Good-Bye Casey Key

It’s been 5 or 6 times now that I have “left” Florida. In all the previous departures, upon leaving Casey Key, I was filled with sadness and tears as I bid farewell.

Some of you know I ran on Casey Key almost every morning. Well….ran/walked. I’d run out to a certain point, usually 3-5 miles, then walk back drinking in the beauty and experiences of nature. Almost always my run would be in the darkness before dawn while my walk was crowned by the gorgeous sunrise. Along with my

enchantment in witnessing this glorious transition (and the temperature), I loved the solitude this time of day gifted me. Frolicking dolphins entertained me with their antics. At times, they provided escort services and once I swam with lone finned friend. Turtle season brought a new wave of babies of which I probably got to see 50 -75. It was my privilege to personally rescue dozens too. Osprey, heron, and other seabird varieties were ever present both before and after dawn. Magic presented in the form of shooting stars, dragonflies on gossamer wing and sparkling rainbows. On a final visit, an exquisite, inch long baby sea horse presented me a parting magical experience.

When engaged in my daily ritual, I experienced a different Casey Key than most perceive. Often I

moved along this Island when it did not bear the name Casey Key. It was sprawling with lush tropical vegetation sans all the houses there now. Frequently I was transported to this "scene" I first experienced in 2005. It was the first time I’d been in Florida and stepped foot on Casey Key in this human form. Words cannot adequately describe the “event” I felt. It was as if I was in a swirling vortex of energy, then had a profound feeling of remembrance……same place different time. The words and feeling, “I’m back” rang through me and have been echoed many times since. I really don’t know “when” I was there before….if I was a native in a past life or what, but I was definitely returning somehow….again…and again.

You know, by now, that I follow “signs” and divine inspiration. One day I was walking back “smelling the seashells” and I hear a monster mosquito. Ok, it really wasn’t a mosquito, it was a motor of some sort. Looking up I couldn’t believe what I was seeing….a large unmanned craft, rectangular with 4 propellers on each corner, flying low along the shoreline.  As I come back to the sea every day for the solitude to refresh and renew, this gross invasion of my sacred mood was keenly felt. The very next day, I observed a strange glass tubular object protruding from the sand about 4 feet. It had some kind of measuring markings and a small solar panel generating it. What it actually is for I don’t know but the labeling indicating “armed” and “ready to launch” certainly didn’t leave me with very happy thoughts. These two incidents seemed to be the icing on top of the cake pointing to head somewhere else. Once I was very clear about that, an interesting thing happened. I began my process of saying good-bye to Casey Key. For the first time there was no sadness…only peace and calm. There was almost a sense of completion and finality. It is as if everything I have come to Florida to give and receive had happened. Since I almost never say never, I can’t be sure I won’t return to Florida but, for now, that’s definitely how it feels.

Speaking of things received, I am so grateful to have been the recipient of the kindness of many Florida Earth Angels. Some reading this….you know who you are! On a previous trip, my bike remained with a friend with the message to sell, give away or do whatever he needed with it as I didn’t know if or when I’d ever be back. He was the one that unexpectedly put me up my first night back in Florida. Gleefully I discovered my bike still there just waiting to be reunited with me. Flashing back to my previous time in California….I’d offered my enthusiastic musical nephew my accordion as he indicated interest when my Dad was entertaining us on his. Upon my hunt through my stored items, the realization hit me that it was one of the things I had to part with previously. I had no clue who I gifted it to or in what state it currently resided. As I was having a cheery catch up lunch in Florida with a dear girlfriend of mine, she mentioned that the family still had “my accordion” in their closet. Now it all came back. I’d hoped one of the kids would take a liking to it but, thus far, nada. So I happily repossessed it excited at the prospect of being able to present it to my deserving nephew. In a previous trip from Florida, I took all my items from storage and others who had been kindly holding things for me and drove them across the US in a 16 foot rental truck. Most of it I gave to my daughter and a good portion my daughter was gracious enough to let me store at her place for my future use. It wasn’t until I was unpacking that I realized I didn’t have one item that was quite special to me and a very important part of the intended cargo. My grand shell framed mirror was one of the few items I actually had the time and space to create. “Few” because I have dreamed of making shell creations for years and all the different treasures I’d create to gift and sell. So far I have a shop full….only in my head as the life choices I have made so far aren’t conducive to having a craft room by the sea. Years I’d spent trying to track it down in vain. Planets lined up on this trip for a hero to miraculously get it back into my hands. I had a feeling that all my Florida “loose ends” had been tied up.

