Got lucky today.
Wordle 294 2/6
🟨⬛🟩🟨🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
We’re traveling on my birthday and have arrived CLT with layover that nicely coincides with the Final Four game. (I work at Duke and have a degree from UNC.)
Snorkeled F’sted pier: blue tang, cuttlefish, green sea turtles, pencil fish. Now at Dorsch Beach. Playing Hapa on the bluetooth speaker, drinking a Leatherback Brewing Island Life lager (in a coozy thats says Pau Hana). Vacation days in the Virgin Islands (echoes of Hawaii).
Woke early and walked solo to the beach, strung the hammock, relaxed with my thoughts and a magazine. Watched three catamarans sail north to return their charters to St. Thomas. Now back at the house up on the hill, looking out over Frederiksted. #vacation
Over on my Storian blog, I’ve posted a mid-vacation update from the U.S. Virgin Islands. In short: we’re having a great time.
I started reading Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell last fall, took it with me on the winter vacation to Hawaii, but only on this St. Croix trip did I finally power my way through, and I’m so glad I did because this was a beautiful story that simmered until it’s boiling point. 📚
Sitting poolside at the Fred, a boutique hotel in Frederiksted on the island of St. Croix. Just had a massage, waiting as Erin gets hers. Reading a good book(Hamnet), drinking a beer, listening to a guitarist singing at the bar. Cruise ship looms beyond.
Back on Sandy Point for the final day of public swim. Turtle nesting season is starting.
Such a glorious day, warm and breezy and buzzing with life. I was glad to see the bloodroot bloomed.
Reading about the large Joro spiders that are moving up the East Coast of the U.S., I’m reminded of similar spiders, like this one, that were on Paama Island (in Vanuatu, where I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer). When we visited Paama in 2018, Reddy took us for a hike up to the family garden, and he snagged a giant spider and let it walk up his arm.
Regretting that my work and family responsibilities kept me from attending MicroCamp, but I’m looking forward to watching the recordings.
Making red beans and rice for family meal, and new classic brownies. Recipes by Pableaux Johnson and NYTimes.
I’m working from home in blue jeans, hip Nike shoes, a comfortable new hoodie. Was a time that I worked a suit and tie to the office at Duke University Hospital. I like getting dressed up, but WFH casual sure is nice.
Reading the NYTimes obituary for Dr. Paul Farmer. Trying to keep composed, but reading that other important people cried openly for this loss, I may let the tears flow.
Played soccer with the guys this morning. Helped my sister-in-law move into her new house a hundred yards down the lane. Now making chicken stock for soup for Erin, who has been done for days with bad flu (or a COVID variant not detected in her negative PCR test).
Updated the What I’m doing now page on my blog.
If this is a simulation, I wish to thank you who programmed Friday nights with good Thai takeout, cold beer, family nearby, and Ted Lasso on my laptop.
Great day shopping and eating on South Congress Street in Austin. Now chatting with frosé at the Hotel San José.
Gorgeous day in Austin, Texas. We gazed from Mount Bonnell, brunched at Tiny Boxwoods, shopped in UT co-op, walked along Auditorium Shores, now are back at my brother’s home to rest. Hoping dad can get here, but flight from Miami is delayed.
Waking up in Austin. Visiting my brothers. Glad to have a few days off.