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- Updates from the Islands -- - Culebra (PR) - - |
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| - Rain welcome home |
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A great mini-holiday away in SJ and still gentle buzzing from seeing
Elton John with friends from St. John. Nope, no pics and no reason but
my personal preference to not be flashing lights in my seatmates eyes
or be distracted from what was an amazing show.
The weather in SJ was pure pretty with some rain on Sunday (Mother
Nature's way of saying, C'mon kids, time to go home).
I'd given an extra good watering before leaving on Friday and hoped
that with the ground water plus that that the gardens would be all
right. They looked great! So this morning I got up to water more, and
as soon as I came inside it started pouring like mad, which the sky did
NOT look like it was holding. According to to the radar, it's a small
cell...but who konws? It's only a bit of a fat dribble now, with that
yellow light all around....
The big city was a fun place to be, especially with good friends and a
focus for time time there...we ate at one fantastic restaurant in Old
SJ, and found a funky Mexican restaurant above the beach in the new
area. Found one of my favorite Asian markets that is actually a chain I
had no idea was in PR. Tossed away some bucks in the casino and gawked
(ok, I gawked) at the buildings, both purely ugly and purely charming.
But, as Dorothy said (while I can't understand a longing for
cornfields, I get the heart part), there's no place like home.
Ah, the sun! Perfect. Again. |
| - Carnival cover ups in order today? |
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While checking our local weather today from weather underground (as
it's gotten a bit grey and overcast, with apparently some fast moving
showers headed our way), I was quite surprised to see this from the St.
Thomas weather station...
Observed at: St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Elevation: 23 ft / 7 m 27 °F / -3 °C Mostly CloudyMaybe I do better in cold weather than I thought, because I still have the fans on here on Culebra. I sure hope those in St. Thomas who are planning on being outdoors for Carnival cover up! |
| - Rain "Event" Total |
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Good Morning, With another 1.4 inches yesterday morning, I have the total for the Rain "Event" at 8.3 inches. DR, once a year is enough for our small island to get this much rain. No cisterns should be dry for the rest of the year. Dave is right, now the battle of mosquitoes begins. After a severe drought and grass fires, it is still a very welcome sight to see the grass getting green and everything trying to bloom at once. Our local hummingbird is working hard to keep up! Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com |
| - The sun - bless its yellow heart |
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After a few days of grey, about a foot of rain causing lots of mud from
natural and unnatural (run-off from irresponsibly cleared off building
sites - which should be fined a few zillion dollars for literally
dirtying up the bays and streets - can we say erosion prevention???
build a house for a million or more, you can at least buy a few dozen
damn bales of hay, or cloth fencing or grass seed - okay, stepping off
the muddy soap box), this morning is showing new blooms on the veggies
and orchids and just about every growing thing.
Reports I sent in about the rain got lost in the ether somehow, but suffice to say - it was the rain dancers overabundant answer and Bill got the numbers. There is still a shady spot in the yard with standing water. Now for the drying out and oh so green time! |
| - OOPS, bad math |
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Good Morning Again, The total for the two days of rain should be 7.9 inches. Got to get my mind in gear! Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com |
| - Good Morning |
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Good Morning, Culebra received 1.4 inches of rain in the period of 5 AM yesterday till 5 AM today, so adding up the totals, we have received 7.6 inches of rain from this "system". It seems the tail of old front is pulling up lots of moisture from the Caribbean, and it has a Loooooong tail! Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com |
| - Rainfall Overnight |
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Good Morning, As of 5:30 am, Culebra received 6.5 inches of rain overnight. Basically this was an inch an hour for the past six hours. A real gulley washer and washed out the road a bit too. According to radar Culebra's own personal "Blob" has now moved off to the East. Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com |
| - all that grey black |
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and finally some rain to go along with it. We'd just about decided that
Culebra was under the dry bubble, which is, of course, all it takes
(along with me hanging out the laundry) to make it rain. But thunder
too??? Things I love about the islands #389b: when in drought
time...the rain starts and conversations carry on, no one gets out of
the rain - the feel of it, the smell of it, standing around getting wet
and grinning...
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| - delivered as promised |
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Here comes the rain! After a day that started with good breezes but
then went dead calm with humid heat, the afternoon and early evening
cooled off, again, completely still. But now we've got roof and ground
pounding rain, coming in on and off waves. If the radar (which,
amazingly, is up and working as of now) is correct, we are in line for
quite a bit more.
Cart open or closed once it's more *tomorrow*, the island will be
soaking it up! Whoever washed their car today, left laundry on the line
and paid to fill their cisterns, thank you!!
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| - out of date |
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All of the landlines were off line yesterday and this morning, so
whatever shows up today is from yesterday. I wish I had more glorious
rain to report but alas...only hot air today ;)
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| - Soaked ground rain |
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As for some reason I can't get online, I'll write this now, while the
ground is still wet from an ongoing rain last night. Maybe I woke up
when it stopped at some point, but I had a listening experience I'd
never had. It was so very still that I could hear the next wave of rain
coming across the water, up the yard and onto the roof. Very strange,
but very fascinating.
Looking forward to the total, Mr. Kunke! |
| - All Night Rain |
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Good Morning, Culebra received 0.4 inches of rain through the night. Mostly a good, steady, sprinkle that had time to soak in well. A true drought buster! It appears the very far edge of that NorthEaster prompted these showers. What is bad for some, is good to others. Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com |
| - They held it, they dumped some! |
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The clouds looked incredible this afternoon, wispy yet surrounded by
rain looking clouds (I remember them, I do!) but hope was held at a
distance until about 10 minutes ago...glorious smatter patter on the
roof, not long lived but heavy and delicious to the ear! I know the
plants are going to be in wonder growth tomorrow.
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| - Clear on |
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While two of my temp readers say 81, one says 86, so I'm going with the
majority. The waters around have cleared up (except for the from up in
the sky view, which shows where run off from irresponsible construction
is making certain areas less than pristine) for now, the breeze has
dropped, and the pelicans are back to fishing up here in my end of the
bay. I missed their splash during those windy, muddy days, plus them
cluing me in to where the fish might be.
Yesterday's fishing was a sort of dual contest between me and three
young boys on the dock across the way from me. Yelling in Spanish and
English, the basic messages were "What are you using?" and "What are
you catching?" I think none of us did anything in the catching dept.
but it was a wonderful to while away an overcast afternoon. Maybe
today! Though they'll have a head start...I can see them out there now,
as I prepare to head to the cart...lucky brats!
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| - Haze, ash or dust? |
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Take your pick. Yesterday afternoon and this morning find the air
around here thick enough with something to be making me check to see if
my glasses and/or contacts are covered with grit. Today will be a
glasses day, as by the end of yesterday's cart watch, my eyes were
itchy and sore from being scrubbed with *whatever it is*.
Other than that, it's Easter morning, the smell of fuel from boats departing the bay assails my nostrils, with a light breeze and 83 degrees of warmth. The water is churned a muddy color due to so many turnings of so many props, the streets will fill with every rental car available. The sounds of *sleepy after being up until 3 or 4 a.m.* morning laughter drifts back to me, from the water, from the bayside homes - holiday! Ah, Easter in the islands! Where's my chocolate bunny and malted milk speckled eggs? |
| - CARIFTA |
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I didn't know what the CARIFTA games were (re: T & C post)...just in
case you didn't either...here's a link.
It sounds like a huge project; lots of work with for a great event.
Best of luck to all participating and may the weather hold well for the
weekend!
http://www.turksandcaicoscarifta2007.com/ |
| - (warning) Very little to do with the weather |
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It's cool, it's breezy! It's hot, it's still! It's overcast; is that
rain, or sweat drops?
Town is BUSY! Town is DEAD! Everything is closed! Well...that one is just about true (Mamacita's is open today, Happy Landing is open - duh - El Eden was open. I highttailed it for home so I don't know about the rest of the places...which is why god invented phones). I think next year if we gift shop people were really smart (ok, we might be smart but we're not always real timely), we'd have a Semana Santa weekend Goodie Cooler going with meats and cheeses and breads, some chips and soft drinks. And maybe a few personal hygiene articles (bet you weren't asked about THAT today, were you?). And it's not even afternoon yet!But here in the quiet of my yard, where only me and the iguanas are slowly moving around, it could be any time of year...unless that weird green egg means something... Back when *I* was a kid, we were happy just to have those neat dye kits with about four colors, a couple wire thingies (and with four of us, my poor Dad had to invent a couple out of hangers...back before there WERE no wire hangers - what the heck do parents do now? Only have two kids, I guess) and some old plastic bowls to roll 'em around in. Now kids have stuff to make eggs look like Faberge look alikes, or kits for making dye out of *natural* stuff (Honey, tell the nanny to go to the voodoo market and get that stuff that makes blue and yellow - toss some weeds in for the kids to find). We were THANKFUL for the wonders of modern SCIENCE and the chemicals that stained our little happy fingers. So what if it caused cancer? It was pretty and we LIKED it! Who knew? Gol' darn it! We had to fight the damn chickens for those eggs and it MEANT something back then!! "Daddy, I'm bleedin', but I got me three eggs, too bad meany sissy can't have one! Is red a good color, Daddy??" |
| - shhh.....the rain is continuing |
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Not only waking up to pitter patter, but it's still raining and quite a
bit harder, though of course it could stop any second. I know I don't
have to water any of the gardens this morning though!
The radar looks like we might have more on the way (again, believing
with the radar! oh well, it's another season, why not give it a go?) I
wouldn't mind an all day soaker, though I doubt we'll have that. We'll
have just enough to have me doing the open/close? dance at the cart,
always entertaining for the firemen at the station across from me, and
a challenge for me - will the rain be enough to close? how long should
I wait? I look really stupid sitting here in the rain, but I'm reading,
maybe people will think I'm just eccentric...
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| - Rain redux |
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I sent this around 5 this morning but will try again. It did rain a
little bit more, but now the sun is shining, with a gentle breeze.
"It might stop before I'm done typing this but right now we're getting a nice, steady rain (enough to make the roosters hush). The radar shows us in line for a set of showers coming from STT, so this might even go on for awhile. Happy plants!" |
| - Good Morning, Rain Data |
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Good Morning, See attached chart for Culebra rainfall data for the last 20 years compared to the first 3 months of this year. The nearly 2 inches of rain last week saved us and PR from continued drought status. We are starting to see green show through the brown in the grasses, lets hope this is a definite shift in weather patterns. Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com
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| - Rain!! Thanks D.R.!! |
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Good Morning, Culebra received 1.8 inches of rain last night. A good "soaker" rain that lasted almost all night long. Filled up all our tanks, had to put on the overflow pipes about 3 AM. Thanks D.R. for pushing this system along the island chain before it takes off to the Atlantic. I can see the hibiscus and bougainvilla smiling already! Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com |
| - Rain glorious rain! |
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We finally got some rain here and there was almost literal dancing in
the streets. It started while I was at the pizza place during the
Humane Society auction, lots of people inside and out and no one really
got out of the rain, it was so great to have it falling! It has eased
off now but we got about two hours worth of decent rain. A good start
and I bet the kid's bean plants will be HUGE tomorrow!
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| - Cloudy rainy |
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After being awake all night due to some partying people traipsing
through my yard in the very wee hours to get to their very loud engined
dinghy (yeah yeah, I like you, but not much at 1:30 and 5;00 a.m. and
you are on my list, buckos), I had to get to the ferry by the 6:30 take
off. Lucky for me and bless you two whoever you are, I got a ride in,
when it started to rain....RAIN!!! Not much, but I'd just looked at the
radar before leaving, while sucking up coffee for the jolt, and the
whole area for all of us was covered in color.
The ferry ride was mellow, me on the top deck under my sarong as a
blanket, hoping for sleep. Again lucky, a friend was on the ferry
heading to San Juan to pick up her brother (talk no sleep? via Malta to
Barcelona to England to SJ) and she gave me a ride to Wal-Mart (printer
sale, oh boy!) before heading for the big(ger) city.
Drizzle rain continued as I lugged around my carrier cart, trying to
cross streets with a zillion cars whose drivers apparently think
walking people don't exist. I gritted my teeth and hoped to live and
did, as they swerved around me, at faster speeds than we get on Culebra
full out. Filthy feet and spattered carrier later, I ran into my friend
with her brother in tow and headed to Lolita's, the Culebra rest stop
after shopping. With a pitcher of margaritas along with nachos and
burritos, we relaxedn until heading to the ferry, when the rain decided
to really pour down, just as we were unloading the vehicle. I didn't
care, so glad for rain and hoping hoping it was on Culebra as well.
On the ferry, chatting, a ferry guy came up to me and asked if I had
the red tote...to inform me that one of my wine bottles had broken.
Wonderful man had already mopped up the mess, though the entire place
smelled of Cab Sav. Lucky again for me, it was on sale, and no damage
done to the rest of the contents, especially the little bottle of
sherry vinegar I'd splurged on, or the ratty cheap shorts (but they
have pockets!! I had to get them!) which would have been wine stained
forever. Apparently the tip over in the rain knocked the neck off the
bottle....who knew?
Home to rain drenched streets, apparently not a LOT of rain but more
than the 30 second bits we've been getting - enough to do some good.
And my feet, which looked like they'd been in a nasty bilge, will be
clean enough tomorrow to wear my new shoes...I hope!
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| - Dry, Dry, Dry --- |
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Good Morning, Culebra remains super dry, everything is "crunchy" underfoot. There is no rain in these clouds this morning either! Saba, we are jealous of your recent downpour! Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com
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| - Gauged hope |
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I've been watching my barometer with close interest these days, as we
hope for *enough rain to do good*. Its needle hasn't moved much, but
each tiny increment toward RAIN sees me looking a little more closely
at the sky and sniffing the air - is it really going to rain? By the
time I look back, the needle is swinging back to CHANGE. Change, not
FAIR, not VERY DRY, but CHANGE. Which I always thought meant something
different was going to happen. We get minutes or seconds of rain,
enough to sound the hope alarm, but it doesn't last.
