It is WAR and I am up to the challenge!

It has been a busy week, as this week will be also. I may have mentioned I love starting projects so my friends will be coming to see me in the middle of several. I bought another gallon of apricot paint and a gallon of white and a gallon of thinner - I hate the oil based paint. I may have mentioned that also. I left it all at the hardware store and asked them to give it to Gerardo. It is on my porch this morning. So I have painting to do. And my new porch furniture still needs covers. I have cut out all the cushions from the foam - I had enough for everything. Ana brought me covers for the chair backs so for now I just need fabric for the 2 chair seats and the long couch back. I went into the fabric shop in Paraiso yesterday but I got frustrated and left. I would take a bolt out of the stack and roll it out a little and see if the color and pattern would work. It has to go with the gold of these cushions. I would put it back on the pile and the lady from the store would come running over to put it back lower in the pile. I felt like I was being scolded for not doing it right. After a couple times I just left so her piles would stay perfect.

I went to the Féria yesterday morning. Emilio met me there. He no longer has to call to see where I am. He just goes to the plant stand. Yes, I bought more. They are so nice- the people I mean. I now have basil and a plant with flowers like crown of thorns but no thorns and some neat succulents and a ground cover. They also gave us advice for my war. When I was finished I gave everything to Emilio and headed off on my own. They we're getting a taxi to Orosi so he took my stuff to the pizza shop and I got more and took the bus back. I really gave him everything because my phone and iPad were both in the red bag. I had no clock, no lists, no translate, no nothing. I managed.

Now let me tell you about Friday. The excursion with the seniors. I hate to be late and inconvenience others so I am usually early. Jeanette had told me 8:00am so I was sitting in front of the church at 7:45am. Well, you tell a tico 8:00 because they are always late and you really want to leave at 8:30. It turns out San Rafael is just outside Cartago and the road was very good until it wasn't. It kept getting narrower and narrower and changed to gravel with an abundance of potholes. This place is out in the country and although I had not heard of it, it is lovely. Several pools, water features including a slide and large area for picnics as well as a restaurant. Very nice.

When we got there everyone headed to tables and a grassy area near a covered shelter. I headed to the covered area between the pools.  I pulled out my crochet and sat there in the shade. I had my black ruffle swimsuit top with black capris withmy swimsuit bottoms underneath.  Now all these other ladies were dressed so nice in pants or skirts and blouses, like they were going to church. Turned out most of them didn't go in the water. Ligia Sanchez and another one of my neighbors came and sat by me and I pulled out my container of snickerdoodle cookies. It was funny because word must have spread. Little by little we had most of the group near us. Eventually we all moved back to the grassy area for lunch and dancing. They brought in live music. Lunch was chicken, vegetables, salad, rice, dessert and beverage.

So let's talk about what I paid. It was an hour transportation from Orosi, entrance to the pools, snacks, lunch, live music. 2000 colones which is about $3.75. Quite a deal.

Yesterday when I got back from Paraiso I went to the Orosi Lodge to get coffee for Kaye and Harvey Richard to save them time when they are here. It is bad to let me out the front door when I have to go by a place with plants for sale. There is a place on the way to the Lodge with plants and craft items and I got both. Little plaques of the Orosi church and 3 little cactus. I will have to stop when all my concrete openings are full but so far I have some empty spots. I plan to put the plaque and a bag of Katherine's Pura Vida coffee on their pillow as a welcome.

Now about my war. I came out Friday to discover whatever is eating my garden has eaten all my beautiful orange flowers that weren't even fully opened yet. I noticed a few of the coleus had been chewed on too. That just won't do! Yesterday I showed Gerardo and he gave me a small container of something to mix with water and spray all over everything. I couldn't last night because everything needed watering so I did that this morning. The man at the Féria said to cut up 2 heads of garlic and pour boiling water over it and add liquid dish soap and put it in the refrigerator overnight. strain it and spray it on everything. I will give the plants a dose of that tomorrow. Right now the garden smells like cayenne pepper. I can't wait to see what it will smell like tomorrow - if I haven't killed everything. The bugs will not win!

