It’s Wednesday.

There isn’t much news,

but I’ll share what little there is with you.

It shouldn’t take long!

 

Yesterday things started happening here that we’ve been waiting for.

 

For starters, the pest control people came by

 

… and sprayed outdoors and in the garage, because it’s ant season here.  I locked Charli and myself inside while two or three people in impressive-looking hazmat suits surrounded the building and sprayed like they were taking on Godzilla or King Kong. I have never seen so much fumigation spray as I witnessed yesterday!!!

 

The interesting thing is that their vehicle had a sign on it proclaiming that their pest control service is “environmentally friendly.” (Maybe that means it doesn’t kill every living thing except for the problematic/invasive insects. I hope so because I love the walking sticks, praying mantises, butterflies and pretty moths that live around here!)

 

But they did say that we needed to keep our cats indoors until an hour after they departed, to be sure they didn’t walk in it while it was wet and then lick their paws.  So, we did that!

 

People Have Started Working on the Security Gate, Too

 

The big metal security gate that was down by the main street is now at the top of Deb’s property. People are working to get it “planted” where she wants it today.

 

It has been a couple days since it came down. It took time to dig it out, take it apart, and transport it here.  It’s heavy, with electrical wiring attached so we can open it with a push of the button on our key fob.  (I usually open it with a key, since I don’t drive, and walk through the door that’s installed in it, to save the cost of electricity.  Only vehicles that enter the property require opening the gate electrically.)

 

When the Gate Is Done, The New Perimeter Wall Can Go Up

 

…to secure the property again. They are scheduled to start the wall as soon as the gate is installed, so it shouldn’t be very long before that happens. I’m guessing it will be this week sometime… hopefully tomorrow or Friday. (I suppose they could start anytime, as long as they start from the opposite end of the property line and not close to the gate. I haven’t even looked outside to see if that’s what’s happening!)

 

I’m Still Studying!

 

I’m up to page 160 in 1001 Pitfalls in Spanish, so am sneaking up on the final chapters with all deliberate speed. I’m on a chapter about common irregular verbs and have three pages left to go in it. After that, there are only a few additional pages that I’ll be studying and writing down. So, I’m 99.999% finished with workbook/study guide #4! WOO HOO!

 

Saturday Lunch Invitation

 

Received an invitation from my gringo neighbors to have lunch with them on Saturday at noon. That will be fun.  I hope the afternoon rain stays away until I get back home, though!  I’ll take my umbrella (paragua) along in case I get caught in a downpour, for sure!!!

 

Have Put Out More Dehumidifying Plastic Buckets

 

… here in my sanctuary. The hanging ones that I bought a couple weeks ago at Mundo Pequeno were all filled with water by last night and discarded this morning, so I’ve put out two of the new ones.  They should last longer.

 

I took pictures of the Reina de La Noche (translation: Queen of the Night) plant and one other plant in my front yard yesterday afternoon.

 

You can read about the first one at the link I embedded above.  It’s a fragrant and (literally!) “trippy” plant that’s native here in Costa Rica. It comes in several different colors.  I’ll try to get images of other colors when I’m out and about again…

 

Jon Graham Mitchell told me Reina de La Noche is illegal to sell or to buy in Costa Rica (but not to propagate from “”hijos” — local clippings) because of its potential for abuse as a potentially dangerous/deadly psychoactive agent, but AI says they are available for sale. (I tend to believe Jon over AI, of course!)  I haven’t brought any blossoms into the house because handling can be toxic and because they are deadly to cats, but I hear that some people bring into their homes one blossom to “flavor” the air with its sweet scent.  I will  have to take their word for that.  Maybe I’ll go stand underneath the bush at night sometime and let you know what I think of their aroma.  I hear it’s really lovely!

 

That’s all I have for this time!