And Even More Orchids

Finally (maybe, probably) two more pictures from the orchid show last weekend. These are two of my favorites. In case anyone is wondering why I haven't included the names or varieties of any of these flowers, it's because I don't know them. There are more than 30,000 varieties of orchids, and yes, they were probably written on little cards in the displays, but I wasn't paying attention to that. I just thought they were pretty.

I like the blush on this last one, as if the flowers were slightly embarrassed about something. Probably because I caught them with their reproductive organs hanging out and waving in the breeze.

More Orchids and a Pirate

As promised, or threatened, a couple more orchid photos and one more from Tom Mason's appearance at Coconuts on the Beach Sunday. And a warning -- I've got lots more of both,especially the flowers.

Every time I look at this next one I wonder if they grow a lot of these in Louisiana -- because of course LSU's colors are purple and yellow.

Finally, one more from Coconuts. Tom has a habit of running out into the crowd and jumping up on tables as he performs.

Flowers and Freebooters

More pictures from the orchid show, as promised, but first -

Our friend, musician Tom Mason, the Blue Buccaneer, is back on island and I caught him last night at Coconuts on the Beach, a great venue for a great act. Fun night of pirate music and piratey attitude. And I had something of a triumph. It was Johnny Cash's birthday and Tom did Folsom Prison Blues, but was a little troubled by the train image for a pirate. So I batted out these new lyrics for him, which he used.

I hear the wind a blowin'

Up from the Spanish Main.

Wish I could see a pirate ship

And not this goddamn train ...

Tom's CD, The Blue Buccaneer is one of my favorite pirate albums in years, with songs perfect for singing along and pounding on the table in a tavern - which is the best possible place to listen to pirate songs. And he'll be hitting the pirate festival tour this summer as well. Don't miss him - although it's hard to believe the setting will be anywhere near as good as last night's.

Also, Tom is working with us on a project for the 10th anniversary of Talk Like a Pirate Day, so stay tuned.

Update: Almost forgot. Tom and the guys will play at 7 p.m. tonight (Monday) at Angry Nate's in Christiansted. If you happen to be on island and enjoy a good time.

And now, a few more pictures from the orchid show.

This is the orangest and yellowest thing I have ever seen. And more space pixies!

Orchids, Orchids and Even More Orchids

Tori and I went to the St. Croix Orchid Society's annual show Saturday and took about 47,000 pictures. I won't make you look at all 47,000, but over the next week I'm going to be posting about 20 of our favorites. Because DAMN.

These look like space pixies or something.




Probably my favorite picture.

Savage pink. Just savage!

Be warned. MORE to come.

Meet Me at the Fair

Think county fair, but with an island flair.

Last weekend was the 41st annual Ag Fair on St. Croix, the biggest food and farming exhibition in the Caribbean.

One thing I'll say for Crucians -- they have terrific patience for talk. When it's time to open an event, they want their speeches, and lots of 'em. I covered the opening ceremony, and there were more than 15 speakers on the program, including the people who received honors. The best part? Usually the invocation is given by a local pastor who "Oh lords" for 10 to 15 minutes. This time the invocation was given by a five year old who did it with complete aplomb - he was great - and the invocation was as short as he was.

It's also a big, big event for schools, lots of competition for best educational display, ag art, essays, poems, you name it.

Anyway, the story about the opening is here. There's also a picture of the young man, Kevin Beaupierre, giving the invocation. And my colleague from the Source, Bill, wrote this about the final day.

Pooches on Parade

The dog parade put on by the Krewe de Croix is an annual event that draws a fair sized crowd to the boardwalk in Christiansted. The Krewe is basically just a bunch of friends who put an island twist on various stateside traditions. Next week is their Mardi Croix parade on the northside, and while it's technically a different group running the St. Patrick's Day Parade, it's mostly the same people.

You can see the story I wrote about Saturday's parade here. This is my favorite pic from last weekend's dog parade. "I'm ready for my closeup!"

AND FYI - The laptop I use for almost everything is now a former computer. For the short term I'm using a much older machine. I can do pretty much all the same stuff, but everything is a lot more difficult and takes longer. So I probably won't be blogging quite as much. Just so you know. jb

Wonder If They Sell Much

Saw this sign yesterday at the Cost-U-Less. I can certainly see why they'd have to reduce price.