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MerleLeave a commentLife Lessons, Spiritual Growth

I just don’t love distance running. The only 10K run I have ever done was not my idea. It was offered to me as a personal challenge. I had just completed a two-week back-packing trip in mountainous wilderness in beautiful British Columbia. It was a group effort, designed to build character and leadership skills. In preparation for it, I had done some running to build my stamina. Though I had few details prior to the program, I knew we were going to be carrying heavy packs and hiking is very steep terrain. So I ran. It turned out that the Read More

Is This Love?

MerleLeave a commentLife Lessons, Spiritual Growth

When I was a child in my parents’ home, we gathered around a table for every meal. I was part of the younger set that didn’t have a chair. Rather, I shared a long, green, homemade wooden bench without a back. I never questioned my place or my privilege to share that table. That privilege was an expression of love. There were several, occasional dinner menus that I remember very well. One was a large bowl of mashed potatoes with some toasted bread croutons mixed throughout. We had the option of eating it just as served, or we could add Read More

The Lazarus Lesson

Merle5 CommentsLife Lessons, Spiritual Growth

If my memory is accurate, I was a young child when a stranger wandered into our farm yard one evening, on foot. This didn’t happen. Our farm was a long way from the nearest city, the nearest highway, the nearest railroad. A man in a long, dark trench coat was a strange sight on a farm set back from the gravel road by a fairly long driveway. I pretty much just stared at the visitor and tried to imagine who he might be and what he may want. Only a few sketchy memories remain in my mind about the words Read More

Life After Life

MerleLeave a commentLife Lessons, Spiritual Growth

We were playing in the barn on our farm and, as per usual, I was exploring new things with my younger brother. I may have been about 10 years old. One part of our explorations led me to climb on top of a row of metal fuel barrels that had been converted into animal-feed containers with wooden lids. Once on top of the barrels, I could reach things that only adults could reach. The most interesting item at that level was the electrical fuse box that powered the lights in the barn. This was an old fuse box, and not Read More

Costa Rica Adventure: Part 5

MerleLeave a commentBirding and Photography

November 24-27: Osa Peninsula: Bosque del Rio Tigre On a beautiful Sunday morning we got up early to arrive at the domestic terminal in San Jose by 4:15 AM. We were loading up on a Cessna Caravan to make the short flight to Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula. It was a very scenic flight over the mountains and along the Pacific shoreline. Landing on the small airstrip was unique, in that the approach was over the water, and the airstrip was right in a residential area with houses barely beyond the wingtips. Our taxi ride to the lodge at Read More

Costa Rica Adventure: Part 4

MerleLeave a commentBirding and Photography

November 22-23: Carara National Park Region, and Tarcoles River; (Cerro Lodge) We took a two-hour ride from Monteverde to Cerro Lodge, and arrived at another very different environment right at sea level, on the Pacific coast. The temperature was much warmer than the mountainous Monteverde cloud-forest. Just an hour or so after settling into our place, we left for another short ride to Tarcoles River, where we did a river cruise (we were the only clients) and saw more than 40 species of herons, shorebirds, and forest species all from the boat. An excellent driver stopped whenever I needed a Read More

Costa Rica Adventure: Part 3

MerleLeave a commentBirding and Photography

November 20-22: Monteverde (Cala Lodge) From Arenal Volcano area, we began our travels to Monteverde by driving to the shores of Arenal Lake, and boarding a ferry to cross in order to save many hours of driving around the perimeter of the lake. The ferry was packed with people and luggage, and the weather was dreary and rainy for the entire trip of about 90 minutes. We had another two hours of driving on some pretty rough roads and some high elevation passes before arriving at the town Monteverde.

Costa Rica Adventure: Part 2

Merle2 CommentsBirding and Photography

November 17-20: Region: Arenal Volcano (Arenal Observatory) These regions are higher elevation, and are cloud-forest environments. The weather was rainy and foggy sometimes, and forest conditions were often darker and much more challenging for photos and for clear sightings. We had a good guide each morning, and in the afternoons we were on our own for exploring and identifying. Our list was significantly longer because of the immediate identification by our guide. The lodge where we stayed was designed for people who want to appreciate nature and birds and wildlife. Once or twice a day, they fed fruit to attract Read More

Costa Rica Adventure: Part 1

Merle1 CommentBirding and Photography

November 13-16; Region and Locations: San Jose area (El Rodeo, University of Peace); Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui area (Dave and Dave’s Nature Park, La Quinta Lodge, Martinez B&B farm) This amazing experience began to take shape in early 2018 when the board members of LHNM began to brainstorm about a gift for our retirement from the responsibilities we have carried in that organization for many years. The surprise was presented to us at our retirement celebration in October 2018. Many friends and colleagues contributed to the fund that made this trip possible. We are deeply grateful! We were connected with Read More