A breathtaking sunset over the Caribbean waters from the estate
A breathtaking twilight view from the estate.

It has been a whirlwind of a year so far, filled with stark contrasts in weather, extensive property improvements, and the shifting dynamics of family life. For Libbie, the turning of the season brought a flurry of activity that spanned from the snow-dusted mountains of West Virginia to the sun-baked terraces of Tortola.

The month began with a trip stateside. Libbie spent time in West Virginia visiting her brother, who had recently been hospitalized with an infection and a severe pressure sore. The weather there was nothing short of erratic—a balmy 78 degrees one Sunday, plummeting to 22 degrees and heavy snow by the time she departed on Tuesday. Amidst the challenging hospital visits and freezing temperatures, she managed to send off a care package of fresh Caribbean Mountain coffee beans to Jay.

Before returning to the demands of the estate, Libbie and her closest cousin, Virginia, took a much-needed, brief vacation in Old San Juan. Revitalized—despite enduring some of the worst TSA lines San Juan had ever seen—she returned to Tortola ready to work.

A bright daytime view of a lush island hill surrounded by blue ocean
The lush, steadfast beauty of the islands.
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Tending the Grounds at Auriga

Back on the island, the wet winter had left its mark, and the property required a watchful eye and a lot of elbow grease. Libbie dove into working on the little gardens along the terraces, power washing the accumulated winter grime.

Maintenance is an ongoing story here. The rotting cover of the sump area by the pool house had finally seen its last days. Libbie took on the rebuild herself, replacing the decaying wood with sturdy, treated tongue-and-groove boards. She also cleaned the gutters and installed new guards to catch as much precious rain as possible.

The old, rotting, dark wood cover over the sump area
The old, rotting sump cover.
The brand new, light-colored treated wood cover
The newly built treated tongue-and-groove cover.

Despite the recent dry spell—which has left the cistern running low enough that a water truck might soon be necessary—the flora is thriving. The fruit trees are having a spectacular season. Sara, displaying impressive agility, managed to climb the trees and harvest nine papayas, shimmying back down with three at a time.

Sara standing amidst lush green foliage holding large harvested papayas
Sara successfully harvesting the papayas.

As evening falls over the estate, the desert roses tell their own story. Despite the lack of rain, they have burst into full bloom, glowing vividly against the night sky.

Desert roses blooming beautifully at night, illuminated by string lights
The desert roses in full, defiant bloom despite the dry weather.
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Wildlife, Rescues, and Goodbyes

Life on the island is deeply intertwined with nature and animals. In town, Libbie recently helped execute a daring rescue of local bees from the Sports Complex, safely relocating the hives and preserving the honeycomb.

Libbie in a beekeeper suit carrying wooden bee boxes
Relocating the rescued bee boxes.
Holding up a large piece of golden honeycomb
A beautiful piece of rescued honeycomb.

Closer to home, there was bittersweet news regarding the estate’s beloved feline residents. While Mo the cat is doing well and enjoying the warm evenings on the terrace, the family had to say a sad goodbye to Rumi, who is no longer with them.

An orange tabby cat sitting on an outdoor table at night
Mo enjoying the evening ambiance.
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Looking Ahead: Roofs and Renovations

With hurricane season always looming on the horizon, discussions with local builders have yielded a plan for the pool house roof. In the short term, Libbie plans to construct a treated 4×6 cross beam and install galvanized sheeting. It’s a step up from temporary tarps and will keep the space dry and maintenance-free for years.

“An architect recently told us that a poured cement roof is about 1/3 the cost of a timber roof and is hurricane proof. I would vote for a poured roof at some point in the future…”

In the meantime, small victories are celebrated. Returning from San Juan, the luggage was packed with modern treasures: smart lightbulbs and luxurious, slow-close toilet seats to replace the disintegrating old ones. Ariella wasted no time, having hers installed within twenty minutes of arrival. Furthermore, a newly built flower bed is now successfully soaking up runoff water near the parking spot, and Libbie is eager to test out a newly acquired bucket of plaster mixed with marble powder.

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Updates from Afar

Miles away, Jay received these updates with a fond appreciation for the ongoing legacy of the property. The photos serve as a wonderful window into Auriga, something he looks forward to sharing with his mother.

While Libbie has been busy with estate repairs, Jay has been navigating his own milestones. Having recently traveled through Portugal and Spain, his current focus has shifted from international travel to family planning—specifically, preparing for Lilly’s next grand adventure. This summer, she will begin a rigorous 4-year DMD program at Tufts University.

Though they are separated by oceans and different daily challenges, the connection remains strong, fueled by shared memories, property updates, and the anticipation of freshly roasted Caribbean Mountain coffee beans arriving in the mail.