Thursday, July 29, 2010

The "Gypsy Kids" Head South

 

 

 



When I first started writing about the "Gypsy Kids", it was when they decided to leave San Miguel, hook, line and sinker.
They headed to Houston for family visits and then the plan was to head..........West, to find jobs and a new life.

"They" are my son John, daughter-in-law Lisa, granddaughter Matilda and granddog Dusty. As August rolled around they headed out of Houston for .........West. They camped in state parks, beside streams etc. and then landed in Colorado.
Loving it, they stayed. Living there for the past two years has brought many, many changes.

First and foremost, Matilda was three months old when the saga began, she is now 2 1/2. Secondly, little brother Sebastian entered the family in January of this year. An absolute happy delight. The family has expanded. Dusty the Dog is still content to be "the dog".

Careers have changed. Needs have changed. They're heading back to Houston as it doesn't matter where John hangs his hat as he is either networking via the internet or flying somewhere. So, being near family as these career changes take place will be helpful for all.

Excited is not the word for all of us. The "Gypsy Kids" will be living right across the street from my youngest daughter, her husband and four children. Sweet!

To say I'm thrilled is an understatement. Just think, I can shuffle back and forth from house to house or gather all the wee ones around me. Bliss, total bliss.

Of course we've been on the phone making plans - I'll be there for Halloween with all of them at the end of October and then back there for the Christmas holidays. For the first time in a long time ALL the grandkids, all seven of them, will be together. Lucky seven.

The photos I've posted were given to me by Lisa's Mother. Aren't they just beautiful? Sharing seemed like the right thing to do.
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Saturday, July 24, 2010

Tianguis in Mexico

 

 

 

 



Traveling markets are called tianguis. We have one in San Miguel de Allende every Tuesday. I try not to miss it.

It is a mixture of tables with produce, food, fish, chickens - live and dead - rabbits, ditto. Add to that the tables of embroidery and thread, blender parts, every imaginable electrical thingy, tools, new shoes, new clothes. If you can imagine it, you can usually find it if you look hard enough. The photos above are the fresh fruit and aqua frescas for sale. The last photo is a vendor shortening a belt for my man. He was so intent on making it just right as we watched.

My favorite thing to look through and for is the used clothing. I know, at first you say uuugh. But then when you find a pair of gorgeous Ann Taylor slacks for forty pesos ($3.20 US) or a great Chico jacket for same price or less, you're hooked. It has been a fun discovery for me. I'm so hooked on finding my clothes there that I hardly EVER buy new things in the USA or Mexico any more. Well other then intimate things. It is such a deal.

The NY Times had an article just a day or so ago about a challenge of selecting and wearing only six items of clothing for a period of thirty days. It is a slap at consumerism. One that is much needed. One of the women that was interviewedfor the article was astonished that not only did her husband not notice but neither did anyone at work that she wore the same clothes for that period. I bet it will change her way of thinking about "enough is enough".

In 1991 I went to Puerto Vallarta to handle a design project which was the remodel of a residence in Gringo Gulch. It was the first home built by an expat in that "village" at the time. It was so noteworthy that National Geographic sent a photographer in the mid 50's to photograph the house and a story was written also about this "phenomena".

With me I brought one small suitcase. Estimating I would be there a week to ten days, it seemed that was all I needed.
It turned out to be a six week jaunt. I lived out of that one small suitcase without buying anything. It was a light bulb moment for me. I realized (one) that I could do it, and (two) that I didn't miss anything back in Houston.
It was the beginning of the change in me to a more simpler life.

I followed that, when returning to the USA, by reading a book about a woman who said, "Why do we need more then six pieces of clothing?" Wow, to me that was radical. But again that reconfirmed that it could be done and I wanted to do it.

Well, I must admit, until I moved to Mexico, I didn't fulfill the "simpler life". But now I live in a house with one closet. No I don't have only six pieces of clothing, but I sure have much much less then ever before. AND at much less cost.

The surprising part of all of it is that I've never been more content in my whole life!
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Thursday, July 22, 2010

Life Can Be a Three Ring Circus

 

 

 

 



Since I last wrote, a week ago, so much has happened that I don't even know where to begin - so I'll try to only touch the highlights.

