Thursday, December 27, 2012

Outtahere


At this time tomorrow evening, I'll be on the terrace, overlooking the Pacific.

Hopefully I'll have an adult beverage in hand, some fresh seafood and a cool breeze.

No phone, no internet - just luxurious water views.  Hopefully a few glimpses
of breaching whales and other assorted "wildlife".

Happy New Year.  May 2013 be the best ever for you and yours.........and mine.

I'll return to reality around the first of February when I head to Texas.  Woo hoo.


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Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Velcro on Christmas


Velcro, the cat has said "Bah Humbug" to Christmas!

No special treats and lots of fireworks last night have left her in a sour mood.

We tend to agree with her - although it IS a beautiful warm day here in San Miguel de Allende........

Sometimes a little bah  humbug is ok.
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Monday, December 24, 2012

Feliz Navidad from San Miguel de Allende Mexico


Merry Christmas to all from around the world who have touched my life in so many wonderful ways.

May peace, tranquility and contentment be yours at this time of the year and forever.
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Sunday, December 23, 2012

Outrageous, Fun, Wacky and Silly in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico


One of the great things about being retired, living where other people are in similar situations, is that you can do any darn thing you want to do.

One can be as outrageous, fun, wacky and silly as often as you like.

My new friend Bill decorated his ATV for Christmas.  It just makes me double over laughing. 

I haven't seen it at night but there are Christmas lights all over it,
including lights on the Christmas tree.

Enjoy!  Merry Christmas.  Or, as we say in Mexico, Feliz Navidad.
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Saturday, December 22, 2012

A Christmas Tradition


While I was baking cookies - sand tarts, lemon bars and sugar cookies along with cheese balls this week, lots of memories flooded me of all the years I've been doing this.

My mother seldom cooked, so this tradition wasn't handed down.  I believe it began when the kids were in school, money was tight or non-existent, and the kids loved to help in the kitchen.

We would start around Thanksgiving and make "goodie" plates for the teachers, the mailman,  good friends and anyone else that we wanted to say Merry Christmas.  It was fun.  There would be powdered sugar everywhere.  Sprinkles and dough stuck under fingernails.  Flour on the floor.
But, oh, how much fun.  The kids loved it. 

It seemed the people who received these goodie plates did also.  In the past they were larger and full of things like fudge, Mississippi fudge cake, little pecan pies, along with the things that are now there.  The favorite of everyone was the buttermilk pralines that were made. I haven't made those in years.

Each child, even while off at college would contact me and say, "Now we ARE going to make?",whatever was their favorite.  I had possibly decided not to make that that year, but I never told them that, if they asked to make it with me.  So the whole repertoire continued.

Exit adult children.  Enter grandchildren.  The same dough everywhere along with flour etc.  In fact, my oldest granddaughter, Jessica was on the front page of the Houston Chronicle Food Section one year with the old mixer, the beaters and the dough.  I had mentioned our family tradition of making cookies together and the Food Editor, Ann Criswell dispatched a film crew. I think Jessica was in kindergarten or first grade at the time. What fun that was!

So, here I am, doing this alone.  No grandchildren to be with me to build memories and traditions.
Not a happy time.  In fact we've been told that we won't even get to see the children on Christmas to give them their gifts.

However, I'm soldiering through and making things that I hope a few friends will like.  Not as extensive as in the past.
                                                                                                                                                                          Still made with affection and love however.
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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Happy Birthday John


Often as parents we don't take time to say all the things that are in our heart to our kids.  It embarrasses then, sometimes if we try.

This is a good medium to be able to say some of those things. 

I can remember back to when I found out I was pregnant with him.  My husband and I were ecstatic.  He had just returned from a tour of duty in Turkey and had been back a few months. What a gift when we knew that another child was coming into our lives.

John was born shortly after my husband's time in the Air Force ended.  We were leaving Alexandria, Louisiana the month after he was born to go to LSU where my husband was entering pre-med.  Our lives in many ways were in transition.

John came home on a beautifuly SNOWY day in Louisiana!  Not typical at all.

Life rocked on.  Raising a daughter and then a son is a completely different ball game.  Whereas my daughter Jennifer liked girl things, John loved rocks, dirt, trees and fishing.

Once we were driving to Illinois, but detoured into Arkansas so he could dig for diamonds at a diamond field.  It actually looked like a potato field to me, but John was determined.  Although no diamond appeared.  It was fun to be there.

In high school John took French.  It changed his life.  A teacher was taking a group to France.  He asked if he could go and I responded that sure he could if he earned half the money.  It was a comment that I thought would go nowhere.  Well, he earned the money, went to France for six weeks and came back, changed forever.