I can't for the life of me find my digger for the garden. I have no idea where I stuck it. I may have to use a big spoon and get one in June in the states.

I had a little scare with Tia this week. She asked me to come to her house. There was a light on on her stove and everything was hot including the oven. I checked everything and got the light to go off but everything was still hot. When I got home I texted Gerardo and he came and checked and told me everything was fine now. I think she kept trying to turn everything off so the light would go off and instead was turning things on. At least she came and asked for help

WhAt it looked like.

What  it looks like now.

My thank you gift from Jeanette's granddaughter.

Jeanette on the slide - no she didn't go down.

Lunch

I love this. He couldn't walk alone. Had an assistant. Was usually in the wheelchair. But danced!

And again.

They just finished a new feature when we were there. The barrel on top fills with water and when it tips this happens.

I have to change my ways

My drinking days must stop. I told you about the Bailey's in the coffee, and I promise it was only one a day, but I started being light headed and dizzy. So, I decided I have to give it up. Maybe it was the combination with my meds. I am back to plain coffee till I get some hazelnut flavored things.

Yesterday was such a great day - even with my dizziness. I had a list for Gerardo and I finally saw him and asked him if he had 5 minutes for me in my house - yes, in Spanish. I had some of the furniture from my porch way at the end and I told him I didn't like it but I really liked this. I took him over to where one metal piece was. Well, that set things in motion. I will have to get or make cushions but that was my plan anyway. Marta and Ana got moving digging it out and then Ana started finding the other pieces of the set. I now have a couch, 2 chairs and 2 small tables. Some of the pieces Ana was lowering all roped up from the level over the little apt.

I have the old single mattress that I thought I could cut up and use but they brought 3 thick cushions and a big piece of thick foam. Emilio and I are going to Cartago on Saturday to get more foam and maybe look at fabric. I want something waterproof so it won't matter it is on the porch.

I also asked Gerardo about painting the end wall of the porch and he said yes. He offered to cover it with siding and I said no, I love it as it is, it just needs painting. We agreed the same color or terra cotta, which is the other color in the floor tiles.  I took him inside and asked for a board to be placed over the dented area in the sheetrock in the kitchen and for a cover for the attic hole in the kitchen. He said yes to both. We went out back and he gave me two small bamboo rods and I asked if I could have part of the great big bamboo tree that is down in the back. He said yes and I got my saw and clippers and away we went. I ended up with 2 pieces that will make very impressive hangers but will be too big to bring back to the US.

Then Emilio and the crochet ladies came. Ligia Sanchez spent the time teaching him to macrame. I also learned she would be just as happy with the thinner macrame cord and there is more in the roll. Dona Alicia and her grandson came and I could hear everyone chatting away as I finished coffee. I made Cinnamon Roll Cake that needed frosting and egg salad to go with chips. I had banana bread from the freezer. Emilio brought a fruit bread and Dona Alicia brought tayuyos. They are a mini tamale with mashed beans and corn dough. I love having an assortment and when people enjoy what I serve. Dona Alicia's grandson is the quietest little boy I have ever met. He is maybe 6 or 7 and he just sat there and never made a peep. I brought out my container of kids things so that hopefully he would find something to amuse himself. He was all dressed in his school uniform and looked so proper.

With Emilio there it was easier to communicate and we went over details for next Thursday with the ladies from Paraiso. Jose will be here to take them and all our stuff. Kaye and Harvey Richard and I will go on the bus to Paraiso and Jose will pick us up and take us to the finca. On the way back he will take the ladies to the bus and then come get us and we will ride home with him. Emilio is coming back next Tuesday to finish the macrame hanger and we will go over everything again. He will also be at the event in Paraiso to help.

Today I am concentrating on tagging all our items and listing them in my book so I am not rushing at the last minute to do it.

