|
|
- Updates from the Islands -- - Culebra (PR) - - |
|
|
| - Happy Mother's Day! |
|
|
While we still have some haze, the sun is shining brightly, there is a
nice breeze and it looks like an excellent day to be at the beach!
Culebra is having a Mother's Day celebration down at Flamenco, sounds
like a plan. And for all of you mothers (and you fathers who are mothers, I know, I had a great one!), all I can say, no matter what the age of your children (or the ones that will be coming along) - it's sort of like getting ready for the H season...prepare for the worst, hope for the best and know where your liquor stash is located! Happy Mother's Day! And because hummers remind me of the best Moms...always moving and lots of magic... Attachment:
hummer magic.jpg |
| - Down a hazy river |
|
|
Ok, it's not a river (we don't have any rivers on Culebra), but for days, all these old songs are running through my mind, substituting the word hazy for lazy, clearly, far...I am really way into the very quiet mode or dust is settling into the brain nooks and crannies a bit heavily. While the blanket of Sahara dust (which seems to be the consensus of what is making the haze) hangs over us, it does seem to be lessening some. Some meaning, I can actually see a little bit of blue in the sky. We had some serious gusts yesterday that caused the umbrella at the cart to try flight three or four times, even bungeed down at two points. Which pretty much made the excitement of the day; things are right quiet around here. while that might not be so great for business, it is a reminder of what we love about Culebra. Tomorrow is Mother's Day! Regardless of what your *mother* situation in life is, either having your own still in your life or not, somewhere you know a mother or a mother-type in your world who should be saluted. Send a card, make a call, give that hug. I was talking to a single hander the other day who wanted to buy something for his mother for Mother's Day. He said he always felt guilty if he didn't send her something, but sometimes he didn't and was embarrassed to even call her if no gift was attached (he really liked, as well as loved his Mom, it wasn't just obligation). I firmly let him know that mothers don't really care much about the material thing, the call would be the prize. So, hey buddy, I know you bought a gift, but CALL YOUR MOMMY, since you still can! Tomorrow is also my daughter's birthday. What a great Mother's Day present she was and continues to be. Lucky me! These hills are not far, far away, maybe 1/4 of a mile. But now The Sound of Music songs are piling up... and because we seem to be seeing everything through the washed out (and gritty) lens these last few days, here's a bit of color. The frangipani is going strong and I've been chasing iguanas out of the yard so they don't discover it. So far, so glorious. Attachment:
Sahara dust 5:08.jpg Attachment:
frangipani riot.jpg |
| - in the haze |
|
|
I just got an email from St. Thomas about the haze that, as Barb reported yesterday from St. Martin, is all over here as well. According to the SAL map, it's not NEARLY as bad as some days where there seems to be NO haze. So...good question, why is it like this now? Someone asked about the volcano that blew way WAY down south...could that be affecting us? I don't know. But if I guessed, I'd say it's more like ash haze than dust haze. Any brilliant and knowing opinions out there?? |
| - Take note |
|
|
While this isn't about the daily weather per se, it is about what can happen when Nature is tampered with and the resulting consequences from a storm or hurricane. We, all of us reporting from our various islands, know that mangrove destruction isn't a rare occurance and that vigilance is needed. This is what happens when we stop paying aggressive attention to the fragile places we call home. Reading, stunned, about what they are saying is one of the reasons behind the huge loss of life and property in Burma, I just felt I had to send out a word of warning and awareness. To those already in the good fight of "Save What's Left" you already know what I'm talking about. For those who don't realize the importance of our mangroves, let Burma be a horrible, tragic lesson. For some here, who want to have a clear area on their shoreline property, mangroves may just seem to be another obstacle in the way. But those laws (we in the VI's and PR have these laws, I'm not sure about what every island country has...but if there are no laws, there should be!) against moving, cutting or clearing mangroves have been made for a reason. Nature isn't kind about rearranging her system of land protection. This isn't *tree & bunny hugger* drivel - as most environmental policies are not, this is about the most basic components of taking care of the place we live in. Money that buys land doesn't give the right to blithely overlook the very sound ways of Nature. Developers: Take Note! Residents and visitors: Take Note...if you are out on the water and see ANY destruction of mangroves along the shoreline, call Fish and Wildlife and/or DRN (or whatever your appropriate agency is called) and let them know where you've seen this happening. And then follow up to see if something is being done. Yes, one voice can be very loud, loud enough for others to join in, if one voice calls out in the first place. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7385315.stm Attachment:
