Thursday, December 31, 2009

Reflecting on 2009

 

 

 

 


It's appropriate that the last photos I took on my recent trip to the USA and West Virginia would be the sunrise. A symbol for new beginnings. As we all look forward to 2010 and better times, I like that my trip ended on this positive note.

This time last year I was in the hospital convinced that I was going to die from whooping cough. Luckily I didn't. This year has really been an adventure. Those of you who read with regularity know the journey. It's been disappointing at times, but fun at others. I've learned a LOT! I'm ending the year with a light heart, a happy smile and great anticipation for what the future will bring - not only for me, but for all of us.

Isn't that the way many of us feel at year's end - optimistic, hopeful and usually filled with anticipation? I know for all of us too, there have been years when we were just grateful that that year was over - with a loud sign and a "Whew!" we have moved on.............

So, with that thought in mind, I say - "Let's get ready for more adventure and another roller coaster ride of fun and laughter".

Thanks for all of your comments over the last year. It has added much to the joy of my life!
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Monday, December 28, 2009

Heading Home to Mexico

 

 

 



I'm heading home tomorrow morning, reluctantly, from a delightful "discovery time" in West Virginia. Just as San Miguel has an intrinsic quiet beauty, this place does also. I've enjoyed riding the back roads through little towns such as Martinsburg, Shepherdstown, Uvilla and yesterday, Harper's Ferry. Lovely rolling hills and old farm homes. Crops grown in this area are apples and corn. Of course right now nothing is growing.

But, I'll leave all this to return home long enough to get a different suitcase and head to the beach. Melaque here I come. Life is good and I've volunteered to be the one to enjoy it. Someone has to do it - it might as well be me - and hopefully all of you.

Happy 2010!
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Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Shopping Maul

 



One cannot always stay in peace and tranquility hidden from every day life. So, out to the mall we went for this and that in the last couple of days. It IS hard to leave the ideal setting and existence of a house in the woods with nothing but beauty around it. But, leave it we did for slush, ice on the roads and the zillions of cars approaching malls and shopping centers this week of Christmas. It is a frenzy everywhere.
No Christmas presents need to be bought. Luckily all of that was taken care of in Mexico. This is just food items for cooking and a few other things -
and don't laugh, snow boots for me.

Oh, they are SO cute. Black suede with fur around the rims, just like Santa's. Mine are black with black fur, of course, his are white. I haven't had a pair of real snow boots since I was a child in Chicago. I like these a lot. But, probably not enough to want to replace my sandals that I wear in Mexico. At least not permanently.

It has been fun to observe the fray without having to be part of it. Just looking is my modus operandi. It's better that way and much more enjoyable.

The photo at the top of this blog was taken as we drove into the area that I'm staying in the mountains of West Virginia.
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Saturday, December 19, 2009

Exquisite Beauty

 

 

 

 



These photos aren't intended to be black and white but because of the beauty of the snow and the setting, it appears and IS black and white. Isn't it absolutely beautiful?

This is the scene that greeted me this morning when the curtains were opened in West Virginia. It started snowing at about 4AM and by 7:30, this is how much had fallen. It has been snowing steadily all day and the snow is more then twice as high now, but I'm NOT going back out there to photograph until it stops.

I'm snuggled warmly in a chalet style house in the mountains about an hour west of Dulles airport in the Shenandoah Valley. Behind me is an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Twenty miles east of here is the confluence of the Shenenadoah and the Potomac. The beauty of San Miguel always fills my soul. Well, I must admit this has an incredible beauty also that has left me breathless.

Standing outside on the porch this morning to take these photos was unlike anything that I can remember experiencing in a long, long time. Utter silence. Not a whisper or murmur of anything except hearing a slight wisp of the glistening flakes falling. I don't think I'll ever forget this.

Purity - simple, but exquisite beauty. It occurred to me that I have not seen a snowfall of this magnitude in almost sixty years. I was a child. I didn't appreciate the nuiances of the shapes on the limbs or the quietness. At that point in life, I wanted to get on a sled and go down the hills. Well, maybe I'll get to do even that in the next few days! I bought snow boots yesterday........and brought a parka and mittens. Even bought a hat and earmuffs last night in preparation. Woo hoo.

I must comment on the grocery store last night. It was pandemonium. It reminded me of all the times prior to a hurricane when the milk cooler and the bread aisles were stripped bare. The storm warnings were out here for this snow storm. At the time, I smiled in remembrance, but now I understand the earnest looks on the people's faces. This storm has brought everything to a virtual standstill just like a hurricane.

