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

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MAY 2010: “Where the heck he be?”

(NOTE: Newcomers, who would 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!)

For those of you who were wishfully thinking I had given up, hoping against hope that I was gone, done, no longer to be heard from, I'd just like to say: "I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaack!"
My hiatus came about due to a January conversation I had with Barb. It had to do with online publishing, and all she was learning about the process while aiding another friend with books to publish. During our discussion, Barb asked whether I wanted to receive that information (she knew I had written a detective thriller back before we moved to Altos). Being polite, I said, "Sure."
Well, lo and behold, it seems that was all it took to light a fire under the ass of my muse, that will-o'-the-wisp inspiration purported to inspire the aspiring artist in all of us (that's a lot of alliteration!). The last time she was in town I wrote like a maniac for three years, totally and joyfully consumed by the creative act; the culmination of which was my book of fiction called, The Reluctant Detective.
First, understand that, following our move, I let the book go, as well as any further thoughts about publishing it—a New York agent schlepped it around for all of 2004 without any luck. But, the talk with Barb must have rekindled some enduring embers, because for the last four months I became consumed again with an extensive reworking of the book.
I'm now publishing it online through Smashwords.com. If you click that link, you'll be able to view fifty-precent of The Reluctant Detective online (200-odd pages!), or download that sample in several formats, including ebooks and pdfs. The whole book is available for one dollar ($1.00US). Keep in mind that I'm waiting on a book cover, and that when it's done, I'll be publishing my book through Smashwords' Premium Catalog, which sells to all the major book dealers. So, strike before the iron goes in the fire...
As an aside, part of the Smashword process was producing a photo of the author. Well, I've always wanted to use this portrait of me taken by my father Easter Day, 1952—I was eight. Unfortunately, no one thought it was a good idea. Of course, that's never before stopped me from doing anything. So, if you check out the book at Smashwords.com, this is the image you'll encounter: The Author as a Young Man.

[ Click the photo for a larger version... ]

Going further aside, I discovered during the muse-driven obsession that the book had been lurking all along in the nether regions of my mind. So, now I'm hoping this online effort will provide a form of closure—and that's also the reasoning behind the nominal $1.00 fee: "I've sold my book!" I'll let you know how that works out...
At any rate, that's why the long wait between updates. I either apologize for taking so long or for starting up again. It's your call.

Okay, let's get down to it!
I have several galleries to share, and I thought we could start things off with Casa Ingaso's happenings. Fortunately, due to my obsession with my writing, picture taking took a back seat, which means there's not a slew of images to wade through. You're welcome!
So, just click on the photo at right and enjoy! (You'll be dropped back here.)

You also missed TC's Second Annual Girl's Beach Week.
For those of you who remember, a gaggle of giggling female gringos took off last year for a week of sybaritic living at a "posh" resort by the sea. They had such a wonderful time, they decided to do it again.
Of course, time away from hubbies doesn't enter the picture, right? Their ideal home lives preclude a desire to leave the dead weight behind, doesn't it? Good thing us guys tend to be on the slow side...
Click away, old pal!

Also during the last four months we've had a few social festivities, not the least of which was our fifth annual Easter Sunday brunch, a long-standing tradition in the McVey family, dating from TC's pre-Bob era, an era I might add which she longs for heartily...
TC's birthday and our anniversary also fell within my lapsed time-frame, but one was just us going to dinner at Lourdes (no pictures), and I was sicker than a dog for the other. So, our anniversary consisted of only a bushel and a peck and a hug around my neck. I was happy.
At any rate, by now you know what to do.

For the entire month of February TC attended a school for yoga instructors near Cabo San Lucas. Yes, you heard me right: a month of instruction to become an instructor of yoga students. Hey, she's already teaching classes three days a week at the Altos activity center. "You go, girl!"
Of course, the most amazing part of it all was that I survived a month on my own. It wasn't pretty, but a semblance of the original Bob was waiting for her when she returned, no matter how much she would've liked an improved version. Sorry. (Click it!)

Okay, we have two groups of photos to go.
First up, for you flowery folk, here's a brief rogue's gallery of Casa Ingaso flora; with just a touch of fauna. Surprisingly, the plants and shrubs around the place are well enough established now that they made it through the dry season with flying colors.
So, pull on your garden gloves and click on the pretty picture, a new view of Casa Ingaso afforded us by the missing pine trees.

And now, I've saved the best for last...well, as far as I'm concerned, because I love our little family members. Unfortunately, the last four months brought Tipper more anguish, but hopefully for a healthier future. Everyone else did fine, except for the month they were forced to spend with just me, only me, and nobody else but me. Talk about your cruel and unusual punishment!
Nonetheless, the end is in sight. Just click the pic and enjoy! See you back here in a sec...

Okay, things are back to normal, and life goes on at Ingaso. Hoped you enjoyed our latest update, and it probably won't be as long until the next one...unless I start writing the sequel to The Reluctant Detective. How about: Return of the Reluctant Detective?

“¡Adios, Amigos!”

[click here for November's home page...]