Maybe it's like waiting for Christmas morning when I was little - the days changed but somehow, Christmas seemed as far away as ever, until suddenly it was Christmas Eve and change meant something real. Maybe it will be like that... or maybe it's like that watched pot for a boil and I should just turn Mr. Barometer around for awhile and continue rain dancing. |
| - Rain call |
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Between dogs barking, roosters crowing and one very persistent
mosquito, I woke up around 3 a.m. and got to hear the sweet sound of
rain (which shut up the dogs and roosters, the mosquito is still
trying). A light rain, barely there that didn't last long, but what a
sweet sound!
The children's garden project is coming along. The raised beds are built (by a great guy who comes over every day after his real job is done) and filled with dirt. The dirt was donated, dumped in the middle of the set up (three raised beds and containers around a concrete covered septic tank - how does YOUR garden grow?). Two of us were working shovel full by shovel full when the guy next door came home with his bulldozer, took one look at us and with a wave to get us out of the way, scooped up the dirt and did in 20 minutes what would have taken us oh, maybe three weeks. Another load of dirt will fill the containers donated by yet another Friend of the Garden. We planted some yuca, another donation, and something I've never planted before - basically looking like sticks because...they are. You just chop the yuca plant into pieces and lay them sideways in the dirt, cover them up and supposedly, six months later, we'll be eating yuca. Thanks, donors! The rain is coming just in time, and the donor wishes to remain anonymous, only letting us know not to expect anything steady yet. |
| - Fwd: A brief return to winter |
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Let's see if it goes this time...(many many hours later!) |
| - Regatta winds |
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According to the forecast...and this time I'd really like to believe
it...the 3rd annual Culebra Regatta this weekend looks to be in for
some good wind, between 15 and 20 all weekend! It's definitely breezy
in my yard. Welcome, sailors and crews, judges and all the other people
who make a regatta possible behind the scenes.
Now...if they just don't cut off the water for some line fix, like a rumour floating around suggests might happen. So far, got water! |
| - March Lamion |
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Since I missed the first day of March here because of sailing back from
Vieques, I only know March has come in like a lamion, sun, blue skies,
an amazing sunset last night as we relaxed after getting to the ferry
dock anchorage (quickest route to get to pizza and wine), with today
following warm, puffed out scuddy clouds in a true blue sky and breezes
that seem to be picking up as the afternoon goes along.
Apparently there was a good rain HERE while I was away as the gardens looked pretty good for three days of not being watered. Maybe I ought to try that island hop again...for the sake of the cisterns, of course. Over on Vieques, it is green green green. Sheesh! |
| - Culebra Rainfall |
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Good Afternoon, I feel it is safe to post February's rainfall total a bit early; 0.9 inches. That makes the year's total, 1.5 inches for 2007 thus far. This morning it rained on the North side of the island, but not the South side. So it goes, Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com
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| - One of those Sundays |
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A slightly overcast morning gave way to a sunny and beautiful day, with
south winds for a change. A good day at the cart and it was just too
beautiful to sit in the hot corner anymore (open somedays, closed
others...so it goes). Lucky me, my fishing friend gave me another
filet, so with a side trip for charcoal it was homeward bound.
While the charcoal got over the fire and into the glow, I figured I could do some fishing of my own. A slight breeze and a perfect temp of 80 degrees with the sun going down; what better way to spend a late Sunday afternoon? Little fish were biting on an old bit of meat and then I saw the yellow tail. That's all I saw...a BIG yellow tail! It was time to switch bait and the tail end of my not yet cooked dinner seemed like it would be just the ticket. The big one bit, but didn't hold on, which was fine, he'll be back another day. Hearing a soft click click, I looked up to see my landlord getting his Windrider tri ready for his nightly sail. He saw I was fishing and was considerate enough to be very quiet while I told him in a loud whisper about the big yellow tail. Something bit, and up came a little blue crab. He (my landlord, not the crab) is from Maryland, one of the great blue crab spots, and identified it as a female. Back she went, too little, too she. Another bite. I thought it was the big one, but instead of a fish, instead of a crab, it was a big lobster! Definitely dinner sized, but I let it fall off the hook. I already had dinner waiting to go on the grill, and he's not going far either. By now the coals were perfect and so was the fish, it was extremely delicious. Thanks, Chris! Another perfect Sunday afternoon in Paradox. |
| - Early good rain |
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| What a great surprise as I literally was turning around to the hose faucet to start watering the gardens and the sky opened up! It didn't last long but longer than a minute, enough to give the ground a nice little soak. Just enough to have drippy leaves and a nice rainbow in its wake. AND!!!! Our radar is up! So we may get more spits as the day goes on. |
| - The rain falls mainly...where it wants to |
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What a funky weather day! Lots of overcast, rain in waves up the bay,
absolutely glorious for those of us who live here...the burnt hill
people VERY hopeful there will be less ash smooting their abodes, the
empty cistern people who have water on the way hoping they won't need
as much as ordered.
A few of us took an *extended* lunch as we certainly could not leave
Dinghy Dock, due to rain falling and the need to be assuring the
tourists that this was a GOOD thing. Some get it, some...do not, and do
not seem to understand why we can't make it perfectly dry, sunny, but
not TOO sunny, and only enough breeze to be cooling, not blowing their
dinner plates away. We do try. But sometimes, due to some inherent need
to take care of ourselves, we just have to welcome the rain. For my
hill friends, may it cover your ash.
The cart was...going to open, not going to open, should, but 2nd trip
to town brought rain, then none then maybe open, key in the right side
lock but friends offering a ride home at that moment. Sweep out Lake
Island Woman or get a ride all the way home and make beef jerky? Took
the ride. Now of course, the sun is working it's way
through...so...Island Woman is going fishing.
It's a tough life, but someone has to do it, and it might as well be us. |
| - Feel the power Bill!!! |
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It took Bill to say NO rain...A kid on the dock near me and I have taken up afternoon fishing. Not by plan but by...fishing something. Most of what I catch I release as it's small, he says he does the same. Today, the sky getting more and more overcast all day, tiny rainbits were hitting my face and we were both yelling "It's raining!!!" and doing a thank you dance...mine a bit more careful as my little dock is precarious at best and will tip right the hell over at worst. And as I type, it is still raining a wee bit, enough to have drops on the window louvers. Please Sir, can we have some more? “If you asked me what I came into this world to do, I will tell you: I came to live out loud.” —Emile Zola |
| - Sunrise |
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Good Morning, Another beautiful sunrise on Culebra. No rain in sight however. Things are super-dry: Zilch, Nada, Nothing in the way of moisture coming out of the clouds! Enjoy, William -- -- you at usa.com is available and 170 other free domains. Sign up at www.mail.com
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| - what's the weather |
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When my little weather radio stopped letting me know the temps, my
brother told me he was sending me a little weather station. I figured
it would have a temperature gauge and a barometer. Not that I know much
about barometers other than low, bad, high good (this is scientific
talk, I'll try to keep it simple in the future). But this has the
temperature and a hygrometer. I had no idea what a hygrometer was, but
apparently, a lot of people do and they've had time to learn about it,
since it was invented in 1783.
It seems this Swiss man, Horace-Bénédict de Saussure, came up with the idea of using a human hair to measure the amount of humidity in the air. Quite the trailblazer, our Horace, literally and figuratively, as he also invented a lot of other meters of sorts. My favorite is the cyanometer, used to estimate the blueness of the sky. He was also a mountain climber, a physicist and "a Swiss aristocrat" which I suppose was necessary to have educated people to tell about his inventions and travels. Or at least polite enough to not act bored. He did not invent the chocolaclockometer, which measures how much Swiss chocolate you have to eat in a certain amount of time before you get sick. That was someone else. He was on mountain tops and under water checking out heat and cold, naming plants he discovered and just generally your typical Swiss guy who decides he can figure out just HOW humid it is from a human hair. Go figure. Go Horace! So now I, and you, dear reader, know more about hygrometers than you might have known, or ever wanted to know before. But I still want a barometer...those glass kinds with the colored water in them look pretty cool. By the way, the temperature is exactly 70 degrees (it smells cold), and the humidity is 63%. My hair is dry. |
| - Happy Valentine's Day |
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For those newly in love, the weather will be perfect.For those who have loved together a long time, the weather will be what it is; these folks have learned to adapt, adjust and enjoy. For those who want to be in love, the weather might or might not be *good* today, they'll just have to wait and see. For those who think they don't need love, get out of the cave, the sun is shining somewhere and feels wonderful! Admit it! "Love doesn't make the world go 'round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile." Franklin P. Jones |
| - another glorious sunrise |
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One of those picture perfect sunrises...a bit of breeze and temps
warmer by about 8 degrees from previous recent mornings. The days have
been much warmer as well. Of course, those coming from near to sub zero
temps are loving it. I was holding out for a bit more *winter* weather.
Of course, it could switch around again...and maybe bring some rain
with it (hint, hint, universe).
“If you asked me what I came into this world to do, I will tell you: I came to live out loud.” —Emile Zola |
| - some sun, some clouds, some breeze |
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The weather has been so changable lately, for us, that anything I write
will be different in the next five minutes. I went to Vieques Saturday
by ferry - a smooth trip from Culebra to Fajardo, Fajardo to Vieques,
then sailed home with a friend on Sunday with a friend through some
very windy, rolly weather and a ripping current and had a blanket
wrapped around me by the time we got to the mooring ball in front of
the ferry dock. Spits of rain overnight - enough to make an Island
Woman cart puddle, rather than a lake. Then yesterday nice and
overcast, with St. Thomas reporting rain, but none for us.
Friends on the mountain that got the fire are covered with ash as it is
so dry that with the wind we've had, all surfaces inside are covered
with the stuff. We really could use some serious rain!
This morning it is still, with the bay looking like a lake, the sun
shining and the skies pale blue. For some reason, the plants scattered
around the yard with the hummingbird attracting red flowers keep
blooming, so I continue to get a hummingbird show...while any water
they get is coming from the hose during watering time...
Rain, please! |
| - a little real rain |
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Sitting in the gazebo with a friend drinking tea, we heard the small
pitter patter of real rain (she asked if my new hose was blowing up or
was this the real deal? My new hose is fine, thankfully!).
Over the bay more rain was falling hard.Now it is dry here, but easy to see rain out on the sea, under steely grey clouds that hold a hope of some much needed moisture, or if nothing more in the water works, at least a relief the unusual heat of full blare sun we've been having. The cart awaits, but it seems more a day to curl up with more tea and a good book...ah, the struggles I have. |
| - Deluge!!! |
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Snatched from sleep with the sound of water pounding, I could not
believe how hard it was coming down. I went to the door and the screen
was soaked, with water spraying through, soaking me in about two
seconds. Rain rarely comes through the door due to the direction it
faces, and never like this. And something else was amiss...there was no
rain sound on the roof. Or at the *rain* window. I was sure I was awake
because even my dreams don't include continuous water being sprayed in
my face.
No, it wasn't rain. This was a product of our extremely fluctuating water pressure. I foolishly forgot to put the valve to OFF on the hose by the door and as the pressure went up (and up and up - watering the gardens when it's this high is like letting a fire hose off, a delicate dance between watering and blasting the little darlings right out of the ground), the hose blew up in two places, sending geysers inside. I loved that hose, may it RIPieces. I was really hoping for rain. |
| - A bowl of starries |
|
(second sending, which is NOT like the second coming except for the
fact that it fits in the category of might show up, according to some)
One of the wonderful things about *I used to be a sailor* is having friends with boats come back and forth in your life with good stories and sometimes, magic moments. A friend of mine is buying a lovely schooner from another friend, who built her a long time ago (with his lovely at the time companion). Today she will be leaving Culebra to head for her new home, but last night, under crystal clear skies, we camped on her coach roof on old cushions with scratchy blankets. The sky was so clear that the stars covered every bit of sky, right down to the horizon. The water was calm, the boat solid and every waking moment filled with the intense beauty of stars slowly wheeling by, with a bright half moon until it too was gone. The stars faded with dawn. A cup of cowboy coffee made in the light of a hurricane lantern, and a quiet ride back to my own dock. I'll head on to the cart soon, back to another day, while the boat heads out of our bay. I'll see her another day, on another island. Fair winds. |
| - Raining inside |
|
|
With the cold front here, my tin roof was covered with water droplets (drop being the operative word) inside, in the early hours pre-dawn...something that has never happened before since I moved here. The bay is glass flat, with that strange atmospheric phenomenon farther out where there appears to be no horizon, just a sheet of silver. Mystical, beautiful, rare. According to one weather watcher I know, tonight will be even colder than last night, which was a quilt night. I'll be keeping the extra blanket handy. |
| - Whether weather |
|
Yesterday, warm and beautiful, with no real breeze until around 5,
making a cool, perfect afternoon. This morning, bird song is drowning
out roosters In still air, it is cool, looking over the water, I am
HOPING that is some overcast...we'll see.
Drifting to sleep last night, cozy under my blanket, I was composing lyrical but oh so witty bits on the weather for you, dear reader (ex. Warm morning, cart owner take warning, cold noche, good sleep approache - Dorothy Parker, shake in your buried high heels) when suddenly I realized it wasn't cool at all, it was seriously warm, if not hot. I threw off my blanket, doubting any integrity I possessed to report any weather and worrying if this is just going to be a time of life I have to doubt everything I think I am experiencing...(answer: yes). I wondered about women my age in cold climates. Do they throw off the covers, thinking they are hot, while their toes get frostbite? How do they explain in summer, after kicking those weighty boots to the back of the closet and bringing out those strappy sandals why they only have three toes? Or all of them missing toes, and smiling wisely at their young daughters saying, "Don't worry, it is a rite of passage, dear". Finally I realized I was cold again, and there was my trusty blanket, ready and waiting, same warmth without weight as ever, not the 10 pound wool I'd accused it of being. I slept. |
| - Culebra Fire |
|
Good Morning, Here is a photo of a portion of the aforementioned fire on Culebra last night. = Save up with Ambassador Hotel Tours Our packages are fully flexible to create your ideal vacation in Turkey. Book with us and save up. http://a8-asy.a8ww.net/a8-ads/adftrclick?redirectid=e227ca1c14bfb6dfea549b6f575e972c
|
| - Fire |
|
| Last night was clear, with a fair wind blowing, The glow in the sky was a mountain on fire, threatening homes, destroying one, with no loss of life. Another fire burned at the cemetery, on the other side of the bay, and was quickly contained - by neighbors and a stretched thin fire department, fighting the much larger fire first mentioned. The community turned out to work side by side with homeowners, friends and the professionals, who, as before, did an incredible job in an area with no city water, over a huge area. No doubt there are a lot of very exhausted people today, who will be watching for embers flaring up as there is still no rain in sight. A rough night for Culebra, bringing out the best of so very many. |
| - cold & beautiful |
|
|
A gorgeous sunrise is happening and there are more roosters crowing
than I have ever heard - well, except that time in Ceiba when it
sounded like all the tortured souls in the world were crying up from
the valley...that was scary. This isn't scary, just kind of annoying as
it goes into the third hour. Three o'clock in the morning is NOT dawn.