Except this is gentle. A hurricane never is.
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Tuesday, December 08, 2009

The "Discovery" Window

 



I start my day with this view almost every morning. I meditate looking out at the sunrise. It is very soothing and helps me to be centered. I love this view. So much happens at this window.

The seasons change. The types of birds that migrate through here change. At a certain time of year chartreuse colored birds come through and stay for a few days eating the berries on the chinaberry tree outside this window. Their plumage is exquisite.

Once in a while, just to be funny and surprise me, I'll see Velcro on a limb trying, hopefully without success, to catch a bird.

All of it is a type of discovery. A nice way to start the day with meditation, reflection and gratefulness.

Imagine my surprise last Friday morning as I was sitting there when one of the tall pines began to sway. I looked up at the eucalyptis tree in the distance to see if the wind was blowing. Nope, no wind. How curious. THEN the pine disappeared from view. I was astonished. It caused me to get up to go closer to the window to see what was going on. Men in the school yard at the kindergarten below were cutting down some of the trees. OH NO! Why? These are old trees. Probably the age of the school. At least forty years old, or older.

Well, before they were done, they had cut down at least ten big trees. Cleared the space for about eight to ten feet from the school building. My guess is that they are going to add on to the school. But, who knows? I've learned to just wait and see.

The delightful positive surprise for me is that now, looking straight out that window, I can see San Miguel down the hill in a way I couldn't before and I can see the peak of a mountain in the far, far distance. Oh and I can see the sunset straight ahead rather then looking to the northwest. How divine!

Another narrow path of discovery.
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Monday, December 07, 2009

The "Dating" Game!

I debated whether to write this post or not, but then I said, "What the heck? It's among friends". So here it is.........

It started about a year ago. I didn't approach it as a game, but as another of life's adventures. I decided, after walking through the dark tunnel of grief, that it was time to find the right person to share the rest of my life with.......

So, I joined E-Harmony. So many men, so little time. I was surprised and overwhelmed by how many men in my age range were looking for someone, hopefully to share their life with also. It didn't turn out that way in all instances. But, there is always the "delete" button. I learned to use it judiciously when the karma or qualities weren't right.

I did meet two very different men - one from Alaska and the Sea of Cortez - another from Vancouver. Those didn't work out for various reasons. In the meantime, I met delightfully interesting people who I learned a lot from and enjoyed corresponding with - even at long distances. One man, an ex-pat was in China. Talk about geographically impossible! But, all in all it has been a fascinating experience.
One that I would encourage anyone seeking a partner to try. There are many sites. I would not go back on E-Harmony or Mexican Cupid. I did find Senior People Meet to be the most appropriate for me.

Of course common sense should prevail. In the case of those of you still in the USA, obviously it would be much easier to meet people in your geographic area. Not the case for me.

However, I have met someone. I consider myself now to be "in a relationship". And, if and when the time comes, I'll tell you more. Right now I just want to bask in the joy and delight of it all. It has been going on for a while.

I'd like to offer this bit that someone sent to me and I love. "LIFE is short. BREAK the rules. FORGIVE quickly. KISS slowly. LOVE truly. LAUGH uncontrollably. And NEVER regret anything that made you smile!"

Saturday, December 05, 2009

The Future of the Book

 

 


There are a couple of publications that I subscribe to that are not part of the usual list of periodicals and publications that the general public seems to hear about. I thought I would tell you about two of my favorites.

Wilson Quarterly's major story this month is on "The Future of the Book". Thought provoking. With the increase of people reading on the internet along with the decline of people reading at all, it is an upward climb. I can't imagine not reading books and magazines, but there ARE those who never do. I often wonder about that. Wilson Quarterly is published by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. It covers so many intersting topics. For instance, In Essence, is a section in the magazine that has a compilation of articles from other journals and magazines. There is always a section on Current Books which I find extremely helpful in deciding if or what I'll buy.

Two articles of interest to me this month was one on the prelude to the Berlin Wall coming down and another on the proposal for high speed rail in the USA. I enjoy magazines that take me out of my comfort zone and cause me to think about the problems and possible solutions. They remind me of how little I know! Here is the website if you want to learn more about this magazine, www.WilsonQuarterly.com

Saudi Aramco World is a publication that can be received for free. It has been published for sixty years. Initially it was started as an information pamphlet for ex-pats who worked for Saudi Aramco but it has become so much more. It is published in Houston. I have learned so much about the Middle East and Central Asia in the articles about the peoples and customs of that area. It has a teacher's section in the magazine for use for educational purposes. It is stellar.
And, the good news is the publication can be read online if you don't want a subscription. Go to www.saudiaramcoworld.com. I haven't gone to the website because I receive the magazine, but I'm sure you can subscribe on the website.

