
Removing palm thatch roof – peering inside
This week’s WordPress Photo Challenge showed an image of rebar – called ‘varillas’ in Latin America, and it reminded me of a project from the past two weeks. Last week I was given a great lesson in construction in reverse fashion.
Because of pending regulations in the maritime zone of Nandayure Costa Rica, I had to tear down the thatched-roof rancho in order to move forward with a concession for new construction. In four days, workers demolished a property that held almost ten years of Zeebra memories.

Before, during and after… and then the rewind button reversed the process.
I held my wounds inside while attempting an honest smile as the men first removed the palm thatch, then the teak beams, then the upstairs flooring and wooden walls, the 6 ‘horcones’ and finally the concrete walls.

kaPOW! FINAL BLOWS – view thru the varillas
There are always ‘innocent casualties’ from war zones, and the plants near the foundation suffered as well. I reminded myself often that it really didn’t matter.. they were planted with love, tended with love, and when neglected they grew from a willingness to please; most will grow back. They often served as reference material for my paintings – like in this painting of the rufous naped wrens that sang lovely “Weird pee-ple live here”-songs and brightened the garden areas.

Rufous-naped wrens – Acrylic – copyright Lisa Brunetti
In addition to that very-serious emotional wound of tearing down the rancho, I was given a lovely welcome-back greeting from a neighbor who amply salted those wounds. Not only had they recently cut the 20-foot high hibiscus hedge/screen to the ground, they also cut (sold?) four or more shade trees in that same boundary line. What a lovely new neighbor I have yet to meet!

Inside – Hibiscus tea straight from the gardens!

Hibiscus tea straight from that green hedge in the background.

Lumber from the rancho; hibiscus hedge sorely missing beside the mango tree.
My friends and hosts Hank and Marie joined me each day. We peered inside the roof panels, inside the broken varillos, until finally the inside was no longer inside but outside in the sun. Load after load of timber and lumber went from this site to their bodega. In time, a token structure will rise from the ashes, though in another location.

Rancho hand-painted floor – shaman’s circle in foreground.

Z for Zeebra, close the book.
Thanks, Michelle, for a great WordPress challenge, and thanks dear wonderful Immigration folks in Manta Ecuador who gave me a very-special visa so I could leave and tend to this tramite (step) and be able to return to Ecuador in good graces!

Hank and Marie – Team Zeebra!
Thanks, Hank and Marie, who were there every single day and to many others who were there in spirit. I’m now back in Mindo Ecuador, where I will be working on photos and stories while helping friends move into their new amazing and beautiful property!