Isn't there a chicken union I can notify?
It is COLD. The button giving me temps on Mr. Weather Radio has
apparently bitten the dust, but according to my feet, it has to be
around 70 or freezing, I'm not sure. But the sunrise is so great I had
to do a walkabout in the yard, leaving my down filled parka, wool socks
and hat and thermal underwear behind.
There are dark clouds to the northeast - but I'm pulling for another
great blend of sunshine and cool temps as the day goes along.
|
| - Other water |
|
I was out in the still almost dark dawn watering the gardens when rain
started pouring down. Better water anyway! It is now barely pitter
pattering. There is a lot of overcast but at the edges to the east, the
sunrise is making gold clouds - even as the grey ones are drifting to
the west.
Should be a nice flight for my friends who are heading to the BVI's today (back to SJ by plane, then Tortola by plane, then...they forgot to ask about a better way, and there is one! Shhhh!) Speaking of friends! Sitting at the cart yesterday when a vehicle stops on the other side of the road and a woman comes dancing up to me waving something, which turns out to be steel wool! Yippie! She and her husband are here every year and read my plea before heading down. They told me they ran into the same problem about five years ago and totally understood, and had some extra which they packed up. Someone stopped me on the street saying sometimes at the big Home Depot on the big island it can be found, but I have some right NOW! Thanks and thanks and thanks again! Life is good. |
| - cold sunny |
|
|
Another beautiful bout of weather yesterday. At one point I fell asleep
in the hammock and woke up COLD, though it was only late afternoon. Out
to dinner with friends I actually wore pants (one said friend was
pretty surprised I even owned pants).
This morning is cool and breezy again, all fans off. I hope watering
the gardens doesn't make ice sculptures - though I did see some really
beautiful pics from the ice storms in the US at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6267273.stm . Pictures good,
reality...not so good.
|
| - weather perfect |
|
A glorious sunrise, breezy, sunny now with blue skies, cool temp.Company's comin'! I had no idea I had so many cobwebs here at ChezShack - aren't the lizards running around in here supposed to eat the spiders who are almost impossible to even see? Or maybe they do, but the feast is too much for them... Lucky for them they will be staying at Villa Fulladoza, with all wildlife outside where it belongs. No landcrabs in the shower, no iguanas on the roof...well, maybe iguanas on the roof, but I like that. We're easily entertained here. Renting a vehicle from Jerry's Jeeps. Jerry makes a map for each of his customers that has to rival a military map for its twists and turns. But Jerry explains everything...in his own special way. I think the maps are framable, and should be made into postcards and t-shirts, but Jerry says he just wants to do a tee shirt with a seat belt on it... Another perfectly paradoxical day in Paradise. |
| - Blustery |
|
|
Somehow, blustery never seemed a word to associate with the islands,
but yesterday and last night seem to fit the description quite well!
And this morning is following suit. The sun is shining, the wind is
blustering, and the sky is hazy blue. It feels wonderful, and great for
drying clothes on the line (or the fence, something done here a lot -
but you never see pokey marks from the chain link tops in the
clothes... yet another life mystery I have to live with).
|
| - Natch |
|
As soon as I posted last night, the power came back on, the wind picked
up considerably and the rain fell harder, though not for long.
This morning, the sky is red and the wind is still kicking around with some strength. The radar, working again, shows quite a bit of rain over the northwest of the big island (where there is a high surf advisory - imagine the Rincon surfers will be happy today) and lots of little blobbettes all around the rest of us. Having bought a new, HUGE umbrella for the cart, I am ready!! |
| - Still |
|
The power is out, the air is still, rain is barely falling and the
mosquitos are making the most of it. It is not quite cool enough to
hide under a blanket but a sarong works.
A trip to and from the big island today was a pleasure on our fast ferry (NOT a hydroplane one, but Atlantis, the one that doesn't take an hour and a half), with fairly calm water. Less than an hour both times; way to go, Capt. Gene! Three rainbow sightings (make note to self: do NOT point out beautiful rainbow to driver on Rt. 3 during morning traffic again) and dramatic clouds, cool air made it a perfect day to stock up and not have to go back for a couple of months. I am once again addicted to grape tomatoes though, and have a giant stash for now. Apparently though, steel wool is a very exotic item, unknown in Puerto Rico, provoking head shakes, calls to managers, conferences in the aisles and ultimate no's all around, not just "No steel wool" but more like, "No, we don't know what it is and we don't have any." Have you ever tried to describe steel wool??? So...to all of you who keep asking "What would you like me to bring you from where ever" the answer at the moment is...steel wool please! |
| - It's cold. |
|
|
Two blankets last night a vague rememberance this morning of other
mornings other places - not wanting to get up *quite yet* because under
the covers felt good and cozy. Mr. weather radio says 73 F right now.
No doubt the day will get warm as the sun is shining brightly. My bay
looks like a lake with no movement of air here at the moment.
Of course - that's my take, sitting in a sleeveless top and shorts,
barefoot. As we say so often, yep, it's different here...
|
| - Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (The day of the Three Magi) |
|
"Three Kings Day - a traditional gift-giving holiday on the island
(celebrated each year on January 6), commemorates the day that the
three Wise Men (Balthasar, Melchoir and Gaspar) brought gifts to the
Christ child. On the evening of January 5, boys and girls place clumps
of hay or grass and a bowl of water for the Kings' camels in boxes
under their beds. Custom has it that the grateful Three Kings leave
presents at children bedsides to thank them for their gifts of food and
water."
Today is the culmination of the Christmas holiday season, a very important holiday! Starting last night and continuing today, bigger than Christmas Eve and Christmas Day here, there will be a parade of the Three Kings arrival, the paso fino will be out in the streets, family dinners will be feasts. Today the cart will be closed. I don't need the Three Kings on my case, stealing any of their moment. Something about karma...(I'm an all-purpose religious type - as one friend says, whatever works!) I didn't leave any grass under my bed, unless some is growing there that I don't know about, but horses on the porch is enough - the camels will just have to find the other good children in the barrio. It feels like winter to me. 76 F with strong breezes. A bit of rain around dawn, but now the sun is shining, with plenty of clouds scattered around. We might get a bit of rain on and off, but for now, it looks like another beautiful day. |
| - Paradox paradise |
|
The weather has been so beautiful lately, there isn't much to say about
it except, wow. The little rain storms make for great rainbows and
amazing clouds. Today, in a perfectly blue sky came along a cloud so
black and so big, while the sun kept shining. I closed the cart and
went over to hang out with a friend who has a store with a ROOF,
getting there just in time for the big drops to come plopping down. The
sun still shone. The black cloud moved around a bit, rain moved around
a bit, then sun and sun and more sun with a great breeze. At least I
think it was great - I know a few sailors trying to go south that
aren't quite as thrilled about it. That is how it goes though, and none
mind being stuck here a bit longer...
I got an email awhile back, a very nice guy telling me, more or less "they would be back soon" and hoped to see me again. Since I talk to a LOT of people, I wasn't quite sure who this was but figured when face to face I would remember. After the second email, I realized, I was NOT the MJ they thought I was, but the *other* MJ. We cleared that up nicely and he asked if I'd like anything from Wisconsin. Jokingly, I wrote, well CHEESE of course. Today at the cart a guy comes up and says, you don't know me but....and I realized right away who it was. We laughed, talked about the other MJ a bit and then he said, I have something for you. I couldn't imagine what it was when he handed me some gorganzola cheese from Wisconsin! Well!!! That is about my favorite cheese - though I think I could pretty much live on any *real* cheese and as anyone familiar with Culebra knows, good cheese is hard to find and gorgonzola impossible. I tried to give him some hot sauce but he was off and running to the airport after delivering some kayaks and left me grinning. Just another one of those wonderful Culebra moments that make living here so good. Thanks, Cheese Guy!!! |
| - La bella luna |
|
|
The full moon is riding high over the cloud banks, bright enough to
make moon shadows. Another beautiful day in Paradox, with couple of
hard, brief rains to cool things off. My weather radio thermometer
shows 76 inside...blankie night for sure!
|
| - A perfect day first 2007 |
|
After a fantastic party in the streets last night - some good rain
showers but clearing by 10 ish, (thanks F & A for opening the doors,
even though The Spot is not OPEN yet!, good live music, drink, some way
too smoke filled firework things on the street, seeing everyone I've
ever met on Culebra - with the Wiki wristband party finishing the
night/morning) today dawned with a bit of rain. After that the weather
could not have been more beautiful, cool enough to raise goose bumps
mid-afternoon.
A few small rain showers today, but mainly good breezes, some bright
overcast with full blast sun in between, and perfect temps.
Early on the streets were very very quiet but the few and brave and not
too hung over ventured out, followed by the hungry, wondering what to
do about food. There is ALWAYS some place to eat here eventually, but
it can mean a bit of a search, or a bit more of a wait. On Culebra,
most everything is closed on this day, so the places that were open
were very busy - rest well tonight, good worker bees.
Thanks for all the interesting stats, Bill! May we have another year of such good weather.
A traveller without observation is a bird without wings
Saadi-Persia
|
| - No Chit-Chat, Just the Facts |
|
Good Morning & Happy New Year, Attached please find data and charts from 20 years of rainfall collection on Culebra, PR. You will see with 42.1 inches of rain this year, we are just slightly below the average of 45.5 per year. Culebra remained pleasantly green all year, with just some recent browning. A good year to keep our cisterns topped-off. Enjoy '07, William -- ___________________________________________________ Search for products and services at: http://search.mail.com
|
| - Fwd: Happy New Year!! |
|
|
Trying again...maybe this will show up before it IS the New Year!!! Begin forwarded message: From: M J <mjstark at coqui.net>A traveller without observation is a bird without wings Saadi-Persia |
| - Spellcheck |
|
| That's rain, not rian. Rian is something completely different (just out of curiosity I looked up *rian* and this is the most interesting thing I found, from a blog called rianjs - "In my Facebook profile I have said that “Rian is feeling spongy” or “Rian is a sponge”. This is because I have re-developed the ability to read and retain almost all information after only reading it once..." Ok? Now you know. |
| - high pressure, sky dry cry |
|
Maybe it's because I haven't had coffee yet but the forecast seemed
full of oddness today. Because last night was full of rain, high gusts,
and for a few minutes, the sound of thunder. There may have been
lightning but I was making hot sauce with my eyes on the goal of
finishing, rather than the sky.
Here is the one part of today's weather bit. "Long term...high pressure will continue to dominate the weather pattern with generally dry weather conditions interrupted by areas of clouds and showers embedded in the trade winds."So...dry, but sometimes it will rian. Gotcha. (Is it just me or does the word embedded seem to be seriously overused?) |
| - A wonderful weather line |
|
|
Sun, then overcast, then black, then rain. Close cart (well, right before the rain). Rain stops, open cart, overcast, breezy, perfect for me today. A couple visitors (out of a LOT...suddenly our streets are full of rental cars, restaurants and bars are swamped, it's heeerrrrreeee) asked "Is this a good day to go to the beach?" As we rarely have lightning, I figure when it's warm and you are getting wet anyway, why not go to the beach? If by chance it does start with the bright white light, leave. Maybe I like it because so many people flee the beach with a few drops of rain and it is kind of fun to watch and then enjoy the solitude. Or maybe I'm just...nah, can't be that. I got an email today with a line in it that may be the best description I've read - ever?? <x-tad-bigger>"Weather forecasts are horoscopes with numbers."</x-tad-bigger><x-tad-bigger> </x-tad-bigger> |
| - Sound of silence |
|
Having turned off the fans last night in the coolness, it was amazing
how absolutely quiet it was (and is) when I woke up this morning. There
is not a breath of air stirring.
As it's still dark, I can't see the water, which must look like a lake right now. Even the early roosters sound like they are crowing from deep inside a barrel. But the stars are out, so unless things change a lot between now and later, the sun worshippers should be pleased today. I will be huddled under my umbrella avoiding excess el Sol and thinking about an end of the day swim. |
| - Rain/sun |
|
Waking up to a barely there rain was a surprise. But while it is
overcast, the sun is coming through over the edge of a really ominous
looking cloud to the southeast. A slight turn of the gaze brings a
patch of pale blue sky but a 90 degree turn and all the rest looks grey
grey grey.
so it will be one of those "Forecast is 50%. Where will that be?" days.
Maybe we even got our share for the day. I watered the gardens anyway,
because I don't want the hummingbird who takes a bath on the avocado
tree leaves to miss his morning slip and slide in the spray of the
hose.
Yesterday truly was perfect weather all day and into the night. The annual Christmas party was feast and fun, as ever. The taxi guy trundling us up and down the mountain kept his smile from the loading of food and people up to taking us, slightly more wobbly (hey, emptyhanded means a lack of balance - I'm pretty sure), down. Today is Boxing Day. If you have wondered (or heard and forgotten) about what the heck is Boxing Day, here's a good source for info. http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/boxingday.htmlAny holiday that supports the serving class, includes drinking hot wine (ok, so fox might have a bad day, but...there are no fox on Culebra...of the four legged variety), and being with family sounds good to me. There must be a Puerto Rican holiday of some sort today, but I forget what it might be. |
| - noches buenos <sp?> |
|
I learned tonight, ONLY tonight, Christmas Eve, we can say Noches
Buenos, so I did...a lot. It had been a beautiful day weather wise,
starting with a very overcast morning, hints of rain that never panned
out more than a bit of spit (hmmmmm).
