I am writing to tell you....

That I am not doing much of anything I can talk about. BUT, I have a request from a fan so what can I do? When you only have 2 you have to try and keep them happy.

The two areas I am concentrating on are the blanket for Roz and my family gathering on the Oregon Coast in September. Ligia and I have been working on sample squares for the blanket. Once we have 5 we like and have samples made we can gather the other ladies and show them how to make them. Now I have an advantage as the patterns are in English and if it is a new stitch I can work and read and figure it out. Poor Ligia though. She is a better crocheter than me but with limited stitches. And she can’t read the pattern, just look at the pictures. Some of the rows are done behind the row before it so it doesn’t even show up on the picture. Very complicated. Also, until I came along they only used tiny hooks. This used quite big hooks - I. I am used to that but they aren’t. Ligia did 2 patterns but she said they were very complicated and difficult. We don’t want to stress anyone out. We want it to be fun for everyone involved. She smiled when I asked her to unravel the squares and said “it took lots of time to crochet but it will come out quick.” In Spanish of course but I understood. So, I have downloaded a bunch of new patterns that aren’t quite as hard and we will try again. The one I did isn’t quite as complicated. She is trying it now.

There will be 4 like this but the only thing the same will be the white center.

 The yarn shop where I get this yarn has a warehouse in San Jose and Ziomara just messaged me that we may be able to go on Friday. Their owners are Jewish and the shop and warehouse are closed Saturday and Sunday. I would meet her in Cartago at 9:00am. Oh yay! You know me and mornings and it means I have to leave the house at 7:45. It will be a fun day though. When I showed this to the ladies yesterday, Jeannette said she wants to do just the outside white rows.

Jeannette and her latest creation.

Men’s hats 

New for them with the scarves

More with scarves 

Aren’t these turbans cute!

This I include with reservations. Some terrible pictures of me. When I go to Paraiso to Laura’s house, they have me try on all the hats to make sure of the sizing. I took Heather and Kent there when they  were here in May. 

As to the family gathering, the closer we get the more people plan to be there which is great. Some are flying and some are coming by motorhome from Minnesota. Some from Washington and Idaho are working on coming and lots from Oregon. And me. The house, which is our gathering place, is paid for, most meals are figured out and ingredients for the meals have been divided up. Our only  

snag was getting live chickens from Minnesota but that is a whole other story. Entertainment is being worked on. Transportation is arranged. Gerry and Donna will take me and Dennis and Dianne will take Sandy. I think last count we are at about 30 for at least part of the weekend. YEAH!

News here. There is talk of another house being built on this property. I was asked for ideas of where I think it should go. I gave 3 suggestions. It may go on Tico time though and take 5 years to build. Adrian has talked about it before. We’ll see. 

Naty checked with the Children’s hospital about my ladies donating hats for the children having chemo. She was told we could but we could not go in with the children like I do in Cartago. We are still getting info for an adults chemo room in San Jose. The ladies have done a great job of making lots of hats.

Cats are good. I left all 3 in the house when I went to Orosi and Cartago today and there wasn’t any damage or injury. Rain still stays pretty close to home even when the boys take off.

That’s it for now.

A new experience.

I have been to a few funerals since I came to Costa Rica. During my first month, staying in Atenas, I went to the funeral of the sister of the owner of the Inn where I was staying. All the guests went to support Anna, the innkeeper. I had not met her sister. I went to Ziomara’s father’s funeral and we drove to the cemetery for the burial. In the states the priest comes to the cemetery and says prayers at the grave. Not here. The final prayers are said at the door to the church. I went to the wake at their home for Ligia’s father but I was having eye tests in San Pedro the day of the funeral and couldn’t attend. Today I attended the funeral for Ligia’s mother. Funerals happen very soon after death. She died yesterday afternoon. First I got a message asking for prayers and then a message that she had died.

Jeannette let me know the funeral was at 3:00pm today and that she was going to the house at 1:30pm. I said I would go to the church. A group of people walk behind the hearse from the house to the church. The church was full and some people were standing. When we were leaving the church I saw Jeannette and several of the workers and seniors from the senior center. I saw Ligia by the back door and after a hug she took my hand and didn’t let go.  I felt very included. It had been raining all morning but did stop for a few hours so we could walk to the cemetery in dry weather. It is raining again now. There is a small old cemetery by the church but we were going to the new one. A few blocks up the street and turn right and climb a few blocks up the hill. Part of the way the coffin was in the hearse and part of the way it was carried by several men. There is a small chapel area and the coffin was carried there. The top half door was opened to a glass panel underneath and anyone who wanted could take one last look at her.

When everyone was finished, the coffin was closed and carried to the crypt. After it was slid inside, the concrete panel was sealed in place. She was now next to her husband and the top of the crypt was covered with the flowers from the church.

I was prepared to get a taxi home but Ligia insisted her son would drive me home. He and Ligia and his girlfriend and her mother and I piled into the car and headed for Rio Macho.

I know a lot of people come here to retire but don’t get very involved with Ticos.  My involvement with them has added so much to my life and taught me so much over the last four years. I wouldn’t have it any other way.