Where I spent my 2-week summer vacation! Ha!
No More Rancho!
Now you know where I’ve been and what’s been happening in the private life of your friend the Zeebra. The rancho is ‘no more,’ but I have a plan, and it’s incubating.
Z
Lisa, I clicked the “like” button and then thought; “What’s to like about tearing that lovely structure down and having those pretty hibiscus decimated?” But I do “like” that you have a plan. 🙂
i know what you mean about needing another option than ‘like’ — thanks so much.. there are new opportunities every single day, and i am lucky to have so many options! z
oh, Lisa, I am so sorry and saddened for you! The memories will last forever though! I know first hand how heart breaking that can be – after the Great Flood of 2011, the Reese family cabin at Donaldson Point had to be torn down. I couldn’t watch. it was heart breaking and gut wrenching. FEMA ordered that all dwellings that had more than 75% damage be destroyed to prevent those structures from floating into new or remodeled structures if (hopefully never) we ever have a devastating flood such as that one again. From the outside, all appeared normal, but the inside was warped and floors were bucked up and the structure was weak. I did take one last photo of the outside, and was so glad that Mom and Dad didn’t have to watch our family fun cabin being destroyed as I did. Luv ya. 🙂
your cabin that burned down is the one that took lots of amazing memories… but those buildings will forever stand strong in our memories! thank you so much. may Ole Man River stay in bounds. z
My heart aches for you dear friend, what a tough job you had to do. At least that part is over and you can focus on a more uplifting plan. Enjoy your time in Mindo, hugs
thanks amiga/amigo; as you know, there’s always a blank canvas waiting for a creative person.. in the kitchen, gardens, or a new building project.. we learn from the earlier ones and apply what we’ve learned to new ones.
z
GREAT post! Love the juxtaposition !
thank you. now on to more challenges that life has waiting for me!
Good for you! I need 1/2 of your courage !
I felt your pain as I read your post! All the best to you!
you are so kind – thank you. i sensed that my more sensitive friends would have their hearts wrenched a bit. thanks for your empathy! z
Oh dear. May your incubation period be as fruitful as the hibiscus.
how beautiful! thanks, i hope that it is! hey, we’re approaching another wear white for peace day.. and maybe add a touch of green somewhere for the yusani? i’ll be offline for a few days but would like to coordinate w/you on that.
Sure – we collectively dropped the ball on a huge event but will definitely be doing a call out for white and peace soon. Green sounds right 🙂 I was away for 10 day glorious computer free, thought free days so only just now cranking up the productively machine. Enjoy your time.
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It all sounds very traumatic! Glad you can look at it in a positive light 🙂
hey – thanks! it was a bit like being a voyeur, though i reminded myself that it’s just ‘stuff’ and we learn from tests and move to more difficult challenges. like a painting, we learn from every one and apply what we learn to the ones that follow. i need ten more lives for all that i’d like to do and only so many hours in the day!
z
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Oh Lisa, I feel your pain. And admire your resilience and positive attitude. Wishing you good luck and peace 🙂
Gosh, Lisa, that floor is so gorgeous. I can only imagine how painful it must have been to see your home dismantled. Blessings to you, dear Z, as you begin to lay a new foundation and make it every bit as lovely as the last.
Hugs from Cuenca,
Kathy
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I don’t understand why you had to demolish a work of art??? Your gentle patience and understanding is much more graceful than mine would have been. How horrible. I’m so sorry, Lisa. And then to add insult to injury, you returned to find your beautiful hibiscus bush and 4 shade trees destroyed. Sigh…what’s wrong with people? I shouldn’t have “liked” this post. 😦
Oh, what a heart-wrenching time this must have been! Your courage and grace are inspirational. Thank you for sharing this look inside; so sorry for all the hurt this has caused you!
I’m sorry. I don’t know that I’d have your strength and courage. It’s good too know that you have a plan but I would never doubt you to be without one. 😉
Be well. Continued strength. In no trivial way do I say, off to a new adventure…
Like “Re-wired and re-tired” I’m confused about why the place had to be torn down. None of this makes any sense to me – but the details hardly matter. Someone said it had to go, and you had to make it go, and now it’s gone. Terrible.
Still, sometimes the disappearance of the old does allow for an unexpected new! Who knows what’s around the corner? (Especially since it’s your corner we’re talking about!)
What really gets me is clear cutting hibiscus. That’s flat silly. 😉
Well, I’ll just have to await further bulletins. My best to you, and lots of cheerful energy sent your way!
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How sad 😦 but I loved your attitude towards the deconstruction process. And you were there to make sure that as much as possible was recycled, which is excellent. Some pieces will move on with your memories encased in them.
That painting with pale colours and birds is so very lovely! 🙂
How sad. My heart goes out to you.
Ah, Lisa, heartbreaking and refreshing all at the same time. Sorrow oozes for your loss, so hard, yet you are already looking to new and fresh days where you are. I have to say, the wrens and foliage have now bumped up to my all time favorite! That is just an exquisite piece of work and I can only imagine the hours. Thanks for sharing! Blessings, Susan
I had the same attitude about hitting “like” for this. Although our house wasn’t torn down, we moved after 28 years in one rather unique, spacious home to a rental house that while nice, hasn’t the personality and soul of our old one. I gave away, directly or through donations and recycling, as much as possible, threw away more and still have things I’ll have to get rid of in some way. It’s a wrenching but freeing thing. All the best as you move forward!! (((((((((((((((((((((((Lisa)))))))))))))
janet
What a horrible story. I don’t know the background for this legal order, but I certainly feel with you. It must have been very sad to see all those memories being demolished. I am glad you seemed to have moved on, incubating new ideas. You have created so much inspiration and positive energy with your present work, like the Magic Carpet, etc. I look forward to seeing more. 🙂 My “like” is meant as an encouragement – not supporting the demolition.
Z, I am so sorry for the pain you have had to endure. I cannot begin to imagine going through this. It is said that by letting go of something, you are making room for something new to come into your life. I hope the new that will come is something that will lift you up and make you happy.
Sending you many hugs.
Lisa you had told me, but this brought tears, it made me sad to see such a beautiful place torn down but I love how you ended this post, I now something good will come out of this that is how things world, one door closes and the other opens 😉 I am glad that you have something incubating.
Such a sad story Lisa and very brave of you to share it with us. How could some one cut down the beautiful shade trees when they are needed in your hot climate and the loss of the hibiscus would be a blow to the heart.
Best wishes for your new project I look forward to hearing about it.
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What a shame to see your charming rancho torn down! I have fond memories of the time when I went there with you and first saw that spectacular beach, Playa San Miguel.Lo Siento.
Richard
Watching the destruction of one’s artwork? That cuts to the core…but as usual, you bounced back and figured out a positive take. I hope that’s it for now for the hard stuff!
I don’t understand the politics of having to tear it down, but strong, resilient you has a plan incubating and that is a positive thing to hear. 🙂 An now you are helping others…again, a good way to mend.
Hi Lisa, official I’m taking a bit of a blogging break. Unofficially I’m quietly visiting a few I haven’t had time to visit recently. You’re right, it is a bit wrenching to read, especially the art and beautiful hibiscus. Thank goodness for friends, memories and a huge spirit for living, which you have. Take care of you, dear soul mate! xx
I am with Indacampo regarding the like button: This makes no sense, and made me cry. I am sorry Lisa, and yet, I am equally intrigued by your plan for the future!
Blessings my friend!
How sad to lose what you had, but you have the sunshine within your soul to know that there is an opportunity ahead! Looking forward to those future plans! Hugs to you my friend! – B
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