Lunch with another working friend closed the cart for the day. It was too hot to sit there, even though the day was breezy and beautiful and I'd rather see the children on Santa's lap at Milka's (one of our markets - Santa comes and gives out gifts to the waiting children...they got REALLY cool colored balls of basketball size. I wanted one bad and was about ready to wrestle some child for it, but they looked too happy -where are brats when you need them most?). Earlier, before lunch with friend and nefarious thoughts of ball stealing, I'd been standing in the middle of the bridge (cart was open but only a few yards away, hey, it's Culebra...I can go to the store, buy a water, come back...all is well) and I saw what I thought was a giant jelly fish. HUGE in fact. But we looked closer and my friend said, um, that's a bicycle! And it was...the tire rim reflecting the light made it look like (yeah yeah, but it DID!!!). Anyway, on to lunch, at Mamacitas, on the little canal. I see Jack, a guy who told me his bike was stolen (though I heard stories of someone trying to find the owner...yeah yeah, island stuff, but that did happen too) in his strange and wonderful boat Muff coming up the canal. I could tell he was looking for the bike that someone had told him about and went to the wall to tell him it was back by the bridge. He went back there...we went by road. My friend climbed down and Jack got him on the boat as they swayed over the bike and a young guy very familiar with the bridge, tossed bikes and much more said, as the old guys struggled to get the bike with crazy equipment..."Someone should just jump in and grab it." I said, yep!!!! you are right, jump in! And to some tourist delight (by now they were video taping), Josh took off his shirt, though not his pants - disappointing at least ONE of the camera couple - and dove in, snatched the bike, got it aboard with the help of the old (but hunky, trust me!) guys, heaved himself aboard and lo and behold! It WAS the stolen bike, prankstered in the shallow canal. The tourists promise video shot email. If the shot comes out, it will be in our local monthly, the Culebra Calendar. Because....as all of you island types knows (and we have our own belief on how sweet it is here)...hey, it really DOES take an island sometimes! (yep, this was way too long a post, but it was an exceptional day and lucky for my dear faithful reader, I left out the REST of the whole NIGHT!!!! including our mention in the Boston Globe which can be checked out...oh...cough...never mind). The weather is perfect. The moon is bright. Noches buenos! and a glorious Christmas Day to all, whether you celebrate the holiday or not...a beautiful day is a beautiful day, si?? Oops!!! It is nine minutes into Christmas Day! Well, I'm fakin' it. As Tiny Tim said...did you bring me anything? |
| - Later and better |
|
This year the paranda truck gets to my barrio sometime after 5 instead
of the 3 a.m. it used to be. I didn't mind the 3 a.m. but this is
great...waking up under a blanket in cool air to the sound of good
steel pan Christmas music (for some reason, the music is always good -
music I never hear any other time).
I get up, put tea on and walk in the yard to look at the sky, still black at that time, stars bright. Yesterday the Southern Cross was hanging there on the horizon, brilliant. Today it is very overcast, and now the edges of the cloud bowl are just getting lighter with dawn. It is cool enough to keep the blanket wrapped around. Another winter morning in Paradox. The music fades out, the tea is strong, Christmas lights make up for temporarily missing stars. A very good Christmas Eve day start, a perfect ending of Hannukah. I'm sure there's some Kwanza stuff going on, I'll check my date book. |
| - it isn't really hot...they say |
|
It seems I've got, or had, or am getting over, whatever is going around
(yep, Tortola, it's here too). I hate to call it *plane flu* this early
in the season, but one friend has walking pneumonia, and a few others
aren't doing 100%. Friends told me today that it wasn't really hot,
that it must be whatever is keeping me on energy low level and/or the
way the cart sits - which is full blast in the winter sun. I'm sure
they are right as when I'm in the middle of the bridge (10 feet one way
with the breeze blasting through) or ten feet the other way (past the
fire station, almost to Milka's market, in the shade of the trees),
it's not bad at all. My umbrella needs a mist factor - I need to work
on that). Right now it is cool and the fans are off, only the sound of
wavelets hitting my tiny beach. Oops...minor cat fight out there...
Traffic is increasing, more baby traffic jams at my four corners by the cart, a lot of new faces coming and going. I am seriously considering becoming the troll at the bridge of fairy tales, information 1.00 - where to eat, where to stay, how to get to this beach, that beach, this store, that store, the ferry (which ALWAYS makes me pause...I guess sometimes Culebra is so small, it is confusing that it is so easy to get around). One man said today, "What is with the restaurants here? No breakfast? Serving lunch now?" Well, it WAS 11:30...and breakfast ended at most places around 11. I bit my tongue and suggested he go for lunch. He bit his tongue and waddled off. Few and far between, as most are just really glad to be in Tranquillo Zone. Walking home late this afternoon, cloudy skies making an awesome sunset, I was behind four teenage girls, all singing. They stopped someplace, I was in front of them. I stopped someplace, I was behind them again. They sang so beautifully in Spanish, almost all the way home. When they broke off to go up another street, the music truck was coming along with more Christmas music, the sky was flaming, the air was cool. I got home, and walked around the gardens - the purple orchid is going crazy again - and once again realized the gift of living here. Felizidades! |
| - Wreaths and smiles and TV, oh my! |
|
While the weather here yesterday seemed to take a step back into pretty
hot without much breeze, Christmas truly arrived in the form of the
wreaths George and Jane bring to us. Is there something genetic
involving the smell of fir/pine boughs that soothes the soul? All I
know is it is wonderful to open the cart each morning enveloped in
fragrance from a place far away. Two Canadian women were at the cart
when the wreath arrived - they may not have quite understood the very
big deal, but no doubt they were amused.
Yesterday evening our own SnapperFarm (the fish farm located far out in
the water around Culebra) was on national US television, World News and
Nightline. Neil set up the big screen tv in the bar at Dinghy Dock and
people in the dining area wondered why people at the bar were clapping
and yelling (withOUT singing Happy Birthday). It was so much fun to see
Culebra pointed out on a map on television - they sure don't do that
during Hurricane season! and to see the very hard work that the guys
and Johanna do rewarded with such positive coverage. Bring on the cobia
sashimi!! If you haven't eaten cobia, here's a personally tested plug
for it...it is one of the best fish and whether it's grilled, broiled,
or eaten as sushi and/or sashimi (my favorite), it is fantastic.
Another day in Paradox! |
| - another perfect day...ho hum (not) |
|
This morning was cool and beautiful, leading into a bit of a hot day,
ending in the right now, an afternoon into evening of perfect
temperature. There is a bit of breeze (at least enough to get my
landlord out for his nightly sail, I just saw him walking through the
side yard to his boat), it must be enough to keep the mosquitos away,
as I haven't been bitten yet.
Some tourists came by the cart today and commented on how quiet it is here. I told them they were here at the perfect time, everything is open now and the filled rooms and all rented rental jeeps are still a few days away. They live on a tiny island in Michigan and know the tourist season routine. I tried to fathom living on an island in a place that gets so cold...and failed. Thank goodness there are people who really do enjoy that white stuff or EVERYone would be here! Fun things of the season...friends get parents, children, relatives down and you get to meet FAMILY. People you have known for years suddenly become daughters, sons, fathers or mothers. So many of us have moved so far from where we came from and have become our own family of strange sorts. It's great to meet the real thing. Teresa's retirement party was wonderful. Great food, plenty to drink and a wide variety of people who don't always get together, but did, because of Teresa being who she is. As always at events of this sort, you find out things you never knew about someone you think you know a bit. Teresa spent 14 official (and more un-officially) years giving herself to Culebra - the environment, the people, the strays (humans and animals alike) and much more. She is who we said to call or called ourselves if an animal was poisoned or sick (she has antidotes), or if something seemed amiss on the island. While she couldn't always fix it, she cared enough to find out how it might be fixed. Fluent in Spanish, she is one of the seriously adopted daughters of Culebra and last night was all about her. Her comment? She didn't do it herself, she just helped things happen with the help of many, many others. And she really IS like that. Enjoy not being under the rule book, Teresa! We're still going to call you. |
| - lots of sun and Lake Island Woman |
|
|
Today started as another perfect day. But as the sky got cloudy, I knew
rain was coming. Would it be a little or a lottle? It was a little,
then a lottle...the dip in the road in front of the cart that I call
Lake Island Woman filled. I swept it out as the rain stopped. It rained
again....Teresa, our Fish and Wildlife person, came by. Once before
she'd asked me to close up, so the sun would shine (this happens often)
and she asked again..."In a half an hour or so, MJ, could you act like
you are closing the cart?" By then it had rained a WHOLE lottle and
looked like more was coming, so close the cart I did. Of course, the
sun came out...and there was Teresa, wondering if there was something
maybe a little strange going on..."That's twice now, MJ..."
The sun only lasted awhile, but I was at Dinghy Dock by then, watching
the rain blast down on the other side of the harbour and getting us
only slightly wet. Then the sun was out to stay....coolness, not steam.
Not bad.
Tomorrow we will gather at BarbaraRosa's for Teresa's retirement party
(if you haven't heard about it, start cooking). Almost all of our
parties here are of the *bring something to eat and whatever you drink*
variety and it always works out well - there are some magic closet
chefs here. I think that the deviled sea turtle eggs and sea turtle
soup are covered. Someone mentioned bringing the manatee steaks and I'm
sure I overheard that the decorations of mangrove branches and living
coral are being put together. I think the only thing missing would be
some sea hawk bits on crackers, but someone will do it. It's going to
be a fine time. Hey, has anyone looked into grabbing a couple of those
goats off of Luis Pena??? It's not too late!
|
| - It's cold and miserable somewhere... |
|
...but not here. When the skies are brilliant blue and the sun is
shining and there is enough of a breeze to keep it on the cool side,
with the water still warm enough to be enjoyed, the only thing to write
about this weather is: Don't forget to call your friends in those
*other* places and let them know ALL about it! Kindness is good, try
not to snicker too much until you hang up.
Happy Channakah! |
| - Birthday karma |
|
|
Sitting at one of the dock edge tables and getting a bit of an early
start before the worker bees arrived, the Sunshine birthday girl
glances in the water and says, MJ, is that money? I look and agreed,
after realizing it wasn't a beer bottle label. Looking closer, it
looked like something bigger than a single, which made it worth
getting. The birthday girl clamored down into a friend's dinghy and,
using a paddle, gently got the bill moving upward. One of the chefs
also wielded a paddle of some sort and between them, the bill came to
the top. By now everyone in the bar (and upstairs at the On Island
store) were paying attention. Sunshine girl grabs the bill and it's a
50! The bar got a round of drinks, we celebrated serendipity, and
eventually moved on to Bahia Marina, where we found another birthday
girl, the young and beautiful version. Tables were put together and
while for some reason the rest of the place cleared out rather rapidly,
the owner was all smiles to hear us sing Happy Birthday yet another
time. The weather held steady to perfect.
Another friend had a birthday yesterday, celebrating over on Jost. I
raised a glass for Danny, so close but so far. Love you, guy! Hope my
hug and kiss and a little dance made it over the water to you.
|
| - and the rain comes down... |
|
|
...which is better than the alternative, the plants would be so confused. Last night's rain started like a fire engine hose on the roof, then stopped, started again, a tin roof shock alarm that somehow makes sleeping easier. Today started sunny - but now it is dark and rainy - looking at the radar it could be a pattern for the day (but it could just get sunny again and stay that way). Such a science, weather. P! It's getting close to paranda time again...music in the streets, going house to house eating, drinking and singing. Shouldn't everyone be doing that during the holidays at 3 in the morning? I think so. In the VI's it's called a tramp, and no doubt other islands have the tradition under other names. Some complain about very loud music in the early hours, but I like it. It's part of where I live and what the people here do...different than where I grew up, and that's one of the reasons I live here. It IS different. A few of us will start early this evening with a birthday paranda, celebrating one of the Sunshine Girls...hope the rain is gone by then. |
| - Update |
|
After a long night of music (see below that somehow didn't get posted)
under clear skies, today is turning out the same, with a tiny sprinkle
on the way home this afternoon, while the winds pick up a bit, making
it pretty close to perfect. Of course, there could be a gale blowing
up, but right this minute all is fine.
From last evening:The 20 percent chance of rain hit us this morning, all 20 percent. Then the sun shone hot, but in the shade, it was still cool and breezy. Tonight, the sky is clear. There is what seems to be an annual Christmas party across the water, a house only used occasionally - I always imagine it's some business guy from San Juan., Eight or more huge sport fishing boats are rafted up, lit like Christmas trees. A good band is playing salsa, with the occasional romantic ballad thrown in, and every sound of any good party sounds out, laughter, talking. It isn't hard to imagine the dancing and drinking, but from my dock all to be seen are boats and lights from the tents set up in the yard, with people occasionally moving boat to boat. This party always runs into the wee hours and with clear skies ahead, it will be wee hours indeed. Maybe I should invite myself over, I bet the food is great...I say this every year and once again, I'll go to sleep to the music instead. Christmas, PR style, has, for me, officially begun. (uh oh, I just heard him yell out karaoke...this could get bad) |
| - update |
|
|
As it turns out, there really WAS a mistake (or two or three) and I
didn't win second place at the chili contest after all as Culebra runs
true to form! One of the bomb squad guys, Calley <sp?> won, with Zach
in second and me hauling around my crock pot like a winner wanna be.
But I get to keep the prize anyway, because...well, it's Culebra. And
Calley gets a prize bar tab, which I think he'll like better than
sweets (Calley wanna cookie?). Let's do it again soon - I like the odds
- that's why I live here.
Hot and still today, with a generous short-lived rain shower (you're
welcome, Theresa) but it has already cooled off enough to turn off the
desk fan. Good sleeping weather ahead. Hasn't the moon been amazing?
|
| - Change is good |
|
Wind and rain and chilly weather perfect for the chili cook off and
Christmas bazaar last night.
