Greetings from the island everyone, hope all of you are doing well and trending into the spirit of the Spring season, which officially begins in a few days. I so enjoy this time of year, and also seeing all of the beautiful little calves being born on the island and scampering around playing.  They are so cute and fun to watch. And I also love the time change, having an extra hour or so in the evenings to enjoy the island outdoors and Gulf beach with friends.  This is a very good thing.

Last month I aged to the double nickel number.  I was on the verge of turning 38 when I first began my island endeavors out here, over seventeen years ago.  Where has the time gone?  Sometimes I just stand and look around the house, and I see the all the work that has been done at this place during those years, literally hundreds of boat loads of materials, building supplies, household necessities, plants/trees, etc. That’s when I realize all those years have been spent making this my home.  It’s not fancy, but I’m very proud of what I have and of my island life.  I’m looking forward to the next 17 years out here!  And thank you to my great friends for a cake and gifts, and wonderful birthday beach bonfire.

The baby tomato plants that I started from seeds are coming along nicely.  Within just a few days they will be going into the ground, and I’m hoping for a bountiful supply of homegrown deliciousness this summer.  I’ll be trying nine different tomato varieties this year, including a few new ones, Brandy Boy and Yaqui.  I’ll probably put 20 plants in the ground and give away the extras to friends waiting for them.

I’ve already got potatoes, onions, cucumber and cilantro seeds started, and soon will be putting pepper plants that I started from seeds into the ground.  My goal this year is to grow everything needed to make salsa.  I’ve never tried growing cilantro, but I’ll give it a shot.  A big Thank You to fellow islander Chris Schustereit for bringing me bags of cotton burr compost to add to my garden soil.

All the years I’ve lived on the island and in this area, I had never known exactly where the Boggy area was or visited it.  Just recently, a wonderful friend showed me where this area was, and I think it’s great.  A beautiful view of Matagorda Bay and an enjoyable family place that was clean and relaxing.

I’ve noticed over the past several years, that I am seeing more bottle-nosed dolphins than ever before.  Every time I make the five mile trek across the bay into Clark’s, I’ll see at least 5-10 of them feeding and playing in the water.  I love watching their gracefulness as they glide and surface.  These mammals truly are one of God’s most beautiful creatures.

Well, I’ve placed my order for 15 new baby chicks and eight baby guineas (keets), to be delivered to the Post Office on June 2.  Normally I would get my chicks sooner, but I wanted to raise some keets with the chicks this time around, and the keets are not available until then.  I’m looking forward to having these little babies and watching them grow for the next several years.

That’s it from the island for now, everyone take care and have a most wonderful day.