Valentine's Week

Libby took me to a delicious and fun lunch and swim. We got to hear the sound check for that night's concert featuring a former Jefferson Starship guy. Very elegant guitar player.

Libby learned the use a computer without a mouse. And to drive on these wicked roads, at least 50 meters to her house.

My college friend Denny came for a night. Took a swim in Libby's pool.

Went to dinner before seeing the Olive Ridley turtles lay their eggs.

We will get a good photo of Libby.

Bobbi and I went up into the hills to see an amazing new house built by Ron and Becca, all green, but very poorly designed for use. Living area is tiny and open on two sides with a hole in the roof for a palm tree (no where to sit in the rainy season). The pool is on a separate level with no bathroom or kitchen.

The couple had heard about Bobbi and wanted to pump her for the history and politics of the area. They are reporters and want to help. Bobbi was surprised that I could toot her horn so much as she told them about the positive situations regarding garbage, recycling and water. None of what is good here could have happened without her. I learned a lot more also.

Andy and I helped Bobbi and her friends sort the garbage at the public beach entrances, putting the recyclables into the biodegradable bags. The trash was strewn all over because the garbage cans were dumped out for the returnable bottles.

Today is my mom's birthday. Libby's husband died about 3 years ago. Ricky died 13 years ago. I don't even remember how long ago Mom died. But I still get a jolt when I think of calling her to tell her something and realize I can't reach her. Our sweet friend David died at 63 last month. I visited Ricky's grave on the beach the other day.
Last Saturday the blood tests for Byron showed that his organs were shutting down.
But it is 8 days later and he seems to be doing well. He left for 2 nights and I feared the worst.
Elvira looked very pale yesterday, but seemed to perk up before I left.
Fred, Carol and Matthew didn't make it down to visit us because of blizzards..
Heartbreaking for them and especially for them. Fred survived leukemia several years ago.
Guess I am trying to say I am grateful for every precious minute. And there have been many more this week.

Elvira and Leslie were very happy to see me again. I missed a couple of days cause I was getting ready for and welcoming visitors.

North to Eden

Tom and Bobbi invited us up to their finca for Pablo's 3rd birthday party.

The finca is amazing, not quite the spread that Bambi and Tracy own, but a close second, with 350 acres of mountainous jungle. The views extend to the ocean in a couple of directions. They have replanted the mountains and have a slight disagreement about where to build if the world doesn't end in 2012.

Animal Rescue

I am very honored to have been allowed by Brenda to visit the baby monkeys again. Met her at her beautiful hotel/real estate office. Then she took me to the babies' safe house, where this lady and her husband take care of them all day. The house has an open wing, caged in, that is full of fun monkey play things, including lots of stuffed animals. The trick to keeping the babies alive is to give them the nourishment they need without causing intentinal problems.

Another thing the babies need is affection, hence my role. While I had them for several hours, Melina could take care of other necessities.

I held the tangle of babies Elvira and Leslie and their stuffed surrogate monkey on my towel covered lap. The babies played and explored, all the while keeping contact with the surrogate. Elvira, though the smaller of the two, was far more confident than Leslie. She was very curious about me and eventually snuggled up to my chin and purred! Leslie seemed a little cross with me and even chewed on my finger a little. But she eventually relaxed and demonstrated her confidence by lying on her back and streching up to touch my face.

We all dozed off for a while, with Leslie totally giving up the surrogate to wrap herself and tail around my arm.

I was in heaven and plan to go back tomorrow.

Byron still is not eating right, so Sarah had the vet Carl meet her at our house. They agreed that he is looking a little pale, his gums that is.

They took multiple blood samples, 2 from his jugular, which I've never seen before. They talked about spinning one of the samples to test for something. In the meantime, they left us with antibiotics for treating tick disease.

I gave him his first couple of pills and didn't think I was successful at getting him to swallow them. So I followed him through chasing an iguana and finally lying down inside. Having been satisfied that I was successful, I found a damp, hairy pill on the floor next to him. Pretty wiley guy. This evening was better. Got the pills down his throat and plied him with roasted chicken parts. He couldn't have tricked me this time.

