Timber

Jose and a helper were here today and I had a list of things for them to do to get ready for the 17th when the seniors are coming. I don't know how adventuresome they will be but I wanted to be prepared and have everything as safe as possible. Jose said I want to cut this other branch off the cas tree and that is where they started after I took them around to show them what I wanted done. I went back in the house to get the pound cake in the oven and when I heard a branch breaking, I headed out with the camera. It looks much better in one way. The fungus and another great big bees nest are gone. But, it looks like half a tree. Lots of new leaves after the other branch was cut off so hopefully that will happen again. Jose used his vehicle to haul off the big pieces and the rest were picked up and hauled away. At one point I did see him jumping and waving to get rid of the bees. I did lose a couple flowers but a small price to pay for getting the tree cleaned up. I had also asked them to pick up all my piles around the yard and they did. I had thrown a bunch of rocks from the field to the front yard and they carried them to the planters. Now another big job.

I mentioned the growth along the creek had been cut down and I found a beautiful spot that is like a pool. There were some things that needed to be cleared out and I wanted to know how deep it is and if the bottom is safe and if it will be safe for the girls. It is about knee deep with a good bottom. He checked it all out and cleared away the stuff that was caught there. He created some openings so sticks can float thru. He declared it safe. I plan to try it myself, but not alone. He also put my bamboo frame back up by my meditation rock. Then in the house he put in a stronger bulb in the living room and new light covers that Ziomara had given me. It really does make a difference. You should have seen this! They brought the ladder from Jose's vehicle. A straight ladder! His helper held it as Jose climbed up and worked with the light. I have high, high ceilings with bulbs dangling down. In case you are wondering, there have been several different helpers and I am so awful with names that are different from those I have known all my life. I think today it was Lalo. I know Victor who is older and has been here several times. He is so strong and works so hard. But none of them sluff off. Jose doesn't allow it.

I have been told that soon Adrien will have some extra time to work here and is going to put in a little gate so I don't have to use the big one to go in and out. He is also going to put in the skylight and screening in the open areas to cut down the bug population in here. We were going to put mosquito netting in those areas today but he said no because he has it on his list.

I did make a trip to Cartago this week and tomorrow is craft ladies. Ziomara plans to come Sunday. After that I start concentrating on everything I have going on the rest of the month.

Besides the pound cake in a bundt pan I made a batch of Spritz cookies. Some I added peppermint extract and green food coloring and they have a chocolate chip in the middle. Others are white and some are red. Others are multicolored. The green and white went thru the cookie press just fine but not the red even though I had refrigerated them so I rolled them into balls. Next batch I will try a different recipe. I want to get things baked and in the freezer for all the events. I am going to ask Adrien for as much fruit as possible for the seniors. Hopefully there are bananas and grapefruit and lemons and guayabas. I found a mandarina tree with lots of fruit, if it is ripe by then.

My pool area.

My new light covers

Finished product

What it took to get there

Lots came off

This was when I heard the crack