What do I really do all day long?

      You may be thinking that I am actually working while I am here in Costa Rica....well, sorta...  I get up every morning around 8 (or 9 when I don't wanna get up).  I put together Charlie's morning bottle and feed him...then, as long as there aren't any Caro Blanco's (white-faced capuchins), I let him go play in the trees so that he can get enough leaves to eat....of course he always heads straight for the mango tree.  If there are other monkeys around, then poor little boy has to stay in his cage and Edwin has to go  collect mountain almond leaves.  I then get the other baby's formula ready and feed him....he gets the bottle every 4-5 hours.  After the babies are fed, I help Edwin get the other animals fed...I make a salad for the guinea pigs (cuillos) and rabbits (conejos), chop fruit for the turtle pond, and feed the squirrels. We also have the parakeet, the porcupines and Lola, the red-lored amazon....oh, and baby turtles and guppies.  This all takes us about 2 hours....and then I am free.  A lot of days, I reprop cages, make mobiles, and just try to come up with new ideas that will help make things a little more efficient or easier and happier for the animals, Mary, and Edwin.  Sometimes I go to the beach or the river....or I just hang out here and play with Charlie......as you will see in the video, I'm not sure who likes the playtime more...Charlie or I.
      At sunset, Charlie gets another bottle before his bedtime.  He still sleeps on a stuffed animal that we call "momma monkey"....even though we all know who the real momma is....The other baby gets his last bottle around 11 at night, since he won't get another until  the earliest.  I leave a small plate of mashed fruit and baby cereal with him overnight...in the hopes that he will start eating solid food.
     At night we sometimes have movie night...We will pick up a pizza or Mary will make vegetable soup or beans and rice...the guys will come down from the farm and we will watch a movie on my computer......of course, I try to find the movies with spanish subtitles for the guys but, as long as it is an action movie...they don't really care.

the baby is awake and having fun
balancing on my hand.

The new baby is sleeping....he spends at least 30 minutes sleeping
in my hand after he eats....I have even let him sleep through a whole
movie night.

Charlie hanging upside down for an apple.....which he typically
knocks out of the tree while playing/jumping

Me and poppa porcupine....I have actually gotten a few quills in me
but he actually loves climbing on people....the daughter is very
shy and often won't come out for visitors.

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getting a good sniff

the parakeet still can't fly...but is definitely getting around her new
cage.

Charlie sitting in my house....he was actually pretty pitiful the entire
day....very sad and clingy....maybe he knows I will be leaving
in just 2 weeks.

another shot of the sleeping baby....but he is so cute.

Yes, that is an opossum in my hair....he likes to snuggle
up under my pony tail...and then he pops out above my
tail and enjoys the view.

Charlie being a baby while lying in my hand....I think he might
even be drooling.

Little monkey got caught in the rain and I had to wrap
him up like a baby to dry him off.

Charlie is trying to escape...just like a
naught child after a bath.

Baby girl enjoying her new set up.  We will probably be releasing her
this week....I know she is small but that is ok....adults are only 200-400
grams.....she is quite the hunter and will do fine.  Just don't
make fun of her "alopecia"...it will grow back, the more protein
she eats..

And some videos for your watching pleasure....I imagine I get more of a kick out of them than you but I am adding them anyway.

Charlie and I just hanging out and playing in his cage

No matter where Charlie is in the yard, he always knows when I am eating something...He will always come down to see if it something he wants.  His manners are lacking to say the least.....but at least he does share, without trying to bite me.

Charlie likes to use the PVC (insulates the electrical wires) pipes as roadways around the property....sometimes, I can sneak up on him and we play.....he thinks he is the one sneaking on me...but we know the truth...If you watch, you can see him smile....yes, monkeys smile.

Another video of Charlie and I just goofing around in his cage. On the days when he can't get out and play because of the capuchins or rain, I go into his cage...that way I don't have to keep a hold of him...imagine holding a toddler that wants to get away and play...except he bites.

After Charlie managed to get stuck in a tree during a pretty heavy rain, I managed to get him down out of the tree and we sat on the porch listening to the rain and drip-drying...until I wrapped him up like a baby..which he wasn't fond of.  

On Mondays, I go to Cobano to buy animal food and groceries with Mary.  Sometimes I go hiking in the afternoons.....but I will always find time to play with the mono congo (that is what they call the howlers here).

So, this is what I do here...It certainly isn't work....

Oh, and catching boas

Oh, and trying to rescue dogs....by the way, the one I am bringing home is named Lilly.  Her owner has basically abandoned her after she was rescued about 2 years ago...he had only had her for 6 months.  The one I was trying to get has unfortunately been tied up since I asked for her...so I couldn't steal her.  I haven't actually seen her so I am hoping that she is still alive.  It is hard to be down here and want to help animals.

How can you refuse this face?  I am such a sucker.