Good neighbors are a treasure. First Berta comes by with a box of fresh strawberries. These are always perfect, because they are from her daughter and son in law who are growers. They were delicious with brown sugar and lime juice. The doorbell rings and Leila comes in, holding a beautiful straw hat painted withContinue reading “Good Neighbors”
Author Archives: winifredcreamer
A Week of Whimbrels
There is always something new on the beach. I’ll post weekly with what’s been going on. This week we determined that there are at least two whimbrels on the beach, and possibly four, two pairs. These fanciful birds are long-beaked shore birds, a bit smaller than their cousins, the curlew. Bird guides list them asContinue reading “A Week of Whimbrels”
Beach Days
Even when the day dawns bright and the mist burns off rapidly, the hot sun on the wet sand produces billows of mist all morning. People are setting up their umbrella while big puffs of fog roll by like ghost tumbleweeds. Once the sun comes out, all kinds of people come to the beach. SomeContinue reading “Beach Days”
How to Make Paella
The main event at a recent housewarming was paella made by two Spaniards. These are experienced paella-makers, and they came prepared.They used a portable gas burner with three concentric rings of flame, perfect for a paella pan. Sauteeing the initial vegetables and seasonings in the big paella pan. At subsequent points, more liquid wasContinue reading “How to Make Paella”
New on the Street
My horizons are a bit smaller in Barranca than elsewhere, since my universe is my neighborhood. It was pretty exciting to have a new food truck cafe. A pleasant Colombian couple is selling coffee drinks and the back of their van has two beautiful old-fashioned looking expresso machines. The two wear traditional Colombian outfits andContinue reading “New on the Street”
Bringing In 2018
We had a wonderful New Year’s Eve considering that at noon on Dec. 31 we had no idea what would happen. A couple of conversations later and a quick trip to the store we were set. (Jonathan shopped while I stood in the long line. Serendipity smiled, and he turned up just as I gotContinue reading “Bringing In 2018”
Transitions
It’s time again for resolutions that we would like to keep, those we might keep, and a few that we keep making even though know we will never keep them. Hope is boundless, so let’s all put a big scoop of it in our resolutions and head on in to the New Year. Our holidayContinue reading “Transitions”
Farewell to Illinois and Hello, Summer!
Our extended stay in Illinois wasn’t all we might have hoped for, after all, it included a hospital stay for Jonathan (only overnight). After all the waiting for tests, the surgery itself went smoothly and he was home and sore the next day. Now, a week later, he is largely back to normal. WeContinue reading “Farewell to Illinois and Hello, Summer!”
Beachcombing Treasures
A great pleasure of being retired is having the time to dabble. I am a great putterer and after beachcombing extensively in Italy, I wanted to make something of my finds. I took the plunge and bought a Dremel. For the uninitiated, this is a tool that can be used like a drill, a polisher,Continue reading “Beachcombing Treasures”
Thanksgiving in the Heartland
The weather moderated for Thanksgiving. It was mild and pleasant, and we shared our feast with our friend Peggy and with Lyra, visiting from New York. You won’t see Lyra in any of the photos because she was sick on Thanksgiving Day, and we let her sit out the pictures. I am thankful for myContinue reading “Thanksgiving in the Heartland”
Llywindatravels 2026 