Rambling Thursdaze

The morning started out in subtle colors, calm and cool (to me). I really do not understand how people can happily miss sunrises. There is so much in every one that sets the scene for the rest of the day...(and you non-morning people are yawning, uh huh, whatever, MJ).

Right now I'm sitting in the gazebo with the laptop in my...lap. For some reason it feels better here than on the table. But my legs are up in a chair across from me, so it's a perfect height for comfort. I can look up and see the new garden space I made today.

How to make a garden space the easy way. Take a piece of plywood that has floated into your yard. Toss it on the grass and weeds where you want the garden space. Leave it there a long time. Take it off. Rake off all the dead stuff, pull up any remaining rooted things. Plant crazy wild oregeno around it (break a piece off the other plants, stick it in the ground, done). Move ply wood to next area for garden space. Feel really proud of doing a hard job the easiest way. Have a drink and stare at it on and off for a couple of hours. Done.

I went with Jack to Genesis (the market) to get dirt early this morning. We didn't know how to say dirt in Spanish. We were told and I don't remember right now, so apparently I still don't know how to say dirt in Spanish. But we got bags and bags of dirt. Really pretty dirt, if you like that sort of thing. I do. Jack does too. Especially if you know that one day not so far away, you'll be noshing down on what comes from the dirt. Pretty nice system, actually...dirt, seeds, water, food.

Then I went to town with Linda to finish up some errands I didn't get to yesterday. I didn't finish today either. But I did wander around a lot, which is what one does when one can't go to one's place of business at the FRIGGIN' CART. But I'm calm...I did open the door up just to mess with them and make them think I might be considering opening with their gigantico machines four inches from my shoulder. But really, I just wanted to get the water out for the herbs so they don't die while I'm closed. Closed. Cerrado. And I found out today that they could be there a week. Hey, move the cart somewhere for a while, they suggest. I think not.

wireless moment # 7 - WOW...a hummingbird just flew by my face so close I felt its wing on my cheek. Really. This outside thing is GREAT!!!!

Today I finally had everything I needed to make one of my hot sauces. A key ingrediant being local honey. Making sauce is pretty much an all day affair but there is lots of time to do other stuff while it's cooking or cooling, so that's when I garden or read or go online. For some reason, I always semi-dread starting the process and then every time I get totally into it and enjoy each stage. It takes about 8 hours, start to almost finished, which is tying on the raffia and putting on the labels, which I do at the cart because it's more fun to do it there and passes time. And oh joy! Once it's all made, bottled, tops waxed, raffia on, label on...I think, wow, I did that? Schmazin'! The pique I make has most of its ingrediants from the garden. I'm growing garlic so that can be local as well. Pineapple, well, I AM growing a pineapple, but it's been growing for about 5 years, so I'm thinking it may not be going to make a pineapple. It's a really pretty plant though! And lucky for me, we occasionally get pineapples here...so, if all the stars are aligned correctly, meaning I have racao (Puerto Rican cilantro), aji cabelleros (Puerto Rican peppers - hot little bastards), garlic, pineapple and vinegar...and a couple of other ingredients that must remain secret, I can make the pique. Soon come; the peppers are blooming! And if you just can't stand it and have to have some almost right now, this is the easiest way to get the info ...hey, it's my blog, I can shamelessly self promote. Right? I mean...it's a little embarrassing to tell the truth, but my PR person, my agent and my brother (all the same person) encourages me to do so.

I think the CWIM likes outdoor computing as much as I dol. She's lying on the table, quite relaxed, after first crawling all around me while tapping me with her paw, wondering why I am doing this activity outside. Wireless rocks and life is good!

I love this day

Today started early, after the waking up/watering garden bits. I went to town to check on the progress of the road crew and it was as I'd thought, they rounded the corner and I would not be opening. But there were plenty of errands to run. Unfortunately, I was at least 30 minutes away from any of them happening. So I had a coffee at Dinghy Dock and turned in my tee shirt request. When that was done, I headed to the gas station to ask if any of the local honey was in, because that is where one used to pick up local honey...don't ask me why, ok? But I was directed to a house up the road instead, which I put on my list for 'heading back home'.

I wanted to laminate my Last Virgin Baked Goods sign that Bets convinced me I needed to make (and gave me her nod of approval, so I know it's okay), but Nadine wasn't in yet. Excetera has a couple of chairs on the porch so I sat down and did what anyone does without a book...decided to clean out my wallet. Soon Nadine was laminating away. One errand DONE. I got a few others done and headed out, intent on finding the honey guy. A friend of mine stopped and asked if I wanted a ride and I said, thanks no, I need to find the honey guy, and she said (this is SOOOOOO Culebra), I'm looking for the honey guy too, do you know where he is? Well, yes I did! And, she's fluent in Spanish, so it was serendipity. Except, there was no honey (meil) yet. The woman took our phone numbers and asked if I spoke Spanish. I said, just say Meil, I 'll knowl

I got home and got busy in the gardens, spaced out on blooms, transplanting, joy. The phone rings and a woman says, Meil...and I think, Christ, another wrong number, who the hell is Meil? and then the penny dropped. I asked how much and headed out. By the time I got there, two people had stopped me and asked if I'd pick up some for them too, but she only had two bottles. She'll call me tomorrow about more. Maybe this time I'll catch it the first listening.

After a walk to Genesis for oatmeal (it's supposed to be rolled oats but...this is Culebra, so it was quick oats, and yes, I tried all three stores, so hush) I decided it was cool enough to start making the guava cream cheese bars. They are kind of fun to make, using guava paste. My father, living for years in Havana with his family, used to make us a simple Cuban dessert using guava paste, cream cheese and a cracker whose name is eluding me right now (you can tell me, I know someone knows), but its sort of bowl shaped and rather bland, but perfect for guava paste and cream cheese. I'd not used guava paste for anything else. As soon as they cool, I'll taste and see if they are something I want to sell. Since I doubt the cart will be open tomorrow and I don't like selling something not seriously fresh, if they are any good I'll take them to some friends and let them give me opinions. Everybody's happy.

Benny didn't make it by to finish the chicken coop, which I wasn't really expecting anyway...so here it sits, with the new wire waiting. I was chasing chickens out of my garden this afternoon when I heard my landlord, who'd come in the yard to fool with his boat, call out, 'Put them in a cage!' It was a mama and babies and he was right, it would have been perfect...alas.

New orchid blooms

Herbs going into flower power

First hot pepper off of my friend (from Florida) Chris's seeds...yippee!!!! It's about a baby fingernail long.

Life is weird here, and I like it.