Ok, not really, just seeing if you are paying attention.It wasn't windy or rainy or chilly, but there really was a chili cook off. And I really did win 2nd prize and I really don't know how that happened. If it was a mistake, too bad, I already have begun plundering my prize of gourmet goodies - but I'll share. By my very scientific weather observations, even without those fierce winds from last week, it truly is cooler. I know this because I didn't see anyone dripping sweat into their chili last night with a large crowd in a small space. Along with eating, there were other goodies to buy with profits going to help support the small private school here (don't let the phrase *private school* fool you, as with much else with Culebra, posh and prim don't apply, caring about the kids and good teaching does). This morning is pretty still with a breath of coolness left from the night - good news for snorklers and fisher folk, What's the next cook-off? I'm feeling as giddy as a Betty Crocker prize winner and I'm ready to go for No. 1! |
| - oh what a night |
|
|
Working backward...the last words spoken were GOING to be..."Gasolina,
grande" pointing to my nose at the truck pulled over fast in front of
me, and the guy saying back, gasolina?? <sniffing the wind> thank you!
Dont' know what that was about...The wind is still hard and the smell
of gas was blowing in my nose. Maybe that's why they pulled over, maybe
not.
Before that, the last words were yelled out of a vehicle "Love you!" in
a voice I may or may not have recognized. Before that was a wonderful
few hours celebrating the 60 years of life my friend Linda has spent on
the earth, with many friends along for the joy. Cool winds - ok,
shivering at Dinghy Dock...we liked it.
BUT. The last words I heard spoken on my walk home (I could have stayed
but you know how it's time to go home? It was time) were from a very
young man walking along, who knows me slightly, Do you know what time
it is? Reply, I don't have a clue, and in fact I didn't until this
second looking at the computer clock, which reads almost 10 p.m., Oh
my! VERY late for me. Go well, young man.
In the mid afternoon of the day, sitting at the cart, a phalanx of
people, men in suits and women dressed beautifully, came toward me. I
thought, this is the wedding party or Culebra is in a heap of trouble.
The lead man, smiling hugely, said, I'm one of them, it's now, I'm the
one (this is a loose quote, ok?) and I knew, and he reached out, we
hugged. I figured out later that "one of them" meant he was the groom -
we're fast on Culebra that way....
The weather (oh yeah, this is a weather report, I haven't quite
forgotten) had turned beautiful, sun and high wind - men in suits not
sweating! (well, maybe he was a bit). And then on to celebrate my
friend Linda's years on earth.
Oh. Can life be better? Maybe, but I'm satisfied. The night goes on,
wind blowing high, moon lighting up our earth. Temp indoors says 80 but
it feels chilly to me. The moon isn't legally full but it doesn't
matter. It's Culebra full moon night tonight.
|
| - update |
|
|
This afternoon turned out to be incredibly beautiful with blue skies,
still lots of wind but that just kept it cool. Of course, I'd already
decided to go home. Oops, had to play in the yard instead...actually
trying to help a returned certain BIRTHDAY girl get her engine in
order. I stand around handing things, she works on it...but alas, the
engine won for today. I did learn that iguanas swim with their tails,
not their legs, which are aerodynamically flat against their
sides...probably everyone knows that but I didn't until one swam by the
dinghy formally known as useful. Nature's little amusing way of
saying....engines? Silly humans!
Also, I was told that the engine fire that happened on Atlantis (the
ferry) was not really a big deal at all and easily fixed. Once the
winds cooperate (and they may have this afternoon, I don't know as I
wasn't in town - it's sooooooooo far away), it will be back to to and
fro'ing. Good.
Good luck for all the wedding people who have had a bit of a rough time
working around our weather! Something about that 1000 mile journey, one
step thing...best of wishes, bride and groom! No matter what the
weather, you're on Culebra, you're in love and starting a new time in
your lives, and that makes it all fine (that's my story and I'm
sticking to it).
|
| - A horse of course |
|
|
While looking at the radar and listening to the rain and wind in the
trees, I looked out the door because of a strange clanking sound. There
were two horses, practically on my little porch, feasting on the seed
pods of the nasty riyoh <sp?> trees. The clanking sound came from a
small bucket that has somehow gotten tangled in the tail of one of the
horses. Since it is VERY close to her back legs, I had to let it stay
there (no halters to grab onto) as replacing my front teeth is not on
my list of things to do today. I guess it's as good as a bell...
Delicate steps around the gardens, just going around on the paths
eating seed pods. Pretty big ballerinas. They have wandered away for
now...just a little unscheduled entertainment in the rain, Culebra
style.
|
| - High seas, wind advisories |
|
Well, yeah!The wind advisory is in effect until noon today here, with the high seas advisory in effect until tomorrow morning. Rain on and off all night, with some slashing down right now. My yard is littered with seed pods, flowers, small branches and many leaves, but the banana quit nest holds tight to its swaying branch. Smart birds. It seems to be a good day to cook soup or chili (practice for the chili cook off next week!), and curl up with a good book in my own nest... |
| - the last at last |
|
|
And so, good-bye November 2006. We've been blessed with a quiet year.
The Christmas winds are upon us and all is well.
Today Ensenada Honda looked like a washing machine on the Crazy cycle,
the wind funneling down the canal where the bridge is was enough to
literally rock you off your stride. But at the cart, 15 feet away, it
was, with a house and a lot of trees blocking the gale, just breezy.
Mid-day I found out that my friends didn't get out of here this morning
as planned; I was sitting at the cart thinking what a nice evening we'd
had, and rejoicing over my gift bottle of mamajuana (a homemade
rum/honey/who knows what else brew from St. Croix - made by Norma from
the pig bar up in the rain forest - if you get to St. Croix, it's a
must go place - toss the pigs some beer, chat with Norma and check out
the mamajuana), that they left at the cart on their way to the airport,
when I look up and there is Valerie, laughing at my jaw dropping to see
her still here. We had a shot or two of mamajuana while she explained
the windy situation. The pilot from St. Thomas had bailed on them
completely, but another finally agreed to try it (landing here - it's
tricky in any weather and gusty?...well, I'll say no more), coming from
St. Croix. I haven't seen or heard from them so I figure they are on
Tortola (plane to STT, ferry to Tortola) now. Another exciting day in
Paradox.
I staked up my bent over trees, and watch the sky. We've had some
amazing rainbows lately. The sun keeps waking up later and going to bed
earlier. Welcome, December!
|
| - oops! forgot |
|
|
Barbara, the socks are on the way! Had to mash up some plantains, draw
out the fibers, weave a bit and learn how to make socks from some
wonderful Culebrense women - and then find a fisherman who would go out
far enough to toss them (safely wrapped) in the current headed toward
you. Be on the beach in about 35 hours. Love, MJ (stay warm!)
|
| - Ferry engine fire...no harm, but foul |
|
|
The ferry 'Atlantis' had an engine catch on fire today....friends just back from US were on it. Jane said, I just was so glad we didn't have to change boats in those seas!!! The able ferry guys got the fire put out quickly but such a drag!!! Atlantis was our *fast* ferry, taking a bit more than an hour instead of an hour and a half, Fajardo to home. We'll probably not see it again for a long time. Wonder if we even have another ferry, because we haven't had Atlantis in ages. No doubt there is something that works...somewhere...to get us to and fro. The winds are still blowing hard; it's so beautiful and cool. Friends are leaving here tonight (a week here and tonight a farewell dinner that could be counted as legal extra baggage and so incredibly delicious, from The Fox's Lair (thank you Suzy! thank you Tasito!), over from St. Croix and heading to Tortola (how DO you get off of Culebra anyway??? It's not easy but we figured it out eventually....hooray Ace Flights) to go sailing on a Cruising World sail with Fatty Goodlander, spread out among nine boats. With these winds, they should be scooting right smart! Fair winds, following seas, V & T!!! Don't forget my wine. Notice how when it gets cool and lovely, the energy level goes up? Or maybe it's just me...but I don't think so. |
| - A good day for drying clothes on the line? |
|
|
79 degrees and gusty! Rain last night has the plants in the gardens
looking happy and made for excellent sleeping weather. The fans are
off, for now.
A banana quit has built a nest in the outer branch of a tree right over
the garden closest to my house. I don't know if it is confused and
thinks this is spring or if it just feels like good nest building
weather. Or maybe she just likes rock and roll. I hope the tiny eggs
will be safe in the wind, or the iguanas are going to get some teeny
omelets one of these days...
|
| - sunny to strange 0 to 60 |
|
A gilt edged sunrise...gentle rain in the sun...clouds move in...temp
drops a bit...a feeling of *something's in the air and I think it is
rain* coming on.
I watered the gardens. Of course! |
| - protest'in the sun |
|
Today started early, as in 5:30 in the morning early, stars still
shining, coolness in the air. I was dressed (literally, a dress! oh my)
and waiting for my ride to the ferry with my friend, to go to Fajardo
for a protest at the courthouse. A protest, yes, remember that word?
There is a bad man here on Culebra, who also haunts on the big island
of Puerto Rico, using the power of his wallet to take what is not his
own. But, no matter the weather, a goodly group of Culebrense, local
and adopted, went out in the dawn with a beautiful sunrise to protest
this man trying to steal access to a local beach, protected by ancient
law, that he has decided he owns, along with his newly bought property.
Drive there at your own risk, but try it often!!!
The coolness we've enjoyed recently disappeared in the last couple of
days. But old people and young people and a bunch of in the middle
people marched in picketing stride, joined by a great group called
Amigos del Mer (Friends of the Sea) who brought along banners,
enthusiasm and stamina. We sweat, we chanted, and kept moving while
court churned along. Water was provided, rests were taken, to begin
again. I learned some new Spanish phrases, one about being united and
not failing. My favorite protest sign was painted onto a Chinese
parasol - one I think a few of us will try next time. Shade and
message! Go Dione!
The outcome? Postponed until January, after the holiday blitz. The trip
home? All of us on the ferry (we even got the faster, newer ferry, life
is good) spread out but together. Beautiful weather, a new breeze and
coolness coming in, sleeping on the benches in between talking about
what the day had brought. Another strange and beautiful day in Paradox.
Tonight it is still cool, with a front moving in. Surf's up! |
| - Happy Thanksgiving |
|
There is a weird cloud outside, shaped like a very ungainly bird...the
air smells like food, and the sun is shining. The chickens are very,
very quiet...
Happy Thanksgiving to all of the Americans; enjoy your friends and
family (and thanks to Screen & Bike Steve for showing up to keep one
group bug free later today), and thanks to all the rest of you for
keeping us all informed all during the H season and the rest of the
year.
Buen provencho! |
| - Where'd the sun go? |
|
|
What started as a sunny morning is, at the moment, changing to a cloud
covered sky, with the breeze picking up to windiness. It looks like it
could rain, but it might just be a really nice, cool day - it's the
guessing game, again! But...it's 85 degrees here on this day before
American Thanksgiving, and snow was seen last night in Central
Florida...'nuff said.
|
| - Christmas winds? |
|
|
Sitting at the cart yesterday with some breeze out of the southwest (yes) I was almost ready to turn off the fan when suddenly the wind seriously picked up, the temp seemed to drop a couple of notches and a woman called out from her car, "I think the Christmas winds just started!!". The fan got a much needed break for the rest of the afternoon. And as the breeze blows strongly cool this morning, 83 degrees not laden with humidity and morning light sparkling on the water, I have to agree - it sure feels like Christmas winds! We'll see. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...good chance it's a chicken in disguise. |
| - Faint |
|
Faint rain, faint breeze, faint sun, faint haze, faint slapping of
water on my tiny bit of shore on a cool morning here. Along with that
light that makes all the different shades of green stand out like they
are lit up from the inside. Another beautiful morning of a different
sort in Paradox.
Yesterday, while doing chat lite with a couple at the bar, I asked if they were enjoying Culebra and the man said they were from a nearby island, implying it was a bit of the same old same old. I did the *huh?* face and sputtered something, then moved on to mutual people known on that other island...because most of the people I know here, gringos and Culebrense alike, no matter how long they have lived here, express at least once a week, some much more, how lucky we are to live here, and how, waking up in the morning and looking around outside keeps knocking us for a bit of a *oh joy* loop. There is something so strong about this place. It's good to wake up in the morning, every day, and think, Wow, aren't I the lucky one? |
| - I want my blankie! |
|
I woke up around 4 this morning, not because of insomnia, but because I
was COLD! My normal covering of a cotton sheet (which can turn into a
down filled sleeping bag on those oh so hot nights) felt like it was
made of something the weight and thickness of Kleenex.
I'm usually one of those disgusting types who can wake up and be ready
to go in about 7 minutes. But when I am cold - I pretty much can't
function. Curled in a ball under my big piece of Kleenex my brain
says...cold...get warm...do something...and the other brain
says...blanket too far, at least 10 feet away....until finally I
realize it's better to leap through that 10 feet and get the blanket
which is stuffed inside its plastic hiding place. Then of course, there
is the next problem. Brain says...ahhh....warm...cozy....love this
blanket, it loves you, don't get up. Other brain says...yeah.
My name is MJ and I love my blanket. And I'm not ashamed. |
| - early hours rain |
|
|
At 3 a.m. the air was flat calm and it was too warm, but it was only
Nature's air sucking preclude to the rain that fell soon after for the
next two hours or so, hard enough to soak the ground, steady enough to
lull me back to sleep. Why awake at 3:00 a.m.? To hear the rain start?
I have a 92 year old aunt whom my brother swears hasn't slept since
1975; it must be genetic. Thanks, Aunt Mimi!
