The first harvest
Arthur comes running into the kitchen "Come quick, there's something big in the garden!" I rush outside and see what all the excitement is about. Oh my goodness, the cucumbers have somehow grown to epic proportions (okay, may not epic, but large!) right under our noses without our noticing. Those large cuke leaves really do hide fruit maturation well. I am still amazed that such a small seed can produce such a large (and delicious) plant. Can't wait to make a fresh cucumber salad...

Our artful cucumber display









Our Art-full cucumber display









Even the chickens get in on the action...

We happen to walk by the phosphate loading dock (well, it is practically our front yard) and notice all the lights are on for some night loading. As ugly as the mining business is, there can be some moments of beauty.

It's been way too long since a corny posting! We could almost make a corn maze out of the stuff, if only we had more.They say you can take the girl out of the Midwest, but you can't take the Midwest out of the girl...

Ring the first weekend of the new year with a bodyboarding attempt, by Arthur. It also happens to be the first day of "swell season" where the cove turns from flat glass (good for snorkeling) to some semi-intense waves (good for bodyboarding). The waves aren't too aggressive, except that the coast goes from very deep to very shallow very quickly (great for snorkeling) and is very rocky (terrible for bodyboarding). Arthur and I stake out our place on the little sandy beach not far from our place, where the coconut palms provide excellent hammock support. I hold down the beach while Arthur goes in for a try. No major rides, but no major accidents; just a few little scraps on the rocks. We watch some folks take some great rides closer to the jetty, where it doesn't seem as rocky. Perhaps that will be the spot to learn...