It's Saturday and I am good.

I think the heavy rain is supposed to let up. Unless of course another tropical storm heads this way. We are supposed to be getting towards the end of the rainy season. We will still have rain, but not as much or as often. Maybe my laundry will dry in a day.

All my flowers that Jose and his crew planted are doing really good and he also came out one day while I was in Orosi with the crochet ladies and cut a big branch off the cas tree. It was a very big branch and covered with fungus. He said it made it very heavy and there was also a bee hive in it so it would have made a very funny video. He had to use his vehicle to drag it away.

One morning this week, when Jose was here, we noticed someone by the creek. We went to check and it turned out he was cutting everything down. Now there was good and bad to this but my first reaction was not good. It turned out Adrien was here also and it was his brother in law who was cutting everything down so I could enjoy the rocks and the creek. Problem is now you can see right to the neighbors. I don't do anything naughty but I loved how private it was and the look of branches hanging over the creek. I went walking along the creek and they have opened up some beautiful spots. I also discovered how much work they had done cutting down a very long area along the creek, on both sides.  I felt bad and had Jose apologize for me. I have now paid my rent for the next 3 months and there is even talk of a cottage being built back behind me to be used as a guest house or another rental. At this point it is just talk and they did ask if I would mind. I said this is such a large area I was sure it would not be a problem. During December I will be having my coffee lessons from picking all the way to a cup at the table.

I have told you a fruit and vegetable truck stops on Saturday evening. Last week a man came by with pots and pans. I said no, I had lots from the US. And I do, nice stainless. Today, when I went to unlock the gate, he was here again. This time he had a big pots and pans box strapped over his shoulder. He showed me a big pot and I said I have 3. He showed me a big frying pan and I said no, I have one. A little frypan and no, I have one. Then out came the medium frypan. Now most of what I have seen here is very lightweight but this isn't. And I like that the covers aren't glass. I have broken more than 1. So I said how much. 18,000. So I hesitated and waited and he said 15,000. I said yes and came to get money. I only had 20,000 and he said he didn't have change so I now also have a tea kettle. Now I am not dumb, I know the game, but it was fun.

November will be very busy. The 17th the seniors are coming for the day and then thanksgiving dinners the 23 and 26. Lots of shopping to do and cooking and baking. I also have some people from the US that I haven't met here for the 23rd. One of the Bursch Travel employees in the St. Cloud office contacted me to say some of her family are coming and I invited them for thanksgiving. They fly in on the 21st and will be here the 23rd. Then Heather and Kent fly in on the 23rd and will be here the 24th. Jose and his crew will be coming before the 17th to get everything looking good and also safe for the seniors.

I still have to walk to the animal shelter to donate everything I had gotten for Pups. Their hours are 8:00-11:00 every morning but I don't get going very early.



I have lots of guayaba. I have used almost all my jars for jelly and today I have 3 bags of them outside my gate for anyone to take. We were talking about the jelly at crochet ladies and Jeanette said she doesn't make good jelly but mine is very good. I couldn't believe it. She makes all kind of food to sell but not good jelly. We said it was time for another cooking lesson at my house but this time I am teaching a Tica how to make something a Tica taught me. I had never made jelly till I moved here. Not having to buy the fruit makes it so much better.

Otto was here on Wednesday and will be back soon to check out the new spots on the creek. I found one near my house that actually seems like a pool with big rocks around it.

As you know, the whole time I was at La Quinta I was starting pineapple. I had my pineapple plantation. I brought 3 with me and planted them. They got mowed down. Jose brought me one and Victor planted it and yesterday I discovered it was gone. We think maybe it got pulled out when the big tree branch was removed. I guess I am not supposed to have a pineapple crop. The peanut butter and mango trees are doing just fine. I have garlic growing also.

Now I can see thru the tree with the bad branch cut off. Still one area with lots of fungus.

My new frypan and tea kettle.

Some of the things I bought Thursday from Edith. She does such lovely work.

I am so glad I went yesterday.

During the night Pups got worse and died this morning. We are going to get him soon and we will bury him here where he enjoyed himself so much. Jose and Victor were here planting flowers so Jose dug his grave and we will plant some flowers. He brought lots of joy and fun to my life the little time he was in it. I will miss him.

A sad day but I did good.