Right now it's a grey, watery sun sky, 78 degrees according to my
weather radio, and the water is barely rippling. I like it.
|
| - pitter patter |
|
|
The fans are off and the indoor thermometer reads 79, and a wake up
rain, steady but very light. Unless it lasts a long time, the gardens
will still need water (if it DOES last though, this is the best sort of
rain for plants, slow and soaking). The blob on the radar, as usual,
will go where it likes, though it *appears* to be moving to the east
of us. And as I type, the sound of the rain is getting lighter and
lighter...
|
| - Just Great Weather |
|
Here is a photo of our sister island, Vieques. Showing the wonderful weather we are enjoying on Culebra these days. Clear skies, nice clouds, beautiful seas, and breath-taking views. Not bad for a photo taken from our city dump this AM! Yup, it's a wonderful day in the neighbor hood. Enjoy, William -- Search for products and services at: http://search.mail.com
|
| - They're baaaaaaacccckkk! |
|
|
Winter people are returning like the swallows of Capistrano, hugs and
hello's. Last night under a starry sky until it rained (always fun,
people finally dress up, scatter around eating frees noshes and
drinking free wine and beer while a great jazz band plays and the rain
takes us ALL under the covered area by the pool so we can get close and
sweaty together) we gathered for the opening of the Cayo Swim Up
uh....Bar & Bistro (if I get that wrong, Lisa is going to tweak my
head, but I tried) at Bahia Marina. The rain looked kind of pretty in
the lights of the parking area, and didn't last long, remaining clear
for the rest of the evening.
Today was hot and at the cart and not too breezy but who cares!!! I got
a FAN! Not the hand held kind and it was sort of fun to see people
wondering how it was running as the cart is literally a cart, no
electricity, no phone, no water...just the cart. The secret is a solar
panel on the roof and a battery (I'd tell you where it is but
then...you'd know), an inverter and WA LA, fan face!
These perfect afternoons start earlier and earlier. Right now the end
of magic light time has the sun just tipping off the edge of the small
mountain across the water from me, the air is cool and it's paradise
again.
|
| - predictions |
|
This afternoon is so beautiful - cool, breezy, sunny...perfecto.Yesterday I got a ride home from an older local gentleman. As I was getting out he said, I think there is going to be rain (people talk to me about the weather a lot, because of the cart...and because we talk about the weather a lot). I said, tonight? He just looked at me...ok. He was right, some rain during the night and a nice shower early and then later this morning, right after I opened up the cart. A woman and her children stood under the umbrella to wait it out and the little girl told me her birthday would be in two days - she would be seven. That little conversation was about how long the rain lasted. I said to the little girl...see? It's stopped raining and the sun never stopped shining! Her eyes got really wide and she almost bent over with joy...You know what THAT means?? she asked me. I said, What? and with this huge grin, she told me. RAINBOWS!!!! We didn't see a rainbow that time, but that's my kinda kid...good on ya, Mom! |
| - Breezy and beautiful |
|
Today I got to experience the weather and water in an excellent way.
Chris Goldmark, our fly fisherman extraordinaire (
culebraflyfishing.com ), invited me for a shake down boat ride and fish
hunting excursion.
While we had a high surf advisory and once out of the bay, it was slightly rough, there was barely even sea spray. The waters were *all those colors* and I got to try fly fishing for the first time. He had also brought along a little regular rod to use - I confess it was easier for me. Watching his ballet with the fly rod was pretty amazing - the old "He makes it look so easy!" thing. Uh huh. The fish were sparse but I really didn't care. It is one of those made up for adverts to those in the North type of days...we actually had a bone fish on the line...ok, Chris caught it and handed me the pole and I ...lost it. Oops. Lots of little yellowtails that we released to grow up. And something called a lizard fish (UGly!) We saw rays, and a turtle...the turtle was just languidly swimming along and did something I've not seen one do...he/she literally lifted his/her front flippers up in a breast stroke move and dove, swimming like a torpedo away from us. A very cool zoom moment. On a very cool day off. The breeze is picking up, the sun is still shining, and my chair seems to be rocking a bit. Thanks, Chris (who I think should have as his motto "Just one more spot...") |
| - Hot & Heroic |
|
While it wasn't really that hot today, for some reason, on one street
in town, it seemed broiling. And on that street was a friend who had
just bought a, not new, but sure new to her, pretty fancy (read power
everything) vehicle. The kind that locks itself if you shut the
door...she went into Paradise Gift Shop for one second, left the thing
running, ac on, windows closed TIGHT, extra keys in her purse...on the
seat...inside...*click*
The dexterity of the gift shop owner was amazing, the strength of the hanger (yes, a wire hanger - this shop has EVERYTHING!!!) and new fangled (ok, the car is 13 years old, that's new fangled for us though) technology was at fault...she had that hanger around the lock, over the lock/unlock button, over the actual handle, but it wasn't happening. The cops weren't happening. The car rental guy who might have a trick up his sleeve was on the big island. - not happening. And while his name had been mentioned quite a few times already, the vehicle owner, not wanting to wreck his mellow Sunday, accepted that we were At That Point...it was time to call Super Magic Man. I think most islands have a Super Magic Man...the guy who will show up, and with extreme patience and a grin, fix just about anything and only take a beer or two in return, his motto being, we are all here to help each other, right? And if your island doesn't have one, sorry, you can't have ours!!! Sweat pouring off him - eventually we held some cardboard over his poor sun beaten head - he came equipped with proper tools (a 2 second job for a really old car..this wasn't one of them) but after gentle prodding, inch by inch like a rather unusual doctor, the door lock gave way to him, to our Sunday-quiet-breaking cheers. And suddenly it didn't seem so hot at all...just a really beautiful day again...and time for afternoon cocktails in the breeze. |
| - seasonal change |
|
|
When hurricane season starts, it is marked by a date. But like *real*
seasons in other climates, it is also marked by signs - winter people
have left, visitors start ebbing down to a noticable low level, the air
smells different, the water warms up. But it takes until almost late
September to realize that your breath has been half-held and watching
every weather site bookmarked isn't the first thing you do to start
every day (of course, if the worst happens or looks close to it,
seasonal, along with everyday life, suspension occurs). By October,
still alert, but a little weary of it, Halloween looks like a good
diversion AND it means the END of October. One more month...
The ending of hurricane season is in sight with date and signs, not
just the approaching end of November but a few winter friends coming
back, more visitors arriving (two weddings on Culebra this weekend,
nice). I realize I've been mentally tapping my foot a bit when a friend
back from the busy North says how nice and quiet it is and I realize
hey! I'm a bit over it with people quiet (NOT weather wise, I swear
it!). I'm ready to see some friends who have been away and meet some
new travelers - I want an injection of catch up stories. I'll even
listen to early snow stories.
So maple leaves are not falling but my sea almonds are shedding like
mad, and no chimneys are wafting smoke, but the subtle temp changes
are, like returning people, showing up, with the cooling off time now
in late afternoon daylight rather than 3 a.m., and the water from the
cold tap is no longer burning hot, but still warm enough for showers
without the other tap going. The air is clearer (oh, that's not
seasonal, just no ash!) because Sahara dust is on the wane.
Seasons, island style. Gotta look a little closer for the signs, but
they're here.
|
| - SJ radar down again |
|
| I had a really nice email response to my question about our radar being down. I was told it had been struck by lightning and they were trying very hard to get it back up and running. But parts is parts and some of them seem to be...delayed in arriving (something we all understand), so maybe it will all be fixed for *good* soon. Had to laugh at the Barbados question of imagining an island without stop lights (due to power outages). Why yes, I can imagine that very easily. One aspect of losing power we don't have to deal with here, hopefully forever. Yesterday continued as it began, a beautiful, breezy day. Today there is less breeze but it still looks pretty good from here, at 80 degrees and pale blue skies so far. |
| - On & Off |
|
| Rain showers came and went, with a good one at dawn thirty - leaving me with no need to water the gardens. A good breeze seems to be almost keeping the mosquitos at bay, for now. Another beautiful day. |
| - October Rainfall Stats |
|
Good Morning, Culebra received 12.5 inches of rain in October, nearly doubling our average of 6.5 for the month. That put our year-to-date total at 38.9 inches. November is starting our with early morning showers, but it looks like clear sky the east. Enjoy, William -- Search for products and services at: http://search.mail.com |
| - island(s) weather tour |
|
Four days of sailing and island hopping and no television or internet
made the weather up close and personal. First leg starting Thursday
afternoon brought out the clearest night sky I'd seen in weeks,
incredibly beautiful, good breezes, right into Compass Point on St.
Thomas. Next leg over to Jost Van Dyke on Friday morning looked
interesting. A bit of morning rain before leaving and a strong breeze
blowing the water sloppy choppy as we sailed toward an almost black
wall of rain over St. John, moving toward St. Thomas. But I had a good
feeling about it and we just got wet enough (with the sun still
shining) to cool off while the wave swept across the channel and away
from us. By the time we turned the corner for Jost the rain was gone.
Sailboats were all over the waters between Tortola and Jost as we cruised into Great Harbour, when the winds decreased and stayed fairly soft until exactly 11:00 on Saturday when the catamaran race (Cat Fight Weekend at Jost) started. Good strong winds, no rain, perfect for racing. It was a friendly race, with the boat coming in fourth as happy as the one coming in first. Maybe happier, as one crew member shared by the swig their prize of some aged rum. It was strong enough to kill any germs in the sharing, that's all I know.. There was a costume party that night and I danced with the devil. Now I know why temptation is so attractive. Heading for St. John's Coral Bay next (with perfect weather, again) for the night, we left yesterday morning after three mini waves of pretty hard rain. It didn't seem possible that there would be bad weather on such a perfect trip, but that's how it was looking. But again, by the time we got to Ram's Head at the entrance of the bay, the weather once again changed back to perfect, with the wind at our back the whole way to Culebra, on swells spaced just far enough apart to keep us surfing. Catching up with old friends, making some new ones, sailing to islands I love with almost all clear weather that let me see them in the slo-mo of sailing (green green green and beautiful from all the previous rain)...a great way to start the season of *glued to the cart*...so I can do it again. |
| - Of course! |
|
| Our San Juan radar is finally up and working again, now that it is clear skies...and if yesterday is any indication, back to very, very hot again. As I melted into my chair on the cart corner it occured to me that as there are very few visitors here right now and the locals are all smart enough to stay inside in such heat, that I could melt and not be completely solid again for hours and no one would know. That is the sort of thinking that tells you it is time to go home, rehydrate and cool your brain off. So I did. But as one woman (seemingly unaffected by the heat) called out to me yesterday, wasn't it another beautiful day! And she was right; I'd rather be here than anywhere else. |
| - zoom zoom |
|
|
I had forgotten that I used to do a lot of other things on the internet
beside check the weather (I forget this every year)...and have been
enjoying catching up with old places and old friends. Of course that
means that we must be on the cusp of some rain event - to which I say
good, if it isn't awful, as I am also busy in the gardens, planting,
rearranging and getting ready for other plantings, and rain is better
than magic.
If all goes well (sailing over makes "if all goes well" more
important), I'll be heading to Jost Van Dyke this weekend for the Cat
Fight - a multi hull regatta and Halloween party with old friends I
haven't seen in too long. Maybe I'll sneak in some plants and bring
some new ones home. Shhhhhhhh.
In the meantime, it's a beautiful afternoon with the smell of fresh cut
grass in the air (bless my psycho landlord) after a very hot day. Three
kinds of orchids are blooming, the mangos and avocados have new sets of
leaves and this morning I had mint & lemon grass tea from the gardens,
after munching on cherry tomatoes. Rain is good in even excessive
moderation...a little more won't hurt...will it?
|
| - quiet and HOT |
|
|
Amazing how quickly the ground absorbs all that extra water! While
there are still puddles in the streets, some of my plants are drooping
already. Today was very hot, and I felt quite safe telling some
visitors (maybe two out of....10?) there would be no rain today as I
dripped sweat and hoped they didn't think I was drooling, but right now
as the light leaves, it's cool and beautiful (even through the noise of
the yard being mowed down - bless my wacky landlord).
|
| - sneak attack |
|
|
The trees are still dripping, the yard is in standing water...and the
sat pics look blissfully free of indicating anything other than "where
the heck did THAT come from!" The local radar is still "down for
maintenance" so that is no help either.
According to my little weather radio, it's 83 and according to my eyes,
it's overcast, with a very slight breeze out of the south east...back
to wrong way winds since yesterday.
Maybe it's one of those stay home Sundays....(ok, that should fix it,
no more rain today?)
|
| - So they say |
|
|
After a basically typical October day yesterday (overcast then sunny and warm, then a bit of rain) this is the forecast from this morning...sent out about the time I woke up to another bit of rain). Right now there is a tiny breeze, pale blue skies, and weak sun...pretty nice! <x-tad-smaller>Area forecast discussion National Weather Service San Juan PR 501 am AST Sat Oct 21 2006 Discussion...the low levels low pressure system has moved over Hispaniola as indicated in Quickscat data. The upper level trough also moved west over Hispaniola as indicated in the latest 200mb streamline/winds analysis. However...the local airmass continues very saturated. A weak low level wind flow will persist again today allowing expected precipitation to move slowly and producing significant rainfall amounts especially along the mountainous areas...northern slopes and valleys of Puerto Rico. The saturated and moist stream will also flow across Culebra...Vieques and the U.S. Virgin Islands transporting showers across these islands and surrounding waters. A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until noon today for most of Puerto Rico...Culebra...Vieques and the U.S. Virgin Islands. </x-tad-smaller>Will it be another day I simply don't have to water the garden or a deluge or nothing at all? We'll see. Poor St. Croix! Barbara, thanks for the socks offer, but it got warm enough yesterday that I just wanted to enjoy the tiny bit of coolness in the floor through my bare feet. Keep them around though; *winter* is on the way. |
| - Brrrrr! |
|
|
It's chilly this morning (my floor actually feels cold, and where are
my socks now?), after on and off periods of rain last night continued
to cool us off. It looks like more is coming this way, even though
right now our skies are only lightly overcast with the sun actually
making it through and some pale blue to be seen.
It looks like those to the east of us are getting blasted (of course,
that is an old shot, as our radar is still *down for Maintenance* - the
radar fairy apparently hasn't shown up yet) and supposedly heading
west. We'll see. In the meantime, I wonder if anyone sells socks on
Culebra?
|
| - Some other sats |
|
As Dave noted, our local sat is down...like it usually is when we want
it the most. But this is a pretty good page for all of us. Even as a
dial up user, it doesn't take too long to load...doing the loops is a
different matter.
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/sju/satrad.html |
| - Bill measures |
|
|
I'm so glad Bill gave a measurement, as when I went out tonight with a
good BRAVE friend in her car, wading through the water doing sidewalk
driving, it was pretty crazy. We're flooded out here, but hopefully it
will drain off fast. In the meantime, we're wondering what is next.