Travel, languages, cultures and people have always been an integral part of his life. He spent two summers backpacking through Europe while in college on his own money.  Once, when he was leaving again I complained that I was nearly 40 and had never been and he had been twice.  He said such a wise thing to me.  It was, "Well Mom, if its important enough, you'll find a way"  The next year I went to Europe.  That comment of his has been a life altering thing for me.  I often remember it when I need to make a decision.

John's life of travel and work was altered forever when his sister Jennifer was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 7 months pregnant with her son Christopher.  Near death, literally, she gave birth to Christopher at seven months and started chemo the next day.  We were all stunned at the news and grateful to have a new baby to love. 

John's life was altered because he was tested and was a perfect match for a bone marrow donation for Jennifer.  This is not a little thing.  It requires isolation for a rather long period of time, the procedure and then being available for stem cell donations etc. etc. etc.  He had to give up his career in San Francisco to be available all the time.  He never once complained.  Not once.

He was Jen's caregiver over quite a long period of time, while trying to work too.  Jennifer's husband worked, I and his other grandmother took care of Christopher or we were at the hospital.  It was a difficult time.

Onward our lives all went until Jennifer's passing.  After we all grieved and eventually picked up our lives again, John decided to travel to India. A place he had always wanted to go.  Instead destiny wanted him not to.......it appears.  He came to Mexico to tell me goodbye and met an American woman here in San Miguel who became his wife.

Two wonderful children, Matilda and Sebastian came from that marriage - his only marriage.  Unfortunately it didn't work out and here in Mexico, John works and sees his children when the court mandates that he can.

Again, his courage, integrity, kindness and love of people carry him through.  I'm often stopped on the streets by people who have met John and they tell me what a wonderful son I have.  How kind he has been to them and something generous he has done for them.

It warms my heart, but doesn't surprise me.  He's the kid who always picked a wildflower for me or wrote a card to me that made me cry.

I'm honored to have him as my son.

Happy Birthday John!
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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Graffiti Artists Beautifying San Miguel de Allende for Christmas


When I first saw the painted gift boxes by the tree in the jardin, I didn't realize they had been painted by local teens who are graffiti artists!
 
Someone, I know not who, had the brilliance to harness all that talent at using spray cans to create something that everyone can enjoy.

I looked at them closely.  I cannot imagine trying to do that with spray cans......truly. 

But, the article I read said that is what they used.  Their normal materials.
Harnessing young people to better their community, to me is a good thing.

I saw a girl taking a photo of a prideful teenage boy near his creation.
It made me smile internally to know that this kid can go on to greater things.

The boxes really add color and fun to the Christmas tree.
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Monday, December 17, 2012

Quilter's Workshop on Scarf Making


I had no idea what scarf making meant especially with the list of supplies that we were told to bring. I understood pins, scissors and from then on I wasn't sure how ribbons, yarn, fabric strips and old scarves fit into the mix.

Before we got to start on the workshop there was a show and tell of quilter's creations.
I'm so intimidated by all of these women and their talent.  Unusual for me.

Last month we wove fabric strips in and out in a weavy pattern.  Then we were to go home and sew and highlight the piece with embellishments and binding.  Since I don't have a sewing machine yet, my piece is hidden in the cabinet.  Trust me, if I can make anything half way as attractive as the piece above, it will be nigh on to a miracle.  We'll see.

This quilter, Janet, is amazing at the amount of pieces she creates in a month's time.  SHE is an inspiration to put it mildly.........So many of her quilts are clothing she picks up second hand and creates these quilts. Among things she also uses are silks that she has dyed in multiple ways.

Don't ask me how this is done but the dress is rolled somehow in pieces of fabric. 
 
The beauty goes on and on.  The butterfly quilt was made by each member.  It is to be given to a charity to raise money for their work.  Each person did a butterfly square and embellished it.  It could be a quilt or a wall hanging.   Not sure when or where it will be auctioned off, but I'm sure it will raise a lot of  money.

In a more contemporary frame, these are hearts in quilt form.  The fabric choices are just magnificent, in my opinion.  Can hardly wait to get a machine and get started.  I feel the creative juices flowing again.

Here is the piece de resistance.  This is a photo of the scarf previously made.  This is what we were going to learn how to do today.  A riot of color.and texture.

If all of this wasn't perfect enough, it ended as a potluck luncheon all around a big table where I got to know more about each member.

What a perfect day of inspiration, creativity and wonderful new acquaintances.
Life is good.
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Sunday, December 16, 2012

Jumping to Conclusions!


Just as this photo frame is murky, the details of the perpetrator and the circumstances are still murky and unclear as to what happened at Sandy Hook.  Our society has become one of " instant gratification".  If the details aren't forthcoming, they reach their own conclusions.

