It is only 10:30am, but a busy, eventful morning.

Katherine and the girls didn't come because Katherine is working on a map of the area and wants to get it done. I wasn't totally unhappy because it gave me time to do all my tons of laundry. I still had sheets and towels from Ziomara's massage on Saturday, everything from mine last night and everything from my week at the beach. I usually do 3 loads but there were 5 this morning. I have things hanging all over the place. One area looks so tropical with my new things.

Aura, the head of the craft ladies, is in Las Vegas. Emilio called me last night to let me know her husband, who was here, died of a heart attack yesterday. He was around the craft ladies gatherings a lot and was very nice to me. We joked and teased a lot and when he was here and saw my plants he started giving me herbs to add to my collection. He spoke some English and we would joke because he would be saying bird and it was pronounced like beard.

In Costa Rica the funeral is usually the next day but we weren't sure since Aura isn't here. I found out this morning that she will get back at 1:00pm today and the funeral will be at 4:00pm. The crochet ladies will come at 2:00 so I will have them stay an hour and I will take the bus to Paraiso. The funeral is at the big church on the square so I won't have far to walk.

While I was doing laundry Dora came over with an empanada from Tia's. Now you know how much I like empanadas and especially when they are crispy. This was excellent, nice and crispy with a mild cheese in it. Just great.

And and and, my concrete blocks were delivered this morning. Ana came to get me. They aren't back by my house but we can manage them from where they are. Mario, the brother that stays at Tia's at night, and a helper brought them. I showed them the picture of what I am going to build with them. They thought it was great. I am so anxious to get started. The dirt will be here tomorrow. I will have lots to keep me busy. Ana told me this morning that one of my hanging plants was looking dead while I was gone so she took it down and put it where the rain would get to it. It perked back up. She also went down the line and pointed out things I could put in the concrete blocks. I think I will have to leave as many openings for plants as I can. I may have to get my mathematical wiz involved. I also want to have it set up so I can see many from the porch, not just when I go in the soccer field. I read about making wire baskets for inside the blocks to hold the dirt. I will ask Gerardo if he has some chicken wire around. If not I will go buy some.  I thought of using the extra from the zaron but I am not sure that will work. It is too soft.

And now the work starts.

I am tropical!

Last night Otto called me a gringatica. I think that means I fit in. It is a good thing.