Life in Costa Rica: Just call me Farmer Gayle!

It has been a lovely week and it will be a busy weekend. And I haven't even spent anytime painting. I do plan to get back to that today but who knows. I'm retired you know! My schedule is very flexible.

As you know I ran out of propane and it took me until Tuesday afternoon to get a new tank. My fault. The crochet ladies were here on Tuesday. I set up in the party room. Between the smell and the mess in my house it worked better there. I put a circle of comfortable chairs. Everything for coffee was from the bakery. I will have to make up for that next week. They all know now about my idea to sell things and my Thanksgiving dinner. Ligia brought a bunch of things she had crocheted to show us. One was a complete miniature tea set. I brought them over to see my painting and they teased me about a big bed and no hombre. I think I am going to have a bedroom party when everything is finished. I am thinking of accenting in navy blue. I think it will make a good combination. And, I haven't given up the idea of painting in other rooms but we will see how I feel after I finish this room.

The mess also caused me to move my massage to the front porch. In the treasures Heather has found at Dig and Save is a long piece of eggplant colored sheer curtain fabric. I attached it to the poles on the porch to cut the view if anyone went by. I put the couch across the other end facing the courtyard and set up a mattress on the floor. It was great and we are going to do that again. Otto says most of his training was techniques intended to be used with the person on the floor. He is able to use more of his strength. I sprinkled the area with lavender oil to keep the bugs away. It was great.

I baked cookies to take to the craft ladies and they were so excited to see me - and my roller bag full of things I brought from the United States. They couldn't wait to see that and decide who gets to buy what. Some of the things I could have sold 10 times as much. They were very happy with the crochet hooks and now want me to get the tiny ones also. I took them 5 more hats for the cancer ladies and donated towards the dress for the young cancer patient for her prom or graduation or whatever it is. Iliana also finished a very cute hat with a flower to give to Anita. I have asked for pictures in return so I can show my ladies.

Months ago I tried saving mango seeds but nothing happened. Recently I had some really good mangos so I tried again. You pry open the outer shell and get the seed inside. You wrap it in wet paper towel and put it in a plastic bag and hope it sprouts. This morning I showed Gerardo and Ana and all 3 had sprouts so they had me plant them in my good dirt in the plastic bags used here for planting seeds. I put them by my concrete planter so they will get plenty of rain. I really hope they keep growing. We will have to plant them someplace in the ground but for now it will work where they are. The sunflowers and the cucumbers are doing great. The hollyhock has several flowers. Jose is bringing me more dirt. I am down to about a quarter of a bag.

I have been working on the cashmere throw in the evenings and have all the pieces I need made into strips. Now I need to sew the strips together. It isn't like a fabric quilt where you are careful that the corners and pieces match. Each sweater piece stretches differently and the pieces are all different sizes. We will see if this is my one and only or if I am starting something. If you look them up, they are very expensive to buy.

Tomorrow I am going to Cartago to meet up with Ziomara. I haven't been there since I got back. One of the things we are going to do is go to Pequeno Mundo for shopping. I need to start on Thanksgiving things.

I haven't told you about my new project. Katherine has a hotel, has created a map of Costa Rica, handles real estate, takes care of a home and 2 kids and has been asked for tours here and to the US. You think I am busy! Anyway, she knows I spent a lot of time in the travel industry and has asked me to help her put tours together. Well, that is right up my alley! We want to create things no one else has to offer to give her an edge, make her stand out. Can't wait. We are meeting Sunday morning for a brainstorming session. Then Sunday afternoon I have been invited to a First Communion party for Jose's son. I love it. All the people I am involved with and who have made me part of their lives.

The guayaba are slowing down and now there are Mandarinas on the tree. Not many cas either. The orange tree near me that Jon and Debbie loved has tons of fruit. I see a lot of mora and the limon dulce are plentiful.

Turrialba has been acting up and earthquakes have been more frequent.

I may have another resident in La Quinta for December and January. Angela, who was here when Jon and Debbie were here is planning on coming back for 2 months. She would be upstairs most of the time and in the little apartment when Heather and Kent are here, or off touring.

I think that is it. Noting else exciting going on. My bronchitis is better. My ant bites are better. My mosquito bites are better. Haven't seen any cockroaches or spiders lately. Life is good!