No, no, no Pups is still alive. Yesterday afternoon I authorized the doctor to have blood work done. She sent me a copy of the results and explained them to me. It seems Pups is having problems with kidney failure so they started him on treatment. She said it would be 1-3 days to tell if it is working. She also suggested I come to visit as he needs to see me. I did that this morning. I walked to the church to get the bus and showed the doctor's card to the driver and said it was by McDonalds and WalMart. I have to say he wasn't the nicest, friendliest driver - most of them are- and said he understood nothing. I figured I can figure it out myself. As soon as I could see the Golden Arches I pressed the button to get off. I had only about 2 blocks to walk. There probably was a stop closer but I didn't want to take a chance. Dr. Laura took me back to where he was, lying in a kennel with an iv in his front leg. He didn't get up but was quiet and let me pet him. She said on Tuesday he yelped and nipped at her when she touched his stomach but that wasn't happening today. And he was no longer vomiting. I explained to him that the neighbors would all be really mad if he didn't get better and come home. I have authorized another blood test to see if anything is changing.

After a long visit I decided to walk for a ways back towards Paraiso. I came to the smaller nursery I have seen and wanted to visit and yup, I didn't make it out without 3 bags full. 2 in my red bag and another bag for the taller plants. Next, on the other side of the road is a restaurant, Nila, that I have been wanting to try. Lovely place. I was given several options of specials and I chose salmon. First came my fruit drink and tomato soup. Then a plate of vegetables and the entree which had little mounds of mashed potatoes around the outside of the plate and a salmon fillet with salsa on it. Absolutely wonderful. Not soda prices but worth every penny.

I loaded up again and walk as far as my regular nursery - no I did not go in. The bus stop is across the road. Bus to the church in Rio Macho and then walk home. Lots of exercise for me. I just hope tomorrow will bring good news about Pups.

Lunch

It has been a difficult week.

And it is only Wednesday. I am not a lover of all animals kind of person, like Heather or Courtney. I am a selective animal lover. Heather even tells some of her cats that grandma doesn't like them as much as others. So, when an animal picks me, adopts me, what can I do but return the feelings. For heavens sake I even moved plants so he could lay in the planter.

Anyway, by Sunday evening I was getting really concerned the way Pups was acting so I messaged the doctor, and Heather, and she messaged Kent's cousin who is a vet and her friend who is a nurse. We had lots of people involved. The doctor here said bring him in Monday morning so I lined up Jose to pick us up at 10:00am. Monday was a holiday so the regular doctor was off but there was a substitute filling in. She looked him over good and thought it would be better if he spend the night since he wasn't eating and hadn't eaten since Saturday afternoon. That was Monday, now it is Wednesday and he is still there. He is on meds for stomach, vomiting, antibiotics and pain and iv for fluids. He still won't eat and now they are going to do blood work to see if they can figure out what is wrong with him and his stomach. The doctor said today they were going to try giving him some chicken cooked in plain water and see if he would take that. He just lays and sleeps. I am very sad and worried. All I wanted to do was get him bug free and healthy.

Oh my goodness, what a week!

I am definitely, definitely, definitely not a Pups doctor. When we were kids we always had dogs but we lived by a busy highway so they changed quite often. There was one adventure when I was married with a Great Dane named Trouble that my youngest sister convinced me we should get. Other than that it has been cats.

So, Wednesday José picked Pups and I up and we went to the vet to get his ears checked and to leave him for surgery the next morning. Then we went to the nursery for flowers so I would have more color in my gardens. Jose brought my flowers here and I headed for Cartago on the bus for yarn and to check for coffee for Heather. She loves Buen Día Gourmet and we only found 2 when she was here. There was plenty on the shelf so I bought 4. And lots of beautiful yarn.

Thursday is craft ladies and I was taking lots of fabric with me and the baby quilt I made for Vera's new grandson. It is fun and has frogs all over. I went to call Luis and discovered I was out of minutes. I could still message Katherine and Jose and they both ended up putting minutes on my phone and I called Luis. No problem he says and was here in 5 minutes. There is an area the other side of Orosi that is down  to one lane because the bank is sliding into the river. He stopped so I could take pictures - the bus just won't do that.

Jose was outside the craft ladies at 5:00pm to take me to get Pups. They had called to say everything went well and I could pick him up. In case you are interested, this whole adventure has cost $300.00 including the first visit, 2 shots, ear spray, flea collar and pill, brush, large kennel, collar,  teeth cleaning, neutering, antibiotics, pain meds, salve,We came home and that is when the challenge started. The first night he slept in the kennel I bought and I slept on the loveseat. We made a couple trips outside. After that he has been sleeping on his bed behind the chair in the living room and me in my bed. He has a plastic collar on so he can't lick his stitches and bumps into things and gets stuck. And, he HATES the meds! One for pain, one for antibiotic, salve to put on his incision and the ear spray. The ears are much better and they cleaned them out but I need to continue for another week. I have tried everything with the pills, in every kind of stinky food I can think of but the food might be gone and the pieces of pill are still there. Because they did his teeth his mouth is sore so I don't dare try and pry it open. He isn't eating now - probable afraid there are pills in the food. I have tried his food, his food soaked in water, beef, tuna, eggs, cheese, biscuits with jelly, oatmeal and yes, even a cookie.

