Making Rainbows

We've been having very occasional showers here lately and every bit of each one is welcome, resulting in plants looking happier. With the sun still doing a summer like beat down, moisture in the ground can almost be heard being sucked away. Except for the moisture of sweat. That seems to be a constant. Maybe I need more clay in my skin.

Another thing rain brings is rainbows but I've been missing them lately. Even though the places I've  been housesitting have awesome views, the rainbows remain out of sight, around a corner, hiding in some part of the sky unavailable to my searching eyes. It's not like I am searching real hard, like some stormchasers rushing to the Batmobile like vehicles they use at the first word of an approaching weather system, with a 360 periscope view of the land and water scapes. I am not.

Ok, that's not entirely true, sometimes I chase rainbows, but the rainbow window closes fast these days, so the lazy way is my way right now. Instead, I found a rainbow in the yard here, one I've shown before but different. 

Only days ago I was looking at this rainbow eucalyptus and it was in a boringly brown state. But with just a bit of rain, the bark has started to lift and separate, revealing layers of color previously hidden. I'm sure I could extrapolate a whole lot of deep meaning from that, but I'll leave that to you, dear reader.

This tree is close to a fence, with some power lines running through its branches. I wish it was in the middle of a parklike yard with lush grass so I could spread out a cloth and supine, gaze up that trunk of color;  but substituting that for the pleasure of it up close, while upright, is fine. For now.

Tossing in a little throwback Thursday, I found this from a few years back. I found some other photos from other years on this date, but one was a pornographic pepper I'd grown or political bits and they just weren't working for me, . This did.

An October 23rd night at Dinghy Dock (which will be re-opening real soon!)

Have a try for truth Thursday. Do something towering.

Saturday Culebra Round 'em Up

I couldn't call it Saturday Round Up because Round Up (the weed control product) is very, very, very bad and you should never ever use it. Just in case I've never mentioned that before.

It's been a busy week for me here, which is really wonderful. I don't have a bionic arm but I have one that doesn't hurt anymore and getting to do some work and play in the dirt has been uber exciting. It's amazing what we can get used to and then how big it is when gone. I'm so grateful to have been directed to an excellent doctor (thank you, Dr. Badillo!), so grateful to have two arms to use, so grateful what was wrong could be made right. I love my scar!

Rainbows were the theme the other day, glorious! There is just something so joyous about a rainbow, and if they truly are an omen of good upcoming, we're in for lots.



Even with the occasional showers and blustery winds, the weather has been winter fantastic, especially compared with those on the mainland US, where winter has struck over and over again with white fury. Power outages, snow days, collapsing roofs and general craziness weather related are situations of grimness far from our shores. Fingers crossed that winter will soon release the northern climes and bring in a beautiful spring. In the meantime, c'mon down, the water is beautiful. Chilly to me, but beautiful.

Yesterday I was heading home when three horses came out of somewhere to cross the road. They were coming down to the water and I didn't even have to make them drink. I tried to take a small video, because they kept pawing at the water, making splashes over and over again but it didn't quite work out. I'm not sure what they were doing, but it was entertaining to watch.

I was also being watched.

Splish splash

I haven't been to Dinghy Dock for a Friday afternoon in quite awhile. It is winter now and the wonderful usual suspects are back (not all of them, we're missing a few who didn't make it this year due to taking care of business back home - you know who you are and you are missed!). Two Doug's and a Mariel were playing, lots of smiling faces, life is good.

I hope when I'm in my 70's I'm still kicking up my heels like this great cruiser couple.

As good as ever. Don't forget to tip your music makers!

Olivia wasn't about to turn loose of Coral and I think this is the ONLY photo where Coral wasn't grinning, but it included Olivia's very cool boots. I never got a pair of these and I was totally jealous.

Great to see Dick and Joyce! Mr. Tropical.

Dinghy fever.

And that's about all I know about that! Tonight there is going to be a wonderful gathering at the plaza honoring one of our locals. Music and fun, because if you want a good party, Culebrense know how to make that happen. Anywhere, anytime, but this time will be tonight. Take a nap, because starting late is pretty well guaranteed. It will be well worth it.

Have a soul saturated Saturday. Do something simply special.

Low, Slow and Not in the Know

It feels like a Saturday, always a good sign when it IS Saturday. Friday eventually slipped away like a thief with the night. A good night, mind you, looked forward to friends on island, music at Dinghy Dock, Celestial Chuck pointing out Venus bright and more in the dusky sky...oh what a crazy wild life we lead. I'm guessing that as a population, our heartbeat is sub-par 87% of the time.

