Dry Season Happenings

First, the 3 dogs and I are doing great at Casa Jay in the mountains of western Panama.  It is dry season here and the locals call it "Summer", although we are still in the Northern Hemisphere and technically in the middle of winter.

I have a number of projects that I had intended to do during the 4 months when very little rain falls.  Some of them will get done and some will wait until later.  I have a number of small concrete projects and I'll get started on them soon.  

However, washing and repainting the roof is the most urgent project.  I bought a high pressure washer today.  After the roof, the entire outside of the house needs to get at least one coat of new paint.  I am also planning a carport to provide shelter from the rain for my pickup.

For amateur radio I need to get my big radio tower properly grounded for lightning.  I will also need to run the present above-ground wiring from the tower to the house in metal pipe underground.

I have put interior trim items for the house on hold, as yet another craftsman has broken his promise to fashion wooden door and window trip. 

A couple who are good friends of mine will become my close neighbors in a few months.  They are buying the front part on my 2nd lot near the house.  The 2nd lot contains a row of trees and I had never intended to sell that lot, only the 4 lots farther down the road.  They will not cut too many trees and will not block my view down to the Pacific.  The great thing for me is that I will have neighbors that I can trust.  They will watch my house and care for my dogs when I am not at home.

Cheers from Jay, Blue, Luna, and Sol.

 

R.I.P. Athena - You went out with dignity!

I have lost the second dog in just over a year.  Athena came to live with me and my other 2 dogs at the time, Rosie and Blue, almost 3 years ago.  She was  gentle soul with a deep, disturbing bark.  However, at my house she never tried to bite anyone.  When Athena came to us she was between 10 and 12 years old.  

She had some health problems but generally enjoyed life.  Right up to the end she stood up for herself with the other dogs.  She even teased and played with Blue, Luna and Sol as recently as a few days ago.

Athena liked her naps but she was always ready to go for our walks 3 times a day.  She was gentle and loving, seeming to savor her "retirement" here at Casa Jay.

Yesterday she went on our short morning walk and had breakfast as usual.  She took a nap and then continued sleeping most of the day.  She did not respond to our usual lunchtime treat, nor to our afternoon walk.  She made it clear that she just wanted to be left alone.  She didn't eat dinner, but did drink some water.  Around 9 p.m. she got up, went outside and drank some more water.  Sometime overnight she died as she had lived, quietly and with dignity.   Blue, Luna, Sol and I will miss you!