When he is outside he heads for the creek to drink. This morning he wanted to be on the other side of my little creek. I have a long lightweight red cord tied to his collar. The other end is tied to a bamboo stick so I can anchor it. I put it under the heavy blue hoses they have by the water and came in to make oatmeal for him. I went to check and here he was back in the living room on his bed and the stick was outside the door. Don't know how he managed but he did. Sure hope he starts feeling better or I will have to call the doctor again. I do still have rice and chicken and hamburger to try and tempt him.

Ziomara and María José were here yesterday and we went to Orosi for pizza and breadsticks and a chat with Emilio. Now I have 2 1/2 days to stay home and convince Pups it isn't the end of the world and he can live and have fun in this altered state.

 

The closed lane area.

See how close the house is to the edge.

The river is eating away the land.

Poor Pups 

Ziomara brought me a gift from her sister, Monica. They are actual butterfly wings in resin. Beautiful. I love them 

Courtney needed an outfit for school so she could dress as an Indian. Her mother made the skirt. Her grandmother made the top, I made the headband and supplied the feathers. I think Carlos, an artistic friend had a hand in the finishing touches. 

Some flowers 

More flowers. It will be so pretty.

What would I do without Jose!

The last time he was here and I showed him what I had done at the creek, I mentioned I wanted to have a safe spot for Katherine's girls. He said when they wanted to create a swimming area they would arrange rocks so the area would be deeper. This morning he called and said they had some free time and could be here in about 20 minutes.  Jose and Victor came and cleared the bank, created an entry area and created a wall of rocks to slow the water. They didn't do anything to divert the water, just slow it a bit in that area. He understands nature and what you can do safely. Victor also helped to hold Pups so one more ear application is done. Wednesday we will take Pups to have his ears checked and if he is OK we will leave him there to have his teeth cleaned and his snipping done. We will pick him up Thursday afternoon. My plans on Wednesday are to go from the doctor to the nursery. What I buy I will leave with Jose and I will go on to the yarn shop in Cartago and then take the bus home. When Jose comes to get me on Thursday he can drop off my plants. That's the plan anyway.

Yesterday young people in uniforms came door to door to collect for the people affected by the flooding. I saw them at the gate and went to talk with them and asked them to wait 5 minutes. I gathered 2 bags full and took it out. After they left I thought of more things and hoped they would come by again but they didn't.

Besides the swimming hole they cleared the path along the creek to somewhere behind la bodega. Beautiful creek and rocks all along the way. One area Jose showed me there were lots of butterflies. And, they cleared the growth at the beginning of my little waterway. I cannot believe what a beautiful area I have. So much room and so much nature and so much quiet. And so much fruit. Yes, I made guayaba jelly yesterday. I added the juice of one grapefruit. Very good.

I will finish this in a few minutes. After I walk to the river and take a picture. Much better.
I am having trouble with the pictures. They may or may not be here but I will publish them seperate also with the descriptions

A new problem. The pictures posted separately.

Brush cleared away and an entrance to the water created - even gravel. 

Swimming hole 

The bottom has been checked so the girls are safe

The river today. Much better.

The river the other way

Pups new favorite spot. 

Now don't get spoiled.

I do not plan to write everyday. Yesterday I even left the house and went to town, and for a walk. First we walked to the river and the creek to check them. Then I grabbed a bag and went walking around the property looking for fruit. I came across Grandpa and asked him what this particular fruit is. It looks like grapefruit and he said it is very good in drinks. I remember Jose's caution that you never pick and eat fruit unless you know what it is. I figure Grandpa knows. I told him I am looking for guayaba for jelly and the next thing you know my bag is full. There are several guayaba trees by la bodega and they are loaded with fruit. I may not need to walk along the road collecting fruit. This afternoon will be jelly making. Ziomara was going to come today but she has to take her car to be fixed so we postponed till next Saturday.

So, yesterday afternoon Pups and I headed for the bus and I sat and waited and he sniffed and peed around the area. When the bus came I got on and then the fun started. Pups got on too and before the driver managed to get the door closed, Pups had been put off the bus 3 times. Everyone was laughing. After doing all my shopping I took a taxi home and saw Pups halfway home. By the time I got to the yard he was here.