I was all excited because my strawberry plants had little leaves but today we are back to sticks. The Coke didn't do it. Today I sprinkled coffee grounds. Ana even said the dreaded word - chemicals. It's funny how whatever it is has only picked a few things. The strawberries, rose bushes and the white flowered plant. Hydrangeas next to the strawberries are just fine and so is everything around the roses. Ana keeps saying Gerardo so I will have to ask for another 5 minutes.

Tomorrow is massage and craft ladies, Friday the seniors excursion which I learned is to San Rafael   for swimming (the things I agree to), Saturday to Cartago. I am tired already. Then I get busy getting ready for my guests and a busy week while they are here. It could be worse. I could be unable to do all of this. I and my life are indeed blessed.

Katherine and the girls are going to help me do this. Emilio wants to help too - by eating the nuts.

Ana and one of the chairs.

One of the sets Ligia Sanchez made.

I love flavored coffee

Especially hazelnut. I have brought instant hazelnut flavored coffee here with me. I have brought sugar free hazelnut syrup by DaVinci from Oregon. I have even bought and used hazelnut creamer from WalMart. But, I am out of everything. I am not really a lover of coffee, more so all the things I put in it.

Well, I was tired of plain, and I am not big on mocha so what could I do? I looked around and realized I had a bottle of Bailey's from Thanksgiving so it is even more aged. I decided to try it and let me tell you, it will do. After 12 cups to figure out the right amount - no no no, I am just joking. Only one and you know the size of my cups. But there was only room for a little with all the coffee and the milk. It was really good though. Worth trying again.

If you remember, last year about this time, when Kaye was here, we had an infestation of flying beetles and had to hide in my bedroom after dark. I think they may have started again. Hopefully they will be gone by the time she gets here. I remember I didn't get sympathy from anyone here last year. It just happens this time of year.

I have a problem in my garden. I sure am having a time being a farmer. My good rose bush has no leaves and one of the plants in the original area that was covered with tiny white flowers now has no flowers. Also the strawberries are just sticks. A while back one of my planters had tons of big ants and I read that you should pour Coke on it. I did that and they are no longer a problem there and all the plants lived. Last week I poured it on the strawberry plant area and I have a tiny green leaf on one of the plants. So, this morning I did it on the planter in all the areas around the plant without the white flowers. This bottle was a generic so we will see if it still works. The people at the Super are going to think I really drink lots of Coke.

I got a present from Emilio's father Friday. It is a packet you mix with a liter of water and spray or sprinkle around. Hopefully it will work and solve my cockroach problem. If I do it now maybe it will discourage the flying beetles too.

It is a beautiful day here in Orosi. I hope it is where you are too. I must get back to painting, but the porch is just so comfortable. I am going to ask Gerardo to paint, or give me paint, for the end wall of the porch.  It wouldn't take long and would look lots better, even if it stays the same color.

It is getting closer to blooming if nothing eats it.

I love the things that come up that I don't plant. This is in my pineapple plantation and Ana says wonderful fruit. Can't wait.

This is how big my mango tree it. I think it is big and strong enough to plant.

Where I ended yesterday. The wood goes better than the Sheetrock.

This is the color.

I am at it again.

Yesterday morning I met all the seniors at church - the new church which now has some pews and birds flying thru and I think they have nests in the rafters. It was a special mass for blessing of the throats or seniors or something. I don't know what but I got it too. After mass I went to Dona Alicia and she explained both she and her granddaughter were confused over whether it was Tuesday or Wednesday. I gave her the wrapped jar of jelly and I told her and everyone else I knew it is this Tuesday at 3:00pm. We will try again.

I also took Ligia 2 balls of macrame cord for 3 more small hangers and a large one when we get bamboo. I have spoken with Gerardo to explain what I need. I also took her yarn for a purse as my friend in North Dakota has ordered 4. We have 3 made and just need to make 1 more to send back with Kaye so she has them for Mother's Day.

