Friday, May 28, 2010

There's A Racket Going On

The racket is the corridor between Laredo and San Antonio. And, I got caught in it Monday night.

It's price fixing by the motels with the last word in their names of "Inn".

Unfortunately, almost all the little places to stop after driving 8 - 10 hours have that word in them. You're told they only have one room left, or no rooms left and when inquiring about the rate, it is $90 US! For a dingy little room. I stopped in three towns - same price - same story.

I finally succumbed in Dilly and paid the price. It was getting dark. My windshiled wipers were delaminating and it was raining. Dilly is NOT the garden spot of Texas but I was dry and had a room - for $90US!

So, for those of you who live in Mexico and drive up - stop in Laredo where the La Quinta is $55 and nice plus includes breakfast or stoically trudge on to San Antonio if you can drive for that many hours.

Don't stay in Cotulla, Dilly or Pearsall. It will cost you...........more then it should.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Street Scenes of San Miguel

 

 

 

 


As I start my trek down the hill to centro, there is always an array of scenes to witness. From the sublime to the ridiculous sometimes. Or from the heartrending to the hilarious.

On Friday it was fun and poignant. The donkeys with their sacks of dirt that come in from distant villages and walk the streets all day until all the dirt is sold. Then the long journey, about 8 hours or more, to return to the village in the distant hills. Or the guy who let "necessity be the mother of invention" and covered his car windows with a box instead of one of those fancy car window covers that people use in the USA. They are so clever.

Upon arriving in the jardin, there were all kinds of activities going on. A protest over the new Arizona Law. About thirty people with posters with various things written on them. In addition some carried defaced American flags. The first time in ten years, actually in forty years, that I've seen a demonstration against the USA in Mexico.

In addition, the old man whose name I don't know because he doesn't speak but chants, walked by. He is a daily fixture. When I came many years ago, he was spry and chipper and full of piss and vinegar. He used to chant about all the signs in the jardin for various charity events. He would take his cane and knock them down and keep on walking. Well in the last year, he has slowed down and takes baby steps around and around the jardin with his head down. BUT he is looking up through his eyes at us and whats going on........I dread the day that he no longer is walking around and around the jardin. I call him "Mr. Persistance". I can only hope that I will have that kind of constitution of human spirit when I'm as old as he.

Every day in Mexico I learn lessons. This day it was persistance, ingenuity, dignity, and humor.
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Saturday, May 22, 2010

Has anyone had "this" problem?

Blogspot is going to be my downfall. I swear. Now when I want to post a new blog, there is nothing on the new post site that allows me to post photos. What the heck is going on?

The other thing that drives me nuts (which is a short trip) is that when I read another blog and want to comment, if they have "word verification", there is no word.
What the heck is going on?

The only way I can post photos is if I start the blog from Picasa where photos I've taken are stored. However if I scan a photo in using photoshop, I don't know how to get that to Picasa.........I hate to admit I'm such a computer dummy, but, alas, I can do a lot of other things, but technical is not my area of expertise. Boy, that's an understatement.

If anyone out there has any answers, I sure would appreciate knowing how to resolve these "issues".

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Getting Through the Day

 


We ALL have days, hopefully very few days, that we just want to get through them. We dread that day. We sometimes procrastinate about that day (like scheduling a Dr's appointment) or something equally nerve wracking.

I had a day like that yesterday. I knew it was going to be difficult, so, I've learned in the past to not schedule anything and to "go with the flow".

It was the sixth anniversary of my daughter Jennifer's death. Last year I flew to Colorado and spent it with my son, the Gypsy Kid and the Gypsy Kid's family. It was lovely. But, for some reason this year, I was in suspended animation about what to do and so I did nothing.

It turned out to be the right thing. I just kind of lolled in the garden and reflected. Cut her favorite flowers - the ones in the above photo which are so prolific here and put them in a vase. And, I was not emotional. I just have good memories.

The day before my son-in-law had sent photos of Christopher, Jennifer's son. Oh my has he grown! No more little boy, but a boy entering that next stage. He'll be twelve in September. One of the photos was of him with a science project at school. Sweet. The photos helped immensely. He looks so much like his Mom. A true gift.

So I got through it. And, I'm sure if you have days like that, that you get through them to. Heck, what's the alternative?

It's a beautiful day today.
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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

A Basket Case

 


I had so much fun while in West Virginia. I created wall baskets of different flowers and lined all of them with spanghum moss for the birds. The bees, butterflies and hummingbirds loved the flowers but the birds also would swoop down and take pieces of the moss for their new spring nests.

It was a wonderland of wildlife that could be watched out of the floor to ceiling windows of the house. A few months prior we had watched the deer dashing through the snow and chomping on the lower branches of any tree with anything green to eat.

