As Promised, a Culebra celebration of Don Monchin

A slow but good Sunday (there were people out! they were buying things! It's a good day and a very good feeling for me when my own work sells; two seed pod mobiles and some hot sauces, as well as a guy who came by and said the only thing he and his wife didn't like about being on Culebra was that they couldn't read my blog, so they got internet so they could). Plus, Jaime promising me another authentic pique recipe withOUT vinegar. I think we'll end up making it in the Happy Landing parking lot... I'm excited! Well, when moments like these happen, so what if it's hot? I'm breezin' high on good things like this! Thanks and gracias, y'all, for making my day, my week, my month. It's the moments that make the difference.

Posting this video took a while for no particular reason except that the beauty of the days has been taking over my senses and I felt like this should have a day of its own as a slide show. It is the evening of Don Monchin's book debut, as well as a celebration of the Navy being out of here.

(The day we stop the developers with evil island destroying schemes, along with the ones breaking the law, violating the land, all trying to prove they have bigger than Peter Peppers, maybe even the size of their greed and arrogance - yes, boys, you know who you are and so do we - I'll grab a sheet and do a slideshow of the joy in the plaza to celebrate)

In the meantime, this is to celebrate a real man and a real community who worked together to oust a death dealing violator disguised in the garb of the US Navy. Another one who promised to be here for the good of the Culebrense. Bless you, Don Monchin and all the rest who stood and fought and didn't give up and WON! May your tribe increase, as the battle(s) to save one small island from rapists never ends, it just changes faces and uniforms.

P.S. If you want to know the story, you can get Don Monchin's book La Victoria de Monchin (The Victory of Monchin) while you are here or just ask, we'll figure out how to get you a copy. It is in Spanish. If you don't read Spanish, the photos alone are worth it.

Surprises and more

Sitting at the cart yesterday it was a surprise to look up and see an always welcome St. Johnian face. Apparently the Boys dem, all sailors who all live on their own sailboats, got go-fast boat fever and decided to cross the pond. A long, full day leading to an evening of enjoying Amy Jo singing has today being hazy and lazy. It might be awhile before they do that again, as it sounds like the ride from here to St. John (rarely is the trip from here to there NOT into the wind) was wet and cold. But it was great to have them here and maybe they'll forget the discomfort soon and do it again in the not too distant future. Brave up, lads!

Forward cleat on the all aluminium go-fast boat

Getting ready to head back to St. John

There was also the blessing of the animals yesterday. I needed to stay at the cart and asked Lawrence if he was willing to be my substitute photographer. He was and he did a fine, fine job! Thanks, Lawrence...you're hired!






Early evening brought the memorial for Richard Copakan out at the museum. There are too many aspects to write about this man to do true justice to him here, so google him and buy his book 'Target Culebra'. A number of people who bought it last night were telling me today that they have started it and it is already a 'don't want to put it down' read. I haven't cracked my copy yet, but shall tomorrow. His daughter Julie gave a simple and lovely eulogy to her father, with Don Machene speaking before her. One of those times I wished hugely that I understood more Spanish. We caught up with Julie later at Dinghy Dock, on a much lighter note. I think she got one of those magical tastes of a very special night on Culebra. Come back again, Julie!






The good thing about not going out much at night is that when I do, it seems extragood. And then, there are some nights that are just a wonderfully balanced combo of right people, right place, right time. Last night felt like that all night. Good thing, because this morning felt like Foggy Weather.

But the boys dem got fed and watered and dinghied from my dock to the city dock (first time since I've owned the dinghy that it had so many humans in it...plucky beast!) where the Shark waited. By the time I got home from the cart, the hammock was whispering my name and turned out to be a perfect place to grab some sleep this afternoon. As always.

Life is good. And sometimes, it's very very good.