The houseguest is firmly ensconced here with me and has been for a week. WE have two more weeks of fun in San MIguel. Then we leave to go back to West Virginia. It's interesting how different things are when you have a companion to go places with, and GO we have. The calendar is full of yellow highlights of places we've gone and things we've already done. Just this past weekend we went out to Patsy's Place for a delicious lunch and a great performance by John Davidson. Monday night we were off to hear a jazz tribute to Miles Davis - very enjoyable also. Tuesday Market is always a hoot and unexpected things are ALWAYS seen. Like chickens feet laying right next to fish.......Sorry I didn't photograph THAT.

The photos above were from last Friday. As I've said before, no one ever knows what to expect when you come around the corner to the jardin. That day was the contrast of modern CPR being taught to citizens while ancient dances were being performed in honor of the Virgen del Carmen in front of the Parroquia.

Now even though I grew up Catholic, I have never heard of the Virgen de Carmen. There are so many saints and virgens that are honored here that were not part of our religious lessons - hard to believe.

So, the tenant moved out without even saying goodbye or that that was the day she was moving. Of course she made no provisions to pay any or all of the year's lease that she had signed. She had told me on the 12th she would be moving but that she would let me know when. Then I couldn't ever get any further information out of her. The last she had said was that she would go up to get her mother's belongings as she was moving her to Mexico, but that she would be coming back to the house. Dishonest and sneaky people never cease to amaze me. I had even hesitated to show the house because I was afraid the place she is moving, which is under construction, wouldn't be ready for her when she was ready to move. Oh well.

On that note, I have been truly touched by how many readers of the blog have contacted me. You people rock! A current reader who has read the blog for a couple of years and is now in San Miguel is coming to look at the house this afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed. Wouldn't that be cool?

So, to add to the fun and frivolity of the hecticness, one of the upper windows in the dining room fell out in the afternoon on Tuesday from the high winds, right after I saw the keys in the door of the guest house and realized that the tenant had "flown the coop". What a mess. But dear Sr. Luna came when I called - he's the iron and glass man. What a great guy. I showed him the hole, while watching the dark clouds come closer. He went back to his shop, cut the glass, brought it back, trimmed it to the arch, and badda bing, had it in. Then he fixed a few other things he noticed and that I mentioned I would like to have fixed. Like the fact that the lock on that window had broken and I was holding it closed with a safety pin and a letter clamp. He just smiled, brought his welding torch. So, for a couple of hours work and materials - cost approximately $24US.

Never dull - always in the moment - no point in planning too far in advance - THAT is life in Mexico! I wouldn't have it any other way..........
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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

 

 

 

 



Things had just about begun to settle down here. The new tenant rented the guest house effective May 1st, but due to her mother's health, wasn't able to get here until the third week of June. Now, it turns out, that she isn't going to be able to stay because she is moving her mother to Mexico. I'm sorry for all of her complications and changes........so, that means the guest house is available again.

It's such a great house - quiet, peaceful, tastefully decorated. The bedroom on the second floor is 16 x 20. Sort of unheard of in Mexico.

The views are magnificent. What's not to love? Hopefully someone will move in soon that will love the place as much as I do.

The previous tenants only left if they had built a house, were moving back to the USA or some unplanned event occurred.
It is a house that is perfect for someone who is a writer, artist, photographer. A contemplative kinda place.

It has all the creature comforts. A roof terrace. Canadian satellite TV. Internet connections. French doors in the bedroom to look out at the canyon.

It rents for $750 US a month. That includes EVERYTHING - all utilities, telephone, maid once a week and satellite TV.
Just bring your suitcase and move in. Totally furnished........

More photos can be provided. Anyone interested? It's a deal!
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Sunday, July 11, 2010

COMPANY'S COMING!

 



It's a battle cry of epic proportions. At least that's what happens to me when I know i'm going to have a house guest for a period of time. Its ridiculous the lengths I will go to "get ready" for company.