On the way home I went by the hardware store and got a gallon of paint and thinner and a couple brushes and this morning I started painting the kitchen. It will take at least 2 coats to cover the blue but I think it will be great. It is a light apricot.

Last night Jeanette contacted

It is really more apricot color.

This gives you an idea how big the leaves on my mystery plant are. Jeanette says no flowers, no fruit, just grows really big.

me. Her granddaughter's class needed to do a project to decorate bottles and did I have any ribbons or beads or feathers that I would be willing to give her. We finally worked out a time for them to come and we went thru all my craft bags and she went away with a big bag of things for the class to use. She let me know they would give me a flower and that works just great with me. That must be how I create my nest  - with craft items. I can't believe how much I have accumulated in the 2 years I have been here.

Back to painting.

Security knows me!

Now that might be a really scary thing in some instances but not in this one. Today when I arrived at the security desk at the hospital and was digging for my permission slip, one guard said to the other gorros para chemo. Now I don't know if it is me they remember or my red bag but it sure makes life easy. They didn't really look at the permission slip, just motioned me thru. In the chemo room the staff greeted me and introduced me to the ladies getting chemo. It was a new day for me so a new group of ladies. I gave away 7 hats.

I didn't have any trouble getting to the hospital. I go to the Paraiso bus stop, take a right turn and can see it off in the distance. I head for the blue building and on the return head for the trees. I went first to the yarn shop for macrame cord but they were out. I headed for Ziomara's shop to ask if they could suggest another place. Johanna was there and said they may have a buyer which would be great. If it works out the shop would move to a new location. She suggested another shop that might have the cord and it was a place I had been many times for ribbon. I was able to get it and headed back to her shop to say thank you and go next door for a haircut. I really needed one. Then it was time for lunch.

I love delis so I went back to the same one as before. I should have used words instead of pointing. Most of it was really good but what I thought was roasted potatoes turned out to be fried bananas. And I got 6 instead of 3. Not my favorite so they got wasted. The chicken and beans and macqaroni salad and mango fresco were very good.  Now I know when I first came here I talked a lot about ice cream. Not so much for a long time. Well, there is an Italian gelato place right by the deli and the lemon pie flavor and vanilla yogurt with fruit were really good. I took that with me and ate it when I got on the bus. It is only 2 blocks to the bus stop. I was so full I didn't even have anything for coffee at craft ladies and there was lots.

There were lots of ladies so lots of talking and sharing of projects. I have been helping one of the ladies with a hat for an infant and she was concerned it was too big around so we tried it on Mila's grandson who happened to be there. No problem but she still needed to do 5 more rows to make it long enough. A couple other ladies got involved and it was a riot trying to explain what to do when they don't speak English and I don't know the crochet terms in Spanish. And, what they use and the translate program are totally different. Next week it will be the flowers for the hat.

It seems I am in the doghouse with Dona Alicia again. I expected her Tuesday. Wednesday I was working outside and didn't have my phone with me. When I checked it later, it turns out Jeanette had sent a message and called to let me know Dona Alicia was at my door. I sent a message back to Jeanette saying I would bring her a gift at the senior center tomorrow but it turns out they aren't meeting there. Instead they are going to church at 10:00am so I will go there and take Ligia the macrame cord and something for Dona Alicia.

I have the itinerary all planned for when Kaye and her friend are here. I am also working at pricing and tagging all the items we will take to the Féria at Iliana's finca. Hopefully we will sell some things. Ligia made another big and 3 small macrame hangers. I have to round up Gerardo and have him cut me more bamboo.

That's it. Life goes on in Orosi.

We still don't know what it is, but it is really big. I also have a mango doing great.

One of my roses doing great

Lunch for the whole family.

The ladies today

Our model

Today's present.

