Local Artisan - Macrame jewelry & Reggae Roots Music

Looking for that simple gift for friends in the US? We get asked about local artists all the time and Rasta Miguel is as local as they come.

Miguel Quesada was born and raised in Grecia and has been playing and composing his own music since 2010. He creates artisan macrame jewelry to support his music.

Miguel is a registered artisan with ¡Si Cultura! national program for creatives.

He has a variety of items for sale - bracelets, necklaces, coin purses, belts, dog collars, personal alcohol gel carriers, plant hangers - and can make items to order all at very reasonable prices. He is also now working with crystals and semi-precious stones.

Items can be purchased online and sent anywhere in Costa Rica via Correos mail system.

International shipping also available.

He is on FB as Rasta Miguel, where you can connect to his music and his online store.

Contact Rasta Miguel thru his FB page or  miguelquesadacr@gmail.com

Cooking the Rich

The book that makes Robespierre and Che look like a pair of wimps.

Cooking the Rich should make you laugh, wince, and think.

The best solution to the Donald Trump Phenomenon.

Recipes include,

• 'Trump a la Mode'
• Billionaire Bourguignon
• Murdock Stew
• Real Windsor Soup
• and many more.

They Deserved It

On the consequences of the foolishness and arrogance of old men

Inspired by real events in Renaissance Italy, ‘They Deserved It’ begins in the ancient world and continues through modern times. 
Young widows in Naples confide to their confessors that they poisoned their husbands. With help of an actress, a worldly Pope and a sadistic cardinal investigate, interrogate and torture.
Evil husbands die. Thousands of others panic. A witch hunt and retribution follow.
Through successful female descendants, the action moves to modern New York and worldwide.  Costa Rica provides a temporary refuge for one of them.

Revolution - A thriller to change the world

The history of revolutions is that all  have failed. Some resulted in brutal repression. In others, the leaders became the tyrants.
‘Revolution’ begins with three idealistic students. Their attempts at revolution in the 1960’s fail. They sell out, or do they? They rise to positions of power. 
In modern times, the conspirators assassinate the British Royal Family.  Next, they massacre world leaders at the state funeral in London, including the US President. Revolution spreads around the world.
‘Revolution’ might be a fantasy, or possibly a guidebook as to what could work?

Terminated - The making of a serial killer

A fast moving thriller in two volumes.

In volume 1.  A poor boy becomes a soldier, a spy and a secret hero in the War between Argentina and Britain over the Falkland Islands/las malvinas.

In volume 2

Our hero, becomes a successful businessman, a bereaved lover and the target of a relentless female assassin. The action and twists are international. The murders become ever more grisly.

Doom Gloom and Despair: Tales to Horrify and Amuse

Many of these darkly humorous stories are set in Latin America. What happens when: the Gringos are no longer welcome in Costa Rica; When a cannibal cult rises in the US; when people turn into bears and when the military from the major countries finally conspire to rule the world? Find out.

Blood-Axe: The Saga of a Twenty-First Century Viking

Written as Chris J Clarke

Viking re-enactment societies around the world are having fun, pretending to live their dark fantasies of pillage, rape and mayhem. Then, a feminist takes over. Reality proves horrific.
Worldwide mayhem follows.
Some participants meet their destiny in Costa Rica.

The Fabergé Entanglement

by Elle Brookes

"I love a romance novel that has suspense and thrills mixed in it. ...An interesting novel with a mystery just begging to be solved."

Available at:

Amazon
Nook
Facebook
Website

Into Myself and Back Out Again

By Joan Hall

Three Novels by Paul Hastings

Pollywog

In Pollywog, Paul's most recent novel, an estranged daughter returns home at the sudden death of her mother. Her father, an aging hippy sculptor is one of a few survivors of a 1970's commune called The New Apple Love and Peace Project. In going through her mother's dresser, she finds an unsettling old snapshot that leads her on a quest for the truth about the commune, about a baby boy with webbed toes, and about the power of love and money.

Hackett Street

In this coming-of-age tale set in the 1950s, a minister’s family has just relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin from rural New Hampshire. In the run-down attic where the two adolescent sons share a room, they make a startling and initially exciting discovery – but one that will ultimately challenge the most deeply held beliefs of the family, nearly tearing it apart.

From the author: I recently received a great review of Hackett Street from Online Book Club that I'd like to share with you. This is my second and most personal novel. Check it out. Hackett Street is available as an ebook on Kindle, or as a hardcopy from Amazon.

