Sunday, September 30, 2012

It's the Little Things That Count!


 On Friday I saw Josefina out on the side of the house.  I wondered why she was out there.  She is usually so busy cleaning in here.  I was busy getting ready to walk down the hill and didn't give it another thought.  Whatever she does is fine with me.

Then she walked into the bedroom and put these yellow daisies from the field beside the house next to the photo of Jennifer.  I exclaimed at their beauty and thanked her profusely.  She smiled in return.

Every week she puts fresh flowers on the bedside table next to the photo of Jennifer, my daughter who passed eight years ago.

That small gesture touches my heart each and every time.  I know it makes Jennifer smile, wherever she is, also.

Each time I look at the photos I think of the kindness and thoughtfulness of Josefina.  I count my blessings that she is in my life. 
Posted by Picasa

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Casa Tranquilo Guest House - Available for Rent - NOW


 The "best laid plans of mice and men" can change in an instant.  The most recent guest who came the first of September to stay "forever", his words not mine, lasted 20 days.  He said Mexico and San Miguel de Allende are not for him and he has happily returned to Santa Barbara, California. 

I totally realize that Mexico is not for everyone and cautioned this guest to just come for a month and check it out and see if it WAS right.  Obviously, it wasn't.  Too much different every day.  Too many bells,  hills, etc.

So, my loss is your gain.  The house is available.  Everything, as you can see from the photos is in tip top shape and ready to charm you.

The above photo is the house from the garden.  The photo below is the garden from the front door of the guest house.

As you enter the first floor, it is made up of an "open concept"" living room, dining room and kitchen area.  The suede covered sofa  is a queen size bed!  In case you want to have a guest or two to visit.

 The house is light filled with all the windows along the front and the west side of the house. The views are of the extensive, lush gardens with something always, always in bloom.

Very recently the house was completely painted and is fresh and clean.

 Satellite TV and wireless internet is provided.  The TV has 120 channels!

 Also included in the rent are all utilities - electricity, gas, water and landline phone.  Maid service is provided once weekly.

Your only cost is sending out your laundry and buying bottled water which is only about $1.60 for a huge bottle that lasts about a week.

On the second floor, the bedroom is large and comfortable.  It is 16 ft. x 20 ft!  With a bathroom attached with a nice shower.  Plenty of storage.  French doors lead to a small balcony.  A lovely place for a cup of coffee in the morning or a place to take your laptop and check your emails!

All you really need to do is bring your suitcase with your clothes.  EVERYTHING else is provided.

 Linens, dishes, pots and pans, great books to read.  Comfortable rocker to sit in and read a good book or contemplate life.

The house rents for $800 a month with a one year lease.  Shorter term is negotiable but not preferable.

A security deposit of $300 along with first and last month's rent is required to secure the property.

On the third level is the roof terrace with views of the canyon, the mountains and all the plants on the roof.  A round table and many comfortable chairs are provided.

Hope you've enjoyed seeing Casa Tranquilo.  Look forwrd to hearing from you about coming to live in this quiet, tranquil setting with remarkable views.

If you're not looking for a place but happen to know someone who is, if you would pass this information on to them, I would be MOST grateful.

Either leave me a comment on the blog, or email me at babsofsanmiguel@yahoo.com
Posted by Picasa

Friday, September 28, 2012

Whistling a Tune


I've noticed that men in Mexico whistle a lot.  Sweet, melodic tunes.  Be it the gardener, the man who sells corn (elote) on the corner  every afternoon or someone needing to stop a truck or a taxi.  They all whistle.

Yesterday while getting gas put in the Pathfinder, the Pemex service station attendant was whistling while cleanng my windshield (limpio mi ventanas, por favor).   I just sat back and listened with a little smile on my face.  It was lovely.  No particular tune but he was  enjoying whatever it was.