While I was reading this morning I heard someone on my porch and when I looked out I realized it was Marta making a delivery. I had asked her to make one of the painted tin can planters for me to take to Heather and there were 5 of them in 3 sizes. I have put together a thank you gift bag for the next time I see her. One of my tubs is full of things I can give as gifts when I need something. I try to keep both adult and child things on hand. I put together 2 kitchen towels, a cutting board and matching knife and a spatula for her. They are things that Heather comes across at good prices. New, not from the Digs.  She is off the Digs right now and is instead hunting white dishes with words or sayings on them. Some for me, some for her.

One of the plants that Jose brought me a while back, that he said gets a beautiful flower, has a flower coming. I am excited to see what it will look like.

The latest macrame hangers

I don't remember how much I told you about Dona Alicia. I first met her at the senior center and Emilio and I went to her house for a cooking lesson for me which turned out to be an eating lesson. She has invited me back but it is difficult unless I have someone to translate. I was malo and said I would go on a Monday a couple weeks ago. It turned out it was the Monday Jose and his crew came and I didn't go. I ran into her in the street and apologized and invited her to my house today at 3:00pm. Seems we are taking turns at being malo because she didn't come. I thought it would be easier with the crochet ladies here because they know her and can help me with talking.

Three of the ladies were here today and I told them I would be going to the hospital Thursday morning so I can see some new ladies. I have a good assortment of hats and afterwards I will go to the yarn shop to get more macrame cord. Ligia Sanchez brought me another large hanger and 3 smaller ones. The large one has room to add 2 of the smaller ones  for 3 plants. She also brought a matching hat and purse that only needed lining for the purse. I showed her several patterns that she liked and wants me to print. I translate them to Spanish, especially if they don't have a diagram of the stitches. I showed them the cat hat I made for Courtney and the monkey hat I am making for Lexi. I am also working on a plain hat for the cancer ladies.

The 20th is Jeanette's Birthday and she loved the top she made so I gave it to her for her birthday gift. She was so happy and loves it.

For coffee I had egg salad with avocado on crispy bread and I made an impossible pie with banana flour so it was gluten free. I drizzled it with raspberry sauce and they loved it. I had made a lemon refresco and coffee so we had plenty. They tease me about making them all fat.

Thursday will be Cartago and craft ladies and Saturday will be back to Cartago to see Ziomara at the yarn shop. They have decided to close the shop and I will pick up the items we have there. They started their sale today and they will close the 28th. I am sad to see them close but I can understand. They haven't had any luck selling the business and Ziomara has another full-time job and Johanna has moved and has a very long commute.

Two weeks from tomorrow Kaye and her friend will be here and I have a busy week planned including a trip to Puerto Viejo and Bribri. Gerardo will be taking us to the top of his mountain and Jose will give us a coffee tour. A Féria with the craft and crochet ladies and massages will round out the week. I think it will be a fun time.

Our lovely pots from Marta.

The bud on my plant.

Jeanette with her new top.

In case you missed it. April had a baby boy.

The beautiful flower in the middle of the onion patch. And, I have cucumbers!

Courtney and her hat with cat ears. She loves purple.

Let's just say

that if anyone came to visit I would have to just talk to them through the door. I wouldn't dare let them see me. Day two of planting but I tried something different this time. I wore pants - did I tell you I had shorts on last time? No gloves this time so you can imagine what my hands look like. I also had containers of clean water so I could wash them off - often. I wish I could say it was a success but no, I am still dirt from one end to the other. I am down to about a quarter of the outside ring to plant but I have gotten lots done today including the onions and roses. I am not concerned about filling all the concrete blocks, just getting everything I have planted. Some are just sticks and may or not make it. I will have green onions and strawberries and thyme and parsley and oregano and Rosemary and a lemon mint that works good for the stomach and regular mint and I know one of the planters has a natural insulin but I am not sure which one. I have all kinds of flowers on the cucumbers and the tomatoes look good but no flowers yet. The radish tops are big but I am not sure there are any bottoms. I may have overloaded the pot since up until now I haven't had much luck with vegetables. I do also have a mango seed with good shoots and remember I have a papaya tree with lots of fruit. The pineapple plantation is still doing good - 4 planted and 3 ready to plant when I figure out where. The peanut butter tree is getting big and Gerardo is going to figure out where to plant it. It is still in a planter.

