Monday Moments - Costa Rica Butterflies

As I said, the coffee plantation itself was lovely with a garden outside the souvenir ship.  Ray's enjoying the view around the bench

Birds of paradise. I love these flowers

This tree glowed colors

I enjoyed the butterfly garden

Spooky eye
 

Finally Friday - Costa Rica and Coffee

 Costa Rica is famous for its coffee.  Our guide gave a great tour

This coffee plantation was gorgeous

The old authentic cart and oxen - a symbol of the country's history

We learned about the process

Ray and I are not coffee drinkers.  Folks on our tour were buying a lot to ship home - not quite this size bag!

Whatever Wednesday - Costa Rica Cathedral

San Jose, Costa Rica - a very old church founded in the 1600s - The Lady of the Angels.  This is the most recent iteration. Gorgeous

Stunning woodwork

Very spiritual

I love a dome

 Clear blue skies as a cross backdrop

Monday Magic of Costa Rica

Greetings and Happy Spring.   I am back indeed and now reliving the magic of Costa Rica by presenting you with a selection of scenery. 

Let's visit the Arenal Volcano region first.  We walked on the black volcanic ash sand, and saw huge boulders that were spewed by the power.  Last eruption was 1968. 
 

Some gorgeous flowers 

Ray's hand is contrast to the size of that leaf

More views

Stunning clouds. This was as close as allowed for the actual rim. 

Stay tuned - plenty more on the way

Whatever Wednesday - I am Back

 I am back. Did you miss me?

Ray and I were in  Costa Rica.   Now, I am playing catch-up.

As a travel teaser, here's a red-eyed frog we saw on a night walk.  He's a little friendly fellow, not to be confused with the red poison dart frog.

More pics and descriptions to come.  Costa Rica is gorgeous. Lots of variety in the nature and regions.  From rainforest to cloud forest to volcano and finally beach - I'll be bringing you plenty of posts.

I'll also  catch up  and read your blogs.  Until then, this frog has his eyes on YOU, my friends.

Monday Moments - Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 1980s space program.   Anything was possible and women were finally admitted to the program.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid brings to life the intensity of the NASA Space shuttle program. 

Joan Goodwin has been obsessed by the stars forever.  She's admitted to the 1980 Houston's Johnson Space Center along with exceptional candidates - Hank, Griff, Lydia, Donna, and Vanessa Ford.  They all bring varying skills. 

Unlikely friends.  We watch them prepare for their first flights and learn to trust each other. Joan also finds a love she never imagined.

December 1984 - a mission changes it all (life as Joan  knows it) in an instant. 

Reid truly sets a great backdrop, offers us interesting characters, and a  very real plot line. 

What can happen beyond  the limits?    Read and find out.  

Finally Friday - Wuthering Heights movie

 Enjoyed a lunch and movie time a few weeks ago with some of my pickleball ladies.  Jason's Deli had a nice variety of soups, salad bar, and sandwiches. I went with roast beef on rye with provolone. Classic and tasty. 

Onward to Wuthering Heights starring Margot Robbie as Catherine and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff. This is NOT your ancient Sir Lawrence Olivier version. This is a bit more heaving bosoms and innuendo. I'm not sure if Emily Bronte, the author, would approve. 

The filming and photography were gorgeous. Margot and Jacob had chemistry. He was suitably brooding and the moors were enshrouded in mist. 

My group had mixed reactions.  One cried at the end over unrequited love.  One preferred the old black and white film.  I was mixed. I would have edited it quite a bit. I'm not a prude, but there were parts that were unnecessary. 

I remember reading  the book a long, long time ago, but truly did not remember the story line.  I will say Catherine annoyed me quite a bit. Oh well, it will go to streaming soon enough. I do not think you need to pay for  the theater. I enjoyed the afternoon with the ladies and that counted for a lot. 

Happy Friday the 13th (again! remember February).  Hope you have a good weekend.