It feels like yesterday that I wrote my last essay/blog. As I have mentioned in the past, retired I am not. It is hard to state whether my busyness keeps me out of or gets me into more trouble. All my activities seem to have a positive flow that still gives me time to relax and watch the beautiful colors of the fields, ocean, and the amazing sunsets.
In August I had a very interesting guest at the condo for one week, Patricia Layton, who spoke at the August El Limón Salon. Patricia lives in Matagalpa Department and is a certified Food Over Medicine Instructor and Health Coach. She showed us how to use the trees and plants we have locally for better health. While she was staying at the condo, she made me a special green smoothie everyday. I hated to see her leave as we had such a good time getting to know and learning from each other.
From August 30 to September 4, I had a fun time volunteering at the PGA Latin America first Nicaragua tour held at the 18 hole course at Guacalito de la Isla (GDI). The last three days were over 12 hours at the event. I was a live scorer at the 9th hole the last two days as well as the on-call nurse/medic. Fortunately the on site ambulance was parked a stone’s throw from the 9th hole where I stationed myself under the trees. Although we didn’t get to associate with any of the pros, I met a lot of really nice folks who were also volunteering. We were a family unto ourselves for the week. Supposedly Guacalito has a three year contract for the PGA. If so, I would definitely volunteer again.
The past two weeks I have been dog sitting–a chihuahua–for friends who will be the new owners of Barbara’s house. One of the reasons for me taking care of Drifter was for him to get used to his future home. Unfortunately, he had to stay inside for those long days of my volunteering. Although I didn’t find any pee spots, he did leave me some brown packages. The first three days I couldn’t let him out of the house unless he was on the leash that I made by braiding string. He would head up the road to go to home and I couldn’t chase him up the hill. I was surprised that it only took him four days to stop the escape behavior.
The past two months kept me running back and forth to Rivas for items at the new Sinsa hardware store for repair parts and paint for both the condo and Barbara’s house. I feel fortunate that our little area is no longer isolated from items that we used to have to get only in Managua.
Three days in a row I made the Rivas trip to the Provincial Clinic/Hospital for Melvin, my young friend who I sent to nursing school and who now works at the Roberto Clemente Santa Ana Clinic. He was hit while on his motorcycle by a “taxi” and fractured both the ulna and radius of his left arm just above his wrist. I was concerned because his repair surgery couldn’t be scheduled for over two weeks due to a genetic blood coagulation problem that he hadn’t been aware of. I rallied friends and some of his Clinic co-workers to help bring him green smoothies and get him on iron tabs. Bless Melvin’s wife Adriana, a nursing student, who came daily with food and support. Both of these young people are still going to university as well as working and now this interruption. Fortunately both of their professors took heart and sent their school work via Adriana so that they could study for their exams which are coming up at the end of this month. Melvin had his surgery finally last Wednesday and was sent home Thursday–in pain but a very happy camper. I am so fortunate to have good friends who help me help others. This past week, five days post-op, Melvin was promoted in a Community Leadership program that offers massage and physical therapy to the poorest folks in the villages of our area.
We have had some really good rain storms this past month. Two days it stopped the PGA play for several hours. Although the area is beautifully green, we can use a lot more rain. The rivers are still dry in most places where there should be running water.
I made a big decision this past month to sell my Condo 1B at Rancho Santana. I am not listing it with a realtor, although I will give the normal finder’s fee of 2%. The decision was made because I want to finish the Guasacate house and move to a final parking place. Guasacate is growing everyday, a community is building there so I won’t be isolated. I love Rancho Santana and all my friends here. However, most of my RS resident friends have sold and left the area for the US. The condo has tenants through mid-January and I am not in a fire sale rush to sell. I will continue to rent the condo and offer my management service if the buyer is interested.
Work on the Basha Health Clinic in Nicaragua has been postponed until early January. With the Nicaragua elections coming up mid November, there are frequent demonstrations that create havoc for transportation in many areas. Government agencies are slow to make official determinations and customs is preventing many items to be imported at the moment. Since Basha wants to bring his thermography equipment, I feel it is safer to wait until after the election and holidays for a successful clinic.
Time to go outside with Drifter. Take care of yourselves wherever you are.
Melvin’s promotion one week post surgery
Margie Fincham in Nicaragua 