Catching Up in Culebra Time

Technology rules. And I don't mean that in a homecoming queen way, I mean it really does rule! As in, out on the houseboat, how long it takes to upload a photo or video or say, a blog post. Or, more accurately, how long means it is almost never. But here at Housesitting Hill, there is Wifi so here we go!! I think.

First, it's been hot. Really hot. The kind of hot that makes your face feel like it's melting. Because it is. And it's been still. Lake/mirror/flat/beyond calm still. The intermittent breeze comes along and changes everything from your mood to your skin. We've even gotten some showers, usually followed by flat calm and steam rising from the streets. And then there was the wave of Sahara dust, making all that hot flatness stranger still, and grittier. 

Believe it or not, this isn't really a complaint, it's just how it is. I could be living in a jungle or a city or a small town in Nebraska - ok, maybe not a small town in Nebraska, no offense, Nebraskans, no ocean there - and I'm fortunate enough to live here instead. So as ever, look for the beauty, it's everywhere!

I have a lot of kayakers in the bay where I live.
This was a good early morning for them.

A number of these have been on Facebook, but I know there are people who read this who don't use that platform, so if it's a repeat for you, sorry!

I'm always amazed to be reading or cooking, some enjoyable but mundane thing
and happen to glance out the door. Sometimes it literally makes me stumble.

There are some beautiful mangroves, sometimes in front of me, sometimes behind me, depending on the breeze or lack of breeze. Sometimes I don't even realize the houseboat has turned around. These photos are on the same day, at different times. I don't get tired of it. 

Morning

After a shower

Afternoon

Late afternoon. I was blinded by the light. 

Where ever in the world you were for the full moon rise, I hope you had a clear sky to see it, it was spectacular. I didn't use my real camera because I couldn't load ifrigging technology never mind 

A couple of oh my glory sky moments.

There was a wonderful market, put on by Proyecto SEVA (this link is the English translation, it can easily be switched to read in the original Spanish) that brought out our local artists, with paintings and textiles and plants and food. I brought home hot sauce from Digna, a boat from Jose (to purchase history is soul satisfaction) and a handcrafted bowl from Walt, made from our local acacia wood. There was much, much more to choose from and lots of people went away happy. This is just a sampling of what was on offer. 

Sue Zinkowsi with her prints and paintings. 

Liz with her hand done mola. She had a few more
really beautiful pieces and I heard they all sold!

Kate always has something for everyone.

Walt and Matt with their crafts. 

I'm guessing these are from plants the kids grow at the school.

It was a wonderful way to start the morning and I hope there is a repeat this winter for all the people who I know wish they'd been able to make this one. Bravo to all involved. 

From another perspective later on in the day, a day that the air was cooler and the breeze was consistently and gently blowing. It almost felt like an early winter day, Culebra style. 

It was clear enough to see the top of El Yunque.
After the days of dust, the clarity seemed even sharper.

It doesn't show here, but there were, on this 3 day weekend,
LOTS of boats zipping back and forth.
Being outside was the place to be.

The sun was still high but the light was changing.

The day drew beautifully to its closing

Most people I know here are outside a lot. We notice and comment on even the slightest shifts in the weather, because we feel them. We barely have to, but do excuse sweaty faced hugs and pay attention when we're not dripping wet. It's a good way to live and it doesn't mean we don't want to stay in the Post Office or any other air conditioned place just a little bit longer than our errand requires; we're weird but we ARE human! So as this season winds down, I won't mind a lowering of the temperature, seeing different things blooming, greeting old friends who will start trickling in over the next month or two or three. For now, it's just keeping my eyes open through the sweat in them and shifting mental gears to the good around me. 

Have a tantalizing Tuesday. Do something tireless.

Free Range Friday ~ Ghosting in Lake Pan

I only know 3 people in this neighborhood and one of 'em ain't here. But each time I've been here, it's been for a long enough time and I've taken long enough walks that it all feels very familiar. As if I've lived here and watched houses take over the land, most of the time in a good way. That my eyes at another time have watched families come and go, mostly go and their old fishing camp houses slowly get overtaken by the returning, relentless natural world, in a melancholy, nostalgic sort of way.

So since cooking black beans and rice, even with Ro-tel tomatoes and jalapeños is satisfying to the tongue and belly, it makes for not too exciting photos. You get this meal instead.

Passion flower - very passionate

Maybe to most in North America a squirrel is no biggie,
but we don't have squirrels at home and they are still special

I'm pretty sure this is not like the living roofs I read about in natural homes articles

I know, you've seen him before but he's still pretty funny to me

This bird was scratching itself for a good 3 or 4 minutes, exactly like a cat would.

And then it yawned. Exactly like a cat would.

Weird duck flying overhead

Lakeside vines in bloom

Spanish moss waaaaaaaaaay up in these trees

Hey, I like portals.
Ask Culebra's Sue Zinkowski, a painter of lovely portals (hers aren't gates though),
amongst many other gorgeous paintings.

Magic light time on the lake

I was back in the Turtle when it filled with gold light, calling Outside! Outside!

Do you see it too?

 This morning I woke early, feeling the slightest urge to pull a lightweight blanket on. I didn't, only because the sensation of coolness was so delicious, it was more enjoyable to stay just like that. And then I looked out the window and walked/ran for the lake. Sunrise was upon us and nothing this good lasts for long. 

By the time I got there, the roses and pinks were barely there.
Two minutes makes a big difference at sunrise.

Enough of staring into the sun. It was time to get back and wallow in the sweet temperature of the Turtle. With coffee. Sending the bread of this missive onto the electronic waters.

Have a feel how fine Friday. Do something fitting.