A Jellyfish Invasion

 

The last few days, I have been coming across an unusual number of jellyfish washed up on the beach during my walks. They are called "moon jellyfish" and they are pretty strange-looking. This one happened to look like a grumpy face, which I found amusing. 

The tropical storms sure have been washing up a variety of marine life, shells, and trash. It's always an adventure. 

Italian Ice Cream at Mirage Cafe

I don't go to the Island enough later in the day. It's usually very early in the morning, to see the sunrise and walk. But every once in a while I get over there in the afternoon. When I do, I marvel at seeing the different colors the Island presents while crossing when the sun has made its way to Port Isabel. It's a whole different view. 

Today I stopped at the Mirage Cafe for an Italian ice cream. So many flavors, it was hard to choose. I settled on the churro, and it was very good. 

I haven't really found what I consider a great spot for viewing the sunset. I know the sun makes a beauteous display. For me, it's just finding it in a place where there aren't condos and businesses in the way. There are a few restaurants that boast a nice view from their outdoor seating areas. I just haven't made it there yet. I have caught a few glimpses of the sun going down with the buildings in between. I'll see a great view yet. 

Laguna Vista Nature Trail

 

I have known about the Laguna Vista Nature Trail since I first moved here, but I guess in the beginning I was too afraid to venture out alone - worried about creepy crawlers and such. But finally, after a friend told me that she had often gone walking on the trail without being attacked by any giant spiders or snakes, I decided to brave it. And it was just fine. 

A nice trail for walking - plenty of sunshine and very quiet. I can't say much for its beauty, as it is quite overgrown. But it is pleasant enough and provides an atmosphere for deep thought. I enjoyed it. 

A Hidden Sunrise

 

Today's sunrise was hidden behind the clouds, for the most part, with just a very brief showing of the sun once it was fairly high in the sky. But even without the usual glorious sunrise, it was still a very pretty walk. With the tropical storm Delta pushing into the Gulf, the waves were making it a lot further up the beach, and that water was, OH, SO WARM! I can't think of a better way to get some exercise. 

A Whole Lot of Goodness at Burger-Fi

While the first week of the month is the time for bill-paying and other such necessities, it's also the time for a special treat - my monthly splurge at trying a new eating place. I had planned on it being a Mexican place each month, until all the local spots were tested, but today, after my errands were over, as I was trying to decide which Mexican place to try, I passed by Burger-Fi on Padre Boulevard, and suddenly a burger sounded so good. 

Trying to remember the last time I had a burger that I didn't make myself, I recall that it was in Spokane about six or seven months ago, and it was pretty tasty. I rarely eat burgers out, as I really like my own burgers, which I fry up in a frying pan and top with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, and sometimes more. Now, I know most people are in favor of grilling, but I don't like all that flavorful fat to drip away. I like it to cook right in. And I always use organic, grass-fed beef.

But I hadn't made one in quite some time. In fact, I don't think I have had a burger in the five months I've been here. To be honest, the Burger-Fi place never seemed appealing to me before. It has a very modern look. I don't know. It just never popped out at me before. But it did today. 

As I walked up to the door, where people were enjoying their meals at tables outside, I saw a sign that read "natural burgers." That was a plus. I decided to go all the way and have the top of the line, CEO burger, which was a double burger with some tasty barbeque sauce and two kinds of cheese, and I added lettuce, tomato, and onion. 

It was some kind of yummy, for sure! And so filling, which is what I have come to expect from natural food. I had to stretch it out, eating about half the burger and one big onion ring at the table outside, then finishing the onion rings up on the drive back home, and the other half of the burger when I got home. 

I don't usually order onion rings or anything fried in a restaurant, since I know that they keep re-using the oil over and over, which I don't think is a good thing. And, while the onion rings could very well be the best fast food onion rings I've had in quite a while, I like my own better. But, all in all, I was very pleased with the meal, though next time I will do my belly a favor and settle for a single.

Salmon Salad - A Favorite of Mine

I really love fish and I've been having it a lot lately. It's different every time, depending on my mood and what I have around. I often do blackened salmon with a lot of greens, onions, and maybe some nuts and dried fruit, and I always make my own dressing - usually a basalmic vinegar dressing. Today I just kept it simple with a grilled salmon filet with butter, lime juice, and some sea salt atop spinach and onions and walnuts. Yum. 

Who's Been Eating My Plant?

Who's been eating my mother-of-thousands plant? That's what I have been wondering lately, so much so that I have been keeping the plant inside nights and putting it out in the daytime. When I went outside to water, I noticed a trespasser leaning over the edge of the planter. Could this little guy be the culprit or is he just here to sell me car insurance? 

Well, I did a little investigating and got mixed results. Some websites said that lizards don't eat plants, while others said that they do sometimes. So I don't know what to think, but for now I will continue keeping the plant inside a lot more, where it can keep company with all the little new plants I have started from it. I haven't wanted to put those baby plants outside, as I'm quite sure the tender new leaves would be a big temptation for whoever has been feeding on this mama plant.