This is a multifaceted blog entry, yes by choice, not by necessity. I think it is because I have been thinking about many things as of late and wish to share them. If I get long-winded, someone let me know! San Jose trip I know I mentioned numerous times that I would be spending a few days in San Jose conducting meetings regarding our bed & breakfast. That was last week. It was a good week overall though a few things made it tough to get through. For one, I developed a rotten cold just before leaving on this trip so [View Full Entry]

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I just had to write a quick blog update tonight before this highly exciting information left my brain! Oh, Osita! Tonight I went outside to give Osita and Reina their “mid-evening” snack (usually a dog biscuit), and found Reina immediately perched by our back door. However, Osita was not to be found and calling her did not bring her out of wherever she was. I waited a few minutes, then looked around the house calling her name repeatedly and still could not find her. Finally, I went to the back door where Reina was anxiously awaiting her treat and alas, there [View Full Entry]

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This week was exciting if for only one reason: the workers and I saw a huge Toucan on a branch in a tree in our front valley! There is a picture of a toucan. No, the picture is not of the toucan I saw because by the time I was able to run into the house and get my camera, s/he was long gone. However, this picture is almost exactly what it looked like. Pretty amazing! I am told it is fairly rare to see toucans in this part of Costa Rica, but I am hoping we see more of them [View Full Entry]

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“Rainy days and Mondays always….” and Tuesday through Sunday as well Yep, it is raining here. My guess is two inches a day but don’t quote me on that. I need to find a rain meter. Yes, I know it does rain in many places throughout the world, but frankly, I’m not used to two seasons—rainy and dry—rather, four seasons! I won’t miss the snow in the northeast this winter though. While many of you are clearing the snow off of your cars or facing higher oil and electric bills (sorry!), I’ll be here sitting outside looking at the crisp bl [View Full Entry]

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There are more pictures of the house and views of the land surrounding us this week, and pictures or two of our new neighbors. No, we don’t own all the land (actually just a thumb’s worth compared to the area in general) but I feel we do “own” the stunning views from our property! This was a good week overall. The workers finished making the patio and laying the sod in the front and side yards. I love instant grass by the way. Why seed when someone else can grow the grass for you!? So, all we have left now is [View Full Entry]

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Yes, another blog entry. The pictures for this entry are pretty random, but basically were taken this week while our workers were putting in our new patio and grass. So, why another blog update so soon? Well, because I am sitting in an office near the San Jose airport, waiting for over an hour to meet the inspector who will go over Beth and my goods that finally arrived from the U.S. I was on time at 2pm as requested, but the inspector was late of course. This is the part of moving to a foreign country that I hate—form, waiting, [View Full Entry]

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Today, I took a trip down to one of the many “farmacias” or pharmacies in town to get a refill on a prescription that I had filled originally in the U.S. The thing about it, though, is you don’t need a prescription in most cases. Just tell them what you want, and you’ll get it. Usually, I’ve found it is best to bring in the old pill bottle or box and just show it to them and they’ll give you exactly the same thing or a generic version. While, as I’ve said, there are many farmacias in San Ramon, I like [View Full Entry]

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The week started off nicely on Sunday with a full house of guests brought by George Lundquist, (www.costaricaretireonss.com) one of the people here who do “retirement tours” for people—mostly North Americans—considering spending their latter years (or not so latter years) in this beautiful country. It’s a nice tour and I’m glad he comes to stay with us every month at Angel Valley Farm B&B. He gives a great “insiders” view of Costa Rica and shows his clients property for sale throughout the Central Valley. I am still amazed at the prices here f [View Full Entry]

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Mr. Green Thumb Gets to Work In Beth’s absence this week in addition to the copious amount of marketing work I got done, I also did some gardening, believe it or not! Yes, many of you know my gardening skills. I took Carol, our cleaning lady and her son (see picture with her son “Brianaire”) to La Garita one afternoon, a beautiful town just south of here where there are many garden shops with a variety of plants and flowers. Until my Spanish improves, I thought it important to bring a Spanish speaker and she has a good eye for this [View Full Entry]

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My good friend Andrew L. suggested that I update my blog more often, even if I have less to say, rather than letting a long time go between updates. He believes that people want more frequent updates. I agree. I also think I need to balance frequent updates with good “content,” as they say in the business (it’s not personal, “it’s only business”). I don’t want my readers to get bored! So, I need to have at least mildly interesting things to say. I am surprised no one has commented yet on my last blog entry given it was 7 weeks [View Full Entry]

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