Reflections on a new life —

Hint: Infinite patience required — As much time as I’ve spent over the years in beautiful Costa Rica, my decades of living in “Spoiled Brat Central,” Any State, USA, have left me with expectations of immediate gratification, instant answers from Siri and Wiki, instant delivery of whatever I want, quick call-center resolution of issues with…

Hurrah, hurrah! — My pants were on fire to find a place to retire a tropical clime where I could have a good time be warm without fleece live in quiet and peace and have plenty of time for margaritas with lime. —Adelia Ritchie, 2022 There’s a saying in Costa Rica— and one…

But here’s how to save the human race — Saving our planet has never been the issue, notwithstanding rants from scientists and activists. The planet is going to save itself, and it will do so by eliminating the rampant human infection that continues to multiply uncontrolled and smother its surface. The Solution: Reverse population growth. This is the most crucial, and also the most difficult, strategy to implement, and it needs to happen right now.

Hint: Don’t try this in public! — One of the best things about living in the tropics is the ready availability of exotic fruits. They’re everywhere. Banana plants are like weeds here. Citrus and mango trees, guava and papaya, mamón chinos, mangostans… the list goes on. …

Gluten-free! — The sweet cabin I’ve inhabited for the past two months doesn’t have a proper stove — one with burners on top and an oven below — but is fully equipped nonetheless. I have an electric two-burner hotplate, a toaster oven, a slow-cooker, a coffee pot, blender, food processor, and a…

A tiny cloisonné salt shaker bright FiestaWare plates Mother’s jade earrings ceramic piggy banks Worn furniture, much loved a garden, well tended until now neglected yet still bearing fruits My blue painted cottage my chatty chickens the cozy home I made in the small town I loved Those memories held in…

Forget pumpkin-spice lattes. This is the real deal. — The heck with phony pumpkin spice-flavored everything! This is the real deal, folks. I’ve been growing pie pumpkins for years and nothing can come close to diving into a warm, spicy pie made from home-grown punkins that have been puréed, seasoned, and baked with one’s own hands. So get out…