Four days ago was an anniversary of sorts for Layne and me.
February 9th marked four years since we set out for Costa Rica and a new life
as expats. And it's been four very exciting and fun years as my blog archives
reveal. Our good friends here number in the dozens as do the parties and holidays
we've enjoyed together. My work as a travel writer and blogger, and for a while
as a Retirement columnist
and freelancer for The Costa Rica News,
has allowed us to see more than our fair share of this beautiful country. For
his part as a retiree, Layne completed his excellent novel, Moral Turpitude, and it is now available in
Kindle format on Amazon.com where it's receiving 5 star reviews. For an
exciting fun read, check it out. I'm very proud of him and am urging him on to
the second book in the series.
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| My mom in younger years as an 1880's schoolmarm at For Concho |
Yet the one thing you can count on in life is Change. And
change we must, as we begin to close down our life here in Pura Vida-land and
head for West Texas to live with my elderly mom. She lives alone but she still
has a job at the Visitor's Center one day a week and volunteers at the
hospital and Fort Concho, driving herself around town as needed. Still, she's had us fooled for a long time, I think, with her busy life and independent ways. After a six-week visit with her last fall, we began to see how everyday things are hard for her and that she could definitely use our help. So about a month from now, we'll pack up our last bags and bundle up our beloved dog Winston and take off for San Angelo. But to paraphrase an old song, "Don't Cry for Us, Costa Rica." Our love affair with this small country won't end with our departure; we will undoubtedly return for visits with friends. But this blog will end, unfortunately, and I expect this will be my final post.
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| Out the airport waiting room window |
But let's not part, dear readers, before a report on one of
my latest adventures. I recently returned to Texas for a two-week visit with my
mom, where the weather was beyond nuts! Sunny and almost hot one day and then a
drop overnight to 17 degrees! How the heck do you dress for such a climate?
We're going to miss "el clima mejor del mundo," that's for sure! And to top it off, the day I was to
depart for Costa Rica, it was colder than Antarctica and started snowing. Yes, SNOW.
Little tiny dry flakes that were just beginning to fill in the dark spots in
the yard when it was time to leave for the airport.
But my indomitable mother assured me she would be fine, so I
off loaded my bags and bid her a tearful adieu. I made it through security and had
just sat down in the gate area, when an agent came through saying our flight had
been cancelled. Indeed, ALL flights that day were cancelled because
Dallas-Forth Worth airport was shut down by the storm. They re-booked me for
the following day and I called my mom with the news. Needless to say, she was
overjoyed and undaunted at having to drive back to pick up me and my bags.
I finally made it home just fine and as you can see, was soon enjoying a glass of wine with my sweetheart and my adorable doggie.
Which one was happier to see me would be hard to say!
So with mixed emotions, I bid farewell to all my wonderful
readers; at last count, you've logged more than 66,000 page views originating from
countries around the world. I hope I have brought some good cheer into your
life and shared some good times with you. It is my fondest wish that by writing
of my experiences here in beautiful Costa Rica, your worldview has been
expanded and enriched.
Hasta luego, amigos! May you always be blessed with Pura
Vida!! And now for a little look back....
