Free Range Friday ~ Pincho Joe

I think everyone remembers one of the first awesome local people they met when moving into a special place. My special place is Culebra and one of the first I met here was Pincho Joe. I'd see people lined up at this little spot at Happy Landing and wonder what was going on until I finally went over and checked it out. What were pinchos? Deliciousness on a skewer served up by this really friendly guy and his wife.  It became a regular stop and like many, I usually couldn't wait to get home before devouring the first one, walking down the road, pincho in one hand, napkin in the other.

Then he closed up shop and while there were other pinchos to be had, it wasn't the same experience and never tasted quite the same. Joe has magic and the magic is the real love of what he does. So now they are doing it again. If you haven't stopped by, you should. Pinchos, rotisserie chicken and great sides, plus Joe and his beautiful bride? What's not to like?

 I happened to swing by right when Glen, the Lalai Dama of hot sauce, was checking out Joe's brew. He gives it hs seal of approval and that's a very good thing. Joe's is a weekend thing, just so you know. And p.s. pinchos are great to add into other dishes; use your imagination!

They should be ready by 11 or so

Pinchos on the grill!

Before I got to Joe's there were chickens and a cat to be fed. Yesterday I'd been looking at cracks in the earth, 2 or 3 inches wide and more inches deep. Today, the ground was soft under my feet, the cracks were gone and stomping in puddles was a good way to celebrate this much needed rain. For visitors, maybe not so beautiful, but for those of us with almost empty cisterns and thirsty plants, it is most welcome.

You might have to be local to consider this a beautiful sky

But go to the beach anyway! In only a few minutes, it can look like this again.

Feed your body, feed your soul. And try to only eat food made with love, it'll do ya good. Buen provecho!

Have a find fine food Friday. Do something feastingly.

Sunset, Moonrise, Sunrise ~ Swiftly Flow the Days

I spent some sunset time overlooking Melones waters and beyond. There are a zillion photos of sunsets and sunrises; I know that every person that takes one feels the wonder. And every single one is different. Every day a movie with a different ending each time. How amazing is that? It's the little huge things.

But first: This mama and another one were all mingled up together.Then they went their separate ways, each chick knowing where to go. 

How do they know?

Mama doing the model walk

Walking back up the hill, there were these pretty goats. But they weren't alone or on their own.

Following Poppy

 Now I get to the sunset part.

Islands in the sun

No green flash this night

G'night Sol.

Hello, Moon! You're back!

 It was early morning and time to head back to cats and chickens. But first, it was sunrise and a surprise double rainbow to celebrate the brief rain that blessed us.

I did a little Happy Birthday, Jonny! dance. My little brother will always be my little brother, no matter how old he gets. He's the best!

Happy birthday, bro! 

Have a telepathic Thursday! Do something topnotch.

Earth, Fire and Helicoptors

No, I don't have a photo of the helicopter that woke a fair number of folks early yesterday morning. There might have been a swoosh sound of a lot of scrambling going on with the folks in blue and black swooping through the island taking mopes off to the pokey, but that's impossible to photograph. I, being a long time glad I don't panic when a cop is in my rearview person, am always glad to see a clean up of the negative from Culebra. We live in such a beautiful place, let's all work to keep it that way and take the trash out. 'Nuff said.

Out of the Blue: I wondered what I was writing about a few years ago at this time. 

My garden from 2009 - I need to step it up!

Then news came of a fire on a hill that became a fire on quite a few hills. Our wonderful bomberos, along with other official caretakers and volunteers rode to the ready, protecting a few homes that were endangered. Luckily, the wind went flat and while last reports have it still burning (and the whole island smelling like a campfire pit), it sounds like things are under control.

I didn't go up there as from all reports there were lots of able people on the scene. But a drive out to Zoni showed one part of the fire.

The darker smoke on the backside of the hill abated even as I watched

Fire to the left of me, gorgeous to the right

There is barely a breath of wind this morning, a good thing as there will be fire spots to keep an eye on today until it's all out. Rain would be great, but none is forecast for now. Keep the grass down around your homes, it makes a big difference!

I wouldn't mind erasing yesterday, except for one thing. I'd been bidding on a camera on Ebay, feeling frustrated with this one...serviceable but with only a screen and no eyepiece viewer in our bright tropical environment, I was often shooting blindly and hoping for the best. So I jumped off the cliff of fiscal sanity (not an unfamiliar leap) and got the camera! Well, I haven't got it in my hands yet but soon come and I'm very excited about it. Hopefully, you will be too.

Have a wayfaring Wednesday. Do something weightless.