We're all dreaming a dream but we think it's "real life." So A Course in Miracles teaches.
Part of our dream was visiting Cuenca, Ecuador, which we've done as outlined below. Another part involves freelance writing for Allan and art for Becky. Yet another, house sitting across the United States.
Who knows what the next dream will dream us?
After three wonderful months house sitting in Jupiter, FL it's time to move on. The very kind and likeable homeowners for whom we house sat, Aleta and Steve, returned from their ocean cruise and visit to Chaing Mai, Thailand that began back in April on June 13th.
Becky left Jupiter to begin a new house sit in the Wilmington, NC area a few days before the Florida house sit ended. So once again, Allan became the house cleaner and straightener-upper, putting everything back in place for Aleta and Steve. During that process their lovable male cat, Polaris, realized something weird was going on: suitcases and boxes were being packed up, Becky was "missing" and the routines of his life were all messed up. He seemed to get a bit concerned and somehow climbed or jumped to the top of the 7-foot tall TV console in the living room. Stuck up there, he called out for help until I helped him get back down to the floor. I have no idea how he managed to get up that high.
Then, an hour later I couldn't find him anywhere and got a bit worried that he may have sneaked outside somehow and run off. After looking everywhere I found him nestled in the clothes washer with sheets and towers about to be washed.
So...yes...the pets do know when something is changing But even if homeowners and house sitters coming and going creates a little stress, it's nothing compared to the discomfort most pets would have at a boarding kennel. Not to mention -- it would cost a small fortune to board pets for three months at a time.
I asked Aleta how they managed to pack everything they needed into a single backpack for each person. She kindly and without laughing at the monstrous pile of Becky's and my "stuff" that I had to somehow cram into my car explained that you need to look at everything you think you need two or three times. Then if it still looks like you need that item, pack it. But only pack one of three things you really think you'll need. I like that advice and will take it seriously the next time we leave home for any length of time.
Here's a video of the "heavy packing" I had to do as I left Jupiter for the new Wilmington house sit.
Next time I'll leave lots of stuff at home and am determined to get all the clothes I need into a single bag. That leaves just my PC and/or laptop, iPod and a few others little items to carry along.
Of course if the destination is a beach area, you can bet the trunk will be carrying our beach umbrella, towels, flip-flops, SPF30 sun block and all that's needed to enjoy the sea, sand and surf :)
Tropical storm Debbie is the fourth tropical storm of the season to affect Florida this year, and all four of them have happened before the end of June. That's probably a record. Debbie dropped gazillions of gallons on the panhandle and Gulf Coast all the way down to the Tampa area. It finally took an Easterly route, ran over Jacksonville and out to sea on Wednesday. None to soon.
We have been ensconced in the house for almost a week now, dodging almost constant rain and heavy winds -- although nothing really threatening or damaging. Now, today, on Thursday, we hit the beach at Jupiter once again.
Here's a short video to celebrate the sunshine once again!
West Palm Beach comes alive on Thursday nights. The Norton Museum stays open until 9PM and hosts a Summer SOULstice gathering with music, food and performances until 11PM. We stopped in at the museum, enjoyed the art work and a couple of five year old girls singing their hearts out at the "open mic" event...and then headed into downtown for the weekly food and music festival on Clematis street.
Becky hiding out with a simulacrum of her new pal, author/artist Edward Gorey, at the Norton Museum.
Here's a short clip of the downtown area and a bit of the fun that takes place every Thursday night. Clematis Street is the "go to" place in West Palm Beach for restaurants and a picturesque look at the intracoastal where many million dollar boats are docked. We had a great seafood meal at the Tin Fish. Maybe on another trip we'll try out the "Word of Beer" restaurant.
Whatta Day! We got a very leisurely start today that began with just that first cup of coffee. We spent the morning and mid-day hours just enjoying being alive until Becky said, "Hey, it's almost 2 o'clock. We haven't eaten anything today. Let's go have dinner!"
The Thirsty Turtle is in Juno Beach, FL. What a great place for fresh seafood! The wait staff was more than
excellent and the food... OMG delicious.
It's getting ready to rain here for the next several days, maybe for the next week, due to a big front coming up from the Caribbean. The skies are a bit gray and winds are coming in from the East, which means the waves breaking along the coast are going to be a bit bigger than usual. That weather front led up to the balance of our day.
On the way home from the restaurant Allan said, "Let's go walk the beach for a while to let our dinner digest." So we headed over to A1A and stopped just North of the Juno pier. Here's what we saw as we parked the car and headed toward the beach access point: A huge "kite" of some kind blowing and flying like a crazy dancer gone wild in the wind.
Wow, someone's flying a really big kite over there. Let's check it out!
We walked over the ridge and down onto the beach to behold...a couple dozen wind surfers, aka kite-boarders, racing across the 4-5 foot waves like juggernauts looking to find the opening point so they could cross into some kind of nirvana.
