Hello, So Long, Splash! Repeat.

Sarah finally got better and headed back to California, where crazy rains are ending the drought in a major way. She arrived home safe and sound, to find home safe and sound, so that's the good thing. 

A last bit of baby play time. They'll see each other again in a couple of weeks but things change fast with a baby! Psst, Sarah, she's crawling now!

Yes, I am the happiest baby!

Oh Auntie Sarah!

She got to sit in the babe seat. Of course.

 We waited until the plane taxied and flew away.

Because that's what we do.

So long, Sarah! Until next time.

Dropped off at the beach, friends and I did the chairs and umbrella thing. A new quiet way to be at the beach and for a switch, I recommend it. Shade, breeze and comfort, books and beverages. It was pretty much perfect.

The next morning it was looking like an excellent day to get some water for the boat. The easiest way is by dinghy. Fill the bottles up right in the dinghy, save lifting them more than once. It's not a bad little ritual, and if you have to haul water (and I do, until the rain catcher time happens), this is a pretty nice road to drive.

It was glassy low tide

I have to say I was pretty surprised how very shallow it is in areas I didn't know about. The water was gin clear, I'd been thinking I was in maybe six or more feet of water. Not! I'd say something about, so far, not going aground somewhere I shouldn't be, but we don't say that.

Coming in the 'wrong way'

Heading back out. Glad I was wearing a hat!

Later the last family standing came out to Grandma's house to swim in the pool.

Little Mermaid

Everybody in the pool!

No sunbathing on the deck when your skin is so brand new!

Ah, the sun and water takes it out of a girl

Friends from the cold country are dwindling. Today it was Linda's turn for heading out into the friendly skies. Luckily the cafe was open and oh my, seriously delicious coffee!

We'll miss you until the next time, dear friend!
I don't know why we were laughing but it usually happens pretty easily.

Onward into this Valentine's Day. Coupled or single, there is plenty of love to go around. Share the wealth!

Have a thankful Tuesday. Do something thrivingly tender.

Full Moon, Family, Friends and Food. Of Course.

Fleeting times have big moments and one of them was yesterday. With a full moon and an eclipse promised, along with a comet (which we didn't see), it meant late beach time. T organized us and we actually all made it to the beach for the view!

But that wasn't the only thing that happened.

Waiting for the laundry to be done is a lot nicer here than by the gas station.

While waiting for the dryer to do its job, I was walking toward the PO when a really cute Mini Cooper came along. But what? There were a LOT of cute Mini Coopers! They had come over from the west side of Puerto Rico for an event. A guy saw me taking photos and asked if I'd send them to him; he's the president of the club. I said of course, and could I have a tee shirt? The extras were for the Mayor and others who helped make this happen though, so maybe I'll get one in the mail. Stealing the Mayor's tee shirt would be bad.

Another biggie was the baby coming out to the houseboat. She hates her life vest, but once it was off, she was pretty happy to play on a gently moving floor. 

Elijah said there was a surprise for me once we got back to the house. Truthfully, I'd have lost a lot of money if I'd tried to guess what it was. He and my daughter Sarah made sushi happen! Wow! Thanks, my kids and thanks, Jennifer, it was soooooo good!

Then it was time to herd all the cats to the beach for the moonrise. We were there and settled in time for glory moments.

These are a few of my favorite peeps

O kept herself busy making a natural art work.

"Don't go in the..." Never mind. 

It's been so good having Linda here. It's always as if she lives here again.

The moon just got better and better.

What a view the people in this plane got.
A fine beginning of a trip to St. Thomas.

Baby's first full moon party on the beach.

A mutual love affair

Me with the grand girls.

I didn't have the right lens with me but you can tell (if you look real close)
that there is a slice of moon in shadow.

Today my daughter Sarah heads back to California. I will head directly to the beach, offsetting THAT farewell. There's plenty of salt in the ocean.

Good morning, happy baby! Nancy made this dress for her (and a big sister version for O; she wore it on the plane). Baby looks good in clothing made of love. 

Have a scrumptious Saturday. Do something salutary.

Saying Goodbye is Hard to Do

So we say 'See you later!' instead. Yesterday my brother hit the friendly skies between Culebra and San Juan before a very early a.m. trip back to Florida. He'll be back and I'll be there but in the moment of waving farewell, it's a little less laughter and wishing it could go on longer. 

Lunch at Zaco's. Baby didn't try the hot sauces. Yet.

Friends in town staying in Punta Aloe gave us another view.
Thanks, Doug and Kathy!

A fiery dawning

The promised rain came. And went. Fast.

We took one more trip to Flamenco. 

All this sun and fun is tiring!

One last look at our gorgeous waters 

Then it was on to the airport. Time is so fluid...one minute it seemed like that last half of an hour was going on much longer and then suddenly names were being called. By the plane guy, not us.

It's a family affair.

I love our airport, where hanging out together has no tedious long walks to gates, where you usually run into someone you know, coming or going or picking up friends and family. 

It doesn't seem so long ago, growing up in Florida where it was almost the same. Except for the planes being bigger, you could wait to see people climbing or descending the stairs from the plane and walking across the tarmac to come inside. 

"Until the Jetway was invented, all passengers had to walk outside onto the tarmac and climb a set of portable stairs to board the aircraft. This was often inconvenient depending upon weather conditions, or on the passenger’s personal fear of flying. The first Jetway covered corridors were installed by Delta Airlines at Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport in May 1961."  from a fun article on Mental Floss - 10 Things We No Longer See at Airports

The baby loves her Uncle Jonny

Until we meet again in California!

That was done! It was time to head up the hills to Krusty Krab and have another spectacular meal, with a spectacular view. I was driving the slowest golf cart on Culebra (not kidding, other carts have been passing me no matter how hard we pedal) and missed most of the sunset. That was okay, the view was family and islands, new and old friends. And the food was even better than the last time we went. Ceviche, conch salad, fish tacos, everyone was happy.

Another one in the memory books. Sharing Culebra is always good and family just makes it better.

Have a tapestried Thursday. Do something tranquil.