In the past, perpetrators were young men with mental issues who were loners and not part of society.  I agree with that.  In those instances it was found that they did have mental health issues.  We don't know that with certainty about this young man as yet.

Someone emailed me yesterday wanting to petition the White House to keep guns out of the hands of the "mentally deranged".  I believe that is already part of the laws on gun control.  That is, if the gun shop owner does a background check which I have found out is seldom done.

Let's be careful not to stigmatize someone because they are different, not socially prominent, and a loner.  Otherwise, people like Einstein, Steven Spielberg and many, to numerous to mention, would be stigmatized.  Genius usually is different.  They seldom are part of society.

That doesn't mean they are someone who would commit homicide.  I have two family members who are extremely brilliant.  I dón't know if genius would apply, but I know they were never part of the "group".  One has invented numerous things.  One of his inventions helps premature babies.  The other relative is brilliant with computer related games and devices.  Things I don't even understand.  He's done well.   But, growing up, both of these people marched to their own drummer.

Someone could have looked at them and said, "Uh oh" he fits the profile.  Be aware.

I'm NOT defending the perpetrators.  All the past tragedies have been beyond comprehension.

I think besides gun control of assault weapons, greater availability for mental health care without stereotyping, and a stop to the terribly violent shows on TV and in the movies, we need to open up to kids that are different and engage them in conversation early on and be their friends.

Possibly, and I say possibly, that action could help to prevent the loneliness and sadness that leads to violent acts, among other things.

Just my thoughts.
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Saturday, December 15, 2012

Christmas Memory Lane


Last year I put the Christmas decorations up for the first time in ten years.  I decided to do that again this year in hopes that Matilda and Sebastian will get to spend Christmas time here.

So many of the decorations that I have out have a story.  From the little lids that I decoupaged in the late 70's, as seen above along with that Santa cookie jar purchased in the 70's, right through to the current time.

Although I haven't bought a new decoration in eleven years, with my house so small, its not necessary.  In fact there is a huge bin in the bodega full of more stuff!

The paper chain that is draped on the table behind Santa was made by my son John about 45 years ago when he was in kindergarten.  I love laying it out and remembering.

This framed letter to Santa and to me was written by my daughter Julie in the 80's.  Again, I treasure it and love to remember how thrilled I was when I unwrapped it on Christmas morning.  Julie is so creative and was coming up with clever ideas way back then!

You can only see the tip of the nose of the reindeer on the far left.  They were made by a man who lived in Houston who made dollhouses for both of my daughters and made precious furniture too.

All the ornaments are from the 50's and earlier.  They were my parents.  I might have added a few to the mix over the years but the majority were hung on the tree by me and my little brother when we were little.  He, my brother is now 65; I am ageless!  ha.

The hurricane glass behind the poinsetta is full of ornaments from before the 50's.  The Santa and many other decorations were painted by a dear friend Beverly Gale who I met in the late 60's and was a dear friend until I lost touch with her about 8 years ago.  I miss her terribly.  She is such a talented woman.

The teeny tiney nativity scene with the oyster shell as the background was given to me by a very talented young architect who worked for me in the 80's.  He died shortly after that and I treasure it so much that I have it displayed all year long.  The little drummer boy is from the early 70's when I used to make a special tree for each child each year.  One year John's tree was drummer boys made from clothespins and cotton balls.

Ah, this Nativity scene was purchased in Mexico City in 1974 on my first trip to Mexico.  I knew on that first visit that I would some day live in Mexico!

If you look closely at this angel pillow you'll see that instead of it being angels, it is actually handprints!  It is the four handprints of Julie and Rich's children - Jessica, Hannah, Andrew and Emma.  So clever.

Last but not least, is the gold lame' wings and the fuzzy antlers that my dog Flash wore for most of the 16 years that she was alive.  She's been gone for eight years.  I still get a lump in my throat when I pull these out of the box.

Merry Christmas everyone!  I so hope you have things to bring back memories of your past Christmases with loved ones.  
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Sunday, December 09, 2012

I'm a Webcam Addict!


I remember last summer while visiting some friends, they were glued - well the wife was - to the computer screen watching baby owls in a nest.

I sat and watched them for all of about two minutes while NOTHING happened, then proceeded to tease her for sitting there off and on all day watching the webcam.

Paybacks are hell.  Just this week, a realty company in San Miguel went "live" with a webcam pointed at the jardin and benches. 

The site is www.sanmiguelrealestate.com/live-webcam-san-miguel-de-allende-php   What fun!

I usually check it first thing in the morning when I get up and check my emails.  Not much going on then.