Hopefully the worst was a few stranded by deep water stopping their
cars/vans close to town.
|
| - OK, enough |
|
So far Culebra has recieved 3.7 inches of rain, most of it from 4-7 PM hours. Still plenty of lightning and thunder around and on/off rain showers. Enjoy, William -- Search for products and services at: http://search.mail.com |
| - Holy chit, Batman! |
|
| Those rains and wind have reached us and yes, I'm awake! Even my screen door is soaked and dripping while the wind and rain whip all the little trees and plants around a bit more than I like to see. About an inch of water is standing on the ground right now and it keeps on coming. |
| - Oops! update |
|
Thanks to some DFR's (dear faithful readers) I saw while walking in
town (to get, I'm only slightly embarrassed to say, a copy of a PR
tourist magazine with a picture of the cart and moi in it- that I've
been hearing about for days but hadn't seen yet - yep, it is me), who
asked me, and I paraphrase liberally, as they were much more gentle -
making them GDFR's - ...What island were you living on last night? A
LITTLE bit of rain? We got 3/4 of an inch and the thunder was shaking
the house! Well. I forgot about the thunder shaking the house, along
with the accompanying show of lightning which I now recall as being
spectacular...and as to the pouring down rain, I can only cover my ...
lack of awareness by claiming lack of awareness, I truly did only hear
the pitter patter sort of rain - even while the shack was shakin'.
No wonder it was so squishy out there... |
| - Glorious |
|
|
If there is a better recipe for good sleep than that old classic soft
rain on a tin roof with a nice breeze in the trees (ok, the mangroves
but I'm having fireplace with hot cocoa fantasies at the moment),
someone let me know. With the ground already squishy, I don't think we
got a lot of rain during the night but it seemed to be falling every
time I was awake - chickens crowing at the typical 3 a.m. time they
believe is dawn will do that on occasion. Along with the banging
halyard that an unnamed sailor will be hearing about...
This morning is grey and cool, sun trying to break through.
Beautiful...but I can feel the heat coming...hurry up with the cocoa,
James!
|
| - Mid of mid |
|
|
Yesterday was an excellent day, from the perspective of cart sitting.
Very overcast, very breezy (still the wrong way - days and days of the
wrong way wind, which is the right way for cart sitting, coming right
to me versus the *right* way wind struggling through the jungle behind
me, even when it's honking ten feet down the bridge), and cool. Cool
air and good breezes get people all perky and energized. It's easier to
feel good when not weighed down with sweat.
We've had rain! The ground is a bit soggy, the gardens are green and
waving fresh leaves, cisterns are filling, or full. I'll take a little
slog in the yard and streets, no problem.
Right now, between yesterday and tomorrow, it is dead calm. and the
stars are twinkling over all the sky, so who knows what happens in the
day light?
|
| - In between trough & wave |
|
Good Morning, Culebra received 2 inches from the east moving trough last night. The creek was running pretty good through the night. Now they are predicting the wave to cross PR. Perhaps the El Nino effect will take it east of us with the trough. Enjoy, William -- _______________________________________________ Get your free Verizonmail at www.verizonmail.com |
| - Here comes the rain |
|
|
From Dinghy Dock we watched it get too early darker, the lightning and
thunder a show, and then the rain started, that hard rain, which we
thought would last the usual five minutes but now almost an hour later,
keeps on falling. Judy kept the drinks coming, Neil made sure we had
snacks to eat while Glenn drank hot sauce. Kim came in for her shift a
little damp on the edges but smiling. The few tourists there couldn't
complain when they see that we're all getting soaked but laughing, and
joined in.
It's dark, but I know the plants are going to be so happy tomorrow!
Rain, it's a beautiful thing.
|
| - 90L |
|
I was going to blame Antigua John for this invest, but it's my
fault...I opened a can of corn from the hurricane stash last night,
first one I've gotten into and I KNEW I should have just left that
sucker alone, I don't even like canned corn!
Hope we all get safe good rain for the ground and the cisterns, good
surfing, windsurfing and sailing weather out of it and that is all.
Or...that it just goes away might be even better.
Tranquillo....whisper now. |
| - rainy night |
|
|
Rain starting in the early evening last night and on and off again
until the wee hours has the garden looking happy and healthy again.
While on the big island yesterday a good storm started about 3 and
followed us on the ferry halfway back to Culebra, where it appeared
that not a drop had fallen. It was a nice surprise that the rain
actually made it over here eventually.
This morning is cool with sun shining through an overcast sky and a
nice little breeze. A good day for the cart to be OPEN!
|
| - magic blob |
|
|
Cooling rains at dark thirty this morning gave the gardens that extra
oomph that no amount of watering makes happen. AND it made the dog
across the street finally stop barking, giving new meaning to Chill
out, Perro!
Setting the top sat in motion makes that blob just leap into existence!
What it will bring is always a guess in my opinion (being the
scientific sort that I am, that is the Latin guesstronicus usage as
opposed to mere guessing like someone who figures it's raining if her
head is getting soaked and maybe it will do that for awhile). Right now
it is overcast and quite still and after 8 a.m. without the heat
blaster turned on yet, a welcome result of the weather to the northeast
of us. Sweat-free for awhile, I like it!
|
| - Watering everything |
|
|
Not a bad way to wake up; a nice cooling spritzer of rain coming in the
window with a thunder alarm clock for back-up. That was just the nudge,
so I could shut windows.
Then finally! An intense rain I have no doubt has the plants happy and
cisterns a bit more full. The lightning and thunder are already fading
off and the vista is clearing...for the moment, anyway.
|
| - Us too! |
|
|
We got the breeze today as well, and how very welcome it is! Clear
skies and breezy (yes, hot as well but the breeze gives all the
difference). It made up an excellent day for the amazing local paso
fino horses and riders, families and friends who gathered here today,
along with the people who came over with their own beautiful horses
from Vieques via the cargo ferry, making clip clop music in the
streets. Beautiful day; good weather, families and friends, incredible
horses. We're so lucky.
|
| - A whisper is a breath |
|
and not a promise. Those few bits of cool air seem now like something I
imagined (which...I've been accused of doing, so maybe it's true). As I
sat at the cart today invoking the Name in my sweaty disbelief of the
heat, a woman I really like stopped and handed me a religious tract. I
guess I seemed in need of something. It was a sign. The sign said, Go
Home. I did, to a cooling shower, lots of ice water and fan time.
Thanks, mi amiga!
Is it really the beginning of autumn somewhere? |
| - Equinox celebration |
|
|
"In the language of science, an equinox is either of two points on the celestial sphere where the ecliptic and the celestial equator intersect. For the rest of us, it's one of two times a year when the sun crosses the equator, and the day and night are of approximately equal length. At the autumnal equinox (Sept. 23, 2006, 12:03 <x-tad-smaller>A.M.</x-tad-smaller> EDT), the sun appears to cross the celestial equator, from north to south; this marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere." Last night I didn't have to sleep almost inside the fan; in fact, I didn't even have it on high. This morning there is that breath of coolness that lets us know our subtle change of seasons really is in the air. Enjoy! |
| - Clear Skies |
|
Good Morning, "Not a ripple on the pond" as they say, and "You can see as far as the eye can see". Great visibility this AM, from Culebra we can see all of St Croix and a bit of St Martin, 40 some miles away. It remains on the warm side temperture wise, but that is better than the alternative (storms). In the attached photo you can see the outline of St Thomas just to the right of our island. Enjoy, William -- _______________________________________________ Get your free Verizonmail at www.verizonmail.com
|
| - Great shot |
|
|
What a nice sat image to see this morning! "I promise not to whine
endlessly today about how freaking hot it is".
|
| - Tennis game |
|
Very glad Bermuda was spared major damage (though if I lost my roof,
I'd consider it major for a while). Wonderful work, correspondents!
The gardens are back to needing daily deep watering, as those rains go around us. I'm not complaining though, really, as *eyes to the east* continues. |
| - Full moon |
|
|
The rain and clouds went away leaving us with that amazing afternoon
light on the hills all greened up. And tonight, with a clear sky (did
that really happen last night??), the full moon is in all her bella
luna glory. Hopefully this time next week Bermuda will be breathing a
sigh of relief, but if Florence gets too close, we all wish you safety.
|
| - What a show! |
|
|
Housesitting for friends on top of Culebra with a view to everywhere,
the lightning show that went from dark falling into the wee hours was
amazing to watch. Some hard rains every once in awhile but mainly this
rumbling and fairly far off lightning backlighting deep layers of cloud
formations across the sky. Yippie, one more day of letting Ma Nature do
the watering (which is a good thing, since the water has been on and
off for a couple of days).
Right now it is grey and no other islands are in sight from here, with
sunshine, of course.
|
| - Rain and steam and perfection |
|
We've been getting some good drenching rains here to quench the super
heat effect. Timing is everything though. If it rains too early in the
day, we have the sauna effect. Too late, and I am asleep and can't
enjoy it. But right around 4 in the afternoon, sitting outside the
pizza place with a full stomach, a full drink and laughing with a good
friend as the island goes into post Labor Day mode, rain pouring down
with only a misting touching us - while dramatic layers of dark clouds
race around at the sea end of the street with the sun shining on the
bayside end of the street - that is what I'd say is the perfect weather
effect.
I know it WAS Labor Day, but this is how time works here...by mid
afternoon, it's POST Labor Day, restaurants and *some* businesses close
for a couple of months. Some are going to exotic places, only coming
back to their jobs on the tide of Season starting, the rest of us have
less open days as there aren't many people here to be open for but
ourselves.
That was yesterday. Today is starting with overcast skies, a bit of a breeze and I haven't checked anything else. Hey, I'm closed today, so it doesn't matter anyway! |
| - what rain? |
|
|
While those to the east of us were getting poured on, we stayed in the
dry, high heat zone yesterday. This morning is sunny and breezy and
breezy is GOOD! Hope it will be a great long weekend for all who
celebrate Labor Day (of course, most I know will be Laboring, so we'll
celebrate the last ca-ching weekend for awhile!).
|
| - Aug Rain |
|
Good Morning, August rainfall was 2.9 inches, a bit below the average 3.4 for the month. This morning brought some scattered clouds and a bit of a breeze, hopefuly to break this intense heat we have had for the last 3 days. Happy September!! -- _______________________________________________ Get your free Verizonmail at www.verizonmail.com |
| - seriously breezy! |
|
|
Strong winds here but my umbrella is tied down by the cart and the
breeze feels great! Our *chance of rain* went from 20 percent to 60
(and going higher over tonight and tomorrow) percent, but that doesn't
mean we'll get any...or it could mean we'll get all of it, who knows?
The gardens would be really happy as this wind is knocking them flat
and dry even with a good watering this morning.
Hope all getting the big rains stay safe - we all know it doesn't take
a hurricane to make life bad fast.
|
| - TD, invest, weather oh my! |
|
|
Dawn breaks here with barely a ripple on the water, amazingly cool
(although the temp reads 83, the desk fan isn't needed yet). A nice
shower late last night that didn't last long at all.
If the predictions are close to right, 97 will go south of us and TD4
will never get near us. That sounds good, but not good enough to ignore
what we all know so well, that Nature does what Nature likes, and
predictions are exactly that. Sort of like my cart motto....(Open
Somedays Closed Others)...the mets get Right Somedays Wrong Others.
|
| - Breezy hazy heat(y) |
|
| A wonderful increase in the wind, with a friend claiming dry clothes in half an hour on the line with only a few slaps in the face from the sheets. Seriously fresh (sorry - I couldn't resist, well, I could have, but why?) We'll continue om'ing to the north - this is not a mantra, it's what happens when an ice cube from your drink gets stuck in your throat while trying to explain to tourists why they don't have to worry yet - for what is now TD 4, formally known as That Big Blob just off the coast of Africa. |
| - A request |
|
This is a respectful request to whoever is south of us and left the
screen door open. The gnats / no see um's are out of control, more
numerous than the mosquitos and even more annoying. PLEASE close the
screen door!
Thank you. |
| - Another kind of quiet |
|
|
Due to the request of an unnamed certain someone, I'm writing to report
not much of anything at all. I didn't feel the earthquakes (but quite a
few here did), I slept through the thunder and lightening last night
(unusual for me) and was told I didn't need to water my gardens because
it had rained plenty - oops! too late, but I wondered why everything
looked so happy and fresh.
Today has been a cloud watcher's dream day, clouds of every description
all over the sky, with high clouds racing northeast and lower clouds
heading west, brilliant blue skies (NO ash, NO dust!!!! I remember
that!) a good breeze and then suddenly very still, with the gnats
deciding my eyes and nostrils were the mid-day gathering spot. No rain
today yet but it feels like it could all break loose anytime. We watch
the rain go all around us - for now.
|
| - Culebra, TS Chris |
|
Good Morning, Culebra received 1.3 inches of rain from Chris, with a max wind gust of 30 mph at 5 PM yesterday afternoon. It appears that the southern portion of rain bands have dipped to the south as the system fell apart. We expect rain showers throughout the day as a result. A new experience for sure to watch this blob drop southward as the weather people are assuring us that the system was moving west. Enjoy, William -- _______________________________________________ Get your free Verizonmail at www.verizonmail.com |
| - Tourist curtain drop |
|
|
Well, July, one of the biggest PR holiday months, comes to a close (as
in, govt. workers got the whole of last week off, along with all the
previous Friday and Monday holidays - be a poet in PR, a really GOOD
one, and you too might get an island wide day off named after YOU -
this is a bit easier than being a saint, which is what most of the
other holidays are about), and the island was left quiet yesterday
under finally somewhat sunny skies. Everything that can bloom is
blooming, new green growth everywhere else, my PR peppers are looking
good! I'll ignore the dust as it seems to be the lack of it that makes
it very noticeable anymore.
Of course, it's a brilliant time to go off island Wednesday for a week
or so - not - and I will watch from Montreal to see what is going to
happen, or hopefully NOT happen while away. An early house prep and
pack up, thank goodness for duct tape!