So the naughty Pups has decided that instead of sleeping on the front step he should sleep in my cactus planter. Not so good for all my little cactus. This morning it looked so bad I have moved all the plants from the end closest to the door. We will see if that is enough. He really needs a dog house right in front of my house.  Seems he can't guard me and the house from the towel on the couch on the back deck. And he does take his guarding job very seriously.

The other difficulty is getting his medicine in his ears. He hates it but it must be helping because he isn't itching and crying. Haven't seen any fleas the last few brushing so that is better too. He does love to be brushed.

That's life in Rio Macho. Last night there was a beautiful full moon. Jose called and told me to go outside quick to see it. Yesterday and again today are beautiful sunny days. It is great to have little rain for a few days.

Naughty Pups I

The moon and my front light.

Just a short, quick update.

although other areas of Costa Rica, and some not very far away, are suffering greatly from the tropical storm, my area seems to be calm and safe. Pups and I went for a walk this morning. The river seems to be down a bit, the creek is also. The sun is shining and it is a lovely morning. Couple very short electrical outages last evening but no water problems. Guayabas are in season and I see lots of trees along the road with tons of fruit on the trees and on the ground. I don't think I will be able to resist. I really am ready to make jelly. I have some trees here too but not enough yet for jelly. I may have to go borrowing. If anyone asks I will trade them jelly for fruit.

I can see more rocks today so I think it is lower. 

The sun is shining and Pups and I are enjoying it.

I can see more rock in the creek also.

I don't want anyone to worry

Yes, I am in Costa Rica where it is flooding all over the country and there are mudslides closing the roads. Yes I have water near to me - both the Rio Macho and my creek - I don't know if it has a name. But so far everything is good. There are problems on the far side of Orosi where the river is getting closer to the road and the land is sliding away. It is the main road to Paraiso but there is another route thru Palomo and Cachi so it isn't the only way. The area where I live is so important to ICE, the electric company, that it is watched very close and kept open.

Heavy rain is predicted for the next couple days so I have decided to stay home. I have lots to eat, even if the electricity goes out. Bread from the baking lesson on Tuesday, peanut butter, tuna, salmon and yes, even Spam. Cookies of course, after all I am the cookie lady. I have containers of water in case the water goes out- better than if the water comes in. Pups has food and my main job will be to get his ear drops in each ear twice a day. I am not a doggie doctor. Last night it didn't work but this morning went very well. He loves to be brushed so I did that and he was all relaxed and covered with a blanket and I was able to get the squirts in without a problem. At least when I brushed him there was no sign of fleas. I have a flashlight, candles and my solar lights in the yard.

August 15

If worse came to worse, although I sit in a bowl, the next door neighbor is on a hill. I don't have far to go. I don't think it will come to that, but it is an option. I am leaving the gate unlocked just in case anyone needed to come in. Grandpa was just here checking everything out. He said too the river is high but not the creek and everything is quiet here. I will keep you posted 

Looking in the other direction August 15

Today. 

Today.

Today's adventure

Last night I texted Jose and he called me back. We agreed that he would pick Pups and I up at 9:30am and we would go to the Vet. He suggested one in Cartago at a place called Solutions. The doctor is a lady and speaks very good English. I was concerned with a dog who probably never wore a collar, was never on a leash and probably never in a car. I fixed up a low tub with the rug he lays on to put in the back seat and put his collar on. At the last minute I attached the leash. And what a good Pups he was. He and I were in the back seat and he started out on the floor then into the tub. No fighting, no crying, no trying to run around. Jose told me one time he carried a Rottweiler and it pooped all over the car. I think that may be why he brought the old car. We had no problems.
Solutions is a modern building on the main road just before you get to WalMart. There were several people with animals. I kept Pups on a short leash because I just didn't know what might happen. A lady was sitting nearby with a cat on her lap. No problems again. Soon it was our turn.

I am just going to stay under this chair where you can't touch me but I can see you.

We went into an exam room and I told the doctor he is a stray that adopted me. I said he itches his ears and cries, seems to have a problem with his front paw, itches all over so I am concerned about fleas. I also would like an idea of age and general health so I can decide how much to do.

Yes, he has fleas. Solution for that was a pill that gets rid of them within 2 hours. I also got a flea collar. Yes he has a bad ear infection. Solution for that was 2 shots and spray treatment in his ears. I have to do that 2 times a day for the next week. His paw is tender but she thinks it is from an injury, not a fungus. The shots will help that heal. She thinks he is about 4 years old and has a problem with his teeth. So, when he is over the infection he will go in to be fixed and have his teeth cleaned while he is under. Besides the earspray and the flea collar, I also bought a brush as I haven't been able to find one. I figured it would help get rid of the fleas so we have been doing that outside. Total bill was $100.00. When I take him back to be fixed I will take him in the afternoon for surgery the next morning and then pick him up in the afternoon. The reason is because no food or drink for 12 hours before surgery. That is difficult for me to control here.

