A Quiet Walkabout ~ Photo Heavy, Fair Warning!

Yesterday was as quiet a Sunday as I've experienced while town meandering in a long time, as well as on the way there and back. I was reminded of when I first moved here (except for the giant Jeeps) and it was nice. One of those giant Jeeps stopped and tourist strangers offered me a ride - that never happens, but it did. A really nice couple, he from Florida, originally from Spain, she from San Juan. It was his first trip back to Culebra in over 20 years. I'm always amazed how much conversation can go on in five minutes. We talked about Culebra changes, prompting a 'capture it now, before it is gone ohpleasemayitneverbegone' exchange of view and pixels.

These first shots are from  heading down Housesitting Hill.

Now in wild bloom

Unfurl the banana flags!

Folk art Culebra style

Yes, these little fruits are safe to eat and taste like strawberries. 

Common names - "Elkhorn" , "Frilled Fan" or "Crested Euphorbia"

Spider lily

Frills and thrills

Dill and the water (your earworm for today)

Dinghy Dock was my destination, to meet up with my friends Tina and Mark, who had sailed in and would be heading out today. Maybe. That's how cruising goes! While we were chatting, a fish cleaning was taking place. A beautiful fish, a skilled cleaning. Someone got a very delicious fish dish.

At a walking pace, there is a lot to see between town and where I hang my camera. Most of it is good. The trash - less each year thankfully - not so good. 

I seem to know a vehicle painted in this pattern...

Recycling on some levels isn't new here

Make your own caption

I've watched this place from before it existed to turned pretty junky to turned pretty cleaned up these days. When there are people here with the sounds of laughter and talking, it has a feel good vibe, even if on a couple of levels there are some issues in its creation. This is Culebra. 

This is Culebra too.

Can a fiberglass boat sink into an organic goodbye? No, but this one is trying.

Noah

Angel's home.

The moonrise last night, sometime around midnight, was mystical with clouds. A good ending to a thoughtful day, ushering in dream time. Yet I wake up and I'm still here. Amazing.

Have a maverickly makeshift Monday. Do something minimally mighty. 

Simple Sunday ~ Calabash

Calabash. Drink. Eat.

Slave girls made belly babies.

Got some rest. Eat. Drink. 

One Island, No Landline. Thank you, Claro.

As of this morning, we still do not have landline phones or internet hook up. I did a temporary work around because Free Range Friday flew and who knows how long it will be until we get it back? Not the 'one or two, maybe three hours' that the Claro guy told me - which would be annoying but hey, it happens. A whole day and night? Not so good (think, no credit machines working, no ATM, let alone no online access for those without other means, and no phones for those with no cell phones - yes, there ARE people with no cell phones). To further understanding, Claro is a monopoly phone company. Mini rant finished. 

So. Onward!

Sometimes I forget how much I like rice. It doesn't look as tempting uncooked as a pasta product, for some reason. But then, once I've played around with whatever I'm making with it, it is a struggle to not eat the whole pot right then and there. But I didn't. Really.

Olive oil, garlic, onions and one pablano pepper

Some leftover rotisserie chicken from Pincho Joe, deboned and rough cut into bite sized pieces

Yum the Smell

After the peppers, onions and garlic were soft, I put in about a cup of organic chicken broth and a beer. Yes. A beer. Bring it to a boil.

Add about a cup of rice. This was jasmine rice because it is what I had around

Put on a low heat, cover and check the rice in fifteen or twenty minutes. Is the liquid gone? Is the rice done? If not, add maybe a half cup more liquid, cover it back up and keep an eye on it.

And then it is done! If you have fresh herbs, like basil or parsley, to put on there, it's a good addition. I didn't so I didn't.

Again, don't forget to play with your food. You can make this much more complicated (which is fun),  use beef or pork, throw in tomatoes or summer squash during the saute part...you get the idea. Buen provecho!

Now we have whirled through Friday and it is time to catch up to Saturday, but actually go back a few days to my yard. It is my oasis in its somewhat orderly lack of order, as home should be when you are a slightly neat person who doesn't line things up well.

The squash have so many blossoms, the iguanas must have missed this one somehow. 

These mangoes are delighting me. I feel like my 12 year old child just won a long worked for honor. Hang in there!!

Playing with the camera

It rained on and off while in the yard. That worked for me! And the dill.

Black and white or color? I cannot decide.

Dill is a many splendoured thing. Thanks again, David and Debbie!

Have a savory Saturday. Do something sublimely satisfying.