The peppers should be just about ready for making pique when I get
back; that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
|
| - Gulley Washer Rain |
|
Good Morning, It is a rainy, drizzly morning after a stormy night in Culebra. Most of the heavy stuff fell between 1 AM- 1:45 AM, with 1.5 inches of rain and a gust of 32 mph. It appears this system may hang together as it moves North away from the original wave system. Enjoy the sound of growing grass and plants, William -- _______________________________________________ Get your free Verizonmail at www.verizonmail.com |
| - A good day for soup |
|
Today was just one of those days we hardly ever get, grey with rain on
and off all day long and into the evening, but never very heavy. It
isn't a mystery why plants love rain water so much more than water from
the hose (NOT cistern water, which is ...never mind), but it is a
wonder to see how much they respond. The garden goodies were
practically growing while I wandered around between showers, and the
blooming orchid looked almost impossibly purple in the strange light we
had going on here.
Nice switch from humidity and dust filled skies - hope the visitors
didn't mind too much, because we liked it!
Johnny Padrone is in the VA hospital over in SJ...for those of you who know this 93 year old Culebra patriarch (or more, it is hard to remember when you see him jauntily walking around town with his contagious smile), do what you do best for putting positive thoughts his (and his family's) way. |
| - Lazy hazy rain |
|
Yesterday was a long day of on and off, mostly on, slow rain, just
enough to keep the cart closed. For awhile, the sauna like heat lifted,
in the late afternoon, but came back in the stillness of early evening.
The haze could have been steam, the air was so thick. But this morning
feels a bit more fresh, even while the water view outside my window
looks like a slightly ruffled lake.
The gardens are very happy. |
| - rewind never mind |
|
|
Well, purple isn't such a bad color, everything is moving north again
(except for what's south of us and sort of moving west...I'm SO
confused!!) and I definitely over reacted to the radar. Either I
shouldn't look at it so much or I should have it implanted on my
contacts) Good thing my landlord didn't listen to me and went sailing
anyway. Wet for sure, but hey, he's a sailor!
Of course...as soon as I post this, wind will hit 80 knots and rain
will fill the yard or there will be a drought for three months starting
tonight....Maybe I need to ask for a special *edit/delete/* mode for
posting? The red glow over Culebra is just my blushing face.
|
| - Oh sheet! |
|
I spent the day working at my friend's store (Paradise Gift Shop, check
it out!) with a period of wacky wind for awhile - big kites hanging on
the walls went flying all by themselves...which was kinda cool, really.
I casually let them in on how the weather has not come close to any of
the predictions, and oh yeah, tomorrow will most likely be just dandy,
as today was supposed to be horrible and look how beautiful it is.
Offline all day, just now coming home to look at the radar and it's
PURPLE...I mean not red, not yellow, not green but a BIG blob of purple
which, while usually one of my favorite colors, did not register joy in
my soul.
The rain is slowly starting now.Sorry, tourists! Of course, tomorrow might be perfect...maybe I'll slip out of it that way..."You didn't ask about TONIGHT!!" |
| - Go(es) Central, thanks! |
|
| I love the additional view on the sats! I kept wanting to just nudge it over just a little bit, but used another sat site instead, now I don't have to (you know how lazy we are here in the islands...) Nice breeze, lots of sun and hazy here this morning. Last night's full moon...la bella luna! |
| - Wind & Rain |
|
That wind gust was recorded at 1:20 AM as 37 MPH. Culebra also received .75 (3/4) inches of rain in the past 24 hours. It appears this system is now moving NW of our area. We will see what Wed - Thurs brings our way. Attached is a photo of a Thunder Head cloud forming over Vieques yesterday. Enjoy, William -- _______________________________________________ Get your free Verizonmail at www.verizonmail.com
|
| - Moving fast |
|
|
We just got the early am squall winds that went through Tortola a while
ago...enough wind to wake me up and wonder just what was trying to blow
my little house away. A hard rain, then nothing, now a steady rain. But
wow, I'd love to know how hard that first wind was blowing, it was
strong and strange one!
|
| - pitter patter |
|
|
The sun is at the ridge line of the hill, so I can see the drops of
rain failling steadily,, but I can't hear them on my tin roof at
all...whisper rain.
As the tropical waves have simply waved at us as they go by rather than
producing what was predicted, we're all in a "we'll see what happens"
mode about this next one, though it sounds a bit more serious.
Yesterday's early morning pounding was a little taste. Enough for me,
that's my vote!
|
| - Hard rain's gonna fail |
|
|
And is falling...What started as a gentle rain around 4:30 is now
lashing down hard, wind swiching back and forth (actually had to close
the door, which I never close). Lightning, thunder and a very dark
dawn. No watering the gardens today. It looks on the radar like a line
of storm going right through St. Thomas, BVI's and whatever else is in
that line (can't tell, it's covered with red blobbettes), so this might
go on for awhile.
Yesterday gave the most incredible show of clouds, all day, ending
with a sunset spectacular. We're so lucky to live in such a beautiful
place!
|
| - Culebra Rainfall |
|
Good Morning, Culebra received 5.5 inches of rain in June, well above the monthly average. We also recorded a gust of 41mph last Thursday when the second wave passed through. We are now at 15.3 inches for the year, and the island is showing off its green side now. Enjoy, William -- _______________________________________________ Get your free Verizonmail at www.verizonmail.com
|
| - Weather or not |
|
|
Supposedly we were going to get big rain yesterday and instead lots of
cloudy, breezy (with some strong gusts in the late afternoon) weather,
making a nice, cool change. I think the mosquitos liked it too; easier
to find us for snacking.
I just read that what we all thought was the sound of thunder at Dinghy
Dock (local bar and restaurant) yesterday was an earthquake...seen but
not felt.
While the sky is overcast, there is only a slight breeze right here.
The radar once again looks like we are going to get some rain soon, but
after yesterday, I'll wait and see what happens.
|
| - Ashes to Dust |
|
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Is it dirty white? Is it orange? Or is it just making it really hard to
see and breathe? Gentle rain at night, wonderful! Explaining to
tourists why there is this *haze* everywhere, not so wonderful. And
then there is the new invest 93...I think it's a good time to go to the
beach.
|
| - San Juan Bautista Day |
|
Today is San Juan Bautista Day. Here is what the guide book says:06/23/2006 It must work because we keep being lucky enough to live here. And if it rains? We're wet anyway...and if people start celebrating in the afternoon and make it until midnight, I doubt many will know anyway... |
| - Tropical Wave |
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Good Morning, Culebra received 3.1 inches of rain in the last 20 hours, with wind gust of 32mph. This system is sure to be dropping some heavy rain on DR, Haiti, and Jamaica in the next few days. We are presently having nice breezes and a steely colored sky. I appreciate what St Thomas said in her post about water useage on the islands. With this rain all our containers are full, but still think about what we use with the taps on. It is also our drinking and cooking water, can't believe all these people buying bottled water these days(how did we survive without it all these years!). Anyhow, a real good "gulley washer" for Culebra. Enjoy, William -- _______________________________________________ Get your free Verizonmail at www.verizonmail.com |
| - Wowza |
|
|
I'm cheating here and copy/pasting what I put on another weather site where I'm just a weenie of sorts...with the island added tidbits they might not get or appreciate...(like, that I'm copying it because WHILE watching the game we were getting deep into the libations...only to be supportive of the Swedish tourists while sitting with our Brit friend, naturally, and the part of coming back to find the dinghy full of water so pitching pitching bitching pitching pitching water out...does that count for a rain gauge?) <x-tad-smaller>Wow...what a day! I was hoping to have the cart open at least through the whole morning...not! Hard rain starting around 10:30, respite, harder rain, respite, then OH MAN!!! for 30 or 40 minutes, while my good friend fretted...she and her husband were supposed to fly to Vieques for their anniversary at 2. Hope they got to leave but it has been crazy! Most shops closed and I think we were all in Mamacita's with some Swedes watching the World Cup. Of course the rain was blowing in and we were all freezing but it was fun anyway. Now...calm, no rain, a slight breeze, and the plants in the garden are SINGING! I haven't even looked at the radar yet... But now I have and whatever it looks like, I don't care because it's cool and I'm home and have dry clothes on!</x-tad-smaller> |
| - Well, dry Happy Father's Day!! maybe! |
|
|
It looks like, for the moment, we are in the cloudy clear zone. Though
things are dry, I don't talk about needing rain until the end of
November, remembering the results of a rain dance done once upon a time
much too clearly.
The Weather Channel...let me count the ways they are NOT concerned
about us. No, YOU add to the list, ok, wait in line! Mid day so called
Tropical Report -"This wave will just NICK Puerto Rico and the VI's and
NOW ONTO THE GULF OF MEXICO."
I like high tech terminology a lot, it gives me something to think
about and research. I mean what does NICK infer in meteorologist speak?
Does it leave scabs? Or should we just beware of falling razor blades?
Will umbrellas do the trick or should we be *hunkered down* in case we
are of the melting variety?
Whatever the case, Happy Father's Day to all of you Papa's out there.
Give those offspring a hug and let 'em know you're glad you get to be
called Dad!
|
| - Coming to an island near you |
|
|
Watching that big area to the east of us that looks like it could make
the Father's Day BBQ's an indoor event. But right now, it's calm with
my end of the harbour glassy and sun is blaring good morning.
|
| - Flying objects |
|
|
After my brand new umbrella blew inside out at the Island Woman cart
(good thing it was tied down...I'd be looking for it a couple of
islands away) I decided it was time to close up and call it a *sorta
kinda seriously gusty almost rainy* day and head for home.
White caps in the bay, whistles in the riggings, but not really much in
the way of steady rain...yet. The satellite looks pretty darn colorful
though!
The good news, beside the gardens being really pleased, is that the
bees (do you all get *bee season*?) seem to have been blown away for
now.
Stay dry, and for MOST of you (except the ones who want to close up
their shops and go home and you know who you are!) hope the electric
keeps humming along.
|
| - It's not the heat, it's the |
|
|
worries of storms? Maybe it's just me, but it seems like more island
reporters are checking in early - always fun to hear from places
unheard from in months. Here on Culebra, we're all talking about the
water temps, the heat, but it was like this last year also, summer
starting in Spring and I am hoping we'll be fortunate this year (we
were, and some of you were terribly not fortunate, I know). Strangeness
is in the air, so I suggest singing loud, dancing fast, laughing a lot
and preparing well. It's just another day in Paradox.
Our Memorial Day weekend is continuing apace, boats rafted up, music
playing, streets full of visitors wondering where to go for sunblock.
And I still don't get what reggetone is, even after listening to it
waft up to my shore all weekend. I was looking at the stars from my
wonderfully dark yard, in a finally very clear sky, incredibly clear
and beautiful. They were singing so loud, I couldn't hear the other
stuff. Play on!
|
| - Hot Hot Hot |
|
"I sweat IN the shower!" "I've never had sweat pouring into my eyes
just taking a walk" "Could you breath over there? I think you're
getting some of my air here."
It has been really hot, and even with some flukey breezes, really still. The water side of the bars is a coveted sitting area and talk is slanted toward where on the island there is REALLY a decent breeze. The gardens are making little gasping sounds and landcrabs might be cooked below ground already. Sweat...it does a body good! |
| - Open! |
|
|
The Island Woman cart is closed (after a very good morning, Island
Woman hot sauce is HOT these days) but the cisterns are open and
filling up! After a cloudy morning promising more rain, it has come
along, much to our delight and visitors' consternation. Some get it and
head to the bars or back to cozy rooms (or...for the Flamenco
campers...well, I can't say what they are doing) and some can't believe
we are allowing wet from the sky to intrude on their holiday. Perdon!!!
The gardens are happy, my neem, avocado and mango trees are sprouting
new leaves, the mint is going crazy and if those peppers need an
incentive to bloom, it's here. By the way, Miss Mermaid, loved what you
wrote about the PR's but shhhh, don't tell, or everyone will want to
come here!
|
| - May Day! |
|
|
We got some welcome rain yesterday that actually lasted more than ten minutes! This morning has seen a few droplets through the sunshine. Happy May Day! There are a lot of customs celebrating May Day around the world, but this one has become my instant new favorite: <x-tad-bigger> Some people would gather flowers and put them by their doors and windows to keep out troublesome fairies. </x-tad-bigger><x-tad-bigger>So gather your flowers (here, lots are blooming, my helliconias and bouganvilla are thriving, even if my frangipani isn't yet!) and be gone you troublesome fairies! Wonder if bad weather is stirred by troublesome fairies??? I'm not taking any chances, and there will be flowers in the casita!</x-tad-bigger><x-tad-bigger> </x-tad-bigger> |
| - 1st Quarter Rainfall |
|
Good Afternoon, Please see the attached chart indicating 2.8 inches of rain in Culebra for April, making a total of 8 inches so far this year. Just a bit below the norms. Also, as you will see, the Frangi Pani don't mind the dry times, they are blooming like crazy. Enjoy, William -- _______________________________________________ Get your free Verizonmail at www.verizonmail.com
|
| - heart cloudy |
|
|
While the weather has been of postcard quality, today is overcast by losing yet another well-loved, well cared for dog to poisoning. Buddy, Bike Steve's wonderful dog, lost the fight last night (if you visit here and have rented a bike from Steve, most likely you met Buddy). After a day of treatments and suffering, Steve took Buddy to the big island but didn't made it to the vet's before it was too late. Gail and Steve, hugs. I don't know about the rest of the islands, but this is a dark side to ours and any ideas for solutions would be welcome. Though it seems education would help, some appear impossible to educate out of cruelty. RIP Buddy, we'll miss you. |
| - Glorious rain |
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|
Making tin roof music, filling cisterns, eliminating garden watering
chores, the big rain early this morning has been long awaited. The air
smells like plants growing. Poor Semana Santa campers! Drying out might
take awhile though; it looks like more rain is coming.
|
| - snow on mt. resaca |
|
|
Amazingly, we woke to the sight of snow on Mt. Resaca, our highest
point here on Culebra. After a night huddled by the propane stove in
our lined coats, dug out from lives past, we weren't terribly
surprised. As the sun rises, it is melting but no doubt there will be
pictures sent in later.
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