charliedoggett.net
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| CERRAJERIA is Spanish for Locksmith and this one is the only one I could find in Atenas or the only place to have a key duplicate made. And I learned a new word! ¡Las palabras son muy importantes! |
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| My duplicate keys were made quickly and efficiently and they work! |
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| Blomfild’s Beauty or Smyrna bloomfildia |
I also had one of these in my house last year, but this may be a little better photo the designs, though last year I got part of the top of wings which is greatly different. The intricate details of the design in this butterfly is amazing to me. I went next door and invited Anthony (the artist) over to see it and he photographed it too as a design idea for some of his future artwork. This time it was on the window screen of my kitchen window.
Sometime in the last 5 years he decided to become a transsexual and except for a few close friends, I told no one. How do you? With several gay friends I had come to understand or accept homosexuals, but as I told Jason, I have no experiences with trans and no understanding of it. We remained apart, still not understanding each other. He chose not to stay in communication and I had no addresses or phone number.
A couple of weeks ago I received my first contact from Jason in nearly 5 years. He has legally changed his name to Athena and wrote to tell me that his mother (my wife of 20 years) was dying of cancer and might not last through the week. He needed to see her and close out her business and other affairs. Of course, I paid to fly him from Asheville, NC to Gatesville, TX and other related expenses. He spent a week with her in a Gatesville nursing home. He emptied and closed out her apartment, shipping himself 16 boxes. And all arrangements are made for her to stay in the nursing home until she dies by signing over her Social Security check. Her will and the deposition of her ashes are also arranged. So my little boy has grown up and handled one of the toughest times of life, though she still has not died yet.
We have corresponded several times by email and I am again trying again to “connect” with Jason/Athena, though still not sure how or if possible. He is about to turn 43 and showing some interest in family history for the first time, so that is certainly part of my language. 🙂 We will see what happens. Your prayers are appreciated! And maybe my post of last night makes a little more sense now. God is my rock and my salvation!
As most of you know, I don’t like to keep secrets and not good at it, so again I’m being very open and honest and simply trusting God to be in charge. Thank you for allowing that in me. It is good to have friends!
MY LIFE VERSES
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding;
think about Him in all your ways,
and He will guide you on the right paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6, Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
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| Not a beautiful building like the Catholics, but The most loving people found anywhere! |
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and courageous.
Wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 HCSB
And last night’s devotional in Open Windows was sort of my answer to Psalm 27 & today’s sermon with the first two verses in Psalm 62:
Psalm 62
Trust in God Alone
1 I am at rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from Him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I will never be shaken.
My faith is as strong or stronger than it was in the states with a lot less church activity but just as much or more dependence on God. And I am at peace. Tomorrow I will tell you about the latest development with what is left of my family, my son and ex-wife, though I have hesitated to share publicly, I’m feeling led to do so. And regardless what happens next, I live by the above verses and “I will never be shaken.”
And one of the neat things from church today is that the translator between English and Spanish (Both directions, depending on who is preaching each 1st Sunday) is named Zaray, a local school teacher and one of my two Spanish teachers who this week started a new “Intermediate Spanish” class that I’m in with 3 other students. I am a very slow language learner, but it is beginning to “click” and be more fun and I have hope of improving, “poco a poco.” 🙂
The organization also went on to say that, “The most popular reasons for relocating to Costa Rica are for a better quality of life and a thirst for adventure.” “The country’s friendly people and great work-life balance are just some of the reasons why expats decide to move to this tropical paradise.”
My internet research also puts the Canary Islands up near the top of this list. Still a subjective opinion! 🙂 But I like being in the mix and most often at the top! 🙂
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| InterNations’ Best/Worst Weather Map |
Weather was not my only reason for choosing to retire in Costa Rica, but a major factor. I literally live outdoors all the time in an alfresco style house with doors and windows always open all day and only window screens separating me from outside at night. I have no need for air-conditioning or heat at any time of the year and rarely use my ceiling fans on some warm afternoons.
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| Black Witch Moth On the ceiling of my covered terrace in Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica. Wing span about 5 inches. |
This guy is pretty common and one of the 8,000+ moths in Costa Rica and appears in all parts of the country. He is one of the best travelers, appearing from Florida to Brazil.
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| Polydamas Swallowtail On my “Quince de Abril” Flower My garden, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica |
My Butterfly/Moth Photo Gallery with 50 species!
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| By 2020 Light Rail will connect the airport with San Jose & Cartago + at each stop will be buses and taxis to help reduce personal cars on streets. |
Read about it from Christopher Howard’s Newsletter “Live in Costa Rica.”
It is a “closed group” so you have to join to be able to see the posts. But it is great for a newcomer expat living in Atenas where all your questions are answered and even often asked by someone else. 🙂 Also great for someone about to move here or even thinking about it!
Questions/answers range from where you can buy something to where you can get something fixed. Plus how to accomplish needed tasks, etc.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/atenascostaricainfo/permalink/1028669077248845/
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| Lots of Lizards During the Rainy Season – though rain sparse this week. |