US Virgin Islands

While all you folks up in the northeast are frozen in and shivering and shoveling, Chuck (significant other) and I took his boat to Buck Island Sunday, and on the way spotted a pod of dolphins.

We motored over to them and I jumped in (even forgot to take off my bathing suit cover-up) and one came up to check me out. She (I don't know if it really was a she or a he, but I'm thinking it was a she...) swam beside me and maintained eye contact with me for a long time.

We were perhaps three feet apart. I was swimming as fast as I could go (I did have flippers on) and she was swimming very slowly, so that we were side by side. We swam like that for maybe the length of a football field. I finally tired out and she looked back as if to say good bye and sped away. Thankfully, Chuck picked me up so I didn't have to swim all the way back to the boat. (I was too excited for more exercise!)

Wow. Our life here in St Croix sure beats shoveling snow!

I'm a GRANDMOTHER!

Well - sort of... Henrietta (our chicken) had her peeps!!! Only two - but they are adorable! They went out on their first outing yesterday- and Henrietta really showed them the ropes! They scoured the yard for bugs and worms - and scared the cats! What a wonderful life we have here on ST Croix!

(Read the 1st installment of the Life of a St Croix Chicken for more on Henrietta.)

This from an email received:

"We have exciting news that we know will be of interest to you. For the first time in history, the earliest maps of the Virgin Islands are now available as archival-quality reproductions. Most of these historical maps in their original form are beyond the reach of most persons due to their very high prices, others are simply unavailable because they are very rare and one-of-a-kind. Most of the maps that we are making available to the general public, have the original estate / plantation names that survive to this day. They are reasonably priced thus making them available to everyone.

"Among the Virgin Islands cartographic treasures, you will find the 1671 Lapointe St. Croix map, the 1719 van Keulen St. Thomas map, the 1775 Jefferys Virgin Islands map, the 1799 Oxholm St. Croix map, the 1800 Oxholm St. John map, among others. All of these antique maps have a vast historical significance in the mapping history of the Virgin Islands.

"We invite you to peruse through our fine selection of important Virgin Islands maps by clicking on Argus Prints."

For all you history buffs who read this blog, you should enjoy these detailed maps of the Virgin Islands.

Chillin' in Frederiksted was never so good as last Tues., when Chris Kline and the Boulevards rocked the house at Jasmine Manor, a LOVELY old home in the historic district.

These guys were terriffic! Blues, rock, funk - and lots of original stuff. Vicki Pederson, fellow Reator, massage therapist, friend, and owner of this lovely home - had teamed up with "Chicken Charlie" to bring in great musical acts every week. Charlie prepares a great meal and 50 tickets are sold - (and generally all of them are...at only $25 each) - and we sit outside at candlelit tables and enjoy the food, music, and each others' company.

No better deal than this, folks! Here are shots of the two band members hamming it up at one of the ruins next door to Jasmine Manor.

You could be enjoying this with us. Request my Free Relocation Package and call or email with questions on your move to St Croix.

I attended the chamber of commerce meeting this morning, where our new slate of officers were officially recognized and the old "retiring" board was thanked for their service.

Then, our distinguished and well-spoken governor talked about the TONS of things his administration has done.

I left with such a good feeling about this wonderful island that we live on. There are so many really good people here - and our Governor, John deJongh, is certainly one of them - who are working diligently to make this island as good as it can be.

It makes me proud to live here and be counted among the many excellent business people whose heart and soul are devoted to making St Croix a viable place to live and work.

You can join us. Contact me for my free Relocation Package or free Retirement Package. Come grow with our island and make your dreams come true.