Souvenir Photo Studio, by Al Bourassa

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Wednesday February 25, 2026 Waiting

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Older Blog: https://cuencaupdates.blogspot.com/

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or https://pixels.com/profiles/al-bourassa

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Wednesday February 25, 2026

Tuesday, I spent the day taking a couple of hundred photos in the back yard but kept very few.

It is shocking that February is almost gone and I am 2 weeks away from being back in Canada.... I guess I can credit the Olympics, and IPTV with mucho deportes y peliculas (lots of sports and movies) for making the time pass quicker...

Tuesday and today we waited for the the window replacement guys to show up. We are now hoping for tomorrow.... Reliability is not a quality dominant in South America...

Today, Diego, the pesky realtor, finally showed up for 10 minutes with the report that our neighbours on both sides are considering selling their properties... I am not holding my breath, but the method to my madness is driven by the prediction of a global financial meltdown in 2028. I want to put my investments into property as a hedge against such a catastrophe... I can't afford (or need) much in Canada, so it would be better spent here to support my wife.

My wife has been so very good to me, and she works so very hard to look after all these rescued animals. I gain more respect for her every day.

Uncle Raimundo also stopped by on his new electric moped, that he also bought off our friend Alex. A small moped trip to visit his older sister past Campo Alegre is in the planning stages.

The vet stopped by to give Nina another injection. Hopefully our dogs are all in safe health once again.

We went online to buy yet more stuff for the paraplegic Tommy, mostly diapers and clothes this time... He is such a sweet dog but he frustrates Cristina when he manages to rip off his diaper protection.

I took a short drive on the older moped to visit Christian's crypt and stopped in to visit Carlos' Mom Gilma, Cristina's ex-mother-in-law, and a dear, sweet lady. The photo below was taken by the daughter Carmen.

I had been to the southeast corner of town and grabbed a few pics.

The NHL is back, but the Oiler game in Anaheim tonight starts here at 10:30pm... I had a short nap, so I may stay up for it, ..for a bit anyway..

I hope you enjoy the pictures. That was the day’s excitement.

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If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

Aloe flowering

Guanabana fights cancer

Dog days for Grande

Rio is still chasing bird shadows

Tommy and Grande

Love this guy! He is such a trooper!

Nice Gecko

Tom Thumb

Large grasshopper

Grasshopper

2" at least

A Southern Lapwing

Christian, we miss you..

Lots and lots of Barn Swallows

View over sugar cane to the coastal cordillera

Tons of sugar cane in this area

Gilma is a dear

Monday, February 23, 2026

Monday February 23, 2026 Birds+Beetles

PLEASE bookmark this page and check daily.

Older Blog: https://cuencaupdates.blogspot.com/

Please see my best artworks for sale at my websites:

http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/

or https://pixels.com/profiles/al-bourassa

******

Monday February 23, 2026

It is hard to fathom that I actually return home in 15 days... I guess having the IPTV with me for the sports and Olympics must have made the days go by much quicker.

Last evening I went outside and saw some Longhorn Beetles on the patio roof, near a fallen mango where a family of them were feeding and, I think, making babies. I got the P1100 for a closer view and the results are below.

I also caught Tom Thumb last night and today,... but today I caught him in a peaceful standoff with another rival. It seems like they came to the understanding that there was enough nectar for them both to share and avoided stabbing each other.

Overall, I took about 250 photos...

Last evening, I met Bernd again at the Mocca Cafe for a couple of beer and hamburgers. It turns out they make pretty good burgers too!

Then I ran into our "realtor" Diego and asked him to come by today to research these neighboring properties for sale. He has not shown up yet.

We had a good rain last night so the water was turned off most of the day.

Aunt Nativa just showed up at our door. Her grandson, Victor Hugo, has been with his father in Spain for the past year so she is finally alone again. And, I have to say, she looks years younger! I asked her for her secret of youth and she just asked me for a beer.... Somehow, I don't believe that is the secret.

I hope you enjoy the pictures. That was the day’s excitement.

******

If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.