mangroves1.jpg |
| - Happy Cinco de Mayo! |
|
|
It looks like another splendid day, this fifth of May. The water is burnished by the sun, the sky is growing ever bluer. Of course, today is Cinco de Mayo. "The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862." For more info check out http://www.mexonline.com/cinco-de-mayo.htm But why is Cinco de Mayo celebrated by people all over America, rather than being confined to a Mexican holiday, and not even a major holiday at that? One writer's take on a possible reason: http://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm But I myself happen to think it's about the fiesta, which means great food, great drinks, music and dancing - in other words, another excuse for a party! There are so many wonderful Mexican recipes and so few good/real Mexican restaurants! It is definitely worth the time to recreate some of these recipes at home. I'm seriously hungry after reading some of these suggestions. And don't forget the traditional Cinco de Mayo drink...margaritas! Oh darn, hardly anyone likes those...  http://www.fabulousfoods.com/holidays/5mayo/5mayo.html Buen provecho!! Attachment:
05-05 food:drink.jpg |
| - Out of the blue |
|
|
oday arrived like a gift...a perfect Sunday sort of day (I don't know
why Sunday seems like a one of a kind day to me, I don't have
*weekends* in my life and haven't for a very long time, but Sunday
continues to be a day with a special shine to it. Maybe it was the
NYT's I used to get, perusing a day of the wide world slowly, with
crosswords taking forever, tea or coffee, pastries or eggs...or maybe
not). Everyone felt the weather today to be something special. Brilliant blue sky with sun, puffy white clouds, and a wind like Christmas winds that haven't stopped since early morning. One sourpussed man, who is here frequently, told me, oh, it wasn't as nice as yesterday, when the clouds were in...it's too sunny here! I turned my head away and said, maybe that's why they call it the Caribbean...what use is there for someone who has everything the world offers who can't take in the beauty of a perfect day? There is wealth...and there is wealth. On the better hand, everyone else I spoke to felt filled with this unexpected jewel of a day. We'd all thought hot hot hot was on the bill, and we get glory! As I type, the wind is still blowing hard, the sun is setting and the night promises to be cool. What a day!! I had a window of perfect photo op, but I was uploading some pics from a very funny and enjoyable baby shower. No, not an oxymoron (perhaps a little odd - the home circumcision kit, for example, but we tend for the odd and Dad laughed the most) it really was a lot of fun! But in doing so, I missed the perfect sunshine on the water and brilliant blue sky. The sun was just going behind a bank of clouds, so I was left with this...and that. The first, out to Dakity... The second...This is, in timely fashion (as it's Sunday), a church pew on my neighbor's dock. It WAS in the lot of the new church building under construction down the street (oh lucky me - we have some very loud churches). Somehow, it has managed to travel to the dock, very close to my own church, which happens to be my yard and surrounding bay and sea and sky, so I think it might be a very good thing, the journey from lot to dock. And no, it wasn't me...I didn't think of it fast enough and I'd have been too scared. Attachment:
into the blue.jpg Attachment:
church.jpg |
| - Mare's Tails |
|
This was our Western sky this AM, with puffy Cumulus to the East.
We will see if this "ditty" holds true; (copied from Wikpedia)
Sky color is not the only predictor of weather quality.
Mackerel sky and mares' tails make lofty ships carry low sails.
Mackerel sky,
Mackerel sky,
Not long wet,
Not long dry.
The unmistakable herringbone pattern of mackerel sky and the long,
wispy cirrus which is mare's tail are all high-altitude indicators
that a moisture-bearing low pressure system is moving in from the
west. This usually means an increase in wind speeds, a shift to
blustery easterly winds, and increased cloud and precipitation
within the next 24 hours or so. A wise captain avoids torn sails
and damaged spars by taking his sails in.
