Baja St. Martin

Right away I want to remind everyone that the next Food for Seniors in lower St. Martin will be on Nov. 21. This will be a double box distribution so please try not to forget and/or get someone to pick up your boxes for you. I will be phoning everyone personally probably this week as a final reminder.
I’ve learned that the new house/camp I saw from Belle River when I was boat riding with my husband belongs to a Pierre Part family by the name of Daigle. Someone told me their son acquired the property for his parents, although acquiring does not mean buying. I’m quite sure the land could only have been leased, which doesn’t make any difference if it’s a long term lease.
In the other direction, one of our local boat builders, Charles Leonard, is building a large, aluminum hull behind his workshop and I’ve been told that will be the future camp boat for one of the Swamp People stars, Troy Landry.
Since I’ve been mentioning so many unknown properties lately, Ken Grissom was nice enough to let me know about the St. Martin Parish Assessor’s map of properties in the parish. I have not yet become very skilled at navigating the map, but did manage to find the property my husband and I own which was interesting partly because it indicated we owned less land than we’d thought!
I almost literally searched the entire parish while I practiced and it was amazing to see places marked unknown owner. When we bought the land on which we now live, it happened only after 16 members of one family all decided to sell. Until then, apparently, one or two had not been ready to sell. I think that happens a lot in this area where property ownerships are a bit vague and certainly difficult to trace.
I did not yet find the two places I’d mentioned in my article but I’m pretty sure that’s because the land in question is owned by someone while the current occupant is not the one paying the taxes. Still it’s been fun searching.
The cooler weather arrived last night. I awoke to hear the north wind whistling in the windows I’d left open. My windmill on the dock is whizzing about. My dog is curled on the couch and the cat on the bed.
I have a papaya tree in my yard which is literally loaded with fruit – maybe a dozen or more. I’ve begun picking them and for breakfast I slice one, sprinkle lime juice on it and chow down. Yum! Now my Blood Oranges are just about ready to pick. I’m going to look like a fruit pretty soon, but I do love all this stuff.
One of my sisters said there was frost on the ground at her house the other morning. She also said the feathers of the resident sandhill cranes had turned completely grayish – even the red heads. It’s so much fun to watch them dance in her yard.
Friend Jackie and I have been Skyping almost every week. It’s something I look forward to. I had a recent plumbing problem which cut short the Skype last week. Jackie is so lucky to have a son who is a plumber or at least can deal with plumbing problems. Since I don’t have any sons it’s critical that I know dependable, skilled maintenance people to help me out. I think Jackie’s boys are awfully lucky to have her around. She’s such a techie! (That’s a good thing, you understand!)
Last week I had a computer issue and spent an hour and a half on the phone with a guy in El Salvador who did solve the problem eventually. Fortunately he spoke good English!
Don’t forget. Food for Seniors on Nov. 21. Same places, same times.

Teche News’ Lower St. Martin correspondent, Linda Cooke, can be e-mailed at lcooke9417@bellsouth.net.