Follow The White Rabbit

Well I’m still in Ecuador. I did have a flight to leave yesterday but put it off for a few weeks. Between the virus and the craziness in the USA thought I would let everything settle down. Many thanks for the family here putting up with me.

I have been keeping busy. Ecuador is now down graded to yellow from red. That means less restrictions. Basically social distancing and wear a mask. Very busy in town, everyone is out and about.

Here construction around the house is going on. David is opening his own pet grooming business. I’m very excited for him. Edwin made some of the grooming tables and it is coming together nicely. Mateo and Daniela are back in class via computer. Garden is doing great and starting to harvest some veggies.

I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe. Randy

In my last post I mentioned to count your blessings. While thinking about my friend I decided to take my own advice and below is an collection of pictures. This includes people that have made my life blessed and a few places that have meaning to me or just make me smile. There are some people missing. Mary my brother Joe and Grandma Armstrong just off the top of my head. If I didn’t have your picture it did not mean you were not thought of. Only the first couple of pictures were put in order and the last three. I think most everyone will find something that will bring out a smile. There are a lot of pictures so it may take a minute or so to load. Many people have more than one picture because I like the picture.

The last three pictures pretty much sum up what life is all about. A beautiful sunrise to start the day, toast to family and a good friend. So thank you all for being part of my life like it or not.

I have been blessed! Love Randy

Sometimes you run into someone who touches your soul. Lane was one of those people. She passed away yesterday. I started to write her story and why she touched me but realized that was not important. What is important? It’s that you take time to look around and count your blessings.

To Marty and the Family. I am so sorry for the loss of your Wife, Mother and your best friend. She was so proud of each of you. Remember the smiles for that is all I saw when she was talking about you.

God bless with Love, Randy

Everything is fine in Caizan. Ecuador has extended the stay at home until May 26th, Yahoo! Rosario and Pablo stopped by for the day. It was nice to see them. Mateo is doing food deliveries on the motorcycle.

Animals are all doing well and picked up some more chicks the other day. The garden is doing well and some corn was planted today. The moon was looking pretty darn good the other night.

Ya’ all take care now!

100lbs (quintel) potatoes for 12 bucks and cake for no reason.

Not much has changed as far as quarantine. Hopefully it relaxes next week but we will see. I read that Argentina has extended until September 1st. No international or domestic flights, allowed outside 1 hour a day, and no more than 500 meters from your house! Hopefully Ecuador doesn’t go that route. I will go stir crazy and be an illegal alien again. As it is now I volunteer to go anywhere just to get out for a while. It can be to buy food, bamboo, wood, nails, pick up boxes, it doesn’t matter I’m in. As the quarantine has gone on it seems like the streets are busier than when it first started. At least on a local level. Still no bus service, fewer taxi’s working, and lines to get into the stores with social distancing.

Here in Tumbaco projects are getting done. The garden on the hill is doing well and the new box garden is completed and planted. The family worked very hard and it shows. The restaurant has had a few projects completed and now a new chicken coop is going to be built.They have been selling lemons and avocado’s as people have asked.

I hope everyone is doing well and staying out of trouble.

Ya’all take care now ya hear, Randy

On a lighter note here are some pictures of Daniela and friends hiking some the local areas.

Well two more weeks of lockdown, hopefully. Rumor is that some people will be able to go back to work on the 5th of April. We will have to wait and see. If so I believe only within the province. I did get a chance to go out the other day and did see how calm the city is. Very few out driving, a few walking but pretty much shut down except for people getting food.

The garden is looking good and an area of planter boxes is now being added. Dogs got a bath. Well, at least the ones that could be caught. Mateo and Edwin made homemade pizza the other night. David and Mateo cooked up a couple of Guinea pigs last week. The sauce was a little to citrusy for me, some “Sweet Baby Ray’s” bbq would have been more to my liking. It was cooked in the wood oven (love the smoke flavor). Radishes here are the size of apples.

The kittens are getting bigger and a little more adventurous.

Everyone stay safe!!!

Only 16 or days to go (hopefully). Not that I’m counting.

Guaba (Inga Edulis) fest, everyone is munching on guaba. I like guava but Ecuadorians love guava. I just found out it is only ripe 2 months out of the year that’s why it’s a big deal. Now I understand said the shunsho.

The garden is coming along very well. Edwin went to the market today and when he got home Elena wanted to give him a shower with the hose. No corona allowed.

I have the prettiest boots. Stay safe!