When he came over to the pump to turn it off, I asked him how to say whistle in Spanish.  He told me and I told him how much I enjoyed his music.  I told him that men in the USA,( estado de unidos ), don't whistle much anymore like my dad and granddad did many years ago.  He asked me why and I said I guessed it was that they were in too much of a hurry and too stressed to whistle.  He smiled at me. Took the nozzle out of the tank.  We completed our transaction.

As I drove off and he went to service another car, he was whistling.  This time a little louder and a little happier, I think.

I smiled all the way home thinking of our conversation - most in Spanish! - and his happy tune.
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Counting down to 1000!


I realize I'm a mere "babe in the woods" as it relates to writing posts on a blog.

However, little did I know five years ago when I started posting that it would impact my life as much as it has. 

BillieBlog is responsible.  Thank you Billie.  I first tried in September 2006.  Very tentatively and decided I just couldn't do it.  Then in January 2007 I jumped in with a very short post.  The rest is history.

At this point, today, this is the 987th post.  Good grief, what could I have said in five years and 986 posts?  I doubt anythng of substantial earth shattering information.  I think of my blog as a "fluff" blog.  It's just about whatever comes to mind. 

The most important thing for me is that it started out as a cathartic exercise.  It worked.  The amazing thing is the wonderful people who I have met through these posts.  It is very heartwarming.

In the last couple of months, I received an email from a woman who discovered the blog.  She went back and read all 900 and something posts.  I was flabbergasted. We have emailed back and forth.  As I write this, this couple are here in San Miguel looking at property with the thought of moving here from the Santa Barbara area of California!

I had dinner with them Sunday evening.  Because both had read the posts, they knew everything about me and it was as though we had known each other forever.  Quite a unique experience.

I've had similar experiences like that over the last five years.  Each time it suprises me that the written word can have an impact even when that isn't your intention.  Pretty powerful stuff.

I can't compare to those who write beautiful prose and blogs such as  Rancho Santa Clara and The Unseen Moon.  Their writing is like liquid gold to my mind.  Mine, to me, is clunky in comparison.

Of course, I didn't start writing for it to be a literary spectacle.  I started writing to reopen my heart to life.  The blog and you  have succeeded in doing that totally.

Thank you for coming by from time to time!
Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Heading to Rancho Santa Clara


What a delightful surprise!  The trip to the country last Saturday with friends.  We headed out toward Jalpa and then turned down a dirt road.  The first delight was the goats frolicking in front of us.

We drove along seeing incredible vistas of wildflowers for as far as the eye could see.  Shades of yellow, pink, orange, and of course lush green.
The above photo was taken of the garden at my friends' house.  Scrumptiously delicious.

Psychologically, green is a soothing color.  Honestly I could feel myself relaxing the longer we were there.  This vista is from the house.  Beauty everywhere with the mountains in the distance.

In the house, which I had never visited before, the architecture, the furnishings and the attention to detail was some of the finest I've ever seen in a newly built home in Mexico.  Kudos to all involved in the decisions and construction.   The detail that, to me, was the most wonderful is this semi circle window looking out while in the shower!  Lovely, lovely.

I have a thing for stone walls.  This one was no exception.  It extended for as far as I could see.  I always wonder who did it, how long did it take and when did they do it?  The first time I saw stone walls like this was in England. 

Cosmos are everywhere.  This delicate flower that looks so fragile blooms in abundance this time of the year.  So do the sun flowers which are approaching the height of my Pathfinder car!

It appears from the photos that we drove a long, long way to get to Rancho Santa Clara.  In fact, it was only about 20 minutes.  And, yet, one is definitely in a more peaceful, natural world.

Great day.  Great food.  Great friends.  Great house.
Posted by Picasa

Monday, September 24, 2012

Hopping off the bus!


 I'm driving down Aurora today, not in the best of moods.  The last few days have not been good and I'm sort of out of sorts.  Not my usual sunny disposition.  I'm on my way to my friend Angie's house to return her cat carrier.  The bus is in front of me and stopping dead in the middle of the street.

