After a glorious morning with sunshine, blue skies and monkeys a gentle rain has begun – the sky I still bright to the ocean but dark over the mountains – nothing too ominous, so an afternoon swim in the rain is a likelihood.

A week into vacation, and I am only now beginning to find the rhythm of tropical life – something that until this trip has been very easy to come by – visions of incomplete construction and psychiatrist reorganizing everything have filled my dreams while the ceiling fan stirs the warm night air.

As a result, I have done little besides read and chat with our friends – comfortable dinners or morning encounters on a walk.

The house is still comfortable – although showing signs that there is need for some maintenance – the gardens are wonderfully lush – our own pineapples ready to eat – hard to think you need more than this.

Nature continues to amaze:

This fellow was living behind the cushions on the couch and spending evenings eating bugs on the wall

Giant grasshopper has been lounging in the palm for days

Birds built a nest inside the glass dome of the ceiling fan