Oh my! Dozens of wind surfers blasting like race cars across the waves. A bystander told us this section of Juno Beach
is also known as "kite beach" and is one of the ultimate wind surfing beaches in the area. With the "steerable" kites, each surfer can choose to turn his/her kite into the Easterly wind to go North or South along the beach. Most of these amazing athletes would ride the waves and wind from South to North, and then turn around and go back the other way. Just amazing!
Here's a video and a few more pics of our wonderful, amazing day as we walked and loved being alive and in love.
Father's Day today found us in Miami again, this time touring the Lincoln Road Mall area. Here's one of the latest fashions for ladies who want to make "an impression" (although I'm not sure what the impression would be!)
Hmmm, let's see: a spiky purse on the left, spiky shoes at top and some other unkknown spiky accessories. Can't imagine who would wear them...or why. LOL
After Lincoln Road we walked our feet off snapping pics of some of the old art deco buildings on Collins Avenue in the South Beach area. Art deco was an architectural style popular in the 1920's and 1930's and at that time was considered ultra modern, cool and exciting. Today it's considered retro and still cool. The city of Miami Beach at one point wanted to demolish many of them because they were just too old. A team of women got together and managed to have some 800 of the old buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, effectively protecting them from the wrecking ball. Architects were brought in to renovate them and voila ... now we have the permanent art deco district of Miami Beach.
Arriving back in Jupiter I went to the beach to do some surf fishing, but found the tide was approaching its highest, which mean two to four foot waves crashing to shore. I quickly found out what "rip tides" are about when I waded into the water to cast my line. Almost getting knocked down by the water rushing back to sea I got out of the water and turned the beach trip into a photo opp. Here's a little video that nicely shows the Jupiter Inlet where the ocean pours inland and creates hundreds of channels, canals and streams that criss-cross the entire Jupiter area.
Waves crashing over the Jupiter pier as high tide came in.
Surfers were catching a few of those high tide waves this evening.
We're always on the lookout for an exciting new house sitting opportunity. Here's one that tops the list for "excitement" but, unfortunately, it's a bit too extreme for our taste. Nevertheless, it's a fantastic opportunity for someone.
What a amazing opportunity for someone to enjoy a VERY different environment!
Here's what the home owners asked for:
Adventuresome, self-reliant, financially sound, physically fit, boat and navigation savvy, jungle-friendly, off-the-grid-everything familiar couple needed to take care of "Cerro Velero," our 5 acre waterfront jungle property and home.
There are two easy dogs who also need tending to. Reasonable facility with Spanish needed for communicating with the gardener.
The home is in a roadless area, so there are no roads. It is a 30 minute boat ride (you drive the boat) to the nearest town with supplies. The small house is on a hill with good breezes, and has a knock-your-socks-off view of the water and mountains and sunsets. Lots of kayaking and walking and hiking opportunities on the property and nearby.
While it is paradise in many ways, it is definitely not a resort! You can't go out at night because it's not safe to take the boat out where there are no lights or aids to navigation. (There's nowhere nearby to go, anyway.) There is no television unless you set up a Slingbox in the states to watch over the internet.
Yes, at least there is good, fast internet!
The nights are 12 hours long, dark unless the moon is out, and often loud with howler monkeys, night birds, insects and frogs. And there are bugs. It really is a jungle.
While there are good Gringo neighbors nearby, there is no grocery store around the corner. Bocas del Toro, a half hour away by boat, is the nearest town. Everything has to be schlepped around Bocas on foot (or taxi), stowed in Cricket, our small launch, and then schlepped up the hill to the house. Unless you want to lug it all yourself, you have to get back before our worker goes home for the day.
Most folks in the area go into town no more than once a week. If you forget something, you just have to do without until the next time you go to town. Or borrow from the neighbors.
And, it rains a lot. Like, oh, close to 140 inches a year. But that is what makes it a jungle!
So, if that doesn't put you off...it really is magically, wonderfully beautiful! TONS of birds, including toucans and oropendolas. Also, sloths and howler monkeys, and dolphins and turtles in the bay out front.
We have a site with lots of photos if you want to take a look and learn more.
I Do require Pet/Animal Care Pet/Animal Types: Dogs,
Sunday was a lay-around day for the most part, but Becky did stir up a fantastic papaya and avocado dinner.
Romaine, almonds, beets, papaya, avocado, ginger and just a splash of EVOO. Good!
Today, on Monday, Becky got up and said, "When you're retired there's no such thing as 'blue Monday.' Let's go to the beach!" So we did. A gorgeous day in the mid-80's with a nice breeze and blue skies.
Under the Boardwalk -- actually under Juno Beach pier.
At 7PM this evening we'll attend a teleseminar with a five-times New York Times Best Selling book author to learn a bit more about writing.