It hasn't been raining lately so I have lots to water. Hopefully while I am gone in June it will rain a lot. I may have to arrange for someone to keep an eye on it.

Yesterday was crochet ladies but only Ligia Sanchez was able to come. Everyone is so busy with cooking for Holy Week. Jeanette did send her granddaughters with the hat she made and a package of bread for our coffee. It is a cheese empanada that is baked instead of fried and is a tradition along with chivere during Holy Week. Ligia was going to make hers today. She crocheted the cutest matching hat and purse set and also 2 hats for the cancer ladies. I made Banana Neutella Bread and Had tortillas. I made tuna salad and a salad mixture of lettuce and tomato and avocado with just lemon juice. It all tasted great in the tortilla. We also had Jeanette's bread. For a beverage I made a papaya lemonade. As there were only 2 of us I had leftovers and am finishing it all as I write this.

Otto will be here tomorrow morning which is good as I am having some trouble from all this gardening.

Where it all started. The peanut butter tree is in front.

The section I need to finish.

The tomatoes and cucumbers with a bamboo dreamcatcher on top.

I love these yellow flowers. I hope they spread like groundcover.

Ligia' s hat and purse

I have been gifted today!

Ok so Saturday I went to the Féria and after I bought out the first stall Emilio said did you see the other plants. Wrong thing to say to me. But they had things I didn't have like thyme, which smells so good, and parsley and dahlia and pretty fushia. How could I say no? I think maybe I have more than enough because I am splitting and dividing them up. The other really good thing is the empanada stand is back. Other than plants that was the only thing I bought. They are so good and nice and crispy.

Emilio came back with me to look over my new garden and help. He worked on the tomato/cucumber planter and the tomatoes are now strung up and the cucumbers have a wire fence around the pot so they don't hang on the ground. There are lots of flowers so hopefully I will have lots of cucumbers. He also took some pictures and I don't take very good pictures but he made even me look good.

Between Saturday and today I have about half of the flowers planted. Now, let me give you a suggestion about planting. It works very well to sit on a block of concrete that I found in the back with a little rug on it to make it softer so I am raised up a bit since I don't bend so good anymore. What doesn't work so well is to do this in shorts with gloves on and a pail of water nearby to soak the plants and water the ground. The reason why is as I brush away all the little gnats I flick dirt all over me. Did I mention I am in shorts! It is all better now, I have had a shower.

Now, the rest of my day. Katherine and the girls were coming to visit this morning and by the time I went to open the door they were here and across the street talking to the neighbors. When the girls saw me, Lexi, the two year old, came running calling Gay Lee, Gay Lee. When she got to me she put her arms out for me to pick her up and gave me a big hug. It was really neat. Courtney also came over carrying a painting she had done. I thought she brought it to show me but she brought it to give to me. She is only 4! We decided where it will go in the living room.

Jose called and I let him in. He had brought a vehicle full of bricks to make my path in the garden better. He was concerned about it during rainy season. When he went to pay the man for the bricks, the man sent me 2 coleus for my garden. Gerardo was here also and I have to tell you what he said yesterday and again today to make sure I understood and passed the message along. I put in my translate program and let him read it so I was sure he understood that my friend Kaye wanted to know what he would like her to bring him from the US. He got a big grin on his face and said just tell her to bring her friendship. That is all. Isn't that so nice. We went over the dates today and he made sure where they would like to go with him when they are here. His finca is on top of a mountain and part of the way is a tiny narrow road he built and it is straight up. When she was here before and we went there he kept saying no Heidi. That is what he calls Heather and he knows she wouldn't have liked it.