Before I headed to town, before I fed the chickens, I was on yard walkabout.

I like seeing iguanas again now that they aren't eating everything in sight.

The aloes are making a comeback, bright and green and plump instead of sickly white-ish.

Another chicken milestone - six chickens, seven eggs! I applauded them with great thanks.

I was sure I had a photo of two Doug's and a Mariel playing their wonderful music, in fact, I know I did, but somehow, it disappeared. So you'll just have to mentally insert some really good music with funny Doug patter in between.

Many boats have left, heading south for more serene climes, but the harbour can still be a busy place.

Right now, for the first time in awhile, we're in a lull. It won't last but we all liked having at least one night 'family style' with the usual suspects.

There is such tenderness here, whether or not it was a tender moment, I'll never know.

Celestial Chuck brought the iridium flare to our attention. Walt pointed out the first sighting. Walt was also wearing a hat belonging to someone else, which I only mention in case you didn't notice.

 I'm not sure what time it was when home was reached but according to my neighbors, it was obviously time to be sleeping. I very shortly thereafter took their advice.

Sorry! didn't mean to disturb you!

Have a slumber sated Saturday. Do something softly.

Simple Sunday ~ Culebra

The Little Girl and The Moon

once upon a time there was a little girl.
she liked to sit outside at night and talk to the moon.
everynight she kept the moon company.
one night she noticed the moon seemed tired, so
she climbed upon the roof, to tell the moon a secret.
the old moon smiled, so she reaches up
takes the moon in her hands and puts him in her pocket.
then she climbs down and goes into her house, up the stairs
to her room.there she takes the moon out and lets it lay on
her bed. for hours they talked, told secrets and giggled.
then they heard people asking where the moon was.
outside was so dark, they couldnt find their ways.
the old moon says to the little girl
'maybe you should put me back into the sky,
so the people can find their way home at night'.
the little girl agreed.so she picks up the moon,
puts him back into her pocket.
she walks downstairs and goes outside.
it was very dark, but she wasnt afraid,
she had her friend the moon to help
show her the way.
she climbs back upon the roof, takes the moon out
of her pocket. holding him with both hands
she tells the moon'i love you,
we will still talk every night, but you must go back
give people light at nightime'.
she leans over kisses the moon goodnight.
then reaches back and tosses the moon
hard as she could back into the
nightime sky.
then the little girl and the moon hear, all the people
shouting and laughing.
after everything quietened down
the stars who were so happy the moon returned
all gave the moon kisses.
the little girl climbed down
with the moon lighting her way
went inside up to her room
took one last peek out
blowing the moon a big kiss goodnight.

~sandy nobody

Edited addition, because I got this comment:

I really like it it's cool that I'm On there and how the moon is right behind me and lola would you be able to put the silly one one there and it will show how much fun we had doing this and how much fun and silly we are

Love
Lucy

Silly, silly, wonderful girls! I love you two too!

p.s. If you don't know who Lola and Lucy are, you've missed a few years of my blog. But if you have, this is Lola, the taller, older one and Lucy, the sweetly silly younger one. They are. along with their parents David and Molly (who help a lot with Animal Welfare of Culebra, even though they don't live here) dear to me. They make a yearly appearance on the blog. Because we can, so we do.

When the Sun Comes Out Color Us Happy

There is something about cloudy, rainy days that make the sun's return just that much better. Especially if it does that early morning come back with a rainbow.

Everything feels more wide awake, with more energy. In winter, with a crispness in the air replacing the sloggy sogginess of humidity, even hard work was easier.  Culebra was almost showing off.

Our work day was done. The sea artists were still going strong. Mercury water, yes, nice!

After a few hours of home chores and resting time out, it was time in. The two Doug's and Meryl were going to be playing at Dinghy Dock (gotta find a name for them); my feet knew where to go.

One of the fun parts of winter here is seeing friends not seen in the off season. I know I say that fairly often, but on a small island the things that really make you smile tend to come in surprise moments here and there, since expectations of anything occurring for certain are best put on a shelf, high up in the mental closet behind the faded photo albums. Be here now is a pretty good motto next to be nice.

No, Kevin is not a winter person. But his being at Dinghy Dock during Happy Hour? That was a surprise!

John isn't a winter person either. But his shirt was pointed out as a photo op and I took it.

Monika and, yes, her Mom. How did you guess?

Actually, there were not too many winter people there last night. This was just a test of your expectations. Maybe it's just that I don't get into town much anymore. Which reminds me, the tunes the Doug's and Meryl were playing...from Summertime to a little honky tonk to - well, I'd ask for a set list, except I think they were winging it. Really well.

