Officially Thankful

Today is the official American holiday of thanks, based on a strange fun house mirror image of history. But I sweep all that aside (not because it doesn't matter, regular readers know my rants on injustice to oh so many), but because Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's not too terribly commercialized; in fact, it's run over by the tank of the next holiday. It is, traditionally for me, about families and friends gathering and memories of past Thanksgivings with ones I love only here in spirit now, about being thankful for what we have in a conscious way.

And I am. My children, my grandchildren, my brother, my friends - I'm so blessed with true friends. This crazy, beautiful little island I call home, her people. The casita I live in, the cat who shares it with me. You, the readers of this bit of my head and heart I send out, bytes of bread on cyber waters. The chances I've had and taken that turned out with me being thankful, even if I didn't get it at the time. Getting older and being glad about it, even when the mirror takes me by surprise.

I got a call from Mary Ann, who told me she had a story for my blog, complete with photo. She was at Dinghy Dock when Rob called her from his boat. He was out on a charter off of Tamarindo,  when he saw a deer, chased into the water by dogs, start swimming to Luis Pena. He tried to gently shoo it back to the beach but it wasn't going to do that. It was obvious it was struggling and in trouble, so Rob tried to rescue it. Apparently though, it was literally scared to death. He called Mary Ann to ask her what the rules and regs were for such an event. Could he keep the deer? Did he need to report it?

Mary Ann told him that if it was documented the fact that he had truly tried to save the deer, he could keep it. Had he someone who could take a photo of him, trying to give the deer mouth to mouth resuscitation? He said, really? She said yes. He thought about it and decided that wasn't happening. Then he thought about it some more and realized that Mary Ann had been joking. "I almost DID that!" he said, while she laughed.

Instead, some friends who know what to do will do it, and the deer will be on the table for Thanksgiving. Another unforgettable Culebra meal and story, for which I am thankful. Thanks, Mary Ann, your sense of humor never ceases to catch me by surprise. Thanks, Rob, for trying to save the deer and for making sure his demise was not in vain. Thanks, whoever takes care of the deer. Thanks, charter guests, helping out in a weird situation.

Thanks, Culebra, for all the strange, weird and wonderful.

Now it's time to go back to makin' turkey and stuffin'. I'm in the midst of emailing my daughter back and forth (I know, people text, but I don't) who is about three steps ahead of me on the dressing. Which only means her kitchen smells better than mine earlier.

Have a great day of thankfulness. If you are lucky enough to have family you love with you (yep, that's a qualifier), lucky you! I will blow kisses and hugs from here to mine by blood and share the day with my family by heart, incredibly blessed to have food, clothing and shelter. Speaking of shelter, here is a great video, enjoy.

Have a Thankful Thursday (you saw that coming a mile away). Do something tantalizing.

What Happened? (or How a Gained Day Was Needed)

I should have known, right away, when I thought on and off all day yesterday that it was Wednesday, that I'd actually gained a day when usually I lose one, that there was a reason for it. There was. I needed two Wednesdays and now I've got them!

There was a lot to do and lots got done, but another thing I should have known is that planning on Culebra defies all logic...in fact it is a complete oxymoron. I got the Ospho-ing (but with a generic product called Rust Off), and painting of appliances (a fact of life living in the tropics; appliances rust far faster than their usefulness declines) almost finished. I got the kitchen ready to make bread dough. I watered, even though we've had rain, just not quite enough for some thirsty plants. Check! Then....it all slipped a little...sideways.

The phone rang. Sure, I have time (before the Turkey Race and hot sauce delivery and going to look at tools and maybe a ladder being sold) to go to the beach... It was windy and wild and sunny and cloudy and beautiful, which was a lot more enticing than making bread dough in a space that smelled like paint. And so I did. So we did. Was that Highway to Hell I heard, faintly in the psychic echoing background?

There are way too many photos, I know, and now you'll see way too many 'waves splashing on rocks' photos, but what can I say? I'm in love.

 Don't these palm trees look right off a tropical beach on some enchanted isle?

I thought so too.

 Fallen gods

 What an excellent spot for a birthday!

 Howling wolf on Zoni beach...how did he get there?

 Sea grape wood is beautiful, in case you didn't know

 Howling Wolf's Woman

 Yes, it really looked like this......ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Then it was time to go look at tools and things. I came away with a faux leatherman and a little ladder that will work well on my dinghy or houseboat (if my dinghy ever gets back in the water - grrrrr). Mi amiga picked up a dinghy anchor and some tools. Happiness on the hill. And still time to get to the Turkey Races and deliver hot sauce! But first...a Dinghy Dock detour - one for the road. Which led to talking and laughing and...yippie, a surprise!

How very good it was to see Roger, Martha's other half, here on a mini-holiday (missed you, Martha! Next time!). We got to talking farms and goats and then he was telling an amazing story about Morgan horses and his Dad and history, which I'm saving for another time because it's too good for sandwich filling. But the clock was ticking, Turkey Racers awaited!

.

 I love this event...and so do a whole lot of other people

 Winner of the men's event, as usual!

Raquel, winner of the women's event with Lawrence, tired, sweaty happy runners

The winners in these events get a turkey or chicken. Lawrence's turkey became my turkey, which I will share out into parcels. For the first time since living here, I'm going to eat in a restaurant on Thanksgiving (maybe the first time in my life, now that I think about it). But I really wanted to cook a turkey since I now have the oven to cook it in...and now I get to do that! Thank you, Lawrence! Tradin' turkey is way better than talkin' it.

My non-designated driver, not the original friend I'd started out with, but the friend I happened to come up the stairs with at Dinghy Dock and proceeded to spend the rest of the day with, because that's how things roll here, eventually gave me and my turkey a ride home, after I decided I'd accomplished all my missions, had a lot of fun, the prerequisite bit of Culerba drama, plenty to drink and a damn big turkey too. The turkey pretty much could have used its own car seat. I can't wait to cook it!

Have a willing Wednesday* (take two, ACTION). Do something (ever so slightly) wild.

*It is Wednesday, right?

Culebra Wednesday ~ We're Golden! (oops, it's Tuesday)

Turkey Race 2010

Just in case you don't know, or forgot, today is the Turkey Race day! Children, men and women will be racing for fun and turkeys and *gasp* cash prizes too. I think so, anyway, re the cash. According to Lawrence, there aren't enough men racing (or women over 50, and no, I'm not entering - I want to live until Thanksgiving Day at least, por favor), so it's not too late to enter! Get in touch with Jim Galasso if you are interested. The kids' race is at the ball field this afternoon, sometime around 4 ish, but get there earlier because you know how these things go. And bring mosquito repellent; last year I had to leave as I was getting eaten alive. This is really a fun part of the beginning holiday events, so be there! Thanks, Lawrence, for the head's up.

This morning's sunrise was an unexpected golden wash o' color...plus a bonus chair.

Yet another weird thing that comes floating to my dock from the sea...this is much better than the usual plastic bottles, plastic bags, and assorted other plastic garbage

And the top flips down too! Recycling, oh yeah.

Good morning, Sol!

Thank you for the show

You make everything extra beautiful

Mr. Rooster isn't quite golden, but I like him anyway...WAY down the yard, thank you.

Have a wide-eyed Wednesday! Do something well. (edited to say, thanks to Doug, I have gained a whole day and I needed it! Another side effect of island life... so have a tangled-mindless Tuesday! Do something Tuesday-ish!!)