Of course there always has to be a cliff hanger….both for you and for me. Another situation arose for me before leaving the state. It may prove to be an exhilarating future adventure. But….that’s a story for another day ;-)

Many of you are aware that I am selling or trading land in Costa Rica. The two lots are in Ojochal – one with an ocean view – near the Osa Peninsula on the beautiful pacific side. Just in case you might know someone…..I am also interested in trading the property for a boat such as here. This particular boat owner wishes to trade for something in Fort Lauderdale Florida. If you know any property owners in Ft. Lauderdale interested in Costa Rica land, perhaps a deal can be done there. Otherwise I’d be interested in connecting with a boat owner similar to the one presented. Also, I have a gentleman interested in potentially acquiring my Pura Vida land for the first hemp luxury retreat. If you are on fb, you can learn more here  If you know anyone who may be interested in joining his venture, I’d be happy to connect you. Who do you know?


As always, I extend to you my fervent gratitude. You are such an important aspect of my journey. Appreciating your warm love and generous support and magically swirling the same back to you!

California Layover

As you may have read from my previous blog post, I was absorbed for a few
weeks in the Pura Vida of Costa Rica. While there, I continued to engage in my ongoing planting of seeds worldwide to determine where my Spirit was calling me next. As a result, I was in communication with a gentleman in Florida I connected with via craigslist who had a room offered in exchange for work. The work was a very worthy charity that I could easily align with and provide major assistance in a variety of ways. I was almost at the point of going directly to Florida from Costa Rica. For a number of reasons I was guided to stick with my previous set itinerary of returning to California. However, I figured it would be a quick turn around on my way back to the Sunshine State. My excitement to be back in Florida near my beach clouded my vision regarding this particular work-exchange in the

beginning.
Cloudy or not, it became clear to me that the communication between this man and I was definitely not on the same page. Disappointment was a fleeting emotion as I promptly called to the Universe, “Next!” I must admit, due to the possible situation that wasn’t meant to be, in my mind I was already in Florida. There I was happily running, walking and strolling on my warm beach. There were my Dolphin Friends welcoming me back with a joyous display. The Y was just waiting for me to bring back my smile and energy to volleyball. I was there! Now to figure out how to flow my way there physically as well.

California, of course, had its blessings too. While I didn’t let very many folks know I was back since I planned on leaving soon, I did get to spend some quality time with my family….Mom and Dad, Tasha and Jeffrey (my kids for any new readers) and extended family. My Sis, Seal (my pet name for her – ok, if you must know, mine is Shell), her boyfriend, Paul and her son Paul came all the way down from Washington for a visit. It was a blessing for my presence there to coincide with theirs. Even my musically gifted nephew, Greg, made an appearance a few times and entertained us

with his exquisite guitar and mesmerizing voice.

Meanwhile, I hunted through listings, posted ads, mailed requests looking for ways to sustain myself in Florida. Among my efforts, I looked to find someone interested in trading their house in Nokomis for my land in Costa Rica. If you are interested in checking it out, I even made a Facebookpage to that end and postings on craigslist. What I thought would only be days or weeks became a month until I was actually ready to do something. Yes, it was still kinda vague but I had a couple strong possibilities lined up one being that of renting a room from a delightful lady named Elizabeth. Still hoping for something that would allow me to have my own place or a work/exchange or something that got me on Casey Key……I headed for the unknown in that magnetic area that kept pulling me back over and over again. Stay tuned for the magic that burst forth when I arrived…..

My Grandpuppies

Dental Dilemma

Since my exploration in Ecuador, I have kept my heart, ears and eyes open for the best place to serve and get me closer to THE tropical island location of my visions.

After months of planting thousands of seeds worldwide, the Universe gave me a unique clue in a manner I totally wasn’t expecting. A shattered tooth was the form of that puzzle piece – bottom back right. Promptly I contacted a dear friend who’d been a Dental Angel to me in the past only to find that she didn’t practice currently. I reached out to an amazing DMD in Encino CA who had gently and expertly done endodontic treatments for me maybe 15-20 years ago. Dr. Thomas Jovicich kindly evaluated my situation to give me an idea of what I needed to get done. I began looking for work-exchange situations in David, Panama and near Uvita,

Costa Rica so I could get my dental work done there as it is 1/4-1/3 of the price in the US. Weeks after the shattering event, while flossing my teeth, a crown popped off – bottom back left. Since I hadn’t found anything that clearly showed me the green light yet, I sent inquiries to 3 dental practices in the States. I was comfortable considering the dentist in Panama as I’d been to him before and, along with being gentle and speaking English, he did a great job. Uvita is near Ojochal, Costa Rica where my 2 beautiful lots are that I am offering for sale. I thought perhaps, if I was in the area, I might make some connection that could help that process. Weeks went by and the communication with both the Panama and Costa Rica dental offices went south. The 3 US practices never got back to me at all. Again, I don’t get upset by these things but see them as signs – that’s not where I’m supposed to go. Since I felt a little urgency with the teeth after a number of weeks, I investigated an opportunity heretofore pushed aside. I’ll tell the story as this is a great example how things weave their way in my life.