The baskets were fun to make. One that I made is full of herbs. It will be fun as spring progresses to snip off basil or mint or any of the five herbs that are in that one basket. Instead of attaching the baskets to the wall, I attached them to the railings of the deck which is elevated to avoid confrontations with the deer or waylaid golfers......the second tee is within yards of the deck.

In fact I so enjoyed creating those little things of beauty that I came back to San Miguel, took one look at the baskets on the roof terrace and shook my head. Before I can replant, I need to buy some coco liners in the USA and bring them back. I'll then make an herb wall basket for this house. Along with a few baskets of flowers too.

Just another miniature aspect of gardening that brings GREAT pleasure
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Sunday, May 16, 2010

A Stellar Evening

Great conversations, often hilarious, sometimes serious. Delicious food starting with carrot soup (we're told Billie's recipe) - a salad with goat cheese, fresh beets and candied walnuts to name just two of the courses! Then add to that absolutely delightful hosts and guests.

What more could one ask for other then world peace?

I came home with a smile on my face. I'm a simple kinda woman with appreciation for the simple things of life.

Life is good.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Faux Bois

 

 


Faux bois in French means false wood. In Mexico, it is referred to as "el trabajo rustico" meaning the rustic work. It is an art form. One I've admired for many, many years.

There is some beautiful faux bois at Breckenridge Park in San Antonio that I saw possibly thirty years ago, but never forgot. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Faux bois is a combination of concrete, mortar and cement paste applied to steel frames to make something look like wood and very natural.

Carlos Cortes Taller Studio in San Antonio, www.studiocortes.com continues to keep the art form alive and current. Look at his website. Quite delightful.

Why do I bring this up today? Well, I was riding down State Hwy 9 in West Virginia a couple of weeks ago and spied amazing flower baskets. I was past the little store before I could stop. It was on a curve. So I went home and took "the man" back with me. I "oohed" and "aaahed" so much that we bought the basket that you see in the photo along with the bracket with the cardinal on it. All the baskets were exquisite. They were so huge you could hardly lift it. Magnificent.

But, as we pulled into the little gravel lot, I spied the faux bois birdbaths and let out a squeal. Leaping out of the car the minute it came to a standstill, I KNEW we had to get that for the yard. Since the house is in the woods, nothing garish would work. It was PERFECT. Needless to say, the man was not as breathless and passionate as I. It was later that I told him about faux bois and showed him photos of Breckenridge Park. Then he "got it" too.

So, the bird bath was put near the stairs to the house where one can look out and see the birds dipping and diving. Even a butterfly or two. As you look at the photo, aren't you amazed that that isn't really a tree stump with some branches on it?

IF I could have figured out how to bring one back to San Miguel on the plane, rest assured I would have done so.
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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

705 and Counting!

I intended to write this blog at 700 and somehow that passed by.......my usual "not too sharp" attitude!

I had been feeling lately that I had covered nearly every subject that I can think of from scorpions, to loves, to family and gardens. Then back again! I'm a little bored with myself so I can imagine that you, dear reader, must be yawning.

I had even thought of stopping the blog. AND, then IT happened. While walking down the hill the other day, Monday, someone driving a car yelled my name! She said, "Babs I LOVE the blog. I don't ever miss one of your writings. It makes my day" All this while she is rolling down Mesones. I laughed and thanked her.

Wow. I never, when I started the blog, thought about anyone reading it. Truly. So, it still amazes me that people actually enjoy it. I don't care about "traffic statistics" as some bloggers refer to all that. But I do have to say that this blog has enriched my life in ways I could never have imagined in 2006.

Thanks for all the memories, my dear friends.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Stormy Weather

It was HOT even yesterday morning when I opened the door. Well, not really, but about 54 instead of 44 which is muy importante as the day wears on. That cool air in the morning cools off the house and makes afternoons tolerable - at least for me.

By lunchtime, with a group of friends, we were positioning big outdoor umbrellas over our table to keep the sun and heat at bay. Our waiter commented that it would rain later in the afternoon. We all scanned the royal blue sky and nary a cloud was in sight. We were high up and could see in all directions. Nope not a cloud. We all sincerely doubted that he knew what he was talking about.

So, I giggled last evening about 6PM, when thunder started, the wind picked up and after an hour or so of that, it RAINED. Blessed rain.

Not only are the flowers looking happy this morning, I have a gaggle of hummingbirds zooming throughout the gardens. Not a bad way to start another beautiful day in paradise.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Where ARE you?

