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

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NOVEMBER 2010: “Another Trip Around The Sun!”

(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!)

Well, I made it. TC read, somewhere, that men who don't die when they're 65 usually live another 10 to 15-years. If that's true, then it looks like you're stuck with me a little longer. (There, there, I know, I know, life just keeps getting worse for you, doesn't it. But, it's not my fault. TC is the one who told me. Blame her.) Meanwhile, I've just completed one more orbit of the sun, meaning I'm now 66-years old.
"WHY, GOD, WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME!?!?" (That's for all you Friends fans out there...what ever happened to Joey?)
[If you're feeling brave, click the image for a larger version...]
Oh, before we delve into the detritus of life here at Casa Ingaso, I'd like to thank those of you who downloaded the free sample of my detective novel, and especially those precious few who actually purchased it. "Thank you!"
If you don't know what I'm talking about or maybe would like to read what every one else is shouting about, here's a link to the site where my book is available, for downloading or reading online:

Smashwords.com: The Reluctant Detective

Okay, enough self-promotion, let's find out just what the heck's been going on down here in these lower latitudes.
First, and once again, I'm aware that there has been an interminable interruption in updates. This time, however, there's not really any viable excuse. All I can say is, my passion for writing these things is cooling.
"It's that damn Update Muse who's to blame!"
Unlike the muse who fanned my passion to rewrite my book, then abruptly left, the Update Muse is inexorably fading away—it's been more than five years after all. To tell you the truth, it was the weight of photographs boring down on me that finally got my butt in gear; all those images begging to be uploaded. And a lot of stuff has happened since May—"MAY!?!?" I hear you scream. Yes, that's right, there hasn't been a new update since last May.
So, without further ado, let's get down to it, shall we?

First, we have our usual rogue's gallery of furry little critters, who we call family. Now, I realize that, like our friend Dennis, your bag might not be cutesy animal photographs. In which case, feel free to skip over to the next gallery. The animals won't mind.
For those of you fur-ball lovers sticking around, please click on the picture of Tipper to begin. Don't worry, clicking on the last image in the gallery will bring you back here.

Up next, we have another plant excursion consisting of TC, Connie, Suzanne and Chris. They drove a car and a pickup to Volcán, a small, yet beautiful town located in the Chiriqui province mountains of western Panama.
There was a special jardin the ladies wanted to visit, specializing in heliconias. And, has it happened, home to several friendly sloths.
The pickup seemed like a good idea at the time, but the trip was several hours, and stuff in the back of a pickup really gets beat up at highway speeds. [Click the image.]

Also, since last we talked, TC made another trip to Point Roberts, Washington, to stay with her sister, Jessica, for a couple of weeks. Of course, I think it's all a ruse to go shopping and to gain that access to excess that we lack here in Casa Ingaso. But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.
At any rate, still suffering from jet-lag, our hardy heroine was in the cold, northern Pacific kayaking almost as soon as she stepped off the plane—she flew into Vancouver, so the trip to Jessica's was a lot quicker than from Seattle.
So, for some cold weather fun, click on this...

We've had visitors since last we talked. In fact, a very prominent figure in my relationship with TC showed up: Dennis. Along with a woman named Karleen, they owned the dinner theater where TC and I first met, over thirty-years ago.
In June, Dennis came down from Sedona, Arizona with his wife, Helena, her daughter, Eve, and Eve's son, Ben, for a couple of weeks of R&R.
As per usual, click the image to go to the gallery...

Okay, we had another visitor in August, Patrick, a something-or-other nephew of TC's—it's much more complicated than I could possibly understand. Anyway, his visit is responsible for my brush with death, at least that's the way I saw it. Other's opinions may vary.
Nonetheless, any time you get me out of the house I believe my life is in danger, and at the least I'll get caught up in some adventure—and you know what Bilbo Baggins had to say about those: they can make you late for dinner! Now, that's a disaster no matter how you look at it.
Okay, to discover what I subjected myself to, to find out what perils I might have succumbed to, you'll have to click on that image of me in harness. Look, I know you don't want to take a chance even clicking your mouse on me, but it's the only way you can view the next gallery. So, man up and just do it!

And even more visitors! Pat, TC's boss when she worked for the Santa Barbara Recreation Department, came down with sister, Carol, and played for a week.
Some of you might remember Pat and her husband, Dave, from their visit several years ago. She's been threatening to visit again, and in early October she finally made good on her threat.
I've included a couple of pictures that Carol took from the window of their plane, just because I thought they were neat. Opinions may vary...

And that brings us to our last gallery. It's photos are more or less centric and peripheral to Casa Ingaso, plus document the quirkiness that passes for normal around here. I mean, one look at the accompanying photo and you have to agree that there's nothing ordinary about us.
Sure, there are people out there who toe the line and follow the crowd and maintain an even keel as they navigate the treacherous currents and eddies of life, just not in this house.
Keeping that in mind, it's up to you to decide whether you want to chance contaminating your brain with images of people living outside the box...
"Well, do ya, punk? Go ahead, make your day..."

Now, that wasn't so bad, was it? You've survived yet another TC and Bob update. We should hand out badges or pins, you know: "I Survived a Casa Ingaso Update!" Originally, we had talked about having baseball caps embroidered with a Casa Ingaso logo. They were going to be for guests, but the idea never came to fruition. It's too bad, because I could've used the extra hats...
And that's all, folks! I can't predict when something like this will happen again, but you'll be the last to know when it does—all the Sturm und Drang takes place before you ever see an email. So, keep those cards and letters coming. I don't read them, but they're good for lining the cats' litter box...the cats thank you.

“¡Vaya con Dios, Compadres!”

[click here for 2011's first update...]