Now my house is always clean and neat to the naked eye, BUT if you were to look in a couple of drawers, you would be aghast at the amount of hair products, old prescriptions, and assorted lists and paper. I realize that no one is going to ever look in these drawers, but I guess it is a good excuse to clean them up.

OMG, I have thrown out three grocery bags of stuff. Don't cringe. Prescription bottles from 2002 and later; empty hair product bottles (I presume I saved them so I would remember what to buy), NOT. Lists. Gosh I'm a list maker. Today I actually consolidted some.

For instance, books. I'll read about a book, grab a teeny weeny piece of paper and write the book name down. I must have had about 30 little teeny weeny pieces of paper. I actually took time to put it all on one sheet of paper to order next time I'm in the states. Many can be bought used and in paperback for a few dollars.

The other thing I do before company is coming is cook. I'm resisting the urge to do that this time. Rather, I'm just going to buy lots of fresh fruits and veggies. This is THE season for that and will be a good way to eat when we're not eating in the great restaurants of San Miguel.

Now that all that is cleaned up, that's about it from this side of the border. Anticipation is always fun, don't you think?
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Saturday, July 10, 2010

Travel & Leisure Top Ten World's Best Cities

 



Woo hoo! I know that I live in a very special place. I knew it when I made the decision to move here after having traveled all over Mexico. BUT I didn't know the rest of the world knew it too.

Imagine my surprise and delight today to read that San Miguel de Allende was listed as Number Four in the Top Ten Cities of the World.

In order they are: (1) Bangkok (2) Chang Mai, Thailand (3) Florence (4) SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, MEXICO (5) Rome (6) Sydney (7) Buenos Aires (8) OAXACA, MEXICO (9) Barcelona (10) New York City

Interestingly, about eight years ago several couples left San Miguel and moved to Chang Mai. At that point I had never heard of it. Maybe I need to add it to my "must see" list.

How many of the Top Ten have you visited? I've only been to three.

The issue of Travel and Leisure also has a list of the top cities in the USA and Canada among other things. Pick up a copy if you're interested in reading more.

Congratulations to San Miguel de Allende. A much deserved rating.
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Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Adios, Amigo

I really couldn't think of how to start this post. I started to write it and then decided not to, but, I can't let this go by without acknowledging the passing of my dear friend, John Wiggs.

I remember as a pre-teen my grandmother saying to me one day, "The worst thing about getting old is losing your friends". I thought of that on Monday when I received the call from John's son. Over the last few years I've lost good friends but my friendship with John was long-standing, thirty-two years. He truly had become family to all of us.

People cross your path in life that are stellar. John was that. A man of higher integrity I have never met. His intellect and sense of humor always amazed me. And, he had become that "Rock of Gibraltar" that comes along seldom in one's life. I always knew if I had my back up against the wall, I could call John. No more.

And call him I did over the years - when Jessica (my granddaughter) had her toe severed. He came and waited with us as her toe was reattached. He came when Jennifer was ill with leukemia and needed transfusions. He was there when sitters were needed in pediatric intensive care to sit with little Christopher. Always there. Always.

In case you think this was a one-sided friendship, not. I was there when he had his heart attack almost sixteen years ago. He was at a regional hospital. I knew he would die if he stayed there. I threw a hissy fit (seldom happens but when it does, it's effective). The end result was he was moved to the Heart Institute in Houston at St. Luke's. He said many times that I saved his life and I would just smile.

He remarried to his high school sweetheart who he sought out and found. I was matron of honor for the wedding. Such intertwined lives.

Luckily I saw him on June 8th just before I returned to San Miguel. He was having some heart issues and had just gotten out of the hospital. We spent a couple of hours catching up. He was going back into the hospital for a new pacemaker. I had the awful feeling during the time we were together that I might not ever see him again. I'm so, so happy we had that time to talk about things.

I have spent many hours since Monday reminiscing about all the crazy, fun, silly, serious and loving things we did for each other. There is no way on earth that I will ever have a good male friend like that again in this lifetime.

Adios John.

