Saturday January 24, 2026 8:40 a.m.
7970 steps so far this morning. Waaaayyy ahead of the game!
I saw Diane for a few minutes this morning after my walk. She wants me at her place at 8 a.m. on potluck day, which is SUPERB! I thought it was going to be a brunch, but it looks like it’s going to be a breakfast-type potluck. That will be fun!
She told me there are two new dogs running around this neighborhood and they’re dangerous dog-killers. They’re a pitbull and a Doberman Pinscher traveling together. She says I should carry a big stick when I walk for the rest of my time here. I’ll carry my umbrella.
I didn’t see the dogs today during the hour plus that I was walking, fortunately. She says she doesn’t know what hours they’re out and about, so just to be aware.
I walked to the J3 Market after the official walk and bought enough to get me through the week until the move. I don’t want to have to pack a ton of groceries to the new place.
New total footsteps so far today (11:55 a.m.) 10,008! I am a WALKING FOOL!
Saw Homer for the first time in weeks
He gave me two small gifts that I will treasure. He wouldn’t let me open them until I was back in my casita, though, so I still need to thank him for them, post-reveal.
I didn’t ask if I can share them on social media, so I won’t describe them, but they are small reminders of our “forever friendship” as amigos, and I truly appreciate them. I will hang one of them where I can see it daily and the other one will be very useful.
I gave him a bottle of mixed berry Powerade, which he happily accepted.
Staying off social media all weekend except for this blog. I don’t want U.S. news to steal my joy or the wonderful sense of calm that I awoke with today.
Heard and Briefly Saw a Toucan This Morning Here in El Cajon
That was a treat: visiting with Diane and Miguel with a toucan chattering overhead in a big tree. They sure do know how to stay hidden among the branches and leaves, though!
Saw a Lizard (Gecko?) This Morning on my Patio
When I watered the plants on the patio this morning, a 4″ long brownish lizard (gecko?) popped out of one of them and skittered the length of the patio to escape. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my phone, so I didn’t get a photo of it. I also didn’t see it well enough to see if it had gecko (suction) feet, although it certainly clung to the side of the hard plastic pot, so I think it did!
Not long after moving here, I also saw a frog on the patio. Didn’t get a photo then, either. It was of a uniform brown/golden color so nothing spectacular looking (like a poison dart frog). Still, I didn’t touch it or try to pick it up. It’s dicey to do so in Costa Rica unless you’re familiar with the countless species, and even then, wild ones shouldn’t be handled. It stresses them out, can damage their skin, and might cause them to become outcasts in their families.
SAN ISIDRO DE ALEJUELA DREAMING
I know I’m going to LOVE the open, expansive feeling in San Isidro where I’ll be, but this little casita in El Cajon (Casita Tucana21) is nestled among the loveliest, lushest (most lush?) foliage. And the view of the ridge across the way is glorious.
Still, the move to San Isidro de Alajuela will put me on flat, unpitted pavement just four telephone poles away from the Garrisons, whom I adore. I’ll be safer (as an oldie but goodie!) walking there, by a lot. No rocky, uneven roads or super steep inclines.
The yard is enormous and gated, so Charli will be safe and super happy.
(No dogs!)
The suite overlooks the back yard and the valley and ridges beyond, turning nighttime into a glowing carpet of diamonds in the valley below.
I believe the suite is at least as large as this casita, with tile floors and wooden armoire closets. “Classy” is the word that may best describe it.
It’s right on the bus line, a short walk up the paved driveway away. The bathroom looks lovely. The bed is a queen or king.
Deb, the owner and landlady, tells me there is a trail down to a river but it might be too precarious (or steep?) to get to easily after the pavement ends and the trail begins. I’ll certainly check it out when I get there. Hanging out next to a river sometimes sounds heavenly.
I can’t wait to get there and take some pix to show y’all!
On February 11th Lisa will arrive
…with her laptop, her camera and batteries, her phone, a few items of clothing, and a BIG smile! She’ll have a suitcase with stuff she’s bringing to me: two Christmas holiday Floof’s Cafe t-shirts, a pair of pants to succeed the pair I wear here nearly nonstop, UTI cranberry tabs that my PCP in Tacoma recommends for me, a Mexican Trains game, my McCoy action figure, Liquid IV, a thumbdrive with the extensive email list from my old desktop, and maybe my tax docs. I don’t remember what else she will be bringing. That may be all. She made a list. I didn’t.
We will hit the ground running
…on February 12th with a trip to Rescate Wildlife Rescue and Preserve where we will both lose our minds seeing and taking pictures of the wild ones that lives there while they’re being rehabbed for release or housed forever because they can’t be released.
We’ll laugh, veg, and walk in Grecia so she can experience Central Park and the many shops that surround it. She says she wants to do that. Whatever she wants to do works for me!
Whatever we do — or don’t do — we’ll do it together, like old times. But maybe even BETTER than old times because we won’t have any “to dos” or “must dos” cramping our schedule.
That’s the plan. That’s what my mind is conjuring up: a time to mostly relax, rejuvenate, and be real. No friction or tension, each other’s champion. (THAT’s PRECISELY like old times!!!)
Yeah. I’m ready to reconnect with my best friend on the planet. It’s gonna be a FAST nine days, no matter how slow we try to make it. I want to be sure every single day is memorable, magical and magnetic because I dearly want her to WANT to come back as often as she can.
I want her to love Costa Rica as much as I do. Which remains to be seen, but I’m HOPEFUL AS ALL GET OUT THAT IT WILL BE SO!