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.

This week marks the end of my 90-day tourist visa here. To renew it, we ex-pats make “border runs,” some to Panama, some to Nicaragua. This time I’m headed back to the States for a few days, and on my return, I’ll be granted the right to stay in my…

Or, how to lose essential body parts in one easy stroke — Last week my Tico friend Chito was here building a closet in my bedroom, among many other things he has helped me accomplish over the past couple of months. MOVING TO COSTA RICA XII How to Build a Clothes Closet — Tico Stylemedium.com Chito is one of the most naturally happy people I’ve ever known, always smiling, laughing, pulling pranks, making jokes… and teaching…

Update — 4 Jan 2023: Me, to Medium Staff: Whenever I send out a big email to a bunch of my friends, maybe two or three will come back with “couldn’t open the link” or “I didn’t read it because I hit a paywall and I don’t want to pay…

It didn’t start out to be an adventure. It’s Christmas day in Costa Rica and our Tico pal Billy Vargas had invited my friend Brenda and me to his property in the mountains for a good old-fashioned barbecue with neighbors and family — a lovely blend of Ticos and Norteamericanos. …

It’s Christmas Eve in Christian countries. I’m no Christian, nor are most of my friends, but we still have to suffer through this holiday. Here’s how we do it! ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house all the stoners were laughing ’cause I took off my blouse. …