Saturday, July 03, 2010

Letting Go Of The Past

 

 



I'm taking a big step next week. I'm selling almost all of my design library. The books that I moved down here ten years ago. Just in case I needed them for inspiration or statistics. Just in case I designed a restaurant, hotel or retail space. Luckily I haven't designed anything since I left Texas and its waaaaaay past time to let go and let someone else utilize and enjoy the tomes of knowledge and color.

It's interesting that when I decided to get rid of everything prior to leaving Texas, with the exception of books, art, photographs and a few kitchen items, that I never looked back with regret of any of the sold items. But, letting go of books, that is SO hard for me to do.

Now after I read a book I do pass it on before I have time to keep it. But the design library, I guess it was part of my previous identity.

As you can see in the second photo, I'm not getting rid of everything. I still have quite a few books on the architecture of Mexico along with interiors and folkart books of Mexico.

Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day! I'm taking baby steps to rid myself of possessions that I don't use anymore. Little by little. Step by step.
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Friday, July 02, 2010

Hurricane Alex

I'm more then surprised that Hurricane Alex came so far south in Mexico - to Ciudad Zacatecas to be exact. That is NOT far from here - three hours driving due north.
Who would ever have thought looking at the "proposed" track that it would do the exact opposite and hook south? It did.

We've had rain for two days and two nights. Not torrential and damaging but just steady with overcast skies. THAT is unusual in San Miguel. To wake up and not have blue skies is unique.

It is humorous to me because just a few days ago I was extolling the virtues of living in San Miguel and the fact that I never had to worry about evacuating for hurricanes again or dealing with flooding and damages like I did living south of Houston for so many years.

Memories of those times are hilarious, now. But at the time with three kids and being a single parent, I remember panicking and lifting, with my son's assistance, a console TV onto the kitchen counter right before we evacuated. Then we discovered, while trying to evacuate that we couldn't because the water from the bay was too high and the streets were already flooded. That was just a tropical depression and not even a full fledged hurricane. So, we got out his fishing boat and were ready, if necessary to motor out. I NEVER want to feel that kind of panic as to my childrens' safety ever again. It was very scary.

Of course we lived through that and the evacuations where we had the bird, the cat, the dog and other assorted creatures in the car heading to Lufkin to my brother's house. Geez, no wonder I'm a nutty old woman.........all those evacuations, all that stress.

So even though Hurricane Alex came close, there was no panic, no evacuation and of course none of the animals. Well, and just think, IF there had been animals it could have been bats, frogs, squirrels, scorpions and Velcro the cat. Isn't that a visual image to make you laugh?

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Animal House

 



The saga continues. In the last week there was the flight of the bats. A tree frog jumped on my bare foot when I opened the bathroom door. Prompting a squeal. A squirrel stood on its hind legs and looked in the bedroom door. All true.
What the heck is going on? Have I become the mistress of a jungle menagerie or something?

Cut to Tuesday evening when I had a couple of friends over for dinner. I seldom turn on the overhead lights in the house since I prefer table lamps or candles. But in this case I turned the overhead light on in the dining room while we were eating.

Fred, of Ron and Fred fame told me to look up at the light. Others might be embarassed by their lack of housekeeping abilities, not I. My first thought and comment was "Is it moving?" When it was established that it wasn't, I was so relieved. We all chuckled that the bane of my existence was captured right above my head. YUK!

Last year I had my first episode of being stung by one of those devils and it hurt like hell. On Saturday night I opened the bathroom door to go in and happened to look up and their was the BIGGEST scorpion I've ever seen. I slammed the door all the while praying he would stay right there while I gathered my weapons of mass destruction.

Upstairs I went for the spray starch which is used to freeze them in place. No spray starch. Damn. So I got the big fly swatter. Came down, put on my longsleeved robe and socks so IF it leapt it would not land on my skin. Pretty smart, huh? Got the step ladder and then gently opened the door. HE WAS STILL THERE. I carefully got on the top step of the ladder and hit the scorpion so he would fly into the shower stall. He did. I pulled the curtain back and mass destructed him. Double yuk. I use tons of toilet tissue to pick him up. Just in case one of those limbs could hurt me.

Yowsa, that is NOT how a single woman should be spending a Saturday night. With an animal! A bug no less.