However, the first morning there was a dog walker with 6 dogs walking westward in front of the Parroquia, away from the webcam.  When he got past the jardin and the street that runs alongside it, all of a sudden, like a bullet, a black cat made a bee line for the jardin.  It came out of nowhere!  It looked once to the left to make sure the six dogs had not seen him and just kept on moving at the speed of light.

It made me giggle.  Truly.  Something that is free, that I can sit in my flannel pajamas and watch in the privacy of my bedroom, made me laugh out loud!

In the days since that incident, I've looked at different times.  Last night at about 8PM, Saturday night, the area in front of the Parroquia and in front of the jardin was PACKED  with people sitting on the wall, others looking at the tree, and still others playing with balloons........

If only those guys who write the State Department Travel Warnings along with the politicians that stereotype Mexico could see true life in Mexico, the whole thing would be doubly worth it.

In the meantime, I'm just going to enjoy watching the antics in the jardin from my perch on the hill when I'm not down there providing antics myself.

I'll wave!
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Saturday, December 08, 2012

Intolerance


These flowers were on the table of a reception for a man who passed recently who was the epitome of tolerance.

His name was Don Clay.  He was a black man who was a military warrior at one time but after retirement became a Pacifist, a man of tolerance and a Buddhist.  At least that is what our many conversations have led me to believe.  All has been corroborated by his many friends.

Don was born in 1930.  Raised by a single mom.  You and I know that it couldn't have been easy either on the streets of Philly or in the Navy and then Marines!

But, Don transcended race, totally.  I had such amazing conversations with him, sitting on the wall in front of the Parroquia many times.  He was especially compassionate and calming during my daughter's time with cancer.  Have you ever known someone who had an aura?  Don did.

I will miss him and the world will be a less tolerant place.

On that note, I have received two of the most venomous emails this week from former friends who discovered by reading the blog that I voted for Obama.  I'm shocked at the lack of tolerance.  I think everyone has the right to their own views and to vote for whoever they wish.

I certainly would never tell someone they couldn't possibly be a Christian.  That they probably had murdered their own children.  That IF I voted for Obama how many handouts did I live on?  And on and on and on.  It has really shaken me up.  Not the words, but the divisiveness of so many people and their intolerance.  Holy moly.

Each of us is so much more then who we vote for!  This seems to be the lightening rod, however, for this intense hatred that I felt in both emails.

All I can say is "Peace".  I hope that somehow this divisiveness will heal and all the people in the USA can work together instead of attacking each other for their differences.
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Tuesday, December 04, 2012

A First at 70!


Well I wish I could say it was something I had always dreamed of - or had a nightmare about.
The latter would be right on.  I was "hacked" last night.  I'm amazed as my password was so difficult, even I had to write it down somewhere where no other human would find it........except me.

So today, the only thing I knew to do was to change my password to something equally difficult.  And, again to hide that password.

Then my computer savvy daughter called and said it probably came from me looking at videos people post on Facebook.  Huh?  I don't get the connection but I believe her because she KNOWS.

So, I've done the same thing with Facebook, changed it.  It would take a rocket scientist, a Nasa engineer or any 13 year old computer savvy kid, probably, to figure this one out also.  Hopefully not.

Pretty good track record though.  I've had computers for over 20 years and this is the first, and hopefully the last "hack".

The other good thing is I know of 71 email addresses that are no longer valid because those all came back!  One of these days, when I'm absolutely bored out of my mind, I'll delete those 71 addresses.
Don't hold your breath, however.

On a different topic, I was at the Tuesday market today looking for Christmas things.  I found a little dog that barks and has a cute little hat on along with his legs moving for 45 pesos - about 3.60US.  I found other things I wasn't looking for, but were too cute to pass up.

In one instance when I found a ton of stuff on one table, I had misread the sign above the table.  When the man told me how much my nine items were I thought it was closer to 200 pesos and handed him 2 100 peso notes.  I had misread the sign.  Each item was only 10 pesos - about 80 cents each.  He handed back to me one of the 100 pesos notes.  If he hadn't, I wouldn't have known the difference and he would have made more money.  Contrary to the stereotype of Mexico, I find the people to be extremely honest...........and more then courteous.

A memory comes to mind while in Puerto Vallarta about 20 years ago.  I had wanted an ankle bracelet.  The boyfriend at the time and I had spent the afternoon drinking run and having fun.  When I mentioned that I wanted to get an ankle bracelet before we left PV, off we went to a jewelry store.  I
found one, the jeweler put it on my ankle and I paid.  Off we went again, weaving down the street, sorta.
Then I heard "Senora, Senora".  It was the jeweler.  He realized I had given him too much money and he was coming after me down the street to give me my change.............

Those two great experiences make things like getting hacked, irrelevant in my mind!
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