 


That was the plaintive question in an email from a dear Houston friend yesterday. She said, "I've tried REALLY hard to keep up with you, but, in vain". Ha. I CAN move fast and plans CAN change in a moment's notice in my life. It's a good thing I'm so adaptable.........

So, to answer the queries, I'm in San Miguel de Allende. Arrived back here last Wednesday night. No, nothing is wrong. Just a change in plans...... Yes, the romance is fine and no nothing bad has happened.

Whew, my blogger family is more persistant at times then my own family. Who, by the way, didn't know I was back in Mexico until yesterday. With cell phones it doesn't matter, does it?

This photo was taken the morning after I arrived as I sat to check email messages. I turned around to see Velcro laying on the packed suitcase that I had just brought down the stairs.

It made me laugh. She certainly let me know, with body language, that she didn't like all this moseying around that I've been doing for the last six months. She should be used to it by now.........if not, I won't tell her that I'll be off again in a couple of weeks. Heading to Houston! Yee ha.
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Sunday, May 09, 2010

An Evening Stroll

 

 

 

 


Imagine this view on a continual basis. And the fact that it was ours to enjoy, without other people around, on a regular basis - especially in the evenings.

The area is called "The Woods". It is one of the most spectacularly planned golf course communities I've ever seen. The amount of wildlife along with the amount of trees left on the property makes it breathtakingly beautiful and unique. We saw deer, hawks, all kinds of birds including a woodpecker and, one morning as I opened the curtains, a big fat possum lumbered off in the brush.

It is a weekend community for most, so those who live there full-time are few. Except during the daytime, when the weather is nice and the golf carts are rolling. In great numbers. But, that is only for about five hours a day.

So the rest of the time, we walked, gardened and just enjoyed "The Woods". I always thought the Texas Hill country was the most beautiful place in the USA. Now I have to admit, this area surpasses the Hill Country. Truly.

I'll never forget our evening strolls.
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Saturday, May 08, 2010

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way.....

 

 



To the bookstore! I needed to go into the bookstore to buy a gift and "the man" wanted to go verify electronic prices at Best Buy. There were groceries in the car that needed to stay cool, so never thinking it would be a problem, the car engine was left running and the remote was removed and the car was locked.

Well guess what, on this particular car, IF the engine is running and the key is in the ignition, the door will NOT unlock. No security officer cruising the parking lot. What to do? Call AAA, well that was a possibility. But when going to call someone, the manager of the bookstore mentioned that the sheriff of that particular county, as a courtesy to its citizens, would come to unlock the car. Wow, who knew?

Low and behold, in about ten minutes, an officer showed up. He had a gizmo that looked like a broken off knife blade or something, to me. He tried and tried. No good. So, he called for a backup. Now it is getting dicey. People are looking. I'm being very, very quiet so as NOT to agitate an already tense situation.........

The second officer shows up with a bladder like device which is inserted in the edge of the door. It is then blown up with air which allows the officer to reach in with something that looks like a bent coat hanger and the door is unlocked.
It worked, finally.

I stood in amazement at the fact that (1) they came, (2) that they persisted, and (3) that they were so polite and courteous. Not a penny exchanged hands. No charge. I commented about it for hours.

And, I also secretly thanked my lucky stars that I wasn't the one to have come up with the idea in the first place.
WHEW!
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Friday, May 07, 2010

Chinese Spam

I'm being inundated on a daily basis with Chinese "spam" from many different blog sites.

Is this happening to any of you? Of course, I'm moderating the comments, but it sure is aggravating. Isn't it?

I so enjoy all of your comments, so don't stop. But if you're sending "Chinese Spam", please move on.

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Beauty everywhere!

 

 

 

 



Some of the photos I'm going to be posting in the next few blogs were taken in the last month. I didn't have my cord with me to download photos but that has been rectified.

I grouped these flowers because they are so diverse. The first tiny blue flowers were in a ditch on the side of a winding road where water stood. I have no idea what they are, other then "tiny blue flowers". I stopped alongside more roads in West Virginia then I think I've ever done before..........what fun.

Then there is the delicacy of the dogwood blossoms. Trees everywhere - big, big trees of dogwoods. Usually in the piney woods of East Texas they seem to me that they were always small trees hidden in the shadows of the pines. Not in West Virginia. They were big and full.

Lilacs everywhere - something not possible to smell in the South - well, at least not in Texas in my past life. I've never forgotten the fragrance. I almost had to stop for each bush I saw so that I could smell that exquisite fragrance.

And, look how graceful those "lowly" dandelions are. To some they are a nuisance, to me they are beauty. The light was just right. I didn't even notice the texture or color of the fence in the background until I saw the photo. Of all four photos, that is my favorite. Both for the "flowers" and the composition.
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