To read the review, click here.

Pura Vida!

Amanda Ranch

Unhappy newlyweds Kim and Wendell Roth find themselves lost in the Nevada desert. Relieved when they come upon a guest ranch run by five beautiful Victorian-garbed women, they are both soon captivated in very different ways by the mysterious Amanda Ranch. Soon Wendell is lured by the seductive charms of his hostesses, and Kim finds herself falling for the youngest sibling, the vibrant Corey. But as their stay extends, Kim slowly uncovers one horrifying fact after another about the seeming desert oasis. Will Kim be able to rescue Wendell from the succubus lair he seems so content with? Or will they both be condemned to be forever guests of Amanda and her sisters?

Poems by James Just

All books available on Amazon as Kindle, or contact Jim in Costa Rica for paperback versions, jpjust48@gmail.com

A Year of Days

2015; cover and illustrations by Gesa Emde

“Through this evocative collection of poems we spend a year with poet James Just, his wife Irina and their two dogs in the mountains of Costa Rica.
We feel fresh rhythms of sun and rain and wind. We discover exotic plants and animals. We connect with fellow adventurers from all over the world. We meet Tico friends, patient and generous with outlanders bringing strange customs and a foreign tongue.
We sample local foods and savor an enchanting culture.
We learn to relax and relish la pure vida”.

Sketches of Poás

2016; cover and illustrations by Gesa Emde

“Sketches of Poás follows A Year of Days, James Just's first book of poems. Sketches of Poás is a collection of whimsical poems about community living on the slopes of Volcán Poás - birds, reptiles, insects, dogs, humans too, all sharing a magical place of coffee fields and forests, wind and rain, sun and stars, in tropical Costa Rica.

Artist Gesa Emde provided the cover art and illustrations for A Year of Days, and now has created the cover rendering of Volcán Poás and illustrations to accompany each of the poems in Sketches of Poás. Emde lives and paints in a village in the Vosges Mountains of France, where she and her husband operate the art center Pas de Deux”.

Meanders - A Poem

2016; cover “Der Fuhrmann II” by Helmut Lortz

“Forty years in the writing, James Just’s poem Meanders takes us on a journey of the heart and spirit. Through Northern California and Oregon, Europe and Central America, we share the adventure of the path to becoming human.

Meanders is Just’s third book of poetry, following A Year of Days and Sketches of Poás.

The Book of Noah - a poem of poems
in three parts

2019; cover by Gesa Emde

The Book of Noah is a saga of our time, in verse, of humans facing catastrophe hearkening back to the biblical Great Flood. An ordinary man - no saint, no believer, adherent of no faith nor church - hears a calling, insistent. But how can that be? A call from whom, to do what? The Book of Noah is the story of this modern-day Noah’s emotional, artistic and spiritual journey, of his quest to understand and answer God’s call.

The Book of Noah is poem of poems in three parts, recounting events unfolding over the course of one portentous year. Set in a village in the mountains of Costa Rica, the poems explore the relationship between humans and gods and open a window into the numinous of the everyday.

James Just lives wit his wife Irina and their dogs on the slopes of Vulcán Poás in Costa Rica”.

Three Novels by L.J. Kritz

The Final Cruise

"The Final Cruise" is the story of terror on the high seas, virus assaults, political lying, misdirected threats, losses of real people, and the pain that all of this causes innocent people. Wow! Sounds like today, right?
Two years in development and based on chaos theory, where a small event early on can cause major effects as the saga develops, the story is one that will never be told by the powers that are in control, but nevertheless is possible and definitely has elements of truth in it.
The story begins in Syria, moves through the Middle East, Cyprus, Gibraltar, the North Atlantic, to Charleston and Atlanta, all the while changing our perception of what's actually true. "The Final Cruise" will make you think, especially when deciding if your next cruise is the one you want to take.

Dark Angel Amish

Preceding "The Final Cruise" are two books, "Dark Angel Amish," and the sequel, "Pay The Devil." After living in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the home of the Amish church, for eleven years, including four years in an Amish house and becoming part of a tight-knit community, the author found this is a story that has to be told. The basis is the analysis of a mysterious and abnormal religious organization that has been marketed by the tourist industry as a quaint, separate, somewhat quirky group. It is, in fact, much stranger than this simple ad-man's creation.
"Dark Angel Amish" begins the tale of the total control of the church by unscrupulous and crew Elders. It shows how three women of diverse backgrounds are drawn together, and how they struggle to survive.

