fondly.

Whoops!

Friday sort of slipped away from me this week....why? Well one, I was having this amazing, delicious sleep and woke up with just time to get dressed and head to the cart before the morning wasn't morning anymore. Anyone who knows me half well will understand that sleeping late for me is a miracle, much to be savored - please feel free to celebrate by going to sleep immediately.

The other thing is, I've been poring over about 40,000 photographs, due to a wonderfully big order for some of my photos, plus looking for photos of Kim over the years, for our gathering on Tuesday.*. So inbetween wading through images and memories, there was no Free Range Friday except in my head.
*Side note: if you have photos (digital) and want them included in a slideshow Walter is putting together, please get them to him by today at the Dive shop on the ferry dock

Lucy and Lola are here!!! I was so excited to see them (and their parents, sure!) that I forgot to take a photo. But tomorrow they will come by for their Treat of the Day, a chocolate and berry confection (which there will be more than enough to share, so c'mon down) of their choosing. I don't think it's exactly what they had in mind - for one thing, it's not muffins because I keep forgetting to get my muffin pans back from a certain Birthday Boy's Mama, but it is chocolatey and berrilicious, so hopefully it will pass muster. If not, no doubt Lucy will let me know.

And last but far from least...the moon rise last night was spectacular, in many places. I got calls from down the street to Florida and closer islands, along with online comments from around the country about its beauty. Wowza!

Cresting the hill behind my casita

Still mellow yellow, in her glory

By the way, season's here

Season (what we call the time of year when visitors are an obvious presence in the street, the bars and restaurants and the beaches) was slow coming this year, but I do believe it has arrived. Lots of familiar faces around, back again for warm weather and glorious beaches. Winter here has been unseasonably warm but if you just came from 0 - 15 degrees, that's a good thing!

The last two days have been postcard beautiful, 

and that enhanced a few fold by the smiles of Lucy and Lola.

(photo credit: Molly the Mom)

Since I will be cameraless awhile, if anyone wants to send in shot they've taken around here lately (or, hell, a good shot period, I'm photographically starving here!) send it to me via my email at: caribemj (at) gmail (dot) com. Thanks!

Lots of people are reporting whale sightings between here and Culebrita and off of Punta Soldada. Even the ferry from here to Fajardo is providing some shows. So keep your eyes open!!