--
--
you at usa.com
is available and 170 other free domains.
Sign up at www.mail.com
|
| - It's for real |
|
|
I wasn't going to post today, as it looks to be pretty much like yesterday (not a bad way to look!). But then, on BBC world news, there were photos of May Day celebrations. As I rattled on about Morris dancing, it only seems fair to show what such a thing looks like. I'm sure this photo was smuggled out under duress... The moon made a dawn appearance; all is calm, all is bright. Happy Friday! Attachment:
morris dancers.jpg Attachment:
moonfire.jpg |
| - Happy May Day!! |
|
|
We have officially entered the hot season. Two older locals today told me so; that's my story and my sweat is sticking to it. But there is some breeze, so maybe we aren't quite there yet... Today is May Day, celebrated for all sorts of reasons, in all sorts of ways around the world. Here is some history and brief descriptions of what is going on (or went on,depending on time zone) in some global spots. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Day One thing that might go on today in some places, try England, is Morris dancing. This type of dancing is often mentioned in literature, historic novels for example (if your curiosity extends this far). For many years I wondered what the heck Morris dancing was all about. Over time, and bless Al Gore for the internet, I've read a variety of explanations and still felt no closer to understanding...what the heck Morris dancing is. This year, with Wikipedia hot on the case, I continue my tradition of....what the heck IS Morris dancing? I hope I am not the only one who gets a wide spectrum of mental images from this description. A morris dance is a form of English folk dance usually accompanied by music. It is based on rhythmic stepping and the execution of choreographed figures by a group of dancers. Implements such as sticks, swords, and handkerchiefs may also be wielded by the dancers. In a small number of dances for one or two men, steps are performed near and across a pair of clay tobacco pipes laid across each other on the floor. Ok, usually there is music...good start. Then they start rhythmically executing figures. Perhaps we'd like to rephrase that...but wait, there ARE sticks, swords, and...oh...handkerchiefs (to sop up the blood?) WIELDED by the dancers'. And then...a pair of tobacco pipes...uh huh, yeah, right. Ok. I might try to do this dance in the yard this evening: fair warning, I've got my sticks and handkerchief at the ready! Bring the pipes. Yesterday I went to the big island to do a long put off *big shopping* for odds and ends either not found here or just plain silly expensive here. The water was calm and royal blue and by the time we actually left the dock, the sun was up, not a shabby way to start a long day of errand chores. On my way out to the ferry in the grey pre-dawn light, my frangipani tree was glowing with one new bloom, the first in five years that the iguanas haven't gotten to first. I took a pic immediately as I prepared myself to find it and its unfolded brethren gone as iguana snack on my return. But not yet...oh joy! Attachment:
frangipani bloom.jpg |
| - The dark side of Nature |
|
|
The weather here is sunny and
fairly calm. My plants are still wet from the rain we had and I hate to
spoil that wonderful rainwater with water from the tap...so I'm going
to let it sink in a few more hours. It doesn't look like there is much excitement rain wise on the horizon any time soon (but of course, I could be wrong which would be fine, we could still use some more rain). With no watering I was outside less than usual this morning, I heard a rattling and clattering and looked up to find mortal combat happening on the wall near the ceiling. My little mosquito eaters were literally trying to bite each other's heads off (is this what happens when the humans aren't around? I thought it was just good, clean lizard sex...who knew?).. They didn't succeed, I'm very happy to report. Attachment:
lizard battle.jpg |
| - Rain for Culebra! |
|
Good Morning, Thanks to the Carnival Gods; Jeauva, Jump-up or whatever. The St Thomas & St Martin bands shook loose a great soaker of a rain for Culebra. 0.90 inches in the past 16 hours, great refreshing rain, and the island went "AHHHHH". -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com
|
| - Rain dump |
|
|
