Bienvenidos a Casa Ingaso, Altos del Maria, Republic of Panama

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JUNE 2008: “Was it Something I Said?”

(NOTE: Newcomers, who'd like to get an idea of what this site is all about, would be well-advised to click on "2005 Pages" and read that introduction. Enjoy!)

Before I take-off on a tangent, TC wanted me to include a photo from Easter for no other reason than to prove that I don't know what I'm talking about—there needs no ghost come from Easter to tell us this.

Regardless, if you'll remember the picture at left from our last gallery, I made some wry remark about the host and hostess drinking mimosas and not taking any more snapshots. Well, TC took umbrage (I guess only the host forgot), and so to prove her point she asks you to click-on the image and view her "shot" of people populating her magnificently eclectic table settings. (Like she's told me time and time again, TC is always right. Of course, she leaves out the fact that she's right because I can't remember...)

Okay, now that I've been rightly put in my place, let's get this party started.

We're in our new season and it's wet. So, some rain-related pictures seem like a good place to start. If you click on the photo to the right, then just click through the few pages, your last click will bring you back here. Enjoy!

I know I've said this before, but we love the rainy season: clear skies, far vistas, moist air, green hills, on and on. Coming from Southern California, where 15-inches of rain is a good year, I originally blanched at the thought of 60-100 inches of rain. But, when it's warm, when the land easily sloughs off the water, and mornings are usually sunny, it never feels like that much rain. "It's nice...back to you."

And all that rain also awakens the drooping flora. This season has included some surprising firsts in that category. (You can click on the image at the left to see what I mean.)

Knowing how the plants respond to the rain also makes the wet season precious to us. I know people in cold climes want to come to tropical climes in the winter, but they don't get to see the tropics at their best, at least not here in Panamá. During the rains is when Panamá shines...well, as long as you're not out driving in it. That sucks!

Here's another rainy season tip: no construction! Trying to build something during the rainy season is a lesson in patience and frustration. Speaking of which, our next group of photos illustrates the progress on our ill-fated casita, the one I optimistically said of, we might have finished photos soon. Hah!

Fortunately, we're not in a hurry, yet even then I find myself getting upset. Why? Heck if I know: it's Panamá after all. Everything here happens through a slow process of accretion, and you need to make peace with that, if you're thinking of moving here. Otherwise, bring extra Xanax...

Of course, I hope you know I'm all bluster. That's what they call me: Bluster Bob. After three years here, I'm comfortable with the rhythms of the country, it's quirks and it's slow-moving ways. My attitude is, there's nothing so important it's worth getting upset over. Of course, I have to remind myself of that on occasion, but in general I just like to sit back and watch the show. And you have to admit, life puts on one helluva show.

Now, I'd like to end with my favorite category: Stupid Pet Photos! (Sorry, Dennis.)

Oh, I'm not saying our animals are stupid; hell, they're smarter than I am...wait! Once again, I have got to stop using myself as an example: it doesn't work.

Okay, I was just making a play on David Letterman's "Stupid Pet Tricks," for those of you familiar with it. I've never met a word play I didn't like.

Unfortunately, this gallery comes at a time when two of our animals are suffering: Tipper's eye still causes her pain and discomfort, plus now Mama-jama has some as yet undiscovered injury that prevents her from being all the dog she can be. I'd include Bobo, but all he had was a little sore on his butt and it's all cleared-up. Roxie is kicking butt and taking names!

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this month's photo galleries. And don't worry, when you least expect it, you'll find my scurvy email again in your inbox. Eh, eh, eh...

“Hasta la vista, Baby!”

[click here for September's home page]