Around noon every day you see some of the elementary school children eating their lunch with their mothers in the park across the street from the school. Some grade levels only go a half day, morning or afternoon, meaning they eat lunch before or after school. But all ages of children are very close to their mothers making lunch with Mom very natural. Almuerzo con la madre.
Saw Güilas movie again today
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Boy in another story “Amor de Temporada” – Fun! |
I went back to Alajuela today (Friday) to see the movie Güilas a second time. It is soooooo good! It is fabulous art and photography! It is seven stories about kids, one in each of the seven provinces of Costa Rica making it almost a travelogue movie and it is very entertaining, very funny, and very delightful as all kids are! My favorite movie of the year already!
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Old Charlie Doggett with the Young Han Solo & Chewy! Cinemark City Mall, Alajuela, Costa Rica |
Selling Hot Dogs in Costa Rica
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A weiner character at the Supermercado attracts a lot of attention & lots of families have hot dogs this week! La Coope Supermercado, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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And having a bouncy house doesn’t hurt sales either! Marketing through children seems to be world-wide! La Coope Supermercado, Atenas, Costa Rica |
See more of my photos of Atenas in those linked galleries or better yet in People & Fiestas! And if you like the Vistas from here, 4 of those linked galleries include Atenas vistas.
¡Pura Vida!
Oxcart Parade 2018 Atenas
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Rural Families is always the focus of Atenas’ Annual Oxcart Parade, last Weekend of April. Atenas, Costa Rica |
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Here a teen is the “Boyero” (Oxen Master) with sis in cart and Mom & Dad Walking behind Atenas, Costa Rica |
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A few Oxen are entered into the contest without carts, some by older children or teens I guess it is like FFA in the States or other programs to help budding farmers. Atenas, Costa Rica |
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Last year our local University provided Latin Dancers – This year a team of ropers! Oxcart Parade, Atenas, Costa Rica |
The university campus on the edge of Atenas is one of the many UTN (Universidad Técnica Nacional), this one focusing on farming with students coming from all over Latin America as possibly the best agricultural school in Latin America or at least the best in Central America. They are good about participating in major local events like this – good neighbors! Good citizens! We like our student farmers at UTN!
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Though I’ve seen them before, I always enjoy! They’re good! Oxcart Parade, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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PEOPLE! You will have to go to my online gallery to see my interesting people shots. And there are always some very interesting and colorful people! Oxcart Parade, Atenas, Costa Rica |
I know that I still post too many photos for a blog, but I have so many more interesting photos I want to share, thus it has to be on the photo gallery: 2018 Oxcart Parade. I’m working on it now and will try to finish today or tomorrow. Takes time!
Jane Goodall reads about Costa Rica with ‘Guardian of Nature’
And tomorrow is Atenas’ Oxcart Parade, so expect photos of that tomorrow! 🙂
Last Day at Hogar de Vida
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Letty “cutting in” along the floor as we continued painting the Baby House. Hogar de Vida, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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Finally a photo not showing children’s faces as we again played with the Toddler House. Hogar de Vida, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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Our “last supper” as a mission team to Hogar de Vida, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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Then we celebrated Larry’s birthday with a Passion Fruit, Pineapple & Coconut Cake inscribed with “Feliz Cumpleaños Larry” Happy Birthday in Spanish. Hogar de Vida, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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The Gnuse family. Matt is missionary director of the home. Hogar de Vida, Atenas, Costa Rica |
You will hear more about this fantastic children’s home, what we did there and future mission trips to Hogar de Vida. Or see their Facebook Page.
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A Fantastic Place! |
First Full Day at Hogar
Sorry, but we are not allowed to show children’s faces on the internet! My best photos! |
Sign at Entrance Gate Hogar de Vida, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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Matt gives team tour of campus (3 team members not in photo) Hogar de Vida, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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8:30 AM Devotional for those not in school Hogar de Vida, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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Rene painting in one of houses |
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Welcome sign for team at San Jose Airport for Thursday. Hogar de Vida, Atenas, Costa Rica |
“Nature As Art” Business Card
- For Wall Art the Smugmug Shop has good options (click “BUY” at bottom of enlarged photo) and my new favorite is the wall art photo printed on metal in the glossy format.I’ve ordered several for my house walls here in Costa Rica – birds of course! 🙂 There are several other items available with any of my photos printed on them under the headings of “Keepsakes” and “Phone Cases” and the best part is there are more photos to choose from on my Smugmug gallery!
- The Cafe Press shop THIS SHOP CLOSED was set up years ago with Tennessee + USA photos you can still order if you like and one old Costa Rica Birds Calendar. I am slowly adding new Costa Rica photos here and items not available on my newer Smugmug Shop like T-shirts and calendars. See the direct link to Costa Rica Birds T-Shirts below. I plan to add some new bird calendars soon, then other items. Slowly! I’m retired! 🙂
- My Bookstore is another animal! I mainly make the photo books for my own personal enjoyment and a way to show some of my photos to other people here locally. One of each is available to see in my Living Room. And all are available for purchase and include more than just reports on trips. I have even put a lifetime of scrapbooks together photographically in a 4-volume biography set of books for family history buffs. And yeah, there may be a fifth volume eventually about my retirement in Costa Rica. 🙂
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Though I have this wall too full (cluttered), here are examples of both metal and canvas wall art photos. Atenas, Costa Rica |
-o-
THIS SHOP CLOSED
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Squirrel Cuckoo Men’s Classic T-Shirt |
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Sunbittern Women’s Classic T-Shirt |
Wear Nature!
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At Hogar de Vida Today
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On Ruta 135 going north out of Atenas is this B&W Sign pointing to (maybe 500 meters on this road) Hogar de Vida, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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I failed to photograph the entrance sign because I’m attracted to the park-like atmosphere inside! Next time I will include that attractive sign & more of the campus. Hogar de Vida, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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One of the children’s’ cottages with a worker hanging out the laundry. Hogar de Vida, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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Another children’s cottage on campus. Hogar de Vida, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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Playground Hogar de Vida, Atenas, Costa Rica |
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Rancho, which is what we call a picnic pavilion or covered dining/meeting patio here. Hogar de Vida, Atenas, Costa Rica |
Our Program
2017 Photo-A-Month & HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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January 2017 My garden was a constant joy! Blue Plumbago contrasted against a Heliconia |
February 2017 Two nights in San Jose was a fun and different trip for me. |
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March 2017 The birds in my garden continue to amaze! Lineated Woodpecker |
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April 2017 The bird sculpture by my former neighbor Anthony Jeroski will always be a special garden memory of him. He died in July in states. |
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May 2017 One of my guides at Drake Bay, Carlos, with baby boa. Everywhere I go great guides make the trip memorable! |
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June 2017 My gardners on break at my house, a tradition we have. I love my gardners and my garden! |
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July 2017 At Rancho Naturalista I finally get a photo of a Sunbittern! This is a rare bird and rare photo that I’m proud of. |
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August 2017 Butterflies are second only to birds for me and I saw a few this year. Most, like this one, in my garden of course! A Heliconius Hecale Zuleika. |
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September 2017 This Squirrel Cuckoo was on edge of my terrace for a favorite photo at home or maybe my “Photo of the Year” or at least tied with the Sunbittern. 🙂 |
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October 2017 My high school “after school club” for Conversational English was my most rewarding activity of the year! Fun & hard work! |
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November 2017 This Triquitraque is one of the smallest and favorite flowers in my garden. |
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December 2017 Everything about my Christmas trip to Tambor Bay was super good, but this photo of a King Vulture is the big prize! Another rare find & photo! |