I've been listening to a USVI radio station while they are broadcasting St. Thomas Carnival (St. Croix has the Christmas carnival, St. Thomas the Spring, St. John has...I forget). I love these shows; they are all live, and pretty crazy. The parade had some *gaps*...the announcers blamed it on the rain but I've never been to a parade in the USVI's that didn't have gaps...usually the one at the beginning which makes it start 2 hours late. But no one cares because it's serious party time. Man/woman in the street interviews are hilarious, because usually the interviewee is well lubricated with the joy juice of choice. Radio guy "So mon, how you liking Carnival?" Guy in the street "OH MON, I LOVE CARNIVAL [starts singing calypso song he hopes will win], this is the best mon, rain don't stop the carnival, we're all [more singing] uh, it's a GOOD TIME!!! HAPPY CARNIVAAAAALLLLLLLL!!! mumble laugh sing mumble friends laughing, radio guy laughing...then dead air except for the bands and crowds for maybe 5 minutes until the hooked in St. Croix guy starts talking.."Oh I guess those guys are taking a break...well, here's some mus..uh...yes, music...those guys...ok." "No mon, we're not taking a break, I need to find some batteries for my headset." A lot of people from Culebra boat over for Carnival where they have lots of family connections, coming home after three days of non-stop partying looking much worse for wear. You don't see those people for a few days... And we did get rain! Lots of clouds all day, and then out of the grey, someone turned the fire hose on. It didn't last long but it was enough to douse the ground and fill the bottom of the dinghy. Now it is coolish and calm, the humid air of earlier washed away leaving a pretty perfect temp for the late afternoon and evening. Last night, I spent my first night on the houseboat...calm and beautiful, the tipped egg shaped moon blasting as brightly as a full one and fish jumping for the stars. I can get used to that. Houseboats don't act or feel like sailboats in the water though, even flat calm water. It's strange, but it's good. Tomorrow a friend will scrape off about 5 years of growth from the bottom (yes, he's getting paid, but I still wonder if we'll be friends when he's done...oh well, I gave fair warning - me not doing it myself should be warning enough!). It is crunchy munchy under there and I'm afraid I might change the whole ecological set up in my bay once the bottom is boat and not a marine biosphere. More shrimp and lobsters! I can live with that. Ann, the law of no wind for regattas has a long, islands' wide history, as you well know. When there actually is wind for a regatta, I personally suspect cheating is going on. It's the true test of character - and god knows we have some characters - when you have spent time, money and high hopes on a once a year event only to lie around drinking greenies with your mates, hoping hoping hoping until, just as the officials decide to cancel the event, force 8 winds turn up. Or perfect winds show up the next day, and as you sail home you see spinnakers hoisted for the first time on boats heading this way and that. "Next year." |
| - If you dance, it may show up |
|
|
The chances for rain are growing, sporadically at least, though it
doesn't look like we are in the direct line of what is moving our way. The sky is both brassy and blue, with huge grey clouds moving in to cover the sun, at the moment. I think the sun will be back, though. The guys putting in the sewer lines have been on the street above me for a few days now. That means that the few people who live on that street park their cars around my yard, which is fine, hey, they are friends of mine. But the worker guys park their equipment and trucks there too, yesterday including my drive! We had a little chat about that and they moved a few trucks so I could get my car off the street - gracias! I also had a little chat with the head honcho guy after I'd gone out last evening. making me a little more vocal than usual - (hush, those thoughts aren't nice, especially if you heard me singing with Amy Jo last night...she ASKED me to, c'mon!) I wasn't out late and they were just finishing up - I'll give them this, they start at right past dawn and go til past dark trying to get it done, kind of a weird miracle. Plus, he spoke English, so that helped. As I remember it, he says they will actually have the system working in...oh, a year or two or three...or more. We both laughed. I asked him about the guy I saw earlier, sitting inside the a/c of his gigantico machine for hours, doing nothing except wasting fuel, which my tax dollars are paying for. He just nodded...but he told me if I had any problems, just let him know. Hmm. Wonder if he delivers sushi... Or maybe, just keep the machines running when they are working on something. This morning, that seemed to be happening, but instead, a truck seems to be out of commission, so everyone is gathering round to fix it...I couldn't have been that lucky; guess I won't buy a lottery ticket today. Attachment:
cloudbank.jpg Attachment:
Machine yard.jpg |
| Back to top |
