My second stretch of looking like a boy.

It was a busy but very good day. I took samples of the mora strawberry jelly to Ana and Oscar and since they both liked it I gave the jar to Ana who took it to Tia. We have a new item planted in La Quinta - camote, which is sweet potato. I have tons of tomatoes on the plants in the pot. I made 2 loaves of Banana Strawberry bread, one for the craft ladies coffee and packed it and a few other things including strawberry mango and mora strawberry jelly for Douglas up in my red bag and headed for Cartago. My first stop was ABC Bazaar for more jelly jars. I headed to Ziomara's yarn shop to show her what I had for her and to see if I could get a hair cut next door. Ziomara explained Johana's mother in law had died and she and her mother were at the funeral. I asked if there was another employee that could do it and we went next door and yes, she could take me right away. She asked if I wanted it the same as last time and I said yes. Ziomara explained what I wanted and then left for the bank. It seemed to be going along pretty well when I noticed an area sticking out. The lady doing the manicure spoke a little English and it turned out she lives in Orosi and would ask me if I wanted it shorter all over the top. Well, I didn't really want it shorter but I did want it to match and not have one area sticking out. The problem all seems to be solved and now I have short hair on top and that is about it. When Emilio saw it he said I like it, would you like me to color it for you? I am just not that brave. In some places he would probably have to paint it on my head!

Thank heavens hair grows. This cut should last a good long time,

After the haircut Ziomara and I went to a soda at the market. We had mora drinks and she had a chicken Casado where you pick the side dishes you want. I had a great beef soup which was way too much food. You get a plate that is beef, carrot, little corn on the cob, potato, chayote and camote. You also get a bowl of rice and a bowl of liquid. There was another piece of camote in the liquid. You dip the bites in the liquid. It was all very good and flavorful, but way too much. Oh, also tortillas.

I suggested Ziomara go back to the yarn shop and leave me at the market. I came away with 6 mangoes, 2 bags of strawberries and a guanabana. That is a fruit I haven't experienced. The name in English is Soursop. Ziomara says it is loaded with antioxidants and good tasting. We will see! It is soft on the outside and is eaten raw.

From the yarn shop I walked to the Cartago/Paraiso bus which leaves a block from the Orosi buses, behind the church and stops in a handy location for the craft ladies.

They are determined I learn Spanish and they want to learn English so we now write messages in both languages on the chalk board so we can both benefit. We had a good laugh because today the message was very basic and we knew it in 4 languages.

There is a nun from Rome who has been attending the craft group. Today it took me, Iliana and Emilio to help her understand she could take anything she wanted from the things I brought for no charge. When she understood she thanked me and I said con mucho gusto and everyone clapped. I guess they hadn't heard me say that before. They are the nicest group of women and try so hard to communicate with me. I explained to Iliana using her translate program that I ordered a bunch of fabric on connecting threads.com and if they go on the website and tell me what they like I can see if I ordered it or if I need to place another order. 

One of the ladies was selling avocados and I bought two. One of them I managed to squish trying to manage my heavy load.

Emilio and I left about 5:00pm and he headed home and I headed to the bus. It makes everything so much easier for me when he stops in. 

The bus home was completely full with people all along the aisle and even in the entry area. I only had to stand for one stop and then got a seat in the front row. I did learn that old ladies shouldn't go fruit shopping to Cartago and then carry 3 bags - heavy bags - to Orosi. It was quite a juggling act. 

Now let me end with my Heather story. In October she brought 2 pillows so she would have them to use here. One memory foam and one down. She left this time with a really bad allergy/cold and was afraid the down pillow had gotten moldy. She asked me to open up the down pillow and check it out. If it was moldy, throw it away. If it wasn't sew it back up. Now in case you don't know, down is little puffs of fluff. Do you have any idea what happens when it gets let loose? There is definitely no getting it back in and it gets all over everything. I think I may have to hose down the room to get it all.

My friend, Kaye, will be here Monday for a new adventure. We will keep you posted!

Visitors to my dish of food. I now have the water dish hanging up from the soccer frame and a bird bath on the tree stump.

Heather brought some things for Jose to give away including some insulated bags. These are a couple of the recipients.

 

My haul today including the squished avocado.

We are going to work on creating this. I love it and have plenty of plants to put in it.