Critters and Friends

     In the rainy season here in Yelapa it is so "Normal" to see all kinds of critters and creatures of the jungle.  After being away, and out of the jungle for a couple of years, I find myself suddenly faced with critters I don't normally see, or find around my house in Utah.  Yesterday was a giant hairy spider in the sink, looked like a baby tarantula, and then today a bright, florescent green snake was climbing around near the entrance to the casa...  and then of course, there had to be a big yellow scorpion who came running out of the little throw rug that had been wrinkled up that I tried to straighten.  I took off my flip flop, aimed carefully, and gave it a whack.  I guess I stunned it, so I gave it a couple of extra whacks for good measure.  I completely get the fact that all "Critters" have their place in this world, but in their proximity to me, I shall take license to kill them lest they kill me first.  I did not kill the snake, and I do not kill the toads, but I'll be damned if I won't kill a scorpion, a spider, flea, mosquito, or any other freakin' insect who wants to bite me, suck my blood, sting me, or save me for a later meal.  I have a goal in mind here.  Yes, my other goals were listed in my other blog: get stronger, etc.  But this goal is a bit more simple, if a little sinister.  It's to kill every little biting stinging pest who approaches me with vigor!  Now, the other question is how to do it.  They are small, they are microscopic in some instances.  So without boring you with fruitless thoughts of "How To", I will wait and give you blow by blow of how I accomplished this seemingly impossible feat.  Yes, I have a mosquito repellent of my own.  Does it work?  Yes it does!  However, one of my foes that it doesn't work on is the common FLEA!  And here they are TINY.  In fact, I would venture to say that these are often mistaken for "Noseeums".  They are fleas, and they make a helluva welt and itch like crazy!  Okay, I'm done with my rant.  I will comment on the crabs.  They are almost "Cute".  If you go back in the archives of my blog you will find musings regarding the crab phenomena.  More to follow.  

Getting Stronger, and Other Musings

     I set a couple of goals for myself while I am here in Yelapa this time.  One is to get stronger, meaning muscle, stamina, and endurance, and the second is to lose some weight.  Well, I have traveled up and down the steps to Casa Vista Del Sol several times now.  My calves are killing me!  But when I feel the soreness in each step, I know that I'm on the right track.  I feel stronger just because I know I'm doing something.  I am going to get stronger every day, I know it!
     The sunset last night was amazing...  one large, bright red cinnamon ball just above the ocean's horizon...  I am so looking forward to more sunsets here, and more adventures.  My dog friends keep me company along with the occasional toad trying to catch an evening snack of beetles, and the occasional crab trying to skittle across the tile floor without being seen.  The jungle is truly amazing!  I posted a short video of Lucky trying to play with a crab: http://youtu.be/9FKdWxSGyZI

     Wow!  It's been a long time since I've written!  I am finally back in beloved Yelapa!  I knew when I left there would be a way to get back here.  I knew that this was a special place; a magical, living, breathing piece of the earth whom I would get to know better.
     Cindy and I came down in January for a week to get out of the cold and to see what Yelapa might be like in winter.  Perfect temperatures: Seventy-five in the day time, and sixty at night, with some humidity and waves crashing on the rocks below our modest hotel room, confirmed what we thought: we needed to get a place of our own here, whether part time or full time.
     I hooked up with a few of my Yelapa friends and put the word out that I would be interested in house sitting again, but for a shorter time; less than six months.  It wasn't long after when I received word from my friend, Cheryl Rawson that she could use a house sitter August and September, so I jumped at the chance!  Although summer is harsh at times, it is still a most magical time, the jungle teeming with life, and all things, including the plants, seem to breathe in unison, in a cadence that is hard to define, but you can feel it.
     So I am here now.  Friends met me on the beach to welcome me "Home", and then I was invited to celebrate the "Star of David" astrological event on the beach.  The energy I felt was amazing.  Suddenly I feel refreshed and encouraged.  I feel like I could actually get out and hike for miles.  It might have helped that just a day before coming here I had spent a week with the Wounded Warrior Project in Park City, Utah being uplifted by fellow veterans and encouraged beyond my perceived threshold.  Yes, I managed to make it through the ropes course!
     So now I am here.  I have set a couple of goals: One is to participate in yoga, and the other is to walk more, and go places when I am invited.  Basically, to get healthier.
     I have been here two nights now, and it has rained twice, once heavily; a typical thunderstorm, but not as bad as it could be.  I am also trying to keep the noseeums from biting, although sometimes it's futile.  I brought my Jungle Block, and it has helped, but I have to remember to apply it everywhere, including my toes.  I am definitely a bug magnet.  Blood type O Pos, and probably expel more Carbon Dioxide than any other living thing!
     So as I write this I am sitting up in bed, safely tucked away in the fine mosquito netting Cheryl provided.  All windows and doors are open, and just outside my windows is the jungle.  I am listening to many thousands of insects and frogs, and who knows what else.  It's six in the morning and still dark.  I smell rain, but I haven't heard it hit the ground yet.  I love this place...