All in all not too difficult an excursion. From there we went to WalMart for a short stop. I left Jose and Pups in the car and promised to be fast. Not all places carry light corn syrup and I need that for the peanut brittle. I found 4 bottles and bought them all. Yes I bought a few other things but I hurried.

Pups was happy to be home and off the leash and although he wants to be close enough to see me, he doesn't necessarily trust me to touch him.

Have you ever tried...

to entertain (especially when you aren't a good entertainer or very social) two crochet ladies who are looking for a way to make a little money, a very pregnant hotel owner who is looking to open a gift shop and give my ladies a place to consign what they make and 2 young girls, 2 and 4 who have tons of energy and are looking for everything they know I have. Now besides Katherine and the ladies talking and working together, I had promised cooking lessons. We had plenty to eat as yesterday I baked Papaya, coconut muffins and made a batch of overnight French toast which is like bread pudding. I baked that this morning and sprinkled it with powdered sugar. I also started a batch of bread about 8:30 because it has to rise for 2 hours. They got here just as it was ready to do the second half. I made another batch later so they would know the first part too. We also had a peanut brittle lesson. I have been feeding Jeanette pecans because I thought she was allergic to peanuts. Turns out it is the other way around so we put peanuts in this batch.

Jeanette and Ligia Sanchez and I walked out to the creek area. They thought it was great. Still lots of work to do. Everyone left about 1:30, happy with what they had accomplished. Ligia went home with a pattern and I have instructions on other ones to print.

Tomorrow is a stay at home day and finish the gift for the baby shower on Thursday.

I only posted this so Courtney wouldn't show on Facebook. I am still waiting for them to ripen.

She is getting so big and grown up. They teach them stitching in school, at 4 years old.

If I could take

a decent selfie you would see this in picture form. But since I can't and you would miss the full effect,  I will do my best to describe it in words.

The first day I went to work on my path it was in shorts and a tee shirt. I now itch all over from bites. It is hot and I also have a little trouble with that. So, this morning I went out prepared. Thank heavens the day started out a little cool. Picture this - jeans, white socks up over my jeans, tennis shoes, a long sleeve - yes you heard that right - dark pink top, sunglasses and a black and white rain hat that comes down to my sunglasses. Sprayed all over with bug spray, gloves and my bag over my shoulder. I know it is only 100 feet to the house but I need my phone in case I need to call for Jose to come save me. He knows the secret way in when the gate is locked. And if I need to take a picture I need my iPad, and if I get thirsty I need my water,  and if I need to cut things down I need my clippers. So, off I go with my rake in one hand and my bamboo walking stick in the other. I lasted about an hour. Now I am sitting in the front yard.

I started with a pile by the bridge and moved it away. I have a little waterway from the creek but there is so much growing in and around it you can't see the water most places. I cleared out the area along the creek by the meditation rock. I only have about 10 feet of the path left to clear from that rock to the landing. Here is my big problem. I want to be able to see the creek as much as possible and I want to uncover all the rocks I can on the other side of the path so where do I put everything they cut down? It is definitely a challenge. There is this one pile of big rocks behind the meditation rock that has big holes between and under them, kinda like little caves. I really want to open up and uncover all of them. What a beautiful area it would be.

I have to go back out because someplace I left my walking stick. It isn't like there aren't 40 million bamboo sticks out there. I thought I might start gathering them for the seniors when they come. When Adrien was here yesterday with Brandon, I told them about the seniors coming and that I would be happy to have Grandma and Grandpa come too. I will mention that to Jeanette on Tuesday.

I am back working on the baby quilt. I sewed the white heart on last night and have it laid out and pinned to tie it. Then it will just be the border. I should be able to get it done by Thursday when I go to Paraiso. I haven't decided what to do about the baby shower gift for Thursday. I definitely need to make some baby things and keep them on hand.

I did climb up the rocks to the new spot overlooking the creek. It is a great spot also and very handy to the house.l learned the problem with the first spot I picked is it is on the neighbor's property. Adrien's property ends with the rock wall right there. The second spot and all along the creek are no problem. They are all on his property and he is happy to share that with me.

Pups found his own meditation rock. He stays pretty close to me, wherever I am. 

The creek from my meditation rock.