THEN I saw her with her Mom, hopping off the bus.  Actually all I could see were feather wings.  My thoughts were, "Where did she come from?" and "Where is she going?"

I quickly followed the moving bus.  Whipped into a parking place in front of Angie's house.  Hopped out of the car with camera in hand.  Angel and Mom came along and I asked if I could take a picture of here precious little girl.

Mom smiled, put her daughter down on the sidewalk and I snapped these two photos quickly so I wouldn't detain them from where ever they were going.

My spirits were lifted!  Isn't it amazing how a seredipitous experience like this can raise your mood instantly?

After I left Angie's I went down the dirt road going toward Obraje and as I came to the corner to turn there were Aztecan dancers, a few people.........and the Angel and her Mom!  It was obvious that some kind of a little neighborhood desfile (parade) was coming.

Now I'm smiling and grinning...........all the way home.

What a precious little angel who lifted my heart and spirit.

Viva Mexico!
Posted by Picasa

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Hula hooping!


When I moved into this house eleven years ago, I wanted a yard for my dog Flash.  Flash loved running and playing in all the various areas of the garden but he died in 2004.  For a long time I just enjoyed the garden but didn't have many people out there.

 All of that has changed in the last year and a half as Matilda and Sebastian come to visit and to play.  I found these musical hula hoops a couple of weeks ago.  I knew the kids would enjoy them.  In the top photo, Sebastian is helping his Daddy assemble them.  Then the fun began.

 Plenty of room to twirl here.  It didn't take Matilda long to figure it out.  Sebastian tried once or twice but he prefers to take his dump truck to wear the white rocks are "in the jungle" as he calls it and play there. Digging.

Matilda found a pomegranate on the ground and in this photo is running to show me so we could open it and see what is inside.

Simple pleasures that I never take for granted.  I'm grateful each time I see them and get to hug and play with them.  A true miracle of life.
Posted by Picasa

Monday, September 17, 2012

An 84th birthday!


How do you celebrate your birthday when yóu're turning 84?  You bake a cake.  Invite wacky friends.  Provide straw hats.  And, sit in all the men's laps!

My friend Dogie Lou, (you pronounce it like "get along little doggie)  from West Texas, the woman in the white shirt with the black scarf and black glasses is quite a character.  High energy and great sense of humor doesn't begin to describe her.  She is "one of a kind" and a great friend.

We all gathered where we have our usual Monday Morning Coffee Klatch meeting every week..  Except this day was Wednesday.  She had cleared with the powers that be at this sidewalk cafe that it would be all right for her to bring her own cake.  A cake for everyone.

This photo was as it began.  It got rowdy before it was over.  Lotsa photos to see of Dogie in her flashing sunglasses.  A gift from someone.  Other racy gifts were opened, exclaimed over and laughed at.

As if all that wasn't enough, Dogie had to go sit in just about every man's lap.  Causing her husband to turn beet red in embarassment.  Oh heck, at 84 you can do anything you want, I think.

Then Dogie saw two Mexican nationals, good looking men, sitting at the next table smiling.  Never one to be shy, she walked over and asked if she could have her picture taken with them.  They had BIG smiles after that.

What a hoot!  Something so simple.  Good friends.  Capucchinos, Cake and lotsa laughter.  My idea of a fabulous time.

Happy Birthday Dogie.

To see ALL photos of this wild and wonderful gathering go to:
http://picasawebgoogle.com/102110248567521118220/DogieSBirthdayParty2012
Posted by Picasa

Sunday, September 16, 2012

A Sure Sign of Fall


 This tree is, of all places, in front of the Telmex office.  It is a golden raintree.  A type of tree that is prolific in Houston, Texas.  It has always been one of my favorites.  As far as I can determine, this is the only one in San Miguel!  They always bloom just about the time it is ready for fall.  I used to use the blooms, which contain seeds, in floral arrangements back in my time in Texas.  I'm always happy to see this one in bloom.