Anyone who uses email is familiar with junk mail. Ironically, I got a message trying to sell me property in Costa Rica. I responded, “I don’t know how I got on your mailing list but please remove me……Unless, you truly believe this is a fabulous time to buy in Costa Rica as I have 2 lots to sell.” Amazingly enough, Jason Haney responded and asked me to tell him more about my properties. After some communication back and forth, he agreed to pass on my info to people for whom it may be appropriate. On top of that, he invited me to dinner if I found myself in Costa Rica. Later, when I was looking through all the potential information I had for dental prospects, I emailed Jason to see if he had any suggestions. He highly recommended CostaRica Dental Team as he knew the owner, the practice and even worked a number of years at the connecting lab. I really didn’t investigate it right away as it was in San Jose. If I was going to be somewhere for an extended time period, San Jose definitely wasn’t the place I wanted to be. 

As the weeks and the pressure to get my teeth cared for increased, I called the practice and was amazed at the prices…..significantly lower that even the other places in Costa Rica and Panama. Ok, a sign. Next step, I contacted my lovely friend, Lisa, who I’d visited 6 years ago when I was in Costa Rica after my “failed” move to Panama. You can read about that in my earlier posts. Lisa is a Travel Consultant with Costa Rican Vacations living in La Garita.

 She graciously agreed to host me while I got my dental work done in San Jose. This would require bus and taxi travel both to and from the dentist but that fact that I would be with her made it equal my "next sign". Finally, I’d decided to investigate airlines and had all sorts of parameters necessary in my mind. The travel planets had to line up a particular way to show me, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I should book the trip. Everything lined up and I ended up in the chair of the Costa Rica Dental Team. The place was comfortable enough, everyone I’d met so far was friendly and the lab was on the premises. After the extensive preliminary exam, it was determined I needed way more work than I initially realized. After a cleaning, my first day was done and I contemplated how I could get all the work done. The second day went well as Alejandra was very solicitous, caring and has small hands. Day 3 brought a night and day difference as I encountered “the specialist”. That traumatic day quickly brought an end to any additional treatments I may have been considering. In the meantime, I’d finally been able to get in touch with the real estate agent Jason. We agreed to meet for lunch at Denny’s. It wasn’t quite going to be a nice dinner but I’d be able to get there fairly easily considering I’d need to take bus and taxi to do so. The morning of our lunch, I was greeted by a text from him informing me his wife just let him know of a family event that day and hoped we could reschedule. I was looking forward to meeting with him in hopes that it might help in moving my property in a little more timely manner. I left him a message acknowledging his and have not heard from him since. 

Another interesting situation involves folks in the Osa Peninsula area – where my two lots are. Communication previous to the trip indicated a level of enthusiasm to get together with me. When I had the opportunity to actually travel there, that level of enthusiasm mysteriously diminished. If it was just one, I wouldn’t have thought much of it, but all of them? Another sign, I was not to make the extra effort to visit there. Thanks to some leads from a few friends, I was able to contact an agent in the area that seems genuinely interested and I feel really wants to assist. I also created a facebook page to show people the beauty of the property in hopes of finding the perfect new owner(s). Got some nice attention and a few inquiries via that avenue. The Ocean View Lot is almost an acre and the Creek Lot a little over half an acre. A 10 minute drive from there and you are at the beach! If you are…or know anyone who is a good candidate for some Pura Vida land, please email me for more information.

When I travel to different places, there is always a reason I think I am going that prompts me in that direction. More often than not, it isn’t actually the real reason I am being guided there. As the title of one of my previous blog posts indicates, if I’d have known what awaited me here, I definitely wouldn’t have come. However, I’m not privy to the hows and whys of the Divine but always have an intense absolute knowing in the NOW moment that I am in the right place at the right time. Maybe that whole thing with Jason was to get me to re-connect with dear Lisa and her 6 precious pups.

Maybe it was to have the peace, quiet and personal space to make the myriad of connections I was able to make. The possibilities are infinite!

Those who know me a little more closely will know the significance of this picture.....