Emotional Intelligence

Author of Emotional Intelligence gave a great talk about saving the environment.

Byron enjoyed the eveningir

Flat Stanley Goes to Nicoya

Bobbi took me and Flat Stanley to Nicoya.

Flat Stanley belongs to Bayron, not to be confused by Byron, who lives in the gatekeeper's house at Bobbi's gated community. He had a school assignment to get photographs of Stanley in Nicoya. Many of the following are not what he is most interested in. He wants shots with Stanley in front of government buildings, churches, banks, utilities and other distinguishable sites of Nicoya.

Not unusual traffic situation on the way to Nicoya.Stanley and I had our teeth cleaned by Dr.Ortega, who had super modern technology. Rather than scraping with a pick, he used a pick shaped device with sonic water shooting out to dissolve the plaque. Cost $60 which didn't seem like the bargain I was expecting.


Stanley and I enjoyed the air conditioning for an hour or so while Bobbi conducted some business in the courthouse.



Bobbi is protecting herself from the sizzling platter of Happy Shrimp, leaving Stanley out to fend for himself.

Bobbi paying her clients' taxes. There were about 2 dozen people waiting, but the guard ushered Bobbi directly to the teller, cutting in front of everyone else.

See that little black camera. I now own it, having negotiated a pretty good deal with the pawnbroker

Bobbi making copies of the 2 million tax bill receipts. Notice the whitewash on the trunks of the trees.

Nicoya is surrounded by some pretty high hills.

Ran into Pam and Bill Lancaster, of Marlin Bills, in Nicoya.

Stanley visits the wonderful Cleveland shop where I got curtains and bedding for Byron.

Moonlight Blues

Pam and Ray got the use of their shared car and invited us to go to Garza for the Sunday BBQ on the beach to hear Ray play his harmonica. Beginning to suspect that the car actually never works. Ryan advised me not to photograph the situation, but I was optimistic and caught the unfolding drama, see right. Unfortunately, I did not get a shot of Andy pushing along with the rest of us. Jumping ahead to returning home, I thought Ray had gotten the car started, watched him turn around to pick us up and stuck my thumb out for a ride, wearing a stupid grin. That car laid some rubber (if that had only been possible) and left me in the dust.

As I watched it disappear, I spotted Ray walking back from his dead mobile. I have created yet another embarrassing moment.
Despite the delay, we made it for the sunset. The light and sky were beyond my words, making me evermore in awe of the truly great authors. The display lasted for well over an hour, luxurious.

Once darkness had settled, the pre-constructed bonfire was lit. I thought it was too close to a couple of the trees, but it seemed fine.

Typically tropical, one of the band members had to go home for a moment, so the 7 o'clock start for delayed, for who knows how long. The wait for the show was punctuated by the arrival of families, dogs and horseback riders, all arriving for the feast

Carlos, his wife and staff managed to maneuver through the dogs and kids to serve everyone. And the band finally got going. Jungle Joe is the lead guitar and singer. Juan is Argentina and plays of the 12 sting guitar. Ray is the harmonica player. They are very talented. Great bluesy interpretation of many familiar tunes, some by Grateful Dead and Jimmy Buffet.

The velvet air and rising moon were exquisite. The horseback riders were taking advantage of the light and low tide to ride along the beach after dinner. Shortly after I overheard, "Bobbi Johnson's sister", one of the equestrians, Linda, came over to introduce herself. I told her how I wished I could be part of her group, but that a one night stand wouldn't be worth the sore butt. I hope I heard her suggesting she could use me to exercise her horses. Building up to a moonlight ride would be heavenly.

We old folks tried to jump start the car a couple of times, accompanied by some young fathers offering advise. Those young men finally pushed us aside and showed us how to do it. I defended ourselves by telling them about 67 year old Andy's recent back operation. Our friendship with Pam and Ray was further cemented. Being outside at night is something I would like to spend more time doing.