Giving Thanks

IMG_2063Chickens ranging the property

Gratitude. For so many things. We all go through trials and tribulations in life. It just seems to be the way of the world. And if we compare them to others we may see ours as better or worse. But there will always be someone or something better and always worse. Rather than compare, however, giving thanks seems to open our hearts rather than close them. 

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Working around the property

Two days before Thanksgiving we were mowing the field. This takes about five hours of work with both of us on a mower -dueling lawnmowers if you will. It was sweaty, hot work, but one of my more enjoyable chores on the homestead because it magically transforms  a field into a golf-course looking resort. Just as we were resting on the bench admiring our work and giving thanks for water in our pipes to clean up and drink, our neighbor yells down “llego la luz!” The power was back!

IMG_1979Light at the cabin!

Britton had seen the trucks and crews of men descend upon our neighborhood a couple of days before but we didn’t have our hopes too high. But sure enough, when we returned to the cabin the lights, the fans, the fridge! (ahhh ice!) all worked once again. It was amazing the sense of calm and relief that washed over us. A feeling that after almost exactly 2 months without electricity and nearly the same without water, we were nearly through this whole ordeal. The final key will be when the internet is restored, but for now we are bathing in a sense of gratitude as well as water and illumination -literally.

IMG_1988At our friends’ house in Cruces checking out the blimp in the telescope

IMG_1998A wonderful Thanskgiving high atop the world!

We spent Thanksgiving with friends perched high in Cruces overlooking the Rincon peninsula and the patchwork of light throughout that the valley that indicated more or less where the electricity had or hadn’t been restored. And what a feast we had in spite of their lack of electricity and water. We are reminded why we love it here so, despite the constant daily challenges of life here as a stranger in a strange land.

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With friends on Thanksgiving 

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Having fun playing music

We have friends like the Kersches who have taken us in and loved us as family. We are on a beautiful tropical island that even in times of crisis tiene una buena cara. We have friends and family near and far who care about us. The island is regaining its glory and magnificence just as the trees are sending out more leaves and the flowers bloom. Some areas have lost beach land and palms, but overall our gorgeous lush paradise is Eden once again.

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The trees are growing back in strange ways including shooting out branches directly from the trunks

IMG_2069Marina Beach is empty but gorgeous!

Cassie
Taking a break for a well-deserved swim!

IMG_2045Britton working on the concrete pad

Britton and I have been busy mainly working around the property. We have been clearing, cleaning and planting. We are also doing some small projects. We recently finished the concrete pad on the ridgeline side of the bridge that connects to the cabin. One of our many titles around here includes forest ranger and trail building is a key component in that function. Like the trees and the plants reinvigorating, so are we. And for this and much more we give thanks.

IMG_2066Turkey boy (as we call him) approves of the new pad

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A sigh of thanks as the sun sank

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2 thoughts on “Giving Thanks

  1. Jen

    Glad to hear things are getting better for you all! I admire your resilience! I hope things keep looking up for you & all PR, we will be coming down Jan/Feb, hope to help out in what ever ways we can!

    Reply
  2. caleb

    So glad to hear the lights came back on for you!

    Me and the family went through the hurricane, but left in Oct… I work for myself from home, and the thought of not earning money for a month or two with no real power, didn’t seem reasonable (you remember then, where even if you have a generator you had to wait in line a LONG time for gas)

    Anyways, glad it’s getting better!

    We’re thinking of coming back in January. We lived in Aguadilla, which as I understand it is getting better each day (off 107, borinquen for example). But we have always loved Rincon and were looking at houses there before the hurricane. How much of Rincon is still down?

    Did you guys have cable or DSL or satellite internet or what?

    Believe it or not, my DSL line came back on like a week after the hurricane (could only run it on generator of course). Some people had their satellites still working the week or two after (they were getting news about the hurricane and relief efforts).

    Very interested to get more “boots on the ground” info before we come back.

    Talk soon, love your blog!

    – Caleb

    Reply

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