"Island Time"

      Delayed post, again, to island time.  Internet is pretty much a luxury here.  You can get a random signal, but not for long. Even using your phone as a 'hot-spot' is not assured. I am finally over the angst of it. I used to hate the phrase, "It is what it is", looking at it as an excuse for being lax, late, not vested in life. I actually get it here. You have what you have here, but do not be surprised when it breaks, or dies. Then you deal.  It may be funny coming from a person with "Improvise, adapt, over-come" and "drive on", as a motto. I learned to have EVERYTHING at my disposal. Proof of innate ability to go the "easy" route. We're in Paradise and I started bitching that my schedule was messed up.... 

       The scenery gets more beautiful every time we go out.  FACT: All beaches in the USVI are public. Government or municipal beaches do charge a fee, but private ownership is not possible. We found one to our liking today that had the best sand, clear water etc. Excuse my naivety, but ocean swimming is so fun! I had Tang fish and others at my feet. Not quite a Disney film, but they were there. My brain is constantly running, curious about everything I see. The feral chickens provide me with laughs and remind me of how much I want my own. I was chased a couple of times for the Trail Mix in my hand. They love peanuts and the corn-nuts I have found in the rental car.

       We now have a pet baby (assumed), Iguana that lives on our balcony. Tracy spends more time there and has named him/her/it Mortimer. He has serious personality! For reasons possibly obvious, he gets defensive of the territory when I come out, even more so if Tracy is present. He does his push-up dance and swells his throat! I guess I keep calling him a 'he' as he seems protective of Tracy.  I love to watch him silently as does T. 

 He liked lettuce for a while, but quit eating it.

  In the spirit of 'mix-it-up' I offered him some Ritz crumbs. Fail. He came and looked at them, and did his 'mad' routine. I wish I knew about reptiles....

       

  

       Finally found a place to get less expensive groceries... PriceSmart! Cost-Co must have a hand in it, it features familiar Kirkland stuff. It saved a few pennies ;)  We needed a membership, but $25 was so worth it!  Also found a hidden DVD rental joint in Red Hook. Score! Since you could never stream a movie, and a download would take 2 days, it was nice to add to the 'routine' stuff we miss. 

       I experienced a little "Island Fever" a few days ago. Surely an anxiety type thing.  I awoke with the feeling of "I can't get off the island, but I want too!".  Humbling experience, but nonetheless fairly normal.  Got through it, but not without a call to Tracy while she was working.  It's an odd feeling. Never had it on deployments with the military. 

     All is well with us, and please don't hesitate to get down here while we are! The weather should be about "perfect" in a week.  We still have rain and wind on occasion, but it's minimal. 

Miss you all!