San Miguel Scenes

It seems that I'm always posting photos of processions and celebrations. Or family events. Once in a while I "do" social events too. This past week was chock-a-block full of social events. Two in the country or campo, as we say and one in town at a lovely home.

The photos of the garden and beautiful orchid blooming on the tree were taken at a San Miguel garden club. The house is at the end of a dead end street. You would have no idea at its depth and breadth until the gate is open. What a beautiful, green, lush surprise. The owner obviously, at some point, lived abroad as the home is filled with beautiful Oriental decorative accessories. Hence the shelter out in the garden with the Asian influence. Lovely, isn't it? This home is in the "centro" of San Miguel. I would guesstimate it is on about three or four lots.

On Sunday I drove to the country to a beautiful ranch for Easter dinner. What a festive event. There must have been close to 50 or more people there. It was a potluck, which is always fun. To add to the enjoyment the Estudiantes from Guanajuato sang for about an hour. What a great sound. In the winter they wear these beautiful velvet costumes. Often, at night you'll see them walking down the streets of San Miguel singing on their way to the jardin. It is always a thrill for me.

The most celebratory and amazing event was last week. It was the wedding celebration of my dear friend Bill and his new bride Elvira. All of us there were amazed and thrilled for them. It is the first marriage for Bill who just turned 65!
Elvira is from Uruguay. They met in San Miguel where her grown children live and after five years this amazing event happened.

It is a beautiful ranch only six kilometers outside of town. What lovely rolling hills. The ranch has guest rooms to rent along with stables and a chapel. All can be rented for events. I had no idea of its existence.

A great band played and the celebration lasted into the night. As wedding celebrations should.

What a week..............

A Different Easter Season

This year has been a different Easter Season for me. I DID watch the Palm Sunday procession. That was the only one. Usually on Wednesday I watch the Way of the Cross procession with the flowers strewn across the streets along with the Stations of the Cross built into the side of the buildings decorated with statues and floral arrangements. Then on Thursday I usually walk from church to church to see the feet being washed which symbolizes the washing of the feet of the Apostles. To finish up Holy Week, I usually see the noon procession on Good Friday along with the very solemn procession that night of all of the older women all dressed in black carrying the lanterns. NOT this year.

This year I've been in the midst of getting ready for two little munchkins to come to my house and dye eggs along with coming back to see what amazing things a hopping rabbit can create.

The Easter bunny had a heck of a time finding anything to fill Easter baskets with. Even a heck of a time finding baskets with handles for little ones to carry. But persevere the bunny did, with new Easter outfits, Easter baskets and all the eggs to hunt for in the garden.

Instead of a traditional Mexican Easter week, this year it has been an American one. Not anything I ever expected to have happen in Mexico!

The only thing left that happens during Semana Santa is the blowing up of the Judases in the jardin tomorrow. I won't be there for that either - other plans.

However, in past years I've posted photos galore of all of the above. This year its all about family. How divine!

Dyeing Easter Eggs

I'm in full "Grammy mode" this week. Matilda is not in pre-school, I have no projects on the agenda, so it's PLAY time.

Yesterday we dyed easter eggs, just Mati and me. How fun! Amazingly I still had old boxes of food color, white vinegar and crayons. So we didn't use any of the newfangled gizmos they have now for dyeing eggs. No we did it the way I did it with my kids and other grandkids. It worked.

We started out with almost two dozen eggs. And nary a one got broken. They are all done and ready in the fridge for the Easter bunny to hide them in the garden.

Matilda is worried about her one year old brother coming to the hunt as she is afraid he will "stomp" on the eggs. She said that and then demonstrated what she meant by stomping her shoe down VERY hard. It cracked me up.

Notice in the photo as we are dyeing the eggs, with photo taken by Dad John, that her "baby" whose name I think is "poquito baby" was watching all of the activities.

I was surprised how fast a three year old could dye 22 eggs. We then moved on to other things. Like reading books, snuggling and a little TV cartoon watching.

What fun these little visits have become. Tomorrow, Saturday, we'll have the Grand Hunt with Matilda and Sebastian. I can hardly wait to see if Sebastian WILL stomp on the eggs.

Fuscia Princess Shoes

In March I wrote about going to the tianguis in Melaque and the wondrous things I found to buy. To me the most wondrous of all were the fuscia princess shoes for Matilda. I didn't buy them at first because I wasn't sure of her size. So phone calls back to San Miguel were necessary to confirm the size, which was given to me in US sizes. Back to the tianguis I went - no one could convert the American size to Mexican sizes so back to the bungalow I went to confirm and convert on the internet. On my third try, I got the shoes. They were to be a birthday present to go along with a pink tutu and butterfly wings.

In most ways in life I'm practical. When it comes to grandchildren I'm not. Hence the fuscia shoes.