They include a calendar each year in the publication. Last year's calendar was photographs of all the beautiful textiles from the various countries such as Kilims from Turkey; Suzani needlework from Uzbekistan; and, last but not least, Kashmir shawls. I'll never get rid of this calendar. The photos are exquisite. It reminds me of the beauty of the people and not of the hostility of their governments. Again, this publication reminds me in each issue of the inaccuracies we read about these peoples and how little I know and how much more I need to read.
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Friday, December 04, 2009

All Atwitter in Houston

I have been receiving emails from friends all over Texas, but mostly in Houston, about the anticipation of snow there today and tonight! It's hilarious. I laughed out loud this morning. I had coffee cup in hand and decided to turn on the Weather Channel to see the weather. THERE in blazing color was Jim Cantore, THE weather man, standing in downtown Houston to broadcast from there! Good gosh, he's only there for a hurricane.
Isn't that hysterically funny? I think so.........

I know everyone, adults and kids alike, are excited about the prospect of snow today. This is beyond early - last year, without warning, it snowed on December 10th. I was there and was so surprised. I said it all in that blog, so click on the bar on the side for December 2008 and share all the funny stories of snow in Houston that I wrote then. There was a poignant snow. I wrote about that also.

So, "let it snow" is my motto today. As long as I'm in warm and sunny San Miguel. Anyone for sunbathing on the roof this afternoon? Next week we're supposed to have four days of temperatures in the 80's! YEAH

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Nostalgia Has Taken Over

 



I'm not planning on being in San Miguel for Christmas, so I'm not putting up the myriad of old Christmas decorations. They are all stored in the bodega and I have a LOT of them. Many from when I was a child. In the 50's and 60's. Those beautiful old German glass ones that are hand painted. I do love to take them out and just marvel at their delicateness. But, not this year.

Instead I only found the Nativity Set that I bought in 1974 in Mexico City. It isn't particularly unique. Not at all. It is the memories attached to it that give it prominence for me. Thirty five years ago - WOW. What a time! A long time.

That was the first time I flew into Mexico City. I was captivated immediately looking down on the colors of the buildings. My oh my, I had never seen purple, fuscia, gold, and blue houses. It looked like a string of jewels on the ground. I flew in, not for shopping, but because I was managing a US State Dept contract that was based in the city at the airport.

I was enchanted. Still am. I stayed in the Zona Rosa for $8 US a night in a luxurious hotel. Regretfully I don't remember the name of it. I traveled by subway to the airport on a daily basis and marveled at the people and faces I saw on those daily trips. My first time to observe the indigenous peoples of Mexico. Their faces of such character.

I digress. This blog is about nostalgia and the Nativity Set. I don't remember who took me shopping in Mexico City. The only thing I bought was this Nativity Set. Carefully wrapped by the store, I brought it home to my family. It became part of the tradition each and every year.

It usually sat on a coffee table. Center stage. Children and then grandchildren loved arranging it.........or in some cases rearranging it. One grandchild ALWAYS rearranged the donkies and animals and circled them around the Baby Jesus. I could count on it. I never commented. I would wait til he left and walk in and just smile. How special for me to see.

The Nativity Set has moved many, many times in 35 years. If it could talk, whew, it would have a lot of tales to tell. I think it is so appropriate that somehow it has come home to celebrate its last years back where it was made. If anyone had told me thirty five years ago that I would end up living in Mexico, I would have been astonished. Aren't the mysteries and adventures of life fun to experience?
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Tuesday, December 01, 2009

The "Hogan Six Pack"

 



I often talk about the Gypsy Kids in Colorado. Here is the rest of the family in Texas (escept for little Christopher. My daughter Julie, her husband and all the kids. Julie dubbed the family "The Hogan Six Pack" and I just love that. It works.

I didn't get to talk to them on Thanksgiving so imagine my delight when my granddaughter Jessica posted this photo on Facebook. I was and am thrilled. At first I thought they were sitting in the backyard on the deck, but, on closer inspection, this is taken on the roof outside one of the bedrooms!

I presume they were all up there to hang the Christmas lights on the house - a family tradition. As I have looked at this photo many times since Friday, I have relished the thought of all the traditions that my daughter has established for her family and all the joy they all have in sharing those times. Baking the Christmas cookies and making a gingerbread house is usually one of those. I too enjoy baking for the holidays and for friends.

I love to go to Julie's house during the holidays. She decorates every room in such a creative and clever way. It's always fun to see. So, although I won't be sharing the holidays with them this year, I know they will be enjoying their family traditions. And, so life goes on! Isn't it wonderful?
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