Hawaiian Bison?

This bull didn't quite get it. It's Buccaneer Days here in Two Harbors this weekend, and nearly everyone is masquerading as pirates. Instead, this bison must have confused the party with a luau and wore a single branch over one ear.

Watching this video filmed at last year's party will explain everything, me hearties. Well, definitely not everything, but you'll come away with an appreciation of masquerade parties! Aaaargh!



Maybe the old soul was heading for San Francisco, or heard about the festivities and thought it was the Gay Pride Festival held in Long Beach each summer. Or, maybe, like all the costumed revelers, he just wanted a little attention.

Buffaloes for Obama

In Two Harbors, even the bison are for Obama! Don't forget to watch the debate tonight at 9:00pm Eastern time.

Tragedy in Two Harbors

Paradise jolted into a horror film this morning. As my neighbors worked to free the helicopter pilot and passengers from the searing debris, onlookers stood paralyzed, in shock. One victim, trapped beneath the wreckage, screamed in agony but the lay rescuers could only shout assurances until the fire department arrived with heat repellent gear to release her. That's when precious seconds cease to move, as if suspended in a viscous fluid. The pilot lived only a few moments after being pulled free, and two other passengers were pronounced dead on the scene. The three survivors had to endure a final helicopter ride to Los Angeles for medical treatment. My neighbors, now heroes, are traumatized. Things like this just don't happen in paradise.

No More Schlepping - almost...

Bringing anything here to the island requires a degree in logistics, enrollment in an ongoing strength training program, and the patience of Job. After living with this arrangement for several years, I grew accustomed to the routine of loading the car, repackaging and reloading goods onto the boat for a 24 mile crossing across the San Pedro Channel; then unloading the boat to reload the car, and finally schlepping the salt-sprayed bins, bags and boxes up the last few steps to the house. Yeah...pain in the patootie.

The first step to my liberation was discovering (Thank you Sweet Tooth Haven) , a farm to door delivery service, Beachgreens! Of course they don't deliver to the island, but almost. They drop off my fresh fruit and vegetables at our San Pedro boat terminal on Thursday, and the wonderful folks at SCMI make sure it gets on Friday morning's supply run to the island. I feel like I'm cheating somehow when the bin 'magically' appears on Friday morning. It feels good - like finding a winning horse racing ticket. And even though they let you know what goodies will be delivered a few days before the produce arrives, I don't peak at the flyer. This way I can open the bin and be surprised.
Amazon's Subscribe & Save program brought me closer to salvation. At first glance, it didn't look like that great of a deal. I'm not used to buying so many items in bulk and the cost seemed a bit much. But wait! Free shipping AND a 15% discount! It was more than a little embarrassing when the UPS truck unloaded about 20 boxes into our small administration foyer. Believe me - I got over it quick. What makes me feel doubly good about all this, is that I've reduced our carbon footprint in so many ways, and on a more intimate level, I'm feeling so deliciously pampered!

Growing Carrot Cake (on my hips)

Secretly we were glad our spearfishing neighbors didn't come back for seconds on the carrot cake. Just knowing it's there all snug in the kitchen for me to partake any time I want gives me great satisfaction. I've noticed however; that there is a direct correlation between the amount of cake diminishing and the telltale expansion of my hips.
Despite the calories, I love this cake. It's health food. The carrots, delivered to us from Beachgreens, were organically and locally grown as were the pecans (I was out of walnuts). The eggs were from range free and organically fed chickens. The icing non-dairy, and the oil, grapeseed. We won't talk about all the sugar. Besides won't all the benefits of the good stuff outweigh the damage of the sugar? If only I could have fastened my jeans this morning.

Click here to discover the way to grow carrot cake on your hips!

Hours Fresh, Filleted and Delivered to Our Door

It doesn't happen often enough. But the last few nights have been a boon. It's late evening and there's a simple knock on the front door. The few seconds it takes to get to the door are filled with unbearable anticipation. I can hardly wait to answer. A plethora of scenarios jumbles up my mind and I hope beyond reason that someone is bringing good news.
The best news is undeniably when one of the spearfishing neighbors scores a big one and wants to share. Two days ago, Juan & Rory proudly surprised us with three 1 1/2 inch thick white sea bass fillets. "It was a 20 pounder!" he boasted. There must have been a competition, because last night Phil & Juan brought us two more! Still in their wetsuits, Phil's eyes wide with unabashed pride said "Juan got his last night and I got mine tonight!" I love these guys. It's a friendly neighborhood, and I like to encourage this behavior. So, on the first night, I gave the guys some spicy seafood stew and the last of our cold Coronas. Last night, I had just finished icing a carrot cake. I think they preferred the beer and stew.
The Sea Bass Provencal I made the following night was exquisite!

Shouting Out Spring

While most of the country is enduring blizzards, freezing rain and even random tornadoes, we here on Catalina Island are blissfully enjoying cloudless skies and bright green hillsides.

After 18+ months of drought and the implementation of Phase I water rationing, just a few spring showers unleashed a cornucopia of sprouts, buds and flowers. The long suffering deer and buffalo have left town for the inner canyons and lush valleys. Occasionally now, deer can be spotted scampering along the ridge, ground squirrels popping in, out, and from around rocks and bushes, the small Catalina Island Fox cleverly poised on an outcropping above the road, and the buffalo catching an afternoon snooze in the shade. Life is sweet.

Update - Housing Progress!

Not unlike watching a child assemble a fortress with building blocks, the house moving crew easily placed four units on their foundations in a matter of days.