Holy cow!!!!

There's a lot to write about - more about our son Steve, granddaughter Angel and friend Theresa being here, big rains and storms for the last week, occasional power and internet outages, busy week at Ola Lola's - but THIS is news:

President Obama today nominated the first Hispanic woman to be a Justice of the Supreme Court. And she's a Newyorican! Her parents were Puerto Rican and she lived here until she was eight years old.

This is from an Associated Press report:

"WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama chose federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor to become the nation's first Hispanic Supreme Court justice on Tuesday, praising her as "an inspiring woman" with both the intellect and compassion to interpret the Constitution wisely.

Obama said Sotomayor has more experience as a judge than any current member of the high court had when nominated, adding she has earned the 'respect of colleagues on the bench, the admiration of many lawyers who argue cases in her court and the adoration of her clerks, who look to her as a mentor.'

Standing next to Obama at the White House, Sotomayor recalled a childhood spent in a housing project in the Bronx as well as her upper-echelon legal career: 'I strive never to forget the real world consequences of my decisions on individuals, businesses and government.' "

You can read the whole AP article here.

A huge surprise!!

So yesterday afternoon I'm working behind the bar at Ola Lola's and I see this sorta familiar face walking toward me with a beautiful little blond girl and another young woman I don't recognize. Then I realize it's our son Steven! He brought his daughter Angel and his friend to the island for vacation! We had NO IDEA they were coming! But that's pretty much Steve - he just kinda shows up. It's been way way too long since we've seen him. And this is the first time we've met Angel.

What a sweetie!!! She's beautiful, she's sweet, she's fun, she has a great smile and a wonderful laugh. Okay, we bang in love with her! Oh, yeah - she loves horses and the beach! My kinda girl!


I'm not sure Steve will ever know how much his coming means to me. Obviously because it's been a long time since we've seen our son. But it's more than that. This past weekend was one of our favorite kite festivals on the beach in Grand Haven, Michigan. So many of our friends were there. This coming weekend is another of our favorite festivals, Family Kite Fest in Milwaukee. Normally we would be going to Milwaukee for the festival but for various reasons we're not this year. So I've been really missing our kiting friends, really missing our kids (even Amy because she's been in Connecticut for a week and a half), not really "homesick" (since I am home), just missing people.

And then Steve, Angel and Theresa arrived. I'm still missing our friends but it is wonderful having the kids here!

Better day today

It rained all day Wednesday. I don't know if it's more tiring here because it happens so seldom or if it was worse in Michigan where it could be gray and gloomy for days on end. Yesterday was better and this morning the sun is shining. The rain they forecast for yesterday didn't make as far as the beach but the forecast is for more rain today.

So far this year (knock on wood) we haven't had a flood. Hope we keep it that way.

BTW - way to go Red Wings! And Manchester United can win the English Premiership tomorrow if they beat Arsenal.

Happy Belly's burns

A fire late last night gutted the interior of Happy Belly's. Those of you who have been here will have a least passed Happy Belly's, if not actually sat down and waited an interminable amount of time to get served. You'll know exactly where HB's is.

For y'all that haven't made it yet, HB was a fairly popular beach-side restaurant about a mile from Ola Lola's in Jobos. At one time Happy Belly's was pretty good. Lately, service has suffered and the food has been mediocre at best. I don't think we've been there since we moved here, but it's still sad to see a local institution destroyed.

There are rumors the fire was arson but there has been no official word on cause. Here is a link to the article in El Nuevo Dia newspaper. (Thanks, Zan, for the link.)

The kitchen and bar areas were pretty much destroyed. No idea if or when they might rebuild and/or reopen.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to everyone in the Ola Lola's family - whether you are a mother, want to be a mother or just have a mother.

Special wishes this year for Erin and Jen, who are celebrating therr first Mother's Day as new moms; Amy and Marisol, who are quietly celebrating Mother's Day away from their babies, Jen who is celebrating Mother's Day with Jackie and her brand new baby brother Jess.

From all of us to all of you - Happy Mother's Day!

computers!

Well, we got both desktop computers back yesterday. We've been operating with a very slow laptop - thank goodness (actually, thank Erin and Jason) for that.

Now the hard drive that has ALL my pictures from the last year and a half is in the shop. We're visualizing an easy recovery and quick transfer to a new hard drive. Arghhhh!

World Wide KAP Week

We just ended World Wide KAP (Kite Aerial Photography) week. My original goal was to KAP something every day of the week and post the photos on the WWKAP Flickr site. Ah, the best laid plans...

Ripping winds and other commitments limited my time out. (Yes, there is such a thing as too much wind. If the wind over-powers the kite, kite flying, especially with a camera rig hanging from the line, can be come dangerous very quickly.) But I did get out early one morning to shoot one of my favorite KAP subjects, the edge of the ocean along Shacks Beach. It's not only close and convenient, it is beautiful from the air. The colors are so much stronger in the early light than at mid-day (when I usually manage to my act together to go shoot).

You can see more from this set on our Flickr site, www.flickr.com/photos/ola-lolas. And check out the other amazing KAP photos by a number of wonderful KAPpers on the WWKAP site and the "regular" Flickr KAP group. This is always the first group I look on Flickr. It is beautiful, amazing, inspirational, wonderful. I never cease to marvel at the images captured by this group of photographers.

All smiles

Kennedy playing with her abuela on the beach.