Today’s walk created an opportunity to take a photo of a dead snake.
I only wish it was alive instead of dead.
It was such a gorgeous creature!
It looks enormous in the picture, but that’s because I set my cellphone to within a couple inches of it so it would fill the screen. In reality, is wasn’t more than four or five inches long.
It was a baby…
I asked Facebook friends if anyone could identify it.
Gilberto Alex Morales posed the same question, along with the image, to wherever such things are done on the Internet(AI), and it returned the following information:
“The snake your friend found in Costa Rica appears to be a banded cat-eyed snake (Leptodeira annulata). This identification is based on its light brown coloring, distinct dark brown blotches or saddle markings on its back, and large eyes with vertical pupils.Key Facts about the Banded Cat-eyed Snake:Non-Venomous (to humans): It is a rear-fanged snake with a mild venom that is only toxic enough to subdue its small prey, such as frogs and lizards. A bite to a human usually results in a mild, localized irritation or swelling at most and is not considered a health risk.Nocturnal and often found in moist areas near water sources, although they can be found in a variety of environments from rainforests to urban areas.Behavior: When disturbed, they typically try to escape and rarely bite humans. They are more likely to excrete a foul-smelling odor as a defense mechanism. “
Diane Cooner spotted the snake before I did. (I was keeping my eye on Blanco, who was on the end of a leash being held in my left hand.) I was chatting with her about something and suddenly discovered that she had stopped several steps behind where Blanco and I were. So I turned around to see what had snatched her attention away from our conversation.
It was in the middle of Calle Esteban Salas, very near the two rentals I’ve shown you pictures of before. It was newly deceased. Either a vehicle had squished its body or some predator had nailed it and then let it go, perhaps when it struck them to fight back. I dunno. All I know is I was mesmerized by how pretty it was and also sad that it was dead.
Diane and her dogs took one lap with me and then I returned to the calle in front of Eileen’s to walk for an hour. When I finished that, I realized it was 8:32 and if I moved my butt, I could make it to Calle Los Angeles with my cart in time to catch the bus into Grecia. So, I dashed back to my casita, grabbed my stuff, and walked to Calle LA.
A young Tico in his twenties (I’m guessing) was walking up the calle and stopped by while I was at the bus to ask if I spoke Spanish. I said, “Un poco.” He explained that his mother had just wound up in the hospital in Grecia and that he wouldn’t get paid until Friday. He told me his motorcycle was out of gas but he really wanted to get into town to see how his mother is doing. I asked what he needed to get gas to do that, and he said 2000 colones (about $4). So, I gladly gave it to him. He thanked me profusely, said God Bless You in Spanish and hurried (on foot) up the hill to get to his motorcycle.
Not long after the bus came by and picked me up
I rode into town and walked to Davidienda to get the rest of what I need, since Deb wants it on January 30th when I go there to sign the agreement, see the suite, and get the keys and gate opener. Then I went to Subway for a half sandwich. I got some bandaids at Farmacia Central and then bottles of a Gatorade-like drink in four flavors. By the time I finished doing all this, the bus to El Cajon was parked at the station, so I went over there and waited for it to open its doors so I could ride home.
Giant Woven Grasshopper Art
While I was in town, I twice passed by a local artisan who was offering to passersby his own hand-woven giant grasshopper art sculptures. I was fascinated. They were intricately woven from palm fronds, so the supplies are free for him, the only expense is the time it takes him to make them. I can’t even imagine how long it would take to make one, but it certainly wouldn’t be a quick little project!
Underside — so you can see the work involved
This is how a great many people make their living here, offering Costa Rican candies, artwork, towels, souvenirs, and other things — necessary and whimsical. It’s always a delight to go in and see what the street vendors (individuals without stations) have on offer. It’s a whole new world here!
I have walked 10,761 steps today. Not bad, not bad at all! It kinda surprised me, in fact, because I didn’t walk for the whole hour in front of Eileen’s because I figured I’d be taking the bus in today. Oh, but I did take an extra trip to Calle LA to drop a bag of wet trash into the canasta, there. So, it all adds up!
The more steps, the merrier, as far as I’m concerned. I love to walk.
Lisa and I chatted Again Recently
I called her a couple mornings ago intending to spend all of two minutes sharing my joy and excitement that she will be here “in just 24 days from this very minute!” but she was in the mood to chat more, so we spent another 50 minutes talking about other stuff, too.
She confirmed that I was right about the MPI letter marked Time Sensitive. (Motion Picture Industry) It is the “proof of life” thing that I need to have notarized, but they’re allowing 90 days to get it done, so Lisa will bring it to me when she flies down and I will find out where I can get it notarized here and then mail it in.
We also talked about various tax prep scenarios if Dennis doesn’t respond to my request about whether he will do mine for me this year. She says she will have AARP do it for me, since she’s my Power of Attorney. That will be free. If I had it done down here, it will cost hundreds of dollars, probably. That’s what the expat tax prep services here are advertising. That’s nuts for a simple tax return, in my opinion. I’m no longer in business, so mine should be a breeze.
I also had her send friend requests to Jon, Francisco, Dale and Crystal so she can find out more about them — and them about her — before she gets here. That way they’ll already be semi-acquainted on day one, which is always a good thing! She, Jon and Francisco are all professional caregivers in different fields, and they’re all wonderful, caring souls with terrific senses of humor, so I know they’ll feel like family pretty much from the get-go.
TODAY’S UV rating is 11!
yikes! I thought it only went up to 10! I’m glad I got home early!
7 is VERY HIGH!
11 must mean “STAY THE HELL OUT OF THE SUN, BOZO!”
Crockpot Cooked Chicken Again Yesterday
So, I have several meals of that (on brown rice) ahead of me during the next day and a half.
Wind/Pollen is Giving Me Occasional Coughing Fits
Cat says I should take a spoonful of honey to help keep them at bay. I’ll try that. At least my throat isn’t slightly sore anymore and I slept all night last night without any incidents. I may be slowly acclimating to the change in seasons. I’ll work it out, whatever it takes.
Guess that’s all the news that’s fit to print at this time.
Go enjoy the rest of your day!