The Land of Mañana

Mañana is the Spanish word for tomorrow. In this sense it refers to procrastination. One of my eldest son's teachers taught me the term. He refers to the Florida Keys as The Land of Mañana, where almost everything can be put off until tomorrow and nothing needs to really be addressed today.


There is an unofficial malaise known as Keys Disease. Some people come to live in this place, a place that is so much like a paradise, and it is a good experience. People seem to de-stress and unwind. For instance, I don't get all bent out of shape about driving in traffic anymore. There is one main road in and out of here and it's just futile to get crazy when there is a hold up of any kind that causes traffic. When I have occasion to drive on the mainland and get stuck in traffic I just don't let it bother me anymore. That is one example of the upside of living in a place like this and its laid-back attitude. I learned a sort of patient acceptance for things like traffic.

But what about when it contributes to inefficiency, laziness and un-dependablity? That is not cool. I found this definition of Keys Disease. I agree with kevin d's definition, but I think there is more to it. And it kind of governs, and infuses things down here. Like any small town or isolated area I expect that things will be done at a different pace. However, there are times when this gets carried to an extreme, and it is unnecessary. Here are a few small examples.

I have always struggled with the bad habit of being late. Down here I find myself tested to the limit, because I am early compared to most people. I think to myself, I'm not that bad, it's just a few minutes. It is that bad! Late is late and wrong is wrong. Our church service begins at 10:45 am, and there are at least 10-20 people that show up at 11:15-11:30. People are 10 minutes late to work more often than not. I feel so guilty for being one of them. "Better late than never," right? Mas vale tarde que nunca. I remember it from my old high school Spanish lessons, but there was also a phrase that immediately followed it: Mas vale tempriano que tarde!

"Better late than never, Better early than late!"

There is just a laid back spirit that gets carried too far down here. Keys Disease. Try not to catch it.


Above photo by olga.palma

Labor Day Paddling

I don't get to go canoeing nearly as often as I'd like. It is one of my favorite things to do. Today Big Daddy treated me and the little ones to a little canoe ride. Actually we took a vote and Big Daddy, he who is the (mostly) benevolent leader of our clan (and the one with veto power) consented. So off we went, under blue skies and fair and gentle winds. The Atlantic side of our island was most cooperative.

Since we've moved here I have really wanted to see a real live shark while canoeing or snorkeling. Before you think I'm out-of-my-ever-loving-mind, I only want to see a small shark, a baby one even, and one of the more docile species. A two or three foot nurse shark would suit me just fine. Today we were fortunate to have seen three sharks! None of them were more than 3 feet long.

We saw a swift little Bonnethead shark, and quite possibly a lemon shark pup, and also a juvenile black tip.

The following picture looks very similar to what we saw.


We also paddled to a little mangrove island and saw many cormorants roosting, a stripped and abandoned sailboat, and three white herons.

Of course we saw many fish!

Hot

Hot, Hot, Hot and Hot Fun In the Summertime - take your pick, I am humming them both today.

Just about an hour ago I was hanging my laundry out on my nifty clothes dryer. I was roasting. Even for this relatively quick chore I had on sunglasses, hat and sunscreen. I got curious. Just how hot is it? According to my thermometer it read 125 degrees F in the sun and 120 in the shade on my back porch. You might be saying to yourself, as I did, "That can't be right!" Well, same thermometer is reading my bedroom as 79, my living room as 81. Therefore, I concede to it's general accuracy. "We're talking Hot, Hot, Hot!" Still, I wouldn't trade my hot lot in life with any of you who weather four distinct seasons. I love to visit such places but I wouldn't want to live there! And you, dear reader, probably wouldn't want to live here - but you'd enjoy a visit, more than likely.


My Mom graced us with her presence from a few days before Mother's Day until today. We will miss her and I am sure she will enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. The Chaos and Mayhem of our home can be quite loud!


Adam and Flora were delighted to see a 2 foot nurse shark near the mangroves that border the little dock area at the end of our street. I will be happy to spot one myself one of these days.





One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky


"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever."
-1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NLT

Speaking of summer songs:
The classic song "Summertime" by George Gershwin is one of my all time favorite songs. Since becoming a Christian the lyrics of it take on a biblical meaning for me. I highlighted that above in posting a verse of the song lyrics and the coordinating Bible verse. I have never been especially fond of calling the Lord Daddy or Papa as many do nowadays, but that's a personal thing. Many people find it comforting, and He is after all, Our [Heavenly] Father. But in this song, it has always been a picture of God's Fatherhood to His children for me. Let that blow through the jasmine in your mind for awhile.