I think Gerardo thinks I am a failure as a planter

This morning when I talked to him about my trip to the airport on Friday - turns out Jose does that so we will leave about 5:00pm and have time to stop along the way for a snack and something to drink. He will also come and get me when I come back in Sept. That will save me staying overnight.  Anyway, back to Gerardo. I asked about the airport and paying my rent for the next few months before I go and also donde esta the dirt. Ana was handy so she told him what I was looking for. There is a pile of stuff that is mostly little rock and that goes in first. Then dirt. I also asked for a pala - shovel. 

Found out where everything is and Ana started shoveling the rocks into the pail and I said no, no I will do it. Gerardo came out and said no, no he will do it this afternoon. I think he is just afraid I will do it wrong and kill all the flowers I want to plant before I leave. I have had a couple casualties. One of the Johnny Jump Up plants died and something is eating at one of my basil plants. Also some of the sticks I stuck in the dirt just kept getting deader and deader looking, with no roots developing so I just threw them away. I put the lavender in place of the Johnny Jump Up. I will move the hanging plants to the tree so that most of the things will be watered by the rain. Only a few things will need to be watered while I am gone.

I can't believe I have been here almost 3 months and head to Wisconsin just after midnight on Friday for a fun, busy 4 weeks. I will see lots of friends and family during that time and I promise not to text Heather from the next room. I do have a new telephone number that Heather set up for me - she is such a good girl. It is 608-213-3916. I will pick up the phone when I get to Heather's on the 22nd and leave it there when I leave on the 16th of September. I do have a phone and number here in Costa Rica but I never use it and usually don't have it anywhere near me. I put $3.00 worth of time on it and it is still there.

If anyone wants to get in touch with me, email works best, although I am getting better at leaving this wonderful iPad Heather and Kent gave me for Christmas alone for hours at a time so I can be part of life here. I will have it with me when I travel and leave my laptop here. 

It will be a busy week before I leave. Tomorrow to Cartago to hopefully get the feathers, Wednesday lunch with Emelio, Thursday massage with Otto and Friday to the airport. I love retirement! Pure Vida.