Pay the Devil

"Pay The Devil" is the follow-up story that shows that even after a tragedy seems to be over, it continues to affect lives. The three women, their families and friends, all must strive to make sense out of events that seemingly are non-sensical, at best.

All three books are described at and available through www.LJKWords.com. The website clicks through to Amazon, Apple, Kindle, and all other eBook sites. Available in both paperback and eBooks.

Costa Rica
Tropical Gardening Companion

by Dr Karen Luedke

Book review by Ivy Penman

Dr Karen Luedke lives in Calle Rodriguez San Isidro de Grecia. She has lived and worked in Costa Rica since 2001 in veterinary medicine and cognitive neuroscience and is an avid gardener. Her extensive property is located at 5000 feet just below Bosque del Nino.

When I came to Costa Rica one of my retirement dreams was to have a tropical garden. I created a garden from scratch in New York (with the help of my husband Chris) and it was our pride and joy. It was a challenge and I foolishly thought it would be much easier here. After all “you just put a stick in the ground and it will grow.” How many times have I heard that? Unfortunately gardening is also a challenge here and it is quite different in many dimensions. The glossy books on sale show splendid

plants but do not provide much in the way of growing instructions. Although altitude varies enormously in Costa Rica I have never seen this addressed in a plant guide till now. Most of the Viveros are located at lower altitudes and we all happily buy their plants without knowing if they will thrive in our properties. I have lost many plants simply through ignorance. High altitude can kill heat loving plants but it can also allow us to grow roses lilies and agapanthus.

This is an essential read for gardeners. Karen Luedke has written a splendid book – and the only one I have seen – which addresses the growing requirements of almost all the tropical plants we see around us. In addition to altitude the amount of sun/shade and watering requirements are discussed together with important issues such as mature size and season of flower. A comprehensive 130 pages the book is divided into sections such as fragrant plants trees and flowers flowers for cutting orchids herbs and shade plants. Plants’ medicinal properties are discussed together with old folk remedies. The book is illustrated throughout and written in a charming very readable style and is extremely comprehensive. In addition to the botanical names of plants and trees the local names are given and any other common nicknames. The book will allow you to identify all those plants flowers and trees you see around you. More importantly it will help prevent you from planting the wrong plant in the wrong spot. With this book you too can have green fingers and a garden like Martha Stewart! And ... you will love reading the book!

Costa Rica – Tropical Gardening Companion
by Dr Karen Luedke.
Suggested prices: ebook $15. Print version $45; however, Dr. Luedke has made this book available FREE via this link. This is an 8.5MB PDF file.
She asks that in lieu of payment, people donate to a local animal rescue or other local charity.

Did I Ever Have Children?
An Alzheimer’s Journey in Two Voices

By Marilyn Stevens

When her already ailing mother Margaret began showing signs of dementia, Marilyn Stevens decided the best option would be to move back to her childhood home to care for her. In the eight years that followed, their relationship changed for the better, even as her mother's Alzheimer's worsened.

In a poignant, warm, and often humorous narrative in two voices, Marilyn takes the reader through eight years of the challenges and rewards of being her mother's caregiver. We hear firsthand Margaret's frustrations with the loss of her memory and learn how Marilyn -- by trial and error (and a lot of support) -- learned to deal with the many stages of her mother's condition. A must-read for anyone facing caregiving of a loved one ... or for anyone who has traveled the same path as Marilyn and her mom.

eBook

Cooking in Costa Rica

by Gloria Yeatman

NanoMatrix Colloidal Minerals

"You can trace every sickness, every disease and every ailment to a mineral deficiency. ̈
Linus Pauling

Our colloidal minerals are unique, made by an exclusive process that produces highly bioavailable nano particles that are absorbed almost instantly into your bloodstream.

Price: 9000 colones per bottle or
3 bottles for 24.000 colones.

Ask us about quantity and wholesale discounts.

Logan Thompson
NanoMatrix Health Products
8888-6505
NanoMatrixCR@gmail.com

Click here to see descriptive color brochure - English or Spanish

Immunity-Building Plant Extracts Now Available!

PURA VIDA! Our focus here at Casa Yayaz at this moment is on our health to stay strong..and how to improve it.

