It’s Grecia Day for me again, but no feria (or iguanas, sadly!) this week.  There are several other places in Grecia that I  need to go during the few hours I’ll be there:

 

• Sanchez Lab for my routine monthly bloodwork (INR level check)  (10 minutes)
• Bank for cash (3 minutes)
• Mondo Magico for sponges, notebook(s) for my continuing Spanish lessons, and (possibly) an additional fan for my casita (10 minutes)
• Mall for lechuga, hongos and other vegs/fruits (10-15 minutes)
• Mealtime with my Costa Rica family (90-120 minutes)
• Health food store for frankinscence (5 minutes)
• Travel time between stores (15 minutes)

 

My driver will drop me either at the bank or at the lab (they are within blocks of each other) and then I’ll be on my own to walk and shop until mealtime.

 

After we eat and part ways, I’ll head across the street from Mas Q Sabor to see if the health/wellness store there has frankincense oil if I haven’t found some already during my earlier wanderings in the mall. I have an itchy, raised spot on my left forearm that I want to medicate with the oil to see if it will go away. If not, I’ll have a dermatologist look at it to see if it’s anything I need to be concerned about. It has been there since before I left the States. I’ve had it since summer when I gouged that spot in some unremembered way.

 

MIKEY

 

Mikey was at my front door when I got up this morning, so I took him some dry cat food. After he ate, I sat with him on the setee for a time and patted him. He really loves me now.

 

Of course, then I washed my hands and forearms so Charli didn’t get any whiffs of him when I went back inside. I don’t want to cause additional animosity. With any luck at all, over time they will get to be friends and the rivalry can end. He won’t be allowed in the casita, though.  He’s neutered but I don’t know if he sprays and I don’t want to risk that happening in here.

 

He slept on the patio setee for part of the night, too. Charli knew he was there but she didn’t growl, hiss or rush the window, so maybe she’s getting used to seeing him around. He doesn’t stay here all the time during the day. That’s good, because Charli likes to go out whenever it isn’t raining.

 

Anything Else I Need In Town? Hmmmm…

 

I keep trying to remember if there’s anything else I wanted to get while I’m in Grecia.  I only go once a week and items occur to me during the in-between days. I don’t always write them down.

 

UPDATE:

 

I got everything on my list except a fan. I  also got what I thought was another animal-themed towel only to discover, when I got it home, that it’s large enough to serve as a twin or full size bedspread, so now I’m torn as to how to use it. I also got Charli another cat toy.

 

Had a fabulous time with Clarkie, Dale, Francisco and Jon at lunch time.  They are always so much fun. Uplifting, compassionate, very tuned into what’s happening in the US that none of us like. We’re soooo glad we’re out of there! We all fall under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella, so there’s no way we’re okay with what we see happening up there. We’re safe here but we have lots of loved ones still up there who are pretty much trapped there because of family or business obligations.

 

Jon and Francisco say they’ll take me to San Jose sometime to visit a terrific artists’ market so I can get Costra Rica-centric wall art that resonates with me and meet the Ticos who create it.  Sounds like a trip to remember and treasure is on the horizon!

 

And I get to dog sit Tio and Alice whenever they take Dale and Clarkie to the beach, or when they go anywhere else that doesn’t float my boat.  WOO HOO!

 

My INR is right where it’s supposed to be, even with the change in my diet. I’m a happy camper! Got a nickel-size bruise and puffiness (hematoma) where the tech took the blood from my arm, though!  That’s okay. I have some magic spray that I got from Villas Escondidas that will help.  Next time instead of a bandaid I’ll ask the tech to wrap my arm with medical wrap and take it off twenty minutes later.

 

I’m at the tail end of a psychological mystery thriller penned by a Pacific NW writer.  It’s a cliffhanger, for sure, and is book 1 of several, so I reckon I’m in for the long haul now.  It’s called THE MIND BREAKER and the author is d.d. black.

 

That’s where I’m headed next!

 

Have a great evening!