No Regrets

So, there are many adventures of which to tell. Tonight perhaps I won't go into detail on the adventures, but I will say this: I love my new shoes. When I was in the states, spending monies upon monies on all the things I knew, believed, or hoped would be useful upon my return to Dominica, I purchased these shoes:

I couldn't decide if the purchase was really necessary (and with our budget, I try to stick to the really necessary [mostly]). I mean, I have two pairs of Chacos, which I love dearly, as mentioned briefly here. Was I longing to have these shoes, simply so I could look like all the other girls (even though mine are the much cheaper version, a.k.a. the Payless knock-off)? Perhaps. Was that so wrong? Perhaps not. Still, I decided that the toe protection would come in handy, and at the point which they came in handy I wouldn't be thinking about the money any longer.

I WAS RIGHT!!!!! Oh my goodness, I was right. Today I am grateful for my shoes. And my heart goes out to anyone who is forced to hike through a jungle, up muddy mountains, through raging rivers, and across mossy rocks in anything less (I'm so sorry).

Time Warp

Last night Wonderman and I were discussing Daylight Savings Time. Specifically, I was asking him if Dominica participated. We came to the basic conclusion that they probably don't, since it is a sort of silly and very American concept. However, we decided to verify by asking the waitress at the tiny little Chinese restaurant where we were eating dinner (To clarify - we don't eat out that much, really, last night was simply a necessity because we bought a new tank of gas and somehow seem incapable of getting propane to come out of it so that I can cook dinner. Also, when I say tiny, I mean really tiny. There was one table with six chairs. That's it. But it was pretty tasty.) if they had Daylight Savings Time here. She wrinkled her brow and asked "What?" I, being clever as always, thought I would clarify by asking if we needed to change our clocks that night. "Why would you do that?" Wonderman and I decided that we had our answer. Silly Daylight Savings Time, anyway.

Fireflies

Tonight the sunset was more beautiful than any I've seen in Dominica. Then, to top it all off, there were fireflies just to the side of the annex as Wonderman and I were leaving for dinner. I had some frustrations today, but things like that can always make up for it. It was beautiful.

Mile Marker

As long as I'm looking back. . . . we had a one-year anniversary a few months ago. It's strange looking back at how much has changed in just that one year. It's been quite an adventure, but that's what we signed up for, I guess. Anyway, here is Day One:



And Day Three Hundred Sixty Five:



Here's to a bazillion more!

The difference between boys and girls

Just like my trip of the past month, this summer we visited many families of nieces and nephews. The nieces just play differently than the nephews, but they all adore Uncle Wonderman.


I may be prejudiced, but I can see why they think he's great. Can't you?

In absentia

Well, on my trip from Dominica back to the states, I left my camera on the bed. So, my picture collection from the trip is scant, to say the least. However, I do have all kinds of pictures from family visits this summer that I never posted. Since I missed Wonderman like crazy, I'd like to share a series of photos I quite like. It's from a game called "Beat up Uncle Wonderman."



Let's be honest, it was a fun game to watch, but it sure made me glad that I'm not built like a jungle gym. The nieces and nephews sure seemed to enjoy it, though. Nothing quite like that happened on this trip when I was there by myself. Poor things. I enjoyed the family time anyway, though.

Climate Change

I recently left Dominica for a little bit to attend my grandmother's funeral. I knew when I was packing that I might have some trouble because I didn't have any socks. However, I never knew it would go quite to this extent. Let's zoom in a little:

Yup. That's snow, folks. There's not too much around these parts of the Caribbean. Rocky Mountain girl that I am, it still threw me into quite a shock and I shivered more than most. It was beautiful.