  Last week I stopped to take this photo as I left the Telmex office after trying to resolve the issue of the internet service that I never got through Telmex but was billed for anyway.  I think it has been resolved.  I'll know when I get the bill next month.  This issue has been going on since August 9th!


On a happier note, as I worked in the garden yesterday both in the main garden and the downstairs patio along with the roof terrace, it was apparent that fall IS in the air.  I noticed some plants getting ready to bloom that only bloom in the fall.  In addition, leaves turning and a slight chilly breeze.  I was working in a sweatshirt!

Later in the afternoon with book in hand, I and Velcro headed to the roof for some r&r.  She stretched out on the chaise for a nap.  Me in a comfy chair with a new book.

Just a few minutes after we settled down, Spanish guitar music from nearby played softly.  So, so lovely.  The sun had warmed up the breezes.  I looked out at the mountains, listened to the music and exhaled.  I realized that this was as close to paradise as I could possibly imagine.

It's those moments that I'm so glad that I recognize how blessed that I am.
Posted by Picasa

Saturday, September 15, 2012

VIVA MEXICO!


The excitement has been building for days, even weeks.  The bandstand in the jardin was decorated yesterday.  The street decorations are all up.  The fireworks are ready to fire tonight.

The parades are finished.  The relays are done.  All the horsemen have gone wherever horsemen go at night.

The people are assembling in the jardin for the "Grito"" tonight.

VIVA MEXICO!
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Saturday Morning Organic Market


 I had not been to the market in a couple of years.  I was astonished at the size and diversity of it all now.
Booths with pre-prepared food, fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers and other assorted  stuff.

Grassy places for the kids to play and run and dance.  Matilda's favorite thing to do - dance.

Large groups having breakfast and camaraderie were nearby.  And, a certain Grammy getting extra hugs.

At times, Matilda and Sebastian were oblivious to the fact that anyone else was around.  A wonderful thing.

Mati was dancing because there was an AWESOME blues band playing.  I mean AWESOME - like New Orleans awesome.  I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

I felt like I was back n the bayous of Louisiana listening to Jimmy Reed on harmonica.  Delightful.  (I got their card, just in case I ever have another party).

It's great to see something that a few years ago was about 15 booths be as large as this is now.  The fresh goat cheese, squash blossoms, breads, and other delicious foods were just that, delicious.
Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Road Trip to Glass and Candle Factory


It takes company"" coming to town to get one off the beaten track to do those trips that you say you'll do "some day". I've been telling Charlie Hall, the owner of the candle and glass etching company that I would come out to see their processes.............for two years, at least.

I finally got there last week with my friends from Galveston. Both items made by hand at the factory are exported to high end retail and wholesale suppliers in the USA. The candles, all hand made and covered, layer by layer, with wax are marketed under the name of Santa Rosa candles. One of a kind is what a hand made process produces. The handicapped workers that work in both areas are very proud of their work, as well they should be.

Charlie is physically challenged. He is so sharp, so smart and just a delightful, passionate man about his life and his business. You totally forget his challenges. He is very proud of the many employees who are physically challenged who work day in and day out making etched glass, candles, packing and shipping the products. Nothing is impossible to this group.

I've been using these candles for as long as they have been making them, I think. It used to be that you had to get them in Patzcuaro. Now there are a couple of stores in San Miguel where they can be purchased.

The woman in this photo is hand stamping each and every candle individually with the Santa Rosa crest.

It boggles the mind to see these men with such basic machinery using it to etch intricate designs into the glass. Truly amazing and inspiring. (Notice the crutches leaning up against the work table.)

I asked Charlie how much breakage they have. He said hardly any as the men know what the cost of each item is and that is a loss to the company if it gets broken. For them safety and a beautiful product is paramount.

If you want to see the whole product line, you can go to www.Rose Ann Hall Designs. That's Charlie's mom.

I wrote about Charlie in the last few years. I tried to find the previous blog, but since I don't remember the name of the blog, it is impossible.

Charlie and his beautiful products along with his wonderful business model deserve two posts, anyway.
Posted by Picasa