That's about it. Tomorrow is more planting and crochet ladies. I don't think I will do a hospital visit this week as it is Holy Week - Semana Santa. Next week. I have to do Monday, Tuesday and Thursday still.

Happy Easter in case I don't write again before then. Here the bigger day of worship is Friday and lots of places are closed Thursday and Friday.

My wonderful gift

My new path

Me in the hollyhocks

Look close. The ring on top is a bamboo dreamcatcher frame.

I did it and then I went a little overboard.

At the crochet ladies yesterday I found that no one would be available to go to the hospital with me today. It is getting really close to Easter and everyone is busy. I would have gone on another day but we had promised one of the ladies we would bring some plainer hats today. So I said " no problem, I can go alone." I told myself you can do this. You can find the hospital. I looked it up in google maps and knew I had to remember 4 and 2. In Cartago they do have some street signs and the 4 and 2 are avenues and streets. I am not afraid to ask directions and I had money if I needed a taxi but I didn't need either. I only went a block off track and after correcting that I ended up right at the hospital door.  I again showed my permission slip to the guard and he asked me if I needed someone to show me the way. I said no and off I went. I took my time going into chemo because there were ladies with prayers and communion and when they finished I went in. There was also a volunteer there and a couple people who knew some English. I have found when I am alone and stumble along with my Spanish, they come forward and help with their English.

The lady who wanted a plainer hat was there and chose the second one I made. I went around to all the other ladies and we were able to find one for everyone who wanted one. Some of them agreed to pictures, some no. I did learn that they are not open Saturday or Sunday and if I want to see different people in the afternoon, 2:00pm is a good time. If I understood right, they close at 4:00pm. I know there were things I didn't understand, but I managed.

After the hospital I started heading for the park -  I look for the trees. I was almost there when I saw a strip mall and headed in. Turned out I knew exactly where I was - next to ABC Bazaar. There is a nice deli/cafeteria and I had lunch. AND I ordered everything in Spanish. I also pointed but I said the words too. Pescado con limón, mini papas, ensalada de pepinos y tomates y fresco de mango. Now I know that isn't very complicated but I was quite proud. Little by little my vocabulary is increasing.

Of course I had to make a stop at ABC Bazaar and came away with 6 happy plates and 4 jelly jars. I didn't move my dishes here and I haven't bought hardly anything because I want happy dishes. I love these plates - salad plate size and I can use plain white dinner plates or other solid colors. I think I have seen that at another store I go to often in Cartago. That is where I got my happy cups.

It is just a short walk to the bus and I have already decided to stop at the nursery. After all, I have 100 new spots to plant so I definitely need plants. I knew I would probably be taking a taxi home from there, but I have done it several times before and they are great about calling for me.  It is a sea of colors there and then I saw the 2 for 1 and 3 for 1 signs. Well, how can a girl resist!!!! I couldn't, I didn't. Since the concrete block spaces aren't that big, I will divide the plants up and they will cover a very big area. I also got a new hanging plant because I love the little petunia like flowers but they didn't have any little pots.

My driver came and we headed home. As he was unloading the flowers, a car pulled up alongside and spoke to him and then pulled ahead and parked. I came out the gate and at first I thought that he thought my driver was selling flowers. We explained they were mine. He stayed and talked, although I didn't understand most of what he was saying, but it didn't matter. I know I am old but this was my bit of eye candy for the day. He was a middle aged tico, good looking, and a good body. Now I know this because he didn't have a shirt on. I still have no idea who he is and I don't think I have met him before.  After a few minutes I said goodbye and came in and closed the gate.

Tomorrow is craft ladies and I have to stop at the opticians and have my glasses fixed that I got there. The lens fell out. I also want to check on new lens as I have several scratches on these. A bug got under my glasses and as I was brushing it away I knocked my glasses to the sidewalk.

All in all a good day in my part of the world. I hope it is in yours also.

4 new little cactus

New hanging plant