Several people have recently written to be sure all’s fine, as I’m not usually so silent. Thanks, amigos – the past few weeks have been busy, and I also dedicated some extra quiet time for remembering Joe.
Last week brought an assortment of ‘helpers’ to the property. Pedro, the all-in-one great kind of assistant, helped with some electrical repairs and then put on his birding sombrero and helped identify some birds. Here’s Pedro/Peter at his top form — the fact that he’s also a rapelling guide might explain how he so easily accomplished the task. I tipped him twenty dollars for his heroic efforts…
Another helper, Ivan, helped locate a leak in a hot-water line in the cement slab. Since he was the one who put the stone on the house, he was the best one to remove the stone to access the problem area. He found a split in the threads on a fitting, and he also replaced the cold-water fitting which had a tiny little leak. The hot-water-leak problem is now ‘history.’
Before leaving, Ivan insisted on helping move large, medium and small rocks to a new ‘drive-through’ canal the municipality road grader left in its wake. We won’t curse the driver, as the muni has done an excellent job of keeping the roads clear during heavy rains. I was a little late for helping greet a new tour group (Ecuador Expat Journeys) that arrived in Mindo about the time we were moving the rocks. The group was lovely, and I enjoyed meeting and visiting with them that evening and the next morning before they departed for the Pacific Coast. (I spent the night in town, but there was little time for internet!)
When Barbara was here last month, she brought a gift: a new rain gauge with numbers large enough to see without using a camera or binoculars. Now we can tell from the porch how much rain this “El Nino” brings us each day. * (Andalyn, the thermometer jumped off the porch last week, and I think it’s unfixable. Boo Hoo! 😦 )
There have been many new bird sightings (Life birds for me…) It’s one thing to read about the unique Cock of the Rock or see photos, but when one sees it up close and personal – wow.. its beauty stunned me into a visual shock that lasted hours. Unfortunately it gave only a ‘fleeting glimpse’ and went deeper into the canopy. I did see a female about ten minutes later on the neighbor’s property.. What a thrill!
If you’d like to take a walk around the pond, a new post just sailed out showing the trails and some unique species. Enjoy if you’d like, and we’ll have some coffee or tea waiting back at the house! Start here: STARS ON THE LIVING STAGE
Thanks again for your support!
Maureen Sudlow said:
Thanks for the journey – fascinating, and I love the frog
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
Hey over there, and I’m glad that you like the frog! Thank you so much for your comment. (How’s the weather over there? )
Maureen Sudlow said:
beautiful autumn day today – not yet feeling the winter, just a few morning fogs
cindyricksgers said:
What a nice tour! lovely to see you…I’m glad all is well.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
Cindy! I’ve enjoyed reading your posts via an ap that loads pages (sometimes it works) and I read them offline while at the property. The only problem is that I’m unable to comment, and there are times I want to comment immediately! You’ ve been a very busy woman!
cindyricksgers said:
Thanks for letting me know, Lisa! I’ always glad to see what you’ve been up to…always inspiring, mostly joyful and fun!
Xraypics said:
Great to have you back posting your amazing pictures. Glad to know you are well. Tony
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
Hey over there! As I mentioned to Cindy, I am able to load emails and pages and red them offline.. there wre several of your posts that were really special, but alas, there was no way for me to reply from my offline mode. Will be traveling today and offline again, but suffice to know that I continue to enjoy your brilliant and highly-original art!
Xraypics said:
Just heard this morning of the horrendous earthquake in Ecuador. How terrible for you and for the country. my thoughts are with you at this time, my prayers are that you personally have not been hurt, and also for the families of those killed and injured.
Chas Spain said:
What an amazing and beautiful part of the world you live in
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
Yes, it is an amazing ecosystem of biodiversity, and I am lucky to live in such a pristine area. Thank you!
Pat said:
There you are! Nice to see what is going on in your world 🙂
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
Buenos dias! I am very curious to know and see what’s happening there. Miss all of you!
Equipping The Saints said:
Thank you, my special friend.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
You are welcome! Thank you!
thirdeyemom said:
Good to hear from you Lisa!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
Hey dear Amiga! Your passports much be the most well-traveled ones on theplanet.. You’ve been very busy, and I admire how you juggle all tasks. Congratulations on that amazing interview feature and the one you wrote as well. (I load and later read most emails and posts offline…)
thirdeyemom said:
Thanks Lisa!
johnandmarylivingitupinecuador said:
We think about you every day and hope you are well. Mindo seems like the perfect place for you to create. JandM
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
The pure air is also good for my lungs! It’s also nice to have unlimited and quite-pure drinking water…
I think of you as well and shared last night the story about you (mary) almost screaming when i showed up outside your kitchen window! I will forever cherish that memory. Hope youu’re feeling 100 percent! Am also so glad you had a brief but very rewarding visitor brighten your week!
hughcurtler said:
It’s so good to have you back. We all know how busy you are, but I know you are missed.
helene said:
So happy to read you again…. I wondered whether you were well or not ….. Lots of thoughts from France. You are always in our mind !
helene and lise
Steve Schwartzman said:
That’s a great mantis. It even seems to be wearing a manto.
dalecooper57 said:
And there was me thinking the top photo was a “frog ladder” to help them climb out of ponds.
Nice rain gauge and fabulous pictures as always.
Barb Seibel aka Hummingbird said:
Another beautiful post Lisa! You are very welcome for the rain gauge!! It looks beautiful on the newly painted post! AND I miss the otters and you and Ivan/family and Pedro, Cynthia…and all the other beautiful people I met……now sure if I miss the “rock carting” though (hehe)
Rewired and Retired in Nicaragua said:
Love the rain gauge. Miss you my friend. Did you know that Nicole of Thirdeye Mom came to visit me in Nicaragua? It was such a great visit. We need to make plans to see each other again.
shoreacres said:
It’s good to see your post, though now I’m concerned for you, given the earthquake. I’ve looked up your location, and see you’re between Pedernales and Quito. A fellow on Twitter mentioned that he felt the quake in Mindo, and I’ve seen reports of swaying and damage in Quito, so there’s no question you experienced it. There’s significant damage in Guayaquil and Manta, per reports and photos on twitter. Also, plenty of power outages, jammed cell networks, and so on. Will be waiting to hear, as you’re able.
Cook Engle said:
lisa, you ok?
On Thu, Apr 14, 2016 at 12:26 AM, Zeebra Designs & Destinations wrote:
> Playamart – Zeebra Designs posted: ” Several people have recently written > to be sure all’s fine, as I’m not usually so silent. Thanks, amigos – the > past few weeks have been busy, and I also dedicated some extra quiet time > for remembering Joe. Last week brought an assortment of ‘helpers” >
Steve Schwartzman said:
I just heard about the earthquake this morning. Your already tenuous Internet connection may be zero now, but we hope you’re all right.
Bob Ramsak said:
Hey Lisa — hope you’re well. Please check in when you can.
Yayo said:
Z, i trust you’re alright? We’re all anxious to hear from you.
Mary said:
Hi Lisa, another friend worrying about you. As Bob said, please check in when you can, we want to you know that you are safe and sound. Hugs Amigo from Texas
Bob Ramsak said:
I’ve seen some disturbing images of destruction from Jama and its immediate area. Hope things were ok with you in Mindo and that the homestead weathered the rumbling.
Susan Thompson said:
I, too, am anxiously awaiting news from you to say you are okay!
Serena said:
Amiga, I am awaiting for news from you! I am staying in Quito now… I love you and miss you I know God will protect you
Margo Murdock said:
Emailed asked everyone from EE no word. Are you ok? Please just post yes somewhere…worried.