I had no idea they would be such a big hit. Matilda would wear them every day if she could. She almost does, as you can see by the wear on them in just two months. It makes my heart smile.

She and her dad were here yesterday for an impromptu visit. Matilda in her tutu and fuscia shoes. I made a mental note that I need to find another pair of shoes just like those. They don't look like they are going to last much longer. I'm even contemplating a drive to Melaque (8 hours) to the tianguis to get another pair.
Aren't grammys silly?

Shoes have always been something that my kids and grandkids have loved. Not normal shoes mind you, but something I find that I think is different and that they would enjoy. My memory actually goes back to my son, at age four, sleeping with a new pair of hush puppies resting on his chest. I went in to tuck him into bed the night of his birthday. That was the sight. That was forty-three years ago. It is still in my mind's eye.

My oldest granddaughter loved "shiny shoes". Patent leather like I wore as a child.
I lost count of how many pairs of Mary Jane patent leather black and/or white shoes I bought for her through her life. It was my great pleasure. Now that she is almost twenty I need another wee one to practice on. I've found her.

Mati loves her fuscia princess shoes. She can "ballerina" in them, she says.

Wind, Dust, Locusts, Rain?

Everyone from West Texas always talks about the legendary Dust Storms. All my life I've heard those stories. I couldn't relate. At least not until this week. We've had two this week in Mexico. Of epic proportions.

The wind storm last night was so strong that I was afraid the oyamel (fir) tree was going to break. Even the cat had her ears up, watching.

Winds were gusting near 40 MPH. I stood at the bank of windows in the living room watching the dust gather and start to head this way. It was obscuring the sky, the mountain range and the sun. Eeery.........I was transfixed by the sight until I realized all the windows and doors were open.

I sprang into action by closing everything. Tightly. Closing everything helped. Not totally. Today there is a thin layer of grit everywhere. YUK!

Lordy, I hope the locusts don't come next...........

Never once did I pray for rain while living in the tropical Gulf Coast of Texas. It wasn't necessary. Here I've learned to look forward, with gusto, to the rainy season.

All I can say is "BRING IT ON". June can't come soon enough.

The "lurkers"

It happened again last night. I was out at dinner with friends when a couple stopped at the table to visit with my friends. Subsequently I was introduced and they said, "Oh we know you, we read your blog all the time". Of course I replied that I didn't know that since they had never commented. Most of you lurkers don't. That's okay with me because lately I've found myself reading and not commenting.

I didn't do that in the past. If I read it, I commented. Somehow now I don't always feel the need........

There are a LOT of us out there - about 1000 a week lurking at my blog..........it is amazing and fascinating.

So, hello Jim and Susan, fellow lurkers, who don't comment but now I know who you are!

A Pleasing Vignette

Flowers that have survived for a week since my birthday were rescued this morning and placed in a little vase that I had in the cabinet. I really didn't think too much about what I put them in or where I intended to put them. I selected this little vase more for the size of its opening then anything else.

Walking around the house, I decided to put it in the bathroom in the nicho where all the white, fluffy, towels are stored to add a little color. No more thought then that.

I was in the bathroom a little while ago and really noticed the "vignette" for the first time. The texture of the towels, the colors of the carnations. And the sweetness of the vase. I wanted to share it with you.

All the gentle, wonderful memories of my time in Delft twenty years ago came flooding back at the sight of that little vase. What a delightful day and time in my life. I had traveled to Europe for the first time, alone. I had decided to take a day trip on a bus to Delft, Rotterdam and The Hague. I had no idea what I would see, how far I was going, but I was ready. I do remember it was the first time in my life that I was on streets so narrow that the bus driver had to pull his mirrors in to be able to drive down the street! Now I do that all the time on narrow streets in Mexico!

Delft was charming. Rotterdam was shocking - all new construction - very avant garde. Why? Because the town had been bombed to smithereens during WWII. That was a first for me also, seeing first hand what the war had done to Europe. A lasting memory. A memory of the Hague? An Asian couple posing in front of the Hague dressed in their wedding finery for a wedding photo. Unique, I thought.

The other sweet part of the carnations in the Delft vase is that the flowers were given to me by Josefina, the maid, for my birthday. I was so touched that she remembered. I was touched that she took the time and her money to buy them for me. It means a lot to me.........I know she doesn't have the time or money. What a dear person she is to me.

A task to save a few flowers turned into a vignette of beauty but also of sweet, meaningful memories.

A Walk in the Park

I'm still not accustomed to running into my son, the father of Mati and Sebastian on the streets of San Miguel. It is still a surprise to be able to see the kids and to spend time with them. A good surprise.

Last Sunday I trudged down the hill, hooked up with them in the jardin and we all walked to Juarez Park for a couple of hours of fun and frivolity. What fun!

