Charley, this time of year the only thing that might fall out of a coconut tree is Christmas lights.

Now let me get this straight. Australia and New England are having crummy weather?

The snow storm in the northeastern US is all over the news (National Public Radio). I listened to the reports and decided it was a good day to go to the beach. I spent most of yesterday shopping and now I have to find the last of the presents and some boxes big enough to carry them. Do you know how much room a grass skirt takes up?

Last night my neighbors (the ones I think have been robbing me) had a birthday party for their two year old daughter. They invited me. I was of two minds on that score. It is custom to invite neighbors to a fiesta. It is an insult to refuse to go. Yet I don't trust or like them. Sigh, this must be what it's like to be an adult. But I went along, leaving my wallet behind. I sat in the living room and talked to the old man, Mr. Cruz. It was interesting to see how he was treated. He was the patriarch of the family. Every newcomer went straight to him first and greeted him. Apparently he lives in Saipan now but was down to visit on the occasion of the birthday party. As I watched they placed the birthday girl in her high chair and set the whole cake on the tray before her. Then they took pictures while she scooped frosting into her mouth. Then they lit the candles and did the same thing! We sang Happy Birthday. They had a second verse that everyone else knew and sang along.

The Lord has blessed you,
The Lord has blessed you,
The Lord has blessed Mary,
Happy birthday to you.

Then they filled the pinata and took it outside for the kids to break. The house and dooryard were full of screaming excited children. It's been a while since I have been through that and I took my leave shortly thereafter.

I have also encountered another interesting facet of life on Guam. Do-it-yourself criminal investigation. The police department cannot enter the Navy base to interview credit union employees and gather evidence on my stolen check card so I have to do it myself. Tomorrow I'll go over to the bank and get them to run a detailed list of the purchases and the dates and times they were made. Fun!

All this talk of snow has made me cold... no, wait! I just have the air conditioning set too low. I guess I'll go off to the beach to warm up.