The sun couldn't resist ending the daylight hours without one more show.

Arlene was in the kitchen cooking up a plethora of tapas. Yes, a plethora.

You know those nights when there are a lot of people, eating and drinking and music is going on and you want to hear the music but you can't, and you're thinking why aren't people listening to this? It wasn't that kind of night at all. Rather, it was that good blend of listening and talking, with plenty of space to have both happening, both enjoyed. With no temptation to sing (it would have been like one of those birds that puts its grackly egg into a bird of paradise's nest), instead I danced. Thank you, dancing partners! Thank you, Universe, that I didn't try to defy gravity too much.

Full house

All of me...why not take all of me?

And the wind cried Mikey (no, there is no smokng in DD, he was in prep mode)

Life is good.

This is a video Mr. Sippy Cup made at Zaco's Tacos one late afternoon. Thank you, Neal!

Edited to add: Last night I saw this hat that Walt made and thought it was one of the best yet. He told me it was from the heart of the palm (not to be confused with heart of palm the edible variety, which would give a whole new meaning to 'I'll eat my hat'). It hasn't dried yet, obviously but the symmetry and colors were practically glowing. He let me take it home to see it in a setting better suited to its essence than the bar - though the bar is really pretty. I don't know how much he sells them for, you'll just have to find him and ask!

Have a scarce as hens teeth Saturday. Do something snazzy.

It's Baaaaaaaack!!! Dinghy Dock, That Is.

It's no secret to anyone who reads this blog that my favorite bar is Dinghy Dock. Not easy to say when pretty good friends own many of the bar and restaurants on Culebra. But after living on St. Croix quite a few years, with my favorite bar being Stixx on Christansted harbour (STX = St. Croix = Stixx, now you are in the picture - of course, they called the sister restaurant on St. Thomas Stixx as well...I guess Stitt's would not quite have worked), it's not a far ball toss that I love the location of Dinghy Dock. Bonus! I really liked the owner and most of the bartenders and most of the servers (hey they change, but some didn't and the owner didn't and I liked them very much, okay, I love them very much).

First view of the newold Dinghy Dock

Kelli already hard at work behind the bar, with some of the usual suspects already in place

Apparently, the great crew that used to run Mamacita's felt the same. When Neil decided to head to Flamenco and give Wanda a hand running the kiosko there, taking Bartender Steve with him, Kelli, Dale, Shay and Jean Francois decided that that bigger waterfront, that open space, was just the place to flex their restaurant and bar skills.

Kelli and Shay (with our as yet unknown newest member of the family)

Jean Francois (aka Frenchy) looking quite chic

I, for one and a whole lot of other regulars are delighted they did. These young people are the age of my own children, and I'm almost as proud of them as if they were. Their energy, dedication (did you see them painting away on Christmas Day?), and love of what they are doing is contagious and I wish them all the best.

You could drop in any day during the last few months and see so many people, good friends, many of whom took time out from their own businesses, working hard to get things clean, painted, rebuilt and newly built; the result being something new that still has the same good feeling of what was best about Dinghy Dock - a fun, casual vibe on the waterfront. There are still a few more tweaks ahead. Kelli says hopefully the restaurant will open this weekend ~ but like I heard from at least half a dozen people, the waiting and hard work was well worth the result.

As their good friends, some of whom own or work at bars and restaurants of their own, came in flocks to wish them well, I was gladly reminded of one of the things I love about Culebra. These folks are friends, good friends, like Nestor and Annabelle, with Vibra Verde. Steve the Bartender, Mike from The Sandbox Bar and others. Some are related (and best of friends!) like Monika, Kelli's sister, of Zaco's Taco's, and...well, you get the idea. The point is, when a visitor said last night, you all seem like you all know each other! I could say, yes, we do! Welcome to the fun in the dysfunctional family we call Culebra. No, I didn't really say that. I just said yes we do. I'm pretty sure.

With Greg's sailboat on the new and gorgeous dock (and safe; as funny as it was to jump on that one board and come close to flipping the bar stool, I didn't start wearing sandals with toe protectors for nothing), everything felt in its place.

The Mike's

Kelli on a time out with Olivia

I'm not sure what Kai was showing Olivia. but obviously it was something good.

I am going to blame the transparent Chris G and person unknown on my newbie camera skills. Either that, or this camera is a lot more powerful than I imagined.

Joe showed up, of course. The man cleans up real good!

It was my time to head home. I stopped by Heather's on the way, it looked so good and so did she.

La Boa Brava

 Thanks for the great time, Dinghy Dock crew! The first of many to follow.

Have a follow your friends Friday. Do something faithfully.