Sebastian had been asleep in this backpack contraption that "Gypsy Kid Son" wears while holding Mati's hand. It is actually quite a neatly organized way to carry a child, food, and anything else in little pockets.

Sebastian awoke when we arrived at the park. To see his expression as he looked around and saw the swings was a delight.

Mati likes to "take things in" before jumping into them. So she watched kids playing and slowly warmed up to the idea of the swings, slides and climbing wall. BUT once she did, it was full force from one to another. Same for Sebastian.

Whew, I'm often reminded why young people have children! After two hours of non-stop activity they headed home for lunch and a siesta. Grammy did the same thing........and is looking forward to the next time........

Favorite Electronic Device in Mexico

Hands down, it is loudspeakers. They have them, big time, at the kindergarten on one side of me. The other side, which is the primary school, has them also. Both are very small schools with really NO NEED.

However the principal at the primary school enjoys making the morning announcements at 8AM on the loudspeaker. And the kindergarten uses it later in the morning, sometimes, to play music which the children sing to.

I prefer the singing children any day..........if I have to. The music is always a scratching sounding. The loud speakers cut in and out. Lordy, it is a teeth gritting experience. Kinda like someone running their fingernails down a blackboard.

Luckily it doesn't go on for hours and hours.

In addition, every time there is a group of musicians in the jardin, which is a ten minute walk, they crank up the loudspeakers. No need for me to be there. I can hear it just fine up here on the hill, softly.

And then there is the kid next door. A teenager. While washing his car, his speakers are so loud that my windows rattle. I just hold my breath and hope he hurries up and finishes. OR, that his parents come home and have him turn his music down. Sweet kid, always polite. It's just the music.

Thankfully, this doesn't happen often. Maybe that's why I notice it so much.

VIVA MEXICO!

Photos of Anado's Show from Previous Post

If you wish, you can click on the photos to see the work in greater detail. In the photo with the two men, Anado is to the left and Richard is to the right.

Enjoy.

The Insider's Outsider's Art Show

 

 

 

For those of you who have read this blog for a while, you know that I'm an enthusiastic collector of both Mexican folkart and outsider art. I have traveled throughout the USA and Mexico to meet artists, artesans and to see outsider environments.

The most spectacular "outsider" environment in Mexico is Las Pozas near Xilitla, Mexico. I've been there several times.
Next to that is Casa Ranas created by Anado and his partner Richard here in San Miguel. When I've had the opportunity, I've shared it with those who appreciate unique and creative environments.

Anado has had an eclectic life. Traveling and living in all kinds of cool places. He and Richard created their own environment, home and chapel. The Chapel of Jimmy Ray. Worth a trip to San Miguel to see this, in my opinion. The New York Times and other publications, too numerous to mention, have written not only about the house, but about Anado's creations/assemblages.

I have one creation of Anado's. It's at the top of the stairs and EVERY day it is the thing I see as I head up to start my day. It is always a delight. Matilda, my three year old granddaughter is totally fascinated by the work and stands for quite a long time each time she is here to notice lots of things and point them out - especially the swinging angel.

Not long ago Anado had a show in Baltimore at the Visionary Art Museum - a BIG deal - VERY big. It was thrilling to know he had reached this level of exposure in the art world. He deserves it.........

Happily a new exhibit opened in San Miguel last evening called "The Insider's Outsider's Art Show". What a happy show to see. Anado's creativity was exhuberant, playful and developing........always with a great message, if you take time to observe.

The exhibit is up for a month at Galeria/Atelier at Fabrica La Aurora. If you're in town, go see it. You'll leave with an uplifted spirit - I promise.

Lessons of life..........everywhere!

I never know what I'm going to write about until I sit down at the computer. Maybe a general idea, sometimes, but not often.

That's why other peoples blogs are so well written and succinct. I think I tend to ramble and often forget to make a point. Oh well, that's me.

BUT yesterday I saw something that made me laugh and taught me a little lesson.

Friday's I try to be in the jardin to see everyone, buy the paper, hear what's going on for the weekend and generally just schlepp around. Usually find friends to have lunch with........it's a Friday thing.

A group of us were sitting on the bench talking, but watching the constant parade of people in front of us. The parade included pigeons too.

There were a couple of these feathered guys strutting around. Someone walking by dropped a couple of round, hard pretzels. I presume for the pigeons. One of the pigeons picked it up and threw it around trying to break it open. Now I'm mesmerized wondering how this pigeon is going to get to eat this pretzel. He tried for at least a minute or two. Then he dropped it. Someone walked by and stepped on it. NOW the pigeon could eat it. It was all broken up for him and his buddy.

For me the lesson was "Have patience - sooner or later someone will come by and step on your pretzel".