'round & About

I went to Fajardo yesterday and only came back with one photo. From my phone. I was on a mission and it wasn't from god. The sky, barely tipped with light, held heavy dark clouds and very potential rain, leaving me making a semi-conscious choice at 5 in the morning to leave the cameras at home. 

When you carry a camera around pretty much all of the time, not carrying one is a way to look at things differently, not trying to capture forever that mountain, that waterfall, that funny thing. But there was one thing I had to photograph and the phone was right there. Temptation given into is sometimes a good thing. Oh, technology! Not so long ago, taking a photo with a phone was Dick Tracy territory. 

What's not to love?

He stands there, arms upraised, with greetings of welcome. In a sort of alley, not even in front of the garage/mechanics shop, but off to the side, back a way from the road. I was looking for a trash can and found him. Times like this are when I wish I spoke more than my less than basic Spanish, because I'd love to hear his story and meet his creator. Maybe one day.

I miss you, Moon Maid

Randomness. Old blooms fall away and new blooms are everywhere these days, because rain and Nature are full of magic.

This is a strawberry plant I bought from Diane of D's Garden. It is very, very happy!

I missed posting about the full moon of May yesterday, known as, surprise, the Full Flower Moon. It is also called the Full Corn Planting Moon and Milk Moon, In the Southern Hemisphere, everything is our seasonal opposite, with May's moon called the Hunter's Moon, Beaver Moon or Frost Moon. 

No matter what you call it, or where you see it from, it's a beautiful moon. 

Covered with clouds last night, this it the morning moon. Hello, Moon Maidens!

Have a therapeutic Thursday. Do something tensionless.

Into the garden, D's Garden Center, that is

While many people are experiencing a winter that comes with white stuff and low digit temperatures, we in the tropical climes are in what is perfect weather for growing...well, pretty much anything we like, all year. Oh, we may not be able to grow a few of the northern clime crops, but who needs chestnuts over an open fire anyway?

Yesterday I walked over to D's Garden Center (conveniently located around the corner from me with her new move outside of town). Just in the few days since I peeked through the closed gates, more goods have been brought in. Diane and I talked for awhile about the wonders of growing one's own food, including fruit trees, versus the pale imitations we get in the markets. 



'Growing your own' is not just for the pleasures of good foods, but for the pleasure of the eyes and spirit as well, with the side benefit of enriching the earth and air that are the invisible pluses of growing trees and flowers. 

Yesterday, a  Federal judge ordered the immediate destruction of hundreds of acres of genetically engineered sugar beet seedlings that had been planted in violation of federal law. Monsanto, King of what I consider Frankensteinian Lab Seeds  lost this round, but that is a rarity. Knowing what you are eating, and how it will affect generations to come, as well as the very land, is a gift we have been given. Oh, how easy it is to simply pick up something in the market versus growing one's own tomatoes/lettuce/herbs, but the price can be higher than only money. Use the gift! Grow your own!

More new items inside...I love these mirrors!

Diane's veggie and herb seeds are from local producers in Puerto Rico and she will be expanding that section. There are roses and trees and plants of many kinds. She also just brought in some pavers (made in PR), fountains and garden sculpture stands. Check it out. Bring some beauty and plenty into your lives for this new year while supporting a local business. As Diane says, Little by little, poco a poco...watch the garden center grow.

Congratulations, Diane. A lot of hard work, while having fun doing what you love, giving benefits for all of us on Culebra. Well done, chica!