How about taking care of the immune system and our lungs? What an excellent concept! We can build our immunity and strengthen our respiratory system, gently in a natural way with herbal medicine.

First, see the IMMORTAL SHIELD. This is THE herbal extract that helps build your immunity.

Or maybe a more specific one, WELL BEING for the respiratory system.

Both products are in stock:
1 bottle for 5000 CRColones or
2 for 9000 CRColones.

Just call 8583-1431 to arrange a drop off for you. Originally we were selling our products through Dr Tortos’ clinic but he has since moved, so for your convenience we are available in San Isidro at Casa Yayaz hotel BnB.

All Natural Cleaning Products

Check out their website, www.earthmatterscr.com

Contact Cat at Catharine6712@gmail.com or Melaney at Melaney5of5@gmail.com

NEW! EarthMattersCR is now offering OZONE Treatments via Dr. Carolina's Wellness Center in Grecia. Click here to read their informative flyer.

Custom Bird houses and Tree Ornaments for sale

The two bird houses on the left is the same bird house looking from the front and the back.  The back side has a plastic see though panel so that you can watch the birds build their nest and hatch their young.  The price is 25000 colonies.  The next house moving to the left is priced at 18000 colonies and the log cabin is 20000 colonies.  The ornaments are 5000 colonies each.  

For information please contact Harold O’Connor at 2444-2552 or email at halcoach@gmail.com  We can also make bird feeders or custom work if you have the plans.  I also have many other plans it you would like to see them.

Palm Nursery in Sarchi

Palm Trees, well fed and disease-free at Wholesale prices! We live in Sarchi and will prepare any number for pick-up or will deliver anywhere in Costa Rica. We have two types, Royal Palms and Livistonias, ideal for landscaping or driveways, and both types are very wind resistant.

Large orders or one palm at a time is welcome. Less than half the price of local nurseries at @ 29,000 per palm.

Please call for a quote for quantity orders. Contact Scott or Cecilia at 2454-3643 or cell #8916-6193.

English and Spanish fluently spoken.

Palmeras, bien cuidadas, Precios por Mayor! Vivimos en Sarchi y podemos listar cual quiera cantidad para llevar o las entregamos por todo Costa Rica. Tenemos 2 tipos... Palma Reales y Livistonias. Muy resistente al viento. Pedidos grandes o pequeños estan bien!

Llame por cotizaciones por el transporte. Llame Scott o Cecilia al 2454-3643 o celular #8916-6193.

Cat scratchers and Fun Centers

Sarong Creations

As seen at Blooms!

Custom made-to-order clothing
styled from 100% rayon batik-dyed sarongs from Indonesia.

Each item is made to your specifications.

Loose fitting, easy care,
comfy in warm weather!

Choose your fabric, choose your length.

Many colors/patterns to choose from.

Shirts start at 16,000 colones

Handbags

With gift-giving in mind, my Tica friend Flor of Creaciones Flor has developed a new line of attractive, practical and inexpensive canvas and denim tote bags in several sizes.

Each is meticulously handmade and features one of six exquisite, vibrantly-colored embroideries of Costa Rican fauna: a toucan, morpho butterfly, tropical frog, hummingbird, sea turtle, or a Quetzal in flight.

Prices range from C9,000 to C13,000 colones.

Photos don't do them justice, but here are a few examples:

In addition to the new totes, Flor is offering ON SALE a wide variety of other gorgeous bags from mini-backpacks and fanny packs to crossbody and full-size totes and backpacks, all of the same super-high quality made of microfiber or microfiber leather. You really need to see and feel them to appreciate the texture and craftsmanship.

You can order through me, and for folks within the Grecia area a showing can be arranged, friends welcome. Special orders welcomed.

Walt Clayton
6246-6015 WhatsApp
waltclayton@gmail.com
San Isidro de Grecia

While we have your attention, we would like to bring up a worthy cause - for those who want to help it's often hard to decide which cause gets one's limited resources.

Presently, Flor is faced with a growing crisis. Namely, her parents' house is being devoured by termites. Inexorably, these critters are eating away everything made of wood, including the support beams that hold up the roof. Already sections are giving way and, making matters worse, the electrical system is threatening short circuits and fire.

Normally, Flor is the one who selflessly deals with all family crises, but this one is just too much.

Please check out the GoFundMe page I started to try to save the house.

Thanks, Walt