You do the math. . .

Every once in a while, I meet or talk to someone that is as challenged mathematically as myself. Rare, but it does happen and this latest instance reminded me of the AfterSchool specials with the egg on the frying pan, from my youthful days. . .

With the summer holidays fast approaching, we are just about fully booked for June and July is even more booked.

The other day, someone called after getting an e-mail about the availability.

Guest: "I got an e-mail that said you have just one tree house open on July 14 for one night."

Me: "Indeed, that is correct."

Guest: "Can I stay on July 13?"

Me: "No, I'm sorry, but we are fully booked on July 13."

Guest: "Can I stay on July 15?"

Me: "No, unfortunately we are fully booked on that day as well. We have just one tree house open for one night on July 14."

Guest: "OK, can you accommodate us if we want to stay for three nights?"

Me: "I'm sorry, but . . .

Crack the egg, watch it sizzle. . .

Get the picture?

Call of the jungle. . .

The other day, we had a couple check in and they were hoping to see some monkeys. As luck would have it, about 5 minutes after they arrived, there was a family of them up in the trees between our house and the rancho.

I walked the couple up so they could get a better view in the waning daylight, and they got to see some adults and two babies jumping around from tree to tree.

The howler monkeys are pretty loud and their sound belies their size. The woman was amazed at the noise the little critters could make. I told her to howl back at them and she looked at me like I was crazy.

After some prodding from her husband, she gave it a try and the monkeys did answer her back.

You would have thought she had just found her first Egg or spotted Santa Claus as she jumped up and down and clapped her hand

Tree Houses Rule No. 472

No matter how much you think you are helping, if you really don't know how to fold fitted and regular sheets, do not ever, ever attempt to do it. Even if the regular folder isn't feeling well, it is never a good idea to attempt this on your own.

In case anyone thought. . . .

That the ride was for sissies, there was some challenging parts heading into the jungle near the volcano. Here you can see the folks heading deeper into the jungle atop their horses.

Afterward, they went to Baldi Hot Springs and soaked in the thermal pools for a few hours.

Adios, Sweetie. . .

The other day was a long and emotional one down here at Tree Houses, as one of our longtime pooches, Sweetie, passed away.

By all guesses, Sweetie was around 17 years old. Part beagle (and who knows what else); she was the first dog that the owners rescued when they came to Costa Rica six or more years ago.

Sweetie was a gentle dog that loved to roam and sniff out anything she could find to eat, chase or play with.

A couple of days before, she started having a lot of seizures and they just weren't stopping. Lucy was up most of the night the other night with Sweetie as she kept convulsing, and then we took her to the vet. Nothing could be done, sadly.

Vista. . .

When riding near Arenal, you do get to go through some pastures and let the horses gallop and run. On the other side (not pictured) is Arenal, which is a classic volcano (cone top) and is only about a mile or so from where the folks are riding.

Riding double. . .

This was right before mom and dad Eidson threw down $100 and raced the others to the La Fortuna Waterfall. (At least that's the story.)

They rode for about 2 to 3 hours and were up and walking just fine the next day. There's no way that would have happened if it had been myself on a horse for that long.

FELIZ CUMPLEANOS MARK

All together now.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MAAAAARK
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

now, the spanish version of happy birthday...
oh no wait a minute, who am i kidding, my spanish isn't that good...

in costa rica it's tradition for the birthday person to get pelted with eggs on their birthday...yeah, that's right...EGGS....raw ones at that....they will crack a raw egg on the person's head and wish them happy birthday....so, needless to say i think we'll go through a couple dozen eggs...but the good news is mark's hair will have a nice shine to it and be oh so soft...

today for the birthday celebration we're gonna hit it up big and head into the big city (ciudad quesada)....meal and hopefully a double feature at the local cinema (if we can catch them in english)...it will be nice to get away from the hotel for the afternoon and just spend time alone..

we'll see if the art department can get a hold of some "eggciting" birthday pics of mark all yoked up....