Experienced my first Costa Rica earthquake(s) last night shortly before 10 p.m. The first one lasted about ten seconds, I guess, followed immediately by a second, stronger one that lasted about another 30 seconds. It is being reported as a single earthquake, though…
Athough one immigrant reported that these quakes were the strongest they have felt in the seven years they’ve lived in Costa Rica, they were child’s play compared to the major Ridgecrest earthquake that I experienced while living in Southern California in 1994. That one was like a jackhammer and sounded like a freight train was in my house. 67 people died in that one. Highways and other structures collapsed.
These were silent and felt very much like being rocked (insistently!) in a cradle. They didn’t upset Charli beyond making her sit up on the bed beside me. I immediately started stroking her and assuring her, “It’s all right, sweetie… just a little rockin’ and rollin’!” She stayed right where she was and rode them out with me.
My landlady texted me right away: “Kris, r u okay?” but I didn’t see it for about 30 minutes. When I did see it, I texted back, “Just fine! No worries!” but her lights were out in her home by then so she probably didn’t get the message until this morning.
I wish I had thought to pick up my phone and record these conjoined quakes, but I was preoccupied making sure Charli was feeling safe and secure enough to stay right there with me, because had things gotten out of hand, I wanted to be able to take her with me if I felt the need to go somewhere else. (Staying put is nearly always the best option in an earthquake.)
NO DAMAGE OR INJURIES REPORTED
This morning I walked for an hour, up and down Calle Esteban Salas, as usual. Nothing was out of place. The rock walls and stairways stayed put. There have been no reports of injuries.
If this is truly the worst one in seven years — reportedly a 6.0 centered south of San Jose — I’m not much concerned about future ones.
REQUEST
My niece, Sirkka Smith (also an author!) is on the lookout for proofreading and editing gigs. If you know of anyone writing a book, website, brochure, cover letter, or anything else who could use an eagle-eyed editor/proofreader, please let me know.
I’m retired now as a wordsmith, so I’m sending inquiries that I receive her way because I know she’ll do a bang up job. She’ll make me proud and her clients deliriously happy that they chose her.
And please note! Sirkka doesn’t use AI to edit or proofread. She does these tasks the old fashioned way, so there’s 100% reading comprehension and human soul and spirit behind every changed/improved word and/or phrase!
I don’t recommend writers/editors lightly. They have to be top notch.
Sirkka is